Chapter Five
Death. His death. The idea was always there now, hiding somewhere in the back of his mind, ready to overtake him at the slightest opportunity. Now, when Xander was in the grasp of the enemy, broken ribs scraping against each other in his chest and hurting almost unbearably, the thought popped into his head again. Surprisingly he felt calm. To him it was entirely appropriate that he would die fighting vampires, something that had been almost his whole life for the last four years.
As he waited for the final blow, he noticed some movement behind his attacker. Xander cursed to himself when he noticed that Michael had not taken his advice, and was slowly creeping up behind the vampire.
The vampire heard the movement behind him and turned away from Xander to confront his new target. Finding reserves he didn't realize he had Xander pulled himself up, pulling a stake from his jacket pocket. He tried to steady himself, realizing that he would have one chance at this. He caught Michael's eye, making sure Michael saw the stake that he was holding, hoping that the kid would understand what he was planning to do.
Suddenly Michael ran at the vampire, knocking him back into the Xander's path. Xander thrust his stake in one motion, catching the vampire flush in the heart, his movement taking him through the last remains of the exploding vampire, before he fell hard, knocking the last of the consciousness out of his body.
Getting over the shock of seeing a vampire dissipate in front of his eyes, Michael moved over to Xander, kneeling down to check for a pulse. Feeling a faint beat, he got up to go to the nearest phone. As he did he noticed that Xander's wallet was lying to the side, having fallen out during the struggle. Picking it up, he gave Xander a final glance, before taking off down the alley.
He found a phone just down the road and dialed 911. Tapping his hand impatiently as he waited for the phone to be answered, he had almost given up when he finally got though.
"There's this guy who was attacked in alley behind Main Street," he gasped into the receiver.
A look of annoyance flashed across Michael's face as the operator asked who he was. "Never mind that, he needs help." And with that Michael hung up. He waited across the road for five minutes, making sure that the ambulance arrived, before taking off for Max and Isabel's place.
**************
The persistent knocking at his window woke Max from his sleep. He knew who it would be, Michael having turned up late at night more times than he could remember. Looking at Michael however Max knew that this time something was different. Michael was out of breath, leaning heavily against the windowsill.
"What's up?" max asked concerned.
"Weirdness, " Michael replied after climbing through the window. "Where's Isabel?"
"In her room, asleep like most people."
"Go and get her, Max!"
*************************
Sheriff Valenti walked through the doors of Roswell Emergency, having received a call a few minutes ago about an assault victim. As he approached the nurses' desk, one of the doctors came up to him.
"Sheriff?"
"Dr Ward. How is he?" Valenti asked.
"He's in pretty bad shape. He should be okay, but I'm concerned that he is still unconscious."
"Did he have any ID on him?"
The doctor checked the chart before shaking his head. "None."
The sheriff nodded in return. "Can I see him, see if I recognize him at all?"
"Of course," Dr. Ward replied, waving the sheriff through.
Valenti followed the Doctor over to a room, walking straight up to the still unconscious form of Xander Harris.
"Do you recognize him?"
"No, but he does seem to match the description of the man who saved another girl a few nights ago."
"Are you sure?"
The Sheriff shook his head. "No. Keep me informed of his progress."
******************
"Why didn't you heal him?" Isabel asked, angry that Michael had left Xander in the alley.
"And what, open up ourselves to another human," Michael replied.
Isabel grudgingly accepted Michael's response.
"There was something weird about the person he fought. His face was different." Michael continued with his story.
"What do you mean different?" Max asked.
"Some sort of lumps on his forehead and fangs. But then when Harris stabbed the guy in the heart, he exploded into dust."
"Dust!"
"Look I know this sounds weird but I think they were vampires." Michael offered hoping his friends wouldn't think he was too crazy.
It didn't work. "Vampires don't exist, Michael," Max retorted trying not to laugh.
"I know that Maxwell," Michael responded not appreciating Max.'s flippant response. "But what would you call it. Humans don't turn to dust when stabbed in the heart. Anyway, I picked up his wallet when it fell on the ground." Michael continued holding out Xander's wallet.
Isabel snatched it off Michael, "Why did you take this?"
"Because we still don't know anything about him?"
Isabel opened the wallet, pulling out Xander's license. "Alexander Lavelle Harris, Sunnydale California." She smiled at Michael, "He's only 18. I don't think the FBI is recruiting that young."
Michael shrugged, "Maybe not, but that doesn't mean that we can expose ourselves to him."
"Fine, but I'm keeping this," Isabel responded before walking out.
After she had gone Max turned to Michael. "I'm surprised that you let her keep it."
"Better that than having her go and see him."
****************
The sun shone brightly down on Xander Harris as he stood clutching a bouquet of flowers. The unusual brightness brought no heat however and Xander shivered at the chill that was in the air. He stood staring at the two graves that were in front of him. They were nameless. Xander didn't need reminding of their occupants. He knew all to painfully who were buried there.
He laid some of the flowers on one of the graves and the rest on the other. Kneeling gently he kissed the top of each.
"Are you okay Xander?"
Xander turned to see a beautiful girl, her blonde hair slowly waving back and forth in the wind. He studied her for a minute, before he recognized her.
"I've seen you before but I don't know your name?"
"It's Isabel," She replied smiling. "And are you okay?"
"I'm surviving," Xander replied sadly.
Isabel glanced down at the graves, noticing that they were nameless, before raising her eyes to Xander's face. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Can you walk with me for a while?"
"Sure," Isabel replied taking his hand. Together they walked out of the graveyard, making their way to a park that was across the street. Taking a seat on the grass, Isabel sat looking at Xander, her hand still enclosed in his.
"It's peaceful here," Xander spoke as he looked around. Noticing for the first time the temperature had risen since Isabel arrived.
"Yes it is. Do you know where we are?"
Xander looked around noticing a few familiar landmarks. "It looks like Sunnydale, but it's calm."
"Sunnydale wasn't?"
"Not usually." He turned back to look at Isabel. "I don't want to wake up."
Isabel took a firmer grip on his hand. "Don't say that," she said softly.
"I happy here. There's no pain. I feel safe."
"But there is also no hope. No future."
Xander nodded. "Can you stay with me for a while?"
Isabel smiled, "I'll be here till you wake up."
**********************
Isabel woke a while later with a smile on her face. She knew when Xander's dream world disappeared he had woken up. She reached over to her dresser and picked up his wallet, looking for any contact numbers that may be in it. She found a piece of paper inside with a phone number on it. She didn't want to risk making a call at home. Knowing what she had to do, she quickly got dressed and snuck out of the bedroom window, hoping that she wouldn't wake her parents or her brother.
*******************
Walking quickly through the corridors of Roswell Emergency, Isabel ducked out of the way of the nurses, while trying to find Xander's room or a pay phone. Coming across a pay phone first she deposited some coins, into it and dialed the number that was on the piece of paper she had found.
After the phone had dialed about ten times a very tired voice answered.
"Hello Rupert Giles."
"Mr. Giles, I'm calling about Xander Harris."
"Xander?"
Isabel could hear the concern in his voice. "He was assaulted last night. He's in Roswell Emergency Hospital."
"My god, is he okay?"
"I think so. I haven't seen him yet."
"Thanks. I'll leave immediately. May I ask who's calling?"
Isabel thought for a moment, before deciding that she would tell him. "My name is..."
Isabel looked up in shock as a hand slammed down on the phone, breaking the connection. Seeing Michael standing there her anger rose. "Are you following me?"
"Just what do you think you were doing?" Michael asked.
"I was letting his friend know what happened."
"Yes I heard and you were about to give him your name," Michael said accusingly.
"Leave me alone," she shouted, the fire in her eyes obvious. After a second Isabel stormed off out of the hospital.
Michael watched her go with a heavy heart. This was getting dangerous and he couldn't understand why Isabel was being so stubborn.
***************
Isabel knocked gently on Liz's window hoping that it loud enough to wake her but no loud enough to wake anyone else. Seeing Liz wake and look at her with a confused look on her face, she gave her a small smile. As Liz opened it up, Isabel gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, Liz, but I really need to talk to you."
"Sure, come in," Liz replied stifling a yawn. "What's the matter?"
Isabel sat down on Liz's bed and explained about what had happened that night. Xander's rescue of two girls, Michael's theory on the attacker, Xander in hospital, the dream and her phone call to Giles. At the end Liz noticed that Isabel was getting more and more frustrated.
"It's like I can't have a life of my own."
"They're scared, Isabel." Liz replied as soothing as possible.
"I have just as much reason to be scared as they do. I feel like a prisoner. I mean it's not like I have told him about us."
"But how would you be able to explain your meetings in his dreams if you met him?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure I will think of something."
Liz watched Isabel closely realizing how much this stranger had a hold on her. "How deep are you in, Isabel?"
Isabel looked at her straight. "Too deep Liz, but I can't stop."
*****************
The knocking on his window woke Max for the second time that night. A little annoyed Max let Michael in, barely having enough time to sit on his bed before Michael filled him in on what had occurred at the hospital. After listening to what Michael said Isabel had done, he assured Michael he would take care of it.
Unfortunately for Max, upon checking Isabel's room he found that she was nowhere to found. He waited till morning for her to turn up, but as day broke she had still not arrived back home. He thought about all the places that Isabel could have gone. However knowing that if she wanted to talk there was only one friend she could be truthful with, he got himself dressed and grabbed a quick bite before heading to Liz's hoping that his reasoning was correct.
When he arrived he greeted Liz with a warm smile, but had other things on his mind. "Is Isabel here?"
"She's in my room." As Max took a step forward Liz took hold of his arm. "Take it slowly," she warned.
Max nodded before entering Liz's room. He saw that she was still asleep. He gently laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Is?"
Isabel awoke, seeing her brother's face staring down at her. "Max?" she replied nervously.
"What's happening Is?" The concern in his voice obvious.
"I feel connected to him. I can't let it go."
"Isabel it's dangerous. Can't you see that?"
"I know." Isabel responded.
Max took a deep breath, "You need to give me the photo and wallet."
Isabel shook her head. "No, Max."
"I'm afraid you have no choice," Max replied as gently as possible.
"What about you. Did you think before you saved Liz?"
Max shook his head. "No and that was a mistake." He noticed the look on Isabel's face when he said that. He knew that he couldn't fool her. After saying it he hoped that Liz was not outside listening in on their conversation. "What I mean is that I acted without thinking and that was a mistake. We can't afford to take those chances again."
"So now I can't run my own life?" Isabel felt the tears run down her face as her brother took away her own right to choose.
"I'm sorry, but this is for all of us." Max saw that the wallet was on top of Isabel's jacket. He took it and went through the pockets of the jacket, finding the photo of Xander and his friends.
He looked down at his sister, ashamed at how he had treated her, but knowing that he had to. "I'm sorry, but I had no choice."
Isabel refused to look at him. She sat there fighting her emotions. Max waited for a minute, before leaving, hoping that in time Isabel would understand.
Isabel heard the door close as Max left. She was so angry with him, but had her own reasons for not prolonging the argument. When she realized he was gone, she reached into her jeans pocket and took out Xander's license, softly running her finger across his face.
Chapter Six
Isabel had stayed at Liz's for most of the morning. Partly because she was avoiding Max and Michael, but also to give her time to sort out what she was going to do. Her life till recently had been all about a false front. On the basic level she had to hide her true heritage, but she also wouldn't let anyone other than Max and Michael get close to her. Her 'friends' in the clique she hung with were as much window dressing as her clothes. She liked them, but they knew nothing of her true being. That all changed when Max healed Liz. Now there were people that knew the truth. She knew instinctively that Xander wouldn't hurt her or them. She could feel her heart race as she thought about him. Even taking into account all that Max had warned her, the pull towards Xander was too strong for her fears to hold back. At least by going to see him she could satisfy herself that he was okay.
As she arrived at the hospital she saw that Valenti was talking to one of the doctors. The last thing she needed was another run in with him. Turning around she decided to wait till later to see Xander. She hoped he would be gone in a few minutes, so she took a loop around the ward.
Valenti moved into Xander's room, giving him a wave as he entered. "I'm Sheriff Valenti."
"Sheriff," Xander nodded instantly suspicious of the overdone friendly greeting he received.
"It seems that we owe you a debt of gratitude."
"I'm sorry?" Xander responded confused.
"You've managed to rescue three girls in two days."
Xander shrugged. "Just lucky."
"Now I don't believe in luck, too much like co-incidence. Like how you managed to be in the right place two times."
Xander noticed that the sheriff had suddenly become colder, suspicious of his actions. "Am I under suspicion?"
"No, but unanswered questions give me heartburn. For instance who are you? And where are you from?"
"Well far be it for me to give you any discomfort," Xander replied with a little grin. "My name is Xander Harris and I come from Sunnydale California, in town for a few days."
Valenti returned the fake grin. "Well that is very informative of you Mr. Harris. Perhaps you could tell the name of your friend who made the 911 call?"
"I haven't been in town long enough to make friends. Maybe someone witnessed it."
"Okay," Valenti paused as he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned back to Xander. "I'll be right back."
"I can hardly wait," Xander muttered under his breath.
As Valenti walked out he noticed Michael Guerrin walking away. He was about to follow when he noticed three people walking purposely towards him. A man and two young women.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"We're looking for Xander Harris," the man replied in an English accent.
"He's in there," Valenti said as he signaled to Xander's room. "Could I talk to you for a minute?" he asked the gentleman.
"Yes, of course." He turned to the two women, "I'll be in a second."
***************
Xander looked up as he heard movement at the door. His face broke into a smile as he saw who was there.
"Hey" he said.
"Xander!" they both responded as they rushed over and embraced him.
"Buffy, Will, careful on the ribs," he managed to get out, in between the two sets of arms hugging him.
**************
Isabel had found her way back to Xander's room, annoyed to find that Valenti was still there. When she noticed that he was talking to someone she moved closer, managing to sneak around the other way, getting close enough to hear what they were talking about, but out of their line of sight.
"Is he okay, sheriff?"
"He will be. Can I ask your name?"
"Sorry. Giles, Rupert Giles," Giles said as he held out his hand.
Shaking it, Valenti continued. "Mr. Giles, do you mind me asking what you're relationship is to Mr. Harris and how did you know he was here?"
Giles frowned. "I'm a friend, and I thought the hospital called me."
The sheriff shook his head. "We didn't even know his name till a few minutes ago."
"I see. The girl I spoke didn't give a name."
"And when was that?"
"Around 3 a.m."
Valenti nodded again, taking note of everything that Giles told him. "I see. Do you want me to call his family?"
"We are Xander's family. His parents recently passed away."
"I'm sorry." Valenti paused. "It seems that Mr. Harris rescued three girls in the last two nights. Is that normal behavior for him?"
Giles removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, hiding the fact that he was proud of what Xander had done. "I was afraid of something like this. His parents died in a fire. Xander had to be restrained from going in to rescue them. Since then he seems to have taken it upon himself to jump into any situation he feels needs it. I think he is trying to remove the guilt he is keeping on himself. He had left Sunnydale a week ago saying he needed to get away. I hoped that it would help."
"Well maybe it has. I know there are three families who are very grateful he was there." He held out his hand again, "I'll let you go in."
Giles shook Valenti's hand before entering the room.
From behind them Isabel watched as Valenti walked away. She wiped the tears from her eyes, understanding some of the pain that Xander showed in his dreams. She knew that he wasn't a danger to her or Michael or Max and no longer cared about their opinions. She was going to meet him.
***************
Giles announced his presence with a formal cough. Xander looked up and greeted him warmly.
"Hey, Giles"
"Xander," Giles replied reaching the bed and laying a hand on Xander's shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"A little sore." He looked at their faces, the concern on them evident. "I'm really glad to see you guys." He looked down not wanting to face them as he admitted, "I'm sorry for taking off. I just needed to get somewhere."
"It's fine, Xan," Buffy replied grasping his hand.
"I seem to attract trouble," Xander said with a little laugh.
"Or you just go looking for it," Willow added with a giggle.
"Yeah well," Xander admitted, "So how did you guys know I was here?"
Giles took a seat beside the bed. "That's a bit of a mystery actually. The hospital didn't call me, but I got a call from a young lady who told me what happened."
Xander thought about a young lady. "Isabel," he softly whispered.
"Who?" Buffy asked.
Xander looked nervously around the room. "Okay just for a minute, no matter what it sounds like, I'm not crazy. There is this beautiful girl that appears to me in my dreams."
Both Buffy and Willow gave him a 'don't go there' look.
"Nothing like that. Get your minds out of the gutter." Xander responded with a grin. "I only remembered who she was this morning, but I think I have seen her before in other dreams."
"And you think she is real?" Giles asked.
Xander shrugged his shoulders. "Probably not. I mean she's beautiful and interested in me. Sort of rules it out."
***************
Isabel stood just outside Xander's room, debating how she would make her entrance. She froze when she heard her name being spoken, a smile broke out when Xander described her as beautiful and she had to suppress a laugh when Xander theorized she couldn't be real.
She took a step forward and stepped into the doorway.
**************
"So you haven't found out anything about what is happening here?" Xander asked.
"Well not really..."
As Giles continued, Xander's attention was drawn to the doorway. His eyes locked with Isabel's, not believing that she was standing there in front of him. He mouthed the words to her. "It's you"
Isabel smiled and nodded. Xander could feel his grin widening in return. Isabel had a feeling that someone was coming and she turned to see Michael coming towards her. Turning quickly to Xander she whispered "Sorry." Before running off in the other direction.
"Isabel," Xander called out.
"What?" Giles said, Xander's call interrupting him from his speech.
"Didn't you see her?" Xander pleaded.
"She was here?" Buffy said looking around.
"In the doorway," Xander replied looking around at his friends. It was obvious to him that they hadn't seen her. "Maybe I fell asleep again," he said deflated.
Giles looked at him sympathetically. "Maybe, but we have more important things to worry about. We have no idea what is happening and three girls are still missing."
"I think patrol is a good way to start," Buffy said getting off the bed.
Xander motioned to the side table. "My keys are over there to the motel room. Go and get settled in. If you want something to eat, I suggest going to the 'Crashdown Café". Quick service, good food. People are strange. It will feel like Sunnydale."
They all smiled at him. "Thanks Xan. We'll be back later," Willow said.
*****************
Isabel had spent most of the afternoon avoiding Michael. She didn't know if he had seen her, but the last thing she wanted was another confrontation. She kept playing the scene where her eyes and Xander's locked over and over in her head. The feeling it gave her defied rational explanation but it made her feel so alive.
She wanted to talk to Liz. She was the only one who seemed to understand what she was experiencing. She walked into the Café, relieved that Michael and her brother were no-where to be seen.
She noticed that Liz and Maria were behind the counter. Walking up to them she gave them both a smile, before taking a seat.
"Hey, Isabel," Liz greeted her.
"Hi, Liz, Maria"
Maria leant over the counter. "So, what is the news on the beautiful stranger front?"
Isabel shot Liz a look. "I didn't say anything" Liz protested.
"Michael has been going on about it ad nauseum," Maria added.
Isabel bit her lip. "Did he see me at the hospital today?"
"No. Why what happened?" Maria asked wanting to know the latest.
"I saw him, but before I got a chance to talk to him Michael turned up." Isabel blushed as she remembered the meeting. "It was amazing. This feeling I got when we saw each other."
"Well, I'm jealous," Maria said.
"You can't tell Michael," Isabel warned.
"Oh don't worry, my lips are sealed."
"Thanks. I'm going to have a seat, I'll let you get back to work." Isabel walked over to one of the booths. She had only been sitting for a while when she was interrupted.
"Excuse me, Isabel?"