Title: Rain Falls On The Just (8/?)
Author: Jeffrey Patrick
Type: B/X... because I can!
Description: Buffy's feelings for Xander awaken, just as everyone's favorite soulboy has a life changing experience. Set a few years in the future, it is a story of conspiracy, conflicting emotions, angst and the search for happiness. Oh, and cheese.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but a poster of David Hasselhoff as "THOR" and a snapshot of Elvis, very much alive and attending a Lakers game. Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and the WB own Buffy and all related characters. It's their junk. I just... well, I'm not sure what I do. But you like it, right?
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"Buffy, stop," Angel pleaded. He was following the Slayer down the street just after she had walked out of Giles' flat. "I know it's hard, but..."
"Hard?" She turned on him and got right in his face. "You're trying to tell me that the man I love wasn't a man at all. You're saying that his feelings for me were part of some act that Wolfram and Hart put him up to. You're telling me that he ordered the execution of his friends. And on top of all that... you..." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "You killed him. Hard, you say? Get out of my sight!"
"No," he said, grabbing her arms. "You may not want to believe this. Hell, I barely believe it myself. But there is real danger here. People are dying. We've got to do something. If you storm off in denial, the rest of us are as good as dead."
She glared at him. "Fine. That's fine. But I'm gonna find out the truth. If Wolfram and Hart did what you say, I'll kill them all. Every last mother's son of them. But you... When this is done, I want you gone."
"But..." He stopped. He could see by the look in her eyes that he wouldn't get anywhere. Instead, he turned around and went back to Giles' apartment.
Giles didn't have to ask Angel what had happened after he chased his former lover out of the door. He knew Buffy well enough to know that she was struggling to maintain a modicum of control. She could slowly feel herself breaking down. He knew this because he felt the same way. The information Angel had brought back from his raid on Wolfram and Hart was devastating.
"I don't get it," Faith said. She was reading the file that Angel brought back. "This is saying that the real Xander was killed over the summer between his junior and senior years in high school?"
"Exactly," Amy said. "But I'm with Buffy. I don't buy it."
"You weren't there," Angel reminded. "I had to fight him. He wasn't human. That's why I went looking for proof. I didn't want to believe it either. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the truth. The Xander we knew died a long time ago. The demon that took his place killed him. I feel bad about... It wasn't easy to kill something wearing Xander's face, but he had killed my friends. In hindsight, I should have let him live, so I could drag him back. You might believe me then."
"It's not that we don't believe you," Giles said. "It's simply that we don't WANT to believe you. It's just too much to deal with. It's overwhelming."
"I know," Angel said. "I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you all."
"There's a spell I have at the shop," Amy said. "It can reveal the truth, even in a written document. It might make us all a little more certain of where we stand if we do it. If it's true, we'll know. If not, we know that Angel may not have killed OUR Xander and could keep searching for him."
"Beats flying blind," Faith agreed. "Plus, it might help Buffy deal."
"True," Giles said. "I suggest we try it."
"Then I'll go get the spell," Amy said.
"Not alone, you won't," Angel said. "It's too dangerous to go alone. I'll walk you. That'll leave Faith to protect Giles while Buffy's gone."
"What about Buffy?" Faith asked. "She's out there alone."
"Let her be," Giles said. "She can take care of herself. Besides, I think she just needs to be alone right now. She'll come back when she's ready."
Buffy Summers stood in the center of her boyfriend's apartment. The tears had stopped, but she felt hollow inside. Over time, Xander's heart had become grafted to her own. Angel's news had ripped her in two.
She made her way to his bedroom, where she laid down on the bed and clung to his pillow as though it contained his essence. In a way, for her, it did. It still smelled like him. Her mind flashed back to images of him making love to her. He was the most gentle man she had ever known. Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of never feeling him next to her again.
"It's not true," she said to no one and everyone. "He was Xander. He loved me. You can't fake... It was real. It was all real."
"You're right," came a familiar voice. "It WAS real."
She sat up, shocked to see the person who stood in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"We have to talk," the young woman said. "About things that are true and things that are not."
Xander looked behind him, making certain he wasn't being followed. He took a wild route back to the cave he and Cordelia had taken shelter in, hoping if something WAS following him, it would make itself known before he led it back to Cordelia. His luck was true, and he was soon confident that he was alone. When he arrived at their safe haven, he found Cordelia bathing.
"Oh, uh... sorry," he said, diverting his eyes. "Didn't realize you were sans clothes and all."
She slipped her tunic back on, and turned to him. "It's okay. It's not like you haven't seen me topless. We may have never had sex, but that time in my car..."
"I remember," he said, slightly embarrassed. "Still sorry."
"I just figured I smelled like some kind of barn animal. The heat in this place is intense."
"That it is," he agreed. "But hopefully we won't be here much longer."
"Does that mean you found something?"
"Not so much. But I hid behind a tavern and heard two demons talking about a seer. I think we should track her down and see if she can help."
"Oh, yeah," Cordelia said sarcastically. "Because all the demons here have been so friendly. What with trying to eat us and all."
"I know it's been scary," Xander said. "But maybe she'll help us for these." He pulled several large gold pieces from his pocket.
"Where did you get those?"
"Stole them. Nearly got myself killed, too. Should've been there."
"So when do we approach the seer?"
"Tonight. With luck, we'll be back to the others before anyone else dies."
"You sure that spell will work?" Angel asked, as Amy Madison gathered the things she would need from the Magic Box.
"It should. It's powerful magic, but I think I can handle it," the young witch replied.
"That's too bad," Angel said, slipping a large knife from his pocket. "Because that means you'll find out that I'm lying. Can't have THAT now, can I?"
"What are you doing?" Amy asked, backing away. "What do you mean lied?"
"Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. No, wait. I'm gonna kill you anyway."
"You killed the real Xander?"
"Not really. Not directly anyway. I just sent Cordelia and him to a distant demon dimension. Wolfram and Hart had plans for him, but they needed him out of the way. But I did kill Gunn and Spike." He looked almost excited. "I also ordered the bomb that blew Thelma and Louise out of the sky. And poor Anya... Well, her husband was working for us, so that the child could be conceived under the proper conditions. Her dear hubby took her out of the equation this morning."
Amy didn't need to hear any more. She bolted for the training room, while beginning an incantation. She managed to make it out of the back door, but Angel was hot on her trail. She glanced at the moon. It was full. A spark of hope flashed in her eyes as she continued the spell. That hope was dashed, when she found a small army of vampires waiting in the street.
"End of the line," Angel said. "It's a shame, too. Because I was hoping for a good chase."
Amy looked at Angel and continued chanting softly.
"What did you just say? Lupo?"
Suddenly, a light appeared in the midst of the vampires. A doorway was opened. From it stepped a familiar looking silver werewolf.
"Damn you," Angel said, grabbing Amy and sinking the knife deep into her back. "It didn't help you to bring him. You're dead anyway."
"You're a fool," Amy said, wincing in pain as he removed the blade and held it to her throat. "We don't go down this easy."
Angel drew the sharp knife across her throat. "Easy enough." Then, he walked away, leaving the other vampires at the mercy of one seriously angry werewolf.
The next morning, Buffy walked into Giles' apartment with Oz in tow. "Look what the cat dragged in," she said.
Giles stood up and managed a smile. "Oz. Thank God you're okay. Faith and I had wondered about you just last night. We've all been targets lately. We were trying to get word to you. You arrived last night?"
"I don't remember much of last night," Oz said. "But Buffy said she saw me fighting vamps and lent a hand, before knocking me out and chaining me up in Spike's crypt."
"Angel around?" Buffy asked, with a serious look on her face.
"No. He and Amy never came back last night," Faith said. "There was no answer at the store. I walked over there. It looked like a fight had taken place. There was blood and lots of little ash piles. The police had it marked off. Asked them what happened, but they wouldn't tell me jack. I looked around a little, but didn't want to leave Giles alone for too long."
"Good thinking," Buffy said. "Oz, watch the door."
"On it," the stoic, young man said, taking a position near the door. "I hear him or smell him, I'll give the sign."
Giles got suddenly tense. "What's going on?"
"Amy is dead. She teleported Oz here, before she died. It's the only explanation we could piece together. It was her blood at the store. Oz had been in Oregon last night before blinking into Sunnydale."
"Dear Lord," Giles said, taking a seat. "Poor girl."
"Smart girl," Buffy said. "She brought us an ally with her last words. One we could trust."
"So the vamps got her? What about Angel?" Faith asked.
"That's what we need to talk about," Buffy said, lowering her voice. "We've been had."
"You're not saying that Angel..."
"Killed Amy. Yes, I am. I got a message from a ghostly visitor last night. She showed up in Xander's apartment. It was Anya. John was working for Wolfram and Hart the whole time. Something about her baby being a powerful tool. John killed her and took the baby."
"She's dead?" Giles asked, looking like he was ready to vomit. "And you say Angel is responsible for these things? How? He's human."
"He's not Angel," Buffy said. "Wolfram and Hart did Angel in and released Angelus in a human body. All the killer tendencies, but none of the pesky sunlight and cross problems. The idea was to get him close to me. Get me all wrapped up in him being human. My guess is that Spike found out and got himself dusted. As a ghost, Anya was able to find out a lot of secrets for. Thank God she adjusted quickly and found us."
"Then Angel killed Xander to take him out of the picture?" Faith asked.
"No," came a familiar but eerie voice. They turned to see the ghostly form that had once been Anya. "I found him."
"Oh my God," Buffy said, tears suddenly building in her eyes. "He's alive?"
"For now," Anya said. "He and Cordelia have been sent to a demon dimension. I fear their time is short," the former vengeance demon said.
"Can you get me to them?" Buffy asked.
"On my own, no. I don't have that kind of power. The witches will be able to bring him home."
"If that bastard hadn't killed them, too," Giles said.
Buffy looked at Oz and smiled. "Tell him."
"Tell me what?" Giles asked.
Oz stepped away from the door. Faith rose from her seat and took his place. "Willow and Tara had already checked in for their flight. They were just getting ready to board when they saw a familiar face. Mine," Oz explained. "Willow ran over to me. Tara wasn't going to board without her, so she followed."
"You mean..."
"They're alive, Giles. We were sitting in an airport bar, waiting for the next flight, when the news of the explosion came in. Immediately, Willow sensed it was meant for them. She didn't think they would be safe trying to get here no matter what the mode of travel. I was actually driving them here. We were in Oregon last night. We had pulled off on some dirt road, so they could chain me before I changed. Next thing I know, I'm here. Most likely, they're headed this way."
"Oh, thank God," Giles whispered, great sobs overwhelming him. Buffy put her arm around her Watcher and held him tight. "It's okay. We're gonna make them pay. But first, we have to get Xander and Cordelia back. Anya, you're certain that you can't transport them here?"
"I'm certain. Believe me, I don't find the thought of Xander being stuck there any more pleasant than you do. It may be possible for me to get him a message, though."
"Then do it," the Slayer said. "Tell him to hold on and stay alive because we're coming for him."
"Of course," Anya said.
"And, Anya? Tell him I love him."
Anya smiled. "I will."
"Oh, and..."
"Yes, Buffy?"
"I'll help you find John and the baby. We'll get Alex back. I swear. They'll pay for what they did to you."
The gang watched as she disappeared.
"What do we do about Angel?" Faith asked. "Aside from killing him, of course."
"We're not ruling out the killing," Buffy said. "But first, we need some information. I say we play along. Let him continue to think we're oblivious to the truth. That way we can find out what the attorneys are up to without tipping our hand."
"He's coming," Faith said.
Everyone gathered around the table as though Giles were telling them something Watcherly. Angel stepped in the front door. His previously white shirt was stained red with blood.
"Oh, God," Buffy cried, running to him. "What happened?"
"Attacked by vampires," he gasped. "Barely got away last night. Found a spot to hide, and passed out until a few minutes ago."
"Where's Amy?" Buffy asked.
"Dead," he said, watching the stunned and saddened reactions from everyone. "There was nothing I could do. Nothing. I'm so sorry."
"Shh," Buffy said, kissing his forehead. "It's okay. Just rest. You'll be okay." Buffy's eyes drifted to Giles, who was trying to hide his anger. "We'll all fix you up good as new. You'll see."
To Be Continued...
Author: Jeffrey Patrick
Type: B/X... because I can!
Description: Buffy's feelings for Xander awaken, just as everyone's favorite soulboy has a life changing experience. Set a few years in the future, it is a story of conspiracy, conflicting emotions, angst and the search for happiness. Oh, and cheese.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but a poster of David Hasselhoff as "THOR" and a snapshot of Elvis, very much alive and attending a Lakers game. Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and the WB own Buffy and all related characters. It's their junk. I just... well, I'm not sure what I do. But you like it, right?
**********************************************************************************
"Buffy, stop," Angel pleaded. He was following the Slayer down the street just after she had walked out of Giles' flat. "I know it's hard, but..."
"Hard?" She turned on him and got right in his face. "You're trying to tell me that the man I love wasn't a man at all. You're saying that his feelings for me were part of some act that Wolfram and Hart put him up to. You're telling me that he ordered the execution of his friends. And on top of all that... you..." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "You killed him. Hard, you say? Get out of my sight!"
"No," he said, grabbing her arms. "You may not want to believe this. Hell, I barely believe it myself. But there is real danger here. People are dying. We've got to do something. If you storm off in denial, the rest of us are as good as dead."
She glared at him. "Fine. That's fine. But I'm gonna find out the truth. If Wolfram and Hart did what you say, I'll kill them all. Every last mother's son of them. But you... When this is done, I want you gone."
"But..." He stopped. He could see by the look in her eyes that he wouldn't get anywhere. Instead, he turned around and went back to Giles' apartment.
Giles didn't have to ask Angel what had happened after he chased his former lover out of the door. He knew Buffy well enough to know that she was struggling to maintain a modicum of control. She could slowly feel herself breaking down. He knew this because he felt the same way. The information Angel had brought back from his raid on Wolfram and Hart was devastating.
"I don't get it," Faith said. She was reading the file that Angel brought back. "This is saying that the real Xander was killed over the summer between his junior and senior years in high school?"
"Exactly," Amy said. "But I'm with Buffy. I don't buy it."
"You weren't there," Angel reminded. "I had to fight him. He wasn't human. That's why I went looking for proof. I didn't want to believe it either. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the truth. The Xander we knew died a long time ago. The demon that took his place killed him. I feel bad about... It wasn't easy to kill something wearing Xander's face, but he had killed my friends. In hindsight, I should have let him live, so I could drag him back. You might believe me then."
"It's not that we don't believe you," Giles said. "It's simply that we don't WANT to believe you. It's just too much to deal with. It's overwhelming."
"I know," Angel said. "I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you all."
"There's a spell I have at the shop," Amy said. "It can reveal the truth, even in a written document. It might make us all a little more certain of where we stand if we do it. If it's true, we'll know. If not, we know that Angel may not have killed OUR Xander and could keep searching for him."
"Beats flying blind," Faith agreed. "Plus, it might help Buffy deal."
"True," Giles said. "I suggest we try it."
"Then I'll go get the spell," Amy said.
"Not alone, you won't," Angel said. "It's too dangerous to go alone. I'll walk you. That'll leave Faith to protect Giles while Buffy's gone."
"What about Buffy?" Faith asked. "She's out there alone."
"Let her be," Giles said. "She can take care of herself. Besides, I think she just needs to be alone right now. She'll come back when she's ready."
Buffy Summers stood in the center of her boyfriend's apartment. The tears had stopped, but she felt hollow inside. Over time, Xander's heart had become grafted to her own. Angel's news had ripped her in two.
She made her way to his bedroom, where she laid down on the bed and clung to his pillow as though it contained his essence. In a way, for her, it did. It still smelled like him. Her mind flashed back to images of him making love to her. He was the most gentle man she had ever known. Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of never feeling him next to her again.
"It's not true," she said to no one and everyone. "He was Xander. He loved me. You can't fake... It was real. It was all real."
"You're right," came a familiar voice. "It WAS real."
She sat up, shocked to see the person who stood in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"We have to talk," the young woman said. "About things that are true and things that are not."
Xander looked behind him, making certain he wasn't being followed. He took a wild route back to the cave he and Cordelia had taken shelter in, hoping if something WAS following him, it would make itself known before he led it back to Cordelia. His luck was true, and he was soon confident that he was alone. When he arrived at their safe haven, he found Cordelia bathing.
"Oh, uh... sorry," he said, diverting his eyes. "Didn't realize you were sans clothes and all."
She slipped her tunic back on, and turned to him. "It's okay. It's not like you haven't seen me topless. We may have never had sex, but that time in my car..."
"I remember," he said, slightly embarrassed. "Still sorry."
"I just figured I smelled like some kind of barn animal. The heat in this place is intense."
"That it is," he agreed. "But hopefully we won't be here much longer."
"Does that mean you found something?"
"Not so much. But I hid behind a tavern and heard two demons talking about a seer. I think we should track her down and see if she can help."
"Oh, yeah," Cordelia said sarcastically. "Because all the demons here have been so friendly. What with trying to eat us and all."
"I know it's been scary," Xander said. "But maybe she'll help us for these." He pulled several large gold pieces from his pocket.
"Where did you get those?"
"Stole them. Nearly got myself killed, too. Should've been there."
"So when do we approach the seer?"
"Tonight. With luck, we'll be back to the others before anyone else dies."
"You sure that spell will work?" Angel asked, as Amy Madison gathered the things she would need from the Magic Box.
"It should. It's powerful magic, but I think I can handle it," the young witch replied.
"That's too bad," Angel said, slipping a large knife from his pocket. "Because that means you'll find out that I'm lying. Can't have THAT now, can I?"
"What are you doing?" Amy asked, backing away. "What do you mean lied?"
"Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. No, wait. I'm gonna kill you anyway."
"You killed the real Xander?"
"Not really. Not directly anyway. I just sent Cordelia and him to a distant demon dimension. Wolfram and Hart had plans for him, but they needed him out of the way. But I did kill Gunn and Spike." He looked almost excited. "I also ordered the bomb that blew Thelma and Louise out of the sky. And poor Anya... Well, her husband was working for us, so that the child could be conceived under the proper conditions. Her dear hubby took her out of the equation this morning."
Amy didn't need to hear any more. She bolted for the training room, while beginning an incantation. She managed to make it out of the back door, but Angel was hot on her trail. She glanced at the moon. It was full. A spark of hope flashed in her eyes as she continued the spell. That hope was dashed, when she found a small army of vampires waiting in the street.
"End of the line," Angel said. "It's a shame, too. Because I was hoping for a good chase."
Amy looked at Angel and continued chanting softly.
"What did you just say? Lupo?"
Suddenly, a light appeared in the midst of the vampires. A doorway was opened. From it stepped a familiar looking silver werewolf.
"Damn you," Angel said, grabbing Amy and sinking the knife deep into her back. "It didn't help you to bring him. You're dead anyway."
"You're a fool," Amy said, wincing in pain as he removed the blade and held it to her throat. "We don't go down this easy."
Angel drew the sharp knife across her throat. "Easy enough." Then, he walked away, leaving the other vampires at the mercy of one seriously angry werewolf.
The next morning, Buffy walked into Giles' apartment with Oz in tow. "Look what the cat dragged in," she said.
Giles stood up and managed a smile. "Oz. Thank God you're okay. Faith and I had wondered about you just last night. We've all been targets lately. We were trying to get word to you. You arrived last night?"
"I don't remember much of last night," Oz said. "But Buffy said she saw me fighting vamps and lent a hand, before knocking me out and chaining me up in Spike's crypt."
"Angel around?" Buffy asked, with a serious look on her face.
"No. He and Amy never came back last night," Faith said. "There was no answer at the store. I walked over there. It looked like a fight had taken place. There was blood and lots of little ash piles. The police had it marked off. Asked them what happened, but they wouldn't tell me jack. I looked around a little, but didn't want to leave Giles alone for too long."
"Good thinking," Buffy said. "Oz, watch the door."
"On it," the stoic, young man said, taking a position near the door. "I hear him or smell him, I'll give the sign."
Giles got suddenly tense. "What's going on?"
"Amy is dead. She teleported Oz here, before she died. It's the only explanation we could piece together. It was her blood at the store. Oz had been in Oregon last night before blinking into Sunnydale."
"Dear Lord," Giles said, taking a seat. "Poor girl."
"Smart girl," Buffy said. "She brought us an ally with her last words. One we could trust."
"So the vamps got her? What about Angel?" Faith asked.
"That's what we need to talk about," Buffy said, lowering her voice. "We've been had."
"You're not saying that Angel..."
"Killed Amy. Yes, I am. I got a message from a ghostly visitor last night. She showed up in Xander's apartment. It was Anya. John was working for Wolfram and Hart the whole time. Something about her baby being a powerful tool. John killed her and took the baby."
"She's dead?" Giles asked, looking like he was ready to vomit. "And you say Angel is responsible for these things? How? He's human."
"He's not Angel," Buffy said. "Wolfram and Hart did Angel in and released Angelus in a human body. All the killer tendencies, but none of the pesky sunlight and cross problems. The idea was to get him close to me. Get me all wrapped up in him being human. My guess is that Spike found out and got himself dusted. As a ghost, Anya was able to find out a lot of secrets for. Thank God she adjusted quickly and found us."
"Then Angel killed Xander to take him out of the picture?" Faith asked.
"No," came a familiar but eerie voice. They turned to see the ghostly form that had once been Anya. "I found him."
"Oh my God," Buffy said, tears suddenly building in her eyes. "He's alive?"
"For now," Anya said. "He and Cordelia have been sent to a demon dimension. I fear their time is short," the former vengeance demon said.
"Can you get me to them?" Buffy asked.
"On my own, no. I don't have that kind of power. The witches will be able to bring him home."
"If that bastard hadn't killed them, too," Giles said.
Buffy looked at Oz and smiled. "Tell him."
"Tell me what?" Giles asked.
Oz stepped away from the door. Faith rose from her seat and took his place. "Willow and Tara had already checked in for their flight. They were just getting ready to board when they saw a familiar face. Mine," Oz explained. "Willow ran over to me. Tara wasn't going to board without her, so she followed."
"You mean..."
"They're alive, Giles. We were sitting in an airport bar, waiting for the next flight, when the news of the explosion came in. Immediately, Willow sensed it was meant for them. She didn't think they would be safe trying to get here no matter what the mode of travel. I was actually driving them here. We were in Oregon last night. We had pulled off on some dirt road, so they could chain me before I changed. Next thing I know, I'm here. Most likely, they're headed this way."
"Oh, thank God," Giles whispered, great sobs overwhelming him. Buffy put her arm around her Watcher and held him tight. "It's okay. We're gonna make them pay. But first, we have to get Xander and Cordelia back. Anya, you're certain that you can't transport them here?"
"I'm certain. Believe me, I don't find the thought of Xander being stuck there any more pleasant than you do. It may be possible for me to get him a message, though."
"Then do it," the Slayer said. "Tell him to hold on and stay alive because we're coming for him."
"Of course," Anya said.
"And, Anya? Tell him I love him."
Anya smiled. "I will."
"Oh, and..."
"Yes, Buffy?"
"I'll help you find John and the baby. We'll get Alex back. I swear. They'll pay for what they did to you."
The gang watched as she disappeared.
"What do we do about Angel?" Faith asked. "Aside from killing him, of course."
"We're not ruling out the killing," Buffy said. "But first, we need some information. I say we play along. Let him continue to think we're oblivious to the truth. That way we can find out what the attorneys are up to without tipping our hand."
"He's coming," Faith said.
Everyone gathered around the table as though Giles were telling them something Watcherly. Angel stepped in the front door. His previously white shirt was stained red with blood.
"Oh, God," Buffy cried, running to him. "What happened?"
"Attacked by vampires," he gasped. "Barely got away last night. Found a spot to hide, and passed out until a few minutes ago."
"Where's Amy?" Buffy asked.
"Dead," he said, watching the stunned and saddened reactions from everyone. "There was nothing I could do. Nothing. I'm so sorry."
"Shh," Buffy said, kissing his forehead. "It's okay. Just rest. You'll be okay." Buffy's eyes drifted to Giles, who was trying to hide his anger. "We'll all fix you up good as new. You'll see."
To Be Continued...