wesleynotponcy | The Hyperion Hotel | Los Angeles, CA

After a chaotic autumn and beginning of spring semester, Wesley was glad to remain at Fandom for the break, relishing the relative quiet. After ~~handwavily~~ spending his nineteenth birthday -- and, all right, subsequent day and a half as well -- in his bedroom with Katniss, though, today a call from Cordelia was enough to get him not only out of bed, but out to Los Angeles as well.

"So these are the new offices," he remarked, taking in the hotel Cordelia had directed him to. "Interesting."

"Yeah, yeah, it's all very fascinating," Cordelia agreed. "Look, help me talk to this guy."

Harold Jeakins	"I really need some help," Harold said, shifting on the couch. "They say he handles things -- you know, unusual things. I'd like to see him right away."
Cordelia	"And he wants to see you," Cordelia assured him. Or tried to. "Just as soon as he returns from an important case. Why don't I... take a convenient report and give you a list of convenient payment plans?"
Harold	Harold took the list. "Well," he said, clearing his throat, "it's my wife. Claire. She's really a lovely..."
Wesley	Noting his hesitation, Wesley leaned forward. "Go on," he said encouragingly. "It's all right."
Harold	A beat. "She gets abducted by aliens on a regular basis," Harold said after a moment. Completely seriously. Hoo boy.
Cordelia	Cordelia stared. "Aliens," she repeated. A beat. "From outer space?" That? That would be Cordy looking at Harold like he was currently on heavy, heavy drugs.
Harold	Harold looked embarrased. "Yes," he admitted. "She always comes back within a day or so. But..." He trailed off.
Wesley	Wesley... well, he didn't actually know very many aliens. Or any at all, really. So... yeah. "What is it you'd like us to do, Mr. Jeakins?" he asked, trying really hard not to sound like he thought the guy was insane.
Harold	"I trust Claire," Harold said quickly, "but..." He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and held it out to Cordelia. "I found this receipt from the Franklin Hotel the weekend before last when she was supposed to be in the -- in the Trifid Nebula!"
Cordelia	...right. "I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this, Mr. Jeakins," Cordelia said.
Harold	Harold looked a little strained now. "I mean, if it's not aliens..." Oh, was that the front doors of the hotel opening and an exhausted-looking -- but uninjured -- Angel stepping inside? Why yes. Yes it was.
Cordelia	"Mr. Jeakins," chirped Cordelia, hurrying over to Angel, "Say hello to your new best friend."
Angel	"Do you think my wife's cheating on me?" Harold asked, hurrying to follow. Not stopping in his walk toward his office, Angel replied, "Probably." And then the office door shut behind him.
Cordelia	"Oh," Cordelia hastened to assure Harold, "he really likes you. He's jumping right in. In there!" She pointed.
Harold	Harold looked uncomfortable. "He... he's taking the...? He didn't seem to..."
Wesley	Cordelia stood up, and Wesley took a cue to start moving things along. "Oh, he's just, ah, eccentric," he promised, getting to his feet. "All the greats are. You know the type -- Sherlock Holmes, ~~meta for~~ Phillip Marlowe..."
Harold	Harold stared. "Those are fictional characters," he pointed out.
Cordelia	"Right you are!" Wesley agreed, bustling Harold to the door. "Which gives Angel rather a leg up if you think about it!"