Chapter Eight: The Final Countdown

It was mid afternoon and Husk was sweeping the front entrance to pass the time until the new tenants arrived, which was only a few days away. Charlie had spent the last couple of days holed up in her office, doing extensive research on how the mortals rehabilitated their people and had gone around asking everyone at the hotel what they could remember from their past lives.

Well... almost everyone. Alastor had suggested lobotomies and electro shock therapy right off the bat and laughed before leaving for a few days to tend to some 'business', much to Charlie's disappointment and Vaggie's relief.

The other was Angel, who still hadn't come back to the Hotel. She genuinely worried for him and the possibility of him jumping ship before any work could be done. She had tried on multiple occasions to call or text him, but to no avail.

"It's gonna be a damn circus here." Husk said to himself, stopping long enough to take a drag from his cigar and slowly exhale the smoke, tapping the butt so the ash could fall away for him to sweep. "I don't know that fucker's angle is with this one. The hell is he after with the hotel? Clearly she ain't close to her parents. Damn thing is a mess if you ask me." He shook his head and curled his lips around the end of his cigar to continue his chore.

The sound of a car coming up the graveled driveway caught his attention. A classy 1960s black Rolls Royce Phantom with heavy black out tinted windows drove up and stopped in front of the massive building. Husk narrowed his eyes, setting the broom down against the hotel and partially hid himself behind the large spirally leg of the awning. He had seen the 'FKSHTUP' license plate before, but couldn't place a claw on it. He dropped the cigar on the floor and smothered it with his heel. Something wasn't friendly about the vehicle.

The back right passenger door open and Angel fell out, groaning from the soreness all over his body. He sat up and glared at whoever was still in the car. Husk was unable to make out who it was from his angle. He arched a long red brow.

"Hey! What the hell was that about? I'm a god damn delicate flower, you sack of shit." The pink and white spider fumed, "I'll be back soon, but next time don't man handle the goods. Ugh, my sweet ass." A pink duffle bag was thrown at him, knocking him back down. "You limo dick ass wipe. That was unnecessary."

Angel stood on shaky legs and slammed the door shut, a scowl on his face. The car peeled away, causing Angel to jump back. He gritted his teeth from his discomfort and cursed under his breath. Turning around his eyes widen as he saw Husk leaning near the front door, still watching the car go down the long driveway.

Angel ran one of his many hands through his hair, while another pulled at the hem of his striped coat, and the other two dusted his behind. "I need a drink." He said loud enough for the cat demon to hear. He picked up his bag and threw it around his upper left shoulder with a grunt.

Husk was a little surprised that nothing lewd came out of the spider's mouth. For as long as he had been there, which wasn't very long at all, Husk had been subjected to unwanted flirting, sex jokes, and innuendos that he didn't think Angel knew how to NOT turn anything into something revolving around sex. It was amusing at times, but only when not directed at him. He jerked his head toward the door to signal Angel to follow him. It was 5 o' clock somewhere and Husk could use a drink too.

As they entered the bar area, Angel sighed exasperatedly then whimpered as he sat on one of the bar stools, dropping his dusty pink bag onto the floor beside him. Without requesting anything, Husk set down a shot glass and filled it with vodka. His patron wasted no time in swallowing it and slammed the glass down for another shot.

"Rough time at home?" Husk said, placing the bottle down and folding his arms on the polished counter top. "Charlie's been worried about you and Vaggie thought you bailed."

"You can say that." Angel swallowed the second shot. Husk poured him another, for as far as he knew, patients were only allowed two drinks. They didn't say anything about his 'coworkers'. "Can't get enough of this hot stuff, huh?" The spider snickered playfully and winked, "Had some work to do. Shit was more intense than usual but everything is groovy now, baby. I figured if I helped out a little more, I wouldn't need to go back again for a while. Them bitches don't need me much, any how, and I kind of wished I went to the bestie's place first because I could use a bump of nose candy or a shot of her special recipe of black pearl. Staying clean is hard."

The cat demon didn't press the matter, because truthfully he didn't care. He poured one more shot for Angel before opening a bottle of lunch beer for himself. "Well... If I were you, I'd stop by and let Charlie know you're back. She's been really worried about you since you didn't come back the day you promised her."

Angel was shocked. "Ooh, you starting to care for me, handsome? Took ya long enough." He tilted his head toward his chest and did his best bedroom eyes he could muster. The bartender noticed the dark rings under his eyes and frowned a little, his mouth twitching. "Wanna join me for a nap? I'll be big spoon if you want. Hehehe."

Husk rolled his eyes, "Fuck off. I actually liked how quiet it was. Ain't gonna be for much longer though."

Angel whistled, grabbing the bottle of vodka and pouring himself a shot, "It's really happening, this whack job idea Princess Peachy has going. Think it'll work?" He turned away from Husk and stared at the bottles behind the cat, a contemplative look on his face, his four arms folded on the counter.

Husk shrugged, "Doubt it. We were all damned for one reason or another. If it were possible, we wouldn't have the exterminators coming through every year." There was a moment of silence between to the two.

"Yea." Angel sighed at last, looking down as he grabbed his shot glass, "Well, sweetie pie, imma look for that broad and then take a much needed nap. I'll leave my door open if you wanna 'sneak in' to check on me." He winked at Husk and grinned, his golden tooth twinkling in the light.

"Whatever." Husk sipped his beer and watched his sultry coworker limp away after downing the last shot. His eyes narrowed slightly, finally remembering who's car he tumbled out of. "I knew he did porn, but for Valentino? How the hell is he able to still come here? Valentino doesn't let his toys out of his sight." Perhaps things at the hotel wouldn't be so relaxed as he had hoped. 'Wherever Valentino is... Vox isn't far behind. That asshole ain't gonna like this.' He finished his beer and tossed it into the recycling bin Charlie made him use. "Here I thought this gig would be easy."

Niffty's head popped up from behind the counter. "Hey there Husk! Mind if I join you while I take a lunch break?"

Husk scratched the back of his ear and closed his eyes, "Make yourself comfortable." He shook his body once he was done scratching himself and proceeded to whip up a martini for the little housekeeper who set her sandwich on the counter and took a seat

"Excited for next week?" She took the comically large glass with her tiny needle like hands, "I hope the patients coming are nice. I like everyone here, especially Charlie. Isn't she the sweetest? She found some sewing machines in the attic and is getting them repaired for me. When we have time, she was going to take me shopping for fabrics." She smiled wide, her red dotted cheeks disappearing behind her hair and her large eye shimmered with delight, "She asked me to be a teacher for a sewing class. She thinks it'll be therapeutic and she's hoping we could make and donate some stuff to the orphanages and shelters. I don't think she knows they're just meat factories for the cannibals, but it's still really sweet."

Husk opened another bottle for himself, "Yea, I gotta admit I like her too. That dame is something else, but it's hard to believe who her parents are. I could careless who's comin' so long as they don't give me lip."

"Think the master will hurt her?" She looked down at her glass in her lap and used a finger to circle the rim, cause the glass to sing lightly, but not enough to hurt Husk's sensitive ears.

He shrugged, "Ain't our business, Nift. You know that."

Charlie gnawed at her bottom lip, brows furrowed as she waited for Vaggie to finish reading her revised master plan to help the sinners that sought redemption. The project had definitely taken on a new life of its own and with the more mature approach for treatment, she hoped things would work.

She leaned back in her office chair and played with the ends of her hair that was draped over her right shoulder. Her girlfriend sat across from her.

The princess's mind drifted, thoughts filled with a certain male demon dressed in red swam in her head. It had taken a lot of courage to admit that yes, she wanted him physically, and after her confession she had hoped he would stop his teasing and give her the sweet release she wanted. Instead she found herself waiting impatiently and needy as he had left the next morning to attend some business that didn't involve the hotel.

She had forgotten that before his arrival, he had a life and a job other than them. She never bothered to ask what he used to, or at least, still did when he wasn't working for her and her cause. Perhaps it was something they should have discussed before things became so sexually charged. Charlie felt bad for not really knowing him.

Admittedly, she missed him, the way he stared at her with amusement and interest, the way he spoke to her that sent her pulse racing, and his touch... some moments it was a comforting warmth, and others, a cooling sensation that calmed her heated flesh, or the fire that ignited her soul. Charlie had hoped beyond hope that they would have an opportunity to be alone and maybe, if she was lucky, feel his mouth upon her again.

Memories of Hell's Fire Day surfaced and she felt herself blushing. He had left his mark on her for sure, tainting her from being completely satisfied with what she had had up to that point, and damn him, all he had used was his touch and his mouth. What could that wicked mouth of his do to her more... tender and intimate parts? She shivered. He was incredibly skilled at teasing, that much was certain.

They said absence made the heart grow fonder. In Charlie's case, absence made the heat get hotter.

Vaggie nodded as she read, high lighting certain areas as she went. She 'ooh'ed and 'hmm'ed, not once looking up at Charlie. As soon as she was done reading the three page statement, she looked up and smiled.

"Wow, this is great and very idealistic, way better than before. This could be a step in the right direction. I'm proud of you, babe." She handed the notebook back to Charlie.

The princess heaved a sigh of relief, putting her left hand on her chest, "Oh thank goodness. I was worried it'd be just as bad as my puppies and rainbows idea. Thank you so much for your input and helping me research stuff. I wish we had social workers like the living, but I think we can handle being pseudo-therapists and if we split it between group sessions and one-on-one, we might be able to find the redeeming qualities that could grant them another judgement."

The moth nodded, "I like the charity work idea, though, it'll definitely be difficult since there's always a catch here in Hell. I'm glad I haven't had to go to the hospital. I don't want to imagine which organ or limb I'd be missing for the down payment."

The phone on the corner of Charlie's desk rang, making both girls jump from the shrill cry it gave. The blonde demoness picked up the receiver at the third ring.

"Ha-Hazbin Hotel, Charlie Mange, Director of Patient Care speaking. How may I assist... you?"

Vaggie watched her as her eyes lit up, her mouth wide with an ecstatic smile that threatened to rip her face in half. She wondered who was on the line and what news she was being told.

"Y-Yes! We have plenty of rooms still. Move in day is the beginning of next week, you're welcome to come in any time for a tour and a free consolation."

Vaggie's eye widen. A new prospect?

"Mhmm, mhmm. Yes, yes. Sure, you can come after move in day. Let me get your information." The Princess flipped the notebook to the last page and began scribbling notes, "Of course! I can get you clearance to transfer from the fourth circle to the first. Mhmm. My pleasure!"

The grey skinned woman was at the edge of her seat, waiting for her girlfriend to fill her in what was going on even though she got the gist of the one sided conversation.

Charlie felt elated. Things were starting to look up it seemed. She gave whoever was on the line the address of the hotel and finished setting up a date and time that worked best for both parties. As soon as she hung up, Vaggie jumped.

"Did we... did we just get a new patient?" Vaggie asked, wringing her hands together out of nervousness.

Charlie nodded enthusiastically, a silly smile on her face, "Yes!" She slumped into her seat, "We actually have people calling in. I... I might not be a failure after all!" Tears brimmed her eyes, "Mom and dad said they'd visit before opening but... I haven't been able to reach them."

"You're not a failure, Charlie. You just have bad luck getting things off the ground and your parents are always busy. They probably don't have time."

The heiress straightened herself up, "I guess. Ever since that interview, I've been worried how others might see us. Washed up and broken before day one." She sighed, "I want to wait this time and make sure we do this right before I request another interview, if they'll give us one."

"Probably. That was a pretty good fight with Katie Killjoy." Vaggie stood up and giggled, "I love you."

"L-love you too."

"I'm going to get dinner started. I don't think Al's coming back today either and I should give Niffty a break."

Charlie snapped her fingers, a fiery portal opening up next to her, "Here, have Razzle and Dazzle help you." Her two goat demon helpers appeared and bleated, happy to return to the Hotel to assist their mistress after being away on 'vacation' as she put it. While they didn't mind being back home at the palace with the other servants, Charlie was much more kind than the head of staff Lucifer and Lilith employed to maintain their home.

The door knocked and Vaggie went to answer it. She gasped and a small smile settled on her lips before she frowned and glared up at the pink and white fuzzy spider demon.

"Angel, where the hell have you been?" She barked.

Charlie jumped up from her seat and rushed to the door. She squealed in happiness and threw her arms around him, crushing him in a massive bear hug, trapping three of his arms against his long torso. She nuzzled into his abdomen and felt happy tears prick the side of her eyes.

"You're back!" She sobbed.

"You're... crushing me..." he gasped out. Charlie's eyes popped open and she blushed, letting him go and taking two steps back to give him some room. Angel inhaled a large breath, "Shit... I might have to start calling you Lennie. Thought I was gonna die." Truthfully, most physical contact would be uncomfortable with how sore he was at the moment.

"S-sorry. I was really worried. I thought you left us and the hotel. Or something happened to you and I had no way of knowing because I couldn't reach you. You never answered your phone." She pouted at him and crossed her arms. "Promise me next time you'll let me know? I really thought something bad happened to you."

"She honestly thought you got hurt and that's why you didn't answer." Vaggie said as she slipped out the door. "I'll see you at dinner, Angel."

Angel blushed and felt his heart fluttered. He knew Charlie was a genuinely good person and he felt a little bad for making her worry. His eyes were down cast as he scratched the back of his head.

"Sorry, toots. I-I'll be sure to let you know if I'm running late, but I don't need ya keeping tabs on me like I'm your kid or somethin'. Deal?"

Charlie shook her head, "All I'd like to know is when you'll be back. I'm not a warden, I don't need to know your every move. I trust you to make better ones since the Cherri Bomb and Sir Pentious debacle. It's dangerous out there, Angel, so I worry." 'I suppose I'm worried about HIM, too.'

Angel pat the top of her head, "Fine, I'll keep you in the loop. I'm going to head up stairs and sleep now. See you at dinner."

"See ya."

It was late at night and Charlie sat at the pool edge by herself, wanting some alone time to collect her thoughts and enjoy the rare quietness in the air now that everyone had retired to bed after dinner. She looked up into the night sky where the giant pentagram shown, giving the surrounding clouds a soft reddish tint. A breeze blew through, tussling her hair slighting. She was dressed in a black bikini with an upside down pentagram design on the front and back. It dipped in between her modest cleavage, accentuating and giving the illusion her breasts were larger than they were. Her bottoms were a plain black, tied at the sides. The black contrasted with her pale skin delightfully to her secret admirer.

Alastor stood behind her in the shadows, hidden in the cabana he materialized in, his eyes illuminated red radio dials in the dark and his jagged teeth glowing as he grinned.

He had returned from a major hunt and had taken some time off to dispose of the evidence. It would be sometime before the Dukes were noticed to be missing, especially with the chaos that had erupted from a major battle near by. Everything was going according to plan. He chuckled to himself and stepped out, the soft clicks of his trade mark shoes drawing Charlie's attention.

She gasped as her head whipped around, wondering how she hadn't noticed anyone in the area with her. Her surprise turned to happiness as she noticed who it was. Suddenly she felt naked and grabbed her towel to wrap herself up and hide her indecency. She wanted to smack herself suddenly, remembering that she practically threw herself at him and consented to the loss of their sexual game of cat and mouse. She had wanted him, but she was also shy and kind of scared, not knowing what kind of lover he'd be. Her heart raced at the thought.

'At some point... he and I will... oh dear...'

Alastor chuckled as he took a seat on cushioned lounge chair beside her, resting his microphone cane on his lap as he leaned back on the pillow supporting his back, "Good evening, my dear." He removed his gloves and placed them on the table beside him.

"Welcome back, Al." She said shyly, tucking a loch of hair behind her ear and moving herself so she could face him better. One leg still remained in the water as the other bent for her to rest her chin on, "I wasn't sure when you'd be back. Angel arrived today too so it's nice knowing everyone is back... home."

The Radio Demon patted his lap, his staff disappearing in its own in a small puff of black and red smoke. Charlie removed her legs from the pool and crawled to sit near Alastor, her towel slipping off her shoulders. His mouth twitch, knowing full well that she didn't realize how seductive that move was for him, having her crawl on all fours toward him with so little clothing on. Eyes half lidded, lips slightly parted. Absolute perfection.

She kneeled next to him, hesitant to move. Sensing her worry, Alastor wrapped an arm around her torso and pulled her gently to him. She got the hint and sat on his lap, her legs curled along his side as she settled into his chest. She knew she was blushing again as she tucked herself underneath his pointed chin. His hand rested on her hip just above the knot of her bottoms, but made no movement. She rested her right hand on his chest while her left laid limply on her pelvis.

There was a peaceful silence around them. Charlie actually enjoyed it. Could she consider this cuddling? She thought he would be more forceful or aggressive as they began their odd relationship. 'Friends with benefits?' Charlie had thought many times about what to call it other than mater and pet. It was a pleasant surprise that he wasn't forcing her to do anything that she wasn't quite ready for yet. She was still trying to adjust to the fact that no matter what, she was cheating on Vaggie willingly, if only long enough to satisfy a craving only he could cure since he planted the seed. Thankfully everyone's room faced the front of the hotel, and Vaggie had Razzle and Dazzle to keep her company, so the chances of anyone catching them curled up together on the chair was minimal.

"My apologies for being gone so long, dear. I hope you weren't worried. Once this place is officially open, I'll be sure to put you as a priority." His radio audience 'aww'ed.

She blushed and sat up to look at him. "It's ok. I wasn't that worried. N-not that I don't worry about you OR uh, everyone else. It's just... that... well..." she bit her lower lip and looked away, trying to figure out the right words, "I thought we would um... you know... p-play?" Charlie whispered the last word. She was certain if she faced him, her face would be glowing like the pentagram in the sky.

Alastor's left hand began to move away from her hip, teasingly gliding over her bare lap then down her long toned legs. She shivered.

"Impatient aren't we, my pet?" He chuckled and leaned forward to plant a kiss on the junction of her shoulder and neck. Charlie gasped, "I too wish to start, but I'm afraid I need to finish some work before you have my undivided attention." The hand on her legs moved her right one up. He trailed his index finger up her inner thigh, his claw tickling the sensitive skin. She inhaled a large breath, her eyes fluttering close.

His other hand, which at the point was still on her hip, moved up her side and brushed along the underside of her bikini top. His left massaged the tender area of her left thigh, his long fingers bumping the underside of her bottom. She whimpered and bucked her hips slightly as his thumb gently brushed her core.

Charlie did her best to remove his bow tie and unbutton the high collar of his shirt with shaky hands. Alastor slipped his right hand underneath the cup of her bikini and squeezed her breast. She hissed at the sensation of his palm pressed over her beading nipple. Once she managed to get his neck exposed, she trailed kisses from the underside of his chin to his collarbone. She marveled at the feeling of his skin on her lips. She wanted to feel more of him.

The Radio Demon withdrew his hand from her top and moved his left hand to rest on her hip again. She whined and sat up to look at him with a pout in her face.

"W-why'd you stop?"

He looked down at her and gave her a toothy grin, "As I said my dear, I have some work that needs to be done before we can freely indulge in one another. Perhaps you can help me get another sponsor. She is a good friend of mine, but I'm afraid I may have upset her a little. Maybe if she met you, your charm will break down her walls and convince her to help."

Charlie licked her lips, "I... I guess." She yelped in surprise as he suddenly stood, picking her up as if she weighed nothing.

"Splendid. Tomorrow night then. First impressions are everything to her, so I do suggest you wear dancing shoes." He carefully set her down.

"Where are we going?"

"To the B.O.P. Lounge, my dear. Mimzy owns it, as well as other night clubs, but this one is my personal favorite. Reminds me a lot of a life long ago with the music and aesthetic. I think you'll find it quite delightful." He took one of her hands in his and kissed the knuckles, "Good night, my dearest Charlie. I promise to take care of you soon." He grabbed his gloves and bowed to her before walking away.

Charlie frowned, "Damn tease." She dove into the pool to cool herself off before heading back up to her room.