A/N: So I just finished Chosen. More than 21 years late, but I'm finally caught up on Buffy. I'd like to give a quick shout out to Chunk 127, who advised me to watch Angel. You were right, it does make him a good character. Just one season of Angel left to finish, and then I say my goodbye's to the world of Buffy Summers, Angel and all the rest. I have no shame in saying I'm not quite ready to leave yet, so rather than start Angel season 5, I'm writing this instead.

Summers Household-The Night Before the Final Battle

"You're my strength Xander. You're the reason I survived this long. I need someone I can trust to do this."

Xander heard Buffy's words, and he felt waves of emotion come over him. The first was pride. He was so proud of the woman standing in front of him. She had grown into the leader, the General they all needed in the coming battle. The fact that he'd been allowed to play some small part in her journey meant more than he could ever say. The second was guilt. He hated the idea that he would not be there fighting with her, that he would leave Buffy in her most important and possibly final battle. He also felt guilt over his previous actions. He had allowed his frustration and pain at losing an eye to manifest itself. He had kicked her out of her own home. He had betrayed her, and yet here she was saying he was her strength.

"I don't know how you can say that. Not when I betrayed you."

"Xander-"

"NO Buffy! I betrayed you. I followed the crowd and-"

"You lost an eye! You lost an eye for me, fighting my war and somehow you are still here. By my side like you always have been. You were in pain. We were on the ropes. We still are. I'm not sure if this'll work-"

"It'll work Buf. I'm sure of it. After all, all our other plans always seem to. We're old hat at this whole apocalypse thing." He quipped, and she grinned, walking around the counter and embracing him.

"Thank you for having my back."

"Can I have you?"

Buffy pulled back from the embrace, raising her eyebrow. She looked into his one good eye, and she saw that this wasn't a joke or a quip. He was deadly serious.

"It's been a long time since you asked me that." She said quietly, smiling as she remembered the day the two of them had met for the first time.

"I know that, and I know a lot has changed. We're not the same people we were back in highschool. But one thing has never changed, Buffy . I love you. I am in love with you. I have been in love with you since the moment I first laid eyes on you, and I know that you and Spike have this weird will they or won't they thing. I know that we may die tomorrow, but I need you to know."

Buffy stared at him for a moment, not saying a word. Her mind was racing. Yes, Xander had voted to have her kicked out of her own home. He had also been her constant, her strength for the last seven years. Even when she had treated him poorly, like when Willow had first gained her magical abilities, he had stayed. And yes, she had been doing a will they/won't they with Spike. Just like she had done one with Angel. In many ways, they were so similar as to be the same. They both claimed to love her, but they both caused her pain. Angel had slept with her and given birth to Angelus, while Spike had tried to rape her. Angel may not have been completely aware of what the curse would do to him. Spike had no such excuse. Chip or no, soul or no, he knew exactly what he was doing. Yet she defended him just because he had a soul, as though that gave him some kind of free pass. She really had awful taste in men.

Xander nodded and turned away. He had told her how he felt, and clearly she didn't feel the same. She hadn't said a word. But at least now she knew. If he died tomorrow, at least he had told her his feelings before he lost the chance.

He walked towards the hallway, freezing as he felt Buffy's hand on his wrist. She whirled him around and kissed him hard on the mouth.

In that moment, Xander couldn't be happier if angels descended from on high. Buffy was kissing him. The woman he loved most in the world was kissing him. Silly, nerdy Xander.

"Buffy-" He gasped when they finally broke apart. Buffy shivered at the way he said her name. It was as though she was a goddess, the most important person in his world.

"Xander, I know we have a lot to talk about. I know I haven't been fair to you, and I promise if we survive tomorrow we will talk about everything. But please, for tonight...make love to me." She said, and he smiled.

"Buffy, are you sure? I mean really sure and not under some spell-"

"Xander, please carry me up to bed and make love to me." She said, and he smiled, picking her up bridal style in his arms.

"As you wish."

A/N: So I hope you all enjoyed this story! I'm unsure if I'll write a second chapter or just leave it as a one-shot so please let me know in a review! To all those Spuffy or Xanya fans who want to flame, please don't as they will be ignored. While I don't personally ship Buffy/Spike or Xander/Anya I understand those who do and I understand what the showrunner's were going for.

Buffy has been one of the best shows I've seen since Smallville, and is drastically superior to the Arrowverse as it is currently! I look forward to playing in this sandbox again in the future and continuing to read great BTVS stories by the many talented author's on this site! Until next time…