Part Nine: Please, Take Away the Pain
Xander wanders down town. He sits on a bench. He is amazingly calm. His mother and father were not only killed but, also, turned into vampires. This means he is alone. Emotionally he has been alone for quite some time. He knows he was adopted. His stepparents took care of his physical needs but neglected him in other ways.
The murder of his parents was done to terrorize he and the slayer. He is not going to let this happen. Buffy was as traumatized as he was. As soon as he can see his way through the anger and pain he will make sure Buffy is okay.
He's pretty sure this was the work of Angelus but he doesn't want to be wrong. He will do some investigating over the next couple of days.
He needs a plan. He must stay focused. He can't allow himself to think about it too much. His main pain right now is Buffy. If it were Angelus who did this Buffy is to blame. She should have staked the bastard. She had the chance. This single fact scares him the most. Buffy Anne Summers is the source of his biggest joy. She is nestled deep within him, in a place he visits for comfort and happiness. Right now this place is clouded with intense pain.
If he can't find some way of working through his anger it will devastate him.
He can't go to her now.
He has to get her out of his mind.
He decides to see Giles. When he knocks on the door the watcher is already awake. Buffy phoned him with the news.
"Xander, I have no idea of what to say to you. I am very sorry."
"I know, Giles I just can't think about it right now. I have to find out who did it although; I have a real good idea right now. I need to ask you a few questions, Giles, hard questions."
"You know how I feel about Buffy."
"I've heard the girls talk."
Xander looks down. "Giles, do you ever hate her?"
"Oh, Xander."
"Please, Giles I have nobody else to talk to about this?"
Giles closes his eyes knowing he is going to bring up the business of Jenny.
"Okay, Xander."
"Giles, I know she is the slayer and we need her. I would never bring this up to her. I know she is our most important player. I love her, Giles, but she could have killed him! I have this anger and pain when I think about her. This scares me as much as facing life without my mother and father."
Giles knows what the boy is feeling. He felt the same thing.
"Xander, some days are worse than others. She is good, very good, but she has made some mistakes."
"Giles, I have loved Buffy for a long time. I was never attacked for it."
"Xander, that night at the park. It was Angelus you saw, right?"
"Yea, he was shaking his fist at me. I think it's because he senses Buffy is starting to have feelings for me."
"I think that is a very logical conclusion, Xander. When you come back you, Rebecca and I need to have a meeting. If she is right about you it will require you undergo intensive training. Your parents may not be the last people you have to bury.
He thinks about this for a moment then turns to leave. Right before he goes through the doors of the library he stops.
"Thanks, G-man."
Half-joking, "That's Giles, Xander."
The boy lets out with a small laugh then disappears out the door.
Giles worries about his charges but knows Xander is mostly on his own. There are no watchers for them. Perhaps Rebecca will take him under her wing.
The watcher is very sad. He feels for Xander. He feels for Buffy. He feels for himself.
Jenny was everything to him. Love, it came slowly. Her charm and playfulness and beauty and…
Tears start to fall down his cheeks. Jenny's memory is still an open wound for him.
Rebecca is good. Very good but, Jenny was different.
If it weren't for Buffy he would go after Angelus again. He is tempted to join Xander since it seems he and the vampire are on a collision course. They appear destined to clash. With Xander's increased strength and resolve they could probably do it. They could nail that bloodsucker. Push that sarcastic, wise ass mouth right through his neck.
It was very tempting. The only thing stopping him was his duty as watcher. Sometimes Buffy doesn't understand the sacrifices other people have to make to keep her world as sane as possible.
Xander goes back downtown. He sits on a bench. He hopes he is attacked. He is in the mood to pulverize something.
He is not there long before he feels a presence. Certainly not human, but not dangerous, either. He has come to recognize that presence. It immediately lifts his spirit.
It's Rachel.
She comes up to him very tentatively. She speaks very softly.
"I guess I'm not exactly your favorite type of species at the moment?"
"What, you mean kind, gentle and comforting?"
"You know what I mean, Xander."
"Actually, Rachel, I was kind of hoping you would show up."
"You were?"
"Yes, believe it or not I find great comfort in your presence."
She sits down. "I am so sorry, Xander."
"I've got to find out who did it, Rachel."
Rachel sees that he has been crying. She can see the weariness in his face and eyes.
"You look very tired, Xander."
"Yea, I do need some rest."
She grabs his hand, leading him down the street. After a block or so she stops.
"Xander, I don't want to take advantage of you. I know you are vulnerable right now."
"I was going to say the same thing to you, Rachel. You know that my heart belongs to…"
She interrupts him. "I know, Xander. Right now I am very lonely. I've also grown very fond of you."
"Then we don't have any problems, Rachel. I was really hoping you would come to me, tonight. I can't think of anyone else I would rather be with right now.
Rachel laughs lightly. "You are very romantic for one so young."
"I think your wonderful magnificence has something to do with that."
Rachel's presence has really been good for Xander. He puts his arm in hers. After a block or so he stops. He gazes up at her with a weird look on his face.
"What's the matter, Xander?"
"Well, let's set the scene, here. The super experienced non-violent vampire queen, Rachel, walks the unsuspecting high school nerd, Xander, toward her ultra-sheik lair."
Rachel is looking at Xander in wonder. She actually finds herself laughing. That is something she never does. Xander continues.
"The high school nerd has no idea what she has in store for him. He looks up at her trying to figure it out."
"Xander, you are crazy, aren't you?"
"Don't try to change the subject, Queenie."
"Xander, I'm going to do something to you." She reaches out to him trying to shut him up. She touches his stomach. He lets out a shriek!
"Okay, now I know what to do to you."
"Rachel, you behave yourself or I'll be forced to deal with you in an appropriate manner."
Rachel has to stop. She is laughing so hard she is going to bust a gut.
"Xander…Xander, you have to stop!"
"Okay, we don't want anybody to think you're having a fit or something."
"Rachel raises her hand, begging him to stop."
They finally make it to her motel room.
After a very loving night Xander feels a little better. He knew Rachel would be good for him.
For Rachel's part, she may never have had a better time. Xander is everything she thought he would be. She spent more time laughing with him than she has ever done before. It was so relaxing.
He also has other skills.
It was a very good night.
"Rachel, thank you."
"Xander, I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me. I know we can't be together right now but, you have already given me more pleasure than I have ever had."
They embrace very warmly.
"Now, my young daemon fighter, where are we going?"
"Rachel, you realize if you come with me you will be aiding and abetting the enemy?"
"I know."
"Rachel, I couldn't take it if something happens to you."
Going to him. "Xander, you are going to make me cry. That's another thing I haven't done for a long time."
"I'm not exactly a safe person to be around right now, Rachel. I can't put you in danger."
"Xander, I know what I am doing. I want to do this more than anything I've done in a long while. I don't want you to feel responsible if something does happen to me."
"That's impossible now. You're in my heart. I…I feel responsible."
"Xander, I think you better shut up. I don't want to go any further with you. I still love Angel"
Going to her, giving her a very warm kiss. "I don't want to go any further with you, either. I still love Buffy."
"Okay, wise guy, let's go see Willie."
She still stares at him. He notices. "What?"
"You have the ability to drive me crazy."
"Every body says that about me."
"I wonder why?"
When they walk into Willie's nightclub it is dark. The back entrance is much more popular than the front doors. In fact, the front doors are more for show than anything else.
They walk up to Willie. For a minute Xander thinks he has to identify himself. But, Willie dispels that notion right away.
"Well, if it isn't the boy wonder and…I'm afraid I don't know your companion? You stopped running with the slayer? You decided to walk with a fashion model?"
Xander doesn't identify Rachel. "I need to know who killed my mother and father?"
Willie, getting very nervous. "I don't know because I don't want to know. Some information is too dangerous to know."
Xander takes a roll of twenties from his pocket. Willie's eyes widen.
"You are a dangerous person to know, boy wonder, but I will keep my eyes and ears open."
Xander flips him the twenties. "You owe me one."
They leave. Once outside Rachel speaks. "Why did you give him the money?"
"For future dealings."
"Okay, where to now?"
"To see a guy by the name of Whistler."
They walk the alleys for a mile or so. They come to a section where a huge railroad over-pass creates a very dark tunnel, about a mile long. In the middle of it is a ramp, which goes underground. Xander came here once with Buffy. The drill consists in sitting on the ledge of the ramp. If he wants to see you he will. If he doesn't want to see you, he won't.
After about two hours they hear a strange whistling coming from the dark.
It is none other than Whistler himself. He speaks to them in his familiar sarcastic manner.
"I was hoping you would leave."
"Well, thanks a lot."
"Don't take it personnel, kid. I'm just too old to be dealing with people as dangerous as you."
He looks at Rachel then back to Xander. "You like to up the ante every chance you get, don't you?"
"This is Mary Mitchell, a girl I met in school."
The daemon has to laugh. "At least you have a sense of humor. I'm going to send you to see two people. Make friends with them. You'll need each other."
He gives them directions then begins to leave. He stops. The daemon has one more thing to say. "Don't even waste my time with the other thing. I'm suppose to be for the hard questions."
They wait for nightfall. Xander then gets a car. They go to the country. They park where Whistler told them to park. Then they walk about a mile into the woods. There they see a huge log cabin surrounded by a brick wall.
As they approach they hear a growling behind them. They ignore it for the moment, ringing the bell at the entrance. They hear a voice.
"What do you want?"
"I'm Xander. I am here to see Linda."
"Gees, I'm very popular today. I'm afraid you'll have to get in line."
They hear the growing, again. As they turn around to face it they are knocked down by two vampire type beasts. Xander recovers to stake the one on him. He gets the one on Rachel just in time to see an enormous, pig like beast bearing down on them.
They both run for Linda's house. As they get there she opens the door. They dive in. They look out the window but don't see the beast.
After catching his breath Xander turns to Linda. "Why is that thing after you?"
Linda, looking very nervous. "I didn't know before but I bet it has something to do with you."
"Oh, shit, great. Listen, you are Linda, the sorceress, right?"
She nods.
"Do you have some kind of spell or potion we can use on this damn thing?"
"Aren't you the boy wonder? Aren't you suppose to be able to beat these things up?"
"My rep is all hype, Linda. Don't you have anything?"
"I do have some knock out stuff but, it takes twenty minutes to work after you use it."
"Great! Let me have it."
She gives it to him.
A lit, wooden torch comes crashing through the window. It sets the couch on fire.
Xander jumps into fight mode. "You guys put the fire out, I'll see if I can hit the guy with the potion."
Linda is frantic. The monster crashes through the other window. Linda screams. Xander goes right at him, hitting him with the potion.
When the monster stands up Xander's eyes bulge.
"Holy shit!"
The thing has to be 7' tall, 350-400 pounds. It has claw type hands and hairy legs and feet. It's face looks like green cheese. It has nasty looking eyes and fanged teeth. A real handsome guy!
Xander has to fight a holding action until the potion starts to work.
The beast wastes little time. It is apparent Linda is the mark. It goes straight for her. This gives Xander a chance to smack it in the back with a metal chair. It still goes for Linda who is now screaming at the top of her lungs. Xander finds a 20" pipe wrench. He proceeds to smash him in the head with it.
Finally, it turns its attention to Xander.
"I thought that would get your attention."
The monster speaks. "I was suppose to get you next. You saved me the trouble of looking for you."
Xander fakes confidence to buy time. "Tell me, what's your name? I want to know to tell my boss when I add your ass to my collection of ugly things?"
"My name is, Beltar. Soon your name will be nothing."
"I don't think so. I think I can crush your cheesy ass."
"You're amusing. They told me you were funny. Are we finished talking, yet?"
"I don't know. I was thinking maybe we could share life histories?"
"I offered to eat your parents free of charge. Melchek was a friend.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"Enough of the talking!" Beltar charges Xander. The boy easily sidesteps him, belting him in the ear with the pipe wrench.
Beltar rages in pain. He catches Xander with one of his clawed hands. It opens a wound to his chest. The beast also punches him in the mouth. Xander flies into a wooden chair, breaking it in the process. When the monster charges Xander sticks the chair in his face, one of the broken legs plunges into its stomach.
Beltar pulls it out with a roar. Xander is right there with the pipe wrench. He slams it in the knee. When it bends over in pain Xander whacks him on the back of the head. It still has enough to slice his leg with a claw. Xander cringes as he falls on the floor.
The potion is beginning to work. The monster has to shake its head to try to fight off the effects. Xander takes full advantage of the situation. He plunges the chair into it. He follows it up with a few hits with the wrench. The monster staggers to its feet. Xander pulls out a stake from his pocket. With all the strength he has left he jumps on Beltar, chest high. The monster falls, Xander on top. The stake plunges into its chest.
For a moment they just lie there motionless. Then, with a roar, Beltar dissolves into dust.
Xander rolls over, practically passing out from his wounds. Linda and Rachel tend to him.
Linda is frantic. "He isn't dead. Is he?"
"No, I don't think so, Linda. We have to stop the bleeding, though."
"I have a first aide kit." She gets it. They clean Xander up as much as possible. They move him to a spare bed.
"Your name is Rachel?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Everyone in their group is famous. Everything they do is always the latest gossip. You really shook everyone up when you showed up at the dance, didn't you?"
A little embarrassed, "I didn't know it was going to be front page news. "
Did you two sleep together, yet?"
"Linda!"
"I'm sorry. I hear the slayer thought you were going to do it right on the dance floor? They certainly didn't lie about your beauty, Rachel."
Rachel does her best not to be offended by Linda's abruptness. Despite her manner, she is very likeable. They hit it off, well. Xander wakes. He joins the duo. As soon as Linda sees him she throws her arms around him.
"My hero!"
"Without your potion, Linda…"
"Nonsense, you could have beaten him without it. You're the boy wonder!"
"I'm flattered but I think I'd like to go back to just being Xander Harris."
"You're humble, too. Will you marry me? Oh, I'm sorry, Rachel. Before you get annoyed at me, Xander, I'll stop."
"Thank you, Linda."
Handing him a glass, "Here, have some wine."
"Thank you." He takes a sip. "Wow, Linda, this is really good!"
"It's my specialty. You earned it, Xander." She gives some to Rachel.
The threesome have a good time together. Linda introduces them to her friend, Stacy, the magician.
"We finally get to meet some of you. The boy wonder in person."
"You guys make us sound important."
"You are important, Xander, all of you. Xander, we are really sorry about your parents. The only thing we can say is that you already know who did it."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
Linda adds. "We are doubly sorry about that, Xander."
"Could we possibly spend the night, Linda?"
"Xander, you can move in with me if you want, both of you."
Stacy looks at Linda with raised eyebrows. "Way to be subtle, Linda."
"You should have seen that monster."
"No thanks."
The four of them spend a very pleasant night together. The next day Xander and Rachel bid them, farewell. They head back to the town.
When they get to Rachel's apartment things get very somber. Rachel fixes some tea. They sit in silence. Neither of them knows what to say. Finally, Xander breaks the silence.
"Rachel, I didn't think it would be this hard to say goodbye to you."
She doesn't say anything. Then Xander thinks of something. It's Sunday. He doesn't have school until tomorrow, anyway.
"Listen, Rachel, do you have a washing machine and dryer in the complex, here?"
"Why, Xander?"
"Well, I don't know. It's Sunday. I don't have school until tomorrow. I was thinking. If I could wash my clothes maybe I could stay with you? I could go to school from here."
Rachel breaks out in a wide smile.
"You know it is very dangerous for you to smile like that."
"Oh, yea. Why?"
Moving closer to her. Throwing his hands up in the air. "I can't be responsible for my actions if you are going to flaunt your stuff in front of me like that."
He gets her in a very warm embrace. They kiss very passionately. They have shared some intense moments in the last two days. It doesn't take much to re-ignite the embers from two nights before.
Over tea later, "Rachel, I thought vampires were suppose to be cold? Do you know how much heat you put out, woman?"
"Xander, you have no idea what you do to me. Knowing you has given me something I have never had before in all my years of living."
"I guess if I said the same thing about you it wouldn't quite have the same weight, would it?"
"Besides everything else you are completely crazy! Have I have spent the last two days making love with a fruit cake?"
"You want an apple?"
Rachel starts laughing. Xander attacks her. They start wrestling all around the room. And, so it goes for the rest of the day.
Before he leaves the next morning, Xander makes a promise to check on Rachel at least once a week.
Part Ten: The Three Musketeers Ride Again
After battling the forces of death it actually feels rather silly to return to school. But, to school he goes. The whole weight of his parent's death comes back onto him as he walks through the door.
Of course, so does the thought of Buffy. He has to stay away from her. Just until he can work past the other stuff.
It's going to be very hard, however. He can't avoid everyone. He has to set boundaries. He immediately goes to the library. Rebecca is there. He goes up to her.
"Rebecca, could I talk to you?"
"By all means, Xander."
"I feel a certain bond with you. I can't explain it. I was trying to ignore it, actually."
Rebecca looks at him with a smile. "Yes, Xander I know you have a lot to deal with, already. I don't want to scare you with what I am about to say, Xander, but you are actually the reason I am here."
"Oh no. That's not exactly want I wanted to hear, Rebecca. I was hoping you would slap me in the face for being so forward."
Laughing, "Your sense of humor is amazing, Xander. Especially, after what happened to your parents."
"I just can't think about it. Rebecca, I was wondering if you could start training me?"
"Yes, if that is what you want, Xander?"
"I would like that very much."
And train he does. In fact he does little else. His work ethic is amazing. To the dismay of Willow he recruits Oz to be his workout partner. Rebecca and Giles are working on a formula, which would enable Oz to juice up at times other than his wolf days. Without the messy hair and teeth. They feel, with practice, he will be able to regulate it himself.
The rest of the gang are very upset, Buffy especially.
Willow and she talk. They are in the library watching Rebecca put Xander through his moves. The redhead speaks first. "Look at them together. It's like we don't exist with him."
Cordelia joins them. She immediately voices her opinion.
"Does it seem like they have some kind of bond or something?"
The slayer continues this vein of thought. "I'm beginning to think he has a bond with every female in Sunnydale!"
"That isn't us." The redhead makes her feelings known. "He's more comfortable with vampire, Rachel, and…and whatever Rebecca is than he is with us.
Cordelia ads casually. "We haven't had a trip to the closet in so long I can't even remember what it feels like."
Buffy and Willow stare at the brunet. She notices. "What? A girl can't make a mistake. I want him back."
Buffy is disgusted. She is also, majorly, confused. She again looks at Xander and Rebecca. I train every day. Why can't he train with me? I'm his friend.
The slayer is still heartbroken over the death of Xander's parents. He seems to have moved past it but that's impossible
Being confused doesn't sit well with Buffy. She has never been able to handle it. She has to approach Xander. He has been avoiding her and she knows it.
Later, she and Giles are working downstairs while Buffy and Rebecca work upstairs. Buffy has tried to talk to Xander but he is very reserved. This has the slayer extremely angry.
At one point Rebecca takes a break. Xander is just standing around. The slayer is beating Giles around. Giles has to stop.
"You certainly have no problem with your intensity, today. I need to stop for a few minutes."
Buffy stares up at Xander. She can't help it. She picks up the pads Giles dropped and goes to Xander. She hands them to him.
"Put these on. Giles needs a break. I don't want to stop."
Giles hears this. "Buffy, I only need a minute."
"It's okay, Giles, Xander will put them on. He's not afraid."
Against his better judgement he puts the pads on. Buffy starts to really pound him, staring into his eyes the whole time. She hits him so hard it knocks one of the pads off.
As Xander bends to pick it up he gets the distinct impression that the slayer is going to hit him while he is down.
"You're weren't going to hit me, were you?"
"Why would you think that. Do you have a guilty conscience over something?"
Buffy swings weakly at him as he bends down. He blocks it easily. She swings a little harder. He blocks that, too. He smirks at her.
"Don't feel so superior, Xander, I wasn't even trying."
"Sure you weren't."
"You think you're hot shit, don't you."
"I think I could block your stuff."
"I don't believe it. You really think you could take me, don't you?"
"I didn't say anything about taking you. All I said was you couldn't hit me."
Buffy swings. Xander blocks. She fakes a punch, following with a combination. Xander picks them both off. Buffy is really pissed. She rushes him. She kicks his feet out from under him. He hits with a thud but recovers to not only block her follow up but also to slap her in the face.
"You bastard!"
She lands with a straight to his chest. It knocks him into the lockers. As she approaches him he jumps on top of her. They fall onto a table. It breaks from the impact.
By now Giles has seen enough. Rebecca is back. The two of them ascend the stairs.
Xander is really pissed off, now. He gets up first. He moves his fist back to swing at Buffy. Giles gets there in time to stop him. Rebecca and Willow get in front of Buffy. Giles is very upset.
"What the hell are the two of you doing?"
"The slayer princess got mad, Giles. She threw some of her mighty punches but no buildings fell. She doesn't like getting her mighty blows blocked."
"Don't call me that!"
"Buffy, go into my office!" She does.
"Xander, you could have hurt her."
"What? She's the slayer, remember.
"I will not allow the two of you to do violence to each other. You have issues to discuss. Find a way to do it without killing each other!"
He goes into his office. Buffy is pacing up and down, still fuming.
"Buffy, may I ask you what just happened?"
"He thinks he's a big man. Somebody has to save him, Giles."
"Buffy, do you think you can refrain from hitting him?"
Calming a little. "I'll try, Giles."
"Thank God for small favors."
The next day at the meeting the fireworks continue. Buffy notices Xander sits down very carefully on his leg.
"What's the matter, killer, your leg a little sore, today?"
"Well, I couldn't block them all. Giles said it would be bad for your ego. We have to protect the precious slayer princess."
Getting up. Going toe to toe with him. "You know what I think, Lavelle…."
He doesn't allow her to finish. The way she says his middle name drives him crazy.
"My name is Xander." Giles sees them toe to toe again. He puts himself in between them. Xander reaches over him, putting his finger in Buffy's face.
"It's Xander Harris!"
Buffy is so mad at him she bites his finger, hard.
"I'll be damned, she bit me!" He tries to get her but she runs away. The rest of the gang are rolling on the floor, laughing.
"She drew blood! What if she has rabies? Giles, do slayer princesses have rabies?"
Giles gives up. There is no way they are going to have a serious meeting after this.
Unlike most people, when Buffy and Xander have a fight they still have to face each other. No matter how mad they make each other they still have to patrol. Hellmouth business comes first.
Xander meets Buffy outside her house. They both know how heavy things have been between them. Neither of them wants to continue the fight they were having at the meeting.
Xander watches Buffy descend from her bedroom. She has on the fighting togs which really turns him on. They consist of a black pullover sweatshirt, faded jeans and wide buckle black belt. Her hair is tied back with a dark green bandana. Light colored combat boots complete the ensemble.
Her blond hair shines in the moonlight. Xander can, indeed, say he is allowed a glimpse of heaven when he can gaze on such a sight. Few mortals are allowed to witness a marvel of such magnitude.
Then, he gets a pain deep within. It clouds his vision. Brings it back to earth, crashing. He wells up. Buffy comes to him. She sees his sorrow.
"Xander, what's wrong?"
He shakes his head, sniffing back his tears. He gets himself under control. Buffy is still looking at him.
"Are you going to tell me, Xander?"
"Nope."
"Oh, great. All of a sudden we're strangers. I feel like you're a million miles away."
"Let's just do patrol, please, Buff?"
"Whatever."
When Buffy gets home she lies on her bed, thinking.
Xander is mystery man, now. He has a mystery identity. He makes trips to the underground without me. He has his own personal trainer. His own personal fashion model trainer. I feel like he doesn't even need me, anymore. He doesn't need any of his friends anymore. Willow feels the same way. Even Cordelia wants him back.
Rebecca has been training Xander with the sword. As with the other facets of his training, He is becoming quite proficient with it.
On the way home from training one night Xander comes upon two things on motorcycles. He assumes, correctly, that they are waiting for him. They are real happy go lucky assassins. They buzz by him once, kicking him as they pass.
Xander moves to the middle of the street. One of the bikers zooms to the opposite end of the street. The other rides to the closest intersection. They are fixing to ride at Xander from both ways, sandwiching him in between them.
Xander has his sword with him. He surveys the situation, while removing it from his back. He has learned that he must stay calm. Their lackadaisical attitude works to Xander's advantage.
As they start roaring their way in his direction he begins to run toward the furthest rider. He wants them to reach him at the same time.
When Xander feels he has the distance judged correctly he stops. He builds his concentration, holding the sword nestled to his chest.
Both riders get to him simultaneously. With almost blinding speed he swings the sword in front of him then to the back. Both bikes spark and sputter as they slide down opposite sides of the street, still carrying their headless drivers.
Xander has no time to enjoy his victory. He hears the wailing of police sirens. He hurries from the scene.
Xander realizes he and Willow have practically become strangers. He also realizes it is his fault.
He sees Willow and Buffy coming down the hallway in school. He goes to them, addressing Willow.
"Say, didn't I use to know you? Was it in a past life or something?
Willow rolls her eyes at him.
"You've changed so much I don't even know you, anymore."
The redhead gets indignant. "I've changed! Xander, you don't even act like you know us any more."
Getting serious, "I know, Will, I'm sorry." He looks at her with puppy dog eyes. "Can I please try to make it up to you guys?"
Willow and Buffy look at each other. "What do you think, Buff?"
"Maybe give him an appropriate trial period, then full membership if he behaves."
"Alright, Xander."
The three friends hug. Xander seals the moment "The three musketeers ride again. Look out world!"
Later, Buffy and Xander are working out upstairs in the library. Buffy notices Xander's legs. His regime of ten miles of daily bike riding has really gotten results. She is quite impressed.
Xander notices Buffy's glances. He gets up, going to her. "I saw you doing that."
"Doing what?"
"I saw you looking at my legs. Now I get to look at yours."
"No you don't."
"Yes I do. That's the rule."
"Don't look at my legs, Xander."
"Why they're just legs. In fact I'm going to touch your leg, now."
"No, you're not." He reaches out his hand to touch her. She tries to grab it but hits his leg by mistake.
"You punched me!"
"No, I didn't."
"Yes you did, slayer, now I get to touch your leg twice."
"Keep away from me, you moron!"
Xander tries to touch her. She grabs his hands. This begins a wrestling match. They roll too close to the steps. They roll down, laughing all the way. Rebecca and Giles hear the commotion. They come over. Our heroes are embarrassed.
"Giles, your slayer punched me, hard."
"I did not, Giles."
When they hear the both of them laughing, Rebecca and the watcher return to their business.
"She was trying to fondle my legs."
"Will you be quiet. Lets go back to training, crazy man."
"Stop trying to touch my legs, then."
Ha, all I did was look at your legs. You…"
"You admit it! You were looking at my legs!"
"Will you be quiet. They'll get the wrong impression."
Every once in awhile Xander makes it his business to openly inspect the slayer's legs. When she catches him he raises his eyebrows up and down in an exaggerated motion.
"Xander, what am I going to do with you? You are, by far, the craziest person I have ever met."
Go on to Part Eleven
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