Chapter two: Schemes and more booze

After having headed downstairs and sat down in the sofa, Warren pressed the 'Play' button, and they started watching Voyager. It was somewhere mid season 6. That wasn't important, though, 'cause they weren't really watching.

Well, Andrew was, at first. But since Warren constantly interrupted, saying unnecessary things about the special effects and the actors' inability to act properly in specific situations, Andrew figured there had to be something on his mind.

"... and that's just ridiculous, because that deck wasn't even mentioned in episode 15!"
"Uh, Warren?" Andrew interrupted as politely as he could. It seemed to have positive effect. Warren stopped rambling and turned his head to look at Andrew.
"Yeah?"
"What's up?"
"What do you mean, 'what's up'?"
"I mean, is there something you'd like to tell me? You seem upset about something."
Warren looked at him irritably. "What, so now you're Andy, crime shrink? Give it a rest, Dr Phil."
Andrew looked hurt. "Sorry."
"Yeah, apology accepted."

After having watched Voyager for about five more minutes, Warren took a few sips of bourbon and then muttered: "It's that damned idiot."
Andrew, who had been set on watching the rest of the episode in peace, looked at Warren, a surprised look on his face. "What? Who?"
"Jonathan. He doesn't understand... what it's like having to make all decisions."
Andrew would've liked to say, 'I understand! Warren, I understand you!' But he didn't. After all, it wouldn't have been true. In all his time as a member of the Trio, he hadn't made one significant decision. Not one. How could he even begin to understand?
"No, I guess he doesn't," he said instead. Pretty standard, very simple. A great agreeing comment when you don't have a clue what to say and you don't want to make a complete fool out of yourself.
"There'll be other casualties, you know. Yeah, I've spoken to you about it. It seems we might have to cut Jonathan loose earlier than I'd expected. You know, he wouldn't be able to deal if we started killing people. He wouldn't. He'd just run off to the farthest corner of the earth and stay there until it was all over. Do we really need him?"
"We need the magic," retorted Andrew, "you know, to get rid of the Slayer. It worked real well when we messed with her mind."
"Yeah, that was awesome," smiled Warren. "But you know what I mean, don't you? We have to dump him after that."
"I know. We've been over this before." Andrew felt proud he'd remembered his earlier conversations with Warren. But then, he could remember anything had ever Warren said, easily. He just added it to his collection.
"But it's getting more and more obvious, right?"
"Uh-huh."
"Great. Now let's watch. And wasn't there more booze here before?"
"I believe there was. I'll go get some more."