"Fifty-one, fifty-two, fifty-three." Fred counted cars as they drove along the highway. She was perched on top of a small outbuilding, one that housed landscaping tools and stuff for the hotel. It was a nice place to sit, right in the full sun, hidden from view. There was a 'privacy screen' in front of the shed, keeping its apparent ugliness from offending guests. Fred didn't see what was so bad about the thing; it was just a simple wooden structure with oil stains around it. The building served its purpose well and had the added benefit of a flat roof.

Actually, it was the oil stains that drew Fred to the outbuilding. The odors of chemicals-oil, pesticide and asphalt patch-effectively masked her presence. Vampires and werewolves couldn't smell her amidst the noxious stench. Yeah, it bothered her nose as well, but that was beside the point. When she was here, she was alone. And alone was a good thing, particularly when she couldn't go where she really wanted to be.

And that place was her cave. It became apparent shortly after she regained consciousness that retreating into her shelter would be a bad thing. The relief on Wesley's face was painful to watch. Gunn nearly killed her with gratitude for getting Cordelia back to normal, or whatever she was now. The seer wasn't precisely herself again, but she was closer. Wil and Angel, too, seemed more relaxed and happy now that they were all somewhat repaired.

But she wasn't repaired. No, quite the contrary. Big chunks of her didn't work right, and the stuff that did function was clunky. The physicist and problem-solver parts of Fred wanted to jump in with both feet and grab a roll of duct tape. The rest of her wanted to go back to her cave and hide. She tried to smile, to laugh and be a good sport, but it was so hard. Xander, Cordelia. well, nearly everyone, come to think of it had tried to get her to talk about the assault. She knew what they were doing-rape crisis counseling was nothing new, and the investigators had dealt with more than one sexual assault case over the years.

This was different. Fred knew why she was raped. It wasn't because she asked for it, or because she had on revealing clothes or had sex out of wedlock. She knew it wasn't simply because she was female and convenient, or they were drunk and bored, or any of the other things people said and thought about rape. No, she was assaulted because whoever had precipitated the attack knew that it would shake them-all of them, not just Fred. Oh, it was tearing her apart. It wasn't not knowing why that bothered her, but what she knew to be true-her body had been turned into a billboard. The message was clear: Don't Fuck With Us. Why it was her, she'd never know, but it could have been any of them-demons did the damage, and they don't care who gets hurt.

Fred wished that the others would look to their own hurts instead of hers, though. Wesley was struggling-his lover had been violated. Cordelia had changed her while trying to save her-and despite their light-hearted facades, it wasn't simple or ok. Angel and Wil were feeling guilty because they couldn't help but shoulder all the blame. After all, this was their mission-redemption-and the others were just along for the ride. That attitude pissed her off. It may have started with them, but it was bigger than that now.

So every so often Fred left the room and came to her perch. Most of the time she just counted cars-red ones, blue ones, all colors. It didn't matter. The mindless procession of automobiles helped clear her mind. That or she was getting high off fumes. Either way, it calmed her down. Sometimes she wondered how Xander put up with it-if the atmosphere of their temporary quarters bothered her, how could the empathic demon stand it?

A not-so-distant clap of thunder drew Fred out of her musings. The sun was hiding behind some nasty-looking clouds, which had snuck up on her unawares. It was going to rain soon. She clambered off the roof and turned back toward the hotel. It was almost supper time anyway.

���...�...�...�...���

"She's not healing," Cordelia said to Oz. "She won't talk about it at all."

"She's rationalizing," Oz replied quietly. "Doesn't want it to seem like a personal attack. Wants it to be a statement."

"Oh. I was thinking denial," Cordelia murmured. Oz shook his head.

"Nah, she knows it happened. It's just that she can't handle it being an attack on *her*. It has to be something done against all of us."

"Why?" Cordelia asked.

"Easier to deal with," Oz said. "She can put it off for a while, I guess."

"As long as it doesn't interfere with the other," Cordelia returned. "Full moon's in less than a week."

"She'll be fine. So will Gunn," Oz reassured her. He and Cordelia had been working overtime to get the two new werewolves ready for the change. Although they had a great deal of confidence in their techniques, the other four members of the group were going to spend their evenings elsewhere-not even in the adjoining room. They didn't want to present themselves as potential threats.

"I know," Cordelia said. She wasn't worried about Gunn-he would stick close to her no matter what, since they were lovers. Fred, though, she wasn't so sure about. Oz promised that he could control her, but that was only so reassuring. For the ninetieth time, Cordelia wished desperately for a few sets of chains. She hated using them, but they were good for controlling rages. She'd sat through more than one night in the things, until she'd managed to master controlling the wolf. Now they had two new pack-mates, and only two older ones to deal with them-and neither she nor Oz were really that old to begin with.

Their conversation was interrupted by Fred's return. "It's going to rain," She announced as she closed the door. "Where's Wes?"

Cordelia nodded towards the other room. "Asleep in the darkroom." He'd taken to napping there during the day. It might have frustrated the vampires, since they had no privacy then, but they never complained. Things were incredibly cramped for all of them.

"Food?" Fred inquired as she sat next to a sleeping Gunn on the bed not occupied by Cordelia and Oz.

"We'll go out in a bit," Cordelia announced. "There's a place down the street. We just have to pick up a bit more blood on the way back."

Fred nodded and lay back against the wall. "Wake me up when it's time to go."

���...�...�...�...���

Supper was.not a pleasant experience. Fred quickly tired of everyone staring at her like they expected her to suddenly go into convulsions. Xander was edgy, probably because of all the negative stuff going on around him, and Oz was only so much help-the quiet werewolf was also nervous and worried about his new charges.

The last straw for Fred was the twelfth time in twenty minutes that Wesley asked her if she felt ok. "I said I'm fine, Wes," She ground out through clenched teeth.

Wesley recoiled from the bitterness in her voice. "Fred, I wo-" He stopped talking when she stood up and walked away. "Where is she going?"

Xander watched Fred push her way through the crowded entranceway and exit the restaurant. "I think she needs some breathing room."

"She's been getting plenty of that," Gunn replied. "She's never around-spends all day somewhere else."

"But we keep at her whenever she's here," Xander reminded them. "She just needs time and space."

Wesley nodded sadly. He knew that she needed to figure things out on her own. The faun was worried, though, that she would end up more hurt before the end of her trials. She presented a strong front, but inside, he knew she hurt. When he asked her if she wanted him to stay way, she got angry. No, she'd said, you didn't hurt me. Why would I send you away? So they stayed together, sleeping in the same bed. And she didn't turn away from him when he held her, didn't have nightmares or panic attacks. But still, he could sense that all was not well.

"It's almost dark. Why don't we swing by the butcher's shop and feed the suckers?" Gunn said after several tensely silent moments.

"Probably a good idea. Might want to stop by the supermarket too," Cordelia replied. "It's on the way."

Oz dropped Cordelia, Gunn and Xander off at the grocery while he and Wesley went for blood. "Does your hat like that?" He asked. Wesley had developed over the last few days the habit of mauling his caps whenever he didn't have to wear them. This one was looking quite shoddy from the abuse.

Wesley looked down at the hat. "Not really, but it's got no say in the matter."

"She will be ok," Oz said. "Eventually."

"You speak from experience?" Wesley snapped.

Oz shrugged. "I ran in a pack for a while."

"Ah." Wesley understood. Not all werewolf packs were as friendly, open and human as theirs. Brutality, power struggles and a casual disregard for dignity were common features of the large, roaming packs of Europe and Asia. Oz had spent some time there.

"Cow, pig, sheep?" Oz asked. Wesley looked up suddenly. He hadn't realized they'd arrived.

"I believe that cow and sheep were the preferred flavors, unless cost prohibits it," Wesley replied. Oz walked into the butcher's shop while Wesley sat in wait.

"Think they're done?" Oz inquired when he returned, carrying a cardboard box.

"At the grocery? No," Wesley said. "You let Xander go in."

"Point."

Much to their surprise, their friends were waiting at the entrance when they returned. "That didn't take long," Oz said to Xander as they loaded the groceries.

"We split up," Xander said flatly. It hadn't been a happy trip-somehow Gunn managed to piss off Cordelia before they got in the door. After that, he'd been unwilling to stay with either of them.

���...�...�...�...���

"What are we going to do?"

Angel looked over at Wil. They were lying in bed, enjoying the relative quiet of the hotel room now that the others had gone out for food. "About what?"

Wil rolled his eyes. "Take your pick. Fred, Cordelia, Gunn, Wesley, Wolfram & Hart. At least Oz and Xander seem to be on an even keel. Well, as much as they're ever that way."

"Ah. Wait and see, reassure often, make sure he knows we don't think less of him, be supportive, and annihilate," Angel replied.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, and just how do you plan to do that?"

"Oh, I thought that was your job," Angel said sullenly. "Or do I have to do everything?"

Wil punched his lover gently. "You know what I mean. We decided before London that we couldn't just take them on directly."

"That was before they did this," Angel reminded him. "That was when we thought doing so would risk our lives. What do we have to risk now? They already tried to kill us, and if they find us, they'll try again."

"So, are we just supposed to steal a warhead and blow up the building, or what?" Wil asked.

"No, that wouldn't do any good," Angel replied. "Actually, what might work best would be to play their game."

"Explain," Wil said, rolling over.

"Remove all their support, destroy their network, and expose their non-magickal frauds and tricks to the public. Take away their credibility, so that they can't step foot in a courtroom. Then, it won't matter that they represent all the powerful demonic forces in the world," Angel stated.

"Ah. And how do you propose we do this deed?" Wil continued.

"That's where you, and the others, come in." Angel reached for Wil, who obliged by curling up next to the dark vampire. "This won't be a short-term project. It could easily take years, a decade even. Most of that time would be spent hiding."

Wil grimaced. "What about the visions?"

"If they keep coming, and they probably will, we'll keep sending them to Buffy. Of course, they could always rather conveniently switch to mobile visions, so that we can keep traveling," Angel added, glaring at the ceiling.

"Now wouldn't that be handy," Wil muttered. "But what would Buffy do, without visions?"

"What she's doing now-slaying and running the office," Angel said. "Actually, she's good cover."

"I suppose." Wil got an evil glint in his eyes. "Do you think she. never mind."

Angel glared down at Wil. "Do I think what?"

"Nothing."

"Wil." Angel warned.

Wil smirked. "I was just wondering if she ever thought about you and me.together."

Angel groaned. "Gods, I hope not."

"Why's that?" Wil asked curiously. That wasn't the response he'd been expecting.

"Because if she does, then she'll want you, and I'm not sharing," Angel growled. "Besides, she's got Lorne interested, and that's a good thing. Did I just say that?"

"Mm hmm. You just said that Buffy and Lorne would be good together," Wil said, mimicking Angel's voice. "He might improve her wardrobe."

"Or she might improve his," Angel said. "He wears lame."

"Gold lame," Will corrected.

"Lots of shiny fabric," Angel generalized.

"That really does set off his skin. Makes it glow," Wil said dreamily.

"You've been looking that closely?" Angel growled.

"Maybe," Wil murmured.

"Are you trying to provoke me?"

"Yes."

"It's working."

"Good."

"And what do you hope to gain from making me jealous?" Angel asked.

Wil pushed himself up and moved on top of Angel. "I happen to like it when you get possessive."

Angel cocked an eyebrow. "Do you?"

The wide grin that split Wil's face was positively frightening. "Yes."

"Ok."

Wil's reply was muffled by Angel's mouth, although the dark vampire was fairly sure it was something vaguely affirmative.

���...�...�...�...���

When Oz parked in front of the hotel, he and the others found Fred waiting for them. She was sitting on the sidewalk, leaned against the wall. "You ok?" Oz asked as they piled out of the car.

Fred glanced at Wesley. "Yeah. Sorry for running out. I."

"It's fine," Wesley said. "We bought groceries."

Fred stood up to help the others carry the groceries inside. "We'd better use the doghouse," She said, referring to the werewolves' room.

"Angel and Wil are at it again?" Xander grumbled.

"Not right now, but earlier. They're talking. I think it's private," Fred replied.

"Ah," Wesley murmured. "Then we shall indeed use the other room.

Fred busied herself storing blood in the tiny refrigerator the hotel provided. Once that was finished she helped Xander fill a cooler with ice and perishables. "Um, Xander?"

"Yeah?" Xander replied from the mountain of bags he was searching through.

"Why do we have.sousemeat?"

Xander stuck his head up. A bag was caught on one ear. "It looked good."

Fred peered at the stuff. It looked gross, not good. She turned it over to read the label. "Xander?"

"What?" He asked brusquely. "If you don't like it, don't eat it."

"It has to be cooked."

"We've got a hotplate," He reminded her.

"Its first ingredient is pig snouts. Followed by pig skin. And then-"

Gunn reached down and grabbed the package. "This is not food," He said, pitching it into the garbage can. "Harris, I can't believe you would buy something without reading the label, or at least asking one of us. I know this because you would never, ever purchase something made of snouts and skins, would you?"

Xander looked up guiltily. "Um. no?"

"Good answer," Gunn stated, nodding his head.

"It truly is appalling, what Americans will eat," Wesley muttered.

"From the guy who fed me kidneys," Xander shot back.

"And you're so into haute-cuisine, Ho-ho boy," Cordelia added.

"Miss Jolly Rancher," Xander said snidely.

"Mr. Beer and cheetohs make a great meal!" The seer snarled.

"Children," Wil said from the doorway. "Do I need to send you to your quiet corners?"

"Drinks blood with chocolate," Xander muttered.

"Eeewww," Cordelia, Gunn, and Wesley chorused.

"What? It's good," Wil defended. "'Sides, you all didn't complain the last time I made mousse." With that, he retreated into the other room and locked the connecting door.

"He wouldn't," Cordelia croaked.

Xander stared at the door. "Wouldn't he?"

"Yeah, he would," Fred stated. "But he didn't."

"How do you know?" Gunn asked.

"Because I was there. He put blood in the spaghetti sauce, not the mousse," She replied.

Xander just banged his head on the floor. "That is so disgusting."

Fred grinned. Of course, she could tell them that he'd only put blood in his and Angel's food, but that would ruin all the fun.

*****
Part 60:

Buffy and Dawn returned from arguing with the electric company about the replacement of the hotel's circuit breaker box to find Lorne and Willow crouched over Cordelia's computer. "What gives?" Buffy asked as she peered over Willow's shoulder.

"We're trying to figure out this encryption program," Lorne replied. "I'm thinking we need to take a breather, though. Red here's starting to growl at the damned thing."

Willow grinned. "It's a mean computer."

"It's Cordy's," Buffy reasoned. "What else do you expect? How'd it go with the spell thingy?"

"Just dandy," Lorne snapped.

"What happened?" Dawn inquired.

Lorne sat back from the computer. "The furies got a better offer."

"Explain," Buffy demanded.

"Apparently someone managed to find something the furies wanted more than Angel," Lorne replied. "They rescinded all the wards on the hotel just before the attacks."

"Damn. So this place isn't protected at all?" Dawn inquired.

"Language, pipsqueak," Lorne murmured. "At the moment? No. I do have a lead on another source for wards, so we should be ok."

"Maybe this time they can't be bought?" Buffy said.

"I hope not," Lorne stated. "I think a lot will depend on how we act."

"Yeah," Buffy muttered darkly. It rankled her that she had to tone down her slaying because of those lawyers. Still, it protected Dawn, Willow and Lorne.

"So, what's for dinner?" Dawn inquired. "Cafeteria lunch was so nasty today. I think it was liver."

"Lasagna," Willow said quietly. "I made lasagna."

"Great!" Dawn exclaimed. Willow was getting better at the whole interaction thing. She'd done so well with Lorne, particularly in therapy, that they'd pretty much given her free reign of the hotel. The redhead's therapist was optimistic that she'd be ready for less frequent visits before long.

���...�...�...�...���

"You got everything?" Oz asked Wil as the vampire made one last sweep through the hotel room.

"I think so," The blonde replied. "We'll. well, we'll deal with it if we forgot something important." The non-werewolf components of the investigative group were preparing to go elsewhere for a few days so that Oz and Cordelia could deal with Gunn and Fred during their first full moon. It wasn't easy, leaving them alone at the hotel, but it was necessary. They couldn't trust the new werewolves not to attack Xander and Wesley-or the vampires, for that matter.

"Come on, blondie. Your blanket awaits," Xander said from the door. He held out one of the hotel's ugly yellow thermal blankets for the vampire. Wil took it with a grimace and used it as cover, running the short distance to the car. He joined Angel in the back seat, ignoring Wesley's smirk. The faun threw another blanket on top of them and started the engine. Once Xander joined them, they took off.

"Where are we going again?" Wesley inquired when they got on the interstate.

"It's written on the top of the map," Xander mumbled around a Twinkie. "They said on the phone that we wouldn't be able to miss it."

"Ah," Wesley murmured. He got back off the interstate a few miles later, turning left onto another highway.

"There it is!" Xander said, pointing down the road.

"Dear lord," Wesley whispered.

"What?" Angel asked from underneath the blankets.

"It's very.pink," Wesley explained. "Extraordinarily pink."

"Pink?" Wil echoed. "The hotel is pink?"

"And teal," Xander said as Wesley pulled in. "But it's got one of those valet-overhangy things, so you two get to walk in like regular people!"

"How lovely," Angel said, sitting up. He and Wil pushed the blankets into the foot wells and fixed their hair before exiting. "This place is appalling. Why here?"

"Good rates," Xander replied. "Really good rates."

"Wonder why," Wil muttered.

"If you have to ask." Angel whispered.

"Children," Wesley intoned. "Angel, Xander made the reservations in your name."

Angel nodded and went up to the counter. Soon they had keycards for two non-adjoining rooms on the top floor. Angel handed one over to Wesley and Xander, frowning severely.

"What's wrong?" Wil asked as they went to the elevators, bags in tow.

"This place smells wrong," The dark vampire said. Wil inhaled deeply.

"Maybe. Or they might have a mold problem," He replied. "Come on, the blood won't stay cold forever."

Angel and Wil ensconced themselves in their small, dingy room. "Do you think Xander and Wesley will want to go out tonight?" Angel asked hopefully.

Wil shrugged. "Probably not," He replied. "But that doesn't mean we can't."

"I just don't like this place," Angel murmured.

"Fine, we'll head out as soon as the sun sets," Wil reasoned. "Call Xander and make sure, though."

���...�...�...�...���

"Cordy."

"Hmm?" Cordelia murmured. Oz waited another moment. "What, Oz?" She said when he didn't continue.

"Here." Oz held out a set of chains.

"Where did you get these?" She asked, taking them. Oz picked up a second set.

"Found a fetish shop downtown. They're strong enough," He answered.

"What are we going to chain them to?" She couldn't see anything in the room that would work.

"Each other," Oz said. "It'll work; I've seen it."

"If you say so," Cordelia replied. "So."

"Let's go." Oz led the way into the other bedroom. Gunn and Fred were sleeping-not unexpected by any means. Werewolves often got very sleepy before their first change. He gently woke up Fred, nudging her on her shoulder. "Wake up."

"What?" She asked, rubbing her eyes. "Where did you get those?"

"In town," Oz said, not elaborating. "It's better this way."

Fred grimaced but nodded. She understood the risks. "Ok. What about Gunn?"

"I'm not liking this any more than you," Gunn said from the other bed. "Kink is most definitely not my thing."

"Aw, you mean you haven't been fantasizing about getting naked and bound up with Fred?" Cordy joked. Gunn scowled.

"You weren't supposed to mention that, Delia," He said darkly.

Fred's eyes goggled for a moment before she realized they were joking. "Hah hah," She muttered. Oz looked at her pointedly and she stood up.

"We don't have much time," He stated as Gunn and Fred started to strip down. "You'll want to be on the floor."

Fred and Gunn obediently sat on the floor, following Oz's directions. Cordelia helped Oz wrap the pair in chains, using the manacles to secure their wrists and ankles. When they were done, it was obvious that the two new werewolves wouldn't be going anywhere. After they were finished, Cordelia and Oz took up positions on the two now-empty beds. Cordy wouldn't change, but instead would meditated and keep watch over the others, in case something happened. Oz needed to change, to keep control of the two werewolves on the floor. They didn't want to attract attention by having a lot of howling and snarling going on.

Fred whined when she felt the first twinges running down her arms. It hurt, more than she'd thought it would. Gunn, too, was uncomfortable, not liking how tight his skin felt. Oz calmly removed his clothes and let the wolf out, not showing any signs of discomfort. Once he was changed, he jumped down and paced the floor next to Gunn and Fred. They quieted down immediately, automatically subservient to their alpha. Once or twice Gunn looked like he might rebel, particularly once he was fully changed, but between the chains and Oz's dominant manner, he settled down.

���...�...�...�...���

"Thanks," Angel said as Wil set a bottle of beer in front of him. The two vampires were sitting in a dark, smoky bar somewhere in San Diego, as far away from both hotels as possible. They'd left the pink monstrosity as soon as it was dark enough, choosing to walk so that the others could have the car.

Wil drank his beer contentedly. Angel hadn't been too sure about this place at first, but the ambience was just what Wil wanted. It had a sort of tense anonymity about it; the patrons all looked a bit too desperate to be anyone but themselves. It fit nicely with their current predicament; namely being in hiding. Besides, it was nice to be alone with Angel. Their brief moments in the bathroom were not really enough for the blonde's tastes. And of course Xander felt beholden to comment upon their activities.

All of that kept Wil from being aggravated by having to leave their first hotel for the new one for a few days. At least now he and Angel really had some time to themselves-something they'd not had much of in months. First they were split up because of Xander's visions. Then when Angel finally arrived, they were too busy, in too close quarters, to really be alone. And once they'd returned, the business of getting business back to normal took up far too much time-and Buffy was there, which was enough to put both men in bad moods. They might have loved her, but she still got on their nerves.

And now-well, now they were sharing quarters with their colleagues-again. In truth, Wil was surprised the eight of them hadn't resorted to orgies. Then again, the idea of being intimate with any of their coworkers made Wil cringe. He loved them like a human would their siblings, despite vampire norms regarding sex. "So, got anything else you want to do tonight, now that we're away from *that place*?" Wil asked Angel.

"Not really," Angel replied. "Sit. Drink. Hadn't planned beyond that," He admitted.

"Ah," Wil murmured. "You know, we've been trying to get some time alone, and here we are sitting in some crowded bar, not being alone at all."

Angel drained his beer. "We could remedy that. Rather easily, in fact."

Wil grinned. "I'm listening."

Angel stood up and pulled Wil to his feet. "Come on." Wil cocked an eyebrow, but followed. Angel led him out of the bar and onto the street. "Where are we going?" Wil inquired after a few minutes.

"Just follow," Angel said softly. He'd been to San Diego before and remembered a thing or two about the city. Before long he'd led Wil into a picturesque park, complete with walking paths, benches and playground equipment.

"You want to play?" Wil inquired. Angel shook his head and kept walking. Eventually he stopped under a rather impressive tree.

"I thought we'd climb a tree," Angel said, looking up into the tree's massive, thick canopy. "Unless you'd rather do something else."

Wil stared up at the night sky, studying the broken line where the tree's leaves masked the stars. "No, this is fine." Hells, Angel could say they were going to chase sewer rats and he'd go along with it. for a while anyway.

Angel hoisted himself up before reaching down for Wil. The shorter vampire used Angel's hands for the last bit of height he needed to make it to the first branch, which was at least twelve feet up. Once he was securely on the branch, Angel continued his climb.

Wil followed silently, copying Angel's path through the branches. The dark vampire came to a stop on about three-quarters of the way up, just high enough to be able to see the sky through the leaves. Wil sat in front of him, balanced sideways on the branch. "Now what?" He asked.

Angel reached for Wil, pulling him back and over to lean on his chest while straddling the branch. Wil relaxed against the dark vampire, placing his head on Angel's shoulder. They lay like that for several minutes, watching the stars twinkle. "Now we're alone," Angel murmured. "There's no one else anywhere near here."

Wil listened carefully. It was true; there wasn't a single person in the park. That was surprising considering how temperate the weather was. "And that's relevant why?"

The dark vampire grinned. "Oh, no reason." Then he tugged on Wil's coat, hiking it up over his hips. Wil lifted up enough for Angel to be able to move the garment out of the way. Once it was draped on a nearby branch, Angel reached around and slid his hands under Wil's shirt. The blonde shuddered as Angel caressed his stomach with light, fluttering touches.

"If we fall, I'm going to stake you," Wil warned when Angel increased the intensity of his caresses.

"If we fall, we'll probably get staked on the way down," Angel replied. "So we won't fall."

"Good plan," Wil gasped. Angel had moved up to his nipples and was pinching them sharply.

"Reach into my coat pocket," Angel ordered. Wil fumbled back for a bit, trying to locate the pocket. "No, the other one."

"You brought lube. I love you," Wil murmured when his hand closed around the tube.

"That's a new one," Angel said lightly. "Love and silicone." He dropped his hands down to Wil's waist and began to unfasten the blonde's jeans. Wil wriggled a bit, giving Angel more room to maneuver. Once Wil's jeans were down around his knees, Angel lifted him up and sat him back down on the older vampire's lap, protecting pale skin from rough tree bark. It wouldn't do to have to tweeze splinters from his lover's body afterwards. Once Wil was steadied, Angel returned his hands to the blonde's torso, teasing him with light touches and tickles.

Wil groaned hoarsely when Angel's hand brushed over his cock. He arched back, unable to suppress a moan when Angel curled his fingers around his erection and stroked him from base to tip. "Angel."

"Hmm?" Angel hummed idly. He used his free hand to pull Wil's shirt completely off, dropping it on top of the blonde's coat. Angel wondered if Wil knew what he looked like, glowing pale skin reflecting the light of the full moon. The fact that he was three-quarters naked, thrusting his cock into Angel's fist, only made the picture more striking.

"Please fuck me," Wil pleaded. He wasn't in the mood for drawn-out games and Angel could on occasion take all night.

"Lean forward then," Angel said, taking the lube from Wil's hand. Wil complied, balancing himself on the tree branch using his hands. His half-rucked jeans protected his legs as he knelt in front of Angel. The fact that they were alone became quite important when Angel's now-slicked finger breached Wil's body. Angel found that first moan quite gratifying.

Wil thrust back, working himself on Angel's fingers. He bloody well loved what his Sire could do to him. Just a few touches, a well placed jab, and he was putty. When Angel found that wonderful spot and pressed so, Wil screamed softly and jerked back. "Now," He cried, not wanting to wait.

Angel pulled away gently and reached for the blonde, helping him back up from his precarious position. He used the lube left on his hand to slick himself up, then guided Wil down to accept his cock. Wil threw his head back and panted as he was split open. Angel used one hand to press the blonde back against his chest as he sank deeper into his lover's body.

Once he was fully seated, Angel traced his tongue down Wil's throat. The younger vampire was still gasping for unneeded air, the muscles of his throat twitching rhythmically. Angel thrust up, making Wil whimper. The blonde caught on and began rocking back slowly.

Angel enveloped Wil's cock in his hands and began a slow pull, just faster than Wil's own thrusting. Wil picked up the rhythm and moved faster, letting Angel set the pace. Wil felt like he was flying, as though the only thing keeping him from falling was the constant, invading presence of Angel's body inside him. Pleasure flowed through him in waves, like a warm breeze across his skin. He felt Angel start to shake as he neared orgasm. The sensation of his Sire's face shifting into its demonic form was further proof of his arousal. Wil, too, lost control and slid into gameface, watching in awe as the night sky took on a new dimension through his demon's eyes.

Angel thrust harder and faster, dangerously close to his pleasure. He bent forward enough to sink his fangs into Wil's neck, just as the blonde's body contracted around him. He felt Wil's orgasm flowing through his fingers just as his climax rushed into his lover's body. He bit down harder, cruelly, anchoring Wil to him with cock and fangs.

Wil was flying. The sharp ecstasy of Angel's teeth boring into his flesh just propelled him higher. Pleasure flowed through him, lifting him up. He shuddered and twitched against his Sire, eyes wide and unseeing.

The vampires stayed like that, tied together, for many long minutes as they recovered. Eventually Angel released Wil's neck and Wil gathered Angel's arms in his and wrapped himself in his Sire. The blonde had no desire to move, and no real reason to either. The sun wouldn't rise for hours and they had nowhere better to be.

*****
Part 61:

"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.

*****