"Wait." Xander said suddenly holding up a hand and the group paused, turning back to look at him.
"What is it?" Anya asked, her eyes full of concern. "You ok?"
"Yeah." Xander nodded nervously. "I just.. Want to talk to Willow for a second."
Anya stood frozen. She was supposed to be the one he told everything to. And he wanted to talk to… Willow? Why not her? What was wrong with her?
Tara approached Anya, seeing Xander wanted some privacy. "Come on Anya. They'll catch us up," she said, linking her arm through Anya's and pulling her on after Buffy and Dawn, who hadn't yet said a word. But Anya wouldn't move, still worried about Xander.
"Come on Anya," Tara said with a reassuring smile, "Willow'll take care of him. I promise." Reluctantly, Anya tore her eyes from Xander and went with Tara to follow the others.
"Why don't you ever let me go?" Dawn was complaining to Buffy up ahead. "I'm just as good a fighter as the rest of you."
"It's dangerous Dawnie," Buffy said. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"But… You're here."
"Yes, but when I'm fighting myself, I can't protect you can I?"
"But Anya and Tara fight with you, and Willow and Xander. You never stop them."
"You're my little sister Dawnie. It's my job to take care of you. The others all have someone who watches out for them apart from me."
"You're like the baby of the family Dawnie." Tara said, affectionately nudging the brunette. "We all want to take care of you, that's all."
"You're lucky I let you tag along this time Dawn. Now can it, ok?" Buffy said.
Dawn nodded with a heavy head.
"So, what's going on Xander?" Willow asked, concern in her own eyes now. "Something wrong?"
"Well, there's something I didn't tell the others." Xander admitted.
"So why tell me?" Willow asked. "I think Anya's a little jealous you're not telling her. She is your wife."
"I know," Xander said, his face falling with guilt. "But I didn't want to worry her, and you're my best friend. She was stressed enough about the nightmares without this."
"What?"
"That guy…" Xander stopped, unable to keep going.
"The creepy demon one?" Willow guessed helpfully and Xander nodded. "What about him?"
"I… I think he's been following me. I keep seeing him in the shadows near our apartment."
Willow shuddered. "That brings a new meaning to creepy," she said, "as if he wasn't creepy enough before. But don't worry, we're all here, and we're gonna take care of him ok? He's gonna pay for what he's done to you."
Xander nodded.
"Now come on, otherwise Anya'll be a nervous wreck."
"Good point." Xander said with a chuckle. "But why's she like that?"
"Us girls are sometimes. Anya just feels safer with you around. She loves you and clinging onto you is one of the ways she shows the rest of the world that."
"Huh?"
"She's basically saying, 'this guy's mine. Back off'" Willow said and started to giggle, Xander soon joining her.
