It was near dusk a week later and Xander whistled as he walked down the street towards the office. He couldn't wait to get back home to Spike and Angel. He had been working long hours, beginning at 7:00 and ending near dusk, and his lovers hadn't been pleased. He didn't like the time away from them either, but with Christmas right around the corner, he needed every single cent he could get his hands on. He was looking forward to the holiday this year and wanted it to be perfect.

"Hey, anyone here?" Xander looked around the empty office.

"Xander, hurry up and get down here, Now!" Doyle yelled and Xander rushed for the stairs, picking up a weapon on the way down. It was just like some nasty demon to bother him when he had other things to do - namely two vampires he couldn't get off his mind. He rounded the corner and practically ran Doyle over. They both fell backwards, Xander's ax falling to the floor while Doyle scrambled to hold on to the box he was carrying.

"Great entrance, Xan," Oz laughed, helping the boy to his feet while Wesley did the same for Doyle.

"What did you expect? I come in, the office is empty and I hear Doyle yelling like he's being attacked. What was I supposed to do? Walk in like I was doing 'The Funeral March'?"

"Bad choice of words," Oz said. "I would have gone with the waltz."

"Maybe you're right," Xander conceded, looking towards Doyle. "So what had you screaming like you were being attacked by a Vorlok demon?"

"I wasn't screaming. I just wanted to get your attention you know, get you down here in a hurry." Doyle said.

"Seems to have worked quite nicely," Wesley chuckled. "You have to excuse Doyle. He's a bit flustered."

"What about?"

"Cordelia's Christmas gift. She's gone to get some snacks and he's asking our opinion on it before she gets back." Oz explained.

"That's why I wanted you down here so fast. Cordy could be back any minute now."

"Okay, let me ask you a question. Is it expensive?" Xander walked into the kitchen and pulled a can of soda out of the fridge.

"Is it ever. It'll take me over six months to pay it off."

"She'll love it."

"But you haven't even looked at it," Doyle protested.

"Doesn't matter. If it's expensive, Cordy will love it." Xander reassured his friend. He sat down at the table, holding his hand out. "Let me see it."

Doyle sat down across from Xander and handed him the small jewelry box, a proud look on his face. Xander was reminded of the time that he gave Cordy the heart necklace on Valentine's Day and how anxious he had been about the gift. He noted the engraving on the box and saw it was from Crestfields, a very expensive jewelry store.

"Hmmm. Jewelry, that's good. Cordy loves jewelry. Comes from one of the best jewelers in town, another major plus." Xander opened the box, smiling when he saw the gold ring inside. It was a very stylish piece -it had a D on it with an intertwining C. The outside of it was shaped like a heart, with tiny diamonds embedded in it. Xander knew Cordy would love the ring but he couldn't help teasing his friend.

"Is this real gold?"

"Of course, you dimwit. Can't you read? It's from Crestfields for Christ's sake. And before you ask, the diamonds are real, too."

"There's diamonds in it?" Xander peered closely at the ring. "Are you sure you didn't borrow a box with Crestfields on it and put this ring inside?" Wesley and Oz burst out laughing and Doyle frowned at him.

"Hand it back if you're going to make fun of it." Doyle's voice sounded hurt and Xander felt bad about having fun at the half demon's expense.

"Sorry, man. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I was just joking. Truthfully, I think Cordy is going to flip when she sees this."

"You really mean that? You're not joking now are you?"

"No, I promise on my stack of beloved comics," Xander promised, crossing his heart. He snapped the lid shut, handing it back to his friend, who stuck it back in his pocket. "Is this like an engagement ring or something?"

"What? No...more like a pre-engagement ring."

"So, things that serious, huh?" Oz sat down at the table to join his friends, while Wesley took the remaining chair.

"I hope so."

"Good for you. I think you two make a great couple," Xander's smile turned to a frown. "Does this mean you've told her about being a you know." Doyle seemed confused for a moment, finally understanding what Xander was trying to ask.

"No, not yet. I've tried, but every time I think I've gotten up the nerve, something happens and Cordy starts talking about demons being disgusting, ugly creatures and bam! it's back to square one."

"In all fairness to Cordy, most demons are disgusting - you know, with the slime, the pus or something as equally nauseating. I'm sure she doesn't mean every demon, though. She definitely couldn't be talking about my vamps cause they are gorgeous." Xander smiled before continuing, "Doyle she loves you. You're an attractive man with a warm, caring heart. Why wouldn't she? You can't take offense every time she mentions things like that. Hell, if I got upset with Spike every time he referred to humans as 'happy meals on legs' we'd never speak to each other." Everyone laughed and Doyle pointed at Wesley.

"Wes has been helping me learn more about my demon side. I want to know everything I can before I tell her. I've even got him researching what would happen if Cordelia ever got pregnant, just in case."

"Cordy would get fat, she'd have all these weird cravings in the middle of the night and when she went into labor she'd cuss you out and vow never to have sex with you again. Least that's what Joyce told me and Dawn when the Dawnster asked her about the night she was born."

"I've heard there might be mood swings and some swelling, too," Oz added.

"You two are a regular Martin and Lewis, you know that? I was talking about whether the baby would be full human, full demon or a little of both, like me."

"Yes, well there haven't been that many recorded cases of these things so it's taking longer than I thought it would." Wesley told him.

"Well, try to speed it up, please. I want to tell Cordy everything as soon as-----" Doyle's voice trailed off when he saw Cordelia coming down the stairs.

"Tell me what?" Cordelia placed the groceries on the table and stared at the very silent men in front of her. "Come on, one of you spill."

"Okay, I will," Xander piped up, flinching when Doyle kicked him underneath the table. "But I have to warn you it's about your Christmas gift. I personally wouldn't want to know what I was getting but if you insist----"

"Stop right there, Xander Harris. I don't want to know what I'm getting. Is it expensive? No, I don't want to know. Let's change the subject." She started putting the groceries away and Doyle shot Xander a grateful look.

"Sounds good to me, Princess."

"So has anyone heard from Spike and Angel. I'm dying to know if they- --"

"Kicked those demons asses. Yeah, me too," Oz interrupted her. Now it was Xander's turn to stare at his friends.

"What gives, guys and don't give me the lame demon story. Where are they?" Everyone shifted nervously in their seats before Cordelia answered.

"Wolfram and Hart. They finally got their tempers under control enough to go see Lindsey today." *******************************************************

Angel and Spike strolled into Wolfram and Hart, business suits on and briefcases in their hands. Spike fidgeted with his tie, cursing the damn thing and hating their plan - or rather Angel's plan.

"Tell me again why we have these soddin' suits on." Angel tried to hide a smile as he watched Spike fidget. Spike missed his own clothes, his smokes and most of all his beloved duster. Angel knew how he felt. He was lost without his own trademark coat, but they were doing this for Xander. Angel couldn't stop the laughter when Spike scratched his head and his hair moved, tilting slightly to the right of his head. "What are you laughing at?"

"Sorry, Spike, uh, Will. It's your...." Angel patted the top of his head.

"It was your bright idea to put this poofter wig on me, now wasn't it?" Spike growled. "Don't see why I had to wear this thing anyway." Angel quickly straightened the brown wig, glancing around to make sure no one had noticed.

"Because lawyers don't have bleached blonde hair, Spike. You'd stick out like a Tramin demon at a Thanksgiving feast."

"Like your hair doesn't scream 'forgive me for looking like this, I'm a vampire with no reflection so it can't be helped'."

"What's wrong with my hair?" Angel worriedly ran a hand over his carefully coiffed head. Spike grabbed Angel's arm and made his way through the lobby.

"Nothing's wrong with it. I hate this plan of yours. Don't know why we have to dress up like lawyers in the first place." Angel pointed towards the guards. "Whatever. Let's find Lindsey, hope he doesn't listen to us and beat him to death so I can get rid of this getup. I feel like an Angel clone."

"And that would be bad because?"

"Would you quit taking everything so personal? I'm the one standing here looking like I belong in a store window."

"I don't know, Spike. I think the look is...sexy. I bet Xander would love it. I've got an idea. When we get home why don't you wear the wig to bed?"

"Over my undead body. No way I'm wearing this soddin', nancy boy, idiotic, animal skin on my head any longer than I have to."

"That's not animal skin. I made sure it was 100% human hair. That's why I paid top dollar for it."

Spike snorted, scratching his head again. "I don't know where they found the humans then because this thing stinks and I think there may be lice in here." Angel pulled Spike's arm down, setting the wig straight again.

"Stop scratching and calm down. You're drawing attention to us." Spike continued to grumble as they walked towards the elevator. Both vampires cursed when they heard a voice yelling, "You two!" They turned as one to see a dark haired man in his early 30's walking towards them.

"Remember, don't say a word," Angel whispered. They had agreed that it was best if Spike didn't talk if they ran into anyone. Angel was worried that Lindsey had given a description of them to the guards and Spike's accent might give them away.

"Were in the Gruber meeting," the man finished.

"Right," Angel played along, acting as if he recognized the man.

"What the hell is going on with those people?"

"I know, it's..." Angel began but the attorney kept on talking which was good because Angel didn't know what he was going to say.

"I mean is this a negotiation or a cotillion?"

"That's exactly what I was trying to tell Frank." The young man looked at Spike.

"Is this Frank?"

"No, no this is Will." Angel told him while Spike silently shook his head. The lawyer stared at Spike for a long moment. Spike wished Angel had agreed to let him do his western accent but Angel had refused, cracking up every time Spike said anything while using it.

"Is there something wrong with him?" Spike started to growl and Angel nudged him. *Oh yeah, humans don't growl*.

"He's mute."

"No offense but what was the firm doing hiring a lawyer that can't talk?"

"Will is an interpreter. For the deaf. He's not deaf but he uses sign language to talk so he assists us with the hard of hearing or the deaf. Don't you remember? He was at the meeting translating for that old man - what's his name?"

"You must be talking about Preston. Old geezer can't hear anything. Man must be like 80 years old."

"At least," Angel agreed, deciding he was going to have to take lessons from Xander on how to think up lies in thirty seconds or less.

"So if he's Will, who's Frank?" Spike smirked at Angel, enjoying the older vampire's discomfort. *Served him right for making him mute. Why couldn't he have had laryngitis?*

"Works with Louise in contracts," Angel answered, hoping this would work.

"Contracts - the problem isn't contracts!"

"That's what I was trying to tell..." The lawyer's cell phone rang and Angel heaved a sigh of relief when the lawyer waved the vampire quiet so he could answer it. Spike was getting aggravated and took that moment to give the man a two fingered salute, causing Angel to swat his hand.

"Don't talk while someone's on the phone." Angel gritted through his teeth, trying to smile. Spike looked at him like he was a moron and Angel realized what he had just said. He cautiously peeked at the lawyer who was ignoring them. *Definitely need those lessons*.

"Go. Yes. - Yes. - No, no. Thursday!" He hung up, turning his attention to Spike. "I don't know sign language. What did you say?" Spike ignored Angel's warning stare and started to flip the man off again but Angel grabbed his hand.

"No need to repeat it, Will." He glared at the smirking vampire before turning back to the lawyer. *Why did Spike have to look so damn cute when he was being so irritating?* Angel brought his mind back from bad thoughts about Spike and smiled at the lawyer. "He was talking to me."

"Oh, well all I know is we have to close Gruber now, before the soft offer becomes hard and the stock goes...."

"Through the ceiling!" Angel yelled, getting into his role, while Spike gave the thumbs down signal. Dirty looks were exchanged between the two vampires as the lawyer pointed at Spike, nodding his head in agreement.

"Will's right. Weren't you listening?" he chastised Angel. We have to close before it goes in the toilet." There was that damn...cute.. no, not cute irritating...oh, what the hell cute smirk again on Spike's face as he started making a swirling motion with his finger in front of Angel's face.

"I got the point, WILLIAM." Angel growled, not knowing whether he wanted to hit his lover or fuck him right there in the lobby. He put his briefcase in front of him to hide his growing erection and hoped that the man would leave them alone. He got his wish when the lawyer looked at his watch.

"Keep me in the loop, will you? I want to know the instant that they fold. - They are folding?" Angel made a 'who the fuck knows' face and the man started to back up.

"Look, I've got to jump. E-mail me. Good to see you." he told Angel before looking at Spike. "How do you say good-bye in sign language?" Spike waved and the lawyer laughed. "I like him. He's a funny guy." Before Angel could stop him, Spike gave the man the two fingered salute yet again.

"Will's a regular comedian. Keeps me in stitches. Never a dull moment with him around."

"What did that gesture mean?" the lawyer eyed them suspiciously.

"Uh, you said 'Good to see you' and he said...he said, 'You two'." Angel pointed towards him and gave the salute. "See? With the two fingers."

"Makes sense. I'll have to remember that." Angel sighed in relief when the man walked down the hallway. The two vampires waited until he was out of sight before they made a bee line for the elevator. After the doors had closed Angel turned to glare at Spike.

"Is that all you could come up with, Spike?"

"No, could have done this," Spike put the index finger and thumb of his left hand together before taking his right index finger and poking it in and out of the hole his fingers on his left hand made. "Means 'fuck you'."

"I got that," Angel growled.

"What are you being so pissy about? You were the one that came up with the bloody brilliant idea that I was a mute who used sign language." Spike turned innocent blue eyes on Angel and the older vampire melted. Why did he have to fall in love with two men who could use their eyes to make you forgive them anything. Between Xander's puppy dog brown ones and Spike's innocent blue eyes routine he didn't stand a chance. He leaned over and gave Spike a lingering kiss.

"I know after that experience I have alot more respect for Xander. How the hell does he think so quickly on his feet?"

"Told you our boy was talented," Spike stepped out of the elevator. "Where to?"

"I don't know. We'll have to walk up and down the hallways until we find his name on the door." Now it was Spike's turn to glare at Angel. "I can't help it. I only remember Xander saying that Lindsey worked on the 15th floor."

"You are one hell of a private investigator," Spike's voice was filled with sarcasm. It took them a few minutes to find Lindsey's door and making sure no one saw them, they entered his office. *****************************************

Xander's pacing was driving his friends crazy so they were grateful when Cordelia came up with the idea to go Christmas tree shopping. That was until they were drug down the street with a hyper Xander talking a mile a minute as excitement temporarily overcame nervousness.

"Are you sure Spike and Angel won't get mad at us for picking the tree without them cause I don't want to make them mad, but I've been waiting for someone to mention getting a tree and they never have, course that would be silly I guess since vampires probably don't celebrate Christmas, do they Wesley?" Before Wesley could reply, Xander started babbling again. "Oh, man, I hope they do because I'm really looking forward to this Christmas, being with all of you and opening gifts and decorating...I want to do all of that. Do you think that Spike and Angel will mind if we get stockings for everyone? I never had a stocking with my name on it before, that would be really cool. I could put it right in between Angel and Spike's, that is if they want one. Do you think they'll want one?"

"If you want them to have one I'm sure---" Wesley began before Xander interrupted him.

"Great. You guys are gonna get one too, aren't you? I mean, if we have enough money after we buy the tree and the balls...oooh, let's get red and green ones only if that's okay, and lights...what kind of lights can we get? I like the twinkling ones, don't you like the twinkling ones? Maybe we shouldn't get those though, because they might aggravate Spike and I don't want him ripping them off the tree, so I guess we'll stick with the plain kind, but I really wanted to get the flashing kind..oooh, look at those," Xander pointed at some lights on a tree displayed in a storefront window and ran over as his friends sighed in relief.

"I was going to give you a big kiss for suggesting this, Princess, but now I'm beginning to think it was a bad idea."

"Come on, Doyle, give Xander a break. I don't think he's ever had a good Christmas and if he did it was a long time ago." Oz smiled, watching his friend press his nose up to the window like a little kid.

"Yeah, I think it's cute...in a 'getting on your nerves with the babbling' kind of way," Cordelia hugged her boyfriend and Doyle had to smile.

"I guess you're right. Sometimes I forget how bad Xander had it at home...he never brings it up."

"I can understand his discretion. It's something most people don't like to discuss," Wesley knew full well how Xander felt. He gave up trying to act like an adult and hurried over to join Xander.

"Oh, great, now there's two of them," Doyle grumbled good-naturedly.

"At least Wesley doesn't do the babble thing." Oz pointed out.

"Angel and Spike will probably kill us for bringing Xander here without them," Doyle thought out loud.

"No worries. I brought a camera." Cordelia pulled her digital camera out of her coat pocket and started snapping pictures. She followed the men through the store as they filled up the cart with Christmas balls, tinsel, mistletoe and candles. Xander had insisted on getting the Santa head that played Christmas tunes when you pushed his nose, saying that it would attract more clients, although the others didn't know how and Xander never explained. They had left their stockings at the desk where sales personnel were putting people's names on them with glitter. The last thing they got were the lights, where an argument ensued between Wesley and Xander over which ones to get. The twinkling ones that played "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", which Wesley insisted was more traditional or "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", which Xander insisted had prettier lyrics.

"These are much prettier and the song is more upbeat," Wesley placed his pick in the cart. Xander waited until his back was turned before taking them out and replacing them with three boxes of his own. When Wesley caught him, Xander continued his argument.

"The song might be more upbeat but it has no lyrics, Wes. All it is is 'We wish You a Merry Christmas, over and over again. Mine has more words, it sounds better. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light, from now on your troubles will be out of sight---" Xander sang, but Wesley didn't seem impressed. "Come on, Wes, doesn't this sound like us? Listen....Through the years we'll always be together, if the fates allow, hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now." People had stopped to listen to Xander sing, the boy paying them no mind as he tried to convince his friend. When he was done, they started clapping, making Xander's face turn red with embarrassment. An elderly lady patted him on the shoulder.

"It's nice to see young people enjoying the holidays. In all this crowd and with the frustration of not being able to find my grandson a toy, I had almost given up being in the holiday mood. Thank you for giving that back to me." She reached up, pinching Xander's cheeks while Cordelia snapped a picture. *This was definitely a keeper*.

"How old is your grandson?" Xander asked, all thoughts of the earlier argument leaving his mind when he heard the word 'toy'.

"He's seven."

"I've got the perfect idea." Xander led the woman over to the toys, his friends following. He picked up a bright red fire truck and remote from off the display rack and set it down on the floor. "It's remote controlled and if you push this button the siren goes off, this button raises the ladder and this one makes water shoot out of the little hose," Xander explained, showing the lady how it worked. He didn't notice how close the truck was to Doyle and when he pushed the button, a stream of water hit the half demon in the face. Doyle wiped the water off with his sleeve while Cordelia took more pictures, everyone laughing at the looks on their friend's faces.

"Uh, sorry."

"Not a problem," Doyle assured him. The woman gave Xander a hug, thanking him before grabbing one of the fire trucks and putting it in her cart.

"Daniel will love this." Xander watched the woman walk away, a smile on his face at the thought of a little boy having something he had always wanted himself as a child. He turned to face his friends and his smile turned to shock face when he was hit with a blast of water. Xander pushed the wet hair back from his face and met Doyle's twinkling green eyes. He saw the 'Betsy Wetsy' in his friend's hands and mock glared at him.

"That is so not fair. You hit me with pee water," Xander accused, pushing the button on the fire engine over and over, spraying Doyle with it while the other man aimed the doll and squeezed her stomach. Oz and Cordelia stood back, laughing at their friend's antics while Cordelia took pictures. Wesley decided to put a stop to their hijinks before they were kicked out of the store.

"Gentlemen, that's quite enough. This is a store not a bloody playground." Doyle and Xander stopped and Wesley turned towards Cordelia and Oz. "See, all it takes is a reasonable voice to---" his words were cut off by a yelp as Xander and Doyle aimed their toys at him, soaking his trousers. He looked down at his wet pants while the others laughed.

"You were saying, Wes?" Oz asked, watching as two employees walked over with mops. They handed the mops to Doyle and Xander, taking the toys and replacing them on the counter as they pointed at the floor. They supervised the two men with the cleanup before walking away muttering something about 'big kids and not putting water in their display toys'.

Deciding it was time to get out of the store before they got into any more trouble, the group walked back to the desk to get their stockings, stopping to pick up a star to go on top of the tree. Xander had wanted an angel but had given in to Wesley's choice since he got his way over the lights. Everyone was admiring their own, along with Angel's and Spike's when they noticed the horrified look on Xander's face.

"What's wrong, Xan?" Oz asked.

"They spelled my name wrong." Xander showed them the stocking which had 'Zander' on it, before yelling to the lady at the counter. "Hey, lady, ma'am, hello?" The woman looked up at the distraught youth.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah. This is supposed to be Xander with an X not a Z."

"Oh," the woman looked at the stocking. "Well, I spelled it the way it sounded." She turned to wait on another customer and Xander tugged on her arm.

"Excuse me. This isn't right. I want it changed."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

Xander shrugged. "I don't know. You're the one behind the counter, you tell me."

"Why don't you just make another one?" Wesley asked.

"I can do that but you'll have to buy another stocking."

"No way. It wasn't Xander's fault that you screwed up, lady." Cordelia told her.

"If he wanted to make sure that a mistake wasn't made, he should have spelled out the name for us," the woman insisted. "I mean, really, who ever heard of a name like Xander before anyway."

"It's a nickname. It's short for Alexander. I don't know of anyone who spells Alexander with a Z do you?" Xander asked, sounding offended.

"Most people shorten Alexander to Alex." The woman pointed out.

"Xander isn't most people. He's unique," a woman's voice came from behind them and they all turned to see who it was. Xander's eyes widened in surprise when he saw Lilah standing behind them. She approached the woman behind the counter with an air of authority.

"Ms. Morgan, how can I help you?" the lady asked.

"You can help by correcting your mistake and not charging this man or his friends for any of these." Lilah gestured at the stockings in their hands.

"Of course, Ms. Morgan. I'll be right back." The woman hurried off to make Xander's stocking, hoping that she wouldn't get in trouble over this. Wolfram and Hart owned a portion of the store and pissing one of their employees off was a sure way to get fired. Xander continued to stare at Lilah as she smiled at him.

"I appreciate your help, Lilah, but we're paying for the rest of these. I don't want any handouts."

"Consider them Christmas gifts from me to you." Xander shook his head.

"Nope, don't think so. I know you well enough to know that a gift from you doesn't come without a huge price tag." Xander's friends looked back and forth between Lilah and Xander, not knowing what the heck was going on.

"Now Xander, don't judge me by what Lindsey's told you. I'm not as evil as he tries to make me sound. Why don't you introduce me to your friends." Lilah said, smiling flirtatiously at Wesley.

"We don't care to become acquainted with anyone who associates with that asshole," Wesley told her, amazed when the woman laughed.

"I see we share the same opinion of Lindsey. My name is Lilah Morgan and you are---"

"Wesley Wyndham-Price."

"Nice. Very nice....name." Lilah winked, making sure that Wesley knew it wasn't the name she was talking about. Xander sighed in relief when the woman came back to the counter with his stocking.

"Here you are, sir. I'm so sorry about the mix-up."

"It's alright." Xander put the stocking in the cart and looked at his friends. "Are you guys ready to go?"

"Definitely." Cordelia huffed, gathering her men and pulling them away from the female barracuda who was eyeing the group. *Who did this woman think she was flirting with her guys*? "I know that look and don't even think about trying to sink your claws into any of them, especially this one." Cordelia took Doyle's hand. Lilah raised her hands in a gesture of defeat.

"I wouldn't dream of it. I was only trying to be nice and help out a friend, that's all." She looked at Xander and smiled.

"We were never friends, Lilah." The group walked away and after they were out of sight Oz put his arm around Xander.

"You okay, Xan?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Do you think she was following you?" Doyle asked. Xander shook his head.

"No way. Lindsey hates her - there's no way in hell that he would trust her to do something like that. Besides, Lilah's almost as high up the corporate ladder as Lindsey is, so she wouldn't lower herself to be hired help. I think she just wanted to make an impression on Wesley."

"Actually, she did but I'm sure it wasn't the impression she wanted to make." Wesley saw the worried look on Xander's face. "What's bothering you, Xander?"

"Seeing Lilah reminded me why Spike and Angel aren't here. I hope they're okay."

"Of course they are. Those two are way too smart and strong to let anybody at Wolfram and Hart get the best of them." Cordelia said confidently. "I'm sure they'll be calling any minute to find out where you are so we better hurry up and pay for this stuff so we can go tree shopping."

"You're right," Xander grinned at the girl, his good mood returning. His vampires were masters - they would be just fine. ******************************************

Lindsey wasn't in his office when Spike and Angel had gotten there so they had decided to take the time to look around the room. Angel frowned when he saw the pictures of Xander on the man's desk. Two of them were of Lindsey and Xander standing on the beach, their arms wrapped around each other. In one they were smiling at each other and in the other they were kissing. Angel picked up the one with them kissing and pulled it from the frame, tearing it into several pieces before throwing the frame against the wall. There was one of Xander by himself. The boy was gazing out over the water, his arms hugged to his chest, a serene smile on his face.

"Nice picture." Spike stuck it in his briefcase while Angel went through the desk drawers. Spike spotted a television and vcr with a video tape hanging out of it and was just about to investigate when Angel spoke.

"Hey, Spike take a look at this."

Spike looked at the papers in Angel's hands. Both of them were angry to find pictures of Xander taken within the last few weeks in various places, each of them documented by time and place.

"The bastard's not only watching Xander, he's recording his every movement." Angel shuffled through the pictures. They heard a noise and looked up to see Lindsey smiling and shaking his head.

"Don't you two have any respect for the law?"

"Nice office. Good view." Angel tried to calm his voice as he stood up, holding the file in front of him. "This stops now."

"Should I know what you're talking about?" Lindsey asked, setting his briefcase down.

"We're talking about you having Xander followed. By the way, did you find your little gopher. The one that was deposited out front a couple of days ago. Pity he was still in one piece even though he was a little bloody." Spike said.

"Can't place anyone fitting that description, but it's a big firm. Tell you what I can do. I can give you the number for Personnel, though. I'm sure they'll be glad to answer your question."

"You'd remember this one. Tall, ugly, hangs out where he's not wanted."

"Or maybe he wouldn't, Angel. Your description could fit alot of people here, including Lindsey himself. Maybe we're confusing his little lawyer mind."

"I'm not confused, Spike. However, Wolfram and Hart has very strict hiring practices and I don't know of any stalkers on the payroll."

"Except for you, you mean?" Angel approached Lindsey, smelling the fear on the man even though he remained calm on the outside. "So how does it work for a guy like you? Successful lawyer in a big law firm, company car, nice office, bonus - thinks he can buy anyone he wants. Kind of got it made, right? Well, except for the fact that he's so desperate to have Xander to share all of this with that he hires stalkers. Give it up, Lindsey. Your relationship with Xander is as broken and torn as that picture." Angel pointed at the pieces of paper and the dented frame.

Lindsey grinned at Angel. "I've got more copies of that. I guess we'll just add slander and destruction of private property to breaking and entering. While we're on the subject, I remember you throwing one of my clients through a window. Killed him if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes. I seem to remember," Angel pointed at the large glass window. "The window was just about that size. Too bad the body burned up before it hit the ground. I might have needed a good lawyer."

"I'm sorry, we only handle a certain class of clientele," Lindsey assured him.

"Oh, I'm sure that we've killed enough people to qualify. Isn't that right, Spike?"

"We've killed thousands of people, so what's one more? Especially when it's personal. We could have so much fun." Spike stared at Lindsey, making his threat clear. "How about it, Angel. Feel like killing one for not listening to us when we warned him to stay away from our boy."

"I think we need to keep our promises, Spike." Angel continued to stare at Lindsey. "People should always keep their word, isn't that right, Lindsey?" Lindsey was starting to lose his cool composure and both vampires smiled when they smelled his fear grow.

"You know a vampire can't walk in here without us knowing it. We have a highly sophisticated system, spent a fortune on mystical barriers and such. I would have thought Xander would have told you two about it." Lindsey smirked when he saw the two security guards enter the room. "Nice to know our investment has paid off."

Spike reached for the man next to him, slinging him across the room. The guard was knocked out as soon as his head hit the wall. Angel grabbed the security guard coming at him with his gun drawn and slammed his head down on the desk, knocking him out. He spread his arms and smiled at the lawyer.

"I think it was a waste of money, myself."

"Well, two down, more on the way. And the police have been called. And this whole encounter has been visually recorded on hi-def. Wolfram and Hart buys only the best." Lindsey said.

"Then they need to get a refund on you." Spike answered.

"I don't think so, Spike. I've been told I'm the best at what I do. Don't believe me? Ask Xander what he told me when we made love on that couch. Or was it the desk? Could have been the floor. I don't know, I'll have to watch the video again and get back to you."

Spike roared and threw himself at Lindsey, hitting the man over and over before throwing him into the wall. Angel was fighting the security guards that had arrived with stakes and guns. Spike turned in time to see one of the guards raise his stake and bring it down, straight for Angel's heart. Before he could yell a warning, Angel turned just in time to see the stake heading for him. ***********************************

*Bloody hell, that was too fucking close*. Spike was never happier to see a stake in Angel's shoulder than now. Angel moaned in pain and Spike watched him pull the stake from his shoulder. *Better the shoulder than the heart*.

Spike was moving to help his lover when he felt a searing pain in his arm. He threw the guard to the floor and noticed that six more men had joined the previous five. The two vampires backed into each other, both of them watching the guards on their side for any sign of movement while another helped Lindsey over to the couch.

"Are you going to be okay, Mr. McDonald? Should we go ahead and dust these two?"

"I'd be careful how I answered that if I were you, Lindsey. So your guards got in a few lucky hits. Won't matter, because in the end all of you will be dead and we'll be the ones left standing." Angel told him while Spike pulled the stake from his arm.

Lindsey saw the determination in both vampire's eyes and knew this was not the place to end this fight. Not with the camera recording everything. The Senior Partners would kill him if he allowed the guards to dust Angel and Spike. They wanted both of them alive, much to Lindsey's chagrin. And if Spike and Angel won this fight, which was not unlikely, he would still end up dead. No, he would have to wait.

"I'll have mercy on them this time," Lindsey groaned, holding his ribs as blood trickled from his forehead. He knew he had at least two cracked ribs and thought another was broken. Not to mention the concussion he thought was possible, being as he was seeing two of everyone. Lindsey felt something on his tongue and spit one of his teeth into his hand.

"Doesn't Wolfram and Hart have a dental plan? Looks like you've been skipping your yearly checkups - letting your teeth get so rotten they just fall out of your head like that." Spike said as the two vampires grinned at the disgusted look on Lindsey's face.

"Despite the fact that I'm sure it would make an entertaining evening watching both of you fight for your lives, not to mention the fortune I could make off the video, I do have some research to catch up on." Spike and Angel followed Lindsey's gaze and saw the video tape sticking out from the vcr. Spike held Angel's arm, keeping him from heading for the tape.

"Not now, Angel. Besides, I'm sure Lindsey's got copies of that, too."

"You'd be right. Maybe I'll send one to Xander for Christmas."

"Do that and you'll be using your funeral benefits." Spike told him.

"Escort them out." Lindsey ordered the guards. The guards started to nudge the vampires towards the door, but Angel stopped in front of Lindsey.

"We'll do this again real soon."

"I'm counting on that." Lindsey and Angel glared at each for a long moment before the two vampires left.

"Do you think he got the message?" Angel asked.

"I hope not. I'd like to finish what I started in there."

"How come you get to have all the fun?"

"Because I'm a lucky bloke. I'll prove just how lucky I am when we get home." Spike leered at Angel, who laughed.

"Promises, promises." The two vampires kissed, before heading towards the office, thoughts of a night filled with sex in their heads. **********************************************

"Would someone please remind me why we didn't bring the van?" Wesley asked for the fifteenth time, struggling with the tree that he and Oz were carrying.

"Because we wanted to walk so that we could enjoy all the Christmas decorations. When you're in a car, they go by too fast." Xander explained.

"I seem to recall it was you that wanted to hoof it," Doyle corrected.

"Quit being such babies," Cordelia told them. "We're almost there."

"Says the woman who isn't carrying anything." Oz pointed out. He and Wesley were carrying the tree, Doyle and Xander were carrying three big bags of decorations and Cordelia had nothing but her purse.

"Someone has to supervise." Cordelia defended herself.

"And just how does one supervise----" Wesley's question was cut off when he walked straight into a Wantini demon who had jumped from the roof of the building they were walking past. Wesley looked up at the green demon and saw nothing but long, jagged teeth as it smiled at him. "Uh, pardon me."

"No, huh-uh, no way, not now." Xander eyed the demon that stood in front of him before leaning back to whisper. "Tell me this thing is just my imagination playing tricks on me."

"I'd love to, but if those seven foot, humongous green demons with big, sharp teeth are a figment of your imagination then mine's right there with yours," Cordelia answered.

"Damn, why did you guys have to show up now?" Xander asked, knowing the demon probably didn't understand him but asking the question anyhow. He tried to set his packages down before the fight began but the Wantini demon wasn't waiting. The demon swiped at him, knocking the packages across the road and Xander heard the sound of breaking decorations. "You're paying for those, buster."

"Xander, I think that's the least of our worries," Doyle told him, pushing Cordelia to the back. They heard screaming and turned to see a man come running past, followed by another demon who ran straight into the tree Wesley and Oz were holding, snapping it in two and throwing the two men to the ground. Before any of them could react, the demon who had broken the tree grabbed Oz while the two in front of Xander and Wesley grabbed them.

Xander struggled to reach the stake in his pocket and fished it out just as the demon opened his mouth, leaning in to take a bite. Xander thrust his stake into the demon's mouth and it screeched, dropping him to the ground. Cordelia and Doyle had found some loose branches from the broken tree and were hitting the other two demons making them let go of Oz and Wesley.

Xander noticed that Oz had turned into his werewolf form and was beginning to tear into the demon who had been holding him. Wesley was fighting off his demon and the demon Xander had staked had fallen to it's knees, or at least what Xander thought were it's knees.

"Cordy, Doyle we need weapons. Get him back to the office," Xander said, pointing at the man they were helping to his feet.

"My boss is up there," the man pointed towards the roof of the building. "One of those things has him." Xander took the tree limb from Doyle and stuck it through his demon's head, finishing it off.

"I'll get him. You go with them." Doyle and Cordy stared at him for a moment before Xander gestured towards the office. "Go. Now." They took off, practically carrying the man as they hurried towards the office. Xander turned back towards Wesley who was stabbing the demon he was fighting repeatedly with his stake.

"What are they?"

"I think they are Wantini demons. They are not overly smart or fast, but they are big. Watch out for their teeth, though. They have a nasty habit of biting their victims and have been known to take off entire limbs with their sharp teeth. Also, there is the risk of infection."

"I'll take infection for $200.00, Alex. Losing one of my limbs not so good." Xander was glad to see that Oz had killed the demon who had attacked him, but the down side was there were two more running towards them. "Wes---"

"Go get that man, Xander. We'll handle these two," Wesley told him before running to help Oz. Xander ran over to the fire escape and started to climb, wondering how in the hell he was going to kill the demon. He had a couple of stakes but that was it. As he neared the top, he saw a man struggling with his captor.

"Hey, overbite! Over here!" Xander yelled, getting it's attention long enough for the man to work himself free. The Wantini charged at Xander, furious at the boy for making it lose it's meal. As the demon reached the edge of the roof he lunged for Xander, who ducked causing the Wantini to lose it's balance and fall over the side. Xander had enough time to congratulate himself on a job well done before he felt the demons flailing arm hit his chest, knocking him backwards. Xander heard Wesley scream his name and closed his eyes, knowing he was going to die the minute he hit the pavement.


Chapter Thirty-One

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