7. Never say Nevers

The kindest word Buffy could come up with for the bar was dive. It was in an ancient building that looked like it had been there since the beginning of the town, and Buffy was thinking that the bar, which went by the name of Nevers, had been open that long too. It was the only bar in town and was five minutes away from the hotel.

They entered through the door in the north corner of the bar and took a minute to look around. The bar was against the far south wall with the men's room to the west and the ladies room to the east. On the west side of the bar there was a line of seven pool tables and two dart boards. In the middle of the room there were various square and round tables, all of them appearing mismatched. To the east side was a small dance floor and a jukebox that was currently cranking out some twangy country crap.

"I feel like I've entered into the movie Deliverance." Faith murmured.

Dean's eyebrows shot up. "First banjo I hear or see I'm out of here." This drew a smile from his companions. "Sammy, why don't you go claim a table, and I'll go grab some beverages."

The four had decided in the car not to spend too much time together once inside the bar. Act as casual acquaintances only. Buffy and Faith chose a small round table to begin their observations. Looking at the girls they seemed as different as night and day. Faith wore faded jeans, and a black, spaghetti strapped tank top. Black biker boots encased her feet, and she wore a multitude of thin, black, rubber bracelets. Buffy on the other hand wore a fitted, white, button down top with little capped sleeves, flat front, black slacks, and black ankle boots. They both made an intriguing picture of naughty and nice without even realizing it.

A waitress approached them after several minutes. She wore a faded blue shirt that said Nevers across the front in white lettering, and an incredibly short denim skirt. Ragged sneakers adorned her feet, and the woman appeared to be in her mid to late thirties. She reeked of smoke and her voice was quite high pitched when she spoke in her southern twang. "What can I get you gals?"

"Ya got Leinies?" Faith asked.

"Yeah, we got some of that." The woman assured them.

"Two please."

The woman nodded and headed off to the bar.

Buffy leaned forward, "I say we give it a few minutes then head over to one of the other pool tables."

Faith nodded. "Sounds like a plan." So far there weren't many patrons in the bar. Besides the four hunters, two waitresses and a bartender, there were only six other people. Two men were at a pool table at the far end, two tables away from Sam and Dean, a man and woman at a table near the bar, and then two men sitting on bar stools. "We aren't lucky enough that our players are already here."

"No, I agree. Remember Zambrost said they had a tattoo marking them."

Faith grinned. "Shit, we forgot to tell the guys."

Buffy's mouth opened in an 'oh'. "I'm just not used to working with other people yet."

Faith just shrugged and continued to smile. "No worries, I'm sure we can figure out a way to get them the information." The waitress, whose nametag read Perla, brought their beers and Faith handed her a twenty dollar bill. "Can we get ten dollars in quarters?" she asked. Perla dug around in her apron and pulled a roll of quarters out. Faith gave the woman a smile, and when the waitress went to give her change from the other ten Faith shook her head. "Keep the change. "

"Mighty kind of ya Sugar." The waitress smiled and headed off.

"Yeah, cuz I'm all about the kindness."

Buffy took a drink of her beer and nodded, "Let's go play."

The two women made their way over to the table next to the Winchester brothers and began to play. People began to filter into the bar and by about nine thirty there were about thirty people in the bar. Three men, fairly goodlooking, were playing on the other side of Faith and Buffy, and though they hadn't spoken to the girls they'd certainly looked a few times. One of the men was shorter than the others and stood about 5'8"; the other two men were a little over 6'. All three were muscular and lean, and looked as though they kept in shape. The short man had sandy brown hair, and the other two were varying shades of blonde.

Sam and Dean continued to play, and while Sam drank slowly, Dean was on his third. They'd been looking everyone over on the off chance something shouted 'hey I'm a demon'. So far they had nothing though. Sam had met Buffy's eyes briefly when she and Faith had moved to the pool table next to them. Sam was wondering if Dean was going to hit on one of the Slayers. He wouldn't be surprised. Both girls were gorgeous; Faith with her dark hair and dark eyes, Buffy with her blonde hair and hazel eyes. When he looked close he could actually see the blue and green flecks swirling around…not that he looked very close or anything. He'd just happened to catch a glimpse once or twice.

"Your move Sammy." Dean announced and took the last swig of his beer. He frowned as he realized he'd have to switch to soda. They were working after all. Better to keep cautious. That's when he looked over and caught sight of Faith leaning over to take a shot. "Have mercy." He muttered. The girl certainly filled out her jeans well. Mouthy, but not as bossy as Blondie. Not that he thought Blondie was hard on the eyes either. And he had to admit he admired what they did.

Dean was broken from his thoughts as Buffy moved closer. "Could I borrow your chalk?" she asked him sweetly. He handed it to her blankly and waited while she worked on her cue. So softly that he almost had trouble hearing her, she whispered. "The members of the Culling all have tattoos on their inner wrists. It's a snake wrapped around a heart." She handed back the chalk.

"Nah, you keep it." He told her, and handed it back. Buffy smiled and moved away. Dean moved to his brother to pass along the information. Their attention was caught when two older men approached the Slayers.

"Well, hi there girlies."

Faith looked up and caught sight of a man in who appeared to be in his forties talking to them. He wore jeans, a plaid button down western shirt which was tucked in and strained over a beer belly, and cowboy boots. He currently had a toothpick in his mouth. His friend appeared to be in the same age range, but was super skinny, and sported a raggedy mustache and beard. Faith just raised an eyebrow.

Buffy looked at the two men and got majorly creeped out. Not because they were evil, hell she didn't know, but because they were creepy old men and they were coming to hit on her and Faith. As if. "Hi?" she tried to sound polite.

"I'm Frank, and this is my buddy Harve. We was wonderin if you two fine little ladies would like to dance?" the man seemed pleased with himself.

"Gee, sorry Frank. We're playing pool. Not dancing." Faith told the man with a false smile.

"But you gals is playing all alone. You need some men to play with." He and his friend laughed at the intended innuendo.

"You offerin?"

"I sure am." He told her pulled his pants up from where they sagged a bit.

Faith met Buffy's eyes. "Tell you what Frank. Let's make a bet. You and Harve there against me and my friend. You win we give you boys a dance. We win you leave us alone. Deal?" Buffy was already chalking her cue.

"Hope you got your dancing shoes on." He smirked.

"I hope you got your walkin boots on." Faith quipped and proceeded to break.