GOING DUTCH part 2
by perletwo
The pair turned the corner off Revello Drive, sneaking occasional glances at each other but not speaking. Spike found himself caught in a deja vu, flashing back to the night they'd established their first truce to fight Angelus. With the shorter haircut, she even looked the same, right down to the grave and unhappy expression on her face.
"Spike, I -" Buffy's voice broke off when she realized he was speaking at the same time. "Go ahead."
"No, no," he waved her down. "Ladies first."
"I just - I wanted to thank you. Again. For, for tonight, I mean. I - after that awful party - I'm really, really trying to connect with Xander and Anya again, y'know? They need a friend now, they're so stressed over the wedding. And that ridiculous fixup attempt made me realize how far away I've drifted from them."
"Not sure I follow, luv," he replied.
"Well, Anya said - you know how she talks, everything goes straight from her brain to her mouth - she said they wanted another couple that they could talk to and do things with. Fixing me up isn't going to work, obviously, so - thank you. I know you'd rather eat glass than spend an evening with them."
"Yeah. But I'd not rather do that than spend an evening with you." That got him a wan smile, though still no eye contact.
"Your turn." His eyebrows rose quizzically. "What you were going to say."
"Oh. That." He looked down, then back at her. "Just was gonna say, you don' need t'be lookin' like you're goin' to face a firin' squad, Slayer." He grinned suddenly, and Buffy's heart squeezed tight in her chest. "I got your back."
"Thank you." They stood on the sidewalk smiling at each other, like two people who shared a wonderful secret. Then they remembered what they actually were, and walked on toward the restaurant.
Xander and Anya were waiting for them in the vestibule.
"BUFFY!" Anya swept the Slayer up in a too-enthusiastic hug, while Xander and Spike shook hands with an air of extreme distaste. Disentangling herself, Buffy gave Xander a peck on the cheek, while Spike greeted Anya quietly and slipped a gentlemanly hand under the ex-demon's elbow while the hostess led them to a table.
"Awful posh place this, innit?" Spike glanced around at the gentlemen's-clubroom decor, all leather and brass studs and dark wallpaper and teak wood trimwork. A glance at the price side of the menu wasn't reassuring either.
"Ah, yeah, if Willy's or the Bronze is your baseline, I guess," Xander answered. "But Anya likes the food here better for a real meal, rather than just nibbles."
Anya nodded. "They make a good steak here, and the spinach salad is terrific. Is it just me, or is it too much to ask for a restaurant to serve nice plain food these days?"
"Don't look at me - you're asking the girl that serves up the doublemeat burgers with only a quarter actual meat in 'em," Buffy replied, and Anya gave a nod in agreement.
"Exactly! If you're going to serve burgers, what's wrong with just your basic bread, meat and cheese? Some things don't need that much gussying up!"
"Ah, they've also got Sam Adams Dark on tap here, Spike. We may be needin' em tonight," Xander added, and Spike grunted happily.
"Spike, they've also got a version of that onion flower thingie you like so much. It's not as good as the Bronze's, but I'd be happy to split an order with you," Anya added.
"Hiiii! I'm Kevin and I'll be your waiter this evening, what can I get you folks to drink?"
Spike and Xander ordered their beers, Anya requested white wine and Buffy restrained herself to a cola. She also asked for the flowering onion and a separate check, to her, for Spike's order and hers.
"Hey!" Spike turned to her.
"What?!" She asked innocently. "I invited, I'll pay. *I* just got paid yesterday. Yourself?"
He growled, nettled. "Okay. But lemme kick in some cash for the onion an' dessert an' we'll call it square. Deal?"
"Deal." They shook on it firmly, and Kevin the Waiter giggled.
"And the check for you two...."
"Goes to him!" Anya pointed gleefully to Xander, who had a hand raised in resignation.
Slightly annoyed on her friend's behalf, Buffy chirped, "So what are *you* kicking in, Anya?"
"The pleasure of my company," Anya gave her a bright smile. "Of course!"
The two women's steely glares locked, and Xander turned to the waiter. "Beers, my good man. Quickly. Very quickly!" Kevin glanced at the battle of the blondes, nodded agreement and bustled off. "Sooo! Buffy! How's that Sophie girl we met the other week? Didn't get in any trouble from that, ah, did she?"
"Well, her mom covered for her with Lorraine about missing the shift, so she's still got a job at the DMP," Buffy answered. "But on the other hand, her mom's decided I'm a bad influence and won't let her play with me anymore." A sharp bark of laughter came from Spike on her left, and she turned a little more fully to Xander on her right.
"Shame. Nice girl, that Sophie. Pretty."
At his right, Anya slapped at his forearm with her napkin. "So what are you saying, Xander? You wanted to see *more* of that Sophie girl? Hmmm?"
Buffy and Spike exchanged worried glances.
"Beers! Spike! Kevin's back with the beers!" Xander greeted the waiter effusively, an edge of hysterical laughter in his voice. "Keep those comin', my good man. Please!"
Anya downed her white wine in two gulps. "For me as well."
Another worried look passed between vampire and Slayer. All four put in their dinner orders, grateful for the chance to cease conversation, and the waiter departed.
"So, Anya, how's that friend of yours doin'?" Spike asked innocently, covering his sly grin with a sip of beer. "The one you brought along to Buffy's party. Richard, was it?"
"No internal injuries," she replied, narrowing her eyes. "Sorry to disappoint."
He gave a wounded 'Who, me?' look. "Nice bloke, that. You should keep 'im in mind, Anya. Y'know, in case this whole marriage thing doesn't work out an' all." Buffy groaned disgustedly.
"So, Spike! How's Clem?" Buffy asked, voice sharp. "You brought *him* along to the party. You guys an...item...now or something?" Spike spluttered through a mouthful of beer, and Anya low-fived Buffy triumphantly.
"Ahhh, KEVIN?" Xander turned in his seat, looking for the waiter. "More alcohol here, please. Toot sweet!"