As Xander and Ian reached the top of the stairs from the
basement they found the lobby empty. Gunn, Wesley, and Angel were in
the office, talking. Seeing that the two men were watching the three
stopped talking.


"Hey people. Where is everybody?" Xander asked.

The three came out of the office to meet the Miamians. "Tara
and Cordelia took Dawn and Faith shopping. Spike's around." Angel
answered.

"Hmm." Ian said. He looked around again. "Somethings not right."

"What do you mean?" Wesley asked

Ian continued to scan the room, looking for something. "I
don't know. Maybe I'm just overly paranoid." As he brought his face
back he never saw Angel's fist. He sure felt it though.

Given that he wasn't expecting the blow, it wasn't surprising
that he ended up on his ass. Before he could shake the cob webs he
felt himself lifted. Angel had his arms wrapped around Ian, trapping
his arms. Wesley stood in front of them, a hypodermic needle in his
hand. Ian could hear Gunn and Xander clashing in the background.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ian yelled.

"Did you really think we wouldn't know you were a Death
Knight?" Angel answered.

"Was, blood breath. I was a Death Knight. Got out of it years
ago. Now let me the fuck go." Try as he might Ian couldn't get out of
Angel's grip.

"We can't take the chance that you'll hurt the girls. Don't
worry, this won't kill you."

"Awww, I knew you were all heart." Ian retorted sarcastically.

"Hey." Xander called, still struggling with the street
fighter. "Aren't you worried he'll hurt me?"

"Xander, don't help." Ian said. "How'd you find out, anyway?"

"I recalled hearing that one of the Death Knights was a red
haired man named Azrael." Wesley explained.

"You have no right to hurt them." Angel said.

"Wasn't planning on it. Now let me go and maybe you won't go
through your unlife speaking in soprano."

"This'll only hurt for a moment and then we can get to the
bottom of this." Wesley said.

Ian would never admit it but he didn't like needles. Not so
far as a phobia, they just made him uncomfortable. Running his
options through his head, he realised he didn't have many. His best
one was something he really didn't want to do. However, a man had to
do what a man had to do. When Wesley was within range, Ian jumped up,
driving both feet into Wesley's chest. At the same time he grabbed
Angel's testicles and squeezed ever so slightly, not wanting to do
any real damage. It had the desired effect. As Wesley flew backwards
Angel let go of Ian to cover his hurting balls. Falling onto his back
Ian sent his feet to meet Angel's face, which was within range since
he was stooped over. Sending him back, Ian jumped to his feet in time
to send an uppercut to Wesley, sending him over the desk and temporarily out of the fight. Turning around, he faced Angel, who had
gotten over the pain.

"That was low." Angel growled. He was majorly pissed.

"Yeah, it was. But I was afraid you'd start getting a hard on
with me pressed against you. That would have just made things
awkward." Ian said, smirking.

Despite himself Angel smiled at that.

Behind Ian, Gunn and Xander were trading blows. "Xander!" Ian
called. "You two stop it." Immediately Xander backed off, keeping a
wary eye on Gunn. Gunn for his part was looking to Angel for
conformation. Angel looked away from Ian to nod to Gunn.

"If I had any intention of hurting anyone I would have done
it by now. They are perfectly safe with me."

"And why should I believe you. `Azrael' living with them does
not exactly fill me with trust."

"And at what point was how you feel supposed to matter?" Angel reeled back as if struck. "I care how Faith feels. To a lesser extent are the other's feelings. How you feel means absolutely nothing to me." Ian worked his jaw. "Although I've got to admit you've got one hell of a right hook."

"Leave them alone."

"Get fucked."

And with that the battle began.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later Angel lay on the floor of the lobby, wondering
how he was going to get blood off the walls. Beside him Ian lay,
making sure that his jaw wasn't broken.

"Remind me never to make you mad for real." Ian said. "I'd
hate to be on the receiving end when you're not holding back."

"Right back at you."

Next to them Wesley groaned through the ice pack on his
face. "Was it truly necessary for you to kick me in face?"

"I told you I was sorry, Wesley." Angel answered. "I didn't
see you until you went flying."

"Hmph." Was Wesley's reply.

Ian couldn't help it. He started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Angel asked, making sure that he didn't
expand his rib cage too much.

"I'm just thinking about what the girls would think if they
saw us three. I know Faith would have a problem."

"Why do you say that?" Wesley asked.

"Because she made it clear how important we getting along
were. You know, the whole boyfriend meets big brothers thing."

"Well, we'll just have to get cleaned up before they get
home." Angel said.

It has often been said that God has a sense of humour. Just
as the last word exited Angel's mouth the doors to the Hyperion
opened, revealing Dawn, Faith, Cordelia, and Fred. Ersus tagged along
behind.

"I mean, come on. Could he have been staring at your ass….."
Cordelia faltered when she saw what was greeting her. The three men
in question had the deer in the headlights look on their faces. Ian
and Angel were almost completely naked, since their clothes had been
ripped apart during the fighting. Blood streaked their chests and
arms. Blood was also on the walls where they had thrown each other.
Wesley looked at them through a black eye and a bloody nose. On the
balcony overlooking the lobby were Gunn and Xander, who had gone off
to find more bandages. Spike had joined them to watch the little
scene.

"Let's see Pops get out of this." Spike smirked. Xander and
Gunn joined in.

"What the hell happened here?" Cordelia screamed.

"I'm not helping clean this up." Faith says with a glare.

With a bewildered look towards Faith, Cordelia walked right
up to Ian and slapped him. "How dare you attack Angel, after he let
you and your freaks stay here."

Before anyone else could get over the shock Dawn was across
the distance. She grabbed Cordelia by the hair and threw her to the
ground. She got on top of her and began ramming Cordelia's head into
the floor.

"WE ARE NOT FREAKS!" Each word was punctuated by a thump of
Cordelias head. Faith tried to pull dawn off the brunette but she
ran into an invisible barrier.

"Dawn Summers, you let me in there right now." Faith said.

"Bite me."

On the balcony the three stood astonished.

"$100 bucks on Nibs." Spike said.

"You're on." Gunn answered.

Back on the floor the two girls were rolling around within
the barrier. Clawing, hair pulling, grabbing. Everyone in the room
was getting seriously turned on by this display, except Ersus because
he's a dog. He was trying to understand why one of his masters was
currently rolling around with the bitch, literally. Ersus was many
things, including highly intelligent. He really didn't like the
bitch.

Finally Tara managed to breach the barrier and Faith ran in
and pulled Dawn off Cordelia.

"Calm down, Dawnie. I'm sure the mean old Cordy meant freak
in a good way."

"You little skank. I can't believe that you attacked me."

"Cordelia." Angel said.

"I mean, we allow you to stay here, free I might add, and
your boss attacks Angel, then you attack me."

"Cordelia." Angel said more forcibly.

"I am so going to kick your little white ass."
"Yeah, I'd like to see you try." Faith said.

"Oh you should talk, little Miss Blows a Lot."

"Cordelia!!!" Angel was practically hollering now.

"Oh that's it. You're going down, you whore." Faith
seethed.

Ian's eyes got huge and he jumped to his feet. He ran behind
her to intercept an advancing Faith.

"Get out of my way, Ian."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because I'm going to teach the Beverly Hills bimbo some
manners."

"Can't let you do that." Ian said with a grin.

"Why not? And why the fuck are you grinning?"

"Because she's about to feel real shitty."

"And why would I do that?" Cordelia asked.

"Cause Ian didn't attack Angel." Xander answered, leaning
against the banister. "Angel and Wesley attacked him."

"And why would they do that?" Faith asked. Both her and Dawn
were giving the two men in question their best death glares, which
were formidable.

"Just a misunderstanding, ladies. No reason to get angry."

"Why did you attack Mr. MacCloud?" Tara asked from behind
everyone. "He seems like a nice guy to me."

"Well, you see, ummm." Neither Angel nor Wesley wanted to
answer about how they tried to drug and interrogate Ian.

Ian decided to take pity on the men. "Like the Watcher said,
it was just a misunderstanding." Ian put his arm around his
girlfriend. "We have done the mature thing and worked out our
differences and are the better for it."

"You worked them out with your fists." Dawn said
sarcastically.

"Worked, though." Spike grinned.

Faith snuggled into Ian's chest. She knew that wasn't the
whole story. She didn't understand it fully but the thought of
anyone harming Ian made her furious.

"Ian, can we go home?" Faith asked. "I suddenly don't want
to be here anymore."

Ian tightened his arm around Faith, keeping her close to
him. "Anything you want, Kitty Kat. But Angel and I have patched
things up and we now have an understanding. Don't we, Angel?"

"Yes we do, Ian. Yes we do."

"See, good friends now. Don't leave cause you think there
will be tension."

"No, Ian, I understand that." Faith dropped her voice so
that only Ian and the vampires would be able to hear her. "This just
isn't home anymore."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Take me home."

Ian looked up to Spike and Xander. With a nod they returned
to there rooms to pack their few belongings. Dawn climbed the stairs
to do the same.

Ian let Faith out of his arms. "In that case I need to make
a phone call. I'll pack our things afterwards."

"Good boy." Faith said, patting Ian on the head like an
obedient dog.

"Smart ass."

After Ian left the room to make his call, Faith walked over
to Angel.

"Sorry, big brother. It just isn't going to work out.
California just isn't a good place for me anymore. Do you
understand?"

Angel enveloped Faith in a hug. "I understand, Faith. Just
know that you always have a home wherever I am. You know that,
right?"

"Of course." she said with a cheeky grin. "Everyone loves
having me around."

"Yes they do. Take care of my wayward child. And keep that
guy you've got around. I've got a feeling he'll be good for you."
Faith hugged Angel harder. She appreciated the fact that he
approved of Ian.
----------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside)

"Hey Tsung. This is Ian. I just wanted to call to let you
know I wouldn't be able to make our lunch. Yeah, I'm going back to
Miami. Things didn't turn out too good with the vampire's crew so
we're headed home. Hey, I appreciate you understanding. If you guys
ever come to Miami you guys can stay with me. I've got plenty of
room. Alright, I'll talk with you later." With that Ian hung up the
cell.

Turning around, he found himself confronted by Cordelia. She
has scratch marks down the left side of her face and her dress was
hanging off her shoulder. Dawn had done a number on her.

"Is there something I can help you with, Miss Chase?"

Cordelia couldn't look at Ian. "Look, I'm sorry I hit you.
I just saw you and Angel all beaten up and I reacted."

"Hey, it's alright. I understand."

She raised her head. "You do?" She sounded skeptical.

"Yeah. You were just protecting your family. Think nothing
of it."

"Thanks."

"No problem." Ian said with a grin.

Turning to go back in Ian stopped her. "Cordelia. I
understand why you did what you did. I don't fault you that at
all." Ian got face to face with Cordelia. "But if you ever insult
Dawn or Faith like that again, I'll change the way you think of me.
Do I make myself clear?"

"Ye..s." She said, studdering.

"Groovy." he said smirking. With that he went in to pack.
----------------------------------------------------------------
(One hour later)

Everything was packed up in the two SUV's. Xander, Spike,
and Dawn were in one, Faith and Ian in the other. Good byes were
said and the two jeeps were off.

Ian picked up his cell phone and called Xander.

"Hey, you guys go ahead to Miami. Faith and I will be there
a day later. I have to run an errand. Okay, see you guys then."
With that he hung up.

"What was that about?" Faith asked from her position on Ian's
shoulder.

"I have a surprise for you."

"Ohh, what is it?" she asked excitedly.

"Now if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

"Ahh come on. I'll make it worth your wile." she said
sexily.

Ian audibly gulped. "That's what you say every time I keep
something from you."

"And one of these time's you're going to give in to my
persuasive...abilities." she breathed the last slowly. Out of the
corner of her eye she saw the route they were taking and where it
would lead. "Where are we going?"

"Faith, do you trust me?" When she nodded. "Do you trust
the fact that I would never let myself let you get hurt?" Again she
nodded. "I will always love you. Just know that."

"Alright, Puppy. I'm trusting you here." She leaned back
against his shoulder.

Ian wrapped his arm around her. "Don't worry Faith. You'll
like this surprise. Hey, want to know how I first met the
Watcher's?" Ian then launched into his story. They passed another
highway sign.

Sunnydale-207 miles.