Angel thoughtfully watched the sleek Jaguar pull away from the front curb of the Hyperion, Faith behind the wheel, squealing happily at being allowed to drive such a luxurious car, while Lindsey smiled indulgently at the beauty.

"You know, she won't turn into a pumpkin if she isn't back by midnight."

He turned around to find Cordelia smirking at him knowingly from the front counter. "I'm not worried about her pumpkin-ness."

Cordy shrugged. "You're worried that Lindsey is gonna mess up her road to recovery."

Angel stared at her. "Aren't you?"

Cordy shook her head. "Nope."

Angel threw up his hands. "What happened? How come everyone starts siding with Lindsey McDonald when my back is turned?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "I didn't start siding with Lindsey," she said patronizingly. "Faith really cares about him. And he cares about her. It's true!" she exclaimed when Angel snorted disbelievingly. "You can see it when you see him with her. He holds her like she's fragile, like she could break at any time, and he's so fiercely protective of her." She sighed a little. "Lindsey is exactly who Faith needs, Angel. I know you have issues with him, but if you really care about Faith, about seeing her through her inner hell, you'll back off Lindsey."

Angel gaped at Cordelia's defense of the ex-lawyer. "Has the whole world gone nuts?" he griped.

Cordelia stood up straight, moving out from behind the counter and putting her hands on her hips. "Only you, if you don't figure it out," she retorted sharply. "Let up on Lindsey. He's really not such a bad guy, if you give him a chance. I mean, if we can forgive Faith all the shit she pulled with us, including bitch-slapping me into next week and torturing the hell out of Wes, we can forgive Lindsey for siding with an evil law firm until he got his priorities straight. And strangely enough, Angel, his priorities are not unlike yours. He's trying for some serious redemption. And being there for Faith is his number-one goal."

Angel sighed. "The fates seem pretty damn determined to make the two of us work together, don't they?" he asked fatalistically.

Cordy laughed. "Talk to Lindsey, Angel. Really talk to him. Give him a chance. You don't have to like him, but for Faith's sake, you need to make peace with him." Angel nodded, his lips pursed, as Cordy slung her purse over her shoulder. "I'm out of here for the night. Don't stay up too late, pacing the floor like an anxious dad, waiting for Faith. Coming from someone who was once a teenage girl, it's not pleasant to get home and have to face the third degree." She winked at him and sailed through the door.

Despite Cordy's warning, Angel did stay up and pace for hours, pausing every few steps to run to the door upon hearing the sounds of a car. His face fell every time he saw some beat-up junker motor right on past the Hyperion. One o'clock came, then two, and finally three. Angel was at a slow boil when three-thirty came and with it, Lindsey and Faith.

He watched through the side window as Lindsey and Faith emerged from the Jaguar and walked to the front door. His anger melted some as he watched Lindsey slide his arms around Faith's waist, seeing for the first time that Cordy was right, Lindsey truly cared about her. Angel smiled slightly as he saw Lindsey kiss the top of Faith's head, nuzzling his lips against her raven hair. And he sighed, knowing he was doomed when he saw how brilliantly Faith smiled at Lindsey before kissing him.

Angel counted silently to ten before moving to the front door and opening it up. Faith;s and Lindsey's heads popped up, their eyes blinking owlishly in the sudden light flooding from the lobby. Lindsey's eyes narrowed and his gaze went stony when he saw Angel standing in the doorway.

Faith sighed, putting her hand on Lindsey's arm to make him be quiet. "Angel, I'm sorry we're back so late-" she began, but Angel cut her off.

"Hello, Faith." He looked at Lindsey. "Hello, Lindsey," he added quietly.

Lindsey's eyebrows sky-rocketed. "Angel," he returned, regaining his composure.

Angel regarded Lindsey for a moment before stepping back. "You're welcome to come in if you'd like," he offered.

Faith and Lindsey looked at each other in surprise before Lindsey shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, Angel, but it's late. I have to go home and get some sleep before I head over to Caritas."

Angel nodded. "Why didn't you tell me that you quit Wolfram and Hart?" he asked.

Lindsey shrugged, a half-smile coming to his lips. "If you're going to give me a chance, it'll be because of how you feel about Faith, not about me," he replied simply. "It doesn't really matter what I do. To be honest, I don't care if you accept me or not. I just don't want you to make Faith miserable because you hate me."

Faith squeezed Lindsey's hand. "How can he not see what a great guy you are, Lin?" she asked teasingly.

Lindsey smiled at her, his eyes never leaving Angel's. "I haven't given him much chance to see beyond the Wolfram and Hart façade. If he's going to see the real me, he has to get past his first impressions."

Angel let his eyes remain locked with Lindsey's. "Just make sure my first impression isn't right."