Disclaimer: I don't own Angel or any of the characters. Joss Whedon does.

Summary:

Lindsey: "The key to Wolfram and Hart: don't let them make you play their game-you gotta make them play yours."

Angel: "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

(Dead End)

Play the Game

I still remember what he said four years ago, that night. Isn't that funny?

Personally, I don't think it is. But then again, it has helped me make decisions—the kind that involves the big speech about Wolfram and Hart. I'm still preparing that. I can't really break it suddenly—I have to make the move. Make the call, make the play—most importantly, make the game. I have to make Wolfram and Hart play by my rules, my game.

Too many years had Wolfram and Hart played me. With Connor, Darla, Cordelia, Wesley—and most of all, me. They played me, just like I'm going to play them. Soon they'll come to realize that I'm not a vampire with a soul, but a warrior. A hero, so to speak. I'm going to let the ash fall when fire breaks out, let my soul depart when the demons come for battle, let the waters churn in the eye of the storm—and you know what? I'm not going to care.

So long as they realize that this is my battle, my game, I'm not going to care. Only then will they realize that we are standing, we are fighting, and we are winning. Only then will I be able to look evil in the eye and say, "Let's go to work."

I can't believe I still remember what he said. It's funny.