Home cookin'

Xander smiled at his girlfriend as they ambled up the front walk to the Summers house.

"Why are we doing this again?" Cordelia asked petulantly.

"Because Joyce promised to pay me back for unloading crap for her gallery and I decided on some good ol' home cooking as payment." Xander answered.

"Uh huh." Cordelia canted her head away from him, "You know she's a grown woman, she doesnt need you hovering constantly, making sure shes okay."

Xander stopped and sighed. "Cordy, she's been thru a lot. And as the only parent the Scoob's have- yours included- who is worth a damn, I'm gonna make sure Missus S is ok."

Cordelia glared for a second.

Xander met her glare and narrowed his eyes, "Prove me wrong, Cordy, prove me wrong."

With a chuff of air Cordelia looked away, "Fiiiine."

"Good. Now lets us enjoy a home cooked meal by our friends mother." Xander held out his hand for Cordelia to take and once they were hand in hand they made their way up the front walk to the door.

Xander looked at Cordelia as they stood in front of the door. "Lets see if she took our lecture on Vamps to heart."

Xander knocked and soon after they heard the feint reply from inside. "I'm busy in the kitchen... uhm... the door is unlocked."

Xander smiled as Cordelia opened the door with a slight bob of her head, "She's learning."

Cordelia stopped in the door and stared at something forcing Xander to turn to the side and slide in around her. Once inside Xander looked at what Cordelia was staring at and found the weird statue from earlier as the centerpiece of the dining table.

"The hell is that?" Cordelia waved at it as she stared, eyes fixed on it.

"Just a weird thing she got in the shipment today." Xander shrugged, "Wonder why she brought it home?"

"Would you want some bikini babe thing that looks like a 13 year old boys spank material in your art gallery?" Cordy asked. She stared at the statue and could almost swear it was staring back at her, judging her almost. "There's something weird about that thing."

"Point." Xander nodded.

"Hello Xander. Hello Cordelia." Joyce called as she walked out of the kitchen.

"Wow." Xander said taking in their host. Cordelia made a similar sound of surprise as Joyce came close dressed in her best dress, with her highest heels on with her hair and make up done with her best jewelry on. An overly cliched frilly apron provided her ensemble some protection.

"You said this was casual." Cordelia slapped at his arm. She then grabbed at his arm suddenly and petted it, "Sorry."

Joyce tittered as she stepped to the teens and hugged them one after another, kissing them on the cheek in turn. "It was supposed to be..." she tittered again, "But I realized about an hour ago that I dont often get to entertain so, I thought, why not go all out."

"You look fantastic." Xander said quickly.

"You look like a stepford wife." Cordelia mumbled to herself. "Is that a push up bra?"

Xander shot her a look when he deciphered her grumbles. "Rude."

"Come sit down, everything is almost ready." Joyce put her hand on Xander's shoulder and guided him to the dining room.

Stepping into the room Cordelia couldnt help but look at the weird statue. "Is it just me or is that thing frowning at us?"

Joyce and Xander shared a look at the statue and then at Cordelia.

"I think thats just you, Cordy." Xander looked at the statue again.

"Weird." Cordelia shook her head.

"Well it is Sunnydale." Xander said with a shrug before holding out a chair for Cordelia.

"That thing is safe, right?" Cordelia asked, her mind going to the ither wierd things that happened in this town.

"We can talk, uhm, shop later." Joyce interjected. "Tonight lets just enjoy some good food with good friends."

"Right, what could possibly go wrong." Cordelia asked herself