So I have no idea where I'm going with this one, but sometimes a situation comes past you that you just have to write about. I was out with friends last night and saw this bartender. While she wasn't quite tall enough, she otherwise fit the bill of Alex. I just had to go there.

Special thanks to RJVause and WB79 for your encouragement.

She sat there with her drink in front of her, jiggling her leg. She spun the glass, wet with condensation round and round on the napkin, watching the glass as it chewed a hole in the fibers. She glanced at the TV, realizing the music pounding from the jukebox matched what was showing on the TV. That's interesting. Most bars play one thing on the TV and another on the jukebox. Metalhead – damn, that's a 70's band. She kept looking over her shoulder to the door.

Polly was always late to places. It was even worse tonight because she insisted that she and Pete bring "someone she was going to love." Piper hated blind dates. She hated dates period. Knocking back the rest of her drink, she looked around the bar. It was dark, small but interesting. Various 70's and 80's rock posters were plastered on the walls. By the door, there was an odd mural. She couldn't quite make out the meaning, but it was well thought-out ingenious to look at.

"Here you go blondie." A rough, deep voice sounded behind Piper, almost startling here. The bartender tossed down a napkin and sprinkled a bit of salt atop it before placing a fresh drink down. "Oh the house. The salt will keep the napkin from getting destroyed." Her chuckle resonated in Piper's chest.

"But I didn't…"

"Consider it on the house. It seems like you are waiting for someone and that someone is late. I figure a little alcohol will keep you better company that a non-existent date."

Piper groaned. "A date. Now that is a four letter word. My best friend is always wanting to set me up with guys who inevitably end up being total doldrums," Piper scoffed as she sipped her fresh drink. "Thanks." She lifted the glass in cheers.

"No problem." The bartender turned to go tend to other customers.

Piper's eyes followed her, intrigued once she actually took the woman in. She was quite tall and lanky with long black hair flowing down her back and over her shoulders. Her hair was partially pulled back by black glasses she kept pushed on top of her head. She was wearing a sleeveless 80's rock band t-shirt which showed off her striking tattoo on one arm. Piper couldn't quite making it out but made a mental note to study it closer. An unexpected warmth pooled between Piper's legs. She grinned thinking I guess I can appreciate a fine specimen of human of either gender. At one point, the bartender turned her head towards Piper, catching her staring. Piper found herself not minding and smiled openly at the woman.

Eventually the bartender made her way back to Piper. She motioned to the now empty second glass. "Another?"

Piper shook her head. "Not right now, but thanks. I'm not sure how well things would go tonight if I was sloshed by the time my friend showed up." She reached her hand across the bar towards the bartender. "I'm Piper."

The bartender wiped her hands down on her bar rag and grasped Piper's hand. She leaned over the bar, pulling Piper's hand to her mouth and kissed it softly. "Alex. And you should find some friends who don't keep you waiting." Alex smiled and gently released Piper's hand.

Piper was shell-shocked, just utterly stunned. How totally romantic yet so unexpected. Her pleasant thoughts were soon interrupted by a pair of hands clapping her on the shoulder. "Piper!" Polly's voice was shrill enough to make Piper wince. "I am so glad we finally made it. We had a hard time finding a taxi and traffic was horrible. I hope you haven't been here long."

Piper spun around on her barstool and greeted her friend as warmly as possible. "Just two drinks is all."

Polly rolled her eyes. "Don't be dramatic. Piper, this is Larry. Larry, Piper. Of course you already know Pete."

"It's nice to meet you Harry. Hi Pete." Piper didn't offer her hand. She wasn't sure she wanted to erase Alex's lingering touch just yet.

"L-l-Larry. It's Larry." He lowered his outstretched hand once he realized his offer of a handshake was going to be refused. "It's nice to meet you."

Piper glanced back at the bar. Alex was staring at the group with an amused look on her face. "He's a schmuck," she mouthed. Polly looked strangely at Piper as Piper giggled at the bartender's antics,

"Let's get a table." Piper jumped off the barstool she'd been keeping company for the last hour and headed over to a set of tables, not looking backwards to see if the group was following her. She settled against the wall where she'd have clear view of the bar. "So what's the plan?"

Before anyone could talk, a shadow fell across the table. A drink appeared in front of Piper and Alex was staring at the others. "Drinks?"

"Uh-uh-uh sure." Larry was startled by Alex's appearance tableside as this bar did not have table service. Larry, Pete and Polly rattled off their drinks. Alex simply nodded and returned to the bar. Uncomfortable silence followed suit and Piper sipped her drink.

Piper looked at Larry, judging him. Polly always found such homely men for her that Piper was beginning to wonder if her friend even liked her. Larry was wearing a blue striped button down shirt beneath a red and blue broad striped V-neck sweater pull-over. Does anyone ever wear those anymore? Piper immediately pegged him as Jewish with his curly hair and prominent nose. Wouldn't that just go over great at the WASP-Chapman household? Piper didn't even know why she was thinking about how well Larry would go over with her parents because she definitely did not plan on having a second date with him more or less introducing him to the family. In fact, she was considering how to get out of this date.

Alex's loud raspy voice drifted over to the table. "Hey – your drinks are ready if you still want them." She pointed to the trio of beverages and returned to her other customers. Larry's eyes widened at the attitude and got up to retrieve the drinks.

"That's odd. She brought your drink to the table." Polly looked over at Piper.

"They don't have table service," Piper responded flatly. "Besides, I didn't order one."

"Apparently you did. That's what you drink." Polly's voice turned accusing before it softened. "So what do you think about Larry."

"Barry? Oh, he's okay." Piper couldn't be bothered.

"Larry, Piper. It's Larry."

"Oh. Well he seems like a nice boy. I hope his mother doesn't mind he's out so late." Piper had no idea where this sarcasm was coming from.

Larry returned with and distributed the drinks. "So what's the plan?"

Piper tried to keep from rolling her eyes. "That's what I asked. I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving." Piper knew that her cheekiness was partially due to the drinks settling in on her empty stomach, something she'd have to remedy so she didn't make a fool of herself.

Larry beamed as he sipped his locally-crafted beer. "There is a Thai place a few blocks down. What are you in the mood for?"

Piper reached over and plucked the bar menu from the table. "I hear this place has 'world famous burgers'. What about a burger?" Piper studied the menu. "Oooh, that one looks good. OH and Salsa verde cheese fries!"

Polly looked as though her friend had grown eyeball in the center of the forehead. "No Piper, we aren't eating half-ass shitty burgers from a fucking bar. Be serious."

From the bar, Alex's throaty voice rang over again. "Our burgers are not half-ass nor are they shitty. They have won awards and been featured on the Food Network. Eat here." She came back around the bar to the table. Looking at Piper, she said, "Salsa verde cheese fries are an excellent choice. Which burger do you want?" Piper pointed at the Buffalo Burger. "I'll have the cook add extra bleu cheese." Alex turned towards to the kitchen.

Larry said to Alex's back, "I'll take the…"

"Orders go in at the kitchen." Alex kept walking and pointed at the cook who was hanging his head out the window.

"What's her deal?" Larry was definitely frustrated. Polly was pissed. Pete just seemed amused at everything. Piper just sweetly smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Larry took everyone else's orders and put them in at the kitchen and bought another round.

"This food had better be good Piper. I can't believe you wanted to eat here." Polly was trying to keep her voice quiet.

"It's good. Just wait!" Alex boomed from behind the bar.

Piper couldn't help but laugh at Alex's antics. Alex looked at her and wiggled her eyebrows. She playfully stuck her tongue out at Piper and returned to work. The more drinks Piper had, the funnier the entire night went. The food came out, all at one time thankfully. So the group gorged themselves, going on about how good the burgers were.

Larry started talking about his job as a writer. He had a few articles submitted to newspapers and magazines and was hopeful they would pan out. Piper tried to listen attentively, nodding. But she found herself with one eye, okay both eyes, glued on the bartender. When Alex came over to get her food order, Piper had snuck a peek at her tattoo and discovered it was a little woman standing next to this incredible red rose. As Alex had turned to walk back, Piper noticed another peeking out on her shoulder, a salt shaker. As Larry was talking, the meaning of that one finally hit her and Piper couldn't contain her laughter. She pushed the table back and actually knocked over the salt and pepper shakers. Alex looked over at the ruckus curiously. Piper reached over to the spilled salt, grabbed a pinch and threw it over her shoulder. Alex just grinned. Larry was oblivious.

Soon the food was consumed and table cleared. Piper had refused additional drinks as she felt herself getting sloppy. Besides she didn't know how much longer she could continue being nice to Gary or whatever the fuck his name was. She faked some yawns. Finally Larry got the hint and asked Polly if she and Pete were ready to go. Piper certainly tried to hide her excitement at that. As they all pulled on their jackets, Larry reached to give her a hug. Piper felt she had been so cruel to the chap that night that it was the least she could do. She hugged him. Yet she caught Alex's attention and rolled her eyes behind his back. Larry tucked something in Piper's pocket then turned to walk towards the door.

"Aren't you going to walk with us?" Polly asked. "We can all share a cab."

Piper tried to put a tired look on her face. "No that's okay. I need to use the ladies room then I'm going to go home. I drove tonight." It was a flat out fabrication, but she pulled it off. Nobody was more relieved than Piper to see the trio walk out the door. Piper did go to the restroom but only to make sure that Polly didn't decide to come back in and check on her. When she was sure things were safe, Piper returned and sat back on her same stool at the bar which was amazingly still open.

"That. Was miserable." Piper said to the bartender. "And you made things worse by making me laugh every time I looked at you."

Alex raised one eyebrow. "Nobody said you had to look at me." Winking, she went to pull a fresh glass to fill with ice. Piper shook her head. Alex instead righted two shot glasses and poured a shot for each of them. Grabbing one glass, she raised it to Piper. "Here's to Hell! May my stay there be as much fun as my way there!"

Piper raised her glass and responded "To absent friends!" They both downed their shots and laughed. "Whew. I didn't think that date would ever end."

"Date?" Alex laughed. "That guy wasn't out with anyone but himself. Good riddance." Alex paused. "Oh, wait. I'm sorry. Are you seeing him again?"

Piper reached over to swat at Alex. "Hell to the no." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the folded up napkin Larry had slipped her.

Alex filled up a glass with ice for Piper some water. "What's that?"

Piper unraveled the wadded mess. "It's his fucking phone number. 'I had a great time tonight. Call me. ~L.' Ack." Piper mocked choking as she spread the napkin out on the bar.

Alex placed the sweaty ice water glass firmly on top of Larry's gift. Piper laughed. "Awww, it's going to get all blurry. What a shame. That's okay. You are much more entertaining and you weren't even at the table."

Alex mocked a bow. "I aim to please my customers. Especially the hot blonde ones."

Piper could feel the blush rising on her cheeks. "So Alex the sexy bartender. What time do you shut this place down? I am wide awake and in need of some real company."

"2 am."

"Can I hang around? Maybe you'd like to find some trouble to get into afterwards."

Alex's green eyes sparkled. "You have to ask?" Alex pushed her non-existent sleeves further on top of her shoulders and wiped down the bar.