TITLE: Sunnydale Blade (1/?)

AUTHOR: Michael Dunbar

RATING: R

DISTRIBUTION: You want it you can have it, all I want is recognition

DISCLAIMER: Joss Whedon as well as WB and UPN own Buffy, The people who own Blade own Blade:)

FEEDBACK: Please.

SUMMARY: Xand is the Daywalker and he was trained by Whistler to help the slayer in the fight.

DEDICATION: Everyone at B/X_Fanfic Group.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Blade/BTVS crossover, all weapons work here from both.



-----------

* Xander's Bedroom *

Another night filed with dreams that would make the normal man empty the contents of his stomach over the side of the bed. But I guess you could say over the years Xander had gotten used to such sights before his eyes. Every night the dreams come with out fail bringing so much blood with them, he wants it so badly.. Yearns for it and would kill anyone to get it. Whistler had even been in one at one point and he can't even say what he did to him without having an awful flashback to that dream.

But they are only dreams.. Aren't they?

Xander keeps telling himself the same thing but each time the thought loses merit because he knows that he actually does yearn for the life blood, to feed, to suck a mortal dry of there blood.

A few posters can be seen lining the wall of Xander's bedroom; one is of Jessica Alba in a leather outfit with a nice smile on her face whilst the other is of a baywatch babe that he can't really remember the name of. Normal posters for a normal teenage boy, but he is anything but normal, normality does not come when you are a half vampire/ half human hybrid. Been able to smell the blood as it flows through your friend's veins and just wanting to nick their neck with your teeth.. Just one taste.. One but he knows after one there would be more and he would never allow such a thing, he is stronger than the hunger and he as proved it on several different occasions.

Pulling himself from the huge amount of covers on his bed he pushes them aside and steps onto the soft carpet on his bedroom floor. Walking forward he comes to rest at his bedroom window and looks out and over the road, a graveyard stands right across the street, a place where people are supposed to allowed to rest in peace.

If that was only the case

There are so many graveyards in Sunnydale that it would take a normal person at least 5 hours to cover them all, he could do it in 2 and does every single night.

Xander always tries to tell himself that the reason there are so many graves and cemeteries is that there are accidents.. Or they do it to themselves. But he knows the truth, it's his kind.. The things that go bump, he can't hide from it he can't hide from the fact that he's half of what he despises, that half of him wants to rip the throat out of a human while the other side is disgusted with its own thoughts. He is sickened by the leeches that feed on the mortals, yet he is one of them.. But not.

Whistler always tells him.. "Don't worry we'll find a cure someday son" but Xander has to ask "will he?" is vampirism a simple virus? If so why hasn't some genius level scientist already discovered a cure, why do humans hide from it? If it was just a virus it would be a lot simpler, the only thing keeping Xander's hunger at bay is the serum.

Many years have passed since he was taken and cared for by Whistler and he wouldn't trade them years for nothing, the years of tutelage at how to hunt the evil things of the night, the things that had killed Whistler's family and in some way had destroyed his own life.

Xander has been taught his fair share of fighting techniques, from drunken boxing to tae kwon do; it all was taken in fairly quickly.

What can I say.. I'm a natural

The moonlight reflects off Xander's face as a small smile creeps slowly onto it. There are a couple of positives about been a vampire, he could move extremely fast, has excellent reflexes, is extremely strong and can heal quicker than any human. Each of the 4 had saved his life on more than one occasion although sometimes he wished he had none and was just a normal ignorant person walking down the street, not knowing of dangers, of things that can kill people with a simple flick of there hands.

A few other things help him as well.. His weapons, from his body armour to his gun with silver tipped bullets to his katana that he straps to his back, all part of the daywalker package. Whistler creates all the weapons, right down to each individual bullet, he's definitely a whiz at it, they are the perfect tools to help him fight, but the one item he loves more than others.. His sword.

A beautifully manufactured Katana, its weight in his hands seems like a feather's weight, it can slide through anything from silk to hard tempered steel. The metal it is made of is called Titanium and can cut through mostly anything especially vampire necks. An acid edge runs along it giving it that extra edge.. Sorry bad joke, it straps to his back via a sheath.

Xander knows that sleep will not come easy again tonight, they never do after the nightmares, so there's only one thing for him to do before school starts and the darkness becomes day, patrol, like he always does when he wants to disperse his fears and vent.

A bag lies at the side of the window and he picks it up with one hand and lays it on the windowsill as he unzips it. Grabbing the armour he slips it on over the t-shirt that he is already wearing then grabs the khaki pants that are next in line. The belt is especially made to carry stakes in as it can carry up to 15 around. The next item slips into its sheath on his side, his gun, somewhat heavier than a normal gun because of the modifications not that he noticed these days. Grabbing his sword he slips it on his back then pulls his coat and shades on.

Ready to rock

Pulling the window open he jumps out and glides down to the soft grass that lines his garden then runs and jumps cleanly over the back wall making it half way across the road as well before taking another leap into the trees of the graveyard.

As Xander moves along the trees making as quiet a sound as possible and his mind lingers on an earlier conversation that he had with Whistler.

"She will be here tomorrow"

"Who?"

"The slayer.. She will come"

"Oh.. And"

"Well you will help her.. She fights for the same cause that we do"

"Of course I will.. Though if she tries to kill me I wont be too happy"



So tomorrow, a new girl will show up going by the name "Buffy Summers" and she will be different from anyone Xander had ever met, a strength to match his own, a speed to match his own. She will fight the vampires at the harvest with him and hopefully win because if they don't Sunnydale is in for one HELL of a time. Literally.

There is also another thing that Xander knows, with the coming of the slayer comes Angel, a vampire with a soul like Xander but not because he isn't as strong.

And also because I'm much cooler Xander smiles at the immature thought.

Whistler sent him a few years ago; he had been on the streets of Los Angeles living on rats, fighting for his survival and Whistler saw something in him, a hero maybe. So he should assist us both in fighting vampires but.. He does have one weakness, a curse.. His soul. If he loses it through a "perfect happiness" moment whatever that is he will become Angelus once more and from what I've heard that's.. Pretty bad. Although if he does become Angelus once more the Daywalker will be there to stop him that's for sure.

Xander hears the rustling of some leaves up ahead and peeks around the corner of a tree, 2 vampires who are about as stealthy as an elephant are looking upon a girl that walks down the path.

Okay who walks in a graveyard at this time of night? Except me

Picking up a stone at his foot he let it flies through the air and it whacks the one on the left right on the back of his head making a thud kind of sound.

"Whoa.. Your head must be empty"

The vampires turn and slowly look over Xander.. There vampire faces take sheep as they growl at the Daywalker.

The first vampire is rather large as he stands about 6"4, he is wearing completely black colours and his hair is long enough to reach his shoulder, kind of like a hippy but without the freaky colours.

The second one which got a thud to the head is shorter at about 5"9, he is wearing a brown jacket and blue trousers, his hair is cut very short.

"Day walker" The first vampire say's in a deep voice and spits on the floor in front of him.

"You shall die" the second one continues.

Almost instantly the vampires start to turn toward Xander obviously planning to use the old vampire tactic "Use force not brains". Sliding a razor wire from his belt he runs toward the first one then ducks as a punch was aimed for his head and spins around him behind him bringing the razor wire to the vampires neck.

"Say goodnight"

The wire cuts through his neck like a knife through butter and he is soon dust in the wind, letting the wire snap back into place he launches a punch as the other vampire heads toward him, hitting with full force the vampires nose and jaw breaks and he goes flying through the air and hits a tree about 50 feet away.

But the vampire isn't done yet, he reaches for a branch and pulls himself to standing wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand. He snarls again all though it isn't as distinguishable as his face is severely beaten.

Pulling the sword from his back Xander swipes a line across the dirt in front of him then brings it up in a defensive stance.

"Your move"

Swiping aimlessly the vampire heads toward Xander with no precision whatsoever, he hits the ground a few times as his shaky hands let it slip, Xander looks slightly amused at the stupid antics and brings his sword up to cleave through the branch when the vampire finally manages to make a swipe.

"I felt so inadequate.. Yours was longer but now mine is"

The vampires face is a blank with confusion and Xander just smiles.

Vampires.. No sense of humour

Again with another swipe the branch becomes even shorter, pieces fall to the floor till the branch is just a stub in the vampire's hand and finally the vampire gets a clue. He turns and starts to run away.

"Wimp" Xander shouts.

Pulling a stake from his belt he lets it fly through the air, hitting the vampire directly in the back it sends him flying till he hits a tree and is stuck in it and he slowly turns to dust around the stake.

Walking slowly over he pulls the stake from the tree then Xander heads out of the graveyard toward Whistler's as the sun starts to rise in the horizon.

---------

* Whistler's *

As Xander walks in he sees the normal thing, Whistler is laid under a car tinkering with something or another.

Doesn't this guy ever sleep?

Creeping slowly over Xander rests his back on the car and pushes slightly making it rise in the air.

"What the.." He hears then a laugh "Xander don't you ever get bored of it?"

"Nop" Xander replies.

Whistler pulls himself from under the car and wipes his hands clean on his overalls as Xander places the vehicle gently back down. He smiles slightly at Xander then claps him on the back.

"Very funny kid.."

"I think so"

The daywalker follows whistler as he walks through to another room, he stands beside the chair.. The chair.

A chair that caused pain yet kept him sane.. Xander hates that chair.. One day he hoped to chop it up with an axe and use it for firewood, one day he hoped to never need it again.

"You here for a dose?"

They both know the answer to that one, Xander pulls himself into the chair then Whistler straps his arms and legs in.

" Yes.. Before school starts"

He grabs a red gum shield from a side cabinet and slips it in Xander's mouth then walks over and pulls a needle from the usual drawer.

"Your school clothes are over there beside your skateboard so you can change into them when we are done"

"Great"

Whistler looks Xander in the eye.

"You ready for this?"

"Not really"

Whistler knew how much it hurt, it was probably one of the most painful things he knows because he knows exactly what it does, but the hunger would hurt Xander more and over the years he had grown to love the boy like a son so even though he hated doing this, there was no other choice.

Whistler smiles gently then places the needle at Xander's throat and injects it slowly, the first few seconds are painless leaving Xander in suspense as sounds overwhelm is ears trying to bear down for the pain to come, the thumping of Whistlers heart, the sound of the heating system kicking in, a bird outside chirps in response to another.. All of them 20 times louder than a normal human can hear.. Then suddenly he convulses.

The first wave of pain hits him, it slowly dissipated the hunger through out his body and he convulses once more.. Biting down hard on the gum shield and pulling his hand hard against the restraints, then another hits him.. And another.

The gum shield splits in two as the pain waves start to slow down and Xander lets them slide form his mouth until finally the waves stop all together. Whistler unstraps his arms and legs and Xander pulls himself from the chair with a small wince.

"Seriously not of the fun" Xander whispers with a slight smile leaning against the chair.

"Yea" Whistler replies gently "but it sure beats the alternative"

Xander nods his head slightly, it sure did.

Whistler claps him on the back then returns to work on his car, Xander grabs his clothes and changed into them slowly then says goodbye and walks out of Whistlers place and towards school.



---------

* Sunnydale High *

The skateboard is underfoot as Xander nears the school and he slowly manoeuvres around people as they step in his way. A flash of blonde hair catches his attention and his gaze slowly resides on her as she walks up the steps.

It's got to be her

She is the beautiful, her hair hangs around her shoulders, she is petite at about the height of 5"6 and is wearing a beautiful dress that reaches just below her thighs.

Oh.. Wow, she is beautiful.

Xander is brought out of his drooling stupor by the flash of metal up ahead, turning his head he spots the railing and it is too close so doesn't have time to stop, placing his hands on it he flips gracefully over it and lands back on his skateboard and comes to a halt.

Damn.. That was too good for me.. I should have just fell

Looking around Xander sees that no one was watching and a smile graces his lips Blindness and stupidity how I love thee so Brining his foot down hard on the back of his skateboard it flies up into his waiting hand, Looking up again he spots Willow walking towards school and jogs to catch up to her.

Slipping his hands over her eyes he blocks her from turning and Willows smiles already knowing whom the hands belong to.

"Guess who.."

"Xander"

"Right but keep guessing anyway"

"Xander"

"Ahh you see through my petty charade"

Brining her into a gently hug he lets her go then walks along side her.

"You are so the person I wanted to see Will"

"I am" she smiles slightly.

"Yup"

"What do you want?"

"Do I always ask for something?" She looks at Xander an eyebrow raised

"Okay okay.. Be my study buddy, I need help with maths"

"Which part?"

"The math"

She smiles slightly at his answer.

"What's in it for me?"

"Um.. A shiny Nickel"

"Fine fine.. But you have to check "theory in trig" out"

"Check it out?" Xander asks slightly puzzled.

"Umm yea.. At the library where the books live"

"Will do.. See I want to change"

Walking into school they see Jesse headed for them and Willow's smile becomes wider.

Yes she has a crush on him.. Maybe I should talk to her Xander's mind suddenly reminds him of a past event in 7th grade when he tried match making and he suddenly decides against it.

"New girl" Jesse simply states.

"I saw" Xander replies as Jesse walks along side them "so what's the what?"

"New girl"

"Well you're a font of nothingness"

They all talk for a while.. Well Willow and Jesse do while Xander listens, after a few minutes he says he has to do something and splits from them, walking past the principals office he hears it open then a loud crash, turning back he sees a flash of blonde hair, Buffy's bag contents had gone flying all over the floor. Running around a few people he heads back to her then he kneels down and grabs some lipstick offering it to her.

"Can I have you?"

WHATTHE HELL.. God.. So bad.. So bad

He looks nervous for a while but corrects himself "Err Can I help you"

She grabs the lipstick from Xander's hand and places it back in her bag then smiles "Thanks"

Grabbing a few items off the floor Xander slips them in her bag then they both stand up, he is sure the school heating system had gone up about 5000 degrees because he can feel the sweat running down his back.

"Xander Harris.. That is um me" Oh god..

"Buffy Summers" She smiles slightly but then looks at her watch

"I got to go"

Probably got to introduce her self to the watcher

"Yea well maybe we'll see each other at school.. Since we both go there"

She turns and makes her way around the corner at the end of the hallway, Xander sighs painfully and then notices a wooden thing on the ground and picks it up, a stake Definitely her then.

"Very suave.. Very not pathetic"

----------



The next few classes pass quickly for Xander after that ever so wonderful introduction that he had been kicking himself for he is sure the hell mouth was finally going to open right in the middle of class because that's how fun his life is. He meets Jesse in the lunchroom at Dinner and they both walk out laughing and talking about the usual things.. Girls.

"You see, Cordelia is a hottie.. Very fine"

"Sure.. Ill take your word for that Jesse"

Willow sits up ahead in their usual seats but is not alone as she talks to a girl at her side Willow's making friends.. Good for her Xander gets a good profile view of the girl to which she is talking, it's Buffy. Hyperventilating right here in the middle of the quad didn't seem a bad idea but he moves his legs forward and greets them both with a wave before jumping into the middle of them and sitting on the back of the bench.

Should I give her the stake back? Wouldn't it seem strange to Jesse and Will? .. Better be quiet about it then

Slipping the stake from his pocket he quietly places it in her bag before smiling at Will trying to do an introduction.

"Jesse.. Xander..This is Buffy"

"Oh Buffy and I go way back " Xander replies smiling "All the way back to this morning and the oh so wonderful introduction"

She smiles slightly "it wasn't that bad"

"Yes but you weren't me"

Coughing slightly he sees the others looking at him strangely so he decides to change the subject.

"So what's the Buffy story?"

"Yea what was LA like" Jesse asks eagerly, that boy seriously needs to get out of this town.

"Gee everyone wants to know about me" She says rather shyly.

"Well new girls are big news here in Sunnydale"

"Yea nothing ever happens here," Willow adds

If only they knew

"Really.. There's nothing to tell.. LA is.. Well LA"

The sound of feet making there way towards them makes Xander turn his head and he spots her, Cordelia Great the bitch, her feet make loud obnoxious sounds just like her mouth, Xander is never happy to see her on a few occasions alone she had tested his last nerve, the only girl he had ever wanted to kill and she stood right before him. She was a master at been irritating each time he wanted to seriously hurt her for what she said to his friends.. She could say what she wanted about him, but no one insults his friend. He managed to keep himself in check all of the times though.

Jesse also spots her and stands up rather quickly with a smile plastered on his face.

Bad taste.. Why can't he see Will? She's as pretty as Cordelia easily and she's nice

"I don't want to interrupt your downward spiral into loser Ville" Cordelia says looking at Buffy "but Gym has been cancelled due to the extreme dead guy in the locker room.

"So he's not juts a little dead then?" I ask trying to break the tension that has already formed.

She looks my way annoyed.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Nop I just love been around you.. Your company inspires me to be a better person

Jesse slides up closer to Cordelia who backs off.

"If you need a shoulder to cry on or just to nibble on I'm available"

Willow's face takes on a somber look that makes Xander want to grab Jesse and point him in the right direction.. But he doesn't.

"How did he die?"

"I don't know" Cordelia replies in her usual condescending manner.

Buffy's face looks as analytical as mine probably does; we both know what it is.. A vampire.

"Were there any marks"

Guess she needs to make sure

"Eww morbid much" Cordelia replies her face taking on a disgusted look.

Buffy stands up fast grabbing her bag "I umm got to go.. Get my books from the library"

She walks off toward the library as she gets further away she suddenly changes directions and heads toward the locker room. A few minutes later Xander stands up also and place his bag on his shoulder.

"I got to jet too, see you guys later" he nods at Willow and Jesse with a smile then turns to Cordelia "Cordelia a pleasure as always"

She looks at Xander with her normal "disgusted that I would talk to her" look and he smiles, walking away he pick up his pace and heads toward the locker room.

--------

Leaning around the locker room door that had been jimmied.. No smashed open Xander looks in. The floor is slightly wet from it been used earlier on in the day and the air is condensed slightly, Buffy is stood over the body of a boy and Xander can clearly see the bite marks on the left side of his neck.

"Great just what I need" Buffy mutters "come to Sunnydale, it'll be peaceful my mom says."

She looks him thoroughly over to see if he will rise again but she can see that he will not, outside Xander had his back to the wall listening in.

I guess it's time to tell the watcher of the harvest, but how to do it without revealing myself

Whistler had told him not to reveal his true nature at first for some reason or other that Xander couldn't quite figure out. The watcher will be the librarian that's for sure, Whistler had looked it up with his contacts, his name is Rupert Giles and he is British.

Making his legs move Xander turns and heads down the hallway towards the opposite end of the school and the library, bursting through the doors he takes a look around. No one is about..

He must be in his office or something

The place is big; a book cage lies to the left of Xander where Giles probably keeps his secret stash of books as well as the book index. An office and desk are to the right and a few books litter the top on some boring subject or other. An old staircase is nearer the back and goes up in an oval around a large table, and the stacks where the books are lie up the stairs.

Some feet noises in the corridor outside bring Xander from his reverie, running to the desk he pulls a pen and paper and writes the simplest thing he can before dashing up the stairs and hiding behind a book case.



"Librarian GUY" Buffy shouts out very loudly as she enters, Xander smiles slightly.

The person in question comes running out of the office a few books in hand, he looks to be around mid 30's, his hair isn't greying just yet but his face does show his age with a few fine wrinkles running across his forehead, his glasses fit his face well like they are meant to be there and he is wearing some tweed type of garment.

"Please don't call me that" He says and places the books down on the desk "Call me Mr Giles if you must"

"Fine, fine.. Giles " he lets out a sigh at the drop of the Mr but she doesn't really notice, "Gym was cancelled"

"Yes and how as that got anything to do with.."

"Dead guy" she replies cutting in "In the locker"

"Dead.. How"

"A vampire I'd assume after all he does have the bite marks"

"Will.. Will he rise again?"

"No.. I checked, I know how a vampire is made.. You have to suck their blood when they've sucked yours.. Really its just a big old sucking thing"

"I see"

Giles walks over and sits at the table "I knew there was a mystical convergence.but this soon"

"Huh?"

"Nothing I was just talking to myself"

"You know you can get locked up for that"

They talk for some time about her being the slayer, him the watcher and a slight course on vampires from the rookie watcher to which she takes little notice, she leans onto the reception desk as he is sat down at the table, spotting the note she slides it into her hand and reads it.

"This yours?"

Giles looks lost in thought and she asks again making him come out of his reverie.

"What.. No.. What is it?"

"A note.. It reads"

*The harvest is tomorrow*

"Signed by someone calling themselves the Daywalker.. There are some very strange people in this town"

"Harvest." Giles fades off and stands up; walking into the book cage he picks up a book and starts rifling through the pages.

"Giles."

"Huh.,. Oh Buffy, you can go.. Come back after school as finished"

"Yes SIR"

He doesn't reply and she huffs walking out of the library.

Giles picks up a few more books and shuffles into his office with them nearly bumping into the door as he walks along. Slipping from behind the stacks Xander dashes for the library doors and heads to class.

------------

The classes pass quickly but if your not doing work and just daydreaming all lesson then I guess they would. Xander doesn't take much notice of anything except the bell when it finally goes, that was end lesson. Jess and Will had arranged to meet him at the bronze this same night as there usual routine went. Sliding along the corridor he comes to the library and can see the light from inside been released from the window.

Whistler said don't tell them.. But he didn't say I couldn't help them a

Xander's mind was already made up; pulling the doors open he walks in and sees Giles and Buffy look up at his entrance. Buffy is sat in a chair at a table while Giles is walking around a book in his hand.

"What are you doing here Xander?" Buffy asks

"I would presume he needs a book," Giles says with a smile

"Well you presumed wrong" I smile " I did need a book.. At lunch time and I was right up there behind them stacks looking for the right one and you'll never guess what I heard"

There faces pale as they hear Xander speak.

" Umm and what did you hear?"

Giles was trying to remain totally calm but his eyes give him away and there was also the fact that he was sweating profusely and seems to be grabbing his book harder.

"Well.. According to Buffy here.. You're a watcher, she's the slayer and vampires are real"

"You know drinking on school premises is considered a no no" Buffy says with a slight smile on her face.

"That's funny" Xander replies and holds up 7 fingers "I'll give you a 7"

Giles seems slightly confused by the lingo been used and decides to intervene and concede.

"Okay, I guess as they say the gig is up "

"You think?" Buffy replies sarcastically.

"Well, Vampires are real and so are Demons and Buffy is the chosen one to destroy them.. Oh yeah and don't tell anyone"

"Cool" I reply faking excitement.

"Not cool, it's a big responsibility" Giles says taking on the adult part of the conversation.

It's a rush

"So.. You're supposed to fight demons and vampires? Aren't they strong?. And not to say your not.. But your small"

"Hey.. I am not small, I'm cure get it right" Buffy replies with a smile but still looks slightly annoyed "and well I kind of have an unnatural strength too"

"Cool"

I guess no one had anything to say as 5 minutes pass without a single word so finally Xander decides to break the ice.

"We bronzing it tonight?"

Giles face holds slight confusion as the way Xander had taken the news about the things that go bump while Buffy on the other hand is smiling still.

"Generation x" Giles mutters.

"Bronzing it?" Buffy asks slightly puzzled.

"The only club in Sunnydale and let me tell you that seriously doesn't mean it's a good one" Xander says then adds "but what the hell.. Want to?"

"Just you and me?" Buffy asks, she doesn't seem too unhappy about the prospect and even seems slightly curious.

Xander grips the desk slightly and gulps

Wouldn't mind that

"Well.. I was thinking of inviting Will and Jesse too, but if you'd like.." Xander replies

"I don't" She interrupts him almost instantly.

"Okay."

"Umm.. Fine fine, so we meet there at 8 then?" She asks a small smile gracing her lips.

"Do you umm know where it is?"

"Well.. Not really but it can't be that hard"

"Naa, you'll easy find it"

"Cool"

"Yup, very Cool"

Xander rubs his hands together and a silence is upon them once againI never have this problem with Will and Jess Walking over he grabs a book off the table and reads the cover.

"Can I help with the research?" he asks.

"Well umm not if you can't translate Latin" Xander is sure he can hear a condescending tone as the watcher says this.

"Well" Xander says with a smile and pulls the book open, rifling through the pages he comes to one and starts reading "Quas Lamia oportet exsisto. A vampire shall raise. pretty boring stuff"

Turning he sees a shocked expression on both of there faces and smiles smugly.

"Well.. umm.. How?. I mean not to doubt your abilities"

"Oh of course not" Xander cuts in with a smile

"But you're a D average student at best" Giles continues.

"We don't do Latin" Xander replies and takes a seat "I guess if we did id be okay.."

Xander throws the book to Giles who catches it and hugs it to his chest. Then a thought strikes Xander.

"Wait a minute.. How do you know I'm a D average student? I mean it's not exactly something I like to broadcast"

"Well.. I did have to go through all the records to find Buffy's" He replies, "It is normal procedure for such a job"

Xander nods then pulls a large book to him.

"What are we researching? That Harvest thing I heard you talk about?" Xander asks already knowing the answer.

"Yes.." Giles replies then ads "And that fellow.. Who gave the letter what did he call himself.. The Daywalker?"

Buffy nods her head in confirmation and Xander just nods his once then turns to the books.

"Well.. What shall I do?" Buffy asks

"You can train, lets see what you're made of.. I'll put the pads on, be back in a minute"

Reading the boring stuff takes Xander's mind to never before seen heights of insanity.. Bringing his eyes from the text that seemed to be taking the mick he looks over some notes he had made then looks up as Giles gets hit once more.

Giles gets pummelled, a kick to the padding on his chest sends him back slightly then a double kick to the pad on his left hand followed by two on his right and following up with another chest his sending him flying in Xander's direction.

Xander grabs him securely and smiles at the profusely sweating watcher.

"Er.." Giles pulls himself up "Thank you very much Xander."

"No problem G-man"

"Don't call me that" An almost whining sound is in his tone of voice.

Raising his head he sees Buffy towelling down her sweaty arms, he just can't seem to keep his eyes off her as the sweat falls to the floor below, she shyly smiles his way.. Boy was he turned on right now.

After rubbing herself down some more which by now Xander thought she was doing solely for his benefit Buffy walks over and leans on the table as she looks at Giles.

"Are we finished?" Buffy doesn't seem any worse for wear except for a slight pant which was sending Xander crazy, she seems to get her breath back as she finishes that sentence though.

"Ermm. Yes, most definitely" Giles responds very quickly, he looks more tired than if he'd been in a fight with Mike Tyson, his eyes are dilated and he seems to not have the ability to life his arms.

"Good" she replies with a smile then turns to face Xander with an even wider smile "Got to go get changed for out none date"

"I'll walk you.. Then I'll go change for our none date"

They both smile at each other then leave the library and then school heading towards Buffy's house, they banter, they chat, they tell each other some stuff about themselves.

Xander had thought for some reason that the slayer was going to be some Cordelia clone but without as much money.. He was definitely wrong, as he had learnt from there talk. She was a real person, she had some fears as everyone else including tests, and she was witty and could stand toe to toe with him on teasing.. And by god was she beautiful. Every smile she sent his way sent him crazy, every flick of her hair made his legs weak.

He felt like he could talk to her forever and he wasn't a very talkative person, with Willow and Jess they were both good friends but he just couldn't talk to them about some stuff.. And he just found himself opening up to Buffy, although not too much. He notices Buffy stops and he stops at her side, she smiles and points toward the house that they stand in front of.

"This is me"

"Oh.. Well umm good"

Have you ever stood awkwardly around not knowing what to do when you're in the company of someone? They had talked for ages yet they had no idea how to say bye or ask fro something more..

"Well.." Buffy finally speaks "I guess I'll see you at 8 at.. The Bronze right?"

"Yup, The Bronze.."

Buffy gives him one last smile then walks up to the house and walks in closing the door behind her.

God.. What the hell is happening to me? It's like she brings out the bibbing idiot in me

Shaking his head slowly he turns and walks down the street towards his own house.

-------------

* Xander's bedroom *

Walking through the door he throws his bag onto a near chair, peeling his clothes off to his boxers he walks out and to the bathroom where he turns it on and feels the hot water start to spill into the bath.

When the bath had finished running he slips his boxers off and slides in, the nice feel of water on his tired body makes him sigh, his thoughts were still on her.. The effect she had on him was much more than anyone had ever had an effect on him before. Her smile made him smile and he simply couldn't deny it.

Washing himself he pulls himself from the vision and chastises himself "Get some control man.. You can't be in love.. That can't happen.. Right?"

He can't give himself an answer as he finishes his cleansing act and pulls himself from the bath, wiping himself dry he walks into his bedroom and pulls open his closet, looking in for just the right clothes.

God.. You're so whipped

Sliding on some silk boxers he then reaches to the never touched items, the good stuff that he never wore.. After all he was supposed to be a geek, not tonight, he wants to show her he can dress up nice.

Pulling a purple silk shirt on that has a dragon motif on the front he then grabs some nice black trousers that will fit it perfectly followed by a leather jacket that he had never worn.. And finally some nice shining shoes to make him look the bomb.

Looking in a mirror he smiles.

"I do look the manly man don't I?"

Reaching for a few spare stakes and some holy water from inside the closet he places them in his jacket pocket before sliding an ankle sheath on underneath his trousers.

His eyes slide over to a clock on the wall.

7:30

"Doesn't time fly?"

Walking out of the door he runs down the stairs and locks the front door behind him as he heads toward the Bronze.



--------------------------------

*Near the bronze*

As Xander gets closer to the bronze he can see Buffy up ahead and is about to shout out to her when he sees someone shadowing her. A dark figure hiding in the shadows, a vampire. Xander's eyesight picks the figures profile up.

He stands about 6 foot, he as a lanky frame, he is wearing a white shirt with a black coat over it and some dark trousers, his eyes remain solely on Buffy.

Can't have that now

Walking slowly up Xander makes sure no foot steps are heard as he gets nearer before he is finally stood beside him, pulling his fist back he hits him hard and the vampire flies into the wall.

Rubbing his head the vampire pulls himself up and looks at Xander.

"Who are you?" His voice seems quiet, not like most loud vampires anyway, he looks Xander over,

"Some vamp doesn't know me in this town? WOW"

His eyes flash slightly with confusion before he opens his mouth with the inevitable question "How do you know what I am?"

"I'd like to say that the dress sense give it away but that'd be a lie.. Because I'm dressed similar, I could sense it.. And that was the slayer you were following",

"What.. Yea.. Well, my names Angel.. I'm here to help her, I have a soul"

This is he? Not much to look at really.. Bit scrawny

"I know you, Whistler he told me of your coming, and he is here in Sunnydale helping me.. I am helping the slayer too.. I'd kind of like this little one to one to be kept between us.. Okay?"

"Sure.. But who are you?"

"I am Blade.. That was my name long before Daywalker; my name is now Alexander Harris.. My friends call me Xander"

Reaching out he offers his hand and Xander takes it shaking it firmly.

"Well.. Why were you sent also? Couldn't I do the job?"

"Not to doubt your skills, but I think its in case you lose that thing called a soul, kind of like a back up"

"So.. What now?"

"Well.. I'll tell Buffy of you, although not the vampire bit.. Just yet because you'd be dust faster than I could say sit and spin.. Meet us tomorrow night at the Library about 7.. I'll set it up for you to meet them in better circumstances"

"So.. That's her name huh? Buffy, nice" He looks down slightly then he produces a box from his pocket and hands it to Xander "This is for her.. Protection, give it to her".

"Sure" Xander replies and slips it into his pocket "I got to go I'm somewhat late.."

"Okay"

Angel turns and walks away disappearing into the shadows.



--------------

* The Bronze *

Paying the fee Xander walks inside the large club for the young and horny.. That's what it was really.. Also a vampires dream come true, 200 young teens all hot and sweaty cooped up in one building with only a few exits. Xander scans the dance floor and sees Jesse flirting with Cordelia; he looks mildly at him with disgust before turning his head. Willow and Buffy are sat together talking then Buffy walks off and to the stairs, Willow walks onto the dance floor and starts talking to a guy.

You Go girl

Xander smiles then heads in the direction of the stairs to follow Buffy. Giles is stood there looking out upon the crowd in his tweed attire, the phrase sticking out like a sore thumb is relevant here. Walking up he slaps Giles hard on the back nearly making the old guy choke on his coke.



"Are you purposely trying to kill me Xander?" He asks, Xander smiles in response before he turns his head and looks over Buffy.

A white strapless dress with low cleavage that reaches her thigh, Xander isn't sure whether he is drooling or not but shuts his mouth just in case, Buffy looks him up and down then smiles.

"Nice duds"

"You too" Xander replies then walks forward to lean on the railing.

"Well as much fun as this little witty conversation is I must take my leave" Long-winded ending to a long-winded conversation, that's British for you. He smiles slightly but then turns in a huff and descends the stairs.

Feeling around in his pocket Xander pulls the box out and hands it to Buffy, her eyes gleam slightly at the sight of it and Xander decides to not to play the dirty "I bought it" trick.

"It's. It's not from me," Xander says with a slight stutter "not that I wouldn't have but.. "

Buffy smiles then opens the box; a silver cross lies on a purple velvet cushion.

"It's beautiful.. Who's it from then?"

"A guy called Angel.., I kind of tackled him outside the bronze, he seemed to be shadowing you"

"You.. Shouldn't have tackled him.. You might have got hurt"

"I did" Her eyes immediately scan his body for any sign of injury "I broke a nail"

She punches him slightly in the arm then smiles.

"Was he a vamp?"

Well.. Got to keep to the plan

"I don't think so.. He seemed friendly enough anyway"

Letting his eyes linger down to the dance floor Xander looks over his friends as he always does and he nearly hyperventilates. Jesse is dancing with a stunning blonde, one Xander does know.. Darla.. Queen bitch of all bitches even Cordelia. Willow is been pulled to an exit by a guy with a worse dress style than Whistler.. That can only mean vampire.

"Shit.."

Buffy hears him curse under his breath and looks down toward the dance floor "What?"

"Well.. I'm not sure but I think Willow just got pulled out of the door by a vampire and Jesse's dancing with one"

"How.. How do you know?"

"Well Jesse can't pull.. Simple and she looks strange and well Willow's walking out the door with a guy that has a worse fashion sense than I normally do"

Buffy can't help but smile at that.

"I'll help Jesse.. You help Willow, okay?"

She nods her head and as Xander prepares to leave she grabs his arm and he turns to look at her.

"Be careful"

"Always"

Running toward the stairs he bounds down them and runs toward the dance floor looking for the queen bitch. She is nowhere in sight but he sees a flash of her blonde hair exiting through a fire exit with Jesse in tow. Manoeuvring his way around people he runs outside into the cold night air, looking around he can't spot them but hears a giggle coming from down the alley.

Coming to a slide at the corner he sees Darla pressing Jesse up against the wall pressing her lips to his neck.

"Like Fuck"

Picking up a dustbin lid he lets it fly through the air, it impacts her head sending her flying off Jesse who just falls to the floor. She pulls herself up and turns toward Xander, she snarls and blood drips from her teeth as she does.

"Daywalker"

"The one and only" Xander replies with a smirk and walks a couple of feet closer.

"But your sword less.. " Darla says with a grin.

"Didn't go with the jacket"

Kneeling down she picks up a stick and holds it out in front of her as she steps forward "you shall die for all my brethren you have killed"

Xander smiles.

She goes to hit him but his hand snaps out and breaks the stick in two sending a piece flying to the floor, she launches a punch with her other hand but he grabs it and twists hearing a violent snap within her and she screams, pushing her up against the wall he grabs the stick from her hand and places it at her chest.

"Your always the one to get away.. Well not this time"

"Please.. Don't kill me.. I'll do anything"

Her unbroken hand tries to fondle Xander through his trousers but he just smiles and soon enough she is just dust in the wind.

Turning his attention to his friend he picks him up and walks out of the Alley toward Sunnydale General.

"Why couldn't you be interested in normal girls" Xander mutters.

-----------------

After depositing Jesse at hospital and getting an assurance that he will be fine Xander made his way back into the bronze, but he can't see Buffy, she is nowhere to be seen and he feels uneasy about that. Giles is stood on the top platform and Xander makes his way up to him.

"Hey Giles"

"Xander.. Have you seen Buffy?.. I've been waiting for her, she said something about following Willow into a graveyard."

Xander's heart suddenly started beating fast. A strange effect feelings have on people he had to admit. "Okay" he shouts back as he is already leaving "I'm there"

"I wish someone would tell me what's going on" Giles mutters.



------------

Walking into the graveyard it doesn't take him long to find a direction to head in, a rainfall a couple of nights ago had muddied the ground and a few footprints can be clearly seen.

Following them he comes to a crypt and can hear some scuffling noises inside, slipping quietly inside his eyes pick up the forms of two fighting people. Well one person the other undead.

Buffy is fighting a rather large vampire that Xander does know but has never had the pleasure to kill.. Luke. Xander's eyes pick up someone else, Willow she is cowered in a corner, walking quietly over he picks her up and walks outside depositing her on the ground, she looks frightened.

But who wouldn't be?

She looks up and finally recognises him, pulling him into a hug she pulls back and lets tears slide down her cheeks.

"What.. What are they?"

"Vampires Will.. Vampires"

"But, they don't exist" she says.

Xander smiles slightly..

"I have to help Buffy Will.. I have to.. Okay?" He slips some stakes into her hand and a few vials of holy water "Go home.. Don't talk to anyone.. Run.. "

"I understand.. Buffy.. Do you love her?"

"Maybe.. Too early to tell and id like to find out"

She nods her head and Xander turns and walks back into the crypt.

As he enters he sees Luke knelt over Buffy his head lowered to her neck about to feed.

Guess keeping a low profile is out

Picking him up by the back of his neck Xander throws him into a nearby wall, his head impacts it, Luke turns and sees Xander then snarls

"Well.. If it isn't the Daywalker", His deep voice booms out.

"Well If it isn't Luke"

Buffy eyes widen at the little tit a tat.

Luke pulls himself to his full 6"4 and grind down on Xander.

"I'll crush you"

"You think?"

Luke throws a punch and Xander ducks pulling his own hand up to impact the large demons arm, hearing a crunch he smiles in satisfaction as the vampire screams out, he then follows with an uppercut hearing the demons jaw break. Pulling the large demon with his arm he sends him flying toward the opposite crypt wall.

As fast as he can Xander pulls his gun from his ankle and shoots the demon, it turns slowly to dust and he smiles.

"Ahh the wonders of silver tipped bullets"

Walking over he offers Buffy his arm and she pulls herself up while eyeing him slightly.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do.

"Oh boy"