Waking Up

[_fredless]

Comments

[gunnfire]

You need help with the place?

[_fredless]

I'm thinking the quicker we get things sorted out, the better.

[A smile]

I'd say that is definitely a yes.

[gunnfire]

I'll meet you there, then.

[_fredless]

Thanks, Charles. I appreciate it.

[gunnfire]

Don't thank me. This kinda thing - it's what we do, right?

[_fredless]

[They used to do, really. But yes, it's starting to feel like maybe they could do it again]

What we do or not, there's nothing wrong with showing your appreciation every now and then.

Fred

[gunnfire]

You stayin' at Wesley's, I'm assuming?

Charles

[_fredless]

I think so? Probably.

We didn't really agree one way or the other. It mostly depends on how much I'm needed here.

Fred

[gunnfire]

[Wow, this is awkward.]

Well.

I am.

Charles

[_fredless]

[It is, more than a little. But it's also something else.

It meant they were talking to each other. 'They' meaning Charles and Wesley]

I...I'm glad.

Fred

[gunnfire]

Don't get too excited. I'm not ready to forgive and forget, but --

He's important to you. So I'll give him a chance.

[Though part of him is resisting, the part that missed Wes being his bro. It's not a part he wants to acknowledge.]

Charles

[_fredless]

[It's on the tip of her tongue to point out that she knows Wesley is important to him too. After all, they were friends well before they stumbled across her in Pylea. But she also knows that she'd maybe insisted on that fact too much when Charles first arrived. It might be time for them to start sorting that out on their own]

Have you been to his place before? Do you need directions?

Fred

[gunnfire]

[She's right not to say anything - it would have simply made him bristle. Instead, he exhales a soft 'hng' sound.]

I haven't. Figured I might just follow you.

Charles

[_fredless]

[She's thoughtful. You can practically hear the wheels spinning in her brain]

I could be a while. I've still got food to inventory and some of the blankets needed laundering. Plus I think Harmony's probably forgotten she's a vampire again. I really should check on her.

Maybe you could...walk ahead? Go ahead and get settled in?

[You know, have some time together without her there]

Fred

[gunnfire]

Forgotten she's a vampire. Jesus, man.. I wish I could say that surprised me at all.

[Gunn takes a breath. He knows what you're up to, girl.]

.. Alright. Let me know where he lives and I'll head that way.

Charles

[_fredless]

It's her loss. It is not exactly anything she can control.

[Just for later reference, there's an address and directions carefully written down]

And be nice.

[She could be talking about Harmony. Or, you know, not]