Chapter 9

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

"What...what's going on," Kaia asked, her voice sounding not afraid...only confused. "It's cold...what am I doing here? Where am I?" She removed her eyes from Wesley and glanced at the others that were standing in the room. Finding Angel there, she sighed audibly. That's right. She had been attacked at her apartment and had come to Angel for help. She continued looking around the room, anything to avoid looking into Wesley's blue eyes again.

Angel stepped forward, his hands in his pockets and he gave her a warm smile. "You ok," he asked her.

"If by ok you mean having my body hurt and bruised, then yeah I'm just peachy," Kaia smirked. "Three battles in one day. That's a record, even for me." At Angel's confused expression, she frowned. Then her face lit up in understanding. "Oh that's right. I have a bone to pick with you. The next time you want to have me followed, you had better do it yourself, because your British friend does a shitty job of being subtle." She regarded Angel with a glare. Yes she was thankful for him helping her, but he had no right to check up on her...to have that idiot spying on her.

Angel and Wesley looked at each other, the both of them thinking the same thing. Did she see Wesley outside her apartment building? How else could she have known he was there today? Kaia saw the silent exchange between the two men. "No not him," Kaia explained. "The other one...the blond asshole with the warm personality. I went to this club I usually go to and when I looked up, there he was staring at me. We got into it too...outside in the back alley of the restaurant."

Wesley closed his eyes in frustration. Sometimes he wondered why the hell they kept that bugger around. "What do you mean got into it," Wesley asked carefully.

"I was pissed that he was following me and being a smart ass about it to boot, so I hit him. And then…well…he hit me back. He had a surprise for me though." She paused as she continued to look at Angel curiously. "Did you know he's vampire," she continued. Angel looked down at the floor. How should he respond to that? After all, he was a vampire too. What would she think of him? His eyes returned to hers and were surprised to see her giving him a look of understanding.

"It's ok Angel," she said softly. "He didn't hurt me...not really. He just responded to me attacking him. No biggie. Actually, he was gracious enough to offer me a handkerchief to wipe the blood off my lip." Angel rolled his eyes and pulled out his cell phone. He walked over to the other side of the room as he dialed Spike's number. When Spike picked up, Angel gave him an earful. To say Angel was pissed, would have been an understatement. Kaia winced at the anger in Angel's tone and finally allowed her eyes to meet Wesley's again. His eyes were soft...caring. She could have sworn he was touching her hair when she woke up. "Are you sure you're alright," Wesley asked worriedly. "What exactly did Spike do to you?"

"He punched me and…uh…kicked me," she said slowly, uncertain of the reaction she would receive based on Angel's reaction. Wesley's eyes darkened and he swore softly. "Okay...there's a lot of testosterone in here," Kaia said jokingly, trying to lighten up the mood. "Look in his defense I did hit him first, plus I slammed him against a wall. He just reacted to what I did. I'm okay…really." Wesley seemed satisfied with that answer, his eyes softening again.

"Do you have any idea who would want you hurt," Gunn blurted out. Kaia looked at Gunn, but said nothing, her expression now blank. Gunn bit back a retort. This girl could have been Wesley's twin with that damn unreadable expression on her face. "Look, we're trying to help you," Gunn said shortly. "How can we help you if you're not being straight with us?" Fred placed a hand on Gunn's arm, trying to convey to him to ease up, but he continued on. "We're putting our asses on the line here for you," he said, feeling the anger creeping into his tone. "Those people...those friends of yours...tried to kill one of my best friends. The least you could do is tell us what the hell is going on." Wesley fixed Gunn with a glare, but Gunn ignored him, his gaze remaining on Kaia.

Kaia's eyes became large and she threw the blanket off her as she brought herself to an upright position. "What are you talking about," she asked, her voice trembling. She glanced at Wesley and saw him glaring at Gunn. "Wesley, what is Gunn talking about," she questioned. "Did someone try to hurt you?" Wesley met her eyes and then looked away. "Wesley tell me...please," she pleaded. "What happened?"

Fred realized that she would have to step in quickly. Kaia needed to rest and didn't need this extra stress. "Um...Kaia...how about I get you some tea," Fred offered softly. "Maybe you would like to take a hot bath too. You'll feel so much better and we could get you something to eat. Are you hungry?" Kaia stared at the wiry girl standing before her, rambling incessantly. Kaia knew she was only trying her best to change the subject. "That's sounds great," Kaia said unenthusiastically. "But first I want you guys to tell me the truth." At Kaia's determined expression, Fred looked at Wesley, her look clearly stating that he should provide an explanation.

Wesley cleared his throat, nervous for some reason. "Kaia, Spike was not the only person spying on you. I went to your apartment today. I spoke with your landlord about you." Wesley studied her trying to gage her reaction. She just sat there staring at him. She then looked down at her lap. When she looked at him again, her eyes were wet and also angry. "Do you have any idea what you did," she said her voice trembling and cold. She pushed the blanket off her and stood up quickly, staggering slightly at the sudden movement. Wesley reached out quickly and held her by her forearms to steady her. She shrugged his hands away, refusing to look at him. He stepped back, hurt, but he pushed it away. "Do you have any idea who and what you're messing with," she continued.

"That's what we're trying to find out from you," Gunn exclaimed. Wesley glared at Gunn again and Gunn held his hands up in surrender.

Wesley turned back to Kaia. "What happened actually...at my apartment," she asked, the coldness now absent from her voice. "How did you even get in? It's a controlled entrance."

"I didn't," Wesley replied. "I spoke to your landlord outside the building...right in front. I was so engrossed in the conversation I didn't notice we were being watched. After your landlord walked away, I noticed a black car down the street on the other side of the road. A man tried to shoot me, but it's alright because obviously he missed."

Wesley's attempt at humor didn't appease her. He could have been badly hurt. He could have died. Once again she would have been responsible for the death of someone else who had nothing to do with this mess she was in. "I'm sorry," she said quietly while running a hand tiredly through her hair.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Wesley replied firmly.

Kaia gave Wesley an incredulous look. "It's my fault you were nearly killed today. If you had...if anything had happened---." She swallowed hard unable to continue. She took a deep cleansing breath. "Look, I don't think it's a good idea for me to stay here tonight. I have to leave...now."

She pushed past Wesley roughly, but was unable to take another step as a hand grabbed her arm and spun her around. "I thought we had a deal," Angel said quietly.

"We did...hence the word had," Kaia retorted sarcastically. "We don't have a deal anymore. Your friend nearly died today and it would have been my fault. Those guys...they would have thought nothing of putting a bullet in him. This is way beyond slaying demons and shit. This is just regular old cold blooded humans."

Angel placed his hands on her shoulders. "We've faced a lot of terrible things. We can handle it. As a matter of fact, they should be afraid of us. We've went up against countless apocalypses and we're still here. No regular men are going to scare us. I'm more concerned about your safety right now."

"Why," she asked, shaking her head wildly. "Why do you care about someone you don't even know?" Angel thought for a moment about how he would respond without sounding cheesy, but Gunn beat him to the punch.

"He cares because that's who he is," said Gunn. "That's who we are. And apparently how you are. Weren't you the one that appeared out of nowhere to help a bunch of strangers?" Gunn gave her a half smile. She didn't return his smile, her face set and determined. Gunn glanced at Wesley, releasing a small sigh of frustration.

Wesley walked over to Kaia, Angel moving over to the side to make way for him. Wesley took her hands and squeezed them gently. "Take a good look at me. I'm not hurt. I know my accent may make me seem...well weak shall you say, but I'm tougher than I look."

Kaia did as he asked, looking at his body carefully. "You don't look so weak to me," she mumbled and then blushed realizing she had said it out loud. She pulled her hands away from his and began to play with her fingers nervously. Gunn raised a brow. 'Interesting,' he thought. Wesley and Kaia seemed to have some sort of vibe going on. Gunn looked over at his girlfriend to see if she noticed what he did. He immediately frowned upon seeing that Fred didn't seem too pleased. Her body was so tense. Why should it bother her if Wes had the hots for somebody else...unless she wasn't completely over him. The thought made Gunn's stomach churn. He reached over and touched her cheek. She glanced at him then, and forced a smile. He knew it was forced, but he wouldn't press the issue now. Later...in private...most definitely.

Kaia forced her eyes to meet Wesley's, but frowned when she found he was not looking at her eyes at all. In fact, his gaze seemed to be focused a little lower. She followed his gaze and her eyes widened as she realized he was looking at her chest, where her top had a huge rip down the middle. She pulled the two parts of her shirt together and held them closed with her hands. She took a step back when she saw Wesley's eyes were now meeting hers, but they were darker. He cleared his throat and shrugged out of his jacket. He handed Kaia his jacket making sure to keep his eyes above her neck. "Fred, I think now would be a perfect time for that tea you mentioned earlier," he said, his voice a little unsteady. "Actually, maybe a bath should come first."

"I never said I was staying," Kaia protested, as she put on the jacket, her tone clearly saying the opposite.

"No...you didn't," Wesley replied evenly. "But I'm hoping that you will stay. Let us take care of you for tonight. Then we can talk more in the morning."

She didn't know about that talking in the morning stuff, but she was exhausted and they were only trying to help her. If they had ulterior motives, she would have felt it in a heartbeat. She sighed loudly. "Okay, just for tonight," Kaia said. "But in the morning I have to go. I don't want you to get hurt." The last part was very soft, but Wesley heard her. He nodded and then turned to Fred.

Fred walked over to Kaia and grabbed her hand, a warm smile on her face. "Come on. I'll run you a hot bath and I have these awesome lavender beads that I can put in the water. It's so soothing. I have some aromatherapy candles too."

Kaia couldn't help but scowl. "Lavender beads...aromatherapy candles," she said. "That's so girly."

Gunn chuckled. "You are a girl smart ass," he said.

Kaia gave him a mock glare. "I know I'm a girl. It's just...it's been a long time since I've done anything like that. When you're on the run, all you care about is having regular soap." The room lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Fred touched Kaia's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "I know what would make you feel even better," she said. "How about you wash your hair after your bath and then I'll blow dry it for you?"

Kaia looked at this girl who was giving her one of the sunniest smiles she had seen in a long time and finally relented. "Fine," she said while rolling her eyes. "A hot bath sounds good and I'll take you up on that offer of blow drying my hair." Fred smiled and reached out a hand to touch it. "It's so long and pretty...well except for the tangles," Fred said. "When was the last time you've been to a hair stylist? Oh sorry! That came out entirely wrong!"

"It's ok," Kaia replied, a small smile forming on her lips. "Actually, it's been a while, but maybe you can make it look like something." Fred's smile became even wider. "Oh sure," she said, way too happily. "Just leave it to me. Plus, I think I have something that will fit you, while I put the clothes you're wearing to wash."

Kaia glanced down at her clothing, noticing the blood stains. Her shirt was ruined, so there was no way she could wear that again. She looked up meeting Fred's eyes again and said 'thanks'. "Now come on," Fred said taking her hand and leading her to the stairs. "We'll leave the boys alone for a while."

Kaia nodded but released Fred's hand to walk back over to Angel. "Thanks...for letting me stay," she said. "I really appreciate this."

"It's no problem," Angel said, smiling at her.

Kaia then turned to Wesley and stared at him for a moment making him fidget. "I'm sorry you almost got hurt," she said softly. "Promise me you won't go back to my apartment building; at least not alone and make sure you're armed." Wesley nodded and brought a hand up to sweep a lock of her hair behind her ear. She swatted his hand away playfully. "Hey don't touch my hair," she protested with a cheeky smile. "At least wait until I'm all girly." Kaia then winked at him and walked away, following Fred up the stairs.

Wesley chuckled in spite of his vow to remain unaffected by this girl. It wasn't his fault she was too cute for words. He spared a glance at Angel and then Gunn, annoyed to find that they were giving him this knowing look. "What," he said impatiently. "Why in God's name are the both of you looking at me like that?" Angel cocked an eyebrow. Wesley rolled his eyes. "I am just concerned about her. Just like you Angel."

Angel smirked. "Just like me huh. Wesley I'm quite sure the way you're thinking about her is not just like me."

Gunn slapped Wesley on his back. "It's okay man. She's hot. It's completely understandable for you to be attracted to her."

Wesley moved away from Gunn's hand. "I am not attracted to her," he said forcefully. "I'm merely concerned for her welfare. We help the hopeless remember."

"Hmm...is that what you were thinking when you were staring at her chest, which is a very ample chest by the way," Gunn said, smiling broadly. Wesley cursed under his breath as he felt the heat creeping up his neck. He glared at Gunn and Angel before walking away, mumbling something about 'putting on the kettle to boil for some tea'. As soon as Wesley left the room, Gunn turned to Angel and said "He's got it so bad for her."

"Oh yeah...definitely," Angel replied, watching Wesley's retreating form. "He's got it really bad. Actually, I think Kaia is attracted to him too. What I really want to know is are you happy for Wes because you think it's good that he may have found someone or are you just relieved at the thought that he may one day not be hung up on Fred anymore?"

Gunn looked at Angel in shock, his mouth gaping slightly. Was he that transparent? Gunn felt ashamed at his thoughts, but he couldn't help it. He was constantly worried that he would lose Fred to Wesley again. It haunted him. He loved that girl...more than life itself. Who could blame him for wanting to make sure she stayed his? But Wes was his friend. His first thoughts should have been for Wesley, not himself, especially since Wesley had seemed so sad and withdrawn lately. "You're right Angel," he said finally. "I'm being selfish, but can you blame me?"

"Yeah...yeah I can," said Angel before walking in the direction Wesley went, leaving Gunn feeling torn between his friendship with Wesley and the love of his life.

Note: So the story is coming along. I think my writing is getting a bit better since the first couple chapters. Feedback is appreciated.