Wil glanced down at Angel one last time before heading downstairs. The dark vampire had been truly exhausted by his night's work, as evinced by the fact that he'd slept straight through the day, without so much as a murmur. The sun was just setting and he still hadn't stirred. Wil would've stayed with him, but he was hungry and needed to check in on the others.

"How is Angel?" Wesley asked when the blonde arrived in the kitchen. The faun was stirring up some sort of soup on the stove.

"Sleeping," Wil replied softly. A sharp crack caught both their attentions. The noise was followed by a long, low howl. "Storm?"

Wesley nodded. "Just starting, yes. The forecast is for moderately high winds and heavy rains."

"Lightening?"

"Not really," Wesley assured him. "Mostly just rain."

Wil silently went about the process of warming his dinner. The soup on the stove didn't look the least bit appealing, so he chose not to nip a bit to accompany his lovely mug of cow's blood. The two men sat quietly at the table, listening to the storm build. "Is Fred going in to work?"

"Probably," Wesley said. "I should wake her." He left then, to rouse his lover and help her get ready for work. Wil washed out his mug and went off in search of Xander and Oz, to see how their researching had progressed during the day. He found the pair in the computer room, shutting down computers and disconnecting them from the walls.

"I didn't think there was going to be any lightening," Wil murmured as he watched them.

"Probably not," Xander replied. "But the wind's high enough to take down the power lines, and I don't trust east Tennessee utilities."

"Ah," Wil said, moving to help them. They made quick work of securing the electronic devices, leaving nothing plugged into the walls. "Did you get anywhere with the banks?"

"Yeah," Oz stated. "Got the account numbers."

"Excellent," Wil replied. "I suppose we have the evening off now."

"That we do," Xander agreed. "Gunn went to meet Cordelia when she got off work. They're gonna do the dinner and a movie thing. well, after she drags him through some baby stores."

"Baby stores?" Wil whispered. "Why?"

"Clothes, furniture, the works. You know Cordelia, she's gonna want the diapers to match the trim on the wall and all that," Xander said lightly.

"But we're moving before the baby gets here," Wil commented. "And we travel light."

Oz smirked. "Don't tell Cordy that."

...

"Feeling rested?"

Angel stretched and opened his eyes, happy to find Wil standing next to the bed. He'd been a bit disappointed when he'd woken up alone. Then again, Wil had probably been hungry. Angel sure was, and was very grateful for the supper Wil was holding out to him. "Much better, thank you. It's raining," He commented, sipping his blood.

"Soon," Wil corrected. "Just wind right now."

"Electrical storm?" Angel asked, worried.

Wil shook his head. "No lightening, but we shut the computers down anyway." He leaned against the dresser, toying with the things he'd pitched there the night before. "Oz got to the bank account numbers. Cordelia is lusting after baby furniture."

"Good, and no," Angel replied. "We can't move furniture."

"So you'll tell her?" Wil inquired.

Angel grimaced. "Er. Gunn?" He suggested.

Wil shook his head. "I want the child to have two parents, not one deceased father and an insane, imprisoned mother."

"True," Angel conceded. "I'll handle it, after we decide where we're moving to this time."

Wil studied his lover. "You've already decided, haven't you?"

"No," Angel denied. "That is a group decision."

"But you know where you want us to go. We end up there anyway; at least, we have the last two times," Wil reminded him.

"But the decision isn't mine alone," Angel insisted.

"Where?" Wil pressed.

"Syracuse," Angel murmured.

"New York?"

"Yes."

Wil pursed his lips. "Three words, Angel."

"What?"

"Lake. Effect. Snow."

Angel managed to repress his smile.

"If they didn't like the snow in Indianapolis, and they manage to complain about the inch and a half of snow we've seen in Knoxville over the past two plus years, what are they going to say about living in a place that gets two feet of snow per storm, several times per year?" Wil inquired.

"Xander liked the snow," Angel defended.

"He liked having a snowball fight," Wil corrected.

"We'll find a place with a wood burning stove and a fireplace," Angel suggested.

"So you're going to pitch the prospect of romantic interludes in front of fires to mitigate the nasty weather situation?" Wil asked.

Angel grinned.

"You know, it might work," Wil murmured. The blonde shook himself slightly; he hadn't come back upstairs to get into a serious discussion with Angel. No, he had other things in mind for the evening. He returned to his idle perusal of Angel's newest toys. Until Angel got the job at Vince's, Wil hadn't ever considered them to be the 'toy' type. In all their years together, and apart, neither man had really gotten into such things. That wasn't to say he didn't like them; they were a nice bit of variety here and there. Actually, he was feeling a bit mischievous at the moment.

"I'm beginning to think you're more interested in that dildo than me," Angel muttered, pulling himself out of bed and putting on some clothes. He padded over to the dresser, where Wil was running a reverent finger over the pale, carved accessory.

"It's not you," Wil corrected. "Although if I could find an artist willing to." His voice faded as he smiled suggestively.

Angel sighed. Sometimes Wil was impossible, although Angel wouldn't dare try to change him. He was about to comment on Wil's statement when a soft knock on the door interrupted him. "Yes?"

Wesley poked his head into the room. "Considering the weather, I believe I shall drive Fred to work this evening. She is insistent upon working."

"Be careful," Angel replied. "And call if you need help." Wesley nodded and retreated from the room. "So," He continued, turning back to Wil. "What do you have planned for the evening?"

"Nothing," Wil said honestly. Well, he didn't have anything planned, although he did have hopes. "Thought maybe I'd climb onto the roof and watch the storm move in."

Angel thought for a moment. If there wasn't going to be any lightening, it wouldn't be dangerous. "Sounds good." He walked over to the dormer window in their bedroom, which opened onto the roof. Wil followed behind him, stepping out onto the sloped surface with steady feet. It wasn't the first time they'd gone out onto the roof to watch the night sky.

Wind whipped around them, making Angel's footsteps unsteady. He quickly moved to the middle of the uneven surface, sliding down to sit on the smooth slate shingles. Wil joined him, lying flat against the stone surface to stare up at the sky. At the moment the night was completely clear, its endless black velvet surface studded with twinkling stars and planets. The wind felt odd in its intensity when paired with the pristine view. "I remember the first time I saw fireworks," Wil said after a few minutes.

"When was that?" Angel asked curiously. If he'd been there, he didn't remember. Then again, he'd missed many of Wil's 'first times', having spent most of the last century avoiding the blonde.

"China. Right before we met up with you, actually," Wil replied. It would've surprised Angel to find out that Wil remembered his time in China so well not because of the Slayer he'd killed, but because of his encounter with Angel.

"Ah," Angel murmured. He was a little surprised Wil hadn't seen any in Europe before then; they were certainly present on the Continent at that time.

"Lots of sparkles and noise, lighting up the night. I thought the world was ending," Wil continued. "Scared me, it did."

Angel laughed softly. "I can see that."

"Then I found my head and sat back to watch. Don't know where Dru was; probably dancing around in the streets," Wil said. "I can't remember why there were fireworks, but they went on and on. Lovely and all that. But you know what I remember thinking about? Other than which of the locals was my next dinner?"

"What?" Angel inquired.

"I kept thinking that humans were the oddest creatures. There they were, under a perfect, clear sky with all the stars around them, hung there forever. And what do they do? They ruin the night with their artificial roars and booms, and send up big, garish stars that explode and fall and fade away in a stink of saltpeter. They were like children wishing on falling stars, only instead of waiting for one to fall, they had to go off and make up a bunch of them to fall all at once."

Angel glanced at Wil. "You thought that?"

"Yeah," Wil said defensively. "Of course, when the show was over I went into the streets and killed a dozen people." Angel didn't say anything. What was there to say? Wil had been Spike back then and had acted the part. But the story reminded him that even as a soulless vampire, Wil hadn't been a mindless killer. As much as it told him about his lover, it also made sure he didn't forget that his enemies weren't without their intelligences as well. Being evil wasn't the same as being stupid.

"You're thinking too hard," Wil muttered. "I can hear you, even over the wind." Angel cocked his head to one side.

"That's impressive hearing," The dark vampire commented. The wind was loud now, and streaks of the sky were turning a muddy color-the storm was coming into their area. Rain would soon follow. Sure enough, just a moment later a single, fat rain drop struck Angel's forehead, running down his temple to pool in the shell of his ear. "We're going to get wet if we stay out here."

Wil sat up and shifted closer to Angel. "So what?" He fidgeted with his clothes and stared out at the woods, noting how he could no longer see the stars at all. After a moment, he pulled something out of a pocket, keeping it wrapped in his fingers. "Bit of water never hurt us before."

"What's in your hand?" Angel asked. Wil was up to something.

"Nothing," Wil hedged. The rain had increased to a heavy sprinkle, making little plopping noises on the tile roof. Angel turned towards Wil, a glint in his eye.

"I saw you get something out of your pocket, Wil. What are you planning on doing up here?" Instead of answering, Wil pushed off the roof with one hand, flipping himself on top of Angel. He pressed the dark vampire flat against the tiles, stretching out over him.

"More appropriate to ask 'who' I'm doing up here," Wil murmured. He ground down on Angel, pleased to feel his Sire harden instantly. "Hmm?"

Angel grinned. "If you want to fuck on the roof in a rainstorm, Wil, all you have to do is ask."

Wil glowered. "Trying to take all the fun out of this?" Angel tried to look repentant. "And that look isn't working," Wil warned.

"I tried," Angel conceded. He felt something being pressed into his hand. Before he could look at it, Wil sat up and began to work on stripping him down. Normally Angel would've helped him, but considering their position on the roof, a bit of acquiescence was called for. Falling to the ground wouldn't kill either of them, but it would hurt like the very devil.

Wil tugged Angel's shirt off and set it aside. The dark vampire gasped when his back struck frigid slate, but soon forgot the sensation as Wil managed to finish unclothing him without actually getting off his body. "Wil," Angel murmured softly. The blonde was still completely clothed, the soft cotton of his shirt clinging as it damped in the rain.

"Hmm?" Wil hummed as he pulled his shirt off. The dark fabric disappeared somewhere on the roof, pushed away slightly by the wind. "What?"

"Better," Angel said, raising one hand to trace the sharp collarbones along Wil's shoulders. Wil shuddered and quickly rolled to the side, stripping off his jeans. As soon as he was unclothed, Angel reached for him again, taking the opportunity to see what it was Wil had handed him.

"You like?" Wil murmured, taking the jar out of Angel's hand. He'd picked up one of the ointments Vince had given the vampire as a thank you gift. This particular one was chandan, one of Wil's favorites.

"Mmm," Angel replied. He watched as the wind tugged at Wil's now-wet hair, sending honey-colored strands this way and that. The younger vampire's skin glistened with water, like so many tiny crystals studding his body. "Yes, I like it."

Wil opened the jar and scooped out a generous amount, letting it cling warmly to his fingers. That was another reason why he liked this particular variety; it was warm to the touch. He set the jar aside and spread the viscous fluid on his hands, letting the rich perfume surround them. It mixed with the fresh-rain smell, and the wet-slate smell, and much to Wil's delight the quickly growing aroused-Angel smell.

"Wil," Angel warned. The blonde was taking far too long, straddling him but not moving, preparing himself to prepare Angel but not actually doing anything.

Wil grinned and leaned down, pressing them together. "Yes?'

"Get on with it," Angel growled. The storm had begun in earnest, rain falling heavily on them both. It stung in his eyes and flowed off Wil's body and onto his own, streaming around him as it poured down the roof. Wil leaned further in and took Angel's mouth in a slow, gentle kiss. Angel arched into it, savoring Wil's taste as their tongues slid wetly against each other.

Wil split his attention between kissing Angel and preparing himself. Stretching and slicking his body to accept Angel's was short work thanks to that lovely ointment, which relaxed muscles with amazing ease. That let him focus more on distracting Angel, keeping the dark vampire from realizing what he was doing. Angel thought Wil was going to fuck him, but the blonde had other ideas.

"No," Angel moaned when Wil pulled away. He watched, eyes wide, as the blonde sat up and shifted forward slightly. Unnaturally warm hands slicked over his cock, coating him with pungent oil. "Wil," He began, realizing that he'd been misled. Wil ignored him as the younger vampire positioned himself and sank down onto Angel, taking him in deep and slow.

Wil tilted his face skyward, letting the driving rain pound into his skin. The cold, hard pulse of water against him, pushed to the point of cruelty by an unrelenting wind, was matched by the thrust of Angel's body inside his own, accentuated by the low thrum of heat the chandan unguent provided. He felt Angel grasp his hips and urge him into motion. Wil obliged, rolling his hips as Angel thrust up to meet him.

Angel kept a strong hold on Wil's body, trying to fight the wind which was pushing them both towards the edge of the roof. Wil was tight and clinging around him, tugging at his body and driving him higher. His eyes crossed when the blonde tightened deliberately around him, milking him. A particularly sharp gust of wind almost bent Wil completely backward, so Angel shifted one hand up to grasp Wil's, pulling the blonde forward.

Wil lay down on top of Angel, never ceasing his torture of the dark vampire. His new position let the rain massage his back, even as Angel's hands reached up to hold him in place. Wil used his own hands to hold onto the roof, anchoring them to the slate. Still he moved, riding Angel with increasing force. Rain in his eyes blinded him and he searched wildly for Angel's mouth, seeking entrance when he found it. Angel took possession of the kiss even as he increased the pace of their coupling, stroking Wil's prostate so roughly that Wil screamed into Angel's mouth in a cry of pain and pleasure that he repeated again and again.

Angel felt Wil contract around him and knew the blonde was close. He reached one hand up to the nape of Wil's neck, letting his fingers rest there for a brief moment before digging in slightly and dragging his hand along the length of Wil's spine, leaving sharp red lines in his wake. Wil jerked and froze as that last bit of sharp pain sent him over the edge, body pulsing in its stillness. He tightened impossibly around Angel, wringing the dark vampire with painful intensity.

Wil let go, let Angel pitch him off the edge and into a maelstrom of sensation. He convulsed around his lover, working himself to prolong the pleasure. Finally the mind-numbing feelings abated to the point that Wil once again felt the grating wind and pounding rain that surrounded them. He felt hard slate beneath his knees and slick, cold skin against his thighs. Angel remained, uncompleted, inside Wil's body.

Angel watched as Wil regained consciousness, bright blue eyes flashing as he levered up slightly to look at Angel. With a quick smile, Wil began to move again, riding Angel with deliberate intensity. Angel was helpless under the onslaught, bucking and thrusting in counterpoint with Wil's movements, desperately seeking release. It came with a shout when Wil leaned down and struck, sinking his fangs into the thick muscles of Angel's shoulder. The younger vampire didn't take even a drop of blood, simply letting his sharp teeth remain inside his Sire's flesh as Angel filled him with cold seed.

"Wil?" Angel murmured, shifting slightly. He wasn't sure he was completely recovered, although he was aware of the impressive storm raging around them. The blonde withdrew his fangs and lay down against Angel again, tucking his face into Angel's neck. Wil spoke so softly that Angel could barely hear him over the wind and rain.

"'Til all the stars fall," Wil whispered into Angel's skin. "And even after."

*****
Part 81:

"I'm gonna miss you around here. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to convince you to stay?" Vince asked as Angel got ready to leave. It was his last day on the job; the gang was moving the following evening.

"I wish I could," Angel said honestly. "But Todd and I have to move." He actually liked working for the guy; it certainly took his mind off Wolfram & Hart. and Cordelia.

The store owner sighed regretfully and pulled a large, gaily wrapped package out from under the counter. "Then I guess this is goodbye. I got you a little something."

"You shouldn't have," Angel murmured. Really, the man shouldn't have gotten him anything. considering who he was, the contents of that box might very well be illegal in most states.

"Now, don't open it here; take it home to that lovely little English boy you've got hidden away," Vince chided him. "You'll just love it, I promise."

Angel nodded and clasped his boss's hand, shaking firmly. Then he was out the door and on his way to pick up Fred. The young werewolf was using her last opportunity at her employee discount to stock up for the long drive to New York.

"Great! You're here," Fred murmured as Angel pulled into the loading zone. "We had a midnight sale on rhubarb." Angel smiled weakly and stuffed nearly twenty pounds of the vegetable into the trunk. Bread, canned soup and cake mix followed.

"We are going to have room for everything else, right?" Angel muttered as they drove away.

"Now that we've got the trailers, yeah," Fred replied. "Even with all of Cordelia's baby furniture, we've got lots of room."

Angel scowled at the mention of baby furniture. He'd been unable to convince Cordelia to wait until they got to Syracuse to purchase a cradle, bassinet, rocking chair.changing table, window shades, rattle, mobile, diapers, clothes, bottle sterilizer.swing, play mat, miniature tub, baby monitor, DVDs. "They did get the stuff loaded, right?"

"Yes, Angel, they did," Fred said tiredly. "Everything but what we need for one more day. Even the computers, all but one phone, the pillows, and your favorite towels."

"Just checking," Angel murmured. "The wind chimes?" He'd fallen in love with a set of wind chimes he'd seen at a craft fair, insisting that they get them for the house.

"The wind chimes *and* the pink plastic yard flamingoes. and the Santa Claus, and the tractor tire painted to look like a Christmas wreath," Fred continued. "And the old plow Gunn found in the barn."

"Ok," Angel said sheepishly. Unlike Indianapolis, Knoxville had really felt like a home for them, all quirky native annoyances aside, and they were loathe to let go of all the neat things they'd amassed--hence the trailers.

"I just hope Wesley managed to convince Xander not to take that dinner bell along," Fred commented.

...

"What's in the box?" Xander asked as Angel helped shuffle around the contents of the trunk.

"A gift," Angel replied shortly.

"Can I open it?"

"It's not for you," Angel told him. "And I, whom the gift *is* for, will open it when we get to Syracuse."

"Ok," Xander said placatingly, holding his hands up. "So where are you and Wil gonna boink for old time's sake?" The Raphe asked. "The barn? The roof?"

Angel growled. "Wherever the hell we feel like it. How about you and Oz? Need the jar of peanut butter Fred just bought?"

Xander retreated into the house. Angel was in no mood to chitchat or joke around; he had only twelve hours before he found himself stuck in a car with a very pregnant Cordelia. It did not bode well for his sanity.

"Angel?" Cordelia yelled from the porch. "Did you make Xander unhappy?"

"No!" Angel replied. "He asked me where I wanted to"

"Never mind," Cordelia said quickly. She'd been going through a weird stage where even thinking about sex made her nauseas, and she just knew that Xander had made a sex-related comment to Angel. "I'll just be inside, being all normal and tired and pregnant." She waddled back into the house, holding one hand to her lower back.

"You should be resting," Wesley admonished the seer as he escorted her to the sofa. "Otherwise you'll just exhaust yourself."

Cordelia grimaced. "I know, I know. It's what I get for getting pregnant."

"With twins," Oz reminded her. "They wear you down."

"Do you have to keep reminding me there's more than one in there?" Cordelia spat.

"You'll give birth sooner," Oz reasoned. He'd been the one to realize that there was more than one heartbeat in the vicinity of Cordelia's womb, meaning that she was probably pregnant with twins. He didn't have the balls to tell her, though, that he couldn't tell exactly how many heartbeats he heard. It could be twins--and probably was, for that matter--but there was a small chance it was triplets.

"Wonderful. I mean, I'm *so* looking forward to pain and suffering," Cordelia muttered. Gunn sank down on the couch next to her, reaching for her hand.

"But the cubs will be here, and you want to meet them," Gunn murmured, stroking his lover's hand soothingly. He lingered over the ring on her ringer, liking the way the ruby glowed in the dim light. He'd managed to find the perfect stone and have it set without Cordelia finding out, which meant Xander didn't know until after it was done. He'd nearly killed Wil and Angel, who were *very* enthusiastic about his planned proposal. Now, though, he couldn't muster any anger. He had Cordelia forever, even if they hadn't said the words yet.

"And feed them, and change their diapers, and burp them and." Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. "And watch them go to college and leave me alone!"

Angel walked into the house just in time to see Cordelia start into another crying jag. In that moment he was incredibly happy he was a vampire, who just got horny when there were lots of pheromones about, and couldn't be affected by chemicals the way pregnant werewolves were. She had been in hell for a year, always either crying, screaming or laughing. The entire house had been on edge the whole time, always afraid of setting her off.

"I'll go help Wil," Angel said desperately as he ran for the attic. When he got upstairs he found Wil standing in front of the window, obviously in deep thought. "Wil?"

"We should have a Christmas tree," Wil murmured.

Angel frowned. "Here?" It wasn't quite Thanksgiving, and they were leaving in the morning.

"No, in Syracuse," Wil replied. "For the cubs."

"Ah," Angel said. "We can arrange that when we get there."

"I don't want us to forget that, with all the moving and all," Wil said quickly. "And we need a fireplace, for yule."

Angel gathered Wil into his arms, holding him close. "We will. All of it, and more, I promise."

Wil turned in Angel's arms, until he could bury his face in the dark vampire's neck. "They'll be here before the solstice, and all their Christmases have to be perfect," He said frantically. "Warm and loving and light and." His voice became choked as he began to cry, cold tears kissing Angel's skin.

"They will always be loved," Angel swore. "Ever and always."

...

"Stop here."

Angel slumped down in his seat and slowed the car. "Where?"

"Krispy Kreme," Cordelia said firmly. "The 'hot doughnuts now' sign just came on."

"It's five a.m.," Angel whined. "We've got to make it to Syracuse before sunrise."

"Doughnuts," Cordelia repeated. "And Xander's with me on this one, right?" She glanced into the back seat.

"Yup," Xander murmured. Oh, he'd love a doughnut or ninety right now. Even if he didn't, he wouldn't say a word.

"Make it fast," Angel said, thrusting a twenty at the Raphe. "Get a lot; we can't keep stopping."

Xander trotted inside and quickly procured as many doughnuts as twenty dollars would buy. He returned with a towering stack of hot, aromatic boxes and a mountain of napkins, which he split with the other car. "Your doughnuts, milady," He said, handing a box to Cordelia. She ripped it open and dug in as Angel drove away.

"Mmmm." Cordelia hummed happily. "Thanks, Angel."

"Yeah, man, thanks," Gunn said as he ripped into his own doughnut. He hadn't been starving, but a snack was welcome. "We're only an hour or so from Syracuse; we'll be fine."

"It's supposed to snow," Angel said worriedly.

"Not tonight," Xander replied. "At the end of the week, yeah."

"But that's Thanksgiving," Cordelia stated. "We're having a big, wonderful Thanksgiving." Her voice brooked no argument.

"Yes, we are," Angel agreed.

"In a house, with furniture," She continued. "And a fireplace."

/She's been talking with Wil again,/ Angel thought. "And a fireplace," He promised.

"But you're not gonna go pick out the place," Gunn said quickly. He knew she was going to argue, so he pressed on. "They'll jack us for rent."

Cordelia growled but didn't argue. She knew that if anyone saw her, hugely pregnant and ready to pop, they'd gouge them big time. But she was the one having the kids and she didn't want to live in some dump. "If you guys get a rat hole like Indianapolis."

"We solemnly swear to rent a house constructed after 1960, with central heat and air, recently updated wiring, a dishwasher, laundry facilities, plenty of ground-floor bedrooms, at least one fireplace, weatherproof windows and doors, deadbolts, and a garbage disposal," Xander said in a very serious voice.

"And a big kitchen with a pantry," Cordelia insisted. "But Fred knows all of that, and she is definitely going along." Fred would also make sure there was at least one tub in whatever house they rented.

Angel sped down the highway, not really paying a lot of attention to the conversation spinning around him. He wanted to be in Syracuse proper before dawn, and they didn't have very much time. And no one had offered him a hot, sugary doughnut.

...

"You know, letting them find a place to live is a good thing," Wil murmured as he and Angel crawled into bed.

"Yeah, as long as you don't dwell on the fact that Xander is driving," Cordelia said. She was in the other bed, pillows supporting her swollen belly.

"Fred and Wesley will be there also," Angel reminded her. "And we get to sleep. They do not."

"But I'm so picking out the furniture," Cordelia swore as she turned out the light. "None of them have *any* taste."

Angel just twined himself with Wil and went to sleep. Cordelia could rant and rave all she wanted when the others got back. Until then, Angel was getting some sleep. unless she needed something, of course.

"Angel?"

The dark vampire poked his head out of the covers. "What?"

Cordelia looked sheepish. "Could I have some celery? With mustard?"

...

"No," Gunn said flatly. There was no way he was letting Cordelia live in that.house. If it could be called that.

"What's wrong with this one?" The realtor asked sharply.

Xander took the lead, giving Gunn a reprieve. "The front porch is rotting away, stairs and all, and the sidewalk is a wreck. Somebody will get killed when there's ice everywhere. And, we told you *three times* that we needed ground floor bedrooms. The last three places haven't had bedrooms on the ground floor."

The real estate agent looked apoplectic. "I've shown you eleven houses, and not one of them has passed muster. What the hell do you want?"

Wesley shrugged. "Five or more bedrooms, at least two of them on the ground floor."

"Three or more bathrooms," Fred added.

"Lots of appliances and central heat and air," Xander said.

"And a fireplace," Oz reminded the realtor.

"I give up. Find another realtor, if you can. There isn't a single house in Syracuse, or within a hundred miles of Syracuse, that fits your needs." The foul little man stomped off in a flash of papers and cheap linen.

The gang looked at each other, wondering what they'd said wrong to make the man so very angry. "Wanna grab some lunch?" Xander offered. "There are usually some of those rental guides at fast food restaurants."

"Taco Bell?" Fred pleaded.

"Sure," Gunn said. "Taco Bell is fine."

Wesley smiled beatifically. "Cinnamon twists."

...

Cordelia, Wil and Angel were pacing the hotel room, waiting for the others to return. Xander had called to say they'd found a place and were on their way back to collect their absent friends, but wouldn't say a word about the new house. Cordelia had yelled and begged, but the Raphe had held fast. "I'm gonna kill him," Cordelia swore. "I want to know!"

"We'll know soon enough," Wil murmured. "They'll be back shortly."

"I want to know now," Cordelia whined. "Did I just whine?"

"No," Angel assured her. She glanced at him disbelievingly. "It was more of a petulant. whimper."

Cordelia did not look amused.

"Xander's back," Wil murmured. Just then, the Raphe burst into the hotel room.

"Hey!" Xander said brightly. "You are so gonna love this place!"

"Does it have" Cordelia began fretfully.

"Everything, and then some," Xander promised. Come on! Nighttime's wasting."

*****