"How long do you think they'll leave us alone for?" Aziraphale mused as he and Crowley stepped out of the Ritz.

"I have no idea, Angel. I suppose it will depend on how long it takes them to work out we switched."

"A very cunning plan, dear boy," he smiled at the demon.

"Thanks but I think credit goes to the original orchestrator."

"Ah yes, Agnes Nutter. Stroke of luck though, you saving the book."

"Mmm." Hands stuffed in pockets, Crowley turned in the direction of his car, leaving his friend to follow.

"Crowley, how did you get that book?" the angel asked, trotting to catch up.

"I got it from your book shop." He could feel Aziraphale watching him, expectantly. "What do you really want to know, Angel?" he sighed, folding himself into the driver's seat of his Bentley.

"Why were you in my shop?" The angel had just enough time to buckle up before Crowley hit the gas.

"I was looking for you."

"Even after I was so harsh to you?"

"I'm a demon. You weren't that harsh. I went looking for you and the place was already burning."

"You went into a burning building?!"

"I thought you might still be in there," Crowley shrugged, "but you were already gone."

"Discorperated, yes."

An awkward silence fell between them as they continued home.

"Drinks?" the angel offered, pointing to his bookshop as they parked up outside.

"Might as well," Crowley shrugged, swallowing the shiver that crept up his spine.

As he followed Aziraphale, he was assaulted by the imaginary smell of burning and a flush crept up his neck.

"Why did you come back?" his friend asked as he produced a bottle of wine and a pair of glasses.

"What?" Crowley all but snatched up the glass and drained it's contents.

"Why did you come back? You were leaving," Aziraphale repeated, his brows furrowing at Crowley's behaviour.

The demon hesitated. "You were in trouble"

"But I was horrible to you."

"I wasn't nice to you either." He poured himself another glass.

"You were nicer than me."

"I'm not niccce," Crowley hissed.

"You went into a burning building for me," the angel countered.

"I also drove round a flaming motorway. It wasn't for you. I like the world the way it is."

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"I was in trouble"

Crowley hesitated, remembering the feeling that came over him. He'd felt the loss of his friend deep in his soul, if he had one. He downed another glass of wine. "I was coming because you phoned me. The fire gave away that you were in trouble."

Aziraphale smiled at him affectionately.

"I have to go," Crowley snapped to his feet, he needed to get out of there.

"Oh?" Aziraphale couldn't help the disappointment in his voice as he watched Crowley almost run out of the book shop.

As he burst through the door onto the street, he paused to catch his breath.

"Crowley? Is it something I said," Aziraphale appeared behind him.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure dear boy? You don't look at all well."

"I ssssaid I'm fine," his hiss was back which angered him. "I'll sssee you later." With an internal growl he got into his Bentley and screeched away, leaving Aziraphale dumbfound on the doorstep.

He drove, unseeing through London. He'd have to avoid the angel for a while, he'd have too many questions, like; What in the name of sata..go…what in the name of someone was wrong with him?

And it was a good question. One he didn't want the answer to, he just wanted the resolution.

XxXxX

Aziraphale watched the Bentley screech away and frowned. He and Crowley had become close over the centuries, and closer still over the last decade. Crowley wasn't particularly secretive, especially for a demon. If something was bothering him he would normally vent after a couple of glasses of wine. Tonight was definitely unusual. Stepping back inside his shop he went over their conversations. He'd been fine at the Ritz, he was always delightful company at dinner. A little cheeky perhaps, throwing out the occasional temptation to surrounding tables. Nothing major; a suggestion of more dessert here, more wine there. Aziraphale couldn't help but smile, Crowley wasn't a very good demon. Or rather he was a good demon…. oh this good and evil was quite confusing when it came to Crowley. By Hell's standards he was, in reality, rubbish. He didn't secure souls, he didn't cause people to kill each other. He just tempted them and let free will do the rest, not that headoffice knew that. It was easy for Crowley to take credit for human's bad choices.

The angel looked at the spot where his friend had sat. He wondered if he should go after him. He'd never been to Crowley's home, the demon had always found him, but he was sure he knew where it was. Maybe he should just wait for Crowley to make contact? Aziraphale collapsed into his chair with a sigh. Crowley had been known to disappear for months when something upset him. Aziraphale didn't like the idea of that; being left alone. He had no connection with upstairs currently and without Crowley's predictable unpredictability of visiting he realised how lonely he would get.

Resolving to wait until morning, Aziraphale cleared away the spare glass and found a book to distract him.

XxXxX

The doorbell roused Crowley from a restless sleep. He tried ignoring it but then it was accompanied by insistent knocking. Growling, he grabbed his sunglasses and stalked to the door.

"Thisss has better be good," he hissed as he whipped it open.

"Hello dear boy," Aziraphale smiled.

"Angel?" he rubbed a hand through his hair and sighed. "What…? Erm… what are you…? How do you even know where I live?"

Aziraphale couldn't help his gaze travel down. He'd never seen Crowley so undone. He stood in his doorway, hair mussed, shirtless, wearing only a pair of pyjama bottoms that rode low on his pointy hips and his glasses.

"Ngk," Crowley gulped as he realised Aziraphale was blushing. "Oh for heave..hel, oh just come in," he snapped trying to hide his own flustered state as he stalked back to his bedroom.

Aziraphale stepped through the door and closed it behind him. Taking a deep breath he calmed himself. He couldn't understand why he was suddenly nervous or why seeing Crowley embarrassed him so.

XxXxX

Muttering to himself Crowley hunted for his jumper. What was the angel doing here? It was bad enough he'd embarrassed himself in front of him last night, now the prudish angel was blushing at a naked chest. Crowley caught sight of himself in the mirror. Was Aziraphale blushing? Maybe he was offended by his thin, snake-like build. He snarled at himself as he pulled a thick, red, fluffy jumper over his head before heading back to find his friend.

XxXxX