Disclamier: ...meh...you know the drill
"Hello there," Dani glanced up to see Angel's friend looking at her. "What're you doing alone?"
"No offense, but do I know you?" she asked pointedly. He gave a half-smile.
"Doyle, I work for Angel, remember? And you're his daughter's friend. Right?"
"Yeah," she returned the half-hearted smile. "But everyone calls me Danielle. Well, Dani..."
"Shouldn't you be with your friend, then, instead of alone at a bar?"
"Didn't feel like being the third wheel," she pointed to Spike and Cori, occupied in a corner. "And I'm not alone. If I wanted, I could be surrounded by guys right now."
"I bet," he grinned at her sharp tone. "A girl like you, probably used to a lot of male attention."
"You're making fun of me," she said, making more of a statement than a question. Then she smiled. "You're lucky I have a thing for Irish guys, or I'd be kicking your ass," her tone was light now. Doyle chuckled.
"I like you already," he raised a glass full of amber liquid to her. "You drink?"
"Nah, sorry," she shook her head.
"We'll fix that, don't worry."
Dani was jolted awake by Angel's voice.
"Dani," Angel called the girl's name,trying to wake her from the daze she'd fallen into.
"Huh...What happened? I miss something?" the brunette Slayer shook herself awake.
"No...you ok?" Angel studied her face. She looked a little pale, and tired.
"I'm fine, I just need some coffee," she waved off his concern and walked to the kitchen.
"What's wrong? Demons?" Gunn asked, walking into the lobby. Angel glanced at him.
"No...do you think something's up with Dani?"
"She looks a little tired, but that's it," Gunn shrugged. "Maybe she's been having bad dreams or something."
"But why won't she tell me?"
"Since when has Dani been 'share-girl'?" Cordelia, who had joined in the conversation, asked. "Especailly after Do--after you-know-what happened."
"What?" Gunn looked at Cordy and back at Angel. "What happened? Don't leave a guy out of the loop."
"Before she dated Angel, Dani dated Doyle, a guy we worked with," Cordy's voice had become soft when she explained about the half-demon. Angel just stared at the ground.
"Oh," Gunn nodded understandingly. "You're going out with your best friend's girl. Nice. So, no talking about Doyle?"
"I don't think so."
"You don't think that the problem's that she's still in love with Doyle, do you?" Angel asked suddenly. "She is, isn't she?"
"How should I know, like I would talk to her," Cordy snorted.
"You seriously got to stop hating her," Gunn stated.
"I don't hate her."
"Then what do you think-"
"Excuse me," the three turned to look at the woman who interrupted Angel. "Is Franics here?"
"Who's Francis?" Cordy asked.
"Beats me," Gunn shrugged. But Angel had an idea from something he saw often.
"Is your last name Doyle?" he asked, trying to keep his voice even.
"Yes, I'm Harriet, and I'm looking for my husband," she nodded.
"Oh, God," Cordy looked at the widow sadly. "You don't know."
"Know what?" Harriet asked, worried at her tone.
"Ok, I'm back, what'd I miss this time?" Dani walked in, downing a cup of coffee.
"Um, this is Doyle's wife," Angel watched her carefully. The Slayer paled as her eyes widened.
"He was married?" she asked in a low voice. After a second she pulled herself together. "He died almost two years ago."
"Oh, my God," Harriet blinked. "I had no idea-"
"Hey, hon-bun, everything going ok?" a plain-looking man walked in the lobby. Harriet hid her annoyance .
"Not now, Richard," she said, hoping he'd take the hint. Unfortunately he didn't.
"Hello, you must be Francis," he started shaking Angel's hand eagerly. "It's so great to finally meet you."
"I'm not Francis," Angel managed to extract hinself from the man's grip.
"Look, Richard, honey, just go wait in the car, ok," Harriet kept her voice even. This time Richard got the hint and left, saying continous good-byes until he was out of earshot.
"Nice guy," Gunn tried to sound harsh or anythig. Thinking it might be a good idea to go, he smiled at Harriet. "Would you like a drink or something? I know a Texan who can make tea like nobody's business." She returned the smile warmly and followed him out of the room.
"Can you believe Doyle was married?" Cordy asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
"He never told me...but then again, I never asked," Dani said in an odd voice. Angel started at her, his face a mixture of sadness and worry.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly. She looked up at him, as though just realizing he was there.
"Yeah, I guess," she nodded. "It's just, the only guy I ever said 'I love you' to was married. Not mention he died the day after," she added. Cordelia realized she should leave and managed to do it quietly.
"You still love him, don't you," Angel stated, certain of the answer. He didn't see the realization dawning on her face. She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"He was my first love," she admitted. "But I love you, got it, brood-boy?"
"I love you, too," Angel grinned and hugged her tightly.
Meanwhile, Harriet was talking with Fred. "So, you five are the only ones who work here?"
"Oh, no, there's also Spike, and Cori, and sometimes Lorne and Connor."
" 'Spike'?"
"He just sounds like a tough guy. He's really sweet," Fred paused and glanced around. "Don't tell him I said that though. In fact, don't ever call him anything like that if he can hear it."
"Why?"
"He ain't that sweet," Gunn half explained, slipping an arm around the slim girl's shoulders.
"Oh," Harriet stored that away, just in case. "Where is he now?"
"Either sleeping, or 'shagging'."
"Ok," Harriet decided it was a good idea to leave now.
"Why were you looking for your husband anyway?" Fred asked sweetly.
"I, um, wanted him to sign some divorce papers so I could marry Richard," Harriet answered. "Guess I didn't need to after all," she added softly.
"I'm sorry," Fred offered.
"It's all right," the blonde smiled at the gesture. "At least he didn't get himself killed in a barfight or something."
"Um, yeah," Fred nodded encouragingly. She was a little confused, but as long as she was happy, right?
funky ending...yep, i think i'll call it my trademark...wow, i suck. anyway, this is the end. last chappy, last plea for reviews...well, until the next story :)