(Untitled)

[red_rosenberg]

Continued From HereMmm, ice cream. I was careful - I didn't want to get myself covered it in, that would just be uber embrassing. Unfortunately, ice cream has a habit of getting everywhere, especially when you're walking and eating it at the same time. I think I put up a valiant effort for this not to happen, however, and I looked at him, mystified

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[_wes_pryce_]

"Yes, traffic is very hectic around here. And Cordelia always insists I can't drive, so they can hardly blame us," I agree with her. She'll probably give me an earful the moment she hears from Gunn that I'm doing the driving, in Giles far to heavy car. But it's going fine, just a little bit of pulling. If it gets any worse, I'm sure Willow wouldn't mind driving back to... Oh god, Cordelia. Where she's going to be spending the night.

I'm in so much trouble.

Ah well. Never mind, I'm not in the mood for yet another evening with worried looks, scolding lectures and my friends running for me if I so much as peep. That gets really tedious after an hour and it's been going on for weeks now. "Shouldn't be too hard to loose Angel." And if on cue, I watch him weave though traffic, dashing past cars. I could follow him easily, if it weren't for the fact that this car doesn't allow me to pull on the wheel hard enough without me hurting. Rather convenient that.

"Oops, I seem to have lost them," I say dryly, glancing over at Willow with a small smile. I know they won't be going to the place Angel had suggested. Cordelia has no doubt talked him out of that by now, so I can use the excuse that they weren't there safely. But just to make certain we're not going to have dinner there. I know this quiet little place. A pub really, I hope Willow likes fish and chips.

[red_rosenberg]

I grinned at Wesley's dry-humoured comment, and settled back into my seat without a word, wondering where we'd go. What did I have to look forward to tonight if we had of followed, anyway? Dinner with Angel, Gunn and Cordelia, all of them prodding and prying as to what I did with Wes today, asking if Wes felt alright after the drive, lecturing him about stitches popping out when turning at intersections... and then, getting back, getting interrogated by Cordelia, maybe getting pulled aside by Angel to talk about Buffy. Gunn seemed sane and tolerable, at least, kinda cool with the whole street talk thing down.

But... at least, now, I could spend a few more hours away from that, just with Wesley, and the concept of being alone with him was getting more and more fun. Weird, right? Completely and utterly loopy. What kinda dork would want to hang out with Wesley Wyndam-Pryce? Well, that's what I would have thought two days ago. Turns out he's actually kinda ... nice.

"So, where we going? Or are we still getting lost?" I asked, looking over at him when we were a few streets away from Angel's car.

[_wes_pryce_]

I felt a little bit guilty for loosing Angel and the rest, but really, one can only take so much when it comes to being mother henned. I suppose I should count myself lucky that one of them isn't on my doorstep every morning to help me get dressed and make sure I'd eat breakfast and such. Which isn't to say that Cordelia hasn't tried, thanks to her my fridge is so full I'm afraid to open it in fear of an explosion.

Glancing over at Willow I can't help but smile a little. Who would've though when I had first shown up in Sunnydale that a few years later I'd be taking her out for dinner. Well, if one can call fish and chips dinner that is. I gather she's not still angry about the whole...mayor thing then. I did vote to have her sacrificed instead of thousands of others. Would I do that today? Probably, but lets not think about that now. It has nothing to do with Willow and everything with all those innocents. I've this feeling she'd understand that. If it were me or a thousand of others, I'd hope they'd chose to sacrifice me.

"Hmmm?" Shaking my head to clear my mind, I look over at her. "Oh no, we're almost there." In fact, we are here. It's in one of the nicer quiet neighborhoods of Los Angeles. One could almost think one were in a small town, if it weren't for the constant big city noise that one can't seem to shake. Parking the car, I leave the cane where it is, I mean come on now, it's only a short walk. Hobbling to the other side of the car, I open the door for Willow and close and lock it behind her as she gets out.

"Huh, looks like it might rain," I say, holding my arm out for her automatically while I look up at the sky. "I hope you like fish and chip." Chewing my bottom lip I nod toward the pub. "It's almost like a real english pub and the fish and chips is rather good. Even if they serve it on plates and not on a newspaper like it's supposed to," I chuckle.

[red_rosenberg]

Taking his arm, I giggled. "Well, we're still recovering from being all independent and such, we'll be sneaking back to the English ways soon enough. Scones and proper tea and fish and chips in newspaper and everything. Hell, maybe we'll even turn all of those 'z's back into s's and put the 'u's back where they belong." Glancing up at the sky as he did, I frowned. "Rain? Well, nothing can rain on our parade."

I was glad he had offered me his arm. Not because it had made me grin like a fool again, but he hadn't taken his cane out. And like heck I was going to tell him to go back and get it, he might call me 'Cordelia' on accident. But this way I could help without... helping him, exactly. He could lean a bit and I could pretend he wasn't and it was all good. Not a long way to walk, thankfully and we were at the doorstep of the bar-- pub, thing, barely after I had finished talking. Peering in, I realised I had no idea what he meant by 'English pub' - I'd never seen one, what was the difference between that and an American bar?

Well, less seedier people, brighter and louder, and the kitchen was probably nicer too. English = cleaner, right? Okay, so my experience of 'English' is tea, Giles, the Beatles, and Wesley. And my experience of American bars are Willy's and The Bronze, and so making comparisons was probably silly. Good thing I didn't start talking. But then I pointed towards the bar. "Ooh, look, a suggestions' box. You should put in the newspaper idea. Watch out for the British revolution, L.A."

[_wes_pryce_]

Willow is extremely cute when she babbles. Unlike Cordelia who is confusing when she does so. Or Angel, but he's nervous when he's babbling. For Willow it's just second nature and it's quite charming and not in the least annoying.

Even if I can't follow her half the time.

I lean on her a bit as we walk into the pub. It's nice and quite. Wooden chairs and tables are spread around the room instead of booth's. Though there are some of those in the corner. There is a distinct smell of cigarette's, beer and tea lingering in the air. In one corner they're playing darts, and I nod at some of the players as I recognize them.

"I'll make sure to pop the suggestion in the box, yes," I nod at her. I lead her to one of those private booths in the corner and wait for her to sit down before sinking down myself. The waitress, Sybil, comes over and grins down at me.

"Wes luv, Who's the lovely lady."

"Oh err... Sybil, this is Willow, Willow this is Sybil. Willow is a...err...friend of mine." Giving Willow a shy smile, I duck my head as Sybil makes a noise as though she knows more then the rest of the world.

"What can I get you two then. And no beer for you, luv. You're still on meds. Cordy will have my head on a silver platter."

Bloody hell, I can't even escape her here? Not that I would've taken beer or anything like it, but it's quite annoying. "I'll just have some ice tea and fish and chips for us both," I sigh. "Willow, what would you like to drink?"

[red_rosenberg]

"I'll just have a coke," I said with a smile to Sybil. She had that kind of look on her face that Cordelia had gotten in the hotel, all knowing and amused. That made me shuffle in my seat a bit, folding my arms on the table, before I wondered if that was rude, probably was, my mom always told me off for it. Okay, years ago but the principle still remains. So I just placed my hands on the edge and glanced at Wesley as the waitress took down our orders.

It hadn't been long since we had last eaten so i wasn't ravenous, but the scent of food around the place started putting an edge of hungry. Bottomless pit girl, what can I say?

"Will that be anything else?" Sybil asked, and wnet walked away when we said we were done ordering. Biting my bottom lip at the slight lingering glance she gave us before walking off, I bit my bottom lip and glanced at Wesley. I wanted to ask about it, if it was just me, because then we could laugh it off and such and not feel so awkward when people looked at us as if we were a day away from engagement or something. But if he hadn't noticed, I would just look like an idiot.

So I unwittingly leant an elbow against the table and put my chin in my hand, meeting his gaze with a smile. "I should try and find a place like this back in Sunnydale. Maybe I should just conjure on up if I can't manage it."

[_wes_pryce_]

I frown at Willow when I notice her nervousness. I wonder what brought that on. I hope it wasn't something I did. I can be such a naive fool at times, as both Gunn and Cordelia are so fond of pointing out at every occasion they get. But they're right. Sometimes normal, every day things fly right over my head. Such as...why was Willow nervous.

And there's another thing. Why is Sybil looking at us so strangely. It's that same look Cordelia gave us when we came back from our walk in the park. How very odd. Maybe that's why Willow is nervous? Then again, why would she be. Unless she knows what the damn look means, I most certainly do not. But I'm not going to ask, I'd look like a fool.

Leaning on the table, I glance back at Willow to find her gazing at me. And for some reason I can't help but smile at her, I can feel it growing slowly on my face, tugging at the corners of my mouth. I don't think I've smiled as much as I have today. "It wouldn't be the same thing if you conjure it up." Dear god, I hope she's making a joke about that. "Perhaps you should ask Mister Giles. If anyone would've been able to find one it would be him."

I look up startled as Sybil already arrives with our orders. She plunks down a plate of fish and chips on front of each of us and our drinks next to those. "Here ya go luv's enjoy your meals." She winks at Willow and then saunters off.

What the bloody hell was that all about?

[red_rosenberg]

And now the winking. And it's not even that late yet, and they've already started with the winking. I blushed and tried to ignore that I was, by taking a sip of my drink and continuing on our conversation. "Yup, Giles should know. Because I don't see how can remain so English without being able to scurry off to places like this. Not discrediting places like this because places like this? Very nice."

Shooting Wesley a grin, I picked up one of the fries... chips... whatevers... from my plate. Not long and straw-like like you might get in every other diner, but these ones actually looked like they had potato in them. Maybe the English were onto something. I always knew they were pretty sharp. Crunching into it, I glanced around, the murmur of conversation from various corners of the bar unobstrusive and setting the atmosphere as a peaceful, friendly setting. I was really, really glad Wesley had wanted to lose the group.

"We should come back here some time," I said cheerfully, actually forgetting that perhaps there wouldn't be a next time, no matter how much I hoped there would be.

[_wes_pryce_]

I must say, I've never enjoyed a meal or even a drink here as much as I do now. Perhaps it's the company, but I've rarely enjoyed it so much. I'm actually having a good time. It's also very good I've accidentally forgotten to switch my cellphone on. Not my beeper, that one is always on for emergencies of course. But I know that when I put it on, there will be on angry voice message from Cordelia.

"Yes, it is very nice here, isn't it?" There's a faint trace of nostalgia in my voice. I miss England sometimes. Not the people there, but the country. It's so bloody hard to find a descent scone around here, or kippers, or real tea. They don't sell those in the grocery stores around here do they? I'm quite lucky to have stumbled into this place.

"We should come back here some time," I nod at her and then blink. Come back here? But that would mean she'd have to come back. But why would she come back here if not to run an errant for Mister Giles? Maybe... Clearing my throat, I chew my bottom lip and look at her nervously.

"Uh...Wi-Willow?" Smiling shyly as he turns to look at me, I try to force myself to speak. Come on, you sodding wanker. What is she going to do at worse? Laugh at you? "Would-would you perhaps like to accompany me to the...errr...ga-gardens we talked about? We can go and have dinner again here afterward," I rush out.

[red_rosenberg]

This fish was good. It was crunchy, instead of limp and wet, and fresh! I mean, yeah, coastal town, but still, it was nice. Glancing around, some people used forks and knives and stuff, even with the fri-- chips. Other people just used their fingers, which you know? Was fair enough. Picking up one of the fish... fillets, is it? I dunno, I'm not a butcher. Fisher. Person. Anyway. Picking up one of the fish thingies, I bit into it as Wesley spoke up again. Tearing off a suitable piece, I swallowed and grabbed a napkin to wipe my fingers off as I listened.

"The gardens...?" The gardens then dinner? That would mean me coming back, and him wanting me to come back, and I knew that I was giving a silly smile and I wasn't caring. "Wes, I'd love to, I mean, if it's not too much trouble... That'd be really neat. So, like, I could come up here without having to be all businessy and duty-bound and stuff."

It annoyed me that I'd have to go back so soon tomorrow. Why couldn't my weekend just be all L.A.? A witch deserved a break, anyway, why couldn't I get, like a holiday? That'd be great. And I would! I'd come back here, purely to enjoy myself and Wesley's company. "I'd like that a lot."

[_wes_pryce_]

The way she so hesitantly repeats what I'm saying and her long silence almost makes me wish I hadn't asked. I know it was silly of me to do so. I should've know better. Why on earth would anyone even go anywhere with me. They'd be bored out of their wits, I know I'm not most...err...exciting person to be around.

And I'm already opening my mouth to say that she should forget I asked, make some dumb, stupid excuse, laugh it away like I usually do when I'm being stupid. I almost am, but then she says she...would like to go?

I can't help but look at her dumbly for a moment before a slow smile spreads on my face. She'd like to go? And she wouldn't mind coming back for it, wouldn't mind coming here without a 'reason' to avert yet another armageddon or some such?

"Oh no! It's not too much trouble at all," I rush to tell her. "In fact I'd be very much looking forward to it. It's not so much fun to roam around those gardens or...anywhere actually, without someone to share ones interest." Lord knows non of my friends can get overly excited about my interests, all I get it bored, blank looks.

"So...Uh," I ask, swallowing a bit of fish, "When-when would it suit you best? I can adjust my schedule easily. Provided there aren't any visions of course."

[red_rosenberg]

Biting into another chip, I contemplated that. Well, unfortunately, we couldn't get demons and apcolopyses to work to my schedule. And college was even more unpredictable and in my experience, more deadly in it's own sneaky way. Who knew when I'd be suddenly overloaded with work? At least, with some demons and end-of-the-worlds, there were prophecies to foretell when they'd happen, so you could set your VCR accordingly. And dates.

Wait, no, was it a date? Oh goddess. Should I know this already? I really should.

"I, uh, I dunno, I mean... I gotta go back to Sunnydale tomorrow and do stuff, but... next week end? Next weekend could work." Putting off the thoughts of 'is this or is this not a date', I smiled brightly. "Because next weekend would totally work for me unless some uppity big scary demon decides to suck the world into hell or some such nonsense. And you with Cordy's visions."

I grinned. "It's like two business people trying to decide the best time through their busy schedule, ya know? Except I think they go on dates a bit more often than we would." And eep, I said the word 'date'. And I hadn't been referring to the fruit. Well, maybe he would think I was - then he'd think me crazy, but at least he wouldn't think I was trying to get into his pants. His pants. Pants of Wes. I shook my head mentally and bit into a chip.

[_wes_pryce_]

Date? did she just call this a date? Clearing my throat, I take a sip from my drink and try to focus on the rest she's saying. Right, schedule. "Well, I'm sure we can send a note to the Powers that Be to give us a day off," I tell her.

Well, why not. We should be entitled a day off as well don't we? After all, we're the good guys...girls...errr...people. And sometimes demons. Good beings then. But since Evil doesn't get a day off, neither will we I guess. But we can most certainly hope right?

"Yes," I nod, giving her a shy smile. Reaching up I push my glasses further up my nose and glance down at my plate. "Like business people. Who are in the super natural...errr...fighting business." Pushing my now empty plate away, I glance up at her. "Would you like some desert? When-when you're done that is." And then I suppose it's time to drop her off at Cordelia's. And get a lecture.

[red_rosenberg]

It's a good thing we ignored the word 'date'. I mean, he probably didn't even notice it. Which was cool, I'd jumped the gun a bit there, and I hadn't even meant to say it or anything so it was... fine. Just fine. I Finished off my last chip, feeling full, which probably meant we'd head back to the Hyperion or wherever Cordelia stayed or-

"Desert! Desert sounds good," I said, trying not to sound as relieved as I felt. "What do you usually get?" I added, taking a sip of my drink, and trying to imagine what Cordelia would be asking me. There'd probably be a lot of 'duh's and offhanded, veiled insults, and suggestive eyebrow raises, and suspicious looks. That would be an experience, all right.

I wondered where Wesley went home to - did he have a big apartment, a little one? The Hyperion was big, did he use one of the rooms there? Had to be better than my little, shared dorm room.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Oh...uh, I usually get coffee or whiskey. Depending of werther or not I have to drive. But they've excellent chocolate pie here." In fact, I think I shall have some, with coffee. I'm feeling oddly in the mood for some chocolate.

"I'll go get us some." Giving her a smile, I get up from the table and walk over to the counter. Sybil is already waiting with that broad smile of hers.

"She's cute," she grinned, nodding over at Willow.

"Uh...Oh." What am I supposed to say? Cute, well yes. But I doubt Willow would appreciate being called cute. "She's a very nice young lady," I agree instead.

"Uh huh," Sybil smirks. "What can I get ya."

"We'd like some chocolate pie please. Oh damn, I forgot to ask if she wants something else to drink."

"Eh, don't worry 'bout it hon. I'll get your your pie and then come and see if you two want something else to drink." She smiled that bright smile again, the one that could rival Cordelia's.

"That's very kind, thank you." Smiling back politely, I make my way back to the table. One of the other guests bumps into me and mutters an excuse. For a moment I just stand there, waiting for the stars to disappear. Of all the things he could bump into, he has to put his elbow right there in my gut.

Finally making it back to our table, I sink into the booth again, giving her a very weak reassuring smile. "Sybil will be by with the pie soon. I forgot to ask if you wanted something else to drink though," I ad apologetically.