Tangled Web

[legalistic]

There are times when I simply love my place in this world.

La belle dame visited me again, and it was an occasion worth remembering. I have a fresh bite anointing the other side of my neck, and the fond recollections of an encounter even more heated than the first one proved to be. She still would not tell me her name, however. She is keeping

Comments

[queencor]

One thing about your enemies having a public building? You can walk in and ask for who you're looking for. And you'll find him and everything. They didn't even put up a fuss. Could be her lack of coming in guns blazing. She was escorted, but that was fine by her. Whatever, Ishe expected it. She opened up the door without knocking, the escourt sputtering. She headed inside and shut the door before the other followed in. "Mr. Ryan." she greeted cooly.

She knew she looked good today. She'd pulled out all stops in that department. If she was going to be dealing with the lawyers, she was going to look damn good doing it. There just weren't enough battles against evil that you could not worry about messing up your manicure or ruining designer, one of a kind clothing. She rose to the occasion.

[legalistic]

Christian pushed up from his desk, a warm smile spreading across his face. This day was getting better and better. He moved around the desk toward the beautiful brunette, impeccably groomed himself from his designer tie all the way down to his shiny dress shoes. "Cordelia Chase. To what do I owe the extreme pleasure of this visit?"

He extended a hand toward her.

[queencor]

Cordy ignored it, instead walking the circuit of his office, looking at everything. She paused at the windows. "Nice view." she commented. "I believe we have business." she added, glancing at him over her shoulder. "Got anything of mine I might be interested in?" she asked innocently. Her eyes gave away nothing. She also wasn't going to start right in on making things unpleasant. She was going for neutrality. Not too friendly, not hostile.

Considering how upset she was lately? She deserved an Academy Award.

[legalistic]

The smile remained on Christian's face, but his eyes were glacial. This had been anticipated all along; eventually somebody from Angel Investigations would discover the presence of Charles Gunn here at Wolfram and Hart. He turned, his posture relaxed yet still alert to every nuance. "I don't believe I do, Miss Chase."

Technically the truth. After all, Charles was no longer his own man. He belonged to the firm.

[legalistic]

"Slipping the leash, as you put it? Perhaps." Christian smiled, his expression cold. His fingers, in the pocket of his slacks, played restlessly at the sewn seam at the bottom. The movement was not noticeable to anyone but him. "Releasing someone whose contract is signed in blood? Perhaps not."

[queencor]

"Perhaps not." she repeated. "C'mon, Christian..." she said, then arched an eyebrow. "Nice bite." she said, eyeing his neck. "Are you often a chew toy, or is that your own personal thing?"

[legalistic]

The fingers of Christian's other hand wandered to his neck, where the collar of his white shirt had shifted just enough for the top edge of his latest bite to be visible. His expression remained unruffled. "I believe that falls under the category of my business, Miss Chase," he said, his voice as smooth as silk.

[queencor]

Cordy laughed. "Your thing then." she said. "So where's the evil chair of doom with the brain hat that goes with?" she asked, watching him very carefully, though her position and tone were still nonchalant.

[legalistic]

A smile tugging at his lips, Christian refrained from comment as he mixed two martinis. He crossed back to Cordelia and handed her a glass.

"I don't normally drink in the afternoon," he remarked. "But this is a special occasion. I'm finally meeting Angel Investigations' vision girl." He raised his glass to her.

[queencor]

"I didn't know I was so popular." Cordy said, smirking. "Oh wait, yes I did." She leaned back on his desk again, sipping her drink and hoping it wasn poisoned. That would suck. "So you the new golden boy 'round here? We'll be dealing with you?"

[legalistic]

"I suppose you will," Christian said. He settled his weight against the opposite end of the desk, draining half his glass at one go. "I'm not sure I'd phrase it as golden boy, but I have gained the favor of the Partners with various... special projects." Like collecting the materials necessary to resurrect your comrade from Prussia.

[queencor]

"Oo. Special projects. That a nice way of saying all the supernatural apocolypse causing bullshit?" she asked. "Orrrrr....resurrections? Orrrr....hmm. What else do you guys do?" she asked curiously. She hadn't keeled over yet, so cool on not being poisoned. Or maybe it just acted slow and she'd have to cart herself to the hospital later. Somehow, she didn't think she'd have to though.