Sometimes, he enjoyed using his influence to hurry things into obscurity.

He knew she’d be here tonight, and that was precisely the reason he’d come to the show in the first place. He could tell being forced to work a demeaning job was wearing on her, especially since he’d been able to keep her nosy friend out of a job entirely. Since he knew he couldn’t drive a wedge between them, he’d just have to do his best to wear them both down.

As for her new relationship, he knew of several ways to kill a vampire.

He stepped back and absently surveyed the loft with satisfaction. The small chair and table had been set up perfectly to allow him to watch the festivities below without detection and still be reasonably comfortable. Now all that was left to do was wait for the end of small but surprisingly significant chapter in his life.

Xero: “I should have known you’d survive that attack.”

Andy spun around, nearly losing his balance in the act. He tried blinking several times to clear his vision, and yet the man continued to exist despite all reasoning.

Andy: “You…”
Xero: “Died? Yeah, and it hurt like a sonofbitch, too. Though I have to admit, it was almost worth it to finally get a chance to see you shocked by something.”
Andy: “The attack or your sudden return from the grave?”
Xero: “Either.”

Andy: “Sorry to disappoint, but it’s really not completely shocking to see you. I have to commend your entrance, but that’s about it. Ghosts are pretty run of the mill.”
Xero: “Look again, Stone. I’m every bit as alive as you are, right down to the breathing and beating heart.”
Andy: “Nice trick.”
Xero: “One of my finer pieces of work, yeah. I think I wasted too much of my cunning the first time I was alive.”

Andy: “So why are you here? Have you come to get your revenge on me for ending that pathetic existence of yours?”
Xero: “Actually that’s the interesting thing – I originally had no intention of even bothering with you. Sure, you shot me in cold blood and then had your clean-up crew make absolutely certain I was out of the picture, but it didn’t take long for me to realize you’d done me a favor. Not that I wanted to die exactly, but you see, I’ve seen things in the Underworld, been around gods in fact. You’re pretty small fish, Stone. I realize that now, and I don’t much hold it against you.”
Andy: “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re here, with me, now.”
Xero: “Funny thing, isn’t it? It’s like this form was drawn here, drawn to you. Bummer of a way to start my new life.”

Andy: “Then I suppose you’re here as a sort of ‘Ghost of Christmas Future’, come to show me the error of my ways? If you are, you’re doing way too much talking for the role; it detracts from your message.”
Xero: “Nah, nothing like that at all. If anything, I think there are several ‘people of interest’ in the Underworld that would like to see you do more of your dastardly deeds.”

Andy: “So how’d you do it?”
Xero: “You would like to know that, wouldn’t you? Good old Andrew Stone, always making sure to have a contingency plan.”
Andy: “You know what they say: always be prepared.”
Xero: “Sage advice.”
Andy: “So…?”

Xero: “I ran into a mutual friend of ours and hitched a ride back with him. Take my advice; don’t put a bullet through your man Glass. He’s someone you definitely want to keep around and have on your side.”
Andy: “He has yet to disappoint me. He and his sister have been indispensable.”
Xero: “Jade’s still around? I’m gonna have to look her up when we’re through here.”
Andy: “Why wait? Why not just take off now before there’s a crowd?”
Xero: “Maybe I’m interested in catching the show. Who’s playing?”

Andy stared evenly at the man in front of him. He may have returned from the grave, but he was anything but omnipotent. He was more or less the same as when he’d been alive; a little more fearless, perhaps, but otherwise unchanged. He’d been a brilliant mathematician, but severely lacking in common sense.

Andy: “Just an old investment of mine. Tonight’s their final show -- maybe you should head downstairs, give yourself the opportunity to see the band up-close and personal instead of from way up here.”
Xero: “’Old investment’? You mean they left you for new management, and obviously you’re still stinging from it because you’re lurking up here in the shadows instead of getting your own primo location on the floor. The real question is, why are you trying to get rid of me?”

Andy smiled easily.

Andy: “Actually, Dr. Jenkins, the real question is: Why would you want to hang out with the man who murdered you? You’re welcome to stay, of course. I just sincerely hope you don’t plan on talking through the entire gig.”
Xero: “Are you threatening me?”
Andy: “I don’t make threats. I just wonder if you’re willing to test whether or not returning from the dead has made you immortal.”

Xero seemed to ponder this new piece of information, working it over carefully. After a few moments of careful consideration, he seemed to reach a conclusion within himself.

Xero: “There certainly are other people I would rather spend my evening with. At least if I go downstairs for the show I can get something a bit more potent to drink than water.”
Andy: “Go and have yourself a good time. Celebrate your return to the land of the living in style.”
Xero: “Sounds a bit like a slogan.”
Andy: “I’ve probably spent too many years with people in advertising departments. Dangerous idiots, the lot of them.”

Xero: “You have yourself an enjoyable evening, Mr. Stone. I’m almost positive we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”
Andy: “I thought you were over your old life.”
Xero: “Maybe. But maybe after the newness wears off we’ll have a few things to ‘discuss.’”
Andy: “You always were a fool, Jenkins.”
Xero: “Things change, Stone.”

Andy watched in mild amusement as Dr. Xero Jenkins turn and head down the stairs dramatically.

Andy: “Quite incorrect, Xero. Nothing really changes.”