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Disclaimer - All Buffy characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Twentieth Century Fox, Mutant Enemy and anyone else involved with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. All Roswell High characters are the property of Jason Catkins, Twentieth Century Fox, and... well I'm not sure who else!
Basic Plot - Xander finds himself strangely attracted to Maria, and after a couple of meetings things are getting complicated. Meanwhile Willow is feeling ignored by Xander, and things at home are getting worse.
Maria stared at Liz; she was still waiting for an answer. “So, come on spill it!”
“Spill what?” Liz asked and glared back at her friend. They were sat at a table in the Crashdown drinking milkshakes. “I have nothing to spill.”
“That guy, the one from L.A. He came in last night, I saw from in the kitchen. Did he speak to you?” Maria grinned and tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. “I need to know the gossip, if there is any that is!”
“Well he did say something…” Liz whispered under her breath, Maria waited expectantly. “He said, ‘Can a have a diet coke please?’ I tell you it was the highlight of my day!” She giggled then leaned closer to Maria. “I think he liked you, I saw him staring at you a few times.”
“You did?” Maria squealed, then realized what she’d done. “I mean I don’t really care…but it’s right I know such things, don’t you think?”
Liz raised an eyebrow. “He liked your lips.”
“Huh? How the hell do you know something like that?”
“It was so obvious, I bet he’s dreaming about kissing you right now!” Liz grinned widely, Maria looked so excited.
* * *
Willow fluttered her eyes open and found herself staring at a vase of blue violets, she slowly turned over and started to stretch out across the width of the bed, her action was stopped as her arm and leg collided with someone else’s. Her heart skipped a beat with shock, then she realized whom the body belonged to, it was Xander.
Willow couldn’t help the little mischievous smile spreading across her lips; she slowly crawled nearer to him then pushed the covers away, and then straddling him she began a trail of kisses leading down his neck and across his chest.
* Xander undid the top button of Maria’s shirt, she grinned at him her teeth as white as snow, her lips red as roses, all pouty and irresistible. He swallowed hard just before she kissed him passionately on the lips, god he loved this! She began kissing his neck tenderly- *
Opening his eyes suddenly Xander saw a flash of red hair, that wasn’t Maria, that was Willow, it was so obvious, he’d recognize that hair anywhere. Why was he dreaming about Maria, he’d only met her once, it was Liz that had made the lasting impression. “Will, what are you doing?” He asked softly.
Willow’s head shot up, her hair flying up into the air with it then settled around her face. “Huh? What? Nothing, I wasn’t doing anything! I’ll stop!”
“Well don’t!” Xander demanded, he smiled as she kissed him softly on the tip of his nose. He leaned closer to her and kissed her on the lips. “Will, what are you wearing?” He asked curiously.
She sat up as raised her eyes brows. “A pyjama top, why?” She slid off his legs and lay back down next to him.
“Do you think maybe I could take it off for you?” Xander smiled playfully. “And we could do that thing you wanted to do so desperately.”
“Ooh, I’d like very much to do that thing! But what about your Auntie and Uncle? Don’t we eat breakfast in half an hour or something?” She asked softly as she heard a voice outside the door.
Xander glanced at the door worriedly. “Maybe we shouldn’t risk it then, I mean they could walk in at any-” The door opened before he finished his sentence, Jade popped her head in then stepped into the room shutting the door firmly. “Do you understand the word knock?” Xander asked a little tiresomely.
Jade ignored his snide remark. “Breakfasts ready in half an hour, okay.” She grinned at her cousin. “I thought they told you to sleep in separate beds? Have a problem with that or something?”
“Jade I’m not a baby, I don’t need to be told what time to go to bed, when to eat, and where to sleep, okay!” Xander glared at her as he clambered out of the bed.
“No, I’m sure you don’t, Mr. Get-in-at-one!” Jade snapped back.
Willow ran her hands through her hair. “You got in at one? As in, one in the morning? Xander, where were you?”
Jade raised her eyebrows. “He didn’t tell you where he was? Ooh, someone’s in trouble!”
* * *
Darkness had fallen outside, the moon shone brightly. Xander did the last button of his shirt up and grabbed his jacket from the chair in the corner of the room. “I went out for a walk, and I ended up walking a little longer than expected. That’s all I swear.” He said and pulled the bedroom door open.
Willow grabbed his arm tightly. “You’ve explained last night, fine, but where are you going now? We’re meant to be together now, and that does mean you do things together!” She said quickly and slammed the door shut again. “You’re not leaving me here again!”
Spinning Xander glared at her. “Let go of me, Will.” He growled and pulled his arm from her grip. “We’re not together, I never said we were together, you conjured that one up!”
Willow sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s going on with you Xander? I hate to say it, but…you’re acting like a jerk, you never act like this. Are you feeling ill or something?”
“I’m fine.” He whispered and took a deep breath. “I guess I’m just fed up of people trying to control me, I need my space…that’s why I have to go.”
“Fine, go…I don’t care anymore.” Willow answered and grabbed her book from the bedside table. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Xander looked at her one last time then marched out of the door. Then the rain began.
* * *
Maria slammed the cash register shut and stared at the pile of receipts sat on the counter beside her, she couldn’t be bothered with them really, but tonight it was her responsibility, Liz and her parents had gone out for dinner. She glanced up and to the door just in time to see Xander stood there, the rain falling on him.
Moving around the counter she went to the door and opened it carefully, a crack of lighting shot through the sky as she spoke. “We’re closed.” She whispered.
“I know that.” He answered and stepped into the doorway. “That’s the reason I’m here, to take you home.” Maria smiled shyly, he continued. “And maybe on the way, if you’re not in a rush we could catch a late movie, or get ice-cream, well anything-”
“Don’t you have a girlfriend? You mentioned her when we first met, I think.” She’s asked quickly and shut the door; walking over to the counter she undid her alien face apron and dropped it onto a chair.
“No, that was my friend I called, she’s a really close friend, we’ve known each other since we were in nappies!” He winked at her. “I’m free and single me.”
Walking around the counter again Maria piled up the receipts and tossed them into a draw. “Glad to hear it. I’m gonna have to lock up before we go, I’m in charge tonight.”
Xander sat down on one of the stools at the counter. “I can wait.” He said softly and watched her disappear in to the back. God this girl was gorgeous; this was going to be an interesting evening. “Do you need a hand with anything?” He shouted.
Maria popped her head around the door. “Not unless you want to help me get changed.” She said with a smile and tossed her hair over her shoulder.
“Is that an offer, or were you just saying?” Xander asked with a mischievous smile.
“Down boy.” She whispered then disappeared behind the door again.
Xander definitely liked this girl; she had the same sense of humour, she was intelligent, not to mention absolutely stunning. He smiled and ran his hands through his hair.
* * *
Maria threw her work dress into her locker and grinned, an older guy was interested in her, this had to be a first, and so far she liked this first. Okay, so he wasn’t that much older but still he was old enough to be in college, and she was still in School. She was going out with a college guy! * I’ll have to ask him about that. * She thought with a grin.
Grabbing her favourite perfume she applied some to her neck, a little to her wrists, dragged her brush through her hair, threw everything back into her locker, and then locked the back door.
Throwing her bag onto her shoulder she walked proudly back into the main room. “You ready to go?” She asked softly, Xander just stared at her. * Say something. Please say something. * She thought.
Xander got up from his stool and stepped closer to her, then wrapping his arm around her waist he pulled her closer to him. Shock overtook Maria and she felt a breath catch in her throat, and before she knew what was happening he was kissing her. * Now I could get used to this. * She thought and kissed him back wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
* * *
Willow flicked the lamp off and laid her head onto her pillow, Xander still wasn’t home and it was midnight now. A tear slipped down her cheek, she wiped it away with her hand then pulled the covers over her head. Didn’t he care about her anymore? And she’d been sure everything was perfect yesterday. What was happening now?
She closed her eyes and pulled the covers around her tightly in an attempt to muffle her sobs, it didn’t work very well. Luckily the ringing of her cell phone interrupted her crying, she needed a distraction.
Grabbing her phone she saw it was either her mom or dad. “Hello?”
“Willow honey? It’s dad.” Her fathers voice spoke in her ear, she felt another bout of tears coming, but she held it back. “It’s about your mom.”
“What about mom?” She asked softly and wiped another glassy tear from her eye. “What’s happening?”
“Now honey, don’t get upset-” Her father began.
“Tell me!” She demanded and grabbed hold of her teddy bear.
Her father took a deep breath. “She’s left sweetie, she just walked out. I figured I’d wait a couple of days and then start ringing around looking for her.”
“No, no…” Willow whispered and then the tears did start again, she couldn’t stop them this time. “Don’t wait…you have to find her now…”
“She’s upset, it’s best to leave her to calm down a little before I try to find her…” Her dad paused. “I’m gonna go honey, I promise everything will be okay when you come home. Bye.” And then he hung up.
Willow felt the phone slip from her fingertips. “Bye…”
* * *
The lantern next to Maria’s door cast an eerie shadow upon herself and Xander as they stood at the door. “You know I’m really gonna have to go in now.” She said quickly before Xander kissed her again. “It’s getting late.”
Xander took a step away and smiled. “Sorry, I got carried away. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely, come into the Crashdown about eight tomorrow that’s when I finish my shift.” Grinning she moved in for another kiss.
Xander stopped Maria quickly. “Save it for tomorrow.” He said then kissed her on the cheek before he dashed off into the darkness.
Maria stared after him, then after about an eternity she remembered what she was meant to be doing and took her key from her bag. Just as she was about to put it in the lock a hand stopped her. “Xander?” She asked hopefully and looked to the owner.
“Who’s Xander?” Michael asked quietly.
She didn’t reply, she wasn’t sure what to say.
Michael didn’t really notice her lack of speech. “Anyway, I haven’t been around for a while, so I figured we could watch a movie.”
“Michael it’s one thirty in the morning.” She whispered and unlocked her front door. “I think it’s a bit late.”
“That didn’t stop you from staying out until this time, did it?” He pointed out then pulled her into the house.
* * *
Xander rolled over onto his side and was blinded by the morning sun; he quickly rolled back onto his front and buried his head in the pillows. The bedroom door opened, but he ignored it.
“Finally decided to join the land of the living then.” Willow said from beside him. “By the way I took your credit card and went shopping with it, hope you don’t mind.” She said a little sourly. “I spent over $500 on one dress, I think you’ll like it.” He felt her stroke his face. “I thought maybe we could go out tonight to dinner, spend a little time together.” Her hand moved away suddenly. “If you even like me anymore that is.”
Xander frowned, he didn’t like upsetting Willow, he loved her, but he just wasn’t sure how he loved her at the moment. He rolled over and sat up to look at her, and he was shocked. She was stood beside the bed just staring at him, her hair was curled, and she was wearing a white summer dress with blue embroidery around the hem. “Of course I like you.” He said truthfully.
She smiled weakly. “Your Auntie and Uncle aren’t very happy with you at the moment, they want to talk to you tonight when they get home from work.” She sat down on the chair in the corner of the room.
Xander climbed out of bed and walked over to Willow. “I’ll go and get dressed then we can talk about us I promise.” He smiled then kissed her forehead. “And Will, I’m sorry for yesterday.”
* * *
“LIZ!” Maria burst into Liz’s bedroom. “I need your help!” She declared and stared at Liz who was sat at her computer typing.
Liz’s dark eyes looked up from the computer screen and focused on Maria. “Is it to do with Xander?” She asked softly then flicked the computer screen off followed by the actual computer.
“I have four hours to decide what I’m going to wear, how to have my hair, how to do my make-up, and actually get dressed, do my hair, and do my make-up!” She squealed and pulled open Liz’s wardrobe doors, Liz didn’t move. “I now have three hours and fifty-eight minutes, time is ticking!”
Liz got up from her chair and pulled out a black dress from the set of drawers beside her. “Maybe today’s the day for the little black dress.” She said and threw it at Maria.
Catching the dress Maria examined it, then threw it on the bed and reverted her attention back to the wardrobe. “I want something with a little more colour.” She muttered. “Blacks boring. Do you actually own anything bright?” She asked slamming the wardrobe doors shut. “I’m gonna have to go out and buy a new outfit aren’t I?”
Liz grinned. “Why are you complaining? It’s an excuse to go shopping. But I can’t go with you I’m too busy.”
Maria looked perplexed. “I can’t go alone.”
“You could take Isabel and Tess, they’re into the whole shopping thing in a big way.” Liz suggested and took her dress back.
“I’d rather go alone thanks.”
* * *
Xander stared into Willow’s eyes; she was sat opposite him at the kitchen table. “I’ll start from the beginning.” Willow nodded, so he began. “On the flight here I met this girl, Liz, and well she was really cute, and she was flirting…” He paused then added. “She dragged me to the café her family own and introduced me to her best friend, and…well, that’s who I’ve been spending all this time with, Liz’s best friend.”
“And what exactly have you been doing with this friend?” Willow asked faintly. “And I want the truth, Xander.”
“Well there was a lot of making out, and we…well that was it really. We didn’t really talk a lot.” He looked at his hands. “You hate me now, right?”
Willow thought for a moment. “No, I don’t hate you.”
He looked back up at her. “You don’t?”
“No.” She shook her head and smiled. “As you said, ‘we’re not together, I never said we were together!’ I can’t really hate you if we weren’t together.” Xander opened his mouth to speak, she cut him off. “But, you’ll have to make it up to me…big time.”
Xander grinned mischievously. “I have an idea how I can do that. Go and dressed into that new dress you bought, and pack a change of clothes. I have a plan.”
She got up from the table and started towards the bedroom. “This better be worth it.” She whispered.
“Would I ever disappoint you, Will?” He asked and grabbed the phone from the kitchen wall. “Now go and get changed.”
She turned and looked at him, then marched over and kissed him. “What are you planning?” She asked.
“You’re not going to provoke me with kisses.” He said quickly. “You’ll have to wait.”
“I’m sure there’s something I can do…” She whispered in his ear, and then undid the top button of his shirt. “Or something we can do.” She added.
He pushed her away. “Later.”
She frowned at him then headed back to the bedroom. “Promise?”
“I promise.” He said and waited until she disappeared out of his sight to dial the number on the phone. Someone picked up on the second ring. “Umm, hi, I’d like to book a room for tonight please…”
* * *
Maria sat on one of the stools at the counter in the Crashdown, it was half past eight now, she sighed heavily. “I’ve been stood up!” She declared and tossed her purse down onto the counter. “And just when I thought things were going well, I get stood up!”
Liz leaned on the edge of the desk and frowned. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Maria shot back. “It’s not like you stole him off me, he just doesn’t like me!” She dropped her head to the counter with a loud bang. “Why do I bother?”
* * *
Taking the key he’d just collected out of his pocket, Xander unlocked the door to room number 207. Willow held onto his hand tightly as he led her into the room. He flicked on the lights and stared in awe, a four-poster bed sat in the centre of the room with white lace drapes hung at each corner, there was a chaise longue placed by the huge bay window, which led out onto a spacious balcony. “Home sweet home.” He whispered and shut the door behind them.
Willow let go of Xander’s hand and raced for the bathroom, throwing the door open she was faced with the largest bathtub she’d ever seen. “Cool.” She smiled, and then walked back into the main room. “This is amazing.”
“I know.” Xander said then pulled the cork out of the bottle of champagne that had been sat in an ice bucket next to the bed. “Champagne Madame?” He asked with a grin.
“Please.” Willow answered excitedly and dived onto the bed next to him. “So why are you doing all this?” She asked.
“You know why I’m doing all this.” He replied and passed her a glass.
She looked up at him and took a sip from her champagne. “So that I’ll forgive you.”
Xander turned his head and looked at her. “Because I love you…” He raised an eyebrow in thought then added. “And I couldn’t live if you hated me.”
“Xand, I could never hate you, I’ve known you too long to ever hate you. Sometimes I can get fed up with you, or think you’re acting like a complete jerk. But I could never hate you.” She frowned, and then tucked a strand of her curly hair behind her ear.
“You really mean that?” He asked and carefully put down his glass. “Even after the past couple of days?”
She nodded then downed the rest of the contents of her glass. “I really mean that.” She grinned. “Now didn’t we come here for other reasons than to talk?”
“It depends on you really, will talking make it up to you? Or would you like me to do something else for you to make it up?” He turned around to face her then sat on the bed next to her.
“Well I don’t know if there is anything you can do for me, but there’s definitely something you can do with me!” She giggled and pulled him closer, and then she got an idea. “Actually, do you fancy testing out the bathtub?”
Xander grabbed her hand and pulled her up off the bed. “Now that is an excellent idea, Will!”
End of Part Two