The sunlight seemed to draft through the front bay of the Summers house with a twinkle that it hadn’t held in a very long time. Little beams danced across the usually dark and depressive pile of tri-folded papers and sparkled over the metal body of the pen in the Slayer’s hand.
A warrior quite used to the strength of her carved stake, she now cut her opponent down to size with the sure craft of controlled black ink.
“Buffy... Anne... Summers.” Buffy whispered as if almost to remind herself of just who wielded this power as she signed her name to the bottom of the blue and white bank cheque. “Take that Mr. Sunnydale Hospital Accounts Payable.” With a flourish she handed the rectangle of paper off to Dawn who waited impatiently with an envelope. “Stuff and lick Lady Dawn the Mighty.”
“Oh yeah.” Dawn took the cheque and made it do a small dance, accompanied by jolly tune as she put it in and stuck the flap down.
“Who is next Sir Xander?” Buffy looked at the carpenter who was going through the stacks to marry the same accounts together and piling them in priority.
“The Evil Mistress of Electricity, three payments behind.” Xander tore off the repayment portion and presented it to Buffy.
“Stake her, stake her.” Dawn bounced in her place.
“Three payments, I scoff at her three payments.” Buffy positioned her checkbook and with a mighty swipe of her pen made out the full amount. “And I raise her pre-authorized debt!” She tore off another check writing void across it to include for future payments.
“How many more have we got?” The teenager looked over to Xander.
“Mmmmm let me see.” He leafed through pages. “Hospital, electricity, mortgage, phone, credit cards all paid. Al that’s left is a subscription to Teen Fashion magazine.”
“I have to pay that.” Dawn looked down briefly her face losing its bright smile
“How much is it for?” Buffy looked at her sister.
“Don’t know.” She looked over at Xander.
“Twelve fifty for the year.” Xander laughed as he handed over the bill.
“I think we can cover it but you’re doing dishes for the next week deal?” Buffy grinned as she began another cheque
“Deal.” Dawn’s smile was back instantly.
“When are you expecting Giles back?” Anya asked from her place on the couch.
“Should be soon, he just had to see the manager and make the deposit.” Buffy looked over at her. “What’s the total left?”
“Well that depends on if you have had any more thoughts about investments.” The demon glanced up from her notepad.
“Talk to me.” Buffy leaned back twirling her pen.
“Oh this is so cool.” Dawn squeaked from her place interrupting the conversation. “We have money.” She clapped.
“Some money, no going insane.” Buffy smiled softly. “We have to be responsible.”
“But Xander said there might be rewards from all the returned property.” Dawn looked over to the carpenter. “We could go insane with that.”
“There might be indeed.” Xander nodded firmly.
“Anya, what do you think?” Buffy turned and looked at the demon. “Invest, splurge or save?”
“Well that would depend, I would probably say invest in some major life insurances.” She put forward humourlessly.
“Anya, I think Buffy is asking you for some honest input in a field that you have the most influence in.” Xander coughed at looked at his ex. “Without mentioning the life insurance.”
“Not that I don’t want to listen to this but isn’t it time we woke Willow for her pills?” Dawn asked though if she was honest she didn’t want to listen to money talk that didn’t involve what colour sneakers she was getting or how many new tops.
“It is. Can you take care of that?” Buffy looked at her sister with a gentle smile.
“Yep, I’ll get right on it.” Dawn pushed up and towards the kitchen.
******
at: 8/30/02 2:08:21 am
I look forward to reading the epsiode. 
at: 7/31/02 4:46:37 pm
X 