July 2002

    Lindsey’s nostrils flared and his brow furrowed deeply at the sight of her.  She sat behind her large desk, confident and full of deceit.  Her left leg was crossed seductively over her right, and her mouth curled up into a sneer as she met Lindsey’s eyes.  She briefly scanned her vision over Kate and finally settled on Angel.
    "Angel.  It’s been a while."
    "Yes, it has.  The week since our last attempt to hash this out in court passed by far too slowly," Angel said softly, dangerously.  He felt Kate’s fingertips his back, telling him to restrain himself.
    "Lilah, enough of the games," said Lindsey through gritted teeth.
    "Games?  You consider the United States justice system to be a game?" Lilah leaned back, interlacing her fingers.
    "The way you play it, it’s a bad carnival," Kate muttered.
    Lilah rolled her eyes.
    "Did you come to joke or discuss a settlement?"
    "Neither.  We want to go to court, Lilah.  We’re here to find out what it’s gonna take to get Wolfram & Hart to agree." Lindsey leaned forward, hands on Lilah’s desk.
    "What makes you so sure you can get us to agree at all?  Wolfram & Hart would much rather settle this little dispute outside the courtroom arena," Lilah said tranquilly.
    "You are sadly mistaken if you think we’re just going to hand the organization to you!  You know, if I didn’t want to torture you all to death—"
    Angel reached out to stop Lindsey, putting a hand on his arm.  Lindsey saw the look in Angel’s eyes and backed away from the desk.  The vampire went around the desk and moved close to Lilah.  She practically stumbled out of her chair trying to get away from the advancing Angel.  He continued to follow her until she was trapped against the wall.  Lindsey and Kate exchanged glances.  Angel was close enough to whisper in Lilah’s ear.
    "What’s the matter, Lilah?  Not the confident Wolfram & Hart executive you appear to be?"
    "Get away from me," she said hoarsely.
    "See, that’s the thing, Lilah.  I can’t.  Not while you and your lawyer legions are trying to destroy me…again." Angel laughed quietly.  "Isn’t that funny?  No matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to get me.  And oh, how badly you want me."
    "If you don’t—"
    Angel silenced her with a finger to her lips.  He could feel her quickened pulse and heightened fear.
    "I’ll be gone from this office soon enough.  But know this: you will never be rid of me.  Everything Wolfram & Hart does in my city, I’ll know about." Angel began to back away from her.  "Take your best shot.  I guarantee you’ll miss."
    Angel motioned for Lindsey and Kate to leave the office with him.
    "Alright, Angel.  Since you’re so sure about this, I’ll see you in court," said Lilah, breathing hard through clenched teeth.
    "Expect a call from me about the details," said Lindsey brightly.
    As soon as the door was closed, Lilah fell back against the wall weakly, sliding to a sitting position, her head in her hands.
 

    "Gunn, where’s Angel?"
    "Cordy, I told you.  He’s outside."
    "Oh, right.  He’s still there?"
    "Yep.  I think Kate’s out there, too."
    "Oh.  Why is that important?"
    "I don’t know!  You just looked like there was something else you wanted to know, so I told you."
    "Thanks." Cordelia made an uneasy face when Gunn’s back was turned.
    "You’re welcome."
    When she was sure Gunn was gone, Cordelia went to the window overlooking the patio outside.  Angel was sitting in a chair, elbows resting on knees, hands together, head down.  He looked tired, and maybe even a little sad.  Kate was sitting in the chair next to his, and she seemed to be quite focused on what Angel was saying.  He shook his head and said something that made Kate nod.  Cordelia watched as Kate put a hand on Angel’s shoulder.  The Seer frowned involuntarily as she noticed Kate’s hand move to the base of Angel’s neck, her thumb moving softly back and forth.  Cordelia was suddenly overcome with an urge to interrupt them.  She stopped herself just as she was about to step away from the window and head for the door.
    "What is wrong with me?" she whispered to herself.  "So what if Angel and Kate are good friends?  So what if Angel likes to spend time with her?  So what if…if Angel spends more time with her than he does with me?"
    Cordelia started.  She had completely missed the fact that Angel and Kate were no longer sitting outside.  She heard the door open.
    "Hey, Cordy."
    "Hey, Kate."
    Angel muttered something to Kate and walked over to Cordelia.  He always stood this close, and Cordelia noticed every time.
    "Are you…okay?" he asked awkwardly.
    "Yes, the headache stopped a little while ago," she lied.  The pain was still there.
    "You sure?" Angel looked into her eyes, and she could literally feel the concern there.
    "Yes, I’m sure," she replied, smiling up at him.
    "Good.  Um, Kate and I are going for a walk, so…" he trailed off, backing away in Kate’s direction.
    "So you’ll be back later," Cordelia said with more cheerfulness than she felt.
    "Right.  Good night." Angel smiled at Cordelia and left with Kate.
    The Seer sighed.
    "So what?"