Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Angel the series.

Chapter Seven

Wesley was nursing a cup of coffee and wincing as he tried to write something in the file. Faith shook her head and sat in the lobby reading a magazine she'd found just sitting out. It was one of Cordelia's but it wasn't too bad. More gossip than make up and so she could actually read some of it. Cordelia came down with a smile on her face and waved.

"Good morning! How are you doing?"

Faith looked up and put the magazine slowly down, more than a little wary.

"What are you doing up? Wes insisted but he's nursing one hell of a hangover."

Cordelia shrugged.

"I'm used to it. I have some pills that might help with the headache at least though."

She headed to the office and quietly went through her drawer before handing a very grateful Wesley a couple of pills. Faith frowned, she knew that Cordelia didn't mean that she was used to a hangover but the vision headaches and that she was used to.

"Where is she?"

Faith glanced up to the stairs as Angel came down, obviously more than ready for a full on brood. Faith just pointed to the office. Setting the magazine aside she stood up and followed him into the office. Cordelia was rubbing at Wesley's shoulders while he let his eyes close and tried to relax. Angel just folded his arms over his chest.

"Well, now that you are both back to yourselves, how about you do some explaining?"

Wesley winced then and opened his eyes.

"Yes well, "

Cordelia interrupted, without looking up, and her voice way too calm.

"How is Spike?"

Faith looked at Angel then to Cordelia.

"He's still sleeping. Angel said it would be a few days."

Angel nodded.

"Cor, he had no choice but to fight. We couldn't help him, but he'll be fine. He had plenty of blood, and he's sleeping. Well, it's not exactly sleeping, it's kind of like, a healing coma."

She nodded then looked up at him. She didn't have blame or anger in her eyes just worry.

"And you two?"

He leaned against the door frame and smiled.

"Well, bruises, nothing too major. And yes I had some blood before bed, I don't think Faith wanted any."

Faith shrugged.

"I'll replenish on my own. He didnt' take much."

Angel winced realizing the mistake and looked up to find Cordelia's eyes gone wide and Wes staring at Faith with eyes that flashed anger.

"If you don't mind, who didn't take much?"

"Spike, he was looking a hell of a lot worse and he needed blood, so I -"

Cordelia stumbled back as Wes shot out of his chair and walked over to check her neck. Faith backed up quickly.

"Hey whoa there! What's the problem?"

Wesley looked at her like she was insane, but didn't let go, his hand wrapped around the back of her neck.

"The problem? The problem is you let a vampire bite you! No offense Angel, "

He shot to the side and Angel held up his hands backing up to give them space he glanced to Cordelia to see her trying not to smile. Confusion registered, why was she smiling at this? Wesley was angry.

"Faith. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

Faith just glared back, and reached up for his arm to try and remove it.

"Well gee, let's see, we were stuck in a prison, forced to fight for our lives and I let some guy I trust to take a little blood so he didn't die! I'm going to say on a scale of one to dead, that's not dead!"

"And if you were too weak to fight? You could have gotten killed! I could have lost you!"

Angel blinked surprised at the slip, not we, I. He looked to Cordelia and she gave him a shrug to show she wasn't in the least surprised. Faith was. Her hand loosened on his arm and he slowly pulled back, adjusting his glasses.

"I'm sorry. It's, been a long week."

Cordelia cleared her throat and walked towards the door. She gave Wes a quick pat on his hand and smiled at Faith before grabbing Angel's hand.

"Why don't you two talk, Angel can show me the invalid."

Angel paused but then let her pull him away as Faith stared at Wes and he refused to look up again. Once they headed for the stairs he glanced at her.

"You knew about this?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"Well duh!"

"How do I not know about this?"

"Because you're a guy, and guy's never know when a woman is in love with him."

He stared at her, wondering why her voice thickened on that. She glanced up and he saw something but it flickered away and she smiled.

"Angel, did you really think she was always worried more about Wes than anyone else out of guilt? Still? Or that they lived together at his place and didn't get to know each other more? If it makes you feel better, it was as much a surprise to themselves as to you. Now come on, we'll check on Spike then I'll make you breakfast."

AA

Faith registered that they were alone and glanced around before closing the door. Wesley looked up then and was surprised to find she closed it, not while leaving but to give them both some privacy.

"We should, probably talk."

Faith started, and that was as far as she got. It was all she could think about. Obviously, they needed to talk, but she had no idea how to start. Neither did he and Wesley took a breath and then nodded.

"I, was out of place and, I apologize."

Faith blinked at him, then glared and crossed her arms over her chest. He would have smiled at how much like Angel she was at times without even realizing it, but he was too confused at her glaring at him.

"That's it? You were out of place? "

"Well, yes I, should not have laid hands on you, or, yelled at you."

"Laid hands on me? Are you serious? It's not like you molested me!"

The tips of his ears went bright red and he ducked his head. Faith smirked and lowered her arms walking closer.

"Not like you'd ever think about me that way anyway, right?"

"Uh, well yes, of course. That would be, I mean, I wouldn't, I, "

She kind of liked that he was all flustered, normally he was the cool and calm one. She licked her lips and shrugged.

"I have."

He stopped and looked at her, eyes wider than she'd ever seen.

"You, would what?"

She sighed.

"Think of you, like that. I just figured. Well you're a good guy, Wes, I'm not."

He opened his mouth to say something and she shook her head.

"I know, I'm doing good now but, that doesn't make me good. Any more than doing bad made me evil. I made me evil, and I'm working on the good thing. Like Cordy said at that hearing thing, I'm not a champion, but I'm trying. I hope I can be, but, I'm not counting on it."

She'd ducked her head, now being the embarrassed one and Wesley ducked his head to catch her eyes.

"So, you think I can never see past your, past?"

Her brow furrowed and she looked up at him, getting frustrated.

"It's not that, it's just -"

"You can't."

She nodded. Wesley smiled and reached for her chin to raise it and look at him.

"Faith. Not to sound incredibly narcissistic, but, was there anyone you hurt more than myself?"

She swallowed, caught.

"No, I mean, I killed a guy on accident and, I, hurt people, mentally I guess. I beat up some people but, I, hurt you the most. I'm sorry."

He shook his head and let go of her chin.

"Well then, if I can forgive you, I do believe that gives you permission to forgive yourself."

She shook her head and felt the tears sting, but refused to let them go.

"That's why I can't!"

"Because I forgive you?"

He frowned confused.

"Yes! Because I know you and working here with you, living with you, you are the last person I want to hurt and you're the person I hurt the most!"

He thought he might be getting somewhere and wasn't sure about where this conversation was going, but he couldn't just leave it along, not anymore.

"Why? Why am I the last person you would want to hurt? Angel is the one that believed in you first, gave you the chance."

"I know that! I mean, I'm grateful and I really care about Angel, I do, hell I'd have let the Council take me if they left him alone, but I don't love him!"

Wesley smiled, and the smile grew, then she realized what she said and then groaned. She raised her head to try and backpedal but he was staring at her. She backed up a step.

"What?"

"You love me. No, you, are in love with me."

"I, I didn't say that!"

He didn't care and took that step that she'd given up and reached for her face.

"Well then, allow me. I am in love with you Faith."

AA

Cordelia wasn't happy about how bad Spike still looked but after Angel reassured her that he was just healing she left and headed to the kitchen to make him breakfast as promised. Handing him the mug she decided to go check on Wesley and Faith. The door to the office was closed so she figured that was a good sign. With a shrug she turned to head back to the kitchen when she heard her name.

"Miss Chase?"

She stiffened then turned slowly back to the front door. Only one man stood there, Robertson, but it was enough to set her teeth on edge.

"Why are you here? This was settled."

He gave an appreciative smile and stepped down into the lobby area. Hands in his pockets.

"I am here unofficially."

She crossed her arms and tilted her head.

"Oh? So what do you want, Mr. Robertson?"

"Actually, I was hoping to speak to you, privately."

She looked around.

"Well, we're alone now."

"That we are."

She narrowed her eyes as he stepped over to the couch she was in front of.

"Okay, creepy much?"

"We will, be leaving tomorrow morning. Going back to England."

"Nothing we can do to convince you to go sooner?"

She smiled brightly. He simply laughed.

"Well, only if you can convince them to let Marcus out of the hospital earlier."

Her face fell.

"Is he all right?"

"Oh, he'll be fine. It was those visions you shared. Seems it caused an internal brain bleed. He'll heal, it wasn't anything permanent."

"I'm sorry."

"Actually, that is why I'm here."

She swallowed panicking.

"Because, I gave him a brain bleed?"

"More, because your visions gave him a brain bleed. I'm going to believe it's safe to assume that you have had the same side effects?"

Her eyes darted around and she shrugged, arms tightening around herself.

"Miss Chase, if you have these visions regularly, you must be aware by now that they are cutting your life drastically short."

"I don't understand why exactly are you here?"

He reached into a breast pocket and pulled out a card handing it to her. She looked at him then reluctantly took the card.

"Miss Chase, I think you are in the habit of being underestimated. Believe me when I say I am going to try very hard not to ever underestimate you. It's true the Council is leaving this situation alone, however, I am hoping to make some changes in the Council in the future. If I do, being able to work with your team, your, champions, will prove invaluable."

She rolled her eyes and went to comment but he smiled and shook his head.

"No, not control, not even command. Work with. Word is out about the slayer."

"Faith is more than a slayer."

"Yes she is, don't worry, I haven't forgotten our little lesson from yesterday so soon. However, I was speaking of the slayer in Sunnydale. She quit us over a year ago. She's been working independently. The longest living slayer, the most productive slayer we have ever had, and it's because she is not under our control. I can use that, and I plan to. In order to make major changes in the Council."

"So. . . you want me to keep in touch so we can help you take over?"

"Not at all. I want you to feel free to call if you need help. Preferably before the visions kill you. Believe it or not, I believe you could be a great ally to us. Not just your team, but you. I'd be willing to see what we can do to help you stick around and perhaps in time, you'll come to trust me. In time, perhaps the Council won't be seen as the controlling and evil force you all seem to believe us to be."

Cordelia looked over the card and thought about it. She didn't know if he could do any more than the doctor's she had seen already, but then, this was a more mystical ailment than a physical one. She knew she couldn't just trust him though. She took a breath and looked up at him.

"They don't know. You breathe a word of this to any of them -"

He lifted his hands immediately.

"I completely understand. I'll keep it in the strictest confidence. No promises, Miss Chase. On either side, just, an option should you want it. I can't promise anything but to offer whatever help I can if you ask."

She nodded and he offered her a hand.

"Shake on it?"

The sarcasm was obvious and she couldn't help but grin and offer her hand.

"All right, shake on it."

"Hey Cor I rinsed the mug out and - "

Angel froze when he saw them standing so close and walked over to pull their hands apart and glare at the man.

"What are you doing here? Wes!"

Cordelia rolled her eyes and went to say something but the office door opened and Wes stuck his head out. Face a bit flushed and eyes hazy, they cleared immediately and he headed over to cross his arms and stand in front of the others and face Robertson. Faith had also looked out and followed.

Robertson smiled and gave a nod to Cordelia.

"Simply saying our goodbyes and again apologizing. I hope to hear from you soon Miss Chase, and thank you."

He turned to head out and Cordelia sighed pushing past them. She turned to give Angel and Wesley a look that said they'd discuss this later and then walked him to the door. Once he was gone she turned on them, hands on her hips.

"All right you guys, what was that?"

Angel snorted.

"I don't know you tell us? Seems someone forgot that he just tried to kill us."

Cordelia narrowed her eyes.

"Oh yes, I completely forgot, just decided, 'hey he's a cutie! I should totally invite him over for tea!' God, give me some credit!"

Wesley stepped in hoping to stop things from escalating.

"Cordelia, what exactly did he want?"

She pulled her eyes from glaring at Angel to look at Wesley.

"He was just saying that they are leaving tomorrow and -"

"Why aren't they leaving now?"

She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down with Angel snapping at her.

"They have to wait until Marcus gets out of the hospital. The visions kind of, were too much for him. Can I continue?"

She looked back up at Angel and he just glared. Wesley cleared his throat and nodded to her.

"Buffy quit the Council."

Now she had their attention and Angel's face fell, she knew that was going to happen, Wesley's brow furrowed.

"Is she all right?"

This time both Wesley and Faith noticed the flinch on Cordelia's face. She covered quickly and shrugged.

"How should I know? It's not like anyone there every talks to me. Go call if you're so worried."

"Cordelia, please, continue."

She concentrated instead on Wesley then and tried for a smile.

"Right, well, seems there's some dissension in the Council. There's the old guys like Marcus that want to keep things the way they have been and there's guys like Robertson that want to change things. He said Buffy was the most successful slayer they've ever had and it's because she's not under their control. So he gave me his card, said to keep in touch and were hoping that if things went well, maybe we'd be working together instead of trying to control and stuff."

Angel shook his head.

"And you believed him."

Wesley was thinking, rubbing at his chin.

"Actually, there were problems even before I left England. There are many younger members that have been trying to make changes, but it's a rough road Things have been running the same way for centuries, many are unable to see a reason to make a break with tradition."

"Thank you Wesley."

Cordelia was feeling very defensive and wasnt' sure why. Part of it was probably the way Angel leapt at anything doing with Buffy, the rest might be that he didn't trust her. Angel shook his head.

"I still don't think we should trust them."

"No, no of course not, still, it would be a good idea to keep an eye on things."

"Can you do that without being noticed though? I don't think we should get involved with Watcher politics."

"True, taking sides on something like that could be disastrous. Which is probably why he only hinted at it, a way to feel out possible allies. I'll look into it."

"Good, and I'm going to give Sunnydale a call, see what I can find out about Buffy."

Angel turned and headed back to his room and Wesley turned to head to the office. Faith opened her mouth to say something but Cordelia shook her head and turned to leave.

"I'm going home."

"Cordelia. . . "

"I need to get some sleep, and Dennis is probably worried. I'll call in later."

Faith followed Wesley into the office. He was already sitting down and looking through his address book.

"Wes."

"Hmm?"

With a frown she walked to the front of the desk and leaned over it, hand slapping down on his book.

"Wes!"

He jerked and looked up, then his face softened.

"Oh, I'm sorry Faith, I, wasn't expecting this new development."

Faith snorted.

"Which one? Angel still in love with Buffy? The Council having issues? Them giving Cordelia a card and trying to get her and us on their side? Or Cordelia being in love with Angel?"

Wesley blinked.

"Cordelia?"

Faith sighed and sat down across from the desk, leaning back in the chair.

"She went home. You two were so busy taking over you didn't even notice. She totally flinched when Angel mentioned Buffy. He was more worried about her then anything else."

Wesley shook his head.

"That doesn't mean she's in love with him. After all, Cordelia was the one that has been here the longest. She's had to deal with the aftermath of Buffy's visits in the past. She was probably just concerned with how Angel would deal with it."

Faith rolled her eyes.

"Yeah sure that's it. Man you guys are dense. Also, you notice that the watcher guy gave Cordelia his card and not you?"

He frowned.

"Perhaps, it was because she was there first? He may have just assumed that it would go on file."

"Then why didn't he mention it? And you know, anyone else worried that their watcher goes into the hospital after one vision and Cordy gets them all the time? I'm telling you something is going on around here that we're missing."

Wesley looked down at his address book then leaned back himself, thinking on everything.

"Perhaps. It wouldn't be the first time we missed something that was happening so close. You said she went home? Maybe I should call Cordelia first."

Faith nodded.

"Probably, but I'd give her some time. I'm telling you, she's got feelings for him, it might be worry, but there's more. Trust me."

He gave her a smirk.

"Speaking from experience are we?"

She grinned back.

"Hey, pot, kettle here."

He nodded, trying for serious.

"Oh, absolutely."