(Untitled)

[red_rosenberg]

I dialled. I mostly expected Cordelia to pick up. I hoped she would, anyway - talking to girls was always easier than boys. Which was very immature, but true. Either way, we didn't have a book. A book we needed. And somehow I was appointed 'call L.A.' gal. Xander said he had to go to work (lame excuse), and Giles said he was terribly busy with the

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[_wes_pryce_]

She might be worried about her keeping me from important things, but I certainly hope I wasn't keeping her from anything important. Just because I'm bored and all by myself doesn't mean Willow is as well. She might have plans to go meet with Buffy in this Starbucks.

But I really enjoyed talking to her. She seems as interested as I am in demons and languages. It's very good to talk with someone who understands that and doesn't give you a blank or annoyed look. "So, actually you're just waiting for Buffy to come back," I say amused. Wouldn't surprise me at all is she pretended to sleep as well. Willow seems like the type of person who would stay awake until she knows for certain that her friend is home safely.

"Why am I not..." The sentence trails off as I shift in my chair. I glance at the screen of the computer where the route description is half done. "Oh uh... They-they," What? Told me to stay behind like a small child? Even though I'm supposedly the boss around here now? "I was... Uhm... I'm still recovering from an injury. And I don't want to be in the...uhm...way."

Pulling off my glasses, I sigh and put them on the desk. I pick up the string of paperclips and glance at them. "So, when you get here. You're going to have to show me how to make a paperclip monster. I seem to be only capable of making a nice string with them."

[red_rosenberg]

I frowned as he stumbled over his words, like he was nervous to answer them. Made me think that maybe he'd been left behind or something, and it being not completely his suggestion. I knew all about that. When you're the sorta back up girl to the Vampire Slayer, you sometimes get that vibe, put out in the pastures and stuff. It happens. I wondered if that's what happened to him. Being injured... I winced.

"You're injured? That must suck. Like, how injured? You didn't lose a limb, did you? Because if you did, then I'd feel bad for point it out and that I didn't send a get well card... not that you can really get well from losing a limb and I'm screwing this up because if you really had lost a limb I'd look like a spazzy dork."

I took a breath.

"So, like, you wannna tell me about injury? Or we can wait 'til I get to L.A. which I'm getting all excited about now. And then you can tell me over paperclip monsters. Not that paperclip chains are bad - ya gotta start somewhere. But, my friend, I can show you the true art of the paper clip monster. You know the bunny dude from Donnie Darko? I can't really make him exactly, but I can do a good impression via paperclips if I have enough."

[_wes_pryce_]

"No, no I didn't loose a limb." I blink into the phone confused for a moment. Good lord, the girl can talk a mile a minute. I had forgotten about that. It's very endearing and cute, though I suppose I'd better not say that out loud. She might be offended. And I really don't wish to offend her, she seems very nice. Makes me wonder why I've not seen this before.

"I uh...got-got shot by a zombie police officer." Touch and go there too for a while I understood from Cordelia and Gunn. All I hear at nights is a gun going of and feel the pain in my stomach. I really hate nightmares, which is probably why I don't sleep so much lately. And Virginia leaving me didn't help much either.

"Oh really?" What Bunny..errr...dude? And who is Donnie Darko? I should probably know, I'm sure even Angel knows. I'm so very out of the loop with these things. "I can't wait to see that particular trait then." I glance over at the many paperclips we seem to have. I wonder why we have so many? Maybe Cordelia is a closeted paperclip monster maker? "We seem to have plenty of paperclips for you to show me."

[red_rosenberg]

"Ooh, good, so I won't have to bring my own," I giggled. Was it wrong to think that Wes was kinda cute? He's all stuff and Watcherly, but... he was kinda cute too. I'll bet he didn't even know that. Or appreciate getting called cute at all. I decided not to mention it, just in case that happened to be the, uh, case. But, wait, rewind, zombie police officer? "Wait a sec, you got shot?" I asked, eyes widening. That had to hurt. I set my paper and pen aside, foldingt an arm over my midsection. Not to say that that was where he got shot but... ow.

"Wes... I so have to get you a get well card. I feel bad for not, now, even though I didn't know. I'm gonna get you a get well card. And flowers. And a hug, everyone needs a hug, ya know? A gentle one if you're still healing."

Man, it's getting late, I should really wrap up this phonecall if I wanna make a start on papers and get to L.A. in the morning. Stifling my yawn, I smile a little bit. "Okay, so, I think hanging up the phone would be a good idea, at least soonish."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Oh no, really, don't bother." Sitting up a little to fast, I wince and put my hand on my stomach "You...err...you didn't know. I'm sure it's not a hot newsflash in Sunnydale when someone gets shot here." And certainly not if that someone would be me, considering the way they all think about me. "I'm...almost fine now. Just have to rest and well.. take it easy for a while." Though, a hug would be nice. But then I'd probably get all embarrassed and would start stuttering and stammering again. Which, no doubt, would give Cordelia amusement for a few days.

Pushing my glasses up my nose I glance back at the computer screen. Almost done there, and there is still no sign of my friends. I'm getting rather worried. "What? Oh. Oh dear, I'm sorry. I'm probably keeping you up and away from...things." Oh lord, I can be so stupid. Just because I feel a bit lonely and worried, doesn't mean I should use her phone call as an excuse to have some company. Even if it's only via the telephone.

"I'll just....just finish typing up the route and mail it toward you. And...err...I'll see you in the afternoon then. I'll be sure to warn Cordelia as well and have some tea ready." Smiling at that, I sit back in my chair. Finally someone who will appreciate tea. "I'm quite looking forward to your visit." And someone who will actually *like* talking about books.

[red_rosenberg]

"Oh no, don't be sorry, you're not keeping me from anything," I said hurriedly, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "I was just thinking that if I slept now I could get up early, get to L.A. to spend more time up in the big city, it all. That and psychology papers which are just 'blah'." Coiling a lock of my hair around my finger, I tugged it irritatedly. Really didn't want him to think I was struggling off the phone or anything. "But, like, I like talking to you-" Well that was a stupid comment. Nothing more to do except soldier on from there. "-and so I'd keep going but, like... sleep should happen and maybe you wanted to go and finding Angel and stuff..."

I bit my bottom lip. Was he worried about them? I know I would be. Sometimes, when Buffy returned really late, like, when it was five a.m. and she still wasn't back, I'd pace, debate calling Giles, or go looking for her. Something, I could just lie there in the dark room and wait.

"Hey, Wes? I can, like, stay on and keep talking if you want. If you need company, I like company. Or we could just go and get some sleep." Both options sounded good, my pajamas were folded enticingly on the end of the bed, but... I was such a phone girl. Chatting to people who'll listen to you was always a great way to spend the time, even if they did think you were just a bit weird. And hey, by the end of the night, and definitely tomorrow, I might be able to count Wesley as a friend. That'd be nice, someone outside of the Scoobies to talk to when things got tough.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Psychology papers?" Oh right, I remember her telling me she studied Psychology. I remember those classes we had to take in that on the Watcher's Academy. "Those are really tedious yes." Not to mention extremely boring and useless. They never give you an interesting topic to write about.

Pushing up my glasses, I smile into the telephone and sit up a little straighter. She liked talking to me? I'm so very glad one can't see a blush over the telephone. "Well, I could go look for them. But then I'd get scolded for leaving the hotel." What am I? Five? "Besides, they had several locations to scout out. I'm giving them fifteen more minutes and then I'll try calling them on their cellphones."

"Oh, I don't mind talking to you at all." At least it would keep me from doing something stupid. Such as yes, going out there and looking for my friends. I'm sure doctor and my stitches would appreciate a motorbike ride. "But-but if you need to go to bed to get up early. Then please, don't let me hold you up. We-we can always resume our conversation when you come over tomorrow." Or when we talk again on the phone. Would she be offended if I called her? I'd probably have to have some lame excuse, she'll probably think it's strange if I called her just to talk.

[red_rosenberg]

"I think we'll definitely resume this conversation tomorrow," I said with a grin. Cool, I wasn't too annoying. Maybe it was a good thing Cordelia didn't pick up after all. Or anyone else. "I think we'll have the time to do so anyway, and hey, if not and Giles yells at me to get my scrawny butt back up to Sunnydale, I'll just come down for the next weekend when things are less hectic." Oh, oops. This is me assuming he'd want me to. I covered the reciever with my hand quickly, murmuring an insult at myself before returning to the convo. "Like, ya know, if I needed to or you n-needed me to." Or wanted me to. I shook my head.

"So, you have my email, and if you grab a pen and paper, I'll give you my number," I said, knowing the comversation was wrapping itself up. Giving him my number, I nodded with some satisfaction. "So, you know, calling is of the good, I don't get a lot of people running to call me. It'll be nice to get someone on the answering machine or phone who isn't, like, Giles or Riley or Xander. Those happen a lot."

I felt the need to say something more, the urge to do so was nagging at me. "And, um. You know, the scolding you thing? The injury deal? It's just caring too much, ya know? It's be worse if they thought you were perfectly fine to go fight the bad guys. But it's not my business. Call 'em if they don't return and, uh..." I got an evil grin on my face. "Promise to hug Angel for me. He needs it and so do you."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Oh, certainly," I nod into the telephone. "I don't know how hectic things will be here, what with Cordelia's visions and all. But I'm sure they'd all like it if you came to visit." I know I certainly would. I doubt they'd let me go anywhere, not until the doctor says it's alright to move beyond the front door as it were. And that appointment isn't until next week.

Grabbing another piece of paper and a pen, I quickly write down her number. I can call her, ask something about a spell I don't really need to know. But we can pretend can't we? I'm sure we can. "I'll be certain to call you then." Pushing my glasses up, I can't help but wonder if those people calling aren't actually calling for Buffy instead of Willow.

"Yes, I will certain call them," I say, checking my watch again. They are really running late. Not that demon fighting has a time frame. Maybe I'm just too worried, I don't know. "I'm fine," I say softly. "And it's not as if I'd throw myself into the fight." Still don't like to be left behind. And then they'd take Cordelia of all people with them. "H-hug Angel? Yes, I'm...I'm sure he'll appreciate that. Why-why don't you do that yourself when you err...get-get here tomorrow." I'm not going to hug Angel. He'll think I've gone mad.

"I'll be seeing you tomorrow afternoon then. I think I'm going to call Gunn or Cordelia now because I'm getting a bit worried. I'm sure it's nothing, but...you know. Just to be on the...err...save side." Grabbing my cellphone I start to punch her number into the phone book. "It was nice talking to you, Willow. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I'll make certain to have the tea ready. Goodbye for now and if anything comes up don't hesitate to call." I'll most certainly will do the same.

[red_rosenberg]

"Awww," I said with a giggle. "You should still totally hug Angel. But okay, fair enough, you can do the manly thing with meaning gripping of shoulders. I'll accept that."

That is, if Angel returns any time soon. I bit my bottom lip in worry. I could hear the beep tones from Wesley's cellphone - he must be preparing to call them now, maybe. Which meant I had to get my ass off the phone so he could. Figuritively speaking. "Righty-o, Watcher Wes, I'll get off the phone so I can tackle some homework and some sleep, and you can check to see when they're getting back. See ya tomorrow sometime. Byyye."

Listening to his final 'goodbye', I hung up the phone, and tried not to grin. That had gone better than expect. Like, really well. I looked at the desk with my unfished psychology papers. Walking over and picking up the first page, I read the topic. 'Humans and Their Behavourial Needs'. "Heh, well, this human needs some sleep," I said, putting it down. "Sunday, I promise."

[_wes_pryce_]

Continued Here