*****

Standing outside the imposing front of the Hyperion Hotel, the home of Angel Investigations, Xander started to think scary thoughts. Maybe this hadn't been the best idea. ~Not the bestest idea ever,~ he had thought it was three hours ago. That maybe driving up to surprise his, er... boyfriend?... early for their first actual going out in public date wasn't a clever plan. ~Driving up to surprise Wes early *and* ambushing him at his work.~ Xander stalled with his hand on the door. ~Okay, maybe I was possessed again. Cause I'm thinking this was a stupid, no the all time stupidest idea ever. And I've had some cake takers, boys and girls.~ He had just been so excited... It had been two months since they'd last seen each other.

Two months since his surprisingly amicable breakup with Anya. He rubbed his face absently. ~Yeah, the swelling's gone...~ Two months since his coming out declaration to Buffy and Willow. ~Can we say awkward? Uber supporto gals. My bestest buds. But come on take two left feet and insert in mouths.~ Two long months... And phone calls weren't cutting it anymore. Nope. Nu huh. Xander sighed. It was a little late now with his hand on the door. He opened it and shuffled in. He'd do what he always did, brazen things out and hope he didn't get smacked in the head. ~'Cause concussions, not so good for the whole date concept. Well, unless Wes is gonna wear a nurse's uniform and offer to take my temperature... Often.~

***************************************************************

"Well, I think it is good for Wesley to find someone to mate," Groo said nodding.

Cordelia covered her mouth and laughed. Wesley was turning even redder than before. She grabbed Groo's arm and tried to stifle her giggles.

"Date, Groo honey, date. There's no... mating yet." She turned back to Wesley, perfect eyebrow raised. "Unless..."

Wesley looked up, giving Cordelia one of his blankest expressions. "I believe that is none of your business."

Groo looked back and forth, confused. Then his face lit up. "Oh! If you need a potion like my Princess did, perhaps Angel and I could get you one."

Cordelia lost it again, sitting down on the couch next to an equally giggling Fred. It was way too much fun teasing Wesley about his mystery date. He'd been on air for just about two months. It was good to see the dark circles under his eyes fade and his smile come back. Almost as good as the look on his face now.

Angel juggled Conner in his hands trying not to laugh, grateful that he had peace back in his house. Two months of happy people saving the world. It was a nice change. Okay, he still didn't get the whole Cordy and Groo thing, but he was dealing. Okay, trying to deal. "Uhm, don't think he needs one of those potions. Unless there's something you wanna tell us Wesley? I mean *I've* had more dates than you lately..."

"Now, don't go dissin' my boy!" Gunn slapped the Englishman on the back, and slung his arm around his shoulders. "If he wants mating, there will be mating. Uhm, just don't talk bout work 'kay, Wes? 'Cause demons and the slime- Big turn offs. Save that for later. Unless this chick- Whom we know *nothing* about- likes that kinda stuff."

"Yeah, about that..." Angel started, then broke off suddenly hearing the door open. A familiar scent and heartbeat. "Xander? Buffy. Is Buffy is okay? What's wrong?!"

Wesley looked up from his contemplation of hitting Gunn and smiled. Then he frowned. Good Lord, Xander had walked into the veritable lion's den. He started to move, to walk over and stopped, not sure what to do or how Xander wanted to play this. Then he caught Fred's eyes. She looked at him, back at Xander and smiled.

"Wow." She said quietly.

Cordelia looked at her. "Wow? Okay. Angel, I'm sure Buffy is fine. Um, she's fine isn't she?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, Buffy's fine." Xander resisted the urge to roll his eyes. ~Yeah, Buffy's fine. In a just raised from the dead, I wanna go back to heaven, but I can't so why don't I boink the Fangless Wonder way. Oh yeah, she's just peachy.~ He sighed and told himself that wasn't fair. She'd been great about his 'turning gay' as she liked to put it. Even if she didn't have a clue, she was trying. Trying to understand. Trying to live again herself.

He smiled uncertainly, trying to stem the sudden panic. They were all staring at him. Big point blank stares. Even the baby. ~Baby? What the-~ "Angel, ordering in now?"

"What? No! This is my son, Conner," Angel gritted out. If Buffy wasn't in trouble, was Xander? And why come here? Xander hated him. Wouldn't it be just his luck that the boy needed his help? Okay, that might be kinda nice, to have 'you needed me, I came through, you owe me' points over Xander, but he'd have to pay the price of numerous 'Deadboy and 'vamps are evil' comments. And then Harris would get creative.

"If Buffy's okay, then what's wrong?"

"Your son."

"Yes, my son."

"Okay, overlooking the whole vamps can't have kids... Your son? `Cause you have to have sex to have one of those. And we all know how well that works out for you."

"Who is this guy? Hello?!" Gunn swept his arm out in an open invitation for anyone to answer him.

"Xander Harris, from Sunnydale." Angel frowned and made quick introductions," Charles Gunn, Fred and Groo. They work with us." Angel sighed, "And yes my son. No, I'm not evil. And the rest is none of your business. Now why are you here?"

Xander shook his head. He wanted some of whatever Deadboy was smoking. A kid? Oh, Wes was so gonna get the bright light interrogation treatment. He gulped and looked at Wes. So far, the other man, his date, hadn't really given him a clue on how to proceed. ~Well, in for a penny... or would that be a dollar due to inflation?~

Xander pulled a red rose carefully from his inside his jacket and smiled weakly at Wes. "Surprise."

Wesley smiled back and was shocked to hear... nothing. He looked around and saw nothing but stunned faces, except for Fred, who was smiling even broader and Groo, who was nodding like he understood. Shaking his head, Wesley grabbed his coat and walked over to Xander. He took the rose and raised an eyebrow.

"You're early," he said, eyes shining.

Xander was really here. That fact alone was enough for Wesley to forgive him for turning the office over on its, now very quiet, ear. Maybe even reward him.

~Okay maybe not so bad a plan. Thinking that's a happy look. This was a great plan! Okay, seeing Deadboy make fish face- Bonus!~ Xander smiled brightly. "Yeah, well..."

From pin drop silence the room burst into a riot of noise. Cordy and Gunn both talking at the same time, fast and furious. Questions were shot at them both at rapid fire. So fast it was impossible to answer them. So fast it was almost impossible to decipher them. So fast it made Xander's head spin. The two on the couch, just looked confused. ~Okay, which one is Fred and which one is Groo?~ Well, the Deadboy clone was definitly confused, and the tiny little bird woman looked confused and like she was getting worried or pissed. Xander wasn't sure which. Angel, he just gaped and looked from Wes to Xander and back again. Occasionally trying to stutter out something, but in no way up to the power of cutting through Queen C and her doubles partner at 'Welcome to the Inquisition.'

"Enough!" Wesley thundered, whirling to glare at everyone. "*If* I feel like answering your questions, I will do so later. Right now, " He hooked an arm through Xander's, "we have things to do. I trust the rest of you do as well."

He gave them all one last glare, except Fred who just winked, and ushered Xander out the door. Pulling Xander along until they got to the gate, Wesley collapsed against it, tugging Xander to him.

"My God... their faces..." He gasped, letting the laughter come at last.

For a moment, Xander hadn't been sure if he was going to burst out laughing, shouting or just plain burst. He laughed hard and heartily until the coil in his gut unwound enough for him to breath again.

"Deadboy... Deadboy fish face..." Xander gasped out between spasms of laughter. Wiping the moisture from the corners of his eyes as things settled, he sighed. "Taking a wild guess here, but m'thinking you never told them. About me."

Wesley sobered instantly. Was there any way to answer that question without sounding like he was ashamed of Xander? He wasn't, not by a long shot. He had just been being... careful. He knew Angel and Xander got along about as well as two tomcats in heat. Cordelia had dated Xander as well, never mind the disastrously failed kiss he himself had shared with the ex-prom queen. The last thing he had wanted was a scene just like the one a second ago until he knew it was going to work out. Part of him had been expecting Xander to go back to Anya after all.

"I... no, I hadn't. It's not any of their business anyway. After all, they don't consult me on whom they should date." He sighed and tentatively touched one of Xander's hands. "I'm sorry..."

"Hey it's your life. Just because I came out to oh, *everybody*..." Xander looked away, then looked back taking Wes' proffered hand in his.

"Look. I don't expect brass bands or an add in the LA Times- Actually, a band would be kinda cool, but I digress. Wes, I don't want to do the closet deal. Been there, I mean really, and don't wanna see that T-shirt ever again. As long as you're not ashamed to be with me, I can get along with Fang and his gang. Your gang." Xander faltered, not sure what else to say. He hadn't expected to have this talk... to *have* to have this talk.

"I'm not ashamed of you," Wesley whispered, eyes wide with the horror that he may have very well mucked his life up again. The look on Xander's face, more than his words, told him that.

"It's not the out and it's not you... We hadn't even talked about it.. Oh bloody hell." He let go of Xander's hand and clenched his fists at his side. "At the risk of sounding like a cliche, I'm British and an Ex-Watcher. Not talking about things is unfortunately ingrained in me. Not in public and not to anyone except who's involved and if you knew my family, you'd see we didn't even talk to each other. I am not ashamed of you. I am not ashamed to be considered a homosexual. And I am most certainly not ashamed about who knows it. It's..." It was his turn to falter. "I-I was afraid to... muck things up." His face felt like it was on fire from the blushing shame.

"Huh. Okay... Strangely enough I get that. I understand." Xander nodded slowly. Oh yeah, he got it. Got it in spades. "You do know, I'm kinda new at this right? The whole dating a guy thing? I can make you a couple of promises.. I'm not gonna go all encounter group on you and want to discuss our *feelings*," he punctuated with an eye roll, "every other half hour. Secondly, I'm gonna make mistakes. You're gonna make mistakes. Sorry, but that's non-negotiable. We'll make them, deal, and move on... Or so that's what I've heard. As long as the like is still there and we're relatively honest with each other, I think we'll be fine."

Xander reached out and rubbed his hand along Wesley's shoulder. And boy, maybe it was way to soon to be having the relationship rules talk. They hadn't even gone on their first official date. He shook his head and tried to lighten the mood. "So where ya taking me? Is food involved some how? Cause kinda hungry here."

Wesley relaxed. They were getting so ahead of themselves weren't they? "Just a second. I forgot something." He pulled Xander to him and kissed the younger man thoroughly. "There, that's better. Thank you." he said, smiling shyly. "I was thinking steak. I have been up to my ears in back logged cases today and haven't eaten yet."

"Yeah, much better." Xander sighed. Back to the plan. Main objective: fun. He was more than ready for that. "Steak sounds great. Come on then. Let us go hunt the dead cow and partake of the beef. " Xander's eyes sparkled, "Come on Wes. Lead me on."

Wesley raised his eyebrow at the double entendre and took Xander's hand again. "Right then. Large quantities of dead cow and then, perhaps a movie? Maybe even in?" he asked mischievously. He led Xander over to his motorcycle and pulled the helmets out of the hardcase saddlebags. "Um... hope you don't mind pink?" His eyes glittered. "Unless you want to drive?"

The raised eyebrow was seen and matched, as Xander leaned into Wes, breathing gently into his ear. "Only if you're bent over the bike. So until then, I guess I'll back seat drive," Xander chuckled, giving Wes' earlobe a little nip, as he took the helmet out of his hands. Still laughing, he eyed the very pink thing. "Okay, I am as secure in my manliness as the next guy. And getting more and more comfy with the sexual identity thing. But pink? Why did you choose pink? I mean aside from pink helmet sounding like either a very gay band or a bad condom brand."

It took Wesley a second to recover from the oh so close suggestion and nip. He took a shivering breath and shrugged. "It came with the bike and I've never gotten around to getting it replaced. Helmets can be quite expensive." He pulled on his motorcycle jacket and grinned. "You should have seen Angel in it." He pulled on his own helmet, adjusted the goggles and got on, swinging the bike off its stand. "And if you keep up things like the ear, we'll never get any food."

"Angel huh?" Xander snickered as he swung his leg over and settled behind Wes. "How'd he get it over his hair? Must have mourned the `do for days." He settled the pinkness on his head and slid his arms around Wes' middle. "Let's get this date rolling. I'm a hungry man here."

Wesley nodded, started the bike and pulled out. He drove through downtown and out until he came to a small steak place he'd found close to home. Moderately priced, pleasant atmosphere and good food. All he ever really wanted in a restaurant. Well that and a table on a Friday night. Guaranteed for him for life, since he and Gunn had cleared the kitchen of a small demonic infestation a while back. He swung into a parking place and shut off the bike. It was almost too bad to have to get off. Xander's arms and closeness had felt wonderful. His growling stomach, however, had other ideas besides cuddling.

"Right. Here we are."

Xander pulled the helmet off and with one hand pulled Wes even closer, pressing front to back. The ride over had done nothing to lessen Xander's hunger. Hunger for Wes. ~Make a note. Motorcycle not good for self-control. Vibration thing. Very bad. Er, or good. I wonder if we can get this thing into Wes' apartment. Or wait, maybe a drive and picnic. Oh yeah, sex al fresco.~

Xander murmured, "Yeah, here we are. Think we can get this to go?"

Wesley swallowed heavily and pressed back. Fumbling the helmet off, he laid his head on Xander's shoulder and closed his eyes. "We could try." Then he turned his head and grinned, opening his eyes. "But that's not a proper date is it? Not a first one and I distinctly remember you wanted to, oh how did you put it, `have dinner and some kissing and groping in a theater'. No wait, you said kissage I believe. That sound familiar?" he teased.

"Huh. You must have me mixed up with some other Xander. 'Cause I would never have said something like that. Nope, not me." Xander drew the older man into a deep and passionate kiss, twisting his body around Wesley's to get as close as he possibly could. "Except the kissage part. I faintly remember that."

Three things cut off Wesley's reply. First, a young couple walking by chuckled. Then his stomach growled loudly. Both caused him to swing back around front and nearly upset the bike. After a second's struggle, he slammed the kickstand down and lightly beat his head on the handle bars.

"Right. After that poetry in motion, I think we'd better eat. Maybe I can regain some semblance of dignity and balance then." He sighed.

"Okay. Okay. The Fates have spoken." Xander released Wes, and got off the bike, laughing. He handed the bike helmet ~Think I'm gonna call her Betty.~ back to Wes, and turned to survey the restaurant. It looked nice, but not too nice. It also looked dark. "Uhm Wes? Aren't there supposed to be lights of some sort? Or do we dine by Braille?"

Wesley looked and sighed. "Bugger. I wonder what happened?" He walked over to the door and saw... nothing. No sign, no curtains framing the door window, nothing. "It was open last week." He grumbled. "Wonderful. Well then, next choice."

He handed Xander back the pink helmet, trying to think of restaurants he knew. Not bloody many and a few were pretty expensive. For a brief moment, he toyed with calling Cordelia and getting her advice. No, that would lead to far more questions that he felt like answering at the moment. Then he remembered a place, top of a hotel, that was nice and not overwhelming. Yes, it would do.

"You know, we passed a couple of burger palaces on the way here..." Xander said, as he pulled Betty back on and climbed on to the bike. "Lots of dead cow to be found there." ~'Cause jumping you is not gonna be an option after too many rides on the vibrating crotch rocket, it's gonna be a moral imperative.~

"No guarantee it's actually cow," Wesley said, mock glaring. "Just let me call and see if they have a table. If not, then hamburgers it is."

He pulled out his cell phone and, after a quick call to directory assistance, he got the restaurant. They did, indeed, have a table and would hold it for Mr. Wyndham-Price. "We've got a table," Wesley said, giving Xander a big eyed look, "shall we?"

Xander grimaced slightly, caught in his own personal Soylent Green flashback. When for a split second he thought he had- 'Doublemeat is people'- eaten someone. And not in a good way. He nodded to Wesley, sliding his arms back into place around the older man's waist.

"Oh yeah. No burgers. Let's go."

*****
Part 2:

The ride wasn't quite a nightmare, but it was close. They were nearly sideswiped by a limo and caught in the ensuing paparazzi chase for the starlet inside. The flashbulbs from the cameras nearly blinded Wesley and it was with a sigh of relief that they pulled up to their destination. A short elevator ride later, and they were finally seated at their table.

"At bloody last," Wesley mumbled as they looked over menus.

Closing his menu, Xander rubbed at his eyes. The near miss with fire-y death had cooled his ardor somewhat, and now he was just happy to be not moving. Not moving in an alive sorta way. He told himself to relax. They were here. In a restaurant. About to order and have dead and charred animal flesh brought to them. It was good. The date was not a disaster. A rocky start, that was all it was, and now the dining and romancing portion of the evening could commence. It was all good.

"M'gonna have the steak with all the trimmings. The big one. How bout you?"

"Sounds smashing." Wesley winced at himself. "After a bit ago.. wonderful, sounds wonderful." The he laughed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm half tempted to order an obnoxiously expensive bottle of wine to go along and take a taxi home." He sat back and looked at Xander. "Glad you're here."

"Yeah, " Xander smiled, sliding a hand over to run a finger along Wesley's hand. "Me too. Glad with the being here. Really glad not to be intimately involved with a twisted hunk of metal accident." Xander paused and his smile broadened, "but really makin' with the happy to be here. With you."

Wesley laced his fingers in Xander's and smiled back. "Well yes, sort of hard to have a date by one's self."

"Well, it can be done. S'not pretty. Actually it's pretty huge on the pathetic meter. And can I once again thank you for going out with me?"

"Thank me?" Wesley laughed. "It's not like it's a hardship, you know. I should be thanking you."

A waiter appeared as if by magic, and considering his life Xander wasn't so sure it wasn't magically induced. He and Wes were having a moment. A sweet moment. Okay, maybe waiter interruptus was a good thing, because Xander was sure of one thing. He couldn't hold on to smooth for extended periods of time. He smiled and released Wes' hand, compensating the lack of hand holding-ness with a light slide of his foot against Wes' ankle, as they both ordered.

After the waiter left, Wesley leaned back across and took Xander's hand. He tried to remember the last time he'd been this overcome with the need to touch. It hadn't been Virginia that was for sure and certainly no one he'd dated back home. Too much touching simply wasn't done. It was probably why he liked it so much now. That or it was Xander. ~Oh you sappy ponce! One night, two months and not even half a date and here I am all cow eyed... twitterpated I believe Fred called it. Not sure I'm sorry one bit for it either.~

"So... how are things in Sunnydale. Dare that I ask."

"Well did the whole coming out thing to the gang... Told you about that. I love them dearly, but if Buffy calls me one of the girls one more time, she's gonna get that one way ticket to heaven she wants..." Xander paused, and looked away slightly embarrassed and slightly ashamed. "Sorry. I really shouldn't go there. Buff's dealing with a lot of bad mixed up stuff right now. I can deal. Willow and Tara are like over supportive." Xander rolled his eyes and smiled at Wes. " Did I tell you about the setup they tricked me into? The 'come over and hang and oh look it's the gay guy we know from classes' setup?"

"No I don't believe you did. " Wesley laughed. "Wait a minute. You only came out to them? But didn't mention me?" Wesley looked mock-shocked. "And here you had me on the ropes earlier, you brat! Cordelia's been thinking I'm gay since we kissed years ago and you give me a hard time." He shook his head. "I do know it might have been hard doing that however and I'm glad they're supporting you. Not sure about the guy from class though."

"What? No.. I mean yes..." Xander paused and rolled his eyes, "Yes, I just came out to them, about two weeks ago. Or did you forget that phone call? And yes, I did tell them about you. I. They. I. " He looked away, mumbling under his breath.

"No I didn't forget the phone call, but the tease was too good to pass on." Wesley said. "You. They. You what?"

"Theydidn'tbelieveme."

Wesley stared. "They didn't believe it was me?" Then he broke up laughing. "I can't imagine why! Doubt they've thought much about me since I've left, never mind what I might be into."

"Yeah. Okay," Xander fought the smile and lost with a chuckle. "Okay it's funny. It's funny *now*. It wasn't funny, when I was standing there going- 'no really, I'm seeing someone. A guy named Wes'- And my best friend is making 'just ignore him... he's shy' hand jive behind me. Like I couldn't see her reflection in the window!"

"Friends can be such a mixed blessing sometimes," Wesley said. "Oh now I wish we'd set this for Sunnydale. I would dearly love to see their faces. As much as I wish I'd had a camera at the office." He let go of Xander's hand as the salads and drinks came. "Wonder if they're timing this?" he muttered as the waiter left.

"Dunno. But of the good," Xander mumbled digging into his salad. After a few bites, he paused and motioned with his fork, "Speaking of the office. Baby. Angel. Angel. Baby. Just slip your mind?"

Wesley slowly finished his bite and then wiped his lips. "It's... rather a long story. And not entirely mine. The sum up is... bugger.." He took a sip of his drink. "Darla, his sire, got resurrected. As a human. They had sex and somehow Angel kept his soul. I think it's because it wasn't a true moment of happiness. Anyway... and here it gets tricky, like anything in our lives is easy," Wesley rolled his eyes at that. "She left, Drusilla apparently embraced her and she showed up a bit ago. Pregnant. There's a prophecy involved, of course, so... Angel has a son. Er, if that makes any sense. I didn't tell you, hell no one in Sunnydale knows, because, well... it's... Angel's story and complicated," he finished weakly.

"Complicated? Complicated." Xander blinked a couple of times and deliberately took another few bites of his salad, listening to his brain boggle. ~Darla. Dru. Darla. Angel. Baby time. Oh, Buff's gonna nuke him, when she finds out.~ He shook his head and smiled wryly. "That's not complicated, Wes. Diabolical, yeah. Complicated, no. Oh man..." Xander rubbed his eyes, " Prophecy huh? End of the World right? You do know Buff's gonna find out, right? Sooner or later. And shit, I'm gonna have to talk to Deadboy now."

"Well, we're not sure about the end of the world... yet. There's something frankly impossible about Conner." Wesley sighed. He'd been working on the prophecies relating to Conner ever since he was born and all they gave him was a head ache. "I'm not even sure if anything is going to come to pass for years, possibly far after Conner is an adult. As for Buffy's finding out, I suggest you leave that between them." Wesley played with his food. "I don't want to sound callous, but this has nothing to do with her. Not every apocalypse requires the Slayer."

"I know. The Slayer may not be needed, but she's not just the Slayer. She's my friend. She's got a right to know. He should have told her." Xander put his fork down and grimaced.

Horns of dilemma were never comfortable. Nope, they smarted like hell. It wasn't like Xander really gave a rat's ass, or any other type of ass, about Angel. If he dropped off the face of the earth anytime soon, no sleep would be lost. Could he keep information like this from Buffy? From his friend? Should he? She wasn't in the best emotional place right now, this might tip her over into never-never land. ~Okay, this sucks! Deadboy is screwing up my life, and sucking away my fun time. Why couldn't he just stay in Hell?~

Wesley found himself wanting to get angry. Buffy Summers had a right to know? Did Angel need to update her on every little thing in his life? She surely never afforded him the same courtesy. He hadn't even known about Glory the Hell God until Buffy was dead.

"And he's not just a Champion, he's my friend. I'm sure there are plenty of things she's not told him." He sighed again. He was getting good at that. "Look, it's not either of our decisions to make here, it's his. And right now, it's making this date rather miserable. I don't want to talk about Angel and Buffy and the eternal Byronic swoon that is their relationship. They keep trying to move on and I suggest we let them. Better or worse."

The waiter, in his continuing display of perfect timing, brought their dinners. Wesley nodded his thanks and stared at his steak. Suddenly he didn't feel like eating. He felt like... going home, getting out his papers and burying himself in his research. There was just a little problem of liking Xander. Wanting to actually have a good time on the date.

"Can we start over? Perhaps with a moratorium on speaking about what Buffy and Angel need to, have done and will do to each other?" He asked quietly.

"For the rest of this evening? Yeah." Xander sighed and reached out for Wesley's hand, covering it with his own. "I really don't want this to come between us. I mean we got so much else to deal with as it is, but you gotta know it's not gonna go away. We can play the 'see no evil, speak no evil' game. But I know now. And maybe I'm not sure on what to do with this little bombshell, but I...." He smiled weakly and shrugged. "I like you, Wes. I like you a lot."

Wesley squeezed Xander's hand and blushed. "I'm quite fond of you as well. And yes, just for tonight. I know it's not going away." He laughed. "Nothing is that easy. I do think, if it came between us, I might curse them both, or at least force them on a cruise together." He gave Xander's hand one last squeeze. "Well then let's eat. I think I might still be starving."

Xander nodded, and picked up his silverware. "Or we could just cover all the bases and force them on a cursed cruise. Ala Voyage of the Damned. You know surround them with shiny happy people. No hair products, expresso machines or people to save. They'd go crazy. Might even have to talk or something... Nawwww, they'd jump ship first."

Chuckling, he looked at his steak for a moment and then, "Mooooooooooooo."

Wesley laughed. Here was a first class example of why he liked Xander: humor, even in the absurd. "If it starts mooing back, I think I shall make a dash for the bike. Or at least the kitchen." He cut into his own, not quite so rare steak and started eating.

"It's always a good idea to commune with the beef." Xander smiled as he cut into his own meal. "Just in case, you know, it decides to try and get up off the plate."

"But what if you just told it to `sod off' in bovine?" Wesley asked, amused.

Xander smiled brilliantly. It was so cool. Wes not only clued into the joke, but played along. "It's a cow Wes, dead or undead, I'm thinking vocabulary pretty much boils down to 'hello, goodbye and so's your mother'. And if my meal tries to get up off the plate, I'm hoping dial the odds hit 'so's your mother'."

Shaking his head, Wesley ate more. Chuckling, Xander did as well, and they ate quietly for a while. Now this was nice. Just the way things were supposed to be on a date.

"New player?"

Wesley froze and slowly turned around. Of course. Lilah Morgan. Why not? "No. Old player, different ball park."

Xander looked up, the smile fading from his face quickly. Whoever this chick was, she was interrupting the fun time and making Wes tense. Two strikes right off the back. She was pretty he supposed, if you like the thin to the point of emaciated, but it was her eyes that made Xander shift his grip on his steak knife. Cold and self amused eyes. Vampire eyes. Even if she wasn't undead, she wasn't far from it or something equally bad. That and she was cheesing him off.

Lilah raised her eyebrows. "Recruiting then? The flake from Texas not working out? Or is he interviewing for the nanny position?"

Wesley drew in a long breath and stood up, his face cold. "As wonderful as it's been to see you, Lilah, I suggest you leave before he gets upset. I don't think pissing off a man who's stopped more apocalypses than you have stock options is a very wise idea."

Lilah took a step back and eyed the young man. She'd never seen him before, but his face was as cold as Wyndham-Price's. Pretty, but cold and very aware of his surrounding. The Englishman wasn't being as downtrodden and despondent as their information led them to believe and it had something to do with the younger man. Interesting and maybe something to look into.

"Go. Away." Xander kept his voice purposely flat and just a touch on the bored side. "Now."

"Don't get your panties in a bunch. I just wanted to say hello to an old friend." Lilah smiled her corporate-lawyer-from-hell smile. "Hello, Wesley. Tell Angel I hear Desetin works wonders for diaper rash."

"Good bye, Lilah..." Wesley said, "Be sure you get the money up front with the next john."

Lilah pursed her lips and walked away. Wesley waited until she walked out the door and sat down. He let out his held breath and took his glasses off, rubbing his eyes. Maybe they should have gone home and ordered a pizza.

"I hate that woman."

"Well, file that under 'D' for duh." Xander scanned the room quickly for other threats. Everything was normal. Normal people eating normal food. Well except for the table full of thousand dollar suits, now staring at Wes and him, trying not to be obvious about it. Xander loosed his grip on his knife, and took a bite of steak before asking. "Another story to tell me, Wes?"

Wesley grimaced, poking at his baked potato. "Lilah Morgan. Works for a firm of lawyers called Wolfram and Hart. They're evil and not just because they're lawyers. Sold their souls, work for the Dark Powers, the whole bloody nasty deluxe evil package."

"An entire firm?" Xander glanced over at the table of lawyers and smiled coldly, before looking back at Wes. "So you gotta plan to take them down yet? And do you need any help?"

"Xander," Wesley began. "It's been tried. They came back. As much as Angel is a Champion of good, that firm is a champion of evil. Call them our nemesis if you will." He sat up and put his glasses back on. "They've got strike teams that make the SAS look like children playing with wooden guns, more resources than the Council has and... no, we don't have a plan other than to keep them the hell away from Conner. It's the best we can do at the moment, fight them when we have to." He gave a small, almost shy, smile. "But thank you for offering."

"Anytime. And I do mean that." Xander smiled, "You do know that right. Buffy and Deadboy the soap opera aside. We'd all be here to help, if you guys needed it. It's what we do. Okay, technically since I don't get paid for it, it's more of a hobby, but you know what I mean..."

"Yes I do know," Wesley said, looking down. "Your hobby, my paycheck. Then again, I don't suppose I can complain. It is mostly what I went to school for. Running the business, I wish I'd taken more accountancy classes." He took a few more bites. "Now, where were we? Oh yes, so would you like to catch a movie after dinner?" He asked, eyes wide and innocent.

"Uhm-uh," Xander fidgeted for a second. He could almost see Suave Xander take the hit right between the eyes and keel over, as big blue eyes tuned in on him. Big beautiful hypnotic eyes. A slightly goofy grin slid onto his face. "Oh-kay."

Wesley nodded and smiled again. "Excellent. You pick."

"Okay," Smile still firmly in place, Xander ate another bite of his steak. The smile morphed into a slight frown when his brain engaged once again. "Uhhhhhhhh what? What did I just agree to?"

Wesley frowned. "To take me to Paris." He burst out laughing at the confused look on Xander's face. "To pick the movie."

"That was not nice, Wes." Xander wagged his fork at the other man. A devilish smirk appeared, and Xander leaned in closer to Wes dropping his voice. "Not nice at all. And could earn you a spanking when you least expect it."

Inhaling sharply through his nostrils, Wesley stared. Two months later and Xander still managed to shut his brain down. "W-well, I guess I'll try to be good." He blushed. "But then I wouldn't get spanked... oh dear Lord... were we going to a movie?" he stammered breathlessly. Yes, phone... conversations hadn't cut it at all.

"Were we?" Xander's smile broadened, as he slipped his foot up Wesley's ankle.

"No?" Wesley asked, swallowing heavily.

"I didn't think so." Xander looked around, saw and signaled their waiter. "Can we get these boxed up to go?" As soon as their plates disappeared, he leaned back into Wes. "This place has got rooms right? 'Cause not thinking I can wait to get back to your place." Nope, a blushing breathless Wes was too much of a temptation.

It took Wesley a moment to process the information. Xander's foot running along his leg was distracting. "Hmm? What? Oh yes. Yes! It is a hotel." ~And my driver's license says I'm an adult. Not that you could tell by how I'm acting! And I rather like it.~ "You grab the boxes and I'll book us a room?"

Xander moved his chair closer to Wes, and slid his hand into the other man's jacket. Half caress. Half investigation. He sighed in regret when he retrieved what he was looking for... he handed the cell phone to its owner. "Call from here, while I pay the bill. Have them run the key up." Nope, no way in hell was he letting Wes out of his sight. Not this close to horizontal-ness. "And Wes? Get a big bed," he whispered as the waiter reappeared with their boxes, and he started to deal with the check.

Wesley took the phone, blinking several times. What was it about Xander Harris that turned him into a stuttering teenager again? Not that he would ever complain, after all it was nice, very nice, not to be the boss. Shaking his head, he got the main hotel number off a matchbook on the table and made the room reservations. The desk clerk assured him that his key would be waiting at the maitre'd's table on their way out of the restaurant. Clicking his phone shut, he waited for Xander to finish with the waiter, grinning slightly.

Signing off on the credit card slip, Xander turned back and was caught by Wesley's little Mona Lisa smile. His grin broadened involuntarily, and he thought for a moment they wouldn't get to the room fast enough. That he was gonna vault right over the table and take Wes right on the restaurant floor.

Clutching the boxes, he rose and motioned to Wes, "Shall we?"

For a moment, he felt guilty about being a horndog. They had talked about getting to know each other, about doing the actual dating deal, about just talking and... Okay. He felt bad. He'd make it up to Wes after they made it. Yeah, after the sex.

"We shall," Wesley said and headed to the door.

He saw a bellboy just clearing the elevators and tried not to snatch the room key from him. Signing the offered registration papers, he barely controlled a dash for the elevator which, of course, closed as they reached it. He stood waiting, making slight contact shoulder to shoulder contact with Xander while the bellboy shifted around nervously. Wesley had the perverse urge to give the nervous boy a show and gave in, taking one of Xander's hands and kissing it.

"Take the stairs," Xander advised the bellhop and slapped a twenty into the kid's hand, as he drug Wes into the opening elevator.

Not even waiting for the doors to shut, he pulled Wes to him and into a passionate kiss. From the hallway he heard, "Thank you Sir! My name's Keith. And if you need anything... I mean *anything*...." The doors closed. And all Xander could think of was a handful of Wesley.

Barely having enough presence of mind, Wesley hit the right floor button and slapped his hand on top of the take-out boxes in Xander's so they wouldn't hit the floor. Then he grabbed a handful of Xander's coat and let himself get very very lost in the kiss. God, he'd missed this. He didn't even notice the elevator had stopped or the doors opened until he heard a polite cough. Breaking the kiss, he blushed several new shades of red at the little old woman standing there. She smiled mischievously at them as Wesley pulled Xander off and down the hall.

When he reached the right door, he had to stop for a second, laughing. "A bellboy and an old woman. Who else shall we give a show?"

"Anyone who wants one, if you don't get that door open." Xander mock growled. Pressing against Wesley, he nibbled and whispered into the older man's ear, "Open the door, Wes. Open the door."

Shuddering, Wesley managed to get the key card slotted and they practically fell into the room. Once again, he slapped his hand down and stopped the boxes from sliding to the floor. He took them and just got them in the small refrigerator under the sink when Xander advanced on him, growling.

It was hooting monkey time. Bent over Wesley had gotten their attention, and Xander got shoved out of the driver's seat. One handy patch of bare wall later, he had himself pressed to Wesley, and was rediscovering other man's taste and the contours of his mouth with a very thorough kiss. The feel of his body moving against another hard body. The squeaky 'screek' noise of their leather jackets rubbing against each other. Happy monkeys.

"Oh God, I missed you. Your taste..." He licked at a span of bare skin at the base of Wesley's neck, while his fingers went on recon under the gray sweater-y thing that Wes had worn. "The feel of your skin."

Happy fingers. They found nipples. Xander let one hand go, rubbing and pinching gently at one hardening peak, while the other pushed the clothing up and out of the way, so he could get his tongue on the other. Happy, chatty monkey-boy. "Mmmmmmmmmmm. Look what I found..." he teased and started to tongue lash the hapless nub.

"Missed you too...aahh!" Wesley gasped as his head thunked back against the wall.

His hands clawed for a purchase on Xander's leather clad back. This was unfair. He couldn't reach anything but Xander's head well. His brain reminded him of two things. One, he was getting lots of cock hardening attention and two, he had a voice. "God yes..." He moaned. "H-harder..."

Oh monkey-boy liked that idea. Xander moaned and started with little nips, just pinching with his teeth. A pinch. A hard suck. A pinch. A roll of his tongue. A soft exhale of hot breath over wet flesh. Both of Wesley's nipples were red and puckered, as if straining to reach his mouth or fingers. ~Well, can't disappoint. That'd be rude.~ Pinning Wesley's shoulders to the wall, Xander's mouth swooped in again. Playing his tongue hard against a tight bud and rolling it between his teeth, Xander scraped against the tender skin.

Wesley groaned louder and started shaking uncontrollably. His hands now scrabbled at the wall while his chest arched out. Sharp pain, melting into sweet pleasure had him keening softly. He couldn't stop shaking, stop wriggling, wanting more, wanting to be touched everywhere.

Oh the sounds! How Xander loved the sounds Wesley made... from the little gasps and moans to the precious mewing. He had almost forgotten... No, that wasn't quite true. Those sounds had haunted his dreams both day and night, but the reality of those sounds were so much sweeter than the memory. A tangible heat making him burn even more for Wesley.

He smiled against the older man's chest, breathing heavily. It was odd in a way, Xander wasn't an aggressive sorta guy. Surrounded by strong women, he had always been comfortable being the mediator and maker of laughs. The follower. Something about this man called to the primitive part of him, whispering to his animal brain. Spoke to the monkey in his head, or maybe it was the vestiges of the hyena. Beause he was definitely feeling the need to hump Wesley's leg right now... Wanted to bite, claw and mark the other man as his and his alone. Surrendering, Xander ground their groins together, cock against cock through the layers of cloth, and bit down hard. He'd leave Wesley with a lovely ring of teeth marks circling his right nipple.

Wesley screamed and damn near came right there. Never, ever had he asked someone to do this to him, for him. Never, in all his sweaty fumblings at school, the sweet soft times with Virginia, had he asked. It wasn't done. It wasn't right. Despite intellectual knowledge of sexuality, he'd never been able to give up control, to ask to be hurt in a good way. Xander made him want to strip, lay on the bed and offer his throat. Maybe it was trust, maybe it was... he didn't know. All he knew at that moment was there were tiny spots of light dancing behind his tightly closed eyes. Hot pain gliding ecstatically down to pool in his groin. Xander's name babbling from his lips.

Grinding himself against Wesley once more, Xander caught the man's mouth in a brutal kiss, swallowing the sounds. Drinking in the babbling brook. The entirety of his mental menagerie were in agreement. It was naked time. It was past naked time. Naked time now! With a throaty chuckle, Xander broke the kiss and started to unbuckle Wesley's belt.

Wesley moaned and opened his eyes. Yes, Xander was indeed undoing his belt. He shivered in anticipation and started to shrug his jacket off. Just before it slipped off... his jacket rang. Oh no. "Oh dear God..." he groaned. They couldn't. They wouldn't. He fumbled his cell phone out. No, they wouldn't unless it was an emergency. He'd told them not to. "I don't believe this... Hello?"

Hands still holding the ends of Wesley's belt, Xander made a sound that crossed a groan and a growl. "No. No. No."

"Wes? We got a vision." Angel's clipped tones, his on the job voice, continued. "Demon's gonna rise and slaughter a bunch of kids. Somewhere on Division. Near the park. We're on the way. Meet you there." The line went fuzzy and disconnected.

Wesley slapped the phone closed, shrugging his jacket back up on his shoulders. "I've got to go. A demon's getting ready to rise and slaughter a group of children." He beat one fist back against the wall. "They wouldn't have called if they didn't need me. Blast. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Xander sighed. He refastened Wesley's belt. "Not your fault. Let's go. The sooner we achieve slay-age the sooner we can resume date-age." And dammit, sooner or later, tonight even, they were getting laid! He picked up the room key from the table, and straightened his coat. "Oh, you got any weapons? Or we improvising?"

Wesley blinked. Then he looked chagrined. Of course Xander would want to come along. "Yes, I have a few things in the bike's hardcases. Not much mind, a couple of hand axes, a machete, stakes and holy water." He opened the door and headed for the stairs. "So a bit of improvising I suppose."

"I call axes!" Xander said. Closing and locking the door behind himself, he hurried after Wesley. For a second, he wondered if they should drop the key off at the desk, but dismissed that idea as just wrong. They'd be back.

*****