"Next."

It had been a rather long day for Alison. With the holidays growing nearer, her workload doubled as customers poured in to buy everything from pre-cooked dinners to gift cards. The number of people in her line ebbed and flowed as if it itself were alive, a snake sitting placidly before slithering wildly. It didn't bother Alison too much, but she did find herself growing weary as the sun went down.

As she moved the bar separating her from the next order she greeted her next customer without looking up. "Hello. How are you today?"

"Hello, Miss Locke. It certainly has been a while."

The young woman's hands froze as she quickly looked up into the eyes of Chase Young, the golden yellow orbs dancing with mirth at her surprise. "Chase," she almost gasped, "What are you doing here?"

With a smirk he replied, "Buying supplies. Evil needs to eat, too."

Alison looked behind him and saw that he was accompanied by Wuya and Jack. "I wasn't aware Evil had a budget to take the dark trio halfway around the world." she quipped, a half smile forming on her face as she proceeded to scan the Heylin Prince's items.

Chase narrowed his eyes. "It would seem that you still have your sense of humor," said he with a frown, "Though I hardly find it appropriate for you to joke about finances. You're living on a cashier's salary. I can get money from wherever I want."

"Yes you certainly can, Chase," Wuya agreed hastily, leaning on his shoulder. Chase scowled. "You can do anything."

Alison rolled her eyes, looking at Spicer "How about you, Jack? Still building robots?"

The teen nodded. "Yup. They're even better than last time you saw." His voice was calm, which surprised the cashier. Before he would have been gushing all over the place, but now he stood quietly, a serious look on his face. Alison gave him a quirky smile.

"Settled down a bit, eh? Good for you."

Chase cleared his throat, taking none too kindly to being ignored. "What has kept you so busy, Alison, that you can't even visit anymore? I thought I was more important than that."

With a small laugh, the girl said, "I have a life outside of yours, Chase. Always have. You're not the only man I know."

"Well, I'm certainly the best looking."

"I doubt that."

Eight eyes turned their gazes onto the newcomer; a tall, pale skinned man with dark blue eyes, shaggy brown hair and an omnipresent smirk. He was standing at the end of the register with his arms crossed over his chest; how long he had been there eluded them all.

Alison looked surprised by the man's appearance. She stared at him a minute before exclaiming, "Oh! Everyone, this is Bernard. He's...new."

The Heylin trio looked at him with slight mistrust. "New?" Wuya asked, incredulous. "What does that mean?"

"She created me," Bernard said lazily, "And I do what she tells me."

Chase, Wuya and Jack all looked back at the teenaged girl, who was now blushing. "He's from the book I'm writing about he and his brother. Bernard is a - "

"Not in public!" Bernard hissed, now next to the woman, "Do you want me killed?"

Alison shook her head, more out of annoyance than compliance. "No one will kill you, Bernard. It's not like anyone will really believe me, anyway. He's a vampire," she explained to the puzzled Heylin, "But he isn't a very good one."

"I'm a good vampire! What are you talking about?" Bernard said with a huff. He didn't wait for an answer, opting instead to flounce away and call over his shoulder, "I'm going to find Fen. He isn't mean to me."

Shaking her head, the girl started bagging. "That's what I get for creating a vampire. A whole lot of unneeded drama." With a laugh she looked up at her customers. "What are you looking at me like that for, Chase?"

Chase looked...angry, to say the least. His golden eyes were alight with a fire more intense than usual and his hands were clenched into angry fists. Even Wuya, who was used to Young's anger, shuffled uselessly away from his side.

"You have replaced me," Chase accused through gritted teeth, "You've replaced me with that - that - "

"Vampire?" Alison finished, running her hand trough her hair, her discomfort obvious. "I know that's how it looks, but I really never intended for him to follow me around. I fully expected he and his brother to go out on their own, but they've stuck around." She gave a sheepish smile, pressing something on her register. "Fourty five fifteen is your total. Do you have a bonus card you'd like to use?"

"Eight six seven five three oh nine," Jack said quietly, leaning on the belt. "Jenny's number."

The young woman punched the numbers in with a lopsided grin. "Your total is thirty nine eighty seven. Would you like to buy a book of stamps tonight?"

"Stop avoiding the conversation!" Young bellowed, smacking his hand on the metal bagging area. A coworker walked cautiously over.

"Is everything okay, babe?" she asked, her voice slightly accented.

Alison nodded, an apologetic smile on her face. "Yeah, Irene, everything's fine. This...gentleman is just upset that I have friends other than him. He's egotistical."

Irene nodded slowly before walking away, worry evident in her slow gait.

"I am not egotistical," Chase seethed, "I just happen to know I'm better than you treat me."

"Tell it to Judge Pirro," Alison mocked, "Are you going to pay or what?"

Jack pulled out his wallet, taking two twenties out. "There you go," he said, not looking the cashier in the eye as he handed the money to her, "You can keep the change."

"That's another thing, Chase," Alison commented as the money drawer opened, "What did you do to Jack?"

"I'm not actually Jack Spicer. I'm a robot."

"Oh. Well then. Carry on." As she pocketed the change the young woman looked at the motley crew before her. "Have a great evening. Next."