Part 11
Sunnydale Memorial Hospital
Sunday, May 20, 2001
4:00 pm
The gang all went to the hospital with Xander. While they waited, Buffy got herself patched up too. After about half an hour with her doctor, Buffy rejoins the gang.
"Any word," Buffy asked.
"Not as of yet," Giles replied. "We should hear something soon."
"Where is everyone else," Buffy asked while taking a seat next to Angel.
Angel was the first to answer. "Well, Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn went back home. I asked them to take over the business while I'm here."
"And Whistler," Giles finished. "Had some business to deal with the Powers That Be."
"And Anya?"
"She's gone," Willow said. "She left shortly after the spell. I don't know where she's going, but she said not to worry, she won't be using her powers for evil."
"That's good of her."
"Buffy," Angel taps her to get her attention. She looks towards him and she points toward the doctor coming towards them.
"Is this the Alexander Harris party," the doctor asked.
"Yes it is," Giles answered for the group.
"How is he," Buffy asked.
"Not good I'm afraid. He received a massive blow to the head. He's in a coma right now."
Tears started forming in the gang's eyes. Oz tried to comfort Willow and Tara, while Buffy took comfort in Giles' arms.
"I'm sorry," the doctor finished.
Angel pulls the doctor to the side. "What are his chances of pulling through?"
"Depends how strong he is. If his will is strong, he'll make it."
"Can we see him?"
"In a little while. He'll be in his room in about half an hour."
The doctor leaves Angel, and he goes back to the group. Buffy lets go and turns to Angel. "What did he tell you?"
"If he's strong enough, he can pull through."
"Do you think he will," Buffy asked.
"Pull through?"
Buffy nods.
Angel takes a deep breath. It's about time she learned how strong Xander really is.
"Sit down Buffy. There are some things we all need to tell you. About Xander."
"What," she asked with tears starting to form again.
"We know that lately you've been starting to feel something for Xander, more than friendship," Giles said.
"So?"
Willow looks at her best friend and says, "So, for sometime now you've thought Xander's feelings were just a crush."
"I know that, but-"
"But it wasn't," Angel said. "We've known what he felt or still feels for you was or still is real love."
"How long," Buffy asked quietly.
"Since the night the Master was raised," Giles answered.
"How?"
Everyone turned to Giles.
"I guess I'll start then," he said.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
May 28, 1997
The library
Willow and Xander are there, and have found out that Buffy has gone to fight the Master.
Xander: She what?
Willow: I told you there was something going on with her.
Xander: And she knew about this prophecy of yours? (Giles nods) Aw, man, what do we do?
Giles: We stay calm, first thing.
Xander: Calm?
Willow: I think he's right.
Xander: I'm sorry, calm may work for Locutus of the Borg here, (indicates Giles) but I'm freaked out, and I intend to stay that way.
Willow: Xander...
Xander: How could you let her go?
Giles: As the soon-to-be-purple area of my jaw will attest, I did *not* *let* her go!
Willow: Well, how can we help her?
Ms. Calendar: Uh, I'm sorry to bring this up, but we also have an apocalypse to worry about?
Xander: Do you mind?
Willow: How come she's in the club?
Ms. Calendar: Hey! Once the Master gets free, the Hellmouth opens, the demons come to party, and everybody dies.
Xander: Uh, uh, I don't care. I'm sorry, I don't. Right now I gotta help Buffy.
Giles: We don't even know where she's gone.
Xander: No. But I can find out.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback…
Buffy couldn't believe what she just heard.
"He was the only one who wanted to help me? Then how did…" Buffy trailed pointing to Angel.
"I guess it's my turn," Angel said.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
May 28,1997
Angel's Apartment
Angel hears a knock on the door. He opens it and sees Xander pushing his way in.
Xander: She's gone.
Angel: Whadaya mean?
Xander: Buffy, she's gone to fight the Master.
Angel: He'll kill her.
Xander: Rumor has it. Only we're not gonna let it happen.
Angel: Well, what do you propose we do about it?
Xander: Look, I know you can find this Master guy. He's underground, right? Take me to him.
Angel: You're way outta your league, kid. The Master'll kill you before you can even breathe. If you're lucky.
Xander: How can I say this clearly?
He holds up a cross. Angel growls. Xander advances toward him, and he backs off until he falls onto the couch.
Xander: I don't like you. At the end of the day, I pretty much think you're a vampire. (lowers the cross) But Buffy's got this big old yen for you. She thinks you're a real person. And right now I need you to prove her right.
Angel: You're in love with her.
Xander: Aren't you?
"So, I led him to the Master's lair. He accused me of looking at his neck, then we found you, dead. But , Xander wouldn't have it."
Xander: No. She's not dead.
Angel: She's not breathing.
Xander: But if she drowned, uh, there's a shot! CPR!
Angel: You have to do it. I have no breath.
Xander takes off his jacket and lays it over her. He kneels down by her face and looks at her a moment, then puts his mouth on hers and blows into her lungs. He lets go and begins to pump her chest.
Xander: C'mon. C'mon!
Xander breathes into her lungs again and continues to pump her chest.
Xander: C'mon! Breathe! Breathe!
Angel looks down in sorrow, then looks back up. Xander keeps pumping.
Xander: C'mon!
After another moment Xander stops pumping. Angel believes her lost. A second later Buffy opens her eyes wide and draws a breath. She lies still for a moment as she looks around with her eyes.
Xander: Buffy!
She turns her head to the side and coughs out a bunch of water. Xander and Angel look at each other and smile. Xander puts his hand on Buffy's forehead and strokes it gently. She looks up at him, surprised to see him.
Xander: Buffy.
Buffy: Xander?
Xander: Welcome back.
_+_+_+_+_+
"Look, I know he saved my life. I've thanked him."
"No, you haven't Buffy," Willow said. "You've acknowledged that he did it, but you've never thanked him."
"Oh god," Buffy said realizing what she's done. "I never thanked him for saving me."
"There's more," Angel said.
"More?"
"While I was evil, and you were here in the hospital, there was an incident."
"What kind of incident?"
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
March 3, 1998
Sunnydale Memorial Hospital
Xander is sitting on a chair outside the waiting room across from the nurses' station that is down the hall from Buffy's room. There are two police officers talking to a security guard. Nurses and orderlies are going about their tasks. Angelus comes walking out of the waiting room from the elevator bearing some white flowers and whistling a few bars of "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th symphony. Xander hears him and looks to see who's coming. When he sees Angelus he quickly gets up and faces him down in the hall.
Xander: Visiting hours are over.
Angelus: Well, I'm pretty much family.
Xander: (trying hard to stay cool) Yeah. Why don't you come back during the day? Oh, gee, no, I guess you can't.
Angelus: (threateningly) If I decide to walk into Buffy's room, do you think for one microsecond that you could stop me?
Xander: Maybe not. Maybe that security guard couldn't either. Or those cops…or the orderlies... But I'm kinda curious to find out. You game?
Angelus: (pauses) Buffy's White Knight. You still love her. (leans in close) It must just eat you up that I got there first.
Xander: (fighting his nervousness) You're gonna die. And I'm gonna be there.
Angelus slaps the flowers against Xander's chest.
Angelus: Tell her I stopped by.
He gives Xander one final look and then goes back through the waiting room to the elevator. Xander shudders, covers his mouth and lets out a breath of relief.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback…
Everyone is shocked.
"Xander never spoke of this," Giles said.
"Why would he," Tara said.
Everyone turns to her.
"I know I haven't known Xander as long as you guys, but he does seem to be the quiet type when it comes to his hero thing. He never told Buffy that he was the only one who wanted to help her."
The doctor comes to them. "You can see him know, but I must ask only a few at once. Try to get him to fight. I think his chances of waking up are good, but every minute he's out, the chances drop."
"Buffy," Willow said. "You can…"
"No. Angel, take Tara and Willow in first. Oz you and Giles can go after. I need to rest for a minute."
"Are you okay," Angel asked.
"Yeah. Just a lot to take in before I go in there."
Angel escorts the girls towards Xander's room.
Xander's Hospital room…
Willow is holding on to one hand, while Tara is holding onto the other.
"He looks peaceful in his sleep," Tara said.
"Oh yeah. He always looks that peaceful in his sleep. Especially when we were kids. Though he had these weird clown dreams."
"Huh," Angel said.
"He's scared of clowns," Willow explained.
"Why," Tara asked.
"I'll tell you later."
"I wonder what he's doing in his mind right now," Tara asked.
A Dark black room…
Xander is walking around.
"Where am I," Xander asked to no one in particular.
"You have been transferred to a demon dimension," a voice called from everywhere yet nowhere.
"Why am I here," he asked the voice.
"To fulfill your destiny. You have completed only a small part of your destiny in your time in the Hellmouth: Saving the slayer's life time and time again, protecting her and the key."
"But The Key was used by Glory?"
"Yes, but it was not your fault. You risked your life to destroy Glory. Buffy was supposed to do that. Since you have given up so much we will allow you to make one request, and we will grant it."
"Who are you?"
"We are the Powers That Be, you know Whistler."
Whister walks up to Xander. "How are you kid?"
"I'm in a coma after trying to defeat Glory."
"Well, you have one request to be granted by the powers. Not something that happens very often. What'll it be kid? The slayers love for you, ridding the world of all the evil, dangerous demons of the world?"
"No, but I do have one idea."
End Part 11.
Sunnydale Memorial Hospital
Sunday, May 20, 2001
4:00 pm
The gang all went to the hospital with Xander. While they waited, Buffy got herself patched up too. After about half an hour with her doctor, Buffy rejoins the gang.
"Any word," Buffy asked.
"Not as of yet," Giles replied. "We should hear something soon."
"Where is everyone else," Buffy asked while taking a seat next to Angel.
Angel was the first to answer. "Well, Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn went back home. I asked them to take over the business while I'm here."
"And Whistler," Giles finished. "Had some business to deal with the Powers That Be."
"And Anya?"
"She's gone," Willow said. "She left shortly after the spell. I don't know where she's going, but she said not to worry, she won't be using her powers for evil."
"That's good of her."
"Buffy," Angel taps her to get her attention. She looks towards him and she points toward the doctor coming towards them.
"Is this the Alexander Harris party," the doctor asked.
"Yes it is," Giles answered for the group.
"How is he," Buffy asked.
"Not good I'm afraid. He received a massive blow to the head. He's in a coma right now."
Tears started forming in the gang's eyes. Oz tried to comfort Willow and Tara, while Buffy took comfort in Giles' arms.
"I'm sorry," the doctor finished.
Angel pulls the doctor to the side. "What are his chances of pulling through?"
"Depends how strong he is. If his will is strong, he'll make it."
"Can we see him?"
"In a little while. He'll be in his room in about half an hour."
The doctor leaves Angel, and he goes back to the group. Buffy lets go and turns to Angel. "What did he tell you?"
"If he's strong enough, he can pull through."
"Do you think he will," Buffy asked.
"Pull through?"
Buffy nods.
Angel takes a deep breath. It's about time she learned how strong Xander really is.
"Sit down Buffy. There are some things we all need to tell you. About Xander."
"What," she asked with tears starting to form again.
"We know that lately you've been starting to feel something for Xander, more than friendship," Giles said.
"So?"
Willow looks at her best friend and says, "So, for sometime now you've thought Xander's feelings were just a crush."
"I know that, but-"
"But it wasn't," Angel said. "We've known what he felt or still feels for you was or still is real love."
"How long," Buffy asked quietly.
"Since the night the Master was raised," Giles answered.
"How?"
Everyone turned to Giles.
"I guess I'll start then," he said.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
May 28, 1997
The library
Willow and Xander are there, and have found out that Buffy has gone to fight the Master.
Xander: She what?
Willow: I told you there was something going on with her.
Xander: And she knew about this prophecy of yours? (Giles nods) Aw, man, what do we do?
Giles: We stay calm, first thing.
Xander: Calm?
Willow: I think he's right.
Xander: I'm sorry, calm may work for Locutus of the Borg here, (indicates Giles) but I'm freaked out, and I intend to stay that way.
Willow: Xander...
Xander: How could you let her go?
Giles: As the soon-to-be-purple area of my jaw will attest, I did *not* *let* her go!
Willow: Well, how can we help her?
Ms. Calendar: Uh, I'm sorry to bring this up, but we also have an apocalypse to worry about?
Xander: Do you mind?
Willow: How come she's in the club?
Ms. Calendar: Hey! Once the Master gets free, the Hellmouth opens, the demons come to party, and everybody dies.
Xander: Uh, uh, I don't care. I'm sorry, I don't. Right now I gotta help Buffy.
Giles: We don't even know where she's gone.
Xander: No. But I can find out.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback…
Buffy couldn't believe what she just heard.
"He was the only one who wanted to help me? Then how did…" Buffy trailed pointing to Angel.
"I guess it's my turn," Angel said.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
May 28,1997
Angel's Apartment
Angel hears a knock on the door. He opens it and sees Xander pushing his way in.
Xander: She's gone.
Angel: Whadaya mean?
Xander: Buffy, she's gone to fight the Master.
Angel: He'll kill her.
Xander: Rumor has it. Only we're not gonna let it happen.
Angel: Well, what do you propose we do about it?
Xander: Look, I know you can find this Master guy. He's underground, right? Take me to him.
Angel: You're way outta your league, kid. The Master'll kill you before you can even breathe. If you're lucky.
Xander: How can I say this clearly?
He holds up a cross. Angel growls. Xander advances toward him, and he backs off until he falls onto the couch.
Xander: I don't like you. At the end of the day, I pretty much think you're a vampire. (lowers the cross) But Buffy's got this big old yen for you. She thinks you're a real person. And right now I need you to prove her right.
Angel: You're in love with her.
Xander: Aren't you?
"So, I led him to the Master's lair. He accused me of looking at his neck, then we found you, dead. But , Xander wouldn't have it."
Xander: No. She's not dead.
Angel: She's not breathing.
Xander: But if she drowned, uh, there's a shot! CPR!
Angel: You have to do it. I have no breath.
Xander takes off his jacket and lays it over her. He kneels down by her face and looks at her a moment, then puts his mouth on hers and blows into her lungs. He lets go and begins to pump her chest.
Xander: C'mon. C'mon!
Xander breathes into her lungs again and continues to pump her chest.
Xander: C'mon! Breathe! Breathe!
Angel looks down in sorrow, then looks back up. Xander keeps pumping.
Xander: C'mon!
After another moment Xander stops pumping. Angel believes her lost. A second later Buffy opens her eyes wide and draws a breath. She lies still for a moment as she looks around with her eyes.
Xander: Buffy!
She turns her head to the side and coughs out a bunch of water. Xander and Angel look at each other and smile. Xander puts his hand on Buffy's forehead and strokes it gently. She looks up at him, surprised to see him.
Xander: Buffy.
Buffy: Xander?
Xander: Welcome back.
_+_+_+_+_+
"Look, I know he saved my life. I've thanked him."
"No, you haven't Buffy," Willow said. "You've acknowledged that he did it, but you've never thanked him."
"Oh god," Buffy said realizing what she's done. "I never thanked him for saving me."
"There's more," Angel said.
"More?"
"While I was evil, and you were here in the hospital, there was an incident."
"What kind of incident?"
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
March 3, 1998
Sunnydale Memorial Hospital
Xander is sitting on a chair outside the waiting room across from the nurses' station that is down the hall from Buffy's room. There are two police officers talking to a security guard. Nurses and orderlies are going about their tasks. Angelus comes walking out of the waiting room from the elevator bearing some white flowers and whistling a few bars of "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th symphony. Xander hears him and looks to see who's coming. When he sees Angelus he quickly gets up and faces him down in the hall.
Xander: Visiting hours are over.
Angelus: Well, I'm pretty much family.
Xander: (trying hard to stay cool) Yeah. Why don't you come back during the day? Oh, gee, no, I guess you can't.
Angelus: (threateningly) If I decide to walk into Buffy's room, do you think for one microsecond that you could stop me?
Xander: Maybe not. Maybe that security guard couldn't either. Or those cops…or the orderlies... But I'm kinda curious to find out. You game?
Angelus: (pauses) Buffy's White Knight. You still love her. (leans in close) It must just eat you up that I got there first.
Xander: (fighting his nervousness) You're gonna die. And I'm gonna be there.
Angelus slaps the flowers against Xander's chest.
Angelus: Tell her I stopped by.
He gives Xander one final look and then goes back through the waiting room to the elevator. Xander shudders, covers his mouth and lets out a breath of relief.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback…
Everyone is shocked.
"Xander never spoke of this," Giles said.
"Why would he," Tara said.
Everyone turns to her.
"I know I haven't known Xander as long as you guys, but he does seem to be the quiet type when it comes to his hero thing. He never told Buffy that he was the only one who wanted to help her."
The doctor comes to them. "You can see him know, but I must ask only a few at once. Try to get him to fight. I think his chances of waking up are good, but every minute he's out, the chances drop."
"Buffy," Willow said. "You can…"
"No. Angel, take Tara and Willow in first. Oz you and Giles can go after. I need to rest for a minute."
"Are you okay," Angel asked.
"Yeah. Just a lot to take in before I go in there."
Angel escorts the girls towards Xander's room.
Xander's Hospital room…
Willow is holding on to one hand, while Tara is holding onto the other.
"He looks peaceful in his sleep," Tara said.
"Oh yeah. He always looks that peaceful in his sleep. Especially when we were kids. Though he had these weird clown dreams."
"Huh," Angel said.
"He's scared of clowns," Willow explained.
"Why," Tara asked.
"I'll tell you later."
"I wonder what he's doing in his mind right now," Tara asked.
A Dark black room…
Xander is walking around.
"Where am I," Xander asked to no one in particular.
"You have been transferred to a demon dimension," a voice called from everywhere yet nowhere.
"Why am I here," he asked the voice.
"To fulfill your destiny. You have completed only a small part of your destiny in your time in the Hellmouth: Saving the slayer's life time and time again, protecting her and the key."
"But The Key was used by Glory?"
"Yes, but it was not your fault. You risked your life to destroy Glory. Buffy was supposed to do that. Since you have given up so much we will allow you to make one request, and we will grant it."
"Who are you?"
"We are the Powers That Be, you know Whistler."
Whister walks up to Xander. "How are you kid?"
"I'm in a coma after trying to defeat Glory."
"Well, you have one request to be granted by the powers. Not something that happens very often. What'll it be kid? The slayers love for you, ridding the world of all the evil, dangerous demons of the world?"
"No, but I do have one idea."
End Part 11.
