(Untitled)

[fredburkle]

I'd been up in my room all day....ok, well all month. I hadn't really talked to anyone for about that long and I hadn't heard anyone moving around in the hallway either. Had they all left me here? Have I been all alone up here in this room while they high-tailed it out of here? I really, really hoped not, because if they were all gone, and I was up

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[_wes_pryce_]

Ever since we rescued Faith, I've been mainly in my office. Hiding out if you will. I feel very uncomfortable around her, I cannot seem to cope with what she did to me yet. I'm also hiding for Cordy, she seems to get ready to give me a tongue lashing every time I tell her that I'm fine. It would appear that Angel has left his chamber of brood as well. That, at least, is something.

As I sit here, drinking tea and going through some papers I suddenly hear an unfamiliar voice. Unfamiliar in the sense that I've not heard it downstairs before. Alone. Fred? She must be making good progress if she's made it out of her room and downstairs on her own. Strangely enough I can't help but feel proud of her.

Carefully I get up and peek out the door. Indeed, it's Fred. Not wanting to scare her off by suddenly appearing I open the door rather loudly and smile at her. "Hello, Fred. The rest is all out on...errants. I'm afraid it's just me here."

[fredburkle]

I jumped at the sound of Wesley's voice and spun around, my hand flying to my chest. I gave him a weak smile and shook my head, "Oh, well ok...then...well I don't wanna bother you." I started going for the stairs quickly. "I just....I'll just go." I nodded and kept walking.

Wesley was of course, probably, I'm sure, working on a big case and I would only get in his way and make a big mess of things. I didn't want to be a bother and staying in my room was the best way to avoid doing something like getting in the way or bothering or annoying or whatever.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Oh no, You're never a bother," I smile at her. Or well try to. Poor girl, I managed to frighten her after all. It must be hard trying to adjust after so many years of isolation and being afraid of ones life.

It was time for me to take a break as it was anyway. "I was...I was just about to...uh...have...have some tea. Would you like to join me? We could...uh...sit in the garden," I point toward the Hyperion's small yard. Hardly worth calling it a real garden. "Or..or we can sit in the kitchen, if-if you want," I hastily add. Perhaps she's not ready to go out yet, even if it's just the small garden.

[fredburkle]

I glanced outside. The sun was shining, birds were singing, at least I think they were singing. They could only be in my head or I could have a wringing in my ears that just starts with the onset of panic. Which ever it was, it was pretty.

I looked toward the door to the kitchen. It was dark back there and any number of creepy crawly evil portal sending mean demons could be back there. I didn't want to go back upstairs. I wanted to start being around people again and going back upstairs would ensure that I wasn't around anyone, which I didn't want. I really didn't want that.

I took a breath and nodded, "Um..well...if...if you're sure tea outside would be ok with you and it wouldn't be disturbin' you any, that would be real nice. I just...I know you've probably got some big case you're workin' on and babysittin' me out there probably isn't your idea of a good time. Mabye I should just go back upstairs...."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Oh no! It was time for me to take a break...as it were. It wouldn't be a bother at all. In fact I'd really enjoy the company. If-if you don't mind."

I see the way she looks toward the kitchen. Nothing out of the ordinary there for me. But for someone who's been trapped in Pylea and god only knows how long in a cave? There could be a multitude of things lurking there no doubt. Luckily I've my tea set in my office and already made some.

"Why don't I go fetch some cups and the tea." Picking up the tea pot I put it on the counter with a smile and then glance at the cups, the sugar and the pot. Right, I've only two hands. "Uh, would-would you mind carrying the uh sugar or the cups?" Giving her a sheepish look, I pick up the pot and a cup and nod toward the courtyard. "Shall we?"

[fredburkle]

I nodded quickly and gave him a smile. I picked up the sugar and the cups and noticed they were real China. Don't drop them, don't drop them don't drop them.....I made it outside without any bobbles and settled the tiny cups on the bench.

I was so busy worrying about the cups that I hadn't had time to worry about being outside...I looked around and smiled. "It's so pretty out here." I glanced at the gate and wondered what was beyond it. I turned my body away from it and took the cup Wesley was offering me. He'd asked me something and I didn't hear him, "Uh, oh..what?"

[_wes_pryce_]

Handing her the tea, I smile at her fondly. So far, so good at least. At least here it's semi secure. The gate will keep everything away from here. Not, that anyone is actually interested in the courtyard of an old hotel.

"I asked if you wanted sugar in your tea," I ask her again patiently. Putting some in my own tea I stir it while I look around. I wonder if Fred likes working in gardens. "Do...did...No, do you like gardening? As you can see it's more or less a wilderness here. If-if you like you can...uh...make something of it." I could help I miss gardening, but there's just hardly any time these days.

[fredburkle]

I nodded, "Sugar...yes please..thank you." I looked around the little courtyard, with all the weeds and the occasional flower popping through like a burst of hope and I grinned.

I took the cup again and pushed my glasses up my nose, "Gardening..? Uh...well, I've never....never actually done it before. But...well, I wouldn't mind tryin'....that is if it's ok with everyone else if I do somethin' out here, because I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes and work on somethin' they wanted to do themself in the first place."

I ducked my head with a little shrug and smiled. I took a small sip, "Good tea..." Why did I have to be such...such a babble mouth?

[_wes_pryce_]

Sipping my tea, I can't help but smile at her fast babbling. It's been a long time since I heard someone talk like this. She reminds me a little bit of Willow Rosenberg.

"Well, as you can see from the state for the...err...garden, no one ever bothered before. So I highly doubt you'll be stepping on any toes. In fact, I think they would very much appreciate it if you were to make...uh...something nice out of this mess." And it would get her out of the room. Which was even more important.

"If you want we can go shopping for some flowers soon?" I ask her carefully.

[fredburkle]

I managed to swallow my tea without choking. "Shopping? Go to a store...shopping? As in..not in the hotel?" I looked around the garden. I could get a book all about plants and flowers and I could make the garden really beautiful and we could have cook-outs, like back home. But at night, of course, so Angel didn't go all incendiary.

I looked at Wesley, "You'd be there...?"

[_wes_pryce_]

Putting down my cup I give her a serious look. "Of course. If-if that's what you'd like. Though I'm certain Cordelia would love to take you to a garden shop as well." It's shopping, it's Cordelia, no doubt she would.

"It-it doesn't have to be now," I add hastily at her slightly panicked look. "Whenever you feel like you're ready." I glance around the garden with a smile. I'd love to see something other then a wilderness here. I'm sure Fred would do just fine. And it would be a step in the right direction.

[fredburkle]

He must not want to be seen with me. I glanced at what I was wearing and I couldn't blame him. I'd seen myself in the mirror earlier: messy hair, mousy face, sheepish grin, and that scared look in my eyes that wouldn't go away.

I took another sip of tea. But if I went out...there...alone with only Cordy....who knows. I looked at Wesley and whispered, "Can you go, too?" It was silly, women could take care of themselves, but...having him there would make me feel...better.

[_wes_pryce_]

Leaning in close to hear her words better I can't help but smile. Such a sweet girl, yet so unsure. It's a real shame what happened to her. Who knows where she would have been today if she hadn't been sucked into Pylea.

"Of course I can. I'm sure Cordelia wouldn't mind." Or at least I hope so. She can be very demanding when it comes to...shopping.

"And if Cordelia doesn't have time to go with you, I can take you to the store myself. If-if that's alright with you...that is."

With a frown I peer into the cup I'm about to pick up again. Oh, empty. Pushing my glasses back up I shrug at her with a small smile. "Would you like some more tea? We can...uh...talk a bit about what you might do. Or...or I can give you some books later." I'm pretty sure there are books in my office about...flowers and...such.

[fredburkle]

I gave him a bigger smile than before and shook my head, "Oh no, I wouldn't mind at all. That...that would be...that would be nice." I smiled and nodded as I held out my tea cup.

This felt good...interacting with another human being. I'd been in the cave in Pylea..and upstairs..so long that I wasn't sure if I had conversational skills anymore. It made me feel...normal..at least a little, to know that I still had something left.

I blushed a little after a sip of the tea and said, "Can..I mean..would it be ok if we..stayed out here? Unless...you probably have to work...and I should just..I can just get a book. You even said this was your break and you'll probably want to get back to your work...and I'm keepin' you...I'm sorry."

[_wes_pryce_]

My smile automatically grows bigger when hers does too. Pouring her some more tea I nod at her. Great, we could go shopping then. I find myself oddly looking forward to that.

"Oh no! You're no bother at all. I think I'm due for a long break. I've been here before the crack of dawn. And frankly, I think my eyes could use a rest."

I'm lying of course. But I can work a little longer this evening. It's not as if I have to hurry home. There's no one waiting for me there. Just a lonely place to sleep.

"Please, stay. Do you...uh..." I wave my hand in a vague gesture toward the garden, "Uh...have any idea's already?" Which is a really stupid question. She just told me she didn't know much about gardening.

[fredburkle]

I gave him a half smile, "Well...if you're sure." I really enjoyed talking to him and he was going to take me and Cordelia out to buy flowers. That...that was going to be fun. Fun, Fred...not scary...fun