Summary: Just after Graduation Xander finds some new information out. Follow him on his journey of discovery.
Note: the beginning is similar to another story I have. Also I do not own any media or recognizable characters.
Xander woke up to find himself on a rather nice bed in a room he certainly didn't recognize. It took a minute to remember the events at the bar, which in turn explained his exhausted state. He really needed to learn some more versatile spells that didn't require a human battery.
Slowly he pushed himself up into a seated position, groaning as a few joints popped and muscles pulled. Going back to sleep sounded great, but soldier and hyena wouldn't let him. They kept barking about unknown territory and possible threats. So he forced himself up despite his body's protest.
Making his way out of the room he noted the worn walls and random knickknacks that decorated the place. Voices drifted up from downstairs but not loud enough to make out the actual words. Cautiously he edged down the stairs stepping lightly like he had learned to do since a child. The closer he got the easier it became to make out the voices.
He thought he recognized the lady from the bar, Ellen and the other guy Ash. The third one he couldn't place though. He found them in what could have been a living room, but looked more like a library, though Giles would have had a conniption at the state of the books.
He stayed by the doorway and cleared his throat to catch their attention, not wanting to startle anyone incase they reacted badly.
"Hey, you're up," Ash greeted him happily, moving forward and pulling him into the room with an arm around his shoulders. "Great to see ya compadre. That was some mojo you pulled off. Totally saved my ass."
"Uh yeah… No problem… Did the others make it out too?" He glanced at the other adults nervously.
"They did thanks to you." Ellen smiled at him. "We were worried when you passed out though. Bobby here says that was a dangerous spell you pulled off."
He shrugged his shoulders flashing his 'awe shucks' smile. "Yeah. I need to find a better protection spell that doesn't take so much energy."
"Damn right you do," the supposed Bobby huffed. He was a bit older than Ellen, his hair turning grey. Xander figured he and Giles probably came from the same generation. "How old are you anyway kid?"
"Xander," he supplied, disliking the moniker of kid. "And I'm eighteen. Just graduated high school a few months ago." At their shocked looks he shrank down some. "Is that a problem?"
"No," Ellen quickly assured him. "It's just a surprise. You're awfully young to know about the supernatural and to be able to pull off a spell like that…"
"My town is a hot spot for supernatural," he replied honestly, figuring it wouldn't go well if he tried to lie. "People don't notice because there's town wide denial. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the mayor cast a spell to make it that way." At their confused looks he clarified. "Uh, he was a 140 year old warlock. He tried to ascend into a Olvikan demon at graduation. We managed to stop him."
"Wow," Ash summed it up. "That must have been a wild party. My graduation sucked!"
Xander shifted uncomfortably. "So you're Bobby." He decided to get introductions out of the way. "And if I heard right, you're Ellen and Ash?"
"That's right man, but you can call me Dr. Bad Ass." The young genius grinned happily. "I am the master of computers."
"Ash." Ellen rolled her eyes playfully at the man. Bobby merely snorted.
"So… why exactly was a demon trying to burn your place down? I mean I noticed the Hunters but most demons I've come across wouldn't bother attacking a whole group like that. Without a world-ending reason that is."
A few looks got thrown around before Bobby sighed and started explaining, the others adding in from time to time. It took some time but Xander waited until they had finished before asking any questions.
"Wow. That's… rather discouraging." He let out a breath. "So you think the main plan behind it all is whatever is located in the giant pentagram?" He waved at the blueprints Ash had littering the old desk.
"It makes the most sense. And you only need one to open the door," Bobby advised sadly, clearly remembering the events at Cold Oaks.
"So is there anyway to make sure the door doesn't open? Even with the key," Xander suggested. "I'm partial to explosives myself, but I'm not sure that won't open it anyway."
"But if we could disable the lock, then the key won't work." Ellen caught on.
"It's a thought, but will we get there before the bad guys," Bobby murmured in thought. No one said anything, too busy going over the possibilities and ideas in their own minds. They were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Bobby left to go answer it, leaving the other three to continue their pondering. When he returned two rather tall men followed him. Xander didn't think much of it, but Bobby's white face and covert looks at the really tall man, along with the shock from Ash and Ellen had him thinking something wasn't exactly right.
"Sam!" Ellen blinked catching the look from Dean. A forced smile grew. "I'm glad to see you're ok. You had us worried there."
"Yeah sorry about that." He offered them a sheepish smile. His hazel eyes turned confused when they landed on Xander. "Um…"
"Name's Xander." The teen took pity on the older male.
"Sam. And this is my brother Dean," came the polite reply. The smaller male just nodded to him before changing the subject.
"So have you guys figured anything out about what the demon wants?"
It didn't take long to catch the brothers up on everything Ash had found out and the various theories they had.
"Right, so to stop him we need to get there before Jake," Sam concluded.
The group began gathering the things they would need. About halfway through Xander started feeling light headed again. He frowned in concern. The spell should have worn off; he shouldn't be feeling this way. Unfortunately his body disagreed and unconsciousness finally claimed him.
"What happened," Bobby called when he heard a thump.
Ash found Xander passed out. "It's Xander. The kid's passed out again."
"Damn it. That spell must have took more outta him than we thought." Bobby grumped, helping the other man to pick Xander up and carry him to the guest room. Ellen and the Winchesters found them, all looking at them in question. "Boy's gonna have to stay behind. That spell wore him out worse than we thought. He won't have the energy to help us."
"What spell," Sam queried. Dean whispered to him quickly explaining the incident at the Roadhouse. The young hunter turned awed filled eyes on the prone form.
"We can't stay so leave him a note," Dean advised. "The kid will understand since we're going to save lives. If we have to we can explain further when we get back."
Ellen wasn't too happy about it but she did leave a note and her cell number as well as Bobby's number so the kid could get in touch with them if he needed to. As the group left none of them realized it would be a while before they saw Xander again.
