Chapter Two

By the time I had woken up, Xander was gone. He had left me a note on my nightstand:

Danni,

Sorry, had to leave early enough. Still got to find a job and all. I really had fun. I'm not sure what it meant to you, but I'd like to see you again. Find me tonight at The Bronze.

-Xander

My heart fluttered and I pined his note on my cork board with a thumb tack. Was it too soon to call him my boyfriend?

I shrugged and gathered my things to go and shower. Twenty minutes later I was dressed and ready for my literature class. I bumped into Buffy on my way there.

"Oh, hi, Buffy!"

"Oh, hi, it's Danni, right?"

"Yeah, what class is this?" I asked eyeing the rush of students entering the class doors.

"Image of Pop Culture."

"Um, okay, well enjoy. I'll see you in psych!" I smiled happily at her as I skipped away to my class.

My literature class was easy, the syllabus of books that we would be reading for the semester were all books I had read more than once. Looking at the lesson plan I guessed that I could finish my whole semester's assignments within a weekend if I worked hard enough.

I had meant to wait for Buffy outside her class and walk her to psych, but she was already gone. I headed to psych myself. Buffy was already inside talking to Riley.

When Riley was done he turned his handsome eyes to me, "Well, there you are. I was worried that you got lost."

"No, I was waiting for Buffy, but turns out she found her way here faster than I could."

"Well, I hope that you are enjoying your first day. Oh, and if you need any help clarifying anything that Walsh talks about in class…" He pulled out a piece of paper from his notebook and scribbled something down real quick before handing it to me. "Feel free to call me anytime."

"Thanks," I smiled at him before taking a seat beside Buffy.

"Oh, hey Dee! Glad you're here." Willow said happily. "Oh, this is Oz, my boyfriend."

I waved at Oz, "Hey, nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too."

Before we could chat any more, Professor Walsh strolled in and made her introductions. By the time class ended I was thrilled to have a teacher that might actually push me and prove to be a slight challenge.

Riley stopped me before I could leave, "Hey, you seemed kind of excited with what Walsh had to say. Gotta say that's not the normal reaction she gets."

"Sorry, I had a lot of teachers as I was growing up and I had this tendency to push past what they were teaching and search out my own lessons. So, I guess I'm kind of hoping that Walsh can push me for once."

"Riley, mind introducing me to the student you seem rather interested in." Professor Walsh said as she came up behind Riley.

I blushed and I think I saw a hint of a blush on Riley as well. "Of course, Professor, this is Danni, she is well versed in your work. She was just telling me that she hopes you will push her in this class."

She smiled at me, "Well, I can promise you that I will definitely push you. If you have an urge for extra work… for extra credit of course, feel free to come and talk to me. It's a pleasure to meet you, Danni."

"Thank you, I definitely will keep that in mind. And it was amazing to meet you as well Professor." I smiled at her as she walked away.

"Wow, I think you just made it on her good side in record time!" Riley chuckled.

"I've got to get going to my next class. See you later!" I waved as I walked away.

"Bye!" Riley said before turning the other direction down the hall after Professor Walsh.

My Algebra class was basic, mostly review for me, but since math had always been my worst subject I made sure to pay extra attention and take extra notes.

By 5 pm I was outside in the sunshine finishing up my homework that wasn't even due for another week and getting a head start on my literature paper that hadn't even officially been assigned.

My cell phone startled me, "Hello, Angel?" I answered looking around to make sure no one important heard me say his name.

"Hey, Dee. Just checking up on you."

"I'm fine. Classes are great. I have psych with Buffy, Willow and Oz, I think we might form a study group too, so that will be a great way to be included. Also I met Xander, he was at the Bronze last night."

"Were the other's there too?"

"No, just him. We danced and hit it off really well. I think I really like him."

"Like really, really like him?"

"Yes. I'm seeing him again tonight."

Angel was silent on his end, I wondered if he was upset with me.

"Is that alright?"

"Um, yeah, of course it is. He's a nice guy, but I just want you to be careful-" a voice in the back ground interrupted him and he responded to them before talking to me again. "I have to go Dee, take care."

"Yeah, you too. Bye."

I gathered my things and headed back to my room. By 7 pm I was headed to the Bronze.

I was there rather early, but thankfully there were a few there too. Music was blasting and the atmosphere seemed fun so I danced.

"I wasn't sure you would come."

I turned around and faced Xander. I was instantly excited and without even thinking it I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him.

He chuckeled and kissed me back, "Well, I'm happy to see you too!"

"Sorry, I got a little carried away."

"Feel free to get carried away anytime then!"

I laughed, "I'll keep that in mind."

He led me to the back couch we had been on the night before. "Want something to drink?" He asked.

"Water, please?"

he nodded and turned around and left, returning only moments later with a bottle of water for me.

"thank you." I said opening the water and drinking some.

"So, how was your first day at school?" He asked.

"Great! I think I'm really going to enjoy it."

"So, you're not going to be leaving Sunnydale anytime soon?"

"Nope, guess your stuck with me for a bit longer!"

He smiled, "Good, I was kind of hoping to make this a more regualr thing."

"What? Sitting here at the Bronze every night?"

"No, us. I mean, if you want to. I really like you, and I'm hoping you like me too." Xander sounded unsure and slightly nervous.

"I like the sound of that: us!" I saw Buffy walk in, but Xander hadn't noticed.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and beamed proudly.

I watched as Buffy stopped, looking around her as though she were lost and rather confused. her eyes wandered to a man across the club. out of the corner of my eye it looked like Angel, but I knew better. Based on the look on Buffy's face she really thought it was him, and when the guy turned more under the light and she saw that it wasn't. Her face fell.

"I'd love us to be an us, but you have to tell your friends your back." I pointed to Buffy.

"How'd you-?"

"I have pysch with Buffy, Willow and Oz. They've talked about you, but until last night I hadn't put two and two together. they miss you. Go talk to her!" I nudge him.

He smiled and stood up and made his way over there. I watched as they talked a bit and noticed under the light that Buffy had some bruising on her cheek. She must have fought last night. I was suddenly even more happy that I hadn't decided to patrol, but at the same time, if I had been there she wouldn't have that bruise on her cheek.

Xander motioned for me to come over.

"Danni, what are you doing here and how do you know Xander?" Buffy looked confused.

"We met last night, here. I had a long day and had heard about this place. Xander kept me company and made me laugh… a lot."

Xander took my hand in his and Buffy raised an eyebrow at us, but said nothing. "We've got to go and do something very important. Sorry to cut tonight short."

"Does this something important have to do with that bruise on your cheek?" I asked motioning toward Buffy.

"Kind of, yes." Buffy said fixing her hair.

"Then count me in."

Xander and Buffy exchanged looks.

I took a deep breath and decided that Angel could kill me for it later. "Let me guess, some vamp did that, since I doubt any regular person could do that to you of all people!"

"Who are you?" Buffy asked looking a bit on edge.

"I know who you are, slayer. And to be honest I can help you."

"How do you know me?"

"I'm not supposed to say. The person who helped me get into this college-" I turned to Xander, "That friend I told you about, he wanted me to find you and help you."

"I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me who your friend is."

I sighed and took out my phone and handed it to her, "Speed dial 1."

She furrowed her brow but dialed the number. There was a moment of silence and then her eyes widened with surprise, "Angel?"

I swallowed hard, hoping he wouldn't be too mad at me. She walked a bit away for some privacy.

Xander looked at me and seemed to be criticizing me then he pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. I had only known Xander for two days, but it seemed so much longer than that. I really liked him and was a bit worried that I might actually like him a bit too much; even more terrifying was the idea that I might like him more than he liked me.

"You have some very interesting friends. Anything else I should know?" Xander asked, his eyes soft and caring.

"My mother's death was caused by a vampire. I watched the whole thing. I left, hunting for information since then. Eventually I was found by the Watcher's council and they thought that I might be a potential and trained me. I worked hard, harder than anyone else they had before.

"Eventually my learning went above their teaching and they determined I wasn't a real potential after all. Angel found me after that. he told me his story and I told him mine and together we worked. I guess that was right after he left Sunnydale. It seems so long ago, but really isn't. He was the first friend I had since I ran away after my mother's death. It was hard to leave."

"Well, now you have the scooby gang!" Xander squeezed my shoulder and I was instantly happier.

Buffy turned around and handed me my phone. "He'll call you later, he said. He also said that I should trust you."

"And do you?"

"Yes. Let's go." She didn't pause as she turned around and headed for the exit.

the three of us headed out of the club. My fingers were laced through Xander's and it felt right. I was also glad I had decided to walk instead of take my bike.

"So, what's going on?"

"A vamp bitch kicked Buffy's ass." Xander said matter-of-factly.

"Xander!" Buffy sounded a bit irritated.

"Ok, the brusie kind of gave that one away."

"I think the vamp bitch, has been killing students and then taking all their things, leaving behind a pathetic note about how college is too much for them, so no one ever notices. I want to know how long this has been going on and find out where they are hiding. They have to be close by."

"Ok, let's do this!" I replied as we approached the administrative building.

I had decided to stay outside the office door and keep a look out while Buffy and Xander looked for information. Just as I was leaning against the wall, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

"Angel?" I quietly answered.

"You just had to do your own thing." He didn't sound angry in anyway and I was a bit startled by that.

"I'm sorry, but I needed Buffy to trust me. And she needed my help. She's not on top of her game right now and can use all the help and encouragement that she can."

"Then in that case I'm happy that you told her. I never doubted your decisions before and I won't start now. I just wanted to tell you again how much it means to me that you're there with her."

"I know. You wouldn't have asked me if it wasn't important. But I'm telling you now, I'm coming home for breaks."

He chuckled, "Deal. Can't wait to see you when you come home. Oh and I forgot to tell you, we have a new member of Angel Investigations. In that picture I gave you, the dark haired girl-"

"The one you said was annoying?"

"Yeah, that's the one. Well, she's here and helping out. It's been… Interesting to say the least."

"Well, I'm glad you're not alone."

"Magic number!" I heard Xander yell behind me.

"I've gotta go. Got a vamp to slay."

"Ok, be careful. Call me afterward so I know you're all safe, please?"

"Will do."

I hung up and entered the office after checking to make sure everything was clear. "Find something?"

"Yeah, we may have found the building they're using as their hideout." Buffy handed me the paper.

"Ok, lets check it out."

We headed to the supposed to be abandonned building. There were signs posted saying the building was closed to the public and to keep out. We of course, ignored them. We noticed some skylights on the roof and made our way quietly there.

Buffy and I leaned over the skylight and noticed some vamps going through someones personal belongings, I assumed belonged to Buffy.

"Score!" Buffy said just as Xander made his way to us.

I assessed the situation. We were technically out numbered, but with my skills and Buffy's slayer abilities we should be able to manage. Buffy was prattling on about something when I noticed the female vamp, she looked familiar, but I couldn't place her face so I shrugged it off.

"We need weapons." Xander interrupted my thoughts.

I reached into my boot and pulled out a slightly flat, but still sharp stake and handed it to Buffy. "That's all I have on me."

"I don't see my weapons trunk down there. It was right by my bed." Buffy said.

"I have weapons back in my room, bottom drawer of my dresser, under my desk, under the mattress, and in the closet." I pulled out my keys and handed them to Xander.

"Go to my room. If it's not there try Willow's."

"Then hit mine. I don't have many, but it's better than nothing if you can't find her trunk."

Xander nodded and turned to leave.

Buffy was trash talking the vamps that couldn't hear her and then an unsettling sound erupted as the skylight broke under our weight. I tried to grab the edge and Buffy, but all I managed to do was slice my hand as I plummeted into the pit of vamps.

I landed with a hard thump, it knocked the wind out of me and made my vision swirl. I wasn't a slayer, so while Buffy was able to crack jokes and hold their attention, I gathered my thoughts and breath and prepared to fight.

Before I was fully ready I caught a side vamps attention and he charged me. I quickly managed to dodge his charge and twist my leg around to kick him, knocking him to the floor. I looked around for something to use as a stake and found a broken piece of wood that was perfect. I picked it up and staked the downed guy vamp, turning him to dust.

I was then charged and knocked off my feet by a heavier female vamp. She landed on top of me with a thud and again the wind was knocked out of me. Breathing was becoming difficult with all her weight on me. I punched her face with my fist that was cut and instantly regretted it as it pulsed harder with pain and blood dripping.

I turned my head quickly and saw the makeshift stake that had been knocked from my hand. With my good fist I threw another punch knocking her off of me and quickly scrambled to the stake and turned just in time to shove it in her chest. I laid on my back catching my breath as her dust remains settled.

I heard more feet, realizing that Xander, Willow and Oz had finally made it. I stood and looked around realizing that Buffy and I seemed to have it under control.

I stayed sitting looking around for something to stop the bleed on my hand. Xander rushed to my side and looked at my hand, "What happened? I thought you two were waiting for back up… or at least weapons?"

"The skylight had other plans. We had to improvise."

Xander found a stripe of clean cloth and bound my hand tightly. I squeaked as he tightened it and he winced. "Sorry."

he helped me to my feet and we all worked together to gather up Buffy's things and take them back to her room.

Once we were outside and all carrying something an older man I recognized from the picture Angel had given me was approaching us carrying weapons and a cross.

"What's with the arsenal?" Xander asked.

"I've been awake all night. I know I'm supposed to teach you self-reliance, but I can't leave you out the to fight alone. to hell with what's right, I'm ready to back you us. Let's find the ecil a-and fight it together." Giles answered.

"Great! Thanks! We'll get right on that." Buffy replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"The evil is the way?" Giles asked, glancing briefly in my direction.

"My room is." Buffy answered.

Giles came up along side me, confused. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure to meet you."

"Danni, or Dee for short. And your Giles." I smiled.

"Yes, is your hand hurt?" He asked with concern.

"Just cut, I need to get in the habit of buying myself bandages again." I snickered.

"I have supplies at my place, I can go and fetch them if need be."

"No need, first aid kit in my room." Willow answered with a smile.

We made it back to Buffy's room and helped her set everything back up. Willow fetched the first aid kit and Xander followed me back to my room to tend to my hand.

I sat on my bed while Xander sat across from me in the desk's chair. I held out my hand to him as he carefully unwound the cloth.

"This is going to sting." he warned as he gently poured the antiseptic on the cut.

I winced a little then focused on my breathing to ignore some of the pain. Once the wound was clean he placed clean gauze over the cut and wrapped my hand with the binding provided in the kit.

"I'm not sure what I'm more happy about; you being there to help Buffy or Buffy being there to help you." He said staring at my bandaged hand and tenderly stroking the skin on my wrist.

"I'm fine. The cut is from the glass when I tried to reach for it and grab Buffy. It was my own stupid move for trying to grab glass. I'm fine and so is Buffy."

"I know." He shoved everything back into the kit and closed it. "I'm sure everyone else has gone to bed, I'll return this to Willow in the morning." He headed for the door.

"Wait, Xander. Would you just lay with me? Please?" I asked, sounding rather desperate and pathetic.

Xander turned around and smiled at me, "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Just let me go to the girl's bathroom and get ready." I stood up and grab my little carry all that had all my hygiene things. Then I grabbed a pair of pj bottoms and a tank top before heading out. "I'll be right back. Make yourself comfortable."

I changed and brushed my teeth then headed back to my room. I locked the door behind me and saw that Xander had made himself comfortable. His jeans were draped over the chair with his over shirt and he was lounging in the bed under the covers.

I wanted desperately to seduce Xander; I mean under normal circumstances I would have slept with him by now. My psychology studies and knowledge told myself that was because I was craving affection. I shrugged at my own self diagnosis and decided, like before, I didn't care. I wanted to sleep with Xander, but I would wait, because I wanted something more from Xander than just sex.

Angel was the first person I had emotionally let myself get attached to. Could I do that with Xander and the rest of the scooby gang?