The Following TV Series or books have been included in the story.
Disclaimers appear at the end with the cast list.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Angel the Series
Highlander
Louis Lamour's The First Fast Draw
Full Disclaimer listed on First Part of the Story
Last Part
Xander was sleeping on the couch and the room was empty until yet another man faded into existence. He was dressed in old Levis, cowboy boots, faded flannel shirt and wore a straw western hat. He looked at the sleeping man and spoke quietly.
"I heard what yer up against, kid, and wanted to help you. I don't got the skills that the others did, so I snuck in the back door to pass on what little bit of skill I got." He said, placing his hands on Xander's head. As the glow grew, then faded he again spoke.
"I gots a reputation for doin lot's of bad things, but it really wasn't bad at all. But I do know that you is goin' to be fightin' vampires and I wanted to give you an edge. You now have the skill of Cullen Baker, one of the first gunfighters to use a fast draw. I hope it helps you on your mission. Good bye son." And with that Cullen Baker faded back into obscurity.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
Part 5
Mercy Hospital
Sunnydale, Ca.
July 9, 2002, 9:00 AM
Today Giles was the first to arrive at the hospital. He made his way to Xander's room and entered after knocking. Xander was awake, but looked really tired.
"Rough night?" Giles asked.
"Yea, a little too rough." Xander answered lifting up his sleeve and showing the tattoo.
Giles leaned in and looked at it carefully, noticing that it was almost completely colored in. He cleared his throat and started to speak.
"I received a call last night from the Watcher's Council last night." Giles paused to take his glasses of and clean them. "They informed me of a prophecy that is rapidly approaching, which requires the efforts of two Slayers to defeat it. They also informed me that they possess, and have been withholding, evidence that would prove Faith innocent of the crimes for which she had been sentenced. Accordingly, they intend to present this evidence to the authorities and expect Faith to be released from the penitentiary within the next few weeks."
Xander just sat there, stunned.
"Faith's coming back here?" Xander asked.
"Yes, in approximately four to six weeks. Whistler informed me of the story behind that symbol appearing on your arm as well, saying that since I would need my rest to deal with two slayers, that I couldn't spare the time looking into old books." Giles replied smiling.
Again, I revised this to sound more Giles-like, and also changed the wording to indicate a conditional future event
"Oh great, she now can kill me more than once," grunted Xander.
"I don't think so, Xander." Giles paused again. "I called Angel and asked about her this morning before I left. He was rather vague, even for him, but he did tell me that something had happened to her while in prison, and she was, for lack of a better word, broken."
"Great, she's probably even more whacked than before," said Xander angrily.
"That may , indeed, be a possibility. But in any event, I just wanted to let you know that I am aware of what is occurring, and I am assuming that you want this kept under wraps for the time being. Correct?" Giles asked.
"Yea, at least till I get out of here. Thanks," Xander replied. "Look, Giles, I've got a lot on my mind. Could you keep everyone out of there today?"
"Well yes, I could try," Giles answered.
"Thanks, G-man," Xander smirked.
Giles exited the room and was just in time to intercept the three girls who were just arriving.
"Buffy, Willow, Dawn, good morning to you all. Xander was just taken upstairs for some tests and therapy. If everything is fine, he gets to go home tomorrow. So, it appears you just missed him," explained Giles.
They were all disappointed, Dawn most of all, so to cheer her up, the other two young women decided to take her shopping.
While the girls shopped, Xander thought. He was trying to put the pieces of his life back together and trying to make sense out of what was happening to him. He had often wished for some sort of super powers so he could save Buffy, and have her fall in love with him, but he never thought it would happen.
Willow and Giles both had tried to tell him that Buffy was really in love with him, and had been for years, only going out with others so he would not get too close to her, and be even more likely to be hurt or killed. But after the shooting, she realized how fragile life really was and decided to go for it.
He just wasn't sure of anything anymore.
That evening he drifted off to sleep watching the late news.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
White Room
Unknown Location
Xander faded back into the room he was becoming too familiar with and wondered what tonight's visitor would bring. He sat down on the white couch and leaned back, closing his eyes and trying to relax.
His eyes had only been closed for a few minutes when he heard a voice from his past.
"Yo! Xan, wake up."
Xander's eyes shot open and he leapt to his feet.
"Jesse?" stammered Xander.
"Yea, Xan, it's me." Jesse said quietly as he hugged his best friend.
The two old friends held each other for a few moments, tears spilling freely from the eyes of both.
Finally Jesse stepped back.
"Xander, I have a ton of stuff to pass on to you tonight, as well as some advice," Jesse started.
"Like what?" Xander asked with some worry in his voice.
"I have some account numbers for you for banks in the Cayman Islands which are completely untraceable. They once belonged to some of the world's worst criminals, one actually belonged to a Nazi war criminal. He forgot the number to the account and the PTB filed it away for future use. And don't worry about the original owners, they were unable to be tracked down or were dead, and they all agreed to let the PTB use the money for good," Jesse said.
"Okay," Xander answered, his curiosity getting the best of him. "What else is there?"
"Well, there are overviews of who will be joining you, but you will need to keep that part quiet, we don't want anyone trying to jump the gun and trying to join earlier. Then there is some general knowledge of things, things that someone would learn over time, like signing contracts, driving experience and some other stuff that you need to know, but forget that for now."
Jesse paused.
"So, how are things?" he asked when he continued.
"Confusing," Xander said. "After six years, Buffy finally decided to tell me that she loves me. After I almost died saving her. Now I don't know if it's for real or just gratitude."
"It's real. I remember how she looked at you, plus the fact that I have been able to see some things being dead that you wouldn't. She has loved you for a long time, but she was afraid for you…" Jesse started to say when he was cut off.
"Because I was the normal guy. I know, but if she is afraid of me being hurt, then why now, after I 'was' hurt?" Xander asked.
"Probably because she finally realized that anything can happen and rob someone of a loved one, not just hunting vampires and demons. It made her think about what was important in her life, and you have always been up there in that category," Jesse said softly.
Xander stood up and paced for a few minutes.
"Jesse, I'm scared," said Xander.
"About what?" Jesse asked.
"This whole leader of 'The Pentagram Guardians' thing. I don't really want to do it. I only agreed because if I didn't, Buffy would either die or be tormented for years. You know me, Jesse, I'm the clown, the joker. I'm not a leader," Xander stated angrily.
"I think you think too little of yourself. I know of several times when you took charge and either saved someone or got the job done when no one else could have. You are a born leader. Xander, you always have been. You just let yourself believe the crap that your father told you about being useless. Forget him. The PTB think you can do it, I think you can do it, and deep inside you know you can do it, said Jesse in a voice thick with emotion.
"Xander you are one of the most self-sacrificing people that I have ever seen. I mean, you have never put yourself first in anything. All through school, you protected those who the bullies normally would have bothered. You protected Willow all through school, you tried to protect me, but I didn't listen and look where I am. You just have to accept that you have a job and do it. As far as Buffy goes, just give it time, it will work out."
Jesse stood up, guiding Xander over to the couch where he sat. He placed his hands on the sides of Xander's head, the glow lighting the room.
Jesse stepped back and turned when Whistler appeared.
"Will he be okay?" Whistler asked.
"Yea, just give him some time to accept it and he will be fine. Once he gets his confidence back he will be fine," Jesse answered as he faded.
"Rest easy kid. You will soon be awakening to the adventure of a lifetime, and will become the hope of the human race," said Whistler as he faded.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
Mercy Hospital
Sunnydale Ca.
July 10, 2002, 10:00 AM.
Giles, Joyce and Buffy entered the room to find Xander sitting up in a wheelchair, dressed in some sweats that Giles had brought yesterday.
"Cool, my ride is here. All packed up, the papers are signed, and they are getting my medication now. I can't wait to get out of here," Xander babbled.
Buffy looked over her Xander shaped friend. Something about him was different. He looked different, kind of. She couldn't quite figure out what it was, so she shrugged and walked up to him and hugged him gently.
The doctor returned and gave the medication to Giles, along with the wound instruction sheet and the orders to follow up for later care. The orderly came it to wheel him out the car. Joyce had driven her Jeep Cherokee to pick up Xander, it being easier for him to get into than Giles' car.
The ride to The Magic Box was rather quiet, no one having anything to say. Buffy was so uncomfortable that she asked to be dropped off at the mall, with the excuse that she was going to get a few things for Xander. No one noticed when suddenly Xander sat up straight, and looked very relaxed.
They finally arrived at the store after more uncomfortable silence.
Joyce parked near the back door to make it easy for Xander to get out of the Jeep, and was then shocked when he jumped out, grabbed his bag and walked in the store. He went directly to the room he would be using and peeled his shirt off. Swiftly he started to unwind the bandages that wound around his chest.
Giles gave a look to Joyce that promised he would explain and started to help Xander.
When the bandages were off, Joyce sat down in a chair, hard. There was not a mark on Xander's tanned muscular back at all. No trace of the bullet wounds or surgery.
From behind them they heard a startled "Eeep!", and when they looked around there was a shocked Willow, holding onto the doorframe as she sagged to the ground.
Xander rushed to his best friend and helped her to a chair in the crowded room.
"Xander! How?" asked Joyce.
Xander looked at Giles and saw him nod in agreement, then step forward.
"I'm going to let Giles explain it while I shower and get changed." Xander said rather flatly.
As Giles told the two women the story of The Pentagram Guardians, Xander took a quick shower in the stall that they put in for Buffy to clean up in before going home. When he stepped out and started drying off, he realized that he could hear them easily. Images of Jesse jump out from the back of his mind.
\\ You will have the equivalent of slayer strength, enough to deal with vampires and demons. Your senses will be enhanced to better detect danger. //
Xander shook his head and finished drying off. He dressed all in dark colors, jeans and shirt. When he was done, he grabbed his wallet and a handful of change that he had and exited the small room.
Willow rushed over to him and hugged him.
"Xander, you finally got what you wanted," she said excitedly.
"Did I Will? Did I really?" Xander replied sadly.
Willow backed off and looked at her best friend's guilt ridden face.
Xander reached for her and hugged her again.
"Giles, I'm going out for a while, don't know when I will be back, just need to think and do a few things." Xander said.
"Fine, call me if you need anything." Replied Giles, already in a deep conversation with Joyce.
Xander paused at the open door looking back at Willow. Winking quickly, he gave her a quick smile as he closed the door.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
\\ Poor Willow, it must be hell on her, having her powers locked. I hope that coven who helped Giles can figure out a way to let her have some of them back, // Xander thought as he walked away.
He walked for several blocks until he found himself at the exact spot where he had been shot.
He walked around it for several minutes, then turned away, heading for the Starbucks at the corner. He bought a Mocha Frappuccino ® and found a table in the back, away from everyone else.
Sipping his drink he pulled out his cell phone and stared at it. Finally he shook his head and dialed a number from memory.
\\ Cayman National Bank and Trust. //
"Yes, I would like to arrange for a line of credit and credit card," Xander said.
\\ What account please? //
"The account number it 1155976111669, the code phrase is Seven Tango Zebra, password is Rigatoni." Xander answered.
\\ One moment please. //
Xander sipped on his drink as he waited for the banker to come back on line and ask for the counter phrase.
\\ What is the second password, sir? //
"The second password is Lamborghini." Xander provided.
\\ Correct, sir. How much would you like available on the Visa Card, sir? //
"Umm. What is the current balance?" asked Xander.
\\ Current balance is $23,778,990.12 sir. The account has not been touched in fifty five years, so there is a considerable amount of interest.//
"Thank you. Can you make that a pre-paid card with a one million dollar limit, and deduct the payments from the account?" Xander again asked the bank's representative.
\\ Yes sir, and what name do you want on the card? //
"Xander L. Harris," Xander said and provided information as to where he wanted the card sent by overnight express. He also asked that a letter of credit in the amount of five million be sent as well.
He sat there for hours, just having coffee and watching people go by, realizing that his life had changed so much that Xander Harris was effectively no more.
Feeling pretty good, Xander checked his pocket for a stake and headed toward the cemetery as the sun started to go down.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
Giles was just enjoying a cup of tea when Buffy entered the small shop.
"Hey Giles, where's Xander?" she asked.
Not really paying much attention, Giles didn't even look up or think before he responded.
"He went out to take a walk and do some thinking," he replied.
"HE WHAT!" Buffy shrieked.
TBC
Disclaimers appear at the end with the cast list.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Angel the Series
Highlander
Louis Lamour's The First Fast Draw
Full Disclaimer listed on First Part of the Story
Last Part
Xander was sleeping on the couch and the room was empty until yet another man faded into existence. He was dressed in old Levis, cowboy boots, faded flannel shirt and wore a straw western hat. He looked at the sleeping man and spoke quietly.
"I heard what yer up against, kid, and wanted to help you. I don't got the skills that the others did, so I snuck in the back door to pass on what little bit of skill I got." He said, placing his hands on Xander's head. As the glow grew, then faded he again spoke.
"I gots a reputation for doin lot's of bad things, but it really wasn't bad at all. But I do know that you is goin' to be fightin' vampires and I wanted to give you an edge. You now have the skill of Cullen Baker, one of the first gunfighters to use a fast draw. I hope it helps you on your mission. Good bye son." And with that Cullen Baker faded back into obscurity.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
Part 5
Mercy Hospital
Sunnydale, Ca.
July 9, 2002, 9:00 AM
Today Giles was the first to arrive at the hospital. He made his way to Xander's room and entered after knocking. Xander was awake, but looked really tired.
"Rough night?" Giles asked.
"Yea, a little too rough." Xander answered lifting up his sleeve and showing the tattoo.
Giles leaned in and looked at it carefully, noticing that it was almost completely colored in. He cleared his throat and started to speak.
"I received a call last night from the Watcher's Council last night." Giles paused to take his glasses of and clean them. "They informed me of a prophecy that is rapidly approaching, which requires the efforts of two Slayers to defeat it. They also informed me that they possess, and have been withholding, evidence that would prove Faith innocent of the crimes for which she had been sentenced. Accordingly, they intend to present this evidence to the authorities and expect Faith to be released from the penitentiary within the next few weeks."
Xander just sat there, stunned.
"Faith's coming back here?" Xander asked.
"Yes, in approximately four to six weeks. Whistler informed me of the story behind that symbol appearing on your arm as well, saying that since I would need my rest to deal with two slayers, that I couldn't spare the time looking into old books." Giles replied smiling.
Again, I revised this to sound more Giles-like, and also changed the wording to indicate a conditional future event
"Oh great, she now can kill me more than once," grunted Xander.
"I don't think so, Xander." Giles paused again. "I called Angel and asked about her this morning before I left. He was rather vague, even for him, but he did tell me that something had happened to her while in prison, and she was, for lack of a better word, broken."
"Great, she's probably even more whacked than before," said Xander angrily.
"That may , indeed, be a possibility. But in any event, I just wanted to let you know that I am aware of what is occurring, and I am assuming that you want this kept under wraps for the time being. Correct?" Giles asked.
"Yea, at least till I get out of here. Thanks," Xander replied. "Look, Giles, I've got a lot on my mind. Could you keep everyone out of there today?"
"Well yes, I could try," Giles answered.
"Thanks, G-man," Xander smirked.
Giles exited the room and was just in time to intercept the three girls who were just arriving.
"Buffy, Willow, Dawn, good morning to you all. Xander was just taken upstairs for some tests and therapy. If everything is fine, he gets to go home tomorrow. So, it appears you just missed him," explained Giles.
They were all disappointed, Dawn most of all, so to cheer her up, the other two young women decided to take her shopping.
While the girls shopped, Xander thought. He was trying to put the pieces of his life back together and trying to make sense out of what was happening to him. He had often wished for some sort of super powers so he could save Buffy, and have her fall in love with him, but he never thought it would happen.
Willow and Giles both had tried to tell him that Buffy was really in love with him, and had been for years, only going out with others so he would not get too close to her, and be even more likely to be hurt or killed. But after the shooting, she realized how fragile life really was and decided to go for it.
He just wasn't sure of anything anymore.
That evening he drifted off to sleep watching the late news.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
White Room
Unknown Location
Xander faded back into the room he was becoming too familiar with and wondered what tonight's visitor would bring. He sat down on the white couch and leaned back, closing his eyes and trying to relax.
His eyes had only been closed for a few minutes when he heard a voice from his past.
"Yo! Xan, wake up."
Xander's eyes shot open and he leapt to his feet.
"Jesse?" stammered Xander.
"Yea, Xan, it's me." Jesse said quietly as he hugged his best friend.
The two old friends held each other for a few moments, tears spilling freely from the eyes of both.
Finally Jesse stepped back.
"Xander, I have a ton of stuff to pass on to you tonight, as well as some advice," Jesse started.
"Like what?" Xander asked with some worry in his voice.
"I have some account numbers for you for banks in the Cayman Islands which are completely untraceable. They once belonged to some of the world's worst criminals, one actually belonged to a Nazi war criminal. He forgot the number to the account and the PTB filed it away for future use. And don't worry about the original owners, they were unable to be tracked down or were dead, and they all agreed to let the PTB use the money for good," Jesse said.
"Okay," Xander answered, his curiosity getting the best of him. "What else is there?"
"Well, there are overviews of who will be joining you, but you will need to keep that part quiet, we don't want anyone trying to jump the gun and trying to join earlier. Then there is some general knowledge of things, things that someone would learn over time, like signing contracts, driving experience and some other stuff that you need to know, but forget that for now."
Jesse paused.
"So, how are things?" he asked when he continued.
"Confusing," Xander said. "After six years, Buffy finally decided to tell me that she loves me. After I almost died saving her. Now I don't know if it's for real or just gratitude."
"It's real. I remember how she looked at you, plus the fact that I have been able to see some things being dead that you wouldn't. She has loved you for a long time, but she was afraid for you…" Jesse started to say when he was cut off.
"Because I was the normal guy. I know, but if she is afraid of me being hurt, then why now, after I 'was' hurt?" Xander asked.
"Probably because she finally realized that anything can happen and rob someone of a loved one, not just hunting vampires and demons. It made her think about what was important in her life, and you have always been up there in that category," Jesse said softly.
Xander stood up and paced for a few minutes.
"Jesse, I'm scared," said Xander.
"About what?" Jesse asked.
"This whole leader of 'The Pentagram Guardians' thing. I don't really want to do it. I only agreed because if I didn't, Buffy would either die or be tormented for years. You know me, Jesse, I'm the clown, the joker. I'm not a leader," Xander stated angrily.
"I think you think too little of yourself. I know of several times when you took charge and either saved someone or got the job done when no one else could have. You are a born leader. Xander, you always have been. You just let yourself believe the crap that your father told you about being useless. Forget him. The PTB think you can do it, I think you can do it, and deep inside you know you can do it, said Jesse in a voice thick with emotion.
"Xander you are one of the most self-sacrificing people that I have ever seen. I mean, you have never put yourself first in anything. All through school, you protected those who the bullies normally would have bothered. You protected Willow all through school, you tried to protect me, but I didn't listen and look where I am. You just have to accept that you have a job and do it. As far as Buffy goes, just give it time, it will work out."
Jesse stood up, guiding Xander over to the couch where he sat. He placed his hands on the sides of Xander's head, the glow lighting the room.
Jesse stepped back and turned when Whistler appeared.
"Will he be okay?" Whistler asked.
"Yea, just give him some time to accept it and he will be fine. Once he gets his confidence back he will be fine," Jesse answered as he faded.
"Rest easy kid. You will soon be awakening to the adventure of a lifetime, and will become the hope of the human race," said Whistler as he faded.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
Mercy Hospital
Sunnydale Ca.
July 10, 2002, 10:00 AM.
Giles, Joyce and Buffy entered the room to find Xander sitting up in a wheelchair, dressed in some sweats that Giles had brought yesterday.
"Cool, my ride is here. All packed up, the papers are signed, and they are getting my medication now. I can't wait to get out of here," Xander babbled.
Buffy looked over her Xander shaped friend. Something about him was different. He looked different, kind of. She couldn't quite figure out what it was, so she shrugged and walked up to him and hugged him gently.
The doctor returned and gave the medication to Giles, along with the wound instruction sheet and the orders to follow up for later care. The orderly came it to wheel him out the car. Joyce had driven her Jeep Cherokee to pick up Xander, it being easier for him to get into than Giles' car.
The ride to The Magic Box was rather quiet, no one having anything to say. Buffy was so uncomfortable that she asked to be dropped off at the mall, with the excuse that she was going to get a few things for Xander. No one noticed when suddenly Xander sat up straight, and looked very relaxed.
They finally arrived at the store after more uncomfortable silence.
Joyce parked near the back door to make it easy for Xander to get out of the Jeep, and was then shocked when he jumped out, grabbed his bag and walked in the store. He went directly to the room he would be using and peeled his shirt off. Swiftly he started to unwind the bandages that wound around his chest.
Giles gave a look to Joyce that promised he would explain and started to help Xander.
When the bandages were off, Joyce sat down in a chair, hard. There was not a mark on Xander's tanned muscular back at all. No trace of the bullet wounds or surgery.
From behind them they heard a startled "Eeep!", and when they looked around there was a shocked Willow, holding onto the doorframe as she sagged to the ground.
Xander rushed to his best friend and helped her to a chair in the crowded room.
"Xander! How?" asked Joyce.
Xander looked at Giles and saw him nod in agreement, then step forward.
"I'm going to let Giles explain it while I shower and get changed." Xander said rather flatly.
As Giles told the two women the story of The Pentagram Guardians, Xander took a quick shower in the stall that they put in for Buffy to clean up in before going home. When he stepped out and started drying off, he realized that he could hear them easily. Images of Jesse jump out from the back of his mind.
\\ You will have the equivalent of slayer strength, enough to deal with vampires and demons. Your senses will be enhanced to better detect danger. //
Xander shook his head and finished drying off. He dressed all in dark colors, jeans and shirt. When he was done, he grabbed his wallet and a handful of change that he had and exited the small room.
Willow rushed over to him and hugged him.
"Xander, you finally got what you wanted," she said excitedly.
"Did I Will? Did I really?" Xander replied sadly.
Willow backed off and looked at her best friend's guilt ridden face.
Xander reached for her and hugged her again.
"Giles, I'm going out for a while, don't know when I will be back, just need to think and do a few things." Xander said.
"Fine, call me if you need anything." Replied Giles, already in a deep conversation with Joyce.
Xander paused at the open door looking back at Willow. Winking quickly, he gave her a quick smile as he closed the door.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
\\ Poor Willow, it must be hell on her, having her powers locked. I hope that coven who helped Giles can figure out a way to let her have some of them back, // Xander thought as he walked away.
He walked for several blocks until he found himself at the exact spot where he had been shot.
He walked around it for several minutes, then turned away, heading for the Starbucks at the corner. He bought a Mocha Frappuccino ® and found a table in the back, away from everyone else.
Sipping his drink he pulled out his cell phone and stared at it. Finally he shook his head and dialed a number from memory.
\\ Cayman National Bank and Trust. //
"Yes, I would like to arrange for a line of credit and credit card," Xander said.
\\ What account please? //
"The account number it 1155976111669, the code phrase is Seven Tango Zebra, password is Rigatoni." Xander answered.
\\ One moment please. //
Xander sipped on his drink as he waited for the banker to come back on line and ask for the counter phrase.
\\ What is the second password, sir? //
"The second password is Lamborghini." Xander provided.
\\ Correct, sir. How much would you like available on the Visa Card, sir? //
"Umm. What is the current balance?" asked Xander.
\\ Current balance is $23,778,990.12 sir. The account has not been touched in fifty five years, so there is a considerable amount of interest.//
"Thank you. Can you make that a pre-paid card with a one million dollar limit, and deduct the payments from the account?" Xander again asked the bank's representative.
\\ Yes sir, and what name do you want on the card? //
"Xander L. Harris," Xander said and provided information as to where he wanted the card sent by overnight express. He also asked that a letter of credit in the amount of five million be sent as well.
He sat there for hours, just having coffee and watching people go by, realizing that his life had changed so much that Xander Harris was effectively no more.
Feeling pretty good, Xander checked his pocket for a stake and headed toward the cemetery as the sun started to go down.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
Giles was just enjoying a cup of tea when Buffy entered the small shop.
"Hey Giles, where's Xander?" she asked.
Not really paying much attention, Giles didn't even look up or think before he responded.
"He went out to take a walk and do some thinking," he replied.
"HE WHAT!" Buffy shrieked.
TBC