Xander was forced to laugh softly, and noticed his hands had at least stopped shaking, but his heart was still pounding in his chest. "It really wasn't that big of a deal...was it?" He muttered.

"Xander! God!" Fairlen rolled her eyes. "You did a good thing, accept it!"

Xander blushed slightly.

**
Faal reached the stairs, thankful that someone had been thoughtful enough to block the door open earlier in the evening, and quickly made it down the stairs and to the elevator. He hit the parking garage level, thankful he'd looked into extending the shaft downward.. it had cost an arm and a leg, but it had been worth it.... shame he'd parked at the other end though...

The elevator came to a stop at the ground floor and Faal look up with a frown as the door opened. "Hello Faal! My lord, what happened... Eire up to no good again??"

Faal snorted, as the tall, stylishly dressed gentleman stepped on. " Hello Harry, didn't think you were going to make it. You and Sylvie both tend to avoid these things, I understand.. and this time you both managed to make it.. No actually it was Lex's brother... had no clue he couldn't swim. We're heading home.. had enough fun for one night, right Lex? Say hi to Harry, love."

Lex turned his head slightly and gave a weak smile and wave before burrowing back against Faal, pulling the towels closer to him.

Harry waited as the elevator dropped them off ,wished them both well, then headed up to the roof.

Charli was at the bar grabbing more beer when Harry hit the top step and she gave an exagerated gasp of surprise, her hand going to her chest. "Why I live and breathe... look who has deigned to grace our presence!! Hi Harry." She said with a grin and a hug. "You always miss the 'interesting' parts... " she eyed the expensive looking cream colored suit and the deep green shirt. "You're choice of clothing, while impeccable as always... may have been a bad decision... the boys ARE still here.. and still drinking, although I believe Eire's been cut off."

Harry frowned slightly, glancing down at his suit. "Well... if they cause any damage, I'll bill them." he said with a smirk accepting the beer she handed to them.

Charli pointed over to the main grouping of chairs farther along the patio past the pool. "Kay and just about everyone are over there... Faal and Lex left, but the others are scattered around. I think Shauna's down in the garden section..." she nodded to the stairs the curled down beside the pool.

Harry smiled and lifted his beer. "Thank you, Charlene.. Happy St. Pat's to you." he said and started over towards the others. Charli watched him go with a smirk, then went back to the bar to grab another beer before heading over to join them.

Rue had been lost in thought for a moment, her mind on Lex, when she noticed Harry making his way toward them. "Well Well, I see tonight is the night for surprise appearances." she said with a grin.

Chaos smiled and motioned towards a chair. "Hey Harry... never expected to see you tonight. Everything okay?"

Harry chuckled as he sat down. "No, nothing is ever alright when this crew is involved... but no more so than usual. I just had this urge to join you and see if these things are really as bad as I've heard..."

"Depends on your definition of bad." Rue replied to Harry. "Besides an almost drowning, it's been the usual drunken revelry."

"Will which most likely only increase once Eire's found away to get more alcohol." Estehl said, watching Eire trying to sneak toward the drinks.

Sylvie caught Estehl's look and yelled over her shoulder without looking. "Don't even think it, E! You touch anything more potent then a beer and i'll make your life a living hell."  Sylvie then smiled and patted Xander's knee. "Xander Caine, this is the infamous Harry DeBrie. Harry, this is the man of the hour, Xander Caine, soon to be the newest addition to our little mad house."

Harry smiled, obviously somewhat lost, but shook Xander’s hand.

"Well, at least the other boys haven't started anything yet... I was worried about all this glass..." Sylvie said waving a hand at the glass dome over their heads. "And the plant life... luckily them seemed to be keeping themselves on the patio for now.. or the pool..."

Rue suddenly covered her eyes. "Oh god... I so did not need to see that..." She said, peeking out from between her fingers, a smirk curling the corners of her mouth. "Although...."

Xander snorted into his drink and Sylvie turned to see. Reese and Bull, obviously deciding the party needed a 'boost' to get things going again had stripped out of their wet clothes and stood on the pool's edge in their birthday suits, grinning like idiots. " Last one in is a PRUDE!" Bull yelled at them all and gave Reese a shove as he dived in.

"This place just keeps gettin' weirder and weirder..." Xander muttered into his glass with a smirk.

Fairlen possitivly giggled, not just at the sight, but Xander's little quote. "Rather a shame Eire's not joining them." She said, loud enough for the silver haired wolfwere to hear.

Chaos groaned and shot her a look. "Good lord don't encourage him.. although it would keep him from the liquor for a while..."

"No one go near the pool or you're liable to get pulled in." Charli said, pointing with her beer. "Remember the last skinny dip they took? They grabbed that poor housekeeper and scared the crap out of her... course they did convince her out of her clothes..."

"What?! An innocent housekeeper?! Who's idea was it to accoste the poor woman!?" Xander asked, half wanting to disbelieve the other half knowing all to better.

"Isn't one shove in enough for them? Okay, admittedly it wasn't any of THEM who shoved Lex into the pool..." Fairlen said. "He's gonna be right ticked when he finds out it was Saffron...I predict Saffron might get a wee bit crispy after Lex finds out. But thank god for Faal and Xander, and Alandra."

Chaos rolled her eyes at Xander. "Oh puhlease.. I have the feeling that if you had been there, you would've been right in the thick of it with them." she said with a chuckle. "And she was cute, and Reese and her had been flirting non-stop since we'd arrived... brave girl going skinny dipping at work with the boys though..."

"I've never been skinny dipping in my life, thank you." Xander said with a mock noble look. "Well, never been invited for one..." But then he too also bore stark scars on his back for being whipped, not as many or as bad as Lex, but still, there was a bit of him that was ashamed of them.

Fairlen eyed him. "Well you know...you could always go skinny dipping NOW..."

Xander gave her an appalled look, blush tremendously, especailly since Sylvie was sitting there.

Sylvie saw the shocked look on Xander's face and smiled. "So the bad boy wasn't such a bad boy after all?" she asked playfully. "I'm surprised Eire and Nate haven't ... never mind." She said as a sudden splash sounded and they saw Aiyla standing at the pools edge, blushing crimson as Nate's head emerged from the water. A new pile of clothing lay on the patio.
Surprisingly enough Eire was still, although soaking wet, fully clothed.

Chaos turned to Auron. "Ten bucks says Aiyla joins them.."

Xander blushed even more, at Sylvie’s words. "Er...well...no...it was just.."

"A rouse, a cover, a mask...take your pick of terms, Xander." Rue said from her spot with a grin. "I knew you weren't such a bad boy back in Hell."

Xander was blushing even more now, and was glad to interject, after Chaos. "I wouldn't take those odds, Auron..."

Rue was very amused by Xander's blushing. "You're so cute when you blush, Xander. Almost innocent." She said with a smirk. Which only caused Xander to blush more.

Estehl chuckled from his spot. "I have the feeling that it's not just Jasmine having the effect on you, Xander."

Sands snickered from his spot, "I think that's obvious." He said, from behind his cigarette. He leaned back in his chair, hand behind his head. His chair was just on the edge, which would have tumbled him back right into to pool.

Rue who saw this, could not resist. She extended her leg, and shoved hard. Sands's chair went over the edge and there was a double splash. She burst out laughing. "I told him not to sit there!" She giggled.

When Sands' head came above water, they heard him yell. "RUEWINA!"

"Yes?!" She answered in a sing song tone, still laughing.

Sands shook his hair out of his eyes, and lifted a hand flicking his wrist, using his fae powers and suddenly Rue was shrieking, ending up in the water as well, her chair having dumped her unceremoniously over the side as well.

Sylvie gave in to the laugh that was bubbling out of her and felt herself blushing along with Xander, and yet wasn't sure why. Chaos nudged Auron. "Help me get them out, you and I are probably the only ones who won't be pulled in by them." she said and walked towards the edge. Auron chuckled as he joined her, until she suddenly gave a push...

At the last moment Auron managed to grab a hold of her arm and pulled her in after him.

Sylvie sat stunned for a moment before cracking up laughing so hard she had tears coming out of her eyes. "Oh damn .. where's the friggin camera!!" she said and Charli just laughed patting her arm, a mischievieous look on her face. "It's been taken care of, Syl. Not a single moment will be missed... trust me."

Xander had to laugh, sinking down in his chair. For once he was totally relaxed, and not on the edge about what anyone was thinking of him or going to say. He'd never seen so many people actually enjoying themselves.

Fairlen got up from her chair, heading toward Eire. Eire had just turned to see her coming, and before he could open his mouth, she grabbed him, kissed him, then shoved him in to the pool before jumping in her self with a whoop. Eire's stunned face was worth it, when he realized Fairlen had kissed him and he swam over to her as she surfaced, grabbing her and kissing her back.

Charli got up and headed for the bar, dodging the groping hands that attempted to drag her in with them. Estehl and Alandra had moved to a better and dryer vantage point further along the patio away from the water being splashed round.

Sylvie looked around and discovered her and Xander were the only one's still sitting down. She gave a laughing shriek as a splash of water managed to reach her even where she was. She stood up and moved behind Xander. "There." she said.. “ Now they get you before they get me." she laughed, resting her hands on his shoulders.

Aiyla was at the edge of the pool grinning wickedly in Xander's direction. "No!" Xander growled. "Don't you even dare, Aiyla! I swear to God, I'll freeze the entire pool if you do!"

Aiyla cackled, and held up a hand, the next moment, both Xander and Sylvie were soaked with a blast of water.

Xander was out of his chair. He paused, turned and actually moved Sylvie back. "Most sorry." He said hastily before turning back to the pool. "You asked for it, Aiyla."

Aiyla shrieked with laughter and pushed herself back from the edge. "You can't freeze it, Xander, I'm a water elemental, I can keep it from happening!"

Xander just grinned wickedly, in a way no one had seen him grin in a long time and dove over the side rather elegantly.

Aiyla started to swim away from the edge, when her legs were suddenly grabbed and she was pulled under water with a yelp. Being a water elemental she couldn't drown, but Xander could sure as hell keep her under for a while.

Sylvie found herself soaked to the skin, except where Xander's body had blocked the water, and she pushed a lock of hair back behind her ear. She shook her head. "Why do I bother dressing nice for these people?" She asked herself, laughing as she dared dodged around hands and puddles to make it to a relatively safe spot and watched the insanity unfold. Harry she noticed had slipped off somewhere dry.. probably down in the garden with Shauna...

The moment Xander surfaced from cementing Aiyla to the bottom of the pool with ice, Rue and Fairlen pounded on him, shoving him back under water with all their might while laughing. Xander managed to turn over under the water and grab Rue around the waist yanking her under where she yelped with laughter and struggled to get out of his arms before he dragged her under but Xander had the advantage and pulled her under, surfacing himself with a grin.

It was only then that Eire pounded on him, shoving him back under water and when Xander resurfaced the splash war between the half shade and the ice elemental began.

Chaos and Auron bobbed for a moment, both in shock at the sight of the two 'playing', then Auron suddenly pushed Chaos under water and saw to join in.


Sylvie was laughing so hard that she had to sit down.. which unfortunately put her legs within reach of groping hands you dragged her into the pool. She would have yelled but she was still laughing too hard.

There came a yell from the edge of the pool where Estehl appeared with Alandra's help, carrying Saffron. "NO! NO!" Saffron shrieked trying to fight back, but Alandra smacked him up side the head and Estehl dumped his ass right in the deep end.

Xander, Eire, with Rue and Fairlen's help grabbed Saffron once he resurfaced and began trying to drown him now, while laughing.

Sylvie felt her skirts tangling in her legs making swimming difficult. After the third time she went under she grabbed a hold of them on one hand and wrapped them around her wrist. Anyone who got too close would get a good flash of skin, but at least she wouldn't drown before she made it to the edge and got out.

Xander finally managed to get to edge of the pool and pulled himself up on the edge pushing he hair out of his face. He was rather close to where Sylvie was afloat and leaned forward. "Need a hand?" He asked, offering one with a grin.

Sylvie looked up at him with a grin and kicked her way over to him, reaching her free hand up to his so he could pull her the rest of the way to the edge. She released her skirt and held out her other hand to Xander to. "Quick.. before these damned skirts drag me under again!" she laughed, her chin dipping briefly beneath the water.

Xander laughed softly, grabbed both her hands and pulled, leaning back for leverage. The skirts threatened to drag her back so Xander suddenly leaned forward, letting go of Sylvie's hands to grab her about the waist and dragged her out of the water, but he fell backward, arms still around Sylvie. Realizing this, he suddenly blushed deeply, letting go of her so she could move.

Sylvie had felt herself slipping then suddenly Xander's hand were on her waist lifting her up... and then she was suddenly laying half on top of him. She saw the blush burn across his face as he let go, and braced her arms on either side of him. "It seems I am once again in your debt, sir." She said with a mischivious smile that made her eyes light up. She leaned down and kissed his other cheek before clamoring quickly to her feet. Her dress plastered it self to her and she was suddenly conscious that it shoved EVERYTHING.. although not see through, you could every line of her bra and panties. suddenly she didn't care. She hadn't felt this alive and free since Before Michael was killed. She ran her hands back through her hair, feeling it all come loose, and laughed, reaching a hand down to Xander. "Are you going to lay down there all day?"

Xander had to say it, it wouldn't leave his mind other wise. "I don't know, the view is rather nice from here." But he accepted Sylvie's hand and got up. "Forgive me for that one...I have to have a cheeky comment here and there...or I wouldn't be me." He said, blushing slightly. But he couldn't help but think Sylvie did look rather beautiful even wet

Sylvie blushed but hauled Xander to his feet. "Forgiven. I think I can handle the odd cheeky comment." She said, still holding his hands. She suddenly glanced down at her self and laughed. "All this green and wet.. I must look like a mermaid..." she chuckled. She was thinking of ringing some of the water out of the dress when she realized that she was still holding his hands... and blushed even more.

"I don't know...can't think of a prettier mermaid." Xander said softly, looking Sylvie over. He rather hoped she wouldn't let go of his hands just yet. "You do look pretty, even wet." He said, still softly, but he was still blushing himself.

Sylvie was sure she was bright red by now, her face felt so hot, but she laughed. "You don't look half so bad yourself wet." she said with a grin . "I suppose I should change into something dry..." She glanced around at the others, most of them were either still in the pool or were sitting around in their wet clothes, continuing on with the party. She shrugged. "Then again, no else seems to be in much of a hurry to..."

"Well, there's no hurry...I mean...only unless you want to..." He said softly, he had the overwhelming urge to kiss those wet soft lips, and was doing everything, EVERYTHING in his self control not to, not to ruin the moment.

Sylvie was suddenly aware that she was standing in the middle of crowded patio, soaking wet holding Xanders hands.. and suddenly didn't want to be there under everyone's eye. "I guess it can wait. It's warm enough in here and I'll dry eventually.. and you're just as wet." She said letting go of one of his hands. "I wouldn't mind a walk through the garden though..." She said pulling slightly on his hand. "If you'd like to join me that is..?"

Xander smiled, letting Sylvie pull him along. "How could I resist such an offer?" He asked, rather glad to get out everyone's sight and even more elated that it would be with Sylvie alone.

Aware that Eire, Nate, Aiyla and probably several of the others were watching, they headed for the garden area.

Chaos and Auron had pulled themselves out of the water and sat on the edge of the pool. Nate and Aiyla treaded water beside them. All of them were watching Xander and Sylvie holding hands as they headed down the steps to the garden area.

"Well... that was something I was beginning to think I'd never see again." Chaos said, a smile on her face.

Nate looked up at her, a small frown on his face. "Aye.. it's good t' see her 'appy again.. but..."

"But?" Auron asked.

"Aye.. I suppose he has proven himself a decent enough fellow today.... he better no' hurt 'er though."

Aiyla smacked Nate in the shoulder. "I doubt that there's anything on Xander's mind right now that has to do with hurting her. Kinda make a cute couple if you ask me."

She ignored Eire's look from beside Fairlen, and heard Fairlen laugh softly. "See, Fairlen agrees."

"I do hope Lexi is alright though..." Aiyla muttered, biting her lip. "If I'd known the little brat couldn't swim, I wouldn't have goaded Saffron in to pushing..."

Saffron had pulled himself up on the edge nearby, and Saffron heard Aiyla. "Hey look, I didn't about it either!" He said.

"Well, now you do." Auron replied. "So you won’t be trying that again, I suspect."

"He'll probably be annoyed with you." Alandra said, taking off her shoes and sitting down next to Saffron, dangling her feet in the water. "But hey, now you can offer to give him swimming lessons."

Saffron looked at her appalled, then shoved her hard into the pool. She yelped, grabbed him and dragged him with her.

Auron shook his head, wrapping an arm around Chaos' waist.

Chaos leaned against Auron, worry about Lex mixed with the knowledge that he was in good hands, and the feeling of being at peace after a wonderful, 'freeing' evening. She couldn't remember the last time she, .. or probably any of them, had had so much fun. She moved her head and felt Auron's shirt give a squelch of water and stifled a giggle. She saw Nate about to pull himself out of the pool and quickly shoved him back down with her foot. " No you don't, MacDonnell... take the show down there. Just because you have a nice ass doesn't mean we want the whole package flaunted past us. Or at least have a towel ready..."

Aiyla snickered. "Besides...I'm not sure I want everyone seeing your ass...I seem to remember Rue had something for it."

"Do not!" Rue replied from her edge where she'd pulled out, Sands floating beside her, looking rather cute completely wet, hair plastered in his face.

Aiyla laughed, sending a splash in her direction. Then she paused. "Hey! Lex lost his wager with me!" Aiyla suddenly said with a grin.

"You're an compulsive gambler, ya know that?" Sands asked, finally pulling himself out of the pool as well.

"Nah, Lex is just too cute when he looses." Aiyla replied, laying back in the water.

Chaos smirked at Aiyla. "Well, as for Nate,  it's not his ass that I'd rather not be given the full view of, Aiyla... I've seen that often enough... I've seen too much of all them, too often. You'd be surprised how NOT shy the guys can be with a bit of alcohol and a swimming pool.. or any large source of water nearby... But you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover that for yourself."

Auron raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh really? And have they seen as much of you?"

Chaos gave a snort in reply. "They wish. They've tried many times to convince me to join them... but they've always failed."

Rue snorted from her spot. "Lord Aiyla, ya really think Chaos would stoop to THEIR level. Now. if it was just Auron and he asked her nicely to skinny dip..." Rue snapped her fingers. "In a heart beat, I'd bet ya."

Auron chuckled, a sly grin on his lips.

Chaos raised an eyebrow and a sly smile touched her mouth. "I didn't say I'd never been skinny dipping.. I said I'd never done so around THEM."

"So you HAVE been skinny dipping, should I inquire as to with whom?" Auron asked still smirking slyly and watching her.

Rue snickered her spot, Sands treading water beside her legs. She leaned over, a hand on his head and shoved him under a moment, giggling.

Aiyla was watching them and spoke up, before Sands had resurfaced. "Is it just me, Ruewina, or are you and Sheldon get a tad bit close."

Rue blushed deeply. "Sheldon and I are just friends..." She said although it might have sounded airily.

Chaos raised an eyebrow at Auron, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth as she replied. "As if I'd tell you." she flipped one dripping braid back over her shoulder and turned a ' yeah sure' look to Rue.

Rue shot Chaos a look, and watched Sands reappear, before pulling out of the pool to sit beside her.

"What are ya snickering about, Aiyla?" Sands inquired, eyeing her.

'I was just commenting, about how you and Rue seem to be a little more then just friends." Aiyla said, before swimming behind Nate before Rue could kick her.

Sands gave her a cheeky grin, and just shrugged. Rue shot him a look. Sands grinned back at her, before grabbing her around the waist, pulling her half over his lap and kissing her in front of everyone.

**

((Later On ))

The party was still in full swing, although Harry and Shauna had both left, as of course had Lex and Faal, and Charli was talking about leaving, but everyone was still handing her beers and trying to talk her out of it.

The skinny dippers had all retrieved their clothing, thankfully, but there was still the odd splash down into the pool, so no one had actually managed to dry off very well...

Reese and Bull had dragged Eire over and were trying to make him sing along with them when all of a sudden the pounding of feet was felt along the patio.

"Night guys !! Had a great time.. see ya tomorrow!" Sylvie's voice rang out as her and Xander ran towards the stair well door, hand in hand.

"Great party, by the way!" Xander called out just before the two of them vanished.

Chaos raised an eyebrow, while Auron merely chuckled.

Bull turned down the volume and yelled out. "Okay.. who had the pool? Aiyla?! You're the bookie... who won?"

"Hmm, lets see, that would be..." Aiyla scrambled for her purse near by, pulled out a small note book, flipped some pages and scanned one before grinning. "Apparently, Bull, Saffron and what's this...Auron..." Aiyla giggled, casting the illusion elemental an amused look.

Chaos shook her head. "Am I the only one who didn't see this coming?" she snorted as they all cast her amused looks. " I guess I am..."

Nate chuckled. "Kay, come on now... th' boy's been blushin' up a storm every time th' woman happens' int' the same room with him for a couple weeks now! And Sylvie's been sneakin' those side glances at him an' smilin' a lot more, as well.. I find it rather hard t' believe y' dinnae notice!"

Chaos gave a rueful smile "I suppose I was a bit distracted what with the new building and all..." she smiled sweetly as she elbowed Auron in the ribs. “You’re right…  I rather like spring myself…” she said with a smile and everyone joined in with a few chuckled. “To Spring.” She said and raised her beer in a toast. There was the clink of bottles and glasses together then Reese cranked the music back up and the party continued.

**