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Dating for Dummies

By Rach

Xander stared at the movie, trying to follow the plot and at the same time attempting to figure out what was acceptable for a first date with Cordelia Chase. It wasn't something he'd ever anticipated having to do. He moved his hand towards her knee three or four times, and every time moved it back again before he'd even touched her.

"Oh for crap's sake," she hissed, grabbing his hand and slapping it down onto her knee. "We've made out in god knows how many closets, and you're still Mr Reluctant about a little leg touching?"

Looking around him nervously, Xander noticed a couple of people staring, and blushed. Turning his attention back to the screen, he tried to figure out exactly what was going on with Cameron Diaz. Was she stupid or something? Maybe he should have been paying attention from the start. He hadn't wanted to see the stupid romance movie anyway, but he'd been reliably informed from Buffy and Willow that an action movie isn't the way to a girl's heart. He had to admit that most of the tips they'd given him - in between the snarky comments - had been helpful - so far, he'd hardly screwed up at all.

Cordelia slipped her hand onto Xander's, and left it there for a few seconds, before carefully guiding his hand up her leg, until it slipped under her skirt. She didn't take her eyes from the screen, but felt Xander tense up next to her, obviously too frightened to either take things and further, or remove his hand completely.

For the first time, she realised she was going to have to play this one differently. She'd never dated a loser before - sure, there had been the odd geek that she'd taken advantage of, because what girl doesn't like to be adored every now and always, but never a date. It made a change from the guys who usually dated, who seemed to be on a timer of some sorts. How long will it take to get Cordy into bed? That was why most of her relationships ended - she wouldn't give them what they wanted. Just because she was popular didn't make her a slut.

She could tell she was going to have to take Xander under her wing, so to speak - and on the plus side for him, if they ever did split up, Xander might come out the other end a little more eligible in the eyes of Sunnydale High's female populace.

After a while, Xander relaxed back into his seat, and began to gently stroke Cordelia's thigh, the movement making Cordelia shiver with longing. As the movie went on, Xander became more and more confident, with a little kiss here, a tickle there, all the while continuing stroking her thigh. He could tell she was enjoying that part.

He actually started getting nervous again when the movie was drawing to a close. As the credits rolled up, Cordelia stretched, smiling. "That was great," she whispered, leaning close to Xander's face. "And I don't just mean the movie."

He stood, and she held out her hand. Taking it, he pulled her out of her seat, and into his arms, where she leant in for a kiss. He smiled. Making out, he could do.

As the other couples began to leave, Cordelia led Xander out of the theatre and into the street, where the cold surprised her. Noticing her shiver, he slipped off his jacket and put it round her shoulders. Wrapping it round her gratefully, she realised that maybe he wasn't as much of a dating virgin as she'd thought.

"So," she smiled. "What did you think of that?"

"What did I … what?" He stammered.

"The movie. Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts. Rupert Everett, remember?"

"The movie. Right. It … uhh … it wasn't exactly my thing."

"Xander, you weren't paying attention, were you?"

He looked at the ground sheepishly. "Not in the strictest sense of paying attention … no …" He glanced at her. "You've got to understand that this is new territory for me, Cordy! I'm not used to girls even returning my calls, and here we are, on an actual date, and we've made out, and then you, with the thigh thing -"

She laughed, and placed her hand on the side of his face. "It's okay. I get it."

"You do?" He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God for that, because I really wasn't sure where I was going to go after that …"

Cordelia laughed. "Come on, walk me home."

"So that's what happens next, huh?" She slipped an arm through his, laughing.

"Yeah, that's what happens."

The walk to Cordelia's house passed quickly, the two of them actually talking for the first time since the whole thing began. Quite possibly the first time ever. As they reached her front door, she turned to him, and took his hands.

"So, them you put these here," she whispered, placing them around her waist. "And then I do this." She looked up at him, and hooked her own arms around his neck.

"This part, I think I remember," he whispered, leaning in for a goodnight kiss. As they part, Cordelia noticed their breath steaming in the cold night air. She let go, and he stepped away from her.

"Goodnight, Cordy."

"Night, Xander."

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