Buffy's still gone and the group's hurting. Anya is on the verge of leaving no matter what Xander does. The Knights are back and after the key but no one knows. Someone becomes the Incredible Hulk!!!
DISCLAIMER:
All characters belong to Joss! He created everything!Set in season 6.Xander Buffy's still gone and the group's
hurting. Anya is on the verge of leaving no matter what Xander does. The
Knights are back and after the key but no one knows. Someone becomes the
Incredible Hulk!!!THE
HARRIS'S.Xander was having the same dream he's had
since the day she died. He's too late and too normal to do anything but watch
her plummet to her death in order to close the portal and save the world, but
more importantly her sister. He had helped get Anya to medical aide then helped
calm and comfort Dawn. Xander jerked awake, his body shivering not from cold
but from a chill that ate at his very soul. Since she had gone he realised
several things. One was that they all needed Buffy much more than she ever
needed them. The second was that he realised he still loved her more than ever
before. The third was Anya knew this. How did he know? Because his hand had
brushed the letter she left him. He rubbed his eyes and
concentrated on reading her words. Dear
Alexander. (His first thought was I'm in deep doo doo!) By the time you read this I should be
halfway to New York and halfway to getting you out of my system. I know you settled
for me rather than chose me over your only love so lets not pretend anymore. You
love a dead woman and I'm just something you can use while pretending it's her!
God my eyes are leaking again so I'd better end this now before it's too late. I
think the house you're uncle left you will help you deal with losing her. Just
remember nothing solves life's problems like quick meaningless sex.If you're
still free in maybe five or six years give me a call you always were good at
the whole sex thing.Xander ran a hand through his
mess of dark hair and frowned. " Well that's better than her becoming a Vengeance
Demon and ripping my family jewels off I suppose." He started to screw the
letter up but stopped, then flattened it out." Why is it that just when I
think things cant get any worse it does?" He looked over to the last photo
of the gang just before things went to hell. He smiled and ran a finger over
Buffy's face." It gets harder and harder to not join you Buff!" He
then thought about Anya's last words and hunted for the letter Uncle Rory had
sent him just before Rory had gone down for a dirt nap as Spike says." So
you left your favourite nephew, read only nephew, your cabin in the
mountains." He shook his head." Hell if it's anything like your car
it probably backs onto a toxic waste dump!" THREE
MONTHS LATER. Willow and Tara are putting the finishing touches on the demon
barrier spell when Tara turns to Willow and kisses her cheek." I think
this has helped all of us a little." She shrugged." You know."
Willow hugged her." Yeah! And it's been a big help to Dawn as well. It's
taken her mind off of Buffy." Tara looked around the
newly renovated house." And it doesn't hurt that it's in a cool area
either!" They both look to Xander as he walks in and unbuckles his tool
belt." Well my Wicca workers how goes the spells? At least I don't see
hundreds of broomsticks carrying water buckets so all must be well in
Harrisville." Willow snaps to attention and gives him a
mock salute." Spell to ward off demons all complete sir." Xander
grins for the first time since Buffy had gone and nods." Yeah and to think
I thought An was nuts for even suggesting I fix this place up." Dawn walks in with Giles." Are you kidding? This place is
it! Big five bedroom Cape Cod style house with large kitchen and lounge. All
the mod cons you could ask for and a Barn for Buffy to..." She stops and
the smile vanishes from her face. Xander walks up to her and he places an arm
around her shoulders." Yeah I know Dawnie. I keep expecting her to come waltzing
in with that big grin on her face any second now too." He slaps his hands
together startling them all." Well another trip out here next weekend and
it'll be finished! Casa Harris will be open for Team Scooby inspection. The
Solar panels arrive on Tuesday. The generator's already wired up. Big screen TV
with Satellite up and running , once we have power that is, so now G-man can
scope the BBC World service from his chair while Dawn and Willow can surf the
net in their rooms!" Giles shakes his
head." Xander this must have cost a ... BBC World service you say?"
He smiles." What about Discovery Channel?"Xander grins." But of course Mon frae I ordered the whole
box and dice for the gang, this can be where you get away from the city and the
crime and relax." Willow sees something in his eyes that only an old
friend could pick up on but before she can ask him Giles tells them." Well
it's going to be an eight hour drive back so we should really be moving." Willow
and Tara go with Giles whilst Dawn travels with Xander in his Jeep. They're
about an hour from home when Dawn slowly wakes up from a restless sleep. She
hears the radio playing Dido's here with me and over heres Xander saying."
Soon Buff.. It has to be soon! I can't keep it together for much longer!"
She looks at his face and she sees the tears rolling down his cheeks .She thinks
to herself." My God he still loves HER! I hope he's not going to do
anything stupid, I'll have to talk to Willow about this." THE
NEXT DAY. Dawn locks up her scooter and
goes to Willow's dorm. She's about to knock when she hears an argument going on
inside." Willow if you love me don't try this! Giles said it was too
dangerous even for the three of us to try!" She hears Willows voice
reply." But can't you see Tara? Didn't you see his face yesterday? Losing
her is eating everyone up but none more than Xander. If we don't bring her back
I'm afraid he will try to join her and he may not be the last!" Dawn opens
the door and the two witches jump. Willow wipes a tear from her eye and puts on
a happy face." Dawn! Ugh Hi! How long have you been standing there?" Dawn
shrugs her shoulders." Not long why?" Willow grins and tells
her." Oh nothing we were just getting ready to go see you and Giles."
She tries to change the subject." Gee hasn't Xander's place come along
since we first saw it?" Dawn answers." Actually that's what I've
come to see you about." She places her helmet on the table." Did either
of you notice anything weird over the weekend?" The two witches looked at
each other and shrugged." Not even the sleeping arrangements? I checked
each room, you had a double bed, Giles has a double hell even I rate a double,
but did any of you go into Xander's room?" When they shook their heads she told
them." Our three bedrooms are the only ones decorated! The other two are
bare, not even a mattress on the floor, so where do you think Xander's going to
sleep?"Willow went white and began to wring her hands." I knew it
but I didn't want to believe it!" She turned to Tara." See! Now we
have to do it!" Dawn looked at them." Okay! I think it's about time
we had a meeting of the Scooby Gang!" END OF
PROLOGUE
