Not Just
"Fred gave us your message," Wesley said.
"Are you here because Cordelia had a vision?" Angel asked without looking away from his wall.
"No, Cordelia did not have a vision," Wesley said with a touch of anger.
"Then why are you here?" Angel asked dully.
Wesley placed himself directly in front of Angel's line of site. "I'm here because I'm worried about you. What you told Fred, it sounded like you think all we care about is whether or not you're going to help us fight demons."
Angel turned away.
"We're worried about you Angel. You're cutting yourself off again," Wesley insisted.
"You think this is like what happened with Darla?" Angel asked his toneless voice gave Wesley no clue as to what he was thinking."
"Well… somewhat," Wesley hedged. "Although we're more concerned that you'll harm yourself rather than lock a group of people in a room with two bloody thirsty vampires…"
"Fuck you."
"Angel we've reason to be concerned. Buffy's death would be terribly hard for you to deal with at any time, but coming right on top of this last year? You've hardly shown a great deal of mental stability…"
"Killing myself won't get me to where Buffy is or bring her back," Angel said coldly. "Helping people is all I've got left to care about. I'm hardly going to give that up, so you can stop concerning yourself."
"You hardly leave this room. You don't really talk to anyone about how you're coping. Cordelia believes you're starving yourself," Wesley stammered.
"I'm not walking out on my responsibilities," Angel said. "And I think what I do with my free time is none of your business… boss."
"Angel, we are your friends," Wesley insisted.
"Are ya now?" Angel demanded, a soft lilt coloring his angry words. "I've heard otherwise often enough. What was it Cordy said? 'After four hundred years of death and destruction, seems to me you get voted off the island.' But you're okay with a hundred and fifty? Oh wait… you're not. Faith only had, what, three months and you though she should be put down like a rabid animal."
"Angel… we weren't talking about you," Wesley said, feeling like he was sinking in quicksand.
"Why not? Oh right, because I help people. As long as I'm useful you'll forgive me. And if I'll `be sensitive to their feelings, their opinions,' and lets not forget letting them humiliate me every now and then; then maybe you'll even let me hang around and feel out of place. Sorry, I don't have the energy any more."
"You don't mean that," Wesley said. "You're grieving this is just part of the process."
"Leave me the hell alone Wesley," Angel replied.
"Think what you like Angel, but we do care about you as a person," Wesley said firmly.
"Have I ever mentioned that a vampire's heightened senses are almost as good as having a lie detector?" Angel said.
"Lie detectors can be wrong," Wesley said.
"Were you telling the truth when you told me you believed I'd be able to come back if I called on my demon in Pylea?" Angel asked softly.
"I'm telling the truth now Angel. I'm your friend."