(Untitled)

[_wes_pryce_]

Continued from Here

Leaning on my cane, one book in hand, I walk out of the...of my office. "Cordelia? Is she

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[_wes_pryce_]

"Yes, that's me. The book...guy." Giving her a little smile, I sit back down and sigh. Isn't that the truth, Wesley the bookguy. And Ever since Gunn joined us Angel would rather have him at his side in a fight then bumbling Wesley. Which is odd, considering I'm the boss around here. I guess it's just a title after all. It was fun while it lasted but Angel certainly has the say when it comes to how to handle the visions.

At least I get to handle the cases and the business side of the agency. If there were any cases that is. And I've already taken care of the business side when Angel fired us and we had to start on our own. Sipping my tea, I wince when the cold liquid slides down my throat. Dear god, cold tea, horrid.

Glancing over at Willow, I blink. That would certainly make a very short visit if she'd go back now. I don't know how desperately Giles needs that book though, but it would be nice to spend some time with someone who doesn't scold me every five seconds for moving. If there was anyone around to scold that is. "Well..." I start, sitting back in my chair, "I've nothing to do, so what..."

"Willow? It is you, I thought I smelled someone I knew," a familiar voice comes from the doorway.

Nearly choking in my cold tea I look up at Angel. "Oh, you're awake," I say after quickly swallowing my tea. Dammit, I really wish he would stop sneaking around. "Wil-Miss Rosenberg is here to collect a book for Mister Giles," I explain to him.

"Oh? Why didn't ya tell me she was coming?"

I can tell from the look in his eyes that he's dying to ask about Buffy, ask how she's doing. Sighing, I give Willow an apologetic smile. "We were just about to...uh...go see Los Angeles."

"Huh," Angel wrinkles his nose at me. "You don't even know LA, Wes."

No, because you twits won't let me out of the hotel, unless it's to go home. "I had a life before I joined Angel Investigations," I say a little more snider then I meant to. Rubbing my forehead I sigh again. "Sorry," I mutter, putting my cup back down I bump my hand against the teapot, barely catching it on time. Putting it back on the desk, I look at the flower Willow gotten me relieved. At least I didn't knock that down.

"You ok, Wes? You look tired. Maybe you should lay down." He looks nervous at that prospect. Of course he would, because then he'd have to entertain Willow.

"No, I'm fine," I say, counting to a hundred in Baltanian. "Willow...err...Miss Rosenberg? Would you like to spend some time with Angel or do you want to go out and see a bit of the city?" And just what does a young wiccan woman want to see here? Magic stores? Book stores? Angel's right, I don't know anything here.

[red_rosenberg]

I almost jumped my own height at the sound of Angel's voice, but I managed not to go into a babbling tangent. "Angel, you scared me, you with the sneaking, I guess it's hard for you not to do, seeing you're a vampy and all, which you kinda already know..." So much for not going into a tangent. I shut up and just smiled nervously and waved slightly - as usual, he had the 'I have little to no patience with you, but you're sweet so I'll be polite' look going on, so I just bit my bottom lip and listened to the other two, noticing suddenly that I still had the bright red paperclip wrapped around my finger like some spazzy ring. Eep. I quickly unwound it nervously, looking up when my name was said. 'Miss Rosenberg.' I smiled at that. I'd have to knock the habit out of Wes, but it was nice nevertheless.

At the question, my eyebrows raised and I looked from Angel to Wes. Somehow, I doubted Angel was eager to talk to me about anything other than Buffy, and after that conversation was over, we'd end up twiddling our thumbs and discussing the weather with a whole heap of awkward pauses. That, and I knew Wes would be hurt if I didn't go with him somewhere. Heaven knows he needed out of the hotel a bit, protective friends or not.

That, and I really wanted to go somewhere with him.

"I'm sure Wes is okay, he seems pretty lively to me. And pshtar, you don't wanna be hanging around silly old Willow." I stood up, smoothing out my clothes absently. I looked at Wesley. "Besides, after all this book searching, I think we should go stretch our legs a bit and get some fresh air." Because that does wonders for bullet wounds? Please. I took a sip of tea, which was positively cold by now, and tried not to gag as I quickly but carefully set it back down.

[_wes_pryce_]

Trying not to look to relieved I nod at Willow. I bite down at the urge to tell the big hulking lug to take that one. Point for Willow.

"I'm not sure if that a good idea, Willow," Angel starts looking at me worriedly. "I'm sure Wes didn't tell you but he's healing..and...all that."

Oh good god, he even manages to feel guilty about me getting shot. Which wasn't really his fault. It's not him that shot me is it now? In fact if he hadn't fought that leader we'd all be dead. Bloody git. "I'm perfectly fine, Angel," I sigh. Getting up I grab my cane and wince. Yes, perfectly fine. The cane is just a fashion statement.

"You can't even walk normally," Angel points out. Of all the times to be reasonably he chooses now.

"I doubt Will-Miss Rosenberg and I will run a marathon, Angel. We promise to behave and not fight any demons either." Gritting my teeth, I push my glasses up and take a deep breath. "I think I would know how I feel, it is after all my body and I say I feel fine. We..." I wave my hand between Willow and myself, "...are just going to stretch our legs."

"You keep an eye on him," Angel tells Willow as if I just didn't say a word. "He's very bad at taking care of himself." He's whispering? I'm standing right here!

"Angel." Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose, I shake my head. "I can hear you, you realize? Miss Rosenberg and I will go for a walk now." Grabbing my jacket, slowly, I don't want to knock anything else over, I start to put it on.

Angel has the decency to look embarrassed. Sod. "Oh," he looks at me with sheepish look. "Just be careful kay? I...worry." He says it as though that's torture. I suppose it is for him, this whole staying in touch with the real world seems to be hard for him.

"Yes, Mother. I'll be careful. Cordelia and Gunn should be back at the end of the afternoon at the latest," I inform him.

"Kay," he nodded, bouncing back and forth on the balls of his feet. "So Willow?"

Here we go... Rolling my eyes I bite my lip and resist the urge to grab Willow and run out of the hotel. And three, two...one...

"How's...uh...how's Buffy?"

[red_rosenberg]

Wow, Angel does the paternal thing well, doesn't he? However needless. I glance at Wesley almost apologetically as Angel cautioned him, and asked me to look out for him. "I'll try and keep him out of trouble," I said, my voice to flat for me to be completely serious, but they were at it again. I expected, just a bit, for Wesley to relent, but I smiled when he didn't. Wow, look at him and his spine. I couldn't help but grin a little as Wesley grabbed his coat and Angel backed down a bit.

Then, the inevitable question. "Buffy? Oh, she's swell," I said, nodding emphatically. There was a pause, and Angel kept looking at me for more, looking a bit impatient. Hoo boy. "She's good with the slaying and the university and the dealing with demons of all varieties," I added, hoping that would be enough. I really didn't know what to say.

"Oh, okay," Angel said, almost awkwardly, shoulders tense, before nodding a bit, seeming to process this new information. "So she's... good?"

"Real good," I said chirpily, happy to answer a question I knew the answer to. He looked at a loss for words so I filled in the gap quickly, remembering that his social skills were that of a gnat's. Gnats really get a raw deal, huh? "So I'll see you when we get back, I'll say 'hi' from you to Buffy when I go back, okay?"

"Yeah... Thanks."

"No problem." I glanced at Wesley and inched towards the door. At his nod, I shot a smile to Angel and waved, starting out of the office and into the foyer, and towards the exit, careful not to go too fast for Wesley, and careful not to patronise either. I didn't know how much of L.A. Wesley would be able to show me and know what he's talking about, but I was, oddly enough, looking forward to finding out.

[_wes_pryce_]

Following Willow out the to the lobby I turn around toward Angel. "Errr..." I point at the phone and wince. Damn, Angel and manning the phone, I hadn't thought about that one. But I really would like to get out of the blasted hotel. "If...If you could uh..."

"Huh?" Angel pushes his hands in his pockets as he follows us out into the lobby. "Oh," he wrinkles his nose and gives me a pleading look. But there must be something in my eyes because I can see him flinch. "Yeah, sure. Kay...you go and...y'know...walk." Nodding at that and looking as though he's just done a great deed, he gives me that disturbing smile he sports a lot these days.

I've not had the heart yet to tell him it's' rather frightening. "Well yes... Thank you. We won't be long, just a few hours. I'm sure Will-Miss Rosenberg needs to drive back to Sunnydale on time."

"Sure, go on...have fun." Angel gives me a little wive and bounces on the balls of his feet again.

"Alright. See you later then." Nodding at him I turn around and make my way toward the door and out into the fresh air where Willow is already waiting. "Well, same old Angel," I tell her with an apologetic smile. "So," Clearing my throat, I look around for a cab to hail. "Is there anything you would really like to see?" Good lord, I have no idea what 'fun' things they have here.

[red_rosenberg]

"I dunno what there is to see," I said, watching him for a moment before realising he was looking around for a cab. Grinning, I hooked my arm with his, the one not wielding a cane. "Come on, let's just wander for a while, I don't have any specific ideas," I said, tugging him a bit down the road. "Besides, stretching our legs would be pointless if were were doing it inside a cab, and the driver may have some objections depending on his faith and personal values."

I wondered if I was hungry, but not especially, I think just wandering in L.A. with Wesley Wyndam-Pryce was appealing to me on its own. Maybe it was because we were both book geeks and sidekicks with a keen interest in magicks, demonology and tea. It was nice - the air was cool and there was the hum of a crowd and traffic, which weirdly, didn't infect any sort of peacefulness there was to just wandering. That, and my arm was around Wesley's. Hee.

"And, ya know, I really like my first name," I added, shooting him a quick grin. "And I find it's real handy when people find 'Miss Rosenberg' to become a bit of a mouthful. And I'm sure no one else will mind," I teased lightly, still smiling, as we continued to walk down the street a bit slower than the usual city bustle.

[_wes_pryce_]

A walk? Oh, well, I can...go for a walk. I'm not a bloody invalid as they seem to think back at the hotel. It would seem Willow understands that. "A walk sounds nice. I'd say get some fresh air, but this is Los Angeles after all." Unless one likes to breath in smog.

Blinking as she links her arm around mine, I falter in my step for a moment. Smiling shyly at her, I look around to see where we might be going. There's a park nearby where Cordelia and I used to walk during our lunchbreak. Of course I've not been 'allowed' to walk anywhere in the last few weeks. "We can go to the park," I point out, tugging her toward it.

"Yes, your first name is very uh....pre-pretty and...uh...original," I nod at her with a smile. Willow, very unusual name. Well, so is Buffy but Willow is a pretty name. Buffy is just a...strange name. Cordelia is a pretty unusual name too, as is Angel or Gunn. Actually, I seem to be the only one with a normal name. That's me again, the normal fellow.

Wait a minute.

"Oh! Oh, you mean..." Pushing my glasses up, I nealy poke my eye out with the damn cane. Stupid cane, should've left it at the hotel, but then Angel would've never let me go. "You mean I should-should call you uh....Will-Willow instead of Miss Rosenberg? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend." Blushing I clear my throat, looking left and right to cross the street toward the park.

[red_rosenberg]

I smiled, and shift my arm so I can squeeze his hand reassuring. "You didn't offend me," I said sincerely as we started towards the park. "I just don't want you thinking you have to be so formal with me when everyone else just knows me as plain old 'Willow'. Besides, if I had to call you Mr. Wyndam-Pryce all the time, I'd forget what I was gonna say by the end of it and we'd get no where."

Crossing the street made me worried, as if people might just forget about the road code and run us over. But luckily, all cars came to a purring halt, so I wasn't quite so nervous about the horror stories I was told about cars running people down in bigger cities.

Spying a swing set, I tugged him so we could walk towards it, walking liesurely across the grass. "So, there are parks in L.A. My mom made it out to be some concrete jungle without any sorta plant-life, by the way that she talked about it. Not to mention the vandalism, though those swings look suspiciously unbroken." I let his arm go then and walked towards one of the swings, sitting down and gripping the chains lightly, only getntly pushing off the ground lightly, not quite swinging, just swaying a bit.

"You come here a lot?" I asked, looking up at him, head tilted slightly.

[_wes_pryce_]

She seems a bit nervous while we cross the street. "There's nothing plain and certainly not old about you, Miss Ros-Willow," I point out gently. "And Wyndam-Pryce is a mouthful indeed. Maybe I should shorten it?" Smiling a little smile, I follow her into the park.

"Oh now, we've plant life here. Sometimes it even attacks. The Hyperion has a nice courtyard. I...uh...pl-planted some things myself there. Some herbs we can use for uh....ma-magic and some flowers. Roses." Maybe she'd like to see that? I doubt it, there's nothing really fascinating about my small garden.

Leaning my shoulder against the swing, I watch as she sits down and starts to say a little. "What?" Looking around, I sigh. "I used to yes. Cordelia and I used to take our lunch breaks here, before Angel fired us. And now that we're starting anew, so to speak, we've not been back yet." No, heaven forbid I might overexert myself. "It's a nice quiet little park. They've some of the best hotdogs and iceream over there" Using my cane I point at the vendor.

[red_rosenberg]

And Wyndam-Pryce is a mouthful indeed. Maybe I should shorten it?

"'Wes' will do," I said, tapping the ground lightly and swinging just a bit. Listening to him, I have to smile. He made a garden? Neat. That'd be handy, there are only so many times you can take a trip to a magick shop for fresher herbs until the initial excitement of it wears thin. That, and apparently it can make your spell more sincere if you grow and dry the herbs yourself. Or something. That was a footnote in a herbal book which I didn't read to closely, so I could be wrong.

Either way, it was almost weird to think of Wesley setting up a garden, however small. Didn't think he'd do that kinda thing... then, when I thought about it a little more, it wasn't strange at all. Just a nice thought. "Roses? Pretty, you gotta show me when we get back," I said.

Looking towards where he pointed, I smiled slightly - it was cool getting a little snapshot into Wesley's life, however small said snapshot was. "Well, I can take a lunch break with you if she's all maternal over you and your injury and not lunching with you anymore," I offered with a smile.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Oh? Oh, certainly," I nod. Finally someone who might actually appreciate the garden and the roses. The others can't be bothered with it. Though, I did see Angel draw one of the roses once and Cordelia always wants some to take home. But if I want to talk about them, or show them, they all look at me strangely. As if a man can't be fond of flowers.

"You don't-don't think it's....uh..." Strange? Shaking my I give her a sheepish look, waving the question away. "Never mind. It's not...important." Shifting on my cane, I change my weight against the swing and watch her swaying back and forth a bit.

Nodding, I give her a small smile back. "I hope you like hotdogs, they're truly very good. And that's coming from me." Giving her a broader smile I try not to think about Cordelia and I having lunch here.

We hardly ever do anything together these days. Ever since Angel gotten her those clothes, she's almost turned back to the Cordelia I knew from Sunnydale. No, that's no true, she does care. But it's fairly obvious she's trying not to have any feelings for Angel. Which is probably why it hurt her so much to get fired. And Gunn and I, that camaraderie seems to vanish as well, now that he has Angel to spar with and such.

Pushing myself away from the swing, I hold out my hand to help her off the swing. Leaning on the cane a bit, I smile at her and nod toward the vendor. "I think we even have time for ice-cream."

[red_rosenberg]

"There's always time for ice cream," I agreed, taking his hand and standing up. Oh, digits touching other digits, I blinked but I don't think Wesley noticed, or cared. Because he was just helping me up, it wasn't like we were holding hands or anything, because why would he wanna hold hands with me? And didn't he say he used to come here with Cordelia all the time? And didn't they get kinda smoochy back in Sunnydale? So, obviously, he's just being friendly with me because he's lonely and reading into things would be oh so incredibly a bad idea.

But I kept my hand in his until whenever he wanted to stop with that, definitely not reading into anything as we walked towards the vendor, my stomach instantly grumbling slightly at the idea of hotdogs that even Wesley could enjoy.

"Never pictured you as a hotdog man, Wes," I said with a wry grin as we walked. "Maybe a kebab guy, though," I added, lightly bumping his shoulder with my own.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Hmmm?" Looking up from staring at her hand in mine, I shake my head to clear my thoughts. Letting go of her hand, I lean on the cane again as we walk further to the vendor. "Oh yes, but only these hotdogs. I've no idea what Anton does with them but they are superb. Even Cordelia always had one and you know how she's like with her figure."

I chuckle at that, as if Cordelia actually had to work hard for her figure. Well, maybe she does, she gets enough exercise though. Slaying demons and answering the phone. Not to mention those bloody visions.

"Hello, Anton," I nod at the old man behind the car. "Can I have two of the usual?"

"Mister Pryce, sir! It's been a long time since I've seen you around these parts." Anton starts to get some hotdogs ready and eyes the cane I'm leaning on. "Heard you got into a spot of troubles. Glad to see you're well on your way to get mended." Ah yes, Anton seems to know everything about anything. Which is probably why he makes such a good contact.

"Yes, I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern," I nod at him, accepting the hotdog. He holds out the other one for Willow, giving her a strange look.

"That's not the missy you used to come here with, the fair Cordelia. Who's this young lady then?"

"Oh," Lowering the hotdog from taking a bit I wave between the two of them. "Willow, this is Anton who makes the best hotdogs. Anton, this is Miss Rosenberg, and old...friend of mine. She's essential in our...cause." I smile over at her before taking a bite from the hotdog.

"Nice to meet you missy Rosenberg," Anton says, tipping two fingers to his temple.

"Oh that is good," I sigh around a mouthful or hotdog. "I can't tell you how-how grateful I am that you g-got me out of the Hyperion, Miss Rosenb-errr, Willow."