Title: New Guest

Author: Jmaria

Rating: Pg-13

Spoilers: Season 5 of Angel, round the third book for the Keeper series

Disclaimer: Joss owns Angel, Tanya Huff owns the Keepers

Summary: A cat, a woman, and a demon meet in a bar.

Word Count: 300

The Elysian Fields Guest House was not the first place he would have thought to go after leaving L.A. But here he was, in Canada of all places. Aggie had given him that little piece of advice before he left. After they had rescued Cordy and Fred from Pylea, Lorne had lost touch with her. She stopped in, just once after they had lost Fred and given it to him. He was surprised he actually remembered it, considering all of the Sea Breezes he'd been knocking back then. Pushing the door open, he dropped his suitcase.

"Can I - oh." The tall dark haired young man blinked a few times.

"Hi there, is the Keeper in?"

"The Keeper - Claire?"

"Aggie wasn't specific, sweet cheeks, she just said to ask for the Keeper."

"She's out, handling a Summons." He replied, guardedly.

"I have a reservation. I spoke with Austin. I'm guessing that's not you?"

"No, he's not, and I think I'm insulted. That's Dean, my personal can opener." A large black and white cat, "You Lorne Deathwok?"

"Deathwok?" Dean shot the cat a strange look.

"It's more of a clan name than one I chose. I run away from it as often as possible. I just need a room for a few nights." Lorne sighed.

"Room four's open, if you don't mind life sucking mummy smell." Austin started cleaning his paw. "It's been aired."

"I'm a little touchy about things that come out of sarcophaguses."

"We've got another room." Dean assured him, "Just sign here."

"It didn't end well last time I was told that." Lorne hesitated before signing.

"Long as you don't mention it by name - we won't." Austin hopped down off the counter.

"He's the brains of this operation?" Lorne asked.

"Seems cats normally are." Dean sighed.