Cordelia and Xander fell through the black hole back into Cordelia's
apartment. "We made it, and look! I'm alive!" Cordelia smiled happily.
Xander smiled back at her and hugged her.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad you're alive," he laughed.
Cordelia hit him playfully and then the expression in her eyes became
serious.

"Xander- that was nice of what you did. Jumping in the hole to make
sure I was okay, being a servant, and pretending to be my uncle after
stupid Edward and Piers bored me to tears."

Xander shrugged, "I wasn't a real good servant. I kept stealing the
food and not working. I also tried to cause a rebellion." He told her,
trying to keep the mood light.

Cordelia shook her head, "You've changed Xander. You've grown," she
smiled. "Remember when I was mad at you when you'd die for Buffy,
but not for me?"

Xander nodded, "I said I'd die from you." How could he forget his high
school days.

"Well, you were wrong," Cordelia grinned. "You jumped in a black hole
for me. That's pretty impressive. I mean, I know I'm worth it."

"You are worth it Cordy." Xander paused. "But I just got out of a
serious relationship. I'm not ready to start anything new, you know?"
His mind travelled to Anya and their failed engagement. "And I have
a job in Sunnydale, and you work for Angel-"

"Xander!" Cordelia cut off his babbling. "I'm not talking about
anything serious. I trying to tell you thanks!" Xander looked down
and blushed furiously at his mistake. "But I wouldn't be against it,"
Cordelia smiled at her ex-boyfriend.

"Really?" Xander looked up, feeling happier than he had felt in a long
time.

"But not yet," Cordelia added. "I just got out of a relationship too."

"So we're friends?"

"Yes, we're friends." Xander held out his hand for Cordelia to shake,
but she pulled him into a hug.

The two of them held each other closely, and Xander whispered, "How
big are your closets in here?"