"I was just wondering if you'd come along.
To hold up my head when my head won't hold on.
I'll do the same if the same is what you want.
If not I will go,
I will go alone." - Dave Matthews Band, The Stone

Meanwhile, Xander had stopped crying by now, and was just enjoying being held by his Willow. His Willow. As far back as he could remember she had always been his Willow. Even when Jesse had joined their group, he and her still had a tie, a bond, keeping them together. He leaned back, and just gazed at her hazel eyes. Luminescent, almost golden, hazel, so bright with life. So different from his brown eyes, dark with pain, hidden secrets. He leaned toward her again, facing her this time. She tilted her head up to him, and the two kissed deeply. He's not sure how this time, but along with the sweet taste of her mouth, he could taste the citrus tang of her thoughts. Her long, devoted, boundless love for him, her worry and fear for him. Perhaps, even afraid of him? He then stiffened and broke contact, standing up in the process.
Willow looked at him questioningly as she stood up as well, "Xander, what's wrong?"
"You're afraid of me," he said, not questioning, but declaring it as fact. Willow started a bit, though when they kissed, she could almost see something in his eyes, something that wanted to hurt her, punish her. They were his father's eyes, though she was never threatened by him, the few times she had seen him around when she visited Xander. These must have been the eyes little Xander had to stare back in terror at. She looked away, and when she looked back, it was just Xander's own eyes staring back at her.
"It's nothing really. I know you wouldn't hurt me," she smiled.
His forehead knitted in concern. *God, she's so trusting. So good. I don't deserve her. But I need her.* He stumbled as the pain returned again, this time screaming up the whole length of his left leg. He tightly gripped the edge of the chair, knuckles white as the bones underneath. He collapsed back into the seat. Willow stayed close by, but unsure how to help him more then this. As she wondered how to ease the pain, she felt something within her. It wasn't unlike the power passing through her when she restored Angel's soul. Clarity filled her mind, reassuring her. She then stood up, and took both of Xander's hands within her own. She felt a golden light filling her, and then passing through her. Xander gasped with the surge of energy, and the pain suddenly abated. She sank down in a nearby chair then in exhaustion. Her eyes wearily closed, and she fell asleep. Xander went over to her, confused. *What the hell happened?* Something in his memory tugged at his mind reminding that for a moment, she resembled the angelic Willow self who saved him from his dark side. But how? Why?