CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Harmony saw Abigail walk into the lobby, holding some files and looking at her watch.

" Abigail?" Harmony called hesitantly. She knew Lorne's girlfriend didn't trust her, Harmony couldn't blame her.

" What?" Abigail asked looking at the blonde vampire warily. She didn't see herself becoming friends of the vampire. For one thing, she knew Harmony's type. The popular cheerleader. Abigail avoided girls like Harmony like the plague in high school.

" You're two o' clock appointment's running late," Harmony explained, " He just called."

" Oh. I was wondering about that. Thanks." She turned to leave but Harmony stood in her way.

" Was there something else?" Abigail asked impatiently.

" Um…what are you doing after work?" Harmony asked and Abigail was completely taken aback.

" Going home and get an early night. Why?"

" Oh…no reason." Harmony smiled and returned to her desk. Abigail disappeared while Angel left his office and a demon walked into the lobby, growling.

" What is that doing here?" Angel demanded, staring at the demon.

" Oh, that's-" Harmony tried to tell him it was here for Abigail but her boss ignored her. Instead he killed the demon by snapping it's neck and letting it fall to the floor.

" Get someone to clean that up." Angel ordered Harmony.

" Um," Harmony stared down at the body as Abigail reappeared, " My client is very late, Harmony can you call him again?"

Harmony glanced at her, " Uh…that was your two' ' clock," she told her pointing at the dead demon.

Abigail stared at Angel, " You killed my client?"

" I didn't know-" Angel began and the two began arguing. Angel went back into his office and she followed. The argument stopped when Eve arrived and the rest of the gang. Lorne arrived soon after.

They convinced Angel to have the party and it was still on for the next night.

~**~

Lorne found Abigail in her office, going through some paperwork. Bailey was sitting opposite tapping on his laptop.

" Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?" Lorne asked her, ignoring Bailey.

" Sure. What's up?"

" In private." Lorne added, glancing over at Bailey.

" Sure, no problem." Bailey closed his laptop and got ready to leave.

" Have the proposal to me by this afternoon," Abigail called after him as Bailey left the room.

" I want to talk to you about the party." Lorne said as he sat down in Bailey's chair.

" The party?"

" The big monster bash…tomorrow night?"

" Oh. To tell you the truth…I wasn't planning on going," Abigail admitted.

" You weren't…what?" Lorne stared at her in disbelief.

" You know parties aren't my thing. I much prefer small gatherings with friends."

" I am the host of this party," Lorne reminded her.

" So?"

" As the host's girlfriend, it's your duty to show up." Lorne said,

" And when you do, mingle. Dance. Make friends…especially with Harmony…she wants to get to know you."

" She's a vampire without a soul." Abigail countered.

" Who's been off human blood for months. If I can trust Harm, so can you." Lorne stood up to leave, " Please…do this for me."

~**~

Bailey entered his family's home later that day. He found his father, head of the Imari Clan sitting in his usual chair in the den. His uncle was sitting next to him and his older brother Darin had entered the room.

" Son, we need to have a word," Mr. Tanner greeted his youngest son.

Bailey loosened his tie, " What's up?"

The leader gestured to their servant who refilled his wine glass. The demon servant then left the room.

" We are concerned about you," his father began, " About your assignment."

" What do you mean?" Bailey asked warily.

" We have reason to believe that you may have feelings for The Protected One."

Bailey stared at his father loss for words, " I…how did you know?" he asked.

" So you don't deny it then?" the leader asked him reproachfully.

" No, I don't deny it. Yes I'm in love with Abigail. So what of it?" Bailey asked defensively.

" You've broken the sacred vow never to fall for a human while we're protecting it," his father said his eyes boring into his son's,

" Quite frankly, I'm starting to regret giving you this assignment."

Bailey sighed. He had broken the sacred vow and disappointed his father.

" I should have appointed your brother in the first place."

" No, there's no need. I can do it." Bailey insisted.

" Bailey, you know that you'll never get a chance with Abigail. For one, her boyfriend won't ever let anyone come between them. And her destiny. She's not destined to live a long life. You know that." His brother had to put his own two cents in. And his really irritated Bailey.

" I said I can do it! I can protect Abigail til the day of reckoning. Please, give me a second chance."

The leader hesitated and thought about it, " Very well. And we'll be able to keep an eye on you tomorrow night. We're going to the party the CEO of Wolfram and Hart is hosting."

Bailey nodded, his head down as he left the room. He felt embarrassed to be chastised like a kid. And in front of his uncle and brother.

Lorne had been right, his crush was a hopeless one.