*****

To say that things are a little crazy here at Wolfram & Hart would be an understatement. Like every other office we have the usual rumors floating around; like who's sleeping with whom, who isn�t pleasing the partners, what demon is about to rise, typical office gossip. Today is no different. The buzz around the water cooler today is that some big shot from New York is coming to take on a case that is considered impossible to win. I wonder if that�s why I've been called into Holland's office for an early morning meeting.

�Morning Lindsey, did you want anything to drink?� Holland asked as he ushered me to a seat. If I didn�t know any better I�d say that he was nervous.

�It�s too early in the morning for chit chat Holland, what�s this all about?� I asked beginning to feel a little nervous myself. Since my little �slip� some years back, being called into Holland�s office this early in the morning worried me.

Before I could get an answer, Lilah walked in with a big, yet shaky smile across her face. Her mood seemed consistent with that of the room. I guess she wasn�t too comfortable at being summoned like this either.

�Lilah, as always, you look great. Have a seat, please.� Once the three of us had taken our seats around the conference table Holland continued, �Late last night a Robert Cruise was arrested. He�s going to be charged with first-degree murder. I�m pulling you both off the cases you�re handling right now. We need you, to make sure that he walks.�

I noticed Lilah relax and I couldn�t help but let out a sigh of relief.

Once he saw our reactions, Holland continued more serious than ever. �This is no simple case you two are going to be handling, this comes from the top. The senior partners made it clear that prison is not an option."

�What�s so special about this guy?� I asked.

Once again, someone walked into the room before he could answer me. I could swear that Holland turned even paler.

�Holland, I suppose you�ve filled them in on things?� said a man�s voice. When I turned around and saw to whom the voice belonged my heart stopped. I recognized the man from pictures around the office, he was Richard Wolfram, the man with top billing in the firm. I had never met him but as with everyone else �in the know�, I knew that the appearance of a handsome man in his early 40�s was nothing more that a cover for what he really was, a cruel demon with a strong dislike for humans.

Mr. Wolfram, I was just beginning to explain the details of the case to Lilah and Lindsey. I wasn�t expecting to see you until we were joined by Mr.-� Holland was interrupted yet again, when another man entered the room. I didn�t recognize him and from the looks I was getting from Lilah, neither did she.

�Alex, there you are. What happened, did you get lost?�

�Not a chance Richard, you couldn�t lose me even if you tried. I just had to take this call.� Answered the man with a grin. He was a young man, maybe 25 or 26, with dark hair and eyes, he was human I was sure.

"Mr. Harris, I wasn't expecting you to arrive in L.A. for a few more hours. If I had known, I would've sent a limo to pick you up from the airport."

"Don't worry about it Holland. Richard picked me up in that new Viper of his. It was a sweet ride even though he was the one driving." With a chuckle and a grin the young man turned to us and spoke, "We're being rude here gentlemen, how about we get the introductions going."

"Oh yes certainly, that's Lilah Morgan sitting over there, and this gentleman here is Lindsey McDonald." I could have sworn that Alex shifted his gaze towards my hand as soon as he heard my name and smiled. With a nervous glance Holland continued, "Lindsey, Lilah, I'm sure you both can recognize Mr. Richard Wolfram, one of the founders of this firm from pictures and-"

�Just get on with it Holland, I want to show Alex some of the sights before lunch." Interrupted Richard in an impatient tone.

"Calm down Rich, I can wait to see where celebrities live 'till later.� With an almost apologetic look, the young man turned to us once again and continued, �I'm Alexander Harris, most people call me Alex though."

Through this little event neither Lilah nor myself had said a word, in fact the only participation from us had been a couple nods and looks of amazement. This morning was certainly proving to be eventful.

"In case you're wondering, I'm a junior partner at Wolfram & Hart's, New York office." before he continued, he sat down and looked over at Richard and Holland who had also taken seats. "We'll be working together on the Cruise case."

�That�s right,� Richard spoke to us for the first time. �This case is crucial to us and neither Karen Hart or I want this case messed up so Alex here is going to be first chair. I trust him completely and expect you...� he glanced over at Holland, �all of you, to give him your full co-operation and support. Is that understood?�

�Yes sir.� We all replied since after all, the rules have been laid out and the warning issued.

While Richard was �instructing� us, Alex took out folders from his briefcase and passed them to both Lilah and myself. �At approximately 1:05 this morning Robert Cruise was arrested by a detective Kate Lockley for the murder of Cameron Weber. It's safe to say that the LAPD is going to charge him with 12, maybe 13 more murders, 18 counts of assault and 7 counts of rape. Mr. Cruise has a history of violence and cruelty; he�s been in and out of prison since he was 15 and he's been convicted of everything from poking out the eyes of puppies and kittens to bashing in his girlfriend's ribs with a baseball bat. He's a 34 year-old drunk and a junkie with no money or family. Fortunately for him, Wolfram & Hart has taken on his case."

Curiosity has gotten the best of me and I couldn't help but ask, "What's so special about Mr. Cruise?"

The second the words came out of my mouth I knew that it was a big mistake. Richard, Lilah and Holland looked at me in disbelief, as if I should know better. Alex, on the other hand, simply looked at me with amusement before answering, �Let�s just say that everyone is entitled to a good defense. Now, I need you both to look over the files I�ve given you. We�re going to the police station to make sure that the blonde detective doesn�t overstep her boundaries with our client. Let�s meet there after lunch around 2 this afternoon.�

�I guess we�re done here for now. Alex, let me show you to your office.� Richard said impatiently as he led the new lawyer out of the room. I suppose he finds conversing with mere mortals a waste of his time.

After the two men left, I noticed Holland let out a breath and relax a little, before instructing Lilah and I, �I strongly recommend that you two do as he says and review that file on Cruise.�

For the first time this morning Lilah spoke, with a far away look in her eyes. �Holland, who is he?�

�Just like Mr. Harris told you, he�s a client who-�

�Cut the crap Holland!� She interrupted. I suppose she was getting sick of the secrecy too. �You know who I�m referring to. Who is this Alexander Harris?� When she didn�t get an answer she continued, �You know, tall, dark, handsome as hell and seems to scare the shit out of you.�

Holland got up from his seat, looked out the door as if looking for someone and then closed it. �Well officially, he�s a junior partner practicing out of the New York office. But I suppose you�ve noticed, he�s more than just an employee. He�s got Richard Wolfram and Karen Hart wrapped around his little finger. You might say that he�s the most powerful figure here at Wolfram & Hart since they do whatever he says. So take my advice, do what he says.�

�He�s Human right?� I asked wanting to make sure.

�Yeah, he�s human but don�t let that fool you. He�s the smartest, cruelest s.o.b I�ve ever met - that includes humans and demons. I don�t know him well, but from what I do know, you do not want to get on his bad side.�

�How come we�ve never heard of him before?�

�He likes to keep to himself and doesn�t take on too many high profile cases, just the tough ones. Remember the O�Donnell case?� When we both nodded that we did, he continued, �that was him, he�s the one who put the kid�s mother on the stand. Apparently he doesn�t like a lot of publicity and what he wants, the senior partners make sure he gets.

�I�m serious you two, don�t take him or this case lightly. Just because you�re not first chair doesn�t mean that it�s not your ass that�s on the line here. Review the file and be prepared for this afternoon, since that�s what�s expected of you. Again, you do not want to disappoint them.� With that final warning, Holland left.

�So what do you make of this?� Lilah asked.

�I don�t know.� I answered truthfully. All I knew was that whatever it was, it wasn�t going to be pretty.

~*~

�So, what do you think?� Richard Wolfram asked his young mortal friend.

�About the office or about this morning?�

�Both. Do you think that they believed what you told them?�

�Of course not!� Answered Alex, now sitting in his leather chair with his feet on the mahogany desk. �Don�t worry Richard, they know something is going on but none of them know or have a clue as to what. That�s why they�re perfect for this.� He reassured the demon. �Look, both Lindsey and Lilah are ambitious and have something to prove, while Holland is just plain scared. Besides, even though they don�t know it, they all have a personal stake in this.�

�If you say so.� Richard said as he walked over to Alex and pushed his feet off the desk. �Lilah and Lindsey are both very attractive for humans, aren�t they? Karen is not going to like either of them, especially with the way the girl was looking at you.�

Alex couldn�t help but chuckle at the jealous tone that colored his friend's voice. �Yeah, they are, if you like that sort of thing. I personally seem to go for demons and such. They tend to give the best blow-jobs.�

Richard, now on his knees before a sitting Alex, undid the younger man�s pants and pushed them down along with the boxers hiding beneath exposing the young man's penis. As he began to pump the limb member, Richard warned, �Don�t tease Xander.� He knew full well how much the dark haired man hated being reminded of his previous life. He may be in love with the mortal but that didn�t mean that he couldn�t shake him up from time to time. He was a demon after all.

Xander understood that the older man had issued him a serious warning. Even though he had constantly reminded Karen that he was not hers, he knew that she thought of him otherwise since those he showed the slightest interest in usually ended up missing or dead.

Richard on the other hand, was not as possessive. Even though Xander expected that he had a hand in �ending� a few of his relationships, the demon, now sucking his cock, seemed to accept whatever crumbs were thrown his way.

He wasn�t sure how he was supposed to feel about how his life had turned out. He was a successful lawyer who had been taken under the wing of two very powerful demons. All he was sure of was that he, Xander Harris, the Zeppo, was going to be the one to bring down the slayer, the Watchers Council and everyone that got in his way. He couldn�t help but laugh at the irony.

*****
tbc