like it or not

Joey didn't feel he'd lost touch. Not really. But then again, he was in his own little world.

It was best not to say much to his superiors. Just keep his head down and work.

He was on target with his bills and his debt.  And he never went out, anymore.

But even going to the grocery store, frightened him. As long as no one spoke to him and he got the task done, Joey was fine. Always on time.

"Hey," The voice wasn't even familiar to him. "How's it going?" He didn't want to look up, but finally he managed to look over his shoulder.

There he was.

Joey looked at Xander as if he might be a figment of his imagination.

"I haven't seen you for awhile." Xander went on talking like they did this conversation everyday. Joey looked down at his clipboard, practically ignoring Xander. Joey went on with his work as if he couldn't be bothered.

Xander crossed his arms and waited, but Joey didn't have any answers for him. He didn't like questions anymore.

"I don't even know why... you, even bother." Josie told Xander what she thought about Joey, when Xander dropped off the few items he'd picked up for her at the grocery store.

She didn't like going to the grocery store anymore. If she did, it was with Henry. It had been rainy lately and all she wanted to do, was stay in and crochet.

"He's so rude, why do you put yourself through this?" Josie put her dairy away, then went back to pull out the string cheese. She handed one to Xander.

"Well..." Of course, Xander didn't have an answer for her.

"Please don't tell me you have feelings for that rotten jerk." She snapped as if he better listen to her.

"No..its not like that. I just wonder if..you know..he's OK." Xander shrugged as he opened the cheese for Josie and gave it back to her.

"So maybe..maybe..he is having a hard time, getting over you..but don't make it worse." She gave him a stern look and bit into her cheese. She remembered the apple juice then and poured both of them a glass.

"All right..I see your point, but there is something..." Xander winced hard. "Something strange going on with him."

"Are you sure? Or is this just your way of avoiding the issue, that you and Ducky..could..I dunno..go on a vacation together..or something." Josie gave him the eye.

"Look, Ducky's mother is making Friday night dinner." Xander informed her things were progressing slowly, but nicely in their so-called romance. "Where would we go, on vacation?" Xander looked at her almost horrified.

"I dunno, some place fun." She would gladly show him her list.