InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "It's a three patch problem. "

Oliver Pike (notafishie) wrote in wariscoming,
@ 2010-02-23 17:55:00

Entry tags:

andrea rojas, faith lehane, pike, ruby

Who: Pike, Faith, Ruby, and Andrea
What: Going out to celebrate Faith’s new job.
When: After Faith’s com post about her job.
Where: Joe’s.
Ratings: PG-13
Status: In Progress

It had been a hell of a night. If there was one thing Pike could say about being here, it was that at least for him, there was no such thing as boredom. For a guy who pretty much looked at life and everything in it as a giant game of craps, that was saying something. So far, every risk he’d taken had avoided those dreaded snake-eyes, but he was constantly aware of the fact that the winds of fate could change their tune at any given time. He wasn’t afraid of it, it had been a long time since he’d been afraid of taking a risk or the consequences that could come from it, but there was a difference between being without fear and being without common sense.

The crisis of the night had been averted, at least. He still didn’t want to think too hard about just what Dawn had been thinking. Maybe it was wrong of him, but for now he just chalked it up to a combination of stress and the history everyone from Sunnydale had with Faith. He couldn’t change that, but he’d at least tried to talk to Dawn about what she was doing. Not that he’d expected results, and on that he hadn’t been wrong. But he’d given it a shot. As much as he wanted to help her through this, Faith needed him more, and so there was only so much he could do for Dawn, or any of them.

He pushed through the door to Joe’s and instantly the noise pulled him from his thoughts. Pike liked bars. Hell, Pike really liked bars. He’d lived out of various bars where his fake IDs or his dad’s rep got him in the door, back in high school, and now that he was so many years past the legal drinking age he liked them a whole lot more, though he spent less time in them on the whole. Joe’s was a good place. Pike enjoyed clubs too, but sometimes you just wanted to walk into a place and get that nice smoky smell. It wasn’t overpowering and wouldn’t send anybody into coughing fits, but it was there, along with the smell of alcohol and greasy bar food. There were a few pool tables off to one side, and a beat-up jukebox in the corner. Between the jukebox and the pool tables was a small space that people typically used if they felt like a little dancing. It wasn’t really an official dance floor, just a patch of clear space that had been claimed as such by the patrons.

Yeah, Joe’s was a good place.

He wasn’t sure if Faith was here already or not, and couldn’t quite spot her. So he made his way over to the bar, slid into a spot vacated by some guy, and dropped some cash for a pitcher of beer. Good beer, not some watered down crap, either. While the bartender was filling it, he turned and leaned against the bar, propping himself up with his elbows, scanning the small bar to see if he could spot Faith, Ruby, or Andrea.

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slayersocialwrk
2010-02-24 02:08 am UTC (link)

Faith was in the middle of lighting a cigarette when her eyes flickered towards the door and she saw him walk in. Though she didn't know it, anyone watching her would've seen a sea of emotions cross her face before she cleared them away. She was sitting at the far end of the bar next to a guy who was passed out drunk, who's phone she'd been using to let Pike & Ruby know about her new job. Because of where she sat, she was in a dark corner at the moment, and was able to watch as he looked around her.

She smirked a little as he sat, then dropped the borrowed phone on the bar and stood. She took the cig out after the first drag and exhaled, then walked over to him. Sliding into the stool beside him while he was looking in the other direction, she spoke up softly, more playfully than she had been lately-though more like she was normally. "What brings a guy like you into a place like this?" Hell, she was in a good mood tonight. Despite B's brat of a sister.

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avengingwarrior
2010-02-24 04:58 am UTC (link)

Andrea really didn't know why she'd said yes. Hell, she wasn't quite sure why Pike had invited her. She didn't know either of them very well. She personally thought that anything celebratory should be kept between the two of them. And that was probably why she had ended up agreeing. Not because she wanted to see what they got up to "between the two of them" but because the two of them were so unexpectedly sweet. Andrea Rojas had more soft spots than she ever liked to admit. She liked that Pike wasn't willing to give up on Faith but more than that, she liked that Faith was trying. She had noticed the dark slayer's request to Ruby and Buffy to stop arguing. Which in Andrea's opinion was good of her. Was different from the female she had seen that had made her a bit wary at times. If Faith and Pike were willing to invite her, well then, she was willing to get to know them both.

Plus Faith's new job sort of interested her. And she was curious to know about it as well as getting to know the person who'd gotten it.

So she showed up at Joe's. Wondering about her tendency to befriend people who liked to hang at bars.

She'd met Pike once, when helping him look for Faith. So she spotted him rather quickly. Near a woman who was obviously Faith. She looked familiar from those little net pictures.

"Hey." She said when she walked up to them. Friendly smile on her face. "Congratulations." She said to Faith.

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frostandsnow
2010-02-24 08:54 am UTC (link)

Doing the social thing. It was unusual for her, especially without Sam with her. And walking into the bar alone, looking around for her...what...friends. Friends? It was still more than a little unusual to her to actually have those. She supposed they were as humans defined friends, she'd defend them, she'd kill anyone that hurt them. She supposed thats what friends meant.

She spotted them all across the bar, Andrea, Faith and Pike. She hadn't really seen Andrea since everything and she knew Andrea hadn't been herself, she knew that, but all the same the smile she shot her when she reached the table had a hint of awkwardness behind it much as she tried to hide it. Could have been that, could have been her trying to be social without Sam. Either way she wasn't saying a thing about it.

Sliding into the spare chair at the table Ruby looked over to Faith and Pike. "Congratulations on the job Faith, really. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Now lets get to the celebrtating part"

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notafishie
2010-02-24 07:32 pm UTC (link)

The irony of all this wasn't lost on Pike. Not even two months ago, the thought of having anything even nearing what he had with Faith was an alien concept to him. He hadn't realized it, but he'd forced himself into the same kind of isolation that the Watchers forced Slayers into. He preferred to think of it as James Bondsy, but the truth was, it had been a tremendously lonely life and he was terrified of ever ending up there again.

Friends hadn't been any less alien, really. He had contacts. Associates. Demon hunters he could call on if he needed back-up, or information, or whatever. But they weren't friends. He didn't seek them out for anything other than business. Doyle was the closest thing to a friend he'd had back then, and he'd disappeared - died, as it turns out - in 1999. It had been years since Pike had any real emotional connection with anyone, so as sure of himself as he seemed, this territory was just as new for him as it was for Faith and Ruby. But he was going to pursue it with vigor, because this felt too good to be wrong.

He marveled at how this had all happened. One chance meeting on the street, on his first night here no less, had changed everything. They said God worked in mysterious ways, didn't they? In light of this situation, he could buy that.

He was glad to hear the playful tone in Faith's voice. He'd been worried that the thing with Dawn would have soured her mood, but apparently she'd taken his advice and wasn't letting it get to her. Which was good. Very good in fact, and he couldn't quite fight the proud little smile that tugged at his lips. She was trying, and little by little, she was actually doing it. "Well." He turned so he could face her, while still looking out at the crowd. "There's this gorgeous girl who just so happens to have earned herself a little celebration. And I couldn't let her down, now could I?"

And then he spotted them, first Andrea and then, a few minutes later, Ruby. He nodded to Andrea when she greeted them, and his smile broadened when both Andrea and Ruby congratulated Faith. She'd definitely earned those congratulations, in more ways than one. "That celebration part should be here in just one," the bartender finished filling the pitcher and passed it off to him, with four glasses, "now, actually."

Pike was happier than he'd been in a long time, and it showed. Sure, there was a big nasty apocalypse coming, and on top of that a Hell God running around, but right now he didn't care. That stuff would still be there tomorrow. Right now he just wanted to have fun with people he cared about, and god help anyone who rained on that parade.

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slayersocialwrk
2010-02-24 08:47 pm UTC (link)

Faith grinned at Pike, deciding to just ignore the comment about her being gorgeous. She knew she was hot, but that was it. Yeah, she was excited about the job. She didn't see it as anything other than a way to make money. It still made her feel a little weird that everyone was so happy she was working.

When Andrea and then Ruby showed up, Faith was both surprised and pleased she was used to people saying things, then not following through, which she was used to. She wasn't complaining though. Just happier than she thought she'd be.

When they both congratulated her, she blinked in surprise, then shrugged it off. "No big deal. But thanks." She meant the second part more than the first. When the bartender set the pitcher and glasses down, Faith snagged the pitcher, leaving the glasses for Pike. She moved to a table just as Ruby did, and dropped into a seat, setting the pitcher down. "Yeah, enough talk-time to drink."

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avengingwarrior
2010-02-24 10:19 pm UTC (link)

Andrea was a bit uneasy at seeing Ruby. She had sort of guessed that the other woman would be there but guessing it and having her quickly approaching were two entirely different things. She hadn't seen Ruby since the entire kryptonite situation. Which had been her but hadn't been her. And even if they hadn't had that to make things more than a bit awkward there was the fact that Andrea-in full self, both good and evil .. and that was just confusing-hadn't seen Ruby since Texas. Which was because Ruby had revealed that she'd been working for Team End World all along. However, whatever her feelings at the moment, this wasn't about her or Ruby or any problems and issues that they might need to talk on. This was about Faith. Nevertheless, Andrea's mouth curved upwards at a corner, in a tentative return smile.

"You're welcome." She said to Faith her smile becoming warmer before she sat herself down into an empty seat.

Leaning forward slightly on the table, she waited for Pike to arrive with the glasses. Wouldn't be too long since he'd been right behind Faith. "Whooo! Drink time." Andrea said sarcastically, even giving her finger a little twirl. However, her teasing smile showed that she was just joking.

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frostandsnow
2010-02-25 08:25 am UTC (link)

Ruby always felt sort of like she was cheating going drinking with people, it wasn't going to get her drunk and the one time she'd actually been drunk was that time with Sam, and her kitchen and his thievery of her fries. She'd had to make something that would give her the feeling cause she'd sort of wanted to share it. She liked the idea sometimes. But in this case she was happy to sit with friends and she supposed former ones that didn't forgive her lies just yet? Is that what they were. But all the same this night was for Faith. This night was hers and Ruby couldn't help but be impressed by the fact Pike had organised it all for her. It was adoreable of him.

"I could go for some of that" she added amused at Andrea at the little finger twirl. She'd just have to put aside the niggling worried about Andrea and what had almost happened with Sam. She had to just get on with things.

"I'd say we should do rounds as a challenge but apparently people say its unfair when I join in on those" she teased

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notafishie
2010-02-25 11:00 pm UTC (link)

Pike got there with the glasses just after Faith set the pitcher down. He would have suggested a drinking contest, if he had an IQ around that of a soap dish. A Slayer and a demon, either of which could drink him under the table. Andrea seemed human, but was he certain of it? Nope. A shot-for-shot contest would end in nothing but hilarious, and most likely humiliating, defeat for him.

There were the pool tables, though.

"I'm sure," he laughed, nodding at Ruby's words. "But that gives me an idea." He grinned devilishly and jerked his head towards one of the pool tables. "I propose a challenge. A game of pool. Every time one of us sinks a ball, the rest of us have to do a shot."

If it just so happened that Pike was really good at pool, well, that wasn't his fault. Not at all.

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slayersocialwrk
2010-02-26 02:23 am UTC (link)

Faith absently tapped out her cigarette in the ash tray on the table-which also showed progress. Normally, she would've tossed it on the floor. Or not bothered at all and smoked it down to the filter. As the glasses were set down, she lifted the pitcher and poured beer in each for all four of them. "I wouldn' mind a challenge, though the only one who'd be a match would be Ruby." She grinned all around, not meaning the words meanly in anyway.

When Pike suggested the pool game, she glanced over at the table. She had played her fair share over the months (before the coma) but wasn't a champ-though she usually ended up winning because she could hold her liquor better than her opponents.

Gotta love slayer metabolism.

So she gave a light shrug, looking to the other two women. "I'm game if you guys are."

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avengingwarrior
2010-02-26 03:18 am UTC (link)

"That is true." Andrea said. "As Andrea is a 'once-in-a-while-social' drinker." She hadn't taken offense. Instead she just took her drink and sipped a bit. Beer was not her fun time drink. She just belatedly recalled the brand Sam had introduced her too the last time they'd ... hung out. While completely themselves. She would have to go up later and ask for it. However, then, Pike was talking about pool and shots. Shots met other alcoholic drinks. Which she didn't frequently indulge in either but she had more tolerance in taste for.

Pool. Dios. When was the last time she'd played a game of pool? Likely in forever. She really could do with going out more.

Andrea sighed. Not wanting to be the party pooper and ... well, looking intrigued despite herself. Slowly nodding, "Okay." She replied. "I'm in."

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frostandsnow
2010-02-27 08:01 pm UTC (link)

"Pool it is then" said Ruby, the drinking plan seemingly not a favourite among those who it would effect. And she much prefered Andrea in charge of her own mind. The last time she hadn't been...well... Suffice to say Ruby hadn't enjoyed any single part of it much as she'd once believed she would. But that would have been under very different circumstances. Very different.

And now things with him were all strained. And Andrea she hadn't figured out yet.

"Never played it. Not something I ever considered I needed to learn but I've seen Sam. He's far too good at it, never bet against him" she added, a soft smile crossing her lips at the mere mention of him. Damn she needed to get a grip and just enjoy her night. Enjoy the company of friends. "Lets put me and Faith on different teams will we, otherwise its just mean, Pike, you're with me" she decided trying to keep her tone light.

Enjoy the night and celebrate Faith's job. That's what she had to do

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notafishie
2010-02-27 08:36 pm UTC (link)

Pike glanced at Ruby as she talked. As a guy who hustled pool on a more than regular occasion, he himself had claimed to have "never really played" on many different occasions. He had always walked out a richer man for it, if not always a man without bruises. Drunk bikers didn't like losing their money, for some reason.

Well, whatever. If she was hustling them, it would only benefit him in this little drinking challenge, so he was okay with it. Of course, he hadn't quite realized that with he and Faith on different teams, she would be free and clear to play dirty tricks to distract him.

In fact, he was actually betting on winning this game. That didn't necessarily mean pool, no. The entire point of this night was for Faith to just kick back and enjoy herself doing something normal and innocent. Whether he and Ruby won or lost the game, if Faith had fun, then it was a victory in Pike's book. "Well then." He grinned at them, tossed a playful wink at Faith, scooped up his cup in one hand and the pitcher in the other, and jerked his head toward a nearby table. "Shall we?"

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slayersocialwrk
2010-02-27 09:06 pm UTC (link)

Since everyone agreed, Faith stood with her own glass, taking a long drink as she did so, and headed for the table. She figured the others would follow. As she set her glass down again, she grabbed the triangle used to rack the balls and tossed it over to Pike-once he had at least one hand free, anyway. "Andrea'll break." She grinned over at the woman. "That okay, partner?"

It felt strange, saying that. For someone who wasn't used to working with others-okay, that wasn't true-for someone who didn't like working with others, having a partner for anything was weird. She didn't mind, though.

Hell, it was just pool.

And with Pike on the other team, she figured she could probably mess him up pretty good with distractions-no way did he have her concentration.

When he leaned over to get the balls ready, she found herself glancing over-partially checking him out, and partially making sure he was doing okay, considering he still had a hole in his side that hadn't fully healed. Maybe Andrea or Ruby knew of someone who could stitch him up a little better than Faith had.

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avengingwarrior
2010-02-28 07:25 pm UTC (link)

Andrea gave the pool table a Look, before grinning at Faith. Brow quirking slightly. She luckily enough remembered how to do that. Which should just make everything easier ... yeah right. "That's okay with me."

Andrea picked up one of the cues, looking at it before picking up another one and did what was necessary before moving to the table; using her right arm to break and her left-hand to guide. She was aware of the strength, as not to thrust the cue straight into the ball or something. When the balls scattered, she was both smug and relieved that she managed to knock a few of them in.

She adjusted her position slightly and aimed for another stripped ball. Which this time didn't go in.

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