[He looks up at her. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that she would turn around and offer to listen, just as he had just done for her, but in some ways he still feels a little... far away. He still seems distracted even as he takes her hand.

The most recent memories have been rough for just about everyone.]

...I think... we can both relate to feeling disappointed in those who created us. [Just like Angel, he avoids using the word "father", no matter how accurate it would be.] From the way you describe it, you were... essentially treated as a tool, yes?