LA, AI, 2K

In a time before resurgent dark sides, insta-grow sons, fallen Powers and after ex-girlfriends stayed in their own environs, there was the need to make a buck, and that meant a caseload.

"The dog...talks to your son?"

There was something odd and off about these people. They were almost too good, and they didn't quite look real. Even the subsumed voice of Angelus was silent in him, too weirded out to urge they become a midday snack.

"That's correct, Mister Angel. Oh, such a nice name."

"Eh-huh. Mister and Mrs. Hansen, are you certain that your son's dog talks?"

"Why, yes. He exhorts our son to stay true to our faith and all its tenets. But we're concerned that one day, he might teach him bad lessons instead of good."

That, Angel had to admit, was always a possibility. Even if what lived in the dog or as the dog was now being benevolent, anything could change that and likely would.

"Um. Well, let me meet the boy and his dog. I have a kind of sixth sense for these things. But--is your family into Gumby and Pokey? Because there's something about the way you look..."

Mrs. Hansen smiled.

"Gumby is such a nice, well-behaved boy. We like having him over."

Angel got up from his desk.

"Why didn't Cordelia see this coming?"

He walked out, and saw exactly what he expected as the Hansens' son sat with his dog. Angel sighed.

"Just...great."

The boy smiled, looking just as odd as his parents.

"Hi, Mister!"

The dog looked up at his master. He already didn't like the ensouled vampire.

"Please don't let him separate us, Davey!"