WARPED REFLECTION

(Part Twenty-one)

By Ruth Quist

Rating: T (for language and violence, same as show)

Disclaimers: This fan fiction is copyrighted (2004) by the author. No infringement on the rights of Mutant Enemy, Inc., Greenwolf Corp., Lazy Dave, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar Television, Twentieth Century Fox Television, UPN or The WB, or any other legitimate holders of copyright for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, or any other characters contained therein is intended. This material is produced entirely for the entertainment of fans. No profit is made.

Faith was at loose ends, with Wesley and Angel tied up with some last minute business, before they all got down to the real business of the day. She had looked in on Angel and he was arguing over business practices and budgets with some woman called Eve. She walked right back out (like she wanted to get involved in some corporate infighting, now, if he wanted his secretary staked…). She wandered through Wolfram and Hart aimlessly (but making sure to pass Angel's blonde vampire secretary twice just to watch her squirm). Finally, she decided to check in on Lorne. She traipsed into his office and sat on his desk as he finished a call with his latest client. She chewed her gum vigorously and swung her feet back and forth impatiently as she listened, but smiled at Lorne over her shoulder.

He waggled his fingers at her cheerily as he wrapped up the call, "Sweetheart, you just be on the set tomorrow morning at 6 am and be ready to knock their socks off. I'll do the rest." He listened for a second and then said, "Right, Ciao." He shut his cell phone and leaned back in the chair, taking a big breath, "It's amazing the hand feeding you have to do with actors." Then, leaning forward with interest, he asked, "What can I do for you, Sweetie?"

Faith looked at him smirking, "Soooo, if I wanna date with the latest hot rocker, should I see you?" She blew a bubble and popped it.

Lorne scowled, "I just got off that merry-go-round, and anyway both you and I know someone in England is waiting to 'surprise' you. You've definitely raised your standards to higher education lately." She just smiled and swung her legs a little faster. Lorne continued, "So, what are you doing here? Waiting for the dawn patrol?" He looked at his watch, "Well, actually, the ten o'clock patrol?"

Faith smiled and hopped off the desk, "Yep. Wesley had some errand to run but as soon as he gets back we're on the 'Get Winston' hunt." Faith leaned dangerously over Lorne's desk but her eyes twinkled with humor, "By the way, Lorne, what's up with the whole 'Psycho' ringer thing on Wes' phone."

"Oh, give it a rest, Twinkie! You don't scare me," Lorne laughed and then continued a little nervously, "Well, actually you do a little, but both you and I know you like the rep without living with the inner psychobabble anymore. I knew you'd enjoy the joke without thinking it was what I think of you." He smiled broadly at her, "We both know you're in a different place these days."

Faith looked a little uncertain, "Am I really okay, Lorne? I, um, have nightmares at night worryin' 'bout it." She paused, looked around in case anyone could overhear, and leaned a little more forward, whispering, "I could sing or something."

Lorne got up, came around the desk, and wrapped his arm comfortingly around the doubting woman, "No need, sweetie. I could read you the first time I saw you talking to Wes after you arrived. You wear your heart and soul out for the world to see, if people would take the time to look. I know it isn't easy but you've done the hardest part. You've picked your path and you've got the determination to stay on it."

Faith smiled broadly at the green demon. Then looking at him a little quizzically, she asked, "So what's the deep message in Angel's 'Batman' theme song?"

Lorne laughed, "No message, darlin', just a poke at the big guy, gotta keep him humble."

They both laughed at the mental image of Angel as the caped crusader as they walked out the door and down the corridor, humming the Batman theme song together as a duet.

…………………………

Wesley was on his way up in the elevator as his phone rang, "Hello?…Oh, Mary! How are things going with father?"

"Wesley, the watchers have deserted father," Mary sounded slightly shocked. "I can't blame them but I'm surprised they actually did it. I didn't think those old cronies of father's would be deterred by anything. I guess this was just one step farther than even they could accept." Her voice grew angry, "None of us knew about this ridiculous scheme of turning watchers into vampires on purpose and reensouling them. The others were, in fact, told that the reensouling was done after the fact to bring good members of the council back into the fold. Basically making the best of a bad job. However, when they learned the truth, they refused to be a part of the scheme anymore and left—this morning, in fact. I tried to get him to leave but he's being stubborn and I'm afraid I don't have the patience to mollycoddle him into a more reasonable mood."

Wesley reflected on this and asked, "So, what are you going to do?"

Mary sounded thoughtful, "I've got an idea but I'm not sure. I'm seeing Rupert at lunch. I think I'll talk it over with him."

"Rupert, huh? Wesley smiled, "You're on a first name basis now, I see"

"Oh, give it up, Wesley," Mary replied good-naturedly. "You know you aren't going to get a rise out of me."

Wesley sobered, "You take care. Winston is still out there and I'd rather not lose anymore family."

"The same goes for you, baby brother," Mary was equally serious. "To Winston, I'm not even on the board. It's sad to say, but the fact that he and father share such misogynist tendencies has its advantages. You, on the other hand, seem to have his complete and undivided attention."

"Not enough of his attention to avoid all this collateral damage he seems to leave in his wake," Wesley said darkly.

Mary softened her tone, "I know you hate what he's doing but we both know that Winston was lost to us a long time ago and neither of us made him what he is today."

Wesley sighed in agreement. The elevator door opened at Wesley's floor and he stepped out, "I'm going to find him, Mary. At least I can give him some peace. Let me know what you decide to do about this business with father."

"I will," Mary assented. "Just be careful. One thing you and Winston have always shared is your single-minded focus on whatever you were concentrating on at the moment—even to your detriment. And for Winston, at the moment, that seems to be you."

To be continued…

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter. Next one should be short too and then two good things should be able to happen. First, I should be able to make longer chapters and, second, the action should pick up in the story (just because we've finally reached that point). Thank you to my one reviewer, goldenshadows. Glad you like the story so far. I miss the show and I also wish they'd do a movie (and bring Wesley and Fred back!). Think of this story as between when the gang decided to take over Wolfram and Hart and when they really started to in the show. I may have a little bit of Spike but not much. You're right about many characters being complicated as far as story plotting goes. Definitely more father-son interaction coming!