"Alexis, you promised you would come for supper." Mrs. Scarlatti spoke in a coaxing tone over the phone to her friend. "And you're off tonight, so why not come?"
Alexis sighed slightly as she held the phone, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Because I'm tired; I've had to work extra shifts because Mika and Nara got sick. I need to unwind and rest." She told her friend, praying she would let it go this one time.
But Mrs. Scarlatti refused to let it go. "You are coming over for supper, Alexis, whether you like it or not. I've missed you." She played the guilt card, now convinced that Alexis would come; she hated to hurt others.
Alexis groaned as she replied. "Fine, fine, I give in. I'll come, and you'll hear no more whining from me. What time do you want me over?" she asked, tiredness easing out of her voice.
Mrs. Scarlatti smiled triumphantly as she told her friend the time. Having finished that business, it was time to start cooking.
*Time skips – four hours – *
Ding dong!
The doorbell rang loudly through the Scarlatti house. From the kitchen, Mrs. Scarlatti called to her son in the living room. "Mike, get the door!"
Spike pushed himself off the couch, slightly worried that his mother was trying to set him up. Opening the door, he was surprised to see none other than Alexis Whalen smiling back at him. He hadn't seen her for about a week; since she'd been called in to work. "Hey 'Lexis, come in." He stepped to the side to allow her entrance.
"Hey Mrs. Scarlatti!" she called over Spike's shoulder, waving to the older woman before returning her attention to the man in front of her. "Hey Spike. Who gave you permission to give me a nickname?" she joked as she stepped inside.
Spike smiled at her, laughing inside. "I gave myself permission! For I am Spike! The lord of-"
"Being late for supper!" Alexis joked as she stepped sided him, heading deeper into the house.
Spike pouted as he followed her. "You cut me off!" he said, doing his best to imitate a kicked puppy look.
Alexis shrugged at him, still facing forward. "Some has to. Besides, you might have blown up from too much hot air." At this, she turned to face him. "Another thing, you need to work on your puppy look. You look more like a drowned rat!" She leaned forward to poke his forehead before disappearing into the kitchen, laughing.
Spike followed her, intent on revenge but upon stepping into the kitchen, a large bowl full of pasta was shoved into his hands. "Table. Now." His mother told him, while Alexis stood to the side, smirk dancing on her lips.
He mock scowled at her, mouthing 'I'll get you' at her. She rolled her eyes, following him into the dining room. Spike settled the pasta down carefully and looked around to find everyone else seated.
Stowing his revenge, he took his seat at the foot of the table, with his father at the head and Alexis seated opposite from his mother at the side.
The group says their prayers and dig into the pasta, enjoying it and each other's company. The meal passed quickly, as meals full of good food and conversation usually do. After supper, the group moved effortlessly into the couch, with the parents on one couch, and one of the young adults in each of the armrests. During all this time, Spike couldn't help but pay attention to Alexis, with her vibrant smile, and intelligent conversation. She continued to impress him, this funny and very pretty woman. He found himself slowly starting to put away his earlier misconceptions about her. When they finally noticed what time it is, the clock had just rung 10 o'clock.
Alexis looked up, startled by the clock. "It's ten o'clock already? Time sure flies when you're having fun." She smiled as she stood up, "And thanks for having me over. It was nice." She had begun to make her way to the door when Mrs. Scarlatti called out to her.
"Are you walking?" Alexis turned back, nodding with a quizzical look on her face. "When it's this late?" Another nod, and now the men in the room wore quizzical looks as well. "Not a chance. As hard as Mike tries, there are still lots of criminals out there. Mike will walk you home." She crossed her arms, giving both Mike and Alexis hard looks. Before either of them could open their mouths to protest, she glared at them. "Mike will walk you home."
Her tone carried the weight of finality, so Alexis gave up and made her way to the door. Spike shrugged and followed her, not wanting to argue with his mother.
Once outside, they shared a look and laughed. "Is your mom always that controlling of her son's life?" she joked, smiling.
Spike shrugged, noting the easy comradeship between them. "Sometimes, but usually only when there is a pretty woman around." He held his breath slightly as she laughed again.
"A pretty woman? She must have been fairly tired to mistake me for a pretty woman!" she said, pain almost completely hidden in her voice.
Spike raised an eyebrow, confusion in his voice. "What are you talking about? You are a pretty woman."
Alexis turned to look at him but he looked sincere enough. "I guess..." she trailed off as they stopped in front of her house, where she had lived with her grandparents most of her life.
Spike grabbed her hands before she could disappear inside. "Let me prove you're pretty. Go on a date with me." He told her earnestly.
She raised an eyebrow at him, blushing slightly at the contact and very grateful for the dark. "How does that prove I'm pretty?" she asked, confusion in her voice.
Spike paused, his grip loosing slightly. "I dunno..." he said, before renewing his grip. "But you are pretty, so go on a date with me?" he gave her what he hoped was an improved puppy dog look.
She looked into his brown eyes, and didn't see any dark emotions in there; just honesty. "Alright, Spike. You get a chance. But not because of the puppy dog look. That still needs work." He laughed, dropping his puppy dog look in exchange for a smile.
"I'll pick you up at five in five days, alright?" He told her, still holding her hands between his.
She nodded as she pulled her hands back, wishing she didn't have to. "Movie?" she asked, standing there awkwardly.
Spike let his hands fall to his sides, realizing how well her hands fit with his. "Yup. Be careful, alright?" He wasn't quite sure where the concern had come from.
She grinned as she teased him, though she was touched by his concern. "Shouldn't I tell you that? I'm the cook, not the SRU guy."
"I'm not the SRU guy, I'm the bomb guy. Ka boom!" He laughed, waving his hands around to emphasize the 'Ka boom!'
She laughed; he was glad he had relieved the tension. "Aright, Spikey. You're the bomb guy. Night!" With that, she leaned forward to poke his nose again before running to her house. She paused just outside her door, on her porch, to wave goodbye before disappearing inside.
Spike stood outside on the sidewalk for a few moments, a smiling stupidly. For some reason, being called 'Spikey' made him feel different from being called 'Spike' didn't. Shrugging, he headed home to find out what movies were on.