Author's Note: In the movie I noticed that Pike was similar in some ways to Xander. (Killing his best friend, joking around, never really 'cool', a whole bunch of other stuff I really don't want to get into right now) So I got an idea. At this point my ears started to smoke and I called the fire department immediately. After that I decided to write a story where Pike wasn't with Buffy in LA, Xander was. And for reasons that don't need to be explored at this juncture, at least not at this particular time, followed her to Sunnydale. I guess this would be AU fic. (Did I get it right? do I get a gold star?) I hope you guys have as much fun reading it as I do writing it. Oh, and please review, good or bad. (No flames please....)
________________________________________________________________________
"What's up Jesse?"
"Didga hear? Two new students, from LA." Jesse jumped over the crowd finally finding his friend.
Nothing happened in this small town, nothing but the cheerleader bake sale. She was so focused on the conversation in hand that she forgot about the railing and bumped right into it.
Jesse though, who was fully aware of his friends geeky clumsiness caught her before she hit the ground. She shook it off like a hundred times before and chose not to even acknowledge it even happened, instead she continued with their conversation.
"So do you know if these people are Cordelia Club type or are they more likely to be future members of the WHCC?"
"Really Will you are way too proud of being a member."
"Hey! I am the president. I can be a proud president."
"Well they haven't actually arrived yet, so I don't know what they are like yet. But we are optimists. Come young padawan, homeroom awaits. We have Vecchio so I'll throw spit balls at him while he sleeps and you can copy down the notes for the next five classes."
****************
"Here we are." Joyce Summers pulled up to the new high school. The campus was bright and sunny, and the students seemed enthusiastic, which was very different than the occupants of the car.
"Now I know this school will be different. You will make friends in no time. And hey, you could even join teams again. Like the cheerleading squad, or swim team, or heck even yearbook."
"Yearbook?" The two teens questioned.
"Whatever. Just... stay out of trouble, Ok?"
"Yes mom."
"Yes Mrs. Summers."
The two teens exited the car, hoping they wouldn't get a seventh pep talk this morning.
"It actually looks half way normal."
"I thought we learned that looks like isn't what it actually is?"
"We did, I just want to be an optimist." She turned to her friend who already had his eyes on her.
"Ready Buff?"
"Right behind ya Xand."
**********************
"Both your transcripts seem... well..."
"Colorful?"
"Burning down the school gym is not colorful."
"Yeah but we had to make sure there was no more Vamp-" Buffy hit her friend.
"Asbestos. There was a lot of asbestos in that gym."
"Asbestos or not, if either of you two burn anything in this school... well how about we think of it this way, this is a new school, a new start. Which means new attitudes, and hopefully new folders with new awards like honor roll in them. Are we clear?"
"Crystal Sir." They practically ran for the door, this wasn't exactly turning out to be the best day of either of their lives.
"Well that was peachy with a side of keen. What's up next, rectal surgery?"
"Oh and thanks for almost getting us both committed to the psycho ward."
Xander gave Buffy a hug, "I really am sorry about that Buff."
She nodded in acceptance.
"So what's the schedule?"
"Umm History. And on the paper its right there I just can't figure out where we are." She then looked closer and sheepishly turned it around. Xander looked up from the map and walked up to a red head.
"Excuse me, could you help us we are trying to find the history classroom."
She looked up at him for a moment as if she were a squirrel about to be run over.
"You're one of the new kids."
"Hence the not knowing where I'm going."
"Sure, it's down that hall and the fourth door on the right."
"Thanks."
"I'm glad I could have- Help! Glad I could help you."
He gave her one of his Xander patented half smiles and walked away with Buffy.
"Xander I'm so glad I can have you!" Buffy couldn't contain her laughter. "God you've been here for five minutes and already you're a heartbreaker. What am I going to do with you?"
"Hey! Can I help it if I'm irresistible? She seemed nice. I liked her."
"Yeah, I have to admit she seemed halfway decent, and I loved her shoes! I say we try to find her at lunch."
"Cool. Here we are. Oh look 'Black plague' is written on the black board. Yup, better and better."
*******************
The bell rang and before Buffy could thank the girl for sharing the book Xander spoke up.
"Buffy, I'm getting a soda, you want?"
"Sure."
He then bolted out of the classroom, clearly not wanting to stay for another rousing speech of fleas feeding off the blood of their host.
"Hi Buffy, I'm Cordelia."
"Hey, thanks for letting me borrow your book."
"Well you can get one of your very own at the library."
"And that would be which way?"
"Come on, let me show you. So studly, you're boyfriend-"
"Xander is not my boyfriend. We're strictly friends."
"So how did you two get to move to the same place?"
"My mom unofficially became his guardian. His parents had to move to the Swiss Alps so the IRS couldn't find them..."
"Wow, you're lives seem so exciting. You know nothing really happens in a one star bucks town like this. You guys are pretty much the big news around here. Its good that neither of you are losers, or all that gossip would have been wasted. You might want to come to the Bronze tonight, be seen with my crew and me. Your coolness points would go through the roof."
"Sure, I'll try."
"And bring you're friend. You two are going to love it here. Here we are, the library."
Cordelia walked away, finally. "Gosh she's as deep as a kiddy swimming pool."
The library was quiet, as most libraries are, but this one was so quiet it was creepy.
"Hello? Is anybody here?" She looked behind the desk, and almost out of some kind of reflex looked to see if there was a dead body on the floor.
When she backed up from the counter she hit something solid, which was the last thing she expected.
"I guess anybody's here."
"Miss Summers?"
"I guess we are the only new kids."
"I am Mr. Giles, I think I have what you're looking for."
"Cool, so like you know all my classes ahead of time Thats very-"
Wham! A very old very dusty book with the word Vampyre written on it was put on the counter top.
"Very not what I'm looking for."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"My mistake. So what did you-"
Buffy was gone and the library door was swinging shut.
***********************
"Hey, umm... Red!"
Willow looked up from her brown-bagged lunch to see a very cute new kid standing in front of her.
"Hey. Didga want me to move?"
"No, that is unless you want to. I just heard from someone to come see you. You see I'm having a problem with math."
"Oh, I could totally help you! What part are you having trouble with?"
"The math. So when would be good for you, could you fit me in today?"
"Around 6. You know, after sundown."
"No!!" Willow was caught off guard by this. Something totally had this guy wigged.
"I do my best work in the sun. And after the sun goes down, I like to stay at home. I suggest you try it, it's really refreshing."
"Ooookkkkk..... Sure, well how about tomorrow, you know, in the day. I could help you in 5th period if you have that free."
"Oh, good. Thanks. So you're name, it would have to be..."
"Willow. And yours?"
"Xander. I just moved here from-"
"LA. Yeah, not much goes on around here. You and your girlfriend are the big news around here. Actually I was wondering if you would become a part of the Cordelia crowd. I mean if you are too cool to actually talk to me outside of math related stuff I'll understand."
"First, Buffy and I are friends, we are so not together. Second who is Cordelia, and third I think I would be the last person in the universe to be considered 'too cool'."
"You haven't met Cordelia? Well she's-"
"About as deep as a road runner cartoon." Buffy came and joined the two, feeling a lot less wigged.
"Hey, I learned a lot from those cartoons. Like never by rockets from ACME. Willow this is Buffy, Buffy this is Willow. Willow is going to try and help me with my math problem."
"And the key word in that sentence is try. Can we talk for a sec?"
Willow started to get up but Xander cut her off.
"You still don't have to go, we'll be back."
Buffy lead Xander over to where she was sure no one could hear what they were talking about.
"I went to the library."
"Where?"
"The library, you know, where the books live. Anyway, this creepy English dude... He tried to give me a book on Vampires."
"Are you sure it was that? I mean, what about Umpires, could it have been a book about Umpires? Maybe he is a baseball fan."
"I don't think so. Creepy old English dudes in musty old places adds up to one thing."
"He's a watcher."
"I don't know for sure, I mean I didn't ask for him to recite that speech that they love to go off on."
"Chosen one... strength and skill... blah blah. Why don't you hang here for a while, I want to go talk to this guy myself."
"Xander, its not safe."
"What's he gonna do, watch me to death? Don't worry, I'm always careful."
***********************
"Hey England, A word." Xander didn't waist any time. He was going to get these guys to leave Buffy alone.
"Excuse me but my name is Mr. Giles. Is there anything you need help with?" Giles came out of the stacks and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Buffy, leave her alone. Get you and your friends another girl to watch."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I actually happen to be dumb, I know when people are pretending."
"You are informed of her... abilities? But you're just a civilian, a boy at that. I can't believe-"
"Hey! How many Vamps have you staked? I've staked at least a dozen so before you start calling me a civilian or a boy why don't you check yourself first?"
"I will admit I haven't actually killed any vampires. But I am her new watcher. And she has a sacred birthright. There really isn't much to it really."
"Well I say there is. Choose another chosen one, Buffy's retired."
"She can't just retire, it doesn't work that way. And another slayer can't be called until the first slayer dies."
"See, there in lies the problem. Slayers die, most before their 18th birthday. Buffy has a goal of being old enough to embarrass her kids when she has them, so this slayer thing isn't really a part of the master plan. You're a bunch of stuffy repressed geezers, why don't you guys take 'em on? Its really simple, a splinter and they're dust."
"The slayer slays, a watcher-"
"Watches the slayer die. You know you're the ones who start the conflicts, well maybe one day
You'll actually have to fight for what you believe is right instead of asking a scared 14-year-old girl to do your dirty work. Buffy and I have enough blood on our hands, its time you get yours a little dirty."
"And whose blood is it you have on your hands?"
"Merricks."
Xander turned and left the library with out another word from the watcher. As he saw the doors swing shut for the second time that day he whispered under his breath, "Damn."
He needed the slayer. If the council found out about her 'retiring' and involving a civilian.... It would be better for her if she just cooperated. She was the first slayer in a long time to be reluctant about being the slayer.
It was mostly because her parents. They had no knowledge of the slayer so therefore they had no respect for the honor their daughter had received. For that reason they couldn't have taken her away from them to be trained. If he could just make her see... She was chosen for a reason.
**********************
________________________________________________________________________
"What's up Jesse?"
"Didga hear? Two new students, from LA." Jesse jumped over the crowd finally finding his friend.
Nothing happened in this small town, nothing but the cheerleader bake sale. She was so focused on the conversation in hand that she forgot about the railing and bumped right into it.
Jesse though, who was fully aware of his friends geeky clumsiness caught her before she hit the ground. She shook it off like a hundred times before and chose not to even acknowledge it even happened, instead she continued with their conversation.
"So do you know if these people are Cordelia Club type or are they more likely to be future members of the WHCC?"
"Really Will you are way too proud of being a member."
"Hey! I am the president. I can be a proud president."
"Well they haven't actually arrived yet, so I don't know what they are like yet. But we are optimists. Come young padawan, homeroom awaits. We have Vecchio so I'll throw spit balls at him while he sleeps and you can copy down the notes for the next five classes."
****************
"Here we are." Joyce Summers pulled up to the new high school. The campus was bright and sunny, and the students seemed enthusiastic, which was very different than the occupants of the car.
"Now I know this school will be different. You will make friends in no time. And hey, you could even join teams again. Like the cheerleading squad, or swim team, or heck even yearbook."
"Yearbook?" The two teens questioned.
"Whatever. Just... stay out of trouble, Ok?"
"Yes mom."
"Yes Mrs. Summers."
The two teens exited the car, hoping they wouldn't get a seventh pep talk this morning.
"It actually looks half way normal."
"I thought we learned that looks like isn't what it actually is?"
"We did, I just want to be an optimist." She turned to her friend who already had his eyes on her.
"Ready Buff?"
"Right behind ya Xand."
**********************
"Both your transcripts seem... well..."
"Colorful?"
"Burning down the school gym is not colorful."
"Yeah but we had to make sure there was no more Vamp-" Buffy hit her friend.
"Asbestos. There was a lot of asbestos in that gym."
"Asbestos or not, if either of you two burn anything in this school... well how about we think of it this way, this is a new school, a new start. Which means new attitudes, and hopefully new folders with new awards like honor roll in them. Are we clear?"
"Crystal Sir." They practically ran for the door, this wasn't exactly turning out to be the best day of either of their lives.
"Well that was peachy with a side of keen. What's up next, rectal surgery?"
"Oh and thanks for almost getting us both committed to the psycho ward."
Xander gave Buffy a hug, "I really am sorry about that Buff."
She nodded in acceptance.
"So what's the schedule?"
"Umm History. And on the paper its right there I just can't figure out where we are." She then looked closer and sheepishly turned it around. Xander looked up from the map and walked up to a red head.
"Excuse me, could you help us we are trying to find the history classroom."
She looked up at him for a moment as if she were a squirrel about to be run over.
"You're one of the new kids."
"Hence the not knowing where I'm going."
"Sure, it's down that hall and the fourth door on the right."
"Thanks."
"I'm glad I could have- Help! Glad I could help you."
He gave her one of his Xander patented half smiles and walked away with Buffy.
"Xander I'm so glad I can have you!" Buffy couldn't contain her laughter. "God you've been here for five minutes and already you're a heartbreaker. What am I going to do with you?"
"Hey! Can I help it if I'm irresistible? She seemed nice. I liked her."
"Yeah, I have to admit she seemed halfway decent, and I loved her shoes! I say we try to find her at lunch."
"Cool. Here we are. Oh look 'Black plague' is written on the black board. Yup, better and better."
*******************
The bell rang and before Buffy could thank the girl for sharing the book Xander spoke up.
"Buffy, I'm getting a soda, you want?"
"Sure."
He then bolted out of the classroom, clearly not wanting to stay for another rousing speech of fleas feeding off the blood of their host.
"Hi Buffy, I'm Cordelia."
"Hey, thanks for letting me borrow your book."
"Well you can get one of your very own at the library."
"And that would be which way?"
"Come on, let me show you. So studly, you're boyfriend-"
"Xander is not my boyfriend. We're strictly friends."
"So how did you two get to move to the same place?"
"My mom unofficially became his guardian. His parents had to move to the Swiss Alps so the IRS couldn't find them..."
"Wow, you're lives seem so exciting. You know nothing really happens in a one star bucks town like this. You guys are pretty much the big news around here. Its good that neither of you are losers, or all that gossip would have been wasted. You might want to come to the Bronze tonight, be seen with my crew and me. Your coolness points would go through the roof."
"Sure, I'll try."
"And bring you're friend. You two are going to love it here. Here we are, the library."
Cordelia walked away, finally. "Gosh she's as deep as a kiddy swimming pool."
The library was quiet, as most libraries are, but this one was so quiet it was creepy.
"Hello? Is anybody here?" She looked behind the desk, and almost out of some kind of reflex looked to see if there was a dead body on the floor.
When she backed up from the counter she hit something solid, which was the last thing she expected.
"I guess anybody's here."
"Miss Summers?"
"I guess we are the only new kids."
"I am Mr. Giles, I think I have what you're looking for."
"Cool, so like you know all my classes ahead of time Thats very-"
Wham! A very old very dusty book with the word Vampyre written on it was put on the counter top.
"Very not what I'm looking for."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"My mistake. So what did you-"
Buffy was gone and the library door was swinging shut.
***********************
"Hey, umm... Red!"
Willow looked up from her brown-bagged lunch to see a very cute new kid standing in front of her.
"Hey. Didga want me to move?"
"No, that is unless you want to. I just heard from someone to come see you. You see I'm having a problem with math."
"Oh, I could totally help you! What part are you having trouble with?"
"The math. So when would be good for you, could you fit me in today?"
"Around 6. You know, after sundown."
"No!!" Willow was caught off guard by this. Something totally had this guy wigged.
"I do my best work in the sun. And after the sun goes down, I like to stay at home. I suggest you try it, it's really refreshing."
"Ooookkkkk..... Sure, well how about tomorrow, you know, in the day. I could help you in 5th period if you have that free."
"Oh, good. Thanks. So you're name, it would have to be..."
"Willow. And yours?"
"Xander. I just moved here from-"
"LA. Yeah, not much goes on around here. You and your girlfriend are the big news around here. Actually I was wondering if you would become a part of the Cordelia crowd. I mean if you are too cool to actually talk to me outside of math related stuff I'll understand."
"First, Buffy and I are friends, we are so not together. Second who is Cordelia, and third I think I would be the last person in the universe to be considered 'too cool'."
"You haven't met Cordelia? Well she's-"
"About as deep as a road runner cartoon." Buffy came and joined the two, feeling a lot less wigged.
"Hey, I learned a lot from those cartoons. Like never by rockets from ACME. Willow this is Buffy, Buffy this is Willow. Willow is going to try and help me with my math problem."
"And the key word in that sentence is try. Can we talk for a sec?"
Willow started to get up but Xander cut her off.
"You still don't have to go, we'll be back."
Buffy lead Xander over to where she was sure no one could hear what they were talking about.
"I went to the library."
"Where?"
"The library, you know, where the books live. Anyway, this creepy English dude... He tried to give me a book on Vampires."
"Are you sure it was that? I mean, what about Umpires, could it have been a book about Umpires? Maybe he is a baseball fan."
"I don't think so. Creepy old English dudes in musty old places adds up to one thing."
"He's a watcher."
"I don't know for sure, I mean I didn't ask for him to recite that speech that they love to go off on."
"Chosen one... strength and skill... blah blah. Why don't you hang here for a while, I want to go talk to this guy myself."
"Xander, its not safe."
"What's he gonna do, watch me to death? Don't worry, I'm always careful."
***********************
"Hey England, A word." Xander didn't waist any time. He was going to get these guys to leave Buffy alone.
"Excuse me but my name is Mr. Giles. Is there anything you need help with?" Giles came out of the stacks and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Buffy, leave her alone. Get you and your friends another girl to watch."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I actually happen to be dumb, I know when people are pretending."
"You are informed of her... abilities? But you're just a civilian, a boy at that. I can't believe-"
"Hey! How many Vamps have you staked? I've staked at least a dozen so before you start calling me a civilian or a boy why don't you check yourself first?"
"I will admit I haven't actually killed any vampires. But I am her new watcher. And she has a sacred birthright. There really isn't much to it really."
"Well I say there is. Choose another chosen one, Buffy's retired."
"She can't just retire, it doesn't work that way. And another slayer can't be called until the first slayer dies."
"See, there in lies the problem. Slayers die, most before their 18th birthday. Buffy has a goal of being old enough to embarrass her kids when she has them, so this slayer thing isn't really a part of the master plan. You're a bunch of stuffy repressed geezers, why don't you guys take 'em on? Its really simple, a splinter and they're dust."
"The slayer slays, a watcher-"
"Watches the slayer die. You know you're the ones who start the conflicts, well maybe one day
You'll actually have to fight for what you believe is right instead of asking a scared 14-year-old girl to do your dirty work. Buffy and I have enough blood on our hands, its time you get yours a little dirty."
"And whose blood is it you have on your hands?"
"Merricks."
Xander turned and left the library with out another word from the watcher. As he saw the doors swing shut for the second time that day he whispered under his breath, "Damn."
He needed the slayer. If the council found out about her 'retiring' and involving a civilian.... It would be better for her if she just cooperated. She was the first slayer in a long time to be reluctant about being the slayer.
It was mostly because her parents. They had no knowledge of the slayer so therefore they had no respect for the honor their daughter had received. For that reason they couldn't have taken her away from them to be trained. If he could just make her see... She was chosen for a reason.
**********************