I took off the other direction and didn't let Wesley follow me.

I don't quite get this. I think it reads better without it.

That's just amazing, Erika. I want more! I'm bouncing in my seat!

Wouldn't it suck if I wrote myself into a corner now? I'm still not sure how they're gonna deal, though.

Tiny steps, tiny bites, tiny men with tiny brains. I told myself I would never do that, and I don't.

t applauds wildly

Oh, Deb. Yes, yes, and yes. And thank you.

Thanks...not that I'm sorry to be mistaken for debg...maybe married people type alike.

D'oh!!! No, sweet thing, that was two separate compliments. I am perfectly aware that you and deb are AS one on occasion, but you are not one.

Must. Be. Clearer. In. Feedback.

Kay singing 'Boots' was tee-riff. Deb's fourth thing was a wonderful slice of AU schmoop. Is that better?

DOOOOOOD!

I. love. that. confrontation.

Would have served Wes right if she'd chucked all over him, damnit. Back, demon? Jeepers.

Why, look! It's my muse, back from her sneaking off and leaving me to deal with real life. And she's brought the next part of V!Giles, Joyce and Xander on the road to the Convent of St. Eugene, with her.

They stopped for lunch at the same restaurant as they stopped at last time. The place was full of travellers this time, families on vacation, hikers headed for the mountains, people with maps and sunburns.

"And gas prices are easily twenty cents more per gallon than they were in the spring," Xander observed as they were finally shown to a table.

"So are the food prices," Joyce added, studying her menu.

"If you cover the refueling, I'll cover lunch." He saw her look at him in uncertainty. "I've been putting in a lot of overtime, I can easily spring for a tourist-priced lunch."

She smiled graciously. "All right, then. Deal."

To his surprise, the lunch she ordered paid mere lip-service to the idea of either healthy or low- cal. She bit into her bacon cheeseburger with delight, then made a noise of inquiry at his stare.

"You don't eat like a girl," he blurted out.

She swallowed and smiled. "Life is short. Eat a cheeseburger."

He nodded but his smile was a little forced. Life is short. Damned straight.

They worked through their burgers and fries and drinks in peaceful silence for ten minutes. When Joyce took a deep breath over her last fry, though, Xander braced himself.

"How's Anya?" she asked, paying more attention to the puddle of ketchup on her plate than to him.

"She's fine." He licked a finger and began picking up the stray sesame seeds from his hamburger bun. He finally couldn't help looking up at Joyce's continuing silence. She was wearing the Concerned Parent face, a look that only seemed to get directed at him by people he wasn't related to. "Don't, please," he said as she took another breath.

"Xander--"

"Please!"

She frowned a moment longer, then reached across the table to pat his hand. "All right, I'm sorry. It's just--we worry."

"Everything's fine." He couldn't help smiling just a little at the "I don't believe you" that went over Joyce's face. "We're--managing."

"And that odd--person. With the horns. Who you made the deal with. What about him?"

"D'Hoffryn. Anya's boss." He found some sesame seeds he'd missed. "Haven't seen him. When he shows I'll deal. When did you want to get back on the road?'

She frowned a moment more, then nodded. "We probably should get going. I'll meet you at the car."

Xander signaled for the check as he watched Joyce make her careful way across the restaurant. That hadn't gone nearly as bad as he'd been afraid of. And maybe she'd leave the subject alone. Too bad Buffy and Willow wouldn't take No for an answer on discussing Anya and the deal. He had no idea what D'Hoffryn had in mind. The demon might hold on to that debt for twenty years or something. What could the master of vengeance demons possibly need from one human? Best not think too long in that direction.

The waitress arrived with the check, and he headed for the cashier. Some snacks and some drinks for the rest of the drive, that would keep his mind away from things that were best left alone.

Thanks, Deb. I'm not sure how she'll adapt yet. And I need to find a list of Munch's ex-wives. Cause the only one I remember is Gwen, cause she did Lenny Briscoe. (Gwen is also my wheelchair's name, cause, difficult ride).And of course Billie Lou drove him from Balmer. But who was the first lamb led to nuptial slaughter?

But who was the first lamb led to nuptial slaughter?

Damn. No clue - I didn't keep track of John's wives.

There must be site or nine at which that info is housed...

I don't think he did, either. And you'd think so, right? But I haven't found it yet. SF/fantasy people are just more on top of that shit. I ended up googling myself accidentally while looking, and surprise! I'm not blind.