Email: reed204@cox.net

Feedback: God, yes! It'll keep going and doing these stories keep me from being completely and totally bored for the summer.

Distribution: Ask and you shall receive.

Spoilers: None

Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy and Co. They belong to the Joss W and now the UPN. All I own is the brand of Deadboy's Hair gel. =Þ If you read the disclaimer feel free to email me why the hell I put that last sentence in there.

Summary: New and old arrivals in Sunnydale, and Xander gets in a fight.

Author's Note: If you have read my other fic: If the Shoe Fits. You will know that I really hate the idea of Buffy dying. In case you haven't, I will tell you that she didn't die this time. Instead I have it to where Xander went up to save Dawn instead of Spike. As the Doc turns to greet him, thinking that Xander will fight him. Instead Xander walks up to him and gives him a speech like he did Angelus. When in actuality Xander was just distracting him enough to where the Doc's back is to the ledge so he could push the overconfident asshole off the platform, which he succeeds in doing. Oh and Anya died, when she saved Xander.

2nd note: I know it's a little late but the . . . indicates thoughts.

Xander's Apartment

"Ok, since Buffy doesn't want me to fight with her, then I have to find a way to do it anyway. And I think that my sudden increase in financial independence might just be the thing. "

He looked at a Willow's computer. "Hmmm . . . I wonder how good Jack's computer skills really are?" He sat down at the computer and re-logged onto Internet.

"Let's see, since I will be doing this without Buffy's knowing it. I will need a secret base of operations, kinda like Batman. I can't have it here because I wouldn't be able to hide the stuff I plan on buying."

His search came upon a real estate site that owned an office in Sunnydale. He decided he would visit the office tomorrow and have an agent show him the house he chose on the Internet. Xander clicked on the link to the available buildings. He saw one that screamed 'Perfect!' It was a warehouse that was two miles outside Sunnydale. Tomorrow would be the day they meet but right now he really needed to blow off some steam from hearing Buffy's triad. He picked up a stake and his keys and exited the building to a cemetery that he knew Buffy wouldn't be patrolling for a while.



Sunnydale Bus Terminal

Reed and Brooke suddenly materialize in the terminal lobby.

"Reed, that is always the coolest spell you do. When are you gonna teach me that? And why did you teleport us to a bus terminal?"

"Thank you for the complement Brooke. As to teaching you the spell, I can't do that. I teleported us here because I need a map to look at so we can search for a motel."

"Awww. Why not?" The shape-shifter pouted.

"Well, for one thing, it's a very dangerous spell. For someone who has never used it could kill themselves trying it. Even if it didn't kill you, it would drain the hell out of you leaving you vulnerable to enemies. Plus, it's really only meant to be use by grandmaster wizards. There are weaker teleportation spells, but they can only take you a short distance and they still drain you pretty badly. Another problem is it takes a lot of concentration to get the exact location you want to appear at. Plus, when you are traveling at 186,000 miles per second you also have to perform a protection spell so you don't get crushed from your own infinitely increasing body weight. "

"Ok, but how come you aren't drained or tired or whatever you're suppose to feel?"



"Because I have used this spell most of my life, so I have gotten use the drain a bit."

"Oh ok. That's good because I just got to say I don't like the idea of being squished by my own body weight."

"All right. That is enough of the science lesson. Let's get going because I want to see if I can find my friend."

"Reed? Is that you?" A voice behind the two demon hunters.

Reed turns around, "Faith!?"



Crawford Street

Buffy patrolled the streets aimlessly while thinking about Xander.

"Xander is gonna get me killed someday, if I don't stop thinking about him." She said to herself quietly smiling at the thought of Xander.

She also knew that the aimless look attracted more Vamps.

To her surprise, instead of seeing vampires, she sees the man that is on her mind walking at the end of the street. She thought about going up to talk to him about her decision to take him out of the group, but decided against it because she knew how he would react to it, which would ruin the whole patrolling thing tonight. I wonder what he is doing out so late. I guess he is just out for some fresh air to help his headache. He knows it's dangerous to walk out here at night. At least he is staying in the light and is walking near his apartment. So I guess he is safe enough without me. She thought as she turned to make her patrol at the first cemetery.

15 minutes later at Groovesdale Cemetery

Xander walked through the graveyard at a quiet pace even though he was still pissed. Since he was hunting Vamps, he wanted to keep the 'I sneak up and stake you part'.

"Well, if it isn't one the Slayer's lackey." Said a leather-clad vampire.

So much for the sneak attack. And what is it vampires and leather. Xander thought. "I'll have you know, Fang-face, that I am here on my own. I decided to take out assholes like you by myself for once." Xander said, knowing full well that wasn't the truth but he had to make the Vamp think he was tough enough to take him.

"Watch what you say about my comrade. I don't take kindly to people who insult my drinking buddies." Said a Second Vamp who was, apparently, Russian.

Great, Just what I need. A KGB wannabe. Well, at least, I only have to deal with two vampires. Xander thought disappointed. Just then a third vamp wearing a black duster came out of the shadows. Me and my big mouth. Next time, Xand, shut up!

"Ok, boys it's dinner time." Said the first vamp. The three undead men started to circle the former Scbooy.

When Xander heard those five words, he dropped into the guard position from Jack's memories. The Russian vamp was the first to move. He tried to tackle Xander from behind, which he easily sidestepped while elbowing the back of the vamp's neck to throw him off course toward Duster Vamp. With those two busy for a while he could concentrate on the lead vamp.

Suddenly he heard Bruce Lee's words in his mind, "Remember the most important element of a fight." So Xander did just that. He watched the Vamp for a second, and that was enough to get what he needed to control the fight. Ok. He likes to stay at arms length. His rhythm is three steps before taking a punch. His timing is pretty much the same. So if I can get in just as he makes his third step I should be able to make him lose his concentration, making him an easy picking. Xander thought as he dodged the vamp's punches. Xander watched as the Vamp took his steps . . . one . . . two . . . NOW! Xander jumped closer to the Vamp and used the three punch combo he attempted in the apartment. Needless to say the Vamp was confused, which gave Xander enough time to stake leather boy in the heart.

Ok, now, let's take care of Dumb and Dumber, so I can go home. Man, it's a good thing I stretched before I came out here. He thought as he walked toward two still entangled Vamps.

Somehow, Duster Vamp managed to get on top of the Russian Vamp, but was still having a hard time getting up. Xander just walked up to him, rolling his eyes, and stabbed the corpse in the back.

"Are all your 'Comrades' this stupid, or do they have to practice?" He asked mockingly.

"You impudent mortal! I'll cut out your tongue for that remark!"

"Sure, Sure. Whatever. Can we get on with these I have to get home to take a shower, you know?" God, I am starting to sound like Buffy.

The Vampire growled at Xander as he jumped up. "What makes you think you can survive this fight with me?"

"Well, the fact that I have twenty years of combat experience and the lessons of Bruce Lee in my head, says I can kick your ass from here all the way to the Watchers Council, where you will be begging them to stake you." Xander said with more confidence then ever had when he faced the vampire.

The Russian started to get worried after he heard this. He couldn't smell a drop of fear on the man. The vampire did the one thing he has never done in his twelve undead years. He ran away from a mortal. But Xander wasn't about to let the blood sucker get away. He twisted the stake in his hand, drew back his arm, and threw it in the back of the retreating figure hitting it straight in the un-beating heart. This was a maneuver that was thought only a Slayer could do. Xander himself was even surprises that he could accomplish such a feat.

"Man, that was too easy. I guess Buffy killed all the tough vamps."

Just as he said that a dozen Vamps came out from around the corner, "What have I said about keeping your mouth SHUT!!" He shouted at himself. That mistake caught the Vampires' attention. "Shit, my night just keeps getting better and better." He berated himself sarcastically as he got ready for his death.