After Legend had pulled him aside, out of the offices, and somehow managed to calm him down a little, Sabel had taken to wandering aimlessly through the ministry. While he knew he should probably be joining the others in looking for those pillows, he couldn't bring himself into the mindset to do so: there were other things he needed to think about and sort out first and foremost. Hopefully, his lack of participation wouldn't be viewed as yet another hit of disrespect.

He did keep his eyes open however, and by the time he was heading back towards the Auror offices he'd gotten the idea in his head that perhaps the Ministry should just buy new pillows. Wizards tended to be something of hoarders and collectors, so he could only imagine how old those pillows were and how many behinds they had seated.

It was an amusing thought that had a small smile on his lips. Until he looked up and saw Isobel walking almost straight for him. The immediate response was to freeze, his subconscious probably thinking that if he didn't move she wouldn't see her. The next thought of course was to bolt, but that mental suggestion got a good shove to the back of his mind.

Letting out a slow, uneven breath, Sabel forced his legs to move so that he could fall in alongside the Head Auror.

Isobel hadn't noticed that anybody was actually around, no until Sabel was walking alongside her. Oh. Maybe she wasn't paying enough attention to what was going on around her. She knew that was a bad thing, considering she was an auror. Isobel knew how important it was to pay attention, so she was mentally cursing herself for not being so attentive as she would like to be. She offered a smile to Sabel, feeling that she was now thinking less of Wes. That was kind of a improvement then. Although she was now thinking about what had happened before. Sabel had kind of been the catalyst for their fight, which kind of made her sad.

Although it was a good thing that Sabel was here. She did need to kind of speak to him. Make sure he was okay. "Hi Sabel....calmed down?"

Sabel was quiet for a good moment, his eyes on the floor and no return smile touching his lips. Now was the chance he had to try and fix things and he had to be so careful with his words.

It took him a moment before he managed a small nod, his hands sliding back into his pockets. "I...had to take a walk around the Ministry. I wasn't able to--didn't get the chance to look for your lost pillows." Hesitantly, he chanced a glance up at Isobel in an attempt to read her mood. "I hope you don't mind."

Sabel hadn't looked for the lost pillows? That made Isobel laughed, and she grinned at him. "Sabel....that's the last thing on my mind right now." She didn't exactly care about cushions right now. So if any of the YATI's had gone to find them, that would really be a bit of a bonus. Sabel looked a little nervous. Did he think she was going to shout him? That wasn't really something she was going, or wanted to do. Not really.

"Don't worry about them..." She paused in her walking, turning to smile at him. She had a feeling he might have wanted to say something else. That was why she was stopping for the moment.

Sabel blinked a little. Well, that was good to know. At least he wouldn't be getting in trouble for not following orders. He couldn't even imagine how that might have gone down.

Letting out a slow breath, he shifted from one foot to the other as Isobel stopped. It was now or never and delaying would only bear serious consequences. "Isobel, I....want to apologize for my part in what happened earlier."

Not that he was apologizing for what he had said, because he had meant every word of it. How he had said it, maybe, but it wouldn't have been much of an apology if he voiced those sentiments. Legend's words rung through his mind like clear silver: let them believe. He could do that. It took a great deal of effort to restrain his tongue, but somehow he managed.

Dropping his eyes to the floor, he worried his lip a little, considering his next choice of words carefully. "I also wanted to let you know, that I didn't mean to disrespect you." A momentary pause. "Or any of the others." He didn't really feel ready to mention Wesley just yet. "What I said, was not meant as a slight towards you or your position."

Slowly, he chanced a glance up at the woman. "Most people know I was close to Damien, and I'll admit its not going to be an easy adjustment for me. I may make comparisons, but that's what happens, in any circumstance, when something changes. It...if I do so, it's not because I'm of the opinion that Damien was better than you, or that you are less deserving of the title or respect." His bottom lip was drawn between his teeth for a moment before it was released. "Different is simply different. No disrespect is meant by that."

Not sure what to do with his hands, he shoved them deep in his pockets, fingering the ring that always accompanied him. "How I spoke to you today, was how I would have spoken to Damien." He doubted many people knew that. "I am a very direct and forward person, Isobel, and I'll be the first to admit I'm working on controlling my tongue. I know there is a time and a place for words and expressing, and I'm working on learning that." Still learning. Always learning. "I will do my best to restrain my tongue and my opinions."

Finally, his eyes came to rest on hers, less hesitant in their gaze. "However, I will say this straight up. I will speak up for what I believe is right, for the other YATI's. Just as you deserve respect, Isobel, so do we. We are trainees, but we are equals with you and the others in that we are just as willing to lay our lives on the line for you. As such, we deserve the chance to be heard, in the right manner, at the right time."

Letting out a slow breath, Sabel pulled his hands out of his pockets. "If....if that promise is going to be a problem, I will willingly give my resignation now." Not that he wanted to, not that he wasn't willing to fight and work at it, because he was. Just as Isobel surely felt responsible for all of them, he was starting to feel responsible for the YAIT's. Each and every one of them. And that meant he had to do what it took to stay.

That was a very big apology. Isobel didn't continue walking, figuring that Sabel wouldn't really want the whole of their department to hear this. She nodded as she listened to him, feeling the temptation to pet him on his shoulder, to reassure him. She remembered what Evander had said, not to mother them, so she didn't. Izzy smiled at him. She was kind of glad that she Sabel was apologising, because it did make things better. She didn't think that Wes would be apologising though. Maybe she would mention that. Not that she thought Wes was sorry, probably not at all.

It was nice to see that Sabel was standing up for his YATI's. It was good. "I know what you mean." They did deserve respect. They were part of the department now. "And....you will get the respect you deserve." She could assure him that. He would resign? Isobel laughed, shaking her head at him. "I wouldn't accept it." No way at all. Damien would kill her she knew that already. And well, she knew that Sabel was going to make a good Auror. So. No way was she letting him go.

Isobel mused, thinking about Wesley. "Sabel...." She sighed, looking up at him. "Wesley probably won't apologise to you, even though I know he should." Because he had been pretty mean. "But I'll try to keep you two separate....I'd rather not have him kill you."

Once again, Sabel found himself blinking. It had been half of an apology, half of a presentation of opinion. In truth, he was surprised Isobel wasn't kicking him out the door for the day at the very least. Surprised, but grateful.

The smile that had been weakly working its way onto his expression faded at the mention of Wesley. For a good moment he was silent, weighing his words once again. It was somewhat agitating not to say the first thing that came to mind, but if it took him a few more seconds to respond in order to learn to control his tongue, then perhaps that was best.

"Do you know why....I spoke to him the way I did?" His eyes flicked up to Isobel, searching her expression. It didn't really matter that Wesley wouldn't apologize; he himself was still debating whether he had interest in doing so or not. Even if he probably should, it didn't mean he was going to be able to work up the gut to do it.

Oh. Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned Wesley to him. Actually mentioning Wesley had kind of made her think about him, and that was something she hadn't really wanted to do. Isobel frowned, running her fingers through her blonde hair. She really did hope that Evander managed to find Wesley before tomorrow. Things could go very bad if he didn't. But she had faith in Evander. Right now, she was concentrating on Sabel though. Not Wesley. She could worry about him some more when she was back at her desk. Nodoy would mind that.

Why had Sabel spoke to Wes like that? Isobel wasn't too sure. She really didn't know Sabel that well. Not as well as she knew Emily. And that probably was a bad thing. She would work on getting to know the guy better. "Damien was your mentor..." She began, taking a shot really. "It was clear how close you two were, it's obvious you would react the way you did....Wes just pushed it too much." Pusehd Sabel over the edge.

Despite everything, Sabel felt a small smile tug at the corners of his lips. He shook his head slowly, being sure to give himself that bit of extra time to consider his words a little more. "I'm hot headed, Isobel. I know that better than anyone else. But I'm not so hot headed to threaten someone just because they tell me I'll not be seeing someone around, no matter how close that person was to me."

Of course, if Wesley had gone after the topic of a deceased loved one, then he probably would have hit the man, or tried. And while he didn't know much about Wesley, he was perfectly comfortable with giving him the benefit of the doubt that the man wouldn't do such a thing.

What Isobel's words did tell him however, was that there was the possibility that the words that had been exchanged had been a sort of miscommunication. Now, he had to be extra careful with how he worded things. "I'm not 'tattling', please know that. I suppose I understand why Wesley did it, I just didn't agree with it." His eyes flicked to Isobel, hesitant. "I threatened Wesley because he took to berating me physically as well as verbally." One hand came up in some manner of defense against any interruption that might occur. "Granted, it was only a flick to the back of the head, but from where I stood it was uncalled for and unnecessary. I know sometimes physical gestures are the most effective, but I don't appreciate the threat of being cast on nor the implication that I'm a misbehaving mutt that can be kicked."

If he had known Wesley like he knew Damien, he probably would have kept his mouth shut after the flick. The truth however, was that neither knew each other well enough, in his opinion, for such a gesture or form of reprimand.

Shrugging his shoulders, Sabel pushed both his hands back into his pockets. "I don't like being cast on without due reason." And in his opinion, Wesley didn't have due reason.

Sabel was hot headed? Isobel could see that. She had to hide a smirk a little. She had learnt over the two or so years that Sabel had been here that he was hot headed. It was a little hard to not notice really. "I've noticed that..." Izzy decided not to say anything about the threatened that had occured within the office. Iz figured that it wouldn't help, and hopefully they could just forget that had happened, and move on. That would be best for the whole office. Izzy was going to keep an eye on Sabel, and Wesley though, and ensure that nothing happened between the pair again.

"Sabel..." Isobel paused, trying to think of how to word this. "I might be Wesley's girlfriend, but I am also your boss. You can come and talk to me about anything." Even if it was about Wesley. "Wesley shouldn't have cast on you. He should've known better...." But that was exactly what Wes was like. Isobel wasn't going to say anything more on the matter. Not because well, she wasn't too happy talking about Wes right now. Isobel smiled at Sabel, reaching out, and rubbing his shoulder a little. "Nobody does." Which was obvious really. "He won't do it again. Trust me."

Sabel nearly choked on his tongue right then and there. Some things were obvious, like his running mouth or that people did not like being cast on. Those were things taken for granted, self-explanatory in nature, for the most part. What wasn't self-explanatory, obvious or something he had even considered was that the pair of the, his boss and his newest-worst-enemy-by-way-of-promises were sweet on one another. Not even just sweet. Joined at the hips sort of sweet.

He could feel his ears reddening more than he could feel the rub to his shoulder. No wonder Wesley had flared up so much at him. Although he hadn't spoken back directly at Isobel, the threat of him doing so was still there, and Wesley had acted to snuff out that threat. Or, so Sabel thought his line of reasoning might be.

Shifting awkwardly, Sabel tried to find a safe place to put his eyes. "I...had no idea you two were a couple." His shuffling stopped as his eyes locked onto a door down the hall. It was a slow realization of how hairy things could get: Isobel was responsible for them, for their actions, their discipline, their protection. He felt something cold trickle down his spine. What would happen if Wesley and himself did end up going at one another's throats again?

'He won't do it again.' Sabel blinked, his eyes turning up to Isobel. Had she already spoken to the man? Taking a small step back so he was out of the reach of her hand, he searched her eyes. "Isobel..." He hesitated, not sure of what to say. The last thing he wanted to do was come between the pair, to somehow put Isobel in the very middle of their disagreements.

Turning his eyes away he frowned at the polished floor. It seemed he would indeed be making a heart-felt apology to Wesley.

Sabel didn't know she was with Wes? Really? That surprised Isobel. She and Wes were kind of rather public with their relationship, especially within the office. She had been trying to tone it down a little, because it wasn't that professional really. Not with them both being head of divisions now. It was nice to know that he was always around if she ever needed him though. It was very reassuring, although at some times slightly distracting. Sometimes it was nice when Wes wasn't in the office though, because at least she got some work done then. She did wonder who else in the office knew of their relationship though, if Sabel didn't know. Or maybe it was just that the YATI didn't really pay much attention. That was something she'd have to think about. Having a auror or YATI who was easily distracted was not really needed. Not really.

"Oh..." There wasn't much she really could say about that really. Saying something along the lines of 'we are' was going to make her feel like she was saying something obvious really. Iz smiled at Sabel. She was very happy in her relationship with Wesley. "We've been together about half a year or so." There. That was her saying something, without it sounding to obvious, or that she was being mean.

She frowned as she watched him step away. What was that about? It was regarding her knowing that he wouldn't do it again. Well, Isobel had a feeling that he woudln't be coming to the office today, so really it wouldn't happen today. "I wouldn't let him hurt you, or any of the other YATI's." Never. Wes meant a lot to her, but she couldn't let anyone get her. She really did need to talk to Wes about this. If this chat got back to him, she was sure he'd be angry. "I would rather get hurt myself than see any of you lot, Wes, or anyone else in our office get hurt." And she was going to stick by that, whoever talked to her.

Half a year. The time of dating when things were starting to seem stable but protectiveness and suspicion were at the most explosive. He'd just add that onto the growing list of perfectly-wonderful-dangerously-explosive-situations.

His concern however, wasn't with how long Isobel and Wesley had been dating. They were and that was that: it was a good fact to know at the very least. What he was concerned with was her last sentiments. As much as she frowned at him, he frowned back at her. "Then in that respect, Isobel, we are the same."

Self-sacrifice and undying protection: they had to be two traits of Aurors given every Auror under the sun seemed to possess them.

Okay so Simon had completely struck out on the missing cushion situtation.

So much for doing something successful to redeem himself for his earlier mistake in the office. But there wasn't much more he could do other then continue on in the search, doubling back and risking tripping over his fellow YATIs, including Legend, where they themselves were looking through to try and find them. So upon reaching Level Two, Simon stepped out of the lift he had been riding and headed through the seating area towards the department proper.

When he entered the reception area after passing through the double doors, he spotted Izzy and Sabel though seeing them in conversation he wasn't about to interrupt unless they wanted him too. Simon figured he might as well head towards the Auror Office to await anyone elses return, the young man walking towards the door to booking that he hopefully remembered was the right way.

Thinking about Wesley did make things in her head feel a lot worse. She felt really guilty for hurting Wes. She knew she had hurt him, of course she had. Wes had so much hurt in his past, and she'd hoped to be different. Isobel was going to try in the future to be better. She would have to no get into situations like that again. Hopefully the drama in the office would be a lot less once things had calmed down. Isobel was going to stay out of it anyway. Let things calm down. Well, as long as Wes came back. She couldn't really keep out of it, if he wasn't there.

"It seems all of us aurors are." Because she was pretty sure that they would all do exactly the same. Actually she was pretty sure that Wes, and the hit wizards would do exactyl the same too. Not that she was going to be telling Wes about getting hurt herself, because she knew he would not like that at all. Mmm. Maybe they should be getting back to the office now. They had been gone rather a long.

Hearing a noise, she turned her head, to see that Simon was coming along. Perfect. Hopefully all the YATI's were heading back up here. "Hey Simon." The head auror smiled. "Do you two wanna come back to the office?"

A tight smile wound its way onto Sabel's lips as Isobel voiced his own thoughts. While he of course had no beef with being of such a personality, he did have a problem with Isobel seeming to be so ready to put herself in the line of fire if it meant protecting someone. He understood it perfectly, but that did not mean he liked seeing it in another person.

Letting out a slow breath, Sabel tucked his hands in his pockets, a good number of considerations and thoughts already rushing to occupy his attention. His eyes flicked along Isobel's alteration of attention, noticing Simon making his way back to the offices as well. Another tight smile was offered to the YATI and a nod to Isobel before he moved off to the office doors, holding it open for both of them.

Half of him wanted to let them through and then bolt; the half that was embarrassed for his outburst and not particularly looking forward to facing those that were still in the office. But he knew he couldn't bail. Actions had consequences and no matter how hard one tried, no one could run from those.

It seemed he was noticed, his name and the greeting attached with it from Izzy was proof of that. Simon stopped and turned to her in response, his actions half stiff almost in repentance yet relaxed when he saw that she smiled at him. Maybe he was overthinking how she might feel about his earlier actions. Or at least Sabel and Wes' interaction had overshadowed the other.

"Sure..." he replied with a nod at her question, smiling softly back at her and Sabel as the elder YATI noticed him as well. Simon watched as he opened the door to allow them to pass before him. "After you," he added allowing Izzy to lead them into the work area. See....Legend Chosen...he did have respect for those around him.

As she made her way into Level 2, it was obvious that Roxanne Carter was just not her usual self. Oh sure, she looked like herself, but gone was the normal friendly smile. Instead, she looked like she could burst into tears at the drop of a hat. Her clothing was different too, badly wrinkled and seeming to be the first clean things pulled from the floor. One glance at her told the whole story. Things in her personal life had taken a serious turn for the worst. Still though, Roxanne was determined to push herself through one more day of work before leaving for awhile. She felt her eyes water and took a seat in one of the visitors chairs to pull herself back together before entering the office. She rested her elbow on her leg and her forehead in her hand. A few tears leaked out, but she just let them fall. How was she going to work when she couldn't even hold it together for ten minutes?

Okay. So he COULD have just come through the Floo in Van's office or one of the many tricky little spots in MLE, but Damien was feeling rather... nice today. Heh. Having come through like any other visitor the former Head Auror strolled into the reception area and propped his elbows on Muriel's desk. "Lovely as always, Muriel, darling." He even gave her a wink to top it off.

Still propped on said desk the older man flexed his wrist sending his wand into his hand. With a quick flick of his wrist he conjured a little bouquet of flowers for his second favorite lady. Hehe. He was SURE someone would wander across him sooner or later, but for now he was content with chewing the fat with Muriel.

Wes had a few papers in hand as he came out of the MLEs offices and into the reception area. He had been thinking of delivering the papers personally, but the tall man stopped in his tracks as he neared the reception area, however, for two reasons. One was the disheveled-looking woman slumped in a chair there, and the other was the familiar flirt chatting it up with Muriel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazykitty

As she made her way into Level 2, it was obvious that Roxanne Carter was just not her usual self. Oh sure, she looked like herself, but gone was the normal friendly smile. Instead, she looked like she could burst into tears at the drop of a hat. Her clothing was different too, badly wrinkled and seeming to be the first clean things pulled from the floor. One glance at her told the whole story. Things in her personal life had taken a serious turn for the worst. Still though, Roxanne was determined to push herself through one more day of work before leaving for awhile. She felt her eyes water and took a seat in one of the visitors chairs to pull herself back together before entering the office. She rested her elbow on her leg and her forehead in her hand. A few tears leaked out, but she just let them fall. How was she going to work when she couldn't even hold it together for ten minutes?

First things first, since Damien looked cozy enough with the receptionist.

"Rox...anne?" Wes drawled awkwardly, coming to a stop just in front of her chair. He drew up a similar chair and sat down, giving her a puzzled look. She sure seemed ah... different from how he remembered her during the cult takedown.

"Are you... okay?" No, she obviously was not. She was CRYING. MERLLIN. Wesley reached into his inner jacket pocket and withdrew a clean handkerchief, passing it to her timidly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Okay. So he COULD have just come through the Floo in Van's office or one of the many tricky little spots in MLE, but Damien was feeling rather... nice today. Heh. Having come through like any other visitor the former Head Auror strolled into the reception area and propped his elbows on Muriel's desk. "Lovely as always, Muriel, darling." He even gave her a wink to top it off.

Still propped on said desk the older man flexed his wrist sending his wand into his hand. With a quick flick of his wrist he conjured a little bouquet of flowers for his second favorite lady. Hehe. He was SURE someone would wander across him sooner or later, but for now he was content with chewing the fat with Muriel.

While he waited for an answer from the upset woman, he swiveled his chair slightly to eye the visitor.

"Are you sure you're legally allowed 'round these parts, Jackson?" Wes grunted, only joking of course. "I heard America hasn't been the same since you moved there. More earthquakes and random tornadoes." Har har. As if the old Auror could cause tornadoes with his crazy.

Without missing a beat Damien turned toward the familiar voice and smirked. "Reckon I am probably more WELCOME round these parts than most," he said with a snort. Throwing one more wink at Muriel he pushed off the desk and made his way to Wes. He was only suffering a SLIGHT limp these days and he seemed to be a bit more relaxed to boot.

"Yes, well, there are always good explanations for that kind of thing. Sometimes I can't control my temper... and sometimes there are forces of darkness that need dealing with," he said with an eyebrow wiggle.

Eyeing the man when he came to rest in front of him he extended a hand. "Now you tell me, you old dog, how has life been treating you?" Heh. It was funny because he was indeed a DOG. In a sense.

Roxanne was so upset that she didn't even notice the man stroll into the room. Did this make her a bad employee? Perhaps, but she couldn't muster up the energy to care right then. Besides, he seemed harmless enough. The receptionist seemed to recognize him anyway…

Her head snapped up when she heard her name. Ah, Wes. "No, It's my father." she replied, taking the offered handkerchief with a muttered thanks and blowing her nose. "I just found out this morning that my father died." It was quite unexpected too. She'd had had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Without missing a beat Damien turned toward the familiar voice and smirked. "Reckon I am probably more WELCOME round these parts than most," he said with a snort. Throwing one more wink at Muriel he pushed off the desk and made his way to Wes. He was only suffering a SLIGHT limp these days and he seemed to be a bit more relaxed to boot.

"Yes, well, there are always good explanations for that kind of thing. Sometimes I can't control my temper... and sometimes there are forces of darkness that need dealing with," he said with an eyebrow wiggle.

Eyeing the man when he came to rest in front of him he extended a hand. "Now you tell me, you old dog, how has life been treating you?" Heh. It was funny because he was indeed a DOG. In a sense.

Wes noticed the limp but didn't say anything about it. He ought to be used to the limp, come to think of it, since Van had one too...

"So, in other words, you're doing well." Wes cracked a rare grin. "How's the kid and wife?" He almost said 'ball and chain' but caught himself just in time. He couldn't make jokes like that anymore, not now that... he was engaged too.

Shrugging a bit, Wes tried to stifle his grin and failed. He caught the old dog joke too. "Life's been decent, I'd say. It's nice to be in law enforcement during one of those rare peace times." Hint hint to the retiree. "Izzy and I got engaged."

Surprise!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazykitty

Roxanne was so upset that she didn't even notice the man stroll into the room. Did this make her a bad employee? Perhaps, but she couldn't muster up the energy to care right then. Besides, he seemed harmless enough. The receptionist seemed to recognize him anyway…

Her head snapped up when she heard her name. Ah, Wes. "No, It's my father." she replied, taking the offered handkerchief with a muttered thanks and blowing her nose. "I just found out this morning that my father died." It was quite unexpected too. She'd had had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

Wes felt bad for a moment as he turned back to Roxanne. Where were his manners, bragging about how good life was when his coworker had just suffered a great loss.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," he offered her sincerely, reaching an arm out and, after a moment's hesitations as to whether he should pat her knee or arm, ended up just letting his hand fall back to his own chair. "I know what it's like to deal with loss...." His ex-wife had been dead for almost a decade though. There was nothing like fresh news to really startle someone.

Wes cleared his throat. "You should just take the rest of the day off. Or take as much time as you need. I'm sure Van will understand."

Did it make Damien a BAD person since he ignored the crying woman as best he could? He didn't get paid to care about people anymore... so he didn't. Heh. And that answered his own question. Yes! It made him a terrible person. With that revelation he cast a sympathetic glance toward her and sighed on her behalf. Terrible thing, that loss and all.

Turning his attention back to Wes a grin spread his face once more and he chuckled. "California is treating all of us well I would say," he stated vaguely. Heh. COULDN'T THE MAN SEE HIS TAN? I mean COME ON. It was epic. "I think Gem may join later with Aries. I came ahead because... I wanted to make sure you all were doing your jobs and whatnot..." He could NEVER admit he missed the place. That was against bro code or something wasn't it?

..."Retirement is quite nice as well, Wes. You should try it sometime. I haven't slowed down since, really. Been working full time since I left here." Giving the man a grin he swept a hand through his reasonably shorter hair and smirked.

And then the news that made him blink at Wes. He had never been a fan of Izzy really... not in any sense of the words. BUT he was happy the OLD DOG had found happiness and in some weird way he hoped Isobel stopped being so ridiculous now that Wes was to be a PERMANENT fixture in her life. "Congrats, man. We will have to celebrate and all while I am here."

He had heard, yes heard that the man was back. And while he had seen Damien on a relatively steady basis, that didn't do anything to diminish the excitement that had him rushing towards the reception area faster than he probably should have been. After all, this was Damien in England, and not in America. In the Ministry of Magic nonetheless.

As soon as he saw the older Auror however, he slowed to a walk, a grin spreading on his expression. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he watched the exchange between Wesley and Damien from a respectful distance. No sense in rushing in to break up another reunion. There was time. There had better be time. He wouldn't let Damien leave without at least a proper hello.