Chapter 21
Willow gazed in horror at Xander lying almost motionless in his hospital bed. The only movement that let her know he was still alive, was the faint rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, and the monitor next to his bed that beeped along with his heart rate. His head was bandaged, as well as half his face, with a faint spot of blood just over his left eye. There was a neck restraint keeping his head from moving, that looked like someone had built scaffolding around his head.
"Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. The segment of the cord that is injured, and the severity of the injury, will determine which body functions are compromised or lost. Because the spinal cord acts as the main information pathway between the brain and the rest of the body, a spinal cord injury can have significant physiological consequences." Dr. Kallet continued to Carlisle behind her, "The physical trauma that crushed and compressed the vertebrae in the neck caused irreversible damage at the cervical level of the spinal cord and below. Quadriplegia, will be the most likely result, since the top six vertebrae were crushed."
Willow walked over to the side of Xander's bed and took his hand gently in her own. Her eye's hadn't started stinging yet, due to rage she was trying to suppress. Someone had hurt her best friend, and they were going to pay. In full. Edward came up behind her and folded her into his embrace. She leaned back into him and tried to push the red haze of anger from her mind.
Carlisle stepped to the end of the bed as the other doctor left, and said gravelly, "His injuries are too severe for modern medicine to heal completely. I'm so sorry."
"Maybe you could do something magically?" Buffy asked hesitantly from the other side of the bed.
Willow looked at the slayer almost coldly as she said, "I can't heal this kind of damage, Buffy. This is too delicate for me to try and fix. Who did this?"
Buffy met her eyes guiltily. She feared the anger that burned in the redheads eyes, but knew she had to be honest. "Caleb did, but Willow... I have to tell you, Xander was there because I rushed into an attack. Caleb was so much stronger than I thought he would be."
Willow took a deep breath and said, "I don't blame you, Buffy. You couldn't have known how strong he was. The First probably imbued him with power or something."
A tear rolled down Buffy's cheek as she nodded. She turned to Carlisle and asked, "Is there anything you can do?"
"There is only one option I can give, but it has to be his decision. The venom of our bite would make him one of us, and I will not force that on him." Carlisle said seriously..
"Will it heal me completely?" Xander asked groggily.
Willow felt the inevitable stinging in her eyes as she met the lone chocolate brown orb of the man she considered her best friend. "Xander, I didn't think you were awake." she said softly.
"Woke up a couple of minutes ago. Why can't I move?" he asked, panic laced his sleepy voice.
"Oh, Xander! I'm so sorry!" Buffy almost wailed as she leaned her forehead against his hand on the bed.
"Buff... please don't." Xander whispered as tears leaked from his remaining eye.
"But it's my fault." the blonde's words came tumbling out amidst her own tears.
Xander turned his gaze from the top of Buffy's head back to Carlisle, "What's wrong with me? Tell me straight."
"Your spine was crushed, as well as your eye loss, and your cheek bone is cracked. There was internal bleeding at the base of your skull, but the doctors here have stopped it." Carlisle added softly, "If you choose to take our venom into yourself, this will all heal."
"Do it." Xander said shortly.
"I must warn you, this will mean a loss of your regular life. There is no guarantee that you will have control over yourself for up to a year. When you become like us, the first year you are a newborn. This means constant thirst, and almost no thoughts outside of blood. I know Willow has told you about this, as well as her uncommon control." Carlisle tried to stress the downsides, so that the young man knew the risks.
"I know, but I can't live like this. I just can't." Xander replied.
"If you are sure?" Carlisle asked one last time. At the other mans pained nod, Carlisle went to the door and closed it. When he returned, he said, "We need a private place for this. It will be three days before the transformation is complete, and the hospital is not the right place for this. I do not believe we should bring him back to Buffy's house, either. Too many temptations linger there."
"Is the Crawford mansion still empty, Buffy?" Willow asked. Buffy looked up and nodded. "Alright, we'll go there. I'm sure it needs to be cleaned, so we'll head over there first to do that, then come back for you. I'll be back in a bit, so Buffy I need you to keep the room clear for next 40 minutes or so."
Willow didn't wait for her friends response as she reached over and kissed Xander's forehead tenderly, then took Edward's and Carlisle's hands. She trans-located them to the small courtyard in the back of the mansion. It still looked the same, crumbling stone work covered in ivy. She let go of the men's hands and moved to the french doors that led inside. She pulled them open and stalked into the house to survey the damages done by time and neglect.
She moved over to the fireplace, grabbing an old wooden chair on her way. She ripped the chair into kindling and tossed it into the cold pit. Concentrating on a small flame, she then pushed with her mind. Smoke curled along the wood, and a fire began to crackle. Willow didn't need the light to see in the dark, but she welcomed the usage of her magic. It helped her control to use it in such a specific manor, because she held her anger by a very tight leash as well. Knowing what could happen if she let it run rampant, anything to boost her control was good at this point.
A half hour later, they were finished making the immediate areas presentable and ready for Xander's arrival. They had talked briefly about the best possible way to proceed, and had agreed it would be best if Carlisle initiated the transformation. They also decided Willow would use her power and move the whole hospital bed from his room, instead of trying to sneak Xander out of the hospital itself.
Edward and Carlisle stepped over to the fireplace to leave the area in the center of the cleared room open, and Willow took one last look around before she left. As she reappeared in Xander's room, she cast a quick glance around and found it empty like she had asked it to be. Willow crossed to the closed door and softly rapped on the glass to get Buffy's attention. Her friend was standing on the other side keeping guard, and spun around with an odd look on her face.
The blonde opened the door and came into the room, and Willow could tell the other girl had a lot on her mind by the worry lines around her hazel eyes. The two girls moved over to stand on either side of the now sleeping Xander's bed and Willow motioned her to take hold of something. As Buffy grabbed hold of the railing, Willow removed all the little sticky sensors that lead to the heart monitor. She left the IV attached and took hold of the pole holding the fluid bags.
As the steady beeping turned to a flat tone, Willow quickly placed her other hand on the bed. Before any of the nurses could respond to the change in heart rate, she pushed with her mind and trans-located the them to the mansion. When they reappeared Buffy stumbled, but didn't let go of the railing, and Xander woke up grimacing at the dizziness.
Carlisle came over and removed the IV as he spoke to Xander, explaining what would happen. He tried to prepare him for the pain. When Xander said that he was ready, Carlisle leaned over to bite, but Xander stopped him.
"I want Willow to do it." Xander said as he looked past Carlisle to Willow.
"Xander, I don't think that would be wise." Carlisle said with a frown.
"I want Willow to do it." he insisted firmly.
Willow moved up next to the other man and met Xander's gaze. He gave her a steady, trusting look and Willow didn't have the heart to refuse him. She turned to Carlisle and assured him that she would be able to handle it. He moved aside, but stayed close. Edward moved up and hovered behind her, ready to pull her back, just in case. Buffy reached for Xander's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, and he smiled back, appreciating the gesture even though he couldn't feel it.
"Are you sure?" Willow asked nervously.
"I trust you, Wills. We've been through almost everything together, this shouldn't be any different. Besides, I'd rather you sire me so I can annoy you for eternity." Xander said trying to lighten the mood.
Willow gave him a grin and said, "I wouldn't have it any other way." She sobered and added, "This is going to hurt, Xand. A lot. I'm sorry."
"Don't be." he replied simply.
She nodded as she leaned down. She felt Edward rest his hand on her hip and flashed him a grateful smile. Before she went to his neck, Willow placed a soft kiss on Xander's cheek and whispered, "I love you, Xander. You were my brother in life, and you will be my brother in death."
As she got closer to the pulse point in his neck, a warm scent filled her senses. The ever present burn in her throat flamed higher, and she ruthlessly reigned in her impulses. This was Xander, not a meal she reminded herself harshly. Her lips hovered over his flesh for a moment, then she bit into him almost gently. A sweet, coppery taste filled her mouth and she fought against her nature to sink her teeth into him further. Fought not to tear his throat open and lap the nectar from his torn flesh.
She jerked her mind out of the haze the blood had sent her to and swallowed convulsively. Willow pulled back from Xander's neck and closed her eyes as she stomped on the urge to rip into her best friend. She could taste his blood, feel it slid down her throat into her body. The rich warmth radiated through her, heady and delicious. As she opened her eyes, she could see Xander's face twist with the first stirrings of pain.
He gritted his teeth and held back from making any noises for the first few hours. Willow reached over and took his other hand as she met Buffy's worried gaze. They both turned back to their friend as a small gasp escaped his throat. As time inevitably moved forward, the little gasps changed into low moans. His moans then turned into whimpers, then to screaming.
The anger Willow had held in check since she first saw her childhood friend came rushing forward. Every time she heard Xander scream, in would ratchet up a notch, until she was trembling with suppressed rage. She looked at Buffy and said in a low, dark tone, "Where is this Caleb?"
Edward whipped her around to face him, but when he saw her eyes, he stopped whatever protest he had been about to make. He gave a grave nod and said, "I'm coming with you."
Buffy looked between the two of them and shuddered at the fate that awaited Caleb. "He's at the Shadowside Vineyard."
Willow nodded and they left after Carlisle assured them he would stay with Xander. As they headed out, Buffy told them about the deranged priest and what he had done to the potentials, and about how he had something that belonged to her. They stopped at Buffy's on the way, so that the Slayer could grab a couple of weapons. Spike was there and after they told him where they were going, he also gripped up a sword and declared he was coming with them.
The four arrived at the vineyard quickly, and before Buffy could stop her, Willow walked angrily through the door. The room beyond smelled of wine and spilled blood. She looked around, but the room was empty except for barrels of wine stacked along the walls. The others had followed her in and fanned out next to her.
"Do you hear that?" Willow asked as an odd banging noise seemed to drift up from below the floor. She moved cautiously deeper into the darkened room and spotted a trap door in the floor that had a faint light shining from it. She tensed as a man poked his head up through the hole and grinned maliciously at them.
"Come back for seconds, hmm?" he asked playfully as he climbed up. He eyed Willow for a moment before he said, "Oh, and you brought someone new to taste my blade."
"Caleb." Buffy growled.
Willow snorted and said scornfully, "You wish."
"Watch you tone, little girl." he said darkly.
"Or what?" she snarled as she lowered into a half-crouch.
"I'll do to you what I did to the boy. How's he doing, by the way? Up and around yet?" he asked snidely.
"Oh, bad move." Spike said as Willow hissed in rage.
Before Caleb could blink, she blurred to him and gripped the front of his shirt. The look of surprise on his face was gratifying as he reached up and took hold of her wrists, but couldn't move her hands away from him. Caleb let go and hauled back his arm to punch her. His fist slammed forward, connecting with Willow's face, and a sickening crunch echoed in the otherwise silent room.
Willow smiled coldly as she let go and watched as pain and shock twisted Caleb's features. "How's your hand?" she asked cruelly.
"What are you?" he asked as he backed away, holding his broken hand against his chest.
"Your death." Willow said coldly and moved forward to attack. She stopped as the First suddenly appeared beside Caleb in the form of Buffy.
Buffy/First shook her head in disgust as she asked, "Didn't I tell you she was different? Didn't I warn you? I would swear that I did. Or is your strength waning? It has been quite some time since we've... merged."
"Maybe you're right. OK, let's do it." Caleb said as he faced the the First.
"Boy, you sure know how to romance a girl. No flowers, no dinner, no tour of the rectory. Just, 'Ok, I'm ready. Let's do it.' Help me. My knees are weak." Buffy/First said as she rolled her eyes.
"Watch what you say now. You're starting to sound like her." he said as he pointed his finger at the real Buffy. Caleb continued as he ignored the others in the room, "This is a sacred experience for me."
"And for me as well. Look, when this is all over, and our will sweeps the world, I will be able to enter every man, woman, and child on this Earth, just as I enter you." the First said with a taunting look at Buffy and Willow.
"Are you trying to make me jealous?" Caleb asked petulantly
"I'm trying to make you a God." Buffy/First said harshly
Buffy/First and Caleb stood across from each other, each holding out their hands. The First changed its form into the demonic apparition. It was huge, with two horns on its head and glowing red eyes. The First lunged toward Caleb growling, as the others watched in fascinated horror. The Firsts energy contracted into a beach-ball sized glowing light just before it entered Caleb, causing him to stumble back a little.
He rolled back his head and fell to the ground, when he sat back up again, his eyes were completely black and his voice sounded creepier and deeper as he said, "I am ready to serve thee."
"Quick, Buffy! There's a trap door in the back! Whatever he has of yours is probably down there. Spike, go with her, we'll take care of him." Willow said as she and Edward blocked the now darkly powered up priest.
"You whore!" Caleb screamed at Buffy as she ran past him towards the back of the cellar with Spike hot on her heels.
Buffy stopped running, and turned to face him as she casually said, "You know, you really should watch your language. If someone didn't know you, they might think you were a woman-hating jerk."
Enraged, Caleb tried to push past Edward and Willow to charge toward Buffy, but they held him tightly. She merely grinned and ran across to the hatch in the floor, disappearing down below.
Sounds of fighting drifted up through the open trap door and Caleb turned his black coated eyes to Willow and snarled, "Unhand me, you dirty little girl!"
Willow let her own eyes bleed black and said contemptuously, "Ooh, scary." She turned to Edward and asked, "I'm hungry, how 'bout you?"
"No, I'm good, but if you want a snack, by all means." Edward replied with a dark smirk at Caleb.
Willow grinned evilly and swiftly bit into Caleb's neck viciously. He screamed and struggled, but with both of them holding him, he couldn't get away. Buffy and Spike came back up and watched as Willow continued to drain Caleb.
A dark light poured from Caleb's mouth and eyes. The First reappeared in the form of Tara and asked, "Baby, how could you?"
Willow growled, but didn't let go. Tara/First watched in anger as it's greatest warrior was drained of his life and dropped to the ground like trash. Buffy walked forward carrying a red, beautiful bladed weapon. She stood over Caleb's lifeless body and raised the weapon over her head. She brought it down powerfully and severed Caleb's head from his body.
"NO!" the First screamed in rage. She glared balefully at all of them, then disappeared.