Title: The Spider's bite 1/?
Author: Reaper_01
E-Mail: Mr_G_R@hotmail.com
Rating: R (Just to be safe)
Disclaimer: The concepts of Spider-man belong to Marvel (God bless them), Buffy, and all her associates belong to Joss and Mutant Enemy. I gain nothing from the writing of this story, though positive feedback would be appreciated, and death threats will be ignored.
Spoilers: None really, takes place mid season 2, and in the Spidey movie- verse. Will
continue up to and including series 5 of BTVS.
Pairing: B/R , X/? - That's for me to know and you find out. W/T
Authors Notes: " " means speaking (no duh) * * Means thoughts.This is my 1st
attempt at fanfiction - be kind. Dawn will be around.
Feedback: Sure, knock yourself out.
Distribution: If you like it, put it wherever you please, just tell me first, cause I tend to like knowing these things.
Chapter 1 - The beginning of the end of Xander Harris' life
Every story worth telling has a beginning, and this like all good story's has one as well. For the first 5 years of my life I was raised by My Aunt May and Uncle Ben, until my parents found me and took me to hell (literally). There I met Willow and Jessie, my best friends for most of my life. I had a normal life until I met the slayer, from their it went all down hill, and due to a series of events, I became something much more than I ever was, yet it came with a great price.
Who am I?
You who I am
I'm Alexander Lavelle Parker Harris
Better known as Spider-Man
* * *
(AN:Mostly from Xander's P.O.V)
It would be fair to say that Xander was having a bad day. First he was late to school, causing him to miss the Scooby meeting, secondly, Snyder had given him detention, thus making him miss the last Scooby meeting for the day, and thus made him late for patrol that night. The reason was that he was getting his ribs taped up due to the abuse of his drunken father.
If he thought this was the worst that could happen to him, he had thought wrong. Ever since he had started dating Cordelia, he had felt like he was being phased out of the group.
* Most likely due to Willow* he had thought bitterly
*She absolutely freaked when she found out about Cordelia and myself* he sighed
*And since she's Buffy's best friend, that means I get slowly but surely frozen out of the group... yay me! *
Thoroughly demoralised, he continued on to the Restfield cemetery, where he saw Buffy and the other scoobies slowly but surely being overwhelmed by an ambush obviously set up by Angelus
In typical Xander fashion, he ran in and tackled the vampire that was sneaking up on Buffy. This gave her the time needed to regroup and dust the remaining vamps. Xander himself was another story, sure he had moved a vampire away from Buffy allowing her to fight back, but he had unfortunately landed near 3 unoccupied vamps, and was now surrounded.
" I don't suppose we could talk about this" Xander asked in a half sarcastic half fear filled voice.
" Sure, we'll talk, lets do lunch...wait, you are lu.." was all the vamp got out before it turned to dust. Buffy stepped out from behind it, and quipped
" Wow, that was all like anticlimactic, you alright Xand?"
Xander quickly got to his feet and staked a vampire running carelessly at him, causing it to impale itself on his stake.
" Vampires, just don't make them like they used to" was his sarcastic remark as he was tackled from behind by another vamp. They both fell, and he held the vamp just inches from his throat, hoping Buffy would come to save him.
Buffy never made it due to the fact that she was currently in mortal combat with Angelus. It was Oz that eventually staked the vamp and helped Xander up before returning to the fight. Xander himself picked up a discarded shovel and ran over to where Buffy was leaning heavily against a crypt wall, clutching her shoulder where Angelus had cut her with his claws. Seeing this, Xander ran up and smacked Angelus in the back of the head with the shovel, sending Angelus staggering back a few steps before he could drain Buffy.
Angelus turned around to see Xander holding a dented shovel with the imprint of Angelus skull in it. Angelus growled and was about to lunge at Xander when he realised that the rest of his minions where dusted, glared at Xander and snarled
" You will regret this Harris"
" Oh dead boy, I'm shaking in my boots" Xander replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.
" You will be boy, you will be" where his final words before disappearing into the night.
Once Angelus was out of sight, Buffy whirled around angrily to Xander
" What the hell do you think you where doing Xander, you nearly got us all killed... again" an angry slayer asked.
"bu.." Xander started to say before the still furious slayer cut him off.
" No buts Xander, you where nearly killed, and endangered all those around you, from now on I don't want you to fight, your becoming too much of a liability"
Xander looked around them all, his eyes pleading for some reassurance, yet one by one, they all looked away
" Wills" he called out weakly, who looked up at his eyes before she spoke
" She's right Xander, you don't contribute anything, and without having to look out for you in each conflict, there's a greater chance that we'll survive the coming conflicts".
" Giles.." he called out, yet the aging librarian/watcher refused to meet his eyes
" Cordy.." he asked for her support silently through his eyes while weakly calling out her name. She looked away before saying
" Look Xander, I'm sorry this has happened, but what they said is all true and..." was all she managed to say before he turned and ran off into the night.
* * *
It had been remarkably simple to get invited into the Harris household. he was going to hurt Harris like he had never been hurt before, and he had just completed the act of torturing, murdering and finally turning Xander's drunken parents. He quickly left the house after they had risen
and had given them instructions as he left. Harris would pay, oh yes he would pay. Angelus went and hid in the shrubbery with a maniacal gleam in his eye, waiting for his time to gloat. He would get a real kick out of seeing Xander's face as he read the note left for him.
* * *
It had hurt her to tell her Xander-shaped-friend those things, but she felt they had needed to be said, because that was how she truly felt. She couldn't allow him to be put in a situation where he, or those around him could be hurt, and thus made her decision to exclude him from the slaying, yet se couldn't shake the feeling that this may be the last time she would see Xander, and thus ran towards his house.
* * *
Xander had returned home, silent tears falling from his eyes due to the scoobies dismissal of his presence, yet nothing could have prepared him for when he arrived home. The house was clean
, too clean, and something in him was telling him to be wary, the house was to quiet for one thing, it was never this quiet, there was usually a drunken fight of some kind going on. He stepped into his living room, and the feeing got worse as he looked upon his parents faces, and into their eyes. They all kept eye contact until his father finally spoke.
" Where have you been you no good loser"
" Out" was his curt reply.
" Out" his father mimicked in a whiny voice.
" Is there an echo in here" Xander asked sarcastically
" Look boy, no matter how much we are displeased that we are related, I am your father and you will respect me!"
" Yes respect your father" his mother admonished in a surprisingly sober voice
*Neither are drunk...something's up here* Xander thought.
" Uncle Ben and Aunt May are better parent's that you two everwhere" he all but yelled.
" Leave those two freaks out of this" his father yelled in outrage as he struck his son, sending him flying across the room. They both vamped out as Buffy entered through the still open front door. Hearing the crash, she quickly started to search through the house.
" God no" was Xander's response to this as they both lunged at him, quickly picking up a shattered leg from the coffee table, and brining it up quickly, and having his mother impale herself through the heart and turn to dust before his very eyes. The vampire that was his father hung back evaluating Xander as he rose and clutched his ribs in pain.
" Who sired you' Xander asked with a shaky voice.
" Wouldn't you like to know" was his father's reply before he lunged at Xander, who quickly dodged out of the way. As his father passed by him again, Xander quickly spun around a sent the improved stake he had through his father's heart from behind, turning him to dust. Xander just stood there, looking at the two piles of ashes in the room, and continued to stand there mutely.
This is how Buffy found him, with his stake still clutched firmly in his hand.
" Xander, what happened, where are your parents" she asked in a quiet tone.
" Gone, was his reply as he pointed at the two separate piles of ashes in the room"
*This can't be happening* kept running through his head, along with feeling of guilt that he wasn't broken up that they where both gone, but for having to stake them.
One word ran through his head *Angelus* repeatedly. * He said he'd make me pay, and I guess he made good on his promise* The thought continued.
Buffy was staring at Xander with concern when she heard a his voice
" Angelus", it was barely a whisper, but it continued to grow in volume until Xander was roaring the name out at the top of his voice.
" Angelus, I'll kill the bastard for what he has done to me" Xander roared before tearing towards the front note before Buffy stopped him.
" Xander stop" she called.
" Get out of my way Buffy" he replied coldly.
" I can't let you kill him, you don't even know if he did it" was her soft reply.
" Why the hell not Buffy, I mean how many innocent people have to die before you get your ass in gear and do what has to be done Buffy" he replied, his voice steadily rising.
" I still love him" she replied softly.
" The man you loved is dead Buffy, he lost his soul when you two went and did the nasty, now move before you have to be moved" was his short reply, a low growl coming from his lips.
He pushed her out of the way and just before he went out the front door, felt great pain before the world started spinning, and heard the words
"Sorry Xand" before the world went black.
Buffy picked up his unconscious form and tucked him into bed before making sure all the window's and doors where locked before leaving the house.
* * *
It was just to rich, sure Harris hadn't found his note that went into great detail about what he did to his parents, but watching the slayer knock out the one person who had believed in her always, her eternal White Knight, was just to funny, and thus he started laughing loudly and maniacally, before stepping out of the shadows to confront his ex-lover.
* * *
"Angel" Buffy whispered as she saw him step out into the street.
" Hello lover" was his reply, filled with mirth. He continued on
" I can't believe after all this time, you attack the one person who would actually follow you into hell".
"Why did you do it Angel" she asked in a strained voice.
" I told him he would pay, and now he has" was the reply. "You betrayed him slayer, and that tops anything else I could have done to him". He then laughed. "By the time he wakes up, he should find the letter I left for him".
" Do you know what's really funny" Angelus asked in a conservational tone, not waiting for an answer he continued "You just successfully pushed away the one man that would never have left you, your Scooby gang just lost it's heart" he finished with a grin.
" What do you mean" Buffy asked with worry.
Angelus replied with a smug look on his face "Now that his parents are dead, and because he isn't of legal age, he'll be moving to a relatives house, and guess what, the only guardians who are fit to look after him live in New York".
"How do you know this" Buffy asked, growing more nervous as a sense of dread began to fill her.
" How do I know, well slayer my dear, I've being researching the background of all your little Scooby members, and lets just say that he has quite an interesting past."
" Would you like an example lover" Angelus asked, since Buffy didn't reply, he just went on.
" It would seem that Mr Harris was not entirely trusted by his sister, who had risen Xander with her husband until he was 5, in which he was taken from them for reasons' unknown and was raised here in good old Sunny D". He took a breath for dramatic effect and then continued. "You see, since these relatives looked upon Xander as their own and have being fighting for him in the courts since that time, it is only logical that they adopt him, and due to your groups casual betrayal of good old Xander, there is really nothing to stop him from going with the only two people that really love and know him.
" What are you talking about Angel, we all know and love Xander" Buffy replied, her temper starting to rise.
" Then did you know he loves photography, and has a keen mind for science, I should know, I've had him under surveillance for months now, or did you know that his parents beat him." Angelus told Buffy, a malicious grin on his face and humour in his eyes.
" Stop it, your lying, you have to be" Buffy cried out, tears in her eyes over learning that Xander was beaten by his parents.
* Nobody could do that to him, we'd know, we'd have to* Buffy thought continuously, yet doubts begin to form as she remembered seeing him stagger, or favour his side when no one was looking, as well as why he almost always wore long sleeved shirts.
* Oh God, How could I not see* she thought as tears ran down her face.
" And on that happy note, I'll leave, but not before telling you this, His aunt and uncle are coming up here tomorrow, his parents where originally going to kill them due to their vampiric nature, and he has no idea that they are coming".
" Why are you telling me this" Buffy asked, tears still streaming from her eyes.
" For the simple fact that it will torture you to see your greatest supporter turn his back on you all and leave, well that's enough of that, ta ta" and with that Angelus ran off into the night, laughing maniacally the whole way.
Buffy herself ran towards Gile's apartment, hoping that her watcher could find a way to stop Xander from leaving
* * *
(AN: Cut to morning)
Ben and May Parker exited their cab, and headed towards the Harris household, their bags in hand. May looked at the house, in it's run down state in disgust, saying to Ben
" I wish we could have gotten here sooner Ben"
" So do I May, so do I" frowning at what he saw.
Both walked up to the front door, and after ten minutes of ringing and knocking on the door with no answer, Ben decided to pick the lock.
" Don't you dare Ben Parker.." May begun, but it could be easily seen that she was amused by the huge grin on her face.
" I didn't do a thing" he replied as the lock unlocked and the door swung open, with a huge grin on his face.
They both entered the house, leaving their bags in the kitchen, and knocking a letter into the trash bin, a letter that may have made Xander stay in Sunny dale, yet that was not to be. When May called out and no one answered, she and Ben grew worried.
" Stay with the bags May, while I check the house for any sign of intruders" Ben asked, his face now serious.
He walked into the living room, and noticed that it had been completely torn apart, as if a struggle had taken place. Growing worried he called
" Alexander... Xander where are you".
(AN: Uncle Ben gave him that nickname here)
He ran up the stairs until he at last found Xander's room, swinging the door wide open, he rushed into the room, and noticed that he looked wrong, lying in the bed the way he did.
" May, May, get up here now I think Xander's being hurt" Ben called down to his wife.
While he was waiting for May to show up, he checked Xander over and noticed that his ribs where taped. Growing worried, he woke Xander with a glass of water that had been on his nightstand by tipping it on his head.
" Huh, whah... Uncle Ben?" was his startled reply as he awoke and looked around the room.
" Easy son, it's alright, it's just me an your Aunt May, we came to visit you" Ben replied, a relieved look in his eyes as Xander gripped him in a bone crushing hug.
Tear's where in May's eyes as she looked upon Xander in his sorry state as she ran to hug Xander.
" God I missed you two" Xander said, tears running down his face as he was reunited with the two people he loved the most.
" We missed you to...son" was Ben's reply as he gripped both Xander and his wife in a tight hug.
" Never be afraid to call me that" Xander stated forcefully, as he broke away from the hug, Aunt May asked
" Where are your parents" May asked, worry clearly present in her tone.
" They're gone" Xander said, his eyes glazing over.
* Gone like they can only be found in the sack of a vacume cleaner* Xander thought snidely, then though guiltily about how he could even think that.
" What do you mean gone, gone where" Ben asked, confusion and anger present in his face and tone of voice.
* If they've abandoned him* he thought darkly.
" Thery'e just gone, they won't be coming back, can't we just leave it at that" Xander asked, wincing at the memories of him staking his parents and the Scoobies betrayal.
Mistaking the wince for that of pain, May said
" Ben, perhaps we should take him to a hospitable, he is obviously in pain".
" I think you're right May" turning to Xander " Come on champ, time to leave"
" Leave? Where are we going Uncle Ben" Xander asked, confusion in his voice.
" Where taking you to hospitable to get those ribs checked, right May" Ben replied in a fatherly tone.
" That's right Ben, now up you get lazy bones, we have no time to waste" May replied mock sternly, some humour clouded by concern shining in her eyes.
Xander got up, and since he was dressed from the night before, went and rang a taxi so they could get there.
By the time his Aunt and Uncle had joined him, the taxi had arrived, and they where off to the hospitable.
* * *
As they entered the hospital, Xander heard his name being called by an 11yr old girl he knew only to well. His Aunt and Uncle went to have him put into the waiting list.
" Hey Dawn-Patrol, how's everything going"
"Good, well I guess not so good I guess cause I'm here and all and why are you here" Dawn asked as only 11yr old hyped up girl's with crushes can.
" Oh, I'm here to have my ribs checked Dawnmeister, yet I have two people I really want you to meet". Xander took a breath and continued just as Joyce Summer's came up to join her daughter and Xander.
" Dawn, Mrs. S, I'd like you to meet my Uncle Ben and my Aunt May" he said gesturing to the two adults who had joined them. Greetings and introductions went around and small talk began until Xander's name was called, and he followed the doctor into the observation room, followed closely by his aunt and uncle.
" Ah Xander, I wish I could say it was good to see you, but you tend to be injured every time we speak. I see today isn't any different" the doctor said.
" What do you mean by that" Ben Parker asked, curiosity lighting up his face.
" What I mean Mr...what is it I don't think I've seen you before" the doctor asked.
" Ben Parker, and this is my wife May doctor....Whedon?" Ben replied.
" Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Parker, now lets get to the problem." The Doctor paused before continuing." He has a broken rib, and I believe, from the amount of times he has come in here since he was 5, that his parents are to blame, in fact, I have papers here signed by the correct branches of the government that Xander should be taken out of the care of the Harris' until a full investigation can be launched".
Ben replied shaking his head sadly "They seem to have disappeared Doctor, nobody has any idea where they went, and they're not answering their mobiles." Ben took a breath before continuing. "We think that Xander was abandoned, and would like to take care of ourselves".
" That is nice to know, since the police are currently looking for his parents to arrest for child abuse" The doctor said, a smile gracing his face that somebody could and would look after Xander.
The doctor took a breath and then continued.
" Since they have been ruled unfit parents, it should take a week at least to have him transferred into your custody, and any other legal services needed".
That news lit up all the occupant's in the room with joy, and Xander was willing to move back to New York with them. He didn't even give the scoobies a thought as he went through his checkup, if they didn't want him around, he didn't want to be with them.
* * *
(One week later)
All the preparations where made, Xander's belongings where sent via post to his new home. He had been avoiding the Scoobies all week and now all that was left was to say goodbye to the final two people that meant anything to him; Dawn and Joyce Summers.
Xander entered the Summers household after meeting Dawn at the door. She let him in instantly since it was still daylight.
" Hey Dawny" Xander said in greeting as he entered "Is your Mum home?" he continued.
" Yeah she's still here, do you want me to go get Buffy" she asked, slightly downcast.
" Nah, I came here to see you and your Mum, not your ...sister" he said, struggling to say the last part without to much venom.
"Well not that I'm upset to see you or anything, but why are you here?" Dawn asked, her confidence returning.
" Well I'm actually here to say goodbye" he then paused before continuing " I'm moving to New York with my Aunt and Uncle, Dawn I'm going back home, to where I lived before I moved here".
Dawn started to cry "But Xand, I need you here, Buffy needs you here, eve" but before she could continue Xander cut her off.
" Dawny come here" and she complied willingly and fell into his hug. "Look Dawn, these people are the only people apart from your mum and yourself that even care about me, and your sister doesn't want me around any more, so there is really nothing keeping me here but" he paused and took a deep breath before continuing " If you ever need me, for anything at all, don't hesitate to ring or e-mail me ok, cause if you do, I'll come running, so don't you dare prank call me, cause the airfare alone will be a real bitch to cover" he finished up with a smirk as he heard her giggle. "Just one more thing Dawn, please remember the time difference cause I need my beauty sleep as much as the next person, but really, don't ever hesitate to call, cause if you need help, I will come running".
" Thanks Xand, I'm really going to miss you, without you, there won't be any kooky guys around for me to tease" Dawn replied while wiping away her tears.
" I'll miss you to Dawn, but may I add HEY to that statement." Xander added with a smirk.
During all this, Joyce had walked in and heard that Xander was leaving Sunny Dale. This saddened her greatly because she looked upon him like a son, and had been greatly disappointed in Buffy when she had overheard that Buffy didn't want him around any more. She couldn't think of any reasons for why, but she had to let it happen because there was only so much a parent can muddle with her child's life.
She walked over to him and gave him a warm hug while saying
" Xander, you know you are alway's welcome here right"
Xander nodded and told her
" Thanks Mrs S, thankyou so much for helping me out when I was in trouble". He took a breath to try and get his emotions under control. "You know the deal that applies to Dawn also applies to you, you ever need me call me and I will show up as soon as possible".
Joyce nodded, holding back her tears and said "That also goes for you Xander, if you ever need anything, just call us and we'll help you as best we can."
Xander nodded his thanks and broke from the hug saying
" I had best get going if I want to meet up with Uncle Ben and Aunt May on time, and both of you take care, I'll call to let you know how I am once I've settled in". They nodded and he walked out the door, and quite possibly their lives forever, because for at least one of them, that would be the last time they saw him in their lifetime.
As he walked to where his Uncle Ben and Aunt May where picking him up from, he noticed Buffy running towards him.
" Oh great" he muttered, dark thoughts racing across his mind.
" Oh God Xand, we've being looking for you all this week, where have you been" she asked him moving from relief to anger.
Xander scowled and told her "Look Buff, I'm leaving, it's obvious you don't want me here and I never stay where I'm not wanted."
" What do you mean leaving" Buffy asked, her eyes aflame.
" It's quite simple Buffy, I'm leaving Sunny Dale, moving on to greener pastures so to speak" he paused and then added "After you all told me I was useless, and then later decked me, not bothering to check on me, I kinda made up my mind that I wasn't wanted". Another breath was taken so he could keep himself in control. "This is goodbye Buffy, I wish you a long and happy life, but I have to go now". He said in a softer tone and began to move where his uncle had parked the car they had rented. He kept going until a hand grabbed him and spun him around, brining him face to face with a broken slayer.
" So this is it, your actually leaving us....leaving me?" Buffy asked in a choked voice
" Yes, this is the final goodbye Buffy, this is it, I'm leaving good old Sunny Hell for good, and I don't plan on coming back. Look after your family Buffy, you never know when it can be torn away" and with those words he was gone from Buffy's life, away from her destiny, and about to embrace his own, for even though he did not know it yet, his destiny was to be greater than that of the slayer, to become a champion to people everywhere.
And as he drove off with Uncle Ben and Aunt May to the airport in LA, he allowed a single tear to slip, mourning the life he had left behind, and embracing his future
END CHAPTER 01
Feed back wanted, and stay tuned for Chapter 02 - Birth of the Spider
Author: Reaper_01
E-Mail: Mr_G_R@hotmail.com
Rating: R (Just to be safe)
Disclaimer: The concepts of Spider-man belong to Marvel (God bless them), Buffy, and all her associates belong to Joss and Mutant Enemy. I gain nothing from the writing of this story, though positive feedback would be appreciated, and death threats will be ignored.
Spoilers: None really, takes place mid season 2, and in the Spidey movie- verse. Will
continue up to and including series 5 of BTVS.
Pairing: B/R , X/? - That's for me to know and you find out. W/T
Authors Notes: " " means speaking (no duh) * * Means thoughts.This is my 1st
attempt at fanfiction - be kind. Dawn will be around.
Feedback: Sure, knock yourself out.
Distribution: If you like it, put it wherever you please, just tell me first, cause I tend to like knowing these things.
Chapter 1 - The beginning of the end of Xander Harris' life
Every story worth telling has a beginning, and this like all good story's has one as well. For the first 5 years of my life I was raised by My Aunt May and Uncle Ben, until my parents found me and took me to hell (literally). There I met Willow and Jessie, my best friends for most of my life. I had a normal life until I met the slayer, from their it went all down hill, and due to a series of events, I became something much more than I ever was, yet it came with a great price.
Who am I?
You who I am
I'm Alexander Lavelle Parker Harris
Better known as Spider-Man
* * *
(AN:Mostly from Xander's P.O.V)
It would be fair to say that Xander was having a bad day. First he was late to school, causing him to miss the Scooby meeting, secondly, Snyder had given him detention, thus making him miss the last Scooby meeting for the day, and thus made him late for patrol that night. The reason was that he was getting his ribs taped up due to the abuse of his drunken father.
If he thought this was the worst that could happen to him, he had thought wrong. Ever since he had started dating Cordelia, he had felt like he was being phased out of the group.
* Most likely due to Willow* he had thought bitterly
*She absolutely freaked when she found out about Cordelia and myself* he sighed
*And since she's Buffy's best friend, that means I get slowly but surely frozen out of the group... yay me! *
Thoroughly demoralised, he continued on to the Restfield cemetery, where he saw Buffy and the other scoobies slowly but surely being overwhelmed by an ambush obviously set up by Angelus
In typical Xander fashion, he ran in and tackled the vampire that was sneaking up on Buffy. This gave her the time needed to regroup and dust the remaining vamps. Xander himself was another story, sure he had moved a vampire away from Buffy allowing her to fight back, but he had unfortunately landed near 3 unoccupied vamps, and was now surrounded.
" I don't suppose we could talk about this" Xander asked in a half sarcastic half fear filled voice.
" Sure, we'll talk, lets do lunch...wait, you are lu.." was all the vamp got out before it turned to dust. Buffy stepped out from behind it, and quipped
" Wow, that was all like anticlimactic, you alright Xand?"
Xander quickly got to his feet and staked a vampire running carelessly at him, causing it to impale itself on his stake.
" Vampires, just don't make them like they used to" was his sarcastic remark as he was tackled from behind by another vamp. They both fell, and he held the vamp just inches from his throat, hoping Buffy would come to save him.
Buffy never made it due to the fact that she was currently in mortal combat with Angelus. It was Oz that eventually staked the vamp and helped Xander up before returning to the fight. Xander himself picked up a discarded shovel and ran over to where Buffy was leaning heavily against a crypt wall, clutching her shoulder where Angelus had cut her with his claws. Seeing this, Xander ran up and smacked Angelus in the back of the head with the shovel, sending Angelus staggering back a few steps before he could drain Buffy.
Angelus turned around to see Xander holding a dented shovel with the imprint of Angelus skull in it. Angelus growled and was about to lunge at Xander when he realised that the rest of his minions where dusted, glared at Xander and snarled
" You will regret this Harris"
" Oh dead boy, I'm shaking in my boots" Xander replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.
" You will be boy, you will be" where his final words before disappearing into the night.
Once Angelus was out of sight, Buffy whirled around angrily to Xander
" What the hell do you think you where doing Xander, you nearly got us all killed... again" an angry slayer asked.
"bu.." Xander started to say before the still furious slayer cut him off.
" No buts Xander, you where nearly killed, and endangered all those around you, from now on I don't want you to fight, your becoming too much of a liability"
Xander looked around them all, his eyes pleading for some reassurance, yet one by one, they all looked away
" Wills" he called out weakly, who looked up at his eyes before she spoke
" She's right Xander, you don't contribute anything, and without having to look out for you in each conflict, there's a greater chance that we'll survive the coming conflicts".
" Giles.." he called out, yet the aging librarian/watcher refused to meet his eyes
" Cordy.." he asked for her support silently through his eyes while weakly calling out her name. She looked away before saying
" Look Xander, I'm sorry this has happened, but what they said is all true and..." was all she managed to say before he turned and ran off into the night.
* * *
It had been remarkably simple to get invited into the Harris household. he was going to hurt Harris like he had never been hurt before, and he had just completed the act of torturing, murdering and finally turning Xander's drunken parents. He quickly left the house after they had risen
and had given them instructions as he left. Harris would pay, oh yes he would pay. Angelus went and hid in the shrubbery with a maniacal gleam in his eye, waiting for his time to gloat. He would get a real kick out of seeing Xander's face as he read the note left for him.
* * *
It had hurt her to tell her Xander-shaped-friend those things, but she felt they had needed to be said, because that was how she truly felt. She couldn't allow him to be put in a situation where he, or those around him could be hurt, and thus made her decision to exclude him from the slaying, yet se couldn't shake the feeling that this may be the last time she would see Xander, and thus ran towards his house.
* * *
Xander had returned home, silent tears falling from his eyes due to the scoobies dismissal of his presence, yet nothing could have prepared him for when he arrived home. The house was clean
, too clean, and something in him was telling him to be wary, the house was to quiet for one thing, it was never this quiet, there was usually a drunken fight of some kind going on. He stepped into his living room, and the feeing got worse as he looked upon his parents faces, and into their eyes. They all kept eye contact until his father finally spoke.
" Where have you been you no good loser"
" Out" was his curt reply.
" Out" his father mimicked in a whiny voice.
" Is there an echo in here" Xander asked sarcastically
" Look boy, no matter how much we are displeased that we are related, I am your father and you will respect me!"
" Yes respect your father" his mother admonished in a surprisingly sober voice
*Neither are drunk...something's up here* Xander thought.
" Uncle Ben and Aunt May are better parent's that you two everwhere" he all but yelled.
" Leave those two freaks out of this" his father yelled in outrage as he struck his son, sending him flying across the room. They both vamped out as Buffy entered through the still open front door. Hearing the crash, she quickly started to search through the house.
" God no" was Xander's response to this as they both lunged at him, quickly picking up a shattered leg from the coffee table, and brining it up quickly, and having his mother impale herself through the heart and turn to dust before his very eyes. The vampire that was his father hung back evaluating Xander as he rose and clutched his ribs in pain.
" Who sired you' Xander asked with a shaky voice.
" Wouldn't you like to know" was his father's reply before he lunged at Xander, who quickly dodged out of the way. As his father passed by him again, Xander quickly spun around a sent the improved stake he had through his father's heart from behind, turning him to dust. Xander just stood there, looking at the two piles of ashes in the room, and continued to stand there mutely.
This is how Buffy found him, with his stake still clutched firmly in his hand.
" Xander, what happened, where are your parents" she asked in a quiet tone.
" Gone, was his reply as he pointed at the two separate piles of ashes in the room"
*This can't be happening* kept running through his head, along with feeling of guilt that he wasn't broken up that they where both gone, but for having to stake them.
One word ran through his head *Angelus* repeatedly. * He said he'd make me pay, and I guess he made good on his promise* The thought continued.
Buffy was staring at Xander with concern when she heard a his voice
" Angelus", it was barely a whisper, but it continued to grow in volume until Xander was roaring the name out at the top of his voice.
" Angelus, I'll kill the bastard for what he has done to me" Xander roared before tearing towards the front note before Buffy stopped him.
" Xander stop" she called.
" Get out of my way Buffy" he replied coldly.
" I can't let you kill him, you don't even know if he did it" was her soft reply.
" Why the hell not Buffy, I mean how many innocent people have to die before you get your ass in gear and do what has to be done Buffy" he replied, his voice steadily rising.
" I still love him" she replied softly.
" The man you loved is dead Buffy, he lost his soul when you two went and did the nasty, now move before you have to be moved" was his short reply, a low growl coming from his lips.
He pushed her out of the way and just before he went out the front door, felt great pain before the world started spinning, and heard the words
"Sorry Xand" before the world went black.
Buffy picked up his unconscious form and tucked him into bed before making sure all the window's and doors where locked before leaving the house.
* * *
It was just to rich, sure Harris hadn't found his note that went into great detail about what he did to his parents, but watching the slayer knock out the one person who had believed in her always, her eternal White Knight, was just to funny, and thus he started laughing loudly and maniacally, before stepping out of the shadows to confront his ex-lover.
* * *
"Angel" Buffy whispered as she saw him step out into the street.
" Hello lover" was his reply, filled with mirth. He continued on
" I can't believe after all this time, you attack the one person who would actually follow you into hell".
"Why did you do it Angel" she asked in a strained voice.
" I told him he would pay, and now he has" was the reply. "You betrayed him slayer, and that tops anything else I could have done to him". He then laughed. "By the time he wakes up, he should find the letter I left for him".
" Do you know what's really funny" Angelus asked in a conservational tone, not waiting for an answer he continued "You just successfully pushed away the one man that would never have left you, your Scooby gang just lost it's heart" he finished with a grin.
" What do you mean" Buffy asked with worry.
Angelus replied with a smug look on his face "Now that his parents are dead, and because he isn't of legal age, he'll be moving to a relatives house, and guess what, the only guardians who are fit to look after him live in New York".
"How do you know this" Buffy asked, growing more nervous as a sense of dread began to fill her.
" How do I know, well slayer my dear, I've being researching the background of all your little Scooby members, and lets just say that he has quite an interesting past."
" Would you like an example lover" Angelus asked, since Buffy didn't reply, he just went on.
" It would seem that Mr Harris was not entirely trusted by his sister, who had risen Xander with her husband until he was 5, in which he was taken from them for reasons' unknown and was raised here in good old Sunny D". He took a breath for dramatic effect and then continued. "You see, since these relatives looked upon Xander as their own and have being fighting for him in the courts since that time, it is only logical that they adopt him, and due to your groups casual betrayal of good old Xander, there is really nothing to stop him from going with the only two people that really love and know him.
" What are you talking about Angel, we all know and love Xander" Buffy replied, her temper starting to rise.
" Then did you know he loves photography, and has a keen mind for science, I should know, I've had him under surveillance for months now, or did you know that his parents beat him." Angelus told Buffy, a malicious grin on his face and humour in his eyes.
" Stop it, your lying, you have to be" Buffy cried out, tears in her eyes over learning that Xander was beaten by his parents.
* Nobody could do that to him, we'd know, we'd have to* Buffy thought continuously, yet doubts begin to form as she remembered seeing him stagger, or favour his side when no one was looking, as well as why he almost always wore long sleeved shirts.
* Oh God, How could I not see* she thought as tears ran down her face.
" And on that happy note, I'll leave, but not before telling you this, His aunt and uncle are coming up here tomorrow, his parents where originally going to kill them due to their vampiric nature, and he has no idea that they are coming".
" Why are you telling me this" Buffy asked, tears still streaming from her eyes.
" For the simple fact that it will torture you to see your greatest supporter turn his back on you all and leave, well that's enough of that, ta ta" and with that Angelus ran off into the night, laughing maniacally the whole way.
Buffy herself ran towards Gile's apartment, hoping that her watcher could find a way to stop Xander from leaving
* * *
(AN: Cut to morning)
Ben and May Parker exited their cab, and headed towards the Harris household, their bags in hand. May looked at the house, in it's run down state in disgust, saying to Ben
" I wish we could have gotten here sooner Ben"
" So do I May, so do I" frowning at what he saw.
Both walked up to the front door, and after ten minutes of ringing and knocking on the door with no answer, Ben decided to pick the lock.
" Don't you dare Ben Parker.." May begun, but it could be easily seen that she was amused by the huge grin on her face.
" I didn't do a thing" he replied as the lock unlocked and the door swung open, with a huge grin on his face.
They both entered the house, leaving their bags in the kitchen, and knocking a letter into the trash bin, a letter that may have made Xander stay in Sunny dale, yet that was not to be. When May called out and no one answered, she and Ben grew worried.
" Stay with the bags May, while I check the house for any sign of intruders" Ben asked, his face now serious.
He walked into the living room, and noticed that it had been completely torn apart, as if a struggle had taken place. Growing worried he called
" Alexander... Xander where are you".
(AN: Uncle Ben gave him that nickname here)
He ran up the stairs until he at last found Xander's room, swinging the door wide open, he rushed into the room, and noticed that he looked wrong, lying in the bed the way he did.
" May, May, get up here now I think Xander's being hurt" Ben called down to his wife.
While he was waiting for May to show up, he checked Xander over and noticed that his ribs where taped. Growing worried, he woke Xander with a glass of water that had been on his nightstand by tipping it on his head.
" Huh, whah... Uncle Ben?" was his startled reply as he awoke and looked around the room.
" Easy son, it's alright, it's just me an your Aunt May, we came to visit you" Ben replied, a relieved look in his eyes as Xander gripped him in a bone crushing hug.
Tear's where in May's eyes as she looked upon Xander in his sorry state as she ran to hug Xander.
" God I missed you two" Xander said, tears running down his face as he was reunited with the two people he loved the most.
" We missed you to...son" was Ben's reply as he gripped both Xander and his wife in a tight hug.
" Never be afraid to call me that" Xander stated forcefully, as he broke away from the hug, Aunt May asked
" Where are your parents" May asked, worry clearly present in her tone.
" They're gone" Xander said, his eyes glazing over.
* Gone like they can only be found in the sack of a vacume cleaner* Xander thought snidely, then though guiltily about how he could even think that.
" What do you mean gone, gone where" Ben asked, confusion and anger present in his face and tone of voice.
* If they've abandoned him* he thought darkly.
" Thery'e just gone, they won't be coming back, can't we just leave it at that" Xander asked, wincing at the memories of him staking his parents and the Scoobies betrayal.
Mistaking the wince for that of pain, May said
" Ben, perhaps we should take him to a hospitable, he is obviously in pain".
" I think you're right May" turning to Xander " Come on champ, time to leave"
" Leave? Where are we going Uncle Ben" Xander asked, confusion in his voice.
" Where taking you to hospitable to get those ribs checked, right May" Ben replied in a fatherly tone.
" That's right Ben, now up you get lazy bones, we have no time to waste" May replied mock sternly, some humour clouded by concern shining in her eyes.
Xander got up, and since he was dressed from the night before, went and rang a taxi so they could get there.
By the time his Aunt and Uncle had joined him, the taxi had arrived, and they where off to the hospitable.
* * *
As they entered the hospital, Xander heard his name being called by an 11yr old girl he knew only to well. His Aunt and Uncle went to have him put into the waiting list.
" Hey Dawn-Patrol, how's everything going"
"Good, well I guess not so good I guess cause I'm here and all and why are you here" Dawn asked as only 11yr old hyped up girl's with crushes can.
" Oh, I'm here to have my ribs checked Dawnmeister, yet I have two people I really want you to meet". Xander took a breath and continued just as Joyce Summer's came up to join her daughter and Xander.
" Dawn, Mrs. S, I'd like you to meet my Uncle Ben and my Aunt May" he said gesturing to the two adults who had joined them. Greetings and introductions went around and small talk began until Xander's name was called, and he followed the doctor into the observation room, followed closely by his aunt and uncle.
" Ah Xander, I wish I could say it was good to see you, but you tend to be injured every time we speak. I see today isn't any different" the doctor said.
" What do you mean by that" Ben Parker asked, curiosity lighting up his face.
" What I mean Mr...what is it I don't think I've seen you before" the doctor asked.
" Ben Parker, and this is my wife May doctor....Whedon?" Ben replied.
" Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Parker, now lets get to the problem." The Doctor paused before continuing." He has a broken rib, and I believe, from the amount of times he has come in here since he was 5, that his parents are to blame, in fact, I have papers here signed by the correct branches of the government that Xander should be taken out of the care of the Harris' until a full investigation can be launched".
Ben replied shaking his head sadly "They seem to have disappeared Doctor, nobody has any idea where they went, and they're not answering their mobiles." Ben took a breath before continuing. "We think that Xander was abandoned, and would like to take care of ourselves".
" That is nice to know, since the police are currently looking for his parents to arrest for child abuse" The doctor said, a smile gracing his face that somebody could and would look after Xander.
The doctor took a breath and then continued.
" Since they have been ruled unfit parents, it should take a week at least to have him transferred into your custody, and any other legal services needed".
That news lit up all the occupant's in the room with joy, and Xander was willing to move back to New York with them. He didn't even give the scoobies a thought as he went through his checkup, if they didn't want him around, he didn't want to be with them.
* * *
(One week later)
All the preparations where made, Xander's belongings where sent via post to his new home. He had been avoiding the Scoobies all week and now all that was left was to say goodbye to the final two people that meant anything to him; Dawn and Joyce Summers.
Xander entered the Summers household after meeting Dawn at the door. She let him in instantly since it was still daylight.
" Hey Dawny" Xander said in greeting as he entered "Is your Mum home?" he continued.
" Yeah she's still here, do you want me to go get Buffy" she asked, slightly downcast.
" Nah, I came here to see you and your Mum, not your ...sister" he said, struggling to say the last part without to much venom.
"Well not that I'm upset to see you or anything, but why are you here?" Dawn asked, her confidence returning.
" Well I'm actually here to say goodbye" he then paused before continuing " I'm moving to New York with my Aunt and Uncle, Dawn I'm going back home, to where I lived before I moved here".
Dawn started to cry "But Xand, I need you here, Buffy needs you here, eve" but before she could continue Xander cut her off.
" Dawny come here" and she complied willingly and fell into his hug. "Look Dawn, these people are the only people apart from your mum and yourself that even care about me, and your sister doesn't want me around any more, so there is really nothing keeping me here but" he paused and took a deep breath before continuing " If you ever need me, for anything at all, don't hesitate to ring or e-mail me ok, cause if you do, I'll come running, so don't you dare prank call me, cause the airfare alone will be a real bitch to cover" he finished up with a smirk as he heard her giggle. "Just one more thing Dawn, please remember the time difference cause I need my beauty sleep as much as the next person, but really, don't ever hesitate to call, cause if you need help, I will come running".
" Thanks Xand, I'm really going to miss you, without you, there won't be any kooky guys around for me to tease" Dawn replied while wiping away her tears.
" I'll miss you to Dawn, but may I add HEY to that statement." Xander added with a smirk.
During all this, Joyce had walked in and heard that Xander was leaving Sunny Dale. This saddened her greatly because she looked upon him like a son, and had been greatly disappointed in Buffy when she had overheard that Buffy didn't want him around any more. She couldn't think of any reasons for why, but she had to let it happen because there was only so much a parent can muddle with her child's life.
She walked over to him and gave him a warm hug while saying
" Xander, you know you are alway's welcome here right"
Xander nodded and told her
" Thanks Mrs S, thankyou so much for helping me out when I was in trouble". He took a breath to try and get his emotions under control. "You know the deal that applies to Dawn also applies to you, you ever need me call me and I will show up as soon as possible".
Joyce nodded, holding back her tears and said "That also goes for you Xander, if you ever need anything, just call us and we'll help you as best we can."
Xander nodded his thanks and broke from the hug saying
" I had best get going if I want to meet up with Uncle Ben and Aunt May on time, and both of you take care, I'll call to let you know how I am once I've settled in". They nodded and he walked out the door, and quite possibly their lives forever, because for at least one of them, that would be the last time they saw him in their lifetime.
As he walked to where his Uncle Ben and Aunt May where picking him up from, he noticed Buffy running towards him.
" Oh great" he muttered, dark thoughts racing across his mind.
" Oh God Xand, we've being looking for you all this week, where have you been" she asked him moving from relief to anger.
Xander scowled and told her "Look Buff, I'm leaving, it's obvious you don't want me here and I never stay where I'm not wanted."
" What do you mean leaving" Buffy asked, her eyes aflame.
" It's quite simple Buffy, I'm leaving Sunny Dale, moving on to greener pastures so to speak" he paused and then added "After you all told me I was useless, and then later decked me, not bothering to check on me, I kinda made up my mind that I wasn't wanted". Another breath was taken so he could keep himself in control. "This is goodbye Buffy, I wish you a long and happy life, but I have to go now". He said in a softer tone and began to move where his uncle had parked the car they had rented. He kept going until a hand grabbed him and spun him around, brining him face to face with a broken slayer.
" So this is it, your actually leaving us....leaving me?" Buffy asked in a choked voice
" Yes, this is the final goodbye Buffy, this is it, I'm leaving good old Sunny Hell for good, and I don't plan on coming back. Look after your family Buffy, you never know when it can be torn away" and with those words he was gone from Buffy's life, away from her destiny, and about to embrace his own, for even though he did not know it yet, his destiny was to be greater than that of the slayer, to become a champion to people everywhere.
And as he drove off with Uncle Ben and Aunt May to the airport in LA, he allowed a single tear to slip, mourning the life he had left behind, and embracing his future
END CHAPTER 01
Feed back wanted, and stay tuned for Chapter 02 - Birth of the Spider