Lilah eyed her consort while he was discussing with Gunn, as usual his blues eyes were expressionless but some warmth gave them more sheen. She didn't see any ache when Fred was heading for the altar.

When the Senior Partner brought her from the limbs thanks to her contract at law firm, they didn't give her to much choice but they never predicted that, Gunn the Achilles Heel of the group, the one they succeeded to bring to the white room and materialise a conduit would have used what they did teach him against them.

But he did, and brilliantly and with Eve disappearance, and Lindsey failure to destroy Angel, the Senior Partner loosed all their access to Wolfram and Heart and its knowledge.

The first time she crossed the door of what had been Eve office for few months and watched the shock in Gunn face she laughed genuinely.

That sound startled the young assistant who had worked at her service since her ascension at the post of young partner at the law Firm few years ago. Nesting her head against Wes shoulder, Lilah let her memory wander.

Three years ago.

Few months ago, Gunn was brought to the White Room with Fred and Wesley, all of them fought a fight and faced their greatest fear. The darkness within Fred and Wesley was melted tightly with their soul, so tightly that even the shamans haven't succeeded to part it again. Their soul was definitely tainted with their sins.

But Gunn, had maintain the parting, the darkness kept gaining strength and invading every part in his hart and soul, it didn't took long to map out a way to his heart and make the shadow reign as result the conduit, a black panther.

He came back few days later with an invaluable knowledge to help the team but changed, the freeman became a busy one too busy to waste time at some insignificant things as a Breakfast with the team or some time with his girlfriend or Wesley.

Wesley and Angel were the brain with their knowledge of the demons languages and history, Fred have brought with her knowledge as a scientist and he was the muscle, but after the whole Cordelia incident he started to feel that it wasn't enough.

"What hell. What are you doing here? And where is Eve?"

"I imagined that Angel would be the Thick head, the one whom I should explain everything not at you the link to the Senior Partner."

"Which means?"

"Nothing, did you really believe that the SP will let you head Wolfram and Hart without any supervision. Don't be such a fool."

"I've never been described as fool."

"Undoubtedly but you never claimed possessing the knowledge whom will give you the opportunity to ignore the Senior Partner."

"I have now the knowledge to get rid of them"

She laughed, but her laugh didn't reach her eyes. It was just a chilliness sound.

"Oh really, for each solution you should imagine I have at least two other to abort them. They planted this knowledge, maybe. But I lived for the law and jurisprudence. Each day, each hour and minute I dedicated them all to master this knowledge so believe me what you possess is just a bit of all the magnificence and subtlety of this art."

Wesley was the next one to penetrate the office, but he wasn't alone, he was escorting sweet little Fred. She didn't wear baggy dress but not a tight-fitting either but a lovely one whom gives you the opportunity to imagine the thinness of her waist.

"Lilah! Nice surprise. May I know what are you doing here?"

"Paying a visit."

The ancient watcher didn't answer but stepped aside and let Fred walk in the office. As Wesley she didn't express any astonishment at her presence, coolly she took place and waited Wes to join her.

She greeted Gunn afterwards she walked over the desk and picked the files concerning the events of the previous months.

They knew Angel arrival when Spike bumped into the wall, almost breaking it.

"Someday Spike I'll stake you"

"Whatever you say granddad"

"More important head to New Orleans and deal with the branch, you have three weeks to become the new CEO of this branch."

"Weren't you supposed to help the hopeless?"

"Help the Helpless. Maybe, but someone reminds me that for whom had lived hundreds years I don't possess any portfolio."

"Wise person."

"Yeah! But so enigmatic, when she disappeared we didn't know. Enough, this is the deal take the lead of the branch and I'll bring Drusilla as member of the family."

"No Angel. She's not reliable."

"And you think you were."

"The prophecy…

"Was false…

"I lost everything"

"You weren't the only one"

"We ALL sacrificed a lot of thing for the sake of the mission. But you didn't look at it that way."

"You didn't loose a SON."

"I lost a family and a mate."

Fred started to quiver, since their removal from the Hyperion, they stopped living as family and became co-workers but the saddest thing was the distance kept between Angel and Wesley, the men were polite but so cold. The only time when they met was at the meetings.

They started to regroup after Cordelia awakening but when the clinic called Angel started freeing himself for everything.

He fought but with a cruelty and unwariness like he was looking to be killed. But one night he saved a little girl and her mom.

She possessed curly brown hair and hazel eyes that seemed to detect the soul who had been burned by the bitterness. She looked too much as their beloved but lost Cordelia and when she spoke they were stunned.

"You signed-up the shanshu but that doesn't mean you are free warrior. All of you, by accepting to stand by him became part of the deal each one of you have something to atone about it. You are walking in the darkness we accepted that and left you but when you'll be needed you'll stand as the power warriors."

After her speech she fell unconscious. Suspicious they took the girl and the mother with them at Wolfram where Lorne and Wesley did what they do the best looked for answers. She was used as medium to convey the message.

They didn't wait too long before they were called it started with Eve and Lindsey and come to an end with their battle with the Senior Partner.

How they survived they didn't understand but for almost a year they were enable to react in the usual way. Lilah took care of them and of the company. They awakened someday and returned to their activities.

However a subtle change was noticeable, Gunn was concentrating on his job as lawyer and abandoning Fred and at the opposite Wesley worked as harder as they knew him but he seemed to always find time to spend with Fred and even when he was busy if she needed him got free to help her.

Lorne started a new Karaoke Bar but didn't quit his job at W&H. Spike left the building for a few months. But at his homecoming he seemed at piece, he had spent his time with Drusilla she was at New Orleans.

Despite the soul she kept him and sometime when hit by a vision he was able to understand her enigmatic babbling he helped the helpless.

What he did, gave him peace; it was so different of what he used to do with Buffy and her crew.

He fought and enjoyed each fight but he saved souls, some thanked him and saw more than the vampire other frightened run off. The difference was, it wasn't about saving thousand of nameless people but a person or a family which make it more personal and valuable.

And Angel was Angel stoic keeping everybody far for him and his emotions. With Lilah's help he took over the firm and evinced every person he doubted about his loyalty.

This was their new office and their new life. Businessmen. Lilah enjoyed this new life, Wesley had found a way to free her from the blackmail used by the law firm to keep her under their control, but at time it didn't mean anything for the harsh man he had become.

He left as soon as he broke the curse; he was wearing a tuxedo that night and taking sweet Freddy-kins at the opera.

They all left, leaving her alone to deal with the relief of the joy then the bleach blond reappeared.

"Telegram services. The cheerleader tells you if you mess with the family she will make you wish for a rapid death. I'll be you, I'll be careful in my move. Those peoples aren't to mess with them."

"I don't need you to remind me that Spike, I've been their nemesis for so long. But even with all my knowledge I can't predict their next move, or the level of malice. What do you see when you observe them."

"Poof and poofette."

"….."

"Fred is a great physicist; she's the one who made me corporal again."

"Wesley…

"A failure as a watcher but someone who possessed a great knowledge"

"That's true, he loves coffee without mousse. He speaks fluently the basic Latin and Greek in addition to French English Italian and Spanish. Can speak and understand I don't know how much demon language. He developed aptitude at magic and portal. And what about Gunn?"

"Too hard, up to now he was just a fighter then he became lawyer. Good thing but wrong way to have it."

"Faith?"

"Don't know, she seems very hard and as unpredictable as Drusilla my sire. We fought against the First Evil back in SunnyD, I always loved the way she carry herself, doesn't try to deny herself she's human by appearance but demon by her power she knew it since the first day of her calling and never tried to deny it."

"True. And she's Angel protégée. He cares a lot about her even when we hired her to kill him, he stood against Buffy for her sake, she's his Achilles' hill."

"oh that's so nice granddaddy found a new luuu…..

He didn't finish his sentence, Spike flyed across the room. Faith had arrived surreptitiously and heard the conversation between the two newest members of the fang gang.

"Hey watch the strength Slayer"

"I'm Faith ok, try to use it dick head"

"Watch the name Tru…"

But he didn't finish his sentence; a shimmering light attracted his attention interrupting him. The light started to fade and a human figure stepped out.

She has long brown hair that covered most of her back, too luxurious that it seemed alive, the second thing he saw, was the Katana she held. Almost tenderly, like an extension of her own hand but in such deadly way.

Since he was on the ground, he started checking her, small foot wearing flat shoes, a leather pant and a strapless top , the clothing covered her but wasn't baggy so Spike appreciated the fullness of her hips and breasts, the tightness of her waist.

Spike loved Buffy but he wasn't blind, even when the entire group matured and reached the world of the adult, she kept a body of a teenage girl, petite, and even in the darkest hour something childish. At the end she hardened and distanced herself at the opposite; Cordelia seemed more alive and vivid. Curvy and every man dream, a long and thick hair, long enough to give you the opportunity to be drown in its scent and curl it around your fist to stop her to move et bring her neck to their sharp fang.

"Cheerleader what are you doing here, I thought you were dead."

"I am. At least in this realm."

"Very funny, I'm seeing you."

"You're the only one."

But he didn't hear what she said the same light engulfed her again making her disappear. Without thinking he brought his attention to the two women standing in the office.

"You know Spike I didn't hit you that hard."

"I know….

"So why are you speaking to yourself, I shall think you're …

Faith didn't pronounce the word but made the universal gesture which meant crazy but Spike wasn't given the opportunity to retort. The office where they stood was invaded by a group of four women, all of them blind but nothing in their appearance or the way they moved showed this disablement.

"She's gone sorceress."

"Who was there?"

"Someone with a power who outgrow our."

"No one can outgrow your power, you are the Prophetesses."

"But we are mortal, in this realm or lower neither human nor demon can stand by us but coming from higher realm….

They didn't finish their sentences there is no need, they left the trio alone again.

"Spike who was there?"

"No one."

"We saw you speaking, so who was there?"

Spike wasn't given the opportunity to answer, his senses warned him. A slayer is in the building. Shortly after these warning her unique scent invaded him.

He wasn't ready; he can't face her right now hurriedly he left the floor and the company. Faith followed him, Angel was waiting for her.

"What the heck?"

Shortly after his departure Faith heard a footstep coming this way, Harmony announced

"Miss Summers wants to meet the CEO, Miss Morgan."

"Thank you Harmony, I deal with Miss Summers. Please inform Logan that I meet him at two PM for a briefing, I want all the details concerning the intruder."

"Yes Miss Morgan."

Buffy watched with amazement Harmony acting so respectfully, the vampire could be described whimsical problematic but never as reverent except if you have ascendancy over her something Cordelia possessed for sure. The cold tone of Lilah broke her daydream.

"You want to meet Angel, may I know why, cause we're overscheduled for the coming months."

"I don't need to justify myself to you, just bring me to Angel."

"Oh you are. Because if I decide it I can make sure you never meet him… and don't even think about using your strength on me. How can I help you."

"I wanted to see angel and let him know, Sunnydale had been rebuilt and we are coming back."

"A new hell mouth?"

"It's a possibility, the council can't ignore it."

"You have five minutes."

"Thank you."

"Whatever."

Buffy was heading for Angel Office, when she heard her ex boyfriend speaking. His voice was so cold that it reminded her of Angelus, the door was open and she saw him. He was on meeting. Faith was standing at his right and was smirking and at his left man in his middles thirty his blue eyes as cold as Spike when he first came to Sunnydale. He reminded her of Wesley Windham Price her once Watcher. A third man was in the office, a bald Afro-American wearing a suit.

The oldest Slayer transferred her attention at the visitor, a Cravloc demon and his follower. The deep voice of the blue eyed man announced the end of the meeting.

"This is our last warning. LA, is ours don't forget it, we defeated The Black Thorn wich mean we are the dominant now."

"Don't be too presumptuous, we are the Cravloc without our support you won't be able to keep your control over this city."

"Don't bet on that. And if I were you, I won't try to test my resolve."

"Harmony will fix another appointment."

The young vampire appeared next the door before Gunn managed to end his sentence.

" Si vous voulez bien me suivre."

The demons left but they stopped their moves when they sensed another slayer, this one was as blond and petite as the other one was darker and exuding power. But Lilah appearance made their attention move to the Lawyer.

"Lilah, you are our attorney, do your Job."

"I'm sorry sir but when Lindsey left you asked for my replacement by another lawyer."

"But we kept you as one of our lawyer; you wouldn't appreciate what we could do to you if you disappoint us."

She didn't answer; she just left the demons and headed to Angel office, without knocking entered the office. Carrying her look to Faith she asked.

"How was the meeting?"

"Why do you ask Lilah? It was deadly boring, a hint of Angelus and a hint of scary Wesley and a bit of Lawyer baldy over there and all done."

"What a pity"

"Of course I didn't have the opportunity to hit anything for two long and painful days."

Fred who was silently assisting at the meeting went to Faith and started patting the slayer shoulder while the extended gang laughed at the whining voice.

"Angel, someone's asking to meet you."

"No way Lilah, it was my last meeting, I'm done and I have somewhere else to be. Gunn everything is ready for the departure. "

"Yeah, Las Vegas here we are."

"Hey guy, Lorne told me he knows someone who can provide us with some excitement?"

"Oh really."

"Oh please get your mind out the gutter Gunn."

"I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, he didn't say anything."

"It's written all over his face."

"I'm single, so there is no trouble asking."

"That's enough kid, someone might finish hurt and it's not me."

"Nor me."

"Angel and what about your visitor?"

"Ask Harm to schedule an appointment for next week."

Buffy didn't want to wait longer, she left the waiting area, ignoring Harmony pleas and headed where Lilah disappeared.

"Am I really unwelcome Angel?"

"Buffy, is that really you?"

"What do you think?"

Angel didn't respond, he just watched newcomer, sweet memory playing in his mind, the piercing voice of Harmony got him out of his thoughts.

"Ok guys everybody can leave, Angel is gone to Buffyland."

"I think she's right, Wesley do you think we are still going to Vegas."

"Don't worry about that Fred, tonight you'll spend your money at the casino and we'll all came back broke."

Gunn was the first one to leave Angel's office, he seemed upset but no one except Angel perceived his anger. Wes and Fred were the next.

"Lilah, are you stupid or what? Follow them."

"And what could I do oh Obi One?"

"I'm not Oprah but at least I'm not giving all the room to steal my man. Anyway I think I won't be able to attend the trip to Vegas so go ahead. "

"Angelus playing Cupid for his staff, scary."

"This way you'll stop harassing me."

"I'm helping you, you stupid vampire, you're too kind while dealing with human. Sometimes I wonder how you did…

"Don't….

The indolence left and Angel's voice became sharp, Buffy senses tingled warning her of a danger, her eyes met an Angel who reminded her of Angelus the same void marred his face and voice, the body nonchalantly lying against the CEO armchair vanished, a stiff feature replacing the man she knew.

Lilah didn't mistake the warning, some things must remain unspoken and this subject was still sore even after all these years.

"If I keep winning at the casino, maybe I'll think bringing a present."

"You know what they say Lilah……

"I know, but the world never met me and I know some trick."

"Ok, but I won't answer any call coming from a police station."

The lawyer didn't answer and left the office leaving the couple alone. The silence hanged over the office, each one observing his opposite.

Even after Lilah departure the vampire's face didn't shift, it didn't gain any warmth; his eyes remained lifeless making the Slayer wonder if he was really Angel.

Years don't affect vampires, nothing possessed any hold over this race but the vampire across the office has changed a lot.

He was slender, and his features were more accurate just like any human being leaving the verge of childhood to step in the land of adulthood but on angel it brings along Angelus. The same pale complexion and the same way to stand and even to speak, the parting existing between the two entities had completely vanished.

Angel was observing Buffy too. The young woman standing over there were a great fighter and his first love as an ensouled being as Darla was his first relation ship as immortal. When he first saw her, she was sixteen and in conflict with the world, she wasn't accepting her calling and trying to cancel it but he as was unable to run off his condition she failed to.

She loved the soul and faired the vampire but she kept claiming his love after his return from Acathla Hell. But love alone hadn't be helpful because of her youth she spoke of Angel and Angelus as two distinct entities and even angel tried to believe in this affirmation but it failed miserably.

First Spike's coming back and then the true nature of angel became harder to hide. It ended with his departure for Los Angeles where he started a new life.

He faced with her at first the same difficulties but she came around them while weeks and months spent.

Everybody believed their love would be as passionate as Romeo and Juliet and someway it was, it didn't last it burnt fiercely and briefly and ended when the sword broke through his chest.

But their love is what kept him walking during the first's months even after Doyle and her arrival, she was his mantra.

Then he died, Doyle died and left them alone. He learnt then, he was able to feel something for someone else other than Buffy. Other emotions filled him, sorrow at the loss hatred for a fate that bring people in his life, let them make their way to his heart before stealing them away from him.

Away from Sunnydale his soul learnt other things, love alone wasn't enough as a motive to keep living or to build a life but membership was.

He was loved at Sunnydale but wasn't part of the Scooby Gang, he was an outcast as her and Wesley.

As he watched the woman standing, all those memories arisen again, the love but the aching pain too.

"So how are you doing Buffy?"

"Good. But I suppose not as good as you. Nice office and nice view."

"Thank you. But I don't think you came all that way to congratulate me about my new office."

"…. No, but I want you to confirm a rumor."

"Which one?"

"Spike."

"He's a part of the company."

"He is really alive."

"As alive as he can be."

"Why didn't he let us know he was alive, I thank we were friend."

"A friend?!... Was he just a friend to you Buffy?"

"That's none of your concern Angel."

"Did I say I was concerned? I'm not Buffy. I'm just making a point. Spike doesn't want to deal with you right now, that why he left. So if you have some issue with him you should join him in New Orleans."

"Why are you speaking so harshly Angel?"

"That's the way I use Buffy. It had nothing to do with you. And seeing you again brings memory I would preferred they stayed buried."

"Are our shared memories that painful?"

"Some of them, are 'cause each time I think about it, it show me how we could have made it better if we were more mature and less melodramatic. We were too caught at playing Romeo and Juliet. Both of us changed during the past years. Neither of us can handle the new being the other became."

"Yeah, I don't think I appreciate or love this new Angel, Goodbye Angel."

"Goodbye Buffy."

Buffy, left the office. She found Harmony standing near the door trying to spy on their conversation.

"Oh! You're already leaving."

"Don't tell me you are sad."

"No, in fact great you're leaving; having you here will ruin the company's business. Faith suits more for the job."

"Please tell me what Faith can do, I can't."

"She knows how to walk between the thin line separating good and evil without falling. She learned the hard way."

"You're stating she's better than I."

"You are the greatest slayer ever recorded but you lack on the human department."

"Speaks the evil vampire who tried to kill her once best friend."

"I did it but I learned something, that day, you know, I kept my memory and some human emotions but the demon in me made the emotions tainted by who I became. But that doesn't change, I have emotion. Anyway I must leave; Brad is waiting for me at the reception. Bye bye. Oh and I really loved the way Cordelia welcomed me even after she learned what I became even the threat."

Both girls left the building, Harm with her partner and Buffy walked to Willow who were waiting for her outside the building.

The secretary didn't pay attention to the show the gang was displaying at sidewalk but Buffy and willow didn't miss it.

"Is that Wesley?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"I never knew he was a sorcerer."

"Whom…Wesley….Please….that's not funny."

"I'm not trying to be. He's so powerful, he even deal with black magic."

"How? ... Angel won't let him…. "

"You said it yourself he changed…..His aura is tainted, so dark…. Shadow….. and his friends they all seem gloomy."

"They look fine to me."

"They are not, all of them are different, the darkness within them is growing but they keep it in check. How they do that?"

"Are you telling me that we could have to fight them?"

"No…… yes…maybe…..Someday."

Willow didn't finish her sentence, someone was watching them, she looked around her and her gaze met Wesley's and Lilah's, his was cold and expressionless her was full of malice and irony. Never breaking the eye contact Lilah whispered something at Wesley's ear.

Wesley's gaze locked with Lilah and for a moment either of them spoke but Fred interrupted the moment by entwining the watcher waist.

The icy blue eyes melted and shown affection. Wesley was standing between the two women; the first one was like a model, well dressed and full of self confidence. For the Wicca observing the group she looked like the perfect match to Wesley.

"Have Angel been able to help you about Spike?"

"Yes, Spike was trapped by the amulet, but thanks to the gang, they bring him back and now Angel sent him to New Orleans."

"I imagined he would let us know for his coming back."

"I believed it too. But I was mistaken; he doesn't want to deal with us."

"I could understand. He loved you Buffy and you never reciprocate this feeling."

"I loved him too but…..

"I don't need to know that I already know how you feel about him. Did you really imagine it was easy for me to move to hetero at lesbian? Our society doesn't love different being but you are different. You are a slayer, this fact alone make you different so what loving a vampire could do. You trusted him to protect Dawn, him not me neither Xander nor Giles. You should go to New Orleans and face him. I'll head to SunnyD Kennedy had been left alone to deal with the Hellmouth for too long."

Both girls were standing afar from the group waiting Gunn. Wesley was flanked by Fred and Lilah and Faith was leaning against the limousine her face stoic. Her gaze veiled by sunglasses.

They could fake but who are they trying to fool? Even I can see something missing. A bound, an emotion. Wes and Angel barley speaks if it doesn't concern the firm. Lorne keeps his distance and each time I ask him he looks away and sorrow darkens his features. If I was in his office he will check a photo in his desk. A photo where she stand smiling, all of them well dressed, the boys in tuxedos and both girls in party dress. Cordelia's was black with a plunging neckline. She looked astonishing. She looked stylish, society woman and femme fatale. Fred was fabulous too but Cordelia seemed too much at ease with fashion designer clothes.

No one speaks her name, the first time she came to the group, she innocently asked about Cordelia. She didn't stand a chance even her slayer senses weren't given a chance to warn her. Angel launched himself and throws her against the nearest wall.

She never saw him as serious in his threat, even as Angelus he was always playful and scornful.

"Do not pronounce her name again. I shall not be that kind next time Faith."

Angel left the office, a heavy silence reigning over the small group. Wesley took of his glasses and started cleaning them. Lilah was the one who explained what's going on, each member position in the firm and the taboos.

The last passenger appeared, Lilah and Faith didn't waste time each one opened a door of the limousine making it clear to everyone, time to leave.