(Untitled)

[_wes_pryce_]

That went absolutely smashing. In a way I was quite relieved to be absolved of the duty to watch Alexia. Let's be honest here, when it comes to teenagers I really wasn't any good. Had we learned nothing from the Sunnydale incident? Apparently not, considering that it was Buffy who asked me to watch her daughter. A child, a girl who had been small

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[charlesgunn_]

He was givin' me that Mother Hen look that he'd perfected over the years considerin' we'd all gotten busted up on more 'n one occasion tryin' to do that help the hopeless thing. Ya know, the thing I still did while they were busy all sellin' out to the highest bidder. Not that I was bitter or nothin' just kinda missed that steady paycheck. Not like Angel could exactly offer a kickass severance package or nothin'. What exactly had I been expectin'? Oh right. I expected them not to sell out to Wolfram and Hart of all evil law firms!

Opened my mouth to tell him what happened when suddenly my heart just froze. He got a text message about me? A text message from Angel. That was a world of bad for real. I'd called Angel's cellie tryin' to get a line and instead got the psycho soulless twin instead, threatenin' me and my family if I ever came near him or his bitch again. If I even tried to run in and rescue Angel. Hey, it wasn't like I wasn't gonna try it was just that I planned on not gettin' killed in the process. Gonna take some foolproofin' plan work to get this shit all straightened out in a way that ain't gonna put me back in the hospital.

"You got a text? From Angel?" I asked him wide-eyed consciously not answerin' his question on how I was or what happened. There'd be a lot of time for answerin' questions soon as he got me outta here. "Are you sure? It was from his cellphone?"

He was givin' me a confused look and I didn't blame the guy but this was seriously bad news. Suddenly I wondered if Angelus just wanted to prove that he knew exactly where I was or if we were gettin' set up for the fall here.

"We gotta get outta here, Wes. Like now."

[_wes_pryce_]

He was avoiding my question, that bastard. How am I supposed to help him if he doesn’t tell me what’s wrong? Stubborn arse, and then they’ve something to say about me. I don’t think so, he’s far worse then I’ll ever be. I try giving him a glare, but he’s apparently caught up in something else entirely.

And I know Angel using his cell phone, especially when sending a text-message, is a unique thing to behold. I hardly think it would merit such a reaction. Giving him a confused look, I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and flipped through it until I got to Angel’s message. Turning it around, I showed it to him, raising my eyebrow and once again waiting for an explanation.

Which once again isn’t coming. I don’t know, did I become air? First Cordelia skips out on me without so much as a word. I’ve no idea where Fred is, Angel is being downright hostile to me for no apparent reason and now this. Sighing, I took a step back and watched wearily as he started to move around.

Should he be moving? Is he allowed to move?

“Hold it,” started, holding up my hand. Frighteningly enough it didn’t take me much effort to push him back in the hospital bed. I know I’ve grown some muscle, but that’s rather disconcerting. Just how bad is this? “We’re not going anywhere until you tell me what happened and what’s making you act as though a snake bit you in the arse.”

[charlesgunn_]

Narrowed my eyes when Wesley just pushed me back down on the bed and told me to hold it. Hold it? Did I look like a guy who had time to be holdin' it? We had to get outta" here quick and if I hadn't just gotten my ass kicked and if it wasn't Wes I'd be layin' his ass out right now for tryin' to tell me what to do. We were friends yeah, but I still got a rep to maintain. 'Specially now that I was back on the streets instead of workin' all cooshy like for Angel Investigations.

And had Wes been workin' out since I last seen him?

"Listen," I said quickly, turnin' dark eyes on his pale blue one's and forcin' him to look right at me. I wanted him to see how serious I was about this, if we didn't get outta here fast we could end up meetin' the same fate Angel was right now. Or worse. Probably worse.

"I went out with Angel tonight and we ran into Faith and Angelus. Faith kinda roughed me up and then knocked me out. They nabbed Angel. I called Angel's cellie when I woke up and Angelus answered the phone said he had Angel all safe and snug somewhere with Faith. Angel does not wanna be with Faith right now. Point is? If you got a text from Angel's phone it really came from Angelus and he sent you over for a reason. So we gonna keep arguing about this or are you gonna get us both out of here?"

If he wanted to stick around here and whine some more I wasn't gonna let him, well I wasn't sure what I could do about it but I'd find something to do about it. Point was? We couldn't stay here. Angelus knew exactly where we were and he had a twenty four hour invitation to the all you can eat buffet.

[_wes_pryce_]

I frowned at his tone of voice, wondering why he sounded as though he thought I was whining. One cannot ask a simple question these days? I only wanted to know what the hell was going on. No one had told me anything making me feel very much like the pariah I'd been last year. Was it my fault that I finally had my family again only to see it crumbling around me once more?

And here I thought I had patched things up with him. I wonder if that is at all possible at this point. Perhaps too much had happened in the past, I don't know. I just knew that I'd missed that sense of camaraderie we used to have. Now I felt as though I had to watch my every word and walk on eggshells him. Him and Angel both. I'd not even seen Fred in quite a while, and the eggshells did extend to Cordelia as well.

Perhaps it was me.

I sighed and gave him a tired look. He didn't look as though he was supposed to be out of the hospital yet at all and I was worried about that. Then again, he was a stubborn arse who went and got his old attitude back. Not one I particularly liked, but whatever made him happy I suppose. Even if there was very little reason to be happy at the moment.

Without a word, I walked over to his closet and pulled out the clothes they had put in there. I had no idea if they were his, they looked like his. Putting them on the bed, I bend down to look for his shoes under the bed while I tried not to think of Angelus. Or Faith for that matter. "Do you need help getting dressed?" I asked, giving him a worried look as though I thought he really ought not to be moving. Which was probably because I did think that.

[charlesgunn_]

I raised an eyebrow in Wesley's direction when he asked me if I needed help gettin' dressed. Did I look like the kinda guy who needed to be looked after like some four year old or an eighty year old? Don't think so. He seemed to get the message because he just turned away as I started pullin' tubes and wires out of my arm. They couldn't keep me here and there was no way in hell I was lettin' Wes keep me here either. If he really wanted to mother me he could do it back at his crib. Safe from vampire invitation.

I frowned. If Angel had an invitation somewhere did that mean it automatically forwarded itself to Angelus too? That was something for Wes to look into but for now? I was gettin' the hell out of here and that was enough for me.

Pullin' on my hooded sweatshirt and my jeans, I painfully slipped into my sneakers. Knew I was still doped up on pain meds so I wasn't exactly feelin' everything but I felt enough to know that everything hurt like hell. Didn't matter. I was well enough to leave here and I'd recover somewhere where I didn't have to worry about the evil undead comin' back for a piece.

"K. Let's get out of here." I said, standin' up slowly as Wesley gave me a worried look. Would he stop doin' that already? Wondered if he was still pissed about our fight earlier. Not exactly the point to focus on now.

[_wes_pryce_]

My frown deepened when he gave me a look. Now what? I was only asking he needed help, now that wasn’t good enough either? I guess I’m no longer good enough for him, no matter what I do. It hurt the way he looks at me as though he can barely tolerate to be around me. As though what I’ve been doing for years now, which would be worrying about him, is a complete and utter foreign concept to him.

Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair, wondering if perhaps it would be better if I just left and let him go about his business. Whatever that might be. Which had better not be going after Angelus while he looked at though he was about to keel over. Faith wasn’t just any bloody vampire. Those tubes and wires he’s pulling out were not in his body for fun and games.

I kept looking at him worried, but when he said he was ready he threw me another one of those looks that made me wince and wonder what it was I’d done wrong. Now. Always seem to be doing the wrong thing. Around Angel, around Cordelia, around…Gunn. And yet, here I am. I keep on going, wondering why. Just keep on going.

“Of course,” I muttered, looking at the floor. Pardon me for worrying, it shant happen again. I suppose suggesting I go out and steal a wheelchair wouldn’t be appreciated either. So instead I just held the door open and rolled my eyes while he painfully slow picked his way out. I kept walking behind him just in case he’d collapse. Stubborn arse.

[charlesgunn_]

Kinda taken aback by how suddenly he was all just laid back and chill about me gettin' out of here. That was good, just kinda surprising. Meant he trusted me for once instead of ridin' my ass about anything and everything. We had to get out of here and fast. What was he so paranoid about anyway? My health? He knew I'd taken hits harder than this before. He should just relax. He'd be in the know as soon as the two of us were safe. Why couldn't he just chill for a second?

Bending my head down I quickly walked past the nurses station hoping that they wouldn't see me. Grabbing Wesley's arm I pulled him in front of me as sort of a shield in case they glanced up and saw my black ass tryin' to escape.

Once we were safely outside I let go of Wesley's arm and gave him a warm smile. "Thanks for the cover, bro. It's good to see you, and that you're okay." I saw the corners of his mouth wantin' to twitch into a smile that never quite formed. Figured. Close enough though as I nodded at him.

"Think we can get outta here now? I'll tell you everything soon as we're back at your place." Because my place? Not exactly the kinda place you wanna be takin' a stuffy English white boy too.

[_wes_pryce_]

I kept walking behind him, but suddenly found myself in front of him while his hands gripped my arm hard. What the hell? What happened here? I blinked at the nurses as we passed the station, they didn’t even look up. Wasn’t Charles on some kind of medication? He shouldn’t leave here without it. Just because I’m stubborn and do so, doesn’t mean everyone has to follow my bloody example.

Confused, I let him drag me along as we make our way out of the hospital. I’m keeping my mouth shut, I’ve taken the hint in the hospital room. I’d rather not have him angry with me as well. I think just Angel and possibly Cordelia is quite enough thank you very much. But by now I’ve no idea how to act around him anymore. And that’s not a pleasant thought.

I miss the friendship we used to have.

Once we’re outside and he lets go of me, I look at him confused. His words however surprise me and I’m torn between getting even more confused or smiling. Of course the former took over. When doesn’t it. “I’m….quite happy to see you too. Even though you’re not in one piece.” Narrowing my eyes, I hold myself back from marching him into the car and taking him to bed.

Err…putting him in bed. He needs rest. Yes.

“I’m going to need to do a de-invitation spell to my place,” I suddenly realize and wonder if I have a sodding death wish. Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. But when Cordy had been at my place, Spike had been outside watching. Still, I can kick myself for being so careless. Damn. Gesturing to my SUV, I open the door for him and then jog to the other side. I keep a worried eye on him as he slowly gets in the car.

Oh yes, he’s fine. He’s not getting away with that one.

[charlesgunn_]

"Hey, man! I'm in one piece. You know I've taken worse hits than this one." Really? What was gettin' smacked around by Faith the vampire slayer vampire compared with gettin' our asses smacked down by The Beast? Now that? That hurt like a motherfucker. This wasn't nothin', be all healed up in no time.

Wesley helped me into his car and I rested back against the passenger seat as he put it in drive and started to drive towards his crib. So fucking weird that he kept the same apartment even after he started makin' mad bank at Evil and Hart. Maybe Wes hadn't sold out like all the rest, but I wasn't convinced yet.

"That's a good idea." I said when he mentioned the de-invitation sleep cause the last thing I wanted? Angelus and Faith tryin' to snack on me when I'm tryin' to take a nap or something. Cause I already knew without a doubt I was gonna let Wes take me home and take care of me. Couldn't go back to my boys like this. yeah, we take care of our own but they were better left to Terrel for at least a little while.

"So here's the deal." I finally said after we'd driven in silence for a few minutes. "Angel and I went out lookin' to smack down and we ran into Faith and Angelus. Long story short? They kicked our asses. Faith darted me before I had a chance to see what happened to Angel."

I turned dark eyes to meet Wesley's gaze. This was so bad I didn't even know how to tell him about just how bad it was.

"Called Angel's cell when I woke up in the hospital and Angelus answered. Said he and Faith had Angel locked up somewhere. Said that if I came lookin' for Angel then Angelus'd make sure that me and everybody I care about gets a first class ticket to hell."

[_wes_pryce_]

I flinched when he raised my voice at me. Luckily he was to caught up in his little tamper tantrum to notice. No worrying about Gunn, check. Let’s just forget for a moment then, that he did the very same when I got shot. He may not have been shot, but he doesn’t like a nice ray of sunshine either. Good lord, where did I pick up that horrible phrase. But anyway, fine, I shant worry about him, excuse me for doing so.

I’m seriously stating to wonder what I’m doing wrong. Ah well. What the hell. As soon as we’ve taken out Angelus, I’m going to re-thinking my next move. I hear Demon Hunting, rogue or not, is quite profitable again.

Putting on my mask, and I really hated doing that around him but apparently it as needed, I drove over to my place. I sat silently while I listened to his story. And they’d not invited me to this little get together why? Oh, right. Because Angel doesn’t trust me anymore. It is somehow my fault that Faith is now a vampire. It’s probably my fault that his alter ego is roaming around as well. And apparently, Gunn has already made up his mind about me. Though, why he’d run around with Angel who’s the bloody head of the firm and scorn me, is beyond me.

Either way, I don’t care. Right.

His words nearly made me let out a bitter laugh. First class ticked to hell. Didn’t we already have those? When Angel signed those contracts, on behalf of us? Can’t get a finer first class ticked to hell now can one? Parking the car in front of my place, I turned in my seat and looked at him seriously.

“And what do you suggest we do now?” There you go Gunn, ball’s in your court now. You want to do it by your book? That’s fine with me, I’ve always been rather good at playing follow the leader.

Pretend or otherwise.

[charlesgunn_]

Wes asked me what to do and I had no fucking clue. Wasn't afraid to admit it either. It wasn't like I was the man with the plan. Unless that plan was to get me the hell out of the hospital and quick like.

"I ain't got no clue." I admitted to him after a minute, glancin' at the surprised look that flickered across his eyes. What? Was he expectin' me to be all gung-ho chargin' in on Angelus and Faith after I just got beat down for real? Hell no!

"I was kinda hopin' you might have a game plan."

Things were bad. Beyond bad. I was injured, Angel was captured, Wes was....well, Wes was pretty much the only thing we had goin' for us at the moment. And by us? I meant me. Wasn't sure what else to do in this situation and I was kinda afraid to bring my boys in on it. Didn't want 'em gettin' hurt was all even though gettin' hurt was sort of the name of the game. I didn't want Wes to get hurt either but let's be honest? We all knew who was the brainiac around here and who was the muscle.

[_wes_pryce_]

He has no clue. He has no clue? Then why did he keep on…err….how did he call that? Ranting and raving? That’s what he was doing and now he has no clue? Oh, let me guess. I have to come up with a plan. Of course, I’m good enough for that. Can’t worry about the git, but I can come up with a plan. I’m sorry to say, I’m all out of plans.

“No I don’t,” I stated bluntly, unable to peer at some of the bruises worried. He needed to be in the hospital dammit. He didn’t need to be out there chasing stupid vampires who couldn’t seem to keep their soul where it belonged. “I’ll see if I can think of something while you rest.” Turning of the ignition, I got out of the car and then jogged to the other side. He can say all he wasn’t too, mister I’m so tough, he looked as though he was about to keel over.

“Come on, lets get you upstairs and into-onto the sofa. You still need some rest. I’ll do the de-invitation spell and *then* we can think of some kind of plan.” Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I took a step back and held up my hands as he gave the indication that he could get out of the truck himself.

“Don’t come complaining to me if I need to scrape your face of the pavement. Or any surface for that matter.” Pushing my hands in my pockets, I muttered something about stubborn arses.

[charlesgunn_]

"Yo man." I said suddenly gripping onto his arm sorta for support but mostly to get his attention. "Why do I get the feelin' we started off on the wrong foot? Look, I don't like what you do with Wolfram and Hart but you already knew that. Reason I wanted to be out of the hospital so quick is cause obviously Angelus sent you out there for a reason and I'm thinkin' it ain't a good one. Dig?" I asked him as he led me inside but I had the feelin' he didn't dig at all.

I sighed. Were things ever gonna be normal again? Doubtin' it. Not that things were ever really normal but at least back then I'd known who I was and who my friends were. Now it was like I said. Ain't got one clue.

"If you want me to bail just give me the word and I'll call a cab back to my crib. Just thought maybe...we could work things out together like we used to. Ya know? Back in the day, just us against the bad guys."

Just us, and Cordelia, and Angel, and...Fred. I didn't wanna ask about her just yet. Kind've avoiding that topic.

[_wes_pryce_]

Frowning, I blinked as he suddenly reached out to hold onto my arms. My own arms came up automatically to support him, since I had this inkling of an idea he was trying to hide his swaying. Manly bullshit, if I may use us wording. It’s just him and me here, who’s going notice if he’s weaker then usual? It’s not as though I’ve not seen it before for Christ sake.

I startled at his words. We got off on the wrong foot? We had both our feet in a different direction for quite some time now. And no matter how hard I tried, if I had them pointed in the same direction as him, he moved them again. Whether on purpose or not, I didn’t know. I didn’t *want* to know. Because the idea that he might be doing it on purpose hurt to much.

“If I wanted to…bail…on you, Charles. I’d not have taken the time to get you out of the hospital, now would I?” Shaking my head, I didn’t resist the urge to roll my eyes. Angelus send me there for a reason. Whatever could he want with me. He had his little toys now. The one he’d go after was Cordy, not me. I wasn’t worried about that. What I was worried about however was that Gunn was starting to sway again.

“Can we move this conversation inside? Before I have to break my pledge and really scrape you of the pavement?”

[charlesgunn_]

Apparently it didn't matter what I said to him, he was still gonna be playin' this game with me. Vaguelly I wondered if Wes would ever be happy for even one day in his life. It was like he was hellbent on bein' grumpy from now until the end of time. I guess it'd just been too long and the two of us were never gonna be friends again. Specially if he took everything I said and threw it right out the window.

Made me kinda sad but I ain't about to dwell on it so I just shrugged it off. Hey, I wasn't one to let my feelins get hurt, ya know? We both made our choices and now we'd have to live with it. Somehow I had the feelin' that I was gonna have an easier time with the second part then he would.

"Dunno, man. Feels like we don't even know eachother anymore." I replied honestly as I let go of his arm and turned around to head into his apartment.

Once we were inside I plopped down on the couch and tilted my chin up to look at Wes.

"Told you I wasn't gonna need to be scraped off the pavement."

[_wes_pryce_]

What the bloody hell did I do wrong now. Whatever I did, it didn’t seem to work. I tried arguing, I tried worrying - which I still was doing, granted -, I tried going along with his plans - which he didn’t have -. It just wasn’t enough. I was starting to get to the end of my rope when it came to reacting to him. I just didn’t know any longer how he was going to react.

Quite frankly, it was starting to anger me.

I just pressed my lips together in a thin line when he said he felt as though we didn’t know each other. No? Really? I think the fight we had the other day was a clear indication of that. Then he turned away from me. And once again I felt as though he was miles away instead of just right in front of me. Sighing, I walked after him, making sure I wasn’t going to need to scrape him off the pavement until we reached our apartment.

When he plopped down on the sofa, I sighed and ran a hand over my face. Enough was enough, really. I can’t take this anymore. I’ve already lost Cordy, and Angel and god only knows where the hell Fred is. Walking over to him I pushed away some book which sat on the coffee table and stared at him for quiet some time. I just couldn’t figure it out.

“What am I doing wrong, Charles. Why am I not allowed to worry about you? I thought we were friends. Isn‘t that what friends do? Isn‘t that what you did when I was in the hospital with that gunshot wound? You were worried then, why can‘t I be worried about you now? I don‘t understand it, Gunn. Maybe you can explain it? Because I feel that no matter what I say, it‘s wrong.”