When Xander finally reached the Summer's house, most of the lights were
already out and the one shining was dimmed. He silently opened the front
door and closed it behind him. No one had noticed his entrance and he
sneaked into the living room.
The sight that greeted him was really adorable. Willow and Oz were lying on the floor, Willow using her boyfriend's shoulder as a pillow. Cordelia was lying comfortably in one of the seats and was loudly snoring.
Buffy was lying on the couch, a blanket lying in front of it. It must have fallen down the couch during her sleep. Giles was nowhere to be seen, as were Wesley and Joyce. But that was not surprising.
Wesley still had to travel to England to report to the Watcher's Council, before they released him from their services. Giles was probably at his apartment and Joyce upstairs in her own room.
Deciding that he also needed some sleep, Xander walked up to Buffy and took the blanket from the ground. He carefully covered her body with it, taking care in not waking her up.
After he finished with it he took his jacket off and folded it. He laid down on the ground in front of the couch and used his jacket as a pillow.
Slowly he drifted off to sleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
It was night at Restfield cemetery. But like most nights in Sunnydale, it was far from peaceful.
Willow landed hard on the ground. A few seconds later Oz followed her, hitting a stone with the back of his head that knocked him unconscious. The two vampires that were responsible for this stood over them and grinned.
"Nice. I like it when my meal is fresh," the vamp told his buddy.
"Always the same dumb lines," came the voice behind them. But before one of them could react Buffy had already tackled the left the vampire on the left and brought him to the ground. They rolled down the small hill where the fight took place.
The other vamp however was not so stupid to wait for the outcome of the fight and followed the two struggling forms, ignoring the two slayerettes in front of him.
Buffy and the vampire finally reached the bottom of the hill. Not waiting for the vamp to gain the upper hand, Buffy brought her stake down and dusted the undead.
But before she could stand up the second vampire had already landed a solid punch to her face. Buffy staggered a few feet backward and felt a sudden dizziness come over her. The facial injuries she received from her fight with Angelus had healed pretty quickly, thanks to her slayer healing. But getting punched and kicked in the head surely left its marks. Giles said that the headaches would go away in a week or two, but that didn't help her at the moment.
The vamp noticed this and kicked her in the stomach. Buffy doubled over and the vampire immediately followed with an uppercut that sent her flying ten feet through the air and right against a tombstone. The impact didn't do anything to improve Buffy's current condition. The only thing she was able to do at the moment was to fight the unconsciousness that was trying to take her over.
The vampire slowly advanced on the fallen slayer, when suddenly Willow jumped on his back, trying to buy her friend the time she needed to come around.
The vamp turned himself around, trying desperately to get the witch off him. Finally he succeeded and threw Willow four feet away.
"After I'm finished with her, you'll be next," he threatened the red head and walked up to Buffy.
The little pause had done nothing to improve her condition. The vamp grabbed her by the collar and bared her neck.
When he was only inches away from Buffy's throat, a burst of bullets hit him square in he chest, ripping him away from his victim.
He had been shot before, but this time was different. The bullets immediately started to burn once they penetrated his skin. The vampire desperately y tried to stop the pain, but his efforts were futile.
The last thing he saw was Xander standing over him, in his left hand the still smoking MP5, in his right a stake.
"Say goodnight fangface, " Xander told him and plunged the stake into the vampire's heart.
Not waiting for the vamp to turn into dust, Xander had already turned around and walked to Buffy.
Giles and Cordelia in the meantime were checking on Willow.
Xander kneeled beside her and slapped her face, almost in the same manner Faith did only a few days ago.
"Hey Buffy, time to wake up," Xander told her.
"Only five more minutes Mom," Buffy mumbled sleepily.
The situation was far from funny, but Xander couldn't help but smile at this scene.
"Summers," he called trying to sound exactly like the deceased principal Snyder. "If you won't wake up you are getting detention for the rest of the week."
Buffy's eyes immediately flew open, looking around afraid. When her memories finally caught up with her, she glared angrily at Xander.
"That wasn't funny Xander," she told him.
"That's your opinion," he told her with a smile. "I found it extremely funny."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she mumbled and held her hand out. Xander took it and pulled her up.
"God Buffy, you are really off your game," Xander told her worried. "That vamp nearly got you."
"Yeah, seems like my injuries still need a lot of healing." she mumbeled. "Well, tonight was the last 'real patrol'. Vamp activity gonna drop from now on, being summer and all."
"Yeah, gonna be slow from now on," Xander said, as they walked up to the rest of the group. Oz was already back on his feet.
"You okay Buffy," Giles asked worried.
"Yeah, vamp just took me by surprise, that's all," she replied.
"Well, I think we should head home," Giles proposed.
On the way Xander watched his friends closely. It was not just Buffy. They all looked exhausted from the events of the past months. The experience he gained from Halloween told him, that this is a dangerous thing if you are fighting a war. When he and Buffy reached the Summer's house he decided to do something about it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
"So we're all here," Buffy asked after the last of the scoobies had arrived at the Summers residence. "What's so important?"
Xander looked at the curious eyes that were all directed at him and sighed.
"I'm sending you all on vacation," he finally exclaimed.
The slayerettes looked at him with disbelief. "What?" They finally asked at the same time.
But Xander motioned them to quiet down. "Well, that's not the reaction I expected. But you heard right: I'm sending you on vacation on my account."
Buffy looked at everyone and then back at Xander. "Well, the idea sounds tempting Xander. But we can't really accept that. Not on your money."
Xander rolled his eyes at that. "Buffy, I stole the money, okay? The least thing I could do with it is giving my friends a good time for the summer. And admit it, you all need some time away from the hellmouth, to recharge your batteries. Last night was only the tip of the iceberg."
They considered that for a few seconds. "But who is going to guard the hellmouth," Willow finally asked.
"Me," Xander simply said.
"You? Aren't you coming with us?" Buffy asked disappointed.
Xander sighed before he answered. "Nope, sorry Buff. Not this time. Have the holiday already planned. No time for a vacation."
"No way we're going on holiday without you Xander," Buffy stated and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hey Buffy, it's my choice," he said. "The whole me working for the dark side has roughed you all up. I was not that much affected, since I knew what I was getting into. But you all are exhausted and pumped out. Sooner or later one of you is going to make a mistake and if that happens someone might die."
"Just take the vacation Buff," Xander said and looked her directly in the eyes. "Please, for me?"
Buffy rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide the smile that crept onto her face. "Okay, we're going."
"Fine, " Xander exclaimed cheeringly. "I hope you girls, including Joyce, and Oz have a good time. The G-man is also not coming with you, said something about not liking the Bahamas."
Most jaws in the room dropped. "The Bahamas?"
"Yep. All inclusive," Xander said and looked at his watch. "Now hurry up and pack your things. Your plane leaves this afternoon."
That statement caused a lot of movement in the living room. Cordelia, Willow and Oz left the house, going to their respective homes to prepare themselves for the vacation.
Buffy also walked out of the living room, but stopped in the doorway.
"One day you have to tell me exactly how much money you stole from the Mayor," Buffy told him over her shoulder.
"You would be surprised," Xander told her with a smile, before Buffy walked up the stairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
When finally all the Scoobies were ready for their vacation, Xander and Joyce drove the group to the airport. They both parked their vehicle's in the airports parking lot and hurried inside to catch their plane, since they had only ten minutes left.
They were calling the last passengers for their flight when they finally reached the terminal. Xander quickly hugged each of the girls and shook Oz's hand.
"Remember guys: Have fun," he told them with a smile.
"I still think it's not fair that you aren't coming with us Xander," Buffy pouted.
"Next time Buffy," Xander told her. "Promise."
Buffy sighed. "Well, good luck guarding the hellmouth. You will need it," Buffy told him and kissed him on the cheek.
Xander blushed but was able to keep a straight face. "I will be okay. Enjoy your holiday, you deserve it."
The last call for their flight came over the speaker and the Scoobies left for their plane. Giles and Xander waved after them until they were out of sight.
Then they slowly walked through the big hall, searching for the nearest exit. Xander rubbed the cheek Buffy had kissed, wondering if some of the things Angel had said might be true.
"Are you going to tell me what's so important that you stay here in Sunnydale?" Giles asked him after five minutes.
"You'll see," Xander told him with a grin. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks. "Wait a second I forgot something," he said and turned around. He ran to the letter box they just passed. Xander took a large envelope from his jacket and put it into the letter box.
"What was that?" Giles asked him when he returned.
"Just ruining a reputation," Xander told him with an evil smile.
They continued their walk until they reached the exit. They went trough the door and moved into the direction of the parking lots.
"Giles," Xander started, "I have two questions for you."
"So ask them," Giles told him.
"Are you any good with sword fighting?" he asked the watcher.
"Yes, why?" Giles asked back.
"Well, I got a little present from the Mayor and I thought you might teach me how to use it," Xander explained.
"Sure, why not." Giles responded. Meanwhile they had reached Xanders SUV. Xander opened the doors. "And the other question?"
"Do you think I might have any chance with Buffy?" Xander asked him with a straight face and stepped into he car.
Giles was still standing at the passengers door, looking at the spot Xander stood before with confusion.
"What?" he finally asked.
The sight that greeted him was really adorable. Willow and Oz were lying on the floor, Willow using her boyfriend's shoulder as a pillow. Cordelia was lying comfortably in one of the seats and was loudly snoring.
Buffy was lying on the couch, a blanket lying in front of it. It must have fallen down the couch during her sleep. Giles was nowhere to be seen, as were Wesley and Joyce. But that was not surprising.
Wesley still had to travel to England to report to the Watcher's Council, before they released him from their services. Giles was probably at his apartment and Joyce upstairs in her own room.
Deciding that he also needed some sleep, Xander walked up to Buffy and took the blanket from the ground. He carefully covered her body with it, taking care in not waking her up.
After he finished with it he took his jacket off and folded it. He laid down on the ground in front of the couch and used his jacket as a pillow.
Slowly he drifted off to sleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
It was night at Restfield cemetery. But like most nights in Sunnydale, it was far from peaceful.
Willow landed hard on the ground. A few seconds later Oz followed her, hitting a stone with the back of his head that knocked him unconscious. The two vampires that were responsible for this stood over them and grinned.
"Nice. I like it when my meal is fresh," the vamp told his buddy.
"Always the same dumb lines," came the voice behind them. But before one of them could react Buffy had already tackled the left the vampire on the left and brought him to the ground. They rolled down the small hill where the fight took place.
The other vamp however was not so stupid to wait for the outcome of the fight and followed the two struggling forms, ignoring the two slayerettes in front of him.
Buffy and the vampire finally reached the bottom of the hill. Not waiting for the vamp to gain the upper hand, Buffy brought her stake down and dusted the undead.
But before she could stand up the second vampire had already landed a solid punch to her face. Buffy staggered a few feet backward and felt a sudden dizziness come over her. The facial injuries she received from her fight with Angelus had healed pretty quickly, thanks to her slayer healing. But getting punched and kicked in the head surely left its marks. Giles said that the headaches would go away in a week or two, but that didn't help her at the moment.
The vamp noticed this and kicked her in the stomach. Buffy doubled over and the vampire immediately followed with an uppercut that sent her flying ten feet through the air and right against a tombstone. The impact didn't do anything to improve Buffy's current condition. The only thing she was able to do at the moment was to fight the unconsciousness that was trying to take her over.
The vampire slowly advanced on the fallen slayer, when suddenly Willow jumped on his back, trying to buy her friend the time she needed to come around.
The vamp turned himself around, trying desperately to get the witch off him. Finally he succeeded and threw Willow four feet away.
"After I'm finished with her, you'll be next," he threatened the red head and walked up to Buffy.
The little pause had done nothing to improve her condition. The vamp grabbed her by the collar and bared her neck.
When he was only inches away from Buffy's throat, a burst of bullets hit him square in he chest, ripping him away from his victim.
He had been shot before, but this time was different. The bullets immediately started to burn once they penetrated his skin. The vampire desperately y tried to stop the pain, but his efforts were futile.
The last thing he saw was Xander standing over him, in his left hand the still smoking MP5, in his right a stake.
"Say goodnight fangface, " Xander told him and plunged the stake into the vampire's heart.
Not waiting for the vamp to turn into dust, Xander had already turned around and walked to Buffy.
Giles and Cordelia in the meantime were checking on Willow.
Xander kneeled beside her and slapped her face, almost in the same manner Faith did only a few days ago.
"Hey Buffy, time to wake up," Xander told her.
"Only five more minutes Mom," Buffy mumbled sleepily.
The situation was far from funny, but Xander couldn't help but smile at this scene.
"Summers," he called trying to sound exactly like the deceased principal Snyder. "If you won't wake up you are getting detention for the rest of the week."
Buffy's eyes immediately flew open, looking around afraid. When her memories finally caught up with her, she glared angrily at Xander.
"That wasn't funny Xander," she told him.
"That's your opinion," he told her with a smile. "I found it extremely funny."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she mumbled and held her hand out. Xander took it and pulled her up.
"God Buffy, you are really off your game," Xander told her worried. "That vamp nearly got you."
"Yeah, seems like my injuries still need a lot of healing." she mumbeled. "Well, tonight was the last 'real patrol'. Vamp activity gonna drop from now on, being summer and all."
"Yeah, gonna be slow from now on," Xander said, as they walked up to the rest of the group. Oz was already back on his feet.
"You okay Buffy," Giles asked worried.
"Yeah, vamp just took me by surprise, that's all," she replied.
"Well, I think we should head home," Giles proposed.
On the way Xander watched his friends closely. It was not just Buffy. They all looked exhausted from the events of the past months. The experience he gained from Halloween told him, that this is a dangerous thing if you are fighting a war. When he and Buffy reached the Summer's house he decided to do something about it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
"So we're all here," Buffy asked after the last of the scoobies had arrived at the Summers residence. "What's so important?"
Xander looked at the curious eyes that were all directed at him and sighed.
"I'm sending you all on vacation," he finally exclaimed.
The slayerettes looked at him with disbelief. "What?" They finally asked at the same time.
But Xander motioned them to quiet down. "Well, that's not the reaction I expected. But you heard right: I'm sending you on vacation on my account."
Buffy looked at everyone and then back at Xander. "Well, the idea sounds tempting Xander. But we can't really accept that. Not on your money."
Xander rolled his eyes at that. "Buffy, I stole the money, okay? The least thing I could do with it is giving my friends a good time for the summer. And admit it, you all need some time away from the hellmouth, to recharge your batteries. Last night was only the tip of the iceberg."
They considered that for a few seconds. "But who is going to guard the hellmouth," Willow finally asked.
"Me," Xander simply said.
"You? Aren't you coming with us?" Buffy asked disappointed.
Xander sighed before he answered. "Nope, sorry Buff. Not this time. Have the holiday already planned. No time for a vacation."
"No way we're going on holiday without you Xander," Buffy stated and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hey Buffy, it's my choice," he said. "The whole me working for the dark side has roughed you all up. I was not that much affected, since I knew what I was getting into. But you all are exhausted and pumped out. Sooner or later one of you is going to make a mistake and if that happens someone might die."
"Just take the vacation Buff," Xander said and looked her directly in the eyes. "Please, for me?"
Buffy rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide the smile that crept onto her face. "Okay, we're going."
"Fine, " Xander exclaimed cheeringly. "I hope you girls, including Joyce, and Oz have a good time. The G-man is also not coming with you, said something about not liking the Bahamas."
Most jaws in the room dropped. "The Bahamas?"
"Yep. All inclusive," Xander said and looked at his watch. "Now hurry up and pack your things. Your plane leaves this afternoon."
That statement caused a lot of movement in the living room. Cordelia, Willow and Oz left the house, going to their respective homes to prepare themselves for the vacation.
Buffy also walked out of the living room, but stopped in the doorway.
"One day you have to tell me exactly how much money you stole from the Mayor," Buffy told him over her shoulder.
"You would be surprised," Xander told her with a smile, before Buffy walked up the stairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
When finally all the Scoobies were ready for their vacation, Xander and Joyce drove the group to the airport. They both parked their vehicle's in the airports parking lot and hurried inside to catch their plane, since they had only ten minutes left.
They were calling the last passengers for their flight when they finally reached the terminal. Xander quickly hugged each of the girls and shook Oz's hand.
"Remember guys: Have fun," he told them with a smile.
"I still think it's not fair that you aren't coming with us Xander," Buffy pouted.
"Next time Buffy," Xander told her. "Promise."
Buffy sighed. "Well, good luck guarding the hellmouth. You will need it," Buffy told him and kissed him on the cheek.
Xander blushed but was able to keep a straight face. "I will be okay. Enjoy your holiday, you deserve it."
The last call for their flight came over the speaker and the Scoobies left for their plane. Giles and Xander waved after them until they were out of sight.
Then they slowly walked through the big hall, searching for the nearest exit. Xander rubbed the cheek Buffy had kissed, wondering if some of the things Angel had said might be true.
"Are you going to tell me what's so important that you stay here in Sunnydale?" Giles asked him after five minutes.
"You'll see," Xander told him with a grin. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks. "Wait a second I forgot something," he said and turned around. He ran to the letter box they just passed. Xander took a large envelope from his jacket and put it into the letter box.
"What was that?" Giles asked him when he returned.
"Just ruining a reputation," Xander told him with an evil smile.
They continued their walk until they reached the exit. They went trough the door and moved into the direction of the parking lots.
"Giles," Xander started, "I have two questions for you."
"So ask them," Giles told him.
"Are you any good with sword fighting?" he asked the watcher.
"Yes, why?" Giles asked back.
"Well, I got a little present from the Mayor and I thought you might teach me how to use it," Xander explained.
"Sure, why not." Giles responded. Meanwhile they had reached Xanders SUV. Xander opened the doors. "And the other question?"
"Do you think I might have any chance with Buffy?" Xander asked him with a straight face and stepped into he car.
Giles was still standing at the passengers door, looking at the spot Xander stood before with confusion.
"What?" he finally asked.