Warning: This story is a slash story. That means a male/male relationship. If this offends you, please don't read.

The Problem

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the Angel series except my own.

Gunn paused before entering the hotel, his hand stilling on the doorknob, dreading that he would soon face in person what he had discovered this past week. Because what he discovered has changed his whole view on himself, on his life, on everything. Ever since that incident with his old crew at Caritas, things had changed drastically, things that he wasn't sure he was ready to accept. He swallowed painfully. This was too hard to deal with. It was just too difficult. Why did this have to happen now…now of all times? He couldn't deal with this shit right now. With the slaying vamps, handling all these new cases, worrying about Cordelia's health with these headaches that seem to be kicking her ass more and more everyday, he barely has time to deal with anything else. And now he has to face it, this new curveball that life decided to throw his way. He has to face him.

"Hey handsome what you doing," Cordelia greeted from behind him. He nearly jumped out of his skin. That was how bad she had scared him. Now he knew he was really losing it. He rarely allowed people to sneak up on him. His senses were almost always on full alert. He lived in L.A. for Christ's sake, a place where demons and vampires stalked humans for meals. He should have known better than to have his guard down like that. He felt the anger curse through him, anger directed at the source of his distress, at him.

Gun turned to look at her briefly. "Nothing," he told her, the word coming out slightly gruff, before he flung the door open, striding purposely toward the counter, not even holding the door open for her like he usually does. He saw Wesley shuffling through some files in the cabinet, and he nodded briefly in his direction in greeting. He then hung his head down, hands gripping the counter way too tightly, trying as hard as he can to let the irrational anger fade away.

He felt a gentle hand on his back. "Hey you okay," Cordelia asked quietly. Gunn nodded silently, because he knows if he tries to verbally answer it won't sound convincing enough. "You sure," she prodded lightly, her hand now rubbing his back soothingly. His head rose at that, a smile forming on his lips. Just the fact that Cordelia is touching him so affectionately tells him just how worried she is about him. He glanced at her; the same small smile on his lips and nodded again. She smiled back and moved around the counter towards Wesley, subtlety touching his arm and jerking her head in Gunn's direction, non-verbal way of saying 'It's your turn to talk to him now'. Gunn doesn't miss the silent exchange between the two, rolling his eyes slightly at their lack of tact.

Wesley gingerly came forward until he's standing in front of Gunn. He drummed his fingers on the counter nervously, not sure exactly what to say. Gunn stared directly at him, smirking because the Englishman is fidgeting under his steady gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. Then blue eyes connect with his, and Gunn arched a brow playfully as if to say 'I'm waiting'. Gunn beat him to the punch though, speaking before Wesley starts. "Before you say anything, I'm fine Wes," he states firmly but softly. "I just have some stuff on my mind okay. Nothing for you or that gorgeous brunette over there to worry about."

Just then Angel comes walking towards them, catching the tail end of the conversation. "What shouldn't I worry about," he remarked flippantly, a slight smirk on his lips. "Morning guys," he greeted, heading directly for the coffee pot, not saying another word until some of the hot liquid has slid down his throat. He then comes back around the counter, stands directly next to Gunn, and just stares. He was aware that Gunn was fidgeting under his stare, but he continued to study the man closely, ignoring the fact that his staring could be taken as something else entirely.

Gunn closed his eyes tightly; cursing his bad luck, because standing next to him is the reason why his life has gone to shit. Yet again he didn't even sense that someone else was coming near him. He hadn't heard Angel coming down the stairs. A mirthless laugh escaped him when he realizes of course he didn't hear him. Angel is a vampire. They're kind of known for creeping around without making a sound. Maybe if he keeps reminding himself that Angel is a vampire, then it will become easier. Then he won't feel that tightening in his chest whenever Angel's dark eyes linger on him just a little too long. Then he won't feel those pangs of desire hitting him in his gut just from looking at the smooth skin peeking out of Angel's shirt because he always has to have the first two buttons opened. Another bitter laugh is released from his mouth. He is more focused on the fact that Angel is a vampire, rather than the fact that he is a male vampire. That fact should freak him out more shouldn't it?

Angel frowned, noticing the various emotions flit across Gunn's face, hearing what is supposed to be laughter coming out of Gunn's mouth. He's been like this for over a week now, so withdrawn and sullen, except when he's fighting. Only then, you see some sort of emotion out of him. It's as if he only allows himself to come alive when he's killing vampires or chopping off the heads of demons. As soon as the job is done, he reverts back inside himself. No longer is he delivering his sarcastic quips. His smiles are becoming more and more infrequent, real laughter actually now non-existent. Angel is extremely worried about Gunn, maybe more than Cordelia and Wesley, because more of his emotions are invested here. And that last thought frightens him a little, but his own fears are the least of his worries right now. He is only concerned with Gunn's welfare at this moment.

Angel set his mug on the counter and then tentatively placed a hand on Gunn's arm. "What's up with you," he asked softly, turning Gunn to face him. Gunn's eyes widened, his gaze focused on Angel's hand touching him. He swallowed hard, opening his mouth to give his patent 'I'm fine' answer, but Angel somehow senses that he's about to lie. "No…no more lies Gunn," Angel says softly, his hand falling back down to his side. "I wanna know what's going on with you these days," he starts again, his eyes floating to meet Wesley's eyes and then Cordelia's, seeing the same concern in their eyes before returning his attention to Gunn. "We wanna know what's going on with you," he corrected seconds later.

Gunn closed his eyes again, sending up a silent prayer, hoping that when he re-opens them that Angel would not be standing there facing him, smelling so good and looking so genuinely worried about him. It would be so much easier if Angel was just some regular guy. Then maybe he could try to face this new…thing….head on. But he can't face the reality; the reality being that Angel was no every day Joe. Slowly, but surely he was falling for a vampire, a vampire for God's sake. He was supposed to be the ultimate vampire hater, especially after what happened to Alonna. And here he was loving one of them. His eyes snapped open then in shock at what he just thought. Did he just think about the word love in relation to Angel? No he couldn't do this. Attraction was one thing, but love? No he couldn't handle that.

Angel's frown deepened, both hands now reaching out to hold Gunn by the arms. Gunn flinched unconsciously as soon as the hands touched him. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I-I guess I'm a little jumpy today. I'm fine…really." He grimaced. He had just said the one thing that would express that he was in fact lying through his teeth. 'I'm fine' is always a dead giveaway that you're not fine at all.

Angel shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You're not fine," he said between clenched teeth, trying to ignore the hurt caused by Gunn flinching from his touch. "Talk to us Gunn. We're your friends remember."

Gunn clenched his jaw in irritation. "No, Wesley and Cordelia are my friends. I distinctly remember saying the other night that you're not my friend. At Caritas, remember?" Gunn threw the word back at Angel mockingly, trying to get the vampire to stop looking at him that way, like he actually gives a damn about some black kid from the streets. And then he sees it, the brief flash of pain in Angels's eyes, which makes him regret his words, but he knows it's too late take them back.

Angel calmly picked up his mug, draining the contents in one long drink. The mug is slammed on the counter and he comes inches away from Gunn's face, his face set and hard, but those eyes…they're still soft. "Okay Gunn, I know you're going through some stuff right now, but try to remember that I'm not the enemy here," he said evenly. "I just wanna help you."

Gunn laughed out loud, the sound grating on his nerves because the laughter is brittle. "You wanna help me," he said disbelievingly, his voice harsh. He bit the inside of his cheek before continuing. "You're the reason why I've been like this. You're the reason why I don't understand what's happening with me lately. You're the reason why I feel like I don't even know myself." He pauses again. "You're the reason for everything," he whispered hoarsely, tearing his eyes away to look at the floor. Without another word he heads for the door leading to the garden, his back stiff and tense with anger, anger at himself for baring his emotions like that. The sound of the doors slamming was the last thing reverberating through the room.

The room is left in silence, no one really knowing what to say. No one knows how to react to the outburst. Cordelia comes to lean on the counter next to Wesley, a loud sigh releasing from her lips. She knows she is the only one brave enough to break the silence. "Angel," she called out softly. He doesn't respond, his dark eyes still staring at the spot where Gunn stood just seconds ago. "Angel…snap out of it…Angel," she ordered in that demanding way only Cordelia can. He turned to look at her, the hurt in his eyes obvious. "Angel, he doesn't mean what he's saying."

"Doesn't he," he retorted brusquely, his jaw tightening.

"Angel, Gunn was forced to make a huge decision last week," Wesley explained lightly. "He basically had to make a choice between an alliance to you or to the people he has been loyal to for God knows how long. He was their leader Angel and now he works solely with us. He's probably coming to terms with what that means. We're his team now, not them."

"It's not that Wes and you know it," Angel replied forcefully. "You heard him. The problems he's been dealing with have to do with me."

"Yes Angel, because choosing not to kill you meant that he chose to leave his old world behind," Wesley replied patiently. "That's all it is. He's not angry at you directly."

Angel shook his head wildly, meeting Wesley's eyes. "No it's more than that," he insisted. "I can feel it. This isn't about alliances. This is about anger…anger that he has towards me." He dragged a hand threw his hair in frustration. "Did you see how he flinched when I touched him," he asked, his voice sounding panicked to his own ears.

Cordelia sighed again. She had a feeling what was up with Gunn, but she didn't want to broach that subject with him. She had seen the way he had been looking at Angel this past week. More importantly, she had noticed the way Angel had been staring at Gunn longingly. She was beginning to think that Gunn was just starting to face his feelings for Angel, whatever they were. Attraction, infatuation, love maybe? She wasn't sure. The only way to find out was to talk to Gunn about it. She bit her lip, wishing that she didn't have to do that, but knowing that no one else would have the guts to do it even if they did figure out what was really wrong with Gunn. So it would have to be her. Sometimes she hated being a fearless bitch…but only sometimes.

"Do you think maybe I should try talking to him again," Angel said suddenly. He glanced at Wesley and then Cordelia for confirmation.

Cordelia was brought out of her thoughts by that question. "No," she said emphatically and perhaps a little too loudly. Angel got that look in his eyes again; you know the one that resembled a puppy that was just kicked. "I mean if he's dealing with loyalty issues related to you, then it's probably better if someone else talks to him about it," she amended quickly. "Just let me work my magic on him. No one can resist my charm. He just needs a little extra sensitivity." She smiled brightly then, placing her hands on her hips.

Wesley snorted rudely. "Well, maybe that sensitivity should come from someone else," he remarked dryly.

"Bite me Wesley," Cordelia quipped, the smile tightening slightly.

"Just tell me where," Wesley countered calmly, crossing his arms across his chest. He then gave her an exaggerated wink.

Cordelia giggled. "Do you hear him," she said in between giggles, her eyes falling on Angel. "I think I'm a bad influence on him."

Angel smiled wryly, their banter making him a feel a little better. "Yeah you probably are," he told her. Cordelia slapped him playfully on the arm. "Hey, I'm just agreeing with you."

Cordelia rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. "Well don't," she replied simply. "Well except if I'm saying something that's true, like Cordelia is a goddess. Then you agree with me." She clapped her hands together with finality. "Okay, here I go…into the lion's den." She turned away from them, heading in the direction Gunn stalked off in. Why did she feel like she was heading into war?

Note: This story was started to bring me out of my writer's block. Also, because I noticed that they're aren't many Angel/Gunn pairings out there.