By Randall Flagg
Summary: In the aftermath of the battle with the First, one man dedicates his life to fighting the forces of darkness throughout the world. This is the story of those crusades.
Miles Militis Candidus is latin for White Knight.
Chapter 7 - Conversations with Dawn
"When did this happen? Did someone die? And how come Xander.... I mean... you're a guy!" fired off Dawn.
"Dawn, this is something I need to talk to you about" said Buffy, walking over to her sister. " You want to come upstairs with me, I'll tell you all about it"
"Sure" said Dawn, still looking at Xander "that would be good".
As Buffy and Dawn were heading upstairs, Andrew asked "So, how did you get turned into a Slayer?"
"It was a spell. A very complicated and painful spell" answered Xander.
"Really? Cos I think that with Slayer powers I could be like Robin to Xander's Batman" continued Andrew.
Giles, seeing where this was going decided to nip it in the bud as quickly as possible.
"Andrew if you want to be turned into a Slayer, I've got no problem with that. When you've been fighting on our side for 7 years, and are prepared to dedicate your life to fighting evil until you die, we will be happy to cast the spell" Giles said in his most intimidating voice.
"I'll be in the kitchen, making some more muffins" replied Andrew before making a fast exit.
The Hyperion - Dawn's room
Buffy had spent the last five minutes explaining what she knew of Xander's reasons for wanting to become a Slayer. She related what Willow had said to her about their research, and how she came to be involved almost by accident. This was the tricky part, the spell. As much as she wanted to not talk about this with her sister, Buffy knew that within a day everyone in the Hotel would be talking about how she 'did it' with Xander and turned him into a Slayer, at least if Andrew was anything to go by. Better to dish out the facts now and deal with it.
"So Dawnie, we cast a spell that turned Xander into a Slayer. Willow did the chanting, but that wasn't enough. Since Xander didn't have the essence inside him, she had to borrow it from another Slayer, which was me. Anyway, Xander had to be joined to a Slayer and sharing of her essence. You with me so far?" asked Buffy, a little timidly.
"Yeah, spell, essence, Xander and you joined. But.... you're not talking about like tied up joined are you? Are you?"
"For the spell to work we, I mean Xander and I, had to.... you know" ventured Buffy, hoping Dawn would get the hint without her actually having to say it.
"You and Xander... what?" asked Dawn, not normally this blind to the obvious.
"We, uhhh, had sex."
"YOU HAD SEX WITH XANDER?" screamed Dawn.
"A bit louder Dawnie, they couldn't hear you across the road" said a very red faced Buffy. "It was only for a few minutes anyway".
"Oh that's good Buffy, SO much better. That didn't fly when Mum asked you if you died, and it's still an emu now. Big and flightless." Dawn stopped for a moment. "Do you care about him?" asked Dawn softly.
"Of course I do Dawnie. You know that" said Buffy, indignant.
"That's not what I meant. I mean do you like him, you know, as more than a friend"
"Oh good, my younger sister is giving me the 'you lead him on and slept with him' talk. Dawn, Xander knows that I'll always love him, but not in a romantic type way." said Buffy.
Both girls stopped when there was a knock at the door. "It's open" said Dawn.
Xander poked his head in and then walked inside the room. "Well you both seem calm, and unhurt. That's a good start" said Xander with a smile as he pulled a chair over and sat in it.
"I realise I'm probably interrupting an important sister to sister discussion, so I'll be quick. First, Giles has something to tell us all and he is asking if you both can come down in ten minutes or so." asked Xander.
"Yeah sure" said Dawn.
"Ok" confirmed Buffy "We'll be there".
"Good" stated Xander, "that's good. The second thing is, Dawn, has Buffy told you the details of the spell?"
"Yeah" said Dawn, not sure what else to say.
"Fine. Because the last thing I want Dawnie in all the world, is to hurt you. So if you're upset or whatever at me, please don't be."
"No! Xander, I'm not upset at you. I mean, sure it's still completely freaky, and gross. And I realise it was just for the spell. But it could change you guys, your friendship. And I don't want to see that happen. So I think you should talk it over, and I'm going downstairs to get a glass of water because my mouth has that icky taste you get when you talk to your sister about her sex life." said Dawn, and promptly left the room leaving Buffy and Xander staring at each other in silence.
"So..." began Xander.
"Yeah?" Buffy asked.
"One thing's for sure. Dawn is a hell of a lot more mature than us" said Xander.
"Normally I would say 'hey', but I'll just go with uh-huh instead." returned Buffy.
The room descended into silence once again. It lasted for over a minute.
"This is ridiculous" said Xander.
"It is?" asked Buffy, confused.
"We've been through everything that two friends can go through, we've both dated demons, we shouldn't let this get between us."
"You're right Xand. Are we good?" Buffy looked up at Xander.
"We are Buff. Good to go!" started Xander."But... in the spirit of clearing the air, there is just this one thing."
"Go on" said Buffy, quite sure she knew what Xander was referring to.
"It's just that, during the spell you whispered something in my ear, and what better time than now to..."
"Yeah that. Ok, time for complete honesty here I guess. First when Kennedy offered to help, and what she said. It made me feel guilty. I mean you saved my life with the Master, and the only time I ever mentioned it was when we danced at the Bronze. Not my finest hour."
"Buff, you don't have to apologise for that. It's old news - really" said Xander in sympathy.
"Thanks, but that's the thing. What Kennedy said made me think, and suddenly I'm offering to help with the spell too. Then while we waited for you to come up Willow and I were joking about the stories that Anya used to tell us, and all of a sudden I'm embarrassed but curious at the same time. And so what I said, totally way out of line. Willow said to go with the flow, but I took her a bit too seriously, and I wish I hadn't said that. It wasn't right" said Buffy, looking at the floor.
Xander softly reached over with his hand under Buffy's chin, and lifted her head to him. "Buff, don't tear yourself up about it. It was a cheesy line that you'd rather not have said. Do you know how many times I practised with Willow before I asked you to the spring fling, and you still shot me down in flames" said Xander with a big grin.
Buffy laughed and suddenly the tension in the room eased considerably. "I did, didn't I" said Buffy.
"Buffy, I love you, but I'm not in love with you. You don't have to worry about me taking what you said too literally" said Xander, closing the subject. "Shall we go and find out what news Giles has to share. Five bucks says it's a prophecy"
"You're on buster" said Buffy linking her arm with Xander and walking out of the room with a spring in her step.
The Hyperion - Foyer"
Giles noticed everyone hanging around the hotel foyer, lounging about in the way people do when they are waiting for something but don't want to make it too obvious. Everyone had one eye on the staircase, and when they saw Buffy and Xander coming down side by side and sharing a common joke most people breathed a sigh of relief, and Dawn's frown was replaced by a large grin.
Giles cleared his throat "Thanks everyone for being here. It's been a few days now since we fled Sunnydale, and I felt it was best to give you all that time before moving on to discussing our future. As most of you are aware, there is another Hellmouth in Cleveland, and it would seem to be the most logical place to base our operations. As for me, I'm flying back to England the day after tomorrow to get things started over there."
"You're leaving us again?" asked Buffy.
"Only temporarily" began Giles."I have no choice but to return to England. The Council bank accounts can't be accessed by computer, it needs to be done face to face. Buffy I would like you and Willow to fly up to Cleveland as soon as you can, an advance party if you like. If we are going to be based there, we will need to secure a place where we can all live and train without stepping on each other's toes. Now if there are any questions?" finished Giles.
Nobody had any questions for Giles. At least publicly. Xander waited till most of the people dispersed and Giles was by himself reading a book on the couch.
"Hey Giles" said Xander, sitting down.
"Xander. You and Buffy seem to be handling things ok" stated Giles.
"Thanks. And sorry for... you know. Kennedy was supposed to be on lookout, but she had a call of nature."
"Yes. So, what can I do for you?" asked Giles, sensing that something else was on Xander's mind.
"Giles, I want to go to England with you" stated Xander.
"I see. And this has nothing to do with what's just happened."
"Not between me and Buffy, no. We talked our issues out earlier, and we're cool. I just want to get away from things for a couple of days, and if I can scam a flight as your official bodyguard, so much the better" said Xander.
"Something like a working vacation?" ventured Giles.
"You read my mind. I'd like to see a bit of the world that we are all fighting for. That's all"
"Xander I think we can scare up a plane ticket for you. What about your passport?"
"Aww crap! It would have been with my parents. I know they got out of Sunnydale, but I have no idea where they are" said Xander in frustration.
"Xander, let me have a word with Angel. Dare I say it he owes me a favour or two, and as head of a multi-million dollar law firm he might just be able to sort something out for you" offered Giles.
"Thanks Giles, you're a star" said Xander, genuinely happy. He bounded up the stairs three at a time, humming 'Rule Brittania' all the way.
