Title : School Daze, (K)night Job
Author : Tenhawk
********WARNING!********
This story is NOT part of the Journeyverse continuum! This is the Sequel to 'Red & Gold'
*********WARNING!********
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owners... none of which are me.
Summary: Life on the Hellmouth is never easy, especially when you're hiding a secret from the Slayer.
Warning : Crossovers ahead. (Yes Plural.)
Rating : PG-13 to PG-16; for mild cursing, violence, and demonic horror content... in other words a bit more grown up then the series... but only cause I don't have to suck up to censors.
*****
The rest of the day past fairly quickly as Xander hopped from Class to class and pretty much ducked stares from whichever of the gang he was sharing the room with. By the end of the day he was pretty much happy to be breathing, let alone be done with school.
He made it to the parking lot and had just unlocked his car when he was intercepted. "Xander Harris, you turn around right now!"
Sighing he followed orders, "Hey Cordy."
"You're not done explaining yet!" She growled at him as she approached, "There is still the matter of that 'love' note you left me."
He smiled, remembering the note he had written up for Cordy days before the event and had never had the guts to give her. When he decided to leave it seemed like the perfect moment. Now, of course, he was going to pay for it. "Ummm about that..."
Cordelia stepped up and kissed him. "It was sweet."
While Xander was still registering that she backed off slightly and slapped him across the face. "In a perverted kinda way."
"Ow!" Xander yelled as his hand ran up to his face, "That's twice I get slapped today!"
"You deserve it." Xander rubbed his face as he reluctantly nodded. "Ok... fine. You get that one free."
"Oh yeah? What's the next one gonna cost me?" She challenged him.
Xander smirked at her, his eyes running over her body. "Dinner and Dancing?"
She slapped him again.
"Ow! Hey! What was that...." Xander's eyes widened, "Let me guess... your way of asking me out?"
Cordelia snorted, "get real. You asked me out. That was my way of accepting."
Xander rubbed both sides of his face, "Remind me not to ask you out to the Prom. You'd probably break my neck."
"Like I'd go to the Prom with loser boy anyway."
Xander wiggled his eyebrows, "And what makes me a loser?"
Cordelia answered without thinking. "Duh. The way you dre.... oh... hmmm... you just are!"
He rolled his eyes and opened the door to the car, "I've got to get home."
"Why? Got a curfew?" Cordy smirked.
"No. But I haven't unpacked my apartment yet and I need to get it done before tomorrow."
"Apartment?" Her eyes widened, "You have your own apartment?"
"Ah the perks of the job..." Xander smiled and slipped into the car. "I'll see you tomorrow..."
"Wait!" Cordelia lunged at the car and Xander rolled down the window. "What's the address?"
Xander sighed, "I'm not really set up for company..."
"Address. NOW."
He rolled his eyes, "Four Forty Two Terrace Rd."
Her eyes widened. "That's in my neighborhood."
He smiled. "I know."
She leaned on the car, looking in at him, and mulled it over. "Isn't that the old Gothic place that overlooks the park?" "Yep."
"Which apartment is yours?"
"Studio on the top floor."
She shook her head, a smile finally breaking through. "You really have come up in the world, haven't you?"
Xander shrugged, "Not as much as you'd think."
She looked a little confused, and Xander took the opportunity to make a break for it. "Look... I gotta go. I'll see you later."
She pushed off the car and Xander backed out. "Sooner then you think."
As he drove out of sight she turned around and marched back into the school, heading for the library.
*****
Xander had just finished unpacking what little he had in the way of stuff when the call came in from Tony.
"Computer, put him up on the screen."
The screen flashed to life, showing Tiny sitting behind his desk. "Hello, Xander. How was the first day back?"
"About as expected." Xander said flatly.
"That bad?"
He just nodded.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear it... but it was something you had to do." Tony paused, glancing to one side, "By the way I've sent a update to your computer... I want you to speak with the Government people tomorrow. They're coming up from their L.A. office to survey the sight... I understand that they've told the University that they're examining a potentially dangerous system of caves that might pose a geological problem to the campus."
Xander nodded. "Makes sense. This area is riddled with caves."
"Well, then someone has something on the ball over there... it's always good when the client has half a brain."
Xander chuckled, "What's on the slate for tomorrow then?"
"They'll be bringing the requirements for their installation... I'll have to have you forward them to me tomorrow night. Also they'll be looking for a couple places to work out of in the mean time."
"Ok. No problem. Anything else?"
"Not for now. How are you holding up?"
"I'm doing ok, Tony." Xander said, "I'm not made of glass."
"I remember." Tony grinned, "Just wanted to make sure."
"Thanks for..." Xander stopped as the computer interrupted him.
"Excuse me, Mr Harris... there are several... people... attempting to access this floor via the elevator."
"What?" Xander asked, "hang on a second Tony... Computer, show me."
The screen flickered and Xander groaned as he saw Oz, Cordy, Buffy, and Willow standing in the elevator, clearly aggravated over why it wasn't moving. "Put Tony back on."
The screen flickered again, "Tony... I have to go. My friends decided to pay me a visit."
Tony grinned, "Good. Have some fun... Just don't blow off work or school tomorrow."
"I won't." Xander promised, "Computer... let them up."
"Confirmed."
"Bye, Xander. Have a good time."
Xander shook his head, "I'll try... but more then likely I'm going to be interrogated mercilessly for hours."
Tony chuckled, "Don't give them any company secrets."
"Good Bye, Tony." Xander said firmly.
"Bye." Tony grinned and closed the connection.
Xander got up, "Screen off."
As he walked toward the elevator the screen flickered off behind him. He just stepped up to the elevator doors and had firmly placed a smile on his face when the doors parted.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
*****
Willow and Cordelia gaped as they walked into the loft, staring at the furnishings and electronics.
"Xander!" Willow exclaimed, "How can you afford this?"
"Nice pad, Dweeb boy." Cordy grinned, sinking into the leather couch.
Xander shook his head as he stood there, a little helplessly. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Buffy looked at him seriously. "Can we talk?"
Xander's heart clenched and his stomach knotted. He could refuse the others easily enough, but she was there. She had a right to know. He nodded silently. "Come out on the balcony."
She nodded and followed him as he walked across the room to the huge octagonal window that over looked the park.
"You guys relax... TV's got satellite service and the remote is on the end table..." Xander said as he led Buffy out.
"Cool." Oz waved at him dismissively as the rocker grabbed the remote.
Xander smiled and slid the octagonal window to one side and stepped out. Buffy stared at the off 'door' for a moment before following.
*****
"Ok, Buff... let's have it."
"What?" She asked, her voice soft.
Xander took a breath. "I decided to tell you whatever you want to know. You've got the right."
"I had that right over three months ago."
"I suppose." Xander said quietly, "But I wasn't ready. I couldn't stay."
"Why?" She asked, half pouting as her voice clearly indicated that she thought she was to blame.
"Because I couldn't." Xander said firmly. Buffy bit her lip and nodded, "Ok. What happened after I... wasn't around?"
"Angelus was leaning over you when I came in the room, draining you." Xander said, his voice steady enough to surprise him. "So I tackled him... drove him off you. We struggled, and he was winning until he suddenly stopped fighting."
"Angel?" She asked, her voice breathless.
"Yes." He confirmed, "I almost staked him... then he spoke my name. I looked in his eyes... and just knew."
"Angelus was gone."
"Right." Xander said, "But it was too late. Far, far too late."
"What do you mean?"
"Acathela was opening."
Buffy's hand slapped to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. "Oh no."
"Yes. The portal to hell was opening... Angel didn't know what happened... but then he told me that while you were fighting you threw him into the sword... and I remembered what Giles said."
"Blood?"
"Blood." Xander confirmed. "And then I told him what else Giles had said. That blood opened it and..."
"Blood would close it." Buffy said softly, her arms dropping to her side.
"And it did." Xander said, "He sacrificed himself to save the world... and you. Mostly you I think."
She shook her head. "But... why did you leave?"
"Why?" Xander laughed bitterly, "Why? Because when I talked to you before that I had worked up the nerve to lie my ass off. To tell you that Will said kick his ass. Instead I buckle and tell you about the soul spell, and almost get you killed and the world sucked into hell. I was a danger to you and everyone else... I had to leave."
"Xander..." She whispered, her hand reaching out to him.
Xander pulled away and leaned on the rail of the balcony, staring out at the park. "I had a decision to make. It was a hard call, and I screwed it up." She walked up behind him, "Xander... It wasn't your responsibility..."
"Then whose was it?" Xander asked, his tone dripping in bitter anger. "Yours? You couldn't see past Angel to save your own life, the world be damned."
"Xander!" Buffy drew back, shocked by the anger in his voice.
"So now you know why I left."
Buffy was silent for a second and Xander resisted the urge to look back at her. He was surprised when he felt her arms wrap around him from behind and pull him into a tight embrace.
"You've saved my life more times then I really want to think about," Buffy said, her voice hesitant. "And I'm not really good at thanking people for help... I know this, and I guess i should really work on it... but you know I love you right?"
Xander shuddered as the words struck him, feeling them like physical blows. He shook his head, "I would have given a lot to hear you say that a year ago."
"Xander... I..."
"I know..." he said gently, "As a friend. I know. But it doesn't change anything..."
Buffy stammered, trying to find her voice as Xander broke free. "I have to go back inside and check on the others."
She nodded, and stared after him as he stepped through the huge window/door and back into the apartment. When he was gone she let out a long breath and turned to look over the park.
"Friend."
*****
Xander stepped inside to find a small riot going on.
"What the hell!?"
Willow turned to look at him. "Xander! Your place is haunted!"
He shook his head, "What!?"
"We sat down and Oz said something about TV and it turned on! We thought he just hit the button by accident but then he mentioned a show and it changed the channel to the show!"
Xander nodded slowly, his mind trying to find an explanation that didn't include a computer AI that wasn't technically supposed to exist. "Then I went to the bathroom and the lights came on! The toilet flushed before I could do it myself... and that's really, really freaky!" Cordelia shuddered.
Xander held up his hand, "One second. I'll be right back."
The three of them watched as Xander vanished into his bedroom.
"Huh." Oz said quietly as he turned back to the TV.
*****
"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Xander hissed angrily.
"My job." The computer replied, "I take pride in my work... unlike some people I might mention...."
"Listen to me you misbegotten son of a toaster oven, are you *trying* to blow my cover!?" Xander flailed his arms in angry gestures as he walked around the room, "If you do something like this again I'm going to reprogram you with a dull Axe! Do you get me!?"
The computer mumbled something.
"I didn't hear that!"
"I understand... sir."
"Good." Xander rolled his eyes, "jesus... what if one of them had mentioned weapons? Were you going to open up the armory for them?"
"Oh please." The computer rejoined, "I enjoy my job, but I'm not stuck with your IQ. I wouldn't let them into anything restricted..."
"Well thank heaven for small favors." Xander muttered. "Great... now I'm probably going to have to talk Willow out of doing an exorcism."
A pause. "A what?"
"You heard me. She's going to want to exorcize the evil spirit that flushed the toilet and turned on the TV."
"That might be interesting... I've never witnessed one of those before."
Xander rolled his eyes, "Do you have access to the web?"
"Of course."
"Look up the ritual there, the one that a witch does... I do NOT want that crap in my apartment... it *stinks*."
"Oh very well..." The computer sounded disappointed.
Xander took a deep breath. "No more favors for visitors... ok?"
"Ok."
"Thank you."
Xander turned and left the room, heading back to his friends.
When the door closed behind him the computer spoke again. "Thank... me?"
*****
Later
"No exorcism?" Willow asked, pouting at him.
"No exorcism." Xander said firmly. "If I see a ghost, I'll call you."
"You sure? I mean, I have the spell components and stuff all ready at home..."
"I'm sure, Will..." Xander looked around, "Where's Buffy?"
Willow looked around. "I don't know?"
Cordy looked up from where she was sitting, looking bored. "She's still on the balcony."
Xander looked toward the balcony and sighed, "I'll be right back."
"No..." Willow stopped him, "I'll go."
Xander nodded and turned back to the other two, stealing occasional glances out at the balcony.
*****
"Buffy?" Willow stepped out, sliding the glass shut behind her.
"He hates me."
Willow looked around for her friend, her vision slowly adjusting to the dark. "Who?"
"Xander." Buffy said, standing against the rail and staring out at the park. "Xander hates me."
Willow didn't say anything for a minute. "Did he say that?"
She caught a slight motion of Buffy's head in the darkness.
"No. But it was still there."
"I don't think Xander can hate you, Buffy." Willow said quietly as she stepped up beside her friend.
"He blames me. That's why he left."
"Blames you for what?"
Buffy laughed bitterly, "what doesn't he blame me for?"
"You're not making much sense, Buffy..."
"For not staking Angelus. For not being strong when I had to be. For risking the world so I... I could be happy."
"Did he say this?"
"No..." Buffy whispered. "He said it was his fault."
Willow nodded, "Now that sounds like Xander."
"But its not what he meant." Buffy said softly. "It can't be what he meant."
"Why not?"
"Because it wasn't his fault... How could he not see that?"
"He's Xander." Willow said simply. "He's blind as a bat to things that are under his nose... remember?"
Buffy let out a breathy little laugh that wasn't quite devoid of humor. "I told him I loved him."
"What!?" Willow's eyes widened in shock.
"I don't know why... it just came out."
"D... do you?"
"Love him? Of course." Willow shook her head, "I mean... are you...?"
"In love? I don't know..." Buffy admitted. "But... it hurt when he assumed that I meant it in a friends kinda way..."
Willow took a breath, "That sounds... ominous..."
Buffy glanced over at her friend, her eyebrow arcing. "Ominous?"
Willow smiled at her, a crooked smile that seemed almost sheepish. "I didn't think that I should say 'Hellmouthy'."
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Is it that far out?"
"After the dance?"
Buffy winced. "Yeah... maybe you've got a point."
"If anyone can forgive you... it would be Xander. But I think you'd better figure it out first... and Fast. Cordy is already marking her territory, you know?"
Buffy laughed. "I think I'm just happy to see him again, Will. Forget about what I just said, k?"
Willow looked at her uncertainly. "K." She said finally.
"Come on..." Buffy turned, pulling Willow with her, "Let's go inside."
*****
When the two girls stepped back into the room the found Xander and Cordy sitting together on the couch while Oz sat in a leather recliner, all watching the huge TV.
Willow shot Buffy a look, but Buffy just ignored it.
Xander glanced over at them, his face hopeful. "Everything alright?"
Buffy forced a smile. "Sure. I'm fine."
He nodded slowly, "Ok..."
"Hey." Oz smiled as Willow walked up to him and he drew her down into the chair with him. "We're watching True Lies."
"Ohhh, I love this movie!" Willow squealed a little as Oz pulled her into his lap.
Xander grinned as he saw his friend's happy face. "Yeah... it's pretty good... hey, you know... that's odd."
"What?"
"You know Arnie's daughter?"
"Yeah..."
"She looks a lot like the second Slayer I told you about, Faith."
Cordy glared at him, "Stop checking out the jail bait Xander."
Xander rolled his eyes, "hey, I'm not eighteen yet... and this movie was made a few years ago. She... and Faith, are nicely grown up now."
Cordy slapped his shoulder.
"Ow!"
"Perv."
Xander mock glared at Cordelia, "Just settle down and watch the movie."
She glared right back, "I would if you'd stop drooling over my dress!"
Xander smirked and let his eyes rove lower, "It's not your dress I'm drooling over."
*Smack*
"Ow!"
"Perv!"
Buffy rolled her eyes as she sat down on the other side of Xander, "Get a room. Some of us are watching the movie."
Cordelia glared at her, her eyes filling with outrage. "A room? With dweeb boy? Bite your tongue!"
Buffy smirked back at her, "While you're biting his?"
"Listen up, you bottle blond..." Cordy began.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Xander put his hands up, obscuring their view of each other. "Despite all my personal fantasies that start like this I really don't want you fighting over me... and I mean that in a physical way, you two are likely to kill me just cause I'm sitting between you!"
*Smack!*
*Smack!*
"OW!" Xander yelled as he caught slaps from both sides.
"Perv." Both girls said at once.
Xander crossed his arms and sunk down into the leather couch. "That's it. I'm moving and not telling either of you where I live."
*****
********WARNING!********
This story is NOT part of the Journeyverse continuum! This is the Sequel to 'Red & Gold'
*********WARNING!********
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owners... none of which are me.
Summary: Life on the Hellmouth is never easy, especially when you're hiding a secret from the Slayer.
Warning : Crossovers ahead. (Yes Plural.)
Rating : PG-13 to PG-16; for mild cursing, violence, and demonic horror content... in other words a bit more grown up then the series... but only cause I don't have to suck up to censors.
*****
The rest of the day past fairly quickly as Xander hopped from Class to class and pretty much ducked stares from whichever of the gang he was sharing the room with. By the end of the day he was pretty much happy to be breathing, let alone be done with school.
He made it to the parking lot and had just unlocked his car when he was intercepted. "Xander Harris, you turn around right now!"
Sighing he followed orders, "Hey Cordy."
"You're not done explaining yet!" She growled at him as she approached, "There is still the matter of that 'love' note you left me."
He smiled, remembering the note he had written up for Cordy days before the event and had never had the guts to give her. When he decided to leave it seemed like the perfect moment. Now, of course, he was going to pay for it. "Ummm about that..."
Cordelia stepped up and kissed him. "It was sweet."
While Xander was still registering that she backed off slightly and slapped him across the face. "In a perverted kinda way."
"Ow!" Xander yelled as his hand ran up to his face, "That's twice I get slapped today!"
"You deserve it." Xander rubbed his face as he reluctantly nodded. "Ok... fine. You get that one free."
"Oh yeah? What's the next one gonna cost me?" She challenged him.
Xander smirked at her, his eyes running over her body. "Dinner and Dancing?"
She slapped him again.
"Ow! Hey! What was that...." Xander's eyes widened, "Let me guess... your way of asking me out?"
Cordelia snorted, "get real. You asked me out. That was my way of accepting."
Xander rubbed both sides of his face, "Remind me not to ask you out to the Prom. You'd probably break my neck."
"Like I'd go to the Prom with loser boy anyway."
Xander wiggled his eyebrows, "And what makes me a loser?"
Cordelia answered without thinking. "Duh. The way you dre.... oh... hmmm... you just are!"
He rolled his eyes and opened the door to the car, "I've got to get home."
"Why? Got a curfew?" Cordy smirked.
"No. But I haven't unpacked my apartment yet and I need to get it done before tomorrow."
"Apartment?" Her eyes widened, "You have your own apartment?"
"Ah the perks of the job..." Xander smiled and slipped into the car. "I'll see you tomorrow..."
"Wait!" Cordelia lunged at the car and Xander rolled down the window. "What's the address?"
Xander sighed, "I'm not really set up for company..."
"Address. NOW."
He rolled his eyes, "Four Forty Two Terrace Rd."
Her eyes widened. "That's in my neighborhood."
He smiled. "I know."
She leaned on the car, looking in at him, and mulled it over. "Isn't that the old Gothic place that overlooks the park?" "Yep."
"Which apartment is yours?"
"Studio on the top floor."
She shook her head, a smile finally breaking through. "You really have come up in the world, haven't you?"
Xander shrugged, "Not as much as you'd think."
She looked a little confused, and Xander took the opportunity to make a break for it. "Look... I gotta go. I'll see you later."
She pushed off the car and Xander backed out. "Sooner then you think."
As he drove out of sight she turned around and marched back into the school, heading for the library.
*****
Xander had just finished unpacking what little he had in the way of stuff when the call came in from Tony.
"Computer, put him up on the screen."
The screen flashed to life, showing Tiny sitting behind his desk. "Hello, Xander. How was the first day back?"
"About as expected." Xander said flatly.
"That bad?"
He just nodded.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear it... but it was something you had to do." Tony paused, glancing to one side, "By the way I've sent a update to your computer... I want you to speak with the Government people tomorrow. They're coming up from their L.A. office to survey the sight... I understand that they've told the University that they're examining a potentially dangerous system of caves that might pose a geological problem to the campus."
Xander nodded. "Makes sense. This area is riddled with caves."
"Well, then someone has something on the ball over there... it's always good when the client has half a brain."
Xander chuckled, "What's on the slate for tomorrow then?"
"They'll be bringing the requirements for their installation... I'll have to have you forward them to me tomorrow night. Also they'll be looking for a couple places to work out of in the mean time."
"Ok. No problem. Anything else?"
"Not for now. How are you holding up?"
"I'm doing ok, Tony." Xander said, "I'm not made of glass."
"I remember." Tony grinned, "Just wanted to make sure."
"Thanks for..." Xander stopped as the computer interrupted him.
"Excuse me, Mr Harris... there are several... people... attempting to access this floor via the elevator."
"What?" Xander asked, "hang on a second Tony... Computer, show me."
The screen flickered and Xander groaned as he saw Oz, Cordy, Buffy, and Willow standing in the elevator, clearly aggravated over why it wasn't moving. "Put Tony back on."
The screen flickered again, "Tony... I have to go. My friends decided to pay me a visit."
Tony grinned, "Good. Have some fun... Just don't blow off work or school tomorrow."
"I won't." Xander promised, "Computer... let them up."
"Confirmed."
"Bye, Xander. Have a good time."
Xander shook his head, "I'll try... but more then likely I'm going to be interrogated mercilessly for hours."
Tony chuckled, "Don't give them any company secrets."
"Good Bye, Tony." Xander said firmly.
"Bye." Tony grinned and closed the connection.
Xander got up, "Screen off."
As he walked toward the elevator the screen flickered off behind him. He just stepped up to the elevator doors and had firmly placed a smile on his face when the doors parted.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
*****
Willow and Cordelia gaped as they walked into the loft, staring at the furnishings and electronics.
"Xander!" Willow exclaimed, "How can you afford this?"
"Nice pad, Dweeb boy." Cordy grinned, sinking into the leather couch.
Xander shook his head as he stood there, a little helplessly. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Buffy looked at him seriously. "Can we talk?"
Xander's heart clenched and his stomach knotted. He could refuse the others easily enough, but she was there. She had a right to know. He nodded silently. "Come out on the balcony."
She nodded and followed him as he walked across the room to the huge octagonal window that over looked the park.
"You guys relax... TV's got satellite service and the remote is on the end table..." Xander said as he led Buffy out.
"Cool." Oz waved at him dismissively as the rocker grabbed the remote.
Xander smiled and slid the octagonal window to one side and stepped out. Buffy stared at the off 'door' for a moment before following.
*****
"Ok, Buff... let's have it."
"What?" She asked, her voice soft.
Xander took a breath. "I decided to tell you whatever you want to know. You've got the right."
"I had that right over three months ago."
"I suppose." Xander said quietly, "But I wasn't ready. I couldn't stay."
"Why?" She asked, half pouting as her voice clearly indicated that she thought she was to blame.
"Because I couldn't." Xander said firmly. Buffy bit her lip and nodded, "Ok. What happened after I... wasn't around?"
"Angelus was leaning over you when I came in the room, draining you." Xander said, his voice steady enough to surprise him. "So I tackled him... drove him off you. We struggled, and he was winning until he suddenly stopped fighting."
"Angel?" She asked, her voice breathless.
"Yes." He confirmed, "I almost staked him... then he spoke my name. I looked in his eyes... and just knew."
"Angelus was gone."
"Right." Xander said, "But it was too late. Far, far too late."
"What do you mean?"
"Acathela was opening."
Buffy's hand slapped to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. "Oh no."
"Yes. The portal to hell was opening... Angel didn't know what happened... but then he told me that while you were fighting you threw him into the sword... and I remembered what Giles said."
"Blood?"
"Blood." Xander confirmed. "And then I told him what else Giles had said. That blood opened it and..."
"Blood would close it." Buffy said softly, her arms dropping to her side.
"And it did." Xander said, "He sacrificed himself to save the world... and you. Mostly you I think."
She shook her head. "But... why did you leave?"
"Why?" Xander laughed bitterly, "Why? Because when I talked to you before that I had worked up the nerve to lie my ass off. To tell you that Will said kick his ass. Instead I buckle and tell you about the soul spell, and almost get you killed and the world sucked into hell. I was a danger to you and everyone else... I had to leave."
"Xander..." She whispered, her hand reaching out to him.
Xander pulled away and leaned on the rail of the balcony, staring out at the park. "I had a decision to make. It was a hard call, and I screwed it up." She walked up behind him, "Xander... It wasn't your responsibility..."
"Then whose was it?" Xander asked, his tone dripping in bitter anger. "Yours? You couldn't see past Angel to save your own life, the world be damned."
"Xander!" Buffy drew back, shocked by the anger in his voice.
"So now you know why I left."
Buffy was silent for a second and Xander resisted the urge to look back at her. He was surprised when he felt her arms wrap around him from behind and pull him into a tight embrace.
"You've saved my life more times then I really want to think about," Buffy said, her voice hesitant. "And I'm not really good at thanking people for help... I know this, and I guess i should really work on it... but you know I love you right?"
Xander shuddered as the words struck him, feeling them like physical blows. He shook his head, "I would have given a lot to hear you say that a year ago."
"Xander... I..."
"I know..." he said gently, "As a friend. I know. But it doesn't change anything..."
Buffy stammered, trying to find her voice as Xander broke free. "I have to go back inside and check on the others."
She nodded, and stared after him as he stepped through the huge window/door and back into the apartment. When he was gone she let out a long breath and turned to look over the park.
"Friend."
*****
Xander stepped inside to find a small riot going on.
"What the hell!?"
Willow turned to look at him. "Xander! Your place is haunted!"
He shook his head, "What!?"
"We sat down and Oz said something about TV and it turned on! We thought he just hit the button by accident but then he mentioned a show and it changed the channel to the show!"
Xander nodded slowly, his mind trying to find an explanation that didn't include a computer AI that wasn't technically supposed to exist. "Then I went to the bathroom and the lights came on! The toilet flushed before I could do it myself... and that's really, really freaky!" Cordelia shuddered.
Xander held up his hand, "One second. I'll be right back."
The three of them watched as Xander vanished into his bedroom.
"Huh." Oz said quietly as he turned back to the TV.
*****
"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Xander hissed angrily.
"My job." The computer replied, "I take pride in my work... unlike some people I might mention...."
"Listen to me you misbegotten son of a toaster oven, are you *trying* to blow my cover!?" Xander flailed his arms in angry gestures as he walked around the room, "If you do something like this again I'm going to reprogram you with a dull Axe! Do you get me!?"
The computer mumbled something.
"I didn't hear that!"
"I understand... sir."
"Good." Xander rolled his eyes, "jesus... what if one of them had mentioned weapons? Were you going to open up the armory for them?"
"Oh please." The computer rejoined, "I enjoy my job, but I'm not stuck with your IQ. I wouldn't let them into anything restricted..."
"Well thank heaven for small favors." Xander muttered. "Great... now I'm probably going to have to talk Willow out of doing an exorcism."
A pause. "A what?"
"You heard me. She's going to want to exorcize the evil spirit that flushed the toilet and turned on the TV."
"That might be interesting... I've never witnessed one of those before."
Xander rolled his eyes, "Do you have access to the web?"
"Of course."
"Look up the ritual there, the one that a witch does... I do NOT want that crap in my apartment... it *stinks*."
"Oh very well..." The computer sounded disappointed.
Xander took a deep breath. "No more favors for visitors... ok?"
"Ok."
"Thank you."
Xander turned and left the room, heading back to his friends.
When the door closed behind him the computer spoke again. "Thank... me?"
*****
Later
"No exorcism?" Willow asked, pouting at him.
"No exorcism." Xander said firmly. "If I see a ghost, I'll call you."
"You sure? I mean, I have the spell components and stuff all ready at home..."
"I'm sure, Will..." Xander looked around, "Where's Buffy?"
Willow looked around. "I don't know?"
Cordy looked up from where she was sitting, looking bored. "She's still on the balcony."
Xander looked toward the balcony and sighed, "I'll be right back."
"No..." Willow stopped him, "I'll go."
Xander nodded and turned back to the other two, stealing occasional glances out at the balcony.
*****
"Buffy?" Willow stepped out, sliding the glass shut behind her.
"He hates me."
Willow looked around for her friend, her vision slowly adjusting to the dark. "Who?"
"Xander." Buffy said, standing against the rail and staring out at the park. "Xander hates me."
Willow didn't say anything for a minute. "Did he say that?"
She caught a slight motion of Buffy's head in the darkness.
"No. But it was still there."
"I don't think Xander can hate you, Buffy." Willow said quietly as she stepped up beside her friend.
"He blames me. That's why he left."
"Blames you for what?"
Buffy laughed bitterly, "what doesn't he blame me for?"
"You're not making much sense, Buffy..."
"For not staking Angelus. For not being strong when I had to be. For risking the world so I... I could be happy."
"Did he say this?"
"No..." Buffy whispered. "He said it was his fault."
Willow nodded, "Now that sounds like Xander."
"But its not what he meant." Buffy said softly. "It can't be what he meant."
"Why not?"
"Because it wasn't his fault... How could he not see that?"
"He's Xander." Willow said simply. "He's blind as a bat to things that are under his nose... remember?"
Buffy let out a breathy little laugh that wasn't quite devoid of humor. "I told him I loved him."
"What!?" Willow's eyes widened in shock.
"I don't know why... it just came out."
"D... do you?"
"Love him? Of course." Willow shook her head, "I mean... are you...?"
"In love? I don't know..." Buffy admitted. "But... it hurt when he assumed that I meant it in a friends kinda way..."
Willow took a breath, "That sounds... ominous..."
Buffy glanced over at her friend, her eyebrow arcing. "Ominous?"
Willow smiled at her, a crooked smile that seemed almost sheepish. "I didn't think that I should say 'Hellmouthy'."
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Is it that far out?"
"After the dance?"
Buffy winced. "Yeah... maybe you've got a point."
"If anyone can forgive you... it would be Xander. But I think you'd better figure it out first... and Fast. Cordy is already marking her territory, you know?"
Buffy laughed. "I think I'm just happy to see him again, Will. Forget about what I just said, k?"
Willow looked at her uncertainly. "K." She said finally.
"Come on..." Buffy turned, pulling Willow with her, "Let's go inside."
*****
When the two girls stepped back into the room the found Xander and Cordy sitting together on the couch while Oz sat in a leather recliner, all watching the huge TV.
Willow shot Buffy a look, but Buffy just ignored it.
Xander glanced over at them, his face hopeful. "Everything alright?"
Buffy forced a smile. "Sure. I'm fine."
He nodded slowly, "Ok..."
"Hey." Oz smiled as Willow walked up to him and he drew her down into the chair with him. "We're watching True Lies."
"Ohhh, I love this movie!" Willow squealed a little as Oz pulled her into his lap.
Xander grinned as he saw his friend's happy face. "Yeah... it's pretty good... hey, you know... that's odd."
"What?"
"You know Arnie's daughter?"
"Yeah..."
"She looks a lot like the second Slayer I told you about, Faith."
Cordy glared at him, "Stop checking out the jail bait Xander."
Xander rolled his eyes, "hey, I'm not eighteen yet... and this movie was made a few years ago. She... and Faith, are nicely grown up now."
Cordy slapped his shoulder.
"Ow!"
"Perv."
Xander mock glared at Cordelia, "Just settle down and watch the movie."
She glared right back, "I would if you'd stop drooling over my dress!"
Xander smirked and let his eyes rove lower, "It's not your dress I'm drooling over."
*Smack*
"Ow!"
"Perv!"
Buffy rolled her eyes as she sat down on the other side of Xander, "Get a room. Some of us are watching the movie."
Cordelia glared at her, her eyes filling with outrage. "A room? With dweeb boy? Bite your tongue!"
Buffy smirked back at her, "While you're biting his?"
"Listen up, you bottle blond..." Cordy began.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Xander put his hands up, obscuring their view of each other. "Despite all my personal fantasies that start like this I really don't want you fighting over me... and I mean that in a physical way, you two are likely to kill me just cause I'm sitting between you!"
*Smack!*
*Smack!*
"OW!" Xander yelled as he caught slaps from both sides.
"Perv." Both girls said at once.
Xander crossed his arms and sunk down into the leather couch. "That's it. I'm moving and not telling either of you where I live."
*****