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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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[_wes_pryce_]

I started to squirm a little under Angel's gaze. What was he looking at? How well Faith had done her best? Was he proud of her now? After all, he knows more about torture then she did. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if she learned a few things from him, just by reading up on what he did. Trying to copy her hero. I just want this to stop, and I want my shirt back on

[stoic_angel_]

I wathced out of the corner of my eye as the nurse began to help Wesley put his shirt back on. He looked embarrassed now, and I focused, as the doctor thrust papers in front of my face. I looked at them, spotting the numbers, and nodding

[_wes_pryce_]

Finally the damn doctor left, taking that blasted nurse with him. I'd seen the looks they were both giving me. No matter how hard I tried to pretend I hadn't, tried to ignore it, I'd seen the looks. They were pitying me. I didn't need anyone's pity, I didn't want anyone's charity either. But it seems I was getting it anyway

[stoic_angel_]

I rolled my eyes at him, and sat down in a chair across the room, folding my arms so I could still look at him

[_wes_pryce_]

Automatically flinching, I recoiled visibly at his words and the tone of voice he used. I could feel the blood draining from my face and quickly looked down. He certainly had a very strange way of apologizing. By shouting at me and smirking at me. And then point out what a weakling I am. I don't know, for some reason it's not really making me feel any better

[stoic_angel_]

"I know," I said, flinching inwardly as I realized how much I had just... hurt? Something, him, with what I had just said. "I know it's Faith's apology, but... anyway, mine is there too

[_wes_pryce_]

I'd never thought I'd say this but I was very glad the doctor came back in when he did. I noticed the look of concern on Angel's face and I had no idea how to react to that. I'd been taught to hate his kind, stake them on sight, loath them, look down on them. And I'd tried very hard to give Angel some benefit of doubt. Not that attitude was helping me much there. But concern? From a vampire? Even with a soul. I had no idea how to react to that

[stoic_angel_]

I watched as Wesley left the examination room, and I glanced at the doctor, nodding briefly, before following Wesley down the hall, albeit slowly.

I remained silent, not sure what to say to him. I wasn't sure he even wanted me to talk just now, and I was fine with that. When we got to the car, I silently unlocked it and got in, waiting for Wesley to get in and get settled.

As I began to pull out of the parkinglot, I glanced over at Wesley, and sighed. Then, I quietly asked, "So, is Dennis any good at chess?"

At his startled look, I said casually, "Cordelia's mentioned it before, and... you strike me as the chess-type, as compared to the fashion-show-in-front-of-the-mirror type." I smiled slightly at him, inviting him to share the joke and smile a little.

[_wes_pryce_]

I let out an audible sigh of relief when the doors closed behind us and resisted the urge to grab the medication from Angel's hand and throw it into the nearest trashcan. There was just no possibility I was going to take those. I refused to walk around like some imbecile zombie, even if only Dennis was around. He couldn't very well keep an eye on me at all times, what if I walked out the door? No, I wasn't going to take that medication

[stoic_angel_]

I watched as Wesley doubled over in the passenger seat his face resting in his palms which were braced on is knees.

I asked, "You okay?" He didn't look so good, and I wondered if he was even going to take the medicine... he struck me as a guy with some pride left, and I wondered vaguely if I had insulted that.

"Do what more often?" I asked, confused. He leaned back, looking out of the window, trying to act casual. I could see the slight tense to his pose now, and I wondered what he had meant.

I turned the car around a corner, getting closer to Cordelia's place. I knew the way to Cordelia's pretty well by now, although the route there from the hospital was different. Hopefully, I would never need to go from one place to the other directly...

I looked over at Wesley again, still confused as to what he had meant. "Wesley?"

[_wes_pryce_]

I think my headache just got impressingly worse, and the fact that my head was about to explode didn't have all to do with said headache. God, I'm so embarrassed. First he drags me over to the hospital, then he pays the bills, then he apologizes and what do I do? Mention he should smile more and confuse him. Well, he confuses me too

[stoic_angel_]

"I... what?" I asked, confused. I glanced over at Wesley, as he leaned against the window, avoiding looking at me. I smiled slightly again, wondering what had brought around that comment.

After a moment, I offered, "Um, thanks, I think..." I shrugged, and pulled to the curb outside of Cordelia's house, parking the car.

"Well, we're... here." I pointed out, as if he wouldn't have noticed that himself. Yeah, I was on a roll today... make some kind of connection with the man, maybe, then fall back to making stupid comments, which he would probably take as me insulting him with my luck.

I got out of the car, again waiting for Wesley to get out so I could lock the doors before we went inside. I really didn't want to end today by having my car stolen... knowing LA, I would never see it again. And as much as I hated to admit it, I liked this car... it was cool, not to mention, it was a convertible, to help me deal with the sun in the day, but still allow freedom at night.

No, definitely didn't want that stolen.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Yes. Yes, here we are," I repeated meekly, as though that much wasn't obvious to both of us. Bringing up my numb hand, I bump it against the doorhandle before it finds my face to rub. Hard. Barely avoiding my nose. One would think that if it hurt so much, you'd avoid said organ. But for some reason I seemed to only bump into the damn thing

[stoic_angel_]

I followed Wesley to the door, then into the apartment itself. I glanced around, shutting the door behind me quietly. Dennis had opened it, although from all the times Doyle and I had come over, it was familiar action. He must get lonely around here

[_wes_pryce_]

"I'm terribly sorry, Dennis," I started when I noticed the chessboard on the table. "I would've been back sooner but *someone*," I glared over at Angel, "found it necessary to drag me over to the hospital again." And what a waste of time that was. Well, except for the...what? Bonding?

I narrowed my eyes and scowled into the air when Dennis waves a chess-piece around to indicate that he didn't mind and he actually agreed with whatever Angel did. Git. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it a conspiracy. Wait, I *don't* know any better. Maybe they are all plotting together and having their laugh at me.

Sighing, I moved over to the kitchen to make some tea, I'm dying for some tea. I looked up at Angel and then back at the small bag with medication. Was I going to take those pills? Of course not. "I'll take them later, before I go to bed," I told him, putting some reassurance in my voice. Anything to get him out of here. I just want have some tea, curl up and die in peace.

[stoic_angel_]

"Yeah, well, 'someone' thought you might like to go a few hours without hurting everytime you breathe," I told him matter-of-factly.

I pulled a chair out from the table as Wesley moved into the kitchen, and I watched him. As Wesley made the tea, the chess piece that Dennis had been playing with was in front of my face, bobbing wildly as Wesley told me he'd take them before bed.

"Just take one now," I called to Wesley. "The sooner you start taking them, the better." Not to mention, he looked like he really needed the sleep to begin with. Well, if he took them now, maybe he would sack out earlier.

Dennis kept the piece in front of my face, and finally I raised a handm touching the piece and gently pushing it away. Dennis waved it once more, before letting it drop. Yeah, fine, I'd make sure he took the medications. Otherwise, I could always tell Cordelia that he was refusing... see how well he handled Cordelia when she was determined about something.