Xander sat in darkened club, not really paying attention to the singer on stage. He had seen her back in then Bronze a few years ago. Back when there was a Bronze and a Sunnydalet. Back then he had two eyes and slept in his own bed. With his own fiancée to boot. Now he slept in a RV that he had to share with Giles and Andrew. Trying to sleep while Giles read one of his few books and Andrew played Everquest into the wee hours of the morning was not how he pictured his summer going.
The girls had managed to adapt to their 'new' lives rather quickly. Buffy and Willow with input from Giles and Wood were putting together arrangements for a school and making tentative plans to rebuild the council. A phone call to Angel ensured whatever help they needed they would get. Dawn was helping out with some of the lesser details. Even Faith was getting involved, even though she wouldn't admit it to anyone's face.
"Hey."
He looked over at his visitor. She had the good grace to not come in from his blindside, he noted. Forcing a smile to his lips, he greeted her.
"Hey."
"Got room for one more?"
Xander looked briefly down at the seat beside him and shrugged.
"Help yourself."
"Don't mind if I do."
The former carpenter returned his gaze to the stage where the girl was finishing up a song. Out of the corner of his eye he could she see was watching him rather intently. He tried to ignore her as best he could, focusing his attention on the stage while nursing his drink. Eventually, a mixture of frustration and curiosity got the better of him.
"What?"
"Hmm?"
"What is it? Why do you keep staring at me like that?"
"Staring at you like what?"
"Like you're afraid I'm gonna..."
He closed his eye and sank down in his seat somewhat. Sadness crept into his voice when he next spoke, "Like I'm a walking scar."
Xander didn't hear anything above the din of the club. He just sat there, not really listening to the music. For so long he had kept his emotions in check. To suddenly release them like that brought relief and excitement to him. Then he felt her gentle touch on his arm. Sliding down to grasp his hands in her own. Vaguely he realized that her hands for all the strength they once held were smaller and softer then he ever gave them credit for.
"No thinks of you like that. It... It's gonna be okay Xan. I promise"
Slowly, he opened his eye and found himself looking at her again. Xander felt himself drawn to her eyes again. He saw them moisten slightly and remembers seeing her cry before. When she lost someone she loved, she shed tears like he had, away from everyone else.
"You think so?"
"I know it."
"Hmm... Good enough for me."
She appeared confused upon hearing that. "It is? No big speech needed?"
"No big speech needed. After all, I can't say no to one of my girls."
The warm smile on her face soon spread to his. And the two of them sat there, her hand in his. For a few seconds he listened to the song being played now, seemingly being played for him.
And Xander felt all right.
I've been driving for an hour
Just talkin' to the rain
You say i've been driving you crazy
And it's keeping you away
So just give me one good reason
Tell me why i should stay
Coz i don't wanna waste another moment
Saying things we never meant to say
And I Take it just a little bit
I Hold my breath and count to ten
I've Been waiting for a chance to let you in
If I just Breathe Let it fill the space between, i'll know
Everything is alright Breathe Every little piece of me, you'll see
Everything is alright If I just breathe
All the talks are overrated
You're not sayin' how you feel
So you end up watchin' chances fade
And wonderin' what's real
And I Give it just a little time
I Wonder if you realize
I've Been waiting till i see it in your eyes
If I just Breathe Let it fill the space between, i'll know
Everything is alright Breathe Every little piece of me, you'll see
Everything is alright If I just breathe, breathe
Shall i whisper in the dark?
Hopin' you hear me?
Do you hear me?
If I just Breathe Let it fill the space between, i'll know
Everything is alright Breathe Every little piece of me, you'll see
Everything is alright
(Ad Lib)
I've been driving for an hour
Just talking to the rain...