Ok, I know what Xander does now will make sense and he will seem like he was doing the right thing, he saw angel feeding off Buffy and he didn't know, but the point is he hadn't been around so he didn't know and he is still having obnoxious thoughts. Plus I'm trying to get the story moving along a bit. You get my drift though right? Angel good, Xander bad? OMG I watched BTVS earlier, the double meet palace, wig lady demon head, actually veg not meat burgers you know the episode?? It has got to be one of the worst episodes I have EVER seen. I think I thought that the first time I saw it and had blocked it out. Anyhow, on with the fic yes?

Xander had headed straight to Giles' after work, intending to find out what had been going on with Buffy and to give her some help. He knew she might be upset for him not being around but he would make some jokes and get back in to her good books. Besides he would just tell her about the drinks after work he was giving up to go and help her. He looked through the window to Giles' as he walked up to the front door and felt his heart beat rapidly in his chest, adrenaline running through him as he saw four unmoving bodies along the floor surrounding Buffy and what looked like Angel, or Angelus drinking from her. He tore through the front door, running through at full speed to push Angelus away from Buffy, he was going to kill the bastard once and for all.

"BUFFY! GET AWAY FROM HER YOU ASSHOLE"

Buffy had vaguely heard a noise in the room but had been so lost in the sensations buzzing through her body, had not registered the possible dangers. As Angel was ripped violently away from her she felt pain shoot through her neck, the only pain she had felt. Angel had slid his fangs into her so carefully her slayer abilities had held any slight pain at bay, plus the fact Angel's fangs in her neck was more sensual than painful. She had slipped to the floor when Angel had been pushed away from her and struggled to get her eyes to focus. Despite the blood loss her vision cleared and she saw Xander above an unconscious Angel, stake in hand. She flew across the room and only her quick reflexes saved her taking the stake herself as her hand came up to grab Xander's.

"I've already been impaled with a stake once this week, I don't need it again" She had grumbled under her breathe as she pushed Xander away, immediately disregarding him and turning to Angel, still unresponsive on the floor.

By now Giles and the others had woken up and taken in the scene. Each stood up and turned towards the dark haired man looking at everyone in shock.

"Nice one Harris, looks like you acted without thinking again!" Cordy could feel the anger rising, she knew Xander didn't have the whole story but still, that boy had no brains and he already wasn't in anyones favourite books.

"What are you talking about Queen C! What are you even doing here? He was drinking from her, he was going to kill her, I thought he had already killed you lot, I was saving her"

"Xander, I understand to some extent, why you behaved as you did, but really everything is under control, we were performing a spell..." Giles had tried to immediately calm the situation down and they also needed to check on Angel but he was interrupted by Xander shouting.

"A SPELL? What and you thought it would be a good idea to let dead boy drink from her? He nearly killed her last time! We should just stake him now!"

"Hey! Look kid, I don't know who you are but what exactly has he done wrong that you think he should be staked? You walked in on something that was nothing to do with you and you start shouting your mouth off? I don't think so, not on my watch" Gunn immediately disliked the dark haired male standing in front of him and could see the others getting angrier. He was angry himself, remembering what he had been told about how he treated Buffy.

"On your watch?" Xander almost sneered as he spoke angering Cordy even more. "And who are you? Some other idiot sticking his nose in thinking its a good idea for deadboy to snack on my friend?"

"Friend? Some friend you are!" Cordy didn't give Gunn a chance to answer when she spoke. It was nothing to do with Xander who Gunn was and he had no right bursting in expecting answers either, so she told him so. "you have no right coming in here, talking to people how you are, expecting answers that are nothing to do with you!"

"Xander maybe it would be best if you did leave for now, until things have calmed down" Wesley was trying to diffuse the situation as best he could. Buffy had been crouching over Angel looking for signs of movement and had then moved him to the sofa with Giles, the others had been crowding round Xander getting it a fight. Buffy was looking desolate the longer Angel stayed unmoving and the louder the others became.

"I'm not leaving Wes, oh and nice to know you're all back in town. How long have you been here?"

"Doesn't the fact you even have to answer that question show you something Xander? You haven't been around and you shouldn't be around now, just go"

"No Cordy, I don't just bow down and do what you say any more Cordy. I am staying, someone obviously needs to be here for Buffy as you lot have filled her head with god knows what. I admit I haven't been around much but I am here now and I will make sure Buffy stays safe. How could you let him drink from her? Giles, what is wrong with you? She is your slayer, surely there is something in you that tells you this monster..."

"Shut up" Buffy didn't raise her voice or move towards Xander but the hard, cold tone of her voice caused everyone to fall into silence and turn towards her. She knew how dangerous rituals could be and what could happen if they weren't completed. Angel had still yet to move and she was terrified.

"Did he take enough?" She still didn't move her eyes away from Angel's face as she clutched his hand and stroked her hand down his angelic face. It looked peaceful at the moment but she could still see the slightest frown across his brow.

"Buffy, move away from him" Xander didn't want her anywhere near him.

"I said did he take enough! Was the ritual completed?" She looked up into Giles' eyes and his heart just about shattered at the devastated look on her face.

"I honestly do not know Buffy, we were still unconscious for that part of the spell" He wanted to give her better news, but he couldn't be sure when Xander had interrupted.

"Good. Look Buffy, I thought you had moved on, let his team sort him out and we'll get out of here. I know I haven't been around much recently but I am here to help you now. I don't know what was going on here tonight but I don't like it"

"Get out" again the words were softly spoken but full of steel. Xander looked up shocked.

"What? Buffy? You know it, I know you are angry but you should have told us what you were doing. You could have risked our lives if something had gone wrong. You had no right"

Buffy finally stood and walked across the room to Xander, controlling her strength she slapped him across the cheek.

"No right? Risk your lives? Tell you what's going on? There was a time you were here every night, now its not convenient for you and your shiny new life you're not around. I haven't seen you properly for months and suddenly I have to once again run my life by you? I don't think so, it was bad enough when we were at high school. Any decision I make is mine and mine alone. I owe you nothing do you hear? Nothing. I never asked you to risk your life, I never asked you to get involved in my calling, you insisted. You have been able to walk away and I am glad, but I can't. I can't drop and pick up my destiny on a whim. Whilst you have been off living your life I have still been out night after night protecting it. Making my own decisions! If you had not come by here tonight you would never have known and Angel would still be alrite! Once again your selfishness has probably cost me the man I love!"

"Once again? I was trying to save you Buffy!"

"Oh like you were when you happened to forget to tell me Willow was trying to re-curse Angelus? Remember that Xander? Willow says kick his ass?Do you remember Xander? Why would I even need enemies with friends like you! I had to send the man I love to HELL Xander, TO HELL! Not the demon, Angel. The very same Angel that saved your life over and over. That saved my life over and over, that saved countless lives over and over. That means nothing to you though does it. You can't see past your petty jealousy. You hated Angel on principle, it would never have been you Xander. I have standards"

"Oh and look how well that turned out Buffy. One moment of happiness and everyone's suddenly a target. The worst vampire in history is running round killing your friends and you don't stake him? Where was your destiny then Buff? He has killed hundreds but you don't care as long as you have your honey? Did Jenny mean that little to you, does Giles?"

This earned him another slap and Buffy advanced on him with a look he had never seen in her eyes. He backed up and belatedly realised she was herding him to the door. Every one else in the room couldn't help but stare at the pair but wisely staying silent for now.

"Don't you ever, ever say anything to me like that again. I love Giles as is he is my own Father, in fact he may as well be and I would never consciously do anything to hurt him. I have grieved and apologised and hated myself for longer than I can count over the time Angelus was loose, I can't say I wish I had staked him because I love Angel and I have him back. If that makes me a bad slayer then I'm sorry, I'm only human. I care about every being I can't save and I have sacrificed more that you will ever know to ensure the worlds safety. Angel has sacrificed more than you would ever believe. You are such a hypocrite Xander. Anya, the girl your dating? Ex-vengeance demon Anyanka. I read a few exploits recently in one of Giles' handy books. Interesting choice for you Xan, maiming and eviscerating guys, burning to death, dismembering. I could go on but I have a feeling you get my drift. Now she's what, a good few thousand years old? Answer me this. When has she ever shown remorse for her actions? Where is she when the big bad is trying to take over? Where is her fucking search for redemption Xander? TELL ME? Angel was Angelus for a hundred years, and did not even have his soul. Now he grieves and suffers and remembers every life he took. He goes out risking himself night after night to atone for his demons sins. He gave up every ounce of happiness and goodness in his life so he could carry the fight on. He gave up his humanity for me and for the rest of the world. What more do you want from him Xander? You're a hypocrite and too many times I have let you run my life. I miss the Xander from two years ago. You? You I can't stand, I hate everything you are and I don't ever, EVER want to see or hear from you again. Forget me, forget Angel. You seem to have been doing a damn fine job these last few months. Now get out!"

"Giles...tell her"

"Xander, I believe she told you to leave"

"She's upset.."

"She is right here. No one wants or needs you here Xander, get out. I can't speak for the others but I can never forgive you and I don't want to"

"Giles-" Giles looked at Xander with anger in his eyes. He had had enough now. The boy didn't get it. He could not forgive the danger he had put Buffy in with his foolishness. He couldn't forgive the fact he had turned his back on Buffy when she had need her friends. He couldn't forgive his constant use of Jenny's memory to guilt trip Buffy. His anger was no where near as profound as Buffy's towards Xander but Buffy needed him to leave and he was happy to oblige his slayer.

"For god sake Xander leave. It is for the best. Try to live your normal life, live each day, just go"

Xander looked once more over to Angel, fire burning in his eyes before turning on his heel and walking out, slamming the door behind him.

The slam of the door echoed throughout the room and Buffy went straight back to Angel, kneeling on the floor next to him. She clutched his shoulders and laid her head on his chest, sobbing above his heart.

"Please wake up. I can't be without you. I love you, I need you."

At first Cordy had been shocked that Buffy knew about the day Angel took back and giving up his humanity, now she was softly crying over worry for Angel, over Buffy and she realised over the loss of the Xander they had all loved but had been replaced by the rude obnoxious selfish version that had just left. Gunn gently pulled her to him into a comforting hug. Giles and Wesley stood next to each other looking over the couple on the couch.

"Wesley, was there any mention of the repercussions is the ritual was incomplete?"

"No, Giles, you know what it is like with these magicks, they are very intricate. One thing wrong could have profound reactions"

"Let us hope they had time to complete it then shall we?"

"Yes. Hope"

Quick update for you guys, how nice am I! It's a shame I don't like this chapter. I needed to get out some angst with Xander and get him out the way. Stupid boy lol. It's a bit higgledy piggledy but was it good enough? It got the point across right? Anyhooo, Thank you millions for your reviews. I am so glad you are enjoying it and I get all smiles when I read how much. It really means a lot that you like the way I portray certain characters and that you think I have talent (thank you ang3licstar for that one, aren't you the greatest!!). Did you see how more reviews got you a quicker post? Shocking that isn't it. Lol I'm just kidding you lot are great! Thanks again :)