Title: Haven't Changed A Bit

Author: mistymidnight

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Spoilers/Timeline: Around the time of season seven's "Selfless".

Summary: Anya all the way!

Author's Notes: The newest installment in th saga of Anya's kindergarten views on capitalism, sex, and rabbits.

I decided to update because at CCS it's SAVE A FIC WEEK!!!

Also, some of the events in this chapter weer inspired by ReganX's review and polished by John. Yes, who is taller than me. He won't let me forget it. That or the freaky eyebrow. Don't ask. I bet he forgot about it anyway...Shh...

Anyhow, this is a short chapter, but a chapter nonetheless.

The Aftermath

"Faster!" Anya wailed. "I want get there before it closes!"

"Anya, I'm driving as fast as is legally possible," Xander said. "And besides, the mall doesn't close until ten anyway. You've got a good five hours left."

Anya sulked for a fraction of a second, but was distracted by the shiny pink purse that had once been Dawn's. It was full of money--thirty-four dollars and seventy-three cents.

It hadn't been too hard to sell lemonade. Customers came by the crowds during her "First Glass Free!" campaign.

Every single one of them had bought at least one glass of lemonade. For some reason, they were all uncontrollably thirsty. Anya made sure to hide the salt shaker well.

It just would not be good for business if her customers knew she put salt in their free glass of lemonade. She was pretty sure some of them were onto her, though. It was hard to keep the right flavor of lemonade and use enough salt to make people more thirsty at the same time.

She wouldn't have left the stand at all, but Buffy was sick and tired of sitting with the sign. Xander had finally given Anya another ten dollars to get her to "close up" for the day. It had taken that and the promise of a mall trip to pry Anya away from her pride and joy.

They finally reached the mall. Unfortunately, Anya realized she needed to use the bathroom the second they walked in. After handing off her purse to Xander and instructing him to wait by the escalator, Anya went off to the womens' restroom.

"Xander!" Anya called, waliing from the bathroom. "Xander, I'm ready to buy things!" She got no response. Searching the food court, she called, "Xander? XANDER?"

She couldn't find him anywhere. Oh, well. Less whining while she shopped--

Panic hit Anya like a fist in the stomach. Xander had her money! And if Xander was lost, that meant that all Anya's hard-earned cash was gone as well!

"XANDER!!" she screamed hysterically. Some shoppers turned t stare at her. "XANDER!!"

"Anya?" Anya felt relief flood her body. Her money...er...Xander was okay. He wasn't lost like she'd thought.

"Yay!" she squealed delightedly. As soon as Xander was within arm's reach, she grabbed her purse. "I thought I'd lost you!" she exclaimed. "I was so worried!"

Xander was a little flattered...until he realized that his six-year-old ex was talking to her purse, along with the money inside, undoubtedly.

"C'mon, An," he said dully, "let's shop."

I loved the ideas for Anya's salty sales, and the Anya-panicking-because-she-can't-find-Xander-and-he-has-her-money idea was one I've wanted to use for awhile.

More to come!

mistymidnight