Another chapter for everyone, which is dedicated to Flashpointlover89.
Disclaimer: I don't own or make any profit from Flashpoint, Spike, Beauty and the Beast, Disney or Serenity. I own only Alexis.
Enjoy!
Alexis leaned back agonist the counter carefully, watching her stove which possessed two pots a top it. She'd been given eight days off work after the incident, for which she was grateful. She was still finding it difficult to lift a lot anything heavier than an empty pot. Which she probably should have realized before trying to drain or even cook anything. Well, it was too late for that now. She was going to have to fig- ding dong! Her doorbell sang out.
She turned confused towards the door. Who would be coming to visit her now? All the other chefs and Mrs. Scarlatti had come already. Puzzled, she opened the door only to come face to face with Mike Scarlatti. Surprised, she stared at him for a moment before regaining herself. "Hey Spike. Didn't expect to see you."
"Hey 'Lexis. You didn't call, so I figured I'd pop by. How are you holding up?" he asked, scanning her for any sign of pain. Not seeing any, he relaxed slightly.
She smiled grimly. "Alright, I guess. Can't hold much other than an empty pot which is making it hard to drain pasta. Sorry about calling you; I sort of forgot."
"Want some help?" he asked, not wanting to leave her alone.
She shrugged. "Sure, if you'll stay for supper. I think I cooked a bit too much for one person to eat." At his nod, she motioned him in. "This way, Spike."
He followed her in, marvelling at the house. "Nice place."
"Thanks; it was my grandparents. I grew up here." She resumed her pose from before, leaning against the counter with a hiss.
Spike stood in front of her quickly, hands on her upper arms. "Hey, you sure you're alright?" he asked, concern thick in his voice.
She smiled reassuringly at him. "I'm fine, Spike, just hit the counter wrong. Why so worried?"
He took a step back, releasing her arms. "I saw you there, and I was worried. I guess being a chef isn't as safe as it used to be, huh?" He tried to lighten the mood.
She bit her lip before telling him. "I saw you there too. Just before they closed the ambulance doors. You guys saved my life, you know."
He nodded and smiled at her. "I'm just glad we got there in time. So, what do you want me to do again?"
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms across her chest. "Drain the pasta, Spike. Think you can do it?"
"Of course I can!" Spike told her, picking up the pot.
"Well, snap to it then!" she told him, pushing herself off the counter. "I'll get the bowls." With that, she turned and reached up, only to find Spike one step ahead of her. "Hey!" she protested, turning to face him as he handed her the bowls.
"Don't want you to strain yourself, 'Lexis." He told her with a smile, returning to the sink. She shook her head slightly at him before placing the bowls next to the sauce. "Here ya go!" he placed the pasta in front of the sauce. "Did you make that too?" he asked, pointing at the sauce.
"Yup, just like I used to do with my grandmother." She told him as she spooned pasta and sauce into the bowls. "Now let's eat!" she pressed a bowl into his hands and lead him just outside the kitchen to a table overlooking the living room. "I usually eat here, and not in the dining room. The dining room is more for formal things anyway."
He nodded as he sat down, still watching her carefully. Ever since recognizing his feelings for her three days ago, he had wanted to come see how she was doing. But he hadn't gotten a chance to until tonight.
Pushing aside his ponderings, he dug in. His eyes widened slightly as he swallowed. "That's good!"
Alexis laughed. "What, didn't think I could cook?" she shoved him light-heartedly. "Thanks Spike." He ignored her remark, continuing to eat which made her laugh even more. "No one's going to steal it so don't choke on me."
He turned the puppy dog look on her, fork still held in his hand. "But it's so good!"
She poked his forehead. "Puppy dog look never works on me, but you won me over regardless. Just don't choke."
His smile widened and he dug back into the spaghetti. Smiling, Alexis turned her attention back to her own meal. They ate the rest of the meal in silence, thinking on the person next to them.
Alexis studied Spike, not quite sure why he had come. Was it guilt over the fact she had gotten hurt while on his watch, or something else?
Spike wondered how to tell her he liked her, not even sure himself if she liked him; though all signs pointed towards yes. Taking a deep breath, he decided to just throw it out. "'Lexis-" he turned to face her and began to laugh at her, a piece of spaghetti dangling from her mouth.
"What?" she asked, sucking it in and swallowing. When Spike ignored her, she reached forward to swat him.
Sensing his chance, Spike grabbed her hand. Alexis's eyes widened and she froze. Spike leaned forward and grabbed her other hand, and cupped them together again. "'Lexis..."
She tilted her head, hair falling behind her head. "What?"
Spike spoke quickly. "Alexis...go out with me?"
She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "We have gone out, Spike. Are you alright?"
He chuckled as he shook his head. "I'm fine. What I meant was will you be my girlfriend?"
She fought down the urge to gape at him before replying. "I'd like that." She murmured, forcing herself to keep looking at him.
They stayed that way for a few moments before Spike spoke up again. "Seeing you hurt like that woke me up. I wanted to protect you and I failed."
She leaned forward to rest her forehead against his. "It's not your fault, and besides, it's not the first time someone's hurt me." She shut her eyes in recollection.
Spike frowned and stared at her closed eyes. "What do you mean?"
She opened her eyes to meet his concerned brown ones. "My dad used to beat me. Mom and I left when I was eight but she went back to try and fix things. Dad shot her and then stabbed himself to death." She pulled back slightly, biting her lip.
Spike stared at her in shock for a moment before wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head against his chest. "Not like you could have done anything. But just talking helps, so you're still helping me."
He chuckled and pulled back. "Glad to hear. Shall we clean up here?"
She nodded and stood up, making her hiss in pain. Spike shot up and grabbed her wrist. "Hey, what do you think you're doing? You're going to hurt yourself."
She smiled sheepishly at him. "Sorry."
He rolled his eyes before pulling her into a tight hug. "Just be careful." She nodded as she led the way back to the kitchen. Alexis, true to her word, was careful as she cleaned up. After a few minutes, they turned to each other. "What do you want to do now? It's your house."
"Movie?" she asked as she led the way to the movie shelves downstairs.
"Sure. Just no sappy romances."
"Only if you don't choose any horror movies."
"What, scared of the dark?"
"Not if you're there with me."
"Glad to be good for something."
"How do you feel about Disney movies?"
"Depends on which one."
"Beauty and the Beast."
"I can deal with that."
"You pick one now, Spike. I'm not getting up once I've sat down."
"How about Serenity?"
"Haven't watched that one in a while. Sure."
With Serenity in, they settled down on the couch to watch the movie. Alexis rested her head on his chest, legs curled under while Spike wrapped his arms around her. They stayed there, watching the movie quietly. When Serenity finished, Spike got up reluctantly to put Beauty and the Beast in. When he turned back to Alexis, he laughed as she had flopped down, covering the whole coach. He walked over and knelt down. "Mind if sitting up for a moment, 'Lexis? I'd like to sit back down."
Bleary eyed, she pushed herself up. "Sorry..." she murmured as he sat back down.
"You're tired, 'Lexis, it happens to everyone. Now shush and watch your movie."
She obeyed instantly, resting her head on his shoulder. He held her again, content with the world. When the movie ended, Spike lowered his gaze to Alexis, only to find her fast asleep. Sighing, he moved carefully out of the way but froze as she muttered in her sleep. Once she settled down again, he let out a deep breath and moved towards the closet, finding some blankets. Taking them, he headed back and wrapped them around her. He then scrounged up a piece of paper and a pen to write a short note to her and placed it on her dresser.
Before turning to go, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, Alexis."