Title: Angel of Mine (1/2)
Author: Xandman2000
E-Mail: xandman2000@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: In a perfect world, I own it all. This however, is not a perfect world. Joss, Mutant Enemy, Fox, and (for now) the WB own Buffy and the characters. I'm just taking them for a wild ride.
Summary: This is the sequel to "The Protector." Xander begins his destiny, but in doing so has to make a trip back to Sunnydale to save someone. (One guess who.)
Author's Notes: The beginning scene is Xander's point of view. After, its not.
Feedback: It's a drug. I'm addicted. I cannot clean it out of my veins. Send it please.
Dedication: Nick, Mike, Silence, Kathy, Queen Angel, and Captain Jen and all the other BX Pirates

Part 1

I watch as they put my body in the ground. The day is dark and dreary. No birds are singing. Everyone is gathered around my tombstone. The sad part is Buffy isn't crying. She is sad, but isn't crying. I think she's trying to be strong for Dawn. Cordelia cries as she puts a rose on my grave. A black guy, I think his name is Gunn comforts her.

"He was a pretty special guy," Gunn asks her.

"Most definitely," she says crying.

The funeral ends and the crowd departs, except for Angel and Buffy. Angel puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Just let it out Buffy," he says.

"I can't," Buffy says. "If I cry I won't be able to stop."

"You can't just not feel anything Buffy."

"Watch me. If I feel emotion, I won't be able to fight. The less emotion I feel the better off I'll be."

"Buffy," Angel says.

"Go home Angel," Buffy says coldly. "You didn't like him anyway. Just take Cordelia and Wesley and Gunn and go home."

Buffy heads out the cemetery, but Angel doesn't follow her. He was here for a reason.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Angel says to the grave. "She's really hurting."

I watch Angel as tears start to fall from his eyes.

"She is right though. I never liked you, but I did however respect you. You had more strength than I ever could. You fought day by day with Buffy. You didn't have special powers or gifts, but you still fought. I have so much respect for you because of that. Watch over her Xander, I think she's going to have a hard time accepting this."

Angel respected me. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Believe it bud," a voice says next to me.

I turn and see a guy wearing my old wardrobe.

"Who are you?"

"Doyle," he says holding out his hand. I shake it.

"I take it the Powers that Be sent you here," I ask him.

"Yeah, they just wanted you to see this," he said pointing to Angel. "And the way Buffy was acting."

"Why?"

"You'll find out in due time. It's not slated to happen for another few months."

"What's going to happen?"

"I can't reveal anything. My job is to bring you to the high and mighty powers, so you can be given your destiny."

The scene around me fades to black. Suddenly, a blinding light appears in front of me.

"Alexander Lavelle Harris," a voice booms.

"Lavelle," Doyle says giggling.

"Shut up," I reply. "Yes I'm Alexander Harris, but can we ixnay on Lavelle."

"If that's what you want," the voice replies. "Alexander, do you know why you are here?"

"I won a fabulous new car," Xander jokes.

Doyle laughs.

"I'm not amused," the voice says.

Doyle stops.

"I'm guessing if the powers want me, I must have some great destiny to fulfill," Xander answers seriously.
"Do you know what that is?"

"Uh…protecting the steam room of the Playboy Mansion?"

"I'm still not amused," the voice booms.

"Geez," Xander says. "This guy has as much sense of humor than Giles."

"Do you know what your name means," the voice asks.

"The Host told me it means 'the protector of mankind.' But I've already done that by saving Buffy's life."

"Young Alexander, your destiny has only begun. You will be a guardian angel of sorts. Your job will be to help people around the world when they need and ask for it. No one will be able to see you unless they want to or if you want them to. Even in visible form, they won't recognize you until you will them to."

"Then I could go-"

"No," the voice says. "You cannot let your friends see you."

"What if they need my help?"

"Only then," was the reply. "Do you accept this job and all that it entails."

"Sure, what else am I going to do? I'm dead."

"Doyle will train you how to be an angel. Then you begin your destiny."

In a brilliant flash, the light disappears.

"Between you and me," Doyle says. "I'd want to protect the steam room in the Playboy Mansion too."

One month later…

For the next month Doyle taught me the rules of being an angel. I was allowed to keep my same old mind because that's what they liked so much about me. Normally they would purify my mind. That would not be any fun. Then Doyle gave me a chance to prove my worth. I decided to help an old friend accomplish a dream of his.

Caritas…

The place was busy when I arrived. I decided to become visible so no one would knock me down. I took a seat at the bar. I was in the same seat I found out my destiny. The Host was on stage singing "Respect," by Aretha Franklin. I have to give him credit. The demon could sing. When he finished the crowd clapped.

"Thank you, Thank you," he said. "You're a great crowd. We'll start the night off shortly, until then have some Bloody Mary's, sit back and relax."

He got off stage and went to the bar and smiles at me.

"You look familiar. Have we met?"

"In time past," Xander says.

"What are you going to sing tonight," he asks.

"Not going too. Came for the ambiance," Xander replies before taking a sip of his beer. "And the beer. This is quality beer."

"Are you sure, you do know I can read your destiny?"

"Yeah. Hey can I ask you something?"

"Sure, I got a minute or two before the squawking begins."

"What's one thing you've always wanted to do," I asked him. I didn't need to. I knew. Another fun power being an angel.

"I've always wanted to sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner" before a Lakers game, but I can't. Look at me."

I just nod and say, "Take the night off. We've got some work to do."

"But I don't even know you."

I will myself to let him see the real me.

"You," he says. "You're the one who wanted to find Angel. I guess you're doing your destiny."

"Yep. And I'm going to make that dream come true. I have tickets and your singing."

"But my demon face," he says.

Xander pulls out make-up and a hat. "Any other questions."

"Am I dressed okay?"

Two months later…

The Host sang that night. The crowd went wild. The Host had done so much good; Xander felt he should have had at least one dream come true. Xander helped people all over the world: Canada, New York, England, and Japan. He saw the world, but no matter where he went, he still thinks of her. He wished day by day that he could see her, hold her in his arms, but he can't. He wishes he could, but he can't. Xander sits alone in a café in Paris, when he senses someone next to him.

"Hello Doyle," Xander says.

"Xander," he replies taking a seat in front of Xander. "How are things?"

"Good, so are you going to tell me why you tracked me down?"

"Just tryin' to be polite."

"What's going down?"

"We got a mission for you. We were hesitant to give it to you."

"Why?"

"Don't get me wrong, you're the best, but this involves a certain friend of yours."

"Buffy."

He nods. "She's in trouble. But you won't hear what it is from me. The Powers want you to go to the Magic Shop. They're there discussing her now. You'll get the details. Then how you handle it from there is up to you."

Xander looks down and take a deep breath. He looks up and Doyle's gone. Xander stands up, pays for the meal, and he vanishes as he walks out the door.

The Magic Box…

Xander reappears in the middle of the conversation.

"What are we going to do Giles? She's been getting worse and worse as the days pass," Willow says.

"I don't know what we can do, we've tried everything to get through to her," Giles replies.

"She's just shut down emotionally since Xander…you know," Tara says.

"I know," Giles says. "Her slaying is even worse. She goes out and just decimates everything that steps in her path."

"Isn't that kind of a good thing," Tara asks.

"No," Xander says to himself aloud. "She'll become careless and end up getting herself killed."

"I wish Xander was here," Willow said suddenly. "He is the only one who could ever get through to her."

The ringing of the bell stops their conversation. They turn and see Buffy.

"What's going on," she says. "Are you talking about me?"

"Of course not," Giles says. "How was patrolling?"

"Good, a few vamps showed up. I took care of them."

"Great," Giles said. "If you'll excuse me I have inventory to take care of out back."

Buffy sits down next to Willow. Xander moves behind her. Buffy turns around as if sensing him there.

"Willow, Tara. I need to talk to you."

"What," they both say.

"I don't want you guys fighting anymore."

"What," Willow says. "Why?"

"Because I don't need you guys anymore. Giles can work the spells just fine on his own, and I need to work alone now. I'm the slayer. That's my job."

Willow is starting to cry. "But..."

"No buts Willow. I don't need any of you. We slayer's are supposed to be alone."

Buffy gets up and leaves.

"That's why they die so young," Xander says.

"Did she just kick us out of the Scooby Gang," Tara asks.

Willow nods while tears pour from her eyes. Tara hugs her. Giles comes to the front and notices this.

"Willow, what's wrong?"

"Buffy kicked us out of the gang," Tara says.

"Oh dear lord. She's getting worse. She's cutting all her ties to the world. She moved away from her sister last week. I guess I may be next. We need help."

"Now you see why you're here," Doyle says.

"What's going to happen to her if I can't help her."

"What happens to all slayers. She'll die."

End Part One