TITLE: A Pleasant Wake-Up
AUTHOR: Goddess Isa
EMAIL: goddessisa@aol.com
SUMMARY: A Xander and Cordelia moment in time
RATING: TV-PG
SPOILER: Mild S3, this is set in September after S3
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns all. Poop on Joss.
DISTRIBUTION: http://planetslaythis.homestead.com
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I love this fic. It's short and simple and I love it.
10/11/01



DING-DONG!

"Mrrrumph," Xander was not a morning person. His fave thing about having graduated was sleeping in. Giles was an early riser, but he permitted Xander to come in at ten. It was only when Xander came in at one that Giles arched his eyebrows. The shop began getting busy at noon, and he needed the help.

The doorbell rang again, forcing him out of bed well before he was ready.

He didn't bother to dress—plaid boxers, even if they were orange, would be suitable for Buffy or Willow or even Giles.

He threw the door open and gasped.

Cordelia.

"Can I come in?" she asked.

"Of course," he held the door open and then shut it behind her, confused. He'd invited her to come by a few days ago, but he wasn't expecting her to wake him up with her beautiful smile and shiny hair and perfect figure. She was angelic, and it was enough to make him beg her to stay with him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come yesterday," she said, trying to smile at him. "I have classes and stuff."

"I know we're not a couple and I don't know if I want us to be a couple, but....remember over the summer, before I left, when we all picked out our costumes?"

"Yeah," he shivered. "I still have nightmares about the woman who took our girth measurements."

"Well, I got the bill with my mail the other day, and I was hoping....maybe you'd still want to wear them."

He stared at her. "You must be kidding."

:I'm not. Buffy wants to have a costume party, and we could go. Together."

Xander thought of her sexy costume and his binding one. He thought about all the money she'd spent for him that now, she didn't really have.

"All right," he agreed. "We can go."

"Great! I'll pick you up, or we can meet there, it doesn't have to be...you know. All right?"

"Yeah. Or I could just borrow Uncle Rory's car..."

"You wanna take me?" she asked in a hopeful voice.

"Despite our past, I do care for you."

"Yeah well, okay," she smiled at him. "So you'll pick me up."

"I'll pick you up."

"Great. I have to go, I have a test," she smiled. "Sorry I woke you," she opened the door and then stopped. "Wait. Here," she thrust a brown paper bag at him. "Open it after I'm gone," she whispered. "Happy birthday."

She left and he sat on the couch, holding the box for a few moments before he finally took a deep breath and opened it.

It was full of Twinkies.

He sighed and began eating 'em. Seven down, he realized something was under them. He picked up the wrapped box in amongst the junk food cakes and opened it. He gasped to find a Red Wings jersey inside, signed by his favorite player Steve Yzerman.

A note was taped to the sleeve.


I never forget.


Cordy's handwriting was like a trip back in time. Xander closed his eyes and remembered the time they watched the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Wings lost, creating a group of devastated fans including Xander. Cordelia had comforted him with kisses and hugs, and then they'd made love.

He opened his eyes and looked at his shirt again. And cried.

"I love you, Cordelia," he whispered before hugging the shirt to his chest, sobbing for a lost love that he somehow knew would never return.