DINNER MEETINGS

Author: Dampyria

Fandom: M7 / BtVS crossover

Summary: After a hard day at work JD meets an interesting guy in his favorite dinner.

Rating: PG13

Paring: JD/Xander (pre-slash)

Spoilers: BtVS (Post season 7 – Pre Comics season 8), M7 (none) - ATF universe

Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent Seven or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

This is the first fic that I have written in English, so be kind to me. I am well aware that I need a beta, but unfortunately I haven't found one yet. So if you are a gentle soul with a little time on your hands and nothing better to do, give me a call at dampyria(at)gmail(dot)com.

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JD pushed open the door to his favorite dinner in search of a little quiet and peace. He had a difficult day behind him, and this restaurant was his sanctuary.

Early that day the main ATF computer short circuited and the entire network went down, leaving a bunch of unhappy agents with nothing better to do then to pester him.

It's not like he didn't understand them. He was an agent himself and knew that this could mean delays, not to mention criminals walking free. But damn it!! He wasn't the only computer expert on the force!!

Looking around the dinner he noticed that the place was packed. The tables were full as was the sitting area around the counter. Swearing at his luck he almost renounced, when he saw an empty space. Well it wasn't completely empty. There was a stranger sitting there and the other patrons of the dinner seemed to avoid him. There was like a negative space surrounding him that people sensed and stirred clear off.

JD couldn't blame them. The stranger has an air about him that screamed – get the hell away from me or else. He was a little taller then JD, with dark, almost black hair. His skin was tanned like he spent a lot of time in the sun, but the most striking thing on him was the black eye patch, that even at this distance was clearly seen, that it covered a nasty scar.

It was like one of those characters in the movies. Dark and dangerous, with a tragic past that brought about a lot of brooding. JD couldn't help himself. His interest was piquet. With a sure stroll he sauntered toward the counter and placed his order before approaching tall, dark and broody.

"Hey man, mind if I sit here? The place is packed!" smiled at the surprised chocolate colored eye that stared out at him and without waiting for an invitation he set down.

"Man the last time I've seen this place this full was during the Comic convection in June. Let me tell you there were some funny dressed dudes around at the time. By the way my name is JD, what's yours?"

The man hadn't moved an inch from the time JD made his introduction, and now was alternately looking from his face to his extended hand like a confused little child. The dangerous man seemed to be washed away and in its place there was this lost and lonely stranger. JD could work with that.

"Oh I am sorry, don't you speak English?" he asked pretending to be a little embarrassed "Habla spanol? No? Parla italiano? Govoriš Slovensko? Sprechen sie Deutsch? Говорим по-русски? Anything? Huh, I am running out of languages."

The stranger was now staring at him like he had just came in touch with a, as of now, still unknown alien life form. He was going to speak. Score one for JD.

"God kid, do you have a death wish?" asked that stranger a little louder then he intended. The dinner suddenly fell silent as they all turned around to look at their table. The Nick Furry wannabe looked around feeling like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights, while JD only smiled and waved the attention away.

Seeing that there wasn't gonna be a fight or any other similar episode people started to loose their interest and returned to their meals. "Death wish?" he asked confused. "What do you mean?"

Frowning slightly the man pointed at his face. "Are you blind? Don't you see that I have my 'don't bother me or else' face on?"

JD leaned forward and stopped mere inches from the others face scrutinizing it for a minute, then set back with a frown of his own. "Is that what that's supposed to be? I have to tell you, my boss has a much more scary stare then you."

"Who are you working for? The Russian mafia? Cause I have to tell you, that with this glare I scared away some pretty imposing people. Hell I even scare myself sometimes when I practice it in front of the mirror."

"Well, that explains that." replied JD, nodding his head wisely.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" he snarled, scaring the waitress that brought over JD food. The plate would have fallen on the ground if not for the strangers fast reflexes, the glass of milk wasn't so lucky.

The waitress, Sara, apologized profoundly and run off in search of another glass and something to clean the mess on the floor.

JD looked at him accusingly and crossed his arms in front of him. "Now look what have you done! I swear if I get kicked out of my favorite dinner because of you, there will he hell to pay, you… you… What's your name anyway?"

"Xander. And what do you mean my fault? You are the one that decided to sit here and annoy me! It's totally your fault."

JD was about to counter attack when his brain processed what his companion said. "Xander? Really? What kind of name is that?"

"A lot better then my second name." murmured Xander.

"Which is?" JD piped out curious.

"Over my dead body." He growled.

"Kinda long for a second name."

"That's not… look what do you want with me?" asked an exasperated Xander.

"What makes you think that I want something? I'm here for the food and a chat. It's so boring to eat alone."

Xander was about to explode when he noticed the waitress, fearfully making her way toward them. He schooled his expression, put his hands on the table in plain sight and tried to appear as harmless as possible. Of course, after his earlier performance, it didn't help much, but JD gave him extra points for trying.

As soon as the floor was cleaned Sara retreated behind the counter, once again safe from the crazy one-eyed customer.

"See what I mean?" tried to explain Xander wildly pointing in the girl's direction. "She got it." then waved his hand to include the entire restaurant. "They got it. There is no way that you could have missed it. So, one last time, what do you want from me?"

JD sighed. "Well it seemed like you had a rough day, or week. I had a shitty day. So I thought that maybe we could finish this shitty day together."

Xander slammed his glass on the table, grateful that he hadn't been drinking during the kids speech.

"What?!" he asked confused and a little embaraced not sure that he heard right.

JD looked at him innocently, like a new-born kitty. "You know, rant, complain and maybe even get drunk, stuff like that? I normally do this with my coworkers, but since they are the reason I am so frustrated, I need a new buddy that I can complain to. What do you say?"

And there it was again. The look that says more then words ever could. "Are you out of your mind?" asked Xander incredibly. "You can't just go around picking up dangerous strangers. Hasn't anybody thought you that this is a fast way to get yourself in trouble?"

"Dangerous?" asked JD frowning and pretending to scan the room: "Where?"

"For the love of…. Okay. Okay. I'm in. Better me then some psycho that will cut you to pieces. Besides after the year that I just had I think I am entitled to a little rant time."

JD put the last piece of pie in his mouth and smiled triumphant. "Let's go."

"Go where?" sighed Xander exasperated, feeling like he was loosing control of the situation. Then thinking back, he realized that he had never had it.

JD skipped to the counted and paid for their meals, while Xander followed him with a more sedate pace, asking himself all the while, what the hell was he doing, and that the kid was probably some kind of demon after his organs.

After leaving the dinner JD kept up a light conversation, mainly with himself, seeing as Xander only participated with an occasional grunt or nod of the head. Fact that didn't discourage JD. He had a lot of practice with silent companions, after all he had spent more then one stake-out in Vin's company.

Xander had to give credit where credit was due. The kid really knew the best places to party and to let go of some steam. They hooped from bar to bar, talking, ranting and dancing. Each change of bar saw them getting more relaxed and yes a little more drank. Finally they ended up in Xanders run-down hotel room sprawled on the bed, talking over beer and not really watching old reruns that played on the TV. After a couple of hours the chatting died out and they concentrated on the, previously ignored, television.

During one of the commercials JD threw a snick pick at his companion, noticing that he was out cold. Lying there like that he was the picture of innocence. JD fuzzy brain decided then to concentrate itself on the full, slightly parted, lips that seemed inviting him for a kiss. Slowly, he rolled over giving Xander a gentle peck on the lips, before feeling sick and making a mad dash for the toilet.

Xander cracked his eye open and looked around the room wondering what woke him up. Hearing the sound of vomiting coming from the bathroom he smirked and buried his face into the pillow, thinking that in the morning he will help himself and JD to a generous dose of Willows all purpose anti-pain med and promptly got back to sleep.

JD's awakening the next morning was not gentle, or slow. One moment there was bliss and unconsciousness, the next there was pain and a laud continues noise. The boy tried to escape it by taking refuge under the cover, but all his attempts to return back to the land of Sandman were futile.

The covers were to tin and didn't block out the infernal sound of the … blender?? Where the hell did Buck get a blender?! JD opened one blurry eye and risked an exploratory look out of his sanctuary.

No, definitely not his bed, or his room for that matter. Has he been kidnapped again? And then an all too cheerful Xander entered his peripheral vision and the last night came crushing in on him.

"Hey there, sleepy head." Xander exclaimed happily sitting on the bed with a glass of something in his hands.

In that minute he hated him. How can he be so happy and refreshed, first thing in the morning after all the alcohol that they consumed the last night?

"Bastard!" He murmured quietly, but Xander heard him anyway.

"Believe it or not I was in the same condition when I first woke up. But then I drank Willows super anti –hangover concoction and voile – as good as new. Now come on big guy close your eyes and nose and down it goes. In a single gulp."

JD wanted to protest but as soon as he opened his mouth the rim of the glass was pressed to his lips and a dense liquid begun to tickle down his throat. At that point he had two choices: Drink or drown. Being the sensible person he was he chose the first option.

Gulping down the beverage he tried not to think what was in it, or taste it for that matter, a good thing considering that as soon as his tasting buds come out of their alcohol induced stupor they begun to protest the invasion loudly.

Jerking into a sitting position he leaned forward, clear of the bed, preparing himself to throw up. Out of nowhere a cold cloth appeared on his forehead, while a hand snuck to the nape of his neck, massaging delicately.

"It's okay." whispered a voice to his ear. "Close your eyes, deep breaths, just like that. You are doing fine. Just a little while longer and you will be fine."

JD closed his eyes and let himself go, relaxing in the others arms and trying to follow the instructions. Pretty soon the nausea was gone and other sensations took over. He become aware of the fact that Xander was obviously sitting behind him on the bed, his legs on either side of his own, one hand on his forehead while the other moved to his back, making small soothing circles.

The kid closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed the ministrations. It was heaven on earth. He could feel the rising and falling of Xander's chest as well as the strong arms currently working their magic on him. Then Xander shifted behind him and JD became aware of just how close they were sitting. Back to chest, thigh to thigh, crotch to … JD shuddered.

"Hey are you okay? By now you should feel better." whispered Xander in his ear. This time JD moaned. The shutting hand on his back stopped moving and JD froze. Had he screw up the chance to be Xander's friend?

Yesterday when he met him he wasn't looking for a friend. After the hard day at work he only wanted one thing – to eat a good meal and then hit the sack. Once in the dinner he noticed the dark and mysterious stranger and added a roll in the hey to his evening. Sadly, or not, the one night stand project was put on hold for the time being when he started talking to Xander and discovered that he had the potential to become friend material.

"Yes, all better now." JD exclaimed, jumping out of Xander's arms. He fumbled to collect his shoes all the while he had his back turned to Xander. "Man you should start selling that stuff. It works miracles."

When he was done tying his shoes JD pretended to check his watch and sighed: "Shit I am late for work! My boss is going to kill me!" Of course it was all a lie. In fact Chris had forbidden him from showing his face at work before noon that day and now it was only nine a.m. Still, it was as good as any excuse to leave this room. It was a cowardly thing to do and he knew it, but somehow he couldn't face Xander and his disappointed or worse disgusted face right now.

Making a quick dash for the door he was stopped by a quiet voice: "JD?"

The question didn't sound disgusted or angry. As best as he could describe it would be confused. Gathering all his courage he turned around and checked out the others stance. Xander was still sitting on the bed, studying him with a curious expression.

"What is wrong? Did I do something?" Xander inquired.

"What? No!!" exclaimed JD, then realizing how his voice sounded he calmed down and tried again. "No, you didn't do anything. I am just late for work."

Chewing on his lower lip he looked at the other man. "I have to hurry, but what do you say we meet up latter and hung out some more?"

"Ah sorry, but I can't…"

"Hey, no big. Maybe another time, another place and all that." started babbling JD, while simultaneously all his hopes started to crumble.

Xander lifted his arm demanding attention. "As I was saying, I can't do that because my plane leaves in two hours. But if you want I can give you my contact information so we can stay in touch and the next time I pass through we can meet up."

"Oh." was JD's very intelligent response.

Xander snorted and reached for his wallet, producing a small rectangular piece of paper and handing it to JD.

Alexander L. Harris

NWC – Scotland

Tel: (+44) 555-738

xanderharris (at) nwc (dot) com

"NWC?" asked JD.

"New Watchers Council."

"You a piping tom?" asked JD frowning.

"No, we are an international company that deals with different thing. From charity to archeology to schools for gifted kids that can't afford to pay tuition. You could say we are everywhere." Smirked Xander, reciting the official motto of their company.

JD blushed a little. "Sorry." He murmured.

"Don't be. You are not the first or the last one to ask me this question."

"At list that's something." said JD, fishing a similar piece of paper from his pants. "This is mine."

ATF

John 'JD' Dunne

Special agent

060-555-799

JD Dunne (at) atf (dot) gov

"ATF? Whoa, you a cop?" blunted out Xander, eyes going wide.

"Hey, don't look so surprised. I'll have you know that I am the best computer wizard out there. I can find anything, everywhere."

Xander lifted his hands in a pacifying sign. "Didn't mean anything by it. You just don't look like your typical cop, that's all. And hey if you are really this good at computers then I should introduce you to Willow. She is a genius with that stuff."

"Yeah, well…"

"Look I would love to chat some more, but I can't miss my flight, so…"

"Yeah. It was nice meeting you… oh and if you want to e-mail me there is my personal address on the back of my card."

Xander grinned. "Well, great minds thing alike…" then he flipped the card and read: hacherchaser (at) dunne (dot) com

At the same time JD flipped his own card – nickfurry (at) gmail (dot) com

"I have to say that I see the similarities." Said JD.

"You do?" asked Xander intrigued. "Of course you so. I am a younger, sexier version of The Man!" he said with more feeling this time.

"The Man?" snorted JD. He could just hear the capital M. "What are you, stuck in the 90'?" then looking at the clock he turned toward the door. "I better be going, don't want to make you loose your plane. Hope to see you again soon."

"Same here."

ATF BUILDING

The office was busy, busier than usual. The computers were finally back on-line and the agent were working fast to get back on track with their current cases. The Branch wasn't different from the other sections.

Buck survived the office area with critical eye and frowned. No sign of their young friend, which was weird. He was always the first one to get to work and the last one to leave. Something just wasn't right. And he wasn't even considering the fact that the boy didn't come home that night. Could be that he got lucky?

"Still no signs of the kid?" asked Vin, interpreting the others man frown.

"No, still not here. Do you thing somebody could have kidnapped him? He didn't come home last night."

"Or maybe the young man had found a fine lady, to past the time with." Ezra throw in his two cents.

"Girls, if you don't stop gossiping and return to word I will be forced to put you in separate rooms." boomed Chris's voice. The three agents took one look at their boss and without so much as a pip they turned back to their computers. Only a mad-man would dare contradict Chris when he was this angry.

The doors to the office suddenly busted open and a very relaxed and smiling JD entered: "Hey guys, do not fear the computer genius is here."

"JD, the Johnson and Dawson file. STAT!" growled Chris and entered his office.

"On it Boss!" exclaimed JD grinning like a loon and throwing himself into work.

The others only exchanged knowing looks and grinned. It seems that their younger colleague got lucky that night.

PLANE OVER THE PACIFIC

Xander sat in a comfortable first class chair and stared out of the window, distractly passing his finger over his lower lip. Something was bothering him. He had a feeling that last night happened something important, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what it was.

Oh well, if it was really important, it will come to him, sooner or later.

THE END