Just to reiterate, there's not really a time-line here, it's all mumbly-jumbly in that the Scoobies are still in high school, but Willow's with Tara and Xander's with Anya. So just, try to join me in my mixed up little fantasy world.
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Xander groans and rolls over.
"Why with the knocking?" He asks to no one in particular. Slowly he makes his way off the bed and up the basement stairs.
"What mother?" He asks flinging the door open. "Oh...hi Buff...you do realize that it's..." He pokes his head out the door, checking the clock on the microwave. "9:37 in the morning, right?"
"I know Xan and I'm really sorry, but I need a favor, like a ginormous favor but not in the save the world kind of way." Xander rubs his head idly.
"Sure Buff, what is it?"
"I need to you to drive me somewhere."
"Ok but that's not really that ginormous."
"To like Pismo Beach." Xander drops his hand from his head.
"Should I even ask?" Buffy shakes her head slightly and he sighs.
"Alright just give me 15 to shower, and you better have gas money!" He replies heading back down the stairs.
"So let me get this straight." Xander says, maneuvering the car onto the off-ramp. "You made me drive you all the way up here, just to find Faith, the girl who is madly in love with you, just to say 'hi' and you have no idea where to start looking?" Buffy nibbles her lip nervously and nods.
"That about sums it up."
"Oh good," Xander says, feigning a sigh. "For a minute there I thought this was going to be a total waste of time!"
"Xan, look, I know it seems that way but...really, it's not. I mean I miss her, we were friends."
"Emphasis on friends Buff." Xander replies. "So where to?" Buffy scrunches up her nose a little.
"I have no idea, let's just follow these cars they seem to know where they're going." Xander gives her a look that plainly says, 'you've got to be kidding me', but still joins the line of cars heading in the general direction of the beach.
They'd been driving for little more than 5 minutes when Xander's stomach gave a loud growl.
"Hungry?" Buffy asks turning to him.
"Yeah, well somebody woke me up at the crack of dawn this morning and didn't give me time to eat." He says irritably.
"Xan, I'm sorry. I just...I needed your help."
"You needed my car and driving skills Buffy." He responds. Buffy opens her mouth to object but halts herself.
"True...yes I did need you to drive me here. But I mean, can you see me alone in a strange town Xander? I would freak in like 2 minutes. I needed your support, your logical mind."
"Alright ok Buff. Look can we just get a bite to eat, before we send out the search parties?" Buffy smiles and nods.
"Sure, and let's pick some place good. My mom let me take her credit card." She says, flashing the piecing of plastic around.
"Alright!" Xander exclaims, hitting the steering wheel.
They drive for another 5 minutes before they spot a place, but it's another 10 before they can find a parking spot and by the time they walk there it's been half an hour since Xander's stomach first complained. They walk in the door and sigh as the cool air of the restaurant welcomes them.
"Hello, how many today?" A very well dressed young man greets them.
"Just two." Buffy replies. The waiter nods and grabs two menus before leading them to a table near the back. He pulls Buffy's chair out for her, flashing her a dazzling smile, and hands them their menus.
"Welcome to The Cove, my name is Alex and I'll be your waiter this afternoon. Would you like to start off with anything to drink?"
"Water's fine." Xander says.
"Water for me too." Buffy quips.
"Alright." Alex says with a smile. "I'll be right back with those for you." As he walks away Buffy can't help but notice the uneasy look on Xander's face.
"Well he was nice." She says slowly.
"Yeah, a little too nice." Xander replies over the top of his menu. Buffy furrows her eyebrows at him.
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"Oh come on Buff, didn't you see the way he was starin' at me? That guys a flamer." Buffy shoots a glare at him.
"Xander, I thought, what with Willow...you know, that you'd be a little more open-minded." She says angrily.
"Whoa," He says holding up his hands. "I'm am so ok with Willow. You know that. She's like my best friend. It's just different when it comes to guys." Buffy rolls her eyes.
"Whatever."
"Oh my god, Faith!"
"What is it Alex?" I reply punching my order into the computer.
"There is the cutest guy over at table 12. I think he's into me."
"A, you think that about every guy that walks through that door." I move over so that he can enter the drink order.
"I know, I know." He says off-handedly. "There's a girl there too, she's adorable. Looks to be your type, you know." I feel my insides tighten a little just at the thought of who exactly is 'my type'.
"Alex, you know that I'm not lookin' for anybody right now." How many times do I have to tell the boy?
"Yes, I know! Well at least have a look at her and tell me she's not your type." I sigh, giving in a little.
"Ok, fine. Where are they again?"
"Just around the corner. Table 12." I nod and peek around the corner, scanning the tables.
"Oh my god." Easy there, just a trick of the light.
"I told you." Alex says, leaning over my shoulder. He was right alright. I pull back behind the corner and lean against the wall.
"No, Alex...that's Buffy." He does a double take between me and her, before bringing a hand to his chest.
"Oh my god."
What the hell? Buffy, here? No way. I mean...why?
"That's it." Alex says, grabbing my hand.
"No, Alex, what are you doing?" I growl, trying to break free without actually hurtin' the guy. I may be out of practice but I still got my slayer strength.
"You two are going to have a little chat." He says, dragging me around the corner and right towards the one person I least, and at the same time, most want to see. As we approach the table, I try to hide behind his back. They haven't noticed it's me yet, there hasn't been an audible gasp.
"You know what folks," he starts, "I'm truly sorry but we've just had an oven fire. There's fire extinguisher fluffys all over the place and it's going to take at least a couple of hours for some food to get out." Alex what are you doing? And that's when he yanks me out. "But I'm sure Faith here would love to show you around town, to help you find a suitable dining substitute." He turns to address me. "I'm telling Steve you went home sick." I open my mouth to object but... "And don't even think about arguing I'll take over your tables...and you tips." He turns back to Buffy and Xander both of whom are just kinda starin' at me like I'm some newly discovered life-form. "You lovelies have a wonderful time, I'll see you all in 2 hours." And with that he's gone. It's funny the way he drops the bombs and leaves me to pick up the pieces.
"Oh my god, Faith!" Before I can even registered that she's left her seat, B's in my arms, huggin' me like she'll never see me again. Who knows maybe she won't. But still, it's impolite not to hug back so I wrap my arms loosely around her.
"Hey B."
That's all for now. Please review :)
