All the Wrong Places - Part 2 To: KLREBBTSYHQUIJKOOSO (Angel) From: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH > Hi. Hi yourself. Y'know, I'm really glad to be able to talk to you again. Course, I'm really glad just to be able to talk. But it's good to talk to a friend. > > So... what are you doing with an evil lawfirm? > Figures that's the first thing you'd ask. It was either that or about Cordelia and I figured this was the easier of the two questions. > It's a long story. Seems like Wolfram and Hart has a lot more branches than just the L.A. one, but ours isn't evil. Um, now, anyway. There are a lot of resources here, and we're trying to use them to do some good. At least that's the theory. That wasn't what I meant exactly when I told you to make connections, but I guess it's as good a way as any. So does this mean you're wearing a three piece suit and taking meetings and shit? > Wes told me what he thinks happened. Says he's going to find some way to get you out of there. You okay? For being a dead, disembodied consciousness in a formerly evil lawfirm's computer system, I'm great. I'm all right, Angel. I'm dealing. So what can you tell me about this Wesley fellow anyway? Doyle __________ To: Alan Francis Doyle From: Angel > Hi yourself. Yeah. I've got a stupid grin on my face. It feels wrong, somehow. > Y'know, I'm really glad to be able to talk to you again. Course, I'm really glad just to be able to talk. But it's good to talk to a friend. Yeah, it is. This is so weird. > > > So... what are you doing with an evil lawfirm. > > Figures that's the first thing you'd ask. > It was either that or about Cordelia and I figured this was the easier of the two questions. Oh. Well that's true. > > It's a long story. Seems like Wolfram and Hart has a lot more branches than just the L.A. one, but ours isn't evil. Um, now, anyway. There are a lot of resources here, and we're trying to use them to do some good. At least that's the theory. > That wasn't what I meant exactly when I told you to make connections, but I guess it's as good a way as any. So does this mean you're wearing a three piece suit and taking meetings and shit? Suit, no. Meetings, yes, though I get out of as many of them as I can. Or make other people go to them. Which means I get to read lots of notes that don't really make a lot of sense to me, and then nod when people ask if everything's to my satisfaction. Oh, and most of them call me "Mr." Which is just wrong. > > Wes told me what he thinks happened. Says he's going to find some way to get you out of there. You okay? > For being a dead, disembodied consciousness in a formerly evil lawfirm's computer system, I'm great. I'm all right, Angel. I'm dealing. Good. And don't worry, we'll figure something out. > So what can you tell me about this Wesley fellow anyway? Knew him in Sunnydale, he showed up in L.A. right after you died. Cordy and me needed the extra set of hands, so I hired him. Well, that and because he really needed a job. He was out of money, hungry... you know the kind of thing. Used to be a Watcher, if that helps you pinpoint his personality any. He's pretty far from that now though. Um... talk to you soon. - Angel __________ To: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce From: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH > > > > So I'm at... TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH? > > > So it would appear. > > Now if I can only figure out what that means, I may be a step closer in figuring out exactly where I am. > Honestly, I'm not sure it matters. It matters to me. I may not have a body but still would like a point in space and time that can be pointed at as my actual location. Some proof that I'm not some figment of... someone's imagination. > > > Really? I'm honored. > > Well not like I have a lot of people I'm talking to right now. Just you and Angel. > Oh that's right, give me a straw to grasp at and then rip it from my hands without warning. Didn't realise we were dealing with straws. You'd still be the first person I told. I don't get the feeling Angel would be much help with computer possessions. There's nothing to hit. > > Okay, I'll give you that you didn't actually call me a drunk and a liar, just implied it quite loudly. > Under the circumstances, I think my behavior was well within the boundaries of reasonable. You're going to keep going on about this, aren't you? > > Tell me what's been happening in those three years? > Oh yes, that would be easy to condense into a small amount of space. Well not like I have a handle on what to ask first. > In 2000, you died, I was hired in what was basically your place, and Angel's office and apartment were blown to smithereens, leaving us working out of Cordelia's apartment. The office blew up? Damn, there really isn't anything of the old order left is there? > In 2001, we acquired new office space. We learned that Darla, Angel's sire, had been brought back to life as a human. When Angel refused to turn her back into a vampire, Wolfram and Hart (yes, still evil at the time) brought Drusilla in to do the job instead. Angel was... rather drawn into his dark side. When we questioned his motives, he sacked us all. Shortly thereafter I was shot in the gut by a zombie policeman. Some time later we reunited with Angel, and then Cordelia got sucked into an interdimensional portal, which we travelled through to rescue her from a dimension called Pylea. When we returned, it was to learn that Buffy, Angel's... well, I assume you know the history there... had been killed. Buffy's dead? I met her once bit of a firebrand that one. That must've hit Angel hard. She'd taken on mythic significance in his mind. > In 2002... well, a great many things happened, and we're back into territory that I don't care to explore. Which, being the contrary ghost that I am, means that's what I want to hear the most about. > This year, Cordelia returned from her stint as a Higher Being, but without her memories. We didn't realize at the time that she was already pregnant -- possessed -- I'm not even certain what the most accurate word is. Cordelia was pregnant? Do Higher Beings even *do* that? > And then there was a whole thing with a Beast and Angelus and Faith and Jasmine and the end of the world. You know how it goes. So the same old, same old? Except this time you ended up with a formerly evil lawfirm. > > I hadn't a clue. Never knew my father, and my mum never told me because I looked human. > That must have been a terrible shock, yes. You could see it. > Worse than this one? Yeah. Since the last thing I remember this time was dying, I was expecting something weird. Last time it was weirdness out of the blue, turning my nice happy normal life upsidedown. > > > Because she has... had... the visions. You passed them to her just before you died. > > I did what? Crap. I didn't mean... I'd never... Christ, she must hate me. > No, after the first... shock (and there's that word again) she seemed to remember you fondly. She did? Even after the vision thing? > > > No offense. It's just not something I'm going to discuss with a near-stranger. > > Course, I'm discussing all kinds of things that are private-like, but s'pose when you're dead you lose all privacy. > No, it's not that. It's just complicated. It's not like I don't have time to listen. > > Oh my poor Princess. I would have done anything to keep Cordelia safe. Hell, I did. I never meant... Damn. This sucks. When you're a ghost in a machine you can't storm off to blow off steam. And you can't cry. > Again, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. Tell me you've found a way of waking her up. > > Yeah, that sounds like him. Weight of the world always on those broad shoulders. > Yes. He feels responsible, for a number of reasons, and as usual there's not much point in trying to talk him out of it. Never stopped me from trying. Sometimes you can make him give in just by sheer volume of words. > > > I'm going to go find him and talk to him as soon as I finish writing this. I'll tell him. > > He contacted me. Thank you. > Good, I'm glad. You're welcome. He hasn't said much yet, but it's Angel. When does he say much? > > Yeah, then there'd be three of you. ;) > One is more than enough, trust me. I think I can do that Angel does after all. > > (Look. May not have a body, but I have figured out how to smile, at least.) > I hope it helps. I'm adusting. :-) It's amazing what you can adapt to when you don't have any choice. > I'm doing some research now. There has to be a way to get you out of there. Err... given the fact that I'm dead... if you get me out of the computer system, what happens to me? Besides, you shouldn't be worrying about me, you should be concentrating on finding a cure for Cordelia. I'm dead. I'll keep. Cordelia's what's important. Doyle ____________________ To: Alan Francis Doyle From: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce Hello Doyle. Do you still prefer to be called by your last name? > > > Now if I can only figure out what that means, I may be a step closer in figuring out exactly where I am. > > Honestly, I'm not sure it matters. > It matters to me. I may not have a body but still would like a point in space and time that can be pointed at as my actual location. Some proof that I'm not some figment of... someone's imagination. You aren't. Well, if you are, then Angel and I are both on the same wavelength, which I find... difficult to believe at best. > > Oh that's right, give me a straw to grasp at and then rip it from my hands without warning. > Didn't realise we were dealing with straws. I'm sorry, I was trying to be amusing. I should know better. > You'd still be the first person I told. I don't get the feeling Angel would be much help with computer possessions. There's nothing to hit. That's true, he'd probably prefer bashing his way into a stronghold of some sort over wrestling with the complexities of the computer age. > > Under the circumstances, I think my behavior was well within the boundaries of reasonable. > You're going to keep going on about this, aren't you? Dropping it. > > Oh yes, that would be easy to condense into a small amount of space. > Well not like I have a handle on what to ask first. I hope I've given you some food for thought. > > In 2000, you died, I was hired in what was basically your place, and Angel's office and apartment were blown to smithereens, leaving us working out of Cordelia's apartment. > The office blew up? Damn, there really isn't anything of the old order left is there? I can assure you that it did, as I was inside it at the time. About the old order... I really couldn't say for sure, but I suspect not. > > In 2001, we acquired new office space. We learned that Darla, Angel's sire, had been brought back to life as a human. When Angel refused to turn her back into a vampire, Wolfram and Hart (yes, still evil at the time) brought Drusilla in to do the job instead. Angel was... rather drawn into his dark side. When we questioned his motives, he sacked us all. Shortly thereafter I was shot in the gut by a zombie policeman. Some time later we reunited with Angel, and then Cordelia got sucked into an interdimensional portal, which we travelled through to rescue her from a dimension called Pylea. When we returned, it was to learn that Buffy, Angel's... well, I assume you know the history there... had been killed. > Buffy's dead? She was. She, er, came back. So, what with Darla and Buffy, one would think that I'd have been less surprised at your return. Although of course they both came back in the more normal way, with actual bodies. > I met her once bit of a firebrand that one. That must've hit Angel hard. She'd taken on mythic significance in his mind. It did. Very hard. He actually went to Tibet for a few months, to get some space, have some time to think. Time to... well, not get over it, but accept it, maybe. > > In 2002... well, a great many things happened, and we're back into territory that I don't care to explore. > Which, being the contrary ghost that I am, means that's what I want to hear the most about. I don't care to explore it. > > This year, Cordelia returned from her stint as a Higher Being, but without her memories. We didn't realize at the time that she was already pregnant -- possessed -- I'm not even certain what the most accurate word is. > Cordelia was pregnant? Do Higher Beings even *do* that? It was a mystical sort of thing. She seemed -- I'm sorry, SEEMS prone to them. > > And then there was a whole thing with a Beast and Angelus and Faith and Jasmine and the end of the world. You know how it goes. > So the same old, same old? Except this time you ended up with a formerly evil lawfirm. Exactly. > > That must have been a terrible shock, yes. > You could see it. > > Worse than this one? > Yeah. Since the last thing I remember this time was dying, I was expecting something weird. Last time it was weirdness out of the blue, turning my nice happy normal life upsidedown. So are you able to take any consolation at all, now, in the fact that this isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to you? I suspect I'd be rather bitter, myself. > > > Christ, she must hate me. > > No, after the first... shock (and there's that word again) she seemed to remember you fondly. > She did? Even after the vision thing? Yes. She didn't talk about you a great deal as time went on, to be perfectly honest, but I don't think she forgot you. > > > Course, I'm discussing all kinds of things that are private-like, but s'pose when you're dead you lose all privacy. > > No, it's not that. It's just complicated. > It's not like I don't have time to listen. That's true. > > > Damn. This sucks. When you're a ghost in a machine you can't storm off to blow off steam. And you can't cry. > > Again, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. > Tell me you've found a way of waking her up. We're working on it, I assure you. > > Yes. He feels responsible, for a number of reasons, and as usual there's not much point in trying to talk him out of it. > Never stopped me from trying. Sometimes you can make him give in just by sheer volume of words. I've tried at times as well, often with less luck than you had, I suspect. > He hasn't said much yet, but it's Angel. When does he say much? Very rarely. > > > Yeah, then there'd be three of you. ;) > > One is more than enough, trust me. > I think I can do that Angel does after all. I... think you're laboring under a false truth there. > > I hope it helps. > I'm adusting. :-) It's amazing what you can adapt to when you don't have any choice. With any luck you won't have to wait long. > > I'm doing some research now. There has to be a way to get you out of there. > Err... given the fact that I'm dead... if you get me out of the computer system, what happens to me? Well, when we figure out how to do it, the ideal situation would be to put you back into your body. Unless there's another you'd prefer? Brad Pitt, perhaps? > Besides, you shouldn't be worrying about me, you should be concentrating on finding a cure for Cordelia. I'm dead. I'll keep. Cordelia's what's important. We haven't lost sight of that, but one of the benefits of working in a multi-billion dollar company is that we have the resources to work on both problems at the same time. And I don't think you should keep referring to yourself as "dead." In a technical sense, you're more... disembodied. You're talking, comprehending, listening... you're not dead. - Wesley W-P ____________________ To: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce From: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH > Hello Doyle. Hi. > Do you still prefer to be called by your last name? Yeah. It's pretty much my identiy now. No one calls me by my given name anymore except my ex-wife and my mum. Well as of a few years ago; I doubt anyone is calling me much of anything anymore. > > I may not have a body but still would like a point in space and time that can be pointed at as my actual location. Some proof that I'm not some figment of... someone's imagination. > You aren't. Well, if you are, then Angel and I are both on the same wavelength, which I find... difficult to believe at best. Thanks for the reassurance. Still would like to know where I am exactly; it just seems like a pretty basic thing I should know. And being nosey disembodied guy again here, but what's up with you and Angel? Did something happen during that time you don't want to discuss? > > > Oh that's right, give me a straw to grasp at and then rip it from my hands without warning. > > Didn't realise we were dealing with straws. > I'm sorry, I was trying to be amusing. I should know better. I'm still getting used to everything here. Try being amusing again, I'll try and do better. > > You'd still be the first person I told. I don't get the feeling Angel would be much help with computer possessions. There's nothing to hit. > That's true, he'd probably prefer bashing his way into a stronghold of some sort over wrestling with the complexities of the computer age. Angel's a straightforward kind of guy. > > > Oh yes, that would be easy to condense into a small amount of space. > > Well not like I have a handle on what to ask first. > I hope I've given you some food for thought. It's a place to start, anyway. Mostly though just sorta knocks home how much I've missed. It's hard to be faced with proof that the world goes on just fine without you. Even though that was the whole point of sacrificing myself. > > The office blew up? Damn, there really isn't anything of the old order left is there? > I can assure you that it did, as I was inside it at the time. Ouch. That had to hurt. > About the old order... I really couldn't say for sure, but I suspect not. Seems that way. Least Angel's still here. Still there. Whichever word fits. Cripes, I need a whole new vocabulary here. > > Buffy's dead? > She was. She, er, came back. So, what with Darla and Buffy, one would think that I'd have been less surprised at your return. Although of course they both came back in the more normal way, with actual bodies. Y'know, the idea that there is a "normal way" of coming back from the dead just sorta highlights the kind of existence we're all experiencing here. > > I met her once bit of a firebrand that one. That must've hit Angel hard. She'd taken on mythic significance in his mind. > It did. Very hard. He actually went to Tibet for a few months, to get some space, have some time to think. Time to... well, not get over it, but accept it, maybe. Go off and brood in private. Yeah, that sounds like him. > > > In 2002... well, a great many things happened, and we're back into territory that I don't care to explore. > > Which, being the contrary ghost that I am, means that's what I want to hear the most about. > I don't care to explore it. That kind of leaves me with a great big black hole in my knowledge though. I suppose I can always just ask Angel. > > Cordelia was pregnant? Do Higher Beings even *do* that? > It was a mystical sort of thing. She seemed -- I'm sorry, SEEMS prone to them. Mystical things? We're talking about the same Cordelia, aren't we? She always seemed to be the most down to earth about all the weird stuff happening around her. Though... working with a vampire and a half demon with visions, apartment with a ghost... guess she does seem to attract things beyond the norm after all, huh? > > Yeah. Since the last thing I remember this time was dying, I was expecting something weird. Last time it was weirdness out of the blue, turning my nice happy normal life upsidedown. > So are you able to take any consolation at all, now, in the fact that this isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to you? I suspect I'd be rather bitter, myself. I can't be bitter about this. It was my own decision to deactivate the beacon. It saved Angel and Cordelia and the others, and it was a chance to... if not exactly make up for past mistakes, at least I didn't repeat them. And to have an...existence beyond that... can't be anything but grateful. Even if it isn't the kind I'd have picked. > > > No, after the first... shock (and there's that word again) she seemed to remember you fondly. > > She did? Even after the vision thing? > Yes. She didn't talk about you a great deal as time went on, to be perfectly honest, but I don't think she forgot you. Even if she did, the migraines with pictures would be a really pointed reminder. > > > > Course, I'm discussing all kinds of things that are private-like, but s'pose when you're dead you lose all privacy. > > > No, it's not that. It's just complicated. > > It's not like I don't have time to listen. > That's true. I've been told I'm a good listener. > > Tell me you've found a way of waking her up. > We're working on it, I assure you. I wish there was some way I could help. > > > Yes. He feels responsible, for a number of reasons, and as usual there's not much point in trying to talk him out of it. > > Never stopped me from trying. Sometimes you can make him give in just by sheer volume of words. > I've tried at times as well, often with less luck than you had, I suspect. I'm what you call an endurance talker. I think sometimes he gave in just to shut me up. > > He hasn't said much yet, but it's Angel. When does he say much? > Very rarely. When he starts talking a lot, it's rarely a good sign. > > > One is more than enough, trust me. > > I think I can do that Angel does after all. > I... think you're laboring under a false truth there. Angel doesn't trust you? > > > I hope it helps. > > I'm adusting. :-) It's amazing what you can adapt to when you don't have any choice. > With any luck you won't have to wait long. It's not so bad; I'm starting to feel my way around here. It's just weird, doing things without a body. > > Err... given the fact that I'm dead... if you get me out of the computer system, what happens to me? > Well, when we figure out how to do it, the ideal situation would be to put you back into your body. Unless there's another you'd prefer? Brad Pitt, perhaps? I don't think my body exists any more. But.. if there was a way to get it back... I wouldn't even complain about the occasional green spininess anymore. > > Besides, you shouldn't be worrying about me, you should be concentrating on finding a cure for Cordelia. I'm dead. I'll keep. Cordelia's what's important. > We haven't lost sight of that, but one of the benefits of working in a multi-billion dollar company is that we have the resources to work on both problems at the same time. Oh. Well as long as you're still trying to help her... > And I don't think you should keep referring to yourself as "dead." In a technical sense, you're more... disembodied. You're talking, comprehending, listening... you're not dead. I- Thanks. Doyle ____________________ To: Doyle From: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce Hello Doyle. > > Do you still prefer to be called by your last name? > Yeah. It's pretty much my identity now. All right, good to know. > No one calls me by my given name anymore except my ex-wife and my mum. Well as of a few years ago; I doubt anyone is calling me much of anything anymore. Very probably true, although I'd imagine I'm going to speak to Angel about you some more as time goes on. > > You aren't. Well, if you are, then Angel and I are both on the same wavelength, which I find... difficult to believe at best. > Thanks for the reassurance. Still would like to know where I am exactly; it just seems like a pretty basic thing I should know. I'll sit myself down and see if I can make any sense of those letters then. I'm not convinced it's going to mean much to you, to know that you're in the back section of computer 267 or some such, but if you need to know, I'll see what I can do. > And being nosey disembodied guy again here, but what's up with you and Angel? Did something happen during that time you don't want to discuss? Yes. > > I'm sorry, I was trying to be amusing. I should know better. > I'm still getting used to everything here. Try being amusing again, I'll try and do better. Did you hear the one about the priest and the... no, never mind, I'm no good at this sort of thing. If the urge strikes me at some point, I'll give it another shot. > > That's true, he'd probably prefer bashing his way into a stronghold of some sort over wrestling with the complexities of the computer age. > Angel's a straightforward kind of guy. He is that. > > I hope I've given you some food for thought. > It's a place to start, anyway. Mostly though just sorta knocks home how much I've missed. It's hard to be faced with proof that the world goes on just fine without you. Even though that was the whole point of sacrificing myself. You did a wonderful thing. You know that, don't you? > > > The office blew up? Damn, there really isn't anything of the old order left is there? > > I can assure you that it did, as I was inside it at the time. > Ouch. That had to hurt. Rather. Fortunately I was only in hospital for a couple of days, as I wasn't seriously injured. > > About the old order... I really couldn't say for sure, but I suspect not. > Seems that way. Least Angel's still here. Still there. Whichever word fits. Cripes, I need a whole new vocabulary here. You're doing just fine. > > She was. She, er, came back. So, what with Darla and Buffy, one would think that I'd have been less surprised at your return. Although of course they both came back in the more normal way, with actual bodies. > Y'know, the idea that there is a "normal way" of coming back from the dead just sorta highlights the kind of existence we're all experiencing here. I couldn't agree more. > > It did. Very hard. He actually went to Tibet for a few months, to get some space, have some time to think. Time to... well, not get over it, but accept it, maybe. > Go off and brood in private. Yeah, that sounds like him. I think we all reminded him a bit too much of one of the main reasons why he'd been seeking redemption -- for Buffy -- and he needed to be away from us. > > I don't care to explore it. > That kind of leaves me with a great big black hole in my knowledge though. I suppose I can always just ask Angel. Yes, you can. > > > Cordelia was pregnant? Do Higher Beings even *do* that? > > It was a mystical sort of thing. She seemed -- I'm sorry, SEEMS prone to them. > Mystical things? We're talking about the same Cordelia, aren't we? She always seemed to be the most down to earth about all the weird stuff happening around her. Though... working with a vampire and a half demon with visions, apartment with a ghost... guess she does seem to attract things beyond the norm after all, huh? No, I meant mystical pregnancies in particular. Although you wouldn't know that, would you. Well, to protect her privacy, let's leave it at "Cordelia has experienced more than one mystical pregnancy, though she never came to term." When we get her back, she can tell you herself, or not, as she wishes. > > So are you able to take any consolation at all, now, in the fact that this isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to you? I suspect I'd be rather bitter, myself. > I can't be bitter about this. It was my own decision to deactivate the beacon. It saved Angel and Cordelia and the others, and it was a chance to... if not exactly make up for past mistakes, at least I didn't repeat them. And to have an...existence beyond that... can't be anything but grateful. Even if it isn't the kind I'd have picked. You don't have any faith in me at all, do you. We're going to find a solution to this problem, I assure you. > > Yes. She didn't talk about you a great deal as time went on, to be perfectly honest, but I don't think she forgot you. > Even if she did, the migraines with pictures would be a really pointed reminder. True enough. > > > It's not like I don't have time to listen. > > That's true. > I've been told I'm a good listener. I... I can't. It's not that I don't... I just can't. > > We're working on it, I assure you. > I wish there was some way I could help. If I can figure out a way for you to, I'll let you know. > > I've tried at times as well, often with less luck than you had, I suspect. > I'm what you call an endurance talker. I think sometimes he gave in just to shut me up. I can see that. > > > He hasn't said much yet, but it's Angel. When does he say much? > > Very rarely. > When he starts talking a lot, it's rarely a good sign. Having not had the questionable pleasure of hearing him talk a lot, I'll take your word for it. > > > I think I can do that Angel does after all. > > I... think you're laboring under a false truth there. > Angel doesn't trust you? I don't think he does, not entirely, no. > > With any luck you won't have to wait long. > It's not so bad; I'm starting to feel my way around here. It's just weird, doing things without a body. You can't see anything? What can you feel? > > Well, when we figure out how to do it, the ideal situation would be to put you back into your body. Unless there's another you'd prefer? Brad Pitt, perhaps? > I don't think my body exists any more. But.. if there was a way to get it back... I wouldn't even complain about the occasional green spininess anymore. I've no doubt that there's a way to get it back. Bringing people back from the dead is about more than corpses and freshly dug grave soil and candles, you know. Darla was dust before she was brought back with magic by, I remind you, Wolfram and Hart. Not that I'd advocate the methods they used, but if there's a will... > > > Cordelia's what's important. > > We haven't lost sight of that, but one of the benefits of working in a multi-billion dollar company is that we have the resources to work on both problems at the same time. > Oh. Well as long as you're still trying to help her... Of course we are. > > And I don't think you should keep referring to yourself as "dead." In a technical sense, you're more... disembodied. You're talking, comprehending, listening... you're not dead. > I- Thanks. You're welcome. - Wesley W-P __________ To: Angel From: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH > > Hi yourself. > Yeah. I've got a stupid grin on my face. It feels wrong, somehow. That's because you don't smile enough. If talking to me helps make you grin, I'll talk to you until... Well I was going to say 'until I lose my voice' but being sans body, that's not really a problem at the moment. Guess I can talk indefinitely. > > Y'know, I'm really glad to be able to talk to you again. Course, I'm really glad just to be able to talk. But it's good to talk to a friend. > Yeah, it is. You have more friends than me to talk to, I hope. > This is so weird. Yeah, it is. I might've known how to use computers fine, but I never inspired to become one. > > It was either that or about Cordelia and I figured this was the easier of the two questions. > Oh. Well that's true. I need to know about Cordelia too, Angel. Whenever you feel like you can talk about it. > > So does this mean you're wearing a three piece suit and taking meetings and shit? > Suit, no. Meetings, yes, though I get out of as many of them as I can. Or make other people go to them. Which means I get to read lots of notes that don't really make a lot of sense to me, and then nod when people ask if everything's to my satisfaction. Sounds like a whole barrel of laughs. So what exactly are you doing with the formerly evil lawfirm? Bit more complicated of an operation than the old days at A.I. > Oh, and most of them call me "Mr." Which is just wrong. "Mr. Angel." Yeah, you're right. You're just not the mister type. "Sir" maybe. But not "Mr." > > I'm all right, Angel. I'm dealing. > Good. And don't worry, we'll figure something out. I know you will. But I bet you're wishing that involved hitting something, aren't you? > > So what can you tell me about this Wesley fellow anyway? > Knew him in Sunnydale, he showed up in L.A. right after you died. Cordy and me needed the extra set of hands, so I hired him. Well, that and because he really needed a job. He was out of money, hungry... you know the kind of thing. Used to be a Watcher, if that helps you pinpoint his personality any. Good, good. Reaching out, connecting. Gold star behaviour. > He's pretty far from that now though. Do you trust him? > Um... talk to you soon. Anytime you need someone to talk to, I'm here. I don't seem to be sleeping or anything anymore, so literally anytime. Doyle __________ To: Alan Francis Doyle From: Angel Hi Doyle. > > Yeah. I've got a stupid grin on my face. It feels wrong, somehow. > That's because you don't smile enough. If talking to me helps make you grin, I'll talk to you until... Well I was going to say 'until I lose my voice' but being sans body, that's not really a problem at the moment. Guess I can talk indefinitely. Good. I wouldn't mind. *Really* wouldn't mind hearing the sound of your voice, but I think that's gonna have to wait a few days until Wes and Lorne and the appropriate department figure out how to bring you back. But yeah, talk all you want. > > > But it's good to talk to a friend. > > Yeah, it is. > You have more friends than me to talk to, I hope. Yeah... and no. > > This is so weird. > Yeah, it is. I might've known how to use computers fine, but I never inspired to become one. You're not, you're just in there. Having a little vacation. We'll have you back to work soon enough, so maybe you should enjoy the rest while you can. > > Oh. Well that's true. > I need to know about Cordelia too, Angel. Whenever you feel like you can talk about it. I don't know what you want me to say. I failed her, you know? Let her get taken away from us, on the night we should have... I was going to tell her I had feelings for her. You know? And I got thrown into the ocean, and she went up and became a Higher Being, or so they said. And when she came back she wasn't even herself anymore. Now she's not possessed anymore, but she's... lost. I don't know how to get her back. > > Suit, no. Meetings, yes, though I get out of as many of them as I can. Or make other people go to them. Which means I get to read lots of notes that don't really make a lot of sense to me, and then nod when people ask if everything's to my satisfaction. > Sounds like a whole barrel of laughs. Yeah, that's what it is. Hear me laughing? > So what exactly are you doing with the formerly evil lawfirm? Bit more complicated of an operation than the old days at A.I. Not really that different from the old days at A.I. Except for the office and the equipment, and the psychics. Oh, and Files and Records, and Fred's heading up this whole science division. I don't even know what they do, actually. Sometimes she tries to tell me, but it mostly involves a lot more nodding. But anyway, we're doing the same thing, just on a bigger scale. Okay, much bigger scale. Oh, and I have twelve cars. > "Mr. Angel." Yeah, you're right. You're just not the mister type. "Sir" maybe. But not "Mr." Don't remember you calling me "Sir." > > Good. And don't worry, we'll figure something out. > I know you will. But I bet you're wishing that involved hitting something, aren't you? Jeez. You know me too well. Anything in there in the computer I could hit? Or would that be one of those things I shouldn't do? > > > So what can you tell me about this Wesley fellow anyway? > > Knew him in Sunnydale, he showed up in L.A. right after you died. Cordy and me needed the extra set of hands, so I hired him. Well, that and because he really needed a job. He was out of money, hungry... you know the kind of thing. Used to be a Watcher, if that helps you pinpoint his personality any. > Good, good. Reaching out, connecting. Gold star behaviour. Thanks. I knew you'd be pleased. > > He's pretty far from that now though. > Do you trust him? Do I...? That's a complicated question. With some things, I guess I do. But then, maybe if you need to say "I guess with some things," the answer's no, huh? There's... a lot of history. > > Um... talk to you soon. > Anytime you need someone to talk to, I'm here. I don't seem to be sleeping or anything anymore, so literally anytime. I don't do a lot of sleeping myself. Too bad there's not some way to hook my brain into this thing, so that we could talk without so much typing. Don't think I'm gonna get that Lincoln tunnel syndrome thing, but sometimes my eyes start to kind of cross. Plus it takes forever. You still okay? - Angel __________ To: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce From: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH > Hello Doyle. Hi yourself. Wesley. Wes? Pryce? Which do you prefer? > > > Do you still prefer to be called by your last name? > > Yeah. It's pretty much my identity now. > All right, good to know. Francis was someone else someone who wasn't half demon. > Very probably true, although I'd imagine I'm going to speak to Angel about you some more as time goes on. Good. The speaking to Angel part I mean. I get the feeling he's been trying to isolate himself again this time in a big corporation instead of a dark basement apartment. > I'll sit myself down and see if I can make any sense of those letters then. I'm not convinced it's going to mean much to you, to know that you're in the back section of computer 267 or some such, but if you need to know, I'll see what I can do. Thanks. I think I'm going to start exploring, but I don't want to go too far until I know where I am. So if I get lost at least I'll know where I want to get back to. > > And being nosey disembodied guy again here, but what's up with you and Angel? Did something happen during that time you don't want to discuss? > Yes. And if I asked what that was, the answer would be...? > Did you hear the one about the priest and the... no, never mind, I'm no good at this sort of thing. If the urge strikes me at some point, I'll give it another shot. No hurry. I'm not going anywhere. Least not anywhere I can't get back from. :) > > > That's true, he'd probably prefer bashing his way into a stronghold of some sort over wrestling with the complexities of the computer age. > > Angel's a straightforward kind of guy. > He is that. He's been asking if there was a computer he could hit. Might want to keep him away from any machines that you think I might actually be in. Just to be on the safe side. Just in case he gets impulsive. > > Even though that was the whole point of sacrificing myself. > You did a wonderful thing. You know that, don't you? It had to be done. But yeah. I do. If ya gotta go out, that's the way to do it saving the people that are most important to you. > The office blew up? Damn, there really isn't anything of the old order left is there? > > > I can assure you that it did, as I was inside it at the time. > > Ouch. That had to hurt. > Rather. Fortunately I was only in hospital for a couple of days, as I wasn't seriously injured. I'm glad to hear it. You've seemed to have had a rough time of it -- blown up, shot by zombies... > > Seems that way. Least Angel's still here. Still there. Whichever word fits. Cripes, I need a whole new vocabulary here. > You're doing just fine. Thanks. Guess the vocabulary will have to be improvised as needed. > > Y'know, the idea that there is a "normal way" of coming back from the dead just sorta highlights the kind of existence we're all experiencing here. > I couldn't agree more. Life was so much simpler when all I had to worry about was some student bringing a snake or something for show and tell. Life was so much simpler when I was alive, come to that. > > Go off and brood in private. Yeah, that sounds like him. > I think we all reminded him a bit too much of one of the main reasons why he'd been seeking redemption -- for Buffy -- and he needed to be away from us. Harder than you know. He had a chance and... Well, he's given up more than you know for Buffy. > > That kind of leaves me with a great big black hole in my knowledge though. I suppose I can always just ask Angel. > Yes, you can. All right, I will. > No, I meant mystical pregnancies in particular. Although you wouldn't know that, would you. Well, to protect her privacy, let's leave it at "Cordelia has experienced more than one mystical pregnancy, though she never came to term." When we get her back, she can tell you herself, or not, as she wishes. Talking with Cordelia... now there's something to look forward to. Wonder if she'd still honour the date we'd set up before I died. > > I can't be bitter about this. It was my own decision to deactivate the beacon. It saved Angel and Cordelia and the others, and it was a chance to... if not exactly make up for past mistakes, at least I didn't repeat them. And to have an...existence beyond that... can't be anything but grateful. Even if it isn't the kind I'd have picked. > You don't have any faith in me at all, do you. We're going to find a solution to this problem, I assure you. Now don't go putting words in my mouth. I never said I don't believe you'll find a solution. Just that I'm grateful for any kind of existence I have now, and that the form of my current existence isn't something I would have chosen. Or thought of. For the record, I've no reason to doubt your word when you say you'll get me out. > > Even if she did, the migraines with pictures would be a really pointed reminder. > True enough. I think I would've preferred leaving her with a puppy named Doyle or something. > It's not like I don't have time to listen. > > > That's true. > > I've been told I'm a good listener. > I... I can't. It's not that I don't... I just can't. All right. Never let it be said that I keep prying when I'm not wanted. But the offer stands. > > I wish there was some way I could help. > If I can figure out a way for you to, I'll let you know. Thanks. Not sure what I could do from here, but... > > > I've tried at times as well, often with less luck than you had, I suspect. > > I'm what you call an endurance talker. I think sometimes he gave in just to shut me up. > I can see that. You haven't seen me at my best. Get myself around a single malt whiskey or five and I could talk all night about anything. Whether anybody else in the vincinity was talking about the same thing is beside the point. > > > > He hasn't said much yet, but it's Angel. When does he say much? > > > Very rarely. > > When he starts talking a lot, it's rarely a good sign. > Having not had the questionable pleasure of hearing him talk a lot, I'll take your word for it. Yeah, usually he lets his actions speak for him. > > Angel doesn't trust you? > I don't think he does, not entirely, no. Why? > > It's not so bad; I'm starting to feel my way around here. It's just weird, doing things without a body. > You can't see anything? It's been changing the longer I'm here, the more I interact. I see the words you write, but it's more like they're in my mind than in front of my face. If that makes sense? > What can you feel? It feels like I'm sitting...somewhere. But I can't feel my body. Or see it for that matter. I was trying to speak when I sent that first message. So it seems like my intentions get translated into something computerlike. I'm starting to experiment with 'reaching out' and maybe 'standing' and 'walking'. I'll let you know the results. > > I don't think my body exists any more. But.. if there was a way to get it back... I wouldn't even complain about the occasional green spininess anymore. > I've no doubt that there's a way to get it back. Bringing people back from the dead is about more than corpses and freshly dug grave soil and candles, you know. Well that's good. Considering I didn't leave a corpse. Or a grave. > Darla was dust before she was brought back with magic by, I remind you, Wolfram and Hart. Not that I'd advocate the methods they used, but if there's a will... Maybe something along the same lines but less evil? Doyle __________ To: Doyle From: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce > Hi yourself. Wesley. Wes? Pryce? Which do you prefer? Hello Doyle. I've been using Pryce professionally for some time, but it's not necessary under these circumstances. Wesley will do for now. > > All right, good to know. > Francis was someone else someone who wasn't half demon. I completely understand the need to separate oneself from the past. > > Very probably true, although I'd imagine I'm going to speak to Angel about you some more as time goes on. > Good. The speaking to Angel part I mean. I get the feeling he's been trying to isolate himself again this time in a big corporation instead of a dark basement apartment. I suppose that's true, although I hadn't really given it a great deal of thought. I've been doing more than a bit of that myself, now that I think of it. > > I'll sit myself down and see if I can make any sense of those letters then. I'm not convinced it's going to mean much to you, to know that you're in the back section of computer 267 or some such, but if you need to know, I'll see what I can do. > Thanks. I think I'm going to start exploring, but I don't want to go too far until I know where I am. So if I get lost at least I'll know where I want to get back to. I've done a bit of investigating and haven't come up with anything yet, but I will. Don't go too far, I don't want to lose you in there. > > > And being nosey disembodied guy again here, but what's up with you and Angel? Did something happen during that time you don't want to discuss? > > Yes. > And if I asked what that was, the answer would be...? We had a falling out. It would be extremely complicated and lengthy to explain. > > Did you hear the one about the priest and the... no, never mind, I'm no good at this sort of thing. If the urge strikes me at some point, I'll give it another shot. > No hurry. I'm not going anywhere. Least not anywhere I can't get back from. :) We'll hope that's true. > He's been asking if there was a computer he could hit. Might want to keep him away from any machines that you think I might actually be in. Just to be on the safe side. Just in case he gets impulsive. I'll make sure I point that out to him, although I'm quite certain he wasn't being serious, whatever he said. On the other hand, as you say, he does tend toward rash behaviour at times. > > You did a wonderful thing. You know that, don't you? > It had to be done. But yeah. I do. If ya gotta go out, that's the way to do it saving the people that are most important to you. Yes. > > Rather. Fortunately I was only in hospital for a couple of days, as I wasn't seriously injured. > I'm glad to hear it. Thank you. I've had far worse. > You've seemed to have had a rough time of it -- blown up, shot by zombies... You've no idea. > Thanks. Guess the vocabulary will have to be improvised as needed. And hopefully it won't be long before it's not an issue. > Life was so much simpler when all I had to worry about was some student bringing a snake or something for show and tell. Show and tell? > Life was so much simpler when I was alive, come to that. Well, yes, that would rather come with the territory. > > I think we all reminded him a bit too much of one of the main reasons why he'd been seeking redemption -- for Buffy -- and he needed to be away from us. > Harder than you know. He had a chance and... Well, he's given up more than you know for Buffy. I sense a story there. > > > I suppose I can always just ask Angel. > > Yes, you can. > All right, I will. Just remember that I really don't care to discuss it. > > No, I meant mystical pregnancies in particular. Although you wouldn't know that, would you. Well, to protect her privacy, let's leave it at "Cordelia has experienced more than one mystical pregnancy, though she never came to term." When we get her back, she can tell you herself, or not, as she wishes. > Talking with Cordelia... now there's something to look forward to. Wonder if she'd still honour the date we'd set up before I died. I'd imagine she would. > > You don't have any faith in me at all, do you. We're going to find a solution to this problem, I assure you. > Now don't go putting words in my mouth. I never said I don't believe you'll find a solution. Just that I'm grateful for any kind of existence I have now, and that the form of my current existence isn't something I would have chosen. Or thought of. For the record, I've no reason to doubt your word when you say you'll get me out. I really wasn't offended. Well, only the tiniest bit, perhaps. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I'm completely serious about this. It's not some idle promise. > I think I would've preferred leaving her with a puppy named Doyle or something. I don't think she's very fond of dogs. > > > I've been told I'm a good listener. > > I... I can't. It's not that I don't... I just can't. > All right. Never let it be said that I keep prying when I'm not wanted. But the offer stands. I do appreciate it, and I don't think that I'll be changing my mind. > > If I can figure out a way for you to, I'll let you know. > Thanks. Not sure what I could do from here, but... Again, you shouldn't be in there long enough for it to become an issue. > > > I'm what you call an endurance talker. I think sometimes he gave in just to shut me up. > > I can see that. > You haven't seen me at my best. Get myself around a single malt whiskey or five and I could talk all night about anything. Perhaps we can do that some night, once you're out of there. I wouldn't mind listening to you talk. > Whether anybody else in the vincinity was talking about the same thing is beside the point. Ah, endurance AND the ability to shut others out. Powerful tools. > > Having not had the questionable pleasure of hearing him talk a lot, I'll take your word for it. > Yeah, usually he lets his actions speak for him. And his actions are generally more than sufficient to get his point across. > > > Angel doesn't trust you? > > I don't think he does, not entirely, no. > Why? The aforementioned falling out, for the most part. I went behind his back to in an attempt to protect him; he ended up feeling betrayed. > > You can't see anything? > It's been changing the longer I'm here, the more I interact. I see the words you write, but it's more like they're in my mind than in front of my face. If that makes sense? Like some form of telepathy perhaps. > > What can you feel? > It feels like I'm sitting...somewhere. But I can't feel my body. Or see it for that matter. I was trying to speak when I sent that first message. So it seems like my intentions get translated into something computerlike. I'm starting to experiment with 'reaching out' and maybe 'standing' and 'walking'. I'll let you know the results. Do that, please. It could help. > > I've no doubt that there's a way to get it back. Bringing people back from the dead is about more than corpses and freshly dug grave soil and candles, you know. > Well that's good. Considering I didn't leave a corpse. Or a grave. Exactly. > > Darla was dust before she was brought back with magic by, I remind you, Wolfram and Hart. Not that I'd advocate the methods they used, but if there's a will... > Maybe something along the same lines but less evil? That was what I was picturing, yes. Is there anyone you'd like me to get a message to? I could go and tell Cordelia that you're here? There's no reason to believe that she hears us and, considering the mystical origin of her coma, there's also no reason to think that she's actually in there, but... I could. - Wesley ____ To: Angel From: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJSNBOH Hi Angel :-) < stupid grin > > > Yeah. I've got a stupid grin on my face. It feels wrong, somehow. > > That's because you don't smile enough. If talking to me helps make you grin, I'll talk to you until... Well I was going to say 'until I lose my voice' but being sans body, that's not really a problem at the moment. Guess I can talk indefinitely. > Good. I wouldn't mind. *Really* wouldn't mind hearing the sound of your voice, but I think that's gonna have to wait a few days until Wes and Lorne and the appropriate department figure out how to bring you back. A few days? I was thinking more in the line of weeks. Or months. You must have a lot of faith in this Wes of yours. Who's Lorne? > But yeah, talk all you want. You may be sorry you asked that. ;-) (That was a winking grin by the way. I'm not sure how much of this kind of stuff you know.) > > You have more friends than me to talk to, I hope. > Yeah... and no. Okay that was... all encompassing. You want to expand on that? > > > This is so weird. > > Yeah, it is. I might've known how to use computers fine, but I never inspired to become one. > You're not, you're just in there. Having a little vacation. We'll have you back to work soon enough, so maybe you should enjoy the rest while you can. Next time I have a vacation can it be somewhere warm and tropical? With scantily clad women feeding me and hanging on my every word? Or at least somewhere a little less.... computery. > > I need to know about Cordelia too, Angel. Whenever you feel like you can talk about it. > I don't know what you want me to say. Whatever you feel that you can. > I failed her, you know? Let her get taken away from us, on the night we should have... I was going to tell her I had feelings for her. You know? And I got thrown into the ocean, and she went up and became a Higher Being, or so they said. And when she came back she wasn't even herself anymore. You and Cordelia? Wow. Didn't see that coming. Not that I blame you; Cordelia is something special. Guess this means when I get back I shouldn't be counting on her keeping that date with me then, huh? > Now she's not possessed anymore, but she's... lost. I don't know how to get her back. Wesley said there were people working on that. We'll get her back, Angel. Hell, you got *me* back and I was a lot further gone than she is. > > > Suit, no. Meetings, yes, though I get out of as many of them as I can. Or make other people go to them. Which means I get to read lots of notes that don't really make a lot of sense to me, and then nod when people ask if everything's to my satisfaction. > > Sounds like a whole barrel of laughs. > Yeah, that's what it is. Hear me laughing? Don't laugh. You laughing tends to be scary. > Not really that different from the old days at A.I. Except for the office and the equipment, and the psychics. Oh, and Files and Records, and Fred's heading up this whole science division. I don't even know what they do, actually. Sometimes she tries to tell me, but it mostly involves a lot more nodding. Who's Fred? > But anyway, we're doing the same thing, just on a bigger scale. Okay, much bigger scale. Think big as a motto, huh? > Oh, and I have twelve cars. Aha, now the truth comes out -- the really important thing is the wheels. Do you still have the old convertible? > > "Mr. Angel." Yeah, you're right. You're just not the mister type. "Sir" maybe. But not "Mr." > Don't remember you calling me "Sir." That's because I'm incorrigible. > > But I bet you're wishing that involved hitting something, aren't you? > Jeez. You know me too well. I do my best. > Anything in there in the computer I could hit? Or would that be one of those things I shouldn't do? Err, considering we haven't figured out exactly where I am, hitting computers may be bad. Not sure what would happen to me if you break the system I'm in. > > Good, good. Reaching out, connecting. Gold star behaviour. > Thanks. I knew you'd be pleased. It's proof that you're never too old to learn. ;-) > > Do you trust him? > Do I...? That's a complicated question. With some things, I guess I do. But then, maybe if you need to say "I guess with some things," the answer's no, huh? There's... a lot of history. You want to share some of that history? I take it this has to do with what happened a couple of years ago? Wesley has been pretty forthcoming about what's happened since I've been gone, except for 2002. > > > Um... talk to you soon. > > Anytime you need someone to talk to, I'm here. I don't seem to be sleeping or anything anymore, so literally anytime. > I don't do a lot of sleeping myself. Too bad there's not some way to hook my brain into this thing, so that we could talk without so much typing. Don't think I'm gonna get that Lincoln tunnel syndrome thing, but sometimes my eyes start to kind of cross. Plus it takes forever. Yeah, I'd love to be able to sit across a table and see your face while we talk. But slow or not, this is better than nothing, right? Why aren't you sleeping? > You still okay? I'm doing fine, really. Though I'm starting to wonder if I should be asking you if you're okay... Are you? Doyle Next Part Main Page Send Feedback