I do not own BVTS or Las Vegas. This is simply a fun story crossing the two. Hope you enjoy.
"jiH"
Xander didn't know what was worse; the fact that he had three guys dressed up as Klingons sitting at his table all speaking the language or the fact that he understood them. He would so never live it down if the girls found out. Willow probably knew since he and Jesse had an obsession with Star Trek even at an early age. Buffy though would totally dis his geekness.
Still he had to admit working in a casino that hosted the Star Trek/Sci-Fi convention was pretty cool. So far he'd seen dozens of Orion girls, lots of Klingons and Vulcans and other various species one generally didn't see. He also heard a rumor that William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy were to be guest speakers. Vaguely he wondered if he could manage to take a break when they did. He so wanted to see that.
"SoH." Xander announced in near perfect Klingon. The assessing looks bordering on respect from his players almost had him grinning with pride. "ta' SoH Daq?"
"Daq."
Nodding seriously to keep up the pretense that these guys really were Klingons he dealt the next hand. So he indulged the guests a bit. Everyone deserved to enjoy their lives and pretend to be someone else occasionally. There was nothing wrong with that. A flash of green caught his attention and for a moment he allowed his gaze to linger on two well-endowed Orion girls. Nope, nothing wrong with that at all.
By the end of his shift he had been able to utilize all his knowledge of Klingon and Vulcan and even a small bit of Romulan that he knew. A rather fun and educational night if he did say so himself. In fact several of the convention guests had flocked to his table once they heard he knew such languages and was willing to speak them to the guest. Several of the female cos-players had given him quite the looks for it. At times like these he really wished Jesse was still alive, HE would appreciate this.
Before he could get to the back rooms the sound of his name stopped him in his tracks. Turning to find the speaker he met a sight he had not planned on. Moving towards him, without his usual baseball cap and glasses was Clem, a rather benign demon from Sunnydale. Xander had met him at Willy's a few times and had even played a game of poker or two. Sure he felt bad using kittens as money, but the information he got in that room outweighed his guilt for the cute furry creatures. Besides, better a demon eat a cat than a human.
"Hey Clem! What are you doing in Sin City?" Moving towards his friend he clasped his hand companionably dropping his voice for his next question. "And without a disguise?"
"Don't need one during a Sci-Fi convention." The demon grinned happily. "Everyone thinks I'm wearing a costume. And I'm in town for the convention. I have loved Trek since it first came out in the sixties."
Taking in the t-shirt and large bag of paraphernalia Xander didn't doubt him. "Well I hope you're having a good time."
"I am. How come you're here? I thought you were going cross country?"
"Plans change. Mostly when the engine falls out of the car." Nodding in understanding Clem patted his shoulder.
"Them's the brakes man. Hey. You think you can join some of us guys for poker later tonight? We're playing down at Kitty's. It's a local demon club, sort of like Willy's but better atmosphere if you know what I mean."
"Kitten poker at Kitty's." Xander blinked trying to wrap his mind around that. "One that's weird and two no kittens so can't join in."
"Well actually I was kind of hoping you'd join as the dealer. See none of us trust anyone else. So I figure if I bring in a neutral, and let's face it there's no one I know more honest than you, then there won't be any trouble at the table." Clem smiled hopefully at his friend. "There's just something about this place that brings out the vicious gambler."
It took a lot for Xander not to laugh at that statement but somehow he managed. "Alright Clem. What time and where exactly is Kitty's?"
"Oh man! Thanks so much Xander! The game starts at midnight. Lucky hour." He imparted knowingly to Xander. "If you want you can meet me here at 11:30 and I'll walk ya over there."
"That sounds good see ya out front at 11:30."
"Thanks Xander knew I could count on you." Clem waved happily before turning to head to another panel. Xander just shook his head in amusement and headed to the changing room. He wanted to at least get in some of his own clothes before meeting up with Clem later. That way he wouldn't have to worry about ruining them if something happened.
Later that night Xander finally understood what Clem meant about the vicious gambler. None of the demons he met at the poker game would have come off as threatening to him upon first sight. He should know, he had met plenty dangerous demons. But boy when that first hand was dealt you'd have thought someone switched them with evil twins.
Xander had seen several poker games since his stint here in Vegas and he certainly had seen demon poker games back home. However he could honestly say none of them had ever reached the level of intensity he was seeing in this game. Thankfully the animosity only extended to the fellow players. As a neutral participant who was not in fact playing they left him alone.
Leaning back into his chair he watched as the players all shuffled the cards in their hands trying to decide the first ante of this round. A waitress wondered in occasionally changing out empty glasses with full ones and replacing various snack foods. It was never the same girl, but they all sent him rather coy looks. If it weren't for the fact they were all demons and likely to kill and/or eat him he might have taken a few up on their silent offers. Then again with his luck it would explain why they were offering in the first place.
He had to admit though Ms. Katherine, or Kat as she preferred, ran a tight ship and kept a clean club. If he ignored the patrons of the place when he first walked in he would have thought he was in just another casino in Vegas. Then again he honestly didn't know all that much about demon society so he couldn't really judge.
A hiss from one of the "chips" being placed in the betting pool, an actual tub to make sure the cats stayed put, brought him out of his thoughts. Patiently he turned to the first player waiting for the number of cards he would want to exchange.
No he didn't know a lot about demons aside from the dangerous ones, but he seemed to fit in pretty well. Though he didn't know how to feel about that.
By four the guys had finally called it quits much to Xander's relief. He still had to work the next afternoon and that was after running some errands. If lucky, he'd get a good three to four hours of sleep. He stayed around to help with the clean up, waving goodbye to some of the players and more than one waitress. Making sure Clem would be ok to get back to the Montecito he bid goodnight to Kat and Clem and headed on home. Not too surprisingly his 'hotel' rested only a few blocks from the Demon District as the guys had called it. Apparently most of the demon population in Vegas lived along these few blocks, much like a community. They figured if they stayed closer to the bad side of town no one would bother them, and those stupid enough to try, well… no one noticed if they went missing.
With his normal bouncy step he trekked his way down the street nodding every now and again to a passer-by. Best to let them know he was vigilant, less chance of getting jumped.
A loud crash and the sounds of struggle pulled him up short. Listening carefully he managed to hear a small cry for help coming from the alley just ahead. Moving quickly he crept into the shadows trying to assess the situation before jumping in. He may have a hero complex as Giles had bemoaned often, but he was far from stupid. Unlike certain nameless blondes he knew he didn't have the strength to just run into a fight.
Peaking around the corner he made two guys dressed in jeans and leather jackets holding a struggling man against the wall. One landed a harsh punch to their captive earning a grunt.
"I usually like playing with my food, but you've pissed me off enough old man!" Same teen snarled eyes flashing gold in the dim lighting. Xander couldn't quite see the guy's face but he knew he had tensed in surprise and no doubt fear.
Knowing he couldn't hesitate Xander pulled out on of the stakes he kept on his person at all times. Using the shadows and their distraction to his advantage he moved. His stake was entering and leaving his first victim before the other had a chance to close in on his captive's neck. The dust had not even settled when Xander collided with the vampire pushing him away from the prone human.
Making sure the guy was behind him he faced the vampire, trying to get a hit in before it could gain solid footing. He had no desire to end up thrown into the wall this night. Thankfully luck was with him this night and the vamp continued to stumble on various debris that had not made it into the surrounding dumpsters. This gave Xander enough time to slam the stake home. Turning his head as the demon exploded into dust he kept a wary stance in case any others were hiding about.
Once sure that no other vampires would jump out of the shadows he turned to leave surprised to see the man he had just saved still leaning against the wall.
"Hey, you ok? Do you need medical attention?" He moved closer, one hand up to show he meant no harm while the other slid his stake back into his jean pocket.
"I…I think so… I just… What were they?" The man sounded a bit older and strangely familiar.
"Uh…You want the truth or the version that'll let you sleep at night?" He asked tiredly.
"I'm not sure." The man stated after a moment. He pushed off the wall only to stumble forward. Xander jumped towards him giving him a helping hand.
"Whoa. Why don't we get you somewhere safe and you can decide then. I'll likely have a great lie that you just might believe by then." Slipping one arm around the guy's back he pulled him up and took most of his weight. In doing so he finally got a good look of the other man. "Holy crap! You're William Shatner! I mean you know you're William Shatner because that's you. But what are you doing all the way out here? I thought you were at the Montecito? And wow! I just saved every geeks hero! Can I have an autograph?"
"I think I'm the one who should be asking for the autograph. After all… you saved me." Shatner chuckled a bit at the young man helping him. "As for how I got here…I'm not really sure. I told the driver I wanted to go to a local bar that was low key and next thing I know I'm in the wrong side of town, the car's gone and those thugs grabbed me. Once upon a time I could have taken them, but in my old age I guess that's not possible."
Xander hummed in sympathy. "No offense Mr. Shatner but even once upon a time you couldn't have taken those guys. They're made stronger than us normal humans."
"So they weren't human. I had wondered what with the yellow eyes and the changed faces." He winced when Xander sat him on a bench out by the road in a very well lit section. "From the fangs I'm guessing Vampires?"
"Or you could tell yourself they were punks on PCP and go on happily with your life." Xander suggested pulling out his cell that Mr. Deline had given him.
"I'm sure most people would. Luckily for me you didn't, Mr. …?"
"Xander Harris. Well Alexander Harris but no one calls me that except my mom or Willow when she's really angry. I go by Alex too, so whatever you feel like." He shook the hand Mr. Shatner had stretched out.
"Bill Shatner. Well Xander, I owe you a debt of gratitude. You saved my life."
"Uh you're welcome." The teen blushed not used to such shows of appreciation. "I'm just gonna call my boss. He should be able to send over a car to get you back to the hotel safely." Dialing the number he had memorized earlier he found himself speaking directly to Ed Deline which sort of startled him. Sure Ed had given him the phone but he thought he'd have to go through Danny or one of the other guys first. "Mr. Deline, it's Alex. No I'm fine. Look I'm over on Martin Street. I ran into some uh guys that were uh hounding one of our guests. No they're uh not an issue any more. Anyways could you get someone to come pick Mr. Shatner up and maybe bring a med kit? Ah hold on." Turning to the actor he raised a brow. "Do you need to go to the hospital or anything? I can call an ambulance if you need me to?"
"No, no I'm fine, just sore and bruised. Besides I'm not fond of hospitals." The man chuckled. "Tell Ed I said hi."
"I so agree." The look in his eyes told Shatner that he meant what he said. "He said he's ok. And he says hi by the way. Alright see ya in five." Closing the phone he sat on the bench as well though in a fashion that told Shatner the boy would be ready to defend them at a moments notice. "So… I hear you're giving a lecture at the convention? What about?"
Smiling at the way the young man tried to put him at ease the actor spoke about his panel in the convention and even told him stories of past conventions and his fellow actors. For all that Xander hung on his every word he kept a wary eye out for any threat. Bill had met many people in his lifetime and he could easily see that Xander Harris was a remarkable young man, one he would certainly remember.
In a matter of minutes a vehicle pulled up beside the sidewalk in front of them with Ed and Danny both jumping out of the car.
"Wow. When you saw five minutes you mean it." Xander gapped at them in amazement. "How'd you do that in this traffic?"
"Benefits of being a native." Danny grinned impishly.
"Bill, are you alright?" Ed moved to his guest and friend checking him over.
"Hey Ed. I'm fine thanks to young Xander here." He stood with Ed's help both of them turning to watch as Danny looked the kid over checking for wounds while the kid tried to squirm his way out of it. "That is an interesting young man you've got there."
"Tell me about it." Turning ice blue eyes on the other man Ed started a line of questioning. "What the hell are you doing down here in the first place?"
"I asked my driver to take me to a local bar that was quiet. Next thing I know I'm down here and the car is gone."
"One of my guys?" Ed did not look happy at that. "Could you recognize them if you saw them again?"
"Yes I'm sure I could."
Meanwhile Danny was grilling Xander for the story. "You took down two vampires?"
"I got lucky. The first one I was able to take by surprise. The second couldn't keep his footing in all the trash. Plus I think they were just fledges. Had they been older or even Masters I would have been toast." He stated with such conviction that Danny gave him a second look.
"So you would have tried to take them on even if they were more powerful?"
"Yeah I know. It's a hero complex. It's why Deadboy called me the White Knight." Xander sighed irritably. "If someone needs help I'm gonna try."
Shaking his head in exasperation Danny mentally planned to drag the kid to the gym. He'd work with him, show him some moves and hopefully improve his self-confidence. "So where are the bodies?"
"That's the great thing about vamps, they turn to dust when you stake 'em." Xander grinned fiendishly. "Self cleaning. Gotta love it."
"So what are you doing down here anyway?"
"Huh? Oh a friend asked me to preside over a poker game at Kitty's. I was on my way home when I heard the struggle."
"Home?" The pitch in Danny's voice should have warned him. "Where are you living?"
"I got a room at Gambit's Lodge off of 4th and Sanderson. It's not the cleanest but it's cheap. Better than the basement that's for sure." Xander replied haphazardly his eyes on his watch and not on Danny's incredulous face. "Do you guys need me for anything else? I was hoping to try and get a few hours sleep. I got a lot to do tomorrow before my shift."
"Yeah… You're not staying there."
"Um yes I am. That's where my stuff is, little though it may be."
"You'll pick it up tomorrow then check out. You are NOT staying there." Danny reiterated. "That is the worst part of town and the guy that run's that place does not have a good reputation."
"I kind of figured but I don't have the money for anywhere else, not and pay for my car to get fixed. Besides Bob knows not to mess with me. We established that on the first day." Xander argued.
"You can shack up with me or even Mike. Regardless you're not staying there."
"I can't ask you to do that. I won't free load. Besides I'm eighteen and I can handle it."
"You're really going to fight me on this?" Danny looked amused vaguely wondering if this is how he acted from time to time.
"Yeah I am." Xander straightened his shoulders trying to appear more confident than he felt. While he appreciated the offer he couldn't stand when others underestimated him or tried to tell him how to live his life. He got plenty of that in Sunnydale.
"Ok." Danny nodded his eyes taking on a gleam that worried Xander. Not even taking his eyes off the teen's he called out. "Ed."
"What?"
"Alex has been living at Gambit's Lodge and he insists on staying there." Xander's eyes widened at the large grin the other man now sported.
"The hell he is." Came the growled reply, which only made Danny's grin widen. "Get in the car Alex."
"Mr. Deline I appreciate…" Xander started out only to get cut off.
"Alexander, do NOT make me repeat myself." The cool gaze Ed held him under had him shuffling towards the car with a quick 'yes sir'.
As he passed the rather satisfied security chief he threw a pouty glare. "Cheater."
