Part Six--Rachel, Rachel
Rachel has still not gotten past the fact that her people put the man she loves through the most inhuman torture imaginable. She did help the slayer find him but it was almost too late. She never thought herself to be a coward. She sat immobilized in fear and sorrow rather than make an effort to save him. Xander will never want to look at her again.
But, then when she thinks of him, thinks of the type of person he is she knows he will forgive her. She has to see him. She doesn't want to interfere with him and the slayer but she has to go to him. The vampire has to find out if he can even stand the sight of her.
If he can't she is going to have to leave Sunnydale. She sets out to search for him but is rudely interrupted by Mr. and Mrs. Harris.
"Going somewhere, princess?"
"What is it to you?"
"Are you still mad at us for messing up your Xander-poo? We were hoping the slayer would finish you off. But, it appears our forever-faithful son must have stopped her. It's so touching. Isn't it just a crying shame you can't be with him. You should have joined us to try to get rid of the slayer. Then you could have him."
He puts his arm around her neck. He then continues.
"But, alas, poor Rachel. Poor, almost not a vampire, Rachel. You fell in love with a human and now it's time to pay the piper. And, just for an added bonus you're going to help us get your precious Xander for another round of fun and games. I'm sure that will just warm your heart."
Rachel is petrified but she is not backing down this time.
"You might have me but if you think I'm going to help you capture Xander you're crazy."
"Well, Rachel, I'm impressed. You do have some courage in those sweet bones of yours. In fact I'm actually turned on. Now that the boy wonder de-flowered you are you ready for a real man?"
"Do whatever you are going to do but I'll be dust in the wind before I'd lay with you or anybody else in your crowd."
Mrs. Harris gets into the act. "How did you ever manage to last this long with your innocence? I wish I would have been around sooner. I would have made sure you were ready for frying!"
Mr. Harris knocks Rachel to the ground. His wife puts her out with a rock.
Buffy waits for Xander as he comes out of school. She has avoided him all day. She goes to him.
"Okay, Xander, I'll take you back under two conditions. One, you never, ever do that again."
"Even if you ask me to do it?"
"Be quiet. The other condition is that you let me keep your turtle neck just in case you don't follow the first condition."
He just looks at her, laughing. She gets embarrassed. "What?"
"The mighty slayer princess. Totally in control at all times except…"
"That will be enough out of you, Lavelle. I know your weakness, too, you know?"
She starts to approach him menacingly. "Okay, okay we won't talk about it any more."
"Good, now, shall we go out to eat before we patrol?"
"Sounds like a plan."
After a pleasant meal they have to go home to get ready for patrol. Buffy has to put on her fighting togs. Xander looks at her.
"What do you want, sweetie. I can tell that look. You have something outrageous to ask me."
"What do you mean you can tell that look?"
"I can usually tell what you want by the way you look at me."
"That's ridiculous. No, you can't."
Buffy sighs. "Right now you want to ask me something that is ridiculous. Come on…out with it."
"You're scaring me, Buffy."
"What do you want, Xander?"
"Will you still…you know…climb down from your bedroom for patrol?"
"Xander, I don't have to do that anymore, remember?"
"Yea, I know but…you know…"
Buffy starts laughing. "Xander you're a pervert, aren't you?"
"Why, because I like to see my honey climb down the shrubs from her bedroom?"
"Yea, that's pretty much what I was saying."
Xander starts to pout. Buffy has mercy on him.
"Okay, my crazy boyfriend, I'll climb down from my bedroom. But, I hope my parents don't ask me why I'm doing it."
"You'll think of something if they do."
"How about if I tell them you like to watch my butt as I climb down? Will they still think you're so great?"
"Let's hope it doesn't get that far."
"Okay, sweetie, I'll see you for patrol."
Buffy does indeed climb down from upstairs. Xander gets the proper motivation from it. "Mercy, mercy me!!"
Buffy just rolls her eyes. They walk a few minutes in silence. Then, Buffy has an observation.
"Xander, do you know why I'm always turned on around you?"
"I didn't know you were."
"Come on, Lavelle, pay attention here. Do you know why?"
"Because I'm so handsome."
"It's because you never shut up."
"I think I'm insulted."
"How can you say so many things about me? How come you never run out of things? No matter how long we're together you always say something different."
"Buff, are you complaining or are you just venting?"
"I want to know, Xander. Who are you and how can you have so much power over me?"
"I have power over you, huh? Are you revealing diary type things now?"
"Xander, how can you live knowing so little about yourself?"
"I think it bothers you more than it does me. I know enough about myself."
"You're my soul mate and I love you. But, there are some things which I think you should find out about yourself."
He sighs. "What brought this on Buff?"
"Xander, I'm your true love. It's natural for me to be concerned about everything that has to do with you."
Xander doesn't say anything.
"Xander, does it still surprise you when I know everything you're thinking and doing?"
"What do you know now, Buff?"
"I know why you don't want to know more about yourself."
"Oh, you do now, do you?"
Buffy has to laugh. "Yes, mystery man who is not mystery man anymore. You are afraid that if you find out more about yourself it might somehow interfere with our love for each other."
Xander stares at the slayer. She hit it right on the head.
"We're going to have to break up now."
Buffy just giggles to herself.
"You think you're funny, don't you?"
After they walk a few minutes Xander stops in front of Buffy. He looks into her eyes.
"You are every thing I want. Everything I need. And, no matter how many times you tell me or how long we go together I still can't believe you love me. Buffy, when you didn't love me my life was useless. Now that you do I don't want to know anything else."
Just like Buffy said, Xander never runs out of nice stuff to say to her. He continues.
"For some reason I have the ability to help you and be your partner. I can sense when something is wrong with you and so far I have been able to keep you alive. It's like being able to live your dream while you're awake. Like getting your heavenly reward while still on earth."
"Xander, honey, I don't even know how I was able to live before I met you. The love we have is like some kind of a magic show."
They kiss very passionately. When they break they stroll into the cemetery full of confidence and life.
They don't just patrol. They do the place with attitude. They are cocky, even.
They walk through the rows of graves with disdain. Xander says it.
"You know, Buff, some nights I feel we control this place."
Buffy picks it right up. "Yea, like some times we get to say what goes on here!"
"Right, everybody stays in the ground, tonight." Xander waves his stake around.
"You hear that freaks? No body comes up, tonight. No daemons from hell, tonight!"
After a few passes our heroes sit down. They pass time in silence as the mist and fog swirls around them.
In the distance they hear a voice. It is very faint but Xander gets a cold, evil chill down his spine. He recognizes it.
"Xander, help."
Buffy hears it, too. "Xander, did you hear that?"
He doesn't answer as he makes a step toward the voice.
"Help"
Buffy goes to Xander. "Xander, whose voice is that?"
He looks at Buffy with a pained expression. "It's Rachel."
"Oh, shit."
Out of the mist and darkness three figures emerge. Mr. and Mrs. Harris stroll toward our duo. Mr. Harris is holding a very sharp knife at the neck of Rachel. Some blood is dripping from it.
"Good evening, son, how are you this fine evening? This is fun. First, that little torture thing."
His mother adds. "It was so sweet sucking your blood."
Xander tenses. Buffy puts her arm on his back.
The evil bitch looks at Buffy. "And, you were so convincing with Angel."
Mr. Harris continues. "But, this is the best of all."
He puts the squeeze on Rachel's neck.
Xander is fuming inside but he doesn't want to come right out in support of Rachel in case this is just a test.
"Now, Xander, are you just going to act like you feel nothing for poor Rachel here? We all know she gave up her sweet flower to you, son."
Buffy looks at Xander. Mr. Harris catches that. "Buffy, you don't believe that bullshit he was handing you earlier, do you? Do you know how many women he has slept with? He and Rachel are quite sweet on each other. I'm sure you can see that. Nasty business love. So many messy feelings."
He looks back to Xander. "Rachel here has been a bad girl. She has to suffer. But, being the fun loving vampires that we are, we are going to make a game of it. I won't complete this beheading for seventy-two hours. Maybe you can rescue her by then?"
They fade back into the shadows. Xander puts his head down. Buffy stares at him. She feels as if a gap just opened between them. She can't explain it. It is him, however, not her. She walks to him.
Xander feels a pain deep within him. The bastards always know how to get to him. How to get to them. He feels alone.
Buffy has not seen Xander like this for a long time. He seems completely withdrawn from her. It really scares her.
"Xander?"
The boy doesn't answer. For one of the few times in his recent life he wishes he wasn't with Buffy. He wishes he would have patrolled alone. There is a real tension with them when it comes to Rachel. Xander loves Buffy with all his heart and soul but he cannot turn a deaf ear to Rachel. He does not feel the same thing for Rachel that he does for Buffy but he has an unbreakable bond with her.
He starts crying with anger. Buffy wants to go to him but she almost feels like a stranger all of a sudden.
Xander looks at her. "I have to go, Buffy."
The slayer panics. "Wait a minute, Xander. What the hell just happened? What do you mean you have to go?"
"Buffy, please?"
She goes to him. "Honey, it's me, Buffy. "What are you doing?"
Xander wants to take off, now. He knows Buffy will not approve.
"Please, just let me go."
Buffy fondles his face. "Honey, let's get the gang together. Let's at least tell Giles. You can't just take off. It's crazy. We have to have a plan."
"Buffy, they are doing this so you and I will have a fight over it. It's part of the plan."
"Well, let's not fight over it, then."
"Buffy, you don't understand."
"Xander, you just put a division between us. Do you know you just did that?"
"I don't want to hurt you, Buffy."
"Then don't, Xander."
He puts his arms on her shoulders. "You just don't understand, Buffy."
"I do understand, Xander. You want to rescue Rachel. I told you your pirate ways ended when we got together. We are going to do this the right way. Now, let's get a meeting together. Most of the gang is still at Giles's house. Tonight was research night."
Xander reluctantly follows Buffy. She knows she could lose him at any time here. Everything inside him is telling him to attack everybody he can find until he either rescues her or he gets killed. She prays the gang can help sway him.
Buffy keeps looking up at Xander as they walk. He is hard and distant.
It is taking all the control he can muster not to just blow Buffy off and hit the sewers.
Buffy has to say something. "You wish I wasn't here, don't you?"
"Can we just walk in silence?"
"This is a side of you that you shouldn't show too often."
"Will you just be quiet, slayer!"
To herself, "Damn hard Xander."
It's still early evening. Most everybody is still at Giles house. Buffy tells everyone what happened. They can all but guess what Xander is going to want to do. Giles speaks.
"Do you think it has something to do with the Malcolm business?"
Buffy answers. "It's hard to say, Giles. What do you think, Xander?"
"What difference does it make?"
Rebecca asks. "Do you think they're bluffing?"
Xander jumps on that. "Why would they be bluffing?"
Buffy can't help it. She has to respond. "The obvious reason?"
Xander doesn't care. "They're going to kill her!"
Cordelia interjects. "Isn't that redundant?"
Buffy gives the brunet an evil look. Xander doesn't respond.
Somebody has to get to the heart of the matter. Rebecca begins.
"Whatever the case is they know there is a connection between her and us."
Willow adds. "I don't think it would be hard for them to know that Rachel is in love with Xander, sorry Buffy."
Giles disagrees. "While she may be fond of Xander I hardly think you could say she is in love with him."
Cordelia enlightens him. "Giles, in some things you are way out of the loop, aren't you?"
Rebecca seconds that. "Giles, don't ask me how she got away with it but Rachel was a virgin."
Xander has had enough of this. "Let's move on!"
Willow gladly accommodates him. "Xander, it's a trap. They know it. We know it. You know it."
Monica speaks for the first time. "They know all the tricks, don't they?"
Buffy looks at Xander. "They know how to divide us, too."
"What does that mean, slayer?"
Monica interrupts. "It means we all know what you're thinking but we can't do it, Xander."
Buffy rolls her eyes at Monica but is sort of glad she said it instead of her. Now Monica can listen to the sermon.
Xander's face gets very hard. He stands in front of Monica. She has never seen him like this.
"We can't do it? We can't try to save the life of someone who helped us take down Malcolm?"
He is intimidating but Monica stands right up to him. "What about the part where it's a trap. Did you suddenly lose your sense?"
Xander is pissed off now. "I didn't think you'd want to save her!"
"What the hell does that mean?"
Buffy gets back into it. "Don't jump down her throat. You're wrong on this. Whatever is going on in your mind, it's stupid, plain and simple."
"I was waiting to hear from you. You…you have nothing to say when it comes to Rachel!"
"I have…"
Xander interrupts her. "Bullshit, you'd like to see her dead!"
Willow defends the slayer. "Look, Xander, you can't just attack everybody who disagrees with you. You're not going to use that hard ass routine to intimidate everybody."
Cindy adds. "Xander, I just joined you guys but even I know it's a trap."
Monica backs up her sister. "All you have to do is pay attention to know this one."
Rebecca tries to reason with him. "We all know you want to go anyway, Xander. The danger doesn't bother you as much as the thought of what they may do to her."
Monica has something else to add. "Xander, the last time we saw Rachel it wasn't exactly clear what side she was on, anyway."
Buffy looks at Monica. "Thank you Monica. She is a vampire."
"Yea, Buffy, you talk about me. Wouldn't you just love it if she were in on it? You wouldn't get off on staking her, would you?"
"Damn you, Xander! If anybody else talked about doing something stupid like this you'd be all over them. But, okay, if you want to do it. If you want to risk your life for her, go ahead!"
Buffy walks into the other room.
Monica is mad. "You're going to let this come between you and Buffy?"
"That's enough, Monica!"
"No it's not. You notice Giles isn't saying anything."
All eyes turn to the watcher. "Xander, I know what she did for us. Without her it may have been impossible. But you're very intelligent. You know what they're trying to do. We cannot risk anyone else."
Xander looks for a loophole. "But, you will let me try to come up with a plan?"
Giles looks around seeing the shaking heads and incredulous faces of the Scooby gang.
"I hardly think I can give it my blessing, Xander."
Willow adds. "What about your undying love for Buffy? What about that ring you gave her?"
"What about it?"
Monica chimes in. "You think this isn't going to hurt her?"
Xander has had enough of Monica. "Monica, why are you in my face for this?"
She is embarrassed but answers. "Because the whole thing is stupid."
"The woman saved my life. She was there for me. Is that stupid? How about if it were you, would it be stupid, then?"
Willow is angry. "Oh, I guess this has nothing to do with your stupid feelings for Rachel?"
Xander goes toe to toe with Willow but Oz pushes himself in between them.
"Xander, are you going to attack everybody in the room?"
The boy backs away from Oz. Devon gets into the argument.
"Is that it, Xander, do you love her?"
Xander grabs the musician by the collar but then lets him go. He slumps down in a chair.
"I'm sorry. I do have feelings for Rachel but it is not the same thing I have for Buffy."
Monica looks at him hard. "Is that a line, Xander?"
"Look, Monica, I have no family. I have to have loyalty to my friends. I wish everybody could get to know Rachel like I do."
Cordelia has to add her sarcastic remark. "No thanks."
Xander ignores her. "I know it's a trap. I know I can't endanger anybody else but…"
Monica softens. "That's exactly what they want you to do, Xander."
Willow sighs. She joins Buffy in the other room. Oz speaks up.
"This isn't risking your life, Xander, this is more like giving it up."
Giles adds. "On most things we can support you, Xander."
"But, not on this?"
"I'm afraid not."
Xander shakes his head. Monica goes to him. "Xander, if it were me I would secretly be rooting for you to try but then I would hope you took the more reasonable approach."
"Which is to let her die?"
Monica answers. "Go over a scenario for us? A scenario you think would work Xander? One that doesn't involve just attacking every daemon in Hellmouth until either they or we are all dead?"
Xander gets very close to her. "How about if I would have thought that way when the Werewolves were attacking you and Cindy?"
Monica is shocked he said that. "I've never seen this side of you before…cruel, and cold blooded…and stupid! I'm finished Xander. Go do it! Go down to hell and get yourself all fucked up but go somewhere else to get comfort!"
Xander stares at her for a few seconds.
"Did you hear me, Xander? Go somewhere else to get patched up!"
Xander answers with a shaky voice. "Yea, I got it loud and clear, Monica."
Monica is very upset. This is the first time she has had this heavy a confrontation with him. She didn't realize she would be this upset about Xander risking his life. She also didn't realize how upset he would be by her comments. It genuinely shook him up. She wishes she hadn't said it. Is she going to be like Buffy and add to his pain quotient all the time?
The rest are shocked at the heat of the argument. They are not use to Xander getting that heated with anyone but Buffy.
Cordelia joins Willow and the Buffy.
"I'd get out there if I were you, slayer."
"Why to hear him tell everyone of the many virtues of his vampire queen?"
"No, to stop he and Monica from killing each other….or having an affair."
Buffy and Willow go back in. Giles is talking.
"I don't like to say too much because you kids have a way of keeping each other honest and sharp. Xander, I do agree with everything everyone has said thus far. However, I do feel your concern for Rachel is more than just personal feeling. She has helped us and she did save your life. I could also see her helping in the future. What I can't see is how we could attempt a rescue without an unacceptable level of danger."
The watcher continues. "If, however, you find you still must try then I will support your decision."
Buffy immediately jumps on him. "Well, thank you, Giles! You're supposed to be my goddamn watcher. Thanks for giving the okay for him to just throw his life away for her!"
Willow tries again to reach Xander. "Xander, suppose Monica is right? What if she is in on it?"
"I guarantee she is not."
Buffy balks at that. "Oh, that's reliable. That sounds like wishful thinking, Xander. Or is it wishful feeling?"
Monica gets back into it. "She is a vampire, Xander."
"Are the three of you going to take turns working me over? Is it a club or something?"
Buffy answers. "Yea, to stamp out stupidity."
"You're really funny, Buffy!"
Xander gets a rock hard look on his face. Buffy was afraid of what she knows is coming next.
"This has gone far enough. My friend Rachel is in trouble. I am going to help her. I don't care if anyone goes with me or not."
Buffy has had it, also. She stands in front of him.
"No, you're not, Xander."
"Buffy, I don't want to have this out with you."
She doesn't move.
"Buffy, don't take this stance with me right now."
"I am, Xander."
"Buffy, she is in trouble. I'm her only friend. I'm going to try to rescue her. If I die trying I die trying."
He looks at everyone. "Giles, you've buried people before. Buffy, thanks for being there when I need you, never!"
"Monica, you'll never have to wipe another tear from my face. Willow, it's a good thing you have Oz."
He goes to the door but stops. He looks back at Buffy. She instinctively puts her ring hand behind her back.
"Buffy, we can talk when I get back."
He leaves. The slayer shakes her head.
"Goddamn, he's hard."
Willow puts her arm around Buffy. "I thought he was going to ask for the ring back, Buffy."
"So did I. He cannot go looking for her."
Oz gets up, approaching the slayer. She half knows what he is going to say.
"I'm going with him, Buffy."
The slayer looks at Willow. She is too shocked to speak.
"Shit, I knew it, Oz! Well, thank you for your tremendous support."
"I agree with all of you. When there was a chance to change his mind I was with you. But, now it becomes a matter of loyalty. We take each other's back."
Oz turns to leave. Buffy goes to her as he goes out the door.
"Willow, I'm sorry. I was so blown away from trying to stop Xander I didn't have anything left."
"Oh, Buffy, they're cut from the same cloth. What are we going to do?"
Cordelia speaks up. "I'm going too."
Buffy will not stand for this. The slayer goes toe to toe with the brunet.
"What kind of shit are you trying to pull, Cordelia?"
"He needs our support."
"Yea, but there is a little bit more involved here now and you know it!"
"Well, then you go, Slayer. He sweats blood for you. Show him you support his loyalty to his friends."
Buffy thinks about it for a minute. Cordelia doesn't back down.
"If you don't go I'm going."
Buffy addresses at everyone. "Can you all stay here. I'll come back with the plan."
Giles begins to disagree but Buffy stops him. "Too late, watcher. If you didn't want me to go then you should have stopped him!"
She runs to catch up with Xander and Oz. She catches them as they are going into Xander's house.
"Xander."
"Get away from me, Buffy."
"Listen you hard ass. You're the one who talks about friends. Not one of your friends thinks you should do this. What about me, Xander?"
"Yea, you do that. This is about loyalty and friendship and risking your life for your friends. You better not turn this into something about you and I."
She watches him for a few minutes. She can't help it. She starts crying.
"It's a fucking trap, Xander."
"If you don't understand this you don't understand me. Just leave, Buffy, I don't want to hurt you."
"That's bullshit, Xander! What the hell do you think this is doing? This is ripping my heart out! You're hard. You're like a rock. Nobody can penetrate it. Not even me. Is this the message to me, Xander? We're together unless it's really important. Then it's Xander by himself?"
She continues. "Well, I told you. Everything Xander is me. Wait for me I'll get my stuff."
Xander stops. He looks at her. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm going too. Maybe they'll take me in exchange for her."
"Wait a minute. Of course they'll take you. You can't go, it's suicide."
"If you're going I'm going."
"Don't play this game with me, Buffy!"
"Game?"
"You're the slayer. You can't…"
She interrupts him. "I'm your soul mate. I'm going."
"Buffy, you son of a bitch!"
"Let me put it this way. Either I'm going with you or else take this ring back."
Xander can't believe it. "What?"
"You told me if I put this ring on everything got very serious and very permanent."
She holds it up to his face. "You see it, I put it on and I meant it!"
"Fuck you, Buffy!"
"It's a hard game, Xander. You taught me how to play it. Now make the choice, babe."
"You can't do this to me, Buffy."
"The shit is over, Xander. What's the matter? All of a sudden it gets a lot clearer, doesn't it? All of a sudden walking right into the daemons plan doesn't seem quite as appealing, does it?"
She really has his attention now.
"No, you selfish bastard! You can't stand the thought of losing me but it's okay if you get yourself killed. Fuck me, right? Well, ain't going to happen this time. Either I go with you or you take the ring back."
Xander sits down. Buffy looks at Oz.
"Do you have anything to say about it, Oz?"
Buffy is expecting a fight. Instead the wolf walks to the door.
"Xander, I don't agree with trying to rescue Rachel but, if you're going I have your back. I'll wait outside."
Xander looks at Buffy. "What am I going to do, Buffy? Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because I'm finally figuring you out. I have to speak a language you understand. Going to hell and practically handing yourself over to the daemons would never occur to you as stupid. But, me going down there...all of a sudden a bell rings in your thick head."
After a few minutes of quiet, "Which is it, Xander, do we go down to hell or back to Giles house?"
Xander shakes his head. "You win for now, smart ass."
Buffy tells Oz they'll meet him back at Giles's house. Xander and Buffy walk back in silence. Buffy looks at Xander funny. Even with all that struggle Xander gave in just a little too easy. Buffy knows she has to watch him.
Monica has done nothing but pace up and down. As soon as they walk in the door she approaches Xander.
"Okay, what's up, Xander?"
"The slayer wins this round. She's very slick."
"So you're content to wait this out?"
"Yes, but if something does happen to her I'll never forgive myself."
Monica looks at Buffy. She has the same feeling that the slayer does. This is just too easy.
When the meeting breaks up Monica goes to Xander.
"I know what you're going to do, Xander."
"What are you talking about, Monica?"
He tries to walk away but she gets in front of him.
"Tell me you're not going anyway?"
He looks at her. "Come outside with me, Monica."
As they go outside Buffy gives them a really hard look. She didn't hear what was said but it sounded heavy. It still grates on her nerves when Xander has these heart to hearts with his female friends. No matter how many times she tells herself he loves her it still gets to her.
The slayer goes to the porch. Willow and Cordelia follow. They watch Monica and Xander talk.
"I know what you're going to do, Xander. You're just pacifying Buffy. As soon as you ditch us you're headed to the sewers."
"You know, that intuition shit can be wrong."
"Come on, Xander. Don't ask me why I know I'm right. Just admit it."
Xander is flustered. "What are you doing, joining forces with Buffy to try to drive me nuts? Whatever she misses you catch."
"Is that what you call it when somebody loves you?"
Xander stares at her. Monica wishes she hadn't said that. She closes her eyes. He finally answers her. He thinks of what she said about not coming to her for comfort.
"You have a real nice way of showing love, Monica."
"Oh, like your comment wasn't cruel!"
"Monica, I…"
"That is beside the point, anyway. You can't try to rescue Rachel, Xander!"
The boy is really surprised by the intensity of Monica's concern.
"Monica, I know everybody disagrees with me but you seem to have this intense personal thing about it."
The girl is really embarrassed. "Xander, please don't make me feel any worse than I already feel. You are so damn stupid it some things…stop getting me off the subject."
She grabs his hand. "Xander, don't do this. I'm your friend just like Rachel. If she loves you, which I'm sure she does, I know she doesn't want you to do this. I can feel things, Xander, especially about you …"
Xander has to interrupt. When Monica talks like this it really scares him.
"That's enough, Monica!"
"If I was captured and Rachel were here she would tell you the same thing."
Warming to her. "Yes, honey, and I wouldn't listen to her, either."
Monica is really frustrated. "Goddamn you, Xander! I'm asking you as your friend and as someone who loves you, don't do this!"
Buffy is getting very pissed off at both Xander and Monica. She asks Willow.
"What the hell are they doing now?"
"Arguing"
Buffy looks at Cordelia. She and Xander use to argue all the time, too. But, they were also closet partners.
Cordelia answers. "Don't ask me what they're doing. Where's that leash?"
Monica and Xander look at each other in silence. Xander finally comments.
"This is unfair, Monica. You're doing the exact same thing Buffy does. You know you have a hold on my heart and you use it to get whatever you want out of me."
"Xander, you don't always make the right decision."
This gets Xander angry again.
"Do you and Buffy compare notes?"
"I can feel Buffy's eyes staring a hole in me. Just promise me you won't go and, look in my eyes when you say it."
"Yes, Monica, nice move. You have my promise. I hope you can live with the fact that if she dies you, and the slayer have seen the last of me."
"You know what's wrong with you? You're use to doing whatever the hell you feel like doing. One lesson on friendship and love, Xander. If you have feeling for someone you don't blow them off and do whatever the hell you please!"
She walks away.
"Ah, good piece, Monica!" He catches up to her. She turns around angry.
"What…what the hell do you want? Go back to Buffy, Xander!"
Xander just watches her leave. Nobody can get to him like she does…except Buffy.
Xander walks back to Giles's house. He doesn't look at Buffy. She questions him.
"What the hell was that all about, Xander?"
"You tell me, slayer, are all these people you're agents?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I'll tell you the same thing I told Ms. Intuition…"
He stops. "Never mind, I'd probably just get a fist in my face."
Willow talks to him. "When are you going to give this up, Xander?"
He answers her very sarcastically. "I want to thank you for your tremendous input on my behalf."
Buffy answers him. "You're still not through blowing everybody off, are you?"
He looks at Cordelia. "Do you have anything to say?"
"What, that you're acting like you're about ten years old? You can't get your way so you have to lash out at everyone around you? No, I'm not going to say that. I want my head where it is, thank you."
"You're still a bitch, aren't you?"
Cordelia knows this is her cue to leave. She pushes past him. "And, you're pathetic, Lavelle."
She looks at Buffy as she is leaving. "You're going to have to train him better. He's going to get himself in trouble the way he is."
She leaves. Buffy looks at Xander, shaking her head. "Go home, Xander. Nobody else is going to argue or fight with you. Unless, of course, you want to see Monica baby. She seems to want to keep it going."
Xander looks at her and Willow. Buffy puts the ring hand behind her back again.
Xander puts his head down and sighs. Buffy says it again.
"Go home, Xander."
He starts to walk away then turns back to Buffy. He looks at her with a dejected pose on his face.
"Are you coming over?"
Buffy can't believe it. "What?"
"Are you coming over?"
Buffy looks at Willow who just shrugs her shoulders. "He's crazy Willow. Are you crazy, Xander?"
"Excuse me, I thought I was your boyfriend."
"Help me Willow."
"Crazy puppy dog?"
Buffy stares at her heartthrob for a few seconds. "Come back on this porch, first, Xander."
He does. "Now, apologize to Willow."
Xander looks at the redhead. "I'm sorry, Willow."
"Okay, now wait for me down by the tree. I'll be right there."
He does.
She and Willow share a laugh. "At least he didn't ask for the ring back."
"I better go, Willow, he might wander away."
"Make him tell you about, Monica…At least he didn't hug her."
Buffy walks with her crazy boyfriend. She stares at him. Xander notices.
"What?"
"You go nuts on everyone, we have a huge fight, you have a secret argument with Monica, you insult Cordelia, who stood up for you by the way, then you ask me if I'm coming over your house."
"I gave up. You guys took turns working me over. I lost."
She still stares at him.
"Am I your boyfriend or not?"
"Let's see. You're crazy, stubborn, unreasonable, aggravating but…I guess…I guess I still love you."
Now he stares at her.
"Yes, you're still my boyfriend." She slides her arm in under his.
"You go from me being afraid we're going to break up to being my puppy dog."
"So I have multiple personalities. Have me committed."
"Oh, no, I'm not letting anyone else work on you. Only I work on you."
"Good, does that mean we're headed to your room?"
"No."
"But, my house is so cold and impersonal. Your room is all warm and cozy….and it has your diary in it."
"If you want us to have a room together you know the way."
This shuts him up.
"I thought that would be the end of the conversation."
After walking in silence a few minutes.
"Buffy, I promise after this all calms down we'll talk seriously about taking the next step."
"Honey, you know my problem. It breaks my heart for you to go home alone night after night but…"
"I know, Buffy, I know. You don't have to say it."
"Xander, my family is having a get together tonight. I already missed most of it. I need to go home. I know you're not up to it but…"
"Buffy, it's fine. I'll call you tomorrow morning."
After a few intense embraces they bid one another a sweet adieu.
It was a very heavy day for Monica Gentry, very heavy. She had to confront Xander, twice. He is quite a force. She is proud of herself. She stood toe to toe with him. She talked him out of going on that suicide mission. He listened to everything she said. Sometimes she actually gets the idea he is in love with her. She wonders what would have happened that night if she hadn't called Buffy? What if she would have pushed it with him?
She shakes those thoughts from her head. She needs to get some rest. She has training in the morning.
Go on to Part Seven
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