*****

The last paying customer finally staggered out of Caritas. As he watched the wasted demon go, Lorne breathed a sigh of relief. The crowd had been unusually tone deaf tonight and their futures fairly banal. Not that he really minded. Lorne firmly believed that everyone's problems deserved his utmost attention, no matter how trite they seemed to him. But with Lindsey sitting in the corner of the room looking as if he had just been told his red satin shoes had been eaten by a slimer ghost, Lorne could not get rid of everyone fast enough.

"Ok, sweet-pipes," he said, sitting across from the drag queen and sliding a drink across the table to him, "care to tell me what the trouble is?"

"What makes you think there's anything the matter?" Lindsey responded, lifting the drink to his lips. "It's not like I sang."

Lorne cocked his head. "Which, of course, is clue number one: you didn't sing. Clue number two is that you are here on your night off without Angel. Also," he began counting on his fingers, "You're wearing eye liner and mascara, but no other make-up. You've been drinking for almost an hour straight. You didn't come until we were almost closed. You're wearing your "Team Rocket" shirt which means you've been watching Pokemon again which means that you are not doing anything at three in the afternoon which is a sure clue something is wrong, *and * you're moping"

"I'm *not * moping."

"Brooding, then. Picky picky."

Lindsey just glared.

"What's wrong, baby face?"

"Nothing."

Lorne raised an eyebrow. "Quick, call the fire department; someone's pantsare burning."

"Oh, real mature."

"Lindsey, spill," Lorne said seriously.

"Will you just leave me alone?" he exclaimed, Southern accent forcefully coloring his words.

Lorne put his hand on Lindsey's left arm. "I'm worried about you, sweetie. You've been really down lately. What's Angel have to say about this?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Lindsey. . ."

"I'm going home." Eyes defiant, Lindsey rose, his prosthetic hand knocking his empty glass to the floor. Lorne could tell by Lindsey's amazingly steady gaze that it had been a deliberate act. He sucked in a breath to say something, when the drag queen abruptly turned on his heel and left.

"Well, darn," Lorne said softly.

* * *

Angel woke as Lindsey slid into their bed. "Hey lover. Where have you been?" he asked sleepily, rolling to the warm body.

"Out," Lindsey answered.

The vampire buried his nose in Lindsey's neck. "Are you drunk?"

"A little."

The vampire moved so he was on top of his lover. "Drunk men turn me on," he whispered, beginning to kiss Lindsey, long and deep. He ground his hardening cock into Lindsey's hip."Yeah, I know."

Lindsey kissed Angel back, his hand moving over Angel's body. The drag queen had already removed his prosthetic, his stump resting lifelessly on the small of Angel's back.

For some reason, warning bells began going off in Angel's head. He mentally searched for why; nothing seemed amiss. Lindsey was there, he was there, they were going to fuck, but something seemed off. Despite the feeling, Angeldidn't stop; he was too into the sensations of Lindsey's smooth skin,his scent, his lips. Angel kept kissing and teasing his lover until his face was level with Lindsey's cock. To his surprise, the vampire discovered that it was soft.

"Lindsey?" Angel lifted his head. "Are you all right?"

Lindsey's eyes were closed but Angel could tell he was awake. "I'm fine. Don't you wanna fuck?"

"Well, yes, but . . ."

"Then do it. Come on." His voice sounded distant.

Angel pulled back, lying along side of his lover, concerned. "Lindsey,what's the matter?"

The blue eyes opened. Angel shuddered involuntarily; they were dull and lifeless.

"Nothing, baby. Come inside."

The vampire sat up. "Now you're scaring me. What's going on?"

Lindsey's face crumpled slightly and he turned away. "Nothing. I guess I'mjust too drunk. Not in the mood, really."

"Then why . . ."

"I thought it was what you wanted, that's all."

It took a moment for Angel to remember why this seemed familiar when abruptly he remembered Bethany.

"I'm just the chambermaid," she had said, or something to that effect. That's what Lindsey was playing: chambermaid. Inviting Angel into a place that Lindsey did not exist. Shuddering again, Angel pulled his lover against his body, holding him tightly. Something was wrong and had been wrong for almost a week. It was obvious by now that Lindsey wasn't going to talk to him no matter how long he waited.

That meant Angel was going to have to pull in higher powers.

* * *

"Hey you. Can I come in?" Cordelia asked, sticking her head inside of Angel's and Lindsey's room.

Lindsey, lying on the bed, reading a book, shrugged. "If you want."

She entered and went to the bed. Lying on her stomach facing Lindsey, she asked, "What's up?"

"Nothing."

"Don't nothing me, Lindsey McDonald. That's not allowed. We're supposed to be best friends."

Lindsey closed his book. "Since when?"

"I don't know; what, a month now? Since we first went shopping together and you picked out that outfit for me that guaranteed me getting laid. So, you have to tell me."

"Fuck that," he said heatedly. "Until a month ago, you hated me. Now we're best friends? We're not 'Will and Grace.'"

She blinked, looking mildly offended. "I should say not. I have way better fashion sense than her. And you are way better than Will is at anything. I mean, can you imagine him in drag? Ick. And you'd totally kick his butt in the courtroom."

Against his will, Lindsey cracked a small smile.

Encouraged, Cordelia crawled closer to him and put her hand on his leg."What's wrong?"

Lindsey sighed and closed his eyes. "I don't know."

"Linds. . ."

"No. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know anything any more! I'm so lost, Delia, I just . . .who the hell am I?"

"You're Lindsey McDonald."

"Oh yeah? And who the fuck is he?" He sat up, opening his eyes. "Ah used to be somebody. I used to be a lawyer with power and connections and . .and a sense of being and place. I belonged somewhere. Now? I just don't know anymore."

Cordelia sat up, looking thoughtful. "Do you miss Wolfram and Hart? Is that it?"

"No, not really. What I miss is . . .feeling like I mattered."

"Whoa, wait a minute. You * matter* here. You are the fabulous Lady Lindsey McDonald. You're a talented singer, successful drag queen, and loved by us. Your new family."

Blue eyes met brown. "Am Ah?"

The seer took a deep breath, understanding dawning. "What, you don't think Angel loves you?"

"I don't know. Maybe. But . . .what about when he gets sick of me? Where do I go? I don't have a place anymore. I don't . . .I came here so fast and. . ."

Cordelia put her arms around Lindsey. "You had to move here, Lindsey; they were going to kill you. It was safer. And. . .Angel loves you. I mean,he's gotta."

Lindsey's stump came into view, a subtle reminder of what he had lost. And who had taken it "Does he?"

She shook her head. "Baby, he did that a year ago. And only because you left him." On hearing her unfortunate choice of words, Cordelia winced.

"Oh, great! And what's he gonna take from me if I leave him again? It might happen, you never know."

"No, Lindsey. It's different now. He was so hurt, you didn't see him when he found out about you." She touched the stump gently. "I'm sure if there were anything he could do . . ."

"How would he know if there were anything he could do? He hasn't even looked. I mean, don't you think that he should have at least tried to do something about this by now? There are ways, I'm sure. Spells. He could have looked, right? If he really wanted me to stay for good?"

"You think that because he hasn't, that he's not serious?"

He shrugged. "Men have used me before."

Cordelia shuddered and pulled Lindsey close. "Angel wouldn't . . .he couldn't. . ."

"He did to Darla."

"What?" She looked at him, shock written across her face.

He nodded. "It was the same thing. He taunted her, teased her, led her on wild goose chases, hurt her real bad then left her alone to recover. Then, suddenly, he changed his mind about her and went ahead and fucked her. Guess what happened next, Cordy? After he and she were together."

"He killed her?"

"No." Lindsey shook his head. "Not at first. First, he abandoned her. Told her that he really didn't want her. Then he picked me up and killed her."

"To save you."

He sighed. "Right. And what's he gonna do to me when he wants someone new?"

"Oh, Lin, I don't think . . .I mean . . . Lindsey, are you in love with him?"

Lindsey sighed and rested his head in the crook of her neck. "I don't know. I don't know if I can love someone who doesn't love me back."

"You don't know that he doesn't."

"No. But I don't know that he does, either."

* * *

"Is he ok?" Angel asked when Cordelia walked back into the lobby a few hours later.

She shrugged. "He's depressed. He's not sure who he is anymore."

"What?"

"He's lost. Everything moved so fast, the honeymoon is over, and he's scared." She tucked her hair behind her ears. "Angel, did it ever occur toyou that maybe he doesn't like not having a hand? That, maybe, he hates it,even?"

The vampire's face changed. "Well. . .I apologized for that."

"Apologized!" she exclaimed. "That's what you do when you spill cocktail sauce on someone's dress or . .or crash their car. When you cut off someones hand and you have contacts with the magic world, you do more." She put her hands on her hips, glaring.

"What does he want me to do?"

She threw up her hands in disgust. "God, you are a moron! How about try and find a spell or a demon that'll give him a hand? At least, look. Even if you can't find anything, he'll know you tried."

Angel sat. "Why didn't he tell me? I would be happy to do anything for him, but he didn't let me know."

"Angel, why should he have to? It's not like he's upset that you forgot his birthday, or missed a show. You cut off his hand and you haven't even really talked to him about it." She looked at him narrowly. "I'm guessing you guys haven't even talked about your relationship. What it means, how long it'll last, that sort of thing. That's what this is really about, you know. And asking him to stay forever after fucking for a night doesn't count."

"What do you mean?"

"He's not an innocent, Angel. He's been hurt - used. In one night you two went from mortal enemies to fuck buddies. You hurt him in the past and have been so busy messing around that you haven't talked all that much about it. That's fine for a fling, but not if this is something more. What is he toyou? What is this relationship?"

The vampire didn't answer, looking confused.

Cordelia sighed in frustration. "I think you need to figure it out, Angel, for both your sakes."

"Yeah, I guess."

"You're hurting him and if you don't make it right, he's going to leave."

Angel looked at her, clearly upset. She gazed back, her eyes serious. "I'm taking him out for lunch. Go do something, fix this."

"Yeah," he said softly as she left, "I'll try."

*****
Part 2:

Lorne was going over the books when Angel walked into his office.

"Hey tall dark and handsome. What brings you here?"

"I need to get Lindsey a new hand."

Lorne blinked in surprised. "This certainly came out of the blue."

"Why didn't you tell me that this was bothering him?" Angel asked, not really listening to what Lorne just said.

"I didn't know," the green-skinned demon answered carefully. "He didn't sayanything about it to me and it's been awhile since he sang. All I know ishe's been really depressed lately."

Angel ran a distracted hand through his hair. "Cordelia said that he thinks I'm just using him. That because I haven't done anything about his hand, that Lindsey thinks maybe I'm not serious about our relationship."

Lorne leaned close to Angel. "Are you?" he asked in a conspiratorial tone.

The vampire looked taken aback. "I . . .I don't know. I'm not trying to use him. I haven't really thought about it. I mean, it was fast. But, I really . . really like him."

Red eyes rolled. "And I really, really like chocolate. What does that mean, Angel-cakes? IS this a fling - just something fun - or is it more?"

Angel sat across from the demon, frustration written across his face. "Ijust don't know. It's not like I worry about losing my soul with him becauseI know if I get too happy I'm going to lose it so I'm never completely happy." He sighed. "Ever since I first saw him, all I've wanted to do waskiss that smirk off his face. Or, fuck it off, I didn't really care which. I've never felt that way about anyone; Spike came close, but I've never really had that instant attraction with anyone before."

"Not even Bunny?"

"Buffy! And, no." The vampire sighed. "With her it was all about romance. Romeo and Juliet stuff, courtly love. It just got a bit out of hand. It was never an adult feeling. With Lindsey," a goofy, lustful, loving smile spread across his face, "it's so different. Like, sex and love and partnership and companionship and Holy fuck, I'm in love with Lindsey." His eyes went wide.

"Thank God!" Lorne cried, going limp. "I thought you would never figurethat out. Really, Angel-baby, you are one gorgeous man, but you are denseas a log sometimes."

"You knew?"

"From the first note of "Mandy" I knew. Same with Lindsey; when he came in after the first time he met you, all I heard was 'Angel.'" Lorne grinned."I just wanted to make sure *you * knew."

"So what do I do now? I've got to fix this with him."'

The demon began writing something on a card, smiling. "Nothing says I love you like a brand new hand. Here," Lorne slid a card across thetable. "She should be able to help you. She's a sucker for a pretty pair of eyes and a beautiful love story." He handed the card to Angel.

"Eve?" he read from the card.

"Yeah. She's affiliated with the big guys, daughter, or something. Spends a lot of time on earth; finds the official stuff boring. She does various odd jobs for them when she has to - errands, fun stuff on earth - and, sometimes, if the cause is right, the story good, or the money plentiful and high in denominations, she'll help the more mortalof us out."

"And she lives at the batting cages?" Angel asked dubiously.

Lorne whapped him lightly. "She doesn't live there, silly. Last I heard she was living in some water tower at the beach. But, she loves baseball and hitting balls so she spends a lot of time there. Take Lindsey. Good luck."

Angel rose, clutching the card. "Thanks."

"Oh, don't thank me." The grin turned mysterious. "At least, not yet."

* * *

"Angel, *why * are we here?" Lindsey asked, almost - but not quite - whining. Angel had dragged him away from vegging out in front of a movie with something alcoholic to bring him here: the batting cages, bereft of life.

"Lorne sent us. He said someone I needed to see would be here."

"Who are we looking for?" Lindsey sat on a wall facing the cages. He crossed his arms over his chest, kicking the bricks with his heels, an unhappy expression on his face.

"An angel, or something. She can help us with our problem."

Lindsey blinked. "I didn't realize we had a problem."

Angel turned to him. "Lindsey I . ."

"You know, this place is closed," a new voice said suddenly. "They didn't think it was making enough money, so the owners moved to this fancy complex miles away and added minature golf and stuff. It's too crowded there, hate it. This park was much better."

Angel and Lindsey turned. On the inside of the cages was a young woman, dressed in jeans, a tee shirt, and a baseball hat. In one hand, she held a bat.

"Are you Eve?" Angel asked.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Eve replied.

The vampire ran his eyes over her. "I don't know. I was expecting something . . .grander, I guess. Beautiful."

She frowned at him. "Hey. I'm beautiful."

"Oh, sorry. Of course you are."

Eve sighed. "Lornesaid you were pretty dumb. Like a Ken doll: nice to look at, but not much inside." She tapped her head, then propped the bat next to the fence. On exiting the cage she asked, "So, what can I do for you and why should I do it?"

"Uh," Angel said. He reached over and grabbed Lindsey off the wall. Maneuvering the drag queen so he was directly in front of Angel, thevampire said, "I was wondering if you could give him a new hand."

Lindsey started violently. "Angel . ."

"Shhh." The vampire put his hand over Lindsey mouth and kissed the top ofhis head. "Let me do this."

"A new hand," the girl repeated. "That's kind of a big order. How did you lose it, blue eyes?"

"Mrphl myprpy muff." Lindsey said through Angel's hand.

Eve raised her eyebrow, amused. Angel took his hand off Lindsey's mouth, placing it on his shoulder.

"He cut it off," Lindsey said again, stonily.

"Before or after you two were together?" she asked.

"Before."

"Okay. You know," she tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, "in some circles, you would be the poster boy for "needs therapy." He cuts your hand off andyou decide to move in with him? What on earth would prompt you to do such a thing?"

Lindsey looked at the ground and shrugged. "I don't know," he mumbled.

"Excuse me? I didn't quite hear you." Eve put a hand to her ear.

He sighed. "I said. . . .because I'm kinda in love him. And I thought it might be ok."

"Stand by your man," Eve sang. Both Angel and Lindsey winced. She grinned. "That's why I've been banned for eternity from singing at "Caritas." Sad, really; I love to sing." She sighed and went back into the cage. Picking up the bat, she took a few practice swings. "I don't know, boys. I mean, you, Lindsey, are beautiful, and if it were as easy as snapping my fingers I'd do it for one night with you. But, it's not easy. In fact, it's one of the hardest things to do and requires a long commitment. On both your parts. I don't know if Angel even loves you. What if I do this and then, a few months down the line, he leaves. Or kicks you out?"

Lindsey looked crestfallen. "Right. Well, thanks." He pulled away fromAngel, walking away.

"Lindsey? Where are you going?" Angel called.

"She can't do it. I just want to go home," he called back, accent strong.

"She didn't say she couldn't. Lindsey. . .Lindsey, stop! Lindsey, I love you!"

The drag queen froze but didn't turn around.

Feeling a little encouraged, Angel walked closer. "I'm I love with you Lindsey. I'm sorry I never said anything before, but I was stupid. After Buffy, I forgot what real love is about: sharing and commitment, honesty and companionship. It's about finding someone who complements you in everyway. That's what I have with you, what I want to have. And, I know I should have done something about your hand before, to show you that I love you. I know what I did when I cut it off in the first place: I refused to save you. I ran away and pushed you away. But I did it because I thought you had rejected me."

"I hadn't. I . . .I needed proof that I was worthy. That I could be saved. And you wouldn't."

"I didn't know, Lindsey. I'm sorry. But now I realize and. . .I don't want to lose you. Stay with me. I love you."

Lindsey turned slowly. "But she said that you didn't," he said in confusion, pointing at Eve.

"When did I say that?" she called, stopping mid swing. "I said I didn't knowif he did, which was a total lie. I know exactly how he feels. But why do you need me to tell you? Shouldn't his word be enough?"

"Lindsey, I love you," Angel said softly. He wanted to go to his young lover, but couldn't, needing to allow Lindsey to make the final choice.

Lindsey took a deep breath. "Really?"

"Yes, really."

Blue eyes lit up and Lindsey closed the gap between them. Pressing his body to his lover's, Lindsey's lips sought Angel's. They met softly, but with passion, their kiss building a fire within each of them as their tongues slowly danced around each other's, delving into moist depths, re-discovering each other.

"Ok, boys, get a room. Please."

They parted. Lindsey's face was flushed and happy for the first time in weeks.

"Will you do it?" asked Angel Eve, tracing Lindsey's upturned face lovingly.

"Yeah, I will." She walked to them. Gazing seriously at Lindsey she said, "Ok, like I said, this is a big commitment. I have to use Angel's blood to start the growth, mixing it with yours. You two will be bound, sort of. You know, if you're hurt, he'll be able to feel it, if he's hurt, you can feel it. Not the same magnitude, but you'll be able to tell. And, most likely, you'll be driven to help him. To help each other."

"I can do that," Lindsey said, nodding.

"Good. I want to say in advance that I'm sorry." Her hazel eyes were clear and sympathetic. "I wish there were a way to make this less painful, but I can't. You'll feel it the most, Lindsey, but Angel will feel part of the pain. You'll probably be sick, feverish, and really uncomfortable. It might hurt to have people touch you, that sort of thing. But, it will most likely be over by morning, tomorrow evening at the latest."

Angel tightened his grip on Lindsey. "Can we drug him? Knock him out?"

Eve shrugged. "I wouldn't recommend it. Magic and science really don't mix. Just remember that pain is a part of life and is especially a part of love." She touched Lindsey's face gently. "Do you still want to go through with it?"

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Lindsey nodded. "Yes."

"Ok, then. Kneel, both of you. And take off the fake hand."

The two men knelt while Lindsey and Angel pulled the prosthetic off. There was a bright flash and, suddenly, Eve was glowing, two large black wings sprouting from her back. Taking a ceremonial dagger from the back pocket of her jeans, she took Angel's wrist and slit the skin across the palm. "With the blood of the thief, who took the hand of the one he loves, bring new growth, new life to where death now reigns." She took Lindsey's stump and made an incision. Pressing Angel's wound to Lindsey's, she said, "Accept the blood of your love, your lover, your life and be whole once more." She cupped her two hands over the joined limbs and muttered something in a strange language.

Angel felt his hand begin to burn slightly and could tell that Lindsey felt it also. The human scrunched his eyes against the pain when, suddenly, it receded.

"It is done." Eve put the knife away, then pressed a kiss to Lindsey's lips. "That should stop the pain until you get home. Go, now. You'll be more comfortable there. And . .come visit me sometime."

Angel rose. "Do we owe you anything?"Eve waved her hand. "Naw. Well, let's just do the if I ever need a favor thing."

"I hate that. I can never be sure it won't be worse than . . ."

"Or you can pay me five million dollars."

"On second thought, favors are good. I like doing favors."

Eve grinned and Angel couldn't help but respond.

"Thank you," Lindsey said. He shrugged, "I wish I knew what else to say."

Her smiled softened. "Thank you is fine. Go."

Gazing back at her one last time, Angel and Lindsey left the batting cages.

* * *

"Arggg!" Lindsey screamed, bunching into a ball. He was breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Agony was etched on his face, tightening every limb.

"Shh," Angel soothed, stroking Lindsey's back gently. "I'm here,baby."

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" He rolled on to his back, kicking the bed. "It hurts!" He tucked his stump - no longer just a stump since some shapeless mass was now emerging from it - under his armpit. "God damn fuck!"

Cordelia entered the room, carrying a tray. "How's he doing?"

Angel started to answer when Lindsey sat up, his eyes wild. "I am right *here * Cordelia! Why don't you ask * me*?"

"Ok," she said slowly, taken aback. "How are you doing, Linds?"

"It HURTS!" he shouted, leaping to his feet, waving his deformed hand at her.

Angel pulled him back down. "Calm down. I mean it." He put his arm around Lindsey, pulling him against his body.

The drag queen began to cry. "I'm hot and cold and this hurts." He maneuvered himself so he was sitting in Angel's lap, his fevered flesh pressed against the coolness of the his lover's. The vampire kissed the top of Lindsey's hair.

"I know, baby, I know. But it's just temporary."

"I know. But it's hard to remember that." His stomach began heaving."Oh God."

The seer, who had set the tray on the dresser, rushed over to the bed with a wastebasket. "Here."

Lindsey grabbed it and threw up, his body wracked with tremors as he did so. When he was done, he slumped weakly against Angel. "That's five times. I don't think I have anything left."

"I guess I'll just take care of this," Cordelia said, looking ill herself.

"Do you mind if I take it, Lindsey? I don't want her getting sick."

"Go ahead." Lindsey lay back against the satin sheets, closing his eyes.

Angel took the basket from Cordelia and left.

"Hey, babe. You're going to be all right." She got the tray and brought it to the table beside the bedside table. Setting it down, she stroked Lindsey's hair with one hand while she grabbed a wet cloth off the tray with the other. Sponging off his forehead, she asked, "Do you want some water?"

He nodded. Body relaxing slightly as the pain receded minutely. Between each wave there was a moment of respite, all too short, in his opinion. Cordelia helped him sit up. He drank the cool water eagerly, then fell back,exhausted, on the bed. He sighed and looked at her through blue eyes, glowing faintly with happiness despite the pain.

"He loves me, Cordelia. He loves me."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Yeah. I know."

Angel came back in. Lindsey reached out for him. The vampire made it to his lover just before another spasm wracked Lindsey's body.

"Ahhhhh!" Lindsey screamed as Angel held him tightly, giving the drag queen strength enough to ride the pain out.

* * *

The next afternoon, Lindsey woke. For a moment, he simply lay there, a limp, sore, hot mass of flesh, rather than a man. The room was dark, but he could see the light seeping in around the curtains. A fan blew cool air over his skin, causing him to shiver as it raised goose bumps all over.

Stretching, something caught his eye. He brought his right hand over his face, gazing at it without saying a word. It was whole, complete, and his. He touched it with his left hand.

Real.

Sitting up, Lindsey realized two things: 1) Angel was gone and 2) he was really horny. Pulling on the pajama bottoms he had kicked off sometime in the night, he got out of bed and made his way downstairs.

Wesley, Gunn, Cordelia, and Angel were all in the lobby, talking. When hesaw Lindsey, Wesley nudged Angel.

"Lindsey. What are you doing up?" asked Angel, walking to his lover. Lindsey gave his lover a lopsided grin.

"I missed you," he said as seductively as he could manage. "Come upstairs. I'm sure Wesley can spare you."

The vampire raised an eyebrow. "Umm, Lindsey? You're still feverish. I can practically see you burning up."

The smile turned lascivious. "Come on. I'm fine. And look. Two hands."

Instead of holding his right hand up, Lindsey used it to clamp onto Angel's wrists in a vice like grip.

"Jesus Christ. She did it!" Gunn exclaimed.

"Amazing. I really didn't think it was possible," Wesley added, gazing atLindsey's hand wide eyed.

Lindsey only had eyes for Angel. "Come on!" He began tugging the vampire, unable to make the stronger being move, but striving nonetheless.

"Go, Angel," Wesley said, waving the vampire away. "We'll be fine."

"Thanks!" Angel grinned, sweeping Lindsey into his arms and taking the stairs at a run. Once in their room, Angel laid his lover on the bed. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

Lindsey responded by kissing Angel deeply, his hot tongue probing Angel's mouth, exploring every crevice and crack. His newly grown hand slipped beneath Angel's waist band, taking hold of the firm cock. "Oh yes, I'm up to this," he sighed, breaking the kiss.

Angel fumbled with his pants, slipping out of them and pulling Lindsey's new hand up to his mouth. He began to kiss every inch of it, savoring the taste, the smell, and the texture. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too," Lindsey responded, his eyes lit with the fire of his fever, his lust and a glow of happiness. "Thank you."

Angel shook his head. "Don't thank me, Lindsey. I should have done it sooner." He tugged Lindsey's pants off, rubbing his cock against Lindsey's.

Both men groaned. Angel pulled both Lindsey's hands above his head and interlaced their fingers together. Together, they began to build a rhythm, grinding their rock hard members together, eyes locked on each other.

"Mmm, Angel. Harder." Lindsey thrust his body up to Angel's, trying to increase the pressure.

Angel licked Lindsey's jaw line, causing the drag queen to jerk. The vampire grinned. "Still a bit sensitive, aren't you? Why don't I . . "

He began sliding down Lindsey's body, but Lindsey stopped him."Stay here." He raised his head, lips seeking Angel's. His tongue delved in and out of Angel's mouth, exploring, dancing, while his hips continued to rock against the vampire's.

"Lindsey," the vampire moaned as he felt his balls tighten. He thrust again, cock hitting Lindsey's and they came together, sighing with satisfaction.

A dopey, satisfied smile crossed Lindsey's sleepy face. He rolled over so he was on top of Angel, resting his head in the crook of his lover's neck.

"So," he said softly, "mind if I stay?"

"How long?" asked Angel, nuzzling Lindsey.

Lindsey smiled. "I was thinking about forever."

"Yeah," Angel kissed Lindsey's hair. "Forever is good for me too."

~Fin~