It was three minutes after eleven and Angel was already pacing. Connor's appointment was due to end three minutes ago ad Angel was growing impatient. Before his twelfth round around the rug was complete Carole emerged with a very composed looking Connor in tow.

"Hi Angel."

"Hello Carole. Hey son you think you could go to the lab by yourself. I'll meet you down there in a few minutes."

"Yeah sure dad. I think I can handle it."

Angel watched Connor Depart before beginning the discussion. "How's he coming along?"

"He's hanging in there. He's getting better about being truthful in what he tells me. He trusts that I don't want him back to where he was any more than he does. He's trying hard Angel, but you have to remember he's been through so much. He's moved almost completely beyond the angry and violent stage. He's becoming more passive aggressive but that's just another phase and we're working on that. How's he been for you?"

"Good we haven't physically fought in weeks. He's still mostly quiet but he's become more affectionate."

"Good. How have his sleeping and eating patterns been lately?"

"Both are a lot better he eats at least two good meals a day now. He takes his sleeping pills pretty often still but he's sleeping though the night without them if he's tired out. He doesn't sleep with the lights on ever now. He had an accident Saturday night but hen changed the sheets and went right back to sleep all by himself. He's still having nightmares pretty frequently but you said that would take some time."

"Yes that will and it sounds like he's making a lot of progress. Is there anything else you wan to talk about?"

"I'll take it he told you about last night?"

"Yes I'll assume slightly swayed version of the story but I think I got the main idea. What are your plans in handling this?"

"I don't know what to do about this. I don' want to say no you can't be with Spike and at the same time I want those two as far apart as possible."

"You have to set limits. I admit that he does need a lot of leeway on some things but this is just Connor being eighteen and acting like it. He doesn't expect you to be like Holtz and tie him to a tree for a few days but I think on some level he needs you to guide him by putting consequences out there for his actions."

"I know I'm just not used to this all quite yet. Thanks Carole. See you on Thursday then?"

"Yep. Let me know how it goes."

Angel sighed as he left the office and headed off to find Harmony and make sure Spike was with her.