Author's Note: Finally got another chapter up. I'd hoped to finish this thing before 'Him' aired but seems I just don't have the time. I know things are taking a little different turn on the show itself and for some reason it's hard for me to get back in the AU frame of mind after seeing a new episode. Anyway, please R/R and let me know what you think.
Chapter 7
"So, is it just me or is Buffy acting a little stand-offish these days? Maybe she's still mad at me for trying to stop her from killing Anya."
"No Xander, I don't think that's it. I think there's something else going on."
Xander and Willow were sitting at the Summers' kitchen table sipping coffee. Xander had his work clothes on and Willow looked dressed and ready to go out as well.
"Well what do you think's up? Something hell mouthy?"
"There's definitely that of course. She's still having nightmares about it I'm pretty sure, but she doesn't like to talk about them. Dawn's really in a snit over that and…. well about Spike."
"Spike. I should have known Dead Boy was behind all this. What's he doing, stalking her again? It's about time somebody puts him out of his misery, if she can't..."
"Xander, that's not it. He's not even been around since she got him out of the basement and from the way she acted that night I don't think she's been seeing him. There's something up with him though. I don't know what exactly, I just have a feeling, ya know what I mean?"
"Well we know that can't be of the good."
"I don't know what it is Xander, I thought I saw…well, I don't know what I saw. Haven't you wondered why he's acting so crazy?"
"Not really. I guess he finally realized what a pathetic loser he is and cracked."
"Maybe" Willow said doubtfully deciding to change the subject for now. "Have you talked to Anya lately?"
"No, she doesn't seem to want me around. She doesn't seem to really want anybody around in fact. I'm trying to give her some space, I know she's got a lot to deal with right now."
Xander stood up and took his cup to the sink. He looked sad and was obviously thinking about his ex.
"Well I've gotta get out of here. Those idiots who were supposed to deliver the flooring for the new gym never showed up yesterday. So, we're all kinda sittin on our hands until we get it. They promised to have it here by 10:00 this morning. Thought I'd go in and get the guys started on it and then maybe see if Buffy wanted to go grab some lunch. Maybe I can figure out what's buggin her."
************
Buffy sat at her desk staring blankly at her computer screen. It was only a quarter of noon and she felt like she'd been sitting there for at least 8 hours already. Thankfully, she had only had one student come in this morning, a sullen little guy who had been caught drawing pot leaves on his notebook. He didn't really want to be there and neither did Buffy so it was a very quick counseling session, if you could even call it that. She thought she should be glad to get the distraction of talking to the kids about their usually non-mystical problems but she was so out of focus. It was all she could do to follow the simplest conversation these days, guess that's what sleep deprivation does for ya. It was almost time for her to do her daily lunch time sweep of the basement. She figured she'd keep that up for a while until she was sure that Spike was staying in his crypt. She'd seen Clem on patrol a couple of nights ago, he said that as far as he knew he had been. Clem said that Spike wasn't very social and didn't seem to want to hang out, but he was still checking in on him every couple of days anyway. Clem sure was sweet to be a demon. Maybe he wasn't even a demon at all. He could have come from one of those alternate realities Anya talked about, maybe one where there's lots of shrimp and all the people are wrinkly? Maybe she could send Spike there….the jerk. She still couldn't believe how he had acted. She knew he was crazy but that didn't mean he had to be cruel too. She was only trying to relieve him of a little of his burden. She was well aware that his sins stretched far beyond the incident in her bathroom, but it wasn't her place to absolve him of those. She'd thought that maybe it would help if she at least offered her forgiveness for what he'd done to her, but that had only seemed to enrage him. She didn't even know why she was wasting her time thinking about him. She'd done what she'd set out to. She got him out of the basement and away from the hell mouth. She hadn't seen him since then and obviously he didn't want her around so that should be that… at least it should be anyway.
"Hey Buffster."
It was Xander. He was standing in the entrance to her cubicle, the dust from his construction work still clinging to his clothing.
"Hey Xander. What's up?" God, Buffy hoped she didn't sound as disinterested as she felt.
"Well, I was wondering if I could tear you away from this lovely hell mouth for about an hour. I'll buy ya some lunch."
"Thanks Xander, but I'm not really hungry."
Xander sat down in the chair where the students Buffy counseled usually sat and looked at her earnestly.
"Buffy listen, if you're still mad at me over the Anya thing I think we need to talk about it. I know it's your sacred duty to protect and all and I'm sorry if you felt I interfered, but…"
"No, no.. Xander I'm not mad at you. I understand why you were trying to stop me. Besides, things turned out for the best. I'm glad I didn't have to kill her you know?"
"Yeah, me too." Xander paused for a moment not sure what else to say. "So…. if you're not holding a grudge, why are you turning down a free meal? You did hear the part about it being my treat, right?"
"Yeah it's just that I don't have much appetite and … and I've got a student scheduled here in about 15, so I wouldn't really have time. I don't want to rush you." Buffy felt a little ashamed for lying to Xander, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings. She really wasn't angry with him, but she preferred to be alone and not have to try to act like everything was fine and laugh at his jokes. To tell the truth, it wasn't just Xander, she didn't want to be around anybody.
Xander looked a little disappointed and doubtful about Buffy's excuse. He stood up to go but noticed he'd left dirt all over the chair he'd been sitting he. He began wiping it off with a Kleenex he grabbed off Buffy's desk.
"Sorry about that, construction gets a little messy", he mumbled. Xander threw the soiled tissue in the wastebasket and started to leave. "I guess I'll go since you have *work* to do. Maybe we can do lunch some other time?"
"Sure Xander that would be nice. I'm, really sorry I can't go. I'll see you later, k?"
"Sure."
Xander turned and left Buffy sitting at her desk. He had more questions now than when he'd come. Guess Willow was right and there really was something else bugging her. The question was what, and why she was pushing her friends away?
***********
Xander was sitting in his recliner, drinking a beer and watching Enterprise when the phone rang. Damn, whoever it was he hoped they made it quick because this episode was supposed to be a real mind blower.
"Hello" Xander said into the receiver, sounding a little impatient. It better not be another one of those damn telemarketers.
"Xander, thank goodness. I've been trying to ring someone at Buffy's but it seems no one's home."
It was Giles and by the sound of his voice something was up.
"Giles, hey man! What's up? Wait, don't tell me, the world's coming to an end."
"Well, actually that's a distinct possibility. Do you have any idea where everyone is?"
"I think Buffy had to work tonight, Willow has a night class, and Dawn… well I'm not sure where Dawn is, she might be at a friends house or she's playin sneaky teenager again. So who's trying to end the world this time? Does it have anything to do with the school basement?"
"I received a prophecy of sorts. It's very odd. I have no idea who sent it, but it was postmarked from Sunnydale. There was no note inside or return address. Do you think perhaps Willow posted it and forgot to enclose a letter?"
"I doubt it. I saw Will this morning and she didn't say anything about any prophecy. She's doing really good to, you know dealing with her post apoctalyptic…"
"Xander", Giles interrupted. "Is Buffy okay? I mean have you noticed anything ….different about her?"
"There's always the fact that she doesn't want anything to do with me. But I think that may have to do with me trying to stop her from killing Anya. Even though she says she's not mad about it. Will thinks there's something else up though."
"Killing Anya? What are you talking about Xander?"
Xander told Giles the whole story beginning with the big spider and ending with D'Hoffran twisting Anya's wish and frying Halfrek.
"Oh well… I.. I can see how Buffy would feel she needed to stop Anya. I'm sure she's glad it was resolved in a less… uh, deadly way, as am I."
"You and me both buddy. So, what's in this prophecy anyway?"
"I'm not sure I've got the full picture yet actually. It's taken me several days to translate it, it was written in the language of the old ones and I'm not sure I have it all right. It speaks of the Slayer being trapped in the hell mouth and an imposter taking her place. It also speaks of the murder of the slayers-in-waiting, so to speak. The fact is, I wouldn't be so worried if I hadn't just been to a Council meeting where they reported this very thing is happening. So far, 3 young potential slayers have already been killed."
"So you're saying Buffy might be an imposter?"
"No Xander, I don't know what I'm trying to say. We… we just can't afford to jump to any conclusions. I don't even know who sent me this prophecy. There are very few existing volumes that are written in this language and most of those who know how to read it aren't exactly trustworthy…. me excluded of course. I'm coming to California in a few days, as soon as I get a few things settled. Until then, don't say anything to Buffy about this… or to Willow, she has enough to concern her right now."
"Well, can I tell them you're coming?"
"Of course, just don't tell them about the prophecy yet. There are a few things I still need to check out. You can just tell them I'm coming with information regarding our current problems with the hell mouth."
"Okay man, whatever you think's best."