Title: Nothing is Forever (1/2)
Author: Bert
Disclaimer: The usual
Rating: PG?
Summary: Alternate wishverse, B/X
Xander's thoughts in his final moments were about her, just as they have been since he first saw her. He knew that he was going to finally die this night, not that it was fated or anything but just a case either him or her. No contest really. In the calm just before the storm he remembered their first encounter.
---
It was early morning barely a month previously, he was on a late night patrol to see if there were any kids stupid enough to be out at this time. There usually were one or two stragglers every month and the lure of hunting alone was too much for him to ignore. Sounds of a struggle in the graveyard attracted his attention; quickly entering he kept to the shadows till he knew who or what he was dealing with. Then he saw her, a golden goddess dancing in the night...
---
His thoughts returned to the present, he'd known her for nearly a month, though it seemed like forever. Life would be so much more unbearable without her around. The master below was droning on about what a momentous occasion this was, blah, blah, blah. His thoughts once again returned to the past.
---
He watched from the shadows as she wandered around the cemetery. He was about to warn her that such an activity would get her killed when a newbie chose that moment to rise. Xander's instinct to rush forward and help was checked by the fighting stance she quickly shifted into.
Well, well, well he thought, it seems there was more to this girl than beauty alone. He watched impressed as she easily dispatched the vampire with not inconsiderable skill, as well as the other three that night. It wasn't until the next night that he discovered her name, Buffy, the vampire slayer.
---
A nudge from Willow momentarily brought him back to the present. He smiled down at her, they had been inseparable as kids and still they were together. Buffy, he sighed, relishing the brief moments they had.
---
Xander's usual pattern changed the next night, instead of going out into town with Willow as was his custom; he went to watch her instead. He found them patrolling another cemetery this evening, the clapped out watcher and his young charge. That she was a vampire slayer was no longer any doubt, not after she had dispatched four vampires the previous evening. He watched them from the shadows, the irony of a vampire watching a slayer and a watcher was not lost on him.
"Buffy, look out" the Giles shouted.
She quickly turned around and let loose a flying kick to the vampire's chest as it tried to grab her from behind. Quickly taking advantage of its stunned state she rammed home the stake.
"Buffy" Xander softly said her name, it seemed so right coming from his lips.
The slayer in question whirled about looking for a new enemy; she could have sworn she heard someone say her name. With a last glance into the darkness she silently followed her watcher home, unaware of being followed herself.
---
The crowd below clapped at something the master said. Willow snaked her arm around his waist, Xander carefully kept the distaste he felt from showing. Willow fancied that she loved him but he knew it could never be. He belonged to another.
---
It all changed a week after he learned her name. She had got cocky and was unprepared for the group of vampires that attacked her. She put up a brave fight but eventually a brutal backhand had sent her sprawling. She was knocked out cold as her head hit the gravestone. Xander felt the rage build within, they had dared to harm what was his. Leaping forward he quickly dispatched the vampires that remained, they didn't stand a chance. Finding a lack of things to kill he let himself calm down and resume his human face. Sniffing, he smelt traces of blood, looking down he saw the patch of red that matted her blonde hair. Gently he picked her up and carried her home, he hadn't been there since he killed his parents, but at least she would be safe from the others.
---
Xander smiled, not at the master's terrible joke but at the way Willow reacted when she found out about them. What had happened was as much her fault as his, but he couldn't hate her, not his Willow. Then again he couldn't love her either, maybe that was punishment enough.
---
Xander was sitting there with Buffy in his lap when she regained consciousness. He had his arms gently around her when she awoke with a start.
"What?" she struggled to move.
"Shhh, your safe" Xander gently stroked her hair.
To his surprise she didn't question him but snuggled in closer. Gently he caressed her face, lifting it slightly so he could look into her eyes. "You're beautiful" he whispered.
Buffy instinctively reached up to touch the scar that marred her face, Xander quickly grabbed her arm, with a finger he gently traced the mark, "I said you are beautiful."
Buffy studied his eyes for any hint of insincerity, she found none. For some reason she felt safe in his cold arms. Then realization struck her, pushing Xander away she leapt of the bed, "Get away from me you undead freak" she yelled.
Pain and hurt flashed in Xander's eyes then concern as he saw Buffy start to fall. Getting up he caught her before she could hit the floor.
She awoke again a couple of hours before dawn, again in Xander's arms. She struggled to break free, but this time Xander just tightened his grip and held on, he didn't want to let go.
"You shouldn't have got up so fast with that head injury, don't do it again" he admonished.
He slipped out from under her and stood up. Buffy moved to follow but was forcibly restrained by his hand, "Stay"
He studied for a short while memorizing every detail since it was unlikely he would ever be this close to the slayer again.
"I've got to go, the sun will rise soon."
"Good" Buffy snarled
Xander just gave her a sad smile, "rest for a while, the others can't enter so you're safe"
With great daring he leant down and gave her a gentle kiss. "Be seeing you" he whispered and quickly left.
He never saw the look of hate pass across Buffy's face quickly followed by a radiant smile as she touched her lips where he had.
---
God, didn't he ever shut-up Xander wondered. If they weren't already dead they soon will be from the boredom. To one side Willow watched in rapt attention taking in all that was said. His gaze wandered towards the cages. He could have sworn that some of the occupants were looking at the machine almost wistfully.
---
Buffy was absent from the streets for next few nights, Xander had looked high and low for any sign but she wasn't to be found. Instead he spent time prowling with Willow before she became too suspicious about his nightly absenteeism. Then he found her again where he had left her.
Passing his house one night he saw a flicker of light from his old bedroom window, entering the house silently he expected to find a petty thief. Instead he found Buffy sitting on his bed looking at his scrapbook.
"Snoop much" he asked standing in the doorway.
Buffy jumped at the sound of his voice and raised her stake threateningly towards him.
Xander raised an eyebrow, "if you intend using that then lets get it over with."
She suddenly seemed hesitant, uncertain, "Why?" she finally asked.
"Why what?" he asked confused.
"I've been doing some research on you" she blushed glancing down at the pictures, "you killed your parents"
It wasn't a question, "I'm a vampire its what we do"
Buffy shook her head, "You didn't feed from them, so why?"
She watched conflicting emotions cross his face, then become stone cold. But his brown eyes betrayed the pain he was feeling from the memories her questions brought up.
"I used to have to spend Christmas camping," he said.
"So? Lots of families go on trips during the holidays"
"You don't understand. I used to sleep in the garden, it was easier that way." a single bloody tear ran down his cheek, "and things were better at Christmas" he hated her for this, forcing him to remember his past life, making him appear weak before her. These ghosts had been laid to rest long ago but she was forcing them to the surface to haunt him once again.
Buffy was confused on the one hand she felt sorry for him, on the other she was supposed to hate him for what he is and the anguish he has caused.
"You looked happy" she flipped through the pictures.
"It was better to laugh than to cry."
She locked gazes with Xander, "Why did you save me?"
Xander didn't know what to say, he was having trouble articulating what he felt towards her, "you're beautiful, it should be cherished because there's so damn little of it present in my world" he finished lamely.
Her gaze dropped to the floor for a moment, carefully closing the album she stood up and raised the stake. "I'm sorry," she said as she slowly approached him.
Xander closed his eyes waiting for the end to come, expecting the stake to pierce his heart and finish his existence. Instead Buffy gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "be seeing you" she whispered before running off.
---
Xander touched his cheek where Buffy had first kissed him, the touch had filled him with joy. The master was still talking, you would have thought he'd be tired of his own voice after all these centuries. She was right, he is trapped, he emoted too much to be fully part of the group yet couldn't leave because of what he was. For the first time Xander hated the master for the life denied him.
Author: Bert
Disclaimer: The usual
Rating: PG?
Summary: Alternate wishverse, B/X
Xander's thoughts in his final moments were about her, just as they have been since he first saw her. He knew that he was going to finally die this night, not that it was fated or anything but just a case either him or her. No contest really. In the calm just before the storm he remembered their first encounter.
---
It was early morning barely a month previously, he was on a late night patrol to see if there were any kids stupid enough to be out at this time. There usually were one or two stragglers every month and the lure of hunting alone was too much for him to ignore. Sounds of a struggle in the graveyard attracted his attention; quickly entering he kept to the shadows till he knew who or what he was dealing with. Then he saw her, a golden goddess dancing in the night...
---
His thoughts returned to the present, he'd known her for nearly a month, though it seemed like forever. Life would be so much more unbearable without her around. The master below was droning on about what a momentous occasion this was, blah, blah, blah. His thoughts once again returned to the past.
---
He watched from the shadows as she wandered around the cemetery. He was about to warn her that such an activity would get her killed when a newbie chose that moment to rise. Xander's instinct to rush forward and help was checked by the fighting stance she quickly shifted into.
Well, well, well he thought, it seems there was more to this girl than beauty alone. He watched impressed as she easily dispatched the vampire with not inconsiderable skill, as well as the other three that night. It wasn't until the next night that he discovered her name, Buffy, the vampire slayer.
---
A nudge from Willow momentarily brought him back to the present. He smiled down at her, they had been inseparable as kids and still they were together. Buffy, he sighed, relishing the brief moments they had.
---
Xander's usual pattern changed the next night, instead of going out into town with Willow as was his custom; he went to watch her instead. He found them patrolling another cemetery this evening, the clapped out watcher and his young charge. That she was a vampire slayer was no longer any doubt, not after she had dispatched four vampires the previous evening. He watched them from the shadows, the irony of a vampire watching a slayer and a watcher was not lost on him.
"Buffy, look out" the Giles shouted.
She quickly turned around and let loose a flying kick to the vampire's chest as it tried to grab her from behind. Quickly taking advantage of its stunned state she rammed home the stake.
"Buffy" Xander softly said her name, it seemed so right coming from his lips.
The slayer in question whirled about looking for a new enemy; she could have sworn she heard someone say her name. With a last glance into the darkness she silently followed her watcher home, unaware of being followed herself.
---
The crowd below clapped at something the master said. Willow snaked her arm around his waist, Xander carefully kept the distaste he felt from showing. Willow fancied that she loved him but he knew it could never be. He belonged to another.
---
It all changed a week after he learned her name. She had got cocky and was unprepared for the group of vampires that attacked her. She put up a brave fight but eventually a brutal backhand had sent her sprawling. She was knocked out cold as her head hit the gravestone. Xander felt the rage build within, they had dared to harm what was his. Leaping forward he quickly dispatched the vampires that remained, they didn't stand a chance. Finding a lack of things to kill he let himself calm down and resume his human face. Sniffing, he smelt traces of blood, looking down he saw the patch of red that matted her blonde hair. Gently he picked her up and carried her home, he hadn't been there since he killed his parents, but at least she would be safe from the others.
---
Xander smiled, not at the master's terrible joke but at the way Willow reacted when she found out about them. What had happened was as much her fault as his, but he couldn't hate her, not his Willow. Then again he couldn't love her either, maybe that was punishment enough.
---
Xander was sitting there with Buffy in his lap when she regained consciousness. He had his arms gently around her when she awoke with a start.
"What?" she struggled to move.
"Shhh, your safe" Xander gently stroked her hair.
To his surprise she didn't question him but snuggled in closer. Gently he caressed her face, lifting it slightly so he could look into her eyes. "You're beautiful" he whispered.
Buffy instinctively reached up to touch the scar that marred her face, Xander quickly grabbed her arm, with a finger he gently traced the mark, "I said you are beautiful."
Buffy studied his eyes for any hint of insincerity, she found none. For some reason she felt safe in his cold arms. Then realization struck her, pushing Xander away she leapt of the bed, "Get away from me you undead freak" she yelled.
Pain and hurt flashed in Xander's eyes then concern as he saw Buffy start to fall. Getting up he caught her before she could hit the floor.
She awoke again a couple of hours before dawn, again in Xander's arms. She struggled to break free, but this time Xander just tightened his grip and held on, he didn't want to let go.
"You shouldn't have got up so fast with that head injury, don't do it again" he admonished.
He slipped out from under her and stood up. Buffy moved to follow but was forcibly restrained by his hand, "Stay"
He studied for a short while memorizing every detail since it was unlikely he would ever be this close to the slayer again.
"I've got to go, the sun will rise soon."
"Good" Buffy snarled
Xander just gave her a sad smile, "rest for a while, the others can't enter so you're safe"
With great daring he leant down and gave her a gentle kiss. "Be seeing you" he whispered and quickly left.
He never saw the look of hate pass across Buffy's face quickly followed by a radiant smile as she touched her lips where he had.
---
God, didn't he ever shut-up Xander wondered. If they weren't already dead they soon will be from the boredom. To one side Willow watched in rapt attention taking in all that was said. His gaze wandered towards the cages. He could have sworn that some of the occupants were looking at the machine almost wistfully.
---
Buffy was absent from the streets for next few nights, Xander had looked high and low for any sign but she wasn't to be found. Instead he spent time prowling with Willow before she became too suspicious about his nightly absenteeism. Then he found her again where he had left her.
Passing his house one night he saw a flicker of light from his old bedroom window, entering the house silently he expected to find a petty thief. Instead he found Buffy sitting on his bed looking at his scrapbook.
"Snoop much" he asked standing in the doorway.
Buffy jumped at the sound of his voice and raised her stake threateningly towards him.
Xander raised an eyebrow, "if you intend using that then lets get it over with."
She suddenly seemed hesitant, uncertain, "Why?" she finally asked.
"Why what?" he asked confused.
"I've been doing some research on you" she blushed glancing down at the pictures, "you killed your parents"
It wasn't a question, "I'm a vampire its what we do"
Buffy shook her head, "You didn't feed from them, so why?"
She watched conflicting emotions cross his face, then become stone cold. But his brown eyes betrayed the pain he was feeling from the memories her questions brought up.
"I used to have to spend Christmas camping," he said.
"So? Lots of families go on trips during the holidays"
"You don't understand. I used to sleep in the garden, it was easier that way." a single bloody tear ran down his cheek, "and things were better at Christmas" he hated her for this, forcing him to remember his past life, making him appear weak before her. These ghosts had been laid to rest long ago but she was forcing them to the surface to haunt him once again.
Buffy was confused on the one hand she felt sorry for him, on the other she was supposed to hate him for what he is and the anguish he has caused.
"You looked happy" she flipped through the pictures.
"It was better to laugh than to cry."
She locked gazes with Xander, "Why did you save me?"
Xander didn't know what to say, he was having trouble articulating what he felt towards her, "you're beautiful, it should be cherished because there's so damn little of it present in my world" he finished lamely.
Her gaze dropped to the floor for a moment, carefully closing the album she stood up and raised the stake. "I'm sorry," she said as she slowly approached him.
Xander closed his eyes waiting for the end to come, expecting the stake to pierce his heart and finish his existence. Instead Buffy gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "be seeing you" she whispered before running off.
---
Xander touched his cheek where Buffy had first kissed him, the touch had filled him with joy. The master was still talking, you would have thought he'd be tired of his own voice after all these centuries. She was right, he is trapped, he emoted too much to be fully part of the group yet couldn't leave because of what he was. For the first time Xander hated the master for the life denied him.