1 Entry # 25
Time. All he wanted was a little time. What had Riley said? A couple of weeks and maybe a month but definitely no more than that. Thirty days. William was satisfied with just thirty more days.
But I wasn't. And if I needed to be selfish to save him then I'll be the most selfish b*tch there ever was.
"Listen to me, William the bloody or Spike, you are not going to die, period. No ifs ends or buts. So stop being a pessimistic prick for once and for all and get used to the idea that you are stuck with me for a very long time" I said as I angrily wiped at my tear-streaked face.
The mood changed instantly and he actually smiled at my outburst. "Okay, pet you do what you think is best but just remember that your life is worth more than mine. Please don't put yourself at risk"
"I could say the same thing to you"
"I guess that's the love talking"
"Yes, that must be it. Love sounds really painful sometimes. Doesn't it?" I asked.
"Maybe, but its what I am holding on to"
"Me too"
And we spend the rest of the morning proving it to each other.
******************
6:49 p.m. William is sleeping. I can't help but feel guilty about draining him of whatever little energy he has left. Hopefully, tonight would give me a solution.
As I drove to Willow's, I could not help but wonder what would Xander be? Friend or Foe? Were the ties forged in high school enough to ensure his help?
I said a quick prayer as I knocked on Will's door. Soon I would know.
Willow greeted me and signaled that he was here already. I took a deep breath and plastered the friendliest smile that I could muster.
Xander was… Xander. A little older, a little heavier but still the same. I was enveloped in a warm Xander-hug.
"Buffy, my all time favorite Slayer. Long time no see." Even his voice sounded the same.
"Hey, commando-boy you are one to talk. Did the heat in Brazil melt your little black book?" I was teasing. Mostly.
He looked a little uncomfortable. "Sorry Buff, I didn't think…with you being busy with your…uhmm…slayerness that you would want to…"
"The heat really did a number on your brain. Didn't it? My friends are worth a lot more than my job" and I am counting that you feel the same I added silently.
"Water under the bridge Buff. Now that I am officially back we can catch up"
I nodded glad to have my friend back. "You go first. How's the Initiative treating you?
"Pretty good. The campaigns can be overwhelming but its nice to know that I am making a difference"
My heart sunk. What if Xander had swallowed that Initiative crap? William wouldn't have a chance then.
"You've seen a lot of action then?"
"More than my share. That's why I was so eager to come back home. Well that and because I am getting married"
Willow squealed. "You jerk you didn't mention anything in your e-mails"
"Sorry Will, I thought it was better face to face. I want both of you to meet her"
My curiosity got the better of me. "So who is she? Is she from here?"
"Well no. She is not from here. She is someone I met at work"
"She's Initiative? I thought there weren't any women in the official guard" Actually there were more than a few female scientists but their forces were strictly an all boys club.
Xander hesitated "No… she is not Initiative. She was one of the locals"
"What's her name?" Willow asked.
"Anyanka"
"From Russia?"
"No, her background is a little more colorful but wait till you meet her. She is wonderful"
It was official: Cupid was a workaholic. But I hadn't come here to talk about our love life, well not about Xander's love- life anyway. I had a mission.
Before I could think of a way to bring up William, Xander did.
"We haven't set a date yet but we will just as soon as this missing vamp fiasco is cleared up"
"Fiasco?" Oh God, let it not be what I think it is.
"Yeah. I was assigned to the Subject 17 case. You know 'Spike', the vamp who offed your predecessor's kid"
Willow's eyes met my own. All hope was lost.
But no. I had to get Xander to help. Otherwise William would die.
"Xander, I need to tell you something"
"Uhm…sure. What's up?"
"You won't find Spike"
"Please tell me he is dust. I so need some time off"
"No he is not dust. He is with me"
"What the…?"
"He is with me" I repeated "And I need your help to save him"
TBC. Will Xander accept? Will they have enough time? Will Riley get eaten? Find out as soon as I can figure it up.
Time. All he wanted was a little time. What had Riley said? A couple of weeks and maybe a month but definitely no more than that. Thirty days. William was satisfied with just thirty more days.
But I wasn't. And if I needed to be selfish to save him then I'll be the most selfish b*tch there ever was.
"Listen to me, William the bloody or Spike, you are not going to die, period. No ifs ends or buts. So stop being a pessimistic prick for once and for all and get used to the idea that you are stuck with me for a very long time" I said as I angrily wiped at my tear-streaked face.
The mood changed instantly and he actually smiled at my outburst. "Okay, pet you do what you think is best but just remember that your life is worth more than mine. Please don't put yourself at risk"
"I could say the same thing to you"
"I guess that's the love talking"
"Yes, that must be it. Love sounds really painful sometimes. Doesn't it?" I asked.
"Maybe, but its what I am holding on to"
"Me too"
And we spend the rest of the morning proving it to each other.
******************
6:49 p.m. William is sleeping. I can't help but feel guilty about draining him of whatever little energy he has left. Hopefully, tonight would give me a solution.
As I drove to Willow's, I could not help but wonder what would Xander be? Friend or Foe? Were the ties forged in high school enough to ensure his help?
I said a quick prayer as I knocked on Will's door. Soon I would know.
Willow greeted me and signaled that he was here already. I took a deep breath and plastered the friendliest smile that I could muster.
Xander was… Xander. A little older, a little heavier but still the same. I was enveloped in a warm Xander-hug.
"Buffy, my all time favorite Slayer. Long time no see." Even his voice sounded the same.
"Hey, commando-boy you are one to talk. Did the heat in Brazil melt your little black book?" I was teasing. Mostly.
He looked a little uncomfortable. "Sorry Buff, I didn't think…with you being busy with your…uhmm…slayerness that you would want to…"
"The heat really did a number on your brain. Didn't it? My friends are worth a lot more than my job" and I am counting that you feel the same I added silently.
"Water under the bridge Buff. Now that I am officially back we can catch up"
I nodded glad to have my friend back. "You go first. How's the Initiative treating you?
"Pretty good. The campaigns can be overwhelming but its nice to know that I am making a difference"
My heart sunk. What if Xander had swallowed that Initiative crap? William wouldn't have a chance then.
"You've seen a lot of action then?"
"More than my share. That's why I was so eager to come back home. Well that and because I am getting married"
Willow squealed. "You jerk you didn't mention anything in your e-mails"
"Sorry Will, I thought it was better face to face. I want both of you to meet her"
My curiosity got the better of me. "So who is she? Is she from here?"
"Well no. She is not from here. She is someone I met at work"
"She's Initiative? I thought there weren't any women in the official guard" Actually there were more than a few female scientists but their forces were strictly an all boys club.
Xander hesitated "No… she is not Initiative. She was one of the locals"
"What's her name?" Willow asked.
"Anyanka"
"From Russia?"
"No, her background is a little more colorful but wait till you meet her. She is wonderful"
It was official: Cupid was a workaholic. But I hadn't come here to talk about our love life, well not about Xander's love- life anyway. I had a mission.
Before I could think of a way to bring up William, Xander did.
"We haven't set a date yet but we will just as soon as this missing vamp fiasco is cleared up"
"Fiasco?" Oh God, let it not be what I think it is.
"Yeah. I was assigned to the Subject 17 case. You know 'Spike', the vamp who offed your predecessor's kid"
Willow's eyes met my own. All hope was lost.
But no. I had to get Xander to help. Otherwise William would die.
"Xander, I need to tell you something"
"Uhm…sure. What's up?"
"You won't find Spike"
"Please tell me he is dust. I so need some time off"
"No he is not dust. He is with me"
"What the…?"
"He is with me" I repeated "And I need your help to save him"
TBC. Will Xander accept? Will they have enough time? Will Riley get eaten? Find out as soon as I can figure it up.