He had thought there was something fishy about them sending him to pick up Evelyn from the daycare that day. Sure they said their car was broken and going to the shop, but it had been running the day before. His suspicions were confirmed when Willow called him.
She was just about to tell him what was happening when Buffy took the phone from her. "Nothing we can't handle Xander, you just worry about Eve. After you pick her up stop at the store for some dinner, we'll all be hungry later." She hung up before he could answer. Without looking he turned the car around and headed back to the town, calling the daycare and asking them to take care of Eve until someone could come get her.
Sure enough the car was gone from the house and no one answered the door. He began driving though the town cruising past anyplace they'd ever investigated as evil. He could feel a tension growing in him, the knowledge that his friends were in danger was certain in his mind. Did they think he was weak and wouldn't be able to handle it? He had survived just as many apocalypses as they had and had only lost an eye. That's saying something for a mortal with no magical abilities.
He paused at a stop sign and tried to focus on Buffy. Ever since they had joined to defeat Adam he could sense her as well as willow and Giles. Following the tiny pull in his mind he began driving out of town, into the desert, toward Buffy. He found her car alongside Willow's and several others. Once out of it he could hear the distant clamor of battle and see the flashes of magic. He grabbed his own weapons and ran toward the battle.
Buffy's ruse had nearly worked; the battle was nearly over by the time Xander reached the outside fringe of the battle. As he watched he could see Buffy move in to fight what he assumed was the big bad. Giles was right behind her, guarding her and waiting for something. Xander saw him fall and cried out but his voice was no match for anguished cry that issued forth from Buffy.
Xander stood motionless, on the edge, watching as she battered her foe mercilessly then for one achingly painful moment time seemed to slow as the big bad sliced into her. Before he could scream or move or do anything to help, Giles plunged his sword through Buffy and into the creature that held her. A blinding light moved outward causing Xander to shield his eye.
When he could see again all traces of their enemy were gone. He didn't need to hear Willow's sorrow filled cry to know that Giles and Buffy were dead, he could feel it. He knew they were no longer bound to each other and there was only one thing that could break that bond.
He dropped his sword and ran back to his car. The tires squealed and gravel showered the parked cars as he peeled from the lot. There was only one thought running through his mind as he sped through town. Get to Evelyn, make sure she's safe.
