Title : Finale
Author : Zer0 Signal
Rating : PG
Content : B/X angst
Disclaimer : Buffy not mine. Joss own Buffy. Me peon. Him God.
Distro : buffyguide.com, fanfiction.net, anyone else just ask
Spoilers : None, imagine that
Comments : Written in response to the F.A.N. Challenge posted at the beginning of April. The story has to begin with that first sentence, after that anything goes. So anything went. Enjoy.
*Bang*, *bang*, *bang*.
Three shots entered my body and thus began the greatest adventure of my life.
The adrenaline rush was overwhelming, almost orgasmic. Without even realizing it, I had leapt 10 feet forward and was overpowering a man nearly twice my size, armed with a 9mm pistol. My ears rang as hot blood sped to every part of my body. His eyes met my steely gaze, and his body froze, transfixed in horror. My eyes felt like they were burning a bright red, and from the look on his face, they very well may have been. I clamped onto his right wrist with my hand until he was forced to drop the weapon, but I didn't release my grip. I almost smirked as I felt his wristbone begin to splinter. His eyes widened as my other hand clamped around his neck. He went down on one knee, his lip trembling ever so slightly, his eyes begging for his life. My rational mind had long faded, I needed to kill him. Kill him for what he tried to do.
Then, a voice from the heavens restored tranquility to my soul…
"Xander…don't."
Instantly I released the would-be mugger, who scurried away holding his wrist, fighting the urge to scream in agonizing pain. I spun around and saw Buffy, stake in hand, frozen in shock, just as the man was. She dropped her stake as tears welled up in her eyes. For an eternity, neither of us moved. Like a waking dream, reality crept back slowly. I turned my head downward to see the rivers of blood flowing from my chest and stomach. I looked up again at Buffy, still feeling no physical pain. Her expression tore my heart apart. I had never seen her so scared. Staring directly into her soul, I slumped to my knees. She ran to me and cradled me in her arms, babbling incoherently about hanging on and not leaving her. The pain of a thousand daggers began to pierce me from the inside out, and my mind regained coherence. This isn't how the story ends, I thought to myself. The White Knight doesn't die. I began to feel blood rise from the back of my throat. Now I couldn't say I loved her without choking. No matter, now she knew for sure. Wills will get her through this, she always has. No lowlife mugger's going to get rid of the Slayer on my watch.
I almost laughed at my skewed thoughts, my consciousness now completely down to earth. My vision became hazy, so I took Buffy's hand in mine and just smiled. This really was the greatest adventure of my life.
But the finale should always be grand.