Interlude 6: Fighting During the Commercials...


         "Oh, poor Xander!" cried Fred. "Look, he's so traumatized! Simon is so mean…"

         "Whatever!" cried Cordy, throwing some of the popcorn at the screen. "Xander's a big baby. He's always been so self-absorbed."

         "Now, hold on," said Angel. "If anything, give the boy credit. I mean, I can't say I like the whelp but he was never as self-absorbed as you were, Cordy…"

         Cordy gave him a look that would freeze fire and countered by dumping the rest of the bowl of popcorn on his head.

         "Hey! Watch the hair!" he cried as he rose quickly to brush the kernels off, jostling Lorne who inadvertently kicked Gunn.

         "Ow!"

         "Sorry, he pushed me!"

         "Boy, sit your as – "

         "I am NOT self-absorbed!"

         "Poor Xander…"

         "Enough!" cried Wesley, who was tired of everyone moving and fighting the minute the advertisements came on. And blast it, that commercial was still playing! Yes, we can bloody hear you already!! "Can everyone just sit down?!"

         They all quieted as they took their seats, not used to Wesley yelling. Then Fred picked up a few stray kernels off the couch and popped them in her mouth forlornly and said, "But… I'm still hungry…"

         Wesley groaned as he stood and took the bowl from Cordy irritatedly, snapping, "All right! I'll get you some more popcorn! Just… behave! All of you!"

         He stormed off towards the kitchen and they sat silently as until he was out of earshot when Lorne finally whispered, "Ooh-whee! Seems like ole Wes has a Jeckyll side…"

         They all nodded in agreement, almost afraid to move lest they be on the receiving end of Wesley's wrath again.

         "So, get anything from Xander or Anya?" Gunn asked Lorne.

         "You mean, more than already has been said? I think they spelt it out pretty well, don't you?"

         "But they're perfect for each other!" cried Fred. "Don't tell me they're going to split!?"

         "Look, it's not easy for a former vengeance demon to get acquainted with the art of trust and commitment, okay? And Xander isn't really the paragon of all things stable…" Lorne explained.

         "Yeah, tell me about it," scoffed Cordy.

         "…I'm just saying that they have a lot to work through, you know?" he finished.

         Fred looked at him doubtfully, but then turned back to the screen when the logo and music cued up again, as Gunn yelled out to the kitchen, "Yo, English! It's starting!"