(Untitled)

[morgan_lilah]

Despite my "incident" with Ms. Burkle I spent the rest of my evening quite relaxed. Lindsey was back in town, and although I always hated to admit it...he was quite the player in our little game. It would be good to have him back on my side again. I couldn't wait to see the things that we came up with for little Angel

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[_wes_pryce_]

My eyebrow rose again when she nearly seemed to choke in her food. I glanced over at Anya, but she seemed to be unconcerned, so I shrugged it off myself. All I knew was that I needed a lawyer, and the best one at that. Lilah was the best, even if she wouldn’t be working for this firm.

A small smile played the corners of my mouth at he words though. Of course I knew I didn’t really need an appointment, but these days nothing is clear anymore. I mean, I’d have never thought I’d wind up with two young children, I’d have never thought Cordelia would be back to live, among others. Lilah as well. Things are very confusing here, which is the very reason I have to leave here. But in order to do that, I needed to be the girls legal guardian, or maybe before that.

Nodding at Anya, I followed her into her office and closed the door behind me. “Is everything still well after your little run in with Fred?” Tilting my head, I looked at her face as I narrowed my eyes. I’ve no bloody idea what’s wrong or going on with Fred. But if that is the way this firm affects people, the sooner I’d be gone the better.

[morgan_lilah]

I settled myself down behind my desk as he followed me inside, quietly closing the door behind him. I had to laugh as he brought up Burkle. Of course he would bring that up. I should have known better.

"All is fine and dandy kiddo." I smirked at him, "Well, as long as you don't ask the $200 shirt that she ruined." I crossed my legs and leaned back slightly in my chair, watching him. "You can sit you know," I nodded towards a chair. "So, what exactly does Wesley Wyndam-Pryce need with a lawyer?"

[_wes_pryce_]

My eyebrow rose when she shot off one of her trademark barbs. Well, not so much a barb these days. It was on the tip of my tongue to apologize for what Fred had done. But then I realized that it wasn't actually my business, nor had I a real idea what had been going on. Just that Fred had acted rather peculiar. Much like she had with Lorne.

"I'm sure the firm will pay that one back," I mumbled, glancing around her office. It was bare and rather sterile much like her old office. Much like the apartment she had. Did she still have that one? There weren't any pictures, though I knew that there was one hidden somewhere. One of her mother, just about the only weakness Lilah Morgan had.

"The girls," I said, turning away from inspecting the art on the wall. I wasn't about to sugar coat my request. This was Lilah, she doesn't go for bribery. though I suppose a nice dinner would've worked. But then I'd want to go and have dinner with her, not because I want something from her.

"I want custody of the girls and I don't want to take any risks with the legal procedures. So I need the best, which would be you."

[morgan_lilah]

He never took the offered chair. Just kind of stared around at my office walls. I wondered what was going through his head at that moment. I liked to pretend that I knew what he was all about, but usually I hadn't the faintest idea. When he finally turned around to face me again he was all business.

"I figured it might be those little rugrats...They did seem pretty attached to you at the party. Of course I mean that in the most litteral terms." I sighed and sat forward, switching into lawyer mode. "I'm going to need a lot of details about what happened to them. And how they've came to be in your care..." As I spoke I pulled a small tape recorder out of my desk drawer and flipped in on. After positioning it near the edge of my desk, I turned to my computer screen and poised my fingers above the keys ready to take down everything.

"Alright, first things first. When did you first come into contact with um.." I raised a sculpted eyebrow. "Help me out here Wes."

[_wes_pryce_]

Of course she figured it might have been those little...rug...rats? I've heard the term before, but I still cannot seem to place it with children. Or rats for that matter. I guess it's just one of those American things I will never understand. Such as tea in bags, good god.

"Right," I nodded, moving toward the seat. This was going to be a long story, might as well sit down for it. I eyed the equipment she got out wearily, wondering if that was really needed. Then again, I had nothing to hide. At least not when it came to the girl. Everything that had happened there, that I had done for them, had been no secret.

“It all started with Buffy and Faith rescuing them and two boys from some demon clan….” For the better part of the next hour, I spend my time explaining Lilah about how the girls had managed to worm their way into my lives. I think the tone of my voice made clear, even to myself, how much I didn’t mind that. How much they had given it a new definition where there hadn’t been one before.

I’d been floundering about mostly, trying to make it from workday to workday. Nothing else in between. They had changed that. Glancing at my watch when I was done, I wondered if I should call Jennifer and ask if Alicia and Marilee were behaving. But I’m sure she’d have called me if anything was wrong.

“So, what do you think my chances are?” I asked her honestly.

[morgan_lilah]

The tape recorder hummed softly in the background as Wesley spoke about how he had come to be caring for the girls. I listened intently taking notes about the important information.

When he finally came to the end of his story, I looked at his face. It was tired and slightly drawn. But his eyes were the same. They sparkled intensely. Sucking in a breath I finally spoke. "Well, it's a tough case at best, considering that the parents never even met you...but you've got me working for you now." I curled the corner of my mouth up into a coy smile. "And that just made your chances a whole lot better."

Re-crossing my legs and running my fingers through my hair I looked over everything I had gotten from him. I wasn't lying when I told him it would be difficult, but Wesley was the one who got Wolfram and Hart to keep me around instead of throwing me back into hell. I figured I owed it to him to give it my all.

"I'll do everything I can, but I've got a lot of work to do. You better scram. I'll let you know when I've got some more details."

[_wes_pryce_]

Of course it was a tough case, but that is the reason I came to the best in town. I’ll not have the girls split up and taken to home god only knows where, with people they don’t know. People *I* don’t know. No matter how thorough a background check I’d do. There would always be something wrong with them. Not that I was perfect, far from it. But I knew deep down, that staying with me was the right thing to do.

I wonder if it helped that I was registered by the police as their only living relative. It was a lie, of course. But one told by the girls themselves. They didn’t have any other relatives, not even a aunt or a far away uncle. That must be working in my favor as well right? And I’ve no police record…. Well, there was this one time. But that got cleared up.

A small smile played at the corners of my mouth when she aimed hers at me. She looked very confident. I stood up at her dismissal, still full of questions. “How long does this usually take?” Dear god, I hope it’s not years. Then again, if that means they’ll stay with me all those years, it might not be that bad. But I’d rather they stay with me officially.

“Oh and you should know that I’ll be leaving Wolfram and Hart’s employee. I’m going to work for the council again.” Hopefully.

[morgan_lilah]

"I'm not going to lie, these things usually take some time. But lucky for you I have some friends in high places. I should be able to get everything pushed ahead. I'd say a month, two tops."

I stood up as well and moved around the desk to stand next to him. I had my face trained not to show any real emotion, but I have to admit I was a little sad that he would be leaving. I kind of liked the idea of having him a few doors away.

"Took you a little longer than expected cowboy."

[_wes_pryce_]

“Two months?” I think that over, ignoring the way my stomach drops. Two months. Then again, what did I expect? For her to have arranged it yesterday, no doubt. She’s good, but I know she’s not a miracle worker. And if two months if fast, then I’d hate to think about how long it would’ve taken otherwise. “Alright,” I sigh, “Thank you very much for your help.”

Leaning my hands on the chair, I let everything sink in for a moment before I notice she’s gotten up as well. I straighten up, whishing I had a folder or some such, just so my hands have something to do. Pushing them into my pocket instead, I watch her. Still as elegant as ever, death has apparently done her no harm.

I frown at her words, tilting my head to give her a confused look. “It took me longer… What took me longer?” Finding a few children? Asking for her help? Oh, wait. “You mean leaving Wolfram and Hart.” Oddly enough, I doubt I’d be leaving if it weren’t for the girls.

“You were expecting me to leave sooner or later?”

[morgan_lilah]

He looked positively crushed as he repeated the time frame I had just given him. That's saying something considering Wes was pretty good at the stoic detachment look. Those girls really must have gotten to him. I squash the feeling of jealousy that is rising in my stomach. "I'll do everything I can to get this taken care of quickly."

He stood up straight and shoved his hands in his pockets as I walked over to him. "Don't look so nervous kid. I'm not going to bite you, anymore at least." I grinned, trying to get him looking a little less somber.

"Yes, actually I was surprised that you stayed as long as you did. All of you. But what do I know? I just work here." For a second, just a moment, I started to lean forward to kiss him. I'm sure it was just an habit...when I realized what I was about to do my stomach dropped down to my toes and I turned to the door. "You should probably go. I'll bet those little girls are wondering where you are. I'll let you know as soon as anything happens."

[_wes_pryce_]

My eyebrows rose when she called me a kid. First it’s Cowboy, now it’s kid. Is she certain she’s not confusing me with that small lawyer she used to spar with? What’s his name again? McDonald? Annoying little git he was. I’ll have to say that Lilah was much more of a challenge. Even Angel would have to agree there.

I gave her a wry smile when she said she was surprised we all stayed for as long as we did. I suppose I could spout the usual crap about doing good with the recourses we have now and all that rot. But it sounded weak to my own ear let alone to someone as Lilah. I’m still not certain why the hell we signed on in the first place. But I’m glad we did. If we’d not done so, who knows what would’ve happened to the girls then.

She started to lean toward me, a movement so familiar that for a moment I froze on the spot. The time she used to do that was long past us, or at least that’s what I thought. It’s not as though we’ve had an awful lot of time to talk since she…she came back.

“That corps not gonna behead itself you know.”

But she turned away and I didn’t know if I should be disappointed or relieved. As it was, I think I may have been a little more disappointed. “Yes, I suppose they are,” I said quietly, running a hand through my hair and then checking my watch. I’d not been gone all that long. Grabbing a piece of paper and a pen from her desk I wrote down my cell phone number.

“I don’t know when I’ll be leaving here, but you can always reach me here.” Leaving the note where it was on her desk, I moved toward the door as well. It was obvious there was nothing else to say and she wanted me to go. I wonder why she was feeling so uncomfortable around me. “Thank you for your help, Lilah.” We should meet up sometime, I thought, but was to afraid to ask. Afraid she’d turn me down.

“I…hope to hear from you soon.” Mustering up a smile, I opened the door, gave her a last glance and then walked out to fetch the girls.