The day before the open house was busy with last minute preparations and almost everyone had something to do. Husker was working on restocking the bar before helping Nifty with the tables and chairs. Fresh white linen clothes were draped over each table, and a vase of yellow, blue and pink flowers was placed at the center. Vaggie was flying around, placing decor up high, while Angel and Ellen did the ones within reach. Charlie was busy running around trying to keep an eye on everyone making adjustments and minor corrections as needed. By the time mid day came around everyone was ready for food. Since everyone was busy helping out, Charlie had simply ordered some pizza for the group.

It was at this point that Ellen realized their facility manager was missing. She didn't think the King of Hell would bother with the preparation of the open house, he surely had more important things to do. But Alastor, he surely could have helped.

"Where's Alastor?"

Angel just waved the question away. "He don't do this kinda stuff."

"All hands on deck usually means ALL hands. How'd he get exempt?"

"There's no exemption, he just don't do it." Angel stood and grabbed another slice before returning to the couch beside her, lying down taking the whole thing to himself. The two had picked a spot a little ways from the rest of the group.

Ellen took a bite of her pizza thinking. She hadn't seen much of Alastor since she suggested the open house. He had, on a few occasions, appeared out of the shadows to pull Charlie away, and the timing felt like it was always just when she really needed it. Just when she needed a break from Charlie or her head was starting to throb from all the planning and organizing. It had to be a coincidence. There was no way he would have known she needed a break, let alone go out of his way to help her. But she still couldn't shake the feeling. It all seemed too calculated.

Angel was waving a hand in her face."…Or you could just zone out I guess."

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I'm sorry what?"

"Why you so curious 'bout smiles?

Her face scrunched up. "I've been told he's someone I should be worried about, so I'm just being cautious. He was also an ass when I asked to borrow a radio."

"What do ya need a radio for?"

"Music? What else do you need a radio for?"

He raised an eyebrow. "And he wouldn't give ya one?"

She rolled her eyes. "Nothing down here is free, my dear." She tried her best to imitate the Radio Demon.

"Wata prick."

"Right? So I'm just keeping my distance." She shrugged her shoulders. "Can't get along with everyone, right?"

"Don't take it personally, he's like that to everyone."

What could he possibly be doing here if he didn't have any friends here? Ellen finished her pizza before moving to sit beside Angel, pushing his legs off to clear a seat for herself.

"So what's his deal? Why's he here? Clearly it's not because he wants to be redeemed."

"Nah." He finished the last of his pizza before continuing. "Jus here for the 'entertainment' wadever that means."

"Is that all you got? He's been here for months!"

"Oh yeah? And what have you learned about Mr. Fancy talk creepy voice?"

She opened her mouth and promptly closed it. He had a point. She knew next to nothing about him. He likes jazz, he was an overlord in Hell, (whatever that meant) he was the Radio Demon (she also wasn't too sure what that meant either). He ate flesh, and he was friends with Rosie.

"Touché."

"He's a big creepy mystery."

She leaned back and signed. "I guess so."

He stood stretching. "Well if you need a radio, you can use mine whenever ya want."

"Thank you Angel."

"Don't mention it. Now ya ready to finish decorating?"

She smiled at him, standing. "Yeah the sooner this is done the better."

After a few hours, Charlie declared they were good, she only wanted to have a quick test run of her speech, which Vaggie graciously volunteered to work with her on. Everything was finally finished. Ellen fled with the others as soon as they were let go. She finally had time to herself. She decided she was going to head up to the roof just to sit and get some air. She'd just stop by Angel's room first to borrow his radio. Movement caught her eye and she followed a shadow move past her and down the hall quickly disappearing out of sight.

She seemed to be seeing that more often lately, shadows darting by. It was obvious Alastor was keeping an eye on her. Had it been anyone else she may be flattered, but not the Radio Demon. She glared down the hallway thinking. Should she follow? Curiosity killed that cat. She turned back for the elevator but quickly turned again to follow the shadow. And satisfaction brought it back.

She didn't make it very far before she lost sight of it. She let out a small huff before turning back towards the elevator. Though she couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching her.

She made it to her door before she realized hadn't stopped by Angel's room first. She glared daggers at Alastors door. It would have been so much easier if he just let her borrow one seeing as he could just make one appear. She sighed before turning back for the elevator. She made it a few steps before she heard a door click open behind her. She resisted the urge to turn and glare at the Radio Demon.

"Forgotten something have you?" He asked, amusement evident in his voice.

"Just enjoying the exercise." She mumbled.

She made it to the elevator door hoping he just wanted to stand at the door to mock her. No such luck. He closed the door behind him and made his way to the elevator door, standing beside her humming cheerfully. His arms folded behind him. He seemed to be in a chipper mood.

She slowly tilted her head up to look up at him through her peripherals. She barely got a few seconds before his eyes found hers. For a short moment they just stared at each other, seemingly silently exchanging greetings. His humming didn't skip a second finding her staring up at him. Finally she looked away, though she did manage to catch the sight of his smile pulled higher. He liked that she retreated from his gaze.

She resisted the temptation to mention that it seemed pointless for him to wait for the elevator. It was certainly faster to travel through shadows. He made her uneasy, that was why he decided to wait. He wanted to see her anxious. Even with that knowledge she had a hard time keeping her nerves steady.

She fought with herself debating on whether to speak or remain silent. Before she could make a decision her mouth made it for her.

"Thank you." She quickly looked up to see a questioning gaze.

"For the Jambalaya. I haven't had a chance to thank you for it, yet."

He only nodded, continuing his humming and turning his attention back forward.

She pulled her gaze to the elevator doors. Clearly he wasn't in the mood to chat. Why did she even bother trying? She stood in an awkward silence until the elevator doors finally 'ding' open. He gestured for her to go first. She did. She moved as far away from the button panel as possible. She watched him push the button for floor 3 and Lobby.

She wasn't going to ask how he knew she was going to the third floor. No, she was sure she wasn't going to like whatever the answer was. What if people could read minds? Seemed a little too sci-fi, but seeing as sinners gained powers, slipping through shadows and what not, she wasn't going to rule anything out. She would probably not recover from something like that. Best not to even ask. Ignorance is bliss so they say. Curiosity killed the cat.

"How'd you know?"

"Hmm?"

She jutted her chin to the button panel and repeated, "How'd you know I was going to floor three?" She couldn't keep her nerves under control, her leg starting to shake in apprehension despite her mind telling her this was exactly what he wanted.

He let out a small chuckle, only moving his eyes to address her.

"You are meeting with the effeminate spider, yes? He's on the third floor." He explained it like it was common knowledge.

She pressed her lips together eyeing him carefully, "I am. But how did you know I was going to see Angel?"

"Where else would you possibly be going, hmm?"

She remained silent, unable to find something to respond with. She could have come up with infinite responses yet at that moment nothing came to her. So she remained quiet and they fell into silence again, only Alastors soft humming filling the void. When the doors finally opened she hurried out.

"I'm glad you enjoyed my mother's jambalaya." He managed a quick nod in dismissal before the doors closed.

She stared at the door in disbelief for a few minutes trying to figure out what that whole encounter was. She hadn't really had a casual conversation with him before. It didn't go too badly. Rather nice all things considered. She turned and made her way to Angel's room. After a quick exchange she made her way back to the top floor, radio in hand. She was grateful she didn't run into anyone else on her route.

She pushed the door open to the roof coffing a bit from the quick change in air. She wasn't sure she would ever get used to the smell of brimstone and smoke. The heat would burn the throat after stepping out of the hotel, where the air was nowhere near as hot and intense. She waited for a few minutes until the air no longer bothered her then moved to the center of the roof. It was the most open part.

She placed Angel's hot pink radio down on the roof and flicked it on, tuning stations to find something to listen to. A lot of the stations were static, or Jazz. She was starting to lose hope when all of a sudden something upbeat flicked through. She carefully twisted the dial to find it. Her grin grew.

For the first time since arriving in hell she found a song from her time period. Something fairly modern.

"Oh my goodness there is a god." She squealed in delight, quickly getting to her feet.

"A thousand disbelievers couldn't keep me on the ground. I've invented a momentum that'll never slow me down."

Not a favourite song, but if anyone was watching or listening, one would think it was. It was something familiar, something from her life, and it was the best song in the world at that moment.

"Uh-uh Fuck that! I can do anything!"

She couldn't help but yell it from the roof top. Her laughter bubbled up as the lyrics sunk in. "I can do anything."

The irony of the lyrics weren't lost on her. She was in fact very limited in what she could do, stuck in a hotel in Hell. But that seemed trivial. She didn't have to worry about anymore planning or setting up for the open house. She had a beautiful dress picked out for the evening and she had the rest of the day to herself. In some way, she really could do anything. Her time, now her own again.

When the song came to an end she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. She missed music. Real music. The stuff she listened to on earth. Why hell seemed obsessed with jazz was beyond her but it really made it feel less homey. There were so many other genres of music that she was missing.

The channel turned to static causing her to have to tune it again, though this time she knew she would only find something jazzy. Her shoulders fell, but she plastered a smile onto her face. It was better than nothing.

She didn't stay up there for very long, only a few songs before she felt she had listened enough. It was probably because she got a taste of real music, and now everything else felt bland.

She clicked the radio off and picked it up making her way to the roof access with a defeated sigh. She made it to her room and just as she was about to flop onto her bed when she heard knocking. It wasn't on her door but she still got up to take a peek.

Charlie was knocking on Alastors door. When she got no answer she crossed the hallway to her dads door. Ellen watched curiously. When Charlie didn't get a response from her dad either Ellen finally stepped out of her room.

"Hey Charlie."

"Oh!" She turned surprised. "Ellen I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just looking for Alastor or my dad." She glanced between the two doors on opposite ends of the hallway. "They don't seem to be here."

"Is there something I could help with?" Ellen was fairly certain she would be out of her league if the princess was looking for help from the two most powerful beings in the hotel, but she thought she'd offer anyway.

"Oh! No, we just had a small problem with one of the washing machines. No biggie." She waved her hand to dismiss the thought.

Ellen raised an eyebrow intrigued. A small smirk on her lips. She wasn't a plumber but she knew her way around a toolbox. She never really wanted to have a career in the trades, but she went and got a degree in machining anyway, determined to prove herself worthy amongst her male colleagues. She always liked going against the grain, crafting her own path and while she didn't intend on making a career of it, it gave her the knowledge and know how to be able to work with her hands.

"Not draining properly?"

Charlie's eyes widened. "You know how to fix that?"

"I make no promises but I can definitely take a look, do some trouble shooting."

"Oh my gosh, yeah! That would be great. You don't mind?"

"Not at all princess." She shut the door behind her, following Charlie down to the main floor.

She had never wondered about where Nifty was getting clean towels and bedding from, but the hotel would have obviously had to have a laundry room. She had never explored enough to find out where it was. She didn't really care to think about it.

When Charlie opened the door she found Nifty and Husker talking about the machine in question. Upon her arrival the two stopped, staring confused. They clearly weren't expecting her.

"Hi Miss Ellen!" Nifty waved eagerly to her. It always brought a smile to her face.

"Hey Nifty."

"What are you doing here?" Husk asked.

She shrugged. "Just going to take a look."

He only gave her a curious look before turning to leave. "Alastor will fix it if he decides to show up."

She smiled at the retreating Cat Demon. "I'm sure I'll have it fixed before then."

He only huffed before disappearing from sight.

"Okay Nifty, could you grab me a big bowl, a few towels and a small brush?"

She nodded eagerly and dashed off. "Okay!"

Charlie looked around the room seemingly like she wanted to say something. After a few moments she finally broke.

"So I know the open house is tomorrow, and you've been so helpful with… everything but I… you-"

"Okay I have what you asked for!" Nifty reappeared with everything.

Ellen gave Charlie a look to continue her thought, but she didn't take it.

"Um, I guess I'll leave you to it." Charlie made her way out.

"Hmm" Ellen turned back to the machine sitting on the floor in front of it cross legged. She tucked a towel under the front of the machine, just under the filter hatch. She popped open the hatch and pulled out the little drainage tube. She was just about to pull the plug to start draining the machine when an all too familiar radio host voice caused her to jump.

"What are you doing, my dear?"

She resisted the urge to scold him about sneaking up on her. She let out a huff. "I'm fixing the washing machine."

"I can simply replace it, my dear. No need to trouble yourself fiddling with this."

"Or I could just fix it. It should be a simple fix really."

"You're going to fix it?" He sounded doubtful.

She finally turned to face him, waving him down. "Here, I'll show you, it's easy."

He didn't move. "I must say I was not expecting you to take on something so…technical." He gave her an interested look.

She gave him an annoyed look back. "It's because I'm a girl right? This is a man's work."

She rolled her eyes. Typical. Even when working in school and her job she was constantly scrutinized for just being there. She worked extra hard to prove she deserved to be there. In fact she was one of the top of her class and one of the best at her job. Sure she lacked some of the physical strength, but it only pushed her to find more creative ways to do those kinds of tasks. There was no doubt Alastor would be just like all of the other guys she's dealt with. An old timey guy that probably believed she belonged in a kitchen. Meant to stay prim and proper.

"Not at all. I think it's quite practical to know how to fix things on your own. Women have spent far too long being dependent on the help of men. It's nice to see some step up to some unconventional roles."

Her mouth hung open. What?

He gave her a disapproving look. "Do close your mouth, it's very unrefined, my dear."

She promptly closed it, but continued to stare at him suspiciously. She shook her head pressing on to her task at hand.

"Right, um. Well I'm just going to drain the basin. Once it's empty I can check the filter. Chances are it's clogged and that's why it's not draining properly."

"You have this handled then."

"I'm not a plumber, so if this isn't the solution I'm at a loss." She answered honestly.

"You doubt your abilities?"

"No. I know what I can do and what I can not. I know better than to be overconfident in something I know little about. That's how you get into trouble."

"Indeed." He eyed her carefully. "Wise words for a young lady."

She shrugged. She pulled the plug off of the hose letting the dirty water drain into the large bowl. She wasn't too sure how to respond to the Radio Demon. Had he called her smart? How did she reply to that? Thank him? He had surprised her. He didn't seem as terrible as he had been when she first got here. Maybe he had softened a bit to her presence.

"You're welcome to stay and watch if you like, though I'm sure you have more important things to get to. If I can't get this back to running properly I'll let you know."

"Very well. I'm certain you can handle this on your own then." He turned leaving her with Nifty, who she forgot had been standing beside her the entire time.

"Wow. He must like you." Nifty giggled when he was gone.

While keeping an eye on the bowl she gave Nifty a confused look. "What? Why do you think that?"

"He's letting you fix it."

She went to ask why that would mean anything but got distracted by the hose launching a dead roach into the bowl, followed by three more.

"Oh yeah! I forgot I drowned some roaches in this machine." She cackled manically. "I knew I was missing some."

Ellen made a face, but took a mental note to double check all of her clothes from this point on. Maybe her bed and towels too. She shuddered.

AN: If anyone was curious about the song choices (in this chapter and future ones) I will post them at the end of the Chapters in the authors notes. Enjoy!

Anything- Hedley