This was just something that was going to boggle me. For the sake of the story, the weak moment between Xander and Willow in 'Lover's Walk' didn't happen. I could see Willow/Xander happen under some different circumstances, but the fact that they were cheating on Oz and Cordy at the moment just made the kiss stupid, alongside the love square. While I can understand it was in a moment of vulnerability when they had believed they were about to die, Willow and Xander out of the sudden showing feelings for each other was forced and stupid and only done to break up Xander and Cordelia but I think Cordy would've made that wish to Anya anyway, considering her issues at the time, so Xander and Anya would get together at the end of Season 3 here after Cordelia leaves to L.A. and ends up with Angel and don't get me started on Faith sleeping with Xander and ditching him and her rape/murder attempt, which doesn't happen here either and Cordy distances herself from the Scoobies for a time because she wants a break from the supernatural and relationship with Xander, not because of Xander cheating on her and Cordy blaming Buffy for her personal issues. And for the sake of the story, Cordy didn't tell anyone she was broke due to being too proud to. So, in here, Xander would still feel useless in 'The Zeppo' without Cordy mocking him and he gets saved by Buffy instead of Faith, so no sleeping with Faith. And no Cordelia/Wesley subplot happens either, I mean, a teenage girl having a crush on the older guy is one thing, him having a crush back is just creepy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.
After taking some break from each other, Xander considered trying again with Cordelia, when he spotted Cordelia in April Fool shop, checking a dress before he entered.
"OK, how long does it take for you to buy a dress?" Xander teased.
"Xander!" Cordelia exclaimed as she turned around, looking completely embarrassed. "What… what are you—"
"Actually, I was looking for you. Ask you if you wanted to be my date on the prom." Xander said.
"Oh. Oh!" Cordelia blushed. While she had decided to take a break from her relationship with Xander due to the Scooby Gang and the supernatural mainly, she couldn't say that the idea wouldn't intrigue her but she wondered how would he react upon finding out about her current situation.
"This should work for ya." Xander pointed at the dress in Cordelia's hand.
"Is this a customer or a friend?" The manager asked as she approached.
"Both." Xander said before he realized that the woman was talking to Cordelia as he turned to her. "You work here?"
Cordelia sighed, knowing it was pointless to deny it now. "Yeah."
"Why?" Xander asked. "I mean, your family has enough—"
"I don't. No car, no dresses, everything has been taken away because Daddy made a little mistake on his taxes for the last twelve years." Cordelia revealed, much to Xander's shock.
"What? Why didn't you tell us anything?" Xander asked, trying to understand.
Cordelia looked away, looking ashamed. "You've always seen me as… on the top. And I didn't want you to—"
"Cordy, if you think this would make me think less of you, then you don't know me at all. Or did you forget the love spell I tried to do last year?" Xander reminded and Cordelia looked abashed and touched that he still cared about her, no matter whether she was broke or rich before a Hellhound jumped in and scared the customers before running off.
An idea sparked in Xander's mind as he turned to the manager and asked for a dress before paying it.
The Scooby Gang, Anya, Angel, Giles and Wesley were in the gym among the students and teachers celebrating the prom night as Xander and Cordelia danced to the slow song, circling around.
Later at night, back in Xander's house they laid down on the bed, snuggling beneath the sheet covering their bodies wet with sweat, both of them panting out as they both laughed.
"Whoa." Xander said.
"I have to say, haven't felt this enjoyable in a while now." Cordelia said.
"Well, I gotta say it was for me." Xander said.
"So… was I your first?" Cordelia said as Xander looked embarrassed before she pinched his nose, teasing him.
"Well, at least I'm not a broody vamp—" Xander stopped, when she smacked him in the shoulder.
"Really, you can't stop moping over Angel and Buffy for one moment? So they broke up before the prom and Buffy's all sad, big boo." Cordelia said mockingly and Xander realized it was pointless to talk about Angel.
"So, what are you gonna do, since you're broke?" Xander asked.
"I was considering acting career in L.A." Cordelia said and Xander looked at her in surprise. While Cordelia could be a convincing actress, given she had managed to fool Lyle Gorch into thinking she was a Slayer, L.A. wasn't short of talented actresses.
"You sure you can handle it? I mean, it's not an easy line of work and in L.A. it's not like you'll be the first pick." Xander said.
"Maybe I could help for your support." Cordelia teased and Xander looked hesitant.
"Look, Cordy, as much as I like the big town, I have friends and family here and I can't leave them." Xander said and the atmosphere turned cold between them as they both sighed. "After the graduation, we're all gonna go our separate ways most likely but we'll still be close and I'm not really big on leaving Sunnydale behind me."
"So…" Cordelia trailed off as both of them considered for a long moment before they realized that they were not going to last most likely after high school. "I guess that's it, huh? We're parting ways here?"
Xander sighed as the hard truth hit them both. It was probably time for them to move on. "Maybe not tonight… but after the graduation. Let's enjoy what we've got while we still can."
"I'm down for that." Cordelia giggled as Xander rolled and placed himself on top of her as they kissed before the phone rang and Xander answered the call.
"What is it, Giles?" Xander said before his face turned serious, with the news about Faith, Mayor Wilkins and Angel coming to them both.
Now, Xander/Cordelia probably wouldn't last past high school, since it was more or less the cliché and amusing "high school loser gets the pretty popular high school girl" trope, so I think they'd break up sometime before or after graduation, once Cordy would decide to go to L.A. to pursue her acting career before getting with Angel. Willow/Oz also probably not gonna last due to Oz's werewolf side and Oz would've left anyway but at least they got Tara and Anya until Whedon decided to kill them both off. And seriously, who cares about Kennedy and Xander/Dawn in the comics, while well portrayed, just felt weird, considering that Xander was basically her big brother in the show. Seriously, how can someone fall in love with someone he had known since she was a kid and he tickled her stomach on one instance as well?
So, what do you guys think?
Please review and let me know if you have enjoyed this one-shot.
With regards
Bl4ckHunter