Taking a deep breath in, Lorne Green sat down before reaching into his large desk, pulling out the last of the airplane sized bottle of his favorite drink that he'd hidden in there specifically for times just like these, already able to hear the sound of the two of them coming his way.

Throwing away the bottle once it'd been emptied, Lorne let out a large, slow breath of air and laced his fingers together before him on top of the dark wood. Then he laced a tight smile across his face as he looked toward the door, waiting for the hell coming through to crash in. It didn't take long though, after the briefest knock in history the door went swinging wide open. "For the last time! I can not and will not work with that wretched fucking woman!" Angel bellowed out.

Mister Tall, Dark and Handsome had hardly finished mouthing off before the woman in question stepped into the room behind him. Buffy threw a glare Angel's way before walking over to Lorne's desk. "I can not for the life of me even begin to understand why you hired him. He has no business here, Lorne, he never has."

"Me?" Angel laughed. "Please, I'm doing my job or at least I would be if someone would stop coming over trying to fuck it up."

"Need I remind you that your job doesn't involve trying to fuck anything and everything that happens to cross your ill fated path?" Buffy snaps back at him, eyes full of fury.

"Yeah, okay, what I do in my personal life, in my own damn time, is not any of your business! You have absolutely no-"

The blonde let out a sharp laugh, cutting him off. "Yeah, your endless string of floozies parading through the halls, through our offices? Sorry but that does start to make it my business. But, you know what? We have all pretty much just looked the other way time and time again when it comes down to it because we've always thought you had enough brains to keep it in your pants at least when it came to our clients and their guests. Until now apparently."

Angel threw his arms up in the air. "What in the fucking hell are you even talking about?"

Ignoring him and turning back toward Lorne, "He was flirting with the bride, Lorne. The goddamn bride!"

"What the fuck? I was not flirting with anyone!"

"Please," Buffy rolled her eyes. "They were this close to ripping one another's clothes off and just going at it right there in front of the whole wedding party."

"Sure, Buf. I'm sure Mister Miller would have just loved that," Angel drawled out.

"Yeah, well, it didn't much look like either of you cared about that now did it? And no, our poor groom probably didn't love it, who by the way wants to talk to you, Lorne. And in case you haven't gathered he isn't exactly happy right now."

For the first time Lorne spoke, "Angel, how about you go find yourself something to drink and when you return we can discuss what's going on a little more, okay? Buffy? Please head back down, grab our lovely couple something nice and expensive on your way and hold the situation over until I get there."

"Oh, if you're going to fire him I want to be here for it!"

"I'm not firing anybody," Lorne sighed.

She made a sound of pure annoyance at the let down. "Whatever. I'll see what I can do but I would suggest you hurry. And do something with him would you?" she said over her shoulder as she was heading back out.

"Now. Angelcakes..." Lorne began once she was out of sight.

"I wasn't doing anything!"

"Did you perhaps do something, say anything, that might have been misconstrued a little by a new, overprotective, groom by any chance? Even if you meant no harm by it?"

Angel sighed. "I wasn't flirting with the bride, or anyone for that matter," he finally spoke after a long pause, his voice tired.

And that was answer enough for Lorne. "I know," he replied. He knew Angel, as both his employee and as his friend, he knew Angel understood the rules, knew the lines not to cross, but he didn't always see how thin that line could be and how he managed to flirt with crossing it without, in his mind, really doing anything. In all honesty, he was just being himself, but sometimes that ended up causing trouble all on its own.

Angel sure never made a habit of making anything easy around here.

OoOoO

Slipping her heels off, Buffy slid into her chair, sipping on a glass of champagne she'd been dying for all evening long. "This is just the kind of thing that is prone to happen when you go and hire the biggest manwhore of the greater Los Angeles area, if not even on a wider scope than that."

"Buffy. He's good at what he does," Lorne says, making her raise an eyebrow up at him. "I am talking about work of course, he's the best we've ever had and probably the best anyone could even bother to ask for. He's a great photographer, can you please remember that?"

"Sure, but sometimes you do gotta wonder if it's worth it though."

He sighed, "Why not just go on home, take yourself a nice long bath, get incredibly tipsy from this bottle of wine I am giving you and try to enjoy your weekend out of the office? I will see you back here on Monday, alright?"

"Whatever."

OoOOO

When he was sure that everyone else had cleared out, a certain blonde in particular he made sure had left the office, he let out the breath he felt like he'd been holding this entire time. Angel rubbed his eyes and stretched out his long legs from being huddled up against his chest, letting his head fall against the wall. He wasn't sure why he'd come here and remained in this corner of his office after being told to head home after his brief meeting with Lorne, but here he was.

His phone ringing finally snapped him out of it again minutes later, but he wasn't ready to deal with that problem either.

Giving himself some time, he finally start packing up to call it a night as well.

OoOoO

"Well, hey there, Big Brother."

Angel's eyebrows scrunched up together, peeling himself away from the drunken brunette he'd practically been dry humping on the porch, fumbling with the lock, much to both of their annoyance. "Faith," he greeted, peering over at her.

She looked unimpressed with his lady friend here. "I did call," she shrugged.

He sighed, she wasn't wrong. He'd noticed her calling several times this evening in fact, but he'd never answered nor bothered to listen to any of the increasing amount of messages she'd left for him. "What happened to Boston, Faith?"

"Nothing. I'm pretty sure it's still there."

"That's funny," he retorted, unamused. "So, why aren't you?"

"Long story."

Of course it was, he thought. Looking back to the girl he'd picked up from the bar, he shot her an apologetic smile. "Look, I'm real sorry, uh, Cheyenne? But-"

"It's Sheila."

"Right. Sheila. Sorry. As you can see I have had some rather unfortunate circumstances come up so..."

"Whatever," Sheila rolled her eyes and started walking away. He offered to call her a cab but only got a middle finger as any type of answer back.

"You sure know how to pick 'em, Angel."

"Yeah, yeah. So, let me guess... you need yourself a place to crash for awhile."

"Aw, you know me so well, Angel!"

OoOoO

"Aren't you up early?"

"I am a working man, Faith."

"Right. Sure you are," she shot back, then somehow managed to convince him it would be a good idea for her to tag along. Faith had been to visit in town before but hadn't been to the office so she was pretty taken aback as they arrived and she got to take a good look at the place. "This is amazing," she whispered with wide eyes.

"What can I say? Lorne really outdid himself here."

"And Buffy?"

He sighed. "And Buffy. They built this place really from the ground up, I just came in as an addition later on."

When they got to his office, her eyes bugged out again, drinking in the space. Unsurprisingly, he kept it pretty impersonal in here but it was still impressive. Giving her permission to go ahead and snoop around, he just shook his head as she slowly took up on the offer, before Lorne poked his head in. "Well, hello there, Pretty Girl. I heard that you were coming in today, I just had to see it for myself," he greeted, quickly wrapping his arms around the dark brunette. "I have missed you."

"I've missed you, too, Lorne. It feels like it's been forever. I was just telling the grouch over here how happy I am for you all, even if someone needs to make their space feel a little bit more homely."

"Well thank you, my dear. And yes, I keep telling him that myself."

Faith nodded. "I mean, think about it," she linked one arm together with Lorne's while the other waved across the room, "Get a few more of those paintings he loves so much and hang them up there, there and there," she pointed at the spots she liked the best, "perhaps there as well, put up one or two of those large advertisement posters, either in a large frame or just as they are, a few shelves, a few bookcases, fill them with his... whatever all that is on the floor, some books, knick knacks, photos of the family, you know, me," she smiled, "and whatever else, awards and certificates, some can go on there, some hung up on the walls, oh, get some of his favorite shots, frame them, just regular size, and have them displayed on the walls as well... so, you know, when someone comes in they can be wowed. A new desk, chair, and help with the lack of organization system he's got going on there..." she made a face at the walls, "And this color, not him. You know, just for starters."

Lorne laughed and hugged her. "You're right, you are absolutely right."

"I happen to like my office just as it is, thank you," Angel mumbled and they both chose to ignore him.

"So just how long are you planning to stay in LA?" Lorne asked and Angel couldn't help but perk his ears up waiting for the answer his own self given that hadn't been something he'd bridged with her thus far and with Faith you never really knew what to expect.

Faith shrugged. "Haven't really thought that far ahead yet, kind of flying blind at the moment to be honest."

"Well, how would you like a job?"

"What?" the siblings both questioned.

Lorne opened his hands up before him, "Well, we all know you have a knack for interior design, Faithy, and I just so happen to be redoing my office, plus, as you've pointed out, your brother here needs some work done in here, as well. I'm sure there's others who'd love your advice and skills along with us. It seems like a perfect opportunity to me!"

"Lorne, could I speak with you, in private, for a second?" Angel spoke up.

Faith knew that tone and looked over at him. "Look, I wasn't exactly planning on moving here or anything, you know that. But... I'm here, and there's a good chance I will be for a while. And I'm sorry for that, but I don't have anywhere else to go, Angel. And... I could use a job. I mean, I might actually like it. And I promise I'll do whatever you want, either of you want. I'll stay out of the way. I promise."

Angel sighed. He knew that was probably going to be the case, she'd be here until the next crazy idea came her way and she'd run with it. Until it came crashing down and she'd be back on his doorstep.

This might actually be good for her.

Either that or a complete disaster for everyone. Those were usually the only options available when it came to her.

OoOoO

When he had a few spare moments, Angel decided to give Faith a quick tour of the floor and offices, also taking some time to introduce her to some of her new coworkers. She'd become official on Monday but she was already letting the wheels turn and dishing out ideas left and right. She and Lorne had already gone over some of the basics, her ideas, her schedule, the costs and some other details so it wasn't a bad start.

"A lot of people sure seem to think I'm your latest 'lady friend,'" Faith commented after a while.

He laughed, "Which would be why I am going out of my way to introduce and explain to everyone that you are instead my annoying baby sister."

Faith stuck her tongue out at him. "Jerk."

"Please. You know you love me."

"Whatever. So... where is she anyway?"

Angel gave her a confused look. "Who?"

"Buffy. Duh."

"Oh. She's I don't know, she's not working this weekend."

"Must suck, huh?"

"What's that?"

Faith rolled her eyes. "Having to work alongside the only woman you've ever loved. A woman who spent half of her life loving you back, the other cursing the day you were ever born."

Angel pressed his lips together into a hard line and just gave her an annoyed stare as an answer.

OoOoO

The day the two of them finally crossed paths was during one of his photo shoots, he'd caught a glimpse of the familiar blonde hair and lowered his camera, cursing under his breath before returning to the task at hand. When she'd finally made her way over, he took in a deep breath. "And to what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked sarcastically.

"I was just checking in," she replied, giving the bride, and mother to be, a quick once over. He couldn't help but feel himself stiffen a little as she looked the young woman over but of course she gave nothing away. "I see that this time you did in fact manage to get the bride naked."

"Real cute," he mumbled. This was all really a spur of the moment thing, but the Bride, Marcie, was all for it. She was currently six and a half months along and doing one of her lone shoots today and he happened to find himself feeling a little inspired. She was strategically covered of course but showing off all those glorious curves though. "And here I didn't realize I needed a babysitter."

"You'd be the only one, Angelus. You'd be the only one," she smiled then walked away before he had a chance to say anything more. She went to talk with some of the help before taking a moment to check in with Marcie next, casually reminding her of their next appointment before he called out to them both.

"Miss Summers, if you don't mind, I do have a few more shots that I'd like to get and then we will be done for the day, Marcie."

Buffy shot him a look, quick and fleeting but he caught it, then turned back to their client and smiled. She looked like she was just about to leave when things decided to take a turn. "Buffy Anne Summers!"

"Faith?"

"Faith!" Angel called out, "I'm trying to work here!"

Waving him off, Faith continued running her way down to Buffy and the girls shared some awkward smiles and then a hug. "Faith, what in the world are you doing here?" Buffy breathed out, shocked at the brunette before her.

Angel sighed and threw his hands up in the air. "Working!"

"We'll go talk outside," Faith said with a roll of her eyes. "Come on."

"Great," Angel muttered, watching them start walking off together knowing that couldn't mean anything good.

OoOoO

"You're working here? With us?" Buffy questioned, taking a seat on the steps beside Angel's little sister.

Faith smiled. "Yeah, it's all been a total random thing... Lorne didn't tell you?"

Buffy laughed softly. "No, that he did not. Then again, I only saw him for a few minutes when I first checked in this morning, and he left me alone over the weekend so... not much of a chance to I guess."

"Well, surprise!" Faith shouted, a big grin crossing her face. "Everything seems to be happening so fast I'm even trying to wrap my head around it all I think."

"Indeed," Buffy agreed. "So what all are you planning to do for us exactly? And how can I help?"

"Honestly, I'm not completely sure on that myself. But... I'm going to be doing some help with remodeling some of the rooms, designing them anyway. Besides that, I guess just random things here and there. Helping my dumbass brother out I would assume for the most part with whatever he might need."

"Well..." Buffy breathed. This was quite unexpected. "I'm glad you're here though. I can't believe how much you've grown up! How have you been? What all have you been up to? Have you been in LA long?" she rushed out, now wanting to know any and everything she'd been missing out on with her old friend. "Tell me all of it!"

Faith laughed, she knew this must be a tough thing for Buffy to have sprung on her and the two started doing their best to catch one another up on everything life had thrown at them since they had last seen one another.

OoOoO

One of the biggest changes that came from his sister moving in was quickly noticed and commented on repeatedly by Lorne and Faith herself. He couldn't entirely explain what happened but he was feeling really burnt out over what his life had become. It'd been a thought brewing well before she actually came to town, too, but it made it glaringly clear with the little obstacle in the way.

He'd enjoyed the life he'd created for himself, all the years of partying and boozing it up, sex and adventures, he loved the attention even. Until he didn't. Until all the women became nothing more than a chore, until it was one thing keeping him from having some sort of breakdown.

He had given up most of his office sexcapades but until Faith showed up he still had the habit to bring some nameless, faceless girl home almost every night so he wasn't bombarded with feelings he didn't understand, thoughts filled with disgust and regret.

He just started to want more than this, he wanted something that mattered. One day when he stepped away from the camera and looked beyond the lens... and he saw these people, these couples, he saw what they had, he saw their lives. He looked beyond a snapshot and into the rest of the world. He didn't know exactly how he was going to get... whatever it was he was searching for... but he'd finally made up his mind that he could try for it at the very least.

Only he had no idea how to even start.

The only other time in his life where he'd felt anything even remotely close to this was so many years ago now, back when he was with Buffy, before he fucked up everything with her and everything in his life.

And because of that, because she was the only woman he'd ever actually loved and saw himself having a future with, it still held true today when he allowed those thoughts and feelings back into his world. When he thought about settling down, being faithful to someone, wanting to spend his life with someone the only face he could picture was hers. And that only made this situation worse because that was an impossible dream.

No one on this planet hated him more than Buffy nor would they ever have a reason to. He'd had everything with her and he'd completely fucked it up.

But he would be lying if he said he didn't miss her and wished he could go back and change everything.