Doyle's What?

Why did this always happen to her?

Was it not bad enough she had lowered herself to be with Xander Harris, only to have that decision well and truly thrown back in her face, but now - now - she had only just come to the conclusion that maybe Doyle didn't have zero potential, had just put herself out there … and it turned out he had a wife?

All this time. All this time in the office together, with him flirting with her, inviting her over to his place, making eyes at her … and he'd been married the whole time. Was any of it real? Why was it that every time she felt ready to reach out to someone, ready to make a connection, they always let her down? There was always another woman. Boy, did she know how to pick 'em.

And Angel was less than any use. He didn't even blink when Cordelia told him Doyle was married, didn't even hesitate - just reached out and shook this chick's hand. This chick. Doyle's wife. Mrs. Doyle. But there was Angel acting like this was no great surprise. Apparently being Mr. Joe Stoic Poker Face came in handy in all situations.

Oh - and would you listen to that - Doyle was lying to his wife as well, like he had lied to Cordelia, telling this interloper that he owned the business and the office. Cordelia tutted, 'that is so …'

And then Angel dug her in the ribs with his elbow and she went quiet, tutting again. So - Doyle could lie to them for months, and then they were just gonna aid and abet him in further lies, huh? Is that how it was gonna be?

It was time for more information. 'So, you guys were really married?'

'Were and still, according to the paperwork,' Doyle's wife said.

'So it was a green card thing?' She couldn't keep the note of hope out of her voice.

...but that hope was crushed. Nope. Apparently it was a madly in love, couldn't live without each other sort of thing.

Doyle was looking awkward. Good. He deserved to look awkward.

Then his Mrs. looked awkward too: 'but I guess times change, 'cause here we are four years later living just fine.'

So they were definitely estranged. That was something at least. It wasn't like he put a day's work in at the office, flirting with Cordy, and then went home every night to the little woman. Maybe not mentioning a wife he hadn't seen in four years wasn't so terrible. Like, he would have had to have brought her up at some point, surely - but OK, maybe she wouldn't be the first thing he talked about; he wouldn't have had reason to bring her up in the workplace … maybe ...

And at least Doyle didn't seem happy to see her. They must have broken up for a reason - and from the look on his face that reason still rankled.

And then ... everything got much better. The door opened again and a big, dorky looking guy came in, gushed over how handsome Angel was, insulted Doyle and then announced there was a wedding in a few days.

Everyone looked even more awkward. 'I wasn't supposed to say that, yet, was I?' the dorky guy said.

Cordelia smirked, feeling supremely satisfied, 'no, please,' she sank down onto the sofa and smiled at the dork, 'go on.'

And then - speaking of dorks - Angel grabbed hold of her and bundled her out of the room, talking about reports which didn't even exist.

So now she had no idea what was going on up there, and Angel had specifically forbidden her to ask Doyle when he eventually came to find them, and she didn't know what to think or feel.

All she knew was: she hadn't realised how much she was looking forward to going out with Doyle until the opportunity was taken away from her.

And now she didn't know if she would get that opportunity again, or if she had missed her moment.

And she had no idea how to act around Doyle now, or where this left them. So she decided to make matters simpler by just going home early - and tomorrow she would pretend none of this had ever happened.