Part 8

Returning back to School several days later after leaving the hospital, Xan Harris was never the same after her assault and didn't like anyone touching her and Cordelia blamed Willow Rosenberg for breaking them up with her spells. Cordelia Chase hated Buffy Summers more for not doing her sacred duty by staking the bastard that took the spark from her girlfriend's eyes, but she hated herself more for not being strong enough to fight off the spells that was placed on her. If she had been there then none of what happened to Xan, the latest gossip was that Oz and Willow had broke up and Buffy was trying to get the pair alone so they could talk it out.

Giles warned Buffy and Willow to leave Xan alone from now on, it was a sad moment for the Watcher to see the once outgoing strong girl who had a joke and brightened the room with her smile was now was scared of her own shadow. Giles in a fit anger hunted Angelus to Crawford Street Mansion, making sure there was no way of escape Rupert let Ripper out to play as he burnt the building and the memories of his daughter's broken body. Any minion that survived left Sunnydale the following evening, yet again Angelus got away and started giving gifts outside Chases' doorstep and trinkets in Xan's locker telling her that he was thinking about her.

Buffy was at home sobbing finally excepted that the love of her life was in love with her best friend, no matter what she did Angel/Angelus will always want Xan. It would so easy to blame Willow for everything that happened, if she could just except Cordelia then none of this would have happened and Xan Harris wouldn't have been raped. Seeing Alexandra covered in wounds with blood and semen running down her legs, that vision of the brunette's dead eyes staring at nothing will always haunt her. But yet Buffy still couldn't kill Angelus as there was a part of Angel that was still there, the only way would to give Angelus his soul back and the only one that could do it was Jenny Calendar as the blonde couldn't trust Willow with chicken feet let alone a powerful spell like this.

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Jenny was on the last stages of finding the spell before getting the herbs and the orb of Thesulah, with the spell translated and the additional on the spell Angel's soul could be a permanent one. However for that to happen would be for the vampire to be soul bonded to his true love, the problem with that is Alexandra Harris was both Angel and Angelus one and only.

Jenny didn't want Xan to go through anymore pain than she already had, it could have been more simple if Angel was in love with Buffy making the Slayer and Vampire a formidable team. All that Jenny needed was the Orb and she would then start the spell- another problem was now Willow.

The redhead was one of her best students in Techno Pagan, however she was now beginning to believe she was above the learning stages of spell casting and thought she was being babied. All this proved to Miss Calendar that Willow couldn't be trusted, even now after Giles warnings she wanted to do the spell to show she was more than capable to conjure the power needed. Through all of this Willow really didn't apologise for her actions as words don't mean anything unless any action was made to make amends for what she did, there again neither had Buffy as she was making herself the victim in this whole thing and things don't change then Xan Harris was going to be found dead one day.

Right now her only job was to complete the spell to give Angel his soul, maybe with Angel back on the wheel it would be easier for the soul to convince the vampire to leave Sunnydale making it easier on Harris, but this is the real world and once Angelus had his sights on something he won't stop till he got what he wanted and that was Alexandra Harris.

The translation was completed and once the spell was cast things would go back to normal, it wasn't perfect as Jenny would rather stake Angelus' rotten heart than safe him. But if the vampire was killed then Buffy would cease to protect the Hellmouth, both Jenny and Rupert were between a rock and a hard place as this was the only option they had. Without anyone knowing both Watcher and Tech Pagan headed towards Jenny's home where everything was ready, Jenny just hoped that her ancestors would bless her in stopping the monster with the angel face.

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Today was Wednesday, that meant mystery meal special, Gym and three classes with her two former best friends, Xan didn't want to face school at the moment and wanted to skip. Principal Synder on the other hand thought differently and warned Alexandra that he needed to see her in his office before classes began, Cordelia Chase wouldn't leave her ex-girlfriend's side for a moment and followed Xan inside. Synder bellowed for Miss Chase to leave as this conversation was between him and Miss Harris. That was when Cordelia snapped ready to give a piece of her mind, Xan stopped Cordy before she got herself expelled and told her to wait outside for her.

Cordelia grumbled something under her breath stepping outside to calm herself before she did or say something she would not regret,.

Inside the Principal's office, Xan tiredly waited for what Synder had to say so she could leave, what she didn't expect was a chance to catch up with classes she missed so she didn't have to go school during summer vacation. Synder let Xan know he noticed she got away from the trouble maker Miss Summers influences and wanted to give the girl a chance in her education, not wanting to bite the hand she agreed that instead of free periods she through the week would report to substitute teacher Ms Barton to collect her assignments and if needed help to understand the work.

Xan Harris was getting suspended from school not a second chance, thanking the weasel of a man Xan turned and left the office walking towards Cordy when she nearly bumped into Buffy and right behind her was the girl she didn't want to talk to who going to cry yet again. Completely ignoring the two girls, when suddenly Buffy could keep her mouth shut after Giles warned her. "Are you ever going to speak with us Xan?" Said Buffy getting some of the students attention, Xan stopped in her tracks clenching her fists trying to hold back her temper.

"Speaking to you means that I forgiven you both, tell me Buffy should I forgive a girl who knew me and my mom were beaten and abused by Tony. I even had my arm broken three times by that bastard and practically begged Willow to help me, all she did was clean my cuts and iced my bruises but expects me to fight her battles when I'm barely fighting my own."

Xan wasn't in the mood for Buffy's complaints or Willow's crocodile tears, Buffy wasn't going to be ignored when she was ready to forgive Xan for taking her man and was about to grab Xan's arm when Mrs. Taggart stepped out of her classroom demanding silence and asking why they were not going to class. Buffy was about to protest saying she only wanted to talk to her friend, Mrs. Taggart didn't believe the girl for one minute. With a stern look Buffy kept her mouth shut as both Cordelia and Xan walked away and headed to Mr. Miller's History Class.

Once again Willow with Buffy's help was trying to get Xan to talk to them, but instead the brunette told them to leave her alone as she was done with the pair of them. Yet again Buffy was trying to twist things around to make Xan the bad guy and accuse for stealing her boyfriend, finally Xan lost it as she spun around and slapping the Slayer across her face leaving a red hand print.

"I keep telling you till I'm blue as Smurfette, that I never was attracted or even wanted your boyfriend as the only one I loved was my now ex-girlfriend. If Angel had a hard bit for me then that's his problem not mine, all I did was tolerate him for your sake and kept a civil tongue and look where that got me. So I'm only going to say this once and you better listen, I am gay and rather set him on fire than let him touch me again- and if that doesn't enter your thick skull then you and Willow leave me alone."

It finally clicked for Buffy and was now in tears pleading for Xan to forgive her, but it was too late for the brunette as she told Buffy and Willow to leave her be from now on before heading to one the classrooms to work on her assignments.

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Almost two weeks had past since Giles and Jenny done the soul restoration spell and haven't heard from the vampire or any of his minions running amok in the town, the last they heard from Angelus was a evening before the spell when the vampire was outside Cordelia Chase's home leaving behind a parcel with the most beautiful dress, the finest perfume with white lace lingerie that left nothing to the imagination. At the bottom of the parcel was a note with beautifully written calligraphy explaining that Xan would eventually come to him in these clothes otherwise he'll will kill Cordy in front of her as a warning.

Xan was in the Library with Jenny Calendar and Rupert Giles helping translating texts for the latest prophesy, Harris only agreed when she was told that both Buffy and Willow were at the Bronze and Cordelia warned Giles to protect her girl while she was at a Cheerleading practice.

Xan knew ancient Sumerian, Greek, Latin and fluent in Klingon. But all jokes aside Xan figured the translation minutes ago and the prophesy wasn't to begin for another two hundred years, Giles was looking at something called the ascension and decided to get to work on helping. Heading to the unused stalls where Giles' books were kept- finding several that could help, she was turned around and standing there was Angelus. Xan wanted to scream but her throat tightened as her fear got the better of her, needing to get away Xan stepped back and Angelus was about to follow but stopped himself from coming any closer.

This wasn't the same Angelus as before, this one was rumpled and dishevelled like he hadn't put a comb to his hair. What shocked her was the way his clothes didn't fit his frame anymore like he was starving himself. That was when she knew that Giles and Calendar went behind her back, a chance for Buffy to have her boyfriend back no matter the consequences of what he had done to her as long as the Slayer got she wanted.

Angel stared at the girl who once gave him a warm smile now shivered in fear and revulsion, he needed to see Xan instead of what that monster... No, what he had done. All his nightmares were how he tortured the girl in the brutal way before he raped and sodomised ripping her insides, he had a chance for the girl to love him and all she will ever see is her rapist.

Angel's hands were shaking as he went to reach out to the girl, that was when Xan screamed and that was when Giles bolted to the stalls with a crossbow in his hands ready to shoot telling the vampire to back off from his daughter. Giles turned to Xan and told her to get behind him then turned his attention back to now souled vampire who looked a wreck repeating he wanted to make it right.

This was too much for Xan to take as she ran for the door and out of the school, Giles and Jenny tried to call the girl back so they could explain why they did what they had done. But Xan wouldn't listen as all they have done wasn't for her safety, but what will make Buffy happy and keep her to do her sacred duty to protect the Hellmouth. Harris promised to cut all ties with the Watcher, the Slayer and the back stabbing bitch she used to call her best friend. From now one she was going to think about herself and get out of this town to get away from her so called family who will get her killed before the demons did.

Angel was about to chase after Xan to explain himself and repent for what he had done, but Giles was close to pulling the trigger bellowing to leave and not to come back otherwise Slayer or not he would kill him. Why did Rupert not see this has nothing to do with Buffy and just wanted to apologise to his mate, Xan was marked as his now and needed to protect her as every demon knew he gained his soul back and now target Alexandra to get to him. Not saying a word Angel backed away and left the Library and started his search for Xan before she got into any danger.

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Xan just needed to be alone and ran towards to the park and towards to the old stump that once a tree-house that held 'We Hate Cordelia Chase Club', it was also a place for Xan to hide from the abuse of her parents as this was her safe haven. That was till a strong storm hit Sunnydale and lightening struck the tree-house making the tree nothing but a burnt hollow, everything was gone and since the tree was nothing but an eyesore the Mayor got his crew to cut down what was left of the tree.

Sitting down on the stump Xan was just overcome with emotion, the last straw was seeing Angel was back and that meant Buffy would want her boyfriend back. That meant everything would be forgiven and forgotten for a peaceful life, if that is true then she knew that it was time she left Sunnydale and get far away. The problem is that she had nowhere else to go except her mother's or to Willow's home;- deciding to go back to Cordy's house and pack up and leave Xan stood up and standing there was vampire with high cheekbones and bleached white hair. "Hi Pet, did yer miss..." Xan growled and without warning punched him, Spike licked the blood of his bottom lip and was about to say something witty when Xan lashed out screaming at him it was all his fault for leaving her.

Spike grabbed Xan's wrists to stop her from hitting him, the brunette blamed him for Angelus torturing and how he raped her. "Why didn't you take me with you? Why did you leave me knowing what he was going to do to me?" Spike didn't have the answer, all he knew was that if he didn't leave with Dru Angelus would have staked her. As much as Spike loved Xan, he had to prioritise his Sire's health needing to leave to take Dru back to safety of Brazil leaving her with her latest lover. Xan Harris knew the real reason, Dru didn't want him so Spike decided to return back to Sunnydale for the girl he betrayed.

Spike tried to tell his girl that he came back for her, but Xan laughed cruelly as she ripped herself away from Spike's grip not believing his words.

"Do you really think for one minute I would leave Sunnydale with you after you left me alone with him? What ran through your mind that you believed the Slayer would automatically come charging in to save me before anything bad happened? If you did, then you're a bigger fool than I am."

Spike wasn't the type to give up now that he was back, as he came closer he could smell that he was too late and it was all his damn Sire's fault that he lost her as Xan was now Angelus' claimant. Spike's face shifted to his demon as his hands grabbed the top of Xan's tops arms leaving bruises before placing her behind him just as another animal like growl was heard. Looking over Spike's shoulder was Angel and Xan yelped in fear and now just to get away from the pair of them, Angel warned Spike to back away and tried to coax his mate to come to him. Xan swallowed a giant lump in her throat as Spike snarled trying not to react to the fear coming off the girl in waves, both demons were ready to fight each wanting the same prize. While Angel and Spike were fighting for the right of the girl, Xan ran back to the Chase home without looking back hoping that Angel or Spike didn't catch up with her.

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Xan didn't stop running till she came to a few feet from a house with its lights still on, with adrenaline alone Xan rang the doorbell repeatedly and banging on the door shouting fire. All the lights turned on the street as a middle aged woman opened the door to see the girl that was once her missing son's friend.

"Xan sweetheart, what are you doing out this..."-

"I'll explain myself Mrs McNally, just let me in please."

Carol opened the wider to let the frightened girl inside, as Carol locked the door behind her Xan slid down the wall wailing uncontrollably into her knees with her heart thumping fast against her chest. Carol McNally always would call Willow when Alexandra was like this, she had heard that Xan's father committed suicide in the holding cell after putting Xan in hospital. She didn't get further details, but she remembered the funeral and Mrs Harris was yet again drunk out of her head as Carol could smell the Vodka on the woman's breath.

Mrs McNally didn't know what to do for a hysterical girl and was ready to call Willow, but Xan didn't want anything to do with her. Xan pleaded with Carol to let her stay till morning and she will go then, Carol saw how shaken Xan was and also the large finger shaped bruises on her arms. Not to startle the girl any further Mrs McNally made a bed up on the couch and some hoy chocolate to calm her nerves, Xan was still shaking but not as violently as before. Once settled Carol left the hallway light on for the girl before heading up to bed for work in the morning, wishing the brunette sweet dreams all Xan could say before she closed her eyes was thank you.

As Xan slept downstairs Carol stayed up all night wondering what spooked that sweet girl that she was close to having a heart attack, not even the worse beatings she recieved from her parents as she laughed it off like shaking water of a duck's back. It could have been maybe an hour had past when she caught the scent of cigarette smoke coming outside, taking a peak from the corner of her curtains Carol saw a dark haired man looking through her living room window where Xan was sleeping on the couch. The man didn't say a word, but glanced into the room for a few minutes before turning around and left in the shadows.

"Oh Alexandra, sweetheart what have you gt yourself into." There was something off with the man, being in California you would get some type of tan or warmness on the skin. This man however looked like he hadn't seen the sun in years, Carol was sure that the man's eyes glowed like a cat or that could of been a trick of the street lights. In the morning Carol was going to get her answers, but she was going to let the sleep after having a harrowing experience and for the rest of the night the middle aged woman couldn't sleep a wink.

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Angel barely won Spike and as his Grand Childe was about run him through with a wooden pole, instead of death Buffy came out of nowhere and the pair began to fight both coming to a draw. This wasn't over and Spike was going to get his girl back even if that meant ending the now souled bastards life, once the great prancing poof is dead he'll have Xan crawling on her knees back to him. Spike remembered what Xan had said that Angelus had forced her and knowing Angel like he did left her body with bites, scars from whips, the dark haired haired loved how his victims beg to let them only for later wish for death.

While Spike and Buffy were fighting Angel left the two to fight it out as he followed Xan, it wasn't long till he found banging on the door and repeatedly ringing the bell shouting fire and once the door was opened Xan barged into the house and locked it behind her just Angel was halfway down the pathway.

It could be maybe two hours and Angel waited till the lights were switched off and everything settled down, taking a cigarette out of the pack he had stolen from Spike's leather duster Angel lit one and enhaled the soothing smoke through unbeaten lungs. Taking another drag of the cigarette Angel was slowly calming down as his demon was pushed back under the surface, knowing that Xan was safe for now sleeping peacefully Angel stepped back into the shadows knowing he was being watched from the upstairs window.

Right now Angel needed to get his redemption and that was to help the Slayer once more, this time Buffy knew that the souled vampire had no interest in her and only wanted to guide towards her sacred duty. It would take some time to gain everyone's trust, but the Slayer would vouch for him and Giles would rather keep the peace as Buffy can be whiny if she didn't get her way, especially if that something was the love of her life.

End of part 8