Chapter 4

To the City of Angel(s)

The Magic Box ( 3.00 AM)

Buffy tried to look away from Xander's stare, but it was no good. He was looking at her confused and she knew she had to come up with an answer.

There was only a slight problem. She had nothing... But she knew she couldn't give him that, he deserved the truth. She took a deap breath.

' I don't know why I wished your girlfriend away...'

Xander couldn't believe it. 'YOU DON'T KNOW ?'

'Well...no...I mean....I had to sing and then I had to say something....I didn't mean to wish your future wife away...really...I....really..I just didn't.'

'Now that answer clears everything right up. Except for the fact it doens't explain that apparantly my best friend doesn't like to see me happy. But, forgetting that little issue...Good answer !!'

Buffy had never seen him this...angry wasn't really the right word. She looked at him again and she realised. He was dissapointed in her, and she couldn't remember ever seeing that look on his face.

'Xand, I'm sorry, I wish I could take it all back.'

'Yeah well, if I were you I cut the wishing for a while.'

Xander hated to hear the harsh edge in his voice. Especially since he was talking to Buffy. He was just hurt. Living in danger for the last six years had tought him that you had to be careful in this world. That you just couldn't trust anybody or they might hurt you. But there always were exceptions to that rule. His friends. He could trust them, no matter what. And now he found out that his hero had wished him unhappy. It was a lot to take.

'Xand, please, I know you're angry, but give me a chance to fix this. Come to LA with me. Help me figure this out.'

He stared at her. Seeing the hurt in her eyes, and even though he knew he was still angry, he also knew that he would be going to LA with her. She was his friend and she needed him. And, for now, he would have to focus on that.

'I'll go pack. Make sure you're ready in about an hour.'

He headed for the door, stopped and turned back to her.

'But this isn't over Buff, one of these days I want a real answer to the question I just asked you. And the frase 'I don't know' isn't going to be good enough.'

She watched him go, before turning to Giles.

'That went well... if you try to forget that he hates me...'

'He doesn't hate you Buffy, he couldn't. He needs some time. So give him that.'

She sighed. 'I guess. I just don't like having him mad at me.'

The watcher looked at the girl he loved as a daughter and asked himself if she would ever figure out how special Xander really was to her. He then decided that they didn't have time to talk about this now.

'Yes well, don't you think you should call Cordelia ?'

'Cordelia, why ?'

'Buffy, you're going to LA to find a club. LA isn't Sunnydale, chances are you won't find this club without Cordelia telling you where to find it.'

'As always, you are so right. Really, I wouldn't know what to do without you.'

'You're just saying that.'

'Yeah, most of the time, but not this time.'

He smiled at her, a bit embarrassed. 'Go and make that call, Xander will be here in a hour. And you also need to head home and pack up some stuff.'

LA (1.00 PM)

It had been a pretty long drive from Sunnydale to LA and Buffy was glad they were finally at their destination. Xander had been silent most of the way. It really started to freak her out. She wasn't used to him quiet, it was a sign that something was very wrong with him. And she hated the fact that she had put him in this mood.

'So...we're almost there. If Cordy gave us the right directions.'

He looked at her. 'I'm sure she has. I mean, with her living in this town and all.'

He cursed himself for the stupid Xander remark. The drive up here had been hell. She was looking at him with a careful look in her eyes the whole time. And he wanted to do something about that, but he just couldn't get himself to open up to her. Not yet.

Looking for a place to park his car, he turned the engine of.

'This is the place. It's time to face the music.'

She nodded. 'Yeah, let's get in there.'

Xander got out of the car and walked to the entrance of the club. He took the stairs downstairs, not really waiting for Buffy. Once he got inside the club he stopped dead in his tracks.

He blinked, blinked again. And then he started laughing. Loud, almost hysterical.

Behind him, Buffy was looking at the stage, her mouth wide open.

Meanwhile, Xander was having trouble breathing.

On the stage, singing a version of 'I will always love you' was Angel.

Angel looked around him, annoyed. He hated doing this, but he had to. They were in desperate need of information again. And he knew he couldn't sing, but somebody was laughing a bit to loud. Scanning the room, his voice cracked a little when he noticed Xander. Wiping tears from his eyes from laughing. Behind him was Buffy. Looking like somebody just told her that 'Dude, where's my car ?' had won an Oscar.

Feeling utterly embarrassed, he quickly finished the song.

Xander couldn't remember ever having such a good time. On the stage was Deadboy, singing !!! He almost forgave Buffy for the stupid wish she made, just for this moment. He composed himself when he heard Angel coming to the end of the song.

He started clapping like an idiot, yelling.

'THAT WAS GREAT !! INCREDIBLE!!! GO, DEADBOY!!!'

Angel wanted to kill the boy.

Xander wasn't finished however.

'WE WANT MORE ! WE WANT MORE !'

And he actually got the audience in the club to join him. He grinned when he saw Angel blush. Then he looked over at Buffy, who was coming out of her shock. Looking at Xander a bit accusing. Although he could see a little smile on her face.

She took a deap breath.

'That's Angel...singing !'

He grinned, yet again.

'Yeah Buff, it is.'

At that moment Angel walked over to them. Concern in his eyes.

'Buffy, why are you here, is everything oke ? Do you need my help ?'

'No, we're fine. We're here to see Lorne. Didn't Cordelia tell you we were coming ?'

He shook his head.

'No, I haven't seen her all day.'

Xander interrupted.

'Angel, my man !! I must say, I'm impressed....Telling us that you went to LA to fight the big bad. You didn't have to hide this from us. You could have just said "Guys, I wanna go to LA to become a famous karaoke singer." Really, we would have supported you ! I mean, you're so gifted, with that incredible voice. You gave me chills all over.'

Angel couldn't believe the boy was annoying him yet again. But then again, he always had been good at that.

'Xander, nice to see you. Still the same boy I knew I see. Some people never grow up.'

Xander smiled. 'I've done oke, don't worry about me.'

Buffy quickly stepped in. Remembering that this could go on for a while between these two.

'Angel, have you seen Lorne ? We really need to see him.'

'Why ? I didn't even know you guys knew him.'

'We... we recently got to know eachother, and we really need to talk to him.'

'Hold your horses, sweetie, I'm right here ! I didn't think I'd ever see you again however. You should be happy right now, enjoying your wishes.'

Standing behind them was Lorne. Dressed sharply in a purple suit.

Buffy turned around to face him, it was time to solve this problem.

'Lorne, you have got to reverse the wishes I made. I mean, I'm not happy. Xander's not happy. Please help us. And please don't make me ask you a second time.'

She paused for effect.

'Because I've never learned to ask nicely the second time.'

Lorne started to sweat a little.

'Wow, sweetie, calm down. No need to become violent. I like my body the way it is. Intact.'

'Then help us.'

'I don't think I can. I mean, I want to...believe me I do...But no wish has ever been reversed. You're kinda stuck in the world you have created...'

Tbc...