A/N: Thanks for the reviewing! Things I have learned about fandom from writing this story and reading its reviews: a lot of people either like whumping Xander or just plain hate him; California law does not allow attempted mass murders back into a public high school; The Lie is a highly controversial topic that is either worthless or unexplored, take your pick; and my story either has misdirection and a lame excuse for a plot or I have a great writing style and should continue. Hmm. I don't know how long my sanity with withstand the contradictions, but I'll deal. ;)
Specifically:
Intersection: Maybe a possibility, but at the time, Willow is still in her reclusive "Don't want to turn evil again" phase, so magic is out of the question. Sometimes, despite the normally supernatural circumstances, you just need to solve stuff like the average, non-living-on-the-Hellmouth person. Plus, Xander can be annoying, but I like him. Most likely, while he will be having serious emotional problems, I doubt physical pain or exile at this juncture. I'm just going to see where the story takes me.
Buffy Fan: You're back. Number one: Okay, I am influenced by my ship preferences. I mean, who isn't? The crying, the "Angel"…I'm a B/Aer! Not to mention in the episode she was on the verge of tears just talking about him. I analogize the conversation as almost losing Angel again, finding out she might have had him, and then realizing she didn't after all. Personally, I like Xander. And you're wondering why Dawn cares? Heck, at the time, she didn't know what was going on. Of course she would care about her (what she thought at the time) sister's best friend. And Xander almost did lose Anya in "Selfless". Mentioned it in the Willow chapter, and honestly, I'm not big on too much Xander angst, so I don't think that much conniving is in order.
Squalldaman: Good thing I cleared up your concerns. I'm thinking I should probably have examined the force and plot before posting this story, but now that it's out, I'm just going to deal with the canon I've set.
Leanne8582: I fixed the lunch lady problem. Sort of. giggles nervously Oh, speaking of Lunch Lady, don't know her name, so I'm making one up. hears gasps Hey, I haven't seen the episode in a while!
Queen Boadicea: Ah, the younger sibling complex. I, too, have felt its wrath and misery. But when your siblings can cook, then you know they're keepers.
Additional thanks to Keysuna and Bewitched for reviewing. Thanks for your support.
Additional A/N: Yeah, I'm getting later with updates, but I've been swamped recently. Not to mention James Marsters and Ghost of the Robot is coming to my town! Yes, that giddy scream you heard this morning (if you live in my part of the world, if not, the scream that woke you up in the middle of the night) was my friends and me. Okay, well, that's all I have to say to prevent writing YAY! in big letters for a chapter.
Disclaimer: Joss is upping the ante to a quarter. Must think if I can spare my shiny quarter instead of the nickel.
Chapter Five: Devil's Advocate
The car was quiet as it slid in front of Buffy's house. It unnerved her. Usually Xander carpooled with her to school and back, but now…. "Damn son of a bitch," Buffy muttered, hitting her head against the headrest, letting the hum of the car calm her nerves.
At least the lunch lady situation had ended peacefully. As it turns out, "I know Mrs. Reynolds has a colorful past" actually meant she used to be a Enron executive who was bankrupted in lawsuits and decided to move here where her husband's (a broker also involved in insider trading) sister resided in a mental institution. Still. Stupid change-your-maiden-name-and-make-Buffy-freak-out patriarchal society.
Not to mention that that Amanda girl was back in her office. Another fight, only this time over which piece of choral music they should sing in swing choir. Honestly, Buffy had had enough talk about Ryan, the star baritone sophomore, who wanted to sing some Frank Sinatra medley and somehow pissed off Amanda who wanted to sing some more pop tunes, warranting a broken nose. Even Buffy had managed not to hurt any classmates severely during her high school days, and she was the Slayer. God knows what this perky soprano was going to get herself into.
Then again, at least Amanda had the sense to punch the first guy who crossed her. Xander, meet Buffy's Slayer-strength fist! Okay, probably not a good idea. First, Xander was in charge of building the place where she worked. Piss him off and oops! Counselor's office disappears and reappears in the Janitor's closet, just for efficient layout purposes, of course. But then…no matter how angry Buffy got, there was always that line. The one she'd skated with Faith. We have the power, why not use it? But, like Faith, she'd learned her lesson. When she looked on, frightened, as the life drained out of the deputy mayor, Buffy knew she could never cross that line, never tease at it, again. Could never hurt a human, kill one. She couldn't even kill Ben when it came to destroying Glory. Least of all could she kill her slight-former-should I reconcile?-kill him-remember the good times-what good times? friend.
Buffy looked at the car's clock, the emerald dashes blinking 7:00. Dawn had probably already assumed she wouldn't make it and ordered a pizza. Or attempted to make mac and cheese again and almost burn down the house. She looked at the house. No flames. Always a good sign.
She walked up to the door, sticking in her key. It turned and clicked, the door slipping out of its locked position. She stepped inside. "Dawn? You here?"
"She went to one of her friend's houses after dinner." Buffy turned, seeing Willow. "By the way, you missed my pot pies. Work of art, if I do say so myself."
"You mean the pop-in-the-oven ones from the freezer?" Buffy teased, hanging up her jacket.
Willow frowned a bit. "Dawn thought they tasted good." After a pause, Willow's eyes lowered, darkening with thought. Buffy looked over at her, then Willow raised her head.
"I heard about you and Xander," Willow said as calmly as she could, her voice a bit meek. "And I want to say—"
"Don't say anything, Will. This is between Xander and me." Buffy sighed. The last thing she needed was to pull Willow into this.
"No. It's not. I brought this into the light, and we're going to talk about it."
Buffy stared at her in shock. "You KNEW?! What the hell is going on? How long? How long did you know, Willow?!"
Willow backed away slightly, but some internal response forced her to fire back, "One day. The entire amount of one day. So stop yelling at me!"
Buffy blinked. "Sorry. But, this whole thing…it's such a mess. Xander has confirmed himself as the biggest ass in the world."
"Don't I know it," Willow murmured. She motioned to the couch, and they both sat down. "When you mentioned it before, you know, about the killing Angel part and my message, I had realized he'd lied. I'd told him to tell you I was restoring Angel's soul."
"Got that from the liar himself." That ire kept building in her veins. "I keep on forgetting if murder is against the law."
"It is." Willow's eyes flickered, remembering Warren's skinned body, and she shivered. "For good reason." She sighed, pursing her lips slightly, unsure of what to say. "Buffy, I know Xander was—and still can be— the most annoying bastard ever. But I don't want you guys fighting."
Buffy looked at her in indignation. "What? Did you miss the entire conversation? Xander lied. To me, one of his best friends, about my boyfriend whom I could have saved. Who, because of what I thought was your insistent backing, I stabbed in the heart. Do you know how much that hurts?"
"About as much as a bullet," Willow answered, the allusion to Tara's death not lost on Buffy. "Xander should pay. God knows I would love to place some vengeance-y spell on him for a load of stuff. But after I yelled at him last night, I realized I can't do this, even if Xander deserves it, and much more. I can't stand around without you guys, or fighting with you, or whatever. Whatever strength I have to control this…monster inside of me is with you. Not trying to get too psycho-analysis-y here, but when I came back, I knew the only way I could truly recover was if I had your support. I got that, despite the fact that I killed two damn people. So, Xander lied. It was four years ago. Sure, I wanted him to suffer deep and immense torture for every drop of pain he caused you. I know exactly how much Angel meant to you, and I know how bad it is to lose someone you love." Willow's rant was slowed by the buildup of tears. "But if life is to move on, and whatever new big bad is going to be defeated, we need move on as well. I've gotten over it. So should you."
Buffy looked at Willow, her eyes glazed with forced emotionless. "Maybe you can get over it that easily, but I can't. If I told you Xander caused Tara's death, you'd be just as pissed as I am."
"But Xander didn't. You did." Willow sighed, trying to take in everything and keep her mind straight. "Not purposely, of course, but you did. Warren came to kill you, instead killed my soul mate. But didn't I still save you? It's because you're my friend. So is Xander."
"Whatever he is, Xander is not my friend. He lied to me. Last time I checked, that was against the way of friendship, or at least the way I play it. How do you play it Willow?"
"I play to keep my friends. How about you? Don't be the lone Slayer. How many times, how many end-of-the-year battles do we spend realizing that together we are strong and apart we're going to get killed? Sure, we mess up. But we're always there for each other. Isn't that the important thing?"
"Not when he's lying to me. Not when—"
"It involves Angel. Buffy, I get the one true love thing. But Angel…You two loved each other. Had the forbidden romance of all time. And then he turned bad. He went out and became one of the biggest bads we faced. Decided do destroy the world. So you, Miss Slayer, had to slay him, despite the fact you wanted him back. I was all for restoring his soul, but maybe I was wrong. I let my emotions and my desire for you and Angel to be happy together cloud my judgment. Whatever could have happened, it probably could have meant the end of the world. There are too many variables. But this timeline, following his choice…You got Angel back. And, most importantly, the world didn't end. The end—"
"Never justifies the means." Buffy stood up stiffly. "I understand where you're coming from, Willow, but I can't…I'm not ready to forgive him yet. And even if I did, there are certain things I'd need to tell him."
"So then" Buffy and Willow turned, seeing Xander in the doorway. "Tell me."
Ooh! What's gonna happen next? Wait and see! (and if you're bored with waiting, review!)