This Title Has Nothing To Do With The Story
Chapter Six – Wherefore Art Thou Xander? For The Uneducated This Means 'Why Xander?'
Back inside the very evil (it has been upgraded to evilcon 2) lair…
"Are you sure we have everything?" Asked Ved1
"Yes." Answer Ved2.
"Everything?" Again asked Ved1.
"Yes." Said Ved2.
"So we are not missing anything? If we had to do the ritual right now we would have everything we need?" Said Ved1.
"Yes." Replied the other three very evil demons.
"Ok then. Let's go destroy the world." Said Ved1.
**********
"Should we call him?" Asked Dawn.
"No." Replied Buffy.
"But…"
"No buts. He knows our number. If he wants to call he can."
"I know but isn't this too important to be acting all…"
"Acting all what?"
"Is this really what we should be talking about? The world is about to end."
"Oh, the world is always about to end."
"Still…"
"Alright fine. I'll call him. Happy now?"
"Happier."
"I'm glad I could help." Said Buffy as she went to pick up the phone. She started to dial the familiar number and waited.
"Oh, great." Said Buffy in a quiet voice.
"What?"
"Machine…Oh, hi Xander. This is Buffy. You are probably with Anya but just reminding you about the whole world is about to end thing…so you know call me."
She was about to put down the phone when there was a voice at the other end, "Buffy?"
"Xander?"
"Sorry, I was in the shower."
"Oh."
"What did you want?"
"Err…oh yeah. It is today."
"What is?"
"End of the world."
"Today?"
"Yeah. I called Giles last night and he told me that the demons have to do the ritual tonight."
"Why only tonight."
"I'm not sure but Giles used a lot of big words in explaining it."
"One of those explanations. So what is the plan?"
"Go to the hell mouth and wait for them to appear. Then stop the ritual."
"Okay. I'll be right over."
"Okay."
Xander hung up and Buffy was left listening to the dial tone.
"Is he coming over?" Asked Dawn.
"What? Oh, yeah."
"Told you he would."
"No you didn't."
"Well…maybe I didn't. But I did tell you he would be home and not with Anya."
"Anya could have gone home with him."
"Oh, I didn't think of that."
"It doesn't matter anyway. I mean why should I care if he got back with her."
"I have no idea."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
There was a silence as Buffy glared at Dawn.
"Help me with these weapons." Buffy finally said.
**********
It took Xander slightly longer than usual to arrive at the Summer's house. When he arrived he found both Buffy and Dawn sitting on the couch watching cartoons.
"Looking for some inspiration?" Said Xander.
"Xander!" Said Dawn.
"Why did it take you so long?" Asked Buffy.
"I didn't know that it did." Replied Xander.
"Well, anyway. We better get going." Said Buffy.
She pointed to a bag and Xander picked it up.
"Anything else?" He asked.
"No." She answered.
"Can I come?" Asked Dawn.
"No!" Said Buffy.
"Why not?" Said Dawn.
"It is too dangerous." Replied Buffy.
"It is always too dangerous. Come on Xander can I come?" Said Dawn.
"Sorry Dawn. I've got to listen to the Slayer on this one." Said Xander. "But when we come back I'll let you a certain 18-rated movie."
"Really?" Said an excited Dawn.
"Sure, why not?" Answered Xander without seeing the look that Buffy was giving him.
**********
Buffy and Xander hadn't spoken since they left the house. There was a sort of uneasy silence between the two. It was finally broken when they came in sight of their old high school.
"There it is." Said Buffy. "Be on your guard."
"When do you think they will try to do the ritual?" Asked Xander.
"I don't know. It could be anytime before midnight."
They had entered the building by this point.
"Man, if these walls could talk. They would be some damn scary walls."
"Talking walls? I wouldn't put it past the hell mouth."
"Yeah."
Again there was silence between them.
"Hey Xander. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Oh wait, this isn't about the stuff in my closet? Because like I told you before it was there when I moved in."
"No, it's not about that. What did you and Anya do when I left?"
"Talked."
"Just talked?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"No reason."
"There must be a reason."
"It's nothing."
"If it's nothing, then tell me what it is."
"Okay but promise me you won't get all mad."
"I promise."
"I didn't want you and Anya to get back together."
Xander fell silence when he heard this.
"See I knew you were going to get mad."
"I'm not mad."
"You're not?"
"No."
"Sure?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
"Okay, good."
"Yes I am fine, perfectly fine."