Cactus

The street market was busy, and Doyle pushed his way through the crowds - trying to hurry, even though he didn't know what he was looking for. That morning, he and Angel had pooled a very small amount of money together and he had been sent out on a present buying mission. Well, Angel couldn't go - what with the bursting into flames and all. So it was up to Doyle to buy Cordelia a housewarming gift.

But he had no idea what to get her and no money to get it with and not much time to find it. And all these crowds kept getting in his way.

He stuck his head down and his elbows out and dug his way through, until he stumbled out into a clear patch. He found himself standing at a market stall selling house plants. One in particular caught his eye.

'Can I help you, sir?' the person behind the stall asked.

Doyle just kept on staring at the plant.

It was perfect.

It was all prickly - just like Cordelia. She could be so thorny, that trying to get to know her became an extreme sport and tweezers and bandages were needed after every encounter.

And it just happened to be green with blue spikes - just like him. His other face.

It was like a sign from the heavens that this was meant to be - that they were meant to be. Not that she would recognise the significance, especially not of the colouring … but he would know.

'Sir?' The person asked again.

He shook his head, and looked up. 'Yeah - sorry - um - how much for the cactus?'