---

Gunn, Wes and Cordelia are in the lobby of the Hyperion, each involved in doing their own thing; Wes looking over a text, Gunn playing with his GameBoy, Cordy immersed in fashion magazines.

Fred quietly enters and startles everyone.

Cordy asks her what's going on.

Fred says she was just out for a walk as she looks at the magazine Cordelia was reading. Fred wonders why women want to look like that, at least she had the excuse of living in a cave and starving.

Cordelia offers that it's "fashion."

Fred laughs. She looks around the lobby and wonders if everybody is just "hangin' out".

Cordelia notices Fred scanning the lobby and offers that Angel is upstairs in his room.

Fred dreamily ponders that she thinks Angel is "deep", she figures he's probably reading Joyce or Goethe.

Angel comes out onto the landing, holding the newspaper, he's jazzed about a Heston double feature playing at the local cinema as he comes down the stairs. Nobody else is sharing in his enthusiasm. He asks who would like to go.

Fred anxiously offers that she's willing.

Angel's glad she's willing to get out, he asks if anyone else wants to join them.

Wes would rather continue working on the translation that currently has his attention.

Neither Gunn or Cordy responds.

Angel grabs his coat and explains to Fred in front of the others that believe it or not, some friends and coworkers consider him to be the sulky loner in the group. He thinks some people just don't know how to have fun. That earns a look from the others, but nobody says anything. He extends his arm to Fred who links hers in his, a huge smile lighting up her face.

---

In a posh hotel suite, a young buff guy is in bed, entertaining two young women.

The ladies tell him they need a break.

He gets out of bed and pours himself a drink. He checks his reflection in a large mirror, noting it's "good to be young."

He heads back toward the bed asking the ladies if they're ready to go at it again. Before he can get back to it, he's stopped in his tracks in apparent pain.

One of the women asks if he's okay.

He tells them it's been fun and starts chanting in a foreign language. As the women look on, bright orange light streams from his eyes and mouth. The guy's body collapses in a heap onto the floor, looking like a deflated balloon.

---

In Wesley's office at the hotel, Fred is gushing about her "date" with Angel. She's excited, relating every detail about the movie. She says he didn't talk much, but it was okay, it wasn't an awkward kind of quiet. She wonders if Wes knows what that's like.

There's an awkward quiet before Wes answers no, that's never happened to him.

In the lobby, Angel is reading the newspaper.

Cordy approaches and tells him he needs to have a talk with Fred.

Angel asks what he needs to talk to her about.

Cordelia explains he needs to talk to her about the date they had.

Angel clarifies it was a movie, not a date.

Cordy thinks that's what he needs to explain to Fred. She says Fred is in Wesley's office gushing about the great time they had.

Angel figures she's just enthusiastic, Cordy is reading things that aren't there.

Cordy sits down and spells it out. Fred has a crush. She understands that, after all Angel is a good looking guy, brave, heroic -- Angel is enjoying this part. Cordelia continues that he's also, "emotionally stunted, erratic, prone to turning evil, and let's face it, a eunuch."

Angel isn't enjoying this part. He informs her he's not a eunuch.

Cordelia offers that it was only a figure of speech.

Angel thinks she could find a new one.

Cordelia clarifies that she just meant that sex is off limits for him because of the "if you know perfect bliss you'll turn evil curse." She doesn't figure there's a cure for that. She just thinks Angel needs to deal with Fred's crush sooner rather than later, before things get out of hand.

Angel agrees that a short talk is probably in order. He asks Cordelia when she's going to do it.

Cordy tells him he has to do it as she grabs him by the arm and drags him into Wesley's office.

Once inside, she announces that Angel has something he'd like to say.

Fred looks on dreamily.

Angel asks if anyone else had read the paper as he points out to Wes an article about a 26 year old guy found dead at a local hotel, a witness had said his body looked like it had just "collapsed."

Cordelia's expression is one of annoyance that Angel avoided the topic she dragged him into the office to discuss, but she doesn't say anything.

Wes thinks that scenario sounds familiar as he reaches for a file folder behind him.

Cordelia points out that nobody hired them to look into anything. She thinks they have more important things to do, hinting Angel needs to have that talk with Fred.

Wes pulls some newspaper clippings out of the folder and reads from them. The deaths were similar to the one Angel pointed out, the bodies left in similar condition.

Angel asks what Wes thinks it is.

Wes isn't sure but he thinks it's worth looking into.

Angel tells Cordy to open a case file.

Fred smiles, her eyes not leaving Angel as he leaves the office.

Cordelia follows him out, not happy.

---

At W&H, Gavin Park approaches Lilah as she heads for her office. She tries to ignore him. Park knows he'll have to earn her respect. He figures he can do that given a bit of time.

Lilah wonders if he thought he'd impress her with his plan to drown Angel in building code violations red tape.

Park explains there's more to it than that, other avenues he intends to explore. He wonders if Angel even legally exists considering he has no last name they know of, no social security number, no tax ID. Considering that, he wonders how Angel can deal with city government, or anyone else. Park figures they've got him trapped like a rat in a maze. He asks if Lilah isn't curious about what Angel's next step will be.

Lilah offers perhaps he'll just rip Park's throat out.

Park doesn't think he'd do anything so cliché. He wonders if Lilah really knows Angel as well as she thinks. He leaves.

Lilah gives her secretary a name and tells her to get the forger on the phone.

---

In the lobby of the hotel, Angel, Wes, Gunn, and Cordelia are looking over the information they've put together on the recent deaths. Fred looks on.

Wes describes what they've come up with, a third victim died five weeks ago. All of the victims were young, healthy guys and they all died in expensive hotel suites.

Fred imagines that's a bit of a downer, spending all that money on a suite just to die like that in it. She ponders that a moment and realizes it's probably not a good thing no matter where it happens.

Wes just looks at her.

She tells him to go on with what he was saying.

Wes directs Gunn to interview employees at the hotels where the victims died. Wes will be meeting with his contact from the coroner's office to see if he can discover anything more about the bodies.

Cordelia points out that all of the victims belonged to the same health club.

Angel offers to check out the gym with Cordelia.

Wes agrees as everyone departs, leaving Fred standing alone at the desk telling herself she'll just stay there.

---

At the gym, Cordy reminds Angel that he needs to stop ignoring Fred and talk to her about things. She figures it can't be that difficult, he just needs to explain there's your social life and your business life and everybody knows it's best to keep those two separate. Clearly, Cordy isn't going to follow her own advice as she eyes a studly looking guy, removes her coat and informs Angel she's going to see if that guy has any information.

Angel approaches one of the gym attendants, Phil, who tries to sell him a membership. Angel explains he's there looking for information on some former members as he shows Phil one of the newspaper clippings.

Phil recognizes the picture as someone who belonged to the gym, Woody.

Angel confirms he was a member, as well as others who had died. He asks if the club approves of steroid use.

Phil assures him they do not.

Angel figures they won't have to tell anyone if Phil will just let him have a look at the records of the dead members.

Phil agrees.

Cordelia is questioning a couple of the members, asking if they've noticed anyone that looked suspicious or "pale or maybe green and scaly." The guys just look at each other.

Angel and Phil are looking over some papers. Phil offers that the only thing the victims seemed to have in common at the club was being in the same Pilates class.

Angel enters the Pilates class, which is in session. He casually walks over to a large window and notices a reflection from something. Someone in a room in the building across the street has been viewing the class through a pair of binoculars. Angel notes the sign on the fence in front of the building, it's a retirement home.

Cordelia is surrounded by young, buff guys, telling them there's likely to be follow-up questions, she'll need their home phone numbers.

Angel comes up to her and tells her he's going to check out the retirement home across the street.

Cordelia is more interested in getting those phone numbers.

Angel asks if she'd consider picking him up after she finishes her "work." He leaves.

Cordelia is quick to tell the guys Angel is "just someone I work with."

---

Angel knocks on the door of Marcus Roscoe, an elderly man in the retirement home who cautiously opens his door. Angel introduces himself, hands Marcus one of his business cards and asks if he can come in and ask some questions.

Marcus notes the lateness of the hour.

Angel assures him he won't take long.

Marcus turns his back and walks into his apartment, indicating that Angel may enter but he doesn't say it.

Angel starts to enter, realizes he can't and stands there waiting for a verbal invitation.

Marcus turns, notices Angel hasn't entered and tells him to come in if he's going to.

Angel enters the apartment and closes the door behind him.

Angel walks over to the window. He notices it's a nice view, he thinks Marcus must spend a lot of time enjoying it.

Marcus denies spending much time at the window.

Angel picks up the binoculars laying near the window and looks at Marcus who admits he doesn't see any harm in looking, he can't do much else these days. He wants to know what Angel wants.

Angel thinks Marcus can help him out. He pulls the newspaper clippings out of his pocket and hands them to Marcus, asking if he'd seen any of the guys at the gym.

Marcus offers that he really pays more attention to the women, the guys in the pictures don't look familiar to him. He notices in the clippings that all the guys have died, he wonders how.

Angel says they're trying to find the answer to that.

Marcus asks if Angel is a cop.

Angel says he's a private investigator, he works with others.

Marcus offers that he was a salesman, working alone for 50 years.

Angel notices some artifacts on a shelf. One, in particular, has his interest. He picks up the stone jar and notes it's a Nothian Herb Jar, a rather exotic item. He wonders if Marcus dealt in the occult.

Marcus denies knowing anything about that. He traveled a lot, picked up some souvenirs here and there.

Angel notices some Extreme Sport magazines on the table. He wonders if Marcus goes bungee jumping a lot.

Marcus responds, "more than you might think, Mr. Angel."

Angel tells him it's "just Angel."

Marcus makes note of that as he approaches Angel, stands close to him face to face and removes his glasses. Marcus begins chanting.

Angel starts to suggest he not bother trying to cast any spells on him but before he can finish that thought, a bright blue light streams between them.

Marcus is now in Angel's body and Angel is in Marcus. (And from here on out "Marcus" refers to Possessed Angel and "Angel" refers to the old man in the retirement home, otherwise this is going to get really confusing).

Angel realizes what's happened as Marcus head butts him, knocking him out. He leaves, anxious to try out his new body.

---

Marcus walks out onto the street and starts to head up the sidewalk. Cordelia is waiting for Angel in the car, sees him and calls out to him. Marcus approaches the car with an appreciative "hel-lo".

Cordy asks what he found out at the retirement home.

He says he didn't find anything. He asks if she had better luck.

She admits she didn't come up with anything useful.

Marcus thinks they're on the wrong trail as he eyes Cordelia.

Cordelia tells him to get into the car, she'll take him back to the hotel.

Marcus figures a hotel sounds like a good idea, he's sure he's going to get lucky with Cordy as he jumps into the car.

Cordelia asks if he's okay.

He assures her he's never felt better.

---

Marcus and Cordelia enter the lobby of the Hyperion. Marcus is impressed with the surroundings.

Cordelia goes behind the lobby desk and looks through a file folder on her desk.

Marcus wonders if she's supposed to be back there as he rings the bell on the desk looking for an employee so they can get a room. He looks around and notes it must be a slow night.

Cordelia offers that perhaps Wes and Gunn came up with something.

Marcus ponders that a moment, notices the business cards on the lobby desk, reads the names on the cards and figures it out, Wes and Gunn are part of the investigations firm and the hotel is their office. He wonders if he's ever told Cordelia how beautiful she is.

Cordy assures him she knows he never said anything that tacky to Fred but he's still going to have to have that talk, whether he wants to or not.

Marcus is trying to figure out who Fred is and what he's supposed to talk about.

Cordy tells him to keep it simple, just explain "you're not like other men, there's no room for romance in the workplace."

Marcus is pondering romance with Fred?

Cordelia is glad he finally gets it.

Marcus now thinks he's in the body of a gay guy as he looks at how he's dressed and remarks, "Obviously."

Cordy suggests he get some sleep, tells him she'll see him tomorrow and heads home.

---

At the retirement home, Angel comes to. With some difficulty, he manages to get out of the chair. He stands in front of a mirror but the image is too blurred for him to make out. He picks up a pair of glasses from the dresser and puts them on. The image in the mirror is now clear to him.

Angel sneaks into the retirement home reception area and picks up the phone. He makes a call to the office.

---

At the hotel, Marcus is going through the files in Wesley's office as the phone rings. He lets the answering machine pick up. When he hears a familiar voice start telling Cordelia to pick up if she's there, he picks up the phone. He asks Angel how his head is, he hopes he put some ice on it. Marcus lets Angel know he's enjoying this experience. He likes the hotel and he really appreciates Cordelia.

Angel asks where Cordy is.

Marcus assures him he doesn't have to concern himself with anything other than eating soft foods and steering clear of Ryan.

As Angel asks who Ryan is, he finds out. Ryan is one of the retirement home attendants. He takes the phone away from Angel, informing him he's just lost his phone privileges for the remainder of the month. He guides Angel back to his room.

In the office, Marcus removes the tape from the answering machine and smashes it.

---

Ryan is walking Angel down the hall, reminding him he's not supposed to be out of his room this late.

Angel offers that he was just getting some exercise.

Ryan covers his name tag and asks Angel if he knows who he is.

Angel identifies him correctly.

Ryan is pleased his client isn't having another of his "episodes". He suggests that if he has any more delusions about being a 20something stud or a world famous skateboarder, he should keep those to himself. Ryan doesn't figure he wants to end up restrained in isolation again.

---

Cordelia walks into Wesley's office to find the place a mess, papers are scattered all over the floor. Marcus is sitting behind the desk, his head resting on top of it, asleep.

Cordelia wakes him up and asks what happened.

Marcus addresses her as "doll" which gets an uncomfortable look from Cordelia but she doesn't say anything. He goes on to explain that he got involved in the case and fell asleep there.

Cordelia wonders if he was too tired to go upstairs to his room.

Marcus hadn't realized he had one of course so he tries to cover, offering he was just so absorbed with the case he didn't want to leave it. He's looking for the case file.

Cordy reminds him he gave it to her the day before, she's holding it in her hand.

Marcus starts to take it from her but she keeps it, telling him he has to talk to Fred first.

Wesley enters the office carrying a tea pot. He notices the condition his office is in and asks what happened.

Marcus offers he was just looking for something, he'll clean up the mess.

Cordelia reminds him to have that talk.

He tells her he will.

Cordelia leaves the office.

Marcus figures now is as good a time as any for that talk with Fred. He asks Wes how he's doing.

Wes answers that he's fine.

Marcus sits down and tells Wes they have to have a talk, clearly thinking that Wes is Fred.

Marcus tells Wes he doesn't have anything against him personally but -- he shifts uncomfortably in the chair realizing this isn't going to be easy. He doesn't quite know how to say what needs to be said.

Wes is concerned. He comes around to the front of the desk, standing in front of Marcus who moves his chair back a bit in response. Wes assures him he's there for him, whatever it is he needs to talk about. He reaches out to touch Marcus' knee which sends him moving the chair back a little further.

He tells Wes he thinks that whatever they had or did, they should put that behind them, start over and concentrate on the job without "that funny stuff."

Wes isn't sure what's going on. He just continues to look at Marcus with a puzzled expression.

Marcus offers his hand and asks if they can shake on it.

Wes supposes they could do that, although clearly he has no idea what this is about. He extends his hand, Marcus takes it, gets up and embraces Wes in a tight bear hug. Wesley's expression is a mixture of 'ow' and 'what the hell is going on?'

Cordelia calls to Wesley from the outer office, addressing him by name, announcing the food has arrived.

Marcus breaks the embrace, looks at him and asks, "Wesley?"

Wes, still sporting that puzzled expression answers, "Yes?"

Marcus asks if he knows where Fred is.

Wes figures she's probably in her room.

Marcus is very relieved to hear Fred is in her room. He wonders if someone mentioned food, he's hungry.

Marcus and Wes exit Wesley's office into the lobby where Gunn announces breakfast burritos are served.

Marcus grabs one, stuffs some cash into Gunn's pocket and tells him to "keep the change." He sits at Cordelia's desk and scarfs down the burrito.

Wes asks Gunn if he was able to get any information from the hotel staff.

Gunn details the information he got. The victims had all run up large room service bills, mostly for alcohol. He also got copies of the phone bills.

Marcus stops stuffing his face long enough to ask if that isn't an illegal invasion of privacy. Everybody just looks at him. He asks what that's about.

Cordy asks him why he's eating.

He answers that he's hungry.

Cordelia's expression says that doesn't make any sense but she doesn't say anything.

Wes is looking at the victims' phone records and notes they all called the same number.

Gunn offers that he checked it out, it's an escort service.

Cordelia figures he means hookers.

Gunn is anxious to check this lead out.

Wes thinks he should probably do it since Gunn interviewed the hotel staff, it's only fair that he do this part.

Gunn would rather do it himself.

Cordelia snatches the address from Gunn and announces she'll do it. She wonders if there are any men who aren't dogs.

Marcus offers there aren't many. He tells Wes he thinks women are more than just "a piece of meat", that's just how he feels. The others give him a look as Wesley's pager goes off.

Wes notes the page is from his contact at the coroner's office, he has a chance to examine one of the bodies, he needs to go.

Cordelia suggests Gunn go with Wes. That wasn't what Gunn had in mind, but he gives in and goes along with it.

Cordelia departs to check out the escort service.

Marcus is happy to stay behind at the hotel, keeping an eye on the evidence.

---

Angel is sitting on the couch in the lobby of the retirement home, eyeing the front door. As he gets up and heads for it, he's intercepted by another of the elderly residents. He wants to introduce his granddaughter.

Angel says he really doesn't have time but the guy isn't listening as he puts the baby into Angel's arms.

Angel acknowledges the baby is beautiful as he looks past her grandfather toward the reception desk where a security guard is sitting.

---

Back at the hotel, Marcus is in Wesley's office, feeding all the case evidence into the shredder. He finishes, smiles in satisfaction, puts his feet up on the desk and enjoys a martini

Fred comes in and asks what he's doing.

Marcus smiles at her, addresses her as "sweetheart" and asks where she's been.

Fred answers that she's been in her room, everyone keeps suggesting she get out more, so she's trying.

Marcus tells her she's beautiful as he gets up from behind the desk and moves to stand in front of Fred. He asks her if she likes olives as he feeds her the one from his drink. He laughs, tells her he has some things to finish but if she goes upstairs and puts on something nice, they'll go out.

Fred is happy with that prospect as she rushes upstairs to change.

Marcus returns to shredding files as Lilah comes into the office. He appreciates the view and asks what he can do for her.

Lilah tells him she's there to do him a favor. First, she wants to be sure they agree the vision business with Cordelia was just that, business ("That Vision Thing").

Marcus agrees to that.

Lilah pulls some papers from her briefcase and lays them on the desk. She explains what they are, "earthquake-safe certification, statement of asbestos level compliance --" She assures him she's not playing games this time, this isn't about him, it's about Park. Lilah isn't a fan.

Marcus gets up and pours them both a drink.

Lilah tells him he's welcome for the favor.

Marcus thanks her, that was kind of her. He hands her the drink and wonders if he ever told her she was beautiful. He clinks her glass with his in a toast.

---

At the retirement home, Angel sneaks down the stairs into the reception area. He notices the security guard seated at the desk. Angel pulls the fire alarm, the guard takes off running.

As Angel heads for the desk, he's stopped by pain radiating to his arm. He realizes this body is having a coronary. He collapses to the floor.

---

Back at the hotel, Marcus and Lilah are still sharing drinks. Marcus is sitting on the front of the desk, Lilah sitting in the chair. Lilah finishes her drink.

Marcus asks her if she wants another one.

Lilah declines, noting she probably shouldn't be driving as it is. She starts to leave, Marcus extends his leg, blocking her way. He smiles at her and looks her over.

She asks what he wants.

He reaches up and pushes her hair away from her face, telling her he figures she's thought about it.

Lilah doesn't deny it.

He stands up and kisses her.

She pulls back a bit, not sure what the game is.

Marcus grabs her and kisses her hard, she kisses him back. They grab and paw at each other as he turns her so her back is to the desk and sits her on it.

Lilah tears his shirt open.

Marcus clears the top of the desk and gets on top of her as they go at each other like a couple of animals in heat.

Fred walks into the office, takes in the view for a moment, then rushes out, upset.

Marcus morphs into vamp face and puts the bite on Lilah.

Suddenly, Lilah isn't having fun anymore. She manages to shove him off of her, grabs her briefcase and retrieves a cross from it which she holds out in front of her.

Marcus isn't sure what happened, it just "felt like the right thing to do."

Lilah lets him know she hopes he had a good time because it's the last time he'll ever get that close to her. She leaves.

Marcus feels his face, notices something isn't right. He runs his fingers along his fangs, cutting himself. He licks the blood off of his finger, taking a second to enjoy it. He heads for a mirror and notices he has no reflection.

---

At the retirement home, Angel is in bed, hooked up to a heart monitor.

Ryan reminds him he just had his fourth heart attack. He suggests he was lucky this time, he needs to be more careful.

---

Cordelia enters the lobby of the hotel, commenting on her experience at the escort service. She looks around, notices nobody is there. She calls out for Angel, then Fred. She hears sobbing and realizes it's coming from the elevator.

She opens the elevator door and finds Fred sitting on the floor, crying.

Cordelia asks what happened.

Fred rambles on about forgetting to knock, it's hard to remember because she lived so long with no door. She says he called her "sweetheart" but she realizes it's just an expression, it doesn't mean anything.

Cordelia is sympathetic. She gently asks if this is about Angel.

Fred nods in response.

Cordy enters the elevator and sits on the floor next to Fred. She figures Angel had the 'talk' with her. She feels responsible since she's the one who suggested that.

Fred asks if Cordy was the one who suggested he make out with the woman on the desk.

Cordy assures her she did not and asks what woman Fred's talking about.

---

Marcus walks into a nightclub and checks out the women. He notices a woman, Christina, sitting at one of the tables with her date. She notices him in return.

When her date leaves the table, Marcus approaches, offering her a drink. He sits with her at the table, getting close, his hand on her knee.

They leave the club together as inside, her date and a friend of his notice two empty glasses sitting on the vacated table.

Outside, Marcus and Christina are making out. She points out that her boyfriend is probably looking for her, he could find them at any minute. She thinks that makes things more exciting.

Marcus agrees with that as he morphs into vamp face and sinks his fangs into her neck. She screams as her boyfriend and two other guys exit the club and see them.

The boyfriend asks what's going on. Christina says he bit her. The boyfriend takes a swing at Marcus who grabs his hand and crushes it. He punches the guy in the face and sends him flying a few feet.

Marcus has just realized he's stronger than average and he likes it. He takes out the other two guys and prepares to take on the boyfriend again, who isn't interested. He just wants to know what drug Marcus is on.

Marcus offers that he's just high on life, only he's not alive so that means he's going to be like this for eternity. This is an idea that appeals to him, clearly. He jumps over the side of a railing, several feet to the sidewalk below, and runs off.

---

Back at the hotel, Wes is trying to deal with the notion of Marcus having done the deed on top of his desk.

Gunn offers that it used to be Angel's desk, maybe he was just "reclaiming it."

Wes wonders how, "by marking it?" He doesn't think this behavior is like Angel at all.

Cordelia thinks this is exactly like him, doing some "cheap blonde."

Fred offers that the woman was brunette.

Cordelia agrees with Wes now, that isn't like Angel.

Gunn wonders who the woman was.

Wes offers the important question isn't who she was but who he is.

Cordy figures they're all thinking the same thing, he's Angelus again.

Fred asks who that is.

Gunn fills her in then asks why there's no body in the office. He thinks Angelus would have just killed the woman.

Wes clarifies what he meant as he holds up a couple of open books he's found. He wonders why Angel or Angelus would have to read up on vampires.

Cordelia knows they wouldn't.

Gunn asks what Wes is thinking.

Wes says each of the victims was exhibiting extreme and uncharacteristic behavior just before they died. They weren't themselves.

Gunn asks if Wes is saying that Angel's been "infected" by whatever killed the others.

Wes responds that it's not a what, but a who. He asks Cordy if anything unusual happened to Angel while they were at the gym.

She says she didn't notice anything and they were together most of the time, then she realizes he went to the retirement home while she stayed behind at the gym.

---

At the retirement home, Angel wanders into the lobby area, looking for a means to escape. He's intercepted by another resident (the elderly man who had introduced his granddaughter earlier) who marvels at his determination. He wonders if he's looking to have another heart attack.

Angel tells him he can't explain things but he needs to get out of there, he asks him not to turn him in.

The guy says he won't have to, he saw his son signing in at the reception desk on his way down.

Angel turns and sees Marcus talking to Ryan.

Marcus turns, looks at Angel, smiles and greets him with "Hi, dad."

---

Angel backs away from Marcus who follows him down the hall. He loses track of him briefly, sniffs the air, picks up the scent and enters the recreation room.

Angel hits him from behind with a shuffleboard stick.

Marcus easily takes it away from him.

Angel figures Marcus finally has a body that won't give out on him but he also knows he can only keep it if he kills his old body.

Marcus doesn't have a problem with that.

Angel wonders if he really has any idea what he's getting into.

Marcus thinks he has a good idea. He doesn't feel Angel was a particularly good vampire since vamps are supposed to kill people, not help them. He's willing to offer an example as he makes a move toward Angel who backs away slightly.

Angel points out he may have the power and the attitude but Marcus doesn't have one thing that he does, friends.

Wes, Cordelia, Gunn and Fred enter the recreation room behind Marcus.

Marcus tries to convince them he's Angel, but nobody is buying it.

Gunn aims a crossbow at him as Angel reminds them not to stake him.

Marcus knocks the crossbow out of Gunn's hand and shoves Gunn and Wes against the wall.

Fred and Cordy beat on him with baseball bats.

Gunn grabs a shuffleboard stick and trips him with it.

Cordelia pulls out a taser and when Marcus gets back up, she hits him with it, knocking him out.

Wes asks Angel if he saw a small conjuring orb that may have been glowing.

Angel remembers seeing one in Marcus' room.

Wes tells the others to keep an eye on Marcus.

Fred slams him in the head with the bat.

Angel reminds her he's already unconscious.

Fred smiles, having enjoyed her little moment of payback.

---

Gunn finishes tying Marcus to a chair in his room in the retirement home. Angel sits across from him. Wes instructs him to read from a piece of paper he hands to him, which Angel does.

As he recites the words, the bright light streams from Marcus to Angel and Angel to Marcus. Angel is back in his own body. He tells Gunn he can untie him.

Cordelia hands Angel the conjuring stone. He takes it in his hand and crushes it, much to Marcus' dismay.

Marcus starts to rant at them.

Angel suggests he control that rage thing, it's not healthy.

Marcus grabs his arm and collapses into the chair, moaning.

As Angel and the others are leaving, Ryan asks what's going on.

Angel responds, "Dad's having a bad night."

---

In the courtyard at the hotel, Fred is reading. Angel approaches and greets her. She asks how his head is and apologizes for getting a little carried away.

Angel assures her it's okay, he figures he deserved it.

She thinks he did too.

Angel sits next to her, telling her there's something he's been wanting to talk to her about.

Fred wonders if this is going to be about how Angel isn't like other guys because of the curse and how he likes her as a friend but that's all it is.

Angel confirms that sums it up.

Fred says Cordelia already explained it to her because she figured Angel would just mess it up in trying.

Angel acknowledges Cordy was probably right, he would have.

Fred doesn't say anything.

Angel asks what she's thinking.

Fred thinks the situation sounds like something out of a Fitzgerald novel, "the man who can have everything but love." She thinks maybe it's better that way since love is, well, everything in a way. But that includes disappointment and heartache and those things are best avoided.

Angel doesn't say anything.

Cordelia comes out of the hotel onto the courtyard landing, out of breath, and tells Angel, "Willow's on the phone. She's alive! Buffy's alive!" Angel looks at Cordy.

Cordy hurries back inside.

Angel looks at Fred a moment then jumps up and rushes into the hotel.

Fred watches him go then says to herself, "Buffy?"