From Stranger to Friend in 2.1 seconds

By: Burning Truth

Disclaimer: you know the drill! I don't own...except Des. If you want to use him (for god knows what reason) Just ask

A/N:...I think this is the beginning of when it gets interesting.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Do I really have to try it?" Buffy asked Des. A look of slight fear and mild disgust on her face.

"Yes. You remember the deal. If you don't like it you get ten bucks." Des confirmed.

"And you mean money bucks right? Not like last time when you said you'd give me some dough and then gave it to me...literally?"

"Only 10 more minutes...And yes. Money bucks. What? You think I'm gonna go out into the woods and look for deer?" Buffy eyed him cautiously.

"I wouldn't put it past you." Suddenly their conversation was interrupted.

"Buffy. Could I talk to you. Privately?" It was Xander. Buffy looked at him strangely and then nodded.

"Umm...OK! I'll just bring it to you when they're done." Des yelled after Buffy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So what is it Xander?" Buffy asked a bit worried. Xander paced back and forth.

"OK. You know how when me and Anya broke up-" Buffy cut him off.

"Yeah. That was a pretty stupid reason to do it though." Xander gunted.

"Eh. It wasn't going along very well any ways."

"Oh." Buffy said.

"So anyways when me and Anya broke up I had to move back in with the 'rents. Well ever since Oz came back he's been staying with me. Thank god the 'rents are horrible...well...parents or they would've found out sooner."

"Sooner?" Buffy questioned Xander.

"They found out about a week ago. me and Oz found an apartment and we've been pooling our money."

"But?" Buffy questioned."

"But...well we're $500 short. We...that is me and Oz were wondering if you would lend us the money?" Buffy was about to answer when suddenly Des wandered in a tray in his hands.

"What do you need money for?" Des asked setting the tray with cookies down. Xander quickly snatched a cookie and popped it in his mouth. Buffy looked at him with mild disgust and much wonder.

"It's nothing really...God!" Xander exclaimed.

"Are the cookies nasty?" Des asked solemnly.

"No they're great." Xander answered. Buffy reached for the cookies but Xander got to the tray first and took the whole tray. Buffy looked a little upset.

"Your lying." Des said before he caught himself.

"No really the cookies are great." Buffy reached to the tray in Xander's hands. But Xander reached down and Buffy quickly withdrew her hand.

"No. Not about the cookies." Des sounded a little bit irritated. "About the money."

"Really. Don't worry it's nothing." Once again Buffy reached for the tray, but was a little late because Xander stood up. She ended up groping thin air. Buffy glared at Xander's back. Des looked at Xander deeply in the eyes. He then shrugged and turned tail. A couple of seconds after Des left the room Xander put the tray down. Buffy saw her chance. She reached and...nothing...Xander had eaten them all. This ticked her a bit.

"So Buff. Will you lend me the money. I know it's a bit much. But I'd pay you back. Well that is after me and Oz settle into our apartment.-"

"Ha! I knew it!" Des barged in.

"You were eve's dropping?" Xander yelled outraged.

"Only for the last part." Des replied sheepishly. "Xander. Buddy. Pall. Old Friend. Old chum."

"We've been friends since when?" Xander asked flatly.

"Please get me out of here!" Des suddenly begged.

"Hey!" Buffy cried indignantly. "What's wrong with here?"

"Nothing. If your a girl. I swear if you drag me along on another shopping trip I'll die! I'll die I tell ya!"

"Over react much?" Buffy dead panned. Xander looked at Des sympathetically.

"How many times have you taken him shopping?" Xander asked. Buffy shrugged.

"I lost count after ten." Des answered.

"More than 10 times?!? You people are cruel and unusual!" Xander scolded.

"So you'll take me in?" Des looked at Xander hopefully.

"Pshaw. Yeah right."

"Come on Xander. You wouldn't leave me here with these... these... these women!"

"Hey!" Buffy cried indignantly.

"Sorry. No offense." He apologized. Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Why should I?" Xander questioned.

"I'll... I'll... I'll cook! You liked my cookies right? I could make more and I could make dinner!" Xander studied Des.

"Fine! Ok! But a week. If your good for a week then you can stay."

"Thanks!" Des said happily hugging Xander. He just rolled his eyes. He knew he was going to regret this for the rest of his life.

Twice.