"Is Wesley here yet?"

Angel looked up from his book to take in Fred's nervous yet eager face. "No,"

Cordelia was behind the counter flipping through a magazine while Angel was on the couch reading and Gunn was examining something in the weapon's cabinet. Cordelia didn't bother to look up from her reading material to address Fred. "He's still moping."

"He said he would come in today." Fred protested

Gunn looked over at them. "When did he say that?"

"I went to see him last night. He looked…"

Both Angel and Gunn were now focusing on Fred. "Yes," Angel prompted

"He looked bad." She said "He was… When I left I heard him crying."

Now Cordelia was also paying attention. "He was crying?"

"Maybe we should check on him." Gunn said

"Guys I think Wesley wants to be alone." Angel said "He's working through stuff."

"Yeah, like how you worked through Darla by turning into a total psycho." Cordy said

Angel scowled. "Look, having your free will subverted by a murderous misogynistic demon that wants to tear apart one of your friends isn't a fun experience. He just needs some time alone to work through what he's feeling. The last thing Wesley needs is us pestering him."

"Of course that's what you say. Your solution to every problem is brooding. We already have one annoyingly morose person working here, we don't need two. The last thing I want to deal with is British boy's newfound guilt complex. So we need to go over there and tell him-"

"Cordy," Fred said

"Don't interrupt me Fred." Cordelia didn't take her eyes off Angel. "We need to tell him to stop sulking because we have a job to do. He has responsibilities and one of them is not cry-"

"Hey Wesley!" Fred said in a voice that tried to be cheerful but just came off forced

Cordelia looked toward the door and then turned bright red. Wesley was standing there with a humiliated look on his face, trying to pretend he hadn't heard her. "Hey Fred,"

Wesley's whisper was so full of pain Cordelia winced. "Wesley I-"

He spoke as though he hadn't heard her. "Sorry I haven't been in for a while, do we have any new cases?" He was trying to pretend all was normal when it clearly was not.

"Everything's pretty quiet." Angel said

"I'll be in my office." Wesley disappeared into the back room while everyone else shared awkward glances. Cordelia shifted uncomfortably under the accusing gazes of Fred and Gunn.

"Nice Cordy," Gunn said "Could you have been a little more callous?"

"Shut up," Cordy mumbled

"I'll go talk to him." Fred said

"No." Cordy's voice was firm and a little too loud. "I will."

"You sure?" Angel said "Maybe that's not the best-"

"I'll do it right now." Cordelia walked up to Wesley's door and knocked. When she got no answer she just entered anyway. Wesley appeared to be engrossed in a book. "Wesley,"

"Can it wait Cordelia? I'm sulking." Wesley said in a dry voice

Cordy shut the door and walked over to the desk. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

"I'm so glad you usually restrict your character assassinations to when I'm absent."

"I wasn't finished." She said "You weren't supposed to hear that, but it's true. You can't fall into the guilt thing. We need you Wesley, we count on you. What happened with Billy-"

"Cordelia," Wesley's voice was sharp as it cut her off. "Please stop."

"I just-"

He looked up from his book. She could still see the bruise on his eye and the marks where Fred had used nails to fight him off. "You just want to come in here and talk to me so that you won't feel as bad about what you said. I'm sorry, but I don't have the patience right now to suffer through your intelligible ramblings. I have more important things to do."

Cordy's jaw dropped. "What has gotten into you?"

"Lately? How far back do you want me to go?"

Cordelia opened her mouth to really lay into him and then stopped. "Nice try, but I know all of Angel's tricks and that's a classic. You think you can piss me off and I'll leave you alone."

"You'll do whatever you want to do, as always, because you have no regard for the feelings of anyone but yourself. You want to talk to me, so we're going to talk, even though I don't want to and it isn't going to make me feel better. You're a selfish spoiled little girl and I don't have to sit here and be bothered by you." Wesley slammed his book shut, picked it up, and then walked past Cordelia into and through the lobby to the outside. The other members of Angel Investigations watched him go with stunned looks on their faces.

For a while they couldn't speak. Cordelia had an uneasy feeling. "Do you think some of Billy's blood might still be… you know, affecting him? That wasn't very Wes-like."

"There's no way." Gunn said "That stuff wore off after Billy died."

"This might have upset Wes more than we realized." Angel said

"What do we do?" Fred asked "Should we go after him?"

Angel looked at the bright sunshine outside and was about to respond that he couldn't really do that when he saw a figure approach. A young woman, brunette, very familiar. "Faith,"

"What?" Cordy followed his gaze.

The woman entered the lobby. It was indeed Faith the vampire slayer. "Hey Angel,"

…

Wesley sat on his couch hunched over with his head in his hands. He tried to block out the images that filled his mind, but they just kept coming. Shouting men, frightened women, bloody children… Wesley shook his head. That had all been a long time ago. It didn't matter anymore because he was a different person. But it seemed that history was determined to repeat itself because the horrible sins of his father now weighed heavy on the shoulders of the son not just because of the Billy incident, but today as well. He knew that Cordelia had been trying to help, that she was concerned for him. Her expression of that concern may have been flawed, but she meant no harm. Why had he been so angry? "You have a troubled soul." A voice said

Wesley looked up. A woman with raven black hair cut into a bob and eyes that sparkled like emeralds stood in front of him. He was about to ask how she had gotten in when he saw the pendant around her neck. "You're a vengeance demon." He spoke with no inflection.

She was not surprised by this knowledge. "You aren't afraid?"

He shrugged. "If I don't say the W word you're powerless. Unless you're here because of a wish someone else made, in which case I probably deserve it. So no, I'm not afraid."

"There is longing in you." She said "Longing for otherness, correct?"

Wesley nodded. "You're perceptive, that would come with the job I suppose."

"You wish things were other than they are, that you could change them."

"If I were to make a wish, you would only pervert it. There is nothing that I could gain from making a wish. I would only invite trouble. You're wasting your time with me."

"Perhaps, but I think you might desire a bit of trouble."

"You think so?"

"I think you want to be punished, you said as much moments ago."

He had, hadn't he? "If I did want to punish myself, I wouldn't use the unreliable method of vengeance demons. You would use my wish to cause trouble for others, not just me."

"But you're so clever, couldn't you think of a fool-proof wish? It is possible. I know how you value your own intellect. Don't you want to show off? Come dear, it's a fun game."

Wesley stood up. "I'll be leaving now. You should as well."

…

"Look at this." Cordelia said "If it isn't the psycho slayer herself."

"Cordy," Angel was calm, but inside he was confused. What was going on?

"Don't 'Cordy' me Angel, the last time Faith was here wasn't exactly fun, not for us."

"Not for me either." Faith said "And-"

"I'm sorry," Cordelia said "Did I give you permission to talk?"

Gunn and Fred exchanged puzzled looks. "Who's-" Fred began

"This is Faith, she's a vampire slayer." Angel explained

"I thought you said there was only one and Bu-"

"Don't say the B-word." Cordelia said "We don't say the B-word."

Faith gave Angel a confused look. "You don't?"

"Well Cordy doesn't, so we don't either."

"Wow, you're whipped." Faith said

"What are you doing here?" Cordelia's voice was ice cold.

"I can explain everything." Faith said "Just give me a chance."

"Sure," Angel said "We'll listen." Faith's sigh of relief made Angel realize just how tense she had been. Now it was as though weights were falling off her shoulders. However she still looked exhausted. "Why don't we go into the office? We can talk." The 'without Cordelia jumping down your throat every other word' was silent but everyone still heard it.

"Sure," Faith followed Angel into the office.

Cordelia scowled as she watched them make their way across the lobby. The look of hate and revulsion on her face kind of scared Fred. Fred moved closer to Gunn. "What's that story?"

Even though she had whispered Cordelia heard her. "It's a delightful tale, really."

It was impossible to miss the sarcasm. "So you don't like this Faith person?"

"No, and I don't like the fact that she isn't serving her prison sentence right now."

…

As Wesley approached the Hyperion, marking his second attempt to return to work today, he practiced his apology to Cordelia. He would need to cut to the chase, no pun intended, in order to avoid her starting in on him before he got a word out. So he would start with sorry and then work his way onto just why he was sorry and that he had no right to be so disrespectful towards her and it would never happen again. That should satisfy her. He saw her in the lobby talking to Gunn and Fred. The angry expression on her face was disheartening but maybe if he threw in an extra 'I was wrong and you were right' he might be able to overcome the foul mood she was in the middle of. Wesley took a deep breath and pushed the door open. All three of the lobby's occupants turned to look at him. He caught a sentence fragment. "Bitch woke up and came to L.A. to kill-" He wondered what they were talking about. He would ask later.

"Cordelia I just want to tell you that I am very…" He saw the door to his office open and Angel came out with a young woman in tow, a horribly familiar young woman. "Faith,"

When Angel saw Wesley he looked horrified. Faith looked away, so Wes couldn't read her expression, but he doubted it was a pleased sort of look. "Wesley," Angel said "I thought…"

"Wes," Cordy said "This looks bad I know, but believe me- well it is bad, but-"

"Cordy," Angel said softly

"Oh God, I wish I were anywhere but here." Wesley said

He felt a light hand on his shoulder. "Done," Then everything went black.

…

Angel sat down behind Wesley's desk. Faith took the seat in front. "I guess I should start from the beginning." Faith said "It's all kind of crazy. I broke out of prison. I wouldn't have come here, but I wanted to explain to you. I didn't want you to hear about the escape and then think that I was rogue again. Well maybe I am, but I don't mean to be. I had to break out though, because someone is trying to kill me. I don't know who, but they mean business."

"Is this someone in the prison?" Angel asked

"I don't think so. A few inmates tried to do me in, but the one I managed to get any information out of said it was a bounty. There's a price on my head and more than a few demons and humans have tried to collect it. I couldn't protect myself in prison, so I had to leave."

Angel took in her haggard appearance. "When's the last time you slept?"

Faith shrugged. "Sleeping is dangerous. I have to keep on the move."

For a moment they just appraised each other. "You did the right thing." Angel said finally

Faith smiled, it was weak, but there. "You're not angry?"

"No, let's go talk to the others."

"Cordelia seemed-"

"I'll handle Cordy." Angel said "Come on." It seemed like a blessing now that Wesley had run out earlier. This might be easier to explain over the phone. But when Angel exited the office with Faith Wesley was standing by the lobby doors. "Wesley," Angel said "I thought…"

Angel tried to come up with the words to explain, but all he could see was a vulnerable hurt expression on his friend's face, concealing a little bit of terror. That fear, which Wesley took such great pains to cover up, kept Angel from thinking of an explanation. Faith turned away, but Angel could see the shame on her face. She saw the fear too. "Wes," Cordy said "This looks bad I know, but believe me- well it is bad, but-" Cordelia was panicking, never a good sign.

"Cordy," Angel said softly

"Oh God, I wish I were anywhere but here." Angel saw the truth of that in Wesley and he hated himself a little for making his friend feel this way, feel unsafe and unwelcome.

A woman appeared behind Wesley, just sprang into being. She put her hand on his shoulder and before Angel could shout a warning about the probable demon standing behind his friend she spoke in a voice so quiet only Angel and Wesley, whose ear was close to her lips, heard what she said. "Done," There was a flash of light that blinded all of them and when Angel could see again things were much the same as they had been with the notable exception that Wesley and the woman were gone. Angel stared at where they had been and tried to stifle the panic blooming in his chest. This day was by no means getting off to a good start.

…

Wesley rubbed his head as he sat up. He looked around the lobby of the Hyperion and gasped in shock. This building was abandoned, and had been for some time. Wesley struggled to his feet and moved further inside. Had he been transported to the future? Although this might also be the past as the Hyperion had been in this condition before they had slayed the Thesulac demon and then moved in. Wesley listened for the whisperings that were telltale for the presence of a Thesulac. 'You're lost. You're in a strange place with no friends. What now little boy?'

Wesley shivered. He quickly headed outside. So this was the past then. He cursed himself for his stupidity in making a wish so soon after a run-in with a vengeance demon. "I must be utterly daft." He berated himself "I must have a secret death wish or something. Now what?"

It was a beautiful sunny day and Wesley was almost tempted to just go to the park and relax on a bench. Maybe he could just wait for time to catch up to him and then wander over to the Hyperion and surprise his friends by reappearing only a few moments after his sudden disappearance, wouldn't that be disorienting. He chuckled to himself at the thought. It didn't look as though the time difference was too vast. The cars were all current models and the buildings all looked the same to Wesley. Wesley saw a newspaper vendor. "Excuse me,"

The vendor smiled at him. "Can I help you sir?"

"I think so, can you tell me today's date?"

The vendor did so with a smile.

"Umm… Can you include the year with that?"

This amused the vendor. "A little out of touch aren't we?"

Wesley smiled at the good-humored man. "I suppose I am."

The vendor gave the date again, this time with the year. Wesley frowned. The vendor had given him the same date it had been when Wesley had disappeared. "Something wrong?"

Wesley shook his head. "No, I uh… I forgot my anniversary."

"It only comes on certain years?" The vendor was now quite amused.

Wesley gave the vendor a shaky smile. "It's complicated."

"Well good luck with your complications." The vendor said

"Thanks," Wesley walked away, thinking.

…

"What just happened?" Gunn asked in an affronted tone

Cordy stared at the now empty space where her friend had been. Yet even as she panicked she was taking in what was happening around her. She registered annoyance at how Gunn always reacted to situations that confused him with anger, as though someone was screwing with him. But she was angry too. This wasn't directionless anger like Gunn's though, oh no. She knew just who she was angry with. She turned around and her eyes locked on her target, a certain super-strong prison escapee. "You bitch," Faith stepped back, wary.

"Cordelia," Angel said "We need to focus on-"

"Shut up. Unless you have an explanation for what just happened you can just shut your mouth because I have had it with…" A memory surfaced, unbidden. A fresh break-up, a new student, a lost necklace, and events she couldn't remember but that had come out later and left her with no shortage of animosity toward the newest (ex)demon attending Sunnydale High.

"Cordy?" Fred asked

"Vengeance demon," Cordelia said "That was a vengeance demon."

Angel swore. "That's why you never say the W word."

"Don't you dare blame this on him!" Cordelia said "This is your fault!"

"I wasn't-"

Before Angel could finish Faith spoke up. "No, it's my fault. I should never have come here, but I promise I'll do everything I can to help you find Wesley. I swear Cordelia."

Cordelia turned away in disgust. "What can you do?"

"Well first," Angel said "Why don't we call Giles?"

Cordelia was ready to lay into Angel some more, but she recognized the wisdom of this plan and went to her purse to get her cellphone. She had no idea what that demon had done to Wesley but calling someone who could get them in touch with a former vengeance demon was a good first step in getting him back. She just hoped he was still alive. With that in mind her hands shook a little while she punched the number of her former librarian into her cellphone.

"Is Wesley going to be okay?" Fred asked "He's not… ya know… Is he?"

"He'll be fine." Angel said

"How do you know?" Gunn asked

In truth Angel was going over what had happened in his head and imagining a million horrific scenarios. Anywhere but here was as about as vague as one could get in specifying a preferred destination. The demon might have sent Wesley to hell, or to the bottom of the ocean, or to the middle of a war zone. Any unpleasant place that existed was a possibility for where his friend might be, and Angel was imagining quite a few of them. "I don't, but we have to hope."

…

It really was a beautiful day. Wesley ended up going to the park after all, because why the hell not go to the park? Wesley had no idea where he was, but it wasn't oppressively hot, nor was it chilly. The sky was baby blue and birds were singing. Wesley could not remember the last time he had actually heard a bird sing. He had started to believe it was one of those things that only happened in books. But in the park birds were singing and fluttering from branch to branch on this beautiful day. It seemed odd that a vengeance demon would do him a favor, so he knew this beautiful illusion would have to break eventually. Yet, all the more reason to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air while it lasted. If a demon was going to come rushing out of the trees and bisect him in a few moments Wesley wanted to enjoy those few moments preceding the unpleasant bisecting. Again Wesley chuckled. He didn't know how he had gone from crying in his apartment because of his overwhelming guilt to laughing in the park, but it was a pleasant change that he wanted to stick with. Maybe that was the vengeance demon's plan. Maybe she wanted him to enjoy himself so much that he didn't try to get home and ended up missing a major apocalyptic battle. If that was her plan it just might work. Wesley sighed, probably best to be trying to find a way home then. But back home there was guilt. Back home there was sweet innocent Fred who didn't hate him even though she should. Back home there was angry Cordelia and a Gunn who couldn't understand. Back home there was Angel who… was with Faith.

Wesley scowled and left the park, no longer in a good mood. He didn't know how Faith had gotten out of prison, but somehow parole seemed doubtful. He had been perfectly willing to hope she found peace and redemption when she was safely behind bars, but now that she was out he remembered pain that grew and grew, never stopping. He remembered aches that didn't fade for days while his coworkers acted as though nothing had happened. He remembered nightmares he could tell no one about, ones that ended with him on fire begging Faith to please stop, to please untie him so he could go out into the rain and be doused. But she just laughed and laughed while he burned and burned. Now she was at the Hyperion, cutting him again. Now she was free and in his office chatting with Angel. He shook with anger. Perhaps he should stay here and let his friends handle what was to come alone. If Angel was so eager to welcome back into his life the woman that had brutally tortured his friend, well that spoke volumes as to how much regard Angel had for that friendship. Wesley felt the anger fade. He made a feeble attempt to hold onto it and then let it go. He sat down on another bench. This wasn't Angel's fault, he knew that even if he wanted to pretend otherwise. If Faith had just shown up as she must have while Wesley was at his apartment Angel could hardly turn her away. If she was dangerous, Angel had to ascertain that and deal with her. If she was in trouble he had to help her. Wesley couldn't fault Angel for talking to Faith, and that had probably been what they were doing. Wesley rubbed his face and came to a decision. It was time to go home and sort this out. He hunted for a payphone and when he found one he searched his pockets for change. If he was going to find a way home he might want to start by figuring out where he was. If this wasn't the past or the future it could be an alternate dimension. The best way to find out was to start calling people. The Hyperion was out as he already knew it was abandoned. On a lark he tried his own home number first.

The phone rang three times. "Hello?" A child's voice said

"Hello, I'm looking for a Wesley Wyndam-Pryce."

"I don't know him, bye." The dead line buzzed.

Wesley shrugged and then tried Cordelia's apartment. That number rang and rang until Wesley hung up. There wasn't even a message. He then tried her cellphone, which in wherever this was belonged to a stranger. Angel's cell phone was also a stranger's. The next number he tried was Gunn. Again, the number was for someone he had never met. Wesley decided he might want to try some numbers outside of L.A. before he ran out of change. He heard the phone ring and waited for either an unfamiliar voice or a familiar British accent. He hoped for the second.

"Hello," That was unmistakably Rupert Giles.

Wesley sighed with relief. "Hello Mr. Giles-"

"You son of a bitch! I hope you remember me telling you that if I ever saw you again I would kill you! That was no idle threat! Stay out of Sunnydale and stay away from the slayers!"

Wesley held the handset projecting the sound of a dead line and stared at the payphone with no comprehension. He wasn't on the best of terms with Rupert Giles, but he couldn't recall anything between them that would cause the reserved Englishman to react so violently to just the sound of Wesley's voice. He certainly recalled no such death threat as the one Giles had mentioned on the phone. Wesley's good mood thoroughly vanquished, he tried one last number.