Disclaimer: The Buffy and Angel characters are not mine will never be mine. (sob) They belong to Joss Whedon and Co. The original characters and the story are mine though.

To Imzadi: Sorry the courtroom business is so short but I didn't feel competent to make it longer.

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. It makes me all warm and tingly.

The clock on the mantel struck two. The poker game had ended when Anya went to sleep in the guest room and Lindsey went to finish a brief. The others had remained in the living room.

Clem peered into his mug. "I think this needs less egg and more nog."

Spike shook his head. "No more nog for you. You remember what happened the last time. We were cleaning the kitchen for days. You just can't hold your liquor mate."

"I suppose you're right. Feels kinda nice though. Hey, wasn't it great to see the Slayer again? She looks good I think. A little tired though."

When Spike said nothing Clem continued. "Um, I didn't touch a sore spot did I? You two are okay?"

"Yeah. We're okay. Dont you worry.

"You're all quiet over there Morgan."

"Nothing to say. Mark this day on your calendar."

There was a loud knocking on the door followed by a dwarf entering the room. Bowing to the fashion of the 21st Century he was wearing jeans and a sweater. He did have the requisite long white beard.

Morgan sighed deeply. "What have they gotten themselves into?"

"The former Watcher received a phone call on his cell and he must have gotten some kind of tip because they went up to The Bronx. They're in Fangs territory, corner of Simpson and 163rd. Nothing has happened yet but they're being watched."

"How many?"

"At least twenty, possibly as many as thirty. It's only Buffy, Angel and Wesley. The other two went back to the hotel."

"At least two of them have some sense."

Lindsey came in to the living room and raised his eyebrows at the scene.

Morgan sighed again and stood up. "Okay, let's saddle up people." He paused for a moment. "I've always wanted to say that."

"Don't say it again," said Spike.

The Three strapped on their swords, stood in their usual circle and vanished.

Clem and the dwarf, whose name was George, sat down to play some Gin.

The Three materialized on the roof of a building on the corner of Simpson and 163rd Street. They looked down into the street and quickly spotted Buffy, Angel and Wesley trying to get into a building without actually knocking the door down.

Spike shook his head sadly. "You'd think they were new at this."

There was movement in the shadows as the Fangs began to close in. Angel was the first to feel them coming. He said something to Buffy and Wesley. The three of them got into a tight group, back to back. Seeing that the element of surprise was gone the Fangs attacked.

The first few were easily dispatched but then the going got harder. These Weren't fledglings but battle hardened vampires who had survived for years on the streets. The Fangs had held this territory for more than a decade by never backing down. The Three watched as Angel Buffy and Wesley were forced back against the wall of the building. There was nowhere for them to go.

The Three descended from the roof in a leisurely fashion and came out onto the street. Spike whistled through his teeth. The Fangs at the rear turned toward the sound and one of them came out of the group to confront The Three.

"What are you doing here? These are not innocents that you need to protect."

Morgan grinned at him. "Call it a whim. Or maybe the Christmas Spirit. Why don't you guys just call it a night?"

The vampire growled. "I didn't become the leader of the Fangs by backing down."

"Thats not what I heard," said Spike. "I heard you bought your way to the top."

That did it. The vampire leapt forward, teeth bared and eyes flashing. Spike side-stepped and as the vampire went past brought his sword around.

Spike brushed the former vampire off of his duster. "Who's next?"

The Fangs shuffled their feet and looked at one another. Then a new leader showed himself.

"Let's go. We've got time for a game of Kick the Head before sunrise."

The Fangs dispersed, quick as smoke, leaving only silence behind.

Buffy strode up to confront The Three. "We could have handled that."

Spike shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe. Maybe not. Doesn't matter."

"How did you know we were here?" asked Wesley.

Lindsey replied, "We have our ways. That doesn't matter either. Why were you here? You do know this is the neighborhood that had the nickname Fort Apache? It's not like it was back then, but it's still dangerous, even for you."

"We received information that a group of demons was going to perform a ritual here tonight. The source is usually reliable."

"Yeah. But who was your source's source? Never mind. You've changed Wesley; you've gotten impulsive. I think I like it, even though we're out here in the freezing cold, in the middle of the night and I've got a meeting at 10 am tomorrow."

"And I have a class at 11:30."

"I don't have to be at work until six," said Spike.

Morgan looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I don't like you."

Spike just grinned at him.

"We're going to send you kids home now," said Morgan. "So stand all together."

"We can get home ourselves," said Buffy.

Angel took a step forward. "I'm not going to turn down a free ride. Come on. The others are waiting."

The Three formed a circle around Buffy, Angel, and Wesley. They raised

their arms and held them palm to palm. A moment later the group in the

circle was gone. A moment after that The Three were gone as well.

The next morning Wesley woke before nine but found that Cordelia was already up and dressed.

"You're an early bird today Cordelia."

"I was thinking, we should go to Columbia; you said Morgan is teaching today at eleven. I've been thinking of enrolling at UCLA. Maybe sitting in on a class will help me decide."

"I'll go with you. I suspect it will prove most interesting. History taught by someone who was actually there."

Columbia's campus was as busy as an anthill. Students and faculty rushed back and forth clutching bags and briefcases. Wesley and Cordelia had little trouble in finding the history department. The woman behind the desk was actually helpful so ten minutes later they were seated in the back of Morgan's classroom. He had noted their arrival with little more than a flicker in the eyes.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today we're going to do something a little different. Instead of following the curriculum I'm going to let you choose. Pick an event in history and I'll tell you about it; all the juicy details."

The students gathered in a circle. After what appeared to be a heated debate they seemed to come to an agreement. A tall boy in glasses was picked as spokesman.

"The Battle of Agincourt."

"Been watching Henry V have we? All right."

Morgan settled himself on his desk and began the lecture. Wesley and Cordelia found themselves rapt. The room receded and was replaced by a muddy field filled with the sound of weapons clashing, horses and men crying, the sight of arrows flying overhead and the smell of blood and fear. For an hour he wove the story and transported the class to another time and place. Then he stopped and the room came rushing back.

"So there you have it. Not quite like Shakespeare portrayed it, but the movie was not far off in its visual depiction of the battle. War is blood and fear and death. Even now in the age of the surgical strike." He looked at his watch.

"That's all for today. We'll pick up where we left off on Thursday."

The students gathered their books and left the room in silence. Wesley and Cordelia made their way to the front of the classroom.

"That was amazing," exclaimed Cordelia. If I'd known college could be like that I'd have gone sooner.

Morgan smiled at her. "Learning is always like that; when it really happens.

"Did you two come here just to hear my lecture? I'm flattered."

"Cordelia came to check out college life. I came to apologize. We were not very gracious earlier. Lindsey was quite right; I was impetuous. We could all have been killed. So I wanted to say thank you."

Morgan raised an eyebrow. "You are most welcome. I would love to stay and chat but I have a faculty meeting to go to. Nasty things. I'd rather fight a Fyarl demon but that's life. I'll see you two later I'm sure."

"So, you want to go check out the cafeteria?"

Wesley smiled. "Actually I had the library in mind."

"Oh all right. But after that the cafeteria. I'm getting hungry."

Angel pushed the grate out of the way and emerged from the sewer in the basement of the courthouse. With Fred's help he had discovered that Lindsey would be in a hearing there. Angel brushed off his new jacket and tie. He had also acquired a briefcase so he would blend in.

The third floor was full of people rushing back and forth. Angel managed to find the right room and slipped in through the door. Lindsey was at the front, apparently finishing up his argument.

"It is clear, your honor, that the state hasn't come close to providing burden of proof and I move that the case against my client be dismissed."

The judge nodded her head. "I must agree with you Mr. McDonald." She turned to the opposing counsel. "Mr. McCoy, please come back when the District Attorney's office has some actual evidence to present." She banged her gavel and left the courtroom

The assistant D.A. packed up his papers. "I'll be seeing you in court again soon Lindsey."

"No you won't Jack. My client is innocent. When evidence is found it will point to the guilty party."

Jack McCoy regarded his opponent. "You really believe it don't you? That he's innocent?"

"I'm absolutely certain."

"Amazing. Of course, since you won this round, you're buying tomorrow."

Lindsey smiled. "At this rate I'll always be paying for dinner."

"Don't count on it," replied McCoy and strode out of the courtroom.

Lindsey raised his eyebrows when he saw Angel sitting in the back row. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I wanted to see you work again, now that you're on the other side."

"The other side?"

"The side of the innocent. Fred tells me you've got an impressive track record."

Lindsey grinned. "I always did."

"Yeah, but now you're fighting for those who really need you, for those without a voice."

"I finally found my place. And I got over the need for material success." He laughed. "Would you believe I'm actually happy?"

"Yes. And I'm glad, really."

"Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee downstairs. And if you're looking for a snack there's sure to be one or two shysters around that no one will miss."

Angel made a face. "They don't sound appetizing. I think I'll just take the coffee."

Buffy had awakened to find everyone gone. Lorne had left a note that said "Meet us downstairs at 6pm." She showered, dressed and went out into the city. The streets of Times Square were packed with tourists snapping pictures and making ooh and aah noises. Buffy headed west until she got to the river and then turned south. She wanted to check out the Village. She'd liked what she'd seen of it the night before. It was smaller, more manageable than midtown.

She walked around for several hours, peering in windows and browsing in the little stores. She was amazed so many people could afford to live here. The sun had just set when she found herself near The Three's home. She rounded the corner and stopped short. Spike was outside, his arms around a tall brunette, his face buried in her neck.

Buffy jumped to a conclusion from a standing start and was down the block in a flash. She grabbed Spike by the collar and pulled him back.

"Bloody Hell." He rounded on her. "What are you doing?"

Buffy looked the woman over. Her neck was unmarred and she had a crooked smile on her face.

"You just have to be Buffy Summers," she said. "You know, I've been dying to meet you. I'm sure you've got all sorts of juicy information I could use."

Buffy opened her mouth to reply but the woman saw something over Buffy's shoulder that took her attention.

"Brother dear!"

"Sister dear."

Buffy turned to see Morgan coming up the block.

"Why Buffy, what are you doing here?"

"Interrupting my sex life," said Morgan's sister.

"Well, I can't do it alone," he replied.

"You are annoying."

"That's why you love me."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Huh. Well, times a wasting." She grabbed Spike by the hand and towed him into the house. He and Morgan exchanged amused looks before he disappeared into the house.

"That's your sister?"

Morgan nodded. "Yes. My twin in fact. I came out first, am two minutes older. You'd be amazed how important that can be during an argument. Her name is Rannilt."

"She and Spike are um..."

"Yes, they're um. Did you have a purpose in coming here?"

Buffy found she was twisting her fingers so she stuffed her hands in her pockets. "I did want to talk to Spike, before he went to work."

"Wait here."

Morgan went into the house. A few minutes later Spike came out. He and Buffy sat down on the stoop.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed..."

He waved it away. "Don't let it worry you. I am still a vampire. But for future reference, there's no need for you to protect Rannilt. She's been alive for more than 1500 years. She can take care of herself."

"Dating older women now huh?

"Thought I'd try it. Not that I had a chance. When Rannilt sets her mind to something...

"How have you been Buffy? Okay? And how is Dawn? I miss her."

"She's good. Going to college. She hasn't picked a major but she likes it. I'm good too. It's been so quiet in Sunnydale I've actually got a bit of a life. You seem to have one too."

"I found my place Buffy. I knew how you and the Scoobies felt about each other. But I couldn't feel it myself. Until this year. I'm a part of something so deep and true."

He took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly. "I think we're going to be all right."

Buffy smiled at him and squeezed back. They sat there in silence watching as the sky darkened.