Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Joss Whedon – I just like playing with them.
Fic notes: Set during season 1, Angel Investigations has a demon problem and turns to magic to help. Funny how rarely that's straight-forward … Somehow, Doyle and Cordy are left with a three year old kid who couldn't possibly be their boss. Could he?
General notes: Sorry this part's so short - it's just the prologue but if anyone's interested, there should be more very soon. All feedback appreciated:)
Childe's Play
Prologue
Standing alone in the office of Angel Investigations, Cordelia Chase stared out of the window with wistful brown eyes and heaved a sigh. The dark underbelly of the city she looked over seemed well hidden by the twinkling of bright lights and neon signs, but she knew better than most that it was always there, just lurking beneath the surface. As much as she had grown almost accustomed to her life as it was, for a moment she longed to be a part of that glittering world. Her dream of achieving stardom seemed to be slipping out of her reach to be replaced by a life of aiding Angel in his fight against evil and sometimes, when it was all getting on top of her or when she didn't have Angel and Doyle to distract her, she couldn't help wishing for a normal life. Not even a celebrity one necessarily – normal would do. Just a life where slaying vamps, averting apocalypses and so forth wasn't part of the routine. A life with less …
"Demon slime!"
While she had been lost in her thoughts, the door had opened to admit the remainder of the Angel Investigations crack team – the two men looking strangely bedraggled and thoroughly pissed off. For a second, Doyle froze in the doorway at the brunette's exclamation with a caught look on his face. For a brief second, the Irishman was convinced the young woman had discovered his well-kept secret regarding his demon heritage and was about to plead his case when she continued.
"Demon slime on the floor! Look at the mess you're making and I'd just cleaned!" she shrieked.
Doyle could only hope his relief didn't show too much as he relaxed and continued to cross the room, allowing Angel to finally get through the door he had been blocking.
"Nice ta see you too, Cordy." he said wryly, "Yes, we got our asses kicked and even nearly got ourselves killed, but no need ta fuss or nothin'!"
Cordelia rolled her eyes impatiently, ignoring his remarks and turning on Angel. "But you killed it, right – the big demony thing?"
"Wrong." her boss said shortly.
"What?" she said sternly, "Tell me you're kidding? But we did the research – I did the research – you had the sword, there's two of you and one of it … What went wrong?"
Angel exchanged a weary look with Doyle and produced the mythical sword which was supposed to be the answer to their current problem from behind his back – in two pieces.
"Turns out the sword only works on the demons when they're newly risen, but by the time we got there …"
"Our boy was definitely outta nappies." Doyle filled in as he took off his slime covered leather jacket and regarded it ruefully.
