lovesbitch | Cocoa is nothing without bitty marshmallows.

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Cocoa is nothing without bitty marshmallows.

[ Spike was slowly getting the hang of this worldhopping thing, much as he hated mojo. He was just glad it was night. Much fun as it was to dance around in the Sun, still unnerved him plenty when flames didn't follow. Knew he should just take the victory as it was, but he wasn't so good at that these days.

He felt oddly nervous climbing the short step to the address written on the crumpled post-it in his pocket. He recrumpled it once he was sure he was at the right place, black nails digging into the paper as he stuffed it back in his duster and raised a hand to knock softly - in case the little ones were in bed, he didn't want to ring the bell. ]

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[Rita shuts the door behind them and goes to deposit the cigarettes in her purse.]

Oh it's no trouble. Dexter's busy with work and the kids are asleep so having a guest is nice. Just make yourself at home.

Don't mind if I do. [ He sprawls over the couch, smiling up at her. ]

How about that cocoa, luv?

Don't worry. [Rita heads over to the kitchen area. There's of course hot cocoa simmering on the stove.] I made it while I was waiting.

[She retrieves two coffee mugs and starts pouring it.]

You're the best. No wonder that Dexter bloke likes you.

The kiddies asleep?

I don't know if that's what he likes about me. [Rita laughs. She doesn't have a clue what Dexter sees her in all honesty.]

But, don't worry they're fast asleep. You won't have to worry about Cody climbing all over you.

[She heads over to the couch with both mugs in hand.]

How old are they then? Not great with kids myself, I'll admit.

[ accepts the mug with a smile and a nod in thanks. ]

Astor is seven and Cody is three. [She takes a seat.]

Astor is very mature for age though.

Still, must be quite a handful for just one bird. Know you got Dexter and all, but still.

[ He takes a sip and .. what else, starts rambling about Buffy.]

I know a bird, barely over being a kid herself, having to raise a teenager. And I helped out and all, when I could. Least I could do.

You know I feel like I do a better job by myself when it comes to Astor and Cody. Dexter is just a nice bonus.

[You have her polite interest, Spike. Rita nods, looking just a little concerned.]

That must have really hard for her. It was a good thing you were there to help her out.

That's what I'm saying, isn't it? Sometimes it's just better to do a thing yourself. That way you can see it's done right.

[ he waves her off, setting down his cup to shuck his coat. ]

Buffy didn't need me. She never has. Who knows if what I did was a good thing, but I had to try.

Well even if she didn't need you, I'm sure she must have appreciated it. Just having someone around can be a big help.

Maybe she felt that way, in the end.

[ gestures back to the kids' room. ] I take it their father isn't in the picture. Or even on the google map.

[Rita's face hardens. Paul was never her favorite subject. While part of her is relieved this was one thing Dexter hadn't elected to share, Rita didn't really consider Paul and everything that came with him a secret.]

... He's in jail.

[ Spike's face hardens too, and he ducks back into his cocoa. ]

Sorry about that, luv.

Don't be. [She takes a sip.] It where he belongs.

Imagine so. It's probably easier with him out of the way, anyhow.

[ shakes his head, bit of a sigh. ]

Sorry, didn't mean to get started in on bad memories. Think we both have enough of those to talk all night.

[Rita smiles softly.] It really is okay. That's all behind me and the kids now.

We're doing okay and that's what's important.

That is the important bit... what do you do for a job? Or do you not? No shame in a stay-at-home.

I work at the front desk of a hotel. [Her smiles widens. She's proud of the fact she found a job that allowed her to take care of the kids with no outside assistance.]

Good for you, luv. That sounds like a regular party. [ lifts his mug to her in salute. ]

[She lifts it in return.] Thank you. It's a really good job.

What about you? What do you do in your spare time?

Uh, well, luv... not much, really. I mean, I don't have much free time when you get right down to it. Spend most of my day fighting the good fight, don't I. [ should he get more specific than that? well.... ]

Something like a vigilante, I guess. A champion, it's called.

[Rita laughs.] So you're like a hero? It's a good thing Cody's asleep. If he heard that, he'd be after you for stories.

[ He smiles too. ] Hey, anytime, you just say the word. Got plenty of tales to tell the wee ones.

You really wouldn't mind?

For you? Sure thing.

Thank you. I really appreciate it.. all of it. You've been very nice to me despite... [Her looking like some evil woman, her being dead, etc.] everything.

I know what it's like, looking for an ally in unfriendly territory. Made some of my best friends across enemy lines if you catch me.

I think I do. [She takes a sip of her cocoa.] I guess I just hope things don't get too unfriendly. It seems like we both have enough already. You probably more than me.

Used to unfriendly, yeah? Tell me what's goin' through your head, luv, and don't leave anything out.

I was just thinking about Paul and what my life was like before I met Dexter. I guess it's still a little strange having such a stable life.

People actually talk to me now. I'm not just "that wife" anymore. The one they all feel sorry for.

[She smiles.] I'm just Rita.

Well, that sounds good to me. Just Rita. Has a nice ring on it.

What about you? I think Champion Spike has a nice ring to it.

You'd be the only one who thought that. Besides me, anyway.

No one else knows you're a champion?

It's not that they don't know, it's that they don't believe.

Why not?

Because Angel won't get off his high sodding horse, that's why. 'I got my soul first,' Spike. 'I'm a real champion,' Spike, but who's the one who chose to be a goodie? Me. And he gets all the bleeding credit. He was cursed with his soul, you know. I fought for mine, to save the world. That's deep stuff.

Why is it a contest for him? Shouldn't he be happy that you wanted to change?

He bloody well should be, isn't that right. But he's not, never has been happy for me.

Is there any way to fix that? If you're the only two of your kind to have souls wouldn't it make sense to be friends? You can understand what each other is going through.

The Pouf and I? Friends? Will never happen, luv, and I'm not holding my breath.

You never know. Stranger things have happened.

They have at that and I won't argue. But those weirder things have happened all around the both of us for centuries, and one thing I can really count on, that gets me through the darker nights - is the fact that I know deep in my heart Angel will always hate me and I will always hate him. A constant, you see. It's comforting.

[He shrugs, setting his mug down, finished. And moves to lean against the back of the couch, swinging his arm over the back.]

Oh. [She'll just sip up what's left of her cocoa. That's pretty strange but, then again so was sitting on a couch with a vampire drinking cocoa.]

Do you want more cocoa?

No, luv, I'm alright. But ta for askin'. You make the best chocolate around.

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Cocoa is nothing without bitty marshmallows.

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sob. why is it so hard to find out their ages?

awww bb XD I have them memorized by now.

Sob Ca I'm not used to being the clueless castmate.

I will hold your hand Rose ;__;

And teach me the ways of the force? ;w;

Young and inexperienced, you are. Help you, I will.

I believe in you, Master Ca!

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