(Untitled)

[_wes_pryce_]

Finally I had managed to lure Fred out of her room for a few hours. We only drank some tea in the courtyard. I persuaded her to...redecorate the garden. She ran with that and fast too. Within no time her idea had every square inch of the garden covered in flowers, bushes or other plant live. I've promised to take her to a store so she can go look

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[fredburkle]

I was at the far wall, writing down everything Wesley'd told me about spells and magic and demons from earlier. I didn't want to forget anything, because I'd had such a nice time with him. I didn't want the images or thoughts or memories to fade, so I was writing them all down, and that's when I heard the knock at the door. I squeaked and spun around at the noise. I blinked and pushed my glasses up on my nose.

"It's...It's Wesley. I've something to ask you."

I smiled, "Oh! Wesley! Oh..ok! Just...just hang on...just one second." I ran around my room, picking up trash and tidying up a little. I stopped at the door, brushed my hair out of my face and swung the door open, "Hi Wesley!" He looked really nervous, like he didn't want to ask me what he was going to ask me. I swallowed, "Um...is...is everything alright?"

[_wes_pryce_]

I can hear some noises of someone rushing around in the room before the door is thrown open and a brightly looking Fred peers out. Somehow that look just makes my heart jump, for some reason. Soon he looks at me worried though. Apparently I can't hide my nervousness.

"Oh! No, don't worry, Fred. Everything is fine," I nod at her, mustering up a smile. Pulling my glasses off I start to polish them. I just need to do something with my hands, keep them busy, hide that I'm nervous.

"So, I was-was...uh, wondering if perhaps you-you would like to join me for...uh some diner. I know this nice quite place not far from here. And it's a good time of day, there's not many people about and I was just wondering of you'd like to come along." Wonderful, I'm babbling. Looking up at her I smile sheepish. "Unless of course you don't want to. I mean, we can have dinner called in again, like uh...like last time." Damn. I think it's too soon. I hope I didn't push her. With a sigh I pu my glasses back on my nose.

[fredburkle]

I blinked and stepped from one foot to the other. Go...out to dinner with...Wesley? Outside? I swallowed and bit my bottom lip and wriggled my bare toes in the carpet. "Oh, you don't want to go out in public with me." I waved my hand in front of the hand-me-downs Cordelia had given me and shook my head. "I'm a sight and you'd...you'd just be embarrassed."

I blushed and headed back into my room to the wall I'd been writing on. virtus, virtus, virtus I muttered softly while I wrote that on the wall over and over. I wanted to go out to eat with Wesley, I really really did. But I was so scared and if I could write the out how much courage I wanted and enough times, I could maybe take it with me and let myself say yes.

[_wes_pryce_]

Frowning at that I blink and stand at the door for a few moments. Embarrassed? Where did that come from. And then I notice that she waved at her clothes. Perhaps she's not comfortable in them, Cordelia should take her shopping soon. Perhaps she'd like to get something new before... Wait, what am I even suggesting. I'm not actually someone she should go shopping with.

"Fred?" Carefully I push the door open further and take a tentative step inside. She's scribbling on the wall again. Damn! I hope I didn't push her too far. I really don't want to cause a setback. "Fred? Of course I'm not embarrassed by you, or I wouldn't have asked. I was-was just worried that you might not be ready to go outside." Which, she obviously is not.

[fredburkle]

I peeked at him over my shoulder and then looked back at the wall, "Really? I mean...you really want to go out to dinner with...me?" Wesley was so smart and handsome and nice and there had to be tons of girls he could choose from to go to dinner. I wrote virtus one more time and then thought to myself, 'But he's asking you! Not one of those other girls, so he must mean it. Wesley's honest and not mean at all'.

I turned around and tilted my head to the side, "Would it be safe to go...? I..I mean, would it be somewhere that...that wasn't...that wasn't in a bad place?" I kept having visions of sitting at a table with Wesley and being sucked into a vortex, but not knowing until it was too late.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Why wouldn't I want to go to dinner with you?" I ask her stunned. I really wouldn't have asked had I not wanted to. Or even had time. Which granted, I don't have much, but we both need a break. Me from work, she from hiding inside her cave room all the time. She needs to get out. One brooding being in the building is more then enough, honestly.

Crossing my arms in front of my chest I smile at her. "Yes, Fred. It's safe to go. It's very close by. If you don't like it we can go back." Or if she becomes scared. Which is why I choose that particular place. It's so nearby we can even walk. "We can walk over there. Gives you a chance to get some fresh air. And perhaps we can talk some more about your garden plans?" Good god, what am I thinking. I really don't know the first thing about small talk.

[fredburkle]

I looked out the window, then back at Wesley. He really meant it. He really wanted to go eat with me and I knew he'd keep me safe. Wesley was just as much of a champion as Angel and I knew I could trust him. So, I took a deep breath and nodded, "I would love to go out to eat with you, Wesley." I nodded, slipped my shoes on and bit my lip.

We headed downstairs and into the garden in the back. The sun was shining and I saw a mental image of what I'd like to do out there again. I grinned and pointed to the bench, "I think...I think I want to put big pots full of posies on each end. It would...it would be so nice." I blushed when I saw Wesley smiling at me. I wasn't going to let him know that I had about a hundred diagrams of different things I wanted to do to the garden.

[_wes_pryce_]

Pushing my hands in my pockets I smile at her. I guess asking her to do the garden was a good idea after all. It would appear I can have a good idea every now and then. "That would indeed be nice, Fred." I've no idea what posies are, but I'm sure to find out. I'm glad she enjoys the idea of working and re-arranging the garden.

Opening the back gate want to automatically hold it open for her. But then consider that might not be a good idea to let her go out first. Holding out my arm instead I lead us both through the back gate. Luckily it's very quite out on the streets and the little establishment is only twenty minutes away. "I'm afraid they don't have taco's there," I smile at her.

[fredburkle]

I shook my head and waved my hand, "That's ok. I don't have to eat tacos all the time...just most of the time." I grinned at him and then started looking around at everything we were walking past. It was all so different from Pylea. It was home and it was good to be back, but I was still scared I'd be sucked back at any time.

I pushed that out of my mind as Wesley began describing the buildings we were passing. There was one in particular that I liked. It was a shop that had incense and candles and pretty trinkets inside. I smiled at a some of the things and wished I had money. I looked at Wesley, "I really want to start earning my keep. I feel like such a leech."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Well, you're going to," I nod at her. "Once you've get the hang of more languages. Until then you can help me out with the research." She used to work in a library, that shouldn't be too much of a bother. And the rest of the agency certainly isn't very keen on helping me out there. And by now I really could use some help.

Smiling a bit brighter at the idea of her helping me out and spending some time with her, I continue to lead her toward the little diner. I point out several things during our walk. Just to keep her mind occupied with other things then the fact that she's out of the hotel, away from her secure room. And of course Angel isn't around. "Here we are," I announce, pushing open the door and leading her inside the diner.

[fredburkle]

I loved the restaurant instantly. It was cozy and quiet and full of charm and character. We were seated almost immediately and I leaned over and whispered, "I love it here, Wesley, it's so...nice..and quiet." I smiled and put my napkin in my lap.

Being here with Wesley, doing normal everyday things, like eating dinner with my friend and going for walks, made me begin to feel normal again. It was such a nice feeling to know that I was able to still have a conversation with another human and not sound like an idiot. But then maybe that was because of Wesley. He was so patient and nice and understanding.

I grinned at him when he asked what I'd like to drink, "Um..a coke please?" He smiled and nodded as he told the waiter. I liked the way he pushed his glasses up on his nose. He caught me staring and I grinned and looked at my menu. He was going to let me start helping with research. That was the nicest thing anyone had done for me, since Angel rescued me.

"Everything looks so good...what are you getting?"

[_wes_pryce_]

Peering at the menu I frown a little. I never really did pick anything. I only just now notice what a large choice of food they have. Amazing what one misses when the focus is elsewhere. "I guess he usual," I shrug. Looking back up at her I push my glasses back on my nose and give her a small smile. She was staring, why was she staring?

Putting aside the menu, I'm glad to see she seems very relaxed. Or well, as relaxed as she can be I guess. Perhaps soon she can spend some time with the others as well. Is she's to become part of the team, if she wants that, she'll have to learn how to defend herself as well. Not that she's already got the hang of the basics. After all, one did not survive five years in a place such as Pylea for nothing.

"And what are you going to get? I think the soup for today is chicken, but the lasagna is very good too according to Cordelia."

[fredburkle]

"I can't decide between the lasagna and the chicken fried steak." I smiled still looking at the menu, "I haven't had a chicken fried steak in...forever. I probably haven't had one since I left Texas." I nodded and closed the menu, "I'm going to get the chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, steamed vegetables and a roll." I patted my stomach and nodded, "That sounds really good."

I put the menu on the edge of the table and watched him as he perused the list, "Do you come here with Cordelia a lot?" I knew he and Cordy weren't together, but I still felt...felt the need to ask him if they came here all the time. I picked gently at the table cloth and wondered what Angel and the others would think when they found out I'd gone out to dinner with Wesley.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Hmmm?" Looking at her after I ordered our meals, I shake my head. "Not as much as I used to. When it was just her and me working for Angel we came here more often. It would seem neither of us have much time anymore to indulge in going out." Though Cordelia certainly is trying to get some form of social life. I've given up on that, not that I had one to begin with.

I sip my tea while we wait for our meal to arrive. One of the reasons I come here is because they know how to make a descent cup of tea. Sighing happily at the taste of it, I watch as Fred looks around with big eyes. I wonder if everything appears new to her now, if she has to learn everything new. "Does everything appear unfamiliar to you now?" I ask curiously, "Do you feel as if you have to re-learn a lot?"

[fredburkle]

I blushed and looked back at him and shrugged a little. "Some days everything is familiar and normal and I'll think to myself that things are finally right again. But then there are the dark days when I feel like I'm slipping and that I'll be sucked away at any second."

I took a sip of my coke and frowned, "I haven't had one of those days in a while, but when I do, they're bad and I sometimes forget how to do the simplest things, like tying my shoes. And I'll also forget words, too. I had a hard time with that in Pylea. I kept forgetting words and phrases."

I took another drink and stared at Wesley, "But now, being at the hotel I'm beginning to feel normal and right again. Going out to eat with you today, it feels really good and it makes me feel like I'm starting to become the old Fred again." I gave him a small half-smile and shrugged, "I don't know if any of that makes any kind of sense, but it felt good to let it out and tell someone. Thank you, Wesley. For today and for listening."

[_wes_pryce_]

My goodness that really has to be hard. She's even stronger then I thought, or she realizes. To go through all of that and not be more... out of it, it quite remarkably. It must be frightening to forget even the simplest things. I'm not sure if I would've been able to handle it that well. The thought of not having any books to get comforted by makes me shiver alone. How did she manage? I'll have to ask her that once she's more comfortable and settled down.

"It makes very much sense. I think you're a very strong woman, Fred. I don't think many people would've survived that. You seem to be doing just fine," I smile at her. "And you're very welcome. If you ever feel like talking...I'm always prepared to listen." I can listen to her if that makes her feel better. If she wants to get the story out and more then once, if all it takes is listening? I'm more then glad to do so.