And Then There Was AU

Accidental Love

2008-06-13T05:13:32Z

Accidental Love: Part Three

Author: AngelsRebellion

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Angel/Spike (Human AU)

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters, just the fic

A/N: So sorry it took so long to get this out. I guess time really does fly. Anyway, this is the last filler chapter, and I have to admit that part of the reason it's taken so long to complete is because I absolutely hated writing it lol. But it's done and it's here and the next part will be done next weekend at the latest.

A/N: As always much love and credit goes to bachaboska and her Spangel AU fanvid for the inspiration for this fic. I highly reccomend you go check it out and give her some love!

Summary:

Meet Angel, the new Chairman of Wolfram & Hart, who thought that he couldn’t hate his job more…

And Spike, Angel’s boss’ eccentric son, who thought that he couldn’t be more of a disappointment to his father…

A story about two men... And Accidental Love…

When the hardest thing to say is the truth… How much are you ready to sacrifice…

For Accidental Love…

Accidental Love: Part Two here

With a sidelong glance at Wesley, Angel took her hand hesitantly. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name.” Danger, Will Robinson.

The woman smiled, her white teeth flashing, and said, “You can call me Eve.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel raised an eyebrow. “Eve. That’s…well kind of ironic.”

Wesley cleared his throat. “Ms. Madison was, er is the L.A. branch’s liaison to the Senior Partners.”

“Liaison?” Angel asked, looking between Wesley and Eve who were glaring at each other with absolutely no premise of civility.

Eve was the first to break the glaring match, Angel didn’t miss the Wesley’s small smirk, and flashed him a tight smile. “Basically I’m the middle man. Any problems you have, you tell me and I pass it along to the Partners, and vice versa.”

Angel frowned at that. “So you’re, what? My babysitter?”

“Things might go more smoothly if you didn’t think of it like that,” Eve said, although she didn’t deny the accusation.

“I find it very curious,” Wesley began, “as to why the Senior Partners would trust you to remain their liaison given the circumstances.”

Angel’s head shot up. “What circumstances?”

Ignoring Angel’s question, Eve rounded on Wesley. “The big guys trust me, that’s all you need to worry about.”

“You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not as trusting of your motives Eve,” Wesley smirked.

“And you’ll just have to get over yourself. All you have to do is your job and let me do mine,” she said. She looked down at her watch and smiled. “Look at that, I’m late for a meeting. Angel, I’ll be seeing you.”

Angel watched Eve saunter out of the room and when the doors swished closed behind her, he turned to Wesley and crossed his arms over his chest. “Okay, what am I missing?”

Wesley jammed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. He knew what he was about to say wasn’t going to sit well with the new boss and he chose his words carefully. “I understand that you are well…acquainted with Lindsey McDonald.”

Angel frowned. “Unfortunately,” he said. “Wait, is Lindsey still here?”

“Ah, no,” Wesley hedged. “Mr. McDonald has been reassigned to our Houston branch. The Senior Partners thought that given your, er history, that it would be in everyone’s best interest.”

Good. “Okay,” Angel nodded, “So what does Eve Madison have to do with him?”

“Well, up until today many people, myself included, believed that she had requested to be assigned to Houston with Lindsey.”

Both of Angel’s eyebrows lifted at that. “So they were involved romantically.”

“A little more than involved,” Wesley affirmed, “They’ve been engaged for the last two and a half years. Well, they were at any rate. I’ve no idea what her deferment here means.”

“You think she’s up to something?” Angel asked. He didn’t need anyone trying to throw a monkey wrench in his wheels before he even had a chance to get the motor revved.

Wesley shook his head. “I really couldn’t say. They may have simply broken the engagement,” he said, although his tone suggested how unlikely he believed that to be.

Angel didn’t buy it either. “Whatever it is, I want to keep an eye on her.”

Wesley nodded. “Of course.”

The two men stood in silence for a few moments, the implications of Eve’s presence and position in the law office being filtered and stored for future use. Angel was the first to break the silence.

“So this is my office,” he said as he looked around the spacious room. There was a long table at one end, he assumed it was there for meetings. On the other end was his desk. He walked over and ran his hand along the rich wood surface before circling it to admire the plush leather chair that sat behind it. He sat down and decided that he rather liked the soft material against his fingertips. Smiling absently as he swiveled to look at the wall behind him, a glint of metal caught his eye and he turned to see the steel door of what looked like an elevator. In his office.

Seeing where Angel’s attention was drawn, Wesley walked over to the steel door. “This,” he said, “is the elevator that leads to your private suite.”

“I have a private suite?” He’d most likely smack himself later for feeling excited about it, but come on…Private suite!

Wesley smiled. “Indeed. All of the department heads have one in the building, myself included. Would you like to go up?”

“Uh, yeah,” Angel said, and although it may not have been the most sophisticated response, he really didn’t care. Because he had a private suite.

He pressed the button on the panel next to the door and it instantly slid open. Inside he and Wesley listened to the tinkling music that can only be found in an elevator as they rode up. Angel wasn’t certain which floor of the building they were going to as there were only three buttons on the inside panel: Garage, Office, Apartment. As the door slid open into a short corridor, Angel made a mental note to check out the garage later. He stepped into the corridor with Wesley and watched as the other man took a piece of paper from his pocket. It was then that he noticed the key pad on the wall beside the light oak door in front of them.

“The security code to unlock the door,” Wesley said, handing Angel the paper. Written in pencil was the seven-digit code, along with instructions on how to change it if he desired.

Angel keyed the code in and heard the soft snick of the lock turning. As he turned the knob and pushed the door open, Angel’s eyes widened at the scene before him.

“Whoa.”

Light hardwood floors, high ceilings, black, overstuffed leather furniture and a huge stone fireplace made up the spacious living area. He walked further into the apartment and there was a break in the cream colored wall to his right that led to a small, brightly lit kitchen area, complete with marble topped counters, every kind of kitchen appliance, and a round table and chairs set. Out of curiosity, he walked over to the large stainless steel refrigerator and wasn’t surprised to see it fully stocked. He checked the cabinets and found that they were also stocked with food and also dishes.

“This is kind of scary,” he said to Wesley who had followed a few steps behind him.

Wesley merely shrugged as he leaned against a counter-top. “Many of the department heads find having a private place in the building quite convenient. Especially after working late into the night. In fact,” he added, “Lorne Adams, our head of entertainment, has taken up permanent residence in his suite.”

“Are you serious?”

“Oh yes, it’s really not that uncommon actually.”

“And what about you?” Angel asked curiously.

“I prefer to keep a separate apartment in the city that is unconnected with the firm,” Wesley said with another small shrug, “That isn’t to say that I haven’t spent the occasional night in my own suite after burning the midnight oil.”

“Uh huh,” was all Angel said as he continued to explore the apartment. He ended up walking down a short hallway and when he opened the door at the end of it, he was looking into a bedroom fit for a king. Or CEO.

In the center of the room sat a king sized, wrought-iron framed bed, simply sheeted and blanketed but heaped with pillows that he didn’t have to feel to know that they were down stuffed. The floor was covered in thick, creamy carpeting, the walls painted the same color as the rest of the apartment. To his right there was a door that he assumed led into the bathroom, but what really caught his attention was the wide expanse of windows that literally made up the entire left wall. The high Los Angeles sun streamed in through the windows, filling the room with bright sunlight that made flipping a light switch pointless.

“Wow,” was all he could say as he looked out over the Los Angeles skyline. He barely noticed when Wesley stepped next to him and it wasn’t until the other man cleared his throat that Angel turned to look at him.

“I was thinking you’d like the rest of the tour of the building,” Wesley said.

“Oh. Yeah, okay.”

They made their way out of the suite and down to Angel’s office once more to find Gunn and Connor waiting for them behind Angel’s desk, both wearing surprised expressions as the two men stepped out of the elevator.

“Hey,” Connor said from his seat in Angel’s chair, “very Star Trek.”

“Dude what the hell is with those doors?” Gunn chimed in, not looking the least bit guilty about rummaging through the desk drawers. “I feel like there should be a Wal-Mart greeter in here telling me to have a nice day or some shit.”

Angel threw the doors a contempt filled glare as he smacked Connor on the back of the head and tipped the chair forward. The boy flicked a paper-clip at him and perched on top of the desk asking, “Where’d you go anyway?”

“Oh. Just to my private suite,” Angel said without the slightest hint of smugness. Really.

Gunn’s head popped up from the drawer he’d been ‘inspecting’. “Dude, you have a private suite?” he asked with raised eyebrows. He turned to Wesley. “Do I have a private suite?”

“Only department heads,” Angel said, “but I’m sure we could work something out, right Wesley?”

Startled out of his comfortable silence, Wesley stammered, “Oh, o-of course. I don’t se-”

“Are you freakin’ kidding me?” Connor all but shouted, cutting Wesley off.

The three older men looked at him with varied expressions, the most dominant being ‘What the hell?’

Apparently they didn’t get it so Connor was forced to elaborate on what he thought was perfectly obvious. “You’re talking about living inside Wolfram & Hart,” he said slowly, as if he didn’t trust them to understand him if he spoke too fast.

“He’s got a point there,” Angel said, surprising everyone, Connor especially. He looked at their dumbfounded faces and scowled, “What? You’re all surprised I’m not being the materialistic one here? This is Wolfram & Hart,” he pointed out. “You really think I’m going to help its digestion by sleeping inside the belly of the beast?”

Gunn shrugged. “Gotta live somewhere man, and without Angel Investigations using the Hyperion as HQ, it just doesn’t make sense for us to crash there anymore.”

“You’re right, but I’m still not comfortable actually living here. I’m still getting used to the idea of actually working here.”

“You guys have a week to figure it out,” Connor chimed in, “And if it takes longer than a week, so what? You own the freakin’ building, it’s not like you’re gonna get thrown out on your asses if you don’t find something before then.”

“The kid’s got a point,” Gunn said.

Angel nodded. “Yeah, he’s been doing that a lot lately.” He paused a moment and added, “It’s kind of annoying.”

Gunn tilted his head and looked at Angel. “Maybe we should cut his pay.”

“I’m standing right here you know,” Connor said on exhaled breath, his arms crossed over his chest in annoyance.

“Gunn, did you just hear something?” Angel asked, his lips twitching in amusement at Connor’s glare.

Coughing into his fist to disguise his own chuckle, Gunn shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said. “Is there a window open somewhere? It might have just been the wind.”

“None of these windows even open!” Connor yelled in exasperation. He’d swear on his college scholarship that those two were about as mature as his little sister, and he thought even she had a few points on them. “You guys seriously need to grow up.”

Before either men could retaliate, Wesley held up a hand and took a step between them. “As entertaining as it is listening to you all snark back and forth, perhaps you’d like the rest of the tour of the building?”

All three men were instantly chagrined, mumbling agreeably as they followed Wesley out of the office and into the lobby.

As Wesley made comments on the building and employees, they reached the base of the staircase that would take them to the next level. Suddenly remembering something, Gunn caught Angel by the shoulder and said loudly, “By the way man, who was that smokin’ redhead we saw leaving your office?”

Angel and Wesley shared a groan as they made their way up the stairs, a confused Gunn and Connor following behind them.

“No, really, who was she?” Connor asked.

So Angel, with help from Wesley, filled them in Eve Madison, including her position as liaison to the Senior Partners and her relationship with Lindsey McDonald. Both Gunn and Connor agreed that she should be kept an eye on. That out of the way, they continued their tour, all the while wondering, yet again, what the hell they’d gotten themselves into.

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce included.

-Ta-

Song Meme

2008-06-01T00:41:43Z

Song meme

1. Reply to this post and I'll assign you a letter.
2. List 5 songs that start with that letter.
3. Post them to your journal with these instructions

I got the letter "E"

1. Everything I Do ( I Do It For You) - Bryan Adams
2. Everytime We Touch - Cascada
3. End - Secondhand Serenade
4. Everything You Want - Vertical Horizon
5. Everytime I Look For You - Blink-182

Happy Birthday

2008-05-19T16:47:51Z

Happy Birthday nimmy70 ! Hope your day is as fantastic as you are^^

We Stalk The Night

2008-05-16T15:13:58Z

We Stalk The Night: Part Two (complete)
Author: AngelsRebellion
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just the fic.
Summary: Xander!Drabble for spring_with_xan. My birthday gift to all of you^^

A/N: Even though this is technically complete, I'm thinking there's going to be a follow up fic. Let me know what y'all think^^

*POVs alternate with each paragraph.
**W00t to everyone who guessed the identity of the other character.

He’s stopped moving. Waiting now. The challenge thick scented in the air. He’s testing me. Wants to know what’s happened to the little Zeppo from SunnyD. I chuckle low in my throat and it ends in a high pitched giggle. I can’t help it, I’m excited. A spike in his scent turns me in the right direction and I know I’m close. Not for the first time I curse the high grass that blocks might sight. I’m no longer concerned with stealth as I speed up, the ground crunching loudly beneath my heavy boots. My heart is racing. “Found you.”

Xander. My eyes focus on the man in front of me and even through the darkness that surrounds us I can see how much life has changed him. Gone is the lanky, fumbling teenager who was all smiles and laughter. This is no boy that stand before me, but a man forced to grow up too soon, with battle scars inside and out. My gaze flickers to the patch covering his left eye and I know it’s a story best saved for another time. His scent is feral, shocking my nerves as I breath him in. “Been a while, boy.”

My hackles rise at the familiar name once used to put me in my place. I take a step forward, grinning as he tenses but remains still. I’m a hair’s breath away from him now, breathing in his scent, watching as his eyes flash in the darkness. My fingers touch the side of his face and he growls, though it’s not threatening. There’s something different, something not right. My hand travels down until I reach his chest. There. He stiffens but doesn’t stop me and buttons pop as I pull his shirt open. I’m pretty sure that isn’t a tattoo.

It takes everything I have inside not to snatch his hand away. To pull away and cover the burned flesh that will forever remind me of everything I’ve lost. I force myself to stand still as he traces the blackened thorns with his fingertips. After he’s completed the circle he looks up at me, his gaze clear and questioning. I shake my head. Another story best saved for later. And he understands. His hand falls to his side and we stand silent, looking at each other with questions burning in our eyes, neither volunteering answers. We’re caught in a stalemate.

Other than the strange mark on his chest, he hasn’t changed… Duh. Still with the brood, possibly more so now. I can sense the sadness there. The beast inside me yearns to comfort him. My fingers itch to touch him, to soothe away his troubles, even just for a moment, even though I know how much damage just one moment can cause. I whimper softly and his eyes flash golden in the darkness. I reach out, hesitantly touch my fingers to his chest again and slide down, feeling his stomach muscles jump beneath my fingertips. I hold a breath. “Angel.”

Just a whisper of my name on his lips and I’m gone. The African night is silent but for soft growls and whimpers and the racing beat of Xander’s heart against my chest. There is no Alpha male here tonight, only two men who aren’t men, both with beasts raging inside needing to be touched, caressed, comforted. Understood. There would be time later for questions neither of us can remember wanting answers to as mouths and hands roam heated flesh. Nothing else matters but the aching scrape of teeth and the soft sweep of tongues as we stalk the night.

-Ta-

Accidental Love

2008-05-05T04:22:03Z

Accidental Love: Part Two

Author: AngelsRebellion

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Angel/Spike (Human AU)

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters, just the fic.

A/N: Another one done before the end of the weekend. Barely lol.

*Accidental in Love* (video made by bachaboska and the inspiration for this fic.) If you don’t mind spoilers for future chapters, I really recommend you watch the video and send some love to bachaboska, she really deserves it!

Accidental Love: Part One here

Summary:

Meet Angel, the new Chairman of L.A. Wolfram & Hart, who thought that he couldn’t hate his job more…

And Spike, Angel’s boss’ eccentric son, who thought that he couldn’t be more of a disappointment to his father…

A story about two men... And Accidental Love…

When the hardest thing to say is the truth… How much are you ready to sacrifice…

For Accidental Love…

Monday morning had Angel descending the Hyperion’s long staircase into the lobby to find Connor sitting behind his desk, phone to his ear, as he scribbled on a message pad. Having had his back turned to the lobby, Connor didn’t notice him until the call ended and he turned to hang up the phone. Giving his boss a pointed look that clearly said, “I haven’t forgiven you, yet,” Connor tossed Angel the message pad and muttered something about going for a coffee run. Angel’s eyes followed the boy’s back until he was out of the hotel doors, then looked down at the pad in his hand.

~~Slimy~~ W/H limo
Pick up in front of Hyp. at 11

Driver’s name is Ted

~~Angel's an idiot~~

Angel suspected that the last part was Connor’s two cents. That, or he’d have to have a talk with this Ted guy. Checking his watch he figured they had about two hours before the limo from Wolfram & Hart arrived. Angel cringed at the idea of using one of the firm’s limos, preferring to drive his own car, but Roger had insisted and, not wanting to get into a junior high argument, Angel relented. Besides, he’d thought a limo ride might have brought Connor out of his sulking mood. Looking down at the message again, Angel thought he might have misjudged that one.

“Come on Angel, ain’t got all day you know,” Gunn’s voice called from the office. It was then that Angel noticed the door to his and Gunn’s office was open and Gunn had a perfect view into the lobby. With a resigned sigh, Angel walked into the office, leaving the door open.

“Is there something wrong with the coffee maker?” he asked Gunn as he plopped down in his chair.

Raising an eyebrow, Gunn handed him a file folder. “No, why?”

“Because,” Angel started, tossing the message pad onto Gunn’s desk, “Connor just went on a coffee run, and he only does that when he’s pissed, or the coffee maker’s broken.” He flipped the file open, scanned the contents, and put it in a growing stack on his left.

“Kid’s just confused is all,” Gunn said absently as he handed Angel another file. “Two years he’s been here, all he’s heard is how evil Wolfram & Hart is, can’t really expect him to be all giddy at the idea of you turning coat tails.”

“I’m not turning anything,” Angel scowled down at the file’s contents and tossed it in the same pile as the last one. He frowned at Gunn. “I thought you understood. Hell you threatened to ship me back to New York if I didn’t give the offer a serious thought, so if you didn’t think-”

A folder smacking him in the face cut him off and he glared down at his lap where it landed, then at Gunn, who said calmly, “I told you to seriously think about you taking the offer. I didn’t tell you to pull me and Connor into it, especially without talking to us about it first.”

Immediately, Angel’s face colored, his shoulders hunched. “You don’t have to do this,” he said, his voice abash, “I just thought-” Another folder flew at him, but this time he saw it coming and caught it before it hit. “Dude, what are you twelve?”

“We’re partners, idiot,” he said exasperated. “Yeah, I told Connor that we could get by without you here, but that was just to get him to back off so you could think clearly.” At Angel’s chagrined face, he added gently but firmly, “You’re doing the right thing here Angel.”

“I should have talked to you guys first.”

“Yes, you should have,” Gunn said and shrugged, “but I’d have come either way. And don’t worry about Connor, he’ll come around eventually.”

Remembering Connor’s reaction the day before when he’d told them his decision and the conditions, Angel thought it highly unlikely. “I can’t force him if he really can’t stand the idea of working there.”

Gunn tossed the file he’d been reading into the pile on Angel’s left and opened another. “Like I said, he’s confused. Give him a couple weeks of flirting with the secretaries and seeing his much improved paycheck, and he’ll completely forget that he’s working for Evil Inc,” he finished with a wry twist of his lips.

“But will we?” Angel asked, bringing one of his biggest doubts about accepting the offer to light.

Deliberately misunderstanding, Gunn leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful expression on his face. “I wouldn’t mind flirting with a pretty secretary,” he said as if he was seriously considering it, “and I wouldn’t really mind the nice little pay raise…”

Angel threw his friend a scowl. “You know what I mean Gunn.”

“Yeah, I do,” Gunn sighed then added seriously, “And no, we won’t. Besides, we’re going in to get rid of the evil, not join it.”

Pacified for the moment, Angel went back to reading over files. Some he put in the pile on his left, the Keep pile, and others, although considerably less, he put in on the floor, the Drop pile. He noticed that the Keep pile was far outgrowing the Drop pile. “We can’t take all of these clients with us,” he said, referring to the pile of Keep files.

Since his announcement the day before, he and Gunn had been methodically going through every one of Angel Investigations’ client files, deciding which clients they wanted to take with them to Wolfram & Hart, and those they didn’t. Angel hadn’t even gotten to his personal client list yet.

“Don’t see much choice we have,” Gunn said as he cast his own dubious glance at the foot high stack. “Most of these are on retainer, paid in full.”

Because unlike Angel’s law practice where most of his work was done pro bono, Angel Investigations had built a reputation over the past three years that brought in a majority of wealthy clients who, for a multitude of reasons, liked to keep a P.I. agency in their rolodex. Just in case. And Angel didn’t really shine to the idea of bringing a slew of law suits against A.I. with him to Wolfram & Hart. It just wasn’t very professional looking.

Angel looked at the pile of files they hadn’t sorted yet and gave a sigh of relief that there were only a few left. His personal client list for his law practice was a far cry shorter than Angel Investigations’, but it would also be harder for Angel to sort. A lot of his clients weren’t exactly on friendly terms with Wolfram & Hart and he’d be lucky if the majority of them didn’t drop him once news spread that he had taken the position of CEO of the “evil” law firm. But, if he had to start fresh he would.

When they finished the last of the files they went to work calling the clients they weren’t taking with them. An hour and half a bottle of Tylenol later, Angel stood and stretched his arms over his head, rolling his neck until he heard a satisfying pop on either side. He looked at his watch. “’Bout half an hour before the limo arrives,” he said, pointedly ignoring Gunn’s smirk.

When they walked into the lobby Connor was back at his desk and Angel realized that he’d gone on a coffee run and hadn’t brought back any coffee.

Casually he asked, “So, where’s the coffee?”

Connor looked up from the book he was reading at Angel’s voice and blinked. “Huh?”

“You went on a coffee run over an hour ago and came back…sans coffee.”

“Oh,” he said with a shrug. “I changed my mind.” His eyes dropped back to his book.

Angel looked at Gunn in exasperation, but the other man’s expression clearly said, “Your problem, not mine,” and Angel had to resist the urge to flip him off.

“Some partner you are,” he muttered under his breath. Angel couldn’t wait for what the rest of the day had to hurl at him.

Twenty-five minutes later the limousine from Wolfram & Hart arrived and the driver, Ted, spoke barely five words as he ushered Angel, Gunn and Connor into the vehicle’s plush interior.

Gunn whistled appreciatively as he ran his hand over the rich leather seats. “Man, I could definitely get used to this.”

“It’s pretty nice,” Angel agreed as the limo pulled smoothly into traffic. The entire interior was leather or leather trimmed with the standard two bench seats facing each other. Angel and Gunn sat on the seat facing forward while Connor, who hadn’t said a word since the coffee incident, sat alone in the seat facing them. At Angel’s comment, he gave a derisive snort and turned his face towards the tinted window on his right.

None of them spoke for the remainder of the ride to Wolfram & Hart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The driver pulled the limousine to a stop in front of the main entrance to the imposing thirty-one story, glass and steel structure that was the L.A. Wolfram & Hart fortress, and Angel, not for the first time in the last forty-eight hours, wondered what the hell he’d gotten himself into.

He, Gunn and Connor exited the vehicle and were led by Ted through the high glass entrance doors into what Angel would have assumed to be the main lobby, except for the fact that it was completely bare except for a small reception desk that sat square in the middle of the room. Behind the desk sat a young girl in her early twenties, talking to a man whose face Angel couldn’t see because his back was turned to the entrance. When the girl, Angel assumed she was a receptionist, saw them it showed on her face because the man turned around to face them and Angel couldn’t help but think he looked familiar somehow.

“May I help you?” the receptionist asked and before Angel could say anything, the man walked forward with a smile, his hand outstretched as he stopped in front of him.

“Mr. Reilly, I presume?”

Angel took the man’s hand, noting the familiar accent. “Angel is fine, Mr. …?” Okay, déjà vu anyone?

“Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Wyndam-Pryce?” Connor asked, speaking for the first time in over an hour. “So you’re Roger Wyndam-Pryce’s son?”

An almost horrified expression passed over Wesley’s face. “God no!” he sputtered, making everyone take an involuntary step back in the elevator. Realizing his outburst, Wesley quickly said, “I- I mean, no. Roger is my uncle, my father’s brother.”

Connor didn’t know what to say, his face coloring with embarrassment. Deciding to save his red faced employee, Angel said, “I thought I remembered hearing that he had a son.” Which was a complete lie.

And one Wesley had no way of knowing because he said, “Yes well, he does.” Clearing his throat, he said a little more calmly, “My cousin William is in England at the moment, finishing his last year of University.”

“I see,” Angel said and turned towards his friends. “Ah, this is Charles Gunn and Connor Stevens, my, er, colleagues.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Wesley said as he shook both of their hands. “Well, shall we go upstairs and meet with Uncle? Afterwards I’ll give you all the five cent tour.” It was then that Angel noticed the set of elevator doors on the right wall of the room. Oh.

“I guess that’s what we came for,” he said, suddenly nervous. They all stepped towards the elevator doors. All except for Connor who was currently smiling at the receptionist who, in turn, was blushing and staring coquettishly through her lashes at him. Giving Angel a knowing grin, Gunn grabbed Connor by the arm muttering, “Let’s go Casanova,” as he pulled him into the elevator. At least the kid had the good grace to blush and Angel had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing out right. Serves him right for being a pain in my ass all weekend, he thought. He was pulled back to reality when he realized Wesley was talking to him.

“…looking forward to your joining us Angel,” he said as the elevator made its ascent. Angel noticed that the button to the twentieth floor was lit. “It’s about time the L.A. branch got some new blood so to speak. I daresay, the Senior Partners had no idea things had deteriorated to this point.”

“So they didn’t know this place was being run by evil lawyers?”

“Certainly not,” Wesley said somewhat indignantly. The fact that Connor had used the term ‘evil lawyers’ didn’t seem to faze him one bit and Angel had the feeling his was going to like Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. “In fact, much of the staff and a few department heads have already been let go and replaced.”

“Including the CEO,” Angel said.

Wesley looked at him, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a smile even though his expression was all seriousness as he said matter-of-factly, “That’s correct.”

At that moment, the elevator doors slid open and Angel was positive he was stepping out into the main lobby of Wolfram & Hart. The space was bustling with people whom Angel assumed to be employees and clients alike. A few people paused to say good afternoon on their way past, and what Angel found bizarre was that they’d directed it at him, calling him by name. Again, not creepy at all. In the middle of the main floor was a raised plateau with a set of stairs that led to an open upper level where even more people could be seen rushing around. Don’t these people ever stop moving? Behind the staircase the lobby branched out into various corridors and to the left of the elevator were offices. To the right of the elevator was another receptions desk that ran parallel with the wall. Beyond that, he made out what looked to be another larger office.

“Welcome to the belly of the beast,” Wesley said. Angel knew it was meant to be a joke, but that didn’t stop his stomach from clinching either. And from the looks on his friends faces, Angel knew his wasn’t the only one.

Unaware of sudden tension, Wesley directed them towards the reception desk where a pretty blonde woman sat filing her nails. When she saw them her face brightened to a smile, though she didn’t put the file down.

“Wesley! So glad you’re back,” she said excitedly. “I was wondering if I could take a long lunch today. There’s this great sale down at-”

“Harmony,” Wesley quickly cut her off. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Liam Reilly and his associates, Charles Gunn and Connor Stevens.”

Harmony looked from Wesley to Angel, her brow crinkling in confusion. Obviously not a bottle blonde, Angel thought. “Mr. Reilly…? Oh! Mr. Angel! Mr. Wyndam-Pryce told me you’d be by today,” she said with a smile. “I’m Harmony Kendall, you’re new assistant.” As she held her hand out, she noticed she still held the nail file and quickly dropped it, her smile turning sheepish. “I, um don’t usually do my nails during working hours…”

Angel smiled and took her hand in a gentle hold. “Don’t worry about it Harmony,” he said and added, “And go ahead and take your long lunch, I’m sure you deserve it.”

“Oh gosh, thank you Mr. Angel,” she said, her face brightening again. She turned to Wesley. “Mr. Wyndam-Pryce is in your office.”

“Thank you Harmony,” Wesley said. “Anything else?”

“Um…,” she stalled, obviously uncomfortable with what she was about to tell him. “He said to tell you that, um, all of Spike’s things have been moved.” She cringed before adding, “To your apartment.”

“To my…?” Taking a deep breath, Wesley cleared his throat and said, “Yes, well I’m sure that will be acceptable. For the time being. Thank you Harmony.”

“No problem,” she replied weakly and then whispered dramatically, “Blondie Bear’s not gonna be happy…”

Angel blinked. Spike? Blondie Bear? The hell? He looked at Gunn and Connor but both men shrugged just as confused as he.

“Well, he’ll have to get over it,” Wesley said, irritated. Obviously there was no love lost between him and this Spike guy.

Feeling like an eavesdropper on a private conversation, Angel cleared his throat. “Should we be finding your uncle now?”

Wesley’s face colored slightly. “Ah, yes. My office is this way, if you’ll follow me.”

Giving Harmony a reassuring smile, which was nowhere near as warm as the one Connor was giving her, Angel followed Wesley, with Gunn once again pulling Connor behind him, across the lobby to one of the smaller offices he’d noticed before. Inside, the office was bright, well lit by the expanse of windows that made up the far wall. And there, sitting behind Wesley’s desk, was Roger Wyndam-Pryce. Standing up, the older man walked around the desk.

“Good to see you again Angel,” Roger said as he shook his hand. “And Mr. Gunn and Mr. Stevens, as well. I see you’ve met my nephew.”

“I promised to give them a tour once you all have settled your business,” Wesley said tightly, his eyes looking over his uncle’s shoulder at his desk.

If the older Wyndham-Pryce noticed the strained tone in his nephew’s voice, he didn’t let it show. “Excellent idea, Wesley. So, shall we get down to business?”

“That’s what we came for,” Angel said, plastering a forced smile on his face.

“Quite right,” he agreed and walked back to the desk, returning with three separate bunches of papers. “Angel, you already know your position. As CEO and Chairman of Los Angeles Wolfram & Hart you have complete executive power of the firm and all of its divisions.” He handed Angel the contract from Saturday. Angel, not entirely trusting of anyone connected with the firm, began reading through it, knowing he would do the same with Gunn and Connor’s.

Roger turned to Gunn, handing him one of the remaining contracts. “Now, Mr. Gunn. As Angel has told me, you are his right hand and as such, your role here will be of an advisory capacity.”

No one could ever accuse Charles Gunn of being slow on the uptake and he quirked an eyebrow at the contract. “So basically I’ll be getting paid to be opinionated,” he said as he handed his contract to Angel to look over. “That’s cool.”

“And young Mr. Stevens,” Roger said turning to Connor and handing him the remaining contract. Connor immediately gave to Angel. “I am aware that you will be attending University shortly, which will require an amount of flexibility in your duties. I think, for now, acting as Mr. Reilly’s personal assistant will be most suitable.”

Connor scowled. “I thought Harmony was Angel’s assistant.”

“He means you’re my gopher,” Angel said with a satisfied grin. “You make my coffee, pick up my dry cleaning, and anything else I need you to do.”

“So, basically everything I already do,” he snorted.

Gunn clapped him on the back and gave him a shake. “That’s right coffee boy.”

“Laugh it up,” Connor said, shaking him off. “I don’t have to make you coffee anymore.”

Gunn’s face deflated. “Damnit.”

“I’ll make him get yours too,” Angel said, giving his friend a reassuring pat.

“Damnit.” It was Connor’s turn to deflate.

Roger Wyndham-Pryce cleared his throat, “Angel, I trust you have read through all three contracts and find them satisfactory?”

“Everything looks fine,” Angel said somewhat reluctantly.

“Ecxellent,” Roger said as he produced an ink pen from his jacket pocket. He handed it to

Angel. “Shall we make it official?”

Nodding for Gunn and Connor to follow, Angel walked to the desk and laid the contracts down on the smooth surface. Flipping through the pages, he signed his full name, Liam Angelus Reilly, next to the numerous little black Xs. He handed the pen to Gunn who did the same and then Connor.

It was done. They officially belonged to Wolfram & Hart. Angel felt like he wanted to throw up.

Before he could think about where the nearest restroom was though, Roger was clapping him on the back and pulling him away from the desk saying, “Excellent, excellent. You won’t regret this. Now, I think a grace period is in order; give you all time to get your affairs together. That being the case, your official duties won’t begin until next week.” When no one seemed to object to the idea, he continued, “Very good. I’m afraid I’ve some business to attend to out of country so I won’t be back in the states for a couple months.” He turned to Angel and said, “We’ll set up a meeting with the rest of the Senior Partners when I return.”

“Um, yeah,” Angel stammered, “That’d, that’d be great.” Damnit, I have to meet all of them?

“Marvelous.” He shook their hands in turn, saying, “It’s been a pleasure meeting you all. I can already see the positive influences you’ll have here.”

A few more pleasantries and Roger Wyndham-Pryce was out the door, contracts in hand, satisfied smile in place.

“Why do I feel like we just made a deal with the Devil?” Gunn asked as soon as the doors had closed.

Connor gave him a sidelong glance. “I’m expecting to burst into flames any minute now, myself.”

Angel looked at Gunn and Connor and asked seriously, “Does anyone else feel the immense urge to go to Confession later?” Both men raised their hands.

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit melodramatic?” Wesley asked as he led them out of the office. The three men eyed him silently. “Um right. Angel, Charles, why don’t I show you your offices first?”

“Offices?” Gunn asked. “As in, separate?”

“Er, yes. We assumed…”

“That is awesome,” he said at the same time Angel sighed, “Finally some elbow room.”

“Hey, I don’t get an office?” Connor piped in.

“You’re supposed to be at my beck and call,” Angel said and ruffled the kid’s hair. “You stick with me.” Connor muttered something about laced coffee, but Angel was only mildly worried.

Wesley covered a chuckle with a cough and led them to the left. “Charles, your office is actually right next door to mine.”

Inside, the office looked very similar to Wesley’s except for the furniture alignment. Like Wesley’s office, the far wall was an expanse of windows that showcased a view of the Los Angeles Business District. Gunn ran a hand over the surface of his desk, situated in front of the windows and whistled. “Man, I could definitely get used to this.”

“Harmony tells me the décor is very ‘feng shui’,” Wesley said.

“Whatever that means, I’m diggin’ it,” he said, joining Connor to stand in front of the windows.

“So where’s my office?” Angel asked, ignoring the little bubble of excitement in his chest.

“Your office is across the lobby near Harmony’s station.”

“You guys coming?” he asked Gunn and Connor.

“We’ll catch up,” they said at the same time, their eyes fixed on something they were watching on the street below.

Angel exchanged an amused look with Wesley before fallowing him out of the office. They crossed the lobby and passed Harmony’s desk. It was empty and the girl was nowhere in sight so Angel assumed she’d already left for lunch. He noticed Wesley was leading him towards the larger office he’d seen earlier, and he shot down another bubble of excitement.

When Wesley got within two feet of the doors and didn’t slow down, Angel thought for sure the man was going to smack into them. But a foot from impact, the doors suddenly swung inward, opening wide and allowing him to pass safely through. Angel’s mouth gaped open for a few seconds before he realized he was staring and quickly shut his mouth.

“What. The. Hell?” He stood in front the open double doors, gobsmacked as to why anyone in their right mind would put motion censored doors in an office. Wesley stood on the other side, his face a mixture of amused embarrassment. “The, um, previous occupant had them installed,” he mumbled.

“Why,” Angel asked, dumbfounded.

Wesley cleared his throat. “To use his exact words, ‘they’re bloody brilliant.’”

Angel scoffed, “They’re not brilliant, they’re disconcerting. And kind of creepy.”

“I’ll have maintenance uninstall the motion sensors today,” Wesley promised, walking further into the room.

“At least Will has a sense of humor,” a voice from the other side of the office said. “Unlike some people I know.” Angel turned to see a young woman leaning against what he assumed to be his desk. She had a smile on her face and was looking directly at him. He was about to ask who she was, when Wesley cut him off.

“What are you doing here?” he asked the woman, his tone making it more or a demand. “I thought you left with-”

“Plans change Wes,” she said harshly, cutting him off.

Wesley’s eyes narrowed at the woman, his arms crossed over his chest. “Not always for the better, I see.”

No love lost there, Angel thought as he watched the two apprehensively.

The woman put on distressed expression saying, “That hurts Wes, really,” Turning her attention back to Angel, she held her hand out and said, “You must be Angel. I’ve hear a lot of promising things about you.”

With a sidelong glance at Wesley, Angel took her hand hesitantly. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name.” Danger, Will Robinson.

The woman smiled, her white teeth flashing, and said, “You can call me Eve.”

-Ta-