The garden was rather nice, but Xander didn't really notice it. His attention was souly focused on Sylvie, although he kept shuffling his feet like a nervous school boy and was despertly trying to think of something to say that wouldn't sound like a complete idiot.

Sylvie walked slowly, enjoying being away from prying eyes and the feel of Xander's hand in hers. She knew Shauna and Harry were most likely down here somewhere, but she hoped they'd gone inside the building instead. She looked up through the tall fronds of some sort of fern and could see only blackness outside the glass dome. "I wonder how late it is..."She said softly. "I think we all sort of lost track of time. I suppose it's a good thing we closed the office for the weekend to afford recovery time.." she chuckled.

Xander snorted softly. "Recovery...good use of the word...although I'm not sure it completely covers what the guys are going to be going through tomorrow morning...hangsover can be a bitch...er...pain..." He muttered, a little annoyed with himself for he swearing. "I'm not sure it's as late though...I didn't wear my watch so..." He was about ready to tell himself to shut up right there, but had to say one last thing. "I didn't get a chance to tell you, before we got soaked...you looked really nice tonight..."

"Didn't you? I though you had, actually... maybe that was after we got soaked through..."she chuckled again, stopping to smell some of the flowers. "And you don't have to be so careful around me Xander. I've known Nathaniel for... damn . how long has it been?! Nine years? Must be almost that... And Eire almost as long.. so I'm aquainted with the language, and I don't mind it.. in moderation.." She gave him a smirk. "You're welcome to be yourself...that's who i'd like to get to know, anyhow..."

Xander laughed softly. "If I were to be myself where the language is concerned, I'd probably make Nate blush..." He replied, with a slight smile. "Besides it's kinda nice to censor myself...you know, a personal challenge..." His free hand fingered the delicate petals on a flower near to him, and involunterly, the hand holding Sylvie's began the same action, his thumb rubbing gently over her knuckles.

Sylvie suddenly squeezed his hand and laughed. "I thought I was the only one who did that." At Xander's curious glance, she held up their hands. "The thumb rubbing... it's a habit of mine.. I thought I was alone on doing it. We may wind up in thumb wars if we both feel the urge to do that at the same time." She started to giggle and slammed a hand over her mouth to help smother the sudden burst of noise, glancing up through the plants in case some one was leaning over to see what was going on. Luckily no one did.

Xander chuckled, "Oh no, I suppose I've always done that...or at least when I've had the opportunity to hold some one's hand..." He vaguely recalled the last person had been Lex, but didn't add that. "My sister was the one who started it, her from of comfort when words weren't enough, I suppose." He said a slight distant smile.

"Hmm... that's sweet. I do it with things other than hands as well.. coffee mugs and tea cups mostly.. think it's the warmth of those that makes me do it... " she thought she might be babbling and tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear and continued walking. "You're a mystery, Xander Caine... you came in all bluster and bravado, sharp words and dark looks.. and yet now we get to see that you're not really that person at all.. You dressed like a sex fiend before and yet, you've never been skinny dipping. " She shook her head, amused. "I'm not sure I get it.."

Xander blushed but was forced to laugh. "You do strange things when trying to survive on your own after being a slave for all your life...The act is easier to keep people away I guess...hard to get used to being around a lot of people some times..." He answered honestly. "I played that act for the same reason Lex was submissive and shy..." Although he wasn't quiet sure about that.

Sylvie was quiet for a while as they walked, thinking about what he'd said. "I guess I can understand that. Sometime's it's easier being someone else then being yourself. " They emerged into a litte circle where three small half moon benches sat around a little fountain. Two paths branched off on the far side. " Which way?"

"Well, to be honest, you're not given much of a chance to have a personality in Abandon's realm...so I guess you could say...I'm still finding my personality." He answered, then shrugged. "Left has always been a good direction for me..."

Sylvie chuckled. "The Left hand path...sounds like you're leading me astray, Xander..." She said, a sly smile on her face as they passed by the pretty sitting area. She decided it was a good place to come and hide for some peace when things in the office got too much... "It must have been horrible growing up like that... I can't imagine. And you say you were born there? I suppose that would be better then being forced to it after knowing something else..."

"We were all born into it...Me, Evie...Lex. Admittedly, I had it much easier then Lex, but still. And the scary thing is, Abandon doesn't give up his slaves...not alive anyway...if he ever gets strong enough to get out of his prison...I rather fear for Lex..." The left path seemed more secluded then the right, Xander noticed. Thicker plants, a bit more shadow. A little voice in Xander's head said it was a great place for making out if one didn't want to get caught.

"And what about you? Wouldn't you be in just as much danger seeing as how you're not exactly in his employ any longer either? I know... you said Lex was his favorite. And that's another thing about you... even though you spent a great deal of your start here seemingly enjoying hurting Lex... you talk as if he matters more then you do.. you always put his feelings first.. OooH!" she stumbled and suddenly leaned against Xander.."Sorry..." she said lifting her foot. "I think i've got a sharp stone or something in my sandal.."

Xander caught her about the waist, wondered vaguely if there was any truth to the stone bit, but didn't care. When he answered Sylvie it was in a softer voice. "Lex does matter more then I do...Besides...when I was...rescued, I was sorta of sworn to keep Lex out of danger...by Hope...the red headed Fate...she gave me the task...to make up for past sins..."

"Ow!" Sylvie said, tugging the shoe right off and pulling a small thorn from her big toe. She held it up then flicked it into the foilage, away from the path and future feet, before slipped her shoe back on. She wiggled her toe as she straightened up and decided it was fine... might be a bit of a stain by the time she got home but if it was too bad she'd buy a new pair.. She renewed her hold on his hand and smiled at the news, turned to walk backwards to face him as she spoke. "That's wonderful news.. why didn't you say something about it? Why let everyone think you were working for the enemies?? And why were you draining Lex's energy back before they all went off to hell...?"

"To keep him OUT of hell. In case you haven't noticed, the boy has a bit of a stubborn streak and a need to prove himself...Even with the death curse, he makes a point to push his limits. The idea was NOT for Knight to get ahold of him. Sorta back fired on me. And also...I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about Hope...actually, you're the first who knows and she might not be TOO happy about that..." Xander muttered.

"Well, tough. If she's one of the Fates, I'm sure she was aware of the possiblity long before you thought of telling me..." She smiled, discovering her thumb stroking his hand. "As for Lex, well... it might have worked except you weren't draining Lex's energy at all.. as I understand it, Chaos and Nate had set up a loop of some kind and were feeding you their energy instead.. Lex's getting weaker afterwards was the result of a sleep spell.. not you..."

"Ingenious.." Xander mused slightly. "I don't blame them for not trusting me...I wasn't supposed to be trusted. There's so much resting on Lex's saftey right now..." Xander shook his head. He'd trailed off because he rather liked the feel of Sylvie's thumb stroking his hand.

"Well, Kay's no slouch, Xander. When she let you back in, she had her reasons.. and her plans for you. Although things certainly twisted around.. I wonder if she had some idea of how things might go with you... after all.. she didn't really make any move to stop you from hanging around after everything was said and done..." She gave a soft laugh and shook her head. "Who knows.. some time's I think the woman is pure instinct and doesn't even know why she does things herself..." The path opened into another little seating area.. this one had one bench and a lamp post.. the lamp was an old fashioned looking lantern that swung on a hook from the pole. Only one path branched off, and she stopped at the bench and sat down, patting the seat beside her with her fre hand. "Let's sit for a bit.. "

"Chaos is definitely something else, that's to be sure." Xander mused softly, before sitting down. He cast a look up at the lamp post. "Lard this building is something else too.." He had to laugh softly at that. "I mean, much nicer then the last one, but that was a little rude of Knight...blowing the place up. Sore looser if you ask me..."

Sylvie gave a soft laugh and rubbed at her sore toe."Yes.. but I guess we owe him for doing it. I rather like this place... even if we're just using the guest rooms for now... I can't wait for the apartments to be done." She gave a sad sigh. "It's a good thing Kay and Faal went all out on the insurance so we're covered for all our stuff... but still... most of us weren't able to salvage much. Personal momentos and things are mostly gone forever. I was a bit luckier in that I had...loaned some of my things to a friend. She'll hold them until my new apartment is ready.." Charli and Sienna lost just about everything, as did a few of the boys.. Nate had some personal stuff stored away at his family's home, so he at least has a bit..."

"Believe it or not, I can understand that...loosing personal mementos, things you can't really replace...Aiyla said Eire lost almost everything that had to do with his...mom, so I imagine that's rather hard...I don't know, I didn't have anything to do with Evie...except the tattoo on my back..." Xander shrugged.

"Well if it was Eire's mom, then no great loss. If it was Ruby though... that's hard indeed." She dropped her foot back down and rested her free hand on the bench beside her. At the mention of the tattoo though she smiled. "Really? I love tattoos.. well.. at least on other people."she said with a soft laugh. "Those big extravagant ones just put me in awe.. the fortunes and hours of pain people sit through for those things... what's yours of, if I may ask? Or maybe see?" she added with hopeful grin.

Xander smiled slightly. "Hours yes, money no. Evie did it." He turned slightly on the bench, and pulled his shirt up in the back, to reveal his back which was covered by a very intricate and realistic tattoo of a male lion in tall grass with an african landscape background. "Took seven months." He said, letting Sylvie inspect it.

"Wow." She said in awe. "This is gorgeous, Xander! Your sister did this?!" she said and couldn't resist reaching out to delicately trace the image with her fingers. "My god but did she have a gift..."

"Yeah, she was a hell of an artist. She asked me one night if I'd be her canvas. Didn't tell me what she intended to do...was quite painful as she did it by hand... Lex would sit and keep us company... when Abandon didn't have him." He tried not to shudder pleasurably at the touch of her fingers.

"By hand... seven months.. and she did it freestyle.. my god... it looks like it's about to jump out at me.." she smiled and ran her whole hand over his back. she gave a soft laugh, resting her hand over the lions face. "It almost seems wrong that i can't feel the textures..."

"Like I said, she was talented." Xander said, letting Sylvie examine the tattoo as long as she liked. He wondered if she noticed the faint scars behind the tattoo, from being whipped, but didn't say anything.

She ran her fingers over the muzzle and frowned slightly, for a moment the thought that she could feel the texture came to her but she shook it off and traced the odd texture across his back.. half way across it dawned on her what she was feeling. "Oh.... Xander... I'm so sorry..." Her voice a bare whisper..her fingers moved across his back seeking out others. "How many...?"

Xander chuckled softly, although it was a bit grim. "To many to count, Sylvie. Not half as bad as Lex, but, then Abandon never had a solid reason for whipping Lex, like he did me...I was a bit rebellious at times. But when he realized whipping me wasn't teaching me the lessons he obviously wanted me to learn, he started whipping Lex...viciously. It's hard to believe...but Lex and I were...friends at one time... Evie he never touched...not until the night he killed her..."

Sylvie blushed at realizing she was sitting here stroking his bare skin and not just a work of art, and reluctantly moved her hand away. "Not so hard to believe... not the way you put him first... I can see you care and regret the way things are..."

"I regret it more then you know, Sylvie." He said with a sigh dropping his shirt, turning on the bench to face her and leaning back on his hands. "I never wanted it to end up the way it has...but it is my fault, so I have no one to blame but me..."

She saw the sorrow etched on his face as clearly as she could hear it in his voice and her heart went out to him. "I do know, Xander... I wish I could help somehow..." She caught herself with her hand raised as if to stroke his cheek and she froze there for a moment.. hand hanging in mid air before a slight change in direction to land lightly on his shoulder... and cursed herself silently for a coward for doing so...

Xander smiled grimly. "No...it's something that only Lex and I can resolve. I have to get his forgiveness before anything else..." He sighed, glanced at her hand, then reached over, brushed a stray lock of wet hair behind her ear.

Sylvie reached up and caught his hand as he drew it back and let their clasped hands fall to lay across their legs. She took a deep breath and tilted her head back trying to look up through the foliage, but it was either too thick or there was nothing to see, so she closed her eyes for a moment, just enjoying the moment... sitting in a secluded garden beside an handsome and intriguing man holding his hand...

Xander sighed, almost contentedly and watched Sylvie for a long moment, before saying softly. "You're somethin' else, ya know that?" he asked with a slight grin.

Sylvie opened her eyes and jerked her head back down and around to face him, brushing back the damp hair that slapped her and clung to her cheek as she moved. "What? What do you mean?"

Xander shook his head slightly, smirking a bit more. "I mean, that you're an amazing woman. You really are. You're the glue that holds this place and this team together...At least that's how it seems from my point of view. And to be perfectly honest, if it hadn't been for your disdain of me before...I probably wouldn't have realized just how wrong my acting was."

She stared at him for a moment, feeling her cheeks flush. "Well.. I don't know about that.. but I try. As for you.. are you telling me that my being a bitch is what made you drop the act? Sounds a tad odd... usually when someone's cruel to you, the last thing you do is drop your only defense..."

Xander smirked slightly. "I wouldn't exactly say that..." Now Xander blushed. "Just that...I sorta had...a crush on you...and I knew I'd never get a kind word out of you, by being a total asshole..." He trailed off, not looking at her.

She was quiet for a few minutes, then suddenly let out a giggle and slapped a hand over her mouth. When she thought she could speak with out any more escaping, she attempted to speak. " So... while I was being a bitch, you fell for me and that made you want to change..." her mouth twitched and the hand slapped back over her mouth, her eyes sparkling. "That... " She drew in a deep breath and forced the words out before she giggled again. "If I knew all it took for a good looking guy to fall for me was to be a total bitch to him...."

"Well you know it's sort of that...aloft untouchable beauty...sorta makes you desirable...but then, there are the other quailties too..." Xander answered, smiling.

Sylvie felt her face burning and suddenly thought that sitting here this close to him probably wasn't the best decision. At least if they were walking he couldn't see how badly she was blushing... at least not as easliy. "Shameless Flatterer." she said and pushed herself to her feet. "Ready to go on?"

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you blush.."Xander said softly. "Just being honest..." He stood up with her. "Shall we keep walking...or go back to the party?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I don't mind you making me blush.. feels kind of good actually... been a long time since someone could do that with just good words... I'm just not atl that comfortable looking like a fool while I turn all shades of crimson." She stood for a moment remembering everything he'd said, including the part about his having a crush on her. She held out her hand. "I'd still like to finish our walk, if you're still interested in joining me..."

" I would..." Xander said, standing up, and taking her hand. "And you don't look like a fool when you blush...it makes you look...enchanting..." He said softly.

"Well at the rate your going, i may get stuck this shade.." She said and started to lead the way to the path then stopped and quickly before she could change her mind, turned back around and slipping her free hand around Xander's neck, pulled his head low enough for her to kiss him. She was both delighted and shocked by the surge the shot through her as her lips touched his, and she pulled back just as quickly, turned back to the path, suddenly embarrassed.

Xander stood momentarily shocked blinking repeatedly. Then he let out a low whistle and said softly. "Forgive me for saying this, but I think I could die happy now after that..." Sylvie stopped in her tracks and hung her head, one hand stretched behind her holding Xanders, the other going to her face. Her shoulders started to shake...

Xander kicked himself. "Sylvie, I'm sorry...I really am if I've said anything to upset you...I really am...foot in mouth, you know...typical idiot..." He muttered.

A chuckled escaped as she turned to face him, and he could see tears running down her cheeks, but a smile on her face as stepped closer to him and stood looking up at him. "You .. you really mean that.. didn't you?"

"Which part? That I'm sorry if I upset you, 'cause yes, I really do..." Xander said seriously.

She laughed softly and reached up to gently carress his cheek, causing him to loose track of what he was saying. "That that little kiss I just gave you... meant that much to you...."

"Actually." He said taking a long breath. "Yes...it did...silly I know...but it did...really..." He was blushing again, darker then he had all night.

She stroked his cheek as she studied the expression on his face for a moment. "Kiss me." she said and he looked at her stunned. "You heard me.. I kissed you so it's only fair... so.. kiss me."

'If you're sure..." He said softly, before pulling her close, wrapping his arms around her and kissed her back. Sylvie wrapped both arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, feeling something she hadn't felt in over eight years. Her knees turned to water and she relied on Xander's hold to keep her on her feet.

Xander tightened his arms around her, kissing her passionately. Admitedly he couldn't remember ever having a kiss like this...had he ever kissed anyone like this? He didn't think so. Something in him wanted to laugh elatedly at the that fact, his first real passionate kiss.

After what seemed like forever, Sylvie let her mouth pull away from his but stayed where she was, her face a breath away from his. "Wow." she managed to say at last, feeling her heart hammering way to fast in her chest.

"Wow indeed...You're going to laugh...but I've never been kissed like that..." Xander muttered, still holding her about the waist. He was still fighting the insane urge to laugh, or let out some kind of cry of joy.

She smiled. "I'm not going to laugh. It's been a long long time since I received a kiss that was even close to that..." she let her lips brush against his again, loving the tingle that shot through her at that small contact... she couldn't remember whether or not Michael's kisses had ever felt like that...

Xander chuckled sofly. "If it wasn't for the fact of having to breath...I'd never want it to stop...well I don't want it to stop...but well, I do have to breath at some point." He gave a lopsided grin.

She gave a soft laugh and lowered her head to rest it against his chest. She had to pull back and take this a bit slower or... or what? She wasn't sure how far this would go... was it just eight years of loneliness finally catching up to her? Or was it more than that... She let her arms slide down from his neck and snake around his chest...she closed her eyes and just let herself breath in the smell of him... and found herself about to giggle again at the thought of what he would smell like without the chlorine smell from the pool...

Xander held her. resting his cheek against her head. "Ya know...not to put a damper on things, but uh...there's a bit of me that wants to be a gentleman about this, so...would you care to...er...go out with me some time...you know...maybe a movie...dinner...or what ever you'd like to do really..."

She smiled and nodded against his chest, not letting go. "I'd love to... I was wondering when you'd get around to asking..."

"Yeah, I should have asked long before kissing you...bad gentleman side of me..." He felt estatic that she'd accepted.

She chuckled and leaned back enough to look up at him. "So.. when and where? You asked so you choose.."

"Well obviously, if I had my choice, it'd be now... but er...when would be good for you?" He asked with the lopsided grin again. "I mean, I know you're busy with everything here..."

"Ah.. well.. actually.." she said, slipping one hand back up to his neck where she toyed with a strand of his hair. "..We are closed for a couple days...and now that i get to hire my own staff for the secretarial work, i'll have more time to myself..." She tilted her head to one side. "Do you think there's anything still open tonight to go on a date too?" she asked, laughing quietly...

"Do you like classic movies? There's a theatre...across town that's open all night, they're ah...showing Casablanca..." Xander said.

She smiled. "Oh i love that movie. it's been a while since I've seen it.. and I don't think i've ever seen it on the big screen... do you think we'd make it in time?? I mean.." she glanced down at their wet clothes..."We need to change first..."

"Okay, now see, that's a shame, because if you haven't seen Casablanca on the big screen, you just haven't seen it." Xander said with a chuckle. "Oh I think we'd make it in time...IF we change now..."

She laughed and turned. "Okay, then... which way did we come in by??" She said, her hand finding Xanders. "I'd race you, but I can't run in wet skirts and sandals..."

"That way." Xander nodded in the direction that looked most familiar. "Or, if we get lost we'll just...wing it..."

Sylvie chuckled and grabbed the bottom of her skirt, freeing her legs enough that she could at least jog without falling on her face, although her feet slid alarmingly in the wet sandals. They emerged into the three way clearing and she remembered they had chosen the left, so she ran through, laughing as they narrowly avoided colliding with a bench... "I don't suppose you brought a change of clothes here in case you had to use one of the guest rooms..?"

"Oh, I think I've got the clothes problem covered." He answered with a grin. "Just have to pop down to my car...I tend to keep a change for..emergences."

She laughed as the stairs came into sight. "Ah... planning ahead.. Take lots of swims while fully clothed, do you?"

"Told ya I'd never go skinny dipping..." Xander said with a laugh. "No actually, Jasmine has the tendency to lock me out if I'm out after her curfew...which makes no sense cause she never comes home until dawn..."

Sylvie laughed as they ran up the steps to the patio and across, still holding hands as they ran laughing past everyone. "Night guys !! Had a great time.. see ya tomorow!" she yelled, not slowing down.

Xander was right behind her and waved to everyone, ignoring he questioning looks. "Great party, by the way!" He called over his shoulder.

Sylvie paused at the first landing wondering if it would be quicker to take the elevator or stick to the stairs..."Stairs .. " she said to herself and counted the flights until she hit the floor she wanted. She turned and laughingly tried to catch her breath. "Well, that was fun..." she said with a smile. "Did you want to take turns waiting for each other or just meet up down stairs?"

"Might be faster if we just meet down stairs..." Xander said, catching his breath, but was grinning.

"Yeah.." she said, and stood for a moment catching her breath, then she lunged forward and stole another kiss before dodging out the door and down to her room.

Xander ran all the way down the stairs to the main floor, out the front door, to his charger, yanked open the trunk, rooted around, found the over night bag, grabbed it, stole back inside, used the bathroom on the bottom floor and changed quickly. It was just another pair of blue jeans and a black dress shirt with blue flame patterns, which he left untucked. He stole a glance in the mirror, shoved his wet hair out his face and took a deep breath, then pinched himself hard on the arm, just to make sure this wasn't a dream. "Ow..." He muttered, realizing it wasn't a dream, and couldn't resist. He punched the air with a whoop, then clamped a hand over his muoth, wide eyed. He gave a nervous laugh and left the bathroom.

Sylvie flew down the hall to her room and fumbled open the door, stripping off the wet shrug and dress as she headed into the bathroom, tossing the wet garments over the curtain rod, thankful whoever had the room next door that shared her bathroom was still upstairs... then she grabbed a towel and quickly dried off, adding her wet undergarments to the rod, before ducking back into her room and yanking open the closet. She grabbed the closest hanger which proved to be a multi hanger for skirts.. she snatched one off, saw it was a knee length burgundy silk and looked for a blouse then tossed it to the floor and grabbed for a dress instead. She pulled on a knee length creme and tan button front summer dress and grabbed a pair of shoes, forgoing the stockings in her haste, then raided her underwear drawer and slipped on the panties, and pulled the top of the dress down enough to slip the bra on. She was buttoned up and headed back out the door, giving her hair a shake before running her fingers through it briskly. To hell with makeup.. the quick look in the mirror had proved she didn't have any smeared over her face, so it was good enough..

Xander had ran back out to his car, thrown the bag back in the trunk, did a quick sweep to make sure the interior of the car was clean and was heading back inside. The butterflies in his stomach he'd experienced when first arriving at the party were back and he was fidgety. But grinning like a fool. Oooh, Eire was going to have a fit when he found out about this, Xander knew, but some how, didn't care. He briefly wondered about Nate, with a slight frown, then considered Lex, and frowned even more. He rather hoped the red head was alright. But in the whole, he felt rather good about this whole thing with Sylvie, because he knew at least three people behind, Jasmine, Fairlen and of course Rue. Rue had told him, before she'd left he should clean up his act and he'd have a chance at Sylvie.

Sylvie took the elevator the rest of the way down, raiding the purse she'd grabbed on her way out for a squirt of perfume and a bit of lip gloss. She fiddled with her hair hoping it was alright.. it was starting to dry and she normally didn't have any trouble with it, but... she gave a sigh as the elevator door opened and she had to convince suddenly wobbly legs to carry her to the door.

Xander was just reaching the door and entered to see Sylvie. He paused, his dark blue eyes looking her up and down. "I was wrong...you're prettier when not so wet." He said with a slight grin.

She grinned, slipping her purse over her shoulder." You look rather good yourself." She said . "Which car is yours?"

"The black charger, there." He pointed as he opened the door. Then as an after thought, offered his arm. Jasmine had schooled him well.

Sylvie smiled as she slipped her arm through his. "Black car.. why am I not surprised..." she chuckled and shivered slightly as the air hit her. She'd forgotten that it was only midmarch, the garden had been so nice... oh well, she decided, she was going to be a car then a theatre. The time she spent outside would be scant. No doubt it was just her still damp skin that made her a bit chill.

Xander escorted her over to the charger and opened the passanger door for her. "Not that long of a drive, and if you're cold, I'll turn up the heat in the car." He told her

She shook her head as she slipped into the ar. "I'm fine, thank you. there's no need. " she waited as he came around to the drivers side and slid in beside her. She caught herself still smiling somewhat giddily and hoped he didn't think she was silly... a grown woman acting like some star struck teenager...

Xander started the engine, checked to make sure the AC was off anyway, and backed out of the parking lot. "I can almost imagine what they're all saying up there right now..." He said nodding toward the office building. "I'm wondering if it won't be safer to avoid Eire for a few days...After he accused me of oogling you, of course..."

"You were oogling me, as I recall... but then I was sort of oogling you too....I wonder if he's made it out of the pool yet... I don't remember seeing him get out..."

"I kinda get the feeling they aren't letting him...and okay, I admit, I was oogling, but it wasn't THAT kind of oogling..." Xander replied with a slight smirk as he turned a corner.

Sylvie chuckled. "Have you heard me complain? Leave Eire to me, I'll handle him. He just needs the right touch... and occasionally a good swift kick in the rear..." she said, watching him as he drove. She liked the way the lights form the streets flashes across his features, catching the wet strands of hair. She had a sneaking suspicion that if she wasn't careful she could fall very badly for this man... she was afriad she might already be on her way... and she didnt mind in the least...

For the moment, Xander let his mind wonder, thinking about the woman next to him. He'd been serious when he told her she was something else. She was simply wonderful, everything about her. It was no wonder he'd gotten such a bad crush on her from the first moment she'd given him that disdaining look. At first he'd considered it a challenge, but the more he watched her about the office, the more he saw things of her, like loaning her favorite earrings to Lex...or learning about her sister, only deepend the crush and he had a feeling it was a little more then a crush now.

Sylvie relaxed in her seat, leaning her head back. "It's a very nice car. " she said, still watching him. "Are you one of those guys who saw it and liked it.. or did you buy it in bits and pieces and build it yourself.."

Xander chuckled. "I'll show you a picture of the heap of metal I found in a junk yard a few years ago, that USED to be this car...I'm quiet under the opinin that it could out race Lex's mustang anyday, but he's afraid to put it to the test."

"I'd like to see it... I've never been able to understand how soemone could see a hunk of rusted junk and KNOW it would be a great car.. and some how do it.." she shook her head. "Charli does it all the time... she tried to explain it once but it didn't stick... and thats saying a lot coming from someone with a photographoc memory.." She sighed almost sadly as she saw the theatre come into sight, but them smiled again, looking forward to seeing the movie with him..

"I don't know about Charlie, but it was a bit more artistic for me...I mean, I knew it was a 70 charger, I just had to figure out away to bring it back to life so to say." Xander said, finding a parking spot. He sighed slightly, before looking at Sylvie. "Shall we?"

"Seconds thoughts?" she asked, noting the sigh. "If you'd rather not we can do something else... I don't really mind as long as its with you..."

"Oh no...it's just nice to chat in private, with ut all the midnight movie fans hanging around. But we can do something else if you like." Xander answered with a smile.

Sylvie chuckled."That's what I just asked you.. are you always going to turn the decision back to me? Because i'm tireless at dealing with avoidance.. I can fire the same questions back with ease until you make a decsion...I've been practicing with Auron and Estehl.."

Xander laughed softly. "That's a scary thought you know..those two are cheeky buggers." He undid his seat belt, and started opening his door. "Well, I think we've got a few minutes before the movie starts so if you're still up for it..." He got out, came around the passenger's side and opened the door, offering his arm.

She accepted his arm and let him help her to her feet. "I am." She said and slipped her arm in his as he shut the door and lead the way to the booth where he paid for the tickets and led the way inside.


They had a few minutes before the movie and the theatre he noticed was relatively empty, except for what appeared a few more couples dotting the audience seats here and there. "Preferences of seats?" He asked her.

"The one next to yours. "she said cheekily, hugging his arm to her. She watched him roll his eyes at her comment. "Told you, I've been practicing with Them.. which means i coudn't help but pick some of it up..."

"The cheekiness just makes you adorable." Xander answered with a grin, before leading the way to the center row and the center seats.Sylvie smiled widen, holding her tongue as she noticed he went straight for the seats she always went to... not too close to the speakers, comfortable eye level... She was still biting back the smile as they sat down.

"Something amusing, my lady?" Xander asked, looking at her as they sat down. She shook her head no, the smirk growing and a laugh trying to slip out, causing her to press her lips tightly together. She smoothed her dress down over her legs and settled her purse beside her, then slipped her hand back in Xanders.

Xander's thumb went back to stroking her knuckles, he glanced absently about the theatre noting the other couples. "I think I've seen this movie way to many tmes..." He muttered absently. "Did you know, Humphrey Boggart only says the line, 'Here's lookin' at you kid' four times through out the movie?"

Sylvie smiled. "And now a days it only takes a line being said once to make it memoriable... unless you count ' i've got a bad feeling about this' from the Star Wars movies where they tried to make just about every main character say it at least once.

"Movies now days, aren't what they used to be...I don't know...a kiss scene in a movie to day, just doesn't have the passion it did in Hollywood's hayday..." Xander replied, with a slight smirk. "The very first movie I saw after getting out of Abandon's realm, was Boggart's To Have and Have Not, the first movie he did with his wife, Lauren Bacall, there's something about the scene were she first kisses him and then simply says she hasn't decided rather she likes it or not..."

Sylvie smiled. "Another surpirse.. I never would have pegged you for a Bogart fan... " She said and winced as the sound system kicked on and a vendors add appeared on the screen, jumping slightly..

"I'm a Boggart fan, definitely...I guess it's like Jasmine said...he was what every man should be, tough with the guys, loving with the ladies..." Xander chuckled, glancing at the screen, wondered just how much of the movie he was actually going to watch. Wasn't like he hadn't seen it before, because he had...he even owned the dvd.

When the lights dipped the rest of the way and the movie started, Sylvie slipped her arm through Xander's and rested her head against his shoulder. Her free hand lay on top of his arm and her thumb kept rubbing circles against the skin.. every time she caught herslf and stopped, it seemed to start again by itself, so she finally gave up.

Xander was only vaguely aware of the opening sequence, of Rick's Cafe, and Boggart in the white dinner jacket, Claude Reigns calling him a rank sentilmentalist, or Sam's piano playing. All his thoughts and attention where soley on Sylvie. He heard the lines, but didn't really hear them, if that made any sense.The only time he turned his attention full to the screen, was the scene with Boggart and Bergman and the lines, "I was jus' wondering, why you seemed to be waiting for me to come along..." "Why there is no other man in my life?"

Sylvie gave a sigh at the romance playing out on the screen before her. Her attention kept slipping on and off the movie and she was extremely aware of the feel of Xander beside her. Her mind would take the odd detour completely and zip back to the odd dream she'd had the previous night, but then Xander would shift slightly or someone would cough and she come back and find herself snuggled up to this fascinating man beside her..

Half way through the movie, Xander wished it the movie was actually longer, as he was enjoying the time just sitting so close to Sylvie, holding her hand, letting her lean her head on his shoulder. The problem of old hollywood movies, they were much shorter then movies now days.

The night was passing by too fast. She found herself wishing she could slow things down a bit. *Don't be silly.... that's what second dates are for.. and third..* she smiled, shifting a bit closer, Feeling Xander's arm warm against her, and suddenly appalled at her thought of having more then just his arm against her.. she'd never been this way with Michael.. she didn't know what was getting into her that she was so... bold around Xander..

The movie ended, with that famous line, "This may be the start of a beautiful friendship..." And for a moment Xander sat actually really thinking about those words, as the house lights came up. He turned his attention to Sylvie, looking at her a moment, then said. "Ya know, I know an ice cream place that's still open...if you'd like to get some..."

Sylvie smiled brightly at the suggestion. "I'd love too." she said as they stood up and made their way back up the aisle to the lobby. When they were about half way to the doors, Sylvie stopped. "Umm.. do you mind waiting for a moment.. i just need to pop into the ladies room. I won't be long i promise." She said with a smile and quickly trotted for the door marked ladies. Once finished, she looked at her reflection in the mirror as she washed her hands. "You are a piece of work, Sylvia. You dated Mike for months before you slept with him, AFTER he proposed.. and haven't had any 'urges' to sleep with anyone in the last eight damn years.. and yet here you are going comepletely bonkers over Xander Caine..." She splashed a bit of water on her face and patted it dry before telling herself firmly. "You are NOT going to throw yourself at this man.. your not.. I'm not.. I don't care how good looking his is or how... damned sexy his is..." she sighed and then jumped slightly as another stall opened up and an older lady joined her at the sink, a smile on her face as she caught Sylvie's eye in the mirror. "Sweetie.. if you have to convince yourself that badly... you should probably just do it. He must be worth it." Sylvie blushed furiously but smiled as the woman dried her hands off and they walked out together. The woman spotted Xander waiting for her and smiled, leaning closer.. "Oh he is a looker... good luck."

Xander had been lingering in the lobby, silent argument raging in his head. Part of him wanted to keep this up, the other part kept reminding him that he wasn't good enough for Sylvie...he wasn't good enough for anyone with all the things he'd done. Jasmine kept telling him to just talk to Lex, apologize and hope for the best, she said Lex would eventually accept, but the problem was, there were the other things...working as an assassin, that was a strike against him. He turned from the doors, his hands in his pockets to see Sylvie and the old lady and cast Sylvie a smile anyway, shoving the two arguing voices into the back of his head for now.

Sylvie smiled across the lobby at Xander and walked over to meet him, her hands automatically reaching for his before she could even think about it. "Thanks for waiting.. sorry.. ready for that ice cream?" she asked, the arguement refirming itself, only now over her urge to kiss him..*just be happy, damn it.. stop wanting more..* she yelled at herself, feeling suddenly flushed at the thoughts.

"If you're ready." Xander replied, one hand pushing the door open while offering his arm. He resloved if...the subject came up, although he didn't really want it to, he'd talk about being Abandon's assassin, but until he resolved things with Lex, that didn't need to come out any more. Not until Lex accepted his apology, and realized Xander didn't want to hurt him any more. Lard if Evie were still alive, she'd have beat Xander senseless for what he'd done to Lex, if not worse. And she could have done it too, being an earth elemental.

Xander was out of the car and around to Sylvie's side, opening her door and offering her arm. Again, there were only one or two couples that could be seen through the windows of he ice cream parlor.
Sylvie accepted his arm and tried not to think too much as they ordered, then found a table. When they'd sat down, she couldn't help reaching across the table and taking his hand. "Is everything alright, Xander? You've been.. distracted since we left the theatre.. I hope it wasn't anything I did or said..."

"No, not its not anything you've said of done, Sylvie..." Xander replied seriously. "I was just lost in thought actually. "I know, this isn't the time to be, but some times it's hard to make my head stop thinking of everything and anything." He smiled slightly

Sylvie suddenly laughed. "Completely understood.. i have a lovely mess going on in here too." she said and tapped her head with a finger. "So..."

"Its nice to know I'm not the only one constantly thinking and musing over things." Xander said with a slight grin. "Indeed, I suppose this is the point where we start asking about each other's likes and hobbies and what not..."

Sylvie chuckled.. "Actaully.. I was wondering when, and how it would be seemly to ask you if you'd like to have dinner with me tomorrow, or lunch, perhaps if you'd perfer?"

Xander grinned. "I do believe I'm mostly free tomorrow...no one's told me when I get to start working, so... we could do both if you'd like." He replied.

She let herself smile at that, stroking his fingers. "Ooooo an entire afternoon together.. and during the day when things are open.." *Good lord!! What the HELL was that?!? What are you saying you fool? FIX IT!! ** She blushed and coughed "I mean... there's so much to pick from..." * IDIOT **

Xander smiled and replied softly. "Yes, the possiblites are endless...I'm sure we can find somthing to do."

Sylvie blushed furiously. "Ok.. that just came out.. so wrong.." * don't TELL HIM... jeez girl.. now he'll KNOW what you were thinking..** "I'm just...hell, I don't date... much... and certainly not more then single nights.."

"Sylvie, I don't date at all...In fact, I don't think I've ever officially been on a date...Jasmine doesn't count. It's a wonder I haven't said the wrong thing yet." Xander said with a soft chuckle.

Sylvie blushed even more and focused on her ice cream. "Guess I never thought of that... fine pair we are.. late twenties or so and neither have much dating experience...I suppose it's either really funny or really sad, depending on how you look at it.." she said with soft snort. "You at least had a better excuse then me... don't suppose there's much dating in Hell..."

Xander chuckled. "No, there isn't much dating in Hell...not much of anything like that really. Here I am, 28 years old and you would be my first official date. I'm not complaining, hard to believe I'm so lucky to be here with you..."

Sylvie looked up, licking a bit of ice cream off her lip. "You're twenty eight? Me too... " she chuckled.." Well� not for much longer, but hey... " she returned her full attention to the ice cream as she decided what to say.. He was being very candid with her, so its only right... "Me, I had opportunity to date�� she shrugged "... I think I went to one school dance in grade school, maybe two in high school when I was dragged there by 'well meaning friends'.. said friends did try to set me up a few times but the dates were one time deals that didn't even result in hand holding let alone a kiss..." she smiled sadly.." I guess my first real date was Michael, and that was in college.. we dated for months before he proposed, but until then we'd never... you know..." she blushed slightly, not looking up at him. "And then a month later he was gone... Kay and the boys have tried to set me up a couple times too over the years, but I just didn't... feel it, you know?"

Xander had a good idea, but he wanted to clear it up. So he asked softly. "You can tell me it's none of my business, but...what happened?"

Sylvie looked up suddenly. "Happened? What do you mean?" *oh god please don't be asking about the dateless wonder years and my non-sex drive.. that would just be too much...**

"Your Michael...I don't like to make premature assumtions but I'm assuming your Michael was Nate's brother?" He asked softly, almost forgetting about his ice cream.

Sylvie gave a silent thanks of relief. "Yes. Nate's older brother. He was killed shortly after we became engaged.. just over eight years ago. Nate blamed himself, but it really wasn't his fault... Michael was trying to protect him and one of the monsters got him." she gave a small shrug. "That occasionally does happen when you're in the monster fighting buisness.. sometimes they win." She gave him a soft smile. "It was along time ago, Xander. It doesn't bother me to talk about him. He was a good man... incredibley mischievious though.. I learned the hard way he couldn't be trusted to not pull pranks. The last time we went to a movie, I made the mistake of falling asleep.. and when I woke up i discovered he'd laced my hair with popcorn.. thought it was hilariously funny.. and i suppose it was, but still.." she gave a soft chuckle.

"I agree, things like that do happen in this line of work...I had a friend, a few years ago, Sydney, great guy, Australian to the T...was a demon hunter, I did a few jobs with him...we got cornered and out numbered, I could have frozen them, but I needed a moment to gather the power...Sydney gave his life to make sure I got out...admittedly I wish he hadn't...because I miss him a great deal...he taught me a lot of things...but I understand why he did it..."

Sylvie smiled softly and reached across the table again to take him hand. "I'm really glad I stopped being a bitch and noticed you, Xander... I'm having a wonderful time being with you.�

Xander smiled. "I'm glad you're having a wonderful time. I am too." He glanced about, to see if anyone was looking in their direction. "Excuse me, just for a moment, I have to do this, just for the hell of it." He gave her a mischevious grin, pushed his ice cream aside and cupped his hands on the table, concentrating. He kept looking from her, to his hands, trying not to grin to much, then after a moment, removed his hands, there was a small, but very detailed sculpture in ice of Sylvie.

She laughed, delighted. �Xander! It�s gorgeous! How on earth could you get it so... detailed!?! � she suddenly frowned, running a finger over the ice. �The only problem is I can�t keep it.�

"My sister wasn't the only artist in the family..." He was already planning the next painting he did. "Don't worry, Ice sculptures aren't the only thing I do...that was just practice." Xander said with a smile.

"Full of surprises, aren't you?" she asked, resting her chin in her hand, staring at the sculpture of her. She began to blush again at the thought that even though she'd been dumped in a pool, spent half the night with him while soaked to the skin and even now probably had pool hair.. he still saw her as beauitful as that sculpture..

'I try not to be full of surprises." Xander said with a slight blush. "But then I guess I am...no one really takes the time to really to get to know me, and that is my fault...but I think I can fix that..." He looked at the sculpture himself, it wouldn't melt unless he wanted it to.

"Don't apologize..I like that you are. Full of surprises, I mean. It's .. refreshing. So.. aside from creating Ice sculptures of your dates, flattering them incessantly, being a hero, lets not forget that one.. and rescuing and resurecting heaps of rust by transfroming them back into cars.. what else do you do?"

Xander chuckled. "I paint, I collect classical music, I have an obsession with pirates, I fence, and I like museums." Xander said with a grin.

Sylvie shook her head, grinning. "Aside from the painting, I never would've guessed any of those.. well.. ok, i can see the pirate thing, because lots of guys have the pirate thing..." She finished off her ice cream. "Me, aside from being a reforming workaholic... I volunteer at the childrens center...I do a bit of sketching.. mostly just pictures for the kids or ideas for my real hobby... I make dolls. Most of them I donate to various charities and such... and some I send to a friend of mine who tours the shows." she smiled and gave a half shrug. "She's the only reason I have any of my own collection... she was showing them for me."

Xander raised an eyebow with a smile. "The children's center I can see. But the dolls. What kind of dolls?" He asked, geniuely curious.

She laughed. "Oh .. just rag dolls basically. Some i take from children's stories, some of the ones I make for my friends shows are made after various movie characters or actors.. that sort of thing... I started it because my therapist thought it would be good for me, to help cope with losing... well.. anyway.. I kind of got addicted to it."

"Did it help...with coping I mean?" Xander asked gently. His ice cream was untouched really, but he didn't mind.

"Not with losing Micheal, no.. although I suppose by throwing myself into making them and finishing school, I didn't drown in my grief, so maybe it did somewhat.. And now a days the dolls i make help others feel better." she shrugged again. "So i guess it's a win win."

"Can't be all that bad then, if it helped in some way. I know grief is a terrible thing some times... makes you do things you wouldn't normally do.." he said softly. "And it does help, to have things to keep your mind off it. I started painting after Sydney died. For the first couple of weeks, I turned out a painting every night...some made no sense, just bursts of color...Sydney I guess was more then just a friend...he was more like the father I never had..."

"If he was like a father to you.. then you had one. I'm a believer in 'its not the blood tie that counts but the feelings involved'." she suddenly smiled, blushing slightly. "Well, since you made me a sculpture, perhaps I can make you a doll... perhaps a pirate? Or maybe i could tackle Bogey... I'm down to sewing them by hand until the apartments done and I have room to get new furniture and stuff... so it might take me a while..."

Xander smiled, watching her. "If you want...you don't have to..." He still intended to do her a painting. "It's strange to think of all the hobbies no one considers everyone having..."

Sylvie shrugged, trying to decide if his comment meant 'guys don't have dolls', or that he didn't want her doing it because she thought she should, but decided from what she'd seen of him, he just didn't want her to feel like she had too. "At least our hobbies are normal enough...there are some strange ones out there..."

"Agreed. I don't know about the rest of the group at the office, but I know Lex used to embrodier, and Aiyla has a habit of collecting buttons..." Xander said with a chuckle. "And of course Jasmine has her shoe obession...more shoes in her closet then anything else."

She smiled. "Hmmm." she said with a smirk. " and there's Nate's t-shirt collection, of course. Faal has his books and his cars.. Kay and Eire have never confided in having a hobby..." She was vaguely aware that they were the only ones aside from the clerk left and hoped they wouldn't be kicked out soon.

"I can only imagine Eire and Chaos' hobbies...But everyone's got one...if people say they don't, they just don't realize what they do for fun can be considerd a hobby. Lex after all, has an obsession with books as well...but he's never called it a hobby...I think he'd be happy if he could work in a library...can almost see him as a librarian in some dusty old library."

"Actually, I'm going to ask him to look after the Archive.. we may never see him again once I do, but...I can't think of anyone better..." she said with a sly smile. She noticed the clerk repeatedly looking at his watch then at them and sighed. "I think we're about to be booted." she said sadly. "I don't suppose there's anything else open this late... I suppose we could go back to the party but I shudder to think of the state of the place by this time of night..."

"You know...I've kinda been thinking...with the death curse over him and his habbit of pushing his limits...perhaps he should be limited to field missions and if he had something to do like the Archive, he wouldn't feel so...useless, I think..." He glanced at his watch as well then at the clerk, before looking back at Sylvie. "Don't take this as offensively, but Jasmine's out of town for the weekend, the apartment is big enough...you're welcome to come over for coffee, and I DO mean only coffee." He said seriously. "Besides, there's some of my paintings on display..." He added with a slight smile.

"Xander, you've been a perfect gentleman all evening. I mean when a lady has to TELL you to kiss her, I think an invitation back to your place for coffee is acceptable for what it is." she laughed. "You never did eat your ice cream though... I'd love to go with you, by the way. I'm dying to see your work."

Xander smiled. "I didn't did I...ah well...usually I gobble up ice cream...must've been distracted." he grinned, before standing and offering his hand.

She found herself with a rather cheeky smirk on her face as she answered, accepting his hand. "Yes.. apparently i have that effect on you, aswell. Good to know I'm not alone."

"Well it's a good sort of distraction." Xander said with a smirk, leading the way to the car. He opened the passanger door for her again, waiting until she was seated, before going to the drivers side and sliding in. "I wouldn't want to be distracted by any one else just now any way." He added.

She chuckled at that. "Well good, because it's considered rude to be distraced by someone else while on a date." she said with another cheeky grin as he got behind the wheel.

**

Xander pulled into the parking garage of the building he shared a three bedroom suite apartment with Jasmine. He hadn't had anywhere else to go, so Jasmine had demanded he move in with her. As well as the two knew each other, they were more like brother and sister then anything esle. He got out, going around to give Sylvie a hand out of the car. Sylvie couldn't seem to stop smiling, and she loved how he was always opening doors for her. She'd never met anyone that was as much of a gentleman, except for Faal and Estehl.. and since they were both over a thousand years old, she didn't really count them... She slipped her arm through his as they walked, and she had the strongest urge to lean against him, but resisted.

As he led her into the building, he did a mental check of the apartment to make sure everything was in order, not that it never was, he kept it rather clean, as did Jasmine. Jasmine was the only person he knew that would clean at midnight or one or two in the morning if she felt it had to be done. He'd woken up several nights to hear her vaccuming or doing the dishes. He pushed the button for the elevator and reveled in Sylvie's company as they waited

"So how long have you known Jasmine? I mean, I take it the two of you must be close if you share an apartment... I was never good with room mates, i was fine with the sharing.... I just.. seemed to pick the wrong people to share with.."

"I've known Jasmine since I escaped Hell." Xander explained as the elevator opened. They stepped inside. "I really didn't have any where else to go, so she practically demanded I move in with her... We're pretty much brother and sister." He added.

�See? More family. You're not as alone as you tend to let yourself think, are you?" she asked, finally giving in to the urge and resting her head against his arm. She hoped he didn't mind, she was being incredibley bold and ... comfortable, but she just couldn't seem to help it. She felt like she'd known him... forever.

Xander smiled slightly, his stomach giving a joyful flip at Sylvie's closeness. The elevator opened up on the forth floor and Xander led the way down to their apartment. Which was a large three bedroom, art deco style, the front room had large floor to ceiling windows that led onto a balcony. Xander unlocked the door and opened it, As he had hoped, Jasmine hadn't returned early and was still out over the weekend. "Make yourself at home" Xander said with a grin and gesture. On one of the living room walls, was a large painting, the background a vibrant blue, the image, done in reds and golds was an abstract phoenix that was quite striking with the lightening on it, when he turned on the lights.

"Oh, what a gorgeous apartment! " she said as she stepped inside, her breath catching as she saw the painting. "Oh.. my. Did you do that?" she asked slowly walking towards it. "It's.. incredible..."

Xander blushed as he made his way toward the kitchen to put on some coffee. Jasmine had several types of gourmet flavored coffees and Xander paused, considering which would be the better. "Thank you... it is...one of my first."

"Good lord, Xander.. you .. stunning! It's absolutely stunning..." Sylvie couldn't take her eyes off the painting. She'd never seen anything as.. powerful. "One of your first?! Incredible..." The reds and golds seemed to leap off the blue and the lights made the illusion all the stronger.

Xander tried not to blush more, and moved into the kitchen. "Thank you, really. Um...all we've got is flavored coffee...do you like amareto or hazelnut...or there's chocolate truffle..." Xander said.

"Oh, they all sound fabulous.. especailly that chocolate truffle. " she chuckled, looking towards him, but her eyes kept being drawn back to the painting. Finally she made herself walk towards Xander.

Xander smiled. "Chocolate it is..." And he put the coffee on. "The third bedroom, which has been coverted into a study/office has most of my paintings...including the unfinished ones..."

Sylvie smiled and held out her hand. "Then you have to show me... if that is one of your earliest.. I have to see your latest...and that will give the apartment time to fill with the smell of chocolate coffee...."

Xander finished setting the coffee to brew and took her hand, before leading her through the living room, past his bedroom which he was glad the door was shut, as it was a mixture of artistic, pirate and musician's sanctuary and to the study, before opening the door to the study. He flipped on the light with a deep breath. On one wall, because Jasmine had demanded they be put up, were several portrait style paintings. One depicted two male pirates, one suspiciously with silver hair and the other with copper blonde, a painting next to it showed a water nymph, with green hair. There was a gothic style painting of a beautiful white haired, winged woman. It would have taken Sylvie a moment to realize the paintings were of the others...There were two paintings under a sheet on an ezal.


Sylvie wandered closer, her smile growing as she studied the paintings. Obviously she wasn't the only one who felt the need to capture certain personalities.. she did them as dolls, were as Xander did them in paintings.. with a twist..."Eire & Nate as pirates, Aiyla the water nymph, Chaos..." she turned with a smile... "You have an amazing gift...and eye.." she gave his hand a squeeze. "You should do a show.. have these in a gallery.. they're too good to hide away.."

Xander was blushing slightly. "Jasmine wants to arrange a gallery showing, I keep trying to talk her out of it. For one the series isn't done yet..." He nodded toward the paintings under the sheet. "And then you and Jasmine are the only ones who know I paint..." He was slightly nervous of the paintings under the sheet. One depicted Sylvie as a medieval princess, the other depicted Lex as the seventh deadly sin, lust. Not even Jasmine had seen either one yet.

"How many will be in the series? And no, you musn't talk her out of it, she's right! You have to show these!" She turned and walked closer to the painting, pulling Xander along with her and gently ran her fingers over the figures. "You capture that something about them and fit them to just the right... character..."she said, smiling and tipped her head slightly to one side as she looked at the pirates again before turning with a laugh. " Makes me wonder how you see some of the others.. or yourself..." she glanced back to the paintings and added softly, yet sill loud enough to be heard. "..or me.."

"I've never done a self portriat of myself." Xander said with a shrug. "Maybe some time." He looked at Sylvie, biting his lip. "Do you want to see...how I see you?" He asked softly, before nodding to the paintings under the sheet. "Go ahead, take the sheet off..." It only seemed right, if she wanted to see for her to remove the sheet.

Sylvie turned in surprise, looking up at Xander in shock. "You mean... you.. painted me? Me!?" she gave an embarrased chuckled and brushed her hair behind her ear in a nervous gesture. "Why on earth would you want to paint me, when you've got goergeous women like Jasmine and Shauna...." She felt her facing burning at the thought, even though she was in the process of making a doll of him.. She found herself both pleased at the thought of him painting her, and nervous at seeing what he'd seen in her for the painting... she turned and looked at the cloth he indictaed...

"Is it a bad thing that I'd rather paint you, rather then Shauna or Jasmine?" Xander asked softly. "it is finished...as is the one of Lex...I just haven't gotten around to finding frames for them yet...Lex would probably have my head for the one I did of him...but I'm rather happy with both..."

Sylvie reached out tentively towards the canvas then laughed, pausing as her fingers touched it. "This is so nerve wracking!" she laughed, her face burning. "I've never had any one do anything like this before..." She took a deep breath and flipped the canvas sheet over.... and let the breath out in a startled "Oh............ oh Xander......." she felt tears come into her eyes as she gazed at the woman in the portrait.

Xander bit his lip. "Do you not like it?" He asked softly, shifting nervously, suddenly worried. It was an innocently beautiful portriat, in a reinassance style. And with the seductive protriat next to it, allowed the innocent reinassance details to show more. The protriat of Sylvie was done in soft colors, almost pastels with field like background of wild flowers, a castle beyond. The portriat of Lex was definitely seductive, in reds and golds and only the sharp absinthe green of his eyes to break the trend

Sylvie's eyes were glued on the portrait of herself and hadn't even noticed the second painting beside it. She kept blinking tears away so she could see it clearly. "Like it?! Xander...." She turned and flung her arms around his neck, kissing him quickly then burying her face against him. "I love it.!"

Xander was caught slightly off guard, wrapping his arms around her. He chuckled nervously. "I'm glad you like it... You can have it if you'd like...I sorta intended to give it to you anyway..." He said softly. he reached a tentive hand up to stroke her hair.

"Oh no, I couldn't!! "she said, peering at the painting without releasing her hold on Xander. The painting beside it finally caught her eye and she giggled at the seductive painting of Lex. "Oh yes.. he might kill you for that one.. but I bet he'd be extremely flattered... Faal would no doubt buy it. I doubt he'd be able to bare the thought of anyone else owning it..." She pressed her cheek against his chest and listened to his heart beat pounding rather fast and thought it must match her own at the moment, then was suddenly embarrassed by her reaction. She gave a soft laugh as she slowly loosened her hold and looked up at him, wiping tears off her cheek. "It's gorgeous, Xander. it truley is. They all are."

Xander blushed. "Thank you, Sylvie, really, that means a lot to me." He glanced at the painting of Lex. "Yes, I don't know what in god's name convinced me to paint it that way...I suppose just because...well you know...him being a fire elemental...Faal wouldn't have to buy it...I'd give it to him I think...I can't imagine anyone buying any of them..."

She smiled, hoping she didn't look all puffy-eyed from crying. "You have too big a heart Xander Caine... artist are suppose to sell their paintings for outrageous sums of money..." she laughed softly. "Thank you so much for sharing them with me..."

Xander smirked. "I always thought art was supposed to be enjoyed without a price...Maybe I was wrongly informed." He could smell the coffee was almost ready. "You're most welcome...I think the coffee's done..."

Sylvie smiled then drew an exagerated breath, "Hmm.. I love that smell... you're right, I think it is..." she said, knowing the in order to leave the room, she'd have to actually move away from Xander... at the very least. She blushed and chuckled at the thought and let her hands drop from around his neck, slipping one through his instead. "Shall we go see if it tastes as fabulous as it smells?"

"I can assure you from personal experience that it does." Xander said with a smirk, before leading Sylvie from the room, back the way they had come. He paused in the living room. "If you'd like to sit down, you're more then welcome to...or...you're welcome to accompany me to the kitchen..."

"If you'd care for some help, I'd love to join you." she said, not wanting to be away from him any longer then nesseccery. She knew they only had so much time before they couldn't drag the night out any longer... she wanted to enjoy every second of it.

"Oh please do...well maybe not help, but your company especially." He said with a smile, this time not hesitating to push a lock of her hair behind her ear.

She laughed softly, enjoying the feel of his fingers brushing her cheek as he tucked her hair back. "Well then I would love to keep you company while you pour the coffee." She found herself daydreaming of their kiss in the garden and ducked her head.

Xander had leaned forward, but when Sylvie had ducked her head he sighed silently at a missed chanced to kiss her. "Coffee it is." He said, leading her to the kitchen, where set about pouring two cups of chocolate truffle coffee

Sylvie watched Xander as he moved confidently about the kitchen and wondered what it was about him that made her feel so.. comfortable and free and giddy all at the same time. She'd never felt this way with Michael, not even after months of dating. And yet here she was after only a few hours with Xander and she ....She gave a sigh as she realized she was staring and shook her head at herself laughing. She was acting like some love sick, akward teenager. She walked towards him as he looked up at her laugh, a quizzical look on his face, coffee pot in hand. She took the pot from his hand and set it on the counter, then raised her hands to his face, smiling softly up at him. "You're a very handsome, man, Xander Caine. You make me feel like a giddy school girl just being near you. there's just something about you that makes me forget myself and think of how good it feels holding your hand and kissing you..."

Xander smiled a bit shly. "Well it's bit unknown to me as why...I just know around you, I'd rather be...well, gentlemanly, then the ass I've been in the past. You're such a beautiful intelligent woman, you just...make me wanna be a better person..." He admitted with a sheepish look.

Sylvie smiled and shook her head slightly. "You don't need to be a better person, Xander... the paintings, everything you've told me tonight... that didn't just all appear because you wanted to impress me. That's just you. the real you that you hide. I'm just very happy you decided to let me in on the real you."

Xander blushd slightly, "Well I don't think anyone else would have wanted to see it, or believe it.." He answered softly. "About the real me anyway..."

"I do." she said softly, stroking the fingers of one hand over his cheek. She smiled and pulled him foward enough that she could brush her lips against his.

Xander slid his arms around her waist, forgetting about the coffee for the moment. "Well, Rue knew...she helped me realized the act was rather useless. Everyone else might have died of shock..."

"But they haven't.. and they saw a rather good sized chunk of the real Xander Caine tonight." she said, letting her fingers glide back and tangle in his hair as she smiled up at him. "You don't give yourself enough credit... or others... stop being so negative and paranoid..." she said softly, one hand toying with his hair while the other stroked his neck beneath his ear just above the collar.

Xander shivered slightly, from the pleasure of having Sylvie run her fingres through his hair."You're being terribly encouraging, Sylvie." He said softly with a slight smile, his hands resting on her hips.

She tilted her head in a half shrug. "I'm not myself around you .. or maybe I AM myself and I just haven't been for a long long time. "she slid her fingers from his neck up to his mouth and brushed them across his lips. "I have never been this ...bold.. with anyone.. not even Micheal..." she moved her gaze from his lips back up to his eyes. "I think I could very easily fall for you, Xander Caine... if if I haven't already..."

"Would that be so bad?" Xander asked softly. "After all, most girls like bad boys." He added with a slight smirk, running a hand around her waist and up her back. "I don't mind falling for you, 'cause I already have..."

"Not bad at all.And you're not a bad boy, Xander.. you're too good to be true..." She said softly as she pulled him down for a kiss.

Xander slid his arms about Sylvie, pulling her closer and kissing her back deeply. He loved the feel of her in his arms, it just felt so right, so natural.

She leaned against him, loving the feel of him pressed against her, of his arms around her.. and damn but the man could kiss! Finally in serisou need of breath, she pulled back and laughed softly, looking into his eyes, loving the deep blue softness of them. "For someone with no dating experience, you sure do know how to kiss."

"Would you believe me if I said it comes natural?" Xander asked with a sly smirk. "Because other wise I have no explanation for it. Haven't kissed very many..." In fact he may have only kissed two others, Rue and Lex...

She giggled. " Very many? Well, I guess that gives you more experience with kissing than me, because i've only kissed one person before." The smell of chocolate reminded her that she waas supposed to be here to have coffee with the man, not make out in his kitchen.. she smiled, blushing. "This is a very nice kitchen, but perhaps we could go sit on the couch for our coffee?"

Xander chuckled. "Yes, as big as this kitchen is, it's not nearly as comfortable as the couch. And to be perfectly honest, I've only ever kissed two others ...I wouldn't necessarily call that more experience." He said, before kissing her softly again, just because.

She chuckled. "Well... you still beat me by one.. " she said and pulled him closer as he kissed her. Coming up for air again, she laughed softly and finally managed to convince her arms to let go of him long enough to grab her cup and take his hand again.

Xander grabbed his own and let Sylvie pull him back into the living room. He glanced about, noticed the stereo and figured why not. "You like music?" He asked softly. "Admittedly all I've got is either classical or jazz..."

"I love all kinds of music.. I have a very eclectic taste.. anything will do." She said and couldn't resist reaching up and brushing her fingers along his jaw. "Just don't take long or your coffee will get cold.." she smiled, trying not to laugh. Xander smiled, reaching up with his free hand and capturing Sylvie's hand, before kissing the palm. He sat his cup on the coffee table and moved over to the stereo, checking what the last thing was in, and deciding that the classic jazz blues mix was good enough. Starting it, he moved back over the couch and sat down next to Sylvie.

She watched him walk and decided she loved the way he moved... then thought that was a rather silly, love sick kind of thing to think...She laughed softly at herself and pulled off her shoes as he sat down, then turned to face him, tucking one foot up under her, her mug held in both hands.... both because it was how she usually held it when not working, and to keep her hands to herself as much as possible.

Xander sat back on the couch with a rather content sigh, mug in one hand. He looked over at her, and couldn't fight the lopsided grin. "Ya know, I haven't had this late of a night in a long. Actually, I've never had a late night like THIS...but I'm not complaining..."

Sylvie sipped her coofee and let out a contented sigh. "God that's good.. Well, I'm afraid I can't say the same. I don't sleep that much and when I do it's usually evening or early morning. I don't think i've ever slept an entire night straight through. I usually use the time for my dolls, unless I've been called out to..." she paused blushing , suddenly realizing what shed been about to say. "um.. help a friend of mine..."

"Called out to help a friend?" Xander asked with a quirked eyebrow. "Moonlighting behind Chaos Inc, are we?" He asked in a gentle tease. "Oh I do stay up late, just usually here...painting...or the occassional odd friendly fencing match against Jasmine...which can get completely out of control...we've had to replace for lamps already..."

Sylvie chuckled.. "Sword play indoors.. for shame...err.. Yes. Sort of. I'll get a call to fill in every now and then. It's usually a night thing so it doesn't interferr, and it's only on the rare occasion."She sipped more coffee, smiling

"May I inquire as to what you do to fill in for your friend?" Xander asked curiously taking a sip of coffee. "And as for the sword play in doors, well Jasmine never can resiste a chance to try and impale me for my cheeky remarks...she's actually very good..."

Sylvie chuckled at his comment about Jasmine trying to think if there was a way to dodge the question. "Um... I .. uh... sing." she said rather quietly and immediatly drank a mouthful of coffee.

Xander peered at her, before chuckling softly. "And you're embarassed by that?" He asked. "I have the feeling you're probably rather good at it. I can't sing, unless drunk." He grinned

Sylvie blushed. "Well, that's how it started and it's all Charli's fault! Damned woman can't be trusted..." she said, trying not to smile. "But.. I do enjoy it, I guess. Once I get up there and can sort of... block everyone out... not easy when you've got a hundred or so people staring at you... damned Charli..."

"I'd love to hear you sing sometimes." Xander said. "Admittedly I don't sing, but I have played with Jimmy's band once or twice...I play the guitar...or fool around at playing the guitar." He nodded to the old twelve string spanish guitar in the corner by the stereo.

"Oh .. well...Paul's band does mostly new country and some softer pop and rock, but it's a toss up usually. Marlene, their usual singer, has a few problems that make her a touch unreliable, so once Charli opened her big mouth, they HAD to hear me and now they never let a chance pass by to embarrass me further. If you'd like, I could give you a call the next time they need me... but it's usually at the last minute..."

"I would like that...I would like to hear you sing." Xander said again with a warm smile. "Does any one else besides Charli know you sing? I know Rue sings with Jimmy's band...and Lex COULD sing, if he wasn't to clausterphobic as he is...Rue's threatened to put him on stage just to get back at him at things..." Xander chuckled. "I'd pay to see that atually." He grinned.

She chuckled. "Umm.. no, I don't believe so. Charli keeps threatening to tell them, but I doubt any of them would believe her that little old me would do that.. besides, she doesn't know I actually do it without her throwing me on stage." She smiled, switching to one hand on her mug, and reaching out to hold Xander's hand. "I don't think I'd mind you coming with me some night... as long as you promise not to laugh."

His thumb stroked her fingers. "Me, laugh at you, for shame of the idea, Sylvie. I'd probably be the first one to give you a standing ovation." He said with a grin.

'Yes you probably would." she said with a smile. She took another drink of coffee and found she'd finished it. Chuckling she set the cup down on the coffee table, before untucking her foot and shifting a bit closer to Xander. She had the sudden urge to turn around and lay back against him, just to feel his arms wrap around her, but that would mean she wouldn't be able to give in to the tempation to kiss him as easily...

Xander shifted closer himself setting his own cup on the table and slid an arm around Sylvie's waist. He tucked yet another stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear, smiling. "I'm begining to wonder if this isn't all part of Hope's master plan for me." He mused softly

"I wouldn't put it past him.. " Sylvie said stroking his cheek. "Er.. her!" she said and blushed, laughing softly.

"Hope seems to be the one fate that has taken more of an interest in the current events at Chaos Inc. She's rather obsessive with Lex's fate...something about feeling guilty for something her sisters did. but if you ask me, Hope's the more powerful of the three."

"Well they should all be trying to make it up to Lex. I'm glad Hope is at least.. she sounds like a wonderful lady. She .. you wouldn't happen to know if she has any dealings with .. guardian spirits, would you?" Sylvie asked, curiously.

"I imagine she does...guardians period seem to be her expertise...which in a way is what I got roped into being...I was supposed to keep Lex out of trouble until his offical guardian arrived. Now I'm to stick around and watch his back...There's a reason why her name is Hope."

"hmmm." Sylvie said thoughtfully. She caught Xander's glance at that and chuckled. "I was just wondering if there wasn't a plot between a certain Fate and guardian spirit .. Just a dream I had last night....er .. visitaion, I'm begining to believe more and more..."she chuckled and shook her head, smiling up at him. "I think we've been set up."

"So then I'm not the only one with the feeling some one's watching right now and laughing...Not that I'm complaining being set up...with you anyway..." He said with a smile.

"Me neither. This is one set up I don't mind at all." she said and leaned in for another kiss. She shifted forward, bringing her knees up so she was kneeling on the couch, and slipped her arms over his shoulders as she kissed him, the urge to laugh with the sheer happiness she was feeling was almost overwhelming.

Xander slid his arms about her waist again, kissing her back, before leaning back against the arm of the couch behind him, pulling her with him. Sylvie smiled suddenly finding herself half laying on top of him and looked down into his eyes. "Did I tell you what beautiful eyes you have? So deep.. I feel like i could drown in them...." she said before stealing another kiss.

Xander chuckled softly. "I think one drowning is enough for the night..." He kissed her lightly, running his hands up her sides.

She sighed, resting her forehead against his, enjoying herself all too much. "You do realize that if we keep this up I won't want to stop... and I'm not sure I would be comfortable being that bold on a first date... although it certainly is tempting..." she said, kissing him between words.

Xander sighed almost forlornly but said softly. "I certainly don't want to do anything to cause you to be uncomfortable. But you are right...we shouldn't get too carried away on the first date."

"You can stop being such a gentlemen all the time you know, Xander... It is nice and refreshing at times, but it's alright to think of yourself too." she said softly and kissed his chin, working her way along his jaw towards his ear with little kisses.

"Sylvie, if I were my self right now...you wouldn't be wearing that dress much longer." Xander said softly, nuzzling her neck. Her perfume was intoxicating and driving him a bit up the wall.

Sylvie gave a soft moan at the thought as she kissed his neck between his ear and the collar. "That wouldn't be a bad thing... "she said somewhat breathlessly.

"Think about what you're saying, Sylvie." Xander replied, with a low groan, trickling his fingers of one hand up and down her arm, the other arm wrapping about her waist tighter.

"Oh I know... the exact opposite of what I said a minute ago." She said and captured his mouth in another breathless kiss. "It's crazy and completely unlike me, Xander but I don't care. I don't want this night to end..."

"It doesn't have to end if you don't want it to, Sylvie." Xander replied softly, kissing her neck in butterfly light kisses. "It's up to you...I mean, I won't deny that I might be slightly forlorn, but the choice is yours."

Sylvie closed her eyes and arched her neck under his kisses. "Then I'll ask you not to think badly of me... but I want you, Xander... please.. be yourself. "

Xander chuckled against kissing her ear. "How could I think badly of you?" He kissed her ear, before kissing back down her neck, then caught her lips for another deep kiss.

Sylvie kissed him back hungrily, one hand slipping down from his neck and along his chest, tugging at his shirt so she could slid her hand over his bare skin..Xander slid his hands over her shoulders, carassing the skin. He slid one hand into her hair, pulling her even closer, still kissing her.

Sylvie couldn't remember feeling this good before.. "Xander... ever since that first kiss I've wanted this... I've been so busy arguing with myself that I was acting like a school girl.. Ooo damn that feels good.." she giggled as Xander nibbled on her neck. "What was I saying? Oh... screw it, i'm a grown woman and I'm crazy about you. If I choose to spend the night with you, I think i'm old enough to accept the consquenses.."

" I promise the consquenses won't be that bad..." Xander whispered huskily, kissing her shoulders pushing the straps of the dresses down her shoulders as he went.

"Xander I don't think anything you do tonight could possibley be bad ... I was thinking more along the lines of dealing with certain people afterwards...nosey little bugger.." she said with a giggle and sat up, moving her legs so she was half sitting on his lap. She reached up and slowly began to unbutton the top buttons on her dress, very glad that she'd grabbed matching undergarments.. and that she'd always perfered the fancy yet delicate laces and what not over the plain boring cottons...

Xander chuckled, resting his hands on her hips. "I could always challenge the little blighter to a duel for your honor..." He said with a with a grin, running his fingers over her collar bone and down between her cleavage.

Sylvie chuckled. "I think Eire with a rapier would be very dangerous to the furnishings.." she said, pulling him closer for another kiss as she reached down to tug his shirt up.

"He wouldn't stand a chance." Xander said with a wicked little smirk, before kissing her back, undoing the rest of the buttons on her dress and pushing it off.

She giggled tossed the dress on the floor with her shoes, feeling not the lest bit embarrassed to be sitting here in front of Xander in nothing but her undies. Instead she gave him a wicked smirk. "I seem to be ahead of you." She said pulling on his shirt and began to unbutton it, pushing it aside to kiss his chest as she revealed it.

Xander slid his fingers up and down her side, nuzzling and kissing her neck. He chuckled softly. "By all means, do with me what you will."