After a moment, Xander stepped forward and took the card. He studied the printing. "So, you want me to pass these numbers on to anyone in particular?"

Angel grimaced. "They know how to reach me if they want."

"Yeah. Funny how those calls seem to get lost, huh?"

"Yeah."

Xander tapped the card on a thumbnail, then tucked it into the back pocket of his slacks. "Thanks for the offer of a ride, but I've already got my ticket. They're showing the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy on the flight, and I don't want to miss that." He nodded and headed for the door again. Just as he reached the doorway, he paused. "Thanks," he said, not quite looking over his shoulder. Then he was gone.

Angel listened to the footsteps going down the drive to the street, then getting lost in the sounds of the city. He nodded to himself, then pulled out his cell phone to call for a car to pick him up. Before he hit the buttons, he looked one more time at Cordelia's resting place and smiled.

"You're welcome."

Le Sigh

Yeah, that doesn't suck. It's always nice when the stories roll out without taking much work and you don't have to worry about forgetting bits. As opposed to V!Giles, who requires plotting and character debates and organizational charts and all that.

MUNCH

I watch as the shadows get long and purple around the Hyperion. Why hasn’t she left yet? Go, Kay, for Christ’s sake. I can’t fend the dragon lady off forever, especially since my wiles didn’t work. She’s with someone, a young pretty shrill-voiced someone...is every woman in this town gorgeous? I’m surprised nobody has asked me to leave...arrested me for felony non-sexy or something. I like Kay’s companion, too. She complains as much as I do. God, I miss that. The Princess is so used to being anticipated she has no need to kvetch, and Dru has an enviable ability to make reality fit the pretty dancing pictures in her head.And that sounded like her, didn’t it? Don’t think that’s not a frightening thought.

“So, you really think this guy left this threat because he...can’t perform?” the brunette asks Kay. Hey, standing right here. I almost feel like consoling my equipment, telling the boys that the lady...girl, really, with the perky breasts and the big mouth doesn’t know whereof she speaks.

“Not exactly.” Thank you, Kay. “It’s more...what-do-you-call it...symbolic. He’s powerless...some little weasel living in his mama’s basement. Has to fold up his plastic woman in the box with his Star Trek figurines.” I want to come out of the shadows, and explain myself, but I can’t.
“Yuck. Two words: Xander. Harris.”

“This Xander, has he ever been to Balmer?”

“Not that I know of. But I try to put my mistakes behind me.”

“One of those, huh?” And Kay smiles a crooked smile that tears at my heart. Love should never make *her* make that face. Just idiots like me. Just get in the car, babe, I think.They do, but I can’t leave. A smarter creature of the night/mercenary/ double agent would have, but I’m a schmuck.

A smarter creature of the night/mercenary/ double agent would have, but I’m a schmuck.

Damn it. That kinda sorta broke me, erika. Poor Munch, never a genuine badass, except when he's assing himself.

I know.(and that sounds conceited like I'm saying "Aren't I emotionally affecting?" but when I'm writing him or Kay...it's like it's not me. Really. I didn't see that coming. It's like taking his dictation. Creepy but true. Poor Munchkin...he's a Fool for Love, too.(substituting manifestos for Bloody Awful Poetry, of course.) Not gonna write it. Not.

KAY

We pull into Cordy’s place and immediately the lights turn on.”Funny wiring?” I ask.

“No, that’s Dennis. Dennis is a G-H-O-S-T.”

“Oh, hi, Dennis. “ I say, feeling a little stupid, but you gotta have manners, right? Mom always said they didn’t cost anything. “Look, I’m not sure what communication’s like where you are, but if you ever run into another gh—g-h-o-st named Agnes Saunders, let her know that puke Fenwick got life. I couldn’t have done it without her. I know she wanted him to walk the Mile, but this’ll be a better punishment, maybe. Let’s see how much cons want to hear about blue in the Old Testament, huh? Asshole.”

“Every day is a casefile for you, isn’t it?” Cordy asked.

“Aw, once and a while you bring one home...you’ll see. By the time you’re my age...”

“No,” Cordy says.

“I’m not as old as all that, you know.” I couldn’t help feeling a little offended.

“I’m just here till the acting takes off...of course I’ll never forget the little people but...”

“Uh huh. What if I told you it’s in your blood? That almost in spite of yourself, you’re a natural evil-fighter. That if you could get your old life, it’d never feel right? It happens...that’s what my Job and your Job does. We’re just a little bit ruined for normal life, huh?

holy CRAP! Kay being able to see Cordy that way, and letting her know about it?

Off to consider Kay in a whole new light.

Is it too much? Cause maybe she wouldn't say all of it...not to her face. She'd keep some of those thoughts to herself, wouldn't she? After all this time, don't want a Mary Kay. Even if a pink Cavalier would be too cute.

I don't think so, sweetie, on the too much thing. Because hearing her saying it in my head, I'm hearing a mildly exasperated "shit, why are these people so damned dumb?" tone, not a classic mentoring tone.