***
Wesley gawked at the two pool chairs they’d set up in the lobby.
The woman lay sprawled sideways on the chair facing the vampire next to her, wearing a pretty blue sundress, patching shades, a straw hat and a Pina Colada dangling from her fingers.
Angel calmly lay back drinking a Bloody Mary wearing his usual black pants a white vest and a string of fake violets around his neck. Then he looked at the big sign erected near their feet.
‘ON STRIKE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE’
“You can’t be on strike!”
Cordelia took a sip of her drink before lifting her head to peek at him from under her big hat. “Says you.” She pointed to them both grinning back at him smugly.
“This is us Wesley.” Reaching out she plopped a colorful little umbrella in Angel’s drink. “On Strike.” Angel held up his drink as if in toast.
“But, but, but, but, but…”
“You should get that fixed.” Angel’s face was a perfect picture of sympathy as he took a sip from his straw.
“What about the visions! What about the helpless! What about the two o’clock clients I have lined up!”
“Wesley,” Cordelia sighed as she lowering her shades to let him meet her eyes. “Do I look vision-y?”
“Can I just say you look very hot?” Angel smirked as dipped his head and winked at her from over his sunglasses.
The brunette beamed back. “Why thank you!”
Wesley blinked at them before he glared. “NO! You can’t do this! We have a schedule! We have clients! We STILL haven’t finished the bloody filing!”
Cordelia lifted her hand and jingled silver charms on her wrist under Angel’s nose. “What do you think?” She ignored the irritated watcher bearing down on them. “I picked this up on my way over. Isn’t it just the cutest?”
Angel seemed to examine it closely. “Nice. Oh look there’s a little Eiffel tower there too!”
“Yeah! I always liked Paris. When we could afford it, I swear there wasn’t a summer I did not shop till I dropped in those lovely little French boutiques. Oh the absolute sumptuousness of French Chiffon! Oh! To die for!”
He couldn’t help but grin at her perfect delivery, and arched a very seductive Angelus-like eyebrow. “Still have some?”
Wesley looked between them incredulously. “Angel? Cordelia?”
The seer only smirked saucily at the vampire. “Would you like to see it?”
“Would Xander turn down a twinkie?”
“Promise not to touch?”
“On my demon’s honor.” Angel purred low in his throat as the watcher started his temper tantrum.
“ANGEL! Cordelia! You cannot go on strike! We have work to do! I’m the boss! You have got to do what I say!”
With an intolerant sigh Angel let go of Cordelia’s hand and leaned over to pull out a thick white book from under his chair and chucked it at Wesley.
“OOF!” The watcher yelped as he caught the heavy book then read out the title. “Labor Union Code 401-21: One thousand and one legal ways to get what you want, a.k.a Going on strike for dummies!?”
He looked up with wide eyes. “You have GOT to be joking Angel.”
“I have a Cliff’s Notes version too if you want.” Cordelia’s eyes batted innocently.
He stared at them as they sat back sipping there drinks. “I’ll fire you!”
An eyebrow arched on the young woman’s beautiful face. “Oh I think not four-eyes,” she gestured to her luscious figure stretched out on the pool chair, “where are you going to get a seer that looks like this?”
Wesley nearly dropped the book.
“Nowhere.” Angel agreed with a possessive growl. “And he’s not getting this one either.”
Wesley jerked out of his trance at the warning in the vampire’s tone and turned an embarrassed shade of crimson. “Oh. Well.” Drawing a deep breath he tucked the book under his arm.
“Right then. We’ll just wait until you have your vision. Then we’ll just get over this little game you two are wasting agency finances on and get back to work. Until then, I shall be in my office.” With a haughty nod, he pushed his glasses firmly on his nose and marched away.
“Good day.’
Cordelia bit her lip as she watched him promenading to his office. “He’s right you know.”
“Then we’ll have to have him cave before that happens.”
Catching the smirk in his voice she blinked at him before grinning at the wicked gleam in his chocolate eyes.
“I’m all ears, oh conniving one.”
***
“No Frank, just make sure you have the right paperwork. The man maybe a slave driver but he’s not an idiot.” Hanging up on his cell Angel paused in the lobby and one eyebrow arched up in pleasant surprise.
One very plump and inviting bottom wiggled at him as Cordelia attempted to smooth down the mat that would be the playground of their mischief. Oh if the girl only knew the scenarios going through his head.
His demon would be shamed. Of course, it was only a matter of time until his crafty seer would realize his obvious security where happiness was concerned since this whole drama was starting to give off very un-platonic undertones.
And there was the kiss he’d bestowed on her in a moment of weakness when she’s swooped down and rescued him from that toothless, gravity defying saggy old hag. He figured it was justified since that fate had been one worse than hell.
Been there; done that!
So he was still staring at the wiggling butt cheeks and the slight peek of matching baby blue panties. The other eyebrow shot up.
Hello gorgeous.
Cordelia straightened her hands on her hips and grinned down at the stretched out mat. Yes. There was a god. She’d managed to smooth out almost all the wrinkles and their plan was well underway. She had to admit.
Her vampire sure had some good ideas left over from Angelus. She to look over her shoulder and blinked as he stared at her, a glazed far-away look in his chocolate brown eyes.
Okay God didn’t give beauty and brains to anyone at the same time.
Except maybe Cordelia Chase.
The brunette twisted her lips in a patronizing pout and frowned. “Hey wise-guy? I’m up here.” She pointed to her face and his head snapped up in alarm.
Nearly stumbling over his feet, Angel walked over to the edge of the mat and cleared his throat, one hand rubbing the back of his head. “So you want the green side?”
“Duh!” Rolling her eyes, Cordelia bent down and spun the little needle.
Angel leaned over to the right and back to get a good peek at her bouncy bottom when she suddenly straightened. “Left foot green!” Her shoulders smacked him in the head and he went sprawling across the floor.
Cordelia looked over her shoulder. “Angel, you’re supposed to start losing after we begin playing the game.”
“You’re pushing it!”
“I’m not pushing it! You’re pulling it!”
“If you just do it like it said it the instructions booklet, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“If you didn’t fret and whine about every piddly-ass rule, you could reach it!”
“Rules are good Cordy.”
“Not in this case Angel.”
“Angel, Cordelia what are you…” And that was how Wesley found them. He looked up and startled, “Jesus!” The stack of papers in his hand went flying up into a cascade.
He stared at the vampire conveniently towering over one very uncomfortable seer.
It wasn’t just the fact that Cordelia was on all fours, her arms crossed out awkwardly in front of her and her legs precariously perched beside Angel’s as he spooned Cordelia from behind; it was more the colorful polka dot plastic mat spread right in the middle of the hotel lobby that caught his attention.
“WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING!”
Angel frowned at the livid countenance on their boss’ face. “Can’t you read?”
“Yeah Wesley, can’t you read?” Cordelia shot back. “I’d point if I could, but my hands are kinda busy.”
When the watcher still looked confused Angel sighed, before jutting his chin towards the board beside the plastic mat. “We’re on strike.”
“You should be on bloody medical leave! Have you both gone mad?”
“No.” When Cordelia wiggled, the vampire let out a very authentic growl – she froze. “Yes,” she squeaked.
With her hips fitting snuggly into his own Angel wondered at the brightness of his idea, but then figured his demon always had a better knack for seduction. Only he hadn’t been planning on Miss Chase’s plans.
If she shimmied sideways to the left just a little more, he would be a VERY happy manpire. “Wesley?”
Still reeling from the picture they presented in the middle of the hotel lobby, Wesley met Angel’s eyes with bewilderment. “What?”
“Will you spin the needle?”
Incredulous wrath built behind Wesley blue eyes and he glared. “NO!”
Cordelia wrinkled her nose with distaste. “Geez Wes, what crawled up your pants? Oh wait…”
Batting down the insane urge to fire them both, Wesley instead contented himself with the bells jingling above the front door.
Thank God! Another customer.
Pointing a finger at the two seemingly innocent schemers, he warned. “Don’t say it Cordelia.” Turning around he smiled widely at the man striding up to them wearing a pressed brown suit and a briefcase in his hands. “How may we help you?”
“I’m Frank Jennings from the Internal Revenue Service. I’d like to see your books.” The man held up his ID and Wesley launched into a whole tirade of ‘bloody hell’ and ‘bloody fuck’.
***
“I could have you hauled into prison for tax evasion.”
Wesley sat on the stool on the other side of the counter in the lobby, his head propped up in one hand as he looked down at the empty countertop.
“Tax evasion! But we’ve been paying bills and everything!”
“Bills and receipts you do not have.” Frank shrugged indifferently as he closed his briefcase.
“I do; they’re just misplaced!” Raising his head he glared at Cordelia and Angel struggling on the mat across the lobby.
“Cordelia! Will you not tell me where you hid the utility bills!?”
“Nope. Okay smartass. Left hand green!”
Angel smirked wickedly as he reached out and maneuvered himself over her, his face leveling with hers. “I think the twister likes me.”
Cordelia had a hard time controlling her giggles, not to mention the maddened butterflies thrashing inside her ribcage.
Frank looked at the two intimately twisted people on the floor then raised his apathetic eyes at Wesley.
“I don’t know what kind of business you run here Mr. Pryce, but by the looks of it, I’d say it’s not exactly kosher. Now you have until nine tomorrow to find me those receipts. Or next time you’ll be the one playing twister. With your inmates.”
He picked up his briefcase to leave before casting one last glance at the bulky, smirking vampire and the lithe brunette smiling up into his face.
Lucky bastard.
Wesley dropped his head in his hands and let out a groan. “Oh Lord I’m going to prison. My father was right.”
Hearing the feeble lament Cordelia bit her lip.
“Don’t.”
She looked up startled into Angel’s softened brown eyes. “Practice a little resolve and remember the removable dentures.”
She burst out laughing, her hold giving way and collapsed with Angel on top.
He smirked down at her. “I win. Lose the dress.”
Wesley’s head snapped up in alarm. “STRIP TWISTER!?”
Cordelia grinned back, the challenge reflecting in her hazel eyes before she grabbed the hem and whipped off her dress to reveal the blue bikini top to match the panties.
THUD
Cordelia twisted her head around and saw Wesley’s head hit the counter before she returned her gleeful gaze to her partner in crime – and lost her breath.
Ohmigod, I’m melting! Melting!
“Cordelia?”
“Yeah?”
“Wanna play another game?”
Her gaze dropped to the generous view down Angel’s snug fitting white vest and the corded muscle in his arms. Hello salty goodness. She had to see skin.
It was only fair. “Yeah,” she breathed out huskily.
Wesley got up to call Gunn. He needed help.
And fast.
***
“Charles Gunn! Do you or do you not remember all the times that I have aided you in your time of need!”
Wesley walked out from around the counter and jumped as a yipping puppy sped past his feet and he reached out and grabbed it. He looked at the very tall, mocha skinned woman standing there in her mink coat while her eleven baby poodles ran amuck in the lobby.
Of all the clients. But possibly bereaved dog owners? “Please hang on a moment Mrs. Crenshaw.”
He turned away, the puppy tucked under his arm and hissed into the phone. “You get your skinny little arse here right this moment Charles or I shall tell that nice new friend of yours about your little problem.”
“I can’t dawg! You know I’d fix you up if I could! You’re my home-boy Wes! But this just can’t wait.”
“Gunn!”
“Sorry Wes. Gotta blaze.”
“GUNN!”
Turning around he threw a brave little smile at the impatient woman tapping her foot on the floor. “Okay, so Mrs. Crensh – AWO!” He yelped when sharp little teeth wedged into his arm and he dropped the struggling puppy with a wince.
“So the twelfth one is…”
“Stolen Mr. Pryce. Right out of my little garden. We were out for a stroll.”
“Right.” He glared across the hall.
Cordelia Chase sat there in her blue bikini, her legs crossed daintily as she pondered her move. Lifting her hazel eyes to meet Angel’s she grinned. “Go fish!”
“Cordy,” the topless vampire smiled adoringly, “that’s poker.”
Picking up her knight she stuck it over his and sat back smugly. “Check.” One little puppy skidded across the hall straight for her legs and she lifted her feet to let it slide past. “I win!”
Wesley silently ground his teeth as the litter of puppies barked at his feet and Mrs. Crenshaw proceeded to look even more impatient.
Angel leered at the woman across the little chess table. “There’s still the mating Cordy.”
The brunette looked up trying her hardest to keep a straight face. “I’m confused Angel. Is that a request?” She mimicked his previous teasing question and was rewarded with a wide smile, he hadn’t bestowed on her since they’d been back.
Finally losing his nerve Wesley scooped up one poor struggling shaved little puppy to keep it from biting his ankle. “For the love of all that is sacred! Please! Not in front of the clients!” He scooped up another as it tried jumped up on the counter. “And will one of you please get this bugger off my leg!”
He glared down one little baby poodle hanging from his pant leg, his sharp muzzled firmly clamped on the cloth; growling menacingly as Wesley shook his leg.
Angel looked up at the watcher surrounded by the yipping poodles and the woman who had launched her whining complaints about getting unsatisfactory service and pretended to think for a minute. Wesley shot him a pleading glance, the ravenous puppy still hanging from his trousers.
He turned to Cordelia. “Lunch?”
Wesley’s mouth dropped open. “You’re bloody joking! You can’t! NOT NOW!”
Cordelia stood and stretched like a cat before grabbing her dress and throwing Angel his shirt. “You talked me into it, you smooth talker you.” She smoothed down the flare of her dress and held out her hand to him daintily.
Picking up her little stack of post-its she smacked one on their Strike-sign. ‘Lunch break – Back at three.’
“ANGEL! CORDELIA!”
Wesley looked at the pillaged lobby.
Bugger. The cushions are crooked.