Chapter Eight: Amazed.

Early next morning, Xander went downstairs, yawning. He looked at the cold leftover toast from yesterday, and was about to eat it, when he found white fur on it. "Jenji." Xander giggled. Suddenly, as the door opened, Xander tossed away the piece of toast. Nick entered Rootcore, "Hey, what are you doing up so early?" Xander asked.

"I was just helping Jack with some work on the ship." Nick replied, "Oh man, you missed one of the funniest fights in the Century last night." Nick laughed.

"Oh, you mean with Bridge and Jenji," Xander laughed. "Yeah, I overheard them." Xander wondered if he should tell Nick that he was going out with Clare this evening. Xander took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and spoke, "Um…Nick."

"Yeah?" Nick replied as he turned round to face Xander.

"I was wondering…if it was okay if…Clare and I…you know, went out." Xander had worried expression on his face, not knowing what Nick reaction would be. Nick replied, calmly, "Yeah, no problem." Xander sighed with relief, as Nick continued, "Xander, she's my cousin, you don't have to be so worried."

"I know, but you can sometimes be a bit over-protective with her, and didn't know how you would react."

"I know, but you don't have to worry. It's fine with me."

"Thanks mate."

"So, when are you guys going out?"

"Tonight."

"Wait, tonight? Aren't you supposed to be working at the Rock Porium?" Xander suddenly remembered that he was supposed to do the late shift, "oh mate, I completely forgot." He smacked his hand against his forehead, "What am I going to do? I don't want to cancel my date with Clare, but I don't want to let Toby down…"

"Calm down," Nick said, as he placed his hand on Xander's shoulder. "Just talk to Toby, and explain why you can't work tonight." Suddenly, Jack arrived back from fixing his ship, "hey guys." He spoke. "What's going on?"

"Xander's got a date with Clare." Nick replied.

"Good on you, man," Jack congratulated Xander. "That Clare is hot." Nick raised his eyebrows at Jack. "What? I was just noticing," Jack said. "Anyway, hope you fun tonight with her, Xander."

"Thanks, except there's one tiny problem," Xander replied. "I have to do the late shift tonight…"

"Which he won't, if he explains to our Boss, Toby, why he can't work tonight." Nick interrupted.

"If you need someone cover Xander while he's on his date, Bridge and I will do it." Jack suggested.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, and plus, it'll keep Bridge away from Jenji. Don't want another toast incident."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Xander said.

Later on in the afternoon, Xander and Nick were walking inside the Rock Porium, when they saw Leelee and Phineas, who were about to come out of the store, "Nick, you're here," Phineas said, "when did you get back?"

"A few days ago." Nick replied.

"You haven't seen Toby, have you?" Xander asked.

"Yeah, he's in his office." Leelee replied.

"Thanks." As Leelee and Phineas left the store, holding hands. Xander became nervous, as he walked towards the Office door. He was about to knock to the door, when the door swung open. Suddenly, Toby came out of the Office, and said, "Hey, Xander. I wasn't expecting you to come until this evening."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Xander replied. "I won't be able to work tonight. You see, I've got a date and…"

"Xander, I've already let you have days off to go on a date," Toby interrupted. "I don't know if I should let you have another…"

"Can't you just let him go on his date, Toby?" Nick interrupted. "He's going on a date with my cousin Clare, and he forgot that he had to work on the same night he's going out with her. So, can you let him? We've got two people to cover for him." After long thinking, Toby replied, "Very well. But next time Xander, make sure you remember when you're doing your shifts, before you arrange to go on a date."

"Yes, Boss." Xander replied, as he smiled, "thanks, Boss."

"No problem." Toby replied. Xander whooped, as he and Nick walked out of the store.

Later on in the Evening, Xander was in Daggeron's room, getting ready for his date with Clare. He was so nervous, he felt was about to vomit. He's been on plenty of dates in the past, but he's never been nervous before. He was just putting on a pair of Jeans, when a voice, behind him, spoke. "Hey, Xander." Xander jumped in fright, when he turned round, he saw Nick, standing outside the door. "Sorry man. Didn't mean to startle you."

"That's okay mate," Xander replied, as he put on a pale green shirt.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm just…a bit nervous, that's all."

"You? Nervous? You're never nervous when it comes to dates."

"I know, but there's something about Clare, that's kind of special, and I'm worried I might ruin our date."

"You never mentioned that before."

"That's because I never felt like it with anyone, but you know…since the…you-know-what, she's been there for me, as well as you guys have."

"Yeah, she really does care about you." Suddenly, Leelee came in, and said, "Just came to tell you that Clare's ready." Nick and Xander followed Leelee as they exited the bedroom. Xander took several deep breaths, "are you okay, man?" Nick asked. Xander nodded, as Leelee went to Clare's room, to enlighten her that Xander's waiting for her. "She's just coming." Leelee told Xander, as everyone gathered behind Xander. Suddenly, Clare, who slowly walked out of her room and downstairs. Everyone was so gobsmacked at what they saw, that even Bridge dropped his slice of toast. Clare was wearing a beige Embroided tunic top, a black Tiered cord skirt, and a pair of wedge sandals, and she had her hair straightened. As Clare walked downstairs, Leelee hinted to everyone, apart from Xander and Clare, to leave the room. As they left, Clare went up to Xander. He didn't know what to say. He always thought she was pretty, but tonight, he thought she looked beautiful. Xander hesitated, "um…um…you look…amazingly beautiful."

"Thank you," Clare replied, as she smiled at him. "You look really handsome."

"Thanks," Xander smiled back at her. "Well…um, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah." So, Xander and Clare exited Rootcore, arm in arm. "So, while they're on their date," Jack spoke. "We should be heading off to work."

"I can't wait; it'll be a change from chasing criminal." Bridge replied.

"Come on guys," Nick said, as the three of them were leaving. "See you later, Daggeron."

"Bye Nick." Daggeron replied, as he picked up a large bag of Oats for Fireheart.

As Clare and Xander were walking through the forest, Xander asked, "So, is there anywhere you like to go?"

"Well, Leelee told me about this restaurant in Oakwood Village," Clare replied. "Do you want to go there?"

"Sure." After ten minutes of walking, they finally found a small restaurant. As they went inside, they heard someone call out their names. When they turned to their left, they found out it was Phineas, who rushed towards them, wearing a waiter's uniform. "Welcome to 'The Goblin's Head', my name is Phineas, and I'll be your waiter for this evening."

"Phineas, what are you doing here?" Xander asked, as Clare giggled.

"I'm filling in for one of the waiters, while he's on vacation." Phineas replied. "Now, if you will follow me please." Clare and Xander giggled, as they followed Phineas to the nearest table. As they got to a table, Clare was about to pull a chair, when Xander quickly walked towards her chair, and pulled it for her, "Thanks." Clare said.

"No worries," Xander replied. As soon as Clare sat down, Xander went up to his chair, and sat on it. "I'll be right back, with your menus." Phineas said, and walked off. "Xander," Clare began to speak, "I just wanted to thank you for asking me to come on this date. I mean, I've never really been on a date with anyone before, so thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm honoured to be your first date." Xander replied, as he placed his hand on top of hers.

Meanwhile, in the Rock Porium, Jack and Nick was behind the counter, serving the customers, while Bridge was stacking Vinyl's, when his stomach started rumbling. As Toby came out of his office, Bridge went up to him, and asked, "Is it okay if I use your toaster to make Toast?"

"Sure, help yourself," Toby replied. "You better ask Jack and Nick if want any." As Bridge went up to Jack and Nick, he asked, "Do you guys want any toast? I'll make it extra but…"

"Uh Bridge," Nick interrupted. "No offence, but if you mention the 'B' word one more time when you wiggle your fingers, I would have to hex you."

"You don't have your magic anymore." Bridge pointed out.

"Good point."

"Okay. But do you guys want some though?"

"No thanks." Jack replied.

"I'll pass." Nick replied.

"Okay, more for me then." Bridge grinned, as he went into the kitchen.

Later on, Clare and Xander were on their way to Rootcore, when Xander's stomach started rumbling, he groaned. "Are you okay?" Clare asked.

"Yeah, just got stomach ache," Xander replied. "Maybe I shouldn't have ordered that Shepherd's Pie." As they walked past a lake, Clare asked, "Do you want to sit down, you know, until your stomach settles down?"

"Okay." Xander replied, as they went up to the lake and sat on the dry grass. After a few minutes of silence, Xander began to speak, "Clare?"

"Yeah?" Clare replied.

"You know that nightmare I had last night?"

"What about it?"

"Well, I dreamt that we were all in a battle, and you were fighting Morgana…and…you were…knocked out, and when I went up to you to see if you were okay, I saw something in my reflection, some skeleton monster…and…" Xander nearly broke into tears, when Clare wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "We will find a way to lift the curse," Clare said. "I promise." She kissed his left cheek. Suddenly, as she was about to move her head away from his, Xander kissed Clare on the lips. Realising what he had done, Xander moved away from her, "I'm sorry," he said, quietly. "I didn't mean to…" Clare pressed her index finger against his lips, and said, "It's okay. I really enjoyed it, considering it was my first."

"Wait. That was your first kiss?" Xander asked, with a stunned expression on his face.

"Yeah. Well, first kiss on the lips," Clare blushed. "But I bet you've kissed plenty of girls."

"Well, to be honest, I never really properly kissed a girl, until you."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Xander began to blush. "Do you want to kiss again?" Clare nodded, as they leaned closer to each other and kissed again. This time, Xander slid his tongue inside Clare's mouth. Clare gently moaned, as their tongues intertwined. Xander placed his left hand on Clare's right cheek, as they continued to kiss. After a couple of minutes, their lips parted away from each other, they both sighed and giggled. "We should head back to Rootcore." Xander said.

"Yeah, the others would wonder where we are." Clare replied. As Xander stood up, he grabbed hold of Clare's hand, and pulled her up. "Thanks." Clare said, as Xander smiled. Suddenly, Xander felt something pricked him on his left arm, "ouch."

"Are you okay?" Clare asked.

"Yeah, must've hit my arm on a branch." Xander replied. So, Xander and Clare headed back to Rootcore, holding hands.