Chapter: 1 - Ms. Kitty Fantastico

Universe: Angel, Season 5. Cannon.

Pairing: Fred/Wes

Episodic Timeline: Lineage

A/N: This takes place during Lineage. The timeline may get a bit misconstrued but the basic plot shall remain the same.

Fred rustled through a huge stack of papers on her desk, trying to balance a folder on her other arm, which was proving difficult since it was in a sling. The papers teetered and fell to the floor with a whoosh, sprawling everywhere.

"Oh forget it." Fred sighed exasperatedly. Suddenly, she heard a strange mewling noise. She paused, and listened, there it was again. She followed the sound until she found a tiny black and white kitten, sitting on the edge of her office.

"Well, hello there little guy." She crooned, picking the kitten up in her good hand. "Where on earth did you come from?" The kitten replied with a mew, and began licking her fingers. "Hey," Fred giggled. "That tickles."

"Oh, there that little bugger is." Spike came strolling into Fred's office, picking the kitten up by the scruff of its neck. "Little nipper got away from me. Was playing poker with some guys down in Accounts Receivable, and it just up and ran."

"You gamble with kittens?" Fred asked incredulously.

"Yeah, Pet. It's what the other guys want." Spike shrugged. "Besides what's one less little fur-ball in the world?" He turned to leave and Fred caught his shoulder with her good hand, snatching the kitten back up.

"Well, not this kitten. He's staying with me." She said, "Ain't that right little guy?"

Spike suppressed a laugh. "Its name's Daisy."

"Ah, well, girl then." Fred shrugged, instantly regretting that decision. She followed Spike out of her office and bumped into Knox.

"Ow!" Fred muttered. "Oh, hey." She smiled upon realizing who it was.

"Hi there. We doing animal testing now?" Knox asked, gesturing to the kitten.

"No!" Fred said, horrified. "Or uh, no I was just, well," She glanced up to her office. "I spilled some papers, do you think you could organize them for me?"

Knox nodded. "Sure thing boss. By the way, we still on for dinner tonight?"

Fred's cheeks flushed slightly. "Uh yeah, of course. Eight?"

"Mhm. Eight it is." Knox agreed, holding her gaze for a bit too long because Spike ahemed, making them both jump.

"See you tonight." Fred called as Spike led her out of the Science Department doors.

Fred jerked her good elbow out of Spike's grasp.

"What was that wanker going on about?" He asked, eyeing her skeptically.

"Knox? Oh he just, we were..."

"He's taking you out." Spike offered.

"Y-yeah." Fred said, smiling. "He's a nice guy."

"Oh, sure, right. Nice. Mhm. 'Cept he's been working for Evil Incorporated longer than who knows." Spike said sarcastically. "I thought you and Wesley...?"

Fred rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Why does everyone always think me and Wesley? Me and Wesley nothing. We're just good friends."

"Don't tell me you're that blind, pet. He's got the hots for you."

"Y'know oddly enough I don't remember asking for dating advice from you today, or any day for that matter." Fred retorted. Reaching her destination, she paused outside Wesley's office.

Wesley glanced between her and Spike. "Well, let's just pretend I didn't hear that last bit. How are you?" He gestured to Fred's bandaged arm.

"I'm great. They've got me taking a boat load of antibiotics, but I got the all clear." She turned to glare at Spike.

"Right." He cleared his throat. "I was just going."

Wesley caught Fred's gaze and they stood awkwardly in silence for a minute. "Cute kitten, where'd you get it?"

"Trust me, when I say you don't want to know." Fred flopped into one of the big comfy chairs and began petting the tiny kitten.

Wesley watched. "I'm sorry I didn't do a better job of protecting you."

Fred's attention snapped up. "Protecting me?"

"I mean you shouldn't have been there in the first place." Wesley turned away, glancing at the floor.

"Listen to you. Blaming yourself 'cuz poor Fred got hurt. Stop trying to sound valiant, you're coming off as a self-pitying child." Fred huffed, standing to leave.

Wesley glanced at her, anguish flickering in his eyes. Before Fred gasped as the kitten made a B-line for the lobby.

"Oh no. It'll get squashed." Fred said, starting after it.

Wesley, always the white-knight-wanna-be, ran after it. "Don't worry. I'll get it." He chased it into the lobby, catching the kitten before it reached the elevator doors. He scooped up the kitten. "There." He smiled triumphantly at Fred who came up behind him.

"Aw, a kitten." Harmony cooed from behind her post at the front desk.

Just then, the elevator doors spread open, and Wesley's triumphant smile faltered. "Hello, Father."

A/N: Reviews are pretty : )