This story is coming to an end. Don't worry, though. I have a 3rd installment planned. I've somehow managed to break season 3 of Vampire Diaries into 3 entire stories! There will probably be just one more chapter after this one.

Some of you want to nitpick about my Willow/Gia/Mother Earth scene. When you write a crossover, you are bending reality. Willow is not a servant of earth the way witches on VD are in my stories. I thought I made that clear. If I haven't, I'm sorry for the confusion. In my story, she is a Wicca and has an affinity like the witches of VD, but she also is a potential vengeance demon with a strong will of her own that allows her to use magic. I do agree that Klaus is bad and deserves punishment. That's why I allowed Willow to send him to a hell dimension. However, Willow HAS been too out of control and needs to learn some balance. Gia wasn't meant to excuse Klaus, but she was meant to show that Willow is taking way too much upon herself. Klaus is his own worst enemy. I hope that helped some of you.

Chapter 29: A Surprising Metamorphosis

******Mikaelsons'******

Willow opened her eyes to see everyone staring down at her. Her head was in Rebekah's lap, she was stroking her hair. Buffy and Dawn were kneeling next to her with Rick standing behind Buffy, his hand on her shoulder in comfort. She sat up.

"Will, are you okay?" Buffy asked anxiously.

Willow glanced over at Oz, who was laying a few feet away, a blanket covering him. Sorrow, guilt, and loss hit her all at once. She sobbed and leaned her head into Rebekah's stomach.

Rebekah held her close, trying to soothe her. "It's okay, sweetie. I've got you. You're going to be okay," Rebekah told her.

"She's going to be okay? Are you freaking kidding?" Caroline asked in outrage. She didn't understand what had happened, nor could she find much compassion for Willow's sorrow. "She just sent Klaus to a hell dimension! He is my friend! He hadn't done anything lately. She had no reason or right to do so!"

Buffy got to her feet and glared at Caroline in warning. "Now is not the time! She almost died. Give her some time to regroup!" Buffy ordered.

When Caroline started to argue, Elena pulled her back. "Come on, Care. Maybe you should call Kol. He will want to know, right?" Elena prodded, hoping to distract her before things escalated.

Caroline did want to talk to Kol. He wouldn't be blinded by love like Rebekah. He'd want to help his brother. She nodded and allowed Elena and Matt to pull her out of the house. Bonnie stayed behind in case Willow needed her. Unlike Caroline, Bonnie didn't think Willow's actions were over the top. If anything, Bonnie envied her power to take control, to stop their greatest foe and boogie man. Too many times had Bonnie felt helpless in the face of the many threats against Elena and her friends. Willow was never helpless. Bonnie was determined that someday she wouldn't be either.

"What's going on?" a voice asked.

All eyes turned toward the now conscious Oz, who seemed confused.

"Why am I naked?" Oz wondered. Then he winced as a likely reason occurred to him. "Did I turn into a wolf?"

"You nearly killed Willow," Buffy said sadly.

Oz looked dismayed and disgusted. "Seriously? Is she okay?" he asked worriedly. He got up, keeping the blanket around his waist.

"I'm okay, Oz," Willow replied as she wiped her eyes and looked at him.

"I'm so sorry, Will," Oz said, looking tormented. His memories of what occurred after she sent Klaus away weren't there. He only remembered being uncontrollably angry. "I lost it. My mind isn't right anymore."

"It's not your fault," Willow said. She struggled to get to her feet. Rebekah gently pulled her up. She took a step toward Oz.

When she stopped in front of him, he reached out and placed a hand on her cheek. "I'd rather die than hurt you," he told her.

"I know, Oz," she said softly. Stepping forward, she pulled him close for a hug. His one arm that wasn't holding up the blanket wrapped around her.

When she pulled away, she hurt for him as his eyes were wet with unshed tears. "It's going to be okay," she told him.

He grabbed her hand and leaned his forehead against hers. "In this world, you are all I love. If I can hurt you, I am truly a monster," he said. Then he pulled back. "Maybe it's me you should send to a hell dimension."

"No! You are hexed. It's not you!" Willow cried. "Even Gia said so."

"Gia? Who's that, Will?" Buffy asked.

Rebekah watched the scene, working hard to contain the rage she felt at the tangible evidence of the bond that still existed between Willow and her ex. She hated to feel so insecure, but she couldn't help it. Centuries of rejections, disappointments, and heart aches had shaped her core. Damon and Stefan flanked her. Sensing her tension, Stefan put his hand on her shoulder. "Easy, Rebekah," he said, knowing how the scene was making her feel.

Damon, of course, smirked at her. "It must suck knowing the woman who you're sleeping with is still in love with her ex," he remarked.

"She isn't in love with him. She loves him. There's a difference!" Rebekah said hotly.

"Maybe so, but he's still in love with her," Damon said knowingly. He glanced at the hybrid. "A man in love is unpredictable enough. But a vampire in love won't respect boundaries."

"Cut it out, Damon," Stefan said crossly, glaring at his brother. "Exes can retain affection for one another. Not all exes are Katherine."

Faith had been standing close enough to overhear the conversation. Her fists clenched at the reminder of just how close he was to another of his exes. "No, some are like your precious Elena," she said snidely.

Stefan flinched at the reminder of the scene that had recently occurred between him and Faith. He stepped toward, trying to touch her. She pulled away. "Keep your damn hands off of me! You will never touch me again!" she yelled. Then she turned and fled the scene.

Her outburst had drawn everyone's attention. Buffy and Damon both were equally surprised.

"Damn, brother. She really is pissed," Damon said.

"Yes, I told you!" Stefan said with a glare.

Buffy's eyes took on an annoyed edge as she pulled a few feet from Willow to face Stefan. "Hold that thought, Will," she said over her shoulder. She gave Stefan a determined look. "What the hell did you do to Faith?"

"It's just a misunderstanding," Stefan said easily.

"Seriously, Stef? A woman isn't misunderstanding when you leave her in the middle of the act to go comfort your ex," Damon said with a snicker.

Stefan glared at his brother. "Shut up, Damon!" he ordered crossly, guilt eating away at him. He didn't know how to explain his actions in a way that wouldn't make him an ass. He'd spent too long always thinking of Elena, protecting her both physically and emotionally. Hurting her was so foreign to him that his instinct to comfort her had momentarily blinded him to everything else. Faith getting hurt was an unexpected bi-product. He was unsure how to fix things.

"What?" Buffy asked in outrage at the new development. She and Faith fought like cats and dogs sometimes, but she wouldn't stand for the emotionally fragile slayer to be abused by the guy Buffy knew she was falling for. Faith wasn't ready to admit it yet, but Buffy knew. She glared at Stefan, waiting for his explanation.

"Faith is overreacting. Imagine one of your exes Spike or Angel, who you still care about, walking in on you and Rick. It'd kill the mood, right? It doesn't mean anything," Stefan said. "Faith took it wrong."

"Faith is more fragile than she appears," Buffy said. "Hurts are masked by anger. The deeper the hurt, the deeper the anger. Tread carefully. Hurt her again and I'll kick your ass."

Stefan nodded and turned to find his slayer.

"Let's go home and give Willow some time to recover before we start grilling her," Rick suggested.

Willow flashed him a grateful look. "I think that's a good idea," she said, looking down at her blood-stained clothes with distaste.

"I'll stay and keep an eye on wolf boy," Damon said, glancing at Oz.

Oz, feeling sick, nodded in understanding. He didn't understand why this was happening to him, but he didn't want to hurt anyone else.

The group dispersed. Rebekah promised Buffy she'd follow with Willow. Oz went up to his room to get some clothes.

"Baby, are you okay?" Rebekah asked Willow.

Willow moved into her embrace, resting her head against her chest. "No. I'm not. I may never be again," she said sadly.

*****The Grille*****

Stefan finally located Faith at the bar of Mystic Grille draining a shot of whiskey. When he pulled up next to her, she gave him an indifferent look.

"Faith, I'm sorry," he said covering her hand with his. When she tried to pull away, he held on. She gave him a scornful look.

"Let. Me. Go," she ordered.

"I don't think I can ever do that," he said meaningfully. "You have to know how much you mean to me."

She gave a derisive snort. "Yeah, I finally do. Forgive me if I don't swoon with joy," she said snidely. "You've made it really clear where I rank in your affections." She pulled her hand away and got up.

Stefan reached to stop her, needing to explain, to get her to understand. A hand grabbed a hold of him, immobilizing him. He looked and saw the oldest Original.

"When a lady says no, you should respect that," Mikael said in disapproval.

Faith faced him, taking a fighting stance. "I'm fine," she said.

Mikael released Stefan and gave her a careful look. "You're a slayer," he observed.

"One that has no need of anymore psychotic vamps in town, so you can leave," Faith said boldly. "We took care of your son or stepson. Whatever you consider Klaus."

"He's my wife's indiscretion," Mikael said with a disapproving sniff.

"Whatever," Faith said indifferently. "Willow, our witch, sent him to a hell dimension. Do you know what that is? He'll suffer endless torment. A day will seem like years."

Mikael looked interested. "Really? Your witch is that powerful?" he asked in surprise.

"You have no idea. You don't want to go pissing her off," Faith said. "She sent Klaus to hell simply because he'd been hurtful to his sister decades ago. Imagine what she'll do to you if you actually try to hurt Rebekah."

"Your witch loves my daughter?" Mikael questioned.

"More than she hates vampires," Stefan said, tired of being ignored.

"I suggest you leave town before things get ugly for you," Faith warned.

"Can this witch of yours remove Klaus from this hell?" Mikael asked.

"I suppose. If she wanted to. I'm not sure why she would, though," Faith said.

"My oldest Elijah is the great protector," Mikael said. "He won't allow his brother to spend an eternity suffering."

Stefan didn't think so either, but he didn't say anything.

"There's not much he can do about it," Faith said dismissively.

"You underestimate my son," Mikael said knowingly.

"You underestimate us," Faith said. She stepped toward him until she was in his face. "Back the hell off or die. We killed your son Finn. None of you are as indestructible as you think you are. If you don't want to die, you'll leave town."

"I care not if I die. My sole mission is to fix the mistake I and my wife made a thousand years ago," Mikael said. "And I will."

Stefan and Faith watched the oldest of the Originals walk out of the Grille. "He's not going anywhere," Stefan said to her.

"No, I don't think so either," she said grimly. "If he wants a fight, we'll give him one." She started to leave.

Once again, Stefan reached out for her, grabbing her hand. "Faith, we need to talk," he said quietly.

"Save it. Now's not the time and I'm not in the mood," she said coolly.

Stefan watched her leave, anxiety filling him. Surely, she wouldn't stay angry?

******An Hour Later******

Rick had opened Buffy's front door, letting in Damon and Oz. Stefan and Faith were there sitting on opposite sides of the room. Faith was pointedly ignoring Stefan, who was looking longingly at her. None of the teens were present except for Dawn who was sitting on the couch next to Willow. Rebekah was on her other side. They each held one of her hands. Dawn was so horrified that Willow almost died. When Rick let Oz into the house, she visibly flinched.

"Why is he here? Hasn't he done enough?" Dawn said angrily. She'd lost her mom and Buffy once already. Then Tara. Then Anya. She couldn't handle the thought of losing another person that she loved. The memory of the slayers they'd recently lost was also still fresh. There was too much death in her young life. Oz was a danger to all she loved right now no matter his good intentions.

Willow had always understood Dawn even better than Buffy, who wasn't in the room yet. She squeezed Dawn's hand. "Dawnie, don't do that. Don't be that way. Oz loves me. He'd never hurt me. He isn't to blame," Willow said.

"Maybe so, but how is it safe for him to be here?" Dawn asked bluntly.

"She's right. I should go," Oz said, upset at the thought he may still hurt Willow.

"No! You belong here with us. You're one of the original Scoobies. Xander's missing. I need you here. Your cool head is needed," she said. "Damon and Stefan will keep an eye on you. If you start to get twitchy, they'll lead you home." She smiled at him, so he'd know she wasn't worried.

Rick went to find Buffy. The fact that she wasn't already downstairs concerned him. He knocked on her bedroom door before stepping inside.

"I'm in here!" she called out from the bathroom. "Give me a minute." He heard water running. When Buffy reappeared she looked a bit washed out.

"Are you okay?" he asked in concern.

"Can you believe I threw up again?" Buffy asked in annoyance. "The last time I did that was when I found my mom dead on our couch. Today I threw up twice!"

"Well, you watched your best friend almost bleed to death after seeing your other best friend die and come back as a vampire," Rick said with sympathy.

Buffy looked ill at the reminder. "Xander! What are we going to do? I just can't wrap my mind around this, Rick. My best friend a vampire," Buffy said.

Rick hugged her against him. "Well, you've loved a vamp or two in your day, right?" he teased. "At least he'll have a soul, no curse, and his blood will have healing properties."

Buffy looked up at him. "Will he still be Xander?" she wondered.

"I think he'll surprise us all," Rick said.

"But your wife turned awful after she became one. What if he does the same thing?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"My wife took off and isolated herself from me. She turned off her humanity. She didn't love me enough," Rick said, having come to terms with that fact the past year. "Xander loves you and his girls too much to do any of that. He'll be fine."

"You think so?" she asked hopefully.

"I do," Rick said.

"What about Elijah? What am I supposed to do about him?" Buffy said with a groan. "He has to be the coolest, nicest, smartest vampire in existence. He has been fighting and working with my slayers. Xander and Andrew worship him."

"Elijah would never hurt Xander. He barely knew Elena and still was willing to do much to keep her safe. He'll do no less for Xander whom he considers a friend," Rick assured her.

"He's not going to give up until Klaus is brought back," Buffy said with a sigh.

"No, probably not," Rick said.

"I just don't get that family. They do horrible, evil things to one another. Klaus has boxed all of his siblings. Finn for 900 years. He betrayed Elijah, and yet Elijah still loves him. He will still fight for him," Buffy said.

"They're no different than Damon and Stefan," Rick said. "Damon only truly loves his brother, the one he treats the worst."

"Damon loves you, too," Buffy said with a grin.

Rick rolled his eyes. Woman were so sentimental when it came to relationships. "Damon and I have become good friends, but he would survive my loss. I don't think he would Stefan's," Rick said grimly. "For a vampire everything is magnified. All emotion is. Happiness, joy, despair, love. Everything becomes stronger. Elijah will teach Xander how to deal with it all. We can trust him with that, I think."

"I hope so. We've got to deal with Willow and Oz's hex. Elijah, his brother, and Xander will have to wait," Buffy said. "Let's go find out what's going on with Will."

Rick followed her downstairs to where their friends were gathered waiting.

Soon Willow shared with her friends her experience with death. There was a pregnant silence while her friends tried to process her story.

"So how do you feel?" Buffy asked. "Do you feel magically connected?"

"Not particularly. It's like a hole inside of me. Something's broken," Willow replied. She gave Oz a worried look. "I'm going to meditate and try to center myself and reconnect with the elements. I will fix you, Oz. That hex is toast!" She'd messed up enough things lately. Disappointing Oz and possibly lose him was not an option.

"So we have the oldest Original in town and no witchy powers to help," Damon stated. "Figures. Witches are never dependable."

Stefan gave his brother a disapproving look.

"Shut up, Damon!" Rebekah said, not liking the criticism of Willow.

"Are you implying the great Damon Salvatore needs a witch?" Stefan said, arching his eyebrow.

"Daddy Original isn't going to go away," Faith said. "Stefan and I just ran into him before we got here. He doesn't trust that Klaus will stay contained. He believes Elijah would never allow that. He also implied that he wouldn't stop until he corrected his and his wife's mistake."

"Making us is the mistake he wants to remedy," Rebekah said sadly. Although she sometimes abhorred her existence, she didn't want to die. She most especially didn't want to die as she just begun to live.

"That's not going to happen!" Willow said.

"Giles is on the way with the slayers that he'd brought to Ohio. Andrew is also bringing girls on the quickest commercial flight they could find," Buffy shared. "Whatever he's got planned, we'll be ready."

"Maybe I should go back to the monks who helped me control my wolf," Oz suggested. "They may be able to stop this or slow down this hex."

"Maybe," Buffy said, unsure. She glanced at Willow.

"Give me some time. Bonnie has a lot of power. If I can't work magic to do it, she can. I'll help her. We'll figure this out," Willow said.

"What about Xander?" Buffy asked. "What should we do about him? Where would Elijah take him?"

"Some place safe and quiet probably," Stefan guessed.

"Is Xander okay?" Dawn asked anxiously.

"I'm sure he's fine," Buffy quickly reassured her.

"Elijah will contact you," Stefan said.

"He better," Faith said in annoyance. "He's not going to use Xander to manipulate us!"

"But he will. He knows what Xander means to us," Buffy said.

"He's too honorable to hurt him. He'll be fine," Damon said, rolling his eyes. "Elijah is most likely working his mojo on your friend so that Xander will be the one demanding you release Klaus."

"It's not like I could now even if I wanted to," Willow said. "For one, sending someone to a hell deminsion is a lot easier than pulling them out. For another, I don't know how long I'll be blocked. Gia said I had to learn to control my anger and my magic. That I can't use it as a weapon any longer."

"Now's not the time for you to grow a conscious," Damon said impatiently.

"You're not helping, Damon," Stefan said.

Damon grew tired of the constant criticism. "Why am I still here? I should just go back to L. A. At least there, I serve a purpose," he said in annoyance and got up. With one last scornful look at the lot of them, his brother in particular, he left.

Stefan did what he always did. He followed after him.

"Where are you going?" Stefan asked him as he stepped off of Buffy's porch.

"Like it matters to you," Damon said, unable to hide the tinge of real hurt. He'd been banished from his home. His brother could only focus on the slayer, and things were hell in Mystic Falls once again. However, for the first time, it wasn't up to him to save the day. He'd become irrelevant. The sting of that new reality chafed.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Stefan asked defensively.

Damon faced him. "I don't need you constantly criticizing me, Stefan! I just voiced what some are thinking. Nothing wrong with that!"

"Your negativity isn't helping anyone, Damon. You know it. Why are you acting like a child?" Stefan asked, sensing there was more to it.

"What you and I did in this town used to matter. Now we don't. I've been gone for weeks, and no one really noticed. My presence here isn't needed. So why am I here?" Damon asked.

"Elena noticed. She missed you. Isn't her opinion the only one that matters to you anyway?" Stefan reminded him. He stepped off the porch, facing Damon.

Damon was silent a moment. "Maybe. But she's just lonely. She doesn't have you anymore. I'm just a convenient rebound," Damon said, revealing his real fear.

Stefan took a step forward and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Damon, Elena caring about you has nothing to do with me. She did so when we were together. In spite of yourself, you've forged a bond with her. She brings out the brother I used to look up to and want to be back when I was human. I like who you are with her. Don't be so quick to reject whatever is happening between you," Stefan said. He gave the shoulder a squeeze and dropped his hand.

"What makes you think something is happening?" Damon asked as Stefan fell into step next to him. They walked to his car.

Opening the door to the passenger side, Stefan grinned at his brother. "I know you," he said simply.

And just like that Damon's annoyance and hurt left. The reminder that no matter what happened or what changed, one thing never truly did. He had a brother. A brother that knew him and would die for him. Sometimes that was all a guy really needed.

******Two Days Later******

Xander woke up early from the erotic dream. Since his transition, he'd been bombarded with so many strong emotions. He felt like he'd become bipolar over night. His memories of Anya kept popping up, but they were so much more real and vivid than they'd been back when he was human.

Back when he was human. Now that was a phrase he was going to have to get used to. He was no longer human. Alexander Harris was dead. He died. Now he was a version of the enemy he'd fought and hated so long. Every insult he'd ever said about Spike or Angel seemed to echo in his head. Loathing for what he'd become warred with fascination. He'd always loved comic books. The Peter Parker tales of the weak suddenly becoming strong used to keep him up at night when he'd be sleeping outside just to get a way from his parents' constant fighting. He'd always wanted a different life than the one he'd had. Meeting Buffy had given him that. She'd changed his life with more than just her short skirt. Now his life had changed once again.

His feelings for Buffy had always been conflicted. Anya had accused him more than once for loving her too much. His devotion to Buffy and her cause had been the source of more than one fight between them. Although he'd given up on his dream of her ever loving him as more than a friend, a part of him was still attracted to her. Memories of that attraction seem to now be mixed in with his real affection for her. His latest dream hadn't been a memory of Anya but a sexual fantasy of Buffy. Embarrassment and self-loathing at having the dream filled him as he gulped in air.

He looked around the room for Elijah, who'd become his rock the past two days. Elijah had counseled him and explained everything. Elijah got what was happening to him. He helped Xander deal. Xander missed his friends, but he wasn't quite ready to face them yet. He especially couldn't see facing Buffy when his emotions were all over the place. What if he saw her and was really attracted to her? That humiliating thought kept him from even calling his friends.

Stretching out with his new senses, he heard the shower go off. A minute later, Elijah came into the room wearing only a towel. Xander looked at the glistening expanse of naked flesh and felt his body respond. Horrified, he turned away.

Elijah smelled his young friend's arousal and looked at him with compassion. "Xander, it's all right. Vampires are very sexual. All your senses are in overdrive, including your sexuality," Elijah said. He used a small hand towel to dry his hair as he spoke.

"But I'm not gay!" Xander insisted. "I shouldn't have a reaction to your body! It's wrong!"

Elijah gave him a patient look. "Why is it wrong? You are no longer human. Keeping yourself sated sexually is one of the many appetites you will have to keep in check so that you don't lose control and hurt anyone," he said. He dropped his towel, standing naked in front of Xander. The idea that the former human he'd grown attached to found him attractive did have an affect on Elijah.

Xander looked at his mentor's penis as he watched it grow bigger. His eyes widened as he realized what that meant. "You like me like that?" Xander asked in surprise.

"Honestly, I've never considered it," Elijah said with a shrug. "I've not been with a man in centuries, preferring the softness of a woman's touch, the smell of them. But there's pleasure to be had between men that you cannot find with a woman."

"Really?" Xander asked with interest, his heart speeding up. His shame and embarrassment warred with his growing hunger and curiosity.

"Yes," Elijah said knowingly. He gave Xander a small smile. Allowing Xander to see him as a sexual object was a dangerous risk, but he needed every advantage he could when dealing with the slayers and Willow. The tie between Xander and the women was too strong. Elijah would never save his brother without hurting Xander. That was an option that was abhorrent to him, so the idea of seducing the new vampire was becoming more appealing.

"Come here, Xander," he ordered, beckoning with his hand.

Nervously, his heart thundering loudly in his ears, he rose from his bed, kicking off the covers. His body was covered only in his boxers. He stopped directly in front of Elijah, looking at his beautiful naked body with desire.

Elijah reached out and put his hand on Xander's chest, stroking him softly. "Relax, Xander. You and I are friends. Nothing between friends is ever wrong if both are willing," Elijah said, his ever present compassion and affection in his eyes.

"What will everyone think?" Xander asked. Too many years allowing his girls to influence him couldn't shake some habits.

"You dated two women they didn't like, I believe," Elijah reminded him. "Besides, what happens here is no one's business. I'm here to help you. If this will help you, don't fight it."

He reached up, wrapping his hand around Xander's neck and drawing him closer. "I won't hurt you," Elijah promised before he kissed him.

The touch of his lips was warm. Not being an ice cube like Dead Boy was one of the many perks being a Mikealson vampire had. The weirdness of kissing a man battled with the growing warmth of the ancient vampire's touch. Closing his eyes, he ignored his misgivings, his training that he should only desire a woman's touch. Instead, he allowed himself to simply feel.

Elijah's touch was gentle, which belied the awesome strength Xander knew the vampire had. Touching a chest so different from a woman's was strange for him. However, it wasn't a turn off like he'd always assumed. The strength he felt in Elijah made him feel safe. It filled him with more warmth. Deciding that nothing else mattered but this moment, he let himself go.

Xander was no longer human. He now had to drink blood to survive. He would outlive everyone he loved. He was a potential murderer. So many things were different. What was one more?

*****Chapter End*****

I hope this new development doesn't leave you too upset or surprised. I had no plans at all to pair these two at any point in the past two years since I began this tale. However, I never planned on making Xander a vampire either. When we got a glimpse of Xander as a soulless vampire, I got a feeling that watching Willow-vamp abuse Angel wasn't the only source of torture afflicted on him. I can see Xander as both gay and bi as well as straight. This new storyline seemed to make sense to me. It seemed like the natural progression. It can be just a one-time thing or it could be more. It really depends on you. What do you think? Don't let this last scene, though, eclipse the entire chapter! Only one more chapter to tell me your thoughts! Thanks for reading!