Summary: My re-written sequel to "Second Beginnings". This is more M lite for some violence and sexy stuff. Catherine is visiting Angel in LA. Less Slayer fighting in this one. I can only write "roundhouse kick" so many times before I make it lame. The translation for the german spoke in this is in italics. Please leave reviews, I thrive off it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Whedonverse. If I did, things would be a lot different.

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Catherine stepped outside of the massive hotel and took in a deep breath. The building was an architectural wonder and it was a real beauty. Catherine couldn't understand why she felt so jumpy. It'd been only three months since she last saw everyone and she just talked to Dawn four days ago. The cab driver loaded his arms with luggage while Catherine held a few smaller bags and a sheath holding a gilded Sword. They stepped into the empty lobby and Catherine motioned for the driver to set the bags off to the side. As she paid the fare, Catherine could hear distance voices coming closer to the lobby.

"So then Robert decides to jump on his brother's bed instead," said a blonde woman as she came into view. Her laughter was mixed by the darker blonde that followed. The first blonde noticed Catherine standing by the door looking nervous.

"Hi, can we help?" the woman asked when the sudden yelp behind her stopped any further questions.

"Omigosh, Cat when did you get here?" Dawn asked as she rushed forward to give her friend a hug. Catherine returned the hug while she answered her.

"Just now. I wasn't sure anybody was even here."

"Oh, the guys took the Slayers to kill some kind of mustard demon or something. All I know was it was icky and I didn't want to ruin my new jeans." They both laughed at the comment as Catherine's eyes drifted to the blonde now leaning against the front desk. She was tall and looked to be in her mid-thirties or forties. Dawn followed her gaze and began the introductions.

"Kate, this is Catherine, an old friend of Angel's and Cat this is Det. Kate Lockely." The two women shook hands when the Kate's name triggered something in Catherine.

"Oh yeah, Kate. Angel mentioned you before. Some case involving zombies. But I thought you were let go?"

"I was. But with the destruction of Wolfram & Hart, the police were finally able to get rid of the corrupt cops and asked me to come back. So, my husband Gerald and I packed up the kids and moved back to LA," Kate explained. Something about the girl made Kate like her, and she hoped they would become friends. She turned to Dawn and tapped the manila folder sitting on the desk. "Have Angel let me know if he finds anything. I'll talk to you later Dawn. Catherine it was nice to meet." Catherine gave her a warm smile and waved bye as the detective left the hotel.

"Hey sit down and I'll pour us some coffee. The boys should be back in a few minutes. This will give us a chance to gossip." Catherine sat down on the round couch in the middle of the lobby and accepted the mug as Dawn flopped down beside her. After Dawn settled she began her barrage of questions.

"What's the new Watcher Ackerly like? How are the new slayers? Who's CJ seeing now? How long are you going to be here? What about the club?"

"Okay, slow down. Cale Ackerly is a great Watcher and really funny. Jamila and Zanna are super sweet and two wonderful fighters. CJ is actually dating Cale, but they're keeping it quiet for now. I'm here for a few weeks and CJ's watching the club. Did I get everything."

"Wait, the new watcher's gay?"

"If he wasn't before, he is now. So how is school and everyone?"

"Everyone is fine. Illyria is in Boston helping Faith with something or other and school is school."

While the girls chatted inside, a black SUV pulled up to the front of the hotel and several people filed out. Connor and Angel helped Gunn out of the vehicle while three young girls covered in yellow slime exited on the other side. A tiny blonde slayer angrily muttered in German at Angel. "Ich hasse, im Schlamm bedeckt zu werden." I hate being covered in slime.

"Um, yeah, of course," he replied not having the slightest idea what she had just said. As the group approached the doors Angel felt the pull in his gut again. This time it was stronger and he knew she was nearby. Angel quickly made his way up the front steps and saw her looking at him come through the door. Catherine handed her cup off to Dawn and made her way over to Angel who took her into a big hug. They pulled apart slightly when the others entered the room. Connor showing his happiness at seeing her, the others looking on curiously.

"When did you get in?" Angel asked looking down at her.

"About ten minutes ago. I got to meet your friend Kate. Are you working on a big case?"

"You're on vacation remember. Don't worry about it. Oh hey I want you to meet some people. These are some fellow Slayers. Gabriella, Raquel, and Elsie. Elsie speaks German, so if you could help with the translating while you're here…" he began to ask.

"You're so lucky I know languages. Of course I'll help." Catherine stepped back to get a better look at the slayers when her eyes fell on the man in the wheelchair. Smiling brightly she offered her hand to him.

"Hi, I'm Catherine, you must be the famous Gunn." Gunn shook her hand firmly and returned the smile.

"And you're the pretty lady Caty. You are so much better looking than Angel said." Gunn's remark caused both Catherine and Angel to blush. Everyone began making their way into the lobby as the slayers ran upstairs to shower. Angel glanced at the luggage near the door and the sheathed Sword leaning against them.

"Exactly how long were you planning to say?" Angel asked. Catherine's eyes dropped for a moment before she answered.

"Only a week or two. Some of those bags are empty. I plan on doing some major shopping while I'm here." Angel walked over to the desk where Kate had left the folder and picked it up. He caught Catherine's eye as she looked on curiously.

"I know what you're thinking and no. You're not going to get involved in this. Not while you're on vacation. Dawn, why don't you take Caty to the kitchen to get some food while Connor takes the bags upstairs. I'll meet you guys in the kitchen." Catherine watched Angel walk to the offices in the back as she followed Dawn to the kitchen. As she helped Dawn prepare sandwiches for everyone, they discussed Catherine's plans for the week.

"Well, tomorrow I'm going to see an old friend of mine and maybe take in a few sights."

"I don't have class tomorrow, maybe I could come with you," Dawn suggested. Catherine hesitated for a second before assuring her that the idea was great. Instantly the kitchen was filled with hungry slayers and warriors alike.

"Haben Sie irgendwelche mit gerechtem Truthahn und mayonnaise?" Do you have any with just turkey and mayonnaise?

"Ich kann Sie ein reales schnelles bilden," Catherine said as she began making another sandwich. Everyone looked at her in wonder. "What? All I said was I'd make her a sandwich. She wants turkey with mayo." The group just nodded and went back to eating and their conversations. Angel just smiled at her as she talked to the little blonde slayer. As he watched her he could feel something building. Something new and familiar at the same time. Angel shook the thoughts out of his head and returned to the warm mug of blood in his hands.

After everyone had eaten, the crowd headed upstairs for the night. The Slayers slept on the second floor with Gunn whose room was at the end of the hall. Catherine continued to follow Angel after saying goodnight to Dawn and Connor at the doorways of their separate rooms. The room was done in lovely hues of pale greens and yellows.

"I hope you like it. I know it's not as big as your fancy loft, but I thought it'd be best if you were next to my room."

"I love it," Catherine said honestly. The thought of Angel being in the room next to hers caused a small flutter in her stomach that she hadn't expected. Yawning, she said goodnight to Angel as he closed her door. Soon Catherine was asleep but had troubling dreams all night.