Disclaimer: You know how it goes.

A/N: Set about a week after the last chapter.

The Call

The perfect opportunity for Xander was right under his nose and he hadn't even thought about it.

He'd been so worried about finding the perfect way to approach Madison and how she would react that he missed the most obvious thing.

So the following weekend, right after lunch, he picked up the phone and dialed Madison's number.

A dating novice would have thought of it earlier than he did, but he was relieved when she said yes. She accepted the invitation of a date happily, after she questioned his seriousness and he assured her that he wasn't joking.

He had finally succeeded in getting what he wanted, even if he had to overcome a lapse of common sense to get it.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Snacking on a large chocolate chip cookie, Vida thumbed through the collection of CD's in her bedroom. It had been due for an update for weeks, and she'd finally found the energy to tackle the task. Chip was sitting by her desk, looking up a new video game he wanted to buy on the Internet. He'd come over about an hour ago and had made himself right at home, just as he usually did when he hung out at their house.

But this was the first time he showed up at the Rocca house with no intentions to actually spend time with either of them.

He wanted to be around when Xander dropped Madison off from their date.

The DJ shook her head, remembering how amused he was when he admitted that to her. She didn't know if he'd ever noticed how close Madison and Xander had grown – they always took their breaks alone together, he was at their house at least three days a week, they always offered to help each other with chores at Rock Porium or to run errands together for Toby – but Chip obviously found it funny that Xander had had his eye on Madison for some time. Vida did, too, for that matter, and she was surprised when Madison told her about Xander's phone call. She was concerned about her sister's feelings, though. If a date with Xander would make her happy, she had no right to stop her from going. The older girl was just hoping he wouldn't do something stupid that would hurt her sister.

"They should be getting back soon, don't you think?"

Chip's question shook Vida out of her thoughts. He had finally pried his eyes from the computer and swiveled around in the chair to face her. She checked her watch and saw that it was close to eleven. Xander had picked up Madison at eight, and they were supposed to be seeing an eight-thirty movie. "Probably. The movie shouldn't run more than two hours."

"You think they actually watched the movie?"

The only response was an icy glare shot in his direction. Frowning, he turned back to the computer and didn't say anything else.

Vida was stuffing some outdated CD's in a shoebox when the front door opened and closed. At the sound, Chip immediately swung around in his chair. The teens looked at each other for a moment before jumping out of their seats and scrambling towards Vida's bedroom door.

"Wait!" Vida suddenly stopped in the doorway, causing Chip to bump into her. "We have to be cool; don't let them know we've been waiting for them."

"Right," Chip agreed. "Good idea."

As nonchalantly as possible, they exited the room and made their way towards the kitchen, which required them to pass the front hallway, where Madison and Xander were saying their good-byes.

"Hi, guys," Chip greeted them enthusiastically. "Vida and I were just hanging out, but we decided we needed a snack."

"And the sudden need for a snack hit you just as we were coming inside?" Madison questioned, placing a hand on her hip and giving him a sheepish, knowing look.

"Funny coincidence, right?" Vida answered, tugging on Chip's arm. "Come on, Chip, you have to try some of my mother's cookies." Before anyone could say anything else, she dragged him in to the kitchen.

"Either we're really bad at being nonchalant, or they're really good at figuring things out," the redhead remarked as Vida thrust a plate of cookies in his hands. She just rolled her eyes and sat at the table.

A few minutes later, the front door opened and closed again. Xander must have just left. Vida stood suddenly. "I'll be right back," she said to Chip, rushing out of the kitchen. She hurried to the front door and threw it open, glad to see her coworker still walking down the driveway.

"Xander."

At the sound of his name, he turned and watched her walk over to him. "Vida. What's up?"

Vida ignored his attempt at small talk and immediately got to her point. Regarding him with a firm expression, she spoke, "Look, I have no problem with you dating my sister." Her serious tone suddenly turned threatening, and she emphasized her next statement by poking his chest. "But if you hurt her in any way, you're dead."

Xander grinned in spite of her menacing comment, displaying his ability to remain calm even in intimidating situations. "Don't worry, Vida. I like Madison, a lot. It took me a long time to ask her out. I'm not about to ruin anything or do something to hurt her."

Surprised by the sincerity in his voice, Vida gave a firm nod. "Good. Make sure it stays that way."

With that, she turned and left Xander alone in the driveway, looking amused and just the slightest bit worried.