It had been a week since the AI gang had returned to Los Angeles. Things were going well for them and everyone had adjusted to the new routine. Doyle had moved in with Cordy and had sublet his apartment to Wesley and Oz. Wesley was helping at the offices, locating and identifying demons for Angel and Spike and Oz had rejoined The Dingoes, who were playing at a club called 'Lost Souls'.

Harmony, Clarence and Clem had moved into an underground lair with a friend of Clarence's named Louis. Xander had introduced Harmony and Clem to Lorne who had offered them jobs at Caritas. Harmony was working as a waitress and Clem was bartending, making the best seabreezes Lorne had ever drank or so the green demon told them. Harmony had wanted to work with Cordy in the office, but after a few arguments it was decided that it was better for Harmony to work outside the office.

Clarence was working at a gay strip bar called 'Dirty Dancing Dudes'. Xander had laughed at the name when Clarence told him about it, offering to get Xander an audition with the manager, Jake. He wanted Xander to start his stripping career again but both Angel and Spike had vehemently vetoed the idea, not wanting Xander to be stripping in front of Clarence or any of the other men. Xander hadn't put up a fight about it. He was happy the vampires were possessive and besides he wanted to try something different.

Xander was practically skipping down the street on his way to the office. He was living with Angel and Spike in Angel's apartment and had never been happier than he was now. Angel and Spike had been training everyone when there were no cases and Xander was enjoying finally getting to learn how not to get his ass kicked. Both vampires had praised him for how quickly he was catching on. Xander didn't know if their compliments were due to the fact that they loved him and wanted him to be happy or whether they really meant it. Spike had assured Xander that he never said things he didn't mean and as much as he loved Xander, he would never compliment him if he was doing something wrong. Xander believed him - Angel and Spike were harder on him than any of the others when it came to training.

Xander was especially happy today, thus the wanting to skip part. He had insisted on getting an outside job, much to the vampire's dismay. Angel had told him that helping solve cases was enough work for him but Xander needed to prove that he was actually good at something other than meaningless jobs and dancing nude in front of a bunch of people. His arm had started to feel better and Xander had spent the last two days visiting every construction site he could find, hoping to start at the bottom and work his way up. He had taken along some of his projects from shop class in school and while most everyone had been impressed he hadn't been able to find a job - until today.

Xander entered the office and looked around finding it empty. Xander was about to call out when Doyle walked out of Angel's office. "Oh, hey, Xander, glad you're here. I was afraid you might not be back in time to go to the party tonight." Doyle's wife Harry had showed up the day before, bringing a fiancee in tow. Doyle had freaked when he found out Harry was getting married and had asked Spike and Angel to follow the man. They had found out that he was a demon and that Harry was an ethnodemonologist, studying demons all over the world. Doyle was doing better today, Xander noticed but he still seemed upset.

"Don't worry buddy. We'll all be there for you. Except for Clem and Clarence. I talked to them today and they can't make it. Clarence has to work tonight and Clem and Harmony are going out of town for a week. Lorne's sending Clem to Las Vegas for some supplies and they're making it a romantic getaway." Xander told his friend, as they made their way downstairs. "But everyone else will be there."

"Oz can't make it either. He has a gig tonight. He just left a few minutes ago with Cordelia. She talked him into dropping her off at the mall for a pre-party shopping trip." Doyle told him, grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting down at the table across from Xander.

"That will take all night. Where's Wesley?"

"Right here. Has she gone yet?" Wesley asked, peeking his head out from the closet he had been hiding in.

"She's gone," Doyle grinned at Wesley before turning back to face Xander. "Mr. Rogue Demon Hunter hid in a closet so Cordy couldn't drag him off to the mall. "He was afraid---" Doyle's voice stopped as his eyes clouded over and he grabbed his forehead, however there was no head slamming or jerking. There was only a slight headache.

"What did you see?" Xander asked, patting Doyle's hand.

"I'm okay. Boy, these visions cause headaches but they're nothing like they used to be. I'm beginning to get used to that."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that. Now what's going on?"

"There's two young guys."

"Where?" Xander jumped up from the table.

"Vampires have a nest downtown. The poor kids are going to be the entrees."

"Let's go. Come on," Xander urged, while Wesley and Doyle around for some weapons. "Where's Angel and Spike?"

"Clearing out a nest of Prelcor demons on the other side of town." Doyle looked worried.

"So I guess it's just us. Don't worry, it'll be okay. Doyle, leave them a note while Wes and I gather up some stakes."

"Are you sure we should be going alone?" Doyle wrote down where they were going and grabbed his jacket, not noticing when the note fluttered to the floor underneath the table.

"Don't have a choice," Xander told him. "Besides, this will give us a chance to try out what we've learned in our training."

"I hope it's enough. When I said a nest I meant it. There were at least five vampires there." Doyle looked worried.

"Have no fear Irish man. I have learned well from my senseis, senseii, whatever. And anyway, Wesley is a former 'rogue demon hunter'." Xander was confident as they made their way onto the darkening street. "Damn, it's just now sunset. These vamps around here sure ring the dinner bell early."

"Yes, I suppose they do." Wesley said, anxiety in his voice. "Uh, Xander when I said I was a rogue demon hunter that was singular. I hunted them one at a time."

"You were alone then. Now you have me and Doyle as backup so it's the same diff."

"Whatever you say, oh great leader." Doyle teased. The three men walked towards the downtown area, stakes in every pocket. He hoped Xander was right because if not, they were in very big trouble. Not only from the vampires they were about to face off against, but the two they had left behind, especially if Xander got hurt.

Spike and Angel made their way through the sewer. Even though it was sunset they couldn't travel the streets, not with Prelcor demon blood all over them.

"Shit, I forgot how messy Prelcor demons can be." Spike said as he climbed up into the apartment. The two vampires looked around the empty room before noticing that there were no heartbeats in the office upstairs either.

"I wonder where everyone went?" Angel asked, looking around the living area, hoping they had left a note.

"Oz had a gig tonight, Cordelia's probably drug Wesley and Oz out to the mall so that they can buy new clothes for the party and Xander's either with them or still out looking for a job."

"Speaking of tonight, we better hurry up and take a quick shower." Angel looked at his watch. "The party is supposed to start in a few hours."

The two vampires walked into the bedroom and stripped their dirty clothes off, throwing them into the hamper outside the bathroom. "Guess we better save time by taking one together," Angel took Spike into his arms and kissed him passionately.

"If we're going to shower doing this it's not going to save time," Spike replied. He turned on the faucets and stepped underneath the warm water. Angel followed him and they closed the shower curtain before kissing once again.

"Sure it will. If I took a shower and then you took a shower we'd end up having sex and then both of us would have to take another shower. This way, we get it done all at the same time."

"Can't argue with that logic," Spike agreed. They quickly scrubbed themselves clean before washing their hair. When they were done, Angel pressed Spike against the tile and kissed him, his body rubbing against the younger vampire's hard cock. After a few minutes they parted and Angel turned Spike towards the wall. He poured some of the shampoo onto his erection before parting Spike's ass, his hard cock searching for Spike's waiting hole. Angel pushed into Spike with one motion, waiting a moment before beginning to thrust in and out of Spike's cool channel. Spike leaned back into Angel, putting his head on the older vampire's shoulder. Both of them knew this wouldn't take long. They had been worked up ever since the fight and the fire in the pit of their stomachs had grown with every passing minute.

"Oh, yes, fuck me, Angel, fuck me hard," Spike moaned as Angel's thrusts sped up and he probed deeper, finding Spike's prostate. "Feels so good, right there, just like that."

"Love you, Spike. God, I love you. Never want to stop," Angel was rambling as he felt his balls tighten and he shot deep inside of Spike. His hand came around Spike body, taking the blonde's cock in his hand and jerking it in time with his thrusts. Spike came with a cry, his semen spattering against the tile as he rode his orgasm out. Angel gave Spike another kiss before they cleaned up and stepped out of the shower.

After getting dressed, they walked back out into the apartment, going to the kitchen and fixing themselves a mug of blood. They sat down at the table and began to drink their blood. Angel looked at his watch, a frown crossing his face when he noticed how late it was.

"Don't you think Xander should be home by now? It's after dark." Spike and Angel had both lectured the boy about being home before nightfall.

"I'll try calling him on his cell phone." Spike reached into his duster pocket for his phone. He fumbled around for a minute or two before he finally located the phone, but as he pulled it out his lighter fell onto the floor. Spike reached down to pick it up and noticed a piece of paper lying underneath the table. He grabbed the lighter along with the note and sat back up, reading what was on the paper before shoving it at Angel. "I found out where they are."

Angel read the note as Spike stood up and ran over to get Angel's coat from the couch. 'Spike and Angel, had a vision, two guys and a nest of vamps downtown, abandoned apartment building on Dorman Avenue. Gone with Xander and Wesley to clear them out. P.S. Hope you find this note soon and get your asses over there to help. Doyle.'

"I wonder how long they've been gone." Angel took his coat from Spike and put it on, following the other vampire out the door and to the car.

"Don't know. Bloody hell," Spike cursed as he climbed into the passenger seat. "Xander better be alright or I swear I'll kill him." Spike knew the statement made no sense but damnit he was worried.

Xander, Wesley and Doyle made their way up to the second floor, following the noises the vampires were making as they taunted their victims. Xander snuck a peek inside and jumped backwards before turning to glare at Doyle.

"You didn't tell me these vamps looked like they were with the WWF." Xander whispered rather loudly, jerking his finger towards the door.

"You didn't give me time, and besides it was your idea to come here without Angel or Spike, remember? 'We can try out our training, I've learned well from my sensei'," Doyle defended himself by mimicking Xander's confidence from before.

"Yes, that's right. Also, I believe there was a 'we're your backup, Wesley' when I mentioned I fought demons one at a time." Wesley put his two cents worth into the argument.

"Okay, okay I get the message, but you guys were dumb to go along with such a stupid plan. After all it was my plan and you've both known me long enough to know what an idiot I can be. Why didn't you remind me of that?"

"We get out of this situation and believe me, I'll be sure to do that," Doyle assured him. "How many are in there?"

"I think I counted twelve." Xander leaned towards the door to look inside again and found himself face to chest with one of the vampires. His eyes slowly trailed their way up to the vamp's face. He was looking up, way up - this fucker was huge. "Uh, that would be eleven now since one of them is right in front of me."

"Are they all as big as this guy?" Doyle fumbled for his stake.

"Nah," Xander said.

"Thank goodness," Doyle breathed a sigh of relief before Xander finished his sentence.

"Some are bigger."

"Oh, dear Lord," Wesley managed to say as he pulled his stake from his pocket.

"And so say all of us," Xander turned back towards the vampire. "How you doing there buddy. Nice night isn't it?"

The vampire laughed as he grabbed Xander by the neck and lifted him off the floor. "It is for me - not for you because you're going to die."

Xander grinned as he plunged his stake into the vampire's chest. The vamp dropped him, a surprised look on his face. "You first," Xander told him as he turned into dust. Knowing that the other vampires heard the conversation he walked into the room, stake firmly in hand. Wesley and Doyle exchanged a glance before they followed him. The vampires were lined up in front of the two young boys who were tied up and hanging from the ceiling.

"Xander, can I point out that you can't count?" Doyle asked. "There are twelve of them here and you dusted one so there must have been thirteen total. That's an unlucky number, by the way."

"It is for you humans," one of the male vampires said.

"Actually I think it would be unlucky for you seeing as how there were thirteen of you and three of us," Wesley pointed out.

"Good thing to bring up right before a fight." Doyle elbowed Wesley in the side. The vampires smiled, licking their lips in anticipation while they walked towards the three men.

"Where's backup when you need it?" Doyle asked nobody in particular. The two groups faced off, ready to fight to the death. He was thinking this wasn't looking great for the good guys.

Spike and Angel jumped out of the car and raced towards the building. They took the steps two at a time, running down the hallway towards the voices. As they neared the door they began to relax when they heard Doyle's voice. "Xander, can I point out that you can't count? There are twelve of them here and you dusted one so there must have been thirteen total. That's an unlucky number, by the way."

"So what should we do?" Spike asked Angel.

Angel leaned up against the doorframe, careful to stay out of sight while he watched. "Let's see how well we've trained them. They're all okay and we can help them when they need it."

Spike smiled and nodded his head. Both vampires were sure that their humans would definitely need help and they were ready to bail them out, after their lesson of course. They knew they might not always be around when their friends and lover needed them and they wanted to make sure that the three men were capable of handling themselves if such a time occurred. Spike leaned on the other side of the doorway, both having a good view of the action inside the room. However, they weren't prepared for what happened next.

Xander stepped up to face the vampires, confusing them. Humans usually ran - they didn't approach them. "Hello, nasties. I'm Xander, and these are my friends - Wesley and Doyle. And you would be----"

"Ready to drain you in about two minutes," a blonde vampire said, stepping up to stand face to face with the boy.

"Xander--" Doyle hissed.

"It's alright. I can handle this. I'm sure ready to drain you in about two minutes and I can come to some sort of agreement. Isn't that right?" Xander asked innocently, knowing he had pissed the vampire off.

"Are you making fun of me boy?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Xander continued the innocent act. He figured if he could distract them, the vampires would let their guard down. "Oh, I get it now. That wasn't your name, that's what you're going to do, right?" The vampire smiled and nodded. Xander's face turned thoughtful. "Okay, let's see here. Two minutes, dumb guy," he pointed at himself, "big, bad ass vampire," Xander pointed at the blonde, "how hard could this be?"

"Harder than you think, you little asshole," the vampire grabbed Xander by the neck, much like the one in the hallway had done. "How stupid can this kid be?" He asked, turning his head to look at the other vampires. All of them were laughing at the idiotic human but their laughter abruptly ended when the vampire exploded in front of them.

"Not as stupid as he was apparently, since I'm the one still here and he's a pile of dust." Xander pointed towards the ground, never taking his eyes off the other vampires. "Now, let's quit playing around. I want to talk to the leader of this gang."

"Uh, you just dusted him," a female vamp told him.

"Oops. My bad. Sorry about that," Xander apologized. "So do you have a second in command here?"

"That would be me." Xander gulped as a seven foot tall, biker type guy stepped up to face him. "I'm going to warn you kid. Your little talky tactics won't work with me. I could kill you and your friends in five seconds or less." He walked up to Xander, baring his fangs while they stood nose to nose. Xander backed up, holding his nose.

"Serious halitosis issues going on. Haven't your heard of breath mints - two very important words when getting into someone's personal space."

"I think I might have some mints in my pocket if you'd like to try one." Wesley stuck his hand in his pocket and walked towards the vampire who was still glaring at Xander. Before the others knew what was happening, Wesley pulled a stake out instead and plunged it into the vampire's back. "Ooops. Sorry, not breath mints."

Xander stared at the rest of the vampires, a smile on his face. "Big, slow and dumb. Just the way I like them."

Angel and Spike tensed, ready to leap into the fray as the fight began. The vampires were enraged by Xander's words and one of them ran for the boy, stopping to take a swing at Xander who blocked his punch. The boy saw the left arm coming around and ducked before getting hit with a right handed punch that finally landed on it's mark. He stumbled backwards and ended up falling on his ass. The vampire leapt towards him and Xander rolled out of the way before bringing the stake down and burying it in the vampires back. The vampire exploded and Xander stood up, coughing and waving the dust from his face. Xander barely had time to register that Doyle and Wesley had staked two vampires before he was set upon by two charging vampires.

The male vampire grabbed Xander from behind, holding his arms as the female approached. Xander kicked the vampire in her stomach and when she bent over, Xander used the male vampire's hold on him to raise himself up and kick the female vampire in the face with his feet. The force of the blow knocked all three of them to the ground and Xander rolled on top of the male vampire, raising his stake and trying to plunge it into the vampire's chest.

They were locked in a tie when the female vampire jumped on top of Xander, pushing his weight against the stake. The male vampire underneath him exploded and Xander found himself on the ground, with the female vampire on his back. The vampire leaned in for the bite and Xander elbowed her in the face. When the vampire sat up, Xander rolled over and staked her. Coughing and waving his hand in front of his face he counted four total vampires. The odds were definitely getting better by the minute.

Doyle elbowed a vampire in the stomach and hit him in the jaw with a hard right punch. Wesley was fighting another vampire kicking him in the stomach, just as one of the two vampires on the ground got up and grabbed Wesley. Xander jumped up and ran over, hitting him in the neck before leaping up onto the vampire's back. Doyle flipped the other vampire over and staked him just as the other vampire recovered and jumped on his back. Now it was three against three, and Spike and Angel were dumbfounded.

"How did they manage to take out all those vamps? I know the vamps were just fledges but damn, I thought we'd be in there fighting by now." Spike said, watching the action.

"Beats me. The only thing I can say is either Xander, Wesley and Doyle are quick studies or we're very good teachers."

"I vote for the second option," Spike smiled, getting ready to light up a cigarette. His lighter never reached its intended target, however, when he saw Xander getting the crap kicked out of him by his vampire, Wesley on the floor - his vampire getting ready to go in for the kill and Doyle getting knocked down to the floor by his. "The time has come," he muttered, taking his stake out of his duster and running into the room followed by Angel. Spike dusted the vampire who was straddling Wesley and Angel punched the vampire who had knocked Xander against the wall. Doyle hit the floor hard and changed into his demon face. Wesley stood up, looking shocked to see that Doyle was a demon - a Bracken demon if he was correct.

"Man, I hate that," Doyle said to himself, shaking his head and returning to his human face. Angel staked the vampire that he had been fighting and turned to see the last remaining vampire pick up a large barrel, intent on smashing Doyle in the face with it. Doyle looked up in surprise as the vampire exploded and saw Angel giving him an admonishing look.

"I was about to do that," Doyle defended himself as he got up off the floor. He walked over and helped Wesley untie the two boys while Spike and Angel helped Xander off the floor. The two boys assured Xander and the others that they were alright, thanking them over and over, before they ran out the door. The three men turned to face the two scowling vampires.

Xander's smile faded when he saw the frowns on his boyfriend's faces. A frown never looked good on a vampire, especially when it was directed at you. He glanced over at Doyle and Wesley, noticing the two men were thinking much along the same line as he was.

"Before you say anything, just listen to me," Xander pleaded. "You two were gone and we didn't know when you'd be back. Doyle had this vision about these kids and we couldn't just ignore that now could we so I talked them into coming down here with me so it was totally all my fault." Xander stopped to take a breath.

"Xander ----" Spike began

"But in my defense I didn't know there were that many vampires okay I knew there was a nest but still we have really good teachers and I thought we would be alright and we would have tried to call you on the cell phone but we got caught by this vampire, guess we're not that sneaky, but hey I did dust him, so go me."

"Xander-----" Angel tried to stop the boy's babbling, but he was interrupted too.

"I knew the other vampires had heard the commotion outside so that's why we went in there and I know you always teach me not to talk so much while I'm fighting but I can't help it because talking has always been my defense mechanism and it's hard to shut it off but I'll try to shut up now so that you can yell at me but try to keep in mind that we did actually dust nine of them even though I know those three were about to kill us and by the way did I say thank you for saving us?" Xander finally stopped his babbling and stared at Angel and Spike, waiting for the criticism to start. The two vampires continued to stand quietly, their faces showing no emotion as the three in front of them shuffled their feet nervously. Finally, Doyle broke the silence.

"I didn't understand a word of what Xander just explained to you and hell, I was there." Doyle shook his head before continuing. "All I know is if you're going to yell at us, get it over with. Keep in mind that we did our best and are very grateful that you two got here when you did."

"And might I add that while there is room for improvement, our performance does warrant some praise, whether you two want to admit it or not." Wesley stated defensively before he added, "And also - please don't fire me. I'm very rarely this rash."

Angel and Spike couldn't keep a straight face any longer after hearing Wesley's plea. The three men were trying so hard to be brave in the face of what they thought was going to be a lecture, yet they had the appearance of three little boys caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Spike and Angel started laughing and were rewarded with looks of confusion from Xander and the others. Spike took Xander's hand and pulled him into his arms while Angel ruffled his fingers through Doyle's and Wesley's hair.

"We're not in trouble? You're not going to lecture us or anything?" Xander asked, and the vampires hearts broke at their lover's words and the look of hope on his face. How many times had someone yelled at him for trying to do what was right - for just being himself? And their two friends didn't look much more confident than Xander did.

"You're not in trouble, pet. None of you are. I thought you fought well, but it was nothing compared to the entertainment factor."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Xander asked.

"The way you kept those vampires off their guard by nattering on was a treat. But a word to the wise, never laugh at a group of vampires, especially when they outnumber you. Tonight you were lucky, these were only fledges. Smarter vampires would know what you were doing and would use that against you." Spike told them.

"You guys were here almost the whole time?" When Angel and Spike nodded, Xander looked surprised. "Why didn't you come rushing in to save the day?"

"You three were doing that already. It was your fight. We were just here to observe and help out if you needed it." Angel told him. "We trust your judgement. Just do us a favor. The next time it's thirteen to three, let us help. You may not need it, but it would make us feel better. We don't want anything happening to any of you. After all, we're a team and a team can't function without all the players."

"I'm part of the team. I'm not a bench warmer anymore." Xander leaned against Spike and sighed happily. Finally, someone trusted him enough to let him make his own mistakes.

"Definitely not a bench warmer, luv. You're the star player as far as Angel and I are concerned." Spike kissed Xander long and hard, letting the boy know just how much he was loved and appreciated. When they were done, Angel leaned over and kissed Xander much as Spike had done earlier.

"I don't want to be the star player," Xander told them after he and Angel had stopped kissing. "It's good enough just to be a part of the team."

"I agree," Wesley told them. "By the way, I am sorry again that I didn't manage to stake that last vampire."

"Wow, groveling isn't just a way of life for you, it's an art," Doyle told him.

"I do not grovel," Wesley insisted, holding his head high before looking at Angel and Spike. "Please don't fire me."

"You don't have to be sorry because you missed one vampire. Just be more careful next time." Spike told him.

"And you're not fired. You handled yourself very well," Angel assured him as he patted Wesley on the shoulder.

"Well, that's...I can't tell you how...I'm your faithful servant, Angel. Yours too, Spike."

"Like I said, an art," Doyle told them.

"Speaking of ways of life, I didn't know you were a Bracchen demon." Wesley said, as Doyle averted his look.

"Half. Only half demon. The other part of me is pure human." Doyle stated defensively.

"No need to be upset. I find it rather fascinating. Bracchen demons are rare and I'd really like to talk to you sometime about---" Wesley was slipping into watcher mode when Doyle pulled the plug.

"I don't want to talk about it. Not ever. Especially in front of Cordy. Do you understand that?"

"Cordelia has no idea you're part Bracchen does she?" Wesley asked. Doyle shook his head and Wesley sighed. "I won't tell her. That's between the two of you, however, I can't understand why you're ashamed of who you are."

"I'm not ashamed. I just don't like talking about it."

"Don't like using your strength either do you?" Angel asked. "Doyle, you're stronger when you're a demon. Why did you shake it off?"

"I just don't like to fight like that." Doyle told him.

"This isn't a spelling bee. Nobody expects you to play fair."

"It's just not my style, that's all. I'm not comfortable with who I am, alright? That's why tonight is going to be so hard. Speaking of which, we better get going. We have less than an hour to be at the restaurant." Everyone made their way to Angel's car and got in - Angel, Xander and Spike in the front with Xander in the middle and Doyle and Wesley in the back. After a few minutes, Xander turned around to face the two men in back. Angel smacked him on the butt like a little child.

"Sit down the right way, Xander. I don't want to get a ticket."

"Shudder, gasp. Can't have that now can we?" Spike teased, pulling Xander into his lap so that the boy could still see the two in the back seat. "There, that's much better. I can hold you and make sure you're safe."

"Always safe when I'm with you and Angel," Xander told him, before talking to Doyle. "So besides the obvious, what's got you all upset over this party tonight? Are you afraid that Harry will tell Cordy about you?"

"No, we talked and she promised she wouldn't say anything about this. I trust her."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I still can't believe that we broke up over my being a demon only to have her sign on to be Mrs. Demon with Richard. Angel, tell me again how ugly he is."

"I wouldn't know. I don't know what an Animovic demon is." Angel told him.

"Oh, I do." Wesley said. "They were once a nomadic tribe and at one point they did have violent leanings."

"See, Angel. I told you that nice guy routine was just an act. He's working a spell on her. She's going to sprout hubcaps from her head or something."

"On the contrary," Wesley interrupted Doyle's tirade. "They gave up those orthodox teachings and language around the turn of the century."

"When I found out I was a demon, Harry went on and on about what an amazing thing my demon half could be, the worlds it opened up to us. I thought she was just trying to make me feel better, that she was pitying me. But it was true. I just wasn't listening. You know, Harry didn't leave because of the demon in me, she left because of me."

"Not because of you exactly, Doyle. Sounds to me like she left because you couldn't accept yourself the way you are, and if you can't accept yourself...how could she? How could your future children?"

"That's almost exactly what Harry said when she left but I didn't believe her. I thought she hated the demon in me. Harry and I were talking about having kids of our own. Put a damper on the discussion you can imagine. Probably best in the long run. I'm too much of the wild man to be the stay at home type. I guess this Richard can give her all that and more. Give her a good life, something I couldn't."

"You could have, Doyle. Just like you can with Cordy, but you have to be honest with her. Tell her everything. She'll understand, just like Harry did. She loves you, Doyle for who you are and part of what makes you... you is the demon. I love Angel and Spike, demon and all. I might not understand everything about them, but I'm going to try to learn."

"Maybe I could help you with that," Wesley volunteered. "I could help you and Cordelia learn about your heritage too, Doyle. That is, if you decide to tell her."

"I'll think about it and get back to you," Doyle told him. "Thanks for offering, Wesley."

"I definitely want you to help me learn more about vampires," Xander sated excitedly. Spike and Angel both shook their heads.

"Not a good idea to learn about us from the watcher, pet. No offense, Wesley, but the council doesn't exactly keep the most correct history of our kind and I don't want Xander learning things that we'll have to show him isn't really true. Best to watch us and learn."

"I think I can handle that part," Xander snuggled into Spike's arms. The rest of the trip to the office was quiet, everyone wrapped in their own thoughts.

A few hours later the four men stood outside of the restaurant. Xander put his hand on Doyle's shoulder. "Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's just get this over with," Doyle led them inside, Angel and Spike taking in their surroundings. They didn't trust this Richard guy, no matter how peaceable his clan was supposed to be. No one acted as sickeningly sweet as Richard did without having a hidden agenda and if that hidden agenda was bad and included one of their own - they would stop him. They had a family now and no one was going to hurt any member of it.

Angel and Spike stood back while Doyle, Wesley and Xander walked further into the room. Xander had a bad feeling about this party, and not just in a 'oh, poor Doyle being at the bachelor party of his ex-wife's fiancee' kind of way. This was more a 'shit's going to hit the fan and soon' type of feeling. Xander looked up to see Richard walking towards them with a huge, and Xander felt, fake smile.

"Hey, Francis," Richard called out, trying to hug Doyle as he approached.

"Doyle," Doyle corrected him, pushing the man away from him.

"Doyle." Richard turned to the other men in the room as he put his arm around Doyle's shoulder. "Everyone, this is Doyle."

"Hey," the men all chorused except for two that were sitting in a booth, eying the newcomers with interest. "And he brought someone."

"Several someones," the other corrected, as Angel and Spike joined the others.

"Angel, Spike, Xander and Wesley - well, this is a surprise." Richard shook their hands as he acknowledged each one of them.

"I asked them to come. I hope that's okay," Doyle said in a voice that clearly said he wasn't the least bit sorry.

"Well...uh....sure it is." Richard said, unconvincingly. "Now the party can really start." Richard placed his arm on Doyle's shoulder and led him away from his friends. "Everyone, this night is as much for Doyle as it is for me. More even. He's the real bachelor here."

"Thanks for not rubbing that in by the way," Doyle told him.<./p>

"Let's set you up with a beverage?" Richard led Doyle towards the bar. Wesley and Xander weren't too far behind, with Angel and Spike taking the flank, none of them liking that they were here.

"I don't know about you, but I'm not really feeling the love in this room if you know what I mean," Xander whispered to Wesley. "And that Richard guy gives me the creeps. He's too nice and his clothes are all matchy and he's got the perfect smile but nothing behind it, you know." Angel and Spike smiled at their boy's perceptiveness. They had been feeling the same thing.

"I quite agree. I think Richard may have some kind of nefarious scheme up his sleeve. We better stay close to Doyle." Wesley told him.

"What the hell is nefar-nefar- whatever?"

"Nothing, I was just saying I don't trust Richard either."

"Then why didn't you just say that? Gee, Wesley you're going to have to stop with the big words or I'm never going to understand you." Angel and Spike laughed at Xander, following him past the two men who had spoken earlier. The two men were looking at Wesley and Xander appreciatively before their eyes found Spike and Angel. The two vampires paused, ready to tell these men to keep their eyes off their humans when the two men started talking in a long lost demonic language, his eyes never leaving the vampires bodies.

"Cool Whip?" One of the men questioned.

"Duh," the other man eyed Angel while the other kept his gaze riveted on Spike. Angel and Spike stopped and smirked at the two men, getting enough understanding of the body language to know what must have been said about them. Obviously, Xander did too because he turned around, anger and jealousy in his brown eyes. He pulled Wesley close and whispered, "What the hell are they talking about? If I'm going to yell at them for what I think I'm going to yell at them for, then I want to be sure what I'm yelling about."

"And you complain about the way I speak?" Wesley asked. He blushed and whispered something in the boy's ear which only made Xander angrier. He stalked back over to his boyfriends and stood between them, putting an arm possessively around each one of them while he glared at the other men.

"Look, pal - s I don't speak whatever lingo you're speaking but I know what you're wanting and it's never going to happen. These are MY boyfriends so you can keep your hands, eyes, your everything off of them, got it? That is unless you want to be wearing that food you're currently stuffing into your mouths."

"Pet, it's okay. We've handled blokes like this before," Spike told him, kissing Xander on the cheek as Angel hugged him reassuringly.

"Spike's right. We've undergone this treatment many times before. It usually led to blood and death though."

"Sounds good to me right about now," Xander was still glaring at the men and the vampires were enjoying his possessive streak. Angel's grip tightened on Xander's waist and Spike's blue eyes darkened.

"When we get home, we're going to show you just how turned on we were by that statement, luv. Gonna shag you silly."

"Hey, don't be offended. We thought you and your friend were cute little boys, but these two are really hot." one of the men spoke up and Spike had to hold Xander back from attacking the guy. "Why don't we have a fivesome or sixsome, I know a place ----"

"Not going to happen, mate. The boy is ours and the other human is under our protection. Anything happens to either of them and I'll hold you personally responsible," Spike warned, making the threat clear with his eyes. This had been amusing until they had offered to take Xander and Wesley with them too. "Come on, pet. Let's find Doyle and that Richard bloke, shall we?"

"I don't like those guys, Spike. I don't like any of this. I think it's some kind of set up or something. They wanted Doyle here for a purpose - I just can't figure out what that purpose could be." Xander hissed.

"We get that feeling too. That's why Angel and I are going to scout around this place and see if we can find any clues to what's going on. I want you, Wesley and Doyle to stick together."

"Don't worry, Spike. I'll stick to Doyle like mice on a gluetrap."

Spike shook his head at the boy's analogy. "And keep yourselves out of trouble, too."

"As always," Xander grinned before he kissed the two vampires. "Be careful."

He watched as his two lovers cruised the room, enjoying the view of well fitting pants over nicely shaped asses until Wesley led him over to where Doyle and Richard stood. As they approached they heard Richard talking.

"To Harry," Richard raised his glass for a toast.

"Harry," Doyle said, drinking his scotch down.

"What was she like Doyle?" Richard asked.

"Like?" Doyle asked.

"Back in the old days, the years you had her, the ones I missed. Tell me everything."

Doyle got a pained look on his face and Xander stepped up, grabbing a beer. "I don't think Doyle really wants to talk about his ex and their memories with the man that's getting ready to marry her. Not really tasteful," Xander admonished as Richard glared at him. Oh, the fake wall was coming down fast. Doyle sighed and gave Xander a look of thanks. This was so going to be a long night.

Angel and Spike continued to look around the place. They were definitely not getting good vibes off this place. They noticed the two guys staring at them and gave them a scornful look when they raised their glasses towards the two vampires, smiling broadly.

"I really don't like those two," Angel muttered.

"Yeah, can't say as I like much of anything going on here. What say we go in the back - see if we can find anything there?" Spike glanced towards the bar where Xander, Wesley and Doyle were standing with Richard. "Think those three will be alright?"

"Spike, they took out ten vampires by themselves today. I think they can handle being alone for a few minutes." Angel stated proudly. Spike nodded his head, just as proud.

"You're right. This is nothing for them, but still I think we'd better be on our toes."

"I totally agree," Angel replied. He and Spike ducked out of the party hoping that they could find out what was going on before someone got hurt.

An hour had passed and Xander was feeling pretty good from the beer he had consumed to try to drown out Richard's words. He had been bugging Doyle for his blessing or something which Xander thought was really weird. He was just about to break into the conversation, when the other men came and pulled Richard away so he could watch the stripper they had hired.

"Are you okay," Wesley asked Doyle, who was looking sad.

"Yeah," Doyle said, rather unconvincingly.

"If it helps any, I hate the guy." Xander told him.

"It doesn't but thanks for the offer. Where's Angel and Spike?"

"They're checking things out. You know how suspicious those two are," Xander tried to sound flip but he was really kind of worried about his lovers. He hadn't seen them for a long time. It was then that he saw Spike walking towards them. As soon as Spike was near him, Xander grabbed the vampire and gave him a kiss, one with plenty of tongue and lips. Spike forgot all about what he was coming to ask Wesley as he answered Xander's kiss. *God, he loved the boy's kisses*.

"So where's Angel? I want to give him a kiss, too."

"Xander, are you drunk?" Spike looked at the boy with concern and Xander gave him a lop sided grin. "You are, aren't you. How many beers have you had?"

"Only three - with chasers. But I couldn't stand listening to Richard go on and on and on----"

"Okay, I get it. You can't hold your liquor. Wesley----"

"I know. I'll keep an eye on both of them."

"No, actually I need you to come with me. Angel and I heard something we thought you might be able to translate for us."

"Let's go then," Wesley was happy to be back in watcher mode. Spike turned to Xander giving him another kiss before shaking him. "No more drinking for you, pet. You're not your father and you can't hold your liquor. We need you to be aware of what's going on around you in case something happens. You need to help Doyle, remember." Spike knew that last sentence would snap Xander out of whatever kind of stupor he was in and he was right. Xander stood up straight and smiled.

"I'll take care of Doyle. You guys figure out what the hell is going on so we can get out of here and back home."

"Sounds good to me, Xander." Spike led Wesley away and Xander went back to watching over Doyle, none of them noticing that they were being watched.

Spike led Wesley to the kitchen where Richard's Uncle John was doing some kind of spell. He recited the incantation as he cut his hand with a knife, letting the blood flow from his fisted hand into a bowl of fire, which flared as his blood hit it and he recited a few more words.

Wesley, Angel and Spike listened to the man before the vampires pulled Wesley back into the hallway. "Did you understand anything he said?" Angel asked.

Wesley shook his head. "All I know is that he was speaking Arituscan, which is a dead, demonic language. I'm sorry I can't be of more help."

"That's alright. We should call Harry and see if she knows what it means." Angel said. Spike turned to Wesley.

"Go back out and keep an eye on Xander and Doyle. I think they're both a little out of it right now - I know Xander is. Boy can't hold his liquor." Wesley nodded and walked away and Spike grinned at Angel, who was patting his pockets.

"Forgot it, didn't you?" he asked, pulling out a quarter and pointing at the pay phone behind the older vampire's head.

"I hate those things," Angel muttered, taking the quarter and dialing Cordelia's number. "No need laughing at me, Spike. You must have forgot yours, too."

"No, I didn't." Spike pulled his out of his duster pocket. "Just forgot to charge it up."

Spike paced while Angel waited for Cordelia to answer. When she did, he asked for Harry, telling the woman what he had heard and asking for a translation.

"What's going on, Angel?" Harry asked.

"I don't know yet. Will you just look into it for me?" Angel asked.

"I guess..um..I could check the family library." Harry told him. Angel thanked her and hung up the phone. He and Spike turned and ran straight into the two men from before.

"Hey, what's your problem?" the man Angel had run into asked him.

Before Spike could snap back a reply, Angel put up his hand. "Nothing," he said, trying to walk away from a fight. They needed to get back to the others and wait for Harry to call. The two men put their hands on the vampire's chests, pushing them backwards.

"Are you two disrespecting us?" the other man asked.

"No," Angel looked confused, while Spike glared at them.

"So now I'm a liar? Before either vampire could react they were being punched in the jaw and the fight began. Angel and Spike were holding their own until ten men joined the others. Angel was thrown into a wall and kicked repeatedly until they picked him up and threw him through the window. Spike tried to get to Angel before they could throw him out the window but he was kicked in the back of the head and picked up. Before he knew what was happening he was flying through the window, landing on the ground next to Angel. Both of the vampires hit their heads hard and were knocked unconscious.

The men leaned out the window and stared at the two vampires. "Those two can't hold their liquor." They laughed and walked away not noticing that Wesley had doubled back to tell them that Doyle was in trouble. He had walked into the front room of the restaurant and saw some men pushing Doyle into a box of some kind. Knowing the three of them couldn't take on all those men, he had come to get Angel and Spike only to see them get thrown out the window. Making a decision, he ran out the back door and towards the alleyway where the two vampires lay next to the dumpster they had hit. Wesley had to get them awake and fast.

"I really don't like him," Xander told Doyle.

"You and me both."

"What's up with this wanting you to bless his marriage crap?" Xander asked. He had gotten tired of Richard whining about needing Doyle's blessing or the marriage couldn't happen.

"I don't know, but I think I'll give it to him just to make the asshole shut up," Doyle muttered as Richard approached the bar.

"I hope Harry doesn't hear about that," Richard told them, looking at the stripper.

"Not from us she won't. Right, Xander?" Xander nodded his head in agreement. Richard ignored him, focusing on Doyle instead. He patted the man's shoulder and smiled at him.

"I know. You're a good half man. So, have you given any thought to what we discussed?"

Xander had his head on the bar, getting sick from the liquor he had drank. How could his mom and dad drink this shit? When he heard Richard's question, he gave the man an annoyed look.

"Yeah, and I gotta tell you I've had alot to regret in my life, but nothing more than the way things went with Harry and me. I should have made her happy and I didn't. And now, we both have a second chance. Her to be happy with you and me to be happy with Cordy and not to stand in your way of marrying each other. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I give you my blessing Richard. I bless you," Doyle told him, patting Richard on the shoulder.

Richard went to give Doyle a hug and Doyle once again pushed him away. "As long as we skip the hugs."

Richard turned to the other men. "Hey, hey everyone. Great news. Doyle gives his blessing he consents."

"To Doyle," the men said, toasting the half demon. Xander turned and faced them, a smirk equal to one of Spike's on his face.

"Yeah, yeah, Doyle gives his consent, blah, blah, live happily ever after. Now can we find a new topic, please?"

Richard ignored him as he raised his glass. "A toast to Doyle. While the men toasted Doyle, Xander looked around and noticed close to fifteen men coming back into the room, led by the two who had been ogling his vampires earlier.

"Hey, where have you guys been?" Xander asked, suspicious of the fact that they were all coming from the back in a group like that and Angel, Spike and Wesley were still missing. Just then all hell broke loose. The men grabbed Doyle and led him to a box shaped like one of those saunas Xander had seen people sitting in while trying to lose weight. Xander tried to get to Doyle but the two men from before and a few others held him back. Xander struggled to get away as they locked Doyle in the box.

"Guys, this is great, really but I can't reach the pretzels," Doyle tried to joke, but he was looking very afraid.

"Doyle, I just want to say how incredibly moved I am by your sacrifice. I hope that doesn't make me less of a man in your eyes." Richard said.

"Sacrifice?" Doyle asked, looking worried and then scared when the men changed into their demon forms.

"Okay, this can't be good," Xander muttered, looking at the faces surrounding him and Doyle. He saw Richard's uncle walking towards Doyle with a needle and yelled at him to look out but there was nothing Doyle could do. The man stuck the needle into Doyle's head as the half-demon yelled in protest.

"Ouch! Hey!"

"Are you guys crazy?" Xander asked, looking at the others. "You don't stick needles in people's heads. You could hurt them."

"My head's numb," Doyle told Xander as the boy pushed the men away and walked over to stand beside his friend.

"See? You hit a nerve or something. His head is numb." Xander went to open the box and was immediately restrained.

"I should hope his head is numb. We wouldn't want him to suffer when we cut into his skull," Richard told him while one of the men tied a lobster bib around his neck.

"Holy shit," Xander muttered when he saw a man bring out a large, curved knife and pass it down to Richard's uncle.

"Where's Angel and Spike?" Doyle asked Xander, who shrugged his shoulders. "Angel! Spike!" Doyle screamed while Richard's uncle took a marker out and made lines across Doyle's forehead with it.

"Apparently they started a fight and they had to be ejected. Can I get you anything?" Richard asked.

"That's a lie. What did you do with them?" Xander asked, kicking one of the men in the shins before another grabbed him by the hair.

"Calm down. They're fine. After all, we are a peaceable clan."

"You call this peaceable?"

"Well, yeah. It's just a ritual." The man answered.

"How are you going to explain this to Harry?" Doyle asked Richard.

"Oh, Harry will understand. She loves and accepts our culture like she loved and accepted yours," Richard told him. The man from before came out of the back room and placed a fork on the box.

"Mick, what's this?" Richard's uncle asked the man, picking up the fork and looking at it with disgust.

"You said to get a utensil," Mick answered.

"This is a shrimp fork. He's going to eat the guy's brains with a shrimp fork?" Richard's uncle asked, pointing at Richard.

"Well, pardon me if our ancient ancestors didn't leave behind any 'former husband brain eating' forks," Mick defended himself.

"Get a soup spoon you moron," Uncle John told him.

Mick turned and walked away, while Richard apologized to Doyle. "Bear with us. We're a little fuzzy on the etiquette. This ritual hasn't been performed in centuries. It's been so long since anyone in the clan has married a divorcee."

"Gee, I wonder why," Xander said. Uncle John began to tell Doyle why they needed to eat his brains, something to do with ingesting a prior love, but Xander wasn't really listening. He was too busy trying to figure out a way to stop this - at least until Spike and Angel arrived. Xander hoped that his boyfriends were alright, and he was cursing himself for drinking so much that his brain seemed to have shut down. He had to think of a way to stop this or Doyle was going to die.

"Look, Richard as much as I like your family, and they're great, honest...I'd really prefer if they didn't cannibalize me." Doyle told him.

"Oh, no, you misunderstand," Richard told him.

"I do?" Doyle sounded hopeful, that was until Richard answered his question.

"It'll just be me."

"Why don't I just give you that hug and we can call it even?"

"You're not trying to back out are you? Not after you gave your blessing."

"Yeah, yeah I take it back." Doyle told Richard who walked away from the box, looking very upset.

"Oh...well...I see. Now I'm not so sure I even want to eat your brains." Richard told him.

"Don't be petulant, Richard," Uncle John admonished the man. "You'll eat his brains. He can't take back a blessing. Now apologize to your friend."

"He's right. That was rude. I'd be honored to eat your brains." Richard told him.

"Hold up, just a minute there guys," Xander said. "Let go of me please? I won't do anything, I promise. I just want to talk to Richard." The men looked at Richard, who gestured his okay. When the men released him, Xander walked over to stand in front of Richard. "I think we have a problem here. Richard, when you asked Doyle for his blessing you didn't tell him anything about this ritual being a part of it. You withheld information and therefore the agreement is null and void. Now let him out of there."

"What are you talking about, Xander?" Richard asked. "I didn't have to tell Doyle about the ritual. All I needed was his consent."

"Listen, buddy, I dated a lawyer so I'm very familiar with the legal system in this country. I know for a fact that when two people enter an agreement everything has to be laid on the table. Richard as the agreeor kept certain facts - the ritual - from the agreeeeee, Doyle," Xander said, making up the words as he went along while trying to walk confidently back and forth, copying every movement he had ever seen Perry Mason or Owen Marshall do on television. He hoped he was remembering everything and was faking good enough to stall for time. "Therefore, it has come to my attention that his blessing is no good. If the blessing is no good, the ritual can't take place, right?" Xander glanced around and was pleased to see that he was making them think about what he had said.

"Is this true, Uncle John?" Richard asked. His uncle stood deep in thought and Xander decided to swoop in for the kill.

"Did you or did you not fail to inform Doyle that you were going to eat his brains?" Xander asked, standing nose to nose with Richard, glaring at the man as he had seen the t.v. lawyers do.

"Well, uh, I don't think so but---" Richard was stammering.

"That's what I thought. Doyle, did Richard at any time tell you that getting your brains eaten was part of the blessing? Did you or did you not know that when you gave your blessing you were kissing your brains good-bye?" Xander asked his friend.

"Xander, are you crazy? Do you honestly think that I would consent to having my---"

"Just answer the question with a yes or no."

Doyle rolled his eyes at his friend. "No, I did not."

"No further questions. I think I've proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Doyle did not know what he was consenting to when he gave this blessing so I say to you - release my client." Xander went to unlock the box but Uncle John stopped him.

"Hold on a minute, young man. While you made a good case, you're forgetting one thing. You're talking about the laws of the United States. The blessing doesn't fall under that category since we are Animovic demons and not technically citizens of the United States."

"Wrong. Do you own this restaurant?" Uncle John nodded. "Do you live here in California?" Again Uncle John nodded. "Do you pay taxes?" Uncle John shook his head while Xander looked stunned. "You don't pay taxes? How do you manage to get away with that? You could go to jail for that, you know."

"Xander, I think you're missing the point here," Doyle told him. "I think murder ranks way above not paying your taxes."

"Tell that to Uncle Sam," Xander said.

"It doesn't matter anyway," Uncle John told him. "Our customs were in place centuries ago, long before the laws of this country so that's what we have to go by. That being said, Richard would you care to make the first cut?" he asked, pulling out the knife and handing it to Richard.

"Richard, stop and think about this for a minute," Xander said, stepping in between Doyle and the man with the big, ugly knife that reminded him alot of Katie, Jack O'Toole's knife. "What if Doyle has a disease or something? Maybe he has a tumor on his brain. Or cancer of the brain. You don't want to catch that, do you?"

"Oh, that's no problem," Richard told him. "I'm a demon and I can't catch anything like that."

"What if I were to tell you that Doyle doesn't have a brain? That the visions he gets has destroyed his brain cells?"

"That's ridiculous. No one can live without a brain," Uncle John told Richard.

"Xander's lived without one for 19 years," Doyle protested, having forgotten his fear after watching his friend act crazy for the past ten minutes or so.

"Oh, that's real nice. Here I am trying to save your life and you turn on me. Go ahead, bite the hand that feeds you."

"Huh? What hand?"

"This hand," Xander raised his hand to show Doyle before trying to reach down and unlock the box. The men were too quick for him though and he found himself being drug away from his friend while Richard prepared to make the first cut. "Stop it! Let go of me! This is murder!" Xander was yelling as he fought against the men holding him against the bar. Mick and the other man from before leaned over and smiled at him.

"After the ritual is concluded, how about we go in the back room and ----" Mick's words were cut off by the sound of the door crashing off the hinges and Xander sighed in relief at the sight of his lovers, vamped out, looking very angry and ready to fight.

Wesley made his way out of the restaurant and around to the back of the alley, hoping and praying that he could wake the vampires in time to save Doyle from whatever was going on inside. He stepped over Spike and knelt between the two vampires, slapping them both on the face as he called their names.

"Angel! Spike! Wake up! Doyle needs you!" Wesley continued to slap them until Angel sat up with a jerk and grabbed his hand, vamping out in anger.

"Wesley, what the hell are you doing?" Angel asked, angry at the watcher for hitting him and Spike. Then the memory of getting thrown through the window came rushing back. "Where are Doyle and Xander?"

"Inside. You have to help them. I don't know what's going on, but whatever it is - you're not going to like it." Wesley told him as he continued trying to rouse Spike. Angel crawled over and helped, finally managing to wake the younger vampire.

"Bloody fucking hell. I'm going to kill those bastards. Angel, are you alright?" Spike asked, sitting up and holding his head.

"Yeah, you?" Angel asked in concern.

"I will be as soon as I rip a few throats out. Where's Doyle and Xander?"

"Still inside and from what Wesley said they need us."

"Then let's go." Spike and Angel got up and led Wesley around to the front of the restaurant. They tried the door, only to find it locked. Then they heard Xander's voice screaming, "Stop it! Let me go! This is murder!" They crashed through the door, getting more angry as they took in the sight in front of them. Xander was being held down at the bar, the guy from before leaning towards him and Doyle was locked in a box, Richard standing over him with a knife getting ready to cut him open.

"Party's over," Angel growled. Mick looked up in astonishment. "You brought vampires to my brother's bachelor party?" he asked Doyle. Spike and Angel started fighting, taking on five at a time as they kicked, punched, elbowed and beat the crap out of everybody in sight while making their way towards Xander and Doyle.

Xander took advantage of the chaos going on around him by throwing one of the men off him, while punching another. He saw Doyle being knocked around the room, still locked inside the box and he ran over to his friend, opening the box and letting him out. Doyle was angry as hell and he changed into his demon face. "Harry says I should mix with other demons, I'll mix," he told Xander. Both men jumped into the fight and soon it looked like a wild west bar fight. Men were being tossed over tables, bottles were breaking over people's heads and furniture was being destroyed.

"Stop it! Stop it, right this instant!" Xander heard Harry yell and everyone stopped, himself included. He turned to see Harry and Cordy entering the bar. Spike, Angel and Wesley made their way over to Xander, all the while looking for Doyle.

"Xander, are you alright? Did they hurt you?" Angel asked as he and Spike checked the boy from head to toe, the ritual being automatic now.

"Yeah, I'm okay. What about you two? What did they do to you?"

"Threw us through the window. Knocked us out for a few minutes, but Wesley woke us up and we're fine now." Spike assured him. "Where's Doyle?"

Xander spotted Doyle raising up from a seat on one of the booths right next to Cordelia. "Oh, shit, he's right next to Cordy." The men stood back and watched the argument begin.

"Hun-bun," Richard asked, getting up off the booth he had landed on when Angel had thrown him across the room. "This is for guys only."

"I know what you're up to Richard Howard Straley," Harry accused him.

"The stripper wasn't my idea, puke, I swear," Richard said while the men looked at him in astonishment. How could this jerk be so dense.

"Not the stripper, Richard," Harry said angrily before she realized what she was saying. Anger turned to hurt. "There was a stripper?"

"You really shouldn't be here," Richard told her.

"Well, you shouldn't be trying to eat my boyfriend's brains," Cordelia yelled at him. "You horrible, ugly demon people." She gasped when she saw Doyle next to her in his demon face. Not recognizing him, she grabbed a tray and started beating him over the head and shoulders with it. Angel and the others ran over to her and the vampire grabbed the tray from her hands.

"Cordelia, it's okay."

"It is so not okay. Where's Doyle?" she demanded just as Doyle walked back over to her side, this time in his human face.

"Doyle! Oh, look what they did to you," she cried out, taking him into her arms and hugging him tightly before giving him a kiss. "I was so worried."

"I am only going to ask you this once, Richard and I expect a straight answer," Harry demanded as Cordelia came up to stand beside her, arms crossed in her patented 'I'm pissed as hell' stance. "Were you or were you not intending to eat my ex-husband's brains?"

"Now see, Xander that's intimidation," Doyle told his friend.

"Yeah, she's way better at cross examining someone than I am," Xander agreed.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Spike asked.

"Tell you later," Xander said, wanting to hear what Richard's answer was going to be and watching Harry's technique, just in case he decided to use this defense again.

"In a way." Richard answered.

"And when were you planning on telling me?" Harry asked.

"I thought maybe I wouldn't have to," Richard admitted.

"You were going to start our life out together with deceit?" Harry asked.

"Sorta missing the point, isn't she?" Doyle asked. The other men nodded their heads in agreement.

"I was just trying to bless our marriage, like in the ancient teachings," Richard defended himself.

"And since when does your family follow the ancient teachings?"

"We don't flaunt our beliefs but they're very dear to us," Uncle John told Harry.

"Oh, please Uncle John. When's the last time you pried yourself away from ESPN long enough to spill the blood of a she goat?"

"Are you going to let her talk to Uncle John like that?" Mick asked his brother.

"You know how I feel about these barbaric Animovition customs," Harry told Richard.

"Racist! You're nothing but a racist!" Mick accused Harry.

"I should have told you. I'm sorry." Richard apologized. "But unless we complete the ritual my family will never consent to the marriage."

Harry looked at Doyle before turning back to Richard and handing him her engagement ring. Xander felt sorry for her as she started to walk away. Doyle was prepared to say something when Harry stopped him.

"One word, Francis, just one and I'll eat your brains." Doyle looked at Richard, a smirk playing over his lips as he took Cordelia's hand and walked out of the restaurant. The others were following when Xander heard the man from before say, "You don't need her anyway."

"Yeah. Who wants a wife whose knees only bend one way?" Mick asked. Xander stopped and turned around intrigued by what he had heard.

"You guys can do that? Bend your knees all different ways like Willow's Francie dolls?"

"Meet us out back and we'll show you," Mick answered, backing up when he saw the looks on the two vampires faces as they grabbed their young lover and dragged him out of the restaurant.

"Xander, are you crazy? What were you thinking asking a question like that, especially in front of those two?"

"I'm sorry. I just thought that was interesting." Xander apologized and Spike put his arm around the boy, giving him a hug. He knew Xander hadn't meant anything by what he had said - to him it had been an innocent question.

"It's alright, pet. Let's go home shall we?" Spike asked, getting into the car with the others as Angel started it up and pulled out of the parking lot. Cordelia was busy fussing over Doyle, Wesley and Xander were nodding off and Angel and Spike were glad to have their family safe again.