Ch. 2

Sitting in Confusion alongside Clarence at a small table, Dixie was invisible to the crowd, in particular the anxious looking love of her life, who was watching Jesse and Angie and Jake and Amanda enjoying the ghoulish gathering for all it was worth on the dance floor. He was seemingly happy but deep down she knew he felt everything but.
Same as she was feeling as she watched Clarence munching on his newfound diet choice of cheese puffs.

"Are you addicted to those stupid things or something?"
Dixie grumbled, getting major ick factor from the sight, moreso when Clarence smirked towards the opposite side of the room when a dalmatian coat clad redhead strode in and took a seat at the bar.

"Oh my God, is that Liza Colby??"
"In the flesh. I know, surprised me too, was so used to that drab blonde do of her's."
Clarence said as Dixie was still trying to recognize this stranger as her archnemesis.
"Well, maybe it'll be a bit easier to stomach virtually a total stranger pawing after him."
She said with a mournful sigh as she adjusted the black strap on her polyester costume of choice and sat back warily while Liza cozied up to Tad.

"So, Thaddeus, mind telling me why you're sitting here all by your lonesome this fine evening?"
"Wasn't quite up to doing the monster mash tonight."
"Oh why not?"
The redhead asked as Tad shifted nervously in his seat before turning to face her.
"Listen sweetheart I hate to break it to ya but, I'm not the life of the party tonight. Happens occasionally."
"Not with the Tad Martin I knew."
"Yeah well that Tad Martin's taken on ghostly form these days."
"Well, maybe he just needs a little incentive to come back to the land of the living."
Liza said slyly as Tad rolled his eyes and Dixie was debating whether to toss her cookies or toss a brick at the shameless flirt.

"That cad's long since left the building I'm afraid."
"Honestly Tad you think that's all that's on my mind? I can assure you I'm far from desperate these days."

"Ha!! Whatcha call what you're doing now honey? You've been eyeing him like a piece of meat since you sat down!"
Dixie snorted, rolling her eyes at the pathetic sight before her.

"Well if that's the case then what's your beef Ms. Colby. What are you after?"
"As I recall you and I went after quite a bit way back when, mainly a certain silver fox we know and loathe?"
Liza said knowingly. Despite all the loss Adam had suffered this was still the man who kept her letters from Colby and was the reason for far too many spats between her and her daughter, and she was still not over everything that had gone down, and had a feeling Tad wouldn't be either, only to see that clearly wasn't the case.

"Liza...please, you know better than most I'm never gonna be fitted for friendship rings with Adam, but...right now, fighting with him is not a fair fight. And, while normally it wouldn't stop me, I cared about Stuart more than the bile I feel towards his brother."
Tad admitted speaking the truth. His fire towards Adam had diminished a bit since Stuart's murder and, he wasn't sporting for a fight.

"That's my guy."
Dixie praised, tearing up a bit at Tad's admission, and smiling a bit thinking maybe he'd handle Liza better than she expected he could, now or ever, while Fr. Clarence rolled his eyes.
"What's eating you oh unholy one? You know I think that threesome you've been palling around with are a lousier influence on your than I thought. For God's sake the sweetest man in this town was shot to death in the back! Can't you show a little compassion?"

"What's to say I'm not compassionate! Just strikes me as odd that people are still speaking of him after his demise. The man's been featured limited times at best in recent years."

"Oh so let me get this straight, talking about a gentle kindhearted man who's lived here for decades is frowned on but the patron saint of babysnatchers can be praised as often as the day is long? Do you not see anything wrong with this picture??"
Dixie barked, completely appalled.

"Well when that babysnatcher was in front burner s/ls for years on end it doesn't surprise me. Playing a pivotal role she's earned the right to be mentioned and mourned."
"Oh and what am I then? Chopped liver?"
"I think pancakes would be more appropriate."
Clarence sneered as Dixie gave him a devil stare.

"Well anyways, what difference does it make. Stuart's time came to an end. What other stories did he have left to tell?"
"Ha, that's a good one. You know there's plenty of us you've managed to Grim Reap before our chapters in PV were closed. And clearly since I got this chance, Tad's and mine wasn't."
Dixie said smugly as Clarence rolled his eyes before glancing warily at the ceiling.

"Lord Lavery and Mother of Frons help me..."
"What you say??"
"Er, nothing." Clarence quickly covered, remembering never to use the names of the Hacks in vain, before turning his attention back to Liza and Tad.
"You know Thaddeus, while I'm far from desperate would it really be such a bad thing to get back to what we once had?"
Liza asked as Tad groaned, but managed a smile, knowing that was his best bet at dealing with a crazy person.

"And it's no coincidence you ask me this when Mr. Mumbles McFacialhair drops you like a hot potato?"
Tad smirked as Dixie couldn't help but crack up, not only at the nickname even though she knew right away who he was referring to.

"Oh wow, never thought I'd see the day, Liza found another pair to try and drive a wedge between. Will this woman ever learn??"
She asked shaking her head getting Clarence smiling smugly.
"Funny, go back a few years and the same could be said about you m'dear."
He said knowingly as Dixie lowered her head, not with a snappy comeback at the ready.
"It was a mistake. I know that now."
She said genuinely embarassed at so much as thinking of her stint on the Zach Slater Welcome Wagon back when.

"I must say I'm surprised you weren't Ms. Colby's cheerleader during her persuit. I mean wouldn't you get some satisfaction at seeing your rival try and fail to break another everlasting love story? Even you must be able to take pleasure in her misfortunes."
Clarence baited, thinking if he couldn't get a rise out of the blond he could at least lead her astray to his level.

"Not in this case. Frankly I wouldn't wish the rath of Zendall on anyone."
Dixie said only to smile a bit when she realized she called Clarence's bluff and leaned closer to him with a smug grin.
"Especially when I know it's an offense punishable by an outing with you!"
She said triumphantly as Clarence looked north again, cursing a name that sounded like McTrash, only to glance back at Tad and realize Liza was skulking off with her dalmatian print tail between her legs. Bringing a smile to her's and much to her delight for the time being, Tad's face as well.

Up next....
Lightning never strikes the same place twice...