Title: Soul Food
Author: Rubywisp

"Angel, Wesley needs..." Cordelia stopped short at the sight of Angel spooning something into his mouth from an oversized mug. "What are you doing?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

Angel glanced down at the contents of his mug before answering. "Eating," he said matter-of-factly.

"Duh," Cordelia said. "I can see that. But why...? Never mind, I'm sure I don't want to know. There are probably high levels of yuck involved." She scrunched her nose up and added, "Just come downstairs, ok? Wesley needs help translating that book he bought the other day, and I want you to move that bookshelf for me."

"Again?" Angel followed Cordelia into the hallway and downstairs, mug still in hand. "How many times have I moved it this week?"

"Only four," Cordelia said cheerfully. "You'd think it was heavy for you or something."

"That's not the point," Angel began.

Cordelia interrupted. "No, the point is that the light through the front doors reflects off the TV screen and I can't see it." She walked over to the television and turned it on. Pointing at the small screen, she said, "See? Glare!" At Angel's raised eyebrows, she asked defensively, "What? I can file and watch TV at the same time - ask Wesley."

Wesley emerged from his office, a small, weathered book in one hand. "It's true, Angel. The television isn't affecting the quality of Cordelia's filing. It's no better than it used to be."

"Exactly!" Cordelia said with a triumphant smile. She frowned. "Hey..."

Wesley turned and disappeared into his office before Cordelia could see the small smile on his face.

Hiding a smirk behind another spoonful of whatever was in the mug, Angel walked past Cordelia, following Wesley into the office. "Need help with that?" He held the spoon to the side of the mug with his thumb as he sipped the contents and looked over Wesley's shoulder at the book on the desk in front of them.

"Yes, thank you. I was wondering if perhaps..." Wesley's voice trailed off and he turned to look at Angel. "What...?" He sniffed - once, twice. "Is that - that smells like chicken soup, Angel."

"Hmm?" Angel swallowed, then... "Uh. Yeah. It is."

Wesley turned around slowly and leaned against the desk, facing Angel. "Why are you eating chicken soup?"

"Chicken soup?" Cordelia walked into the office and peered into the mug Angel held. "Why are you eating chicken soup? You don't eat food." She made a face. "There's no blood in there, right?"

Angel rolled his eyes. "No, Cordy. No blood."

"Good." Cordelia folded her arms. "Still wondering why you're eating it, though." Wesley nodded his agreement.

While Cordelia and Wesley waited with expectant looks, soft, slow music could be heard coming from the television in the next room. When the music ended, a woman's voice said, "HomeStyle Chicken Soup - it's not just good for your body, it's good for your soul."

Cordelia and Wesley glanced at each other and then at Angel. "It's not - it's not what you think..." he protested.

Cordelia collapsed in fits of laughter as Wesley struggled to speak. "I'm sure..." He snickered. "It's just..." Snort. "Just a coincidence, of course," he managed to say before losing it completely.

Angel sighed and left the room, finishing the last of his soup as he turned off the television.

Cordelia asked, "Aren't you going to move the bookshelf?"

He ignored her.

As he got to the door of his room, Angel heard Gunn come in from outside and ask the still-laughing pair, "Hey - what's so funny?"

Angel slammed the door behind him.

Stupid television.