(Untitled)

[divinecordelia]

It had been pretty quiet around the hotel, Faith had been pretty much sticking to her room, which I had to say was a relief and troubling at the same time. Angel had yet to go in and talk to her and I really didn't know what to say to her, other than what I already had. At least she was still here. That was good in someone's book somewhere. I

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[divinecordelia]

Finally! He opens the door a crack and looks out at me, obviously paranoid I brought our little crazy friend along. He attempts to push his glasses up but realizes he has none on, I frown as he asks if I'm alone. He's still freaked out, and hey he should be. He took the brunt of what Faith had to offer, and his face told the tale.

"I'm alone, yes." I say reassuringly, holding up the bag in my hand. "I thought I'd come by and bring you scones or whatever those things are called you like. I'm feeling... okay." I walk in the room past him and seat myself at the small table in the corner, watching as he carefully locks the door back. He apologizes and starts to gimp over to where I am, I get up and help him gently to a chair.

"Stop saying you're sorry, none of this is your fault." I said as I sat back down and opened the small bag, pushing the cup of tea I'd brought him. "I came by to see if you were feeling okay, we really should get you back to the hospital for your face. They said we should come back in a couple of days." I watched as he examined the scone and tea, maybe he thought they were poisoned and I was sent here on a do or die mission from Faith.

"Wesley, it's okay, relax." I smile, leaning back in the chair a bit. "She's at the Hyperion in her room doing god knows what, Angel's watching over her. She seems to have... mellowed out or something. I dunno. Anyway... you look like hell, have you had a hot shower yet? It does wonders."

I get up and head into the small bathroom, turning on the water and drying my hand off on a towel. I walk back out and point over my shoulder to the bathroom.

"Come on, shower first then tea and pastries." I walk over to him and help him to his feet. "Can you make it in there? I'll keep an eye out while you clean up, won't let anyone through that door." Yeah right Cordelia, like you could stop anything from coming through a door. I smiled brightly.

[_wes_pryce_]

I limp after her a bit taken aback as she rattles on. She brought me tea and scones? Giving her a small smile at that, I sit down in the wobbly chair and look at them. Those appear to be actual scones. I wonder where she found those. I wonder if...she...got some too. There's nothing like a healthy breakfast after a nice torture session is there? Have to keep once strength up for the next one.

I'm about to apologize for apologizing when I catch the look on her face. Quickly I swallow it down and shrug. Closing my eyes I wince again when pain stabs through my shoulder. What is that? I don't think I want to know. It's not bad, I'll just take some of those pills soon. "I can't go back to hospital, Cordelia," I mutter, looking down at my hands. I can't afford it. Angel's watching her, that makes me feel *so* much better. Right.

She's very forceful, insisting I take a shower. "I'm not sure if I can." She gives me a wide eyed look. "No, no I mean. With the-with the stitches and-and the bandages." Mustering up a weak smile I sit down on the toilet seat and stare wistfully at the steam coming from the shower already. "I'm sorry to be such a bother." Looking up I blink at her bright smile and can't help smiling back. "I'm sure I can manage to wa-wash up," I hope.

[divinecordelia]

He sits himself down on the toilet and looks at me with a pathetic little look and I realize that he is in no shape to get around let alone shower. I walk back to him and help him out of his shirt, being careful with his arms and shoulder. I drop the shirt to the floor and look at the bandages on him, they'd have to be changed anyway. I start to carefully peel them off and blink my eyes to hold back tears I feel stinging as I see the damage Faith really inflicted.

"Okay, so... I'll rebandage you when you're all done." I smile and toss the bandages into the trash, turning back to him. "As far as the baggy bottoms go, you're on your own there. Call me if you need any help Wesley, I'll be just right out here, okay?" I watch as he nods a bit confused I helped him undress. I move back out into the living, bedroom.. hell, the room, and sit down. I pull out a scone and poke at it, picking the almond slivers off the top and munching on them.

This is all so screwed up right now I can't even begin to think how he feels. I thought I had it bad, chained to a pipe and smacked around, he... he was going to have scars that won't ever go away. I absently ran my fingertip along the stitches and continued picking at my scone. I wish there were some way he'd stay at the Hyperion until he was better, I could watch him there and help him around.

"Wesley..." I say quietly through the closed bathroom door,edging it open just slightly. I could tell he was in the shower because relieved sighs filled the room. My first shower was like that too. "Wesley, would you consider staying at the Hyperion until you were... stronger?"

[_wes_pryce_]

I'd never thought I'd be glad my face and body was so bruised and battered. Now I am a bit, because she can't see the blush that spreads as she helps me undress. "Yes, th-thank you. I can manage from here." I hope. No, I can. I'm not some weakling dammit. Not anymore. Mustering up a small smile I watch as she leaves the bathroom and let out a sigh of relieve. Not that I don't appreciate her help, but I'd rather not have her in here watching me flounder around.

Pushing myself from the toilet seat I drop the stupid sweatpants as well as my boxers. I refuse to look at my body, feeling the pain is more then enough, thank you. On wobbly legs I make my way to the shower and lean against the wall. I let the steam hit me as I glance down at my chest looking at the stitches. Can't actually shower yet, but I can wash up.

Slowly I reach out for the sponge and the smelly, cheap soap. I suppose I could get my own, but then I'd have to get out again. Or ask Cordelia. I just haven't the energy yet. Even slower I start to wash up, trying to ignore the sting and bolts of pain. God it feels good to clean up. Wash off the dried blood, the dirt...her. Glancing down I can see red water swirl into the drain. The sight sickens me and I swallow hard to keep myself from throwing up.

I'm almost halfway done when Cordelia's voice drifts through the door. Leaning heavier against the wall, I sigh and rub a hand over my face. Wincing I bite down on a yell as I pull it away quickly Alright, lets not do that again. At least not for a while. Stay at the hotel. With...her.. And Angel, who made it quite clear he couldn't actually be bothered with me. The sod doesn't even like me and isn't hiding it. The only one there who would care is Cordelia. And quite frankly I think she has other problems to worry about without me there, let alone with me there. Especially if the Slayer is going to stay there.

"I don't think so, Cordelia," I say, hoping my voice carries over the noise of the running water. "Th-thank you for asking though."

[divinecordelia]

I don't think so, Cordelia. Th-thank you for asking though.

This was going to be tough, I had a feeling deep down that he'd be stubborn and stay right where he is. Of course, typical Watcher, stodgy and stubborn. I let out a sigh and moved back over to the table, sitting down, my scone looking more like a biscuit with holes poked in it. I waited several more minutes and then I saw the bathroom door pull open and Wesley was standing in the door frame. He looked like he was in an immense amount of pain.

"Okay so maybe the shower was a little much." I say as I move to him and help him sit down on the bed. "Let me get some things from the first aid kit, I'll be right back." I wander into the bathroom and don't see a first aid kit. I let out an annoyed noise and move back into the room, opening the front door and glancing down at the pool. First Aid box hanging right there. I exit the room and grab it, jerking it loose of it's metal wire. I proudly bring it back to the room and set it on the table, looking at Wesley.

"Hey I improvised, I'm a big improvisor... you have to be when you have fashion sense like me." I smile at pull out a couple of squares of gauze and some antibiotic ointment goop. "Let me fix you up so we can have these delicious scones and drink our drinks." I smile at him brightly and squeeze some of the ointment onto my finger, gently going over the first wound before covering it in gauze, and taping it down.

Finally I placed the last piece of tape and Wesley was grateful I think, he'd been moaning and groaning the whole time, and I was as gentle as possible. I buttoned up his shirt and sat in my chair. I took the lid off of his tea and slid it to him. I sat poking at my scone and sipping my drink, trying to think of some way to get him to the Hyperion.

"Are you sure you won't stay with me? It'd be lots safer than here... I mean there we have her under watch." I try.

[_wes_pryce_]

I was extremely happy when Cordelia finally finished bandaging and taping me up again. God, that had been more painful then I'd thought. And I had no idea she had such good skills. It would seem she had grown up more then I had even imagined. I couldn't picture the 'old' Cordelia taking care of someone's wounds. At least not with a lot of protesting and 'ewww's'. "Thank you," I smile at her weakly. Damn, she could tape ribs rather tightly as well. Makes me wonder where she leaned that. Perhaps working for Angel.

Sinking down on the chair, I will the room to stop spinning again. That's getting rather bothersome. I really hate these dizzy spells. Nodding my thanks I wrap my hands around the warm cup of tea. The sleeves of my shirt brush over bandages on my wrist. My eyes dart toward the ones on Cordelia's wrists, wincing in sympathy. Sipping my tea, I sigh at the familiar taste. "Don't you like scones?" I ask her a bit confused, eying her mutilated scone. I know someone I'd like to do that to.

I automatically shrug and bite my lip with a sigh. I hate how even normal, every day things are painful right now. I think I hate that Slayer. No matter how much she was crying out for help. I don't quite remember deserving this. Even if it was mostly my fault.

"Under watch?" Right. As if that sodding git of a vampire could watch her twenty four hours per day. I even doubted if he would stop her fast enough if she went for my throat again. I'm not sure if anyone had seen the madness in that girls eyes. It frightened me immensely even more so then her actions. I'm not even certain if she can be helped, or wants help. But I wish Angel and Cordelia good luck with it.

Besides, I think they are better of without my 'help'. I know...she, wouldn't be to happy to run into me there. And we wouldn't want to be in the way of her healing process now do we? Heaven forbid anything or anyone might take away even a smidgen of attention from poor...her.

"As tempting as the offer sounds," I start, wrapping my hands just a little to tight around the cup, "I don't think so. I mean, wouldn't want to-to get in the way of helping her. Besides, I don't think Angel'd be to ha-happy to see me there." Sipping my tea again, I look back at her over the rip of my cup. "Thank you for..." caring, "the offer."

[divinecordelia]

Under watch. I guess that did sound kinda stupid, I mean we were talking about Faith here. You will be under her watch as she rips your throat out, yeah... that is more like the kind of under watch I think she thought about. She dazed out a couple of times around me and I wondered if she was daydreaming about finishing me off. Neither time did I let on that was what I was thinking, she'd have eaten me alive if she thought she smelled fear on me. I look up at him as he thanks me.

"I'm sorry Wesley, I just... god this is so confusing." I stand up and start pacing the room. "I mean good god she tortured us and I mean well look at you, and my head and wrists. Then I saw her all curled up and it was like 'wow, that sucks to hurt that much I know.' Then it was like, she could kill me at anytime. Then I talked her into staying somehow, and she hasn't left yet. But you..." I stop talking and pacing, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"It hurts and I'm scared, but being those things in front of her make me weak. So when I see her I don't act hurt or scared, and it makes her weak. She doesn't get why I'm being nice and she relives what she did to me everytime she looks at my body. That is her punishment, and I think it's enough." I say looking up at him tentatively. "I can hate her all I want to, but she hates herself more."

I get up and move back over, sitting in the chair across from him and finishing off my drink, fingers still picking absently at the scone. "I just want you to be safe."

[_wes_pryce_]

Picking at my own scone, I manage to eat a few crumbs as I listen to her talk. My eyes follow her around as she paces the small room. Confusing? Yes, for her maybe. The Slayer let her get close, talked to her and she didn't kill her. Apparently she even listened to her. Amazing. Of course she listened to Angel as well, unless he dragged her back to the hotel. I don't think she's very dragable.

What would have happened if I'd walked into that room with a chance of clothes? For starters I don't think I've even gotten one step into the room before she snapped my neck. And secondly I think I'd probably say entirely the wrong things, as usual. What would I have done if I'd seen her curled up in ball? My eyes involuntarily drift over to the bed where I'd been in a similar position if only my body would have allowed that.

I know she feels hurt and abandoned. I know the feeling only to well. I know she felt alone. Again, I know the feeling. She was as much an outcast as I as in Sunnydale and we all react differently to that. At least I didn't try to kill anyone, or torture them for hours on end. Just because I was hurting and wanted attention. Deep inside I understand all that. And a part of me wants to help...her. But it's not wanted and I don't know what hurts more.

Poor little girl lost. No, I'm not buying it. What she did was wong. I'll just have to keep reminding myself that. Just looking at Cordelia's face tells me that. I do have to wonder if the slayer actually does feel regret when she looks at Cordy's face. I hope so, that would at least be a start.

Putting my hand on hers I take away the by now massacred scone. "Leave the poor scone alone, Cordy." Mustering up a weak smile I pull back my hand, putting the scone out of her reach. "I know it hurts and that you're scared. But apparently you're getting somewhere with her." Considering the fact that she's still alive. Not that I like the idea of her getting close to that girl.

"I'll be safe here, don't worry." Right. Because I'm perfectly capable of defending myself a the incident with the Slayer has shown me. And right now I'm even more able to handle things. A church mouse has a better chance of making it then I do. Maybe I should go back to England. Only I'd have to face my family then, which is something I really don't want to. "I'll just...wait until I'm a bit stronger and then I'll out of everyone's way again." Rogue Demon Hunter my arse. "I'm more worried about you," I admit softly.

[divinecordelia]

I feel his hand set over mine and he takes away the scone I was attempting to murder. Getting somewhere with her? Oh, Faith. Yeah, getting closer to a one way ticket to my very own funeral. Although... I don't think she was going to hurt me again, she could have very easily came up to my room in the middle of the night and snuffed me out.

"Safe, here? Wesley... c'mon this place is a walking eyesore." I motion around the room, snapping my head to him when he says he'll be out of everyone's way again. "No, Wesley. You're not going anywhere, you and Angel would get along just fine. You could be on our team, we always need demon getters!" I felt a little anxious at him just going away, maybe because he looked so vulnerable right now all busted up. That only made me angry, maybe coming here wasn't a good idea just yet. It made me feel more conflicted. I let out a sigh and reach out, setting my hand on his.

"Wesley, just don't go anywhere until we can get this sorted out, please?" I ask him, it was more of a plead, but still. I asked.

[_wes_pryce_]

I snort as she tells me Angel and I would get along just fine. My hand flies up to cover my nose and I bite down on my lip quickly to keep a yelp in. Note to self, don't snort with a broken nose. Angel and I getting along. Right. The git made it perfectly clear I was more of a hindrance then anything else. And a demon go getter? I can hardly make a living 'getting' my own bloody demons. Maybe if they needed a researcher. But even then, it wouldn't work.

The look on her face makes me frown. It's almost as if she doesn't want me to leave. Why? Somehow it warms me that there is at least someone who seems to care whether I live or die. Whether or not I'm hurting in some shabby hotel room. Someone who nags me about medication and things. I'm not used to that. At all. My parents never cared much. And now that I think about it, that is probably another thing the Slayer and I have in common.

I'm not going to feel sorry for her. What she did was wrong. And as long as I keep telling myself that, I'll believe it. Someday.

Turning her hand, I brush one finger over the bandage on her wrist gently. "That wouldn't work, Cordelia. I'd be only in the way and Angel so very obviously thinks I'm a hindrance. And you know? He's probably right." Just look at how I handled the Sla- Faith. That should be prove enough. "I'm not much use as a fighter anyway." Unless they need someone shot. That I can do.

Lacing our fingers together I give her hand a soft squeeze before pulling back. "Get what sorted out, Cordelia? I don't think there's anything for me to sort out is there? You and Angel can both help her. I'll go back to-to whatever I was doing and things will work out from there." The plea in my voice nearly breaks my heart. I'm almost tempted to say yes. Yes, I'll stay in town until things are sorted out. If only because it would help her.

[divinecordelia]

Get what sorted out, Cordelia? I don't think there's anything for me to sort out is there? You and Angel can both help her. I'll go back to-to whatever I was doing and things will work out from there.

I look up at him after he brushed my hand and pulled away. He looked as scared as I did and with reason, and here I am asking him to come stay at the place where the wild things are. It wasn't fair.

"That's it! Wesley, you can stay at my apartment, of course." Duh, I so have an apartment and he can stay there. "I mean it's better than this rat trap, granted Dennis will have to adjust but hey. It's clean and it smells prettier than this place." I smiled at him, excited with my announcement. I get up and look around and frown, looking back at him.

"You'll be safe there. I am pretty sure Faith doesn't, actually I know Faith doesn't know where it is." I say matter of factly. "You'd be uber safe there and no one would ever bother you. I could stay at the Hyperion, which I think I am going to be for a while anyway. I dunno with the whole situation." I shrug and stand in front of him, reaching out my hand.

"Please say yes Wesley." I plead with him. "I'd feel much better knowing you are safe, rather than... well, here."