*~*~*

Lilah sat behind her new desk and swallowed. This was all happening way too quickly. At first she thought that she was going to be fending for her life, then Lindsey had come through for her. Him and his "evil hand." A small smile tugged at her lips as she thought of the fading small bruise she had on her ass because of where he grabbed her.

*~*~*

Lindsey stepped off the bus burning red. His truck had been impounded. So he'd hitched a ride on the Greyhound back to LA with one thing on his mind.

Revenge...

*~*~*

"Shit!" Angel hissed as he dropped the coffee pot, shattering it. Wesley peered over his shoulder at the mess on the floor.

"Well, it happens to the best of us." He started to walk back into *his* office, calling after Angel, "Clean it up."

Angel grumbled as he set about to do just that. He started to wonder if this was going to work out. It seemed as though Wesley were acting out some personal power trip every time he was around. He picked up the glass, putting it in the trash, his mind continuing. He knew getting them to trust him was going to be hard, but this was ridiculous. It was like Wesley wasn't giving him a chance. Or, perhaps Wesley had forgiven him, and was just playing mind games. Mind fuck the mind fucker. Angel knew what a turn on that could be.

And he was quite sure Wesley was turned on by it.

*~*~*

Lindsey smiled as his old access codes made his computer connect to Wolfram and Hart. He jumped through the many hoops to get to the information he wanted. Lilah was being careless by leaving his access ability in the computer. Or maybe it was just a pay back. He didn't know, didn't care which. He started to search through her files.

A slow smile spread over his face when he saw Angel's lease agreement.

*~*~*

Cordelia walked, carrying the new coffee pot. "This one is supposed to be better."

Angel took it out of the box and examined it. "Why?"

She shrugged. "It costs more?"

Wesley came out of the office with a smile. "Hello there, Cordelia." His glance turned to Angel. "That's coming out of your check you know."

Angel took an unneeded breath and let it out slowly to calm himself. "No problem."

Wesley nodded. "Good to hear." He handed a file to Cordelia. "I need you to sign these timesheets."

She nodded and went about doing so.

Angel took Wes' arm and pulled him aside. "Wesley, I'd like to talk to you."

He nodded and took off his glasses. "All right then."

Angel sighed. "Do you hate me? I mean, are you still mad at me?"

He seemed a bit shocked by the question and paused. "I don't hate you, Angel. And I've gotten over most of what's happened."

"Most?"

Wesley took a seat. "Well, there is something..."

Angel sat in front of him. "What?"

Wesley looked at the vampire in front of him. He seemed oblivious to what he always did to him. Always taking control. Always in the lead. Always assuming that they would follow, that he would follow. Wesley knew there were times when he tried to give Wesley the spot light, but that only irritated Wesley more. Because he did have to give him the spotlight. Wesley didn't command it like Angel. But he would. Soon Angel would learn to follow him.

Briefly, Wesley's mind went deeper, to the thoughts he didn't like to let surface in the light of day. The thoughts he only let surface at night when he was alone. The thoughts of a submissive Angel.

Angel waited and then started to realize Wesley was getting aroused. He continued to watch, his face stoic. He wondered if that was the answer. He wondered if the something was that he wanted to have sex with Angel. Somehow he didn't think that was all of it. He waited.

Wesley looked at Angel and realized he was asked a question.

"Just remember your place in Angel Investigations. You work for me now. Not the other way around." With that Wesley went to his office and shut the door, leaving a smiling Angel in his wake.

Power.

*~*~*

Lilah smiled. "Find something you like?"

Lindsey jumped. "Lilah! What are you doing here?"

"You think I'd let you into Wolfram and Hart without knowing where you were?" She smiled and sat in front of him, moving his laptop aside. "Question is, why are you back?" She crossed her ankles.

He smiled up at her. "If you think it was for you, sorry. I have something else a little more important on my mind."

She raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Like revenge."

She chuckled. "You're going to try and get revenge on Wolfram and Hart?"

He shook his head. "Angel."

She stopped laughing but was still smiling. "Angel?"

He nodded. "Damn bastard got my truck impounded."

She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. "So let me get this straight. This is some little prank war between you and Angel? You risked coming to LA for that?"

He glared at her. "Lilah, you really are a pain in the ass."

She stood. "Speaking of 'pains in the ass,' you bruised me." She crossed her arms. "Evil hand."

Lindsey smiled a little.

"It was the least I could have done."

"No, the least you could have done was just leave." She was smiling. She got up and then leaned down to put her face in front of Lindsey's. Her blouse separated from her a little, just enough to tease anyone who looked. Lindsey looked. "I got what you want."

Lindsey licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. Was she flirting with him?

"What do I want?"

"Revenge."

"What do you have?" Vaguely aware that she wasn't flirting after all.

"His hotel."

*~*~*

It was late. Everyone had taken off, except for their fearless leader. Angel watched through the open doors, Wesley bent over his papers. He stood up and walked slowly to the office doors and leaned into the door jam.

"What do you want, Angel?"

Angel grinned a little. "I came here to ask what *you* really want."

Wesley swallowed down the thought that Angel could possible know what was stirring in the pit of his stomach and inching lower. "What do you mean, what I want?"

Angel could sense the vibrations coming off of Wesley. "I think you know what I'm talking about." He stepped up and put his hand on Wesley's shoulder.

Wesley's breath caught a moment. "I... I have n-no idea what you're talking about." His body struggled not to respond to the coolness of the hand on his shoulder. It was seeping into his skin and making him tingle.

Angel leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "It's okay, Wes. You can tell me."

Wesley closed his eyes and took a shaky breath.

*~*~*

Lindsey continued to pace behind Lilah as she sat in front of his laptop and brought up the information. "Here," she smiled. "His lease is up in a few months. We could get a bid tossed in there."

Lindsey can up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Great." He smiled briefly then looked down at her. "What's in this for you? You aren't the type to do favors."

She leaned back more in the chair. "Funny you should ask..."

Lindsey looked down at her and couldn't miss the look in her eyes. Lust. His eyes traced her face. She was quite lovely. His hand still rested on her shoulder and slowly he let his fingers start to caress the fabric there.

"Tell me."

"Tell you what?" Lilah cocked an eyebrow, knowing what he wanted.

"Tell me what you want."

"I thought I already did."

"I want to hear you say it."

Lilah stood and faced him. She wrapped her hands into his jacket and pushed him against wall, her eyes never leaving his. He complied and watched her, a little shocked at the turn of events. Suddenly he felt moist lips on his, and his eyes were closed and his senses were surrounded by Lilah.

After a moment he gently pushed her back and looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

She chuckled. "It isn't like I'm asking you to marry me, McDonald. I just want to fuck."

*~*~*

Wesley took off his glasses and set them on the desk. He stood up slowly and turned, disturbed by how close Angel was and noted that his hand stayed on Wesley's shoulder.

"Angel," his voice was softer than he meant it to be. "This is not the time nor the place for this type of discussion."

"What type of discussion would that be, Wesley?" Angel instinctively moved closer. The men were within kissing distance. Wesley swallowed.

"The kind.... that...." He had to control his breathing. He had to remember to breath.

Angel's hand moved from Wesley's shoulder to the back of his neck. "Wesley..." Angel's voice was soft as velvet as he gently pulled Wesley closer and pressed his lips softly but firmly on the watcher's.

*~*~*

Lilah shrugged off her blazer and kicked off her shoes. Lindsey was already topless and fumbling with his pants. She smiled. "Evil hand not behaving?"

He rolled his eyes and stopped messing with his pants, instead he reached out to her and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her close while the other hand roamed over her breasts. "Is it behaving now?" he breathed into her ear.

Lilah didn't answer, only moaned slightly and started to tug at Lindsey's pants, popping the button and forcing the zipper down. She reached into his pants and stroked him slightly. He hissed in answer and lowered her to the ground, kicking off the pants and descending on her.

His mouth and hands roamed her writhing body as he expertly removed the rest of her clothing. Lilah arched herself upwards when his hands brushed the small hairs in between her legs. She briefly wondered how long she had been wanting this. She wondered how long he had.

*~*~*

Wesley couldn't help the moan that escaped, nor the way his arms encircled the bigger man, pulling him closer. Wesley had imagined this so many times, but he never imagined it would be this powerful. Angel kissed him, slowly at first, just letting Wesley get a handle on what was happening, but his kisses became more searching as the kiss went on.

Wesley's hands balled up in Angel's coat, holding Angel to him. Finally Wesley needed air and pulled away a little, looking up at Angel, questioningly.

Angel looked down at him and took a step back from Wesley. Wesley let go and let him move away. They just stared at each other.

Finally Angel moved. His hands went to the coat and the coat went to the floor.

"Dear Lord..." Wesley's breath caught as he shakily started to fumble with his shirt.

A hint of a smile hit Angel's lips as he noticed how nervous Wesley was. He deftly unbuttoned his own shirt and then moved in on Wesley, moving his hands away and unbuttoning his shirt, pausing slightly when he got to the belt buckle of Wesley's pants. "We can take this slower," he assured him.

Wesley ran his hands over the cool skin of Angel's chest. "I'm ready," he affirmed.

Angel smiled and kissed him again.

*~*~*

Lindsey grunted and felt the sweat build up, making it slick between him and the naked woman beneath him who he had considered a rival for so long. Was she still his rival? He tried to push his thoughts away as he quickened his already needy pace.

Lilah wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her nails into his back. Primal sex. It felt so damn good. She wasn't going to tell him beforehand that he wasn't going to be in on the bid of the Hyperian. But she had to have something to keep him here. To keep him inside of her, to keep him touching her. She leaned up and kissed him madly.

Lindsey responded to her kiss with passion of his own before he stopped all together and pulled out. Lilah looked at him in shock. But he didn't see her look for long. He quickly flipped her over onto her hands and knees and slid inside her again, hearing her sigh of relief and moan at being filled again. Gently, Lindsey sat back, taking Lilah with him so that he was finally sitting on his heels and she had no control over his fierce thrusts as he pounded her down onto him over and over.

*~*~*

Wesley's lips trailed down Angel's neck as Angel slowly caressed Wesley's hip, staying still for the other man's exploration. Despite Wesley's words earlier, he didn't want to rush this. If done wrong, it could cause a lot more tension in the work place than there already was. But finally, Wesley's lips made Angel feel the need to move on and he moved his body downwards, trailing a cool tongue down Wesley's body, making Wesley shiver. He slipped down those well pressed slacks that he knew Wesley took care of and was a bit surprised to find him wearing no underwear. He smiled and let his hands slide over Wesley's rear, cupping it gently. Wesley moaned in return, his hands lingering on Angel's zipper, almost afraid to venture further. Angel sensed the hesitation and removed a hand from Wesley to help him guide the zipper down. "Like this," he whispered.

Wesley was numb. He had to have been dreaming. Once the zipper was down he timidly slipped his hand inside and grasped the cool manhood of the demon in front of him. This was dangerous on quite a few levels and he knew it. But he didn't care. He didn't feel anything except for the lightheadedness and the hardening between his legs. This was everything he had spent nights dreaming about and so much more.

Angel growled low. "How do you want it Wesley?"

*~*~*

Lilah was in the middle of her second orgasm when Lindsey pulled her flush against his chest and grunted as he came in her. He held her there against him for a moment as he breathed slowly. Had he been holding his breath the entire time? She was panting and limp against him. He smiled.

Lilah leaned forward, breaking his hold on her and got up, her legs a bit wobbly. She walked to the sink in the office and started to clean up, a smile on her face.

"Nice to know I put a smile on someone's face." Lindsey started to dress.

Lilah just smiled more, thinking of how she was going to break the news to him. She turned to him after she was dressed and looking like not a hair was out of place.

"Well, you can see yourself out."

Lindsey frowned. He had sat there, waiting for Lilah to finish primping so they could get to business. Now she was asking him to leave? No Fucking way.

*~*~*

Angel's arm around Wesley's waist pulls Wesley's back against his chest. He kisses down the back of Wesley's neck, just relishing the way the blood rushes under the paper thin skin. He pressed himself against Wesley's opening and Wesley whimpered in anticipation.

Wesley was barely able to breathe a steady rhythm. Angel's mouth and fingers worked magic on his body, softening and stretching him, making him ready for what was to happen now, and he couldn't wait. But in the same breath, he was slightly scared. Ok, more than slightly. He was about to be fucked by a vampire who was once notorious for the evils he did. Every passage he ever read about Angelus came slamming into his memory, making him more afraid.

Angel could smell Wesley's fear, as well as his continued arousal. He leaned towards Wesley's ear.

"It's alright. I'm going to try and be as gentle as I can."

Wesley just nodded and with that Angel gently pressed himself inside of Wesley, the lubrication used and the stretching he had done earlier with his fingers making the entry smooth and easy. He smiled at the deep moan elicited from Wesley. Angel closed his eyes and took in the warmth around him for a moment before moving back and forth slowly within the fragile man.

Wesley shuddered and reached back to grab Angel's hip. "Dear God yes..." All his fear started to melt with the sensation of this intimacy. He hadn't felt this is so long. Being with Virginia had been splendid and that sex was good. But this was different. This was something more. This was....

He opened his eyes.

This was Angel in control again.

*~*~*

Lilah crossed her arms. "I didn't stutter."

Lindsey fastened his pants. "What the hell is going on?"

She strode to his computer and unplugged it. "That's how you get a male whore to stay in line." She sat on the desk. "You didn't really think I wanted to help you, did you?"

He narrowed his eyes and slapped her across the cheek. "You bitch!"

It felt like her face was going to explode, but she held her smile. "I can have you escorted out of here."

He stood there frozen for a moment and she began to wonder if she broke him. But he was not easily broken.

*~*~*

With the way that he was pressed against Angel, he couldn't exert much of his own control over the situation.

Angel reached around with his other hand and slowly started to stroke Wesley as he slowly pushed into him, letting go of his own moan. Heat surrounded him and he closed his eyes and savored it, knowing that moments like these are so few and far between. He heard Wesley's breathing pick up and suddenly felt Wesley jutting his hips into him, slamming against him.

Surprised by the force Wesley exerted Angel pushed into him, easily keeping up.

*~*~*

Lindsey walked out of Wolfram and Hart. He had to admit. She was good. She was manipulative and resourceful. She'd be good at her job. But Lindsey was better. He knew it, and by now, so should she have.

Lindsey smiled as he patted his laptop. Too bad for Lilah he saved all of that information about the lease to his hard-drive. Now what to do with it. He could always try and make his own bid, but W&H would always try and outdo that. They were as much a pain in his ass as Angel sometimes. Too bad he couldn't kill two birds with one stone.

Lindsey froze in his tracks and smiled. He knew what to do.

*~*~*

The cool fingers around Wesley's erection almost made him lose control again, but still, he forced himself beck against Angel. He wanted to be in control. Oh why hadn't he told Angel he wanted this the other way around? He knew why. Because he didn't he was still this little insignificant boy. And this only affirmed it. He was a little puppet.

Angel stumbled back as Wesley shot forward and broke Angel's hold on him. He was shaking and grabbed his clothes. Angel looked confused. "Wesley? What... what's wrong?"

Wesley actually had tears coming to his eyes. "Nothing. I'm finished, that's all."

Angel knew that was a lie. He would have known if Wesley had reached an orgasm. Something else was wrong and Angel began to regret. He shouldn't have tried to do this. And now came the problems.

~*~*

To accomplish this, Lindsey knew he would have to choose a side. The lesser of the two evils, so to speak. He decided it was easier to get in and out of Angel's good graces than it was to get in or out of Wolfram and Hart's good graces.

Lindsey smiled as he picked up his cell phone and started to make phone calls. A half hour later, and a few favors called in and Lindsey had himself a hotel. It was true that he couldn't have it now, because Angel's lease wasn't up yet, but it wasn't very hard to be able to buy up the loan after that, especially since he was offering to lease it for ten years, all upfront money.

Lindsey started to make more phone calls. Soon he'd actually have the money.

*~*~*

The next morning was always hard to deal with. But this one was worse than anything Angel had ever experienced. When Wesley came in the next morning he was in a dark, foul mood.

Cordelia watched him storm into his office and slam his door.

"Sheesh. What demon slimmed his Cheerios? I mean, really...the way he broods makes me think 'Angel much?'"

"Hey!" Angel frowned at her and she whirled, not having known he was there.

"What?" She tried to look innocent. "You brooded!"

"Did not! Well... maybe a little." Angel rolled his eyes and sighed. "Whatever you hear, don't go into the office." With that he opened the door and went in, shutting it behind him.

Wesley glared from behind his desk. "Get out."

Angel swallowed. "Wes, I think we should talk."

"Well I don't. Now I believe there is work to be done."

"Wesley, what did I do wrong? I just wanted to give you what you wanted."

The watcher leaned back in his chair. "What I want? What *I* want? Angel, you haven't the foggiest idea."

Angel softened. "Then please tell me. I want to give you what you want."

Wesley closed his eyes. "I'm so tired of not being in control of anything in my life, Angel." He opened his eyes, looking worn. "I wonder why it is that I even go on. What is the purpose of being this servant?"

The vampire was in shock. "What? You aren't a servant. Wesley, this place couldn't run without you."

"Couldn't it? With Cordelia's visions and your brawn, I don't think much more is needed. I'm simply a replacement for the space that Doyle was in."

*~*~*

Lilah was still a little bit sore as she sat in the meeting with the other division heads. They were glancing at her from time to time, looking at the glow that was probably around her or maybe it was that "just been fucked" look she probably had on her face. She didn't care. She was in a good mood and wasn't going to let anything change that.

*~*~*

Lindsey smiled as the confirmation e-mail was sent. Now all he needed to do was make one more call.

*~*~*

Angel didn't know what to say at first. He looked confused and flabbergasted.

Wesley just shook his head and repeated, "Get out."

"Wesley," Angel moved over and was about to sit on the desk and stopped and sat in the chair across from the desk. "You are not Doyle's replacement. You are so much more than that, I thought you knew."

Wesley looked at Angel, curiously. He was surprised that Angel sat in a chair rather than on his desk.

"Ok...tell me." Wesley folded his arms.

Angel opened his mouth and the phone rang.

Wesley glared at the phone. "Are you going to answer that?"

He nodded and picked it up. "Angel Investigations."

*~*~*

Lindsey smiled when he heard Angel's voice. "Just thought I'd let you know that I'll give you a bit of a break on the rent."

Angel paused. "Rent? Who is..." His voice became hard. "Lindsey."

He chuckled. "You don't sound so pleased to hear from me, Angel."

"Should I be?"

"I don't see why not. Seeing as how we'll be spending more time together soon."

*~*~*

Lilah fumed and slammed her car into gear. How dare that little prick go behind her back! She was going to kill him. That was all it came down to. She had gone to make a bid on the hotel only to find it already sold.

*~*~*

After hanging up the phone, Angel turned to Wesley but stayed silent. Wesley looked at him.

"Well?"

"There were times that if you didn't have my back, I don't think we would have survived. When I left Angel Investigations, it was you who they turned to as the natural and obvious leader. You and the others continued your fight against evil, without me. You three don't need me. You three were doing fine alone. Doyle probably could not have done what you have, and I know that Angel Investigations wouldn't be without you." Angel took looked at Wesley for a moment and watched his face change from hard anger to soft thoughtfulness. "I don't mean to make you feel like you aren't the leader of this group. I don't try to make you feel like this." Angel looked down and waited.

Angel heard Wesley's soft footsteps and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and Wesley was smiling warmly. Angel's lips curved into a smile.

"Now, what did Lindsey want?"

Angel's smile vanished.

"He is on his way over. He has the lease to the Hyperion. He wants me to get his truck out of impound for it."

"But why you?"

Angel stood up. "Well it's a funny story." He smiled at Wesley who folded his arms.

"I'm sure it is. Why don't you tell it to me."

*~*~*

Lindsey looked around as he walked into the lobby of the Hyperian. If he wasn't ready to get the hell out of this town, he might have considered keeping this place. But all he wanted was his truck back, and to pull one really good one on Angel, before he left. He told Angel that he would trade his truck for the hotel, but that he had to get the truck first. Angel agreed.

"Lindsey?" Cordelia walked up to him, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

"I have an appointment with Angel." He looked around. "He in?"

"No."

Lindsey smiled. "It was asked for formality. I know he is here. I just talked to him on the phone and seeing as its daylight..."

Cordelia tried to cover. "Oh <i> that </i> Angel. Yeah, he's here." Cordelia smiled as she tried not to think of how not smooth that was.

A car screeched to a stop outside and Cordelia looked out the window. "Bring a friend?" Lindsey turned in time to see Lilah come through the door and she looked beyond pissed off.

"You little shit!" she snapped. "How dare you try to fuck me over!"

He smiled. "You asked me to do that part, Lilah."

Angel came out of the office with Wesley behind him. "What's going on?"

Lilah looked to the vampire and then back to Lindsey. "You're going to pay for this."

Lindsey smiled. This was going to score him extra brownie points with Angel. "A small price to pay for doing the right thing."

She snorted. "And since when did you do the right thing?"

Cordelia stepped in-between them, facing Lilah. "Excuse me, but I think you're trespassing. Now leave." She crossed her arms.

Angel stood back and watched. Wesley stepped up. "Miss, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Lilah looked about and saw that she was greatly outnumbered. She glared at Lindsey. "This isn't over you little shit." With that she turned on those expensive heals and left the Hyperian.

Lindsey turned back to the three onlookers. "Angel, shall we talk?" He motioned to the office.

Angel looked to Wesley who briefly nodded his approval. "Let's go." He stalked into the office and shut the door behind Lindsey.

Cordelia turned to Wesley. "What was that all about?"

"Something to do with the hotel. Which, technically, still belongs to Angel."

She paused. "What happened between you two?"

*~*~*

Angel folded his arms across his chest and looked at Lindsey. Lindsey just smiled at him.

"Well now, I know you said never come back, but don't you know," his face grew serious, "my truck was impounded."

"Sorry to hear that."

"But you wouldn't know anything about a sign would you? A sign that would maybe cause the cops to watch me a little closer? One that would make them impound the truck!" Lindsey was really pissed. He got even more upset when Angel just stared at him.

"Well, seems to me we have a problem. I have a hotel I don't need, and I'm missing a truck I do need."

"You slept with her."

Lindsey wasn't expecting that.

"What?"

"Lilah. You slept with her." Angel advanced on him quickly, making Lindsey back up. "What's your game McDonald? What are you two plotting. You know I will not hesitate to kill you if you do anything to hurt my friends. Hotel or not."

Lindsey swallowed. He was too close. This wasn't good.

*~*~*

"What?"

You heard me. Spill. What's going on with you and Angel?"

"I don't know what you mean." He walked toward his office to get away from her and then stopped, realizing his office was temporarily occupied. Cordelia used the opportunity to get in front of him.

"Wesley, what is going on here?"

Wesley looked into her eyes and raised his chin. "I need those files alphabetize please."

She scowled. "I'm on break. Now what's going on?"

*~*~*

Truth wasn't something many lawyers knew about. But Lindsey had gone there once and found that it wasn't that bad. So he figured maybe part of the truth could help in this. "I slept with her so I could grab the hotel before Wolfram and Hart. Because I want my truck back."

Angel narrowed his eyes and looked over the shorter man in front of him. "You went through all this for a truck?"

He nodded. "It's a classic." He crossed his arms. "Come on, Angel. You owe me."

"Couldn't you have just gotten the truck out with the money you spent on the hotel?"

Lindsey paused.

*~*~*

Cordelia sat on the couch in shock. "Angel begged you to have sex with him?"

Wesley leaned on the counter. "In more words or less..."

Cordelia shook her head slowly. "Wow..." She looked at Wesley. "Begging is so unlike him. He must have been desperate!"

Wesley looked slightly offended. "Excuse me? I don't particularly like to think that having sex with me is an act of desperation."

"Well that's because you're in denial. But seriously, Wesley, Angel begged you to have sex with him!"

Dryly, "Yes. I know." Wesley stood up and walked toward the desk where Cordelia usually sat. Cordelia followed him.

"So did you?"

"Did I what?" The stiffening in his back told her everything.

"Oh my God, you did!" She clamped her hand over her own mouth to keep from screaming.

*~*~*

"It's the principle of the thing. I had two things I wanted to accomplish when I came here. Getting back at you, and getting back at Wolfram and Hart, for years of a shitty job. In one move, I've done both." He smiled. Angel glared. "But you see, I cannot complete my revenge on Wolfram and Hart if you don't get to keep your hotel. So. I had to decide which was the lesser of the two evils. This time I chose you."

The semi-reference to the first time Lindsey and Angel were working on the same side made Angel drop his hands down to his side, and his glare lesson. He really had wanted to save this one.

"Ok. A truck for a hotel. You'll get it tonight."

Lindsey smiled.

Angel frowned and then went to the door and opened it.

A shocked Cordelia and Wesley spun around.

Angel looked at their faces. "What?"

Cordelia rambled: "Oh my God I can't believe you begged Wesley for sex!"

Wesley felt his cheeks flush and turned.

Lindsey's jaw dropped, then he smiled. "Angel the fudge packer!"

She glared at Lindsey before turning to Angel and finding him with a hurt look on his face. "Angel?"

Angel looked at Wesley. "Does it make you happier to say that?"

Wesley turned, his expression still stern. "Sometimes the truth hurts. But it's nothing to be ashamed of."

Angel turned to Lindsey. "Keep the damn hotel." With that he stormed into his room.

Cordelia watched him go. "Oh shit."

Lindsey smiled. "Well now...looks like have a hotel. I wonder what I'll do with it." Lindsey snickered and looked at Cordelia. "Just couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you princess?" He looks at Wesley. "My guess is, he didn't beg."

Wesley held his head up and Lindsey "tsked" at him.

"Well, I'll be hanging around. Something tells me Angel will want the hotel sooner or later, and you folks are save a soul types, so I'll just make myself at home." Lindsey walked up the stairs and left Cordelia and Wesley stunned and looking to the ground.

"I'm sorry Wesley."

"You have no bloody idea what you are sorry for, do you?" Cordelia's head stayed bowed. Wesley stormed off to Angel's bedroom where he found him, packing.

"May I come in?"

Angel looked at him. "If I say yes, will that be a sign of begging?"

Wesley winced. "Please?"

Angel nodded and went back to packing. He heard the door close and felt Wesley move closer to him.

"I want to apologize for what happened. I should never have said anything to Cordelia at all, but she seemed to sense that there was something amiss between us, and I don't have the faintest idea why truth," he paused, "or any semblance of truth, was my first reply."

Angel continued packing.

"Angel, please, say something."

"Did I make you feel like there was something you should have been ashamed of?" Angel looked at him, a little hurt look in his eyes.

Wesley shook his head slowly.

"Then why are you? Is it because of comments like Lindsey's?"

Wesley shook his head again, his turn to be silent now. But Angel was through with silent, he had Wesley pinned against a wall, his body sandwiched in between the wall and Angel, his face angry, but still human.

"Then why!?"

Tears glistened in Wesley's eyes.

"My father."

Angel took a step back. "Your father?"

Wesley nodded and took off his glasses. "He sees me as the one always at the bottom. He constantly reminds me of being fired from the council and about how I am a disappointment to him." He brought his hand to his eyes to hide the tears. "I'll always be the follower. Never the leader. Never the one that people beg to be with."

Angel sat on his bed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

The watcher leaned back on the wall for support. "If word got back to my father about my homosexual tendencies or the fact that I wanted a vampire to help fulfill that..." he trailed off. "I would be even more of a disgrace."

It all started coming together in the vampire's head. "But he's not here, Wes. And you should be able to do whatever makes you happy." He stood and walked over to him, placing hand on his shoulder. "You're loved and needed here." He leaned down and pressed his cool lips against the younger man's.

Wesley returned the kiss for a moment before breaking down and resting his head on Angel's shoulder, crying.

Angel held him close, letting him cry, and ran his fingers through Wesley's hair. Wesley took the comfort from him for a few minutes before pushing away and getting a hold on himself.

"Thank you." He looked at Angel. "Please don't leave."

"Don't."

Wesley looked at him in confusion.

"You don't have to beg." Angel slowly sank down on his knees. "I should be asking you. Please. Let me stay."

*~*~*

"LINDSEY!" Angel stood at the stairs, looking up.

Lindsey walked down, taking his time.

"I assume you want the hotel back?"

"No."

Lindsey looked at him curiously.

"I'll get your truck back, and you sign over the hotel to Wesley." Wesley stood beside Angel, looking genuinely pleased. "Then you go. Far."

Lindsey smiled and nodded.

*~*~*

Two days later the deal was sealed. Lindsey gave his good-byes to everyone but Lilah and headed out once again without a sign on his tailgate. Things seemed mostly back to normal.

Two weeks later, Angel entered Wesley's office with a cup of coffee. "Morning."

Wesley smiled. "Morning Angel." He took the coffee and sipped it. "Perfect, thank you."

Angel sat in front of him. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

He nodded. "Go on."

"Did you ever think about... maybe someday letting me go rent free?" he smiled.

Wesley chuckled. "We'll have to see."

Conversation was halted when they heard the front door open with a bang. Angel bolted out first and stopped in his tracks. "Lilah? What are you doing here?"

The lawyer was almost in tears. "Where is he?"

Wesley came out next. "Who?"

"Lindsey!" she yelled. "Tell me where the hell he went!"

Angel stepped closer. "He didn't tell us. What's going on?"

She sat on the couch and pulled a vile of blue liquid from her purse. "I'm pregnant."

To Be Continued...