Down Twisted
by drkdreamer
Chapter 7
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Chapter 7
7:45 p.m.
"Let's use my good glassware instead, 'kay kiddo?"
Alex and Willow were standing in the kitchen and the teenager's hand was frozen around the plastic cups for which she'd been reaching. Those green eyes widened as the dark woman reached up above her own hand to withdraw three beautiful, delicate champagne flutes.
"We celebrating something I don't know about, guys?" asked Buffy who'd just walked into the house not a few minutes before. The Southerner, whose sensitive ears had already detected the measured tread of the Slayer's footsteps, merely shook her head.
"Nah, it's just that I happen to have a deep and abiding appreciation for fine glassware. In fact, and this might shook you, I've got quite a collection of crystal at home. It's kinda sad though, I got all those pretty glasses and I certainly don't use them in the proper way. I'm not a drinker, though I do treat myself to a pină colada on my birthday. Tonight, ladies, your choices come down to Coke, DR. Pepper or Citra."
The blond, who's stomach was already rumbling from all the delicious smells wafting throughout the kitchen had to ask.
"How much time I got before it's time to eat?"
"Ten minutes," Alex called back.
"Right," Buffy nodded, "back soon."
Soft, tender green eyes watched as the blond walked away, Alex was dead certain that Willow would never be able to comprehend how much that one look gave away. It perfectly summed up all those hidden feelings, equal amounts want/care and overwhelming need. Alexandra Roberts quietly fought the urge to call the young Wiccan upon them. It just wasn't the right time, she instinctively knew that Willow would most assuredly balk at such a frank discussion of those said feelings. As the older woman took the flutes to the table, she sent out a different question instead.
"So, tell me Wills, how does it feel to be a God's honest witch?"
Those surprising words promptly sent Willow Rosenberg into a fit of pure giggles. Once she got herself under control, she wasn't at all surprised to find Alex staring back at her with a classically quizzical expression.
"I'm sorry, Alex, but I'm not entirely sure just what your asking me."
As comprehension dawned in those dark gray orbs, the older woman thought long and hard before opening her mouth back up.
"You have power Willow Rosenberg and I find that to be an utterly intriguing thing. Guess what I'm asking is do you control said power or does it control you instead?"
It was an intelligent question and Willow appreciated the dark Southerner even more than she'd expected. She then told the older woman that power surrounded everyone and, if you happened to be one of the lucky ones, you'd be able to tap into said power with simple ease. The Wiccan was about to warn about the darkside of having those abilities when Alex spoke up.
"Right, you'll just have to forgive my insatiable curiosity Willow. It probably means little to you but one of my very favorite TV shows just happened to be a gem called 'Tucker's Witch'."
Complete silence greeted those words and the dark woman could tell she'd just utterly confused the green eyed girl once more.
I really gotta remember that no one besides Giles would remember a show from 1982, thought the Southerner.
"Obviously before your time, Darlin, ya just don't know what ya missed out on! Tim Matheson and Catherine Hicks made such pretty eye candy for me, I had one great looking couple for one short season."
Although the names where familiar to Willow Rosenberg, the show remained a complete mystery. Being an intelligent person herself, the teenager suspected the show had something to do with magic. Exactly what, she didn't quite know. Realizing that Alex expected some sort of comeback, Willow spoke up.
"Catherine Hicks....isn't she starring in 7th Heaven?"
"You betcha but I can't claim to have ever set down and watched that program," said Alex dryly chuckling. "Tucker's Witch was about a young married couple named Rick and Amanda Tucker. She was the witch of the family, he a mere mortal, they where a crime solving duo."
The highly wicked gleam shining out from those hard gray eyes told the Wiccan that detective work had nothing to do with why Alexandra Roberts was so enamored of that show. It was something else and Willow fully suspected she knew why.
"Tell me the truth, Alexandra Roberts. You like that show because of the people, don't you?"
That dead on right question caused an oddly sweet smile to play across the quiet Southerner's face. The red head was far too intelligent not to see through her words and Alex respect for Willow grew.
"I have no shame in admitting the truth, Will. My philosophy for television and movies is as follows: the format doesn't me one damn thing to me. I've watched them all: drama, comedy, cop shows, reality you name it and I've given it a try. The most important thing to me is this: present me with two attractive people, whom also just happen to possess a little thing called chemistry, and would look damn good naked together and I'm yours. It's been this way since the fabulous 'Hart to Hart' right up to 'The X-Files' and now continues on with 'Xena: Warrior Princess'. As you can plainly see, it makes no different to me if said couple happens to be male/female, female/female or male/male. Hell, it all works for me."
The blond Slayer, who'd just walked into the room smack in the middle of that conversation found herself highly amused and intrigued by Alex's calmly spoken words. The laughter in her voice was clearly visible to the other two parties as she spoke.
"Alexandra Roberts!! Are you really standing there saying that you happen to be a bona-fide voyeur?"
The pretty red head could only suck in her breath as she awaited that answer. Willow simply refused to believe that there was a voyeuristic bone in Alex's body, it just didn't quite jive with what she already knew about the older woman standing to her left with a dangerously speculative look splashed across her face. The Southerner gave serious thought to her words before answering the still grinning blond.
"Not precisely. It's just, guys, it's all strictly visual for me. Visually speaking, I can appreciate a great many things but it never goes beyond that point for me. You dig, Buffy?"
Slayer and Witch found themselves relieved by those words but for very different reasons. Willow was totally digested with herself for even stopping to consider that Alex might get a sexual thrill if, by some miracle, she and Buffy where to ever get together. The silent blonde couldn't help but admit to herself that it could be kinda exciting to have the dark woman watch as she wholly ravished her best friend.
God, thought the compact Slayer, who's a freak much?
Alex, knowing full well that they'd just entered into dangerous waters, quickly ushered her guests to the kitchen table.
"Let's chow down folks."
For the older woman, the dinner brought back fond memories of Sunday suppers at her Grandma's house. Alexandra Roberts sincerely hoped, at least one more time, the fickle hands of Fate would allow her to break bread with her family again. While both Buffy and Willow completely enjoyed the tastes and textures of the food, they also couldn't help marveling over the bittersweet grin that flickered continuously across the Southerner's mouth. It told them that while that woman enjoyed her meal she was, mentally, thousand of miles away from them at that moment. After concluding the sumptuous meal, Alex then took the girl's to the living room to show them her video collection. Right as she was about to tell them to pick out a movie, the dark woman was stunned to realize she'd also left out her sex tapes in plain view.
Jesus H. Christ, she furiously thought to herself, what the hell was I thinking?!?
"Ya gotta excuse me, ladies, but these particular tapes are gonna have to remain off-limits to you. Feel free, however, to pick out any other movie to your hearts content. I ask only one thing, don't pick out The Chippendale's Tall, Dark and Handsome, at least not until I'm done with the dishes, kay?"
So saying, the older woman turned around with the two porno flicks in her hands. Willow, who was standing closer to Alex had to blush as she read the titles.
"More of a Man" and "Where The Boy's Aren't 2", ohmigod Alex, she thought, where ever did you get Those movies?
"Strippers," said an excited Buffy," you really got a movie of male strippers?"
That one sentence caused Alex to collapse in laughter against the far wall. It took several minutes before the dark Southerner could get control of herself and continue walking forward.
"Y'all have seen me dance, remember, so why are ya so shocked? Really, ladies, where did ya think I came up with some of those moves? If I barrow something, I make it a policy to barrow only from the very best. 'Sides, the music just rocks me and the men are bloody gorgeous to boot! Do we got a deal?"
The teens readily agreed and Alex escaped to her bedroom. Willow found that she was still shell-shocked but Buffy, thankfully, seemed oblivious to the sex tapes. The witch, being a highly intelligent person, was infinitely glad they wouldn't have to discuss those tapes. Both young women remained remarkably silent as they perused the entirety of the dark woman's video collection. It ran the preverbal gamut with Comedy, Drama, Musicals, Dramedy and Love stories to Sci-fi and Horror. The red head could only smile because Alexandra Roberts watchablity was clearly evident in all of those titles. Buffy found herself staring with fixed attention at the horror section, Alex seemed to really enjoy the vampire genre. Sitting there, before her still disbelieving gaze where: "Fright Nights 1&2", "The Lost Boys", "Bram Stocker's Dracula", "Dance of the Damned", "To Die For", "The Vampire Lovers", "Tale of the Vampire" and inexplicably, "Love At First Bite".
"Behold, Wills, our Alex is somewhat of a vampire aficionado."
Though dark humor colored Buffy's voice, Willow Rosenberg knew those titles deeply troubled her best friend.
"Hey, they are only movies, it doesn't mean anything Buffy."
Intellectually speaking, Buffy Summer's conceded her best friend's point. On one hand, motion pictures where nothing but pure fiction, the perfect escape from life's stresses, but on the other, it rankled the Slayer quite a bit. Alex chose that moment to come strolling back into the livingroom, sipping on an ice cold Dr. Pepper. It confused her to see that the teens hadn't yet chosen a movie but then she saw exactly what the Slayer stared so intently at.
"Is there a prob, guys? Are you really gonna try and tell me that horror isn't your cup of tea?"
As the green eyed girl and her hazel eyed friend turned her way, Alex realized that joking wasn't going to cut it.
"You seem to have a major thing for bloodsuckers, Alex."
The dark woman tried very hard not to take offense to the blonde's blandly spoken words but it ticked her at best. On one hand, she could clearly understand the Slayer's distain for a vampire feature but, dammit, the girl should have the common courtesy to see her side too.
With a cocky slant to her brow, Alex crossed both arms over her chest before responding to the waiting blonde.
"Why dont'cha tell me, Buffy Summers, if you've ever actually taken the time to watch even one of these movies?"
The Slayer nodded affirmatively, mystified by the older woman's line of reasoning. Willow, after glancing hurriedly between the dark Southerner and obstinate blonde, simply waited for what she was sure was to be a creative way of thinking from Alexandra Roberts point of view. In the end, she wasn't disappointed.
"Disregard for a moment that it's all about the undead and pick the movie apart at the seams. Without fail, they all have a darkly tragic undertone. They are stories of someone desperately searching for love, somehow finding that love and yet knowing, in the end, they will only end up destroying the only thing that means anything to them. In case you two haven't gotten a clue yet, I'm a total and complete sucker for anything even pertaining to a tragic romance. Hell, the truth is, I have no of stopping myself from falling under the allure of those kind of stories."
The slender red head, taking the prudent course, chose that particular moment to wisely diffuse the sudden tension that had been growing in the room.
"Okay, guys, why doesn't someone tell me what we should be watching tonight?"
Both Buffy and Alex instantly turned her way and Willow could only hope that her words would take the desired affect. The blonde Slayer relaxed under the sweet care of her best friend and flashed a tiny smile the other girl's way.
"Why don't you do the honors, my Wiccan friend."
As Alex and the blonde teenager made their way over to the couch, it troubled Willow to see that they sat at polar opposites of one another. She was looking for a flick that would bring much needed laughter back into the silent living room, something safe. The Witch had a hard time choosing between "Spaceballs", "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Grease 2". The brainy red head decided the one with Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer on the front, thinking that it would certainly bring a smile to Alexandra Robert's face. Both Slayer and dark Southerner watched as Willow popped the flick into the VCR, which turned on both it and the TV and sauntered over to take a seat spare middle of the couch. After about 20 minutes, the tension had dissipated considerably between the 3 occupants. Alex Roberts found herself very much surprised by the green eyed girl's choice in movies. This happened to be one of her many faves and had been since her first viewing way back in the summer of her 12th year. Maxwell and Michelle had one stomach crunching beautiful looking couple and Alex had been a total goner from the first moment they'd walked across the movie screen. She shifted a little closer and turned to directly face the red haired Witch.
"You have my eternal thanks, Will."
The older woman didn't try and stop the smile that over took her face as those infinitely, warm green eyes turned her way.
"S'okay, don't mention it."
Before Buffy could even think to question them, both Willow and Alex turned back to face the TV screen. The film which all had enjoyed ended far too soon and Alexandra Roberts knew it was high time they all hit the sheets.
"It's been real, people, but we all know it's time to retire for this evening."
While the Slayer agreed with that broad statement, she couldn't help but dread the moment she and Willow would adjourn to the bedroom. It was going to be a hard thing she damn well knew, trying to merely sleep with her best friend lying almost right next to her. The sole thing that would be separating them would be their night clothes and Buffy Summers could only pray that she would be strong enough to resist the silent appeal of Willow. Wills was way too important to her to simply use for sex though, if the blonde was being totally honest with herself, she'd know that mere sex would never even enter into the equation.
"Why don't you go on, Buffy. I just need to speak to Alex alone for a moment", said the object of her affections.
Alex Roberts was frowning as she watched the compact blonde literally flee the room. The older woman stretched her arms above her head before turning back to face the younger girl.
"Allrighty, Will, I'm all ears. What ya need from me now?"
The pretty red head took a deep, calming breath before attempting to compose an answer.
"I just want to ask you something, Alex and I'd appreciate an honest answer. Did you offer your bed to me and Buffy in the hopes that ... something would happen between us?"
Clear, intelligent gray eyes locked firmly on her, the Southerner was slow in responding.
"And if I did, Willow Rosenberg?"
The teen racked a rough hand through her hair, utterly disliking this turn of events. Although she'd suspected this would be the case, some part of her had been hoping it would turn out to be something different.
"You have to stop doing these things, Alex. Buffy doesn't want me, at least, not in that way. Trust me, she sees me as nothing more than a best friend, I accepted that a long time ago. Please, if you care for me at all, just stop. Have we reached an understanding, Alexandra Roberts?"
The astute Southerner realized that she was pushing much too hard with this girl.
How is it Willow, thought Alex to herself, that for being such a smart person you've somehow never gotten a clue?
"Yes, we do. Sorry if we are of differing opinions, Willow. You have my solemn promise, I will no longer try and persuade you to do something your clear not comfortable with, 'kay?"
Those soft words lighted the mood of Willow Rosenberg. She truly believed that she'd gotten through to the Southerner and she rejoiced in this knowledge. The slender Witch was smiling as she reached out to gently cup the dark woman's right cheek.
"Thank you, I hope I wasn't too hard on you. Goodnight, Alex."
That unexpected touch, though entirely soft, made Alex Roberts slightly uncomfortable in the red head's presence. It had been quite a long time since she's allowed anyone, including Cordelia and Angel, to get that close to her. To combat the freakiness of the situation, Alex chose to respond in an entirely flippant way.
"Your welcome and you weren't. Don't let the bedbugs bite, Willow."
With that, the teenager left and the tired Southerner proceeded to make out her own bed. Though still troubled by her reaction to Willow's simple touch, Alex lay down and tried to blank her mind. It didn't work and the woman had to grin in utter somberness. It was now blatantly apparent that Buffy Summers would have to be the one she'd have to convince to take the next step.
But God, she was silently repeating to herself, why did it have to be the one who reminds me so much of myself?!?
There was no answer for that troubling question. If she where to hazard a guess, Alex would lay down money on the fact that the Slayer feared that anything sexual happening between her and Willow would, somehow, damage the friendship that they both prized above everything else. The dark woman swallowed back a groan because now she knew what would have to be done. The battle plan was already forming in her head as Alex began to drift off to sleep. Her last conscious thought was, Thank God I won't have to reveal all this to Willow!