Title: Of Magic and Machinations

Author: Jeffrey Patrick

Type: Sort of B/X... You'll just have to wait and see.

Description: Xander's apparent return from the grave brings about a whole new set of problems.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but a frozen taquito and the alternate ending to "Capistrano Beach." Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own all things Buffy related. I only borrow them without asking.



The wedding was beautiful. It was a small ceremony. All of Buffy's friends were there. I was happy, in spite of my deception. I kept wondering if Xander could see me, marrying the woman we both love... standing there, wearing his face, and saying "I do." He invades my thoughts a lot now. Perhaps he's haunting me as punishment for my lies. I don't care. I deserve nothing less.

Our daughter, Dawn, was born nearly seven months after the wedding. Giles was nearly as nervous as I was. Willow was bouncing off the walls. Oz was his usual stoic self. I was getting more comfortable with the part I play. I had made an effort to reestablish some of Xander's connections. I had to insure that they would never learn the truth.

Buffy was a champion, of course. She delivered quickly and relatively effortlessly, though she'll deny that last part. The moment I saw Dawn, my world changed. I had a daughter... a living, breathing piece of me. Only she isn't. The proof was obvious in her chocolate brown eyes. Xander's eyes. Everyone saw it. They bragged about them, thinking I would be proud. Instead, it only drove home the reality of my damnation. She was the perfect blend of Buffy and Xander's features. She didn't look a thing like me. She never would. She would never even know me. The only comfort I had was in knowing my soul was a part of the process. Perhaps she had a part of me in her soul at least.

Three years have now passed. Anya and Alex moved in with Giles, once he settled back here in the states. It was hard on Buffy. Alex was almost like her own child. Willow and Oz's daughter was nearly five. Dawn was three. Buffy and I, at last, were happy. I lost Xander's job. The construction thing just wasn't my forte. Instead, I bought back Joyce's gallery. It suited me better and made Buffy happy. Strange how it's always when things look brighter that everything is shot to hell.





"It'll be a surprise," Buffy said.

"Xander doesn't seem to be big on surprises these days," Oz said dryly. "You sure this is a good idea?"

"Sure it is," Willow said. "Buffy and I are in total agreement."

"Then I'm in," Oz concluded. "What can I do?"

"I need you to track down an old friend for me," Buffy explained. "He can take care of our entertainment. Giles is hosting, so that's taken care of. Will and I are putting together something special."

"Cool," Oz said. "Now what exactly is the occasion again?"

"No occasion," Buffy explained. "I just love him. He's come so far these last few years. He may not be the old Xander, but he makes me happy."

"I don't know," Willow said. "I see the old Xander in there sometimes. Now if I could only get him to remember the Snoopy dance."

Buffy grinned. "I'm having Dawn make something... with my help, of course."

"Oh, that sounds like fun. I think I'll have Jenny do the same thing."

"Great," Buffy said. "I really want this to be special."





"She's three now," Lilah taunted. "The Slayer's child is quite beautiful."

"Shut up," the spirit inside the Tobekian spirit cage growled.

"She found her happiness with him."

"Shut up!"

"They're a real family now. You wanted to be the one, didn't you?"

"I was the one."

"No. It would never have worked. Even YOU knew that. Somewhere deep down inside, you knew, and had resigned yourself to that fact."

There was silence from the cage.

"He stole her from you. The way he's always tried to take everything from you."

"I'll kill him," said the voice, just above a whisper.

"I'm sorry," Lilah grinned. "Did you say something?"

"Get me a body, and I'll put him down."

"You haven't even bothered to ask why we orchestrated his return."

"I don't care. I just want him dead."

"Then a body you shall have. Our best wizards have spent over a year crafting it for you. It might look familiar, but I think you'll find it suits you."






"We've been planning for a week," Buffy said. "This is gonna be great."

"Everything looks wonderful," Giles admitted. "And you say things have been quiet on patrol?"

"Not a vamp to be found the last three nights."

"Strange."

"It's almost..."

"What?"

"It's almost like there's something really scary out there that even the vamps are hiding from."

"That doesn't sound too promising."

"That's what I thought. But I don't care. As long as it doesn't interrupt the party tonight."

"I think he's coming," Oz said, from his lookout spot near the door.

Willow made a gesture and the lights went out.

"Check out the witchy clapper," Buffy joked, taking a hiding place behind the couch.

The door opened and Xander stepped in. "Buffy? Dawny?"

"Surprise!" Everyone jumped from their hiding positions just as Willow got the lights.

"What is all this for?" Xander asked with a grin.

"For you," Buffy said, kissing him gently. "Because we love you. Besides, very seldom is the whole gang together these days. We thought it would be nice. We even tracked down an old friend to handle the entertainment."

Xander looked behind her, to see the Host of Caritas, setting up a small kareoke set. "The Host? What, uh, what's he doing here?"

"Good to see you, too," the Host said, "looking so alive and all."

"Uh, thanks."

"So does the party boy want to go first?" Buffy asked.

"Huh?"

"She's asking what tune you'd like to belt out first," the Host said. "Name your flavor."






I watched them through the window. Buffy was beautiful. She looked so happy. The rugrat was tugging at her leg. Then I saw him. He stood there talking in that body. Damn him. I was stuck in that monstrosity of a body, while he was free to get close to her. But that was going to end. I was going to see to it.


To Be Continued....