Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Author's note: So thankfully, no one died, at least unnecessarily. I've mentioned before how much I couldn't stand how Whedon killed off characters just because he doesn't believe in happy endings, let alone thinking that death can just happen unexpectedly. The audience gets enough of that in real life, so he hasn't really done himself or his fans a favor in that regard. Also, if he's trying to make a point, it helps that he just makes it without trying to throw in his own beliefs as he did with the show. By this I mean trying to empower the female gender, only to tear down men. Not to mention having his titular character seem like the universe revolves around her and that she's the best, when she's on the bottom of the chain, not to mention times where she really needed to come through, she only showed her worst side what really mattered for her own gains, and most times she always gets what she wants. That is one of the worst things you can do for any character, and it only causes a split in the audience in regards to said character. On that note, I'd like to say that I've researched season 8, and the plot line was ridiculous, and the current plot for season 9 is just as ridiculous, and has hit a breaking point with Xande'rs character where Whedon has taken his stance on his own character to it's biggest extent, where Xander is at fault. All I can say by this point is I'm done with this guy. I've ranted enough, on with the story.


Hyperion Hotel

Los Angeles, California

Mid-May, 2003

The vehicles sat outside the hotel as everyone was getting settled inside the lavish building. Everyone that wound up injured were being tended to by those who were able bodied. Luckily, there had been no casualties, as the arrival of Angel and his team, plus Gabriel and Alucard being present, helped to prevent any of the presently activated slayers from meeting their ends. Xander and Faith had taken Dawn upstairs for some rest, as the experience had left the teenager tired. As Dawn laid on the king-sized bed, Xander and Faith sat next to her. Dawn looked up to her savior with a smile.

"You saved me, again. Forever the White Knight," the younger Summers sibling said. Faith smiled while Xander held a slightly embarrassed look on his face. Faith laid a hand on his shoulder, as she noticed that he was ready to talk himself down.

"So what do you guys think will happen next? With the Seed squashed, and the hellmouth gone for good, we've got a long rest ahead of us," Faith said.

"I don't know. Everything happened so fast, I'm not sure how we can get back to being normal," Xander replied.

"With our luck, normal won't be happening anytime soon. I give it till September," Dawn said, earning a laugh from the other two brunettes.

"Get some rest Dawn," Xander said as he and Faith left the room. As soon as Xander closed the door, Faith launched herself at him, latching her lips onto his. Xander reciprocated for a few minutes before Faith pulled back.

"Not that I don't appreciate the attention. But why?" Xander asked.

"Just thought I'd get a taste before everything's said and done," Faith replied seductively, before she headed back into the room. Xander looked at the door, then shook his head before heading down to the lobby. Inside the bedroom Faith sat next to Dawn, who had an expectant look on her face.

"What?" Faith asked.

"You kissed him," Dawn said. Faith looked caught off guard before Dawn elaborated.

"I know that look on your face. It's the same look I would have on my face after I spent time with Xander. The look for you isn't as strong. But you're starting to see him the way I do. The only difference between us is that you can have him. I can't," Dawn explained.

"Who says you can't. You could go after him if you wanted to," Faith said.

"Right, go after my friend, who's five years older than me, and wouldn't even think twice before looking at me," Dawn said, a bit bitterly.

"I dunno. I heard about the whole thing with the school quarterback. X got a pretty good look at you when you were dancing," Faith said, smirking. Dawn's face turned a shade of red as she reminisced on the incident in question. A thoughtful look then formed on her face at the idea that she had managed to seduce Xander without trying.

"Might want to hold off on those thoughts because we still need to figure out what we're going to do here," Faith said while smirking.

"What do you mean?" Dawn replied.

"We both know how we feel about X. That's not the issue. The issue is what he wants," Faith explained.

"And what's wrong with you having him? He can see the good in you like he has with everyone. You've gone down a dark road but you came back," Dawn encouraged.

"Yeah, an ex-con who killed two guys and helped to almost end the world. Not to mention the shit I did when I got out from my coma. Then going after Angel just to take the easy way out and die. Does that sound like anyone you'd want to be with?" Faith asked the younger girl.

"Okay, so you've got issues. Serious issues. How many of us in the group doesn't? Look at Willow? Both her parents ignored her. She couldn't have Xander and then helped ruined his relationship with Cordy. Then Oz cheated on her, and then she lost Tara. Damn near ended the world. Giles went from regular guy to problem child who was hooked on dark magic, which is why most of his friends got killed. Buffy's story you already know. Then there's Xander. Comparatively the most normal one out of all of us, and yet he has to take the most crap than anyone because the Powers screwed with us all, particularly him. Who knows what would've happened if everyone had actually listened to Xander and taken him more seriously. But look where we are," Dawn summarized.

"You know all of that, so why do you want me to have him?" Faith asked.

"Maybe because you need him more than I ever could," Dawn answered.

"And who says you don't? Everyone with power ignoring you? Treating you like an outsider? Meanwhile there's one person who isn't afraid to do so because he's in the same position?" Faith shot back.

"Well, you would know, wouldn't you? That's how you felt after you killed Kakistos, right?" Dawn said. Faith lowered her head, as the younger brunette was dead on about Faith's feelings towards most of the people in the lobby.

"Look at us. Two messed up girls going all weepy over this, not to mention over a guy," Faith lamented.

"But not just any guy. Someone who can understand. Because he's always seen. From what Xander said, Reverend 'I Hate Women' was right," Dawn explained.

"So what do we do?" Faith asked.

"Well...nah," Dawn replied, shaking the thought from her head.

"What?" Faith returned.

"I don't think you'll like it," Dawn said.

"How bad could this possibly be?" Faith said. Dawn looked at the older brunette, as she knew given Faith's past, it might feel a bit like a relapse.

"We could...share him?" Dawn suggested carefully. Faith's eyes widened at the implication.

"Share him?! Like a three-way?!" Faith yelled. Dawn simply nodded.

"You know this is crazy right?" Faith threw back.

"We've lived in a town full of crazy. A three-way relationship isn't the most outrageous thing we could even begin to think of," Dawn said.

"Alright, alright. It's not like we've got anything else to lose. But X might just flip when we tell him," Faith said. Dawn only smirked as she realized how much Faith had to learn about their potential boyfriend. She watched as the dark-haired slayer exited the room and smiled as she closed her eyes. As she did, the amulet from Wolfram and Hart began to glow.

Downstairs in the lobby, Xander sat with the new slayers and waited, as everyone had been healed from their injuries.

"Must be pretty nifty, having to heal like that," Xander said to Kennedy.

"I think it might be the new power we got before the battle started. Willow explained it to me. Somehow, she managed to combine Light and Shadow energy, and made it into something new and...pure," the younger slayer said, holding the amulet that contained her power.

"Yeah. It's like I can feel everything around me pulsing, syncing with my heartbeat," Vi said, in a dreamy voice. The others looked at the redheaded slayer oddly.

"What?" Vi said.

"Well, the First is scrubbed. Which only leaves us with something even worse. So here's the thing: I have absolutely no idea how the hell we can possibly handle this. I tried being the leader, and...I suck. I got you all into one life-or-death situation after another and I could've had more of you killed. That's why I plan on stepping back as leader," Buffy announced to everyone. The others looked on shocked while Gabriel and Alucard looked on with piqued curiosity. Xander stood up and approached his blonde friend.

"That's the thing, Buff. You've always acted as if you were alone in this. That's how the council had brainwashed the slayers into thinking," Xander began explaining.

"Now Xander-" Giles was cut off.

"Shut up Giles! I'm on a roll! The point is, the weight of world should never have to be on one person's shoulders. And that's what you are; one person. You're still human. You have superpowers yes. But you're not invincible. It's okay to ask for help with the stuff you can't deal with by yourself. You've never been alone. So there's no reason to think you are," Xander said to her. Buffy was so moved by his words, that she engulfed him in a big hug, that would normally cause him a lack of air. Before anyone else could do anything, a voice sounded out to all of them.

"Awwwww. That's really sweet. Leave it to the Dweeb to always be there for his girls," came a familiar voice. Everyone turned to see Cordelia coming down the stairs in the same clothes that she had been resting in.

"What? Is there something on my blouse?" the former queen of Sunnydale High asked.

"Oh my god," Xander said to his former love.

"I know. I know. I should be laid up, probably hooked to some machines and whatever. But, someone had been looking out for me for a few days now. Good thing too. I wanted to give that bitch a nice foot up her ass for the stuff she made me do," Cordelia said.

"Cordy," the cursed vampire said.

"Angel," the ex-cheerleader said, smiling.

"Faith," the second eldest slayer said. Angel looked at Faith with mild annoyance, while Cordelia looked at her with bemusement.

"What? It's not like Xander has a patent on that joke," Faith said.

"Well, look who's back and gracing us with her presence! Good to see you girl," Lorne said as he walked through the doors of the hotel. The newly activated slayers looked on weirdly at the handsomely, if not campy, dressed half-breed demon.

"Good to be back Lorne. And it feels good to be me again," she said.

"I don't understand. I mean I'm happy that you're back. But did the Powers do this hoping to get us back under their thumbs?" Fred asked a bit nervously.

"Actually. It wasn't the Powers That Be, not that they ever were that. No, different jurisdiction. Much different. Besides, the Powers that sit on their asses wiped my memory and sent me back here, with 'Jasmine' riding shotgun. They knew that you guys would try and get my memory back. Instead of getting their hands dirty, they used you to take care of her. Thank goodness Alex and Ariel showed up when they did," Cordelia explained.

"You saw all of that?" Xander asked his ex-girlfriend, in shock written all over his face.

"Yeah. After my soul was forced out of my body, I saw everything that...thing did. Then this bright light surrounded me, and the next thing I know I'm back in the higher plane watching everything. Alex and Ariel showed up not long after that. And then I saw everything that went down from that point. Needless to say, the Powers are sort of pissed, but not at the same time," Cordelia explained.

"Why would they be pissed?" Angel asked.

"And more importantly, why should we care?" Xander asked.

"Well, they were pissed because the interference messed up all of their future plans. They are pretty happy that Alex and Ariel convinced Angel and the crew to tell Wolfram and Hart to take a hike," Cordelia explained.

"It's not like we weren't tempted the second we heard it," Angel said.

"Okay. I'm only asking this because I like to think I've known you fairly well, but why in the hell would you even consider taking over Wolfram and Hart?" the former zeppo asked the ensouled vampire.

"Maybe because I'm getting tired of me and my friends being jerked around, pushed and pulled in all directions, barely making a dent in this damn war!" Angel snapped at his former rival for Buffy's affection. Connor looked at his father as he thought on his words. The young half-breed could understand all too well how his father felt. He too had been lied to, used, and manipulated. It started with Holtz, and it went on with Jasmine possessing Cordelia. The teenager wonder why he was still in this world when it seemed that everything would just get worse.

"You were much better than that Deadboy," Xander said, scathingly.

"Xander," Buffy began before her friend cut her off.

"No Buffy. This has to be said. You wanted to stop being pulled around like a puppet, and the first thing you do is run to Evil Incorporated? Did you really think that there wouldn't be a catch to them even offering it to you? Maybe their higher ups wanted to keep you guys occupied, so that way you'd be docile enough to start ignoring the big picture? I've heard people say you were a hero. But it looks like you fell off somewhere along the line. You can either accept what I said and move forward, or you can brood on it," Xander said. Everyone looked at him with interest with the way he spoke up. For the new slayers, they had never known Xander to be so outspoken. He had been calm and reserved, if not a little distant. But then for many of them, they had never even looked twice as he didn't have power. They began to wonder just what else they had missed about the carpenter. Angel, on the other hand, had looked at the floor as this was the second time that Xander had managed to make him face his own faults in the way he was thinking. He wouldn't admit it, but the man who had forced him to find the Master's lair had fed him words that had rung true within him, ever since that fateful night. And like many, when he didn't take his words seriously, it only came back to bite him in the ass.

"You're right," Angel said. For a second, Buffy thought her ex-boyfriend would choke on his own words. Even Xander tried to hide his surprise at the vampire's agreement.

"It's no reason to think that I won't quit this fight. But now we've just got more enemies," Angel said.

"Doesn't mean we won't have to be limited by numbers. Sometimes the key to winning is good strategy," Xander replied with a smirk. Angel, despite himself, couldn't help but smile at the young man's words.

"How bout that Buffy? They finally made peace. Yeah. End of the world is coming soon," Cordelia threw out, causing everyone to laugh.

"So what say you guys celebrate? You scrubbed the First Evil, so why not party and rest for a while?" the former cheerleader said.

"I think we could all do for a rest first. What do you girls think?" Buffy asked the new slayers. Her question was met with various nods and agreements.

"Alright. There are plenty of rooms for everyone. You're free to stay as long as you want," Angel said. He gave everyone the room numbers that were occupied by the investigation team and everyone strode off to wash up and rest after such a long and arduous adventure. However, many of the core members from both groups remained behind to discuss some serious issues. Buffy pulled Xander away from everyone for some privacy.

"What's up hero mine?" Xander said with a smile.

"I just wanted to thank you. For everything. Not just for what you did during this fight. But for everything since we first met. I know we butted heads from time-to-time. But you've always been here by my side. And I can't tell you how grateful I am," Buffy explained.

"Hey, we're friends. We watch out for each other," Xander responded in kind.

"Yeah. Still, there's something I want to give you," Buffy said. She approached Xander, standing slightly on her tip-toes to reach up to him. Before the carpenter could register what he thought she was doing, he felt her lips softly connect with his. He was stunned at what was happening before Buffy removed her lips.

"Uh...?" Xander said unable to wrap his head around what happened.

"It's my way of saying don't change. I...want to be able to give more. But you've got two ladies who could use some of that Xander-lovin'. But know that if Dawn gets hurt, I reserve the right to kick your ass," Buffy said with a smirk. Xander simply nodded at what happened, before he journeyed back to the room he figured he would share with Dawn and Faith. Anya had watched the last bit of their talk and heard what was said. She smiled softly before she went up to her own room.

Cordelia and Angel walked to his office to have their own discussion. Angel opened the door, allowing the woman who now held his heart inside before he closed the door. As the vampire turned around to face her, Cordelia herself had leapt at him, catching him off guard as she smashed her lips against his. Angel held her tightly as he had wanted this moment for so long, but was surprised by her exuberance. However, unknown to Angel, something strange was taking place inside of him. As he and Cordelia continued locking lips, he could feel something powerful flowing inside of him, changing him from the inside out. Slowly but surely, his body began to warm up, and his heart began beating again. However, what really brought things home for him was when he could no longer feel the presence of the demon inside of him. Angel pulled away from Cordelia, gasping for air. He hadn't felt this sensation since the incident with the Mohra demon.

"I'm alive!" Angel gasped out.

"You got it Bubba. One of the big guys up top figured that you did enough. Besides, those prophecies by the powers couldn't be trusted. Anyway, you're a real boy again," Cordelia said smiling.

"But what about my redemption? There are still people that need to be saved," Angel shot back.

"And they will be saved. But we won't be doing this the Powers' way anymore. We have a group that will work together. But for now, Just shut up and follow me," Cordelia said, dragging Angel out of his office and up to his room. Buffy watched them with one eyebrow raised, with the others looking on in curiosity. Connor himself had not thought much about his father and surrogate mother being together, as he realized that it was better off that way. His attention was drawn away from the pair as Vi approached him shyly.

"Hi," the redhead said.

"Hello," Connor said plainly.

"Are you alright?" she asked the young man.

"Can't complain. Just going over everything that happened. Not quite how I thought this day would go," the half-breed replied.

"I can relate. It was only weeks ago that I was just a normal girl. Then I get plucked from my life and I find out I was born 'special'. But then it turns out to be a lie. I can't imagine having to cope with that by myself," Vi explained.

"Believe me, it's crazy to even try. Months ago, at least in this dimension, I wasn't even this old," Connor said.

"What do you mean?" the slayer asked in response.

"I'm about eighteen years old physically. But the truth is, I'm only just over a year old in this reality. I was taken from my father when I was still an infant. My kidnapper took us into a hell dimension. And raised me there for most of my life," Connor began explaining.

"How did you survive?!" Vi asked as she felt herself shock and horrified, aside from obvious reasons.

"He trained me specifically on how to fight Angelus. But it seemed like most of the training was just torture because he knew what I was. Angelus told me that Holtz was always disappointed in me. And maybe he was right. But the truth is, Holtz hated just as much as he hated my dad. For all his talk about how God brought he and I together, and how killing Angel would be for justice, in the end, I was just his tool for revenge," Connor finished.

"So how do you feel now?" Vi asked.

"I feel lighter. It's like once the truth was revealed, the weight of all the lies just went away. I can start over," Connor replied.

"That sounds great. And you've got new friends to help if you need it," Vi said smiling at the half-breed. Connor returned it with a small smile.

Inside Angel's room, Cordelia had leapt into the former vampire's arms, with him holding her in mid-air by her thighs, as they continued trading kisses. Angel walked them over the bed where he laid Cordelia down, while they undressed each other. Once their clothes came off, they spent the next few hours in private, closed off from the world. The two lovers laid together, in each other's arms, feeling as though things were finally going their way.

In another room of the hotel, Faith and Xander made their way back to their room where they found Dawn practically bouncing off the walls. They were initially caught off guard as they weren't even gone for an hour, yet now the younger Summers' girl seemed practically full of energy. Both Xander and Faith found that it was true as each sensed a strange power coming from Dawn, or more specifically the amulet.

"Hey Dawn. I see you're feeling better," Xander said slowly. Dawn turned to face him with a wide smile on her face.

"XANDER!" she shouted, before she leapt into his arms, and pulled him into a long, passionate, searing kiss. Faith looked on wide-eyed at the younger girl's affection. Xander for his part could only sputter his lack of words out as he wasn't sure how Dawn could be so forward.

"I'm going to make this as clear as I can. Faith and I want you. ALL OF YOU! And right now, I don't care if I have to wait a year before I can do what you guys have already done, I will have you!" Dawn said with enough exuberance that Xander looked within himself, and knew that he had begun to feel the same. But then he looked to the dark-haired slayer and he wondered what could she could thinking about this situation.

"Faith, what do you-" he was cut off as Faith put a finger to his lips.

"She's telling the truth. We both want you. We both want to take care of you and be with you. You've shown to be a good guy, so why not?" Faith threw at him. Xander looked back and forth between Faith and Dawn. He looked down for a second and then looked back to both of them. On the one hand, he felt that this was probably the craziest idea that anyone of the scoobies could've ever possibly had. And considering the years he spent in the group, it wasn't so far-fetched. But then he thought about the the positives from a relationship opportunity presented before him. He had two women who understood him better than anyone. He and Dawn had always been like two peas considering what they were in regards to the group. It was as if Dawn had become more than Willow was to him. Then Faith had led a similar, if not worse, life to his, and they could understand what it meant to be outsiders. Xnader made up his mind in that instant.

"So, when do you ladies want to have our first date?" Xander asked with a smile. The girls smiled widely and then each hugged their new boyfriend.

'Dear lord, what have I possibly gotten myself into?' Xander asked himself. As he held the two ladies in his arms, he could only smile at what new adventures he could possibly have.


Formerly Sunnydale, California

The giant crater lay still as no one had come near the town ever since it's destruction. However, the peace did not last long as a man with hair coming to just above his shoulders, wearing all black clothes, and blood red eyes walked from the crater and stood on the edge, holding a copy of the Mogul Diamond that was glowing with a dark red energy.

"So, it finally comes back to me. That fool Twilight thought he would take my power away from those little girls, thinking he could use it help make his new universe. And yet those interlopers from the other universe had done very well to make sure my power wasn't scattered. It's too bad none of those fools had the same audacity that Belmont had when he faced my brother. I can only imagine what my big brother will do when he returns. But until then, I have everything I need," the man said as he crushed the jewel in his hand and the power returned to him, causing streaks of red lightning to flow around him. A red aura formed around him, then shot a pillar into the sky before calming.

"My name is Turiel. When the time comes, I will challenge my brothers. And this planet shall be mine!" the fallen roared before vanishing in a flash of red light.