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.
*****
"Is it dead?" Buffy asked, looking at the huge thing.
Angel shook his head, "No... But something really put a beating into this guy..."
Buffy looked back over to the warehouse the Demon had flown out of, "We should go find the thing that did this..."
"And do what!?" Angel looked at her incredulously. "We're armed with a few stakes... and you want to take on something that threw a Olgaran through a second story window!?"
"We have to do something!"
Suddenly they heard a rush of air and they both looked up. Above them a figure descended toward the ground.
"What the...?"
*****
Oh Crap. Xander groaned as he recognized the two figures looking up at him. Just my luck.
He landed right beside the Olgara demon, and tried not to look at Angel or Buffy.
That tactic didn't work.
"Who the hell are you!?" Buffy growled, hefting a stake.
Xander almost burst out laughing. Here he was wearing the most high tech, ultra powered, damn near invulnerable suit of armor ever *conceived*, and a sixteen year old girl was threatening him with a wooden stake. He shuddered with laughter for a few seconds before speaking.
"Calm down, Slayer. I'm not here for you."
Buffy took a step back, then regrouped. "How do you know who I am!? And what are you here for?"
Xander knelt down by the demon, who was just starting to wake up. "Come on, Buddy... get up..."
Angel stared in shock as the armored figure helped the two ton demon to it's feet, like some guy at a bar helping a drunken friend up. "Buffy..."
She ignored him, still confronting the figure. "Who *are* you!?"
"Call me, Iron Man." Xander said, sighing as he hefted the semi-conscious demon to its feet, hooked his arms under it's arms, and fired his boot jets.
Buffy stared in shock as the two figures lifted slowly into the air and actually *flew* off.
*****
Back in the warehouse Xander landed a little heavily, shoving the struggling Olgara demon away. "Hey! Cut me some slack!"
The Demon just growled in response until Xander walked over, pulled up a trap door and pointed down. It stumbled over and looked down, and Xander could have *sworn* that it started blubbering.
He rolled his eyes under his armor and shook his head. Looks like I guessed right...
He knelt down and offered his hand to the Olgara Demon in the pit below the trap door, pulling it up. As soon as the demon was clear the two Olgaran's pulled each other into what passed for an embrace.
Xander shook his head and walked over to the girl, who was shuddering in revulsion as she looked at the two demonic lovers. "What are those *things*!?"
Xander sighed, "A young couple... Ain't love grand?" *****
"I've called the cops," Xander said to the girl, "They'll be here pretty soon... You know what you're going to tell them?"
She stared at him, wide eyed. "They'll think I'm nuts!"
Xander chuckled under his armor, "So give them an edited version... tell them that the fruitcake over there kidnaped you... tell them what he said, make him sound like the nut case..."
She glared over at the still form, a gleam entering her eyes. "I can do that."
"Good." Xander said, then he looked sharply toward the doorway. "Ooops... gonna have company."
She looked frightened, but Xander reassured her.
"No problem, kiddo. I know them, they'll protect you until the cops get here."
"You're leaving?"
Xander glanced back at her, "Sorry... but the police would ask me way too many questions."
"I guess I shouldn't tell them about you then either, huh?"
"Smart girl."
Xander smiled under his helmet and walked over to the two demons, lightly tapping the one he had fought on the shoulder. It growled as it turned on him, but Xander tried not to take it personally, for all he knew that was a thank you.
"You'd better get out of here." He said.
The thing growled at him, but didn't seem to understand.
Frustrated, Xander pointed toward the door and spoke slowly. "Slay-er. You get me? Slay-er."
The two demons glanced in the direction of the door and nodded, suddenly taking off for the other side of the warehouse as the door opened to reveal Buffy and Angel.
Xander watched them go, then looked up at the shattered skylight he had mad his entrance through. He fired his boot jets and roared out of the warehouse, vanishing into the night sky a few moments later.
"Wait!" Buffy cried out as she reached his former position. "Come back!"
*****
"Who was that... whatever!?" Buffy growled, glaring at the hole in the ceiling.
"Y... you don't know?" A timid voice asked form behind her.
Buffy spun around, tensed, but relaxed almost instantly when she saw the frightened girl behind her. "No. Should I?"
"He knew you..."
Buffy looked up at the skylight again. "He did??"
"He said that... that I could trust you."
Buffy shook her head, still staring up at the ceiling. "Who the hell is he?"
"He said his name was Iron Man..."
"Yeah," Buffy nodded, "He told us the same thing... Weird much?"
The girl tittered, a little nervously, and nodded. "Yeah... but he saved me."
Buffy looked around, "From a big demon... ey, thing?"
She shook her head. "No... from that guy over there."
Buffy followed her gesture and spotted the unconscious man in the corner. "What happened to him?"
"Iron Man pulled him off me before he could drive that big knife into me..." The girl shivered.
Angel walked over and turned the man over, "He's alive... This is interesting..."
"What?" Buffy asked.
Angel was turning the dagger over, "I think we should get Giles to take a look at this."
Buffy nodded, "Ok, take it."
Angel nodded and slipped the blade into a pocket. "Is the girl alright?"
Buffy looked her over quickly, "Yeah."
"Then we'd better go. I can hear sirens."
*****
"Open up." Xander muttered as he flew over the park toward his apartment.
::Confirmed.::
He flitted in, not slowing until the last moment, and dropped through the open skylight. "Armory Access."
"Confirm identity."
"Harris, Alexander L. Stark Enterprises Security chief, west coast."
"Identity confirmed."
Xander quickly slipped out of the armor and put it back into it's secure holding area, sealing the armory behind him. He hopped over the back of the leather sofa and relaxed. "Not a bad night's work."
"Yes, Sir."
He looked up, "I thought I told you to stop calling me, Sir?"
"No, Sir. You told me to stop calling you Mr Harris."
Xander was silent for a moment, uncertain whether the computer was serious, or screwing with him again. "Call me Xander."
"Alright, Xander." the computer said, a hint of humor in its voice.
Yep, Xander sighed, Screwing with me again.
"Put on that episode of Star Trek I asked you to record."
"Confirmed."
*****
The next morning Xander stopped by the library before he hit his first class, mostly just curious to see what Buffy had told Giles. The computer had informed him when Angel came back, but he hadn't been able to figure out a subtle way to interrogate the ensouled vampire.
So he figured that Giles would be his best shot. He didn't expect to wander into a research storm.
"Whoa... what's up?" He asked, looking over the tons of books and paper scattered across the tables.
Giles looked up, surprised by Xander's presence. "Oh... Xander, sorry. I didn't see you."
"No problem, G-man." Xander said flippantly, "Someone blow up your book collection... or is this Armageddon related?"
"Well... not quite that serious I believe..." Giles muttered, wiping his glasses. "I am merely attempting to identify this dagger..."
Xander's eyes raised as he recognize the weapon from last night. "Something special about it?"
"I think so..." Giles said, "You see there are some runic markings along the length of the blade that seem to indicate that the weapon has some special ceremonial purpose..."
Xander's mind raced back to the night before, when the man had said that he had to complete the ceremony. What did he mean? Damn, Damn, Damn... next time, interrogate... THEN incapacitate.
"So, you find anything?"
Giles shook his head, "No... nothing yet."
"Well, I've got to get to class... let me know."
Giles nodded absently, so Xander turned and left.
*****
Classes passed fairly quickly through the morning and it was quickly lunch time, so Xander made his way through the line and got his food. He was on his way to an empty table when he spotted Willow and Buffy waving him over.
"Heya girls," He smiled at them, earning him a pair or warm smiles in return. "How's it going?"
Willow leaned forward, her features intense. "You'll never believe what Buffy saw last night!"
Xander leaned forward, putting on an amused sort of puzzled look. "What?"
"A guy in a flying suit of armor."
He had to try to keep from laughing, instead putting up his best shocked look. "You're kidding."
"No!" Willow grinned, "Right, Buffy?" Buffy shrugged, looking a little uncertain. "I guess... I mean, that's what it looked like."
"Wow." Xander said, "Wonder what's up with that?"
"I don't know, but he saved a girl from a Mage..." Willow said, "It sounds so cool..."
Buffy frowned, "We don't know if he's a good guy... I mean, we've only seen him once."
"Yeah, I know..." Willow said, disappointed. "But it just sounds cool... A Knight in shining armor, even if it is red and gold... It's romantic."
Buffy and Xander both rolled their eyes at Willow's enthusiasm.
"Jeez, Will," Buffy muttered, "You didn't even see him and you're making up storybook romances..."
Willow blushed, "Well... it does, doesn't it? I mean..."
Xander laughed, "Relax Will... or you'll dig yourself even deeper. Imagine if Oz heard you mooning over this guy you never even saw..."
Willow clasped a hand to her mouth. "Ohmygod! You won't tell him will you?"
Xander rolled his eyes, "I was joking, Willow."
The three friends laughed and talked for a while longer as they finished up their lunches. About halfway through they were joined by Oz, and then a few minutes later even Cordy made a brief stop.
"Hello, Xander."
Xander turned and smiled, "Hey Cordy... what's up?"
"We still on for tonight?"
"You bet. Bronze, pick you up at eight?"
Cordelia nodded, then said goodbye and left.
Xander turned back to find Willow staring at him. "What?"
"You have a date with Cordelia?"
"Yeah... so?"
"I mean, a *real* public date??" "Yessss...." Xander said, drawing the word out.
Willow blinked. "I don't believe it."
Xander put on a look of mock hurt, "You wound me. Am I that bad a catch??"
"No!" She said quickly, then reddened. "I mean... well... it's *Cordy*!"
Xander and Buffy broke out laughing, and Oz even smiled a little. Finally Xander nodded. "Yeah, It's definitely Cordy."
*****
At eight o'clock Xander pulled up to the Chase mansion and slipped his sedan into park and looked up at the imposing place for a moment. Finally he sighed and got out of the car, walking up to the house.
He rang the doorbell, waiting a moment. Then another moment. Finally the door was answered.
"Xander..." Cordelia looked at him, a little nervously. "You're early..."
Xander looked at his watch and frowned, "Am I?"
"Darling!" A slurred voice came from behind Cordy, "Who are you talking too?"
Xander raised an eyebrow as Cordelia's mother semi-staggered into view, a glass of brandy in her hands. He could easily pick up the signs that told him that it was far from her first drink of the evening.
"Just a friend, mother." Cordelia said, sighing.
"Well... bring him in!" Cordy's mother waved, smiling a little stupidly. "He's your date isn't he?"
Cordelia looked a bit desperate, but Xander just smiled at her reassuringly and walked past her, calling on his three weeks of etiquette classes.
"Mrs Chase..." Xander smiled and took the older woman's free hand, kissing it. He figured that in her current state she wouldn't notice him pouring the charm on a little thick.
He guessed right. Mrs Chase actually blushed and giggled as she took another drink and then winked at Cordelia. "Oh I see what you like about this one..."
"Mother!" Cordy groaned and leaned on the door jam.
Xander smiled at Mrs Chase, "We really should be going, but it was lovely to meet you Ma'am..."
Xander turned quickly to Cordelia, "Are you ready?"
She nodded, a little dumbly, but didn't move so Xander hooked his arm in hers and led her out.
Mrs Chase smiled, "Such a nice boy..." and took another drink of her brandy.
*****
"God, I'm so embarrassed." Cordelia muttered.
"About what?" Xander asked.
"My mom!"
"That? Don't worry about it," Xander said, reaching over and rubbing her shoulder lightly. "I've seen worse... hey... I've lived worse. Don't worry."
"My mom's getting worse..." Cordelia finally admitted, "She doesn't talk about what's bothering her but she's been drinking more and more lately."
"Yeah... I know how that goes." Xander said, pulling the car into the Bronze parking lot. "Well, we're here."
Cordelia looked up, her face masked by conflicting emotions. "So we are."
Xander looked over at her, "You up to this?"
An instant transformation passed over her, and the melancholy Cordelia was gone in an instant, replaced by the very familiar Cordy that Xander new all too well.
"You aren't getting out of this that easy, loser boy." She smirked at him, "Come on."
Oh yeah. The bitch is back.
*****
Buffy and Willow looked up as they saw Xander and Cordy walk in arm in arm.
"Wow...." Willow said, then backpedaled as she glanced at Buffy, "Uh... I mean... well... wow."
Buffy smiled at her, her expression only slightly sad. "That's ok, Will... they're very wow worthy." Willow nodded, watching as the two walked up to them. Xander was dressed in a pair of dress slacks and a black silk shirt that had the top two buttons unbuttoned, his face was calmly smiling but Willow frowned for a second as she thought she saw something wrong in his eyes. She shook it off when he turned his attention to her a moment later and she saw no sign of whatever it was. Willow looked over at Cordy and had to admit that the cheerleader had pulled out the stops for the night, dressed in a white silk blouse and a pale pair of pants that hugged every curve. She looked like a light counterpoint to Xander's darkness, which struck Willow as incredibly funny the instant she thought of it.
Of course, she made the mistake of laughing while looking at Cordelia and was instantly in trouble.
"What!?" Cordy instantly shrieked, checking her hair and clothing.
Willow sputtered as Xander glared at her and Buffy looked at her like she was insane. "Nothing... nothing! I swear... I just... remembered a joke... that's all..."
Cordelia dropped her hand from her hair and fixed Willow with a death glare, then grabbed Xander and pulled him toward the dance floor. "Come on."
Xander stumbled, then double timed in order to keep up with Cordy, still glaring back at Willow. Willow winced and mouth the word 'sorry' at him just before he was lost to the crowd.
"Smooth one."
Willow winced, "Sorry... I just had this thought... I saw Cordy dressed in white, you know? All light and good and stuff and Xander in black... all dark and baddy..."
Buffy stared at her for a long moment, her face inscrutable. Then slowly she cracked, first a snicker, then an unladylike snort, and finally full blown laughter.
Willow didn't laugh, to her is didn't seem nearly as funny anymore.
*****
"Are you ok?" Xander asked as the slow song started and he held Cordelia close, conscious of how many people were staring in shock at them.
She nodded into his chest before up a little at him, "Yeah... I'm fine. I must be off my game, I never let Willow get to me."
Xander smiled a bit as they twisted around the floor, "I don't think she meant anything by it this time."
Cordy shrugged, "Maybe..."
Xander sighed, "I wish you guys didn't fight so much."
Cordelia didn't say anything for a bit, just let the music guide her as she and Xander went around the floor. "I'm sorry."
Xander blinked. Cordelia apologizing? She's being hit harder by the home front then I thought.
He licked his lips unconsciously, thinking about what to say, but was interrupted by a meaty hand slamming down on his shoulder.
"Huh?" Xander got out as he was spun around and found himself looking straight into the big barrel chest of Luke Simons, the football team's leading bone breaker.
Xander looked up. Way up. "High. And I mean that in a vertical way."
The big guy looked confused, not getting the joke or the humor of the statement. Instead he snarled, hooking his meaty hands under Xander's arms, and lifted Xander off the ground. "You were told to stay away from Cordelia!"
"Excuse me!" Cordelia glared up at him, "Who gave you permission to speak, dimwit!? Let alone talk about me like I wasn't here!"
The guy didn't bother to look at her, or even acknowledge her presence. He brought Xander closer to him, staring him in the eyes from mere centimeters away. "And you touched my quarterback! No one... NO ONE... touches my quarterback."
The way the words were delivered, Xander had no doubt whatsoever that this guy didn't give a flying fuck what he did with or even to Cordelia. No, Xander's crime was injuring the quarterback's pride in front of the school, and thus injuring the team's pride.
"Ok..." He said, trying to sound calm. "First thing..."
Xander looked down, reaching around with his feet for the floor, then looked back into Luke's eyes. "How tall are you anyway??"
The guy stared at him blankly for a moment, trying to figure out what he was doing wrong. Most guys would be begging forgiveness by now, not cracking jokes.
"Second thing..." Xander brought his hands up and clapped Luke's ears as hard as he could, then jammed his fingers and thumbs into the nerve clusters at the base of the big guy's neck. After a few seconds he looked back into the guy's eyes and saw that all he had managed was to piss him off. "Second thing... I don't suppose we can talk this over like civilize.....!"
Xander last word was drawn out into a long scream as he was thrown bodily across the dance floor, landing in a hard roll that brought to a halt under a table. He shook his head, immediately noting the two rather huge feet that were lumbering toward him.
"Oh hell." Xander got up, flipping the table over as he did. "Come on, Luke... I didn't hurt him!"
"Well I'm gonna hurt YOU." Luke said, slapping his fists together.
"Hold it there, Tiger."
Luke was suddenly walking in place, his feet sliding against the floor as he tried to make headway. After a few seconds he stopped and look over his shoulder.
Buffy was holding him by the shirt with one hand, preventing him from making any headway. He growled and batted lightly at her arm, but couldn't get her to let go.
"Let go!" He ordered.
Buffy appeared to think about it, "Ummm... No."
Luke was in a quandary. Hitting girls wasn't something his dad had brought him up to do, but protecting his teammates was everything to him. He was still puzzling it out when Xander's voice spoke up again.
"Let him go, Buffy." Xander said calmly. He didn't enjoy the prospect of a fight, any fight, but he knew that if he let this go on past tonight it would just keep coming back on him until he did stop it.
"What?" She looked at him as if he were insane. "Xander this guy wants to pound you into a Xander shaped puddle!"
"And you're going to let him." Xander said, "This isn't Slay business, Buff. I have to handle some things myself if I want them to be over."
Buffy frowned, but reluctantly nodded and let go of Luke's shirt, causing the guy to stumble forward as he lost his balance. Xander actually caught him and steadied him, "You alright?"
Luke nodded, looking confused. This wasn't the way things were supposed to go, that was something he was pretty sure of.
"Ok," Xander said, "Let's get this over with."
*****
READ THIS!! :
If you want more stories/faster updates in this and/or the Journeyverse series don't ask me. Just go to my Yahoo group and check it out for DAILY updates. I only post here when I get around to it... which can be any stretch of time at all. FF.Net simply isn't a priority given the recent uncertainties in posting here. So far I've been lucky, none of my fics have been deleted, but a lot of stories are biting the big one for little to no reason.
www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/journeyverse
********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.
*****
"Is it dead?" Buffy asked, looking at the huge thing.
Angel shook his head, "No... But something really put a beating into this guy..."
Buffy looked back over to the warehouse the Demon had flown out of, "We should go find the thing that did this..."
"And do what!?" Angel looked at her incredulously. "We're armed with a few stakes... and you want to take on something that threw a Olgaran through a second story window!?"
"We have to do something!"
Suddenly they heard a rush of air and they both looked up. Above them a figure descended toward the ground.
"What the...?"
*****
Oh Crap. Xander groaned as he recognized the two figures looking up at him. Just my luck.
He landed right beside the Olgara demon, and tried not to look at Angel or Buffy.
That tactic didn't work.
"Who the hell are you!?" Buffy growled, hefting a stake.
Xander almost burst out laughing. Here he was wearing the most high tech, ultra powered, damn near invulnerable suit of armor ever *conceived*, and a sixteen year old girl was threatening him with a wooden stake. He shuddered with laughter for a few seconds before speaking.
"Calm down, Slayer. I'm not here for you."
Buffy took a step back, then regrouped. "How do you know who I am!? And what are you here for?"
Xander knelt down by the demon, who was just starting to wake up. "Come on, Buddy... get up..."
Angel stared in shock as the armored figure helped the two ton demon to it's feet, like some guy at a bar helping a drunken friend up. "Buffy..."
She ignored him, still confronting the figure. "Who *are* you!?"
"Call me, Iron Man." Xander said, sighing as he hefted the semi-conscious demon to its feet, hooked his arms under it's arms, and fired his boot jets.
Buffy stared in shock as the two figures lifted slowly into the air and actually *flew* off.
*****
Back in the warehouse Xander landed a little heavily, shoving the struggling Olgara demon away. "Hey! Cut me some slack!"
The Demon just growled in response until Xander walked over, pulled up a trap door and pointed down. It stumbled over and looked down, and Xander could have *sworn* that it started blubbering.
He rolled his eyes under his armor and shook his head. Looks like I guessed right...
He knelt down and offered his hand to the Olgara Demon in the pit below the trap door, pulling it up. As soon as the demon was clear the two Olgaran's pulled each other into what passed for an embrace.
Xander shook his head and walked over to the girl, who was shuddering in revulsion as she looked at the two demonic lovers. "What are those *things*!?"
Xander sighed, "A young couple... Ain't love grand?" *****
"I've called the cops," Xander said to the girl, "They'll be here pretty soon... You know what you're going to tell them?"
She stared at him, wide eyed. "They'll think I'm nuts!"
Xander chuckled under his armor, "So give them an edited version... tell them that the fruitcake over there kidnaped you... tell them what he said, make him sound like the nut case..."
She glared over at the still form, a gleam entering her eyes. "I can do that."
"Good." Xander said, then he looked sharply toward the doorway. "Ooops... gonna have company."
She looked frightened, but Xander reassured her.
"No problem, kiddo. I know them, they'll protect you until the cops get here."
"You're leaving?"
Xander glanced back at her, "Sorry... but the police would ask me way too many questions."
"I guess I shouldn't tell them about you then either, huh?"
"Smart girl."
Xander smiled under his helmet and walked over to the two demons, lightly tapping the one he had fought on the shoulder. It growled as it turned on him, but Xander tried not to take it personally, for all he knew that was a thank you.
"You'd better get out of here." He said.
The thing growled at him, but didn't seem to understand.
Frustrated, Xander pointed toward the door and spoke slowly. "Slay-er. You get me? Slay-er."
The two demons glanced in the direction of the door and nodded, suddenly taking off for the other side of the warehouse as the door opened to reveal Buffy and Angel.
Xander watched them go, then looked up at the shattered skylight he had mad his entrance through. He fired his boot jets and roared out of the warehouse, vanishing into the night sky a few moments later.
"Wait!" Buffy cried out as she reached his former position. "Come back!"
*****
"Who was that... whatever!?" Buffy growled, glaring at the hole in the ceiling.
"Y... you don't know?" A timid voice asked form behind her.
Buffy spun around, tensed, but relaxed almost instantly when she saw the frightened girl behind her. "No. Should I?"
"He knew you..."
Buffy looked up at the skylight again. "He did??"
"He said that... that I could trust you."
Buffy shook her head, still staring up at the ceiling. "Who the hell is he?"
"He said his name was Iron Man..."
"Yeah," Buffy nodded, "He told us the same thing... Weird much?"
The girl tittered, a little nervously, and nodded. "Yeah... but he saved me."
Buffy looked around, "From a big demon... ey, thing?"
She shook her head. "No... from that guy over there."
Buffy followed her gesture and spotted the unconscious man in the corner. "What happened to him?"
"Iron Man pulled him off me before he could drive that big knife into me..." The girl shivered.
Angel walked over and turned the man over, "He's alive... This is interesting..."
"What?" Buffy asked.
Angel was turning the dagger over, "I think we should get Giles to take a look at this."
Buffy nodded, "Ok, take it."
Angel nodded and slipped the blade into a pocket. "Is the girl alright?"
Buffy looked her over quickly, "Yeah."
"Then we'd better go. I can hear sirens."
*****
"Open up." Xander muttered as he flew over the park toward his apartment.
::Confirmed.::
He flitted in, not slowing until the last moment, and dropped through the open skylight. "Armory Access."
"Confirm identity."
"Harris, Alexander L. Stark Enterprises Security chief, west coast."
"Identity confirmed."
Xander quickly slipped out of the armor and put it back into it's secure holding area, sealing the armory behind him. He hopped over the back of the leather sofa and relaxed. "Not a bad night's work."
"Yes, Sir."
He looked up, "I thought I told you to stop calling me, Sir?"
"No, Sir. You told me to stop calling you Mr Harris."
Xander was silent for a moment, uncertain whether the computer was serious, or screwing with him again. "Call me Xander."
"Alright, Xander." the computer said, a hint of humor in its voice.
Yep, Xander sighed, Screwing with me again.
"Put on that episode of Star Trek I asked you to record."
"Confirmed."
*****
The next morning Xander stopped by the library before he hit his first class, mostly just curious to see what Buffy had told Giles. The computer had informed him when Angel came back, but he hadn't been able to figure out a subtle way to interrogate the ensouled vampire.
So he figured that Giles would be his best shot. He didn't expect to wander into a research storm.
"Whoa... what's up?" He asked, looking over the tons of books and paper scattered across the tables.
Giles looked up, surprised by Xander's presence. "Oh... Xander, sorry. I didn't see you."
"No problem, G-man." Xander said flippantly, "Someone blow up your book collection... or is this Armageddon related?"
"Well... not quite that serious I believe..." Giles muttered, wiping his glasses. "I am merely attempting to identify this dagger..."
Xander's eyes raised as he recognize the weapon from last night. "Something special about it?"
"I think so..." Giles said, "You see there are some runic markings along the length of the blade that seem to indicate that the weapon has some special ceremonial purpose..."
Xander's mind raced back to the night before, when the man had said that he had to complete the ceremony. What did he mean? Damn, Damn, Damn... next time, interrogate... THEN incapacitate.
"So, you find anything?"
Giles shook his head, "No... nothing yet."
"Well, I've got to get to class... let me know."
Giles nodded absently, so Xander turned and left.
*****
Classes passed fairly quickly through the morning and it was quickly lunch time, so Xander made his way through the line and got his food. He was on his way to an empty table when he spotted Willow and Buffy waving him over.
"Heya girls," He smiled at them, earning him a pair or warm smiles in return. "How's it going?"
Willow leaned forward, her features intense. "You'll never believe what Buffy saw last night!"
Xander leaned forward, putting on an amused sort of puzzled look. "What?"
"A guy in a flying suit of armor."
He had to try to keep from laughing, instead putting up his best shocked look. "You're kidding."
"No!" Willow grinned, "Right, Buffy?" Buffy shrugged, looking a little uncertain. "I guess... I mean, that's what it looked like."
"Wow." Xander said, "Wonder what's up with that?"
"I don't know, but he saved a girl from a Mage..." Willow said, "It sounds so cool..."
Buffy frowned, "We don't know if he's a good guy... I mean, we've only seen him once."
"Yeah, I know..." Willow said, disappointed. "But it just sounds cool... A Knight in shining armor, even if it is red and gold... It's romantic."
Buffy and Xander both rolled their eyes at Willow's enthusiasm.
"Jeez, Will," Buffy muttered, "You didn't even see him and you're making up storybook romances..."
Willow blushed, "Well... it does, doesn't it? I mean..."
Xander laughed, "Relax Will... or you'll dig yourself even deeper. Imagine if Oz heard you mooning over this guy you never even saw..."
Willow clasped a hand to her mouth. "Ohmygod! You won't tell him will you?"
Xander rolled his eyes, "I was joking, Willow."
The three friends laughed and talked for a while longer as they finished up their lunches. About halfway through they were joined by Oz, and then a few minutes later even Cordy made a brief stop.
"Hello, Xander."
Xander turned and smiled, "Hey Cordy... what's up?"
"We still on for tonight?"
"You bet. Bronze, pick you up at eight?"
Cordelia nodded, then said goodbye and left.
Xander turned back to find Willow staring at him. "What?"
"You have a date with Cordelia?"
"Yeah... so?"
"I mean, a *real* public date??" "Yessss...." Xander said, drawing the word out.
Willow blinked. "I don't believe it."
Xander put on a look of mock hurt, "You wound me. Am I that bad a catch??"
"No!" She said quickly, then reddened. "I mean... well... it's *Cordy*!"
Xander and Buffy broke out laughing, and Oz even smiled a little. Finally Xander nodded. "Yeah, It's definitely Cordy."
*****
At eight o'clock Xander pulled up to the Chase mansion and slipped his sedan into park and looked up at the imposing place for a moment. Finally he sighed and got out of the car, walking up to the house.
He rang the doorbell, waiting a moment. Then another moment. Finally the door was answered.
"Xander..." Cordelia looked at him, a little nervously. "You're early..."
Xander looked at his watch and frowned, "Am I?"
"Darling!" A slurred voice came from behind Cordy, "Who are you talking too?"
Xander raised an eyebrow as Cordelia's mother semi-staggered into view, a glass of brandy in her hands. He could easily pick up the signs that told him that it was far from her first drink of the evening.
"Just a friend, mother." Cordelia said, sighing.
"Well... bring him in!" Cordy's mother waved, smiling a little stupidly. "He's your date isn't he?"
Cordelia looked a bit desperate, but Xander just smiled at her reassuringly and walked past her, calling on his three weeks of etiquette classes.
"Mrs Chase..." Xander smiled and took the older woman's free hand, kissing it. He figured that in her current state she wouldn't notice him pouring the charm on a little thick.
He guessed right. Mrs Chase actually blushed and giggled as she took another drink and then winked at Cordelia. "Oh I see what you like about this one..."
"Mother!" Cordy groaned and leaned on the door jam.
Xander smiled at Mrs Chase, "We really should be going, but it was lovely to meet you Ma'am..."
Xander turned quickly to Cordelia, "Are you ready?"
She nodded, a little dumbly, but didn't move so Xander hooked his arm in hers and led her out.
Mrs Chase smiled, "Such a nice boy..." and took another drink of her brandy.
*****
"God, I'm so embarrassed." Cordelia muttered.
"About what?" Xander asked.
"My mom!"
"That? Don't worry about it," Xander said, reaching over and rubbing her shoulder lightly. "I've seen worse... hey... I've lived worse. Don't worry."
"My mom's getting worse..." Cordelia finally admitted, "She doesn't talk about what's bothering her but she's been drinking more and more lately."
"Yeah... I know how that goes." Xander said, pulling the car into the Bronze parking lot. "Well, we're here."
Cordelia looked up, her face masked by conflicting emotions. "So we are."
Xander looked over at her, "You up to this?"
An instant transformation passed over her, and the melancholy Cordelia was gone in an instant, replaced by the very familiar Cordy that Xander new all too well.
"You aren't getting out of this that easy, loser boy." She smirked at him, "Come on."
Oh yeah. The bitch is back.
*****
Buffy and Willow looked up as they saw Xander and Cordy walk in arm in arm.
"Wow...." Willow said, then backpedaled as she glanced at Buffy, "Uh... I mean... well... wow."
Buffy smiled at her, her expression only slightly sad. "That's ok, Will... they're very wow worthy." Willow nodded, watching as the two walked up to them. Xander was dressed in a pair of dress slacks and a black silk shirt that had the top two buttons unbuttoned, his face was calmly smiling but Willow frowned for a second as she thought she saw something wrong in his eyes. She shook it off when he turned his attention to her a moment later and she saw no sign of whatever it was. Willow looked over at Cordy and had to admit that the cheerleader had pulled out the stops for the night, dressed in a white silk blouse and a pale pair of pants that hugged every curve. She looked like a light counterpoint to Xander's darkness, which struck Willow as incredibly funny the instant she thought of it.
Of course, she made the mistake of laughing while looking at Cordelia and was instantly in trouble.
"What!?" Cordy instantly shrieked, checking her hair and clothing.
Willow sputtered as Xander glared at her and Buffy looked at her like she was insane. "Nothing... nothing! I swear... I just... remembered a joke... that's all..."
Cordelia dropped her hand from her hair and fixed Willow with a death glare, then grabbed Xander and pulled him toward the dance floor. "Come on."
Xander stumbled, then double timed in order to keep up with Cordy, still glaring back at Willow. Willow winced and mouth the word 'sorry' at him just before he was lost to the crowd.
"Smooth one."
Willow winced, "Sorry... I just had this thought... I saw Cordy dressed in white, you know? All light and good and stuff and Xander in black... all dark and baddy..."
Buffy stared at her for a long moment, her face inscrutable. Then slowly she cracked, first a snicker, then an unladylike snort, and finally full blown laughter.
Willow didn't laugh, to her is didn't seem nearly as funny anymore.
*****
"Are you ok?" Xander asked as the slow song started and he held Cordelia close, conscious of how many people were staring in shock at them.
She nodded into his chest before up a little at him, "Yeah... I'm fine. I must be off my game, I never let Willow get to me."
Xander smiled a bit as they twisted around the floor, "I don't think she meant anything by it this time."
Cordy shrugged, "Maybe..."
Xander sighed, "I wish you guys didn't fight so much."
Cordelia didn't say anything for a bit, just let the music guide her as she and Xander went around the floor. "I'm sorry."
Xander blinked. Cordelia apologizing? She's being hit harder by the home front then I thought.
He licked his lips unconsciously, thinking about what to say, but was interrupted by a meaty hand slamming down on his shoulder.
"Huh?" Xander got out as he was spun around and found himself looking straight into the big barrel chest of Luke Simons, the football team's leading bone breaker.
Xander looked up. Way up. "High. And I mean that in a vertical way."
The big guy looked confused, not getting the joke or the humor of the statement. Instead he snarled, hooking his meaty hands under Xander's arms, and lifted Xander off the ground. "You were told to stay away from Cordelia!"
"Excuse me!" Cordelia glared up at him, "Who gave you permission to speak, dimwit!? Let alone talk about me like I wasn't here!"
The guy didn't bother to look at her, or even acknowledge her presence. He brought Xander closer to him, staring him in the eyes from mere centimeters away. "And you touched my quarterback! No one... NO ONE... touches my quarterback."
The way the words were delivered, Xander had no doubt whatsoever that this guy didn't give a flying fuck what he did with or even to Cordelia. No, Xander's crime was injuring the quarterback's pride in front of the school, and thus injuring the team's pride.
"Ok..." He said, trying to sound calm. "First thing..."
Xander looked down, reaching around with his feet for the floor, then looked back into Luke's eyes. "How tall are you anyway??"
The guy stared at him blankly for a moment, trying to figure out what he was doing wrong. Most guys would be begging forgiveness by now, not cracking jokes.
"Second thing..." Xander brought his hands up and clapped Luke's ears as hard as he could, then jammed his fingers and thumbs into the nerve clusters at the base of the big guy's neck. After a few seconds he looked back into the guy's eyes and saw that all he had managed was to piss him off. "Second thing... I don't suppose we can talk this over like civilize.....!"
Xander last word was drawn out into a long scream as he was thrown bodily across the dance floor, landing in a hard roll that brought to a halt under a table. He shook his head, immediately noting the two rather huge feet that were lumbering toward him.
"Oh hell." Xander got up, flipping the table over as he did. "Come on, Luke... I didn't hurt him!"
"Well I'm gonna hurt YOU." Luke said, slapping his fists together.
"Hold it there, Tiger."
Luke was suddenly walking in place, his feet sliding against the floor as he tried to make headway. After a few seconds he stopped and look over his shoulder.
Buffy was holding him by the shirt with one hand, preventing him from making any headway. He growled and batted lightly at her arm, but couldn't get her to let go.
"Let go!" He ordered.
Buffy appeared to think about it, "Ummm... No."
Luke was in a quandary. Hitting girls wasn't something his dad had brought him up to do, but protecting his teammates was everything to him. He was still puzzling it out when Xander's voice spoke up again.
"Let him go, Buffy." Xander said calmly. He didn't enjoy the prospect of a fight, any fight, but he knew that if he let this go on past tonight it would just keep coming back on him until he did stop it.
"What?" She looked at him as if he were insane. "Xander this guy wants to pound you into a Xander shaped puddle!"
"And you're going to let him." Xander said, "This isn't Slay business, Buff. I have to handle some things myself if I want them to be over."
Buffy frowned, but reluctantly nodded and let go of Luke's shirt, causing the guy to stumble forward as he lost his balance. Xander actually caught him and steadied him, "You alright?"
Luke nodded, looking confused. This wasn't the way things were supposed to go, that was something he was pretty sure of.
"Ok," Xander said, "Let's get this over with."
*****
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