CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

" If they wanted to kill us, they would have blown up the limo," Fred told the group once they arrived at the brand new Wolfram & Hart building.

" That's true." Wesley agreed as they walked in.

" Morning Mr. Angel," a lawyer greeted Angel as he walked by. Several other people did the same as Angel looked around. He sighed.

" This won't end well." He said and saw Lilah Morgan walking towards them with a group of people.

" Well, you've all made it. What a shock. We've got a lot of ground to cover, so best we get started. Let me introduce you to your guides."

" Guides? Separate guides?" Angel frowned.

" Of course. There are six of you, all with specific interests, unique areas of expertise. Seemed the most efficient way of doing this. Prioritise and personalize." Lilah explained.

" Divide and conquer, you mean." Angel smirked.

" Oh, you're so cynical. See? This is gonna work out great." Lilah smiled.

" We don't split up. We came here together, we're gonna take the tour together. Right, guys?"

Lilah ignored this and turned to Abigail and introduced her to Bailey Tanner.

Abigail turned to face the guy -who smiled warmly at her. He had a shock of blonde hair and green eyes. He was really cute-too bad she was taken.

" Bailey why don't you show her around?" Lilah suggested and gestured to the weapons cart, " Do you want to take something?"

" No," Abigail said gazing at the cutie, and forgetting all about Lorne who was watching them both.

" I've heard a lot about you," Bailey said to Abigail as he lead her away from the group. She didn't even look back.

" Well, that's just perfect." Lorne scowled as Lilah turned to him. She smiled knowingly. " You just my girl away with some cute guy who's going to be her assistant?"

" Why Lorne, you're not jealous are you?" Lilah couldn't help but tease him.

" No, I don't feel jealous or threatened in any way," Lorne replied but didn't sound very convincing.

A short man walked up to Lorne then and introduced himself as Preston.

" Hi, big fan. Huge. Love your work." He shook Lorne's hand. " I had this prepared. Confidential list. Peepers only. Thought you might want to take a gander at our roster. (opens the book) Just a rundown of some of the talent we represent here."

" Uh, no, no, no, no. I don't think you have to tell me what you represent here, young man. I know. Evil. Pure evil in the—" Preston flipped through the pages of the book, catching Lorne's attention, " Huh. Which is also apparently everyone I've always wanted to meet." He said and walked away with him.

* * *

Bailey opened the door to a room and Abigail entered it. The office was huge there was even a small bar, a comfortable looking sofa, a flat-screen television. There were several boxes on the desk plus four long ones.

" This office is mine?" Abigail asked taking everything in. There was a great view of the mountains and the city centre.

" Yep. It's all yours." Bailey paused, " That is, if you take the job."

Abigail stared out of the window, " What exactly will I be doing?" she asked him.

" It's all in here." Bailey handed her a folder and she sat down to read it. She'd be the head of IT Department and helping build web sites for clients. Human and demon clients.

" Demons need web sites?" Abigail looked at Bailey.

" Sure. Why not?" Bailey asked her. " You can do it-you majored in computer science before switching to do a Masters in Creative Writing. Whatever happened to that hobby of yours?"

" Excuse me? How did you know-"

" I know everything about you Abigail. I know that you are an only child to Hank and Rachel Williams. You lost both parents to demons a few years ago. Since then you've been pretty much a loner, keeping to yourself. Until one day, through your only friend, you met an unusual demon named Lorne. Then your life turned around."

" What are these?" Abigail wanted to change the subject. She opened a box and took out a book.

" They are replacements of all the books that were destroyed in the fire a couple of years ago." Bailey told her.

" All of them?"

" Every single one. There are more boxes at your penthouse."

Abigail dropped a book and stared at Bailey, " I have a penthouse?" she exclaimed.

" Sure. Well, its yours and Lorne's. Here's the key." Bailey handed her the key and she tried to take everything in. She was in charge of her own department and had a penthouse.

" It's all sounding…too good to be true." Abigail said and wondered how Lorne was doing. She was starting to miss him.

" Anyway, let me show you around the building. You're gonna need to meet your team and you've already met your assistant."

Abigail tried to smile but failed. She reminded herself that she was in Wolfram & Hart and Bailey was supposed to be evil. But he sure wasn't acting like it.

* * *

Later on, Lorne arrived back to the lobby, singing and dancing with himself and found Abigail making her way back. He hugged her and after awhile everyone straggled back.

Gunn told the group that he was going to do it.

" I can't believe it. Are—are you saying we should take the deal?" Fred asked Wesley.

" I already took it." Angel said appearing.

" Angel, what—what?" Fred stammered.

" You took the deal?" Wesley demanded.

" Executive decision."

" I didn't think you'd—"

" Know a silver platter when he's handed one? I'm impressed with the lot of you. Team Angel, all growed up." Lilah said.

" Is it taken care of?" Angel whispered to her.

" Cordelia's safe and sound, probably getting a manicure and a blow dry as we speak." Lilah assured him.

" You found Cordy? And she's—"

" Still in a coma. But hey, it doesn't mean she can't look her best. (to Angel) She'll receive the finest care, medical and metaphysical. If there is a way to get her back, we'll find it."

" Just one more piece of business. I got to see him." Angel said.

" I'm sorry, Angel, but that wasn't part of the deal." Lilah reminded him.

" Value of compromise. Remember, Lilah? I need to see him." Angel insisted.

" You're the boss." Lilah said. "There'll be a limo waiting outside. It'll take you to see Connor."

Fred watched Angel leave before asking, " Who's Connor?"

* * *

That night, Abigail and Lorne were getting ready for bed when Lorne handed her an envelope. " Here."

" What's this?"

" Just open it."

She did so and pulled out two tickets.

" First class tickets on the SS Queen Mary? For two weeks?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening, " Lorne, we can't afford this."

" We can now." Lorne grinned.

" But…these must have been expensive. And how are you going to get around? You'd have to go incognito when we're out in the public-"

" Don't worry about that sweetie. Just start packing. When leave in three days. I have to go see Angel and tell him. " he hugged her, " After everything we've been through, we deserve this."

While Lorne went to see Angel, Fred knocked on Abigail's door and asked how her tour went. Abigail told her about Bailey and described her office.

" It seems everything is turning back to normal. " Fred paused," Relatively normal. I hope Lorne tells Angel he's sorry for hitting him."

Abigail stared at Fred. " Wait a minute…Lorne hit Angel? When?"

" You mean…you didn't know?"

* * *

" Hey Angel," Lorne found the vampire packing.

" Hey." Angel replied folding some shirts and putting them in a box.

" I just wanted to…apologise." Lorne began.

" Apologise for what?" Angel asked not looking up from his packing.

" For hitting you. When Abigail was lost, I kind of…well, I was-"

" Out of your mind with worry?" Angel finished for him.

" Yeah. I blamed you for Abigail getting taken and I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

" But you don't mean it." Angel said looking at Lorne.

" What? Angel-cakes, of course I mean it-"

" That's what your head is saying. But in your heart, you blamed me. You meant what you said and those punches too."

Lorne shook his head, " Angel, no-"

" And when I nearly killed Abigail that night, you wanted to kill me."

" I admit that, yes, but you aren't to blame for what Angelus said or did."

" Yes I am. Angelus will always be here, deep down. And that scar on Abigail's neck will always be a reminder."

" She doesn't know that I hit you." Lorne admitted.

" Then you should tell her. About that and among other things you've done."

" Change of subject Angel-cakes for fear of another lecture. Abikins and I are going away for awhile. On a cruise. We need time out-together."

Angel nodded, " That's good. You two deserve it. Especially Abigail."

" I better go start packing. " Lorne said and turned to leave.