See Prologue for disclaimer and details. Hi everybody, and welcome to the latest chapter of the story. Big thanks as always to everyone who's read and reviewed the fic so far, and to all of you we'd like to extend our gratitude for the feedback. Please keep it coming! Now, some people have been asking about the Hyena episode; and that's kind of tricky to deal with, Xander getting possessed by that totemic animal spirit. He'd probably go after Cordelia almost straightaway, and face a statutory rape charge afterwards! We're gonna have to think about that for a while longer, but in the meantime, here's our somewhat twisted version of...
Part Seven: Women Problems
Chase Manor Pool House, Sunnydale
Friday January 10th, 1997
It was Cordelia's sixteenth birthday and the celebratory party was in full swing. Music blared out of the two-storey building that evening, as teenagers danced to the beat of the groove inside the pool house. There was plenty of room for everyone; the Chase family was rich enough that the pool house was actually bigger than Xander and Dawn's former home on White Oak Drive.
Buffy, Willow and Jonathan hadn't been invited to tonight's little gathering, unsurprisingly. They had achieved mega-outcast status by now, and were considered a social leper colony by practically everyone in the school. Xander still talked to them on occasion, but the Scooby Gang was pretty much considered persona non gratis by the rest of the student body.
In essence, Xander knew, this party was reserved for the people completely unlike them. The kids who lived in blessed ignorance, who five days a week woke up, went to school, came home and did nothing except homework and watch TV after dinner. And Sunnydale High's normal crowd were really enjoying themselves here tonight...
All of them except one.
Cordelia Chase was growing tired of the constant act required for tonight's soiree, having to appear poised at all times. She was growing tired of being the darling of Sunnydale high society. The image of the superficial ice queen, whose glare could melt glass and desiccate the remains of the ugly and undeserving, was getting more and more difficult to maintain.
Because she couldn't help but contrast last year's birthday party with this one. Just for a moment the girl wished she could just ditch all her so-called friends and have a really meaningful birthday, preferably a small one with Cassandra, Dawn, her parents, and even...him.
Thoughts of Xander Harris were unwelcome in Cordelia's mind tonight, sad to say. Even though Xander's birthday present, a bracelet with the inscription 'Yours Always' had been enough to get Miss Chase's heart racing, it still hurt that Xander refused to resume their romantic relationship, especially tonight.
"Hi. Great party!"
Cordelia turned and automatically said, "Thanks..." before she blinked. "Uh, wait. Who are you?"
"I'm Anya," the female teenager wearing a green pendant said airily. "I'm new in town. Apparently our parents met recently? So I thought I should introduce myself, after my mom told me I was invited to attend your little get-together."
"Oh, right. Well, glad you're enjoying yourself," the cheerleader raised her voice, as the band cranked up the volume.
"Is there something wrong? 'Cause whenever I see that look on a girl's face, it usually means that some guy or other has hurt them somehow." Anya now looked concerned, leaning in.
"It's nothing!" Cordelia said loudly, as she dragged her companion away to be able to hear her better.
"Oh, please, I know what I'm talking about. I mean, men? We open ourselves up to them, and the only thing we get back from them in return is pain," Anya said vehemently. Queen C looked somewhat surprised as the other brunette began to rant. "They treat us like dirt, you know. And if she's really unlucky, a woman ends up pregnant, barefoot and constantly slaving away in the kitchen – while he's at a bar along with the rest of the boys from work, cheating on you with the damn barmaids!"
( Okay, someone definitely has issues. Circa the 1950's. ) Cordy took a step back. "Look, I don't-"
"Terrific party, 'Delia!" one of the school's football players yelled at Cordy as he passed by – somewhat inebriated from the spiked punch.
"Moron," the birthday girl scoffed, as she saw the jock try to make out with his girlfriend.
"Precisely," Anya affirmed. "They're all the same, I tell you. I mean the guy who hurt you, don't you wish something bad would happen to him?"
"What?" Cordelia turned questioningly to Anya.
The young-looking woman smiled. "If you could wish for just one thing, one little revenge on the man for whatever he's put you through. What would it be?"
The question intrigued Cordy, but as her eyes swept around the party scene she couldn't help noticing various couples snuggling or making out together. The Cordettes in particular were definitely enjoying themselves. Aura was practically doing it with Percy West, Kate was swapping spit with John Lee, Gwen was playing tonsil hockey with Gage Petronzi, and Joy was kissing Hogan Martin with a lot of tongue.
( Everyone's getting some except me? It's my damn birthday! ) Cordelia fumed. Unfortunately, she had to make do without a significant other for tonight as she was between boyfriends. And it didn't matter if the boy she really wanted to claim for her own was currently in the makeshift kitchen.
"Cordelia?" Anya pressed, noticing how her companion appeared distracted.
"Huh? What?" Cordy looked back at her.
Anya, who was in fact the undercover vengeance demon named Anyanka, tried to keep a tight rein on her admittedly short temper. ( Idiot mortal child! ) "What would you wish for?"
"Cordelia! Cordelia!" Harmony's voice broke in.
"Excuse me." Cordelia turned around, missing out on Anya's grimace of frustration. "What is it, Harm?"
"Come quick! There's a major disaster about to happen in the kitchen!" the blonde cheerleader said in a panic.
The two females raced away and Anyanka unobtrusively followed. When the girls got there they saw the school bully named Jack O'Toole brandishing a knife, one nearly as big as a sword, in front of the boy named Wendell Sears.
"Uh, what are you planning to do with that?" Wendell asked nervously.
"Whatever I like. Her name's Katie; I just got her," Jack hissed. "So what are you gonna do? Sic your spiders onto me?"
"Drop the knife. Right the hell now," a male voice said right behind O'Toole.
"What the fu-"
That was all Jack was able to get out because as he started to whirl around, knife in hand, a frying pan connected directly with his head. The high school senior instantly collapsed to the floor with a solid thump, out cold. Xander dropped the pan, grabbed the knife and looked around to Cordelia, "Whoa. Okay – your house, your rules, Cor. What do we do with him?"
"I say, let's flay him alive!" Anya said excitedly, unable to help herself.
Cordelia instantly dismissed her new acquaintance as a complete weirdo, and then she resumed her duties as hostess of the event. She said to Xander, "Find a couple of people to help you throw him out. Who the hell invited that guy, anyway?"
Harmony instantly looked away. "Uh, who knows?"
"Wendell, grab his legs. Uh, miss, could you give me a hand over here?" Xander asked Anya politely.
Anyanka almost said no but eventually decided to help out, a male being punished in any way shape or form was something she could never resist being part of. They carried Jack out the back door and then unceremoniously dropped him to the ground, once they were far enough away from the party.
Wendell immediately headed back to the pool house, leaving the other two behind. "Thanks," Xander said to the vengeance demon. "Uh, by the way? We haven't been officially introduced. I'm Xander Harris."
"I know. I'm Anya Jenkins," the former Aud said coolly.
"Right. Uh, y'know, that was an interesting comment you made just now about flaying Jack alive here. So, could you do me a favor?" Xander asked.
"What?"
The boy didn't reply. Instead he tossed Anya a cross, and out of reflex she caught it. When there was no visible game face or smoking flesh, Harris sighed in relief. "Thank God."
( He knows about vampires? ) Anyanka thought to herself, amused. ( Interesting. Well, what the hell. ) Without a second thought, she dropped her human mask and the patron saint of scorned women let her real veiny, mottled, demonic face show.
Xander yelped in fear as he jumped back. "What are you?!"
"My name is Anyanka," the demoness grinned evilly, her voice no longer sounding human. "And I'm a vengeance demon, you idiot male. Your girlfriend summoned me to-"
"But I don't have a girlfriend!" Harris interrupted.
"Whatever. The woman you scorned-" Anya tried to continue.
"You mean Willow?" Xander now looked honestly confused, as he cut her off again.
"No! Cordelia!" Anyanka thought to herself angrily, ( Oh, to hell with the rules, I'm just gonna kill this annoying little twerp without her wishing for it! ) So she advanced forward and hit Xander directly in the face with a vicious blow, the impact almost breaking bone.
The male teenager started to crawl backwards after landing on the ground close to Jack, trying desperately to figure out what the hell he should do next. But as Anyanka closed in for the kill, she felt a cold hand grasp her by the shoulder.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size? Or your own age?"
Anya barely had time to register the question before the hand turned her around, and a male fist impacted right between her eyes with superhuman strength. Staggering backwards, the female demon shook her head briefly. Then she wrinkled her nose, "Great, a vampire. Look, moron, go find someone else to eat tonight, okay? This one's mine!"
"Not gonna happen," Angel replied, already in game face. "And you don't get to have him, I saw him first."
"Geez, what am I? A prize Yorkie?" Xander complained as he got up.
Neither Angel nor Anya paid the mortal any attention. "Damn it, blood breath-" Anya started to say, when her eyes narrowed. "Oh my God! I can't believe it. How did you pull that off? I mean, you can't have a soul – that goes against all the rules!"
"None of your business. Now, are you gonna get lost or do we have to..." Angel trailed off. "Wait a minute, I thought you looked familiar! Rome, 1894. Just before that son of a bitch Immortal had Darla. What's your name again? Anyarta? Anyacar?"
"It's ANYANKA!" she screamed in annoyance. The demoness hated not being recognized properly, no matter what the circumstances. "And just for that, I am so gonna kick your ass!"
The battle began in earnest, as the punches and kicks were traded with incredible speed. Eventually Anya charged in swinging, which Angel blocked and then he scored a glancing blow. She shook it off and grabbed the vampire, slamming a savage knee right into where it hurt most. Angel wheezed in shock and pain as he collapsed. Anyanka then picked up a broken tree branch from the ground.
"Say good night, vampy-"
Anya's epitaph was cut short as her voice turned into a pained grunt. Horrible pain seemed to erupt from directly in between her shoulder blades, because Xander – who both combatants had ignored up until now – had buried 'Katie' into Anya's back, all the way down to the hilt.
The cosmic irony of this particular act was unfortunately lost on all three of them.
The vengeance demon staggered, but if Xander had been expecting her to fall down dead then he was sorely disappointed. It took a lot more than that to kill one of D'Hoffryn's girls. The demoness scrabbled around to grasp the knife hilt, as Harris stepped back in disbelief.
Finally she withdrew 'Katie', and Anyanka advanced towards the male worm that had actually dared attack her, with death in her eyes. "You-"
"ENOUGH!"
The booming male voice thundered not far from the pool house, but luckily the music was so loud that none of Cordelia's party guests heard him. Both Anya and Angel, who had gotten up by this point, turned to see who the voice belonged to. And the vengeance demon instantly dropped the knife in consternation.
"You! Stay away from me..." Anya then said a word that was like a long whistling breath.
"Is that what his name is?" Angel muttered to himself, as he caught sight of the familiar black man in the blue-grey robe. "Huh, no wonder..."
Xander glanced towards his so-called bodyguard. "Deadboy, you know this guy?"
"I told you a million times already, stop calling me that!" Angel looked peeved.
"I said enough!" the new arrival proclaimed fiercely, even as Harris opened his mouth to reply. Robe Boy disliked having to intervene like this, but there had been no other choice at that moment. "You, the vengeance demon. Leave. Now. And you would be well advised not to return to the Hellmouth ever again."
"Why should I?" Anya demanded irritably.
The servant of a higher power gestured, and Xander instantly froze in his tracks. Angel looked alarmed for a moment, but relaxed once he realized the human's heart was still beating. The black man subsequently answered Anya's question, "Because in one possible future I have seen you die a human death, you fool. Your pendant long since smashed, your life was willingly sacrificed in battle against the forces of the First Evil. And I for one do not find it amusing that this child, this mortal who just tried to kill you...was the only one who truly mourned your loss, then and there."
Angel looked astonished, even as Anyanka went pale. She was easily able to distinguish the truth from a lie after 1100 years as a demon, and knew that this was no lie she had just heard. "The First Evil?" she asked. Making a quick decision, the so-called 'justice' demon teleported out without another word; silently swearing never to come back to Sunnydale again.
"And as for you, vampire, go home. Your services are longer required this evening." Robe Boy then softened his tone a smidgen, even as Angel opened his mouth. "That being said, you did well tonight. So I grant you this boon: sleep the deep sleep of oblivion after you arrive at your destination, and for once – do not dream about your multitude of past sins."
Like a man in a trance, Angel turned around and walked off, leaving the teenager behind. The black man stared at the frozen Xander, recalling their last encounter during 2003. "So, we meet again. What was, was. And what will be, will be. And yet, what once was will not be again...and most likely you will discover the truth of that on your own, all in good time."
The mage then vanished without another word.
Xander subsequently unfroze and looked around, but saw only the unconscious form of Jack O'Toole, who had somehow slept through the entire goings-on. "What the-?" he demanded in confusion, wondering where both the demon and the vampire had gone, not to mention the guy in the funky robes.
( Goddamn Hellmouth. Almost makes me wish I was one of the ignorant huddled masses again. ) "Angel? Yo, Deadboy?" he called out.
There was only the silence of the night in reply. Harris looked around again and then, shivering slightly, quickly made his way back to the pool house. Almost immediately he started dragging Cassandra and Dawn back to the main residence, after catching the girls crashing the party and trying out the alcohol-laced punch.
"You two ever try anything like that again, and I'll see to it you're both grounded till you're thirty!" Harris hissed at both female specimens.
"Hey, don't yell at me, it was all Cassandra's idea!" Dawn said grouchily, glaring at the other girl.
"It was not! You're the one who said we should go to the party. I only suggested we try the punch-" Cassandra glared back.
"I don't care who said what, or whose fault this is," Xander interrupted them. "Because as far as I'm concerned, you're both equally to blame. Now you two stay here and watch TV, or a movie or something." Then Xander grinned evilly. "Or else Cordelia finds out just where all the stuff you two steal from her closet is hidden."
"You wouldn't!" Dawn and Cassandra cried out in unison, both looking horrified at the prospect of what the cheerleader would do to them in retaliation.
"Just try me," Xander said firmly, before heading back to Cordelia's party. He ignored the stuffed animal Dawn threw at his back, as sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind. ( I don't need this right now, I swear, first that demon battle and now these two acting up. )
Back at the pool house, people were still having the time of their lives. But eventually around midnight, the party started to wind down and the guests started to leave. Xander looked around for Cordelia, but the girl seemed to have disappeared somewhere. So he said to Mrs. Chase, "Do you want me to go find Cordy so she can wish everyone good night?"
"No, that's all right dear. I'll make up some excuse and tell them all good night for her. Why don't you go to bed? I'm sure you're rather tired," Julia replied.
The aches and pains from the fight with Anyanka earlier in the evening, and the headache of having to discipline the two younger kids, had indeed taken their toll on him. But still Xander said, "I can stay and help you clean up afterwards, ma'am."
Mrs. Chase sent him a funny look. ( Doesn't he realize that we have the hired help to do that? )
After the last of the guests had gone, the middle-aged woman beckoned Xander to the kitchen area for some privacy. "Alexander, please sit down. I'd like for us to talk, if you don't mind."
"Sure thing, Mrs. Chase. Uh, what's this about?" Xander asked.
The wife and mother said softly, "It's been nearly eighteen months since you and your sister joined our family. But this still doesn't feel like home to you, does it?"
"Ma'am?" There was an instant edge of worry in Xander's voice, as he wasn't sure where this was going.
"Alexander, ever since you moved in with us I've watched you give and give and give. For example your Christmas gifts to David and myself, which we definitely weren't expecting by the way! But you don't take anything more than the bare minimum you need. So you don't feel like you're part of this family, do you?" Julia asked calmly.
Xander started to squirm. "That's not it exactly, ma'am..."
"Isn't it? Pardon me if I'm being offensive, but I think it is. And I was honestly wondering what else we could do to get you to accept us into your heart." She sighed. "I spoke with your old social worker Ms. Macnaught about it, and she helped me realize how you're still constantly worried about being separated from Dawn. And that you have serious trust issues with regard to parental figures. Is that why you haven't been receptive to the idea of adoption?"
The young man took a deep breath. "Ma'am, if we're going to be completely honest here...I hate my father, and my father's legacy. But for better or worse I'm a Harris, not a Chase. From the moment Dawn and I started to live here, I wanted to make sure that everyone, including me, never forgot that. My little sister may have been young enough to completely start over – but I wasn't. I want to remember where I came from, and what I could end up becoming if I'm not careful. Did you know that the children of drunks are ten times more likely to become alcoholics than other kids? I don't want to forget that. I can't afford to forget that!"
The middle-aged blonde woman nodded as Xander continued, "That doesn't mean I don't appreciate everything you and Mr. Chase have done for us, believe me – I really do. I just...well, please don't take this the wrong way, but I just don't think that it's the best course of action me becoming your son. I think the odds are eventually, we'd both really come to regret it."
Julia shook her head. "I think you're wrong, but then you're not even sixteen yet. And teenagers are supposed to screw up and make mistakes, after all. Well, can we compromise on one thing? You accept the car that David and I are planning to get you for your birthday, and let us take care of the insurance and fuel costs as well. After all, this is Sunnydale – and you'll need a set of wheels to get around town."
Xander was surprised at the offer and opened his mouth to say thanks but no thanks...when he saw the woman's hopeful features, and understood just what the offer really entailed. Accepting the gift would mean a gesture of trust, a demonstration that he understood that the Chase elders were people who just wanted what was best for him and Dawn. Rejecting it would be like spitting in her face, telling this woman that he still didn't trust her and her husband, even after all their efforts to make him feel welcome in their home.
( And she's right about a car being useful at this point, think of all the money you'll save on bus fare. Or how much easier it'll be to get to a job. ) "Thank you, Mrs. Chase, that's very kind of you. I accept."
Julia broke out into a wide smile. "No, thank you, Alexander. Oh, and by the way, about what you said a few moments ago? I'm not going to give up hope that you'll call me 'mom' one day...one way or another."
"Ma'am?" Xander wasn't sure what she meant by that.
"You're a good boy, Alexander. Don't think that David and I don't know that. Over the past year you've been a good influence on Cassandra, and Cordelia as well." Mrs. Chase got up and headed for the door, winking at him as she did so. "And if I can't have you as a son, I'd be willing to settle for son-in-law..."
Chase Manor, Sunnydale
Saturday January 11th, 1997
As he walked towards his bedroom a few minutes later, Xander was officially freaking.
( Does she know? ) Harris kept asking himself in fear and trepidation. ( Does she know about Cordy and me? Uh, well, maybe she does and maybe she doesn't. After all, we were really careful all that time in La Paz...but were we careful enough? Maybe Mrs. Chase saw something back then. Or maybe Cordy let something slip? No, no, otherwise Mr. Chase would have hauled me in by now to demand an explanation. Maybe Mrs. Chase just figured it all out on her own recently, and hasn't told anybody yet? )
The entire thing was a complete mess, either way. ( Oh, God, what's gonna happen now? I don't- )
Xander's thoughts were abruptly cut off when he entered his bedroom, and saw a sight he really wasn't expecting to see.
Namely Cordelia Chase, sitting on his bed, and wearing nothing but one of his shirts. "What the hell kept you?" she demanded, getting up off the covers.
Coming so soon after Mrs. Chase's hint that she knew his big secret Xander just wheezed out, "Uh...ghh...ee...zhee..."
Cordy grinned; she could translate hyperventilating-boy-talk, and knew what sort of power her body had over Harris. "Come on! It's my birthday. And I want my birthday present."
Still stunned, Xander pointed numbly at his bracelet that she was also wearing. Cordelia grinned again and began to sashay over to him. "I meant, my real present. Xander. I want you to be my first."
"Baseman? Please tell me we're talkin' baseball!" Xander babbled, backing up and hitting the door, stopping his retreat.
"You know what I'm talking about." Cordelia came closer and started to unbutton the shirt. "'Cause I'm ready. I know we're both ready for this. Not to mention, I want to rub it in Harmony's face just how good you are."
( Okay, am I dreaming? First Anya the demon girl, then Cassandra and Dawn, then Mrs. Chase, and now Cordelia as well. What the hell's going on here? ) "Did I mention that as far as the female gender is concerned, I'm having a rather strange night?" the young master of understatement asked.
"No. Does it look like I care?"
Harris suddenly smelled something he wished he hadn't, as soon as Cordelia came close enough. He also finally noticed the minor stagger and the slightly slurred voice. "Cordy?! Have you been drinking?"
The girl noticed his change in expression and stopped undressing herself as she said defensively, "So what, it's my birthday. And I want you-"
"Yeah, but y'know what? I can't help thinking that's the booze talking." Xander's voice was suddenly cold as ice.
( No it's not! ) "Xander-"
"Because you kinda remind me of what my father used to smell like some nights. Not exactly a pleasant memory for me." Xander tried to focus, putting aside the past. "Look, Cordelia, did you say anything to your mom recently? About, y'know, 'us'?"
"What? No!"
The annoyance seemed genuine, and Harris decided to believe her. "Okay, good, then put your clothes back on and we'll just-"
The rest of the sentence was cut off by Cordelia's lips firmly attaching themselves to his own. "Mmmph!"
Despite all his prior intentions, oddly enough Xander found himself responding to her kisses. This girl definitely knew what he liked and exactly how to turn him on. It also didn't hurt one bit that Cordy was practically naked, the alcohol had removed a lot of her conscious inhibitions, and deep down Harris was still very attracted to her.
Xander figuratively began sweating bullets, trying to fight overwhelming temptation as Cordelia stopped kissing him and started to suck on his earlobe. "I, look, I-I don't wanna use force," he tried to explain as she pressed her half-naked body against his.
"Fine, then I will," Cordelia whispered in his ear. She started to unzip his fly.
Which brought the male teen crashing back down to the land of the sane. "Okay! It's time for me to act like a man." Xander unexpectedly shoved Cordelia away. "And hide!"
He rushed out of the room before Cordy could stop him, and eventually spent the night in one of the guest bedrooms. Harris knew that he was being a complete coward, not to mention the girl in this relationship; but what the hell. At least Cordelia would still respect him in the morning.
TBC...
