Prologue: Part 1 Waking Up

"How long was I gone for?" the dark-haired man asked.

"Twenty years...give or take a few days," replied the blond man. He handed the dark-haired man a fresh set of clothes. "How do you feel?"

"Well rested," the other quipped taking the clothes with a thankful nod. "What about the others? Did they make it out in time?"

"Most of them did. A few...a few didn't make it."
The dark-haired man's eyes lowered for a moment, before asking, "Who?"

Coughing uncomfortably, as if there wasn't enough air in the tent, the blond said, "A few of the younger slayers, Spike..."

"And?"

"What do you mean 'And?'"

"I'm the One Who Sees remember. You're not telling me everything."

"Xander," the blond begged.

"Travis," said Alexander LaVelle Harris. He turned to his closest friend and mentor, and with a glare asked forcefully, "Who?"

"I'm sorry, Xander," Travis Good said putting up his hands in defeat.

Xander nodded and lowered his head again, "Anya?"

"Yes."

"The others?'

"Moved to Cleveland, but the Englishman went back to rebuild the Watcher's Council, I believe."

Xander looked perplexed, "Why Cleveland?"

"Another Hellmouth."

Xander smiled and shook his head in amusement, "Never could keep a good Slayer down."

"Speaking of Hellmouths, that was quiet a light show you put on. A few other older of us even felt it. That hasn't happened since Duncan MacLeod took Jacob Kell's head."

"Well, it did bring down the house...and the entire city."

"Was it different from Galindez's quickening?" Travis asked, referring to Xander's first immortal kill.

Xander tried to find the words, but they eluded him. "It was like, I could feel everyone and everything on Earth. Like I was everywhere and nowhere at the same time." Xander looked and saw the weird face Travis wore. "I can never have a serious conversation with you."

Travis' grin spread wider, "Come on. 'Everywhere and nowhere.' Could you vague that up for me a bit?'

Getting frustrated, Xander slipped the pants over his tattered boxers. "What do you want me to say? I've never felt anything like it. It was probably the only time I've felt complete." Xander quickly pulled his shirt on and held out his hand.

Travis looked down at the outstretched hand and said, "What?"

Xander cocked his head a bit to the side, "My identification, new passport, and everything else?"

"Xander, I've been looking for you, in this rubble for twenty years, and I just found you today. Give me a few days to arrange things."

"Okay, but I need it soon. I also need some money for plane tickets," Xander said lowering his hand.

Confused, Travis asked, "Why? Where are you going?"

Xander ran a dirt-crusted hand through his hair. "First Los Angeles, the to England. I need to see Giles about something Caleb said before he died."

"Well, there's one little problem with your plan?"

"And that is?"

"Giles thinks you're dead, remember? Plus, do you think it's a good idea to let the new head of the Watcher's Council in on the whole truth?"

"Who said I was going to tell the truth?" Xander asked with a lop-sided grin. "Come on. Let's get out of here. I need a bath."

Travis pinched his nose dramatically, "You sure do. Let's go." Travis and Xander kept low as they snuck out of the tent, FEMA was using as a morgue. Xander couldn't help but find the irony that this was the second time waking up in a morgue.

Next: A newly made immortal, Xander begins his journey into a larger world.