Ok, part 4 here. once again I don't own, nor did I create any of the non-
original BTVS characters or settings in this story.but the rest is all me.
More is coming. you can count on it, so please r&r. Enjoy
"Future Shadows"- part 4.
THAT SAME NIGHT- In the Harris Basement.
Xander stood silently, contemplating the evening's events and not sure whether to be amused or to call a therapist. He walked over to the Basement door, which he had only just realized was still open. A cold breeze flowed in and he was beginning to feel it.
He moved with all the grace you'd expect from anyone who'd just had a dream that could have featured on 'Ripley's Believe it or not', and was clothed solely by a single white bed sheet.
*Ok, that was kind of weird...we'll just put it down to the pizza, apart from that guy in the cloak. After all I am living over a genuine hell- mouth... demon magnet a le naturale. Last thing I need right now is some kind of dream surfer getting a crush on me...And I've got to talk to Buffy about that whole...date me thing.Besides, how could I be destined to do anything great?*
Grinning sheepishly at his own stupidity, he reached for the door. Before he could push it shut he heard a twig snapping in the darkness outside, and having lived with Sunnydayle's nightlife thus far had no intentions of ignoring it. "Angel, look I'm really not in the mood to play celebrity and stalker". He called out in a strange burst of courage and curiousness that had for some reason overcome him. he stepped out through the open door and peered into his parents' backyard, still clutching the spatula rather tightly.
He could hear approaching footsteps coming down the side-path towards where he was standing, a little obvious for a vamp. *Not Angel...* He crept to the corner of the house, raising the spatula above his head, imagining the worst. *All right, I have the element of surprise, no problem...* *I wish I had a stake right now...no scratch that, I wish I had a Buffy right now*.
The footsteps rounded the corner and he tightened his grip on the spatula. For some reason however, he didn't strike as the figure came within striking distance. *It might be someone I know... cooking utensil in the face... not such a good way to say hi*. A scream filled the air as a brunette girl saw him brandishing his weapon and fell backward in fear. "Sorry I was just..." She looked up. "...Alex-ander Harris?" He stared down, a little shocked. "Um, yeah that's me...... hey, your Cassandra right?" he asked apprehensively. *It's that girl from the video store, oh great, there goes my membership* "What are you doing here?". She rubbed the back of her head and sat up. "Uhuh, you left your wallet at the store. Hey! , I remember you from earlier on- bad break-up with the girlfriend huh? ..." She pulled a small black object from her pocket. "Um" He thought for a moment "Not exactly, more of a pre-emptive break-up actually" He gave a goofy smile "Oh, gotcha.My boyfriend and I split up a while ago, hurts doesn't it.I figured that since I walk home this way Id drop it off, you know I only live around the corner from you, and I heard a noise coming from the back, thought it might be a party or something, wasn't expecting to be attacked by a spatula".
He stood there still a little out of it, and a little in shock at the fact that someone besides a 'Scooby' had actually come to his house. "Oh, thanks...look, I'm sorry about the whole threatening you with a spatula thing". He nervously scratched his back with it. "Hey isn't it a bit late to be out?". She looked around briefly before answering. "Just finished my shift... thank you 24hour service". A cheerful sarcasm in her tone made Xander feel a little less awkward. "A little help maybe?". She offered a hand up to him. "Right...sure". He apologized again as he took his wallet and pulled her up. "I'm really sorry, and I know how this must look". He gestured at the bed sheet covering him. "Oh, I don't know, it's not so bad..." She smiled and looked him up and down. "Sort of a Caesar thing you've got going on". He scratched his head in embarrassment.
Now that she was standing up he could see her more clearly. She was just shorter than him with long, chestnut coloured hair that flowed to her waist. Even in the dull video store uniform he noticed her figure. Her face was small and elfish in a good kind of way with high cheek bones, rounded features and piercing green eyes. *OK, this isn't going quite as badly as it could have...she's really cute too...why I didn't notice that before is a worrying question?*. "Yeah, well I was planning on having a roman party but no one came...don't suppose you're buying that?" She gave him a confident look. "Oh, you mean a barbequing roman party". She looked at the spatula. "Actually you just missed the burgers; I'd offer you punch but its costume only...you understand...besides the party's kind of dead". She looked inside through the still open door from where she was standing. "I can see that...it's ok though, think I'll head home". She backed away a little. "Thanks for the wallet". He offered his gratitude. "No problem...it was nice meeting you again". She waved before turning to walk away. "My friends call me Xander..." He added as he turned back toward the door and began to walk inside. "Nice boxers Xander". He heard her say as she walked away. He grabbed the bed sheet and adjusted it to cover his boxers (boxers that in an unfortunate twist sported a dancing smurfs motif.
*Damn...................damn damn damn*
THE NEXT MORNING - GILES' APARTMENT.
Giles stood behind his kitchen bench, fiddling with the kettle. "Anyone for tea or coffee?" He looked over at Willow who sat in his chair, reading one of the larger volumes of his demon encyclopaedia before casting his glance toward an exhausted Xander who lay sprawled along the couch. "Sorry Giles, don't think your going to get any response out of Will right now...you know what she's like with those things" He gestured toward the book in her hand. "It could take hours before she's back with us in the non- book world...she gets like this all the time". Xander jumped in. "Yes, that does seem apparent...and Xander do take your shoes off my couch, and I use the term 'shoes' loosely". He glared at Xander over his glasses. "Hey, I'll have you know these are very cool sneakers". He glanced down at his old pair of black cons. "And it took me a year to wear these babies in so they'd fit so well". He made a small circle in the air with one shoe. "Yes, well even so if you don't mind..." Giles poured boiling water into a mug. "No problem". Xander swung his legs over so he was in a seated position. All the while Willow sat silently and cross-legged in a chair in the corner of the room, completely engrossed. *Wouldn't want to disrespect the couch* Xander thought to himself. *Even if it does smell old and English*. "Actually, I wouldn't mind a caffeine boost myself". He stood up and walked over to the bench. "Help yourself". "Thanks...listen; Willow said there was something important you wanted to talk about ...what's up?" He asked as he poured himself a mug. Giles picked up his own cup and walked over to the coffee table in the centre of the room, putting down his cup and picking up another thick book and began flicking through the pages. "We're just waiting for Buffy to arrive and I'll explain everything...have you been feeling alright lately Xander...you've been moping around since you finished school, but you seem better this morning". Xander gave a blank look. *Let's see......where to begin*. Willow lowered her book and shot Giles a 'don't ask' look, which of course he didn't notice. "Oh, nothing I'm just tired...too much TV, you know wasting my youth....actually remind me to ask you about a dream I had last night". He explained unconvincingly. *Well it's not like I'm going to talk to him about her...It'd just be, well odd*. Giles nodded as a token sign of belief (although he knew something was up). "Certainly" "So what's the rush Xander, you need to be somewhere?" Willow had now put her volume down and gone from 'book worm' to 'curious friend' mode in the space of a second. "Welcome back to our universe". Xander offered a belated greeting. "Not really, I was just hoping to go by the video store this morning". He took a sip of his coffee. A pixie-like smile crept over her face as she leaned forward. "Why the sudden interest in the video store?". He moved uncomfortably, taking a large gulp of his coffee as Giles put down his book and made his way to the stairs. "Ill be down in a minute, call me when Buffy gets here". Xander and Willow both watched as Giles disappeared upstairs. "Well?" she pushed for an answer. "Well what? You know I've had an unhealthy obsession with videos since I was in the womb". *It's like she can smell the fear...how do they pick up on this stuff anyway? * "Are you saying there isn't a particular fixture in the video store you're interested in?" "Ok, I was twelve and I'd never seen the adult section before!" He took a defensive stance as she stared back at him, still smiling. "You know that's not what I'm talking about". *How the heck do they do that....it's uncanny*
"Well I-" A knock at the door interrupted his response. "I'll be getting the door now". He jumped the bench enthusiastically and ran to the door. He opened it to see Buffy standing there, hand still in a knocking position. "Hey Xander". She gave a little wave. "Hey Buff". He looked back at Willow. "Come in, don't be shy". "Thanks..." She walked in and sat down on the couch. She wore a backless tie-up top that exposed a large bandage over her shoulder as she walked past. "Hey Will, where's Giles". Xander sat down on the couch next to her. "Oh he's upstairs". She glanced toward the banister. "He'll be down soon". "So you're ok I take it, we've been worried what with the monster fest and all, how's the shoulder?" Xander expressed his concern. *Damn, that sounded really needy...less needy, come on its not like rocket science here* "That is to say that obviously we weren't so worried about you that we couldn't move on...but dead Buffy would be bad if you know what I mean" *There, not too shabby...... - DAMN... brings on the nuclear physics.your an idiot, bad Xander*. Willow shot him a look as Buffy leaned back into the couch with a confused look on her face. "Thanks...I think. And don't worry, the shoulder's ok. I heal quick remember". She smiled, noticing the air of awkwardness between them. "So how'd slayage go last night?" Willow made an attempt to salvage the conversation as Xander scratched his head yet again, trying to think of something cool to say for a save. Before he could embarrass himself further Giles appeared at the bottom of the stairs, yet another ancient book in his hands.
"Well thank you for notifying me of her arrival"(sarcastically)..."Buffy, how are you?" She looked over at her watcher and stretched out her arms. "Tired, very tired...you know this slaying is murder on my moisturizing routine".
He gestured toward his bedroom. "Perhaps its time we told the others of our house guest?" Giles then walked over to his beloved bookcase and picked out a familiar looking book. "The prophecies of Algar". Buffy stated matter-of-factly. "Wow buff, someone's been studying" Xander joked as he looked over at Giles. "So what's up G-man, you know I had to get up before 10 for this..." "It's actually quite important Xander and please don't call me that". "Sorry, you know you seem a little more tense than usual, what's wrong?" His voice slowly changed into a more serious tone as he sensed something different in the air. "Thank you for your concern but I'm afraid what we are dealing with may very well be more closely related to you.and please don't call me that".
"Well thanks for that Giles... you know considering that your people invented the language, you could use a little of its sensitivity. maybe even some of those beating-around-the bush type words sometime". Giles raised an eyebrow in response to Xanders' comment but before he could answer him back Buffy got up and walked over to the stairs. "Don't worry Xander, we'll explain in a minute". She flicked through several pages of a large book. "I thought there may be some parallel between this rising army of demons at the moment, and these prophecies...which might actually have something to do with you Xander" "What? I can't die! ...Its not fair! ... These prophecies always have dying in them and I didn't even get to see that cute girl from the video store again". He blurted out unwittingly before standing up and walking nervously over to Giles, looking over the watchers shoulder at the book. "Where does Xander come into all this?" Willow questioned as she stood up to examine the book as well. "Wait a minute, video store cutie!" She caught on to his babble several seconds after he had gotten it out. "I think I can help out with that, the prophecy thing that is". Buffy walked down the stairs, dragging the cloaked figure she had captured the night before. It struggled, seemingly no match for the rope that bound its midsection arms and legs. Xander raised an eyebrow. "Nice hog-tying Buff, there something you're not telling us about your personal life?" "Xander..." Willow shot him a look and punched him in the arm. He smiled sheepishly and looked at the cloaked figure. "I was chatting about this and that last night with dark and cloaky over here... he kept on mentioning a boy who journeyed with the slayer. And the only boy I really know in Sunnydale is you" She smiled bluntly "Hey, wait a second, this guy looks familiar...so who's your friend there buff?". "Well, turns out that last night this guy was playing junior detective and tailing me the whole time...when I knocked him out of his perch he mentioned a boy- then when I brought him back here, he got a tad more chatty" "Boy huh? ..." Xander questioned "I guess that would be me... I think I'm offended". Giles stood up and put down the book as Buffy returned to the couch and sat her prisoner down. It struggled to get free, growling in frustration and occasionally giving everyone a glimpse of its Incandescent Yellow eyes. "I have a feeling that this cheerful fellow can help us" Giles tapped a finger on the book cover before glancing over at the demon as he spoke.
Willow stepped back a little. "I'm not crazy about house guests of the demonic variety; could we possibly get to the part where Buffy beats information out of him so I can get as far away from it as possible?" Buffy tapped the creature on the head playfully. "Don't worry Will, I had Giles put the mojo on that rope...he wont be going anywhere". "And there's no need for that, I may have already figured it out". Xander interjected "Why do I still not feel safe? And what does this guy have to do with me? ...And I'm sure this guy looks familiar."
The cloaked figure stopped struggling and sat silently for a moment. "Well" Giles began to explain; "I think He is a member of the Shu-ult". The demon growled as Giles mentioned the name. "Wait, I remember now" Xander jumped in "this guy was definitely dream surfin' in my head last night". He leaned threateningly toward it, making sure the ropes were still tied. "I'm so gonna kick your but dream boy!" A hand stopped him. "Xander, as brave as attacking a bound hostage is...may not be a good idea." Buffy tilted her head toward the creatures face. Xander pointed a finger menacingly and declared with false confidence "You're lucky this time pal!" and backed off. "The Su-ult are very enlightened beings. they prefer to communicate through telepathy, rather than risk making themselves vulnerable, but on the occasions when they have been challenged physically, they are feared warriors" Giles paraphrased several pages from one of his texts.
"Actually it's funny, he's gone all mimey". The others looked at Buffy as she spoke. "You know.like a mime! Silent movie style, and I know he could talk last night, don't remember hitting him in the mouth.much" Buffy realised that the creature hadn't spoken the whole time he'd been tied. "I HAVE NO QUARRAL WITH ANY OF YOU". As if on cue, the creature spoke. "BUT YOU ALREADY KNOW TOO MUCH" It raised both hands from under its bonds, and a faint light began to emanate from them. "What's he doing Giles?" Buffy grabbed it by the shoulders and threw it to the floor as the Book containing the prophecies of Algar Burst into flames. "Damn!" Giles grabbed a cardigan from his coat rack and slapped the book until the fire had been extinguished. "Ok, not liking this" Xander leaned over the demon once more "Look if this is about that library book I'm..." "YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE" The demon tensed, burst through the ropes that held it and stood up, at least 2 feet taller than anyone else in the room. It pulled back the hood covering its head to reveal a long face lined by a row of thick scales down either cheek, a blue tinge to its skin colour and sharp, pointed ears. "THE INNOUCENT WARRIOR WILL STOP THE PLAGUE FROM DROWNING EARTHS PEOPLE, AND WILL CRUSH EVIL BEFORE IT RISES". It turned toward the window, however Buffy pre-empted its move and through a punch. "I caught you once". The creature blocked the punch with ease and sent her crashing into the coffee table behind her. "YOU CAUGHT ME OFF GURARD, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN". With that the demon leapt over Giles' couch and through the now closed window, sending shards of glass into the flowerbed below as it left.
Giles offered Buffy a hand to get up. "I'm fine...but I'll need to track that guy down again". She cupped the back of her head and pulled herself across the floor, bracing her stunned body against the wall. "You sure you're ok Buffy?" Willow expressed her concern.
MEANWHILE In a mansion just outside of Sunnydale a swirling portal broke the darkness of one of the larger rooms, and a disgruntled Demon (the same demon who had been captured by Buffy) Walked through it and kneeled on the wooden floor. *WE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED* *YOU WERE CARELESS ASHULK, YOU WILL GO BACK AND PROTECT THE BOY, HE DOES NOT KNOW OF THE EVIL THAT HE WILL FACE*
BACK AT GILES'
Xander looked around at the broken window and coffee table and took in the silence for a few seconds. He then sat back down on the couch looking at a sore Buffy, still rubbing her neck. He offered her his sympathies. "Don't worry Buff, you'll get him again, you always do.....s-o we Bronzin' tonight? ...nothin better to cure the apocalyptic blues than a night of crazy dancing, besides, if I'm going to die, might as well go out dancing ". He gestured to both Buffy and Willow before putting both arms in the air and mock-danced... "You're not going to die" Buffy stated with a certainty he felt reassuring. "Bronze could be good" Willow replied, before her smile turned into a frown "But there is the whole slayer duty thing, we should help out, besides.is it such a great idea to be partying with everything that's going on?"
Giles walked out from the kitchen and handed Buffy an ice pack for her head. "My, how we soon forget the imminent danger we're facing..." He glanced over at Xander, who stared back at him. "Oh thank you so much for reminding me, you think you could bring it up every half hour or so, cause that would be great". Sarcastically. "I'm sorry Xander" he apologised "But with recent events, including last night- and along with this ever-growing and unexplained number of demons arriving in Sunnydale; Buffy must be on her guard until we figure it out". Xander nodded silently in agreement. "And you appear to be the focus of something too. no, its better if you lie low, stay close to Buffy if you can" Willow had to stop herself from saying something as Xander stood awkwardly for a moment.
*wow, buffy and me.just buffy and me, this can't be a good thing.what if I embarrass myself- wait, she's used to that.but still.*
Willow walked over to the door and waved to everyone. . "Look, I've got to go, but we need a plan, Buffy?" she questioned. Buffy looked over at Xander from her seated position against the wall and mouthed "We have to talk". He blushed slightly before trying to conceal it. Once more taking in the silence, Xander thought for a moment... Buffy then turned to Willow, well you and Giles get on to the research stuff and I'll contact Angel, Xander" She paused awkwardly for a moment too "try to keep out of trouble, stay home tonight- " Giles interjected
"Yes, and you can drop in to check on him after patrolling" Awkwardness abounded. "But remember, be careful both of you, and if you could come back this afternoon willow; we can go over some of my older volumes" She nodded in agreement and left. "As for you" Giles began, directing his attention toward Buffy "stay put, you need to rest for a while, in fact, I'm not sure it's a good Idea for you to patrol tonight" She cocked her head to the side, impressed by the sternness in his tone. "Actually, you could spend the evening guarding Xander; perhaps in the library.you'll have access to weapons there" "Look, I appreciate all the fuss over little old moi.but really- "Xander was ignored as he tried to talk his way out of it "Oh, and Buffy" Giles continued "I've already spoken to Angel, he'll bring anything he finds to us" She looked a little hurt, that he hadn't come to her first.
Buffy made no attempt to argue with her Watcher.it was as if he could sense something greater at stake. and she could too, despite the recent awkwardness with Xander, she cared for him a great deal.something about a regular person wanting to be with her despite knowing -intimately- the darker side to her life, was frightening.
Realizing that they had been ignoring him, Giles glanced back at Xander, who was still clearly still trying to take everything in "Listen, we're here for you, all of us" He offered with a surprisingly fatherly tone to his voice. "Hey, I know, its just a little weird you know. I mean I'm just no one, not even a blip on the screen- and all of a sudden, bam." He directed his gaze once more toward Buffy
Giles sensed a personal moment coming between the two and made himself scarce "Um, I need to attend to a few things upstairs" *Smooth Giles* buffy thought to herself as he went upstairs again, all the while, Xander thinking more deeply than most would give him credit for, but mostly that Buffy was beautiful, even bruised and injured like she was.
*How can he think of himself like that?* she questioned. Of all the boys she'd met in this town, he was one of the few who cared enough to show it. and was more than willing to make a fool of himself for the benefit of others. heck, he'd been beaten and thrown about so many times during a fray * She was surprised he didn't have a frequent flyers hospital card. *Why didn't she want him?*
More is coming. you can count on it, so please r&r. Enjoy
"Future Shadows"- part 4.
THAT SAME NIGHT- In the Harris Basement.
Xander stood silently, contemplating the evening's events and not sure whether to be amused or to call a therapist. He walked over to the Basement door, which he had only just realized was still open. A cold breeze flowed in and he was beginning to feel it.
He moved with all the grace you'd expect from anyone who'd just had a dream that could have featured on 'Ripley's Believe it or not', and was clothed solely by a single white bed sheet.
*Ok, that was kind of weird...we'll just put it down to the pizza, apart from that guy in the cloak. After all I am living over a genuine hell- mouth... demon magnet a le naturale. Last thing I need right now is some kind of dream surfer getting a crush on me...And I've got to talk to Buffy about that whole...date me thing.Besides, how could I be destined to do anything great?*
Grinning sheepishly at his own stupidity, he reached for the door. Before he could push it shut he heard a twig snapping in the darkness outside, and having lived with Sunnydayle's nightlife thus far had no intentions of ignoring it. "Angel, look I'm really not in the mood to play celebrity and stalker". He called out in a strange burst of courage and curiousness that had for some reason overcome him. he stepped out through the open door and peered into his parents' backyard, still clutching the spatula rather tightly.
He could hear approaching footsteps coming down the side-path towards where he was standing, a little obvious for a vamp. *Not Angel...* He crept to the corner of the house, raising the spatula above his head, imagining the worst. *All right, I have the element of surprise, no problem...* *I wish I had a stake right now...no scratch that, I wish I had a Buffy right now*.
The footsteps rounded the corner and he tightened his grip on the spatula. For some reason however, he didn't strike as the figure came within striking distance. *It might be someone I know... cooking utensil in the face... not such a good way to say hi*. A scream filled the air as a brunette girl saw him brandishing his weapon and fell backward in fear. "Sorry I was just..." She looked up. "...Alex-ander Harris?" He stared down, a little shocked. "Um, yeah that's me...... hey, your Cassandra right?" he asked apprehensively. *It's that girl from the video store, oh great, there goes my membership* "What are you doing here?". She rubbed the back of her head and sat up. "Uhuh, you left your wallet at the store. Hey! , I remember you from earlier on- bad break-up with the girlfriend huh? ..." She pulled a small black object from her pocket. "Um" He thought for a moment "Not exactly, more of a pre-emptive break-up actually" He gave a goofy smile "Oh, gotcha.My boyfriend and I split up a while ago, hurts doesn't it.I figured that since I walk home this way Id drop it off, you know I only live around the corner from you, and I heard a noise coming from the back, thought it might be a party or something, wasn't expecting to be attacked by a spatula".
He stood there still a little out of it, and a little in shock at the fact that someone besides a 'Scooby' had actually come to his house. "Oh, thanks...look, I'm sorry about the whole threatening you with a spatula thing". He nervously scratched his back with it. "Hey isn't it a bit late to be out?". She looked around briefly before answering. "Just finished my shift... thank you 24hour service". A cheerful sarcasm in her tone made Xander feel a little less awkward. "A little help maybe?". She offered a hand up to him. "Right...sure". He apologized again as he took his wallet and pulled her up. "I'm really sorry, and I know how this must look". He gestured at the bed sheet covering him. "Oh, I don't know, it's not so bad..." She smiled and looked him up and down. "Sort of a Caesar thing you've got going on". He scratched his head in embarrassment.
Now that she was standing up he could see her more clearly. She was just shorter than him with long, chestnut coloured hair that flowed to her waist. Even in the dull video store uniform he noticed her figure. Her face was small and elfish in a good kind of way with high cheek bones, rounded features and piercing green eyes. *OK, this isn't going quite as badly as it could have...she's really cute too...why I didn't notice that before is a worrying question?*. "Yeah, well I was planning on having a roman party but no one came...don't suppose you're buying that?" She gave him a confident look. "Oh, you mean a barbequing roman party". She looked at the spatula. "Actually you just missed the burgers; I'd offer you punch but its costume only...you understand...besides the party's kind of dead". She looked inside through the still open door from where she was standing. "I can see that...it's ok though, think I'll head home". She backed away a little. "Thanks for the wallet". He offered his gratitude. "No problem...it was nice meeting you again". She waved before turning to walk away. "My friends call me Xander..." He added as he turned back toward the door and began to walk inside. "Nice boxers Xander". He heard her say as she walked away. He grabbed the bed sheet and adjusted it to cover his boxers (boxers that in an unfortunate twist sported a dancing smurfs motif.
*Damn...................damn damn damn*
THE NEXT MORNING - GILES' APARTMENT.
Giles stood behind his kitchen bench, fiddling with the kettle. "Anyone for tea or coffee?" He looked over at Willow who sat in his chair, reading one of the larger volumes of his demon encyclopaedia before casting his glance toward an exhausted Xander who lay sprawled along the couch. "Sorry Giles, don't think your going to get any response out of Will right now...you know what she's like with those things" He gestured toward the book in her hand. "It could take hours before she's back with us in the non- book world...she gets like this all the time". Xander jumped in. "Yes, that does seem apparent...and Xander do take your shoes off my couch, and I use the term 'shoes' loosely". He glared at Xander over his glasses. "Hey, I'll have you know these are very cool sneakers". He glanced down at his old pair of black cons. "And it took me a year to wear these babies in so they'd fit so well". He made a small circle in the air with one shoe. "Yes, well even so if you don't mind..." Giles poured boiling water into a mug. "No problem". Xander swung his legs over so he was in a seated position. All the while Willow sat silently and cross-legged in a chair in the corner of the room, completely engrossed. *Wouldn't want to disrespect the couch* Xander thought to himself. *Even if it does smell old and English*. "Actually, I wouldn't mind a caffeine boost myself". He stood up and walked over to the bench. "Help yourself". "Thanks...listen; Willow said there was something important you wanted to talk about ...what's up?" He asked as he poured himself a mug. Giles picked up his own cup and walked over to the coffee table in the centre of the room, putting down his cup and picking up another thick book and began flicking through the pages. "We're just waiting for Buffy to arrive and I'll explain everything...have you been feeling alright lately Xander...you've been moping around since you finished school, but you seem better this morning". Xander gave a blank look. *Let's see......where to begin*. Willow lowered her book and shot Giles a 'don't ask' look, which of course he didn't notice. "Oh, nothing I'm just tired...too much TV, you know wasting my youth....actually remind me to ask you about a dream I had last night". He explained unconvincingly. *Well it's not like I'm going to talk to him about her...It'd just be, well odd*. Giles nodded as a token sign of belief (although he knew something was up). "Certainly" "So what's the rush Xander, you need to be somewhere?" Willow had now put her volume down and gone from 'book worm' to 'curious friend' mode in the space of a second. "Welcome back to our universe". Xander offered a belated greeting. "Not really, I was just hoping to go by the video store this morning". He took a sip of his coffee. A pixie-like smile crept over her face as she leaned forward. "Why the sudden interest in the video store?". He moved uncomfortably, taking a large gulp of his coffee as Giles put down his book and made his way to the stairs. "Ill be down in a minute, call me when Buffy gets here". Xander and Willow both watched as Giles disappeared upstairs. "Well?" she pushed for an answer. "Well what? You know I've had an unhealthy obsession with videos since I was in the womb". *It's like she can smell the fear...how do they pick up on this stuff anyway? * "Are you saying there isn't a particular fixture in the video store you're interested in?" "Ok, I was twelve and I'd never seen the adult section before!" He took a defensive stance as she stared back at him, still smiling. "You know that's not what I'm talking about". *How the heck do they do that....it's uncanny*
"Well I-" A knock at the door interrupted his response. "I'll be getting the door now". He jumped the bench enthusiastically and ran to the door. He opened it to see Buffy standing there, hand still in a knocking position. "Hey Xander". She gave a little wave. "Hey Buff". He looked back at Willow. "Come in, don't be shy". "Thanks..." She walked in and sat down on the couch. She wore a backless tie-up top that exposed a large bandage over her shoulder as she walked past. "Hey Will, where's Giles". Xander sat down on the couch next to her. "Oh he's upstairs". She glanced toward the banister. "He'll be down soon". "So you're ok I take it, we've been worried what with the monster fest and all, how's the shoulder?" Xander expressed his concern. *Damn, that sounded really needy...less needy, come on its not like rocket science here* "That is to say that obviously we weren't so worried about you that we couldn't move on...but dead Buffy would be bad if you know what I mean" *There, not too shabby...... - DAMN... brings on the nuclear physics.your an idiot, bad Xander*. Willow shot him a look as Buffy leaned back into the couch with a confused look on her face. "Thanks...I think. And don't worry, the shoulder's ok. I heal quick remember". She smiled, noticing the air of awkwardness between them. "So how'd slayage go last night?" Willow made an attempt to salvage the conversation as Xander scratched his head yet again, trying to think of something cool to say for a save. Before he could embarrass himself further Giles appeared at the bottom of the stairs, yet another ancient book in his hands.
"Well thank you for notifying me of her arrival"(sarcastically)..."Buffy, how are you?" She looked over at her watcher and stretched out her arms. "Tired, very tired...you know this slaying is murder on my moisturizing routine".
He gestured toward his bedroom. "Perhaps its time we told the others of our house guest?" Giles then walked over to his beloved bookcase and picked out a familiar looking book. "The prophecies of Algar". Buffy stated matter-of-factly. "Wow buff, someone's been studying" Xander joked as he looked over at Giles. "So what's up G-man, you know I had to get up before 10 for this..." "It's actually quite important Xander and please don't call me that". "Sorry, you know you seem a little more tense than usual, what's wrong?" His voice slowly changed into a more serious tone as he sensed something different in the air. "Thank you for your concern but I'm afraid what we are dealing with may very well be more closely related to you.and please don't call me that".
"Well thanks for that Giles... you know considering that your people invented the language, you could use a little of its sensitivity. maybe even some of those beating-around-the bush type words sometime". Giles raised an eyebrow in response to Xanders' comment but before he could answer him back Buffy got up and walked over to the stairs. "Don't worry Xander, we'll explain in a minute". She flicked through several pages of a large book. "I thought there may be some parallel between this rising army of demons at the moment, and these prophecies...which might actually have something to do with you Xander" "What? I can't die! ...Its not fair! ... These prophecies always have dying in them and I didn't even get to see that cute girl from the video store again". He blurted out unwittingly before standing up and walking nervously over to Giles, looking over the watchers shoulder at the book. "Where does Xander come into all this?" Willow questioned as she stood up to examine the book as well. "Wait a minute, video store cutie!" She caught on to his babble several seconds after he had gotten it out. "I think I can help out with that, the prophecy thing that is". Buffy walked down the stairs, dragging the cloaked figure she had captured the night before. It struggled, seemingly no match for the rope that bound its midsection arms and legs. Xander raised an eyebrow. "Nice hog-tying Buff, there something you're not telling us about your personal life?" "Xander..." Willow shot him a look and punched him in the arm. He smiled sheepishly and looked at the cloaked figure. "I was chatting about this and that last night with dark and cloaky over here... he kept on mentioning a boy who journeyed with the slayer. And the only boy I really know in Sunnydale is you" She smiled bluntly "Hey, wait a second, this guy looks familiar...so who's your friend there buff?". "Well, turns out that last night this guy was playing junior detective and tailing me the whole time...when I knocked him out of his perch he mentioned a boy- then when I brought him back here, he got a tad more chatty" "Boy huh? ..." Xander questioned "I guess that would be me... I think I'm offended". Giles stood up and put down the book as Buffy returned to the couch and sat her prisoner down. It struggled to get free, growling in frustration and occasionally giving everyone a glimpse of its Incandescent Yellow eyes. "I have a feeling that this cheerful fellow can help us" Giles tapped a finger on the book cover before glancing over at the demon as he spoke.
Willow stepped back a little. "I'm not crazy about house guests of the demonic variety; could we possibly get to the part where Buffy beats information out of him so I can get as far away from it as possible?" Buffy tapped the creature on the head playfully. "Don't worry Will, I had Giles put the mojo on that rope...he wont be going anywhere". "And there's no need for that, I may have already figured it out". Xander interjected "Why do I still not feel safe? And what does this guy have to do with me? ...And I'm sure this guy looks familiar."
The cloaked figure stopped struggling and sat silently for a moment. "Well" Giles began to explain; "I think He is a member of the Shu-ult". The demon growled as Giles mentioned the name. "Wait, I remember now" Xander jumped in "this guy was definitely dream surfin' in my head last night". He leaned threateningly toward it, making sure the ropes were still tied. "I'm so gonna kick your but dream boy!" A hand stopped him. "Xander, as brave as attacking a bound hostage is...may not be a good idea." Buffy tilted her head toward the creatures face. Xander pointed a finger menacingly and declared with false confidence "You're lucky this time pal!" and backed off. "The Su-ult are very enlightened beings. they prefer to communicate through telepathy, rather than risk making themselves vulnerable, but on the occasions when they have been challenged physically, they are feared warriors" Giles paraphrased several pages from one of his texts.
"Actually it's funny, he's gone all mimey". The others looked at Buffy as she spoke. "You know.like a mime! Silent movie style, and I know he could talk last night, don't remember hitting him in the mouth.much" Buffy realised that the creature hadn't spoken the whole time he'd been tied. "I HAVE NO QUARRAL WITH ANY OF YOU". As if on cue, the creature spoke. "BUT YOU ALREADY KNOW TOO MUCH" It raised both hands from under its bonds, and a faint light began to emanate from them. "What's he doing Giles?" Buffy grabbed it by the shoulders and threw it to the floor as the Book containing the prophecies of Algar Burst into flames. "Damn!" Giles grabbed a cardigan from his coat rack and slapped the book until the fire had been extinguished. "Ok, not liking this" Xander leaned over the demon once more "Look if this is about that library book I'm..." "YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE" The demon tensed, burst through the ropes that held it and stood up, at least 2 feet taller than anyone else in the room. It pulled back the hood covering its head to reveal a long face lined by a row of thick scales down either cheek, a blue tinge to its skin colour and sharp, pointed ears. "THE INNOUCENT WARRIOR WILL STOP THE PLAGUE FROM DROWNING EARTHS PEOPLE, AND WILL CRUSH EVIL BEFORE IT RISES". It turned toward the window, however Buffy pre-empted its move and through a punch. "I caught you once". The creature blocked the punch with ease and sent her crashing into the coffee table behind her. "YOU CAUGHT ME OFF GURARD, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN". With that the demon leapt over Giles' couch and through the now closed window, sending shards of glass into the flowerbed below as it left.
Giles offered Buffy a hand to get up. "I'm fine...but I'll need to track that guy down again". She cupped the back of her head and pulled herself across the floor, bracing her stunned body against the wall. "You sure you're ok Buffy?" Willow expressed her concern.
MEANWHILE In a mansion just outside of Sunnydale a swirling portal broke the darkness of one of the larger rooms, and a disgruntled Demon (the same demon who had been captured by Buffy) Walked through it and kneeled on the wooden floor. *WE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED* *YOU WERE CARELESS ASHULK, YOU WILL GO BACK AND PROTECT THE BOY, HE DOES NOT KNOW OF THE EVIL THAT HE WILL FACE*
BACK AT GILES'
Xander looked around at the broken window and coffee table and took in the silence for a few seconds. He then sat back down on the couch looking at a sore Buffy, still rubbing her neck. He offered her his sympathies. "Don't worry Buff, you'll get him again, you always do.....s-o we Bronzin' tonight? ...nothin better to cure the apocalyptic blues than a night of crazy dancing, besides, if I'm going to die, might as well go out dancing ". He gestured to both Buffy and Willow before putting both arms in the air and mock-danced... "You're not going to die" Buffy stated with a certainty he felt reassuring. "Bronze could be good" Willow replied, before her smile turned into a frown "But there is the whole slayer duty thing, we should help out, besides.is it such a great idea to be partying with everything that's going on?"
Giles walked out from the kitchen and handed Buffy an ice pack for her head. "My, how we soon forget the imminent danger we're facing..." He glanced over at Xander, who stared back at him. "Oh thank you so much for reminding me, you think you could bring it up every half hour or so, cause that would be great". Sarcastically. "I'm sorry Xander" he apologised "But with recent events, including last night- and along with this ever-growing and unexplained number of demons arriving in Sunnydale; Buffy must be on her guard until we figure it out". Xander nodded silently in agreement. "And you appear to be the focus of something too. no, its better if you lie low, stay close to Buffy if you can" Willow had to stop herself from saying something as Xander stood awkwardly for a moment.
*wow, buffy and me.just buffy and me, this can't be a good thing.what if I embarrass myself- wait, she's used to that.but still.*
Willow walked over to the door and waved to everyone. . "Look, I've got to go, but we need a plan, Buffy?" she questioned. Buffy looked over at Xander from her seated position against the wall and mouthed "We have to talk". He blushed slightly before trying to conceal it. Once more taking in the silence, Xander thought for a moment... Buffy then turned to Willow, well you and Giles get on to the research stuff and I'll contact Angel, Xander" She paused awkwardly for a moment too "try to keep out of trouble, stay home tonight- " Giles interjected
"Yes, and you can drop in to check on him after patrolling" Awkwardness abounded. "But remember, be careful both of you, and if you could come back this afternoon willow; we can go over some of my older volumes" She nodded in agreement and left. "As for you" Giles began, directing his attention toward Buffy "stay put, you need to rest for a while, in fact, I'm not sure it's a good Idea for you to patrol tonight" She cocked her head to the side, impressed by the sternness in his tone. "Actually, you could spend the evening guarding Xander; perhaps in the library.you'll have access to weapons there" "Look, I appreciate all the fuss over little old moi.but really- "Xander was ignored as he tried to talk his way out of it "Oh, and Buffy" Giles continued "I've already spoken to Angel, he'll bring anything he finds to us" She looked a little hurt, that he hadn't come to her first.
Buffy made no attempt to argue with her Watcher.it was as if he could sense something greater at stake. and she could too, despite the recent awkwardness with Xander, she cared for him a great deal.something about a regular person wanting to be with her despite knowing -intimately- the darker side to her life, was frightening.
Realizing that they had been ignoring him, Giles glanced back at Xander, who was still clearly still trying to take everything in "Listen, we're here for you, all of us" He offered with a surprisingly fatherly tone to his voice. "Hey, I know, its just a little weird you know. I mean I'm just no one, not even a blip on the screen- and all of a sudden, bam." He directed his gaze once more toward Buffy
Giles sensed a personal moment coming between the two and made himself scarce "Um, I need to attend to a few things upstairs" *Smooth Giles* buffy thought to herself as he went upstairs again, all the while, Xander thinking more deeply than most would give him credit for, but mostly that Buffy was beautiful, even bruised and injured like she was.
*How can he think of himself like that?* she questioned. Of all the boys she'd met in this town, he was one of the few who cared enough to show it. and was more than willing to make a fool of himself for the benefit of others. heck, he'd been beaten and thrown about so many times during a fray * She was surprised he didn't have a frequent flyers hospital card. *Why didn't she want him?*
