"Provider"
At the Hyperion, Angel stuffs some coins into a piggy bank and puts it into the safe.
Fred is working at the computer and asks how the college fund is coming along.
Cordelia is taking care of the baby.
Angel tells Fred he found $1.83 in the sofa cushions in the lobby. He doesn't want it going to waste.
He looks over her shoulder at the computer screen and asks how she's doing. The screen shows the graphics for a web site advertising Angel Investigations.
Fred says they're about ready to go online.
Angel offers some design suggestions then joins Cordelia in baby talk with Connor.
As they continue the baby talk tone, Cordy wonders where Angel has been.
He tells her he has "mouths to feed."
Cordelia points out she's had to eat all along and feeding her has never been a problem. She puts the baby down and reminds Angel not to lose sight of the mission.
Angel reminds her he has to work to support all of them, not just the baby.
Cordelia gets that, she just doesn't want him to forget his primary mission is his work for The Powers.
Gunn and Wes arrive back at the hotel, having left a bunch of flyers advertising Angel Investigations around the area.
Fred announces the web site is now online.
Everyone moves over to her computer to take a look.
Angel picks the baby up and joins them. He figures with the ad in the phone book, the flyers and now the web site, they just have to wait for the phone to start ringing with business.
Everyone stands around staring at the phone that isn't ringing.
Angel assures Connor it will, LA is a town full of people with problems.
A young man is running down an alley in a driving rain, being pursued by a demon of some sort. He looks back over his shoulder and trips over some trash cans. As he starts to get up, he notices the flyer under his hand, an ad for Angel Investigations advertising them as "paranormal specialists".
Back at the hotel, everyone continues staring at the non-ringing phone.
The young man with the flyer rushes up to a pay phone, frantically pushes the number on the flyer for Angel Investigations and anxiously waits for his call to be answered as the phone rings.
Back at the hotel, the gang continue to stare at a non-ringing phone.
The young man's call is finally answered, by a pizza parlor employee.
At the office, Fred picks up the flyer and wonders if that's the correct phone number.
Wes enters the hotel carrying a pile of new flyers with the correct phone number. He walks behind the desk and puts them down, noticing Gunn staring at Fred who is walking the floor, holding Connor. Wes joins him in appreciating the view he describes as "adorable".
Gunn describes it as "sweet."
Wes clarifies he was referring to the baby.
Gunn was referring to the "hot mama."
Angel comes out of Wesley's office, Wes apologizes for the error on the flyers the previous night.
Angel accepts that but reminds Wes that time is money and making money is the top priority.
Lorne comes downstairs in his robe.
Angel has something he wants to discuss.
Lorne figures it's about the baby formula missing from the fridge and offers that he was hungry and it was either that or pig's blood. He discovered baby formula and Kahlua mixed together isn't as bad as it sounds.
Angel tells Lorne he wants him to use his contacts to find Holtz. He knows he's still around somewhere and finding him is the top priority.
Gunn reminds him he just said making money was the top priority.
Angel concedes those two things are their top priorities.
Cordelia clears her throat.
Angel adds "helping the helpless" to the top priorities list.
Cordelia notes they've had visits to the web site.
The phones start ringing.
Angel is happy business is finally picking up.
Justine is sitting at a table in Sahjhan's underground dwelling as Holtz paces. She thinks Holtz should be grateful.
He wonders what for.
She points out that she killed two vampires.
He reminds her he told her to walk away from them.
Justine cracks she must have misunderstood him.
Holtz tells her that's why they're there.
Justine makes snide comments about the decor.
Holtz ignores her remarks, telling her they're there to discover whether or not she is capable of the commitment necessary for the job that needs doing. He wants to know why she's wasting his time.
She doesn't know what he wants.
He tells her again, he wants her to prove her commitment and he expects her to do just that.
Justine's hand is pinned to the table by a sharp implement that looks like an icepick driven through the back of it and into the table top beneath. Holtz figures he's explained his reasons, now he wants to hear Justine's for doing this.
She answers that "feeling something is better than feeling nothing."
Holtz tells her she can take the tool out of her hand anytime she chooses. If she's still there when he returns, they'll discuss the next "phase" of their relationship. He departs.
At the Hyperion, the lobby is crowded with demons and humans representing new business for AI. Angel surveys things while carrying the baby.
Lorne converses in a series of tongue clicks and pops with a group of Nahdrah demons. He tells Angel the demons have a job for their "leader" and are offering a substantial fee.
Angel doesn't figure they should be kept waiting.
Lorne clarifies that by "leader", he meant Wes. The Nahdrahs had seen his article on "DNA fusion comparisons" among certain demon populations on the web site and want to speak to him.
Wes comes out of the office, Angel approaches and points him toward the Nahdrahs.
Gunn asks Angel if it's okay to use the office as he accompanies a young woman, Allison, telling him her business is personal.
Angel tells him to go ahead.
Cordelia points out they're being spread a bit thin.
Angel doesn't figure they're overextended.
Cordelia thinks if that's the case, perhaps he'd like to help out by answering some of the many lines that are ringing.
He picks up the phone, listens briefly then asks the caller what they do for a living. He gets an answer, notes that's a good company and wonders if the caller owns it. He apparently likes the answer he gets since he hurriedly seeks out a pen and paper to take notes.
Gunn is interviewing Allison in Wesley's office.
She tells him she can't eat or sleep, she's afraid to go out by herself.
Gunn pours her a cup of coffee, hands it to her and asks her to sit down. He sympathizes with her problem, stalkers are annoying, and offers they can hopefully solve the problem for her. He asks if she knows who the guy is.
She answers that she's being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, Brian.
Gunn wonders if she's contacted the police about this.
She tells him she has, but the cops think she's crazy, making up stories.
Gunn notes the police don't seem to get interested until somebody dies. The woman tells him someone already is dead, her ex-boyfriend.
Gunn isn't quite sure what to make of that.
The woman holds up one of the flyers, points to the "paranormal specialists" part of the ad and asks if that isn't the kind of stuff they deal with.
Gunn assures her they handle this kind of stuff all the time. He just wants to be sure he has the facts straight, that she's being stalked by her dead boyfriend.
She points out he's not her boyfriend anymore.
Out in the lobby, Wes is explaining to the Nahdrah his current project of writing an article proposing a method of mapping the genomes of beings without genes.
Lorne translates.
Wes adds that it's exciting work.
Lorne sarcastically notes his certainty they'll all be able to "download it at 'I'll never know the love of a woman dot com'."
Wes shoots him a look.
Lorne quickly adds they should get down to business, the Nahdrah want to buy his "head." He notes Wesley's quizzical expression and admits his language skills are a bit rusty. He exchanges clicks and pops with the demons then explains to Wes he means they want to use his mind.
As Fred approaches, Lorne explains the demons have a puzzle they want solved to present to their prince for his birthday.
Wes thinks it sounds interesting.
Fred enthusiastically notes the symbols on the attire the demons are wearing, explaining the pattern of geometric shapes representing prime numbers arranged in "ascending order of exponential accumulation."
Wes admits he hadn't noticed.
The demons begin clicking with each other, one of them addresses Lorne.
Lorne translates to Wes, telling him the demons want to know why his "girlfriend" was pointing at one of them.
Wes starts to explain Fred isn't his girlfriend.
The demons chatter more insistently then walk out.
Fred hopes it wasn't something she said.
Lorne assures her it wasn't about her, something came up, they either had to consult with their prince or "eat a cheese monkey",
he's
not sure.
Wes looks at him.
Lorne reminds him he's not exactly fluent in the language.
Gunn comes out into the lobby and tells Wes he could use his assistance.
Angel is on the phone, agrees to meet with the party at the other end of the line, then hangs up. He hands Connor off to Cordelia, telling her to change him and feed him at 3:00 o'clock. He leaves.
Angel arrives at the office of the caller. The man is on the phone discussing a million dollar business transaction.
Angel listens in as he waits for the man to hang up the phone.
The man hangs up and introduces himself as Harlan Elster. He thanks Angel for coming to meet with him then tells him he's not what he expected.
Angel wonders just what that was.
Elster thinks he looks a little neat. He wonders if Angel minds getting messed up a bit, telling him he will get that way "just by stepping foot in there."
Angel asks for the specifics.
Elster gives him the address, explaining it used to be low income housing. He explains the place is a "nest" now, no electricity, sewer access. He tells Angel "they like it dark" as he hands him a file folder containing photos.
Angel assumes he's referring to vampires.
Elster confirms that's correct. He goes on to say that the previous hire took the pictures Angel is looking at. The guy got messed up. He wonders if Angel has much experience dealing with vampires.
Angel assures him he does.
Elster doesn't figure he has experience with this kind of vampire, as he tells Angel it's not blood they're after, it's money. He figures that sounds ridiculous, a vampire out to make money.
Angel laughs uncomfortably.
Elster explains the vampires are running a protection racket. They charge a fee to local businessmen, if they get paid, they leave the businesses' employees alone. He goes on to say they want $5,000 by midnight. As he starts writing a check, he tells Angel he'll pay him double that to solve the problem, half upfront, the other half when the job is finished.
Angel doesn't quite get why Elster is willing to pay him twice the protection fee.
Elster tells him it's not about money.
Angel says he understands that as he takes the check and leaves the office, heading out to deal with the problem.
After Angel leaves, an older man enters the office. He demands to know what the younger man is doing in his office.
The man addresses the older guy as Mr. Elster then punches him in the face, knocking him out.
Holtz returns to find Justine in the same position at the table, her head resting on top of it.
He's ready to tell her what he wants from her. He wants her to round up others who have suffered the way they have, who have the same rage and fire. He assures her she'll recognize them when she sees them, telling her she'll see it in their eyes, the look will be the same as the feeling she's about to experience. He pulls the icepick out of her hand.
She screams.
He wants to know that things are understood, that she's learned the lesson as he hands her a rag.
She assures him she understands as she wraps her bloodied hand. She punches him as she stands up, knocking him back a bit, then sits back down in the chair.
Angel enters the lobby and gleefully tells Cordelia and Fred about the check. He figures it's easy money, all he has to do is clean out a vamp nest and there's $5,000 more to be had. He asks where Wes and Gunn are, he wants to show them the check.
Cordy tells him they're out working on a case.
Fred tells him about the woman being stalked by her dead ex.
Angel thinks that sounds terrible then begins to ask Cordelia something.
She knows what's coming and answers before he can ask that she checked out the woman's credit, assuring Angel she's solvent.
He's relieved to hear it.
Cordelia offers her opinion that it may not be wise working so many cases at once. She wonders what happens if someone comes in who's in need of help but they're all out working on something else.
Lorne comes in and greets everyone, seeming a bit tipsy.
Angel asks if he's been drinking.
Lorne assures him he can handle the alcohol, it's the "firewater" that gives him problems.
Fred asks if they aren't the same thing.
Lorne says he literally means firewater. It's a libation his informant, a Gar-wawk demon, is fond of. He explains the water gets lit on fire, there's chanting and a bong, all good fun.
Angel wants to know what Lorne found out about Holtz.
Lorne figures Holtz doesn't like Angel much. He thinks he and his Grappler demons had plans to kill him.
Angel assumes Holtz is using the Grapplers as soldiers.
Lorne explains that's not the case anymore since Holtz poisoned the demons and is now recruiting humans to take their place.
Angel wants to know if they have a location.
Lorne tells him he has his contacts working on it.
Cordelia points out they have company as the Nahdrah demons return.
As the demons communicate in a series of clicks and pops, Angel explains they were there earlier, making an offer to Wesley.
Lorne tells him they don't want Wes now, they want Fred.
Angel wants to know why.
Lorne says they want her for her mind. They believe she can solve the puzzle they want to present to their prince. Fred made an impression on them when they were there earlier.
Angel asks where Fred would have to go and how long she'd have to be gone.
Lorne asks then translates the answer. The demons are living on a barge at the marina and they'd need Fred for a day, maybe two, depending on how long it took her to solve the puzzle.
Angel asks Fred if she wants to do it, she agrees. He tells Lorne to go with her to serve as translator and tells him to explain to the Nahdrah it won't be cheap. They're getting two of the firm's best employees, overtime, extra costs.
Lorne translates the terms.
One of the demons holds up a metal case.
Lorne tells Angel the demons apologize for the "paltry offering" and hope he'll accept it.
The demon opens the case, Lorne looks at the contents and shouts, "$50,000!!"
Angel grins broadly, grabs the case and tells the demons their offering is accepted.
Wes and Gunn are at the home of the stalking victim, Allison. Gunn is armed with a baseball bat.
She tells them she prefers to be independent and handle things for herself but admits she's more comfortable with them in the house. She says the woman they work with was right, they do "inspire confidence."
Wes asks which woman that was.
She describes the cute brunette who sounds like she may be from Texas.
Wes and Gunn both have dreamy expressions as they answer in unison, "Fred." They look at each other.
Gunn is glad to hear Fred said he inspired confidence.
Wes is sure the comment was directed at him, not Gunn.
Gunn disagrees with that.
The woman hands them a picture of her with her ex-boyfriend. She admits he's not the brightest bulb on the tree but he's a sweet guy. She wonders if they know what it's like to meet somebody and just know that's the right person, the one you're meant to be with, it just feels --
Gunn and Wes finish her sentence in unison with "comfortable." Again, they look at each other.
Wes tries to one up Gunn with sharing the same science journals.
Gunn counters with laughing at the same jokes.
The woman adds that the sex is what she misses most.
Gunn and Wes figure it's time to change the subject.
The woman asks how her ex can be stalking her if he's dead.
Gunn starts to answer but Wes interrupts, offering a number of possibilities.
The woman wants to know why he's after her.
Again, Gunn starts to offer an opinion, but Wes answers instead, saying that he may have unfinished business.
Gunn offers he may just want to eat her innards.
Wes curtly reminds him they don't know that Brian is a zombie and besides, the flesh eating stuff is just myth. They're more into mangling and mutilation, sometimes wearing guts for garters, that sort of thing. He doesn't think they have a reason to be concerned until they have more information.
Brian breaks partially through the door and grabs Wes. Gunn beats him back with the bat. Wes concedes he's a zombie.
Fred and Lorne arrive at the Nahdrah's barge. Lorne is feeling the effects from his firewater indulgence earlier. He wonders if he looks more green than usual.
As they enter, one of the demons clicks at Lorne. He translates, telling Fred they want to take a picture. He and Fred pose, the demon takes the shot.
Fred looks behind her and sees a collection of geometric shapes. She figures that's the puzzle, they must align somehow. She wonders if she gets any clues.
Lorne converses briefly with the demons then tells Fred they brought her there because they couldn't solve it themselves.
Fred unpacks her laptop and settles in to work on the puzzle. As she ponders the possibilities out loud, one of the demons offers appetizers; eyeballs and beetles on crackers.
Lorne declines.
Fred continues working on the puzzle.
Angel arrives at the vamp nest and checks things out. He notices personal items the vamps have collected from their victims as trophies. He hears footsteps approaching and hides beside the door.
As one of the vamps enters, Angel attacks him from behind. Fight ensues that goes on for a bit. Angel's opponent seems an equal match, giving as good as he gets. They punch each other, throw each other around the room a bit.
Vamp guy tosses Angel onto a table, breaking it.
Angel takes one of the table legs and stakes the vamp with it suggesting he should have avoided wooden furniture.
As he gets up and turns toward the door, he notices two more vamps have arrived.
A bruised and disheveled Angel arrives at Harlan Elster's office. The older guy asks if he can help him with something.
Angel tells him who he's looking for.
The man tells him he's Harlan Elster.
Angel figures this isn't good news since the Elster he's looking for wrote him the check. He shows the check to the real Mr. Elster who tells Angel the man who forged his name to the check also gave him the bruise on his face but at least his bruise is real, unlike the check.
Elster describes the man who was posing as him, Angel confirms that's the guy who hired him. Elster says the guy's name is Sam Ryan. He's a former employee, a press foreman, who was sacked six months earlier. He says Ryan kept coming to him wanting him to fund some kind of whacky plan.
Angel wonders what that plan was.
Elster answers that Ryan's been a little off since his friend died. He wanted Elster to pay a "ghostbuster" to clean out an abandoned building, convinced there were vampires there. He figures some people would try to take advantage of a guy in that state of mind.
Angel gets that as he tears up the phony check and starts to walk out.
Elster mentions Ryan's delusions about "immortal creatures" guarding their "treasure."
The "treasure" mention gets Angel's attention.
Fred continues working on the puzzle as Lorne and one of the demons looks on. Lorne's feeling the effects of the firewater, asks if he can use the bathroom.
The demon gives him directions on where to find it. It watches briefly as Fred begins to piece together the puzzle then scurries off in a rush.
Lorne goes upstairs to another level of the barge. He hears demon chatter, clicking and popping. He looks down toward the end of the corridor and sees silhouetted figures behind a curtain.
He approaches cautiously and pulls back the curtain. He sees several of the demons attending another who is hooked up to various tubes and equipment, breathing laboriously, their prince.
As Lorne looks on, one of the demons shows the prince the photo of Fred aligned with a photo of himself. Fred's head comes off in the photo and is mounted on the prince's body in the photo of himself.
Lorne listens in as the demon tells the prince Fred is solving the puzzle, they've finally found a head worthy to rest on his shoulders. The prince is pleased with that.
Lorne starts to withdraw but is hit from behind by one of the Nahdrah wielding a metal pipe, knocking him out.
One of the demons tells the prince they'll put Fred's head on his body that night.
At the hotel, Cordelia tries to do the levitation thing, jumping up and down, flopping her arms. It doesn't work. She assures Connor she really did float once as she does the exposition for occurences in the "Birthday" episode by detailing the whole vision/part demon thing to the baby. She says the visions are a breeze now even though she doesn't know what else may be in store with that part demon business but she's not looking for horns or a tail anymore.
As she changes the kid, she tells him he's in for an interesting life. "Aunt Cordy" gets visions and dad -- well, not exactly one for sun and surf, or aging, but he's a good guy and a snappy dresser who happens to be out fighting evil -- for money.
Sam Ryan enters the vacant vampire nest. He looks around the room, searching for something. He finds what he's looking for as he picks up a watch.
Angel grabs him from behind and snatches the watch from his hand.
Ryan wants the watch back.
Angel figures he earned it. He wonders if it's a Rolex.
Ryan answers that it's a Timex.
Angel wants to know what's significant about the watch. Considering the trouble Ryan went through to get it, he's sure it must be more than what it seems.
Ryan concedes it is more than that.
Angel wants to know what it does exactly.
Ryan tells him the watch glows in the dark and that's probably all it does now since he noticed it got cracked when the vamps ripped it off of his friend.
Angel releases him.
Ryan continues, saying he told his friend to just give them the watch but he didn't want to do it, it was the first gift Ryan had given him.
Angel gets it now, the vampires killed Ryan's friend.
Ryan apologizes for the ruse, he didn't know what else to do.
Angel doesn't think lying was the best way to go about it. He figures he killed three vamps, the deal was for $10,000, he wants to be paid.
Ryan offers seven.
Angel finds that acceptable.
Ryan clarifies, Angel said he killed three vampires, there were seven.
Noises are heard outside of the room.
Angel and Ryan realize they're about to get a visit from the other four.
At the hotel, Cordelia is showing Connor the $50,000, telling him that's definitely among the "coolest things" in the world. She starts to put the money in the safe then pauses first to have another painless vision.
She realizes from the vision that Fred is in trouble, once she solves the puzzle, she's dead.
Fred continues working the puzzle as a couple of the Nahdrahs look on.
Wes and Gunn are still at Allison's house.
She's impatient, wondering if things will be taken care of soon, she has plans for the evening.
As Wes assures her they've taken precautions and secured the entrances, the sound of glass shattering is heard.
Gunn remembers they might have forgotten to secure the skylight in the kitchen.
Allison's zombie ex enters the room. Wes and Gunn jump him."
Wes instructs Allison to get into the bedroom.
She complies as Wes and Gunn continue fighting with Brian. They beat him down and head for cover, joining Allison in the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.
At the hotel, Cordelia hangs up the phone noting Wes and Gunn aren't picking up and Angel doesn't know how to use his voicemail. She decides to take the baby and the money to the barge and offer the demons a refund of their fee, explaining it was all a mistake.
At Allison's place, Gunn and Wes move some furniture in front of the bedroom door.
Brian is on the other side, wanting to know why Allison won't talk to him.
She tells him to go away and then asks Gunn and Wes if they can get rid of him considering that's what she's paying them to do.
Brian manages to get the door open enough to stick his head through and asks Allison for another chance. He asks who the guys are.
Wes tells him they're there to protect her from him.
Brian is relieved to hear that. He thought she was dating them.
Allison tells him this is why she broke up with him, he's too possessive. She wants him to go away. She beats him back from the door so Wes and Gunn can shut it again.
Wes looks at Gunn, realizing they have to do something.
Gunn cautiously opens the door and sees Brian sitting in the other room, sulking. He relays that to Wes.
Allison has had enough of it and heads out to confront her ex.
She notes this is typical behavior for him and it's why they aren't together. He's too needy.
Brian doesn't see how caring equates with being needy.
She points out he would follow her to work, he read her diary.
He starts to deny the diary reading accusation but admits he did read it a couple of times. He wonders if that was really a reason to poison him.
Wes and Gunn look on, not sure what to make of any of it.
Wes asks Brian if Allison is the one who killed him.
Brian says he'd forgive her if she'd take him back.
Gunn thinks he's got to be kidding.
Brian asks Allison for another chance.
She's put off by the idea as being "creepy" at first but warms up to it with a little more coaxing.
He tells her he misses her, she concedes she might have been a bit hasty. He smiles, she giggles, they hug and kiss.
Wes wants to know how she wants to pay the bill.
At the vamp nest, Sam Ryan is leaning against the door trying to hold it closed against the vamps trying to break through it. Angel is sitting across the room saying no payment, no fighting.
Ryan struggles to hold the door closed, he doesn't think he can hold out much longer.
Angel's noticed. He reluctantly agrees to help hold the door shut as he casually walks over and leans against it but tells Ryan that's all he's going to do.
Ryan apologizes for lying to him in the first place.
Angel knows his heart was in the right place, he's been in that situation himself now and then.
Ryan figures he understands then.
Angel assures him he knows the champion thing isn't all roses.
Heavy battering on the other side of the door is starting to concern Ryan. He's not sure they can hold it shut much longer.
Angel figures they can come to terms. He wonders if Ryan has credit, a house, anything he can use to get money to pay him with.
The answer is no, Ryan has spent all he had tracking the killers of his friend.
Angel isn't anxious to offer help on a deferred basis. He doesn't want to set any bad precedents.
Fred completes the puzzle, combining the various shapes into a glowing pyramid. The demons enthusiastically pull her from the chair and lead her to their prince.
Fred wonders if anyone has seen Lorne.
Her question is answered when she sees him tied up on the floor, next to the Nahdrah prince.
As Fred is led to a chair and strapped in, she wonders if she's going to have to marry the prince.
Lorne assures her she doesn't have to worry about that.
Fred wants to know what they want from her
Lorne starts to tell her the prince's head wears out now and then requiring -- Fred gets it. They cut off someone else's and replace his with it.
One of the demons positions a large sword at Fred's neck. She screams.
Cordelia arrives, packing Connor in her arms, issuing a loud whistle to get everyone's attention.
Lorne is relieved, figuring some demon ass is about to be kicked.
Cordelia suggests he just translate. She tells the demons there was a misunderstanding. She figures they can resolve things in a civil way.
Lorne translates.
Cordelia goes on to offer the return of the fee as she sets the case containing the money down on the floor, in exchange for Fred's return in one piece. She tells Lorne to translate that.
Lorne translates, the demons get agitated.
Cordelia and Fred look at Lorne who explains he told them what to do and what would happen if they didn't do it.
Cordy laughs nervously, telling Lorne they aren't exactly in a position to be making threats.
Lorne figures they've got the upper hand, Wes, Gunn and Angel can handle the Nahdrah. He wonders where they're at, he can't see them from his position tied up on the floor.
Cordelia tells him they aren't there, they're out making money.
Lorne figures he might have overstated things then when he told the demons they were surrounded by killer warriors.
Cordy figures he overstated enough to get them all killed as she smiles nervously.
At the vampire nest, Angel steps away from blocking the door.
Ryan wonders what happened to the "complimentary barricading."
Angel knows the door isn't going to hold, he wants to get Ryan out of there. He smashes a window high overhead and tells Ryan to go as he's ready to help him escape through the opening.
Ryan tells Angel to go ahead. He doesn't feel right leaving.
Angel wonders if he thinks he can take on four vampires by himself.
Ryan doesn't figure he can but they killed his friend and he knows if he runs now he'll be running for the rest of his life.
Angel wonders if he thinks this is what his friend would want.
Ryan reckons his friend would want to be with him, but since that's not possible, this is his choice.
Angel finally decides to do something as he picks up a piece of wood, pulls Ryan away from the door and positions himself in front of it, his back to it.
As the door opens and the vamps enter, Angel stakes them as he lectures Ryan about work and expecting compensation for a finished job.
When the vamps are dust, he tosses the watch back to Ryan who starts to thank him.
Angel is fumbling with his cell phone which is ringing but he can't get an answer.
Ryan offers he thinks it's Angel's voicemail.
Back at the barge, Cordy's wondering if Nahdrah's have groins.
Fred wonders if that's really necessary information.
Cordelia wants an answer from Lorne.
The best he can offer is an "I think so", pointing out he's never known one "intimately."
Cordelia steps forward with a targeted kick which is met with the dull thud of metal and no reaction from the demon. The recoil sends Cordelia, who is still packing the baby in her arms, sprawling backwards.
Gunn and Wes arrive just in time to catch her.
As Wes and Gunn battle with the demons, another prepares to behead Fred who screams.
Cordelia yells at the guys to help Fred as she stands there, holding the baby.
Wes and Gunn both rush to the rescue as soon as they realize Fred is in trouble.
Gunn picks up a pipe and hurls it toward the demon threatening Fred as Wes picks up the metal case containing the cash and tosses it as well.
The demon threatening Fred is killed by the pipe. The Nahdrah prince is decapitated by the metal case.
The other demons look on the decapitated corpse of their prince then start chattering just before jumping Wes and Gunn.
Angel arrives. Fight continues. Angel kicks some ass.
After the fight is over, Wes and Gunn work to unstrap Fred. Once free, she stands up, Wes and Gunn on either side of her. She thanks them, saying she could kiss them both. They both lean in for one but are interrupted by Lorne pointing out he's still tied up on the floor.
They move to free him.
Angel looks at the case containing the cash, which has broken open, money scattered about. He tells the others he's come to the realization money is important but he knows he got carried away by it. He's never had a life depending on him before, he's still learning how to deal with that. He knows that's not an excuse as he stares at the money and loses his train of thought. Once back on track he tells the others he does know family and the mission are what matter.
Cordelia points out the demons tried to decapitate Fred. She figures they've earned that money.
Angel shoves Connor into her arms as he joins the others in collecting the cash from the floor.
Back at the hotel, Angel and Cordelia are lying on his bed with the baby in between them, trying to stay awake.
Cordelia is holding the other end of the bottle as Connor makes a meal of it. She suggests buying a boat.
Angel tells her no, the money is for the college fund.
Cordelia will go along with that; college fund, pay the bills and put a payment down on a boat.
Angel tells her again no boat.
She suggests they can be fun.
He counters with the expense of keeping one and wonders just when he'd have the chance to make use of a boat.
Cordelia suggests sailing by moonlight could work. She thinks about that, realizes not a good idea. She can live with using the money for the college fund, bill paying and renting a ski condo in Aspen. She thinks that sounds good, trees and snow, they need to have some fun once in awhile.
Angel isn't opposed to that.
They both fall asleep.
Site design ©2000 TAO Designz
All Rights Reserved
| Written by: Scott Murphy | Original Air Date: January 21, 2002 |
At the Hyperion, Angel stuffs some coins into a piggy bank and puts it into the safe.
Fred is working at the computer and asks how the college fund is coming along.
Cordelia is taking care of the baby.
Angel tells Fred he found $1.83 in the sofa cushions in the lobby. He doesn't want it going to waste.
He looks over her shoulder at the computer screen and asks how she's doing. The screen shows the graphics for a web site advertising Angel Investigations.
Fred says they're about ready to go online.
Angel offers some design suggestions then joins Cordelia in baby talk with Connor.
As they continue the baby talk tone, Cordy wonders where Angel has been.
He tells her he has "mouths to feed."
Cordelia points out she's had to eat all along and feeding her has never been a problem. She puts the baby down and reminds Angel not to lose sight of the mission.
Angel reminds her he has to work to support all of them, not just the baby.
Cordelia gets that, she just doesn't want him to forget his primary mission is his work for The Powers.
Gunn and Wes arrive back at the hotel, having left a bunch of flyers advertising Angel Investigations around the area.
Fred announces the web site is now online.
Everyone moves over to her computer to take a look.
Angel picks the baby up and joins them. He figures with the ad in the phone book, the flyers and now the web site, they just have to wait for the phone to start ringing with business.
Everyone stands around staring at the phone that isn't ringing.
Angel assures Connor it will, LA is a town full of people with problems.
A young man is running down an alley in a driving rain, being pursued by a demon of some sort. He looks back over his shoulder and trips over some trash cans. As he starts to get up, he notices the flyer under his hand, an ad for Angel Investigations advertising them as "paranormal specialists".
Back at the hotel, everyone continues staring at the non-ringing phone.
The young man with the flyer rushes up to a pay phone, frantically pushes the number on the flyer for Angel Investigations and anxiously waits for his call to be answered as the phone rings.
Back at the hotel, the gang continue to stare at a non-ringing phone.
The young man's call is finally answered, by a pizza parlor employee.
At the office, Fred picks up the flyer and wonders if that's the correct phone number.
Wes enters the hotel carrying a pile of new flyers with the correct phone number. He walks behind the desk and puts them down, noticing Gunn staring at Fred who is walking the floor, holding Connor. Wes joins him in appreciating the view he describes as "adorable".
Gunn describes it as "sweet."
Wes clarifies he was referring to the baby.
Gunn was referring to the "hot mama."
Angel comes out of Wesley's office, Wes apologizes for the error on the flyers the previous night.
Angel accepts that but reminds Wes that time is money and making money is the top priority.
Lorne comes downstairs in his robe.
Angel has something he wants to discuss.
Lorne figures it's about the baby formula missing from the fridge and offers that he was hungry and it was either that or pig's blood. He discovered baby formula and Kahlua mixed together isn't as bad as it sounds.
Angel tells Lorne he wants him to use his contacts to find Holtz. He knows he's still around somewhere and finding him is the top priority.
Gunn reminds him he just said making money was the top priority.
Angel concedes those two things are their top priorities.
Cordelia clears her throat.
Angel adds "helping the helpless" to the top priorities list.
Cordelia notes they've had visits to the web site.
The phones start ringing.
Angel is happy business is finally picking up.
Justine is sitting at a table in Sahjhan's underground dwelling as Holtz paces. She thinks Holtz should be grateful.
He wonders what for.
She points out that she killed two vampires.
He reminds her he told her to walk away from them.
Justine cracks she must have misunderstood him.
Holtz tells her that's why they're there.
Justine makes snide comments about the decor.
Holtz ignores her remarks, telling her they're there to discover whether or not she is capable of the commitment necessary for the job that needs doing. He wants to know why she's wasting his time.
She doesn't know what he wants.
He tells her again, he wants her to prove her commitment and he expects her to do just that.
Justine's hand is pinned to the table by a sharp implement that looks like an icepick driven through the back of it and into the table top beneath. Holtz figures he's explained his reasons, now he wants to hear Justine's for doing this.
She answers that "feeling something is better than feeling nothing."
Holtz tells her she can take the tool out of her hand anytime she chooses. If she's still there when he returns, they'll discuss the next "phase" of their relationship. He departs.
At the Hyperion, the lobby is crowded with demons and humans representing new business for AI. Angel surveys things while carrying the baby.
Lorne converses in a series of tongue clicks and pops with a group of Nahdrah demons. He tells Angel the demons have a job for their "leader" and are offering a substantial fee.
Angel doesn't figure they should be kept waiting.
Lorne clarifies that by "leader", he meant Wes. The Nahdrahs had seen his article on "DNA fusion comparisons" among certain demon populations on the web site and want to speak to him.
Wes comes out of the office, Angel approaches and points him toward the Nahdrahs.
Gunn asks Angel if it's okay to use the office as he accompanies a young woman, Allison, telling him her business is personal.
Angel tells him to go ahead.
Cordelia points out they're being spread a bit thin.
Angel doesn't figure they're overextended.
Cordelia thinks if that's the case, perhaps he'd like to help out by answering some of the many lines that are ringing.
He picks up the phone, listens briefly then asks the caller what they do for a living. He gets an answer, notes that's a good company and wonders if the caller owns it. He apparently likes the answer he gets since he hurriedly seeks out a pen and paper to take notes.
Gunn is interviewing Allison in Wesley's office.
She tells him she can't eat or sleep, she's afraid to go out by herself.
Gunn pours her a cup of coffee, hands it to her and asks her to sit down. He sympathizes with her problem, stalkers are annoying, and offers they can hopefully solve the problem for her. He asks if she knows who the guy is.
She answers that she's being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, Brian.
Gunn wonders if she's contacted the police about this.
She tells him she has, but the cops think she's crazy, making up stories.
Gunn notes the police don't seem to get interested until somebody dies. The woman tells him someone already is dead, her ex-boyfriend.
Gunn isn't quite sure what to make of that.
The woman holds up one of the flyers, points to the "paranormal specialists" part of the ad and asks if that isn't the kind of stuff they deal with.
Gunn assures her they handle this kind of stuff all the time. He just wants to be sure he has the facts straight, that she's being stalked by her dead boyfriend.
She points out he's not her boyfriend anymore.
Out in the lobby, Wes is explaining to the Nahdrah his current project of writing an article proposing a method of mapping the genomes of beings without genes.
Lorne translates.
Wes adds that it's exciting work.
Lorne sarcastically notes his certainty they'll all be able to "download it at 'I'll never know the love of a woman dot com'."
Wes shoots him a look.
Lorne quickly adds they should get down to business, the Nahdrah want to buy his "head." He notes Wesley's quizzical expression and admits his language skills are a bit rusty. He exchanges clicks and pops with the demons then explains to Wes he means they want to use his mind.
As Fred approaches, Lorne explains the demons have a puzzle they want solved to present to their prince for his birthday.
Wes thinks it sounds interesting.
Fred enthusiastically notes the symbols on the attire the demons are wearing, explaining the pattern of geometric shapes representing prime numbers arranged in "ascending order of exponential accumulation."
Wes admits he hadn't noticed.
The demons begin clicking with each other, one of them addresses Lorne.
Lorne translates to Wes, telling him the demons want to know why his "girlfriend" was pointing at one of them.
Wes starts to explain Fred isn't his girlfriend.
The demons chatter more insistently then walk out.
Fred hopes it wasn't something she said.
Lorne assures her it wasn't about her, something came up, they either had to consult with their prince or "eat a cheese monkey",
he's
not sure.Wes looks at him.
Lorne reminds him he's not exactly fluent in the language.
Gunn comes out into the lobby and tells Wes he could use his assistance.
Angel is on the phone, agrees to meet with the party at the other end of the line, then hangs up. He hands Connor off to Cordelia, telling her to change him and feed him at 3:00 o'clock. He leaves.
Angel arrives at the office of the caller. The man is on the phone discussing a million dollar business transaction.
Angel listens in as he waits for the man to hang up the phone.
The man hangs up and introduces himself as Harlan Elster. He thanks Angel for coming to meet with him then tells him he's not what he expected.
Angel wonders just what that was.
Elster thinks he looks a little neat. He wonders if Angel minds getting messed up a bit, telling him he will get that way "just by stepping foot in there."
Angel asks for the specifics.
Elster gives him the address, explaining it used to be low income housing. He explains the place is a "nest" now, no electricity, sewer access. He tells Angel "they like it dark" as he hands him a file folder containing photos.
Angel assumes he's referring to vampires.
Elster confirms that's correct. He goes on to say that the previous hire took the pictures Angel is looking at. The guy got messed up. He wonders if Angel has much experience dealing with vampires.
Angel assures him he does.
Elster doesn't figure he has experience with this kind of vampire, as he tells Angel it's not blood they're after, it's money. He figures that sounds ridiculous, a vampire out to make money.
Angel laughs uncomfortably.
Elster explains the vampires are running a protection racket. They charge a fee to local businessmen, if they get paid, they leave the businesses' employees alone. He goes on to say they want $5,000 by midnight. As he starts writing a check, he tells Angel he'll pay him double that to solve the problem, half upfront, the other half when the job is finished.
Angel doesn't quite get why Elster is willing to pay him twice the protection fee.
Elster tells him it's not about money.
Angel says he understands that as he takes the check and leaves the office, heading out to deal with the problem.
After Angel leaves, an older man enters the office. He demands to know what the younger man is doing in his office.
The man addresses the older guy as Mr. Elster then punches him in the face, knocking him out.
Holtz returns to find Justine in the same position at the table, her head resting on top of it.
He's ready to tell her what he wants from her. He wants her to round up others who have suffered the way they have, who have the same rage and fire. He assures her she'll recognize them when she sees them, telling her she'll see it in their eyes, the look will be the same as the feeling she's about to experience. He pulls the icepick out of her hand.
She screams.
He wants to know that things are understood, that she's learned the lesson as he hands her a rag.
She assures him she understands as she wraps her bloodied hand. She punches him as she stands up, knocking him back a bit, then sits back down in the chair.
Angel enters the lobby and gleefully tells Cordelia and Fred about the check. He figures it's easy money, all he has to do is clean out a vamp nest and there's $5,000 more to be had. He asks where Wes and Gunn are, he wants to show them the check.
Cordy tells him they're out working on a case.
Fred tells him about the woman being stalked by her dead ex.
Angel thinks that sounds terrible then begins to ask Cordelia something.
She knows what's coming and answers before he can ask that she checked out the woman's credit, assuring Angel she's solvent.
He's relieved to hear it.
Cordelia offers her opinion that it may not be wise working so many cases at once. She wonders what happens if someone comes in who's in need of help but they're all out working on something else.
Lorne comes in and greets everyone, seeming a bit tipsy.
Angel asks if he's been drinking.
Lorne assures him he can handle the alcohol, it's the "firewater" that gives him problems.
Fred asks if they aren't the same thing.
Lorne says he literally means firewater. It's a libation his informant, a Gar-wawk demon, is fond of. He explains the water gets lit on fire, there's chanting and a bong, all good fun.
Angel wants to know what Lorne found out about Holtz.
Lorne figures Holtz doesn't like Angel much. He thinks he and his Grappler demons had plans to kill him.
Angel assumes Holtz is using the Grapplers as soldiers.
Lorne explains that's not the case anymore since Holtz poisoned the demons and is now recruiting humans to take their place.
Angel wants to know if they have a location.
Lorne tells him he has his contacts working on it.
Cordelia points out they have company as the Nahdrah demons return.
As the demons communicate in a series of clicks and pops, Angel explains they were there earlier, making an offer to Wesley.
Lorne tells him they don't want Wes now, they want Fred.
Angel wants to know why.
Lorne says they want her for her mind. They believe she can solve the puzzle they want to present to their prince. Fred made an impression on them when they were there earlier.
Angel asks where Fred would have to go and how long she'd have to be gone.
Lorne asks then translates the answer. The demons are living on a barge at the marina and they'd need Fred for a day, maybe two, depending on how long it took her to solve the puzzle.
Angel asks Fred if she wants to do it, she agrees. He tells Lorne to go with her to serve as translator and tells him to explain to the Nahdrah it won't be cheap. They're getting two of the firm's best employees, overtime, extra costs.
Lorne translates the terms.
One of the demons holds up a metal case.
Lorne tells Angel the demons apologize for the "paltry offering" and hope he'll accept it.
The demon opens the case, Lorne looks at the contents and shouts, "$50,000!!"
Angel grins broadly, grabs the case and tells the demons their offering is accepted.
Wes and Gunn are at the home of the stalking victim, Allison. Gunn is armed with a baseball bat.
She tells them she prefers to be independent and handle things for herself but admits she's more comfortable with them in the house. She says the woman they work with was right, they do "inspire confidence."
Wes asks which woman that was.
She describes the cute brunette who sounds like she may be from Texas.
Wes and Gunn both have dreamy expressions as they answer in unison, "Fred." They look at each other.
Gunn is glad to hear Fred said he inspired confidence.
Wes is sure the comment was directed at him, not Gunn.
Gunn disagrees with that.
The woman hands them a picture of her with her ex-boyfriend. She admits he's not the brightest bulb on the tree but he's a sweet guy. She wonders if they know what it's like to meet somebody and just know that's the right person, the one you're meant to be with, it just feels --
Gunn and Wes finish her sentence in unison with "comfortable." Again, they look at each other.
Wes tries to one up Gunn with sharing the same science journals.
Gunn counters with laughing at the same jokes.
The woman adds that the sex is what she misses most.
Gunn and Wes figure it's time to change the subject.
The woman asks how her ex can be stalking her if he's dead.
Gunn starts to answer but Wes interrupts, offering a number of possibilities.
The woman wants to know why he's after her.
Again, Gunn starts to offer an opinion, but Wes answers instead, saying that he may have unfinished business.
Gunn offers he may just want to eat her innards.
Wes curtly reminds him they don't know that Brian is a zombie and besides, the flesh eating stuff is just myth. They're more into mangling and mutilation, sometimes wearing guts for garters, that sort of thing. He doesn't think they have a reason to be concerned until they have more information.
Brian breaks partially through the door and grabs Wes. Gunn beats him back with the bat. Wes concedes he's a zombie.
Fred and Lorne arrive at the Nahdrah's barge. Lorne is feeling the effects from his firewater indulgence earlier. He wonders if he looks more green than usual.
As they enter, one of the demons clicks at Lorne. He translates, telling Fred they want to take a picture. He and Fred pose, the demon takes the shot.
Fred looks behind her and sees a collection of geometric shapes. She figures that's the puzzle, they must align somehow. She wonders if she gets any clues.
Lorne converses briefly with the demons then tells Fred they brought her there because they couldn't solve it themselves.
Fred unpacks her laptop and settles in to work on the puzzle. As she ponders the possibilities out loud, one of the demons offers appetizers; eyeballs and beetles on crackers.
Lorne declines.
Fred continues working on the puzzle.
Angel arrives at the vamp nest and checks things out. He notices personal items the vamps have collected from their victims as trophies. He hears footsteps approaching and hides beside the door.
As one of the vamps enters, Angel attacks him from behind. Fight ensues that goes on for a bit. Angel's opponent seems an equal match, giving as good as he gets. They punch each other, throw each other around the room a bit.
Vamp guy tosses Angel onto a table, breaking it.
Angel takes one of the table legs and stakes the vamp with it suggesting he should have avoided wooden furniture.
As he gets up and turns toward the door, he notices two more vamps have arrived.
A bruised and disheveled Angel arrives at Harlan Elster's office. The older guy asks if he can help him with something.
Angel tells him who he's looking for.
The man tells him he's Harlan Elster.
Angel figures this isn't good news since the Elster he's looking for wrote him the check. He shows the check to the real Mr. Elster who tells Angel the man who forged his name to the check also gave him the bruise on his face but at least his bruise is real, unlike the check.
Elster describes the man who was posing as him, Angel confirms that's the guy who hired him. Elster says the guy's name is Sam Ryan. He's a former employee, a press foreman, who was sacked six months earlier. He says Ryan kept coming to him wanting him to fund some kind of whacky plan.
Angel wonders what that plan was.
Elster answers that Ryan's been a little off since his friend died. He wanted Elster to pay a "ghostbuster" to clean out an abandoned building, convinced there were vampires there. He figures some people would try to take advantage of a guy in that state of mind.
Angel gets that as he tears up the phony check and starts to walk out.
Elster mentions Ryan's delusions about "immortal creatures" guarding their "treasure."
The "treasure" mention gets Angel's attention.
Fred continues working on the puzzle as Lorne and one of the demons looks on. Lorne's feeling the effects of the firewater, asks if he can use the bathroom.
The demon gives him directions on where to find it. It watches briefly as Fred begins to piece together the puzzle then scurries off in a rush.
Lorne goes upstairs to another level of the barge. He hears demon chatter, clicking and popping. He looks down toward the end of the corridor and sees silhouetted figures behind a curtain.
He approaches cautiously and pulls back the curtain. He sees several of the demons attending another who is hooked up to various tubes and equipment, breathing laboriously, their prince.
As Lorne looks on, one of the demons shows the prince the photo of Fred aligned with a photo of himself. Fred's head comes off in the photo and is mounted on the prince's body in the photo of himself.
Lorne listens in as the demon tells the prince Fred is solving the puzzle, they've finally found a head worthy to rest on his shoulders. The prince is pleased with that.
Lorne starts to withdraw but is hit from behind by one of the Nahdrah wielding a metal pipe, knocking him out.
One of the demons tells the prince they'll put Fred's head on his body that night.
At the hotel, Cordelia tries to do the levitation thing, jumping up and down, flopping her arms. It doesn't work. She assures Connor she really did float once as she does the exposition for occurences in the "Birthday" episode by detailing the whole vision/part demon thing to the baby. She says the visions are a breeze now even though she doesn't know what else may be in store with that part demon business but she's not looking for horns or a tail anymore.
As she changes the kid, she tells him he's in for an interesting life. "Aunt Cordy" gets visions and dad -- well, not exactly one for sun and surf, or aging, but he's a good guy and a snappy dresser who happens to be out fighting evil -- for money.
Sam Ryan enters the vacant vampire nest. He looks around the room, searching for something. He finds what he's looking for as he picks up a watch.
Angel grabs him from behind and snatches the watch from his hand.
Ryan wants the watch back.
Angel figures he earned it. He wonders if it's a Rolex.
Ryan answers that it's a Timex.
Angel wants to know what's significant about the watch. Considering the trouble Ryan went through to get it, he's sure it must be more than what it seems.
Ryan concedes it is more than that.
Angel wants to know what it does exactly.
Ryan tells him the watch glows in the dark and that's probably all it does now since he noticed it got cracked when the vamps ripped it off of his friend.
Angel releases him.
Ryan continues, saying he told his friend to just give them the watch but he didn't want to do it, it was the first gift Ryan had given him.
Angel gets it now, the vampires killed Ryan's friend.
Ryan apologizes for the ruse, he didn't know what else to do.
Angel doesn't think lying was the best way to go about it. He figures he killed three vamps, the deal was for $10,000, he wants to be paid.
Ryan offers seven.
Angel finds that acceptable.
Ryan clarifies, Angel said he killed three vampires, there were seven.
Noises are heard outside of the room.
Angel and Ryan realize they're about to get a visit from the other four.
At the hotel, Cordelia is showing Connor the $50,000, telling him that's definitely among the "coolest things" in the world. She starts to put the money in the safe then pauses first to have another painless vision.
She realizes from the vision that Fred is in trouble, once she solves the puzzle, she's dead.
Fred continues working the puzzle as a couple of the Nahdrahs look on.
Wes and Gunn are still at Allison's house.
She's impatient, wondering if things will be taken care of soon, she has plans for the evening.
As Wes assures her they've taken precautions and secured the entrances, the sound of glass shattering is heard.
Gunn remembers they might have forgotten to secure the skylight in the kitchen.
Allison's zombie ex enters the room. Wes and Gunn jump him."
Wes instructs Allison to get into the bedroom.
She complies as Wes and Gunn continue fighting with Brian. They beat him down and head for cover, joining Allison in the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.
At the hotel, Cordelia hangs up the phone noting Wes and Gunn aren't picking up and Angel doesn't know how to use his voicemail. She decides to take the baby and the money to the barge and offer the demons a refund of their fee, explaining it was all a mistake.
At Allison's place, Gunn and Wes move some furniture in front of the bedroom door.
Brian is on the other side, wanting to know why Allison won't talk to him.
She tells him to go away and then asks Gunn and Wes if they can get rid of him considering that's what she's paying them to do.
Brian manages to get the door open enough to stick his head through and asks Allison for another chance. He asks who the guys are.
Wes tells him they're there to protect her from him.
Brian is relieved to hear that. He thought she was dating them.
Allison tells him this is why she broke up with him, he's too possessive. She wants him to go away. She beats him back from the door so Wes and Gunn can shut it again.
Wes looks at Gunn, realizing they have to do something.
Gunn cautiously opens the door and sees Brian sitting in the other room, sulking. He relays that to Wes.
Allison has had enough of it and heads out to confront her ex.
She notes this is typical behavior for him and it's why they aren't together. He's too needy.
Brian doesn't see how caring equates with being needy.
She points out he would follow her to work, he read her diary.
He starts to deny the diary reading accusation but admits he did read it a couple of times. He wonders if that was really a reason to poison him.
Wes and Gunn look on, not sure what to make of any of it.
Wes asks Brian if Allison is the one who killed him.
Brian says he'd forgive her if she'd take him back.
Gunn thinks he's got to be kidding.
Brian asks Allison for another chance.
She's put off by the idea as being "creepy" at first but warms up to it with a little more coaxing.
He tells her he misses her, she concedes she might have been a bit hasty. He smiles, she giggles, they hug and kiss.
Wes wants to know how she wants to pay the bill.
At the vamp nest, Sam Ryan is leaning against the door trying to hold it closed against the vamps trying to break through it. Angel is sitting across the room saying no payment, no fighting.
Ryan struggles to hold the door closed, he doesn't think he can hold out much longer.
Angel's noticed. He reluctantly agrees to help hold the door shut as he casually walks over and leans against it but tells Ryan that's all he's going to do.
Ryan apologizes for lying to him in the first place.
Angel knows his heart was in the right place, he's been in that situation himself now and then.
Ryan figures he understands then.
Angel assures him he knows the champion thing isn't all roses.
Heavy battering on the other side of the door is starting to concern Ryan. He's not sure they can hold it shut much longer.
Angel figures they can come to terms. He wonders if Ryan has credit, a house, anything he can use to get money to pay him with.
The answer is no, Ryan has spent all he had tracking the killers of his friend.
Angel isn't anxious to offer help on a deferred basis. He doesn't want to set any bad precedents.
Fred completes the puzzle, combining the various shapes into a glowing pyramid. The demons enthusiastically pull her from the chair and lead her to their prince.
Fred wonders if anyone has seen Lorne.
Her question is answered when she sees him tied up on the floor, next to the Nahdrah prince.
As Fred is led to a chair and strapped in, she wonders if she's going to have to marry the prince.
Lorne assures her she doesn't have to worry about that.
Fred wants to know what they want from her
Lorne starts to tell her the prince's head wears out now and then requiring -- Fred gets it. They cut off someone else's and replace his with it.
One of the demons positions a large sword at Fred's neck. She screams.
Cordelia arrives, packing Connor in her arms, issuing a loud whistle to get everyone's attention.
Lorne is relieved, figuring some demon ass is about to be kicked.
Cordelia suggests he just translate. She tells the demons there was a misunderstanding. She figures they can resolve things in a civil way.
Lorne translates.
Cordelia goes on to offer the return of the fee as she sets the case containing the money down on the floor, in exchange for Fred's return in one piece. She tells Lorne to translate that.
Lorne translates, the demons get agitated.
Cordelia and Fred look at Lorne who explains he told them what to do and what would happen if they didn't do it.
Cordy laughs nervously, telling Lorne they aren't exactly in a position to be making threats.
Lorne figures they've got the upper hand, Wes, Gunn and Angel can handle the Nahdrah. He wonders where they're at, he can't see them from his position tied up on the floor.
Cordelia tells him they aren't there, they're out making money.
Lorne figures he might have overstated things then when he told the demons they were surrounded by killer warriors.
Cordy figures he overstated enough to get them all killed as she smiles nervously.
At the vampire nest, Angel steps away from blocking the door.
Ryan wonders what happened to the "complimentary barricading."
Angel knows the door isn't going to hold, he wants to get Ryan out of there. He smashes a window high overhead and tells Ryan to go as he's ready to help him escape through the opening.
Ryan tells Angel to go ahead. He doesn't feel right leaving.
Angel wonders if he thinks he can take on four vampires by himself.
Ryan doesn't figure he can but they killed his friend and he knows if he runs now he'll be running for the rest of his life.
Angel wonders if he thinks this is what his friend would want.
Ryan reckons his friend would want to be with him, but since that's not possible, this is his choice.
Angel finally decides to do something as he picks up a piece of wood, pulls Ryan away from the door and positions himself in front of it, his back to it.
As the door opens and the vamps enter, Angel stakes them as he lectures Ryan about work and expecting compensation for a finished job.
When the vamps are dust, he tosses the watch back to Ryan who starts to thank him.
Angel is fumbling with his cell phone which is ringing but he can't get an answer.
Ryan offers he thinks it's Angel's voicemail.
Back at the barge, Cordy's wondering if Nahdrah's have groins.
Fred wonders if that's really necessary information.
Cordelia wants an answer from Lorne.
The best he can offer is an "I think so", pointing out he's never known one "intimately."
Cordelia steps forward with a targeted kick which is met with the dull thud of metal and no reaction from the demon. The recoil sends Cordelia, who is still packing the baby in her arms, sprawling backwards.
Gunn and Wes arrive just in time to catch her.
As Wes and Gunn battle with the demons, another prepares to behead Fred who screams.
Cordelia yells at the guys to help Fred as she stands there, holding the baby.
Wes and Gunn both rush to the rescue as soon as they realize Fred is in trouble.
Gunn picks up a pipe and hurls it toward the demon threatening Fred as Wes picks up the metal case containing the cash and tosses it as well.
The demon threatening Fred is killed by the pipe. The Nahdrah prince is decapitated by the metal case.
The other demons look on the decapitated corpse of their prince then start chattering just before jumping Wes and Gunn.
Angel arrives. Fight continues. Angel kicks some ass.
After the fight is over, Wes and Gunn work to unstrap Fred. Once free, she stands up, Wes and Gunn on either side of her. She thanks them, saying she could kiss them both. They both lean in for one but are interrupted by Lorne pointing out he's still tied up on the floor.
They move to free him.
Angel looks at the case containing the cash, which has broken open, money scattered about. He tells the others he's come to the realization money is important but he knows he got carried away by it. He's never had a life depending on him before, he's still learning how to deal with that. He knows that's not an excuse as he stares at the money and loses his train of thought. Once back on track he tells the others he does know family and the mission are what matter.
Cordelia points out the demons tried to decapitate Fred. She figures they've earned that money.
Angel shoves Connor into her arms as he joins the others in collecting the cash from the floor.
Back at the hotel, Angel and Cordelia are lying on his bed with the baby in between them, trying to stay awake.
Cordelia is holding the other end of the bottle as Connor makes a meal of it. She suggests buying a boat.
Angel tells her no, the money is for the college fund.
Cordelia will go along with that; college fund, pay the bills and put a payment down on a boat.
Angel tells her again no boat.
She suggests they can be fun.
He counters with the expense of keeping one and wonders just when he'd have the chance to make use of a boat.
Cordelia suggests sailing by moonlight could work. She thinks about that, realizes not a good idea. She can live with using the money for the college fund, bill paying and renting a ski condo in Aspen. She thinks that sounds good, trees and snow, they need to have some fun once in awhile.
Angel isn't opposed to that.
They both fall asleep.
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