Author's Note: Buffy/Angel crossover ficlet for the LJ multifandom1000 challenge. June 14's subject: an act of desperation. It's a little vague, but it's here, if you think about Xander's feelings after "Chosen." Length: 826 words. SPOILERS FOR BTVS "CHOSEN" AND ATS "HOME" (BOTH SEASON FINALES).

Paying a Visit

By Trisana McGraw

"So, from what I'm hearing, Sunnydale wasn't the only place on the verge of an apocalypse. But you guys managed to destroy the big evil and keep the city intact, which is not as much as I can say for us. And you look great."

Cordelia's expression, a vague smile resting on her perfect lips, didn't change. Xander smiled sadly – he wondered if his smiles would ever be completely grief-free – and tentatively reached out a hand to stroke her arm. "You look better than me," he continued. "You can't see it, but I'm doing the pirate look. Arr, matey," he mocked, but when there was no reply, all other words died in his throat and he just stared at her prone form. He was beginning to wonder how useful this plan was supposed to be.

He sighed and scooted closer, taking one smooth-skinned hand in his. "You know, this was the only place I could think of to go. Everyone had family or some Slayer duty to go to, and I'd travel to the ends of the earth before seeing my family again; they're not exactly pleased with me after that fiasco of a wedding last year.

"Lucky for me, I only had to go a little down south. You should've seen the look on Angel's face when I showed up at the hotel. Of course, I'd be surprised to see me too, if I were him, `cause we were never best buddies. Then, after I've made myself comfortable in the hotel, he tells me that the gang's residing at some evil law firm. Sunnydale's not the only weird city, I guess. So I ask him how you all ended up there, and I find out that you weren't just twiddling your thumbs while we were fighting the Big Bad.

"There was a goddess, Angel told me, but she was a lot different from the one we had a few years ago. For one thing, this one was a beautiful woman that you gave birth to! Well, I should've known she'd be beautiful, being your child, but Angel got really vague about who impregnated you. Said it was some ritual, without a father, but he seemed real bothered by it. Then, he told me, said goddess tried to destroy the world with the Big Good' approach, and even though they killed her you're in a coma with no way to wake you up –" He was glad that she was asleep so she didn't hear his voice crack then. He really needed to work on using humor to lighten bad situations; so far he wasn't sounding very convincing.

"But we will. Wake you up, I mean. Angel says that they've got all sorts of evil employees looking up cures for magical comas, or maybe they'll bring in Willow again. She used a lot of magic back in Sunnydale to help us fight the First. She was incredible . . . so strong. Like all the women I love." He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering Anya's face, her cute lack of manners or logic, wondering if she was thinking of him when she'd died. Opening his eyes, he squeezed Cordelia's hand. "All the women I love are strong," he repeated, "so you're gonna get through this." She kept on breathing in a steady, slow rhythm, but he could've sworn that her smile widened.

Xander leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. "I'll be here when you wake up. Just keep on fighting, Queen C." He stood up from the bed and turned around, nearly getting a heart attack when he saw the black-clad figure lurking in the doorway. "Thanks for the warning, Angel."

The vampire shrugged and stepped into the room. He walked over to the bed and smoothed Cordelia's hair with the tenderness of someone who was more than a friend before looking at Xander again. "You can stay for as long as you like."

Xander expelled a sigh. "Don't know how much help I'll be. It's not as if I have a law degree, or much experience with spells."

Angel shrugged again. "You don't have to; we have tons of minions to do that." A smile flitted across his face, and Xander mirrored it. "She'd want you to be here."

"And you." Silence followed Xander's words, until Angel said, "How about some coffee? The evil secretary on the fifth floor makes some great stuff."

"Sure. Why not?" He and Angel headed for the door, but not before Xander cast another glance at the comatose Cordelia.

"We'll make things better," Angel said quietly from behind him. Xander knew that he wasn't just talking about Cordelia; they both had entirely new lives to adjust to. Who knew, maybe Xander would end up staying in LA for a little while. As much as he tried to be the average Joe, magic and demons seemed to always find him. Maybe this was the ideal place for him.