Disclaimer: I don't own these characters - Joss does.
Premise - set in early S3 and carries on in an AU from there.
Characters: Buffy, Xander, Willow, Oz, Giles
The cheers caught on the wind and rang louder in everyone's ears. Buffy and Willow crouched together in the stands, their gaze shifting between Cordelia cheering fiercely and their good friend who was also the Sunnydale Quarterback
"Xander, Xander, he's our man. If he can't do it no-one can!"
Cordelia was exhausted, and the game was almost over. The Sunnydale Razorbacks were trailing 14-10 against the Oxnard Lions, and Xander was giving his teammates the play while they huddled around him. "Alright we're going with a fake playaction left while I throw long right to Jeff. Get deep Jeff - ok."
"Ok Xander, just chuck it as far as you can and I'll get there" said Jeff with more confidence than he really felt.
Xander made a fist and called out "Lets go, lets do this". Sunnydale hadn't beaten Oxnard in 8 years and here they were trailing by 4 points with 35 seconds left and stuck on their own 30 yard line. Xander had called a Hail Mary play on the first down thinking the Oxnard defence would be lining up to oppose a running play.
The ball was snapped back and Xander caught it instinctively. Time started to slow down as Xander could feel the rough leather of the ball on his fingers, his peripheral vision taking note of the opposition defenders while moving several steps back with a grace he did not usually possess. He waited for a split second, but it felt like eternity. Xander turned his body side on, regripped the ball in his right hand and then after almost forever, let fly and watched as the ball spiralled perfectly on its voyage to the unknown.
All eyes in the crowd were transfixed on the ball, watching in slow motion as it started on its long arc to either fame or infamy. Willow gasped and along with Buffy and Cordelia held her breath while she watched, mesmerised as the path of the ball started back toward the earth.
In an instant it seemed if time had caught up, the ball dropped out of the sky and was caught by Jeff as he dived into the end zone for a touchdown. He could hear the crowd chanting, "Xander, Xander, Xander.." he was a hero! The crowd was going wild and they all seemed to be jumping up and down so much that the whole ground was shaking, and the chanting was still going on "Xander, Xander."
"..Xander, for goodness sake wake up. Your friends are here to see you" and seeing he had risen his mother left his room and Buffy, Willow and Oz piled in.
"Gee you guys really know how to spoil a good dream. I was just in the middle of scoring" said Xander as he yawned and stretched.
"Eww" said Buffy, her nose crinkling up when she got the mental image of Xander 'scoring'. "Keep that one to yourself thanks".
"Buffy you've got a one-track mind you know that? I happened to be referring to football and I had just thrown for a touchdown to win the game" said Xander in mock righteous indignation.
Willow interrupted Buffy just before she could reply to Xanders wisecrack "Ah, guys. Library. Research, remember. Big evil comin and we don't want to, to." Oz followed Willows line of sight as she blushed all over. Xander had completely forgotten that it was so hot last night that he had slept sans clothing. Nude, as in very. Xander had been so caught up in his little tit for tat with Buffy that he failed to realise the sheet had slipped down while he was sitting up and now his "meat and potatoes" were exposed for all to see.
Buffy also heard Willow faltering and naturally her eyes followed Willows gaze until she saw something she wasn't expecting. At the same instant Xander realised what had happened and covered himself with his hands, then quickly pulled the sheet back up to his neck.
"Oh gross. Xander can't you be normal and sleep in pyjamas like the rest of us." said Buffy as she quickly turned away and shielded her eyes.
Xander meanwhile was speechless for the first time in a long time, and just sat there motionless until Oz dragged Buffy and Willow out of his room so the poor lad could get changed.
Xander was still embarrassed as he came out of his room and was caught completely unaware by Willows comment, which she delivered with a sly grin "Buffy, you haven't had breakfast yet, why don't you grab a hot dog on the way to school".
Buffy was about to reply when she realised Willow was trying so hard not to laugh she was actually crying! Even Oz had a grin from ear to ear, while Xander scolded Willow. "Will that is *so* not funny at this time of the morning".
The words just came right out of Buffy's mouth, and before she could stop herself she said "yeah, well I'm not *that* hungry anyway". Willow and Oz just froze while Xander stood there with his mouth open. All three were staring at Buffy for what seemed like hours until she let out a squeak and ran out of Xanders house at a furious pace.
A split second later Willow was on the floor laughing uncontrollably, her hands holding her sides while Oz watched her with a caring smile. Xander was still standing there with his mouth open while he tried to forget what had happened over the last 10 minutes.
Eventually Willow calmed down enough to be able to stand, although she had red eyes and a sore mouth from laughing so hard. The three of them left Xanders house and made their way to the school library to help Giles research an upcoming prophecy. During the walk Xander was uncharacteristically silent while Oz and Willow seemed to be whispering funnies to each other the whole way.
Being a Saturday the school was empty save for Giles and Buffy, who both had their heads buried deep in reading. Buffy had run all the way to the library from Xanders house after realising what had come out of her mouth and then turning several different shades of bright red.
Willow, Oz and Xander strode into the library and Willow greeted Giles with a big grin "Hey Giles". Oz just said "Hey" while Xander remained in his zone of silence and just held up his hand.
Giles stood up and faced the group "Good, you've all arrived. There is a prophecy in the Pergamum Codex that I've only recently become aware of and unfortunately it's very vague, so I will need your assistance to gather more information".
Buffy looked up from her book, suddenly interested "Giles I thought you went through that book like 2 years ago. How come we only find out about it now?".
Giles took off his glasses and began cleaning them, a sure sign of nervousness that the gang had picked up on over the years. "Well Buffy after I had finished fully translating the Codex I sent it on to the Council. As usual they ran various tests to verify it's authenticity and in so doing came across a prophecy written in invisible ink."
Buffy persisted though and said to Giles "but if you sent it to them 2 years ago why has it taken so long ?".
Giles continued "uh, apparently the Council has a slight, uh, backlog and that is why it took so long to get to the Codex in the first place. But not to worry, we know about it now so we can prepare for it. Remember there is nothing in the Codex that does not come to pass"
Xander spoke somewhat nervously "Ah, Giles. I hope this isn't a stupid question, but why is there a hidden prophecy in a book that was obviously written for people to read. I mean it kinda defeats the whole purpose doesn't it?"
Giles realised not for the first time that Xander wasn't as dim as he sometimes made out to be "Xander in answer to your first question, no it's not a stupid question. Actually it's an excellent one and unfortunately one that I cannot answer. That is what has been troubling me the most. Why someone would bother recording Pergumum's prophecy in the Codex only to write it in invisible ink. I mean why not just not record it at all. At the moment I must say it's completely confounding."
After hearing the 'excellent' comment from Giles, Xander stuck out his tongue and made a face at Buffy, who ignored him and continued her questioning. "Ok but what does the prophecy say ?"
"Well Buffy, I know what it says, but as for what it actually means - I have ideas but no firm facts on which to base them. It's in Latin so I'll have to translate..
In the last year of the twentieth century Phineas will engage the slayer in combat. He will be called to fight so that others may live. But through his strength alone he will not prevail. There is also love in the world.
That's it" said Giles.
Buffy had a funny look on her face "Uh Giles, I'm sure you said 'he' will be called to fight. Don't you mean 'she'?"
Giles had been expecting this. "No Buffy, it is quite clear that the prophecy refers to a he. Which I admit doesn't make sense because Slayers are always female."
Xander had an evil grin on his face "Hey Buff, you aren't planning on having a sex change operation are ya?"
Buffy was deep in thought and for the second time that day answered without thinking "No way! You think I want what you have swinging round between my legs?", which caused both Xander and Buffy to go bright red and Willow to continue her earlier hysterics.
Giles cleared his throat "Yes well riveting though this is can I ask you all to start researching while I go into my office to pretend I heard none of the unsettling phallic references."
It took Willow several minutes to settle down, meanwhile Xander headed for the stacks at the rear of the library while Buffy moved her head even further into the book she was supposed to be reading from.
Hours went and the sun reached its zenith in the sky - lunch time! All the gang were getting hungry and Xander gave voice to his grumbling stomach. "Man, I'm starved. Lets get some lunch"
Buffy looked up from her position at the table "Yeah, I could do with something to eat", and then quickly turned to Willow before she could comment "and if you even *think* about saying it I swear I will tie you up and make you watch like 8 hours straight of The Tony Danza Show". So Willow kept silent.
Xander left the library in search of large circular discs that would assist them in researching this Phineas - yep, he was on a pizza run. Once Xander had left Willow cornered Buffy in the stacks at the rear of the library. "So Buffy, whats the what?"
Buffy put on her Miss Innocence routine "Whaddya mean Will?". But Willow had her 'resolve face' on, and plus she knew Buffy well enough to know when something was up. "Come on Buffy, you've made two rather Freudian comments today about Xanders private parts. Is there something you care to share?"
Buffy was having conflicting thoughts. Part of her wanted to spill the beans to Willow about these new feelings she was beginning to have towards Xander. The other more reserved part of Buffy wanted to make like a clam and reveal nothing. After a few seconds of indecision the non-clammy part won out. "Willow, Will - I think I'm having lusty Xander thoughts."
Willow got all hyper and started jumping up and down and shaking her hands in excitement. "Buffy this is great. I think you two will be great together. Are you going to say something to Xander?"
"No!" said Buffy, a little too quickly. "That path leads to ruin and rejection. I mean what if he doesn't have a thing for me any more?" Willow just sighed and rolled her eyes "Buffy, you really are a dumbo aren't you. There is more chance of me turning up to class in the nude than there is of Xander saying 'no' to you".
Buffy smirked "Well lets hope so. I've had enough nudity issues today Will, and you've been *no* help at all". Willow grabbed Buffys hand to lead her back to the table as Xander arrived with pizzas. "So, how you gonna play this?" Buffy gave Willow a crafty grin "Oh I'm gonna have a little fun first".
Premise - set in early S3 and carries on in an AU from there.
Characters: Buffy, Xander, Willow, Oz, Giles
The cheers caught on the wind and rang louder in everyone's ears. Buffy and Willow crouched together in the stands, their gaze shifting between Cordelia cheering fiercely and their good friend who was also the Sunnydale Quarterback
"Xander, Xander, he's our man. If he can't do it no-one can!"
Cordelia was exhausted, and the game was almost over. The Sunnydale Razorbacks were trailing 14-10 against the Oxnard Lions, and Xander was giving his teammates the play while they huddled around him. "Alright we're going with a fake playaction left while I throw long right to Jeff. Get deep Jeff - ok."
"Ok Xander, just chuck it as far as you can and I'll get there" said Jeff with more confidence than he really felt.
Xander made a fist and called out "Lets go, lets do this". Sunnydale hadn't beaten Oxnard in 8 years and here they were trailing by 4 points with 35 seconds left and stuck on their own 30 yard line. Xander had called a Hail Mary play on the first down thinking the Oxnard defence would be lining up to oppose a running play.
The ball was snapped back and Xander caught it instinctively. Time started to slow down as Xander could feel the rough leather of the ball on his fingers, his peripheral vision taking note of the opposition defenders while moving several steps back with a grace he did not usually possess. He waited for a split second, but it felt like eternity. Xander turned his body side on, regripped the ball in his right hand and then after almost forever, let fly and watched as the ball spiralled perfectly on its voyage to the unknown.
All eyes in the crowd were transfixed on the ball, watching in slow motion as it started on its long arc to either fame or infamy. Willow gasped and along with Buffy and Cordelia held her breath while she watched, mesmerised as the path of the ball started back toward the earth.
In an instant it seemed if time had caught up, the ball dropped out of the sky and was caught by Jeff as he dived into the end zone for a touchdown. He could hear the crowd chanting, "Xander, Xander, Xander.." he was a hero! The crowd was going wild and they all seemed to be jumping up and down so much that the whole ground was shaking, and the chanting was still going on "Xander, Xander."
"..Xander, for goodness sake wake up. Your friends are here to see you" and seeing he had risen his mother left his room and Buffy, Willow and Oz piled in.
"Gee you guys really know how to spoil a good dream. I was just in the middle of scoring" said Xander as he yawned and stretched.
"Eww" said Buffy, her nose crinkling up when she got the mental image of Xander 'scoring'. "Keep that one to yourself thanks".
"Buffy you've got a one-track mind you know that? I happened to be referring to football and I had just thrown for a touchdown to win the game" said Xander in mock righteous indignation.
Willow interrupted Buffy just before she could reply to Xanders wisecrack "Ah, guys. Library. Research, remember. Big evil comin and we don't want to, to." Oz followed Willows line of sight as she blushed all over. Xander had completely forgotten that it was so hot last night that he had slept sans clothing. Nude, as in very. Xander had been so caught up in his little tit for tat with Buffy that he failed to realise the sheet had slipped down while he was sitting up and now his "meat and potatoes" were exposed for all to see.
Buffy also heard Willow faltering and naturally her eyes followed Willows gaze until she saw something she wasn't expecting. At the same instant Xander realised what had happened and covered himself with his hands, then quickly pulled the sheet back up to his neck.
"Oh gross. Xander can't you be normal and sleep in pyjamas like the rest of us." said Buffy as she quickly turned away and shielded her eyes.
Xander meanwhile was speechless for the first time in a long time, and just sat there motionless until Oz dragged Buffy and Willow out of his room so the poor lad could get changed.
Xander was still embarrassed as he came out of his room and was caught completely unaware by Willows comment, which she delivered with a sly grin "Buffy, you haven't had breakfast yet, why don't you grab a hot dog on the way to school".
Buffy was about to reply when she realised Willow was trying so hard not to laugh she was actually crying! Even Oz had a grin from ear to ear, while Xander scolded Willow. "Will that is *so* not funny at this time of the morning".
The words just came right out of Buffy's mouth, and before she could stop herself she said "yeah, well I'm not *that* hungry anyway". Willow and Oz just froze while Xander stood there with his mouth open. All three were staring at Buffy for what seemed like hours until she let out a squeak and ran out of Xanders house at a furious pace.
A split second later Willow was on the floor laughing uncontrollably, her hands holding her sides while Oz watched her with a caring smile. Xander was still standing there with his mouth open while he tried to forget what had happened over the last 10 minutes.
Eventually Willow calmed down enough to be able to stand, although she had red eyes and a sore mouth from laughing so hard. The three of them left Xanders house and made their way to the school library to help Giles research an upcoming prophecy. During the walk Xander was uncharacteristically silent while Oz and Willow seemed to be whispering funnies to each other the whole way.
Being a Saturday the school was empty save for Giles and Buffy, who both had their heads buried deep in reading. Buffy had run all the way to the library from Xanders house after realising what had come out of her mouth and then turning several different shades of bright red.
Willow, Oz and Xander strode into the library and Willow greeted Giles with a big grin "Hey Giles". Oz just said "Hey" while Xander remained in his zone of silence and just held up his hand.
Giles stood up and faced the group "Good, you've all arrived. There is a prophecy in the Pergamum Codex that I've only recently become aware of and unfortunately it's very vague, so I will need your assistance to gather more information".
Buffy looked up from her book, suddenly interested "Giles I thought you went through that book like 2 years ago. How come we only find out about it now?".
Giles took off his glasses and began cleaning them, a sure sign of nervousness that the gang had picked up on over the years. "Well Buffy after I had finished fully translating the Codex I sent it on to the Council. As usual they ran various tests to verify it's authenticity and in so doing came across a prophecy written in invisible ink."
Buffy persisted though and said to Giles "but if you sent it to them 2 years ago why has it taken so long ?".
Giles continued "uh, apparently the Council has a slight, uh, backlog and that is why it took so long to get to the Codex in the first place. But not to worry, we know about it now so we can prepare for it. Remember there is nothing in the Codex that does not come to pass"
Xander spoke somewhat nervously "Ah, Giles. I hope this isn't a stupid question, but why is there a hidden prophecy in a book that was obviously written for people to read. I mean it kinda defeats the whole purpose doesn't it?"
Giles realised not for the first time that Xander wasn't as dim as he sometimes made out to be "Xander in answer to your first question, no it's not a stupid question. Actually it's an excellent one and unfortunately one that I cannot answer. That is what has been troubling me the most. Why someone would bother recording Pergumum's prophecy in the Codex only to write it in invisible ink. I mean why not just not record it at all. At the moment I must say it's completely confounding."
After hearing the 'excellent' comment from Giles, Xander stuck out his tongue and made a face at Buffy, who ignored him and continued her questioning. "Ok but what does the prophecy say ?"
"Well Buffy, I know what it says, but as for what it actually means - I have ideas but no firm facts on which to base them. It's in Latin so I'll have to translate..
In the last year of the twentieth century Phineas will engage the slayer in combat. He will be called to fight so that others may live. But through his strength alone he will not prevail. There is also love in the world.
That's it" said Giles.
Buffy had a funny look on her face "Uh Giles, I'm sure you said 'he' will be called to fight. Don't you mean 'she'?"
Giles had been expecting this. "No Buffy, it is quite clear that the prophecy refers to a he. Which I admit doesn't make sense because Slayers are always female."
Xander had an evil grin on his face "Hey Buff, you aren't planning on having a sex change operation are ya?"
Buffy was deep in thought and for the second time that day answered without thinking "No way! You think I want what you have swinging round between my legs?", which caused both Xander and Buffy to go bright red and Willow to continue her earlier hysterics.
Giles cleared his throat "Yes well riveting though this is can I ask you all to start researching while I go into my office to pretend I heard none of the unsettling phallic references."
It took Willow several minutes to settle down, meanwhile Xander headed for the stacks at the rear of the library while Buffy moved her head even further into the book she was supposed to be reading from.
Hours went and the sun reached its zenith in the sky - lunch time! All the gang were getting hungry and Xander gave voice to his grumbling stomach. "Man, I'm starved. Lets get some lunch"
Buffy looked up from her position at the table "Yeah, I could do with something to eat", and then quickly turned to Willow before she could comment "and if you even *think* about saying it I swear I will tie you up and make you watch like 8 hours straight of The Tony Danza Show". So Willow kept silent.
Xander left the library in search of large circular discs that would assist them in researching this Phineas - yep, he was on a pizza run. Once Xander had left Willow cornered Buffy in the stacks at the rear of the library. "So Buffy, whats the what?"
Buffy put on her Miss Innocence routine "Whaddya mean Will?". But Willow had her 'resolve face' on, and plus she knew Buffy well enough to know when something was up. "Come on Buffy, you've made two rather Freudian comments today about Xanders private parts. Is there something you care to share?"
Buffy was having conflicting thoughts. Part of her wanted to spill the beans to Willow about these new feelings she was beginning to have towards Xander. The other more reserved part of Buffy wanted to make like a clam and reveal nothing. After a few seconds of indecision the non-clammy part won out. "Willow, Will - I think I'm having lusty Xander thoughts."
Willow got all hyper and started jumping up and down and shaking her hands in excitement. "Buffy this is great. I think you two will be great together. Are you going to say something to Xander?"
"No!" said Buffy, a little too quickly. "That path leads to ruin and rejection. I mean what if he doesn't have a thing for me any more?" Willow just sighed and rolled her eyes "Buffy, you really are a dumbo aren't you. There is more chance of me turning up to class in the nude than there is of Xander saying 'no' to you".
Buffy smirked "Well lets hope so. I've had enough nudity issues today Will, and you've been *no* help at all". Willow grabbed Buffys hand to lead her back to the table as Xander arrived with pizzas. "So, how you gonna play this?" Buffy gave Willow a crafty grin "Oh I'm gonna have a little fun first".