Angel sat silently on the couch with the book he was reading sitting open on his lap. He had been concerned when he had to practically force feed Connor dinner and how he had begged to be left alone to his studies. It had been two hours since a sound had come from the room and angel had wandered by several times just to make sure he was in there and still breathing. He had dropped the book when he finally heard the desk chair move across the parquet floor. Angel tried to act casual as Connor made his way through the room and into the bathroom. Angel looked sideways past the book at Connor who was fumbling through the medicine cabinet.

"How's the studying going?" He asked trying to sound casual.

"Alright."

Angel listened ask Connor began to remove his pill from the yellow plastic bottles and pour himself a glass of water. "Going to bed so soon? It's only eleven you know."

"I'm tired." At that Connor exited the bathroom and started back to his own room.

"Wait Connor. Is something bothering you? You can tell me"

Connor stopped and looked Angel in the eye as he lied. "No."

Angel sat pondering what to do for several minutes after Connor left before going and knocking on the boy's door. "Connor?"

"What?"

"Connor, it's me. Can I come in?"

"No...I'm naked."

Angel bit his lip in order to stifle a laugh. He had learned that trick the summer he had stayed with Gunn and Fred once they had explained to him how it was inappropriate to dress or undress in front of anyone. Ignoring his request Angel knocked once then entered to find Connor sitting on his bed fully dressed.

"You know you'd be feeling pretty sheepish right now if that had been true."

Angel smiled as he sat on the bed next to his son. "I'll take my chances. So are you going to tell me what's up?"

"Do I get a choice?"

"No."

Connor sighed loudly. "I got in a fight with Spike. He tried to apologize and I got mad. Then he got mad. I haven't seen him since. "

"Don't worry about him too much. He's a bigger hot head than you are even. Let him blow off some steam." Angel looked at his son who seemed unphased by his reassurances. "But that's not the issue is it?"

"I feel... guilty. He got in trouble because I did. And I don't like fighting with my ... friends. It's different with you and Lorne and Wes and all you guys."

Angel nodded as he listened to his son and paused to make sure he had finished before replying. "I understand that this is new for you. You haven't really had friends before, and that's partially my fault. It's different when you fight with you're friends, that's true, and it's not easy and will never be. But don't worry too much about Spike; he's a big boy he can take it."

Connor's tone changed abruptly. "That's what this whole thing is about! He got in trouble because of me. It's my fault! I made my own choice. Nobody should pay for it but me."

"It's not that simple Connor. It's good that you're taking responsibility for your actions but the things you do have repercussions you may not have intended. I know that's harsh and unfair but that's how life works. And as far as Saturday night goes Spike is much older than you are and facilitated that whole charade. In my book that means you take on everything that you caused. My advice to you is that you both cut your losses and agree that Saturday was a mutual mistake."

"I'm sorry dad." Connor managed to whisper as his eyes filled with tears.

Angel pulled his son into a hug. "It's alright. I know." Connor pulled away and whipped his eyes with the back of his hand. "So how much time in here were you studying and how much were you worrying?"

Connor laughed as he sniffled. "I still have to read another chapter in that book." Connor nodded at the copy of Catcher in the Rye that lay unopened on his desk.

Angel went over and retrieved the book. "How 'bout I read it to you? Get in bed." Connor crawled under the sheets and put his head on the pillow. Angel sat on the edge of the bed, removed the bookmark, and began to read. "all I could think of was her checkers lined up in the back row..."