Part 12
While Angel, Willow, and Tara were with Xander, Buffy laid down across the waiting room chairs, having visions of the past long ago.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
January 27, 1998
The funeral home…
Theresa is laid out in her coffin with a scarf around her neck. Buffy pulls it back and sees the bite.
Buffy: Vampire.
Xander: So that's good, right? I mean in the sense of the werewolf didn't get her, and... (gets a look from Buffy) No. There is no good here.
Buffy: No good. Instead of not protecting Theresa from the werewolf, (goes over to the guest register) I was able to not protect her from something just as bad. (looks at all the signatures) She had a lot of friends. (takes the pen to add her own)
Xander: Buffy, you can't blame yourself for every death that happens in Sunnydale. If it weren't for you people'd be lined up five deep waitin' to get themselves buried. Willow would be Robbie the Robot's love slave, I wouldn't even have a head, (looks at the coffin) and Theresa's a vampire.
Theresa sits up, looks over at them and growls. Buffy turns around and sees her hop out of the coffin. She lunges at Theresa, grabs her and tries to wrestle her to the floor, but Theresa throws her down instead. She dives after Buffy and tries to pin her, but Buffy rolls her over and gets on top. She makes a quick grab for a wooden easel holding a flower wreath and breaks off a leg. She's about to thrust it into Theresa's chest when she speaks.
Theresa: Angel sends his love.
Buffy is caught off guard by that and hesitates a moment. Theresa kicks Buffy's arm and sends the stick flying away. She grabs Buffy by the shoulders, wrestles her onto her back and pins her. Buffy struggles to keep her at bay. Behind her Xander has grabbed the easel and jams one of its legs through Theresa's back. She bursts into ashes. Buffy stares up at Xander. He tosses the easel aside and looks down at her. Buffy looks aside sadly and then rolls over.
Buffy: (to herself) Angel. (gets to her knees)
Xander: (leans down to her) Are you okay?
Buffy: (takes his hand) This isn't happening. (pulls herself up and hugs Xander) He's gonna keep coming after me.
Xander: (hugs back gently) Don't let him get to you. He's not the same guy you knew.
She pulls back a bit and looks up at him. He looks back kindly. She lets go, picks up her backpack and goes out. Xander stares after her.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback
Willow, Tara, and Angel come back into the waiting room, motioning Giles and Oz to go next. Before they leave, Angel pulls Giles to the side.
"How long has she been asleep," he asked the watcher.
"Shortly after you took Tara and Willow to see Xander. She hasn't gotten much sleep these past few days."
"Is she okay?"
"I'm sure she'll be better as soon as she gets some sleep, but there are many things she has to get through. Xander being in a coma is only one of them. She lost Dawn to Glory, and she still hasn't taken the time to grieve for her mother."
"All right. Hope you have more luck than we did."
"I hope so too.
Xander's Hospital Room…
"That was cool of Angel," Oz said.
"What," Giles asked.
"Telling Buffy what happened, I asked him if anything happened that night. He said nothing happened."
"Why do you think he wouldn't say anything?"
"He's always been like that."
Giles looked at Oz with a confused look on his face.
The wating room…
Buffy was turning in her sleep, having more visions of the past.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
February 16, 1998
Xander hears the door swing shut and smack the card catalog behind him he spins around and stares at Buffy in shock. She is standing there with one hand on the catalog and the other propped up on top of the theft detector and smiles at him as she raises her right ankle and rubs it against her left calf.
Buffy: Alone at last.
Xander: (stares open-mouthed) Buff, give me a heart attack!
Buffy: Oh, (starts a sexy walk toward him) I'm gonna give you more than that. (grabs her raincoat belt to untie it)
Xander: (backs away, gesturing with his hands) Buff, for the love of God, don't open that raincoat.
Buffy: Come on! It's a party! Aren't you gonna open your present?
(undoes a button)
Xander: (keeps backing toward the stairs nervously) It's not that I don't want to. Sometimes the remote impossible possibility that you might like me was all that sustained me. But not now. (trips and falls backward onto the stairs) Not like this. This isn't real to you. (Buffy steps up and puts her leg over him) You're only here because of a spell. (gets a confused stare from her) I mean, if I thought you had one clue what it would mean to me... (shakes his head) But you don't. So I can't.
_+_+_+_+_+
Another Flashback
May 19, 1999
In the library, Buffy and Xander are heading to the book cage.
Buffy: Someone should take over for Giles after a while. Watch Angel.
Xander: I don't mean to play devil's advocate here, but are you sure you're up to this?
Buffy: It's time.
Xander: We're talking to the death.
Buffy: I can't play kid games anymore. This is how she wants it.
Xander: I just don't want to lose you.
Buffy: I won't get hurt. (reaches into a weapons cabinet)
Xander: That's not what I mean.
Buffy: Just get me an address.
_+_+_+_+_+
Another Flashback
February 20, 2001
Buffy helps Puffy Xander waddle over to the wall and lean against it.
BUFFY: Here.
XANDER: (loud sigh)
BUFFY: Comfy?
XANDER: Oh, yeah. This leaning? This is the stuff.
BUFFY: That's my secret to attracting men. You know, it's simple really, you slap 'em
around a bit, you torture 'em, you make their lives a living hell-
XANDER: Buff...
BUFFY: ...and sure, the nice guys, they'll run away, but every now and then you'll meet a real prince of a guy like Spike who gets off on it.
XANDER: Buffy ... (jerks his head sideways) Stand me up.
Buffy helps him stand up straight. He loses his balance and slants toward Buffy, who puts her hands on the puffy stomach to stabilize him.
XANDER: The problem is not you. Don't do this to yourself, please.
BUFFY: It's just ... I just wanna know that there's gonna be another good one. One that I won't chase away.
XANDER: There will be. Promise. He's out there, he could come along any minute.
BUFFY: Yeah, and the minute after that I can terrify him with my alarming strength and remarkable self-involvement.
XANDER: What? I don't think you're like that.
BUFFY: Maybe I could change. You know, I could, I could work harder. I could spend less time slaying, I could laugh at his jokes, I mean, men like that, right, the, the joke-laughing-at?
XANDER: Or maybe you could just be Buffy, he'll see your amazing heart, and he'll fall in love with you.
Buffy looks touched.
BUFFY: Xander, that's ... aw!
She puts her arms around Puffy Xander and rests her head on his big puffy chest.
XANDER: This is the day you choose to hug me? (shakes head, sighs) Buffy?
BUFFY: Mm?
XANDER: You ever think maybe the reason you haven't found a great relationship on the Hellmouth is ... because it's a Hellmouth? Seems to me it's a pretty terrible place to try to build anything.
Buffy closes her eyes looking peaceful.
BUFFY: Mm.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback
Buffy wakes up. She sees Tara and Willow asleep in the chairs across from her. She looks around and sees Angel getting a soda out of the soda machine. It steals his money and he starts hitting the machine. Buffy stealthily walks behind him.
"That doesn't help much."
He turns around and sees Buffy.
"How are you feeling," he asked.
"Better. I think I'm ready to see Xander."
"Second door to the left. Down that way."
"Thanks Angel."
"Buffy?"
She turns around.
"Tell him how you feel. It may give him the strength to come back to you."
Buffy smiles. "I will."
She walks to Xander's door and hears Oz and Giles talking.
"What did you mean by that," Giles asked.
"After I left, to get in tune with my inner wolf. I started to remember everything I did when I wolfed out…
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
January 17, 1999
Xander kicks open the door, enters cautiously and makes his way down the stairs. At the bottom he opens the door to the boiler room and looks in. There in the middle of the room he sees the bomb. The timer is ticking away.
Xander: Hello, nasty.
He steps into the room and closes the door behind him. He gingerly goes over to the bomb and checks the timer as he sets down the ax.
Xander: (breathing hard) Less than two minutes. Dumb guy. Little bomb. How hard can it be?
Suddenly Jack grabs him from behind and throws him into a workbench. He hits it hard and falls to the floor. Xander gets back up only to find himself face-to-face with Jack.
Jack: And it just got harder.
Xander: I'm not leaving till that thing's disarmed.
Jack: Then I guess you're not leaving.
He swings a right at Xander, which he blocks. Jack swings a high left, which Xander ducks. Jack swings a right again, and this time hits Xander in the jaw, making him stagger back into a wall. Jack pulls Katie out and tries to stab Xander, but he catches Jack's arm and manages to hold him back. Jack doesn't let up, though, and keeps pressing into him. Xander glances over at the bomb, which is ticking away.
Jack: (angrily) I'm gonna carve you up and serve you with gravy. You piss me off, boy. Now you pay the price. First the eyes, then the tongue. I'm gonna break every one of your fingers.
Xander: You gonna do all that in forty-nine seconds?
Jack looks over at the bomb, and Xander seizes the opportunity to push him back, grab him by the jacket and shove his head into the wall. He pulls him back from the wall and punches him in the face. Jack comes back up unfazed, grabs Xander by the pants and flips him over onto a crate. He quickly gets back up, and the two boys start to come at each other again, but then stop when they realize they don't have time for this. Jack glances over at the exit sign above a door.
Xander: I know what you're thinkin'. Can I get by him? Get up the stairs, out of the building, seconds ticking away... I don't love your chances.
Jack: Then you'll die, too.
Xander: (raises his eyebrows) Yeah, looks like. So I guess the question really is... who has less fear?
Jack: (tries to psyche Xander out) I'm not afraid to die. I'm already dead.
Xander: Yeah, but this is different. Being blowed up isn't walking around and drinking with your buddies dead. It's little bits being swept up by a janitor dead, and I don't think you're ready for that.
He's proven right when Jack makes a move for the door. Xander matches his move, and Jack realizes there's no way he can get out. They face each other from opposite sides of the bomb. Xander is oddly calm whereas Jack is clearly afraid.
Jack: Are you?
Xander: (glances at the bomb, smiles thinly) I like the quiet.
The two boys are still facing off with the bomb between them. The timer counts down the last few seconds. 00:12, 00:11, 00:10, 00:09... The boys stare each other down, both taking deep breaths. 00:08, 00:07, 00:06... Xander stands his ground. Jack is starting to have second thoughts. 00:05, 00:04... Xander gives Jack a little frown, saying in essence, "Too late now." 00:03, 00:02... Jack caves and quickly reaches in and pulls a wire. The timer goes blank. He drops the wires and pulls his hands away. It takes Xander a moment to realize that it's over.
Xander: Good boy.
He steps over to Jack and looks him straight in the eyes.
Xander: I don't think I wanna be seeing you on campus anymore, Jack.
He goes over to the door he entered from, gives Jack one last look, opens it and leaves, closing it behind him. Jack walks toward the other door.
Jack: I'm not going anywhere, Harris. The first time you turn your
back...
He pulls the door open, and werewolf Oz jumps out at him. Jack screams
as he hits the floor and gets mauled.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback.
"When I came back last April, I asked him about it, but he acted like it never happened. Xander may act like he's not the strongest member of the Scooby Gang, but truth be told, he has more strength than we give him credit for."
"So it would appear to be."
"Tell me your kidding," a voice said from behind them.
"Sorry Buff," Oz said. "Everything I said was true. If he hadn't you and the gang wouldn't have stopped the Hellmouth from opening and the world would have ended."
"Get out," Buffy said.
"Buffy," Giles said.
"I want to be alone with Xander," she said softly. "Get out."
"Let's go G-Man," Oz said.
"Now don't start that."
Buffy looked down at Xander.
"Xand, I know you can hear me. I just want to say thank you, for saving my life. Again. I'm starting to lose track of how may times you've saved me. You need to wake up Xander. I need you to be here for me. Not just because of all the stuff I have to deal with the next few weeks, but to help keep everything in my life at least at some point of normality. You're MY hero Xander."
Buffy grabbed Xander's hand and smiled at the memory of time he called her HIS hero.
Flashback
September 1999
Xander gets up and crouches down in front of her.
Xander: Buffy, I've gone through some fairly dark times in my life, faced some scary things, among them the kitchen at 'The Fabulous Ladies Night Club.' Let me tell you something, when it's dark and I'm all alone and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think, 'What would Buffy do?' You're my hero. Ok, sometimes when it's dark and I'm all alone I think, 'What is Buffy wearing?'
Buffy: Can that be one of those things you never, ever, tell me about?
Xander: It's a deal. (He stands up.) Let's put this bitch in the ground! What do you say?
She holds out her right hand and he helps her up.
Buffy: I think I say thank you.
Xander: And nothing says thank you like dollars in the waistband.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback
A tear started to roll down her eye. She put her face down on his chest and cried.
"Come back to me Xand. I need you."
Xander's Mind…
"That is one of the most amazing requests we have ever been asked. We will fix everything. Be patient. Now go."
Xander's Hospital room…
Buffy is now fast asleep. She still has her face down on Xander's chest. Xander's eyes flutter open. He looks down and sees the most beautiful sight in the world: Buffy sleeping. She starts to snore. She may snore like a garbage truck, but she's still beautiful, he thought. He runs his hands through her hair. He bends down to kiss her on her head.
"Well, glad to see you're up Mr. Harris," the nurse said. "DOCTOR! HE'S AWAKE!"
The doctor comes in just as Buffy wakes up. "Xander."
"Hey Buff."
She grabs Xander and holds him tight.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave for a moment Ms. Summers. You can see him again as soon as we check him."
The nurse escorts Buffy to the waiting room.
"He's awake," Buffy said cheerfully.
Everyone lets out a sigh of relief and share hugs. Angel goes to Buffy, "I'm sorry I never told you what happened at the hospital. I was afraid I would lose you to Xander if you had known. He's always been in love with you. More than I ever could."
"It doesn't matter. I'm glad we didn't get together then. We needed the experience we went through first. Now I know we can actually have a good relationship. No lies, and I know he won't leave me. He's one of the only guys in my life, who hasn't left me."
"What about Giles," Angel asked.
"When I started college, Giles thought I cold handle everything myself. Xander showed up and pulled my out of the dumps."
"He's a great guy. I hope you two will be happy together."
"Me too," Buffy said. "Me too."
Sunnydale Cemetery
A few weeks later
They had done a double funeral for both Faith and Joyce. Buffy decided since Faith was at one time, like a sister she should be buried next to her mother.
"That was nice of you Buff," Xander said with his hand on Buffy's shoulder. "Letting Faith have your last name, and burying her with your mother."
"She was like family. Plus she saved my life. She deserves some peace."
"I know this has been a long month for you Buffy. But I have a little surprise for you."
"What?"
Xander pulls a blindfold out of his pocket.
"It's a surprise."
Iceoplex (Sunnydale Ice skating rink)
That evening
Xander is leading Buffy inside. She is still blindfolded. He leads her to a bench near the ice. He takes the blindfold off. "Surprise," Xander said.
"Your taking me ice-skating?"
"I know how much you love it."
Buffy smiles and kisses Xander on the cheek. "Thank you, but I didn't bring my-"
Xander interrupts her by pulling out the ice-skates that normally hang in her closet.
"Skates," she finished. "How did you manage to pull this anyway?"
Xander points to the newly built arcade. "I helped construct that. I talked to the guy and he said if I needed anything, just let him know."
A few minutes later…
Xander and Buffy are both on the ice. Buffy is skating like a pro. Xander can't even stand on the ice.
"Xander, you do know how to ice-skate don't you?"
"Sorry, Buff. Haven't skated since I was five. Even then, I couldn't do it."
Buffy holds her hands out and helps Xander up. She slowly skates with him to the middle of the rink.
"See, you're not that bad."
He falls again. She helps him up. Suddenly the lights go out. Buffy goes into slayer mode. "What was that," she asked. No sooner had she finished the sentence when a mirror ball comes from the ceiling.
"What the…" Buffy looks at Xander who is smiling at her.
"What are you planning?"
"Moi, planning. Never," he said innocently.
Suddenly "Everything I do I Do It For You" comes on.
"Look into my eyes,
You will see,
What you mean to me.
Buffy skates up to Xander and hugs him. "Thanks."
"Search your heart,
Search your soul,
And when you find me there
You'll search no more.
Don't tell me it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me it's not worth dying for
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you
Look into your heart
You will find
There's nothing there to hide
So take me as I am
Take my life.
I would give it all,
I would sacrifice.
Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it,
There's nothing I want more.
You know it's true
Everything I do,
I do it for you.
There's no love,
Like your love,
And no other,
Could give more love,
There's nowhere,
Unless your there,
All the time,
All the way.
Buffy and Xander start dancing on their skates. Xander is now actually skating better with Buffy by his side.
You can't tell me
It's not worth trying for
I can't help it
There's nothing I want more.
Yeah, I would fight for you
I'd lie for you.
Walk the wire for you
Yeah I'd die for you.
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you.
By the end of the song, they are back in the center of the rink. Staring in each other's eyes. Xander slowly leans in and kisses her with all the passion that he's held for her the past five years. Buffy returns the kiss for every time he saved her, helped her, and made her smile. The both part for breath.
"That was," Buffy started.
"Incredible," Xander finished.
"There is no way you could make me more happy."
"There is one thing."
"What?"
"When I was in the coma. I met the Powers that Be. You were the one that was supposed to kill Glory, but since I did it and was nearly killed in the process, they let me make a wish or a request if you will."
"What was it?"
"They said they'd do it today. Should be home waiting for you."
Buffy eyed Xander curiously.
Giles' Apartment…
After Buffy's mom had died, Buffy was invited to live with Giles until she found another place. Xander and Buffy entered Giles' apartment quietly.
"So where is it?"
"Upstairs. I'll go get the surprise. Stay here and," Xander said pulling out the blindfold again. "Cover your eyes."
Xander quickly got the surprise upstairs and took it downstairs. "Hold out your hands."
She did as she was told. When Xander put the surprise in her hands, Buffy felt as if she was going to cry. She felt hands in her hers, but it was to small and soft to be Xander's. She removed the blindfold and saw her sister. Dawn.
"Dawn," she said while crying.
"It's me," she said. "Only without the power of the Key inside me."
She grabbed her sister and held her tightly. "Xander, how did…"
"I got the powers to make her real. Starting from birth. She's real now. The memories we have are real. The Powers changed time. Joyce had two daughters instead of just one and a specially made one later."
"But why," Buffy asked.
"You didn't deserve to lose so much at once. I mean all your family would be gone except for the Scoobies. Your mom would be gone, Dawn would have remained a blob of energy, and your deadbeat father, well, we won't bring him up."
Buffy walked to Xander and kissed him again. Tears are pouring from all their eyes.
"Thank you so much Xander."
"Any time Buff. Any time."
"So what happens now," Dawn asked.
"We become a family I guess," Xander said looking at Buffy. "If you'll…" he said bending down on one knee. "Marry me."
"Yes," Buffy said. "I know we should try dating, but I don't need that. I know how much you love me. How much you've always loved me. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. But I love you more than I could ever love Angel or Riley. You're the one who'll never leave me."
"He's your White Knight," Dawn said.
Xander tensed up, Buffy felt it.
"Don't Xand. You are. Angelus may have been a creep, but he knew how much you loved me. He was threatened. You proved you're my White Knight a few weeks ago when we defeated Glory."
Xander smiled. "I guess you're right. And since the Dawnmister said it, I won't be as wigged anymore."
"I love you Alexander Lavelle Harris."
"I love you Buffy Anne Summers. Always have, Always will. Now and until the end of time and beyond."
End Part 12
While Angel, Willow, and Tara were with Xander, Buffy laid down across the waiting room chairs, having visions of the past long ago.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
January 27, 1998
The funeral home…
Theresa is laid out in her coffin with a scarf around her neck. Buffy pulls it back and sees the bite.
Buffy: Vampire.
Xander: So that's good, right? I mean in the sense of the werewolf didn't get her, and... (gets a look from Buffy) No. There is no good here.
Buffy: No good. Instead of not protecting Theresa from the werewolf, (goes over to the guest register) I was able to not protect her from something just as bad. (looks at all the signatures) She had a lot of friends. (takes the pen to add her own)
Xander: Buffy, you can't blame yourself for every death that happens in Sunnydale. If it weren't for you people'd be lined up five deep waitin' to get themselves buried. Willow would be Robbie the Robot's love slave, I wouldn't even have a head, (looks at the coffin) and Theresa's a vampire.
Theresa sits up, looks over at them and growls. Buffy turns around and sees her hop out of the coffin. She lunges at Theresa, grabs her and tries to wrestle her to the floor, but Theresa throws her down instead. She dives after Buffy and tries to pin her, but Buffy rolls her over and gets on top. She makes a quick grab for a wooden easel holding a flower wreath and breaks off a leg. She's about to thrust it into Theresa's chest when she speaks.
Theresa: Angel sends his love.
Buffy is caught off guard by that and hesitates a moment. Theresa kicks Buffy's arm and sends the stick flying away. She grabs Buffy by the shoulders, wrestles her onto her back and pins her. Buffy struggles to keep her at bay. Behind her Xander has grabbed the easel and jams one of its legs through Theresa's back. She bursts into ashes. Buffy stares up at Xander. He tosses the easel aside and looks down at her. Buffy looks aside sadly and then rolls over.
Buffy: (to herself) Angel. (gets to her knees)
Xander: (leans down to her) Are you okay?
Buffy: (takes his hand) This isn't happening. (pulls herself up and hugs Xander) He's gonna keep coming after me.
Xander: (hugs back gently) Don't let him get to you. He's not the same guy you knew.
She pulls back a bit and looks up at him. He looks back kindly. She lets go, picks up her backpack and goes out. Xander stares after her.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback
Willow, Tara, and Angel come back into the waiting room, motioning Giles and Oz to go next. Before they leave, Angel pulls Giles to the side.
"How long has she been asleep," he asked the watcher.
"Shortly after you took Tara and Willow to see Xander. She hasn't gotten much sleep these past few days."
"Is she okay?"
"I'm sure she'll be better as soon as she gets some sleep, but there are many things she has to get through. Xander being in a coma is only one of them. She lost Dawn to Glory, and she still hasn't taken the time to grieve for her mother."
"All right. Hope you have more luck than we did."
"I hope so too.
Xander's Hospital Room…
"That was cool of Angel," Oz said.
"What," Giles asked.
"Telling Buffy what happened, I asked him if anything happened that night. He said nothing happened."
"Why do you think he wouldn't say anything?"
"He's always been like that."
Giles looked at Oz with a confused look on his face.
The wating room…
Buffy was turning in her sleep, having more visions of the past.
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
February 16, 1998
Xander hears the door swing shut and smack the card catalog behind him he spins around and stares at Buffy in shock. She is standing there with one hand on the catalog and the other propped up on top of the theft detector and smiles at him as she raises her right ankle and rubs it against her left calf.
Buffy: Alone at last.
Xander: (stares open-mouthed) Buff, give me a heart attack!
Buffy: Oh, (starts a sexy walk toward him) I'm gonna give you more than that. (grabs her raincoat belt to untie it)
Xander: (backs away, gesturing with his hands) Buff, for the love of God, don't open that raincoat.
Buffy: Come on! It's a party! Aren't you gonna open your present?
(undoes a button)
Xander: (keeps backing toward the stairs nervously) It's not that I don't want to. Sometimes the remote impossible possibility that you might like me was all that sustained me. But not now. (trips and falls backward onto the stairs) Not like this. This isn't real to you. (Buffy steps up and puts her leg over him) You're only here because of a spell. (gets a confused stare from her) I mean, if I thought you had one clue what it would mean to me... (shakes his head) But you don't. So I can't.
_+_+_+_+_+
Another Flashback
May 19, 1999
In the library, Buffy and Xander are heading to the book cage.
Buffy: Someone should take over for Giles after a while. Watch Angel.
Xander: I don't mean to play devil's advocate here, but are you sure you're up to this?
Buffy: It's time.
Xander: We're talking to the death.
Buffy: I can't play kid games anymore. This is how she wants it.
Xander: I just don't want to lose you.
Buffy: I won't get hurt. (reaches into a weapons cabinet)
Xander: That's not what I mean.
Buffy: Just get me an address.
_+_+_+_+_+
Another Flashback
February 20, 2001
Buffy helps Puffy Xander waddle over to the wall and lean against it.
BUFFY: Here.
XANDER: (loud sigh)
BUFFY: Comfy?
XANDER: Oh, yeah. This leaning? This is the stuff.
BUFFY: That's my secret to attracting men. You know, it's simple really, you slap 'em
around a bit, you torture 'em, you make their lives a living hell-
XANDER: Buff...
BUFFY: ...and sure, the nice guys, they'll run away, but every now and then you'll meet a real prince of a guy like Spike who gets off on it.
XANDER: Buffy ... (jerks his head sideways) Stand me up.
Buffy helps him stand up straight. He loses his balance and slants toward Buffy, who puts her hands on the puffy stomach to stabilize him.
XANDER: The problem is not you. Don't do this to yourself, please.
BUFFY: It's just ... I just wanna know that there's gonna be another good one. One that I won't chase away.
XANDER: There will be. Promise. He's out there, he could come along any minute.
BUFFY: Yeah, and the minute after that I can terrify him with my alarming strength and remarkable self-involvement.
XANDER: What? I don't think you're like that.
BUFFY: Maybe I could change. You know, I could, I could work harder. I could spend less time slaying, I could laugh at his jokes, I mean, men like that, right, the, the joke-laughing-at?
XANDER: Or maybe you could just be Buffy, he'll see your amazing heart, and he'll fall in love with you.
Buffy looks touched.
BUFFY: Xander, that's ... aw!
She puts her arms around Puffy Xander and rests her head on his big puffy chest.
XANDER: This is the day you choose to hug me? (shakes head, sighs) Buffy?
BUFFY: Mm?
XANDER: You ever think maybe the reason you haven't found a great relationship on the Hellmouth is ... because it's a Hellmouth? Seems to me it's a pretty terrible place to try to build anything.
Buffy closes her eyes looking peaceful.
BUFFY: Mm.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback
Buffy wakes up. She sees Tara and Willow asleep in the chairs across from her. She looks around and sees Angel getting a soda out of the soda machine. It steals his money and he starts hitting the machine. Buffy stealthily walks behind him.
"That doesn't help much."
He turns around and sees Buffy.
"How are you feeling," he asked.
"Better. I think I'm ready to see Xander."
"Second door to the left. Down that way."
"Thanks Angel."
"Buffy?"
She turns around.
"Tell him how you feel. It may give him the strength to come back to you."
Buffy smiles. "I will."
She walks to Xander's door and hears Oz and Giles talking.
"What did you mean by that," Giles asked.
"After I left, to get in tune with my inner wolf. I started to remember everything I did when I wolfed out…
_+_+_+_+_+
Flashback
January 17, 1999
Xander kicks open the door, enters cautiously and makes his way down the stairs. At the bottom he opens the door to the boiler room and looks in. There in the middle of the room he sees the bomb. The timer is ticking away.
Xander: Hello, nasty.
He steps into the room and closes the door behind him. He gingerly goes over to the bomb and checks the timer as he sets down the ax.
Xander: (breathing hard) Less than two minutes. Dumb guy. Little bomb. How hard can it be?
Suddenly Jack grabs him from behind and throws him into a workbench. He hits it hard and falls to the floor. Xander gets back up only to find himself face-to-face with Jack.
Jack: And it just got harder.
Xander: I'm not leaving till that thing's disarmed.
Jack: Then I guess you're not leaving.
He swings a right at Xander, which he blocks. Jack swings a high left, which Xander ducks. Jack swings a right again, and this time hits Xander in the jaw, making him stagger back into a wall. Jack pulls Katie out and tries to stab Xander, but he catches Jack's arm and manages to hold him back. Jack doesn't let up, though, and keeps pressing into him. Xander glances over at the bomb, which is ticking away.
Jack: (angrily) I'm gonna carve you up and serve you with gravy. You piss me off, boy. Now you pay the price. First the eyes, then the tongue. I'm gonna break every one of your fingers.
Xander: You gonna do all that in forty-nine seconds?
Jack looks over at the bomb, and Xander seizes the opportunity to push him back, grab him by the jacket and shove his head into the wall. He pulls him back from the wall and punches him in the face. Jack comes back up unfazed, grabs Xander by the pants and flips him over onto a crate. He quickly gets back up, and the two boys start to come at each other again, but then stop when they realize they don't have time for this. Jack glances over at the exit sign above a door.
Xander: I know what you're thinkin'. Can I get by him? Get up the stairs, out of the building, seconds ticking away... I don't love your chances.
Jack: Then you'll die, too.
Xander: (raises his eyebrows) Yeah, looks like. So I guess the question really is... who has less fear?
Jack: (tries to psyche Xander out) I'm not afraid to die. I'm already dead.
Xander: Yeah, but this is different. Being blowed up isn't walking around and drinking with your buddies dead. It's little bits being swept up by a janitor dead, and I don't think you're ready for that.
He's proven right when Jack makes a move for the door. Xander matches his move, and Jack realizes there's no way he can get out. They face each other from opposite sides of the bomb. Xander is oddly calm whereas Jack is clearly afraid.
Jack: Are you?
Xander: (glances at the bomb, smiles thinly) I like the quiet.
The two boys are still facing off with the bomb between them. The timer counts down the last few seconds. 00:12, 00:11, 00:10, 00:09... The boys stare each other down, both taking deep breaths. 00:08, 00:07, 00:06... Xander stands his ground. Jack is starting to have second thoughts. 00:05, 00:04... Xander gives Jack a little frown, saying in essence, "Too late now." 00:03, 00:02... Jack caves and quickly reaches in and pulls a wire. The timer goes blank. He drops the wires and pulls his hands away. It takes Xander a moment to realize that it's over.
Xander: Good boy.
He steps over to Jack and looks him straight in the eyes.
Xander: I don't think I wanna be seeing you on campus anymore, Jack.
He goes over to the door he entered from, gives Jack one last look, opens it and leaves, closing it behind him. Jack walks toward the other door.
Jack: I'm not going anywhere, Harris. The first time you turn your
back...
He pulls the door open, and werewolf Oz jumps out at him. Jack screams
as he hits the floor and gets mauled.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback.
"When I came back last April, I asked him about it, but he acted like it never happened. Xander may act like he's not the strongest member of the Scooby Gang, but truth be told, he has more strength than we give him credit for."
"So it would appear to be."
"Tell me your kidding," a voice said from behind them.
"Sorry Buff," Oz said. "Everything I said was true. If he hadn't you and the gang wouldn't have stopped the Hellmouth from opening and the world would have ended."
"Get out," Buffy said.
"Buffy," Giles said.
"I want to be alone with Xander," she said softly. "Get out."
"Let's go G-Man," Oz said.
"Now don't start that."
Buffy looked down at Xander.
"Xand, I know you can hear me. I just want to say thank you, for saving my life. Again. I'm starting to lose track of how may times you've saved me. You need to wake up Xander. I need you to be here for me. Not just because of all the stuff I have to deal with the next few weeks, but to help keep everything in my life at least at some point of normality. You're MY hero Xander."
Buffy grabbed Xander's hand and smiled at the memory of time he called her HIS hero.
Flashback
September 1999
Xander gets up and crouches down in front of her.
Xander: Buffy, I've gone through some fairly dark times in my life, faced some scary things, among them the kitchen at 'The Fabulous Ladies Night Club.' Let me tell you something, when it's dark and I'm all alone and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think, 'What would Buffy do?' You're my hero. Ok, sometimes when it's dark and I'm all alone I think, 'What is Buffy wearing?'
Buffy: Can that be one of those things you never, ever, tell me about?
Xander: It's a deal. (He stands up.) Let's put this bitch in the ground! What do you say?
She holds out her right hand and he helps her up.
Buffy: I think I say thank you.
Xander: And nothing says thank you like dollars in the waistband.
_+_+_+_+_+
End Flashback
A tear started to roll down her eye. She put her face down on his chest and cried.
"Come back to me Xand. I need you."
Xander's Mind…
"That is one of the most amazing requests we have ever been asked. We will fix everything. Be patient. Now go."
Xander's Hospital room…
Buffy is now fast asleep. She still has her face down on Xander's chest. Xander's eyes flutter open. He looks down and sees the most beautiful sight in the world: Buffy sleeping. She starts to snore. She may snore like a garbage truck, but she's still beautiful, he thought. He runs his hands through her hair. He bends down to kiss her on her head.
"Well, glad to see you're up Mr. Harris," the nurse said. "DOCTOR! HE'S AWAKE!"
The doctor comes in just as Buffy wakes up. "Xander."
"Hey Buff."
She grabs Xander and holds him tight.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave for a moment Ms. Summers. You can see him again as soon as we check him."
The nurse escorts Buffy to the waiting room.
"He's awake," Buffy said cheerfully.
Everyone lets out a sigh of relief and share hugs. Angel goes to Buffy, "I'm sorry I never told you what happened at the hospital. I was afraid I would lose you to Xander if you had known. He's always been in love with you. More than I ever could."
"It doesn't matter. I'm glad we didn't get together then. We needed the experience we went through first. Now I know we can actually have a good relationship. No lies, and I know he won't leave me. He's one of the only guys in my life, who hasn't left me."
"What about Giles," Angel asked.
"When I started college, Giles thought I cold handle everything myself. Xander showed up and pulled my out of the dumps."
"He's a great guy. I hope you two will be happy together."
"Me too," Buffy said. "Me too."
Sunnydale Cemetery
A few weeks later
They had done a double funeral for both Faith and Joyce. Buffy decided since Faith was at one time, like a sister she should be buried next to her mother.
"That was nice of you Buff," Xander said with his hand on Buffy's shoulder. "Letting Faith have your last name, and burying her with your mother."
"She was like family. Plus she saved my life. She deserves some peace."
"I know this has been a long month for you Buffy. But I have a little surprise for you."
"What?"
Xander pulls a blindfold out of his pocket.
"It's a surprise."
Iceoplex (Sunnydale Ice skating rink)
That evening
Xander is leading Buffy inside. She is still blindfolded. He leads her to a bench near the ice. He takes the blindfold off. "Surprise," Xander said.
"Your taking me ice-skating?"
"I know how much you love it."
Buffy smiles and kisses Xander on the cheek. "Thank you, but I didn't bring my-"
Xander interrupts her by pulling out the ice-skates that normally hang in her closet.
"Skates," she finished. "How did you manage to pull this anyway?"
Xander points to the newly built arcade. "I helped construct that. I talked to the guy and he said if I needed anything, just let him know."
A few minutes later…
Xander and Buffy are both on the ice. Buffy is skating like a pro. Xander can't even stand on the ice.
"Xander, you do know how to ice-skate don't you?"
"Sorry, Buff. Haven't skated since I was five. Even then, I couldn't do it."
Buffy holds her hands out and helps Xander up. She slowly skates with him to the middle of the rink.
"See, you're not that bad."
He falls again. She helps him up. Suddenly the lights go out. Buffy goes into slayer mode. "What was that," she asked. No sooner had she finished the sentence when a mirror ball comes from the ceiling.
"What the…" Buffy looks at Xander who is smiling at her.
"What are you planning?"
"Moi, planning. Never," he said innocently.
Suddenly "Everything I do I Do It For You" comes on.
"Look into my eyes,
You will see,
What you mean to me.
Buffy skates up to Xander and hugs him. "Thanks."
"Search your heart,
Search your soul,
And when you find me there
You'll search no more.
Don't tell me it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me it's not worth dying for
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you
Look into your heart
You will find
There's nothing there to hide
So take me as I am
Take my life.
I would give it all,
I would sacrifice.
Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it,
There's nothing I want more.
You know it's true
Everything I do,
I do it for you.
There's no love,
Like your love,
And no other,
Could give more love,
There's nowhere,
Unless your there,
All the time,
All the way.
Buffy and Xander start dancing on their skates. Xander is now actually skating better with Buffy by his side.
You can't tell me
It's not worth trying for
I can't help it
There's nothing I want more.
Yeah, I would fight for you
I'd lie for you.
Walk the wire for you
Yeah I'd die for you.
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you.
By the end of the song, they are back in the center of the rink. Staring in each other's eyes. Xander slowly leans in and kisses her with all the passion that he's held for her the past five years. Buffy returns the kiss for every time he saved her, helped her, and made her smile. The both part for breath.
"That was," Buffy started.
"Incredible," Xander finished.
"There is no way you could make me more happy."
"There is one thing."
"What?"
"When I was in the coma. I met the Powers that Be. You were the one that was supposed to kill Glory, but since I did it and was nearly killed in the process, they let me make a wish or a request if you will."
"What was it?"
"They said they'd do it today. Should be home waiting for you."
Buffy eyed Xander curiously.
Giles' Apartment…
After Buffy's mom had died, Buffy was invited to live with Giles until she found another place. Xander and Buffy entered Giles' apartment quietly.
"So where is it?"
"Upstairs. I'll go get the surprise. Stay here and," Xander said pulling out the blindfold again. "Cover your eyes."
Xander quickly got the surprise upstairs and took it downstairs. "Hold out your hands."
She did as she was told. When Xander put the surprise in her hands, Buffy felt as if she was going to cry. She felt hands in her hers, but it was to small and soft to be Xander's. She removed the blindfold and saw her sister. Dawn.
"Dawn," she said while crying.
"It's me," she said. "Only without the power of the Key inside me."
She grabbed her sister and held her tightly. "Xander, how did…"
"I got the powers to make her real. Starting from birth. She's real now. The memories we have are real. The Powers changed time. Joyce had two daughters instead of just one and a specially made one later."
"But why," Buffy asked.
"You didn't deserve to lose so much at once. I mean all your family would be gone except for the Scoobies. Your mom would be gone, Dawn would have remained a blob of energy, and your deadbeat father, well, we won't bring him up."
Buffy walked to Xander and kissed him again. Tears are pouring from all their eyes.
"Thank you so much Xander."
"Any time Buff. Any time."
"So what happens now," Dawn asked.
"We become a family I guess," Xander said looking at Buffy. "If you'll…" he said bending down on one knee. "Marry me."
"Yes," Buffy said. "I know we should try dating, but I don't need that. I know how much you love me. How much you've always loved me. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. But I love you more than I could ever love Angel or Riley. You're the one who'll never leave me."
"He's your White Knight," Dawn said.
Xander tensed up, Buffy felt it.
"Don't Xand. You are. Angelus may have been a creep, but he knew how much you loved me. He was threatened. You proved you're my White Knight a few weeks ago when we defeated Glory."
Xander smiled. "I guess you're right. And since the Dawnmister said it, I won't be as wigged anymore."
"I love you Alexander Lavelle Harris."
"I love you Buffy Anne Summers. Always have, Always will. Now and until the end of time and beyond."
End Part 12
