Part Sixteen: He Knew it Was Too Good To Be True
Willow and Oz make a stop at the supply store. Willow is acting weird. Oz can see it right away. It might not be apparent to the naked eye but Oz and Willow are soul mates. The Wolf can pick it up. He questions her.
"Are you okay, Will?"
"I'm fine Oz. You wait here."
She gets out, going to the store. As soon as she is in the door she is met by two vampires. They bring her into the back where Angelus and Drusilla await her. Drusilla hypnotizes her again. Then she leaves. Angelus and Drusilla have a conversation.
"Make sure the little boy doesn't hurt you before the spell begins, daddy."
"Dru, you worry too much. He can't hurt me."
Dru isn't so sure. She can sense that the boy is different.
Oz is still worried as Willow gets back into the car. He has to ask her.
"Willow, honey, something is wrong. Are you just nervous?"
"Nothing is wrong, Oz, just let me alone."
Oz makes a mental note to mention this to Giles.
Buffy and Xander ride with Rebecca to the cemetery. Xander stares at the slayer.
"I can't believe you love me."
"I know you can't Xander. I probably have for quite some time. You were like a treasure buried deep inside me. I had to dig past an awful lot of stuff to get to you. I just opened the treasure chest. I'm still looking at all the wonderful things inside."
"That's really nice, Buffy."
"Xander, I just hope I know how to love you. I'm worried that I don't even know what love is?"
"Honey, so far you are doing great."
"I was beginning to think the only thing you and I knew how to do was fight."
"We certainly went at it, didn't we?"
"Xander, why didn't you just take me in your arms and kiss me?"
"You mean like this." He proceeds to do just that?
"Yes, that would have done it quite nicely."
Buffy sighs. "Xander, I have a bad feeling about tonight."
"I know you do. But, I'm not going to let myself get killed, not after this."
"I've let myself completely fill up with your presence, Xander. It feels so natural. Like it was suppose to be this way."
"I know what you mean, Buffy. Even though I loved you for a long time I never allowed myself to totally bask in your wonderfulness. But now it feels so right. It's like knowing you've come to the right place inside."
"I've always been torn and ripped apart inside but the more I felt you in my heart the more I calmed down. Right now I feel like the conflict is gone. The pain is gone, Xander! It's been replaced with your presence."
He stares at her. "What?"
"When was this that you calmed down?"
They share a laugh. "Xander, we'll talk about all of that. How was I suppose to know we were meant to be together?"
"Buffy, I think you need to take a crash course on yourself."
"Oh, yea, and who would teach this course?"
"It's a tough job but I'll volunteer."
In mock disturbance, "I think I'm insulted."
The slayer gets serious. "Don't get killed, Xander."
"Rebecca told me I have a lot going for me."
"You talk about needing a crash course in yourself."
Xander gets pensive. Buffy is right. I don't even know what the hell I am, Or, why.
Buffy sees his discomfort. "Xander, you have had enough to deal with. Don't worry about the other stuff." She fondles his face. "Just don't die fighting Angel. I'll find out all that stuff for you."
"You will?"
"Yep, just another side benefit to the whole love thing. I'll tell you all about yourself."
The slayer looks up at him sheepishly. Of course you'll have to fill in some of the details like, Rachel and Linda and Stacy."
When Buffy and Xander reach the cemetery the others are there. Cordelia goes to Xander.
"Xander, I'm sorry I dumped you. It's not because I didn't love you."
"I know, Cordelia, I'm sorry." They embrace, warmly. "Good luck, honey."
Oz also goes to Xander. "Man I hope this doesn't mean anything but there's something up with Willow."
Xander goes to her. "Are you okay, friend?"
"Don't listen to Oz, I'm fine."
Giles gives the cruet of potion to Xander. "Good luck, Xander."
"Thank you G-man."
Leslie hugs Xander. He can feel her shivering with fright.
"It's going to be okay, Leslie."
"I hope you're right."
Xander talks to Rebecca. "If I can only remember half of what you taught me, Rebecca, I'll be alright."
"You have a lot going for you, Xander."
"You keep telling me that. One of these days, Rebecca, you're going to have to tell me exactly what I have going for me."
Buffy and Xander talk. The boy sees that the slayer is really upset.
"This is something new for me, Xander. I don't know if I can take it."
They kiss passionately. Neither of them knows this will be their last for quite some time.
On the other end of the cemetery the evil bunch enter. Angelus goes over last minute plans.
"As soon as the slayer and the redhead lose their souls I want Mr. and Mrs. Harris up front. Everybody who means anything to him will be on our side. I love it!"
Dru can't contain her joy. "Daddy, you are so good!"
Angelus walks to the middle of the cemetery. When Xander sees him he does the same.
Rebecca goes to Buffy.
"Rebecca, if something happens to him…"
Buffy doesn't finish. Rebecca puts her arm around the slayer.
Willow comes to Buffy. "Buffy, will you walk up with me once they start fighting."
The slayer, thinking Willow wants her protection, readily agrees to help. "Of course, Will."
Angelus comes to Xander. The boy throws him a sword.
"You do know I'm an expert with these things, don't you?"
"They tell me I can use it too." Xander takes the cruet out of his pocket. Angelus sees.
"What is that some kind of courage potion?"
"Yea, you want some?" He splashes it on the vampire.
"Are we going to fight or try to drown each other?"
Angelus comes right at Xander with a straight thrust. It nips his wrist. Xander recovers quickly. He easily fends off Angelus's parry.
As the fight begins Willow moves closer to them. Buffy comes with her. Willow begins to recite the words of the spell. The evil side to this is the fact that Willow is not reading a soul restoration spell. She is reciting the words to one of Drusilla's dandies. This particular gem will take the soul of anyone who is anointed with the potion, which Willow is now waving in the air.
The witch spills some on herself and on Buffy while she continues reading.
Xander is better than Angelus thought. The boy is not fighting like he's waiting for Angelus to be changed. He is fighting as if he's trying to kill him. A twinge of fear comes over the vampire. Xander can sense it, too.
Willow finishes with the reading. The only one who can tell something is wrong is Oz. He turns to Giles.
"Giles, something is not right."
"We have to let them finish, now, Oz!"
Both Willow and Buffy get stiff. They lose all expression on their faces. They begin to walk toward the combatants. When Xander's mother and father see this they walk toward the boy.
Angelus sees all this evolving. He stops the battle.
Xander speaks. "What's the matter, freak, getting a little tired?"
"Actually, Xander, I am."
Buffy and Willow come up to them. They stare at Xander, seemingly waiting for orders from whoever has control over them.
"I was thinking we could make this interesting. Keep it in the family so to speak."
Oz runs up to Willow to try to talk to her. The redhead punches him. Xander is in shock. Angelus presses his advantage.
"Let's see. Who shall we have fight you? Your mother or father, no. I know, how about your soul mate." He hands the sword to Buffy. Take him, Buffy."
When Xander looks into Buffy's eyes he doesn't see the love for him he saw minutes before. He doesn't see his lover and soul mate. He sees emptiness. It is terrifying. More terrifying than anything which has happened to him thus far!
This Zombie which use to be Buffy starts to swing the sword at Xander. This is almost too much for the boy.
Rebecca and Giles see what is happening. They know they have to get Xander out of there. Oz has gotten back up but is almost as out of it as Xander. Willow attacks him again.
In the meantime Buffy has knocked the sword from Xander's hand. She drops her sword. Then she punches him in the mouth. As he sprawls on the ground she kicks him.
Rebecca knocks Buffy off Xander. Giles takes him. Rebecca then turns her attention to Willow. She is forced to punch the redhead. She gets Oz out of there.
Buffy and Willow stand by Mr. and Mrs. Harris. Together they laugh.
They stand there laughing at Xander. His mother and father is one thing. But beside them stands his best friend.
And, beside her stands Buffy Summers, The woman he loves. The woman who just started loving him.
The woman who just punched him in the mouth and kicked him.
Now she is standing beside his chief enemy, doing his bidding.
Somehow all Xander's mental toughness escapes him. Tears start to fall freely down his cheeks. His insides ache with a pain he has not known before. He has no remedy for it. He is not going to live with Buffy as his enemy. He will give up first. They can have it, all.
His chin is bleeding. Buffy did it. Xander idly wipes it as he stares at her.
They just stand there laughing. Angelus has this contented smirk on his face.
Oz also stares. His attention is, of course, on his Willow. Neither he nor Xander know what to do. They don't even know what happened.
Cordelia is crying. Leslie is frozen. Rebecca and Giles know they have to do something. If Angelus decides to send his charges after them now it would be a disaster.
The watcher is the first to move. "Rebecca, Cordelia and I will get Oz. You and Leslie get Xander."
Xander and Oz are led to the cars. No one says a word on the ride to Giles house. No one knows what to say.
Giles and Rebecca make everyone tea. "Rupert, the things these kids have to go through is absolutely frightening. They just got together."
"This is my fault, Rebecca. They must have spied on us at the library. It was very careless."
"Look, Rupert, we're not CIA agents. We do what we can."
"How much can that boy take?"
"And, now, Oz."
Rebecca and Giles bring the tea to the rest.
Oz looks at Giles. No one has asked the obvious question as of yet.
"Giles, are they Vampires?"
"No, Oz, I don't think so. They weren't bitten."
Xander jumps right in. "What are they then, Giles?"
"I'll have to do some research, Xander, but it would appear to be a spell. Likely one of Drusilla's concoctions."
"Buffy had nothing in her eyes. She was like a Zombie."
Rebecca adds. "They were both doing whatever Angelus told them to do."
Xander is trying to block out the horror so he can formulate a plan. Both Giles and Rebecca notice. The watcher speaks up.
"Xander, I know your first inclination will be to attack Angelus and Drusilla but I urge you to consider all the possibilities, first. If you go after them you will likely have to face…"
Xander interrupts. "I know, Giles, but I'm not going to sit on my ass while Angelus screws around with…"
He can't finish. Oz chimes in. "And, I'm not either! Xander, how about your underground connections?"
"It's worth a try, Oz. Giles, how about if we try to get some information?"
"Yes, it would be better if the two of you were elsewhere actually."
Xander looks at Leslie. "Leslie, would you be up for a trip?"
Surprised that Xander wants her for this. "Xander, are you sure I could help?"
"Definitely, Leslie."
"Will it be dangerous?"
"We will be with you the whole time, Leslie."
She looks at Rebecca and Giles who don't seem to have any objections.
"Okay, Xander, I'll go."
"Let's leave tomorrow evening."
Xander goes to his house. He senses a presence as he enters the door. It is Buffy. Before he can even catch his breath she swings a sword at him. He manages to dive out of the way. He gets up in horror. He has to try to reach her.
"Buffy, I know you are under a spell but, look at me. Look into my eyes."
For a few seconds Buffy is very tentative. Despite the spell she seems to know deep down something is wrong.
"Buffy, it's me, Xander. We are soul mates, Buffy. We just got together, honey."
Buffy lowers the sword for a second but something kicks in removing the expression of confusion from her face. She swings it toward Xander, again. He jumps for under the sofa, picking up the spare sword he always keeps there. He blocks her parries.
Xander is getting very nervous as he struggles to block her thrusts. He has to get away, get back outside. The shock of watching the woman he loves trying to kill him is really getting to him.
He cannot fight her. This is the first reality, which comes upon him. He can't do it! Even if it means his own life he can't fight her. His only chance is to get away.
Luckily, Buffy is not her same sharp self while under this spell. He maneuvers himself toward the front door. He makes a move to open it. All goes well until he trips, as he is about to leave.
He lies there for a moment, Buffy looming over top of him with the sword raised.
"Buffy, don't."
When the slayer hears his voice she again pauses.
But, only for a few seconds. She raises the weapon, again. This time she brings it down with sudden fury!
The pause was all Xander needed to dive out the opening as the sword clangs on the concrete of the door stoop. He runs at top speed away from the house.
Now he is completely lost. She was going to kill him.
Buffy was going to kill him!
His only solace was how she paused when he spoke to her. Despite the spell Xander could reach her.
"God damn, Angelus! I will kill you, you bastard!"
Part Seventeen: It'S Time To Head To the Hills, Baby
Xander wanders around down town. He has never felt like this. All the other times there was something for him to fall back on. This time there is nothing.
He sits down on a bench. He doesn't even try to control the tears. They flow freely down his cheeks. The boy can feel the life flowing out of him with each drop.
Someone approaches him. He doesn't even notice her. It is the one person he has left. The one person who can perhaps save him. She sits down beside him.
When Xander sees who it is he practically collapses into her arms.
"Rachel!" He says her name as if she appeared out of nowhere. In all his grief he had forgotten about the one person, other than his Buffy, who could make the sun rise for him.
This latter fact was quite ironic since she couldn't be in the sunshine herself. But then again everything about Rachel was full of irony and contradiction and wonder.
Rachel holds Xander in concern and fear. She has never seen him this vulnerable. It breaks her heart. But, it also brings her solace that he seems to feel comfort in her presence.
"Xander, it is very dangerous for you to be out right now."
She takes him by the hand. They walk to her apartment. She fixes him some tea.
"Rachel, she tried to kill me."
"I'm sorry, Xander."
Rachel watches Xander grieve. It is the worst pain she has ever experienced. He can't possibly have to have this much pain in his life.
The Vampire Queen would do anything in her power to relieve his pain. She loves him. More than she ever loved Angel, more than she has ever loved anyone.
She had been staying away from him because she didn't want to cause trouble between he and the slayer. Rachel knows Buffy can sense her feelings for Xander. She can also sense his feelings for her.
She swore she would stay out of his life. Real love means you do what is best for the person you love. But she also knew he would be hurting. She knew he would need someone.
Hell, she can make him feel better. She knows him. Why should she stay away now? He needs her. She goes to him. She takes him in her arms. She has him lie on the sofa with his head on her lap. She strokes his hair.
"I don't know what to say to you, Xander. I am so sorry."
Xander looks up at her. "Rachel, you always come to me when I need you."
The boy continues. "I..I didn't want to bother you since Buffy and I…"
"You don't have to say it, Xander, I know."
"I also don't want to endanger you any more than I already have. I worry about you all the time, Rachel."
Rachel shakes her head. "Xander, remember I have lived a very long time in this world."
"That's true, Rachel, but you were hanging around Angel for a good part of that. Being associated with him kept a lot of heat off you."
Rachel thinks about this for a minute. "I see you've done a lot of thinking about this, my young friend and lover."
"Yes, a lot!"
"Look, Xander, we weren't talking about me. This is about you. Now, grieve in peace and allow me to offer what comfort I can give you. You are much too young to have all the burden of the world on your shoulders."
"Rachel, you once told me that you were a very patient woman and that there would be a time for us. What did you mean?"
"You know you are a special person, Xander."
"Yea, everybody tells me that, but how?"
"All I know really, Xander is that you are "One Of Them."
"Which means?"
"The woman who has joined your group, Rebecca, you and her are the same."
Xander doesn't press it any more. He looks up at Rachel.
"You know, sometimes I want to just grab you and head for the hills, Rachel."
"Head for the hills?"
"It means just take off, you and I." He gets up, putting his arm around her shoulder.
"We're compatible, Rachel. Think big. We'll go on a world wind tour of all the most romantic places the world has to offer. We could make love on top of the Eiffel Tower, in the catacombs of Rome, on a yacht in the French Riviera."
"We could sleep all day and party all night. I'll gaze at your beauty, constantly showering you with the poetry it inspires."
"Hell, we're even compatible on the dance floor. We'll join all the big dance contests across the world. We're so damn cute together we'll win half of them on our looks alone."
Rachel can't help but laugh. Xander doesn't realize just how appealing this proposition sounds to her. But, she has to ask him the big question.
"Xander, my crazy friend, do you think you could forget Buffy?"
He ignores her question. "Rachel think of the beautiful music we could play together?"
"Xander, you didn't answer my question."
He kneels down in front of her, taking her hands in his. "We could last for a really long time." He begins to fondle her face. She stops him. She stands up, walking away from him.
"Xander, you are in a lot of pain right now. I don't want to get mad at you but, when you come on this strong with me I can't help it."
"I love you, Xander, more than I have ever loved anyone. I couldn't take it if you didn't feel the same way toward me. I know you have feelings for me. I know they are strong, too. But, as much as I don't want to admit it you are meant to be with Buffy. She burns inside your heart, Xander. And, now that she has admitted the same to you, it is as it should be for now."
"Everyone who knows the two of you says the same thing."
"Now, allow me to comfort you so you can complete whatever plan it is you have to get her back."
Xander is crying, this time for Rachel. How is it possible for there to be a woman of such unbelievable goodness and beauty in love with him. And, how is it possible for him to be in love with another?
But, Rachel is right. He loves Buffy Anne Summers and he is going to get her back no matter what he has to do.
They deserve a chance. She deserves a chance. She just got over the pain of Angel. Then, after has a few brief moments of happiness, the son of a bitch has her again!
Xander goes to Rachel. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I didn't mean to hurt you. I have very few reasons to wake up in the morning. The fact that you are my friend is one of them."
"Please forgive me."
"I do Xander. I am not hurt by your presence. I feel your friendship and even your love. If in my heart I didn't know you and the slayer were destined to be together right now, you and I would be looking down from the Eiffel Tower by night fall."
"Now go with my love and my blessing."
"Can Vampire Queens actually give a blessing?"
Rachel, laughing, "I'm going to get you for that the next time I see you!"
They embrace very lovingly.
Cordelia goes with Oz to his house to get some supplies for the trip. They have to pass a small wooded area on the way. When they get there Willow jumps out at them. She has a baseball bat. She swings it at Oz's head. Only a last second jolt from Cordelia saves the werewolf from great bodily harm.
The jolt knocks Willow up against a wooden fence. She is too stunned to follow them as they run to the house.
"Thank you, Cordelia, I froze back there."
"It's okay, Oz, I just hope she doesn't hold it against me when we get her back."
Everyone meets at Rebecca's house; it being the only place neither Buffy nor Willow has ever visited.
Xander and Oz run down the horrors of being attacked by their respective heartthrobs.
Giles has done some research. "We are dealing with a very dangerous situation. There are probably two people involved in the casting of this particular type of spell. I have found nothing concerning the breaking of the spell."
Xander goes to Leslie. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, let's go."
The threesome head out to Linda's house in the woods. The blond haired sorceress is always glad to see Xander and friends although his visits normally mean trouble. She answers the door with her usual flair.
"Well, Xander Harris." They hug warmly. "And, let me see who we have with us today."
Turning to Oz "Are you the famous wolf boy?"
"I didn't know I was so well known." She puts her arm around Oz.
"You certainly are cute. I see you have your good hair today."
Xander intervenes. "Linda, I hate to tell you but, this is Oz, as in Willow and Oz. In fact that is why we are here."
"I know, Xander. But, when are you going to bring somebody around who isn't taken. You know I depend on you for my social life."
"I'm sorry, Linda. Someday I'll come just for a social visit."
Linda goes to Leslie. "You're new but I already know the slayer doesn't like you. I forget your name."
"It's Leslie."
"And you can manipulate standing objects, directing them as well."
"Yes."
"That's very rare, Leslie. I'll have to do a thorough study of your powers, if you don't mind?"
"No, I would welcome that, in fact."
Xander and Oz run down the story for Linda. She already knew most of it.
"Xander, that is a pretty sophisticated spell. We might have to go see Meldrick."
"There's a name I didn't want to hear. As long as I don't have to fi…"
Linda interrupts him. "Of course, you'll probably have to fight him."
"I knew you were going to say that."
"It won't be so bad. I heard he likes you."
Oz is curious. "Who is Meldrick?"
Xander answers. "Some great magician guy who thinks he was around during the days of King Arthur."
Linda calls Stacy. The shapely brunet looks over the guests.
"Well, this has to be Oz." Turning toward Leslie. "You have to be the bar maid."
She laughs. Stacy looks at Xander. "And you must be the damn fool on yet another mission to save the slayer. What happened to Rachel? We decided you two belong together."
"Hello, Stacy."
Hugging him, "I'm sorry, Xander, we'll try to stay out of your business. We are very sorry about the slayer and Willow."
Linda speaks. "Stace, we have to go see your favorite magician."
"Well, the old coot better see us this time. He owes me one."
Stacy looks at Xander. "You'll still have to fight to get us in to see him."
"I love the way you two say that. Like it's the most natural thing in the world."
Linda puts her arm around him. "We have full confidence in you, Boy Wonder."
Xander looks at her sheepishly. "And, yes, I will give you a new supply of the good stuff. The wine of the Gods."
"You are indeed great, Linda. Some day you'll tell me how it's made?"
"If I did that you'd never come to visit me."
The next morning our heroes start off to Meldrick's place, deep in the mountains.
After driving and hiking for most of the day they arrive at a huge lake. In the middle of the lake sits a building. This is the top of Meldricks mostly underground hide-a-way.
Xander looks out. "How do we reach him?"
"This is where you're going to have to fight something or, pass some kind of test."
They hear a loud roar, a very loud roar. Out of the woods behind them comes this oh so large behemoth.
It possesses two heads. Both have very nasty looking fangs. The rest of it is built like a very huge man. It has to be at least eight feet tall. Two huge three fingered claws complete the ensemble. It is quite formidable.
Oz reacts. "Xander, are you sure we have to tangle with this thing?"
He looks back to Linda and Stacy. They have their mouths open.
Xander grabs a sword. Oz opts for the crossbow. They circle it very slowly.
Oz strikes first, ripping an arrow to one of its necks. Roaring in pain it rushes the wolf. It picks him up despite the presence of Xander slicing at its back.
It throws Oz into the water. Xander scores a direct hit to one of the beast's heads. It recovers to whack him across the face with its claw. The boy flies back.
Oz has recovered and reloaded. He scores another hit. When the monster turns to face him Xander comes from the other side of it. With as much power as he can muster he lands the sword to one of the heads, just below the neck. He severs it.
The beast screams in pain. Oz takes this opportunity to bury another arrow into it.
Xander hits it in one of the legs, causing the beast to buckle over. He then rams the sword to the chest of it, getting it as deep as possible.
The beast topples over, dead. Xander and Oz collapse from exhaustion.
Linda, Stacy and Leslie go to them.
"Our heroes."
When they look up there is an old man in a canoe approaching the shore. He comes to them. Stacy speaks.
"Meldrick, wasn't that a bit much?"
"That thing wasn't from me. That was Crotar. You know, the Vampire monster. He was keeping me prisoner here for the past month."
He looks at Xander and Oz.
"I owe you one."
Linda and Stacy are impressed. They have always wanted an "in" with Meldrick. Perhaps this is their chance.
"Would you like to come to my humble abode?"
Everybody nods.
Meldrick actually enjoys their company. Linda has him roaring half the night.
Xander approaches him with the reason for the visit.
"Meldrick, did I hear you say you owed us one?"
The old man knows immediately what Xander wants.
"I'm afraid you will have to kill the one who is controlling them. It will be very difficult since the two who are controlled will defend that person to the death."
Xander and Oz look at each other in despair. "Shit!"
Xander has a question for Meldrick. "Meldrick, what do you think of my chances of making a deal with Spike for Angel?"
Meldrick ponders this for a moment. "Tell him you killed Coltar. Spike had a few bad run-ins with him. It might work."
Acting very out of character, Meldrick invites our friends to spend the night.
"The one major inconvenience is the out house." Meldrick points to a small building clear on the other shore.
Leslie talks "You mean you have no indoor plumbing? What do you do in the winter?"
"Summer, winter, the same thing. I'm getting too damn old for those three o'clock in the morning trips."
Our friends get an idea. Xander talks to Leslie. "Leslie, can you lift heavy objects?"
"I don't think the weight matters."
"Meldrick I think we can solve your problem for you."
Using Leslie's power they move the entire out house inside, complete with heat and septic tank. When Meldrick sees this he is overwhelmed.
"You guys must want to see an old man cry. How did you do it?"
"Thanks to Leslie here we were able to transport the whole thing up here."
Meldrick gives Leslie a great big kiss.
They spend the rest of the night partying. Meldrick tells Linda and Stacy he will teach them everything he knows. He extends to everyone an open invitation to visit him at any time.
To Leslie he pledges help whenever needed.
Xander and Oz do not have their hearts in the party. Their pain is too much at present.
"Xander, I can't hurt Willow."
"I know, Oz, I couldn't hit Buffy, either. She was going to kill me but I couldn't hit her. We need help. We have one more stop to make, tomorrow."
The next morning the gang bids Meldrick adieu. Linda and Stacy go home. Xander, Oz and Leslie go to visit Willie.
"Boy wonder, what can I do for you?"
"You owe me one, right."
"Don't say that so loud."
"Can you get me a meeting with Spike?"
"Can you wait?"
"We have nothing but time." Willie leaves. Xander turns to Leslie.
"No smiles on this one, Leslie."
Xander goes behind the bar. He pulls out four very long and sharp knives. He hands them to Leslie. He points in the direction of the dartboard.
"Leslie, when Spike comes I want you to suspend these knives in the air and one by one heave them into the dart board. And look mean and nasty while you're doing it."
Leslie looks at him wide-eyed. He goes to her.
"Leslie, I'm scared too, honey. But, you can do it if you concentrate."
She practices.
About half an hour later Willie comes back. Two vamps are with him. They just stare at Leslie.
Spike comes behind them. He watches Leslie. She gets all four within the bull's eye. Spike looks at Xander.
"Where did you pick her up?"
"In a bar."
The blond vampire has to laugh. "What do you want, Harris? It better be good."
Xander, in as bad ass a way as he can muster, "I have a winning proposition for you. I want to tangle with your sire."
"So, tangle with him, bloke."
"Wait a minute, Spike, I know you hate the bastard, too. It's no secret, him and Dru."
Spike thinks on this a minute. "What do you want out of me?"
"If you could just occupy the slayer until it is over."
Spike laughs, shaking his head. "You want me to occupy your heartthrob, the slayer, so you can kill her ex? Did the term ironic ever occur to you, mate?"
Xander opens his pack. He pulls out a bottle of wine. He throws it to the vampire.
"Taste it." He does. He is duly impressed.
"Where the hell did you get this shit, Harris?"
"There's more where that came from, Spike. By the way we took care of another mutual enemy on the way here. You ever hear of a beast by the name of Coltar?"
"The vampire monster?"
"Yep, no more!"
"You killed Coltar? Well, I'll be damned, Harris." He stares at Xander for a minute.
"I guess the worst that could happen is you get killed."
"I told you it was a winning proposition."
"The minute one of you is dead I'm out of there. I'm not going to deal with the slayer in a pissed off mood."
"Sounds good."
Spike starts to leave but stops. "Harris, I hope it's you still standing when it's over."
"Well, Spike, I didn't know you cared?"
Taking a big swig of the wine, "Anybody who can get shit this good deserves to live for a little while anyway."
"I'll take that as a life security statement. I can tell the gang I now have friends in low places."
"You are funny, Harris. We'll keep you alive for the bloody comedy."
He and the other vamps leave.
Xander and the others leave also.
Once outside they let out a collective sigh of relief.
Xander looks at Leslie. "Honey, you were perfect."
"I was never so scared in my whole life. Xander, your life is impossible. We go from one heavy, life threatening situation to another."
"And, think about it, Leslie, this was the easy part."
Oz goes back to Giles house. Xander and Leslie spend some time together.
"Xander, aren't you afraid of dying when you face Angelus?"
"You want to know my worst fear?"
She nods.
"I'm afraid Buffy is going to kill my love for her."
"You mean when she tries to defend Angelus?"
"Yea, I'm afraid she's really going to hurt me."
Xander starts to well up. Leslie goes to him.
"That is awful, Xander. I'm so sorry."
1Buffy and Willow lie sleeping on a concrete floor surrounded by prison bars.
They jerk and twist as their spirits wrestle with the spell-induced cloud of numbness.
The slayer dreams.
She is in a fog-shrouded room. She has something heavy and cumbersome in her hand.
It is a sword. She is raising it into the air. She can feel herself putting all her power into swinging it toward the ground. Someone is lying at her feet.
It is Xander. She is swinging the sword at Xander!
Oh my God. Please, no! Xander!
She wakes up in terror screaming his name. "Xander!"
She looks around. Soon her head slowly drifts back to the concrete.
The next day they have a meeting at Rebecca's house. In addition to Giles and Rebecca, Leslie, Oz, Cordelia and Xander are there. Giles is skeptical about the Spike connection.
"Xander, Spike has agreed to occupy Buffy while you tangle with Angelus?"
"Yes."
May I ask how you got him to agree to such a proposition?"
"He hates Angelus because of the whole Dru thing."
"The whole Dru Thing?"
Cordelia answers. "Giles, Angelus fools around with Drusilla. Spike is jealous."
"Thank you, Cordelia. "Rebecca and I will deal with Willow. Perhaps we should try this as early as tomorrow night."
Oz feels he has to speak.
"I would like second dibs on Angelus."
Both Giles and Rebecca cringe but remain silent. Cordelia speaks up.
"So, that means we may lose the both of you plus, have to deal with your soul mates?"
Rebecca adds. "That is a legitimate worry. Oz, you and Xander may feel you have to do this but you must know we will be left to deal with your mistakes. Anger isn't going to get the job done. It may fuel you for a few minutes but it is very limited."
Xander questions his teacher.
"What are you saying, Rebecca?"
"At some point we may have to cut our loses and take measures to get as many of us as possible to safety."
"Which means you will sacrifice Buffy and Willow?"
"Xander, the Hellmouth is still open."
Xander closes his eyes. Rebecca is talking about survival for the next battle. He wonders how many friends she has buried in her lifetime?
I am not burying Buffy or Willow! I don't care how many slayers there have been throughout history.
Buffy is not dying, God damn it!
Xander gets the message to Spike. He brings the crowd to the cemetery.
Xander looks for Angelus. When he sees the vampire he starts to go to him. Buffy immediately steps in front of Angelus assuming a protective stance. Xander is not going to allow Angelus the satisfaction of seeing him upset.
"Damn, Angelus, I really get the idea you're afraid of me. Every time I come to fight you have all these up front people." He looks at his father. "Hey, dad, I'm trying to fight the guy. He keeps ducking me. He says it's to try to terrorize me but I think he's afraid to face me. What do you think?"
Mr. Harris takes the bait. "I think you would be an easy mark for him."
"How about you, mom, what do you think?"
She looks at Angelus. "Why don't you shut his smart ass mouth up, Angelus?"
"I agree with mom. Let's go freak!"
Angelus hesitates but Xander has put the vampire in an awkward position. He almost has to fight him to save face. When Xander makes a move for him both Buffy and Willow step toward him.
Xander has to catch his breath as his best friend and his heartthrob prepares to defend Angelus to the death.
Spike moves in front of Buffy with four fellow vamps. Giles and Rebecca go to Willow. Giles sticks a needle in her arm. She collapses on the ground.
Angelus was unprepared for this but he recovers quickly.
"Okay, boy, it's about time to end your run."
Angelus punches Xander in the mouth. The boy falls but quickly jumps up. His lip is bleeding. Angelus gets confident.
"This might be easy."
Xander flies at him with a spin kick. It falls short. Angel punches him again. When the vampire tries to follow up Xander kicks his legs out. They both jump back up.
Angelus lands a kick to the chest. Xander draws blood on the vampire with an elbow to his chin. The boy wonder then hits him solidly with a sidekick to the head.
Neither can get an advantage for the next couple of minutes until Angelus picks up a tree branch, hitting Xander to the back with it. The boy hits the ground hard rolling on the grass.
When he gets up he reaches to his pocket pulling out a wide mouthed bottle of holy water. He flings it to the face of Angelus, as the vampire is about to pounce on him.
As the daemon screams in agony Xander clears his head.
Angelus misses with a wild swing. Xander kicks him point blank in the groin.
Buffy is fighting furiously. She has dusted three of the four vampires Spike put on her. The blond vampire is getting impatient. He really doesn't want to tangle with her himself.
Angelus is beginning to fear his worst nightmare may be coming true.
The bastard has been on a major campaign to terrorize, weaken and break Xander for quite some time now. He has personally orchestrated every move of its operation. This had been the most extensive effort he has ever launched against anyone in his long, horrific and bloody reign.
Subtracting the pitiful time he spent as that guilt-ridden wimp, Angel, Angelus has had one of the most storied regimes of murder, pillage and destruction the world has ever seen.
No one has been able to stop him. The humans were always so pitiful with their emotions and their weak minds.
The super vampire had put everything he had into this one. He ridiculed Xander for his pitiful love for the slayer, calling him her white knight. He even used Buffy's love for Angel against the boy. Then he brutally killed his parents and set up that grisly scene at his house. He turned them into vampires.
Then, the epitome. Just after the slayer finally found Xander beating in her heart, he found a way to take her from him. He found a way to make her turn on him.
But, a very strange phenomenon occurred. Xander didn't crack. He didn't fall apart. He didn't whimper for mercy.
He stood up to it all, took it in, used it as fuel.
Now, Xander stood toe to toe with the bloodsucker. He stood eye to eye with him without blinking.
For the first time in his monstrous life Angelus had fear in his heart. Not because the boy in front of him was stronger, he wasn't. Not because he was quicker or faster than the vampire.
He was afraid because Xander had gobbled up every ounce of terror Angelus had thrown his way and was now ready to spit it back in the vampire's face with a fury and a righteous, which literally scared the hell out of him!
Xander launches a spin kick, which catches Angelus square in the jaw, causing him to collide violently with the ground. Before the vampire can recover Xander comes down on the back of his head with a rock.
Angelus has to use all his remaining strength to kick Xander in the chest as he attempts a follow. Blood spurts from the wound as the boy staggers backward.
But, Xander is relentless. He lands a straight kick to his chest. Angelus counters with a punch to the jaw, which brings Xander to one knee. The vampire rushes him but is met with a stiff palm to the bridge of the nose. He howls as he feels the bones crack from the impact.
The boy wonder follows with a kick to the groin, which thrusts Angelus forward. Xander pulls a cross from his pocket. He presses it firmly into the vampire's back. The smoke briefly clouds the air around them as it burns into his skin.
Xander then uppercuts him. He follows with a vicious spin kick, knocking the vampire on his ass.
Xander has him now! He knows it but his rage is still in full flow. He picks Angelus up by his hair, viciously driving his head back to the ground with his foot. He repeats it once, then, again.
When the rest of the gang sees Xander prolonging the fight, they react.
Oz calls to him. "Xander, stop playing with him! Finish it!"
Giles chimes in. "End it, now, Xander!"
Spike is now battling with Buffy. As soon as he sees Xander raising the stake over Angelus's heart he pulls out. He takes Drusilla with him. Mr. and Mrs. Harris soon follow.
Xander plunges the stake to the heart of Angelus. He stares in disgust as the evil one explodes to ashes.
He has no time to celebrate as he is met with a swift kick to his ribs.
It is the slayer doing as programmed.
Oz runs to his defense but is quickly dispatched by Buffy.
The slayer chops at Xander's face re-opening a cut Angelus had inflicted.
Xander is almost helpless in front of her. She connects with his face, again, before Oz, Rebecca and Giles rush to try to restrain her.
The last thing Xander sees before he passes out is the woman he loves trying to kill him.
Did Angelus win, after all?
Buffy struggles to get away. She nails Oz again. Rebecca is finally able to restrain her on the ground. After a minute or so Buffy stops struggling. She gets very stiff.
Rebecca gets up.
The slayer lies there staring in confusion at the three people in front of her.
Suddenly her features tighten as events start to flood back into her consciousness. The slayer gasps in horror.
"Xander!"
She jumps up, looking around in panic. Her gaze falls on a form lying on the ground near her. She approaches slowly.
Buffy is not ready for what she sees. It is Xander lying there unconscious, blood all over his face and chest. Dirt had mixed in with the blood to give the impression that a wild animal had mauled him.
She starts to run for him but is met by the strong embrace of Rebecca.
"Don't look at him right now, Buffy!"
"But I have to it's…"
She freezes as a portion of her memory starts to filter back to her.
"Rebecca, I did that, didn't I?"
"You were under a spell, Buffy."
All the slayer can do is bury herself in Rebecca's shoulder. Her tears get heavier as she remembers more.
Leslie and Cordelia help Giles to get Xander to the car. He needs medical attention.
Oz goes to Willow. She is waking up from the knockout drops Giles administered to her.
"Oz I had this very bad dream." She has no idea where she is or what is going on. She just follows Oz.
"It was really bad. I hit you and everything."
"It's okay now, honey, you're awake."
Buffy lies on her bed sobbing into her pillow. Her pain is complete. It's a total package. There is no part of her that is not in agony.
Buffy is a person use to pain. She is the slayer. She wears pain as her daily wardrobe. When she says she is in total pain she knows what she is talking about.
The most ironic part of the whole affair is that none of her agony has to do with the fact that Angel is dead. The only lingering heartache is that Angelus, in addition to destroying Angel, may have ruined her relationship with her true love, Xander Harris.
She now has full recollection of the entire past week. She wished to hell she didn't.
Xander has been around since the beginning. From the very first day she came to Sunnydale High School he was there for her and with her. For close to three years she overlooked him.
She can't believe it. He was totally in love with her. All she had to do was pay attention. But, she had her Angel. All of a sudden she doesn't get warm and fuzzy inside when she thinks of her time with the vampire. She was like Linus of the Peanuts cartoon. Angel was her security blanket.
When she looks at it now, her relationship with him blocked her from seeing Xander.
She could have had him for the asking.
By the time she did start to notice he was in the midst of becoming what he is now. He is, by far, the best man Buffy knows. He embodies everything the slayer considers good in a person.
In addition to wanting him and needing him, Buffy feels this connection to Xander which, she can't understand. It scared her from the beginning. She couldn't help fighting it.
She couldn't help fighting him.
The connection doesn't make her feel sad. That's not it at all. Xander never made her feel sad.
When she looks into Xander's eyes she sees love and concern and caring but she also sees his dedication to the cause. A dedication to fight the battles which need fighting and to confront the evil which needs confronting.
He has learned her life. He has it down. All of his energy is now devoted to helping her in any way possible. He has connections in the underground, he makes deals with one daemon to get another.
In short, he is relentless. No kid games, no screw-ups, no wasted motion.
She knows in her heart he does it for her but it requires her to move to the next level.
It is exciting and scary at the same time. Xander seems to know everything she needs. She knows it really hurt him to stand toe to toe with her, slugging it out every time she had a brat attack, as Xander was fond of calling them.
The main problem with Xander now is the competition. This really scares her.
Rachel really scares her. She is sweet and kind and generous and, totally in love with Xander. He really likes her, too.
Buffy knows he doesn't love Rachel the way he loves her but she is still jealous.
And then there is Cordelia. The gorgeous brunet has turned into a competent and compassionate woman. She is also still in love with Xander. He was the one who changed her.
Then, of course, there is the barmaid, Leslie. The older woman who has some bond with the man she loves, also.
It is not like Xander has to choose Buffy. He certainly has his pick of some very good woman, none of whom have ever hit him or tried to kill him or even rejected him.
This is the point where the total pain takes over. Xander is in a coma. He was put in a coma by a combination of Angelus and her. The same Angelus she allowed to kill his parents and turn them into vampires.
How could she ever expect him to still love her? She cannot expect it to happen.
Right now her main concern is not whether Xander Lavelle Harris still loves her. Her main concern is that he wakes up.
"Please, God, let him wake up."
Buffy does not want Xander to see her. She is too afraid it will put him back in shock. It is killing her to stay away but it is best thing to do right now. She doesn't want him to have to make a decision about her as soon as he wakes up.
She knows Xander. His wounds are not what have him in the coma. It was seeing her ready to kill him.
The slayer goes back to sobbing.
Go on to Part Eighteen
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