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[stoic_angel_]

((Jumping threads from hereI watched as Faith and Cordelia retreated up the steps, Faith helping Cordelia. They went up to one of the rooms, and I was glad to see that Cordy was able to walk okay, although Faith was guiding her by the elbow

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[stoic_angel_]

"I'll take you back to the apartment," I said calmly, taking corners a bit slower when he groaned. "As soon as you get the heavier medications."

Pulling to a gentle stop at the traffic light, I glanced over at him. He still looked like death warmed over, bruises still covering his face, as well as all the other wounds. He needed those meds, like it or not...

"You don't want to, fine, but you're going. Consider it my apology for... things," I said vaguely, not wanting to get into it. I didn't know what I was apologizing for, except for maybe not telling him why I had been so determined to help Faith in the first place, or maybe for hurting him when I'd tried to haul him back into the hotel the other day.

I pulled away from the intersection as the light changed to green, and got closer to the hospital. He wouldn't need to stay there... just get the stronger medications. He did look like he could use another few days in there, though... but he wouldn't do it, not to mention Cordelia would kill me for 'putting him back in the hospital'... though I hadn't done anything personally to hurt him.

[_wes_pryce_]

"D...what?" He really doesn't listen does he? The stubborn git. I was already sighing relieved when he said he'd take me back to the apartment, but he'd had to go and add *that*. "I do not need any heavier medications, I'm fine." why don't people believe me when I say that? Do I look that untrustworthy. Of course it doesn't help the way my face is still bruised, among other things. Dammit, I don't *want* to go to the hospital.

At least he's driving a little less like a vampire maniac. Probably used to hasty driving to play dark avenger and help the hopeless or something.

"Your apology for...things." Apology for what? I'm not quite certain Angel has anything to apologize for. To me at least. Well, other then being a stubborn prat, but I'd guessed that was just his nature. "You're apologizing to me for...things..." and I can't help raising an eyebrow at him for that. "By taking me to the hospital, where I don't want to go. And not taking me back to the apartment where I do want to go." Giving him a blank look, I wince a little as he turns a corner. "You'll excuse me if I point out that you've a very strange way of apologizing for...things." I pause for a moment before adding as an afterthought. "What things?"

[stoic_angel_]

"For... I dunno," I said awkwardly. "For hurting you earlier... for how things went?" I offered. Meanwhile, I pulled into the hospital's parking lot, putting the car in park, then taking the keys from the ignition.

"We're here," I said needlessly. "Besides, I think the apartment would be more comfortable if you didn't have to hurt everytime you moved." I looked at him pointedly.

He wanted to go back to the apartment, and I could understand that. He was hurting, looked like he really needed sleep, and no wonder there. I had no idea why I suddenly cared- but then... he was hurting, and not that bad of a guy. From what I could see, he had changed. But whatever.

"Come on... this shouldn't take too long, then you can go back to Cordy's, and I can go check on the girls," I said. I opened the door, sticking the keys in my pocket, and waiting for him to catch up. Cordelia would be fine- after all, Faith seemed to be happier around her, not to mention that Cordelia was never going to let me just leave her with someone she didn't trust. She just didn't work that way; it was the Cordelia Chase charm, Doyle had once said- she could say whatever she wanted, without anyone really holding it against her.

[_wes_pryce_]

I blinked at him, giving him a puzzled look while he drove on to the place I did not want to be at. Hurting me earlier? When was that? Or did he mean the little speech where he had practically called me a child? I hadn't forgotten about that, I know exactly what he thinks of me. Still the same what they all thought back in Sunnydale. And how things went? Like he had known Faith was going to grab me and have a few hours of bloody fun.

He hadn't know that had he?

I looked up startled when he announced we were at the hospital. And I was tempted to just stay seated in the car. I do not want to go in there again. I hate hospitals with a passion, especially now. They'll probably look at me funny again when the recognize me after that stupid excuse Cordelia had used. Damnit.

"I do not want to..." I started and then blinked when he was already out of the car. I'm starting to get very annoyed about that man and the way he just completely ignores me and whatever I say. He may not think much of me, but I'd like some respect for my bloody wishes. Sighing deeply, which I shouldn't do with these broken ribs, get out of the car and give him a pointed look.

"I said, I didn't want to go here." He's making me feel like some charity case. Probably doing it just to get into good graces with Cordelia, he doesn't care about me or any pain I may or may not be in. Slumping my shoulders, I shake my head and slowly move toward the hospital entrance. If getting those blasted medications will get him back to the hotel sooner then fine. But I'm doing it under protest, just so that's clear.

And the first doctor that wants to prod is going to have his fingers broken. Well, probably not, but I can glare at them.

[stoic_angel_]

"I know. And I said this'll be quick," I replied to him. I walked to the entrance with him, stepping ahead of him to haul the door open, then stood aside in a mockery of a doorman.

Inside, the waiting room was pretty empty, for a hospital. There were just a few people, but then, I was used to hospitals being full of people. Some victims of human violence, some of disease, some of childbirth, and some... some here because of demonic activity.

I wasn't sure what to do next- the last time I had been in a hospital, it had been after... after I had drank some of Buffy's blood. Well, we all knew how well that had ended... but I hadn't needed to fill forms out or anything, or talk to anyone, besides the fact that she needed help and blood.

I glanced at Wesley, then shrugged slightly. "So... do we talk to the desk nurse then, or what?" Maybe he knew... after all, he had been here only a few days ago, right?

Meanwhile, there were people giving us some looks by now. I didn't care... I had learned not to really care what other people had thought over the past two centuries or so. they were mostly looking at Wesley, in his beaten and bruised state, then speculatively at me. I didn't know what they were thinking, nor did I care. I knew they weren't thinking I had done this to him- after all, I had just been the one to bring him in here.

Then, deciding, I gestured Wesley to the desk nurse, who was looking at him, shocked. There wasn't anyone talking to her, so now was as good a time as any to start talking, and maybe asking who to see about getting stronger medications for Wesley.

[_wes_pryce_]

I was starting to get very nervous with all the stares. The fact that I didn't look to good was known to me. After all, I had looked in the mirror this morning. But those stares I was getting right now was the reason I didn't go out much. And even then only after dark. Nervously I stayed close to Angel for some reason.

Well, the reason was the he dragged me in here, as it were. I just wished he could make those stares stop. Keeping my face down, glancing at the floor I followed him. Until he asked *me* what to do. I beg your pardon? "You were the one who hauled me over here, you figure it out," I muttered, knowing full well that he could hear me.

From the corner of my eyes I noticed a few of the nursed that had been here when Cordelia and I were here a few days ago. I could feel myself blushing bright red as they pointed a finger and giggled. Bloody Cordelia and her stupid excuse. If I ever landed here again I was never going to here the end of it. I'll be it was already some hospital joke that they spread of their intranet.

I blinked at Angel when he gestured toward some nurse. Who was looking at me as though I were some...freak. "Angel," I hissed, nervously rubbing the fingers of my good hand over the hand that was numb. "Just get it over with. I knew this was a bad idea. Maybe next time I say I want to go home, you'll listen." God, this is so embarrassing.

"I'll...I'll go call a doctor to come see you, sir," the nurse said.

"No! I mean, no thank you Miss. A doctor as al-already seen...err...it." With a sigh I glared at Angel as the nurse ran of anyway to get a doctor. "I hope you're having fun? You must really find it very amusing to embarrass me like this."

[stoic_angel_]

I watched, startled as the nurse ran off. Okay... I hadn't expected that to happen. On the bright side, though, Wesley was going to have a doctor sooner than he would have otherwise... and we could just explain it to the doctor then, or whatever.

I turned to Wesley, and said dryly, "Oh, yeah... this is how Doyle and I spend every weekend. We come in, and see who can get the other more embarrassed." I rolled my eyes at him, and turned back around just as the doctor came over.

"Oh, my..." He said, then snapped to attention. He asked Wesley briskly, "What hurts? And what happened?" He began to usher Wesley toward a room behind swinging doors, without touching him. Seemed more like he was forcing Wesley that way just by talking at him in that business-like attitude.

Unsure, I glanced around the lobby, then followed after a moment. The people were now paying more attention to the man who had just been carried in, unconscious. Good... less attention on me.

Following the doctor and Wesley through the doors, then into a room on the side, I watched as the doctor told Wesley to sit down. I wasn't sure if he wanted me here, but... it couldn't hurt. Not to mention, Wesley would probably come up with some excuse to slip out of there, without any medications or something.

I slipped in, and the doctor eyes me, leaving off of the questions. "Who are you? His brother?" He shook his head. "Nevermind... now, what happened to him?"

Well, if you would let someone get a word in edge-wise, I thought sarcastically, He could tell you what happened...

I glanced at Wesley, waiting to see if he wanted to tell the doctor, or if he was waiting for me to come up with a lie. Well, I could always say the tourists were getting mugged more and more by the Mafia, right? He even had the accent for it...

[_wes_pryce_]

I can't even get in a word edgewise as I'm ushered once again to a room. I try to tell this doctor that it's already been looked at but he pushes me to sit down on the bench and yes, there come those prodding hands. I manage to swallow down on a cry just in time when he pokes my ribs a little bit to hard, fingers scraping over the stitches and the burn wounds there.

I'm not going to do this again. I will not be looked again as though I'm some freak. Or worse, something to be pitied and tutted over and then just send off without them actually doing anything about it. Sighing, I pull off my glasses and give Angel a helpless look. It's his fault, this is al his fault. Why is he just standing there and not doing anything?

"That's man who came in with his wife yesterday, Doctor," one of the nurses pipes up giving me a look that's a mix between horror and amusement.

Slumping, I shake my head. Good lord, now I've really died of embarrassment. Bugger this. Getting up, I start to shuffle toward the door. "Ne-never mind. I feel much better. I'm sorry to have bothered you. We'll be on-on our way again." Why couldn't he have just brought me back to Cordelia's apartment like I sodding asked him to?

"Can you just take me to Cordy's apartment?" I ask, looking up at Angel tired. "Please?"

[stoic_angel_]

I moved over in front of the door as Wesley tried to leave, blocking him for the moment. I held up a hand to him, trying to get him to stop and listen for a second.

"Okay... he's been in here before," I said, pointing to Wesley for the doctor. "We just came back so he could get heavier medications, because I think his collarbone is cracked or something." I gave the doctor a Look, silently telling him to look, and to hopefully be more careful, from the way Wesley was about ready to flee, and had been biting back the pain.

"We'll go back to Cordy's in a minute," I said to Wesley, nodding at the doctor. The man was looking absolutely miserable, not to mention helpless... I felt bad for forcing him to do this, but after he got the medicine, he'd feel better, not to mention, not have to move as slowly as an old man whenever he moved.

I watched as the doctor came closer, approaching Wesley. The doctor didn't look as hurried about this... good. We'd get the medicines or whatever, I'd pay for them, then I could drop Wesley off, and make sure he even took the damn things. Dennis could probably also be persuaded to help out in that regard...

[_wes_pryce_]

Why in the blazes is it so hard to get him to take me home? I just want to go home, is that too much to ask? Apparently it is, because he just keeps telling the doctor to torture me some more. And if that nurse keeps looking at me that way, I might just have to slap her. Well, no I wouldn't, but it makes me very uneasy. Because I know what she's thinking. I do wish Cordelia had come up with a better excuse then kinky sex games, for gods sake.

Sighing, I push my glasses back on my nose and wince as the doctor takes my arm and pulls me back to the bench again. Sodding idiot. And now he's looking at me like *that*. The nurse probably told him what went on. Dejectedly I sit down on the bench and just look ahead, wishing it were over already. I grit my teeth as he starts to prod my shoulder, concentrating on my breathing. In, out, that should work.

"Where is the sling they gave you?" The doctor asks, making it sound as though I were five years old. "You're arm needs to rest and that would help your shoulder as well.

Well, I'm so sorry. I needed both hands free, useless as they were, to do that bloody spell. But I can't very well tell him that can I? Instead I just mutter something under my breath, giving Angel another helpless look. God, just get me out of here. But not, the doctor feels the need to check all my other injuries now.

Sighing, I just take off my shirt, knowing what they'll see there. On my chest and my arm. I'm not taking off my pants though, I'm drawing the line there. Just pretend all is well with my legs and they wont ask. Swallowing hard, I just keep looking at the wall, not wanting to see again what Faith did.

"Well. You should rest more. It's healing nicely, but not a quick as it could. Are you taking your medication?"

No. "Of course," I say emotionless.

"Good, good," he nods, giving me that odd look again. "I'll just get you a new prescription and then....oh." He looks up and glances at the papers the nurse handed him. "There seems to be the matter of your other bill not yet being payed?" He raises an eyebrow and looks at me again.

I knew this. It's one of the reasons I didn't want to come back here dammit. Slumping even more, I glance quickly over at Angel again, nervously wringing my hands. "The check is in the mail," I try.

[stoic_angel_]

I stared at Wesley's torso for a second, stunned at the exact wounds he had. I'd known he was hurt, but this... I hadn't known Faith had gone that far into town... shit. It was amazing he was even out of a damn bed, if just his chest was to judge...

And it shot home to me exactly how much Faith had... had fun doing this. Even though she had wanted help... it looked as if she had been having fun.

I glanced at the doctor, grateful for the excuse to have something else other than Wesley's wounds and burns to look at.

"How much was it?" I asked firmly, cutting Wesley off. Briefly, I wondered how much Cordelia's bill would have been... probably also more than she could afford on what I paid her...

The doctor rifled through his papers, and I glanced over at Wesley, meeting his eyes briefly. He still looked miserable, and I sighed slightly. If Buffy could see him now, I doubted she'd say he screamed like a woman... I mean, hell, I had inflicted less pain than this before, and the people had wound up dead... well, then again, that had been the goal.

I pulled out the checkbook Cordelia had insisted I start carrying, for certain situations.... somehow, though I doubted that paying for medical help for an ex-crush of hers because he'd been tortured hadn't exactly been on her mind. But then again, you never knew with Cordelia.

However, I was lucky that Cordelia didn't know about the other account I had set up, years earlier. In the fifties, I had had some money, and somewhere to keep it... I'd made an account, and it had more money than the business would make these days. Well, as long as Cordelia didn't know that when she was looking for a raise... this account made sure I could pay for unexpected things... like hikes in wages for her and Doyle, like bribes for snitches...

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