Thought I'd Drop By (Tag Lilah)

[Lilah]

"Ah, yes, I met Lawrence briefly," she remembered seeing the sharp-eyed import in the hallway earlier. "A little too calm and collected for my tastes. Seems like he's always planning something," she muttered.

She took the file from Carver and studied the photos. "Well, the 'unidentified bloody male' is Henry Elder. Freelance assassin. We hired him to take out Faith Lehane, a rogue Slayer who was once in our employment. Only Mister Tall, Dark and Broody got in the way," she said, gesturing toward the door that Angel had run through minutes earlier. "I told Elder I wanted proof that he'd actually taken care of Faith and I sent him back out to get it."

She pursed her lips as she looked at the photos of Henry getting chummy with Shannon in her office. "Apparently he got sidetracked." She'd have to have a chat with Miss Manners tomorrow when she was less exhausted and more articulate.

She handed the file back. "I apologize if Mr. Elder's contract with us has been...problematic for your department, but I assure you, he'll soon be an unpleasant memory for all of us."

[Carver]

"I understand." he said, taking the file back. He looked at Elder's photo. "I'll take care of it personally."

"Faith Lehane, Angelus, Huntley, this assassin...things certainly are getting more colourful." he said. "You think Huntley is planning something, well, that's nothing new. You're not particularly trusting, although considering that you've gotten so far and will continue to do so, it's probably a virtue."

He smiled, as he realised something. "You're the only female lawyer in Special Projects, all the men kept dying. What does that say, I wonder?"

[Lilah]

A shadow crossed Lilah's face as she remembered the night most of her department had been downsized. The massacre at Holland Manners' home at the hands of Darla and Drusilla. When the corpses were counted, she and Lindsay were the only ones left alive. She shuddered at the memory but regained her composure quickly.

"Well, it tells me that either men are weak and more susceptible to manipulation and attacks of conscience. Or that I've learned to be pro-active and keep moving ahead, lest I get stabbed in the back," Lilah stated. "I prefer to think it's the latter."

She smiled at him. "And don't be concerned about things getting 'colorful,' Carver. That's when we make our best profits."

[Carver]

"Always thinking ahead, Lilah." he said. "I'd be offended by your comment about men if I was human enough to qualify."

MAIL-BOY

The door opened, as the mail-boy shuffled in with his trolley. “The usual, Ms. Morgan. And the monthly, uh…package.” He said, laying the usual mail down, followed by a box of chocolates and some flowers. “Your secret admirer, as always.” He said, smirking and glancing at Carver.

Like it was any secret. Carver may have been an excellent fighter and strategist, but he did not know how to conceal his feelings for Lilah. The cheesy and dumb secret admirer thing? The flowers? The chocolates? That stupid little comb he carried around? The note that always came with the flowers, ‘To Lilah’ was in Carver's handwriting, for God’s sake. Whenever he was around her, he was dressed well, but even when talking to a Senior Partner, the top button was undone, tie was loose….

“Close to figuring it out yet?” he asked.

CARVER

This boy either had a death wish, or was exceptionally stupid.

[Lilah]

Lilah's eyebrows quirked upward at the delivery of flowers and chocolates. Peach and pink lilies. The secret admirer's selections had been progressively improving since the initial gift of standard red roses. It wasn't as if she was completely heartless, she did appreciate the gesture. It's just that the prospect of romance seemed as foreign to her as...reading bedtime stories to children in a Catholic orphanage.

“Close to figuring it out yet?” he asked.

She finished reading the card and looked up at Carver. Of course, she'd had her suspicions but Lilah could make herself oblivious to things she didn't consider immediately important. But the way he looked at her now, with those expectant green eyes, served to confirm those suspicions.

She sighed and placed the small card back in the envelope. He had been kind to her (well, more than most of her colleagues), he was supportive, and he always got the job done. But tempting fate and crossing the Senior Partners, even on what seemed like a minor matter, would be disastrous for both of them.

She placed a few papers in her briefcase, closed it and walked toward him. "Carver," she said softly, "don't get me wrong, I'm flattered. But you should really know that the way to my heart lies in making my job easier. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd keep a close watch on this Henry Elder matter." She gave him a weak smile and let her hand linger on his arm. "Good night," she finally said and walked out the door.

[Carver]

Carver sighed, and watched her go. God-damnit. He clenched his fist, he mind a mixture of disappointment and anger. Not at Lilah, he couldn't be at Lilah. At himself.

MAIL-BOY

"You really should have made a move earlier than-"

CARVER

He spun around suddenly, and seized the mail-boy by the throat, never changing his expression. He lifted him off the ground a little, and squeezed tightly as the boy choked for air. He twisted his hand, snapping the boy's neck, and letting him drop. "Good enough a move?" he asked, looking down at the body. He undid his top button, left for his office, taking the file with him.