A few rays of sunlight teased Xander. He opened his eyes and them clenched them again protecting his eyes with one hand to the sun. Giles was up already.
He was cheer this morning.
"Good morning!" He sang to Xander walking around with a cup of coffee, taking a seat around the table.
"Good god, what makes you so bright?" Xander mumbled a bit cranky. The red haired girl obviously had fallen asleep that night with her head on resting on her arms that she had crossed over the table before her. She slowly started to show some life to her.
She moved her head back and forth within her crossed arms position.
Leelah was still in the chair with her hands folded under her ears, having her head to the same side and her legs curled up.
It reminded Xander of a child asleep. He couldn't help himself but look at her. She looked so innocent and cuddly. She kept sleeping.
Xander slowly got up and placed the blanket over her this time. Willow noticed it and grinned to herself.
"What?" Xander asked defensively. "I thought this was very decent of me,"
"O yeah, waaaay…" He heard a voice. It was Buffy. "Where have you been last night?"
"Out to patrol. Thought I'd make myself useful. What have you been doing? Staying up to chat?" She nodded with her head in Leelah's direction.
"We haven't even swopped that much words," Xander answered as-a-matter-of-factly like. Suddenly Leelah began to stretch out, putting arms in the air, having fists while stretching. She yawned and opened her eyes.
"Morning…" she noticed the slayer standing in front of her. "Hi Buffy." Buffy's answer was a frown only.
And here's yet another day of trying to prove yourself, Leelah thought which really tired her out.
"Buffy, would you just be nice?" Xander suddenly snapped at her.
"What? What did I do?" Buffy put her hands up. Then when Xander kept on giving her a warning look, she walked out to take yet another breathe of fresh air.
This Leelah girl really freaked her out. She didn't seem that bad though. Xander liked her very obviously, Willow could like her, Giles stayed neutral.
He didn't choose either sides. Still there was something weird about her. Besides, Spike didn't seem to want to harm her.
That said something, right? That wasn't a very trustworthy thing.
"Hey there," she heard the soft voice of her best girl friend say. "You alright out here?" It took a while for Buffy to answer.
"Am I the only one left who thinks this woman should be taken under the loop?" She wondered out loud. Willow addressed her something that looked like a half smile.
"Well, no, yeah you know how that goes with Xander," she said casually and laughed a bit. Buffy rolled her eyes and playfully poked her friend.
She couldn't blame Willow.
Good Willow who was trying to keep just everyone pleased.
"Come on, Will. Don't play goody with me."
"Ok, so I guess you busted me there."
"If it means that much to Xander and you I'll give her a chance," Buffy decided.
"Goody!" Willow nodded. "Ready to go back in?" This time it was Buffy's turn to reply with a nod. She followed her friend back inside.
She walked to the kitchen to pour herself some coffee. She hesitated for a moment, then took out a second cup.
A nice gesture wouldn't be a bad second start. Xander walked in. She placed her hands on her hips, pushing her elbows back.
"Xander?"
"Yes," was the short answer she received. He didn't look at her, just took a cup out the cupboard.
"I'm going to give this Leelah a chance, ok?"
"Good." He faced her. "That's what you should have done in the first place," he then added. Buffy forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry."
"Then we're ok." Xander now smiled too. Buffy finished filling the cups and walked back into the living room.
"Here," she said to Leelah, who was holding up news papers. Leelah peeked over the news papers, being quasi scared Buffy wanted to scoff her. She received the cup, and addressed her a sincere smile.
"That's how I like my slayer in the morning," she joked. Willow bursted out laughing, followed by Xander and Giles and finally Buffy started to laugh.
The ice was broken.
