Part One

It had been only seconds, but he still hadn't turned around to face them. He was back, on top once more...still, there was the knowledge of what Angelus had put them through. Every one of them went in knowing the dangers. They were prepared to face the demon ...not just in him, but in each other. Angelus would use the tiniest insight to scratch his way out of the prison he was reborn in. He had done just that. Miraculously they had all survived the encounter and the nightmare was now over.

A muffled sigh, he waits a heartbeat before clearing his throat...old habits never die. He hasn't been this nervous for quite a while. He searches desperately for the right words. Spinning on his heel to face them, his gang, his friends, family, their limbs surprisingly intact if not a little bruised, but alive and of course that was the most important detail. He can't dwell on what might have happened.

He smiles, but it feels too fake, so he drops the act  " So we're back ? "

There not looking at him, that can't be good.

" It would seem "

Thank you Wes...I can always count on you to cushion my moment of awkwardness. Curse my stupid pride that I failed to see... you have always been loyal. 

Where to begin?

" Look, I know things have been..."

" Sorry Angel... " Cordy interrupts as she comes into view at the top of the stairs. She obviously has something of importance to say, but there's a vibrating in his trousers and whatever she was blithering on about is just not registering. His hands were already jammed deep into his pockets (an effort to appear more relaxed then he was) so stretching out the fingers of his right hand he encounters the hard plastic and draws the object out into the light.

Angel was vaguely aware that Cordelia had raised her voice in annoyance at being slighted, but he couldn't pull his attention away from the phone that was still purring in the palm of his hand. It didn't belong to him, Long ago Cordy had pestered him till he had relented, agreeing to carry one at all times while he out of the hotel...this wasn't it. Unfortunately he'd used that phone to break the fingers of a Temlar demon, months ago. Still, this didn't explain where this particular phone had come from.

Wesley, who must have also lost interest in whatever Cordy was divulging, slid quietly up beside him.

" Are you going to answer that ? " Wes spoke out of the corner of his mouth, his eyes still focused on Cordelia who had now reached the lobby floor. Okay, so he wasn't exactly listening to the speech, but he wasn't stupid, he was not about to incur any further wrath from demons, even half ones. Wes ached from when Angelus had tossed him aside while he went after the real threat. He now needed at least ten hours of solid sleep before he tackled anymore hell-spurned beasties.

Angel stared blankly at the alien phone clasped firmly between his fingers. Wesley moved closer, his fingers grazed Angel's as he turned the phone towards him. Angel snapped out of his trance as a delicious warmth spread across his skin, muscles relaxed and the phone slipped from his grasp. Wesley caught the instrument before it shattered on the concrete flooring. Running his thumb over the softly glowing screen, the knowledge that he knew the owner was suddenly brutally apparent.

With one last stroke across that cold hard surface, he placed the phone firmly back into Angel's hand. Wrapping those large fingers around the body before releasing it to the vampires care.

He finally looked up at Angel, only to find those eyes trained on him. For one unbroken moment they regarded each other. It was Wesley who stepped back  " It's Lilah's " his words a  raw whisper in his throat. The phone had finally stopped, yet he couldn't take his eyes from it's presence. Wes guiltily jumped when the ringing started up again. The person on the other end was nothing... if persistent.

Angel unwittingly began to trail his fingers over the path that Wesley's had first created. The warmth still remained somehow trapped in that plastic, or perhaps he just imagined it.

Wesley stepped further back...it was only then, that Angel realized he had given away too much. Damn. Turning from the ex watcher he pressed the lit button and held the phone up to his ear. " Hello "

" Who's this? I'm looking for Lilah Morgan..."

" I'm sorry..." he was interrupted before saying anymore. 

"She's dead, right? I knew something was wrong when I heard about the sun disappearing. Who is this? "

" Who are you ? "

" I think that I asked you first? "

Silence...

" Angel...it's you isn't it? Figures you would be answering her phone "

" Seems you know me, but I still don't know your name..."

" You don't even recognize my voice? I'm hurt Angel...being that we were so very close n' all. "

There's a pause as Angel lifts the phone away from his ear. He's about to press 'cancel' when he finally recognizes just who he is talking too.

" Lindsey...? " he curses himself for the yearning so apparent in his voice. Angel listens to that familiar laughter in his ear and wonders how he could have forgotten.

" Oh, why thank you Angel...I'm flattered " and he can still hear that barely concealed humour entwined in that accent. Closing his eyes to the visual memories...like that would help. Twice in a matter of minutes he had revealed a passion that should never have been exposed.

Heavy seconds disintegrate and he has the desire to finish this conversation away from the others. It's the slight concern in the voice that draws him back.

"Angel?..."

" Yes? " and he nearly chokes on the whisper, the embarrassing squeak that comes out of his mouth.

" Are you alright? "

He's touched at the hint of worry he hears, but refuses to read too much into it. Lindsey had always been some what of a charmer, a manipulator that lured you in close...then conveniently forgot about you when you most needed him. 

" As much I'm pleased to hear from you...I really don't have time for all this. I've just gotten back from an enforced hell and as you know the city is in need of our help "

" Of course Angel, I wouldn't dare impede on your precious time. " There was another long pause before he added " That's why I've come back...to help in any way I can "

Okay that had the power to render him speechless. Lindsey was in LA and wanting to lend a hand...there had to be a catch.

"You're here?"

"I'am"

"Where?"

"Outside"

"The hotel?"

"Yes"

"Okay I'm coming out "

"Guns a blazing huh?"

"Very funny. Give me a minute."

"but, of course. I'll be waiting. Not ashamed of me are you, not letting me inside? "

Angel could hear the soft laughter, he chose to ignore it " I have no idea what you are talking about? "

There was an audible sigh.

"What is it?"

"Just hurry up and get out here " came the annoyed answer.

Angel took the phone from his ear, pressing the cancel button. He didn't move towards the entrance, he remained where he was, staring at the phone, debating on whether he wanted to see Lindsey again.

It was Wesley's questioning presence he felt coming up behind him, that made the decision for him. Without turning towards the ex-watcher he swiftly moved towards the lobby doors. Cordelia barred his way, hands folded over her bulging stomach.

"Cordy, great to see you " he tried to pour as much restraint as he could into those words. His eyes flickered down to her belly and he froze for a moment.

Angel suddenly beamed " Your pregnant. Congratulations Cordy...I really did miss out on a lot! " he gave her a bear hug, careful not to squeeze to hard in her delicate situation.

Patting her on the head " I want to hear all about it, but I have to meet someone right now " he squirmed out of her grasp and strode out the lobby door without a second glance.

Cordy was left gaping at the empty space Angel had just occupied. "What just happened, this wasn't how I imagined it would go down... " she whispered aloud to herself.

Behind her the others remained silent.

*************************************************************************************************************************

;