A\/N: This chapter’s for LL.<\/i><\/p>\n
2<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
Wesley glanced at the papers in his hands, reading his own typed-out words over and over. He\u2019d condensed and summarized their latest case on a single sheet of paper for the benefit of Faith, Buffy and Cordelia, who, in his past experience, preferred to avoid long, complicated explanations.<\/p>\n
It still baffled him a little \u2013 three smart, independent women refusing to take on a little heavy reading.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d called them the previous evening, notifying them of an important meeting he was holding today, regarding their latest cases. Their latest, biggest and most unthinkable cases, he should have added, at least for the one.<\/p>\n
He scanned the sheets concerning the case in question, shaking his head.<\/p>\n
They weren\u2019t going to believe their ears.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Xander Harris stared at his best friend as she sat at the table opposite him, slowly sipping her morning iced-coffee. His eyes were drawn to the pucker of her lips as they held the straw between them, the gentle curve of her cheekbone, the soft tendril of blonde hair that fell into her sparkling green eyes \u2013<\/p>\n
Xander swallowed.<\/p>\n
Buffy was looking at him, grinning widely. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
He cleared his throat. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were staring at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a coffee moustache.\u201d Xander sighed with relief when Buffy immediately frowned, dabbing at her face with her napkin.<\/p>\n
\u201cGone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n
The universe was against him. He just knew it. Eight years he\u2019d felt this way about her, eight years he\u2019d been head over heels in love and she didn\u2019t have a clue\u2026<\/p>\n
She never would.<\/p>\n
Xander ignored the pang in his heart, instead choosing to do what he always did. Hide it all away and pretend it didn\u2019t exist. \u201cSo how\u2019s Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy raised an eyebrow at him. \u201cShe\u2019s fine. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander feigned innocence. \u201cNo reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, Xan.\u201d Buffy chuckled, winking teasingly at him. \u201cShe\u2019s a little outta your league, dontchya think? The girl\u2019s practically nobility\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo she\u2019s classy.\u201d Xander shrugged, his eyes twinkling. \u201cMaybe she\u2019s an uptown girl looking for a back street guy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNah.\u201d Buffy shook her head. \u201cShe only ever dates upmarket guys. It\u2019s not like she looks down on guys who aren\u2019t.\u201d She hurriedly added at his look. \u201cShe just has expensive taste. Ya know, designer suits, shoes, car \u2013 the works. They gotta be clean but kinda rough around the edges, kinda intense and broody.\u201d She looked him over, smiling. \u201cAnd you\u2019re not exactly a Donald Trump wannabe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander pouted. \u201cSo that\u2019s a no?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy laughed, laying her hand over his. \u201cAw Xander, I still love you.\u201d She glanced at her watch, unaware of the way his heart quickened, the way his hand clenched beneath her palm, the way his face fell and then rebuilt its previous expression by the time she\u2019d looked up. \u201cI guess we\u2019re all searching for love, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander snorted. \u201cRight. Like you actually have to search<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy pouted slightly, and her eyes appeared strangely sad. \u201cI do.\u201d She stared at him forlornly and Xander felt his throat close up. \u201cI still am. I\u2019m beginning to think I\u2019ll never find it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander opened his mouth to say something but paused when she glanced at her watch again.<\/p>\n
\u201cShoot, I gotta go, Wesley has some big new project from the Powers under his belt he wants to fill us in on and I can\u2019t be late.\u201d<\/p>\n
She got out of her seat and Xander stood too, watching her as she swung her jacket around and slid it over her shoulders. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his cheek. A quick \u201cbye\u201d was whispered in his ear and then she was gone, her back to him as she jogged out of the caf\u00e9 and across the road to her car.<\/p>\n
Xander let out a breath and sat down, leaning back in his seat.<\/p>\n
Yup, the universe was *definitely* against him.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cBagels?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep, that\u2019s me.\u201d Faith hopped out of her seat in the tiny caf\u00e9, grabbing the bagels and handing over the money to the girl behind the counter. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
She folded the brown paper bag at the top, putting her sunglasses on and stepping out into the brilliant sunshine. A grin broke across her face as warm rays of sunshine kissed her face. She licked her lips and glanced at her watch. Wes needed them at the office soon. She\u2019d have to make a move if she wanted to get there on time, or at least earlier than –<\/p>\n
\u201cHEY!\u201d<\/p>\n
A loud shout interrupted her train of thought and Faith swiftly looked up, her eyes narrowing when she saw a young man, possibly in his mid twenties, viciously trying to yank an older woman\u2019s bag away from her arm. The woman was putting up a fair fight but the guy suddenly shoved her, and she released the bag, nearly falling over backwards. The robber broke into a sprint, rounding the corner.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo peace for the wicked. \u201c Faith muttered, breaking into a sprint after him, her feet moving supernaturally fast across the pavement. She expertly dodged passers by, aware that she must have looked like nothing more than blur to them, but her mind was on the task at hand. She was just a few feet away from the thief now. She sped up, the bagels swinging at her side.<\/p>\n
The man turned, glancing at her in fear.<\/p>\n
BIG mistake.<\/p>\n
The action slowed him down and Faith ploughed into him, sending them both tumbling over. He dropped the bag and scrambled for it but Faith was there first. She threw the bag a few feet away, out of reach, and stood staring down at him, her breathing heavy.<\/p>\n
When he looked up at her, she grinned. \u201cHiya.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man spat blood out of his mouth, probably from his collision with the pavement. \u201cBitch!\u201d He lunged at her but Faith stepped neatly out of the way and he stumbled slightly, catching himself before he fell face forward. He spun around and ran at her again, throwing a punch. Faith ducked, elbowing him in the stomach.<\/p>\n
The thief coughed and took a step back, grabbing his abdomen. \u201cWho are you?\u201d He bellowed angrily, glaring at her.<\/p>\n
Faith only shrugged, hands on her hips. \u201cJust think of me as retribution.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man scrunched his face up. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith rolled her eyes, looking over his shoulder as the sound of sirens rang through the air. She calmly pointed behind him. \u201cCavalry\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The robber spun around. One look at the police car and he gasped, making a run for it. Faith caught his shirt, causing his entire body to jerk and swivel. He lashed out at her once again and this time Faith took no chances, swiftly raising her knee and slamming it into his groin. He groaned, a small squeak escaping him as he sank to the floor, both hands clutching his crotch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t wanna have to go and do that.\u201d Faith said, feigning regret. \u201cBut you left me little choice.\u201d She walked over and retrieved the bag, turning as the police car stopped, and a familiar face with blonde hair and a suave pantsuit emerged.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith!\u201d The blonde said, smiling warmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie!\u201d Faith grinned, her tongue between her teeth. \u201cHow you been?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, not too shabby.\u201d Kate responded, staring at the man curled in a foetal position on the floor. \u201cI see you\u2019re doing my rounds for me.\u201d She looked up, smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, it\u2019s a dirty job but someone\u2019s gotta do it.\u201d Faith quipped, shrugging. \u201cPlus, you know me. I can never resist a bad boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm.\u201d Kate glanced over her shoulder. \u201cDemon where it should have been?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith joined her thumb and index finger in a circle, raising the three remaining fingers in the universal sign of perfect<\/i>. \u201cBuilding site. Just like you said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate nodded, looking once again at the thief as the two policemen who\u2019d arrived at the scene with her took him into custody. She grimaced. \u201cWhat is it with you and *that* area?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith laughed. \u201cNobody likes change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate nodded. \u201cSure. At least you\u2019re consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI try.\u201d<\/p>\n
The police car honked once and Kate smiled apologetically. \u201cI should go. It was good seeing you. How are the girls?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate nodded, her eyes twinkling. \u201cAnd Wes?\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith smirked. \u201cOh, he\u2019s just fine.\u201d She licked her lips. \u201cYou two should just shag already.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate gave her an odd look. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about Faith.\u201d The police car honked again and Kate glanced over her shoulder. \u201cOkay, I really have to go. You\u2019ll return the bag?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter I\u2019ve ransacked it for spare cash, sure.\u201d Faith smiled at her, waving as Kate got into the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t even joke about that.\u201d Kate warned teasingly. \u201cOh, and Faith? Thanks.\u201d She rolled up the window and Faith watched as the car gained speed and drove off into the distance.<\/p>\n
She turned and headed back around the corner, back to the street where the robbed woman stood, now in the midst of a small, concerned crowd. Her eyes widened as Faith walked over, pulling the bag out from under her arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, you angel!\u201d She exclaimed and Faith had to grin at that as the woman clutched her bag tightly to her. \u201cThank you so much. Is there anything I can do? I\u2019m so grateful – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no.\u201d Faith shook her head, smiling. \u201cThis is pretty standard for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman nodded, a smile lighting her face. \u201cWell, God bless people like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith chuckled. \u201cSure, why not? I practically work for the guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Something warm and wet against her hand dragged her out of blissful slumber. Cordy blinked sleepily, shielding her eyes against the sunlight streaming through the balcony doors. She glanced over and grinned at Jack, the love of her life \u2013 her beloved Golden Retriever, who was still lapping at her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning gorgeous\u2026\u201d She said between yawning, ruffling the hair on his head. He barked and wagged his tail, resting his front paws on the bed. The phone rang beside her bed, startling both of them. Cordy rolled over, grabbing it and yawning into the receiver.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChase?\u201d Riley Finn, her closest friend\u2019s voice filtered through the phone. He sounded confused. \u201cWhat the hell are you still doing in bed? Catching up on beauty sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d Cordy frowned. \u201cLike I need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, get up.\u201d He ordered. \u201cDon\u2019t make me come over there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes, laying a hand over her forehead. \u201cRi, it\u2019s too early for me to play along to your \u2018I am scary, dammit\u2019 routine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly?\u201d Riley squeaked, and she could picture his eyebrows shooting up. \u201cChase, it\u2019s 11 o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy jerked up in bed, her eyes widening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWHAT?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat, what?\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. \u201cShit!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley was going to KILL her.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
She was over half an hour late.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo kind of you to join us, Cordelia.\u201d Wes shot her a disapproving glare as she strolled into the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep your panties on.\u201d Cordy hung her coat up and walked over to the sofa, taking a seat. She grinned at Faith and Buffy. \u201cLadies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho you callin\u2019 a lady?\u201d Faith said, winking. \u201cI chased after a public offender for twenty minutes this morning and I am *still* earlier than you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI overslept.\u201d Cordy shrugged coolly. \u201cAnd you being on time<\/i>, let alone earlier than anyone else is a rare occurrence, so hush.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re quite finished arguing about each other\u2019s punctuality\u2026\u201d Wesley shot them a stern look and both girls immediately shut up, though they covered their mouths to keep from laughing. \u201cRight. I require your full attention on this matter \u2013 it\u2019s one of our bigger cases, if not our biggest yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
He returned to his desk and picked up a remote control, aiming it at the wall opposite him. The girls turned in their seats just as the wall split open and spread apart, revealing the large, rectangular screen. Immediately, a picture of a grand, stylish and unpleasantly familiar building appeared on the screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got word from the Powers That Be yesterday evening,\u201d Wesley began, \u201cregarding their latest assignment. They wish for us to help – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that Wolfram and Hart?\u201d Buffy asked, staring at the image of the structure.<\/p>\n
\u201c – the CEO of Wolfram and Hart.\u201d Wesley finished, an annoyed expression on his face. He appeared quite pleased when three pairs of eyes swivelled around to stare at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat???\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley ignored them completely. \u201cOf course, I was as surprised as you when I was told. However, the Powers made it perfectly clear that this is what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey cannot be serious\u2026\u201d Faith shook her head.<\/p>\n
Buffy opened her mouth, then closed it again, then seemed to find her tongue and opened it once more. \u201cBut they\u2019re evil! They\u2019re totally malicious and corrupt! We\u2019ve spent half our time fighting their clients and their employees \u2013 why would the Powers want us to help<\/i> them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right.\u201d Cordy added. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley frowned. \u201cPerhaps you should all take a lesson in allowing one to finish their explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps you should take one in speeding it up\u2026\u201d Cordy muttered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard that.\u201d Wesley snipped. \u201cThe Powers don\u2019t want us to help Wolfram and Hart per sae.\u201d He clicked on the remote control again and the picture on the screen changed. The image of an extremely handsome man with dark hair and deep, dark eyes materialized. \u201cThey only want us to help one person in particular.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a few seconds there was silence. Then \u2013<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa.\u201d Faith said in awe, glancing at Wesley. \u201cDid you switch to cable or something?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wes almost smiled. He pointed to the screen. \u201cThis is the CEO of Wolfram and Hart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cHIM???\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy grinned. \u201cYou know what they say about evil wearing a pretty face.\u201d<\/p>\n
This time, Wesley did smile. \u201cFunny you say that, Cordy.\u201d He picked up a few sheets of paper from his desk and handed each girl a sheet. \u201cHis name is Angel, or Angelus, meaning \u2018angelic one\u2019 or \u2018the one with the angelic face\u2019. The name was delegated to him by his sire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a vampire?\u201d Buffy yelped.<\/p>\n
Cordy rolled her eyes. \u201cTold you he was evil\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d Wesley cleared his throat. \u201cHe\u2019s a vampire with a soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once again, the girls were stunned into silence. And once again, it was Faith who broke it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the sheets I\u2019ve given you, they provide all the information you\u2019ll need.\u201d Wesley said, adjusting his glasses. \u201cAngel was turned during the 18th Century. He was in his late twenties when it happened.\u201d Wes paced the room, the piece of paper held firmly in his hand. \u201cFor over a hundred years he wreaked havoc, took and destroyed lives, left towns burned and broken \u2013 he was known as the Scourge of Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy winced. \u201cAnd we\u2019re gonna help him why?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stopped and watched her very solemnly. \u201cBecause around eighty years ago he was cursed with a soul. He killed a gypsy girl and her family placed a curse on him so that he would remember all the pain and death he caused, every victim, every face\u2026\u201d Wes\u2019s expression was stone serious. \u201cEvery last detail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith frowned, her brow creasing. \u201cOkay, not to sound insensitive but \u2013 so what? He was ruthless and he killed so many people without blinking an eye. Surely he deserves to suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d Wesley nodded. \u201cBut for the past several decades he has dedicated his life to helping the helpless, much like us. Perhaps it is his way of giving back some of the life he took away. The soul allows him to feel regret and compassion, and that is the true source of his desire to assist those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he works for Wolfram and Hart.\u201d Buffy looked incredibly puzzled. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe used to be a champion for the Powers.\u201d Wesley said, smiling at the shocked looks he received. \u201cHe was on the road to redemption, atoning with a soul for all the sins he committed without one. The Powers were going to make him human someday as a reward for all his hard work and integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year he made a bad decision.\u201d Wes said. \u201cSeveral bad decisions actually \u2013 and they cost him. He lost almost everything and he made a deal with Wolfram and Hart. In exchange for his soul, his son – \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a son?\u201d Faith\u2019s eyes were wide.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, a miracle child born of two vampires, human but physically very much like a vampire. It is a rather complicated tale. And perhaps not surprisingly, not a terribly happy one. To make a long story short\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy shook her head, trying to clear the fuzz induced by the onslaught of information. \u201cToo late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis really isn\u2019t the point, children,\u201d Wesley said impatiently. \u201cLook, the son, Connor I believe it was, went absolutely out of his mind and tried to destroy everything Angel held dear, as well as Angel himself. It ultimately resulted in hostages and an explosive situation\u2014of the literal and figurative kind. So, to save those involved, Angel made this deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSave them how?\u201d Cordy asked in an almost-whisper, still staring intently at the screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe traded the only thing he had left to give\u2014his soul,\u201d Wesley answered solemnly, then frowned. \u201cAs I was saying before I was interrupted, in exchange for Angel\u2019s soul, he was given the Los Angeles branch of Wolfram and Hart and all its resources to run how he saw fit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course he chose to further help the helpless and benefit the forces of good. But no longer with the assistance of the Powers That Be. As for his son\u2026 there\u2019s no record human or mystical that the child ever existed. It\u2019s only because of the Powers that I don\u2019t feel the fool for even suggesting what should be an impossibility. I can only speculate that Wolfram and Hart altered reality and all memory of the boy was erased.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo vamp-child is dead?\u201d Faith wondered aloud.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u201cWow.\u201d Buffy said. \u201cMy mom always says the hardest thing in the world would be to lose her children before they lose her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, so all loving parents say,\u201d Wesley qualified, before clearing his throat again and continuing. \u201cWhich is why I doubt that he sacrificed his soul so his son could die. But for all intents and purposes, the boy is gone and regardless of what happened to Connor, the situation as it stands now has prompted the Powers to intervene. Various and copious past mistakes aside, Angel has a valuable role to play. And not to put a fine point on it, the man\u2014um, vampire\u2019s unhappy and he doesn\u2019t want to be there. Unfortunately this is one bad decision he can\u2019t get himself out of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn. I never thought I\u2019d come across a depressed<\/i> vampire.\u201d Faith said with a hint of a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cAah, that reminds me.\u201d Wes said, clicking on the remote control once again. The screen switched off and the walls slowly slid back into place. \u201cAngel may have a soul but it was the result of a curse. And curses come with clauses.\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused dramatically and Cordy rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an exact science, but the gypsies wanted him to suffer an eternity of guilt and anguish. Therefore, if Angel experiences a single moment of perfect happiness, he will lose his soul and become Angelus again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBummer.\u201d Faith said and Cordy knew immediately that she was thinking about sex.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Wes agreed, clearly unaware of what he\u2019d just agreed to. \u201cThat being said, it doesn\u2019t mean he cannot experience any happiness whatsoever. As long as it\u2019s not too much all at once, and as long as he doesn\u2019t forget all the terrible things he did and why the curse was put on him.\u201d He leaned against his desk. \u201cThough I hardly doubt he\u2019s come across any happiness, what with losing his son and thinking the Powers have abandoned him. Not to mention taking on the responsibility of an evil law firm.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want us to do?\u201d Cordy asked, surprised at how sorry she felt for the vampire. Everyone deserved a little happiness in their lives, especially in cases like this.<\/p>\n
Though to be honest, she noted with a smile, there were no cases like this.<\/p>\n
Wesley glanced at her. \u201cGo to Wolfram and Hart. He\u2019s not aware of your coming or this scenario but the Powers know he wants out so just be honest with him. Through my study of vampires I can certainly tell you this \u2013 they don\u2019t like being lied to.\u201d He sighed. \u201cMention the Powers, talk a little bit about yourselves perhaps, what it is you do and why you want to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we have to act like he\u2019s doing us<\/i> a favour?\u201d Faith asked indignantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Wes sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s just that he might take a while to warm to you. Look, all I\u2019m saying is, the Powers want Angel back in their corner. He\u2019s a champion but he\u2019s lost \u2013 we just need to guide him back to the path and get him out of there before he loses it completely.\u201d He grinned. \u201cAnd hey, with three beautiful women like yourselves strolling into his office and asking to be of service, how\u2019s a man of any age or status to refuse you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019d be thinking about the same services, Wes.\u201d Cordy said dryly. \u201cYa know, gender \u2013 wise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo how old is he now?\u201d Buffy asked, cutting off Wesley before he had a chance to defend male integrity.<\/p>\n
\u201c250.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith whistled. \u201cGrandpa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVegetable.\u201d Cordy agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of the above.\u201d Wesley said sternly, shaking his head. \u201cAs you know, vampires don\u2019t age, and Angel is rather different to your standard vampire. Obviously, there\u2019s the soul, but he is also faster, stronger and cleverer. Essentially, he\u2019s immortal.\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned then, and retrieved a folder from his desk, seemingly done with his explanation. Silence filled the room as the girls considered the vast amount of information they\u2019d been given. Cordy leaned back against the couch. Helping the CEO of Wolfram & Hart seemed an inexcusable act \u2013 and yet, something about the idea attracted her. She felt unexpected sympathy for the vampire –<\/p>\n
\u201cI bet he\u2019s great in bed.\u201d Faith suddenly wondered aloud and Cordy snickered at Wesley\u2019s dismayed look. \u201cAll that stamina\u2026 \u201c She trailed off, tapping her chin. \u201cToo bad about the big happy clause.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want us to go tonight?\u201d Buffy asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it will have to keep until tomorrow,\u201d Wesley demurred without looking up, apparently drawn deep into thought by something in the now open file balanced in his hand.<\/p>\n
Then he just as quickly snapped the folder shut, reached for a thin stack of typed sheets of paper on his desk, and faced them with a familiar sparkle in his eye. That glimmer usually preceded a long, animated lecture on whatever archaic mumbo-jumbo was at the heart of their latest case. More times than not, the lecture itself resembled an awkward tango wherein Wes alternated between bubbling over with excitement and adopting the attitude of a beleaguered Oxford don.<\/p>\n
The girls, on the other hand, gave their best imitation of paying attention or, at the very least, not noticeably falling asleep mid-lesson.<\/p>\n
When he didn\u2019t immediately elaborate, Cordelia and Buffy exchanged glances.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re having this urgent meeting because\u2014?\u201d Faith made a \u2018hurry up already\u2019 motion with her hand in Wesley\u2019s general direction<\/p>\n
Refusing to be rushed, Wesley cleared his throated quietly and handed the papers to Buffy before circling slowly back to his desk. \u201cWe have a priority case to deal with first.\u201d<\/p>\n
His back was turned when Cordelia made a half-dive for the other brunette\u2019s moving hand before it became a gesture of an entirely different nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you be a little less Agatha Christie and move on to the useful details please?\u201d Cordy took a page from the stack Buffy passed her, handing the single remaining sheet to Faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, this oughta be good\u201d Faith chimed in. \u201cWhat exactly trumps bringing down the law firm from hell and saving Tall, Dark and Broodelicious?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I wouldn\u2019t say trumps<\/i> but – \u201d If Wesley looked any more pleased with what he was about to say next, the buttons of his shirt would start popping off. \u201cThis case involves a serial-killing vampire to be exact. He\u2019s practically royalty\u2014a Count in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faith\u2019s face screwed up as she watched him and muttered to the women seated on either side of her. \u201cIf the word \u2018Dracula\u2019 comes outta his mouth, we\u2019re switching him to decaffeinated tea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not discussing a classic novel that has been bastardized and distorted to the point of absurdity for the gratification of the cinematic public!\u201d Wesley glowered from across the desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, some of us are visual learners,\u201d Buffy retorted. \u201cGive me a movie over some stuffy English lit class any day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley was beginning to look apoplectic. \u201cOh, and I suppose equating an actor whose greatest character portrayal includes playing air guitar and travelling through time and space in a phone booth to a *real* vampire hunter seems perfectly acceptable to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia suddenly stuck out her index finger at him as a warning. \u201cDon\u2019t start with the Keanu comments.\u201d<\/p>\n
He shut his eyes and appeared to be silently praying for patience. \u201cPerhaps we should return to the matter at hand before this conversation gets completely out of control.\u201d His eyes were still closed when Faith muttered \u2018too late for that\u2019 not-so-under her breath. Blue eyes flashed open at her but Wesley pretended to ignore her. \u201cAs I was saying\u2026 we have a count to deal with\u2014one who is obsessed on a count of a different kind entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n
At their collective blank stares he groaned. \u201cA body<\/i> count?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGotchya.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley rolled his eyes, rather put out. \u201cAs I was saying, he\u2019s an important noble figure in Los Angeles. No one can touch him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy smiled. \u201cExcept for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley grinned. \u201cRight you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we get to dress up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYay.\u201d Buffy grinned. \u201cI\u2019m in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMight I add?\u201d Wesley asked, glancing at her. \u201cHe appears to have a brunette fetish.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d Buffy huffed, looking a little disappointed.<\/p>\n
Faith smirked, putting an arm around Cordelia. \u201cGuess that leaves us to the dirty work.\u201d<\/p>\n