Going through the Fire
By Razial
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or any of its related media they belong to Joss Whedon and whoever else owns the rights, I also do not own the X-Men or any of its related media they belong to Marvel and Disney.
Pairing: Xander/Tara, Logan/Jean, Kurt/Wanda
Notes: Total AU of Buffy from end of season 4 onwards. No Glory, but Dawn does exist and as for X-Men I am using the X-Men from Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon series and going from the end of the series with one difference, Emma didn't sacrifice herself and lived.
Summary: Xander learns some shocking news that sends him on a journey with Tara by his side to find his real father who is having some serious issues of his own when his unknown past literal kicks him in the ass.
Chapter 1
(Sunnydale Hospital)
Xander Harris groaned as he awoke on the hospital bed feeling tired and sore all over. It took a few minutes for his memory of the night before came back to him. The final battle against Adam and his army of demons. It had been a tight fight, without the help of the remaining soldiers from the now defunct Initiative program it would have been impossible to stop Adam's plans. They had helped hold of the demons while they had pulled off their plan of the enjoining spell that had fused them all into one being for a short time. He had the hardest part as being the heart of the being and holding strong while Buffy battled Adam. In the end their plan had worked and Adam was killed before his plan could be completed. That had left them to mop up the rest of the demons who were intent on killing them all. Most of the soldiers had died in the attack by that point, but they each ended up taking a lot of damage, but thankfully they succeeded and the few remaining demons had fled.
The damage he had taken had unfortunately had been worse that he had first thought. A large gash had been opened up in his left leg and he had eventually collapsed from blood loss. He had faded in and out during the rest of the battle. Tara had defended him with her magic as best she could while also supporting the others and seeing as he was here then she clearly succeeded in doing both, all the way through the remaining fight. Looking around he noted Tara slumped in a chair off to the side clearly asleep. He frowned, wondering where Buffy and the others were and why only Tara had stuck around to see if he was okay. When he tried to move himself into a sitting position he couldn't help jarring his injured leg and hissing in pain. This caused Tara to wake up with a small grunt before blinking wildly as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
"Xander, thank the goddess you are awake," Tara said with a smile as she stood up and moved to the side of his bed. "You've been out for two days," she said much to his shock as he realized his thoughts about how long he had been out were way off base. 'Two days, how bad had his blood loss been?' he wondered.
"Two days? That's impossible," he finally managed to say in response. "I couldn't have been hurt that badly," he protested.
"The demon's claws ripped open two of your arteries Xander, you almost bled to death," Tara told him and he could see the clear fear that she had felt due to that in her eyes as she spoke.
"If it opened my arteries Tara I should be dead, no way about it," Xander shot back as calmly as he could. "I should have bled out. Why didn't I?" he demanded to know.
"That's where things get a little strange, it seems according to the doctors that your wounds just started healing themselves," Tara explained as best she could as she was still trying to sort out the truth in her head. "It was a slow process, but while you almost flat lined twice during the night you were brought in, you just never seemed to reach critical blood loss and that was when the scans detected the fact that your arteries were healing as was the gash in your leg, arm and chest," she went on.
"Holy shit," Xander whispered not even bothering to ask if she was kidding him because he could see it in her eyes that she wasn't trying to play a joke on him. Somehow he had survived what should have been a lethal injury. He should be dead by all rights and yet somehow he was still here and very much alive. "How?" he asked.
"They brought your parents in to donate blood before they realized you were healing yourself and found out that your blood type and your fathers did not match," Tara paused a second before continuing. "Alex, Tony is not your father which caused a huge argument between him and Jessica before he stormed out and told her that you and her were no longer welcome in his house," she informed him causing him even more of a shock.
He had always wished that Tony Harris wasn't his father because the man was a drunk and liked to physical hit him and his mother, and no matter how many times they had reported him he had always gotten off the hook thanks to Stein protecting him. Now he had gotten his wish. Tony wasn't his father but that begged the question who was? He noted Tara had yet again called him Alex, something she had started doing a few months back, especially if she was particularly worried about him. Even though she was fairly new to the group she had quickly proven to be a good friend and ally in the fight. He was quite fond of her and while he tried not to think about it he also couldn't deny he had developed a personal interest in her. However, knowing some of her history he had not tried anything, especially as Willow seemed quite territorial about Tara as if only she could be that close to her.
He couldn't help but believe Willow's change of attitude was due to her abandonment issues now that Oz had left her some months back. That along with her parents' constant absences were starting to affect her and thus it seemed she had become obsessive about her new friend. Or maybe he was just seeing things that were not there. He rubbed his eyes knowing he was in for a very long conversation with his mother when she turned up.
"Alex, the doctors were basically stating you're a Mutant," Tara admitted causing him even further shock as he now stared at her with wide eyes unsure how to respond. "That caused a lot of mumblings and disquiet between them, it seems quite a few of them have Mutant phobia," she told him.
"Oh shit, this isn't good," Xander groaned as he palmed his face in disbelief. "Tara, where are Buffy and the others?" he asked as he took his hand away and locked his gaze on hers.
"Buffy wasn't in a good place when it seemed you would die. She was very upset as were Joyce and Dawn, but that changed when she overheard the doctors talking about the possibility of you being a Mutant the next day after the scans showed you healing," Tara slowly admitted with a sigh.
"So she doesn't like the idea of Mutants huh?" Xander asked somewhat unsurprised by this news and yet due the fact she had so easily gotten involved with a damn vampire he found her disquiet about Mutants somewhat hypocritical.
"It would seem so. I'm not sure exactly. Willow was shocked beyond belief, but she stayed for a while," Tara answered uneasily. "She went home to eat, shower and get a change of clothes and should be back later and the same goes for Joyce and Dawn," she told him with what she hoped was a small smile. "Giles is still here, but went to get us some food and drink. I don't really know what their views on Mutants are," she added.
"You don't seem to bothered by this revelation Tara," Xander observed pushing his troubled thoughts about how Buffy and how the others felt about his being a Mutant.
"There is no reason why I should be bothered Alex," Tara responded before taking a deep breath as she prepared to reveal her biggest secret. "I'm a Mutant also, what I call magic is actually my Mutant powers which are I guess magic based, but come from my Mutant gene and not from spell books and the like," she explained. "I use the pretext of being a witch to cover being a Mutant so I can escape Mutant haters. As to the reason I've not told Buffy and the others well I was uncertain how'd they react and now I at least know how Buffy would," she added with a grimace.
"So that is why Willow always failed to learn how to do the things you can or if she does manage to learn anything it is a very slow process?" Xander inquired with some interest.
"Yes, even those times where we've managed to sync up our combined abilities it is mostly my Mutant gene doing the work guiding her magic to do what I wish," Tara answered. "I discovered I was a Mutant after running away from home. I was found by a man who likes to teach Mutants how to use their powers once they activate," she informed him. "He has a school somewhere in Westchester New York. I've never been there, but he told me a lot about it that I sometimes wish I had gone there before choosing to come here," she admitted.
"Why didn't you go?" Xander inquired with a raised eyebrow as he learnt more about Tara than the others knew. Which was making him feel they had a closer connection than he had originally thought.
"At the time the man who is called Professor Xavier was on a mission to locate a dangerous enemy who had captured a friend of his. He told me it would probably take a long while, but he still took some time to teach me to control my gifts before moving on," Tara answered as she pushed some loose strands of hair behind her ears. "I decided to come here as it gave me the perfect place to hide from my family. It is such a small town in the middle of nowhere I couldn't fathom them tracking me down," she said and she still prayed that held true. The last thing she wanted was for them to track her down; they were the worst kind of people she could think of.
"Maybe we can discuss that issue later. I think I can relate a little where my father or the guy I thought was my father is concerned," Xander offered gently not wanting to push her on a subject he could tell was painful. "You know I have read up on Mutants. I thought the gene usually activated when you hit your early teens?" he inquired.
"In most cases that is true Alex, but in some rare cases it only activates when they are under great stress or maybe facing death," Tara answered as best she could as she recalled what the Professor had told her to which Xander nodded in understanding.
"So my wounds were bad enough to activate my gene and thus I can now heal myself," Xander mused mostly to himself. "I wonder just how far that ability will go," he wondered before scratching his left hand which had begun to irritate him for reasons that were beyond him.
At that moment the door to the room he was in opened and Giles and to his surprise his mother stepped into the room with food and drinks. Xander was glad to see his mother as he had a lot of questions to ask her, but he knew he'd have to take it slow or she would leave or maybe get upset.
"Ah Xander I am glad to see you are finally awake," Giles said in greeting as he handed Tara a sausage roll and a coffee. "How do you feel?" he inquired as he sat with his own coffee and sandwich.
"Tired, still sore as hell and for reasons I don't understand the back of my hands are itching like crazy," Xander responded to which his mother paled slightly. "Mom, are you okay?" he asked as he took note of her pale features.
"Not really Alexander, this entire thing has brought a lot of secrets out of my past I would have preferred stay buried," Jessica admitted with a sigh. "I am sure by now Tara has filled you in on the fact that Tony isn't your real father?" she asked to which Xander nodded.
"And nothing could make me happier than that piece of news Mom," Xander shot back with a slight wince as he readjusted himself in the bed. "I've hated that man for years for how he's treated us and more to the point that he is a drunken abusive asshole who cares for nothing but himself," he spat in a spike of anger causing Giles to frown as he had often wondered about the boy's home life and now he had conformation about his suspicions. "The fact that's he's kicked us out doesn't bother me one bit," he stated.
"No I suppose I can understand that Alexander, but Tony did serve a purpose which is why I stayed with him these long years even with the way he treated us and for that I'm sorry," Jessica admitted with a long sigh. "He hid us Alex from people who would do anything to get their hands on you," she told him.
"Why?" Xander asked, suddenly very wary.
"Your father's Mutant abilities were highly sought by many unsavory government groups who wanted to use him as a weapon. Some had succeeded even before I met him and while he had escaped from them they never stopped searching for him," Jessica explained, wishing this wasn't happening. "I had hoped and prayed you wouldn't inherited your father's gifts, but it now seems you have, and Alex if those groups find out about you then they will come after you for the same reasons," she warned him.
"Who is my real father Mom?" Xander asked, even as he felt a deep chilling sense of fear at just what his mother was telling him.
"His name is Logan and he is also known as the Wolverine," Jessica admitted. "I met him in my late teens, we had several months together before he was forced to flee when one of the groups after him came for him," she continued. "We had just discovered I was pregnant, but he knew he couldn't stay with us or he'd be paining a target on us and thus he told me to leave and find a way of hiding myself and our son and I did that by coming to this shit hole of a town and marrying Tony," she pushed one, even though the memories of that time still hurt to think about. "This town is small and in the middle of nowhere and due to the supernatural menace seems to keep the government agencies away from it," she stopped here as she noted how Xander's eyes widened as she admitted knowing about the supernatural.
"You knew, all this time you knew about what goes on in this town and you never said a damn word?" Xander growled out as the itching in his hands got worse and he ploughed his fists into the mattress. "Jessie is dead because we didn't know what was going on, you could have warned us Mom," he spat.
"I couldn't Alex," Jessica argued with a wince at the reminder of the boy who had been her son's best friend and almost had been like a brother. "I didn't want that kind of fear to be a part of your life until there was no other choice in the matter. I'm sorry, so very sorry about Jessie, but I made a choice that I hoped was for the best," she tried to explain her reasoning. "Yes it put you at risk from not knowing, but at least you were not burdened by the fear of what was truly out there and I guess I was worried that fear might activate your gene," she admitted.
Xander did his best to keep his raging emotions under control as he tried to understand his mother's point of view, but it was so very hard. Suddenly a sharp pain erupted from his hands and three bone claws ripped out of both hands causing him to yell out as the others jumped slightly.
"Oh god," Xander groaned as he stared at his hands.
"My word, what are those?" Giles wondered aloud unable to look away.
"Bone claws, his father had them originally until he was captured by a rogue agency who coated his entire skeleton with a special kind of metal making him very hard to kill," Jessica said as she got up and moved to her son's side as did Tara on the other end of the bed. "Focus on retracting them Alexander, please just focus," she instructed him, knowing it was best the doctors wouldn't see his claws or everything they had gone through would have been for nothing.
Xander closed his eyes and focused as best as he could on doing what his mother had told him to do. Slowly and painfully the claws retracted back into his hands. He stared at them even as Tara placed a calming hand on his shoulder, the sudden opening of the door made them all jump as two doctors walked in with clipboards.
"Ah Mr. Harris good you are awake finally, my name is Doctor Winston," the first doctor said with a smile showing no hint of worry about him being a Mutant while the doctor behind him grumbled and glared showing exactly what he thought. "How do you feel?" he inquired.
"Tired, sore and my leg still hurts, but other than that I feel fine," Xander responded, trying to act normally as if his claws hadn't just ripped out of his hands.
"Your leg might be sore for a day or two, but considering the damage to it when you were first brought in that is amazing in itself," Winston told him in response as he checked his chart. "I'm not sure how to say this, but in truth by all rights you should be dead. Were it not for what I would call a miracle you would be," he added.
"You dare compare a freak of nature to a miracle Max? That is blasphemy," the second doctor spat in outrage.
"I would thank you to keep your religious intolerance to yourself Doctor Fairfax," Winston shot back with a glare. "You are a doctor and you took an oath to help all people who are in need of healing, no matter what their skin color, their religion, their blood or their damn genes so kindly do your job or I will file a report against you. Are we clear?" he demanded to know.
"Yes sir," Fairfax growled out, hating to have been overruled and being reminded of his doctor's oath at a time he was confronted by the presence of a thing he considered unnatural. "Your wounds have all but vanished, you should be able to be discharged within the next couple of hours," he stated before turning on his heels and walking out.
"I'm sorry about him, some people will never learn to just accept people for what they are people, no matter if they have different religions, different nationalities, or are Mutants they are all still human beings," Winston said apologetically. "His religion however makes it worse when it comes to Mutants," he added.
"It's okay Doc, people like that have always existed and will always exist sadly," Xander replied with a shrug. "It's like the Nazi's and the Jews back in World War 2 or all that religious arguments and wars going on in the Middle East. Some people just can't accept other people no matter what," he stated. "Being a Mutant is no different than being a Jew during the war, except people can't seem to see the similarity. They keep hating because they don't understand what it is to be different," he said.
"I couldn't have put it better Mr. Harris," Winston agreed. "But back to you. Fairfax was correct I think we can release you in the next two hours as there seems to be no chance of you dying or reopening your wound. So I will begin the paperwork and then you can go," he told them before smiling and then leaving as well.
"At least that's something. I don't like hospitals," Xander grumbled.
"No one does if they are in their right minds Alex," Tara said in response. "Horrible food and usually uncomfortable beds and no TV," she added.
"That begs the question though where are we going to stay?" Jessica said, bringing up a topic she had been hesitant to do until now. "Tony kicked us out, more than likely he is trashing most of our things," she added with a sad shake of her head.
"First we get what can from the house no matter what Tony has to say about it and then I guess we'll have to stay at a hotel although that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence as they have no resistance to vampires getting in," Xander stated.
"We'll go with you to ensure Tony doesn't try anything," Giles offered as he quickly finished his sandwich and coffee. "I must say Xander, this twist in your status does explain a few things I've wondered about," he mused.
"Such as Giles?" Xander inquired turning to face the ex-watcher.
"You've always displayed an ability to heal quickly even if not as quickly as you've just done in the last day or so, what would be months for some turned out to be weeks for you when you broke your arm during our struggles with Angelus," Giles responded as he removed his glasses and polished them before replacing them. "Also out of everyone affected by Ethan's spell during that particular Halloween you were the only one to retain anything from that night. I now believe it may be due to you being a Mutant hence your genetics are different," he continued to speculate. "Also you've proven quite adept at fighting the various vampires and demons we've encountered over the years without any formal training. I can't help but wonder if your Mutant abilities might not be behind that fact as well now that I know about it," he finished.
"You don't look surprised Jessica by what has been said?" Tara noted having been watching Xander's mother as Giles spoke.
"I'm not, I knew what Alexander was doing with his life and no matter how much I wish he wasn't risking his life, I couldn't help but be proud and wonder just how much of his father he had in him as Logan would never have ignored such a treat either," Jessica answered as Xander turned to look at her. "Even without his Mutant gene being active he still fought against the things in the dark," she stated proudly.
"You should have told me Mom, so much could have been avoided," Xander said as calmly as he could.
"Perhaps or perhaps things would have been worse Alexander, we make our choices as best we can and can only pray they are the right ones," Jessica countered. "Like your choice to lie to your friend Buffy about that spell you and Cordelia were talking about just after she came back from running away last year," she pointed out.
Xander flinched at that reminder of a time that he didn't like to remember. His lie about the soul spell had been done with the best of intentions, but neither Buffy nor Willow had taken it as such and it had taken him a lot of time to earn their trust again. And yet where he faced with that same situation again he knew in he would make the same choice again in a heartbeat, because by making that choice he had ensured Buffy's and maybe the world's very survival.
"Point taken Mom," Xander conceded with a small smile. "We can't really judge other people's choice's unless we've been in their shoes facing what they were facing when they made those choices," he said, sounding as if he was quoting someone.
"Indeed Xander, very wise words indeed," Giles agreed with a smile wishing sometimes that Buffy sometimes had such insightful moments instead of always acting somewhat rashly. "If I may offer an alternative to a motel, I could offer the spare room and my couch until you find another place to stay," he offered with a small smile.
"Are you sure we wouldn't be a problem Mr. Giles?" Jessica inquired hesitantly.
"Not at all, since the school was blown up I have had little contact except for Xander, Tara and the others and while my ownership of the magic shop gets me out of the house I still talk to so very few people and it can get lonely," Giles admitted with a wave of his hand.
Jessica looked to Xander who nodded his head and she smiled as she turned back to Xander. "Then we graciously accept your offer of accommodations," she said to which Giles nodded.
Tara smiled glad to see that at least Xander and his mother would have a place to go once he was discharged. Clearly the news he was a Mutant and that she was too had not impacted him to badly for which she was glad. To be honest she felt relieved to know there was another in their group who was like her. It had been a burden hiding it from the group especially as Willow kept demanding she teach her more and more basics of magic which she couldn't really do as her abilities were not the same as Willow's. The door opening again made them all look to see Joyce, Dawn and Willow all looking refreshed and relieved to see Xander awake. Dawn quickly rushed forward and climbed onto the bed to hug Xander who quickly returned it. Joyce smiled knowing her youngest daughter had a bit of a crush on Xander.
"Good to see you Dawny," Xander said with a smile. "How you been?" he asked.
"Better now that you're awake Xander. We were worried you'd never wake up," Dawn answered, pushing her head against Xander's chest so she could hear his heartbeat. "Stupid Buffy said nasty things, so I kicked her in the shins," she admitted with her own version of an evil grin.
Xander tried not to grimace at that piece of information as he looked up and took note of Joyce looking somewhat upset so clearly she too wasn't happy with her eldest daughter.
"It's okay Dawn. Buffy can be an idiot sometimes about things she doesn't understand," Xander told her as he ran a hand through her hair to settle her back down. "But no matter what happens between me and your sister we are always going to be friends, okay?" he assured her.
"You promise?" Dawn asked tentatively.
"I promise my friendship with you and your mother goes beyond my friendship with Buffy," Xander told her. "If you ever need me all you have to do is call and I'll be there," he swore to which Dawn grinned happily and snuggled back against him while Joyce couldn't help but smile also being pleased to see her youngest so happy.
Xander had become a good friend to not just Buffy but also to herself and Dawn and it was clear Dawn thought the world of the young man. Once she had hoped maybe a relationship between Xander and Buffy might be an option, sadly Angel got in the way of that ever being a possibility. She still shivered in disgust whenever her thoughts touched on her daughter's relationship with that souled vampire and what it had led to. Death, torture and sorrow leading to her daughter running away from home. That summer had been the worst of her life watching and waiting for Buffy's return. Of course she'd also had to watch as Xander, Cordelia, Willow, Oz and Giles had struggled to hold back the demons and vampires without a Slayer. Each had come back each night with various wounds and injuries especially Xander, but one thing that always stuck in her mind was Xander's constant visits to check in on her and Dawn. This was why she found her eldest daughters sudden disquiet about Xander disturbing. So Xander was a Mutant she did not feel this presented any kind of threat to any of them. She felt Buffy should be delighted that Xander was a Mutant with the ability to heal or Xander would now be dead, another lost friend to the fight. But instead Buffy seemed to only care about the possible threat he might bring by being a Mutant. as if Xander would ever be a danger to any of them.
"Buffy will get over it Xander I am sure. I don't exactly know why she is so uneasy about you being a Mutant, but I have a feeling there is something she isn't telling us, but I intend to press her when I get back," Joyce assured him.
"Don't cause an argument on my behalf Joyce. I've dealt with Buffy's temper and unease and mistrust before and back then I deserved some of it," Xander told the woman. "Now I really don't care about it. We're still friends, but I guess we've never recovered that easy going bond we used to have before I had to lie to her," he mused.
"You did what you had to Xander, for her and your friends and more importantly for the world," Joyce argued with a frown. "She knows that, this however is over a topic that is more sensitive and completely outside your control," she pointed out. "No, she is hiding something and I do not like it, especially when it could cause problems within the group," she stated.
"I would suggest being tactful as I have found Buffy is never receptive to aggressive questioning," Giles suggested.
"Oh well observed thank you Rupert, but still the reminder is taken," Joyce replied knowing that her Buffy had a wicked temper once roused.
"Willow, you've been awfully quiet. Any reason why?" Tara inquired having taken note of the read head's silence.
"I'm just still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Xander the guy I've known nearly my entire life is a Mutant," Willow answered somewhat absently. "I mean I've got nothing against Mutants, in fact I find them fascinating to study like how their genes allow them access to such powers and skills," she said in a rush when she noted Xander and Tara frown at her response. "I mean just how is it that each Mutant has a different set of powers and skills?" she wondered aloud.
"We get the point Willow," Tara said, just able to resist rolling her eyes at the red head's eagerness for knowledge. A trait that had gotten her into trouble before and she was certain would do so again.
"Sorry, but now Xander is a Mutant and that means he now has access to such power," Willow said with a smile. "We know he can heal and I wonder if that is all he has," she added locking her gaze with Xander's, who did his best not to give anything away.
"We have no idea and we have plenty of time to explore that idea Willow, but for now I think all Xander wishes is to get out of this hospital," Giles cut her off before she could say anything else.
"To damn true Giles," Xander agreed with a smile and a nod of his head.
At that moment the door opened again and Doctor Winston returned with a sheet of papers he handed to Jessica to sign. Jessica looked over the document noting it was a standard release form and signed it and then handed it back.
"Now you can go anytime you wish, but I would advise you stay at least another hour just to ensure your leg is in good order and the pain has receded. Granted with your new ability I doubt you have anything to truly fear in that regard Mr. Harris," Winston informed him. "Still having said that, if you suffer any lingering pain or trouble with your leg please return to see me," he told him.
"Will do Doc," Xander assured him as he slowly got off the bed and stood up and strangely enough without any lingering effects. "Damn it's almost like I was never wounded," he mused aloud.
"We'll leave you to get changed Xander and then we can go and get our stuff or whatever is left of it after Tony has gotten through with it," Jessica said as she led the others out.
Tara remained behind for a few minutes watching as Xander tested his leg. She smiled as he looked quite happy to be able to move around so easily. She didn't notice any signs of pain from him as he moved and that was a good sign. "Take it easy Alex, you don't want to overdo it and end up stuck back in that bed, do you?" she teased him lightly making him look up in surprise before he smirked back.
"You know I don't actually mind you calling me Alex," Xander admitted. "Mom usually calls me Alexander and everyone else just calls me Xander, no one has called me Alex until you started doing it and I have to say I don't mind it," he added to which Tara smiled wider.
"Nice to know, see you in a minute Alex," Tara shot back before turning and exiting the room as well catching a frown on Willow's face as she did so, moving over to where Dawn stood with her mother she wondered what was bothering the red head.
Xander exited the room a few minutes later and was dressed in the fresh change of clothes he'd found on one of the chairs. He guessed his blood soaked pants had been thrown away. Nodding at the others they turned and left the hospital. Xander wasn't exactly looking forward to seeing Tony again, but knowing he wasn't his father put things into perspective and he swore he would never allow him to touch him or his mother ever again.