Part Thirteen: That's My Job, Buffy
Author's Note: This section contains possible spoiler for Season4. I decided to include the scenario in this chapter. This is the way I wish it would happen. So much for dreaming!
Xander has a very bad night. He dreams about Buffy being shot. He has the dream three times. He is convinced it is more than just a dream. He decides to go to Buffy's house. He is very upset but he doesn't bother her until it is time for school.
When she leaves her house he is waiting for her. It is obvious he hasn't slept all night. Buffy goes to him.
"Xander, what's the matter?"
"Something is going to happen to you, Buffy. I have to stay with you."
"Xander, honey, is this because I got upset last night?"
"No, it has nothing to do with that."
"Look, Xander, come into my house."
Buffy takes Xander into her house. Joyce is there.
"Mom, is it okay if Xander sits down for awhile."
"Of course. Is he okay?"
Buffy doesn't know what to say since Joyce knows very little of her and Xander's life.
Xander talks to her.
"I'm okay, Mrs. Summers. I had a bad dream about Buffy. It just shook me up, that's all. I'll be alright."
"It was just a dream, see, I'm okay. No broken bones. Everything is where it's suppose to be."
Joyce is always glad when she discovers things about her daughter. She found out something very important this morning. This boy, Xander, is more than a friend. She has never seen her daughter look at anyone the way she looks at Xander. He's much more than a friend to her. Buffy's feelings for him have obviously grown since the last time she saw them together after he sent the singing telegram.
Buffy makes some tea. Joyce stares at her.
"Buffy could I ask you something?"
Buffy thinks of blowing her off but decides to answer whatever question she asks.
"What, mom?"
"You love Xander, don't you?"
"Is it that obvious, mom?"
"It's written all over you. It's quite…nice, actually. It is very apparent he loves you, too."
"He does, mom. He lives for me. Everything he does has something to do with me."
"I'm so happy for you, Buffy." They exchange a nice hug.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"I think so."
Buffy serves Xander some tea. He drinks it then they leave for school. Xander is very quiet.
The slayer looks at him.
"Xander, I'm okay."
"I had the dream three times, Buffy. I have to stay with you, today."
"Okay, I'll go along with that. Anything to make us spend time together is okay by me."
"Buffy, please take this serious."
"As soon as school is over we are going to your house and you are going to take a nap."
"Only if you stay with me."
"I will."
Xander cannot shake his bad feeling. They go into school. Buffy goes to her locker. She talks Xander into going to his class instead of going with her. He leaves, walking down the hall toward his classroom.
As he is walking he passes three people in trench coats. He gets a very heavy negative vibe from them. Just as he turns around to go back toward Buffy all three reach into their coats and pull out guns.
They point them in Buffy's direction. Xander begins to run getting as close to them as he can. Just as they are firing he dives sideways across them. One of the bullets hits Buffy in the arm. One lodges itself in the locker beside her and the third grazes Xander as he blocks its intended path.
Xander ignores his wound. He jumps for Buffy. He grabs her hand, rushing for the fire tower closest to the lockers. The assassin's regroup and pursue them. The slayer is woozy from being shot.
After Buffy is safely in the tower Xander flings himself back at the door. It flies open, slamming against one of the attackers. The gun flies out of his hand. Xander picks it up as he falls to the ground. He jumps back into the tower as the other two fire another round. He is able to shoot the now unarmed one as he opens the door, again. The other two retreat. Xander stakes the one he shot. It bursts to dust. The boy flies back into the tower, grabbing Buffy in the process. They rush down the steps.
The other two waste little time in following. At one point our boy wonder turns the tables on them. He hides on a lower floor. After they pass he makes a flying leap down on them firing the gun as he is in flight. He manages to kill one of them but takes a bullet to the stomach. He runs back down the steps before the final assassin can recover. Buffy is still stunned by the onslaught but her wound has stopped bleeding. The bullet only grazed her.
Xander grabs her hand. They go to the bottom of the tower. Xander sees Oz, outside. He calls to him.
"Oz, man, there's a guy with a gun somewhere in this tower. Can you go up to the top and chase him our way?'
Oz agrees. Buffy goes to Xander. She hugs him
"Xander, let's get out of here!"
"No way, Buffy, they're after you!"
Xander runs toward the top. When Buffy looks at her hand it is filled with blood from his stomach. She runs to stop him.
Oz takes a big trashcan. He throws it down the fire tower steps trying to roust the gunman toward Xander. It works.
Xander rushes him just as he is firing. He takes another bullet but knocks the attacker down. He stakes him then collapses just as Buffy reaches him. He has blood all over his face and chest.
The ambulance takes Xander to the hospital. Buffy is in shock. It all happened so fast. All she can see is Xander full of blood. He might have a fast healing power but one of these days he is not going to recover.
Xander was like a man possessed. They were after her. There was no way that Xander was going to stop going after them. It was either they or he. There was no question about it. If Buffy had any doubts about Xander's seriousness in trying to protect her this certainly got rid of them. He was relentless.
The funny thing is that it doesn't make her feel good or safe. She had to watch the man she loves get all shot up and nearly killed. It was extremely terrifying for her. She has risked her life many times but this was different. This was Xander. She cannot take seeing him all bloody and broken. It immobilized her. Her heart can't take it.
The gang joins Buffy in still another vigil at the hospital. This is Xander's second home. The slayer is in a very bad mood to put it mildly. Willow goes to her.
"Buffy, did he really get shot?"
The slayer can only shake her head in disgust and worry. Willow notices blood on Buffy's blouse and skirt. She also sees the wound on her arm.
"Buffy, you're hurt, too."
Buffy answers the redhead in a very sarcastic manner "It's nothing. I won't get hurt ever again. Didn't you hear I have my own personal bodyguard? He sees things coming at me twenty seconds before I do. I'm so lucky!"
Oz can't help himself. "Unbelievable!"
The slayer is in the mood to have it out with somebody. Oz will do.
"What is that suppose to mean, Oz?"
"I'm sorry, Buffy. The guy is in there all busted up and shot up for you but…"
The slayer doesn't let him finish. "I'm suppose to be happy about it? The man I love was just taken out of school in an ambulance. I have his blood all over me. Is he dead this time? How about next time?"
"We all take those risks. That's part of the territory when we decided to help you."
"Oh, that's right. I forgot. That's his job, isn't it?" She looks at Giles. "You love this, don't you? Xander's in there instead of me. Boy, he's really an efficient…whatever he is…that's another thing. Xander might be okay with all this mystery stuff about himself but I'm not. We're going to have a long talk. I want to know everything there is to know about Xander. I want answers!"
Turning back to Oz. "Oz, ask Willow if she wants to see you all bruised and broken for her all the time?"
The doctor comes in. Xander lost a lot of blood but they removed the bullets. There doesn't seem to be any internal injury. He is responding well to treatment. He is in stable condition. They are going to hold him overnight to make sure. He is presently sleeping but can have visitors as soon as he wakes up.
Buffy goes down to the cafeteria with Rebecca.
"Buffy, I am very sorry."
"I know he does it for me, Rebecca. I didn't see them in time. If it wasn't for him…"
After sniffing back some tears the slayer continues. "We had a chance to run. When I told him he looked at me, shocked. All he said was they were after me. Like that automatically means he has to battle them until either he or they are dead. He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world."
Rebecca doesn't say anything.
"Rebecca, I'm the slayer. I know all about danger and risk. I know we have to take care of business. But, I cannot stand for him to be constantly diving in front of everything coming my way. What if they come with a bazooka or a tank? Is he just going to throw himself in front of it?"
"Buffy, I can understand your point. Unfortunately, in addition to being your bodyguard Xander also loves you. I don't see how you'll ever get him to stop."
Buffy feels like an idiot. She has a man willing to risk his life for her at a drop of a hat but she can't accept it.
But, why is it so hard to understand? She loves him as much as he loves her. She wants to save him from pain and injury the same way he wants to save her. That's what nobody seems to understand.
Rebecca sees Buffy's dilemma. "Buffy, I don't know the solution to this. You have to talk to him. It's really between you and Xander. Of course, Rupert doesn't help. I'll talk to him."
"Try to make him understand. He's concerned with my health and safety. I need Xander in one piece to feel safe and secure."
"I'll talk to him, Buffy. On the other matter, I'll set up a time for you and I and Giles to get together to discuss what we know of our dear brother."
Giles failed to mention to the gang the arrival of another watcher from England. Some members of the watcher's council consider the scene surrounding Buffy as a rogue operation. It is quite unusual for a slayer to have anyone help her let alone a whole crowd as Buffy has. And this relationship between Buffy and Xander has them particularly riled. It is most curious and unacceptable. Buffy is too independent from them and too dependent on her so called helpers.
Also, there are some members of the council who are not pleased with her performance. They have a plan to test her.
Buffy is at the hospital when Xander is discharged. He knows she was not happy with the scene at the school. They walk in silence to his house. They have some tea.
"Buff, I know you're not happy with the way this thing went down but could we push off talking about it."
They look at each other. Xander gets up. He goes to Buffy. "When I saw them pull those guns I thought…"
He can't finish, as he has to fight back tears. Buffy takes his hand leading him to the sofa. He buries his head in her chest.
"I thought they were going to kill you, Buffy."
"I know you did, Xander. So did they. They had no idea how overmatched they were."
Buffy decides to hold her issues for another time.
"You're my hero, honey."
"I am?"
"Of course you are. Xander, how are you able to see something coming at me twenty seconds before even I do?"
"I don't know, Buff, but I thank God for it every night."
She looks at him in awe and admiration. "Xander, I can't even tell you how much you mean to me. I can't figure out who loves you more, me as Buffy the vampire slayer or, me as Buffy Anne Summers."
They groove on each other but Buffy has to leave.
"Xander, I told my mom I would spend tonight with her. It's an anniversary of sorts. Not a pleasant one, though. This is the date my dad…left us. It's really a sad time. I need to try to cheer her up."
"Do you want help or is it a private thing?"
Buffy wasn't expecting this. She thinks about it for a minute.
"Well, actually, my mother really likes you. Are you sure you want to do this, honey?"
"Yea, I like your mom."
Xander spends the evening with Joyce and Buffy. He is charming and funny and quite a conversationalist. It was just what Joyce needed. She laughed so hard she almost split a gut.
Buffy thought she had seen all sides of Xander Lavelle Harris. Apparently he still has a few things to show her. They spend some time sitting on the front porch. Buffy is quiet. She has a funny look on her face. Xander knows she is really blown away.
"And, you thought I didn't have anymore surprises up my sleeve. You thought you knew every little thing about me."
She leans on him. "I don't want to talk about it. Just look at the moon and be quiet."
"Yes, ma'am."
Buffy's mom comes out to the porch. "Did you two conspire to try to cheer me up tonight?"
Neither answers. "Well, you were successful."
Joyce gives them both a hug.
Buffy is going to spend the night with her mom. She says her goodnights to her true love.
"Buff, can we please trust my dreams? "
"Yes, Xander, we will."
"Okay. Good night my sweet slayer"
After a few dynamite kisses they bid each other adieu.
When Buffy goes in her mother talks to her.
"Honey, he is a real prize. I really like him."
"Thanks, mom. I love him with everything inside of me."
Somewhere inside a cave on the outskirts of town two impeccably dressed middle age men talk to a young handsome lad in his mid-twenties. His name is Riley Finn.
"You understand your assignment, Riley?"
"Yes, I'm to befriend the slayer, win her confidence and then monitor her behavior for the council."
"At which time a decision will be made concerning her future. You will be given various behavior modifiers to administer to her to make your job easier. They are activated by contact. The effect will be gradual. You are the agent of control for these. You will be responsible for insuring the proper outcome. Is that clear to you?"
"I understand. This is what I have been created for and highly trained to perform. I have not failed in the past and I don't see any failure in my immediate future."
"You will be doing a service for all mankind."
"That is secondary. I will do what I am suppose to do."
Riley Finn is given a car. He drives off in the direction of Sunnydale and Buffy.
The two men watch him leave.
"What about her watcher?"
"Wesley was told that he and his renegade slayer are not going to be allowed to continue. They must conform to the proper watcher/slayer code. He has no choice. She has no choice."
"How about that young boyfriend of hers?"
"He will be dealt with appropriately. Mr. Giles operation is the laughing stock of the entire community. We do have our decorum, Mr. Thomas. These bloody Americans scoff at anything involving protocol and good manners. It's time they were put into their place."
"I understand that part, Mr. Howard. The part I don't understand is the slayer needing to be eliminated."
"Some things are not for you to understand, Mr. Thomas. Some of us in the council think it is time for us to have another slayer. One more in line with our world view."
Buffy and Giles are in the library training. Riley Finn comes in. He is a well-built young man, approximately six feet tall, with brown hair and dark brown bedroom eyes. Buffy definitely notices him. Giles walks toward him.
"Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Rupert Giles and Buffy Summers."
"You have found us, both."
"My name is Riley Finn."
Giles was expecting him. "Oh, yes…ah…come in. Sit down."
Buffy has a strange look on her face. She turns toward Giles.
"Buffy…ah…I didn't tell you…"
He is interrupted by the arrival of an older, well-dressed man who is definitely cultured and British. Very proper and stuffy, he makes Giles look like one of the boys.
Now, Buffy is very puzzled. Giles tries to explain.
"Ah…Buffy, this gentleman is from the watcher's council. He…"
The visitor walks forward, interrupting Giles. "Yes, my name is Wesley. This young man is Riley. I believe we can be on a first name basis, yes?'
He holds out his hand to Buffy. She looks at Giles then back to Wesley.
"That depends on who you are and what you want?"
Giles answers. "Buffy, Wesley and Riley are from the watcher's council. They are here to help us."
Wesley adds. "Yes, we will straighten this whole mess out."
Buffy is amused. "You and your…friend here are going to straighten out the whole Hellmouth? Pointing to Riley. "What is he Superman or something?"
"You will find Riley very adept at providing any assistance necessary."
Buffy is not sure what this means. "I don't understand."
"Didn't your watcher inform you of the purpose of our coming here?"
She looks at Giles. "Well…we have had some rather heavy activity of late. Three assassins of unknown origin attacked Buffy."
"Well, she looks none the worse for wear. I trust they were eliminated?"
"Yea, thanks to Xander."
Wesley turns to Giles. "Xander, isn't he that troublesome boy who hangs about?"
Buffy, of course, takes offense. "Look, mister, I don't know who you are or why you're here but, if you want me to have anything to do with you at all don't refer to my soul mate as "that troublesome boy". It ain't healthy to do it in front of me."
Wesley looks at Giles. "Is she always so insolent?"
Giles decides to take the bull by the horns. "Perhaps Buffy and I should have a discussion. Maybe you and Riley could meet us here, same time, tomorrow?"
"Yes, perhaps that would be appropriate."
Wesley and Riley leave.
Buffy stares hard at Giles. "Talk to me, Giles."
"Unfortunately, Buffy, we are both employed by the watcher's council. We don't speak about it very often but we do work for them. It seems certain members of the council felt that we are in need of assistance."
"Giles, when have we ever not done what we were suppose to do?"
"There's more to it than that, Buffy."
"I don't like either one of them, Giles. Isn't that important?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"I can tell you right now Xander won't work with either one of them."
"Ah…Buffy, we're going to have to do things a little different while they're around. They…they have a little stricter regimen, I'm afraid. For the time being you will have to work with Riley and only Riley."
"Giles, you're scaring me."
"Buffy…I don't think they'll be around very long. But, while they are here we really have no choice but to go along with the program."
"I have a choice, Giles. My life is hard enough. I'm not going to work with people I don't know or trust."
"Buffy, I would please ask you to reconsider, for my benefit as well as yours."
Buffy looks at Giles. The look on his face tells her he is quite serious. She feels a bond with the watcher. She knows there are certain parts of the slaying thing she doesn't understand. She always knew there were others involved. Others who run the whole thing. The people who tell Giles what to do.
She decides to go along for Giles's sake.
"I hope you know what you're doing mister watcher."
"Thank you, Buffy."
"So, you think I'm going to have to patrol with this Riley?"
"Yes, for one. And, you're going to have to do what Wesley tells you."
"Am I going to like it?"
"No, and I'm afraid your boyfriend is going to like it even less."
"Well, I think he might go along with it as long as I tell him it's for you."
Buffy doesn't see Xander before Riley and her do their first patrol together. The slayer was very apprehensive but he is actually a pretty nice guy and, a very hellacious daemon fighter. Buffy is very surprised with the fact she had very few complaints with her new partner.
Wesley, of course, wants to disband the Scooby gang. Giles and he arrive at a compromise. They can do research and run errands but the slaying is for Buffy and Riley only. Giles feels a headache coming on as the gang attends their first meeting with Wesley and Riley present.
Buffy goes to Xander's house so they can walk to the meeting together. She is very apprehensive. She knows he will not accept any of this. Xander notices Buffy is very nervous.
"Are you okay, my sweet?"
"Xander…two people from the watcher's council are in Sunnydale."
"So?"
"Giles…ask me if I would …you know…do things a little different while they're here."
"Okay, that's cool."
The slayer is very nervous. "Some…some of the things…kind of…"
"Buffy, it's okay. I know you guys have to pay dues to the watcher's council. They pay Giles, right?"
"You're okay with it?"
"Well, I mean how bad can it be?"
The slayer can't stand it. She has to come right out and say it. "I have to patrol with this guy, Riley. They won't let me patrol with you."
"And, you agreed to that?"
"Xander, I didn't agree with it. It's just something we have to go along with until they leave. It's mostly for Giles."
"Who is this guy?"
"He's from the watcher's council."
"I don't know what to say, Buffy. Why would you trust people you don't even know?"
"It's only for a little while. Listen, Xander. Please, honey; don't attack anybody at the meeting. You're not going to like these guys but we have to cooperate with them just while they're here. Then we'll go back to normal."
Xander runs his hand through his hair. "More shit." He looks at Buffy. "Alright, Buff, if that's what you and Giles want."
"Thank you, sweetie. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"Now that's something I can look forward to."
They go to the meeting.
When Xander walks into the library he immediately gets bad vibes from Riley. From Wesley he simply gets idiot vibes.
This is not going to be good. Xander also notices the way Riley looks at Buffy. This whole affair is going to be much tougher than Xander first thought. For some reason he feels the need to be very close to Buffy. It's as if there is something in the room pulling her away from him. She feels it, too, since; she is all but clinging to him.
Giles introduces Wesley who then takes over the meeting. He is extremely arrogant and pretentious.
"Yes, on behalf of the watcher's council I thank you all for showing such an interest in our affairs and that of our slayer. However, we are no longer in need of your services. Buffy and Riley will be more than capable of handling all the affairs of Sunnydale from now on."
Willow comments. "You don't know Hellmouth very well, do you?"
Wesley leers at the red head. "Excuse me?"
"The other worldly activities around here keeps us all busy."
"Well, that is why Riley has been sent here. You will find he is capable of quite a bit. Under his tutelage Buffy will be producing at maximum level very shortly."
Xander can't take it. He has to comment. "Buffy produces at maximum level at all times."
Wesley approaches the boy. "And, you are?"
"I'm Xander and I was born to help the slayer. She is the best ever. There are people here who have been around for a long, long time. They can tell you."
Buffy looks at Wesley with a "take that" look on her face!
"Mr. Harris, that is your correct name?" Xander nods.
"The watcher's council is an institution with rules, regulations and traditions. We have also been in existence for a long, long time. We are here to make sure those honored codes are followed and enforced. Your presence in the life of the slayer, however important you may feel yourself to be, is most unacceptable. Mr. Finn will fill in until such a time as we feel Ms. Summers is capable of functioning on her own, as per normal slayer conduct."
Xander has had enough. He takes Buffy's hand. He starts to walk to the office. Wesley blocks his way. Xander looks at Giles as if begging for him to intercede. The watcher stands.
"Xander, I told you things have to change. Now, whatever it is you have to say to Buffy say it in ten minutes." Giles ushers them into his office. Then he turns back to Wesley.
"Just give them ten minutes."
Xander talks to Buffy in the office. "Buffy, what the hell is this?"
"Xander, please calm down."
"This isn't like you, Buffy, to take this kind of shit. This whole thing stinks and you know it."
"Xander, I knew you wouldn't like them, okay. We just have to put up with it for a short time." She reaches to him, fondling his face.
"Please, sweetie?"
Xander is really torn. In his gut he knows this isn't right but he wants to respect the wishes of both Buffy and Giles.
"Okay, honey, but, just be careful, please?"
"I will, Xander." They embrace warmly.
Buffy patrols with Riley the next couple of nights. She has not even gone to Xander's house since the arrival of Wesley and Riley. The slayer and her new partner are getting very friendly. Xander goes to the library. Riley is showing Buffy a new karate move. They are looking at each other a little too intently for Xander's liking.
Buffy doesn't even notice Xander's arrival. He moves in between them. He talks to Riley.
"Show her the move but keep the flirting to yourself!"
"I'd mind my own business if I were you, little boy."
"Try touching her like that again, asshole!"
Buffy pushes Xander away. "Xander, he was just showing me a new move."
"No he wasn't. He was all over you!"
"Xander, what are you doing?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing, Buffy."
"I'm just with Riley. We're training. We patrol together. We…"
She doesn't finish. She stares at Xander as if she doesn't know what she was saying.
"What were you about to say, Buffy?"
"I…I don't know, Xander. I have to get back to training."
Xander goes back to Riley. "Maybe you can fool Buffy and Giles, pal, but you're not fooling me. Something is going on. I'll tell you right now. You might be buster bad ass but, if anything happens to Buffy you're going down, man!"
He storms out. Buffy stares at him as he walks away. Part of her is screaming for him to come back. Riley goes to her. He puts his hand on her shoulder. In a few seconds Buffy turns to look at him. She smiles. "What were we doing?"
"I was about to show you a really dynamite move to use on the next vamp who dares get in our way."
"We really do kick some ass, don't we?"
"And, we do it in style."
Almost a week goes by before Xander decides he has had enough. He has only seen Buffy a few times and she is very cold and distant. He has to talk to her. He waits for her outside her house. As she climbs out her window Xander gets very sad. The slayer has her fighting togs on, the ones that turn Xander on so much.
When Buffy sees him her heart does a flip. It startles her. She stops. Xander goes to her.
"What's the matter, Buffy?"
She snaps out of it. "Nothing, Xander." She begins to walk away but he stops her.
"Buffy, this is me. We're sweethearts, honeys. Don't you remember?"
"Xander, I know you and I were involved."
"Involved, we are more than involved, Buffy! We're soul mates! What the hell is going on?"
"Xander…I…I don't know. Riley…we…"
Xander interrupts her. "Honey, something is wrong. You have to know something is wrong. You and I are together, forever. They must have you in some kind of a spell or something. Buffy, just feel with your heart."
The slayer starts to cry. Riley comes down the street. He looks at Buffy, then at Xander.
"Did you make her cry?"
Xander is really shook. He makes a move toward Riley but is swiftly slammed to the ground. Riley then hugs Buffy. She looks like she is in shock but a few minutes in Riley's arms calms her. They walk down the street hand in hand.
Xander can't help it. He breaks down. He has to talk to somebody about this. He goes over to Willow's house. She is out with Oz. He hasn't felt this bad since his parents were murdered.
He wanders to the park. He sits down on one of the benches. He cannot be without Buffy. He thinks she must be under a spell or something but what if she isn't? What if she just fell for this Riley? Shit, it's possible. The guy's definitely cool. He's a hell of a daemon fighter, too. Most of the time he knows he doesn't belong with Buffy Summers, anyway. She is way out of his league. She always was. For awhile he was like the blind dog who stumbled into a bag of gourmet dog food. But, the gig might be up!
The boy wonder doesn't even attempt to stop his tears. He just lets them flow like a river. Maybe they can wash the sadness from his heart.
Somebody approaches him. It is Monica. "Xander, are you okay?"
He looks up at her. "What are you doing out at night, Monica, it's dangerous."
"I'm fine but what is the matter with you?"
"Buffy dumped me for that new guy, Riley Finn."
"I find that hard to believe, Xander."
"Well, she's with him."
Monica sits down. "I'm really sorry, Xander."
"It really hurts, Monica. I don't even know what to do without her."
Monica takes Xander in her arms. He cries to break his heart. She feels for him so much.
"Xander, you can't sit here. You were telling me how dangerous it is. With all the things hunting you…"
She smiles at him, taking his hand. "Walk me to the store then I'll make you some tea."
Xander doesn't argue.
Monica takes Xander back to her house. He tells her the entire story.
"Xander, it sounds very dangerous. Maybe Buffy and Giles are in trouble. Isn't there a way we can find out?"
"We can talk to Giles then, maybe hit the underground."
Xander starts to well up again. Monica comforts him. He stares at her. They get lost in each other's eyes. They both feel that strong connection they felt when they first met.
Monica has stayed away from Xander because she wanted to try to stop the overwhelming attraction she felt for him. It was working but it didn't put an end to it. Right now she can barely breathe. It is so intense. She can tell he feels it too. They get close enough that their lips touch lightly. Xander catches himself.
"What am I doing?"
Monica stands up. "I'm so sorry, Xander. I didn't mean…"
She doesn't finish. Xander has to close his eyes. He sits back on the sofa. Monica doesn't know what to do. The attraction is so intense!
She is not going to take advantage of Xander, however. If he weren't so hurt this incident would never have happened. She kneels down in front of him.
"Xander, I'm sorry. I will help. Whatever you want me to do."
He opens his eyes. "Thank you, Monica. I'm sorry, too. I'm just really feeling bad."
"I know, Xander, and I'm here for you." After another uncomfortable stare, "What's the plan, Boy Wonder?"
"We'll go see Giles then check out any leads. If worse comes to worse we may have to visit a few underground sources."
"You're not going to get me killed, are you Xander?"
Part There's Some Things You Can't Touch!
Monica and Xander head off to visit Giles. They decide to sneak into his house just in case he is being watched. They brake in through his back door. Rebecca is with him. When they show up in his living room they are almost assaulted by the watcher.
"Damn it, Xander, how the hell did you get in here?"
"I'm sorry, Giles. I picked up a few tricks in the underground."
"So, if you decide to give up the daemon fighting business you can always be a burglar!"
"I'm sorry, I really am but, I had to see you. Something is not right with this whole thing."
"Xander, I know about Buffy and Riley but I'm afraid both he and Wesley are legitimate."
"Giles, I'm telling you this Riley guy is not kosher."
"I checked and double checked both of them, Xander."
Rebecca speaks. "I feel the same way you do, Xander, but I'm afraid we can't find anything. From what Rupert tells me of this watcher's council it's a wonder they put up with us this long."
"Look, I think Wesley is legitimate. He's an idiot but I think he is just doing his job. Riley is different. There is something going on with him. Who does he work for, Giles?"
The watcher thinks on this for a minute. "I believe he is a creation of two of the council members, a Mister Howard and another gentleman whose name escapes me at the moment."
"Could you get me his name and, an address for both of them. And, could you also get Oz to meet me at our normal rendezvous place?"
"I can do that, Xander, but I must warn you. This is a different sort of evil than you are use to dealing with."
"Evil is evil, G-man."
"I'm afraid some evil is much more insidious than you might imagine. I hope you don't learn this the hard way. Please be careful."
Giles gets the information for Xander. Their names are Mr. Howard and Mr. Thomas. Surprisingly, both are in the states at present. Xander, Monica and Oz set out to pay them a visit.
Buffy is in her bedroom lying on her bed. She is miserable. She gets up to look at herself in the mirror.
Her mind is clouded. She struggles to put together a coherent thought. The past two weeks have been like a blur to her. Everything runs together except…Riley.
What about my friends. What about…Xander! Oh, my God, Xander! What the hell am I doing to Xander? Something must be wrong with me!
She tries to shake the cobwebs from her brain. Whatever they were trying to do to her, it's officially over!
"Xander, what have I done to you?"
She runs from her house with one purpose in mind. She screams in frustration.
"Wherever you are, Riley, you better start running now, you bastard!"
Riley Finn has a big problem. He was told by Mr. Howard to eliminate Buffy. He has killed before. That doesn't present a problem. The problem is he has fallen in love with the slayer. He can't kill her.
This is not supposed to happen to him. He is only partially human. The majority of his make-up consists of various synthetic characteristics. His human component is normally dominated by his so-called created features. Riley Finn is little more than a machine. In this case, however, that small human component has interfered with the performance of his duty. He has grown to love the slayer even while tricking and duping her with artificial chemicals.
Xander and company arrive outside the address Giles gave them. It is a small apartment. They have no idea what to expect. All have cross bows and stakes. Xander talks to Monica.
"Monica, you can tell if these guys are telling the truth, right?"
"I should be able to. Xander, are we just going to break into their house?"
"They're from England. I don't think they really live here."
"What difference does it make Xander?"
Xander can see that Monica is real nervous. He puts his arm around her. "Monica, it'll be okay."
"What are these guys, like monsters or something?"
"I don't know if they're daemons or not."
Oz asks the obvious question. "Xander, what if they're just members of the watchers council?"
"I don't know Oz. I'm going on my gut instinct. I don't think Wesley has anything to do with it. I think it's these guys."
Monica is still apprehensive. "I hope you're right, Xander. I'm sure they are very powerful men. If we're wrong we could be in a whole lot of trouble."
"Well, you guys can use fake names if you want."
Monica laughs. "Lets just do it, funny man!"
They break into the small apartment. Both gentlemen are in the kitchen drinking tea. Monica and Oz stand back while Xander does his impersonation of a bad ass. He's getting good at it.
Xander walks right to Howard. He points the stake at his heart. "You have one chance to keep me from staking your rat ass!"
Mr. Howard exhibits no fear whatsoever. It is quite shocking.
"Let me guess. You must be the infamous Boy Wonder? We're not daemons, Mr. Harris."
"Well, then you'll just fucking bleed to death from the hole in your chest! The question is; what's going on in Sunnydale?"
"Something way beyond your range of affairs, I'm afraid."
"You don't seem to understand how close you are to buying it, here, asshole!"
"You won't kill us, Mr. Harris."
"I won't?"
"No, you're not a killer. For all your heroic and marvelous deeds, you're not a killer. You're a daemon fighter. You're one of those goody, goody two shoes who fights for good against evil."
Xander is suddenly struck with a fear he has never experienced before. He can sense they're human. Mr. Howard is right. He can't kill these guys. They don't kill humans. Even though he can feel as much evil from these two as in any daemon he has ever faced he can't do anything to them.
"You smug son of a bitch! Maybe I can't kill you but I sure as hell can kill your boy."
"Be my guest but, I'm afraid your slayer may already be history."
Xander gets real close to Howard. He grabs him by the collar. "If Buffy is hurt I wouldn't bet on me not offing your ass, fucker. Some things can push anybody over the edge."
To put it mildly, Mr. Howard may have just experienced as much fear as he has ever felt. A trip to the bathroom for a quick change may not be totally out of the question.
Xander hurries from the apartment. They make double time driving back to Sunnydale
Buffy practically runs to the library. She sees Wesley first. She jumps him, pinning him to the floor. "What the hell is going on, Wesley? Speak or I swear I'll re-arrange your face."
Wesley honestly doesn't know what she is talking about. Giles sees that.
"Buffy, he's not involved."
The slayer gets off him. "Where's Riley?"
Giles motions to the office. Buffy is in there in a hurry. She punches him in the mouth. It knocks him to the floor. She holds her foot to his throat.
"You made one mistake, asshole. You tried to mess around with my love for Xander. What we have is stronger than anything you have!"
Riley makes no attempt to retaliate. He just lies there. Buffy questions him.
"What's the story, Riley?"
"The story is I was suppose to kill you but I can't."
"Yea, no shit, I might have something to say about that!"
Just then Xander and company come flying in to the library. They run to the office.
When Buffy sees Xander she throws herself into his arms.
"Xander, I am so sorry."
When he looks into her face he knows she is back.
"Buffy, Riley was sent to kill you!"
"I know, honey."
They both look down at Riley who is still lying on the floor. Buffy questions him.
"Who are you, Riley?"
"That's not important. What's important is I was employed by…"
Xander interrupts him. "By Howard, right?"
"Yes, I was suppose to befriend the slayer then eliminate her but…I couldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because the human part of me fell in love with her."
Xander shakes his head. He thinks of Howard and the evil he represents. As pissed off as Xander is at Riley he can actually have compassion for him. Buffy can't stand to hear anymore. She has to walk away.
Xander helps him up.
"What will Howard do to you?"
"I don't know. I always completed my assignment, before."
"Let me take a guess for you. He's not going to be happy. When a guy like him is unhappy with somebody I don't think it's too smart to stay around and find out. I have some friends who might be able to hide you for awhile until you figure out what to do."
Riley stares at Xander.
"I'll call them."
Xander makes a few phone calls. He directs Riley to a rendezvous place. Before he leaves he looks at Buffy. She feels his stare but can't return it. The whole thing was just too painful for her. He leaves.
The gang has a meeting. Wesley sits very quietly. Giles speaks.
"I reported this to the other members of the council. I have no idea how they will proceed on it."
Xander offers an opinion.
"The whole thing will probably be swept under the rug."
Giles questions his opinion.
"And, why do you say that, Xander."
He looks to Monica and Oz for verification on this. "This Mr. Howard has no fear of anything. It was eerie. He was beyond good and bad. He was evil in a way I have never felt before. An evil that has no boundaries. It masks itself in good. We can't touch him."
Xander looks at Buffy. They instinctively embrace. It was a very trying and terrifying experience. One that can only be silenced by hours of intense love and attention to one another.
A tough task, indeed, but one which must be done. They retreat to Xander's house.
Somewhere close to Los Angeles an impeccably clean and waxed stretch limousine stops on a deserted road. Mr. Howard approaches it. He enters the back seat. He sits across from a very shadowy man who exudes authority and power. The man speaks.
"He failed?"
"Yes, he also seems to have disappeared."
"We'll find him."
"What about the slayer?"
"For now, nothing. There will be another time."
"The boy will be a problem."
"He will be studied, good evening, Mr. Howard."
Mr. Howard gets out. The limousine drives away. Mr. Howard watches it disappear before returning to his vehicle.
After Buffy and Xander speak to the fact that they have been prevented from enjoying one other they have a conversation.
Xander is staring into space.
"What's the matter, Xander?"
"I'm really scared, Buffy."
"Why, Xander, it's over."
"They're not going to do anything to that guy, Howard. He'll be back."
Buffy sits up on the bed. She looks at Xander intently.
"Xander, you said he wasn't afraid of anything. You were wrong. Oz and Monica told me that he was petrified after he said that Riley had probably killed me, already. Whatever you did or said to him he knew you meant it."
Xander gets up. He puts his shirt and pants on. He walks to the other side of the room.
"Buffy, I'm nothing to this guy. Either are you. They're playing in a different league."
Xander starts to cry. Buffy goes to him. There are some things about Xander that completely blow her mind. He can't stand the idea that there is something out there he may not be able to stop. That there is some danger to her that he may not be able see coming.
At times like these she can only thank God for such a person in her life. He is remarkable. The depth of his love for her is staggering. His commitment to her is something unique. It is like magic to her. She knows that wherever she is or whatever she is doing so goes his love for her.
She joins him in crying.
"Xander, its Friday night. My mother is out of town until Monday. We have no commitments for the next two days. What do you say we dry our tears and have a marathon?"
Xander sniffs back his tears. "A marathon?"
The slayer looks at him very seductively. "You know, me and you…You know."
Now it's time for Xander to have his mind blown. He looks at her wide-eyed. Buffy approaches him and begins to unbutton his shirt.
"Do you find that a little intimidating? Is your rep all hype?"
"You never cease to amaze me, Buffy Anne Summers!"
"Are we going to talk all weekend?"
They do very little talking. It's a good thing there were no monsters about during this time.
Go on to Part Fifteen
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