Buffy and Willow made their way down to the table where lunch awaited them.
The lids flew open as the gang attacked the pizzas with gusto. Xander
wondered if Oz knew about Willows appetite. Willow could eat like a horse,
and Buffy - well Slayer strength also came with Slayer hunger.
Xander was munching away when he noticed Buffy looking at him in a funny way, Buffy grinned and spoke with her mouth half full "So Xand, did you get me a Meat Lovers?"
Xander started choking on his ham and pineapple and it was only after a good slap on the back from Giles that he was able to breathe again. Xander went off to the bathroom to wash his face and calm down from this latest unpleasant episode, while Giles addressed Oz and the two girls after Willow's question about Phineas.
Giles was his usual monotone self as he recounted the story of Phineas. "Phineas was the son of Beleus, back in the time of Ancient Greece. The story is that he fought with Perseus over Andromeda, an Ethiopian Princess who had been promised to Phineas as a bride. Apparantly Perseus turned Phineas to stone with the head of a slain Gorgon."
Buffy was less than impressed, "Gee Giles, all I need to defeat this Phinny Ass guy is the head of a slain Gorgon. Willow, are they still selling those at Walmart?"
Giles shook his head slighty and continued "There is another Phineas I am aware of, the son of Agenor the prophet, however I am confident the prophecy is in no way related to him and so we can leave him out of our research."
Xander returned from the mens room to catch the last word of Giles' previous comment. "More research! What are we looking for anyway?"
Willow deadpanned "Buffy needs the head of a slain Gorgon", and Xander replied in his usual style - "Gee Will, should have told me last week. I sold my last one to this guy from Texas for his trophy room."
Giles ignored the teenage banter and continued his earlier narrative, "The story I just recounted is a myth, similar to Jason and the Argonauts and the tale of the Golden Fleece. Therefore I can't understand the reference to Phineas in this prophecy. At the moment all we know is that it will take place sometime this year, and being April that is of little help." Giles next statement was music to the groups ears, eventually. "Why don't you leave this with me. We've spent all morning searching the usual texts for references to this prophecy, when I think more specific enquiry is warranted. I need to consult my Ancient Greek volumes at home, so you can all have the rest of the day off."
Xander took a moment to digest it all before commenting, "Whoa Giles! Too many words - make brain hurt", before sharing a knowing look with Buffy and Willow.
Willow jumped on Oz's back and rode him out of the library at a gallop, leaving Buffy and Xander alone while they headed for the exit. Buffy took a deep breath and started,
"Xander I.."
"Buffy do.."
"Wait", said Xander. "You first."
"Well it was nothing really," said Buffy. "Unless you want to come over my house and watch a video this afternoon? Mom was making chocolate cookies."
"Buffy you are THE MAN. Uh, a very feminine man with really nice legs and a great set of OW!". Xander clutches his arm where Buffy slapped him. "I was going to say.."
Buffy interjected "Yes...?"
"I was going to say, a great set of... oh don't worry about it" said Xander, sulking.
"I'm glad you like them Xander" said Buffy with a straight face. Inwardly she was having fun with this.
Xander was lost. She couldn't be referring to what he thought she was referring to. Surely not, Xander told himself. But, he had to ask - "them what Buffy? What are you glad I like ?"
"My breasts" said Buffy, and Xander's world came crashing down upon him.
Giles was still in the library, thinking about the prophecy. He thought he could still hear voices in the corridoor outside the library. "Good" he said, talking to himself. "If Buffy is still here I can ask her to.." and at that instant opened the doors and peered out to see a very surprised Xander being kissed by Buffy. Pretending as though he had seen nothing, Giles sighed and went back to work.
Buffy pulled back slightly and smiled at Xander, who was trying to process all this information and failing miserably. "Buffy, uh. I mean, umm." Xander slapped himself in the side of the head and tried again, "Buffy, I, you, umm. Oh God, Oh God. Uhh, Buffy, you *kissed* me!"
Buffy's smile changed ever so slightly to a more mischevious grin. In her sweetest voice she said "Did you like it ?"
"Yes. No. Yes. Wait, you're under a spell. That's what it is" said a very flustered Xander.
Buffy rolled her eyes in frustration, "I am *not* under a spell Xander. You can come back to my house with me or you can go home to your comic collection. It's up to you"
"Ok Buff, you're not possessed" said Xander with a smile. "Bring on the vid fest".
Buffy took Xanders hand in hers and said "But I did lie about one thing", and watched as Xander began to deflate. "Mom's not making cookies, in fact she went away for the weekend to San Fran for some art stuff. So we have the house to ourselves". Xanders face lit up like Times Square on New Years Eve, and he grasped Buffy's hand more firmly in his own as they headed out of the building and into the sunshine.
1 Month Later ...
Buffy and Xander enter the library hand in hand to find Willow, Oz and Giles lounging around the table waiting for their arrival. Giles tries to conceal his frustration, but fails miserably. "Yes, I appreciate you turning up. There's certainly no time like the present". Buffy takes it at face value and replies "Oh that's ok Giles. There's no need to thank us."
Giles ignores Buffy's comment and continues, "As you know we are no closer to deciphering the prophecy than when we first began research last month. It pains me to say it but all we can do now is try and be aware of the potential danger, there is nothing left to do. Our role will be entirely passive, neither I nor the council have the faintest idea who or what Phineas is or what specific danger he might represent. There is no way to go on the offensive, so I suggest we continue our daily routines, and our, uh, nightly routines as well. Buffy I will expect you to keep me informed of any unusual occurrences you might encounter while on patrol".
Late at night on the same day Buffy is patrolling with Xander, who is whispering sweet nothings in her ear. "Stop it Xander, you're making me blush" said Buffy, who really did not want Xander to stop it.
Xander turned Buffy to face him, and she saw the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke from the heart, "Buff, this last month has been the happiest of my life. Whatever happens from now on, with this prophecy and Phineas, I want you to know that. Buffy you are my light and my life, my everything." Before Buffy could reply, she was hit with another Xanderism "plus I have this whole fantasy thing involving you and chocolate sauce".
At that moment Buffy spotted a demon approaching them. Untangling herself from Xander, Buffy came forward to meet it and said "Looks like Xander's not the only horny thing here tonight", as she spied two fairly imposing horns jutting from the demons head.
Preparing to defend herself, Buffy was taken by surprise as the Demon stepped forward, opened his hand and blew a soft white powder into Buffy's face. All of this had happened so quickly that Xander was unable to reach Buffy before she fell to the ground unconscious. Xander raced up to Buffy and then inclined his head to face the demon and defend Buffy's prone form, when he saw that the demon was already striding away apparantly uninterested in further combat.
Xander was quite thankful that the demon didn't press his attack further. He had no wish to take on a large 7ft demon with dark green skin and two huge horns. Picking Buffy up in a firemans carry he rushed off with Buffy to Giles' apartment.
Giles was just settling down in his recliner with a nice cup of tea and a Charles Dickens first edition, when Xander barged in holding Buffy in his arms. Giles leapt out of his chair and motioned Xander to lie Buffy down on his couch. "What happened Xander, is she hurt?"
"I don't know Giles. One minute she is about to fight this demon, the next thing I see is Buffy falling to the ground. It looked like it blew something into her face, like some dust or something" said Xander, the tone of his voice conveying his worry for the Buffster.
"Oh dear. Look, leave Buffy on the couch to rest. I want you to come over here to the table and lets see if we can identify the demon responsible."
Two hours and several thick volumes later, Giles and Xander have just discovered the type of demon respsonsible for the earlier attack on Buffy. Giles explains to Xander his knowledge of the demon, "this is a dementis demon. It performs a spell on its victims and is able to control them with the power of its mind. " Both Giles and Xander turn around to check on Buffy, only to find her gone from the couch and Giles' front door wide open. "Oh bugger" says Giles. "Its got Buffy".
Xander was munching away when he noticed Buffy looking at him in a funny way, Buffy grinned and spoke with her mouth half full "So Xand, did you get me a Meat Lovers?"
Xander started choking on his ham and pineapple and it was only after a good slap on the back from Giles that he was able to breathe again. Xander went off to the bathroom to wash his face and calm down from this latest unpleasant episode, while Giles addressed Oz and the two girls after Willow's question about Phineas.
Giles was his usual monotone self as he recounted the story of Phineas. "Phineas was the son of Beleus, back in the time of Ancient Greece. The story is that he fought with Perseus over Andromeda, an Ethiopian Princess who had been promised to Phineas as a bride. Apparantly Perseus turned Phineas to stone with the head of a slain Gorgon."
Buffy was less than impressed, "Gee Giles, all I need to defeat this Phinny Ass guy is the head of a slain Gorgon. Willow, are they still selling those at Walmart?"
Giles shook his head slighty and continued "There is another Phineas I am aware of, the son of Agenor the prophet, however I am confident the prophecy is in no way related to him and so we can leave him out of our research."
Xander returned from the mens room to catch the last word of Giles' previous comment. "More research! What are we looking for anyway?"
Willow deadpanned "Buffy needs the head of a slain Gorgon", and Xander replied in his usual style - "Gee Will, should have told me last week. I sold my last one to this guy from Texas for his trophy room."
Giles ignored the teenage banter and continued his earlier narrative, "The story I just recounted is a myth, similar to Jason and the Argonauts and the tale of the Golden Fleece. Therefore I can't understand the reference to Phineas in this prophecy. At the moment all we know is that it will take place sometime this year, and being April that is of little help." Giles next statement was music to the groups ears, eventually. "Why don't you leave this with me. We've spent all morning searching the usual texts for references to this prophecy, when I think more specific enquiry is warranted. I need to consult my Ancient Greek volumes at home, so you can all have the rest of the day off."
Xander took a moment to digest it all before commenting, "Whoa Giles! Too many words - make brain hurt", before sharing a knowing look with Buffy and Willow.
Willow jumped on Oz's back and rode him out of the library at a gallop, leaving Buffy and Xander alone while they headed for the exit. Buffy took a deep breath and started,
"Xander I.."
"Buffy do.."
"Wait", said Xander. "You first."
"Well it was nothing really," said Buffy. "Unless you want to come over my house and watch a video this afternoon? Mom was making chocolate cookies."
"Buffy you are THE MAN. Uh, a very feminine man with really nice legs and a great set of OW!". Xander clutches his arm where Buffy slapped him. "I was going to say.."
Buffy interjected "Yes...?"
"I was going to say, a great set of... oh don't worry about it" said Xander, sulking.
"I'm glad you like them Xander" said Buffy with a straight face. Inwardly she was having fun with this.
Xander was lost. She couldn't be referring to what he thought she was referring to. Surely not, Xander told himself. But, he had to ask - "them what Buffy? What are you glad I like ?"
"My breasts" said Buffy, and Xander's world came crashing down upon him.
Giles was still in the library, thinking about the prophecy. He thought he could still hear voices in the corridoor outside the library. "Good" he said, talking to himself. "If Buffy is still here I can ask her to.." and at that instant opened the doors and peered out to see a very surprised Xander being kissed by Buffy. Pretending as though he had seen nothing, Giles sighed and went back to work.
Buffy pulled back slightly and smiled at Xander, who was trying to process all this information and failing miserably. "Buffy, uh. I mean, umm." Xander slapped himself in the side of the head and tried again, "Buffy, I, you, umm. Oh God, Oh God. Uhh, Buffy, you *kissed* me!"
Buffy's smile changed ever so slightly to a more mischevious grin. In her sweetest voice she said "Did you like it ?"
"Yes. No. Yes. Wait, you're under a spell. That's what it is" said a very flustered Xander.
Buffy rolled her eyes in frustration, "I am *not* under a spell Xander. You can come back to my house with me or you can go home to your comic collection. It's up to you"
"Ok Buff, you're not possessed" said Xander with a smile. "Bring on the vid fest".
Buffy took Xanders hand in hers and said "But I did lie about one thing", and watched as Xander began to deflate. "Mom's not making cookies, in fact she went away for the weekend to San Fran for some art stuff. So we have the house to ourselves". Xanders face lit up like Times Square on New Years Eve, and he grasped Buffy's hand more firmly in his own as they headed out of the building and into the sunshine.
1 Month Later ...
Buffy and Xander enter the library hand in hand to find Willow, Oz and Giles lounging around the table waiting for their arrival. Giles tries to conceal his frustration, but fails miserably. "Yes, I appreciate you turning up. There's certainly no time like the present". Buffy takes it at face value and replies "Oh that's ok Giles. There's no need to thank us."
Giles ignores Buffy's comment and continues, "As you know we are no closer to deciphering the prophecy than when we first began research last month. It pains me to say it but all we can do now is try and be aware of the potential danger, there is nothing left to do. Our role will be entirely passive, neither I nor the council have the faintest idea who or what Phineas is or what specific danger he might represent. There is no way to go on the offensive, so I suggest we continue our daily routines, and our, uh, nightly routines as well. Buffy I will expect you to keep me informed of any unusual occurrences you might encounter while on patrol".
Late at night on the same day Buffy is patrolling with Xander, who is whispering sweet nothings in her ear. "Stop it Xander, you're making me blush" said Buffy, who really did not want Xander to stop it.
Xander turned Buffy to face him, and she saw the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke from the heart, "Buff, this last month has been the happiest of my life. Whatever happens from now on, with this prophecy and Phineas, I want you to know that. Buffy you are my light and my life, my everything." Before Buffy could reply, she was hit with another Xanderism "plus I have this whole fantasy thing involving you and chocolate sauce".
At that moment Buffy spotted a demon approaching them. Untangling herself from Xander, Buffy came forward to meet it and said "Looks like Xander's not the only horny thing here tonight", as she spied two fairly imposing horns jutting from the demons head.
Preparing to defend herself, Buffy was taken by surprise as the Demon stepped forward, opened his hand and blew a soft white powder into Buffy's face. All of this had happened so quickly that Xander was unable to reach Buffy before she fell to the ground unconscious. Xander raced up to Buffy and then inclined his head to face the demon and defend Buffy's prone form, when he saw that the demon was already striding away apparantly uninterested in further combat.
Xander was quite thankful that the demon didn't press his attack further. He had no wish to take on a large 7ft demon with dark green skin and two huge horns. Picking Buffy up in a firemans carry he rushed off with Buffy to Giles' apartment.
Giles was just settling down in his recliner with a nice cup of tea and a Charles Dickens first edition, when Xander barged in holding Buffy in his arms. Giles leapt out of his chair and motioned Xander to lie Buffy down on his couch. "What happened Xander, is she hurt?"
"I don't know Giles. One minute she is about to fight this demon, the next thing I see is Buffy falling to the ground. It looked like it blew something into her face, like some dust or something" said Xander, the tone of his voice conveying his worry for the Buffster.
"Oh dear. Look, leave Buffy on the couch to rest. I want you to come over here to the table and lets see if we can identify the demon responsible."
Two hours and several thick volumes later, Giles and Xander have just discovered the type of demon respsonsible for the earlier attack on Buffy. Giles explains to Xander his knowledge of the demon, "this is a dementis demon. It performs a spell on its victims and is able to control them with the power of its mind. " Both Giles and Xander turn around to check on Buffy, only to find her gone from the couch and Giles' front door wide open. "Oh bugger" says Giles. "Its got Buffy".