Awkward Meetings

[stoic_angel_]

((Continued from here))

Wes and Lilah stood in my office, Wes looking just as uncomfortable as I was, if not more, and Lilah looking casual, even if not perfectly at ease. Meanwhile, the tension in the air could possibly be cut with a knife. Assuming we wanted to test that theory, that is.

"How are you?""I'm... fine," I said slowly, answering

Comments

[da_lilah]

"You're not the only one who's been out of the loop. Several loops in fact."

There was a bitterness to Wesley's tone that didn't escape me. Things were not all hunkydory with Angel and his crew yet, and I wondered if they ever would be again.

"The meeting takes place tonight... in a few hours, that okay for you two?"

I shrugged and nodded, what was I supposed to say? Hey Angel, can you move the meeting to next week so Wes can recover his sanity a touch more, it'd be more convenient...

"I'm sure we can handle it. Just let us know exactly when and where, and we'll be there."

Wesley snapped the folder shut and handed it to me.

"That would be more then enough time for us to get ready. Doesn't look to complicated to me...Angel...where did they hide my guns?"

I flicked a glance over at Angel. This was going to be a touchy subject. Should he just blithely hand over a bunch of lethal weapons to his friend who could still be emotionally unstable? Or would holding them back have the potential to make things worse by not showing confidence in him, by doubting the progress he's already made. I didn't envy him his decision.

[stoic_angel_]

"Tonight," I repeated, then gestured vaguely at the folder. "The time's in there, as well as the address."

I started slightly at Wes' question. His guns? Oh... but was it a good idea for him to have those just yet? Hed be angry with me if I didn't, but at the same time, he kinda needed them for the meeting tonight.

"I actually don't know where your guns are," I said. And I didn't- it wasn't like we had been yanked back here, 'and oh, by the way, Wesley's guns are here'.

"Not exactly like they told me that you didn't have them anymore," I explained.

[_wes_pryce_]

I'd been hauled up in that office for how long? And they...he, never came to check on me. Not once. I remember someone taking away my guns, talking to me in that condescending tone of voice, as if I were a bloody five year old. And I think he's avoiding my question.

Tilting my head, I glance from Lilah back to Angel and I'm well aware my look turned just a fraction colder. I'd notice the way they both started, the way they both looked and tried to cover it. They don't trust me with any weapons do they? Heaven forbid the madman have any weapons, least of all guns. Probably smart, but I don't really care.

"I'll guess you'll just have to get me some new ones then," I reply far to calm. "Before this evening." And no one is going to take them away again.

[da_lilah]

"I actually don't know where your guns are. Not exactly like they told me that you didn't have them anymore,"

"I'll guess you'll just have to get me some new ones then. Before this evening."

Wesley's expression had grown cold, accusing, and I dropped my gaze, pretending to look at the files again in my hand. Then I glanced up at Angel and shrugged, trying to look casual and unconcerned.

"I'll take care of it. I'll take him down to the armory and get him kitted out. If that's all, we have some preparation to do..."

Without waiting for Angel to dismiss me I turned to Wesley, hoping he was ready to depart before things got even more awkward and unsettling.

"I'll contact you in an hour, and give you a report on our progress."

[stoic_angel_]

I watched, then nodded slightly, unnerved by Wesley's far-too-emotionless stance.

"That's fine. The armory will be more than happy, I bet," I said dryly. "Meanwhile, I don't think you need too much firepower... after all, Senior Partner Lindsey will by with us," I said, rolling my eyes. "Not to mention, if the demons see you loaded to the teeth, they might think we're there to double cross them..." Oh, no, wouldn't want them thinking that... even though that was probably how it was going to go.

I sighed, and turned back to my desk. Suddenly, I was struck hard by the fact that the others and I never saw each other, talked to each other anymore, unless there was a company problem requiring it. It was strictly business connections these days... and what else had I expected? Seriously... I knew taking over W&H would change everything, but somehow I had missed this. After we got things taken vare of, sooner or later... maybe we could try and fix this.

Meanwhile, we had a meeting to take care of tonight. It probably wouldn't hurt if I went down to the practice room and warmed up for a while.