•••

“I can’t believe we spent the night in this place, while Wil and Angel went out on the town,” Xander grumbled as he sat down on his bed. The vampires had been considerate enough to call before they left. Yeah, he needed his rest, and so did Wesley. In fact, they’d chosen to stay home. That didn’t change the fact that someone—someone whose honey was with them—had fun and he hadn’t.

“You could have gone with them, you know,” Wesley muttered from his bed. The faun had a sheaf of papers spread out in front of him and was trying to decipher Xander’s handwriting on them. “And on a side note, may I enroll you in penmanship classes?”

“Smart ass,” Xander replied without malice. He knew no one could read his handwriting. Then again, he’d stopped paying attention in class at about first grade, which explained his handwriting, among other things. “I’m not leaving you here. Besides, if I did go out with them, I’d just end up getting left somewhere when they snuck off to fuck.”

“That is a distinct possibility,” Wesley said. “However I do not need to be kept company.”

“Right.” Xander turned to look at his roommate. “I know you’re all tied up about what happened to Fred. And no, I’m not offering to play therapist,” He continued when Wesley looked like he might interrupt. “But you need to talk to someone about it—even if that someone is Fred.”

“And I will, when I feel ready,” Wesley promised. He refused to let himself get angry with Xander—the boy was doing what he felt was best, and he did try to keep from poking people’s wounds too much. “But not before.”

“I understand that one,” Xander said lightly. “So, what is it about this place that makes it smell so bad?”

Wesley stretched and stared at the ceiling. “I have no idea, but it certainly is foul.”

“Hmm. Hungry?”

“I could eat. You, of course, are always hungry,” Wesley said. “Shall we find something?”

Xander nodded and stood up. While Wesley put his shoes back on and reapplied his signature floppy hat, Xander rummaged around for some money. They’d brought food with them, but eating out seemed like a better idea than bologna sandwiches again. “I think I saw a fast food restaurant down the street. They’ll serve breakfast.”

“Ah. Nothing better than that?” Wesley inquired.

“There was a pet shop with crickets in the front window,” Xander muttered. “But I so did not notice them. I swear.”

“Ah,” Wesley murmured, grinning.

•••

“Wil,” Angel whispered. It was still dark, but he could feel the sunrise coming; it was time go return to the hotel.

“I know,” Wil replied quietly. He too felt the coming day, albeit with great regret. He quite liked the privacy, both real and perceived, that their aerial perch afforded them. Still, the stars were blinking out and the birds were waking up. “Hand me my shirt, love?”

Angel reached for Wil’s clothes and helped the blonde get dressed. They climbed down carefully and headed toward the hotel. Since it was dark and the streets were nearly empty, Wil slipped his hand into Angel’s as they walked side-by-side down the street. The simple action warmed him and made him feel almost normal.

They were just a block from the hotel when Angel caught sight of Xander and Wesley, walking into a restaurant. “We never called them to say we weren’t coming in,” Angel said to Wil.

Wil tugged on Angel’s hand and urged him on towards the hotel. The sun was very nearly up; they had dawdled in their walk home. “I doubt they noticed, Angel. Hells, they knew we probably wouldn’t be back. We’re vampires.”

“True,” Angel commented as they ducked inside the hotel. The desk clerk glared at them, thinking that they’d demand their complimentary breakfast. The vampires ignored him completely and took an elevator upstairs. Wil heated up a few bags of blood while Angel readied himself for bed. They fed quietly and pulled back the covers, more than ready for a day’s sleep.

“I’m worried,” Wil said as he neared sleep.

“So am I,” Angel replied, pulling Wil closer.

•••

“I feel really bad,” Fred groaned as she rubbed her forehead. “I mean, really, really bad.”

“Like you crawled into a bottle of rum and forgot how to get back out?” Gunn muttered. He felt like he had the hangover of the century. Hells, he had no idea his elbows could ache like that.

“It gets better,” Oz commented from his perch on the bed. “First times are always bad.”

“Yeah. After a few months, you’ll just feel like you’ve been put through a meat grinder,” Cordelia added.

“I don’t hear you complaining about it. Either of you,” Gunn shot back.

“I’m used to it,” Oz said.

“It’s nothing, compared to how the visions used to be,” Cordelia explained. “But it does get better.”

“Were we bad?” Fred asked. She didn’t remember much of anything. “And I thought you remembered what went on when you were changed.”

“You were fine,” Oz replied.

“You’ll remember more once you get better control of the wolf,” Cordelia said helpfully. “Right now you’re too caught up in being different. Once the novelty wears off, you’ll do better at remembering.” She thought for a moment. “But those memories will always seem a bit funky.”

“They’re wolf-memories. Different,” Oz said.

“Ah. Can I get a shower?” Gunn inquired, holding up his chained hands. “Cause I’m nasty.”

“Sure. Fred, you wanna use the other room?” Cordelia offered as she and Oz unchained the two bound-up people.

“Yeah, that’d be great. And I’m starved,” Fred answered. “Can we have pancakes?”

Cordelia watched them run for the bathrooms. “Her first change and she’s asking for pancakes?”

Oz smiled softly. “Hey, you wanted carrot-cake muffins.”

The seer snorted. “Right, with apple bu—“ She placed a shaky hand on her cheek. “Damned visions. Could you boot up the computer? Buffy’s gonna need to know about this one.”

Oz got the computer set up and plugged into the phone line. “All ready. What was it about?”

“The usual. Vampires threatening airheads in Beverly Hills,” She replied as she typed out an e-mail message. “I hope they’ve figured out the software I put on the computer. I even left instructions.”

“We may want to call,” Oz commented.

“What about tracing? They might have the phones tapped,” Cordelia murmured.

“I can deal with that,” Oz said. He went into the other room to use the phone. Cordelia heard him typing in a bunch of numbers, talking briefly, and then typing again. After another minute or two, he began to talk again, this time to Buffy.

He returned to the room a few minutes later. “They just found the instructions,” He said wryly. “Right before they were about to torch your computer.”

“Idiots,” Cordelia said fondly. “So, how about those pancakes?”

“I saw a diner up the street,” Oz said.

“I take it that means I get to go retrieve breakfast?” Cordelia commented.

Oz just looked at her. She rolled her eyes and pulled on her shoes. “I can’t believe I’m going out looking like this.”

“You still look better than most of the people out there,” Gunn said from the doorway. He was toweling off his arms and head. “But can I have an omelet instead of pancakes?”

“Sure. I’ll be back in a few,” Cordelia threw over her shoulder as she went to the car.

•••

“How’d it go?” Angel asked Oz over the telephone.

“Fine. They’re wiped out,” Oz replied. They’d just finished breakfast, after which Gunn and Fred collapsed onto their beds and crashed for the day. “Won’t be up until tonight.”

“Good,” Angel murmured. “Do you need anything?”

“No,” Oz said. “Delia had a vision. Sent it to Buffy.”

“Bad?” Angel sounded worried.

“No,” Oz assured him. “Vamps. Kids. Stupidity. Nothing major.”

“Oh, ok then. I’ll pass on the word.”

“’K. Look, we need to sleep too. I’ll call tomorrow,” Oz said briefly.

“Yeah,” Angel murmured as he disconnected the call.

“So everything’s fine?” Wil asked from where he lay on top of Angel.

“I think so,” Angel said. “Oz didn’t sound worried.”

“Then everything’s fine. He’d tell us if it wasn’t,” Wil said firmly. “Now, get some sleep. I can’t believe you woke me up just so that you could call the doghouse.”

“You know I needed to check in on them,” Angel admonished.

“Could’ve waited until later,” Wil grumbled. “After all, Wes and Xander are going to call too.”

“I know,” Angel sighed. Still, he couldn’t help but check on the others. They were important to him.

“Relax and get some sleep, Angel. Otherwise you’ll be too tired to go out tonight,” Wil ordered sleepily.

“We’re going out again?”

Wil managed to lift his head off Angel’s chest. “We’re going somewhere tonight, unless you keep talking. Then I’m going out and you’re spending the night tied up in the bathtub,” He threatened. “With Xander.”

Angel grimaced. “Sleep it is.”

•••

“So, she left instructions, and you couldn’t find them?” Buffy inquired laughingly. Lorne scowled at the Slayer.

“They weren’t that obvious,” He retorted snidely.

The blonde quirked one eyebrow. “A full-size sheet of fuchsia printer paper taped to the wall next to the computer screen isn’t obvious?”

“Well…” Lorne began with a whine. “Oh, and how did the slaying go?”

“It wasn’t much, really. A few coeds, a few vamps. Kick kick, punch punch. Anything new here?”

The green demon sighed. “The new wards are up and functional, for whatever good they’ll do. Dawn and Willow are trying to devil eggs, and I can’t find my good aqua tie.”

“Wow, that’s rough,” Buffy replied. “No new business on the investigative front?”

Lorne shook his head. “Not a peep. Things are going to be slow for a bit. Angel is supposed to be dead, you know. It’s not the same as his hiatus in London—it’ll take some time for people to realize the office is still running.”

“Maybe we should change the name,” Buffy suggested. “Make it look like new people have taken over.”

He thought about that for a few minutes. “Actually, it’s not a bad idea—not bad at all. And it would help convince our favorite law firm that Angel really is gone.”

“Exactly. Plus, we can… alter the focus of the business just a bit, since there’s a new owner,” Buffy added.

“Alter how?” Lorne inquired cautiously. He wasn’t too sure about changing the nature of Angel’s work, even if he was absent.

Buffy pulled up a chair and sat next to the demon. “Angel’s motto is ‘we help the helpless’—and that’s great, but…”

“Not really you?” Lorne said.

The girl squirmed a bit. “No, I do help the helpless… but it seems so desperate. Even if the motto stays the same, maybe a new name… I don’t know!” She replied impatiently. “It was just a thought.”

“Why don’t we think on it for a while,” Lorne murmured. “After dinner, maybe.”

“Ok,” Buffy said quietly. “Please tell me we’re having more than deviled eggs.”

“We’re having more than deviled eggs,” Lorne said. “I think they made grape kool aide too.”

Buffy just groaned.

•••

Wil had just gotten into the shower when someone knocked on the door. “Angel, get that, would you?” He called from the bathroom. Angel quickly finished buttoning his shirt and went to open the door. On the other side he found Xander, bouncing on his heels.

“Hi, Xander,” Angel said as he let the boy in. “Why—“ He began, but Xander cut him off.

“You two are going out again tonight, aren’t you,” Xander said rapidly. He looked around the room, nodding. “Yup—clean clothes, clean vampires. You’re going out!”

Angel grimaced. “Yeah, we were thinking about it.”

“Can I come?” The Raphe asked. He looked at Angel for a few seconds before continuing. “I mean, I know you guys want your alone time and all, but I’m going nuts staying in all the time. I won’t bother you—just tag along and get lost in the crowd. You won’t even know I’m there!”

“Angel? Could you bring me the soap?” Wil yelled from the shower. “I think it’s in the blue toiletry case on the dresser.”

“Wha—“ Angel started, only to be interrupted by Wil.

“Soap!” Frowning severely, Angel picked up the case and went into the bathroom.

“Wil,” He hissed sharply, “You’ve got the soap already!”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t know that,” Wil whispered back. “Look, just let him go with us, ok? He needs a break from Wesley, and Wes could use some alone time too.”

“I thought Wes shouldn’t be left alone,” Angel replied, sitting down on the sink counter.

“Maybe not, but do you really think hyper-boy is doing him any good either? Besides, a dose of drunken happiness could be what Xander needs right now,” Wil murmured from under the shower spray.

“Alright,” Angel said regretfully. He’d been anticipating another evening alone with Wil. Oh well.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t do anything,” Wil said suggestively. “We just won’t stay out as long.”

Angel grinned and nodded before leaving to go back to Xander. “So, you guys decide to let me go?” Xander asked when Angel showed up in the bedroom again.

“Yeah,” He replied sheepishly. It hadn’t been the smoothest maneuver, he had to admit.

“Good! Great!” Xander exclaimed, bouncing again. “When to we leave?”

“After I get dried off and dressed,” Wil replied from the doorway. Angel’s eyes widened at the sight of a dripping wet, blonde vampire covered only by a thin white hotel towel.

Xander felt Angel’s almost instantaneous reaction to Wil’s appearance and flushed. “Erm… maybe I should go tell Wes I’m heading out. Why don’t you two stop by our room on your way out? No rush, of course!” He said, already halfway out the door.

Wil twisted the deadbolt after Xander was gone and turned back to Angel. “What?”

Angel strode across the room and stood just inches from Wil. “I wish you had a reflection,” He whispered. “Then you’d know.”

“Know what?” Wil asked, leaning forward slightly.

“What you look like, standing like that,” The dark vampire replied.

Wil swallowed. “Ah.”

Angel grinned.

Wil swallowed again.

•••

“You did say that you were going out with them,” Wesley asked for the third time.

“Yeah,” Xander said absently, distracted by the television.

“Are you sure they knew to stop by for you?”

“Yeah.”

Wesley hummed. “So where are they? It has been almost an hour.”

“Wil was wet. And naked,” Xander replied, not taking his eyes from the baseball game. “Well, mostly naked. But really wet.”

Wesley blinked. “Ah.”

“Yup.”

“Do you think—“

“I’d give them another half an hour,” Xander reassured the faun. “Then I’ll be out of your fur for a bit, ok?”

“You aren’t bothering me,” Wesley protested.

“No,” Xander returned. “But you don’t like jerking off with me in the room, either.”

Wesley blinked again. “How did you… oh, never mind.”

“Uh huh,” Xander murmured, still caught up in the game. “There’s hand cream in the night stand,” He suggested. “Lanolin, cocoa butter.”

Wesley banged his head on the wall and forcibly restrained himself from saying a word, instead wishing desperately that a dimensional rift would open over his bed and whisk him back to a normal universe.