Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing…well, maybe a dog. But that's it I swear.



:: indicates thoughts ::

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night

What immortal hand or eye

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry.

--William Blake

NEXT DAY

SUNNYDALE'S ONLY STARBUCKS

"So…how did your date go?" Willow asked.

Buffy just stared ahead with a dreamy look on her face. Willow drummed her fingers on the table waiting for Buffy to answer… "Buffy!" Willow said startling Buffy out of her daze.

"Yeah?"

"I asked how did your date go."

Buffy placed her hands on the table gripping her vanilla latte with both hands, scooting closer to Willow. "It was amazing. We went to that new French restaurant, we danced…we kissed, again," Buffy sighed. "The best part was when he took me to the park."

"The park?"

"Yeah…" Buffy said, thinking back to last night. She could almost hear Xander's word like a whisper on the wind. :: Sometimes I come here and watch the sunrise…then I know that it's a new day. And just sometimes it's as if you're there beside me. And then for a moment, my life is perfect. ::

Willow smiled and asked, "When are you two going out again?"

"We're going to have dinner at my house tonight."

"You're going to cook?" Willow asked with disbelief.

Buff's eyes brightened up, "Well…attempt to at least."

Both women fell into a fit of giggles.

SAME TIME

MAGIC BOX

"Uh…Giles…a little help here," Xander's coming down the stairs, balancing a huge stack of books.

Giles walked over, taking some books off to lighten the loaded, "Xander while I do appreciate the help. Shouldn't you be at work?"

Xander shrugged as best he could and stated, "Nah…we finished the job over on Bemiss Road. We have about a week until the next job."

"Right then." Giles leaded Xander over to the table. "Place them there please."

"Okay, Giles." Xander brushed off his shirt, and looking rather shyly said, "Giles…you know we've never really talked. I don't mean demons or vampires, it seems we always talk about that. I mean…you know, guy stuff."

Giles took off his glasses and polished them, "Guy stuff?" Giles sighed, replaced his glasses. "Anything particular, you wanted to talk about." Silently knowing he was going to regret this.

"Well, I kinda…I mean, we…" Xander rambled

"Spit it out."

"Buffy!" Xander exclaimed.

"Aah…this having to do with your current relations."

"Current relations, you make it sound like we're signing a treaty or something"

"Xander," Giles sighed, "if we must talk, try and be mature."

Xander straighten up and looked Giles in the face and said, "Right, I just want to ask…well, I mean…your kinda like a father figure to her, and well…I kinda want to ask…your permission."

That raised Giles' brow, "My permission?"

"Yeah."

Giles placed a hand on Xander's shoulder, "Xander, sometimes I may not say it, but I trust you. You've matured into a fine young man. I'm sure you would never intentionally hurt Buffy. You have my permission."

This brought a smile to Xander's lips, "Thanks G-man."

Giles smiled and turned back walking over to the counter. "Besides," Giles threw over his shoulder, "if you ever did you know I would have to hurt you, correct?"

Xander's eyes went wild, as Giles chuckled under his breath.

THAT NIGHT

XANDER'S CAR ON THE WAY TO BUFFY'S HOUSE

:: She's going to kill me, Xander thought, I can't believe I'm late. :: Xander The trees and house passed by at a blurring speed. After helping Giles, Xander was extremely tired, he went back to his apartment, planning on taking a quick nap before his date tonight. What he was planning on was over sleeping, on top of that he had nightmares.

:: She's going to kill me… ::

The ancient evil watched the metal beast roaring fast down the road. The time is now, the creature thought. As the metal beast neared its hiding place, it reached out feeling with its power…reached out with it's shadowy talons towards the tire.

"What the…" Xander yelled as he lost control of his car. Grabbing the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white, he jerked the steering wheel trying to gain control. He barely had time to see the turn rushing towards him.

The next thing he knew, he was head was laying on the steering wheel. He released his seatbelt, and reached for the door…::Wait, shouldn't there be a door there?:: Xander climbed out of his car, and stood on his legs. They felt like rubber, and his head was spinning. He looked around trying to clear his head, when he saw something. Standing under the streetlight was some sort of creature…a creature that cast no shadow, and he could almost see through it, as if it had no substance.

It roared and charged him…Xander raised his right hand in a futile gesture. Then nothing, he looked around and the creature was gone. Looking around in disbelief, he brought his hand to his side.

"Okay, now I'm confused."

He shook his head and looked back down at his hand, noticing a birthmark that he never truly noticed before. Grabbing his coat out of the car, he started walking to Buffy's house. He needed to talk to Giles. Something wasn't right…something wasn't right at all.

:: No, it roared, it can't be. I killed the last of that family long ago. HOW! :: The creature beat at his hollow prison. It would take time, but it would more strength…more life to walk the world. Its true form would awaken soon. Then not even the boy could stop it. Its true form smiled under the metal mask its hideous face wore.

NEXT CHAPTER: We find out that Xander is part of a prophecy that was ordained before time itself, and where his family comes from. More Bxness.