After driving to a fairly deserted field on the outskirts of Sunnydale,
Xander had everybody except Buffy back up from him a few feet.
"Okay. Buffy, punch me."
"What?"
"Hit me. In the chest. Hard."
"Xander, I am not going to punch you. You could get hurt!"
"I know, Buffy, but it's okay. Trust me. Punch me."
Buffy looked to Giles, who shrugged. Buffy shook her head.
"Okay," she said reluctantly.
She released a powerful right cross at Xander's chest, fully expecting to have to take him to the hospital afterwards.
Her fist never touched him. Instead, it hit a barrier that flashed white, about 6 inches from him. Xander never even flinched.
Buffy looked at Xander, surprised.
"Did you guys just see that?" She asked the others.
"Xander, what was that?" Willow asked.
"Like I said," he replied, "it's a kind of a thing."
"Fascinating," said Giles. "Does it work on anything?"
"What do you mean?" Xander asked.
"Well, can anything hit you? Arrows? Magic? Or is it just physical combat?"
"Oh. Well, I don't know about magic, I haven't tried that yet, but nothing else can hit me," he said. Xander then bent down, picked up a rock and tossed it to Oz.
"Here, throw that at me," he said.
Oz shrugged, and chucked the rock in Xander's direction. It hit the barrier with another white flash, and the rock dropped straight to the ground.
"See, it absorbs the force too. So whatever it is that hits me doesn't bounce off. It hits the. . . well, the thing, and stops. Arrows, bullets, fists, feet, whatever. Can't hit me."
"But," said Buffy, "then how was I able to hit you last night?"
"You hit him?" Willow asked, accusingly.
"Well, he snuck up on me, and he used this other voice, and I didn't know it was him!" she protested.
"It's all right," Xander said. "You hit me because I kinda have to turn it on in my head."
"So why don't you have a bruise? I hit you pretty hard."
"Huh," he said. "I don't know. I guess that's just another stage."
"Can you fight?" Buffy asked.
Xander grinned. "Like you wouldn't believe. When I fight, the barrier moves closer into my body, and doesn't absorb as much damage, although still a lot, but it hits whatever I'm fighting against, too. And with a lot more force than I ever could."
"Oh, this I have to see," said Giles.
Everyone looked at him.
"What? It's exciting!"
Shaking their heads, everyone looked back to Xander, who shrugged and dropped into a Karate stance across from Buffy. Buffy looked a little surprised. "Where'd you learn that?"
"I woke up one morning, a couple days after I found out about the shield, and I knew how to fight," he said, shifting to a Wu Shu stance. "This work better for you?"
"Whatever makes you happy," she said, getting into her normal fighting position.
"That's the second time you've said that. Buffy Summers, are you coming on to me?" he asked.
She gave him a sultry smile. "Are you gonna talk all day, or are we gonna fight?"
Xander grinned, extended one arm in front of him and gave her the universal 'bring it' hand motion. "I've always wanted to do that."
Buffy rushed Xander, attacking low, trying to take out his legs, but Xander jumped, landing behind her. Buffy spun to backhand him, but her arm was blocked by Xander's, while his leg shot out to kick her.
Buffy deflected his kick with her free hand, and tried one of her own. This kick was in turn blocked, while Xander aimed a punch at her head, which barely missed as she whipped her head back out of the way.
They both backed up a few steps, to regain their balance. This time, Xander took the initiative and attacked Buffy. They continued to fight for about five minutes, neither landing a blow the entire time.
"Yes, well, I think that's enough," Giles said, motioning for the two to stop fighting. "This is truly remarkable, Xander. When did you first notice the change?"
"About 3 weeks into my trip. I was in San Francisco, and got jumped by a couple of vamps. When I found out they couldn't hit me, I pulled a stake and chased after them. Didn't manage to dust 'em, though."
"And the fighting?"
"Like I said, a couple of days after the shield thingy. I just woke up and was pretty much all Bruce Lee like. A few days after that, I got some more speed and stuff, and I'm real agile now. It seems to come in stages."
"I see," Giles said. "Well, we shall certainly have to look into this more."
Buffy glared at Xander.
"What?" he asked.
"You put him in research mode. Xander, you put Giles in research mode."
"It's nothing we haven't done a hundred times before."
"I know, but he gets all British, and starts correcting grammar. Plus, we always have donuts in research mode, and I so do not need the extra calories right now."
"Buffy, you have a metabolism that can process an entire cow in a day, and you're worried about a couple of donuts?"
"Well, sometimes a girl likes to feel unpig-like."
"I never think you're pig-like."
"Don't think compliments are getting you out if this one, Harris. If Giles starts talking about ending a sentence with a preposition two days before school starts, that shield of yours won't be enough protection."
* * * * *
"Are there any other effects?" Giles asked, once they had returned to his apartment, complete with a box of donuts.
"Well. . . if I turn the shield on, then sit on a hard chair, my butt gets all glowy, but I don't think that's what you mean."
"No. Um, have you found you have heightened senses, o- or increased stamina, or something like that?"
"Well," Xander said, "Not that there was anything wrong with my stamina before, but yeah, I've got more. But that's a negatory on the increased awareness. I still pretty much bumble around like I always did, only now it doesn't hurt quite so much."
"Yes well, um, any other sort of. . . knowledge? Your hand-to-hand seems fairly well rounded, any other skills?"
"I dunno. I wield a mean stake, but that might just be from hanging around Buffy for so long. I haven't really tried any other weapons. I didn't know about the fighting until I ran into a few vamps in Portland. I started to fight, and the stuff just came to me. So maybe if I try fighting with some swords or something. I just haven't."
"Well, we shall have to test that out at some point. For now, I suggest we all hit the books, see what we can come up with, yes?"
Xander nodded and grabbed a book, excited about finding what was happening to him. Willow had already started reading through one of Giles's prophecy books, and was sitting on Giles's couch next to Oz, who seemed to be content watching her read. Buffy, on the other hand, was walking around, tidying up Giles's apartment, seemingly trying to find any way possible to get out of research.
"Buffy, we really do need to find out what's going on with Xander."
"But, Giles. . ." she whined, "don't wanna study."
"Buffy, if you don't grab a book this instant, I shall be forced to revoke your donut privileges."
"You wouldn't!"
"Don't test me, young woman. I may not officially be your Watcher any more, but I paid for those donuts, and they're not going to anybody who decides not to help."
Buffy looked to Willow for help, but Willow raised her hands as if to say 'not my fight.'
"Xan? Help?" she asked.
"Sorry Buff," he said, "you know I'd do anything for ya, but Giles here's my roof until I find a place to stay. My hands are tied."
Buffy gave one last pleading look to Giles, but he merely reached into the box, pulled out a jelly donut and took a big bite.
"Fine," Buffy said, grabbing a book and sitting down in a chair next to Xander, who was having trouble not laughing, "but I'm only doing this because you're my friend!"
Xander leaned over and gave her a quick hug. "Thank you, Buffy," he said, patronizingly.
Buffy grunted, grabbed a crème-filled and set to work looking through the book.
__ Three hours later
"Huh," said Oz.
Everybody looked up from their books.
"Didja find something sweetie?" Willow asked, leaning over Oz's book to see what he was reading.
"Maybe," Oz said, continuing to read.
"What does it say?" Giles asked.
Oz continued to read for a few seconds, then cleared his throat.
"It says 'He who is noble shall know his power once abandoned. He shall know his name by the wayward Souled, and once returned, shall fight along side the Chosen One, and through peril see her, as none other can.' And then it goes on about his powers. . . increased strength, the shield thing, some martial arts and weapons knowledge, and apparently some powers of healing, which sound pretty nifty."
"Healing? Like, I don't get bruises and stuff?" Xander asked.
"That, yeah," Oz said, handing the book to Giles. "But also like poison curing, 'share my aura' healing."
"Wow," Xander said.
"Yeah," said Oz. "Nifty."
"'The wayward Souled,'" Giles read. "Do you suppose that means Angel?"
"Or, more likely Angelus," Willow said. "Cuz of the 'wayward.'"
"Yes, of course," Giles said. "Xander, do you remember anything Angelus ever called you?"
"You mean other than worthless? No, I've pretty much blocked out that whole timeframe in my head."
"Yes, right. Well, I suppose we shall have to call him," Giles said.
"You have his phone number?" Buffy asked. "How come you have his phone number?"
"Well, he. . . called me a day or two ago. He and Cordelia have apparently set up some sort of. . . for hire detective agency, in Los Angeles. He gave me his phone number. . . you know, for emergencies and the like."
"He's working with Cordy?" Xander asked. "Well that's gotta be fun."
Buffy looked upset. "Yeah. Well, I have a. . . um. Thing. I'll. . . be back. . . later," she said, getting up and walking out, quickly.
"Good going, Giles," Willow said, following Buffy outside.
"What did I do?" he asked.
"I think the Buffster's still got Deadboy issues," Xander said.
"Oh," Giles said. "But it's been more than three months since he left. Surely she can handle talking about him by now."
"Talking's one thing G-man," Xander said. "But he called you, and not her. Not the easiest thing to hear. Plus, you know how love makes you do the wacky. Things like this take time."
"Yes, I do suppose you're right," Giles said. "So, um. . . do you wish to call him, or shall I?"
"Yeah, me and Overbite never got a long too well. I think maybe you'd better do the calling."
* * * * *
"Angel Investigations, we help the hopeless," Cordelia said, answering the phone.
[Cordelia, hello] Giles said. [Um, is Angel around?]
"Giles! Oh my gosh, how are you?!?" she asked. "How's the gang?"
[Yes, uh, we're all doing quite well. And yourself?]
"Oh, well, you know, I'm helping Angel out with his whole 'paying for my sins' thing, but it's totally just temporary until I can get an acting job. Actually, I met this really important director guy the other day, and he was so about to help me out and get me a job, but it turned out he was a vampire, and he had lured me into this GORGEOUS mansion that he lived in, but Angel came and totally kicked his ass, and then the next day, Angel walked into this big law firm type place, where the guy was at because they're his lawyers, and he just threw him out a window, right into the sunlight! Can you believe, the one offer I get is from a vampire? It's like I bring Sunnydale with me!"
[Um, yes, quite. Er, is Angel around, by any chance?] Giles asked, hoping the question would register this time. [It's quite important, really.]
"Oh sure, hold on a second," she said. "ANGEL! GILES IS ON THE PHONE!!"
Putting the phone back to her ear, she heard Giles, [. . .some warning next time. Xander, did you know she had lungs like that?] She heard laughter in the background.
"Oh, you so do not want him to answer that, Giles," Cordelia said.
"Giles, how are you?" Angel asked as he picked up the phone.
"He's impressed with my lung power," Cordelia said.
[Um, yes. Right. Angel, I have a question, although I'm not quite sure, um, whether you'll remember the answer or not. It's about your time in Sunnydale.]
"I remember everything from when I was in Sunnydale. I have had 240 years to hone my memory skills," Angel said.
[Yes, but it's about when you were. . . not quite yourself.]
"Oh," said Angel, becoming a little more uncomfortable. "Well, I suppose I can try to remember what. . . he did."
[Well, it's not so much something Angelus did, more what he said.] Giles explained. [Something he said to Xander.]
"To Xander?" Cordelia said. "What would Angelus have said to Xander?"
[That's what we're trying to figure out. He. . . as silly as it sounds, he called Xander a name, and we need to know what it was. We don't know when, and Xander can't remember. Angel, if you can remember anything. . .]
"I'll try. But why do you need to know this?" Angel asked.
[Well, we've come across a prophecy--] Giles started.
"That deals with Xander?!?" Cordelia asked, incredulously. "What did he ever do to deserve a prophecy?"
[Hanging around with a Slayer and a souled vampire, it's a wonder we don't all have prophecies about us] Giles said. [But Xander has recently. . . acquired some new abilities. And there seems to be a prophecy about it, but we can't find what to call him. It's just, the prophecy Oz found says Angelus named him.]
"What exactly does the prophecy say?" Angel asked. "It might be helpful if I knew what I'm supposed to be remembering."
[Yes. Of course. Oz, hand me that book, would you? The prophecy reads 'He who is noble shall know his power once abandoned. He shall know his mantle by the wayward Souled, and once returned, shall fight along side the Chosen One, and through peril see her, as none other can.' We thought that you were the wayward Souled, or, well, Angelus was.]
__
{Flashback}
Xander is standing in a white hall, looking Angelus in the face.
"Visiting hours are over," Xander said.
"Well, I'm pretty much family," Angelus said.
"Yeah? Why don't you come back during the day? Oh, gee, no, I guess you can't."
Angelus leaned in, threateningly. "If I decide to walk into Buffy's room, do you think for one microsecond that you could stop me?"
"Maybe not. Maybe those security guards couldn't either. Or those cops. . . or the orderlies. . .. But I'm kinda curious to find out. You game?"
Angelus paused. "Buffy's White Knight. You still love her." Angelus leaned in close. "It must just eat you up that I got there first."
"You're gonna die," Xander said. "And I'm gonna be there."
Angelus slapped a bouquet of flowers into Xander's chest. "Tell her I stopped by," he said, and then walked back through the waiting room towards the elevator.
{End Flashback} __
"White Knight," Angel said into the phone. "I called him Buffy's White Knight. When she was in the hospital with that flu. . . from Der Kinderstod or whatever it was."
[Oh. Oh, yes, I see. Thank you. I do seem to recall a few entries about that in some of my books. Thank you.] Giles said. [Do you mind my asking why?]
"I don't mind you asking," Angel said, "but I'm willing to bet he can tell you better than I can, once you jog his memory."
[Of course, I shall have to ask him] Giles said.
"Giles, what did you mean abandoned?" Cordelia asked.
[Oh. Well, it appears that about two months ago, while Xander was out traveling, his parents sold their house and left town. I haven't done the math yet, but that appears to be about the time his powers began to manifest themselves, so it would seem to fit] Giles said.
"Oh my gosh, is he okay?" Cordelia asked.
[Yes, he seems to be doing quite well. He's staying with me for the time being.]
"Okay. Well tell him to call me if he needs anything," Cordelia said. "I still owe him after that last little stunt he pulled at prom, no matter what he says."
[Yes, of course. I'm sure he'll be grateful. Um, I really must be going, I'm afraid. We still have quite a bit of research to do.]
"Of course," Angel said. "Um, Cor, could you. . ."
"Yeah, yeah," she said. "Bye Giles."
*click*
"So, Giles. . . how is she?" Angel asked.
[Well, she seemed to be doing fine, until I mentioned today that I had been in contact with you. She. . . kind of stormed out, and then Willow yelled at me and followed her.]
"But, normally. . ."
[Normally, she seems to be doing quite well.]
"Okay. Well, if you need anything. . ." Angel said.
[Of course, you'll be the first we call. Thank you, Angel.]
* * * * *
"Go away," Buffy said, sitting on a bench near Giles's apartment. "I'm fine."
"Buffy, you're not fine," Willow said. "You're obviously upset. Come on, talk to me."
"I'm fine, it's just. . . how come he talked to Giles, and not to me? Didn't he know I'd want to talk?"
"Maybe he did," Willow said. "And maybe that's why he didn't call you."
"But that doesn't make sense," Buffy said, tears forming in her eyes. "If he knew I would want to talk. . ."
"But, Buffy, listen. Angel loves, you, okay? But he knows that you need to get over him, and that's more important than him talking to you. Buffy, we all know you miss him, I'm sure he does too. But even you have to agree that you're better off without him. I know it hurts, but you two had no future. We talked about this. It's hard, but you need to let him go."
"I know. I mean, I can usually go all day without thinking of him. In fact, I didn't even notice that I didn't think of him until today. Sometimes I just miss him so much."
"I know, Buffy. But we're here for you, all of us. We may not know the right thing to say all the time, or. . . or at all, but we love you. And you can talk to all of us, about anything. Well, okay, maybe not Giles so much, cuz you know, that'd give him major wiggins, but in a less graphic way, him too."
"Thanks," Buffy said, smiling and wiping her tears away. "I think I just need to maybe get back out there, see if somebody can take my mind off him."
"You mean like a rebound guy?" Willow asked, a little worried.
"No," Buffy said. "Not a rebound. . . but, maybe a nice guy, with a pulse who doesn't know about all my. . . stuff, and just wants me for me. And who's hot."
Willow smiled. "Well, that never hurts. You wanna go back inside?"
Buffy smiled and shook her head. "In a few minutes. I need to clean me up."
"Okay," Willow said. "Well, we'll all be here."
Willow got up and walked back inside.
"How is she?" asked Xander, who was waiting at the door for the girls to come back.
"Gettin' better, but still not all the way there," Willow replied. "You should go talk to her. She might like to hear what must be your unique perspective on the situation."
"Ya think? Cuz I never have been a fan of Deadboy, and I'm not sure she needs to hear that."
"I know, but just be tactful. I'm sure she'll appreciate whatever it is you have to say."
"'Kay."
"Good," said Willow. "Now I'm gonna go apologize to Giles, cuz of being snappy."
Xander smiled. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Xander walked up to where Buffy was sitting.
"You know, it's not safe out here," he said as he approached her.
"Xan, it's 4:30 in the afternoon. The sun is still up," Buffy said.
"I know. That's what I mean. A pretty young thing like you, all alone... might get skin cancer."
Buffy laughed while wiping her eyes.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yeah," Buffy said. "It's just sometimes I don't know if I'm gonna be able to deal, you know?"
"Of course you can deal," he said. "You're Buffy!"
She looked up at him skeptically.
"Buffy listen," he said, crouching down in front of her. "I've gone through some pretty dark times in my life, and faced some scary things, among them dating a bug lady, an Incan Mummy Princess and going to prom with a thousand-year-old former vengeance demon, who likes nothing more than to talk about her many, many male eviscerations. But let me tell you something. When it's dark, and I'm alone, and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think 'What would Buffy do?' You're the strongest person I've ever met. You've done and faced things that would make most men give up and run away, and you came through it stronger. You're my hero, Buff."
Buffy looked up at him, her eyes still wet. "You mean that?"
"Of course I do. Okay, so sometimes, when it's dark, and I'm alone, I think 'What is Buffy wearing?'"
"Can that be one of those things you never, ever tell me about?"
"Deal," he said, standing up and grinning. "Come on, let's go tackle some books, and see what they say about me. And later, we'll get ice cream."
* * * * *
"You know, I'd really like reading about myself more if there was actually something to read," Xander said. "Aren't there supposed to be prophecies about this stuff? More than just 'There will be hard times' and 'Mr. Room Temperature will name you'?"
"Hey, what did he name you? I wasn't here when you guys found out," Buffy said.
"He called Xander a White Knight," Oz said.
"When did he say that, Xan?" Willow asked. "I don't remember it either."
"Oh. . . yeah. Right. That was when Buffy was in the hospital, with that whole Der Kinderstod thing. Angelus showed up, and I kinda. . . got him to leave."
"Got him to leave?" Buffy asked. "How'd ya pull that one off?"
"I kind of, umm. . . well, I told him to leave," Xander said, a little embarrassed and not wanting to sound like a braggart. Xander shrugged. "He called me a White Knight and left. Oh, but he gave me flowers for you, Buffy. Sorry, I threw them out."
"So," Willow said, "what you're saying is that you faced Angelus down with no back up, and he ran away?"
"Um. . . I guess," he said.
"Wow," Oz said.
"Yes, wow is right. Xander, that was terribly foolish of you," said Giles.
"Well, what was I supposed to do? Let him get to Buffy and kill her? Or worse, turn her?"
"Well, no, but -"
"But nothing. I did what had to be done, and that's all," Xander said. "Besides, that's like a year and a half ago now."
"Yes. Well. I suppose we should get back to work."
"I agree with Giles," Xander said, wanting the attention off of him. "Hand me that book, would ya Buff?"
Diving back into research mode, the Scooby Gang searched for any prophecies they could find about the White Knight. Buffy neglected patrolling for the night, and they all stayed up until about 1:30 am looking for prophecies.
"Well, that one's a bust, too," said Willow, throwing a book back into the pile. "Not finding things isn't as fun as. . . well, finding them. And I'm tired."
"Yes, well, I think we've all done enough for one day," Giles said. "Why don't you three head home, and we'll pick up again in the morning."
After the three college-bound Scoobies left, Giles got ready to go to bed.
"Hey, I'm just gonna stay up for a little while and watch TV, ok Giles?"
"Certainly, Xander. Just keep the volume down?"
"No prob, G-man. G'night."
"Goodnight."
* * * * *
Giles looked through one of the books he had near his bed before he went to sleep, paging through it for any reference to the White Knight. His finger scrolled down the page, and paused as a phrase caught his eye. Adjusting his glasses, Giles re-read the passage twice before sighing.
"Well," he said to himself, "I certainly can't tell them that."
--------
End Chapter 2
"Okay. Buffy, punch me."
"What?"
"Hit me. In the chest. Hard."
"Xander, I am not going to punch you. You could get hurt!"
"I know, Buffy, but it's okay. Trust me. Punch me."
Buffy looked to Giles, who shrugged. Buffy shook her head.
"Okay," she said reluctantly.
She released a powerful right cross at Xander's chest, fully expecting to have to take him to the hospital afterwards.
Her fist never touched him. Instead, it hit a barrier that flashed white, about 6 inches from him. Xander never even flinched.
Buffy looked at Xander, surprised.
"Did you guys just see that?" She asked the others.
"Xander, what was that?" Willow asked.
"Like I said," he replied, "it's a kind of a thing."
"Fascinating," said Giles. "Does it work on anything?"
"What do you mean?" Xander asked.
"Well, can anything hit you? Arrows? Magic? Or is it just physical combat?"
"Oh. Well, I don't know about magic, I haven't tried that yet, but nothing else can hit me," he said. Xander then bent down, picked up a rock and tossed it to Oz.
"Here, throw that at me," he said.
Oz shrugged, and chucked the rock in Xander's direction. It hit the barrier with another white flash, and the rock dropped straight to the ground.
"See, it absorbs the force too. So whatever it is that hits me doesn't bounce off. It hits the. . . well, the thing, and stops. Arrows, bullets, fists, feet, whatever. Can't hit me."
"But," said Buffy, "then how was I able to hit you last night?"
"You hit him?" Willow asked, accusingly.
"Well, he snuck up on me, and he used this other voice, and I didn't know it was him!" she protested.
"It's all right," Xander said. "You hit me because I kinda have to turn it on in my head."
"So why don't you have a bruise? I hit you pretty hard."
"Huh," he said. "I don't know. I guess that's just another stage."
"Can you fight?" Buffy asked.
Xander grinned. "Like you wouldn't believe. When I fight, the barrier moves closer into my body, and doesn't absorb as much damage, although still a lot, but it hits whatever I'm fighting against, too. And with a lot more force than I ever could."
"Oh, this I have to see," said Giles.
Everyone looked at him.
"What? It's exciting!"
Shaking their heads, everyone looked back to Xander, who shrugged and dropped into a Karate stance across from Buffy. Buffy looked a little surprised. "Where'd you learn that?"
"I woke up one morning, a couple days after I found out about the shield, and I knew how to fight," he said, shifting to a Wu Shu stance. "This work better for you?"
"Whatever makes you happy," she said, getting into her normal fighting position.
"That's the second time you've said that. Buffy Summers, are you coming on to me?" he asked.
She gave him a sultry smile. "Are you gonna talk all day, or are we gonna fight?"
Xander grinned, extended one arm in front of him and gave her the universal 'bring it' hand motion. "I've always wanted to do that."
Buffy rushed Xander, attacking low, trying to take out his legs, but Xander jumped, landing behind her. Buffy spun to backhand him, but her arm was blocked by Xander's, while his leg shot out to kick her.
Buffy deflected his kick with her free hand, and tried one of her own. This kick was in turn blocked, while Xander aimed a punch at her head, which barely missed as she whipped her head back out of the way.
They both backed up a few steps, to regain their balance. This time, Xander took the initiative and attacked Buffy. They continued to fight for about five minutes, neither landing a blow the entire time.
"Yes, well, I think that's enough," Giles said, motioning for the two to stop fighting. "This is truly remarkable, Xander. When did you first notice the change?"
"About 3 weeks into my trip. I was in San Francisco, and got jumped by a couple of vamps. When I found out they couldn't hit me, I pulled a stake and chased after them. Didn't manage to dust 'em, though."
"And the fighting?"
"Like I said, a couple of days after the shield thingy. I just woke up and was pretty much all Bruce Lee like. A few days after that, I got some more speed and stuff, and I'm real agile now. It seems to come in stages."
"I see," Giles said. "Well, we shall certainly have to look into this more."
Buffy glared at Xander.
"What?" he asked.
"You put him in research mode. Xander, you put Giles in research mode."
"It's nothing we haven't done a hundred times before."
"I know, but he gets all British, and starts correcting grammar. Plus, we always have donuts in research mode, and I so do not need the extra calories right now."
"Buffy, you have a metabolism that can process an entire cow in a day, and you're worried about a couple of donuts?"
"Well, sometimes a girl likes to feel unpig-like."
"I never think you're pig-like."
"Don't think compliments are getting you out if this one, Harris. If Giles starts talking about ending a sentence with a preposition two days before school starts, that shield of yours won't be enough protection."
* * * * *
"Are there any other effects?" Giles asked, once they had returned to his apartment, complete with a box of donuts.
"Well. . . if I turn the shield on, then sit on a hard chair, my butt gets all glowy, but I don't think that's what you mean."
"No. Um, have you found you have heightened senses, o- or increased stamina, or something like that?"
"Well," Xander said, "Not that there was anything wrong with my stamina before, but yeah, I've got more. But that's a negatory on the increased awareness. I still pretty much bumble around like I always did, only now it doesn't hurt quite so much."
"Yes well, um, any other sort of. . . knowledge? Your hand-to-hand seems fairly well rounded, any other skills?"
"I dunno. I wield a mean stake, but that might just be from hanging around Buffy for so long. I haven't really tried any other weapons. I didn't know about the fighting until I ran into a few vamps in Portland. I started to fight, and the stuff just came to me. So maybe if I try fighting with some swords or something. I just haven't."
"Well, we shall have to test that out at some point. For now, I suggest we all hit the books, see what we can come up with, yes?"
Xander nodded and grabbed a book, excited about finding what was happening to him. Willow had already started reading through one of Giles's prophecy books, and was sitting on Giles's couch next to Oz, who seemed to be content watching her read. Buffy, on the other hand, was walking around, tidying up Giles's apartment, seemingly trying to find any way possible to get out of research.
"Buffy, we really do need to find out what's going on with Xander."
"But, Giles. . ." she whined, "don't wanna study."
"Buffy, if you don't grab a book this instant, I shall be forced to revoke your donut privileges."
"You wouldn't!"
"Don't test me, young woman. I may not officially be your Watcher any more, but I paid for those donuts, and they're not going to anybody who decides not to help."
Buffy looked to Willow for help, but Willow raised her hands as if to say 'not my fight.'
"Xan? Help?" she asked.
"Sorry Buff," he said, "you know I'd do anything for ya, but Giles here's my roof until I find a place to stay. My hands are tied."
Buffy gave one last pleading look to Giles, but he merely reached into the box, pulled out a jelly donut and took a big bite.
"Fine," Buffy said, grabbing a book and sitting down in a chair next to Xander, who was having trouble not laughing, "but I'm only doing this because you're my friend!"
Xander leaned over and gave her a quick hug. "Thank you, Buffy," he said, patronizingly.
Buffy grunted, grabbed a crème-filled and set to work looking through the book.
__ Three hours later
"Huh," said Oz.
Everybody looked up from their books.
"Didja find something sweetie?" Willow asked, leaning over Oz's book to see what he was reading.
"Maybe," Oz said, continuing to read.
"What does it say?" Giles asked.
Oz continued to read for a few seconds, then cleared his throat.
"It says 'He who is noble shall know his power once abandoned. He shall know his name by the wayward Souled, and once returned, shall fight along side the Chosen One, and through peril see her, as none other can.' And then it goes on about his powers. . . increased strength, the shield thing, some martial arts and weapons knowledge, and apparently some powers of healing, which sound pretty nifty."
"Healing? Like, I don't get bruises and stuff?" Xander asked.
"That, yeah," Oz said, handing the book to Giles. "But also like poison curing, 'share my aura' healing."
"Wow," Xander said.
"Yeah," said Oz. "Nifty."
"'The wayward Souled,'" Giles read. "Do you suppose that means Angel?"
"Or, more likely Angelus," Willow said. "Cuz of the 'wayward.'"
"Yes, of course," Giles said. "Xander, do you remember anything Angelus ever called you?"
"You mean other than worthless? No, I've pretty much blocked out that whole timeframe in my head."
"Yes, right. Well, I suppose we shall have to call him," Giles said.
"You have his phone number?" Buffy asked. "How come you have his phone number?"
"Well, he. . . called me a day or two ago. He and Cordelia have apparently set up some sort of. . . for hire detective agency, in Los Angeles. He gave me his phone number. . . you know, for emergencies and the like."
"He's working with Cordy?" Xander asked. "Well that's gotta be fun."
Buffy looked upset. "Yeah. Well, I have a. . . um. Thing. I'll. . . be back. . . later," she said, getting up and walking out, quickly.
"Good going, Giles," Willow said, following Buffy outside.
"What did I do?" he asked.
"I think the Buffster's still got Deadboy issues," Xander said.
"Oh," Giles said. "But it's been more than three months since he left. Surely she can handle talking about him by now."
"Talking's one thing G-man," Xander said. "But he called you, and not her. Not the easiest thing to hear. Plus, you know how love makes you do the wacky. Things like this take time."
"Yes, I do suppose you're right," Giles said. "So, um. . . do you wish to call him, or shall I?"
"Yeah, me and Overbite never got a long too well. I think maybe you'd better do the calling."
* * * * *
"Angel Investigations, we help the hopeless," Cordelia said, answering the phone.
[Cordelia, hello] Giles said. [Um, is Angel around?]
"Giles! Oh my gosh, how are you?!?" she asked. "How's the gang?"
[Yes, uh, we're all doing quite well. And yourself?]
"Oh, well, you know, I'm helping Angel out with his whole 'paying for my sins' thing, but it's totally just temporary until I can get an acting job. Actually, I met this really important director guy the other day, and he was so about to help me out and get me a job, but it turned out he was a vampire, and he had lured me into this GORGEOUS mansion that he lived in, but Angel came and totally kicked his ass, and then the next day, Angel walked into this big law firm type place, where the guy was at because they're his lawyers, and he just threw him out a window, right into the sunlight! Can you believe, the one offer I get is from a vampire? It's like I bring Sunnydale with me!"
[Um, yes, quite. Er, is Angel around, by any chance?] Giles asked, hoping the question would register this time. [It's quite important, really.]
"Oh sure, hold on a second," she said. "ANGEL! GILES IS ON THE PHONE!!"
Putting the phone back to her ear, she heard Giles, [. . .some warning next time. Xander, did you know she had lungs like that?] She heard laughter in the background.
"Oh, you so do not want him to answer that, Giles," Cordelia said.
"Giles, how are you?" Angel asked as he picked up the phone.
"He's impressed with my lung power," Cordelia said.
[Um, yes. Right. Angel, I have a question, although I'm not quite sure, um, whether you'll remember the answer or not. It's about your time in Sunnydale.]
"I remember everything from when I was in Sunnydale. I have had 240 years to hone my memory skills," Angel said.
[Yes, but it's about when you were. . . not quite yourself.]
"Oh," said Angel, becoming a little more uncomfortable. "Well, I suppose I can try to remember what. . . he did."
[Well, it's not so much something Angelus did, more what he said.] Giles explained. [Something he said to Xander.]
"To Xander?" Cordelia said. "What would Angelus have said to Xander?"
[That's what we're trying to figure out. He. . . as silly as it sounds, he called Xander a name, and we need to know what it was. We don't know when, and Xander can't remember. Angel, if you can remember anything. . .]
"I'll try. But why do you need to know this?" Angel asked.
[Well, we've come across a prophecy--] Giles started.
"That deals with Xander?!?" Cordelia asked, incredulously. "What did he ever do to deserve a prophecy?"
[Hanging around with a Slayer and a souled vampire, it's a wonder we don't all have prophecies about us] Giles said. [But Xander has recently. . . acquired some new abilities. And there seems to be a prophecy about it, but we can't find what to call him. It's just, the prophecy Oz found says Angelus named him.]
"What exactly does the prophecy say?" Angel asked. "It might be helpful if I knew what I'm supposed to be remembering."
[Yes. Of course. Oz, hand me that book, would you? The prophecy reads 'He who is noble shall know his power once abandoned. He shall know his mantle by the wayward Souled, and once returned, shall fight along side the Chosen One, and through peril see her, as none other can.' We thought that you were the wayward Souled, or, well, Angelus was.]
__
{Flashback}
Xander is standing in a white hall, looking Angelus in the face.
"Visiting hours are over," Xander said.
"Well, I'm pretty much family," Angelus said.
"Yeah? Why don't you come back during the day? Oh, gee, no, I guess you can't."
Angelus leaned in, threateningly. "If I decide to walk into Buffy's room, do you think for one microsecond that you could stop me?"
"Maybe not. Maybe those security guards couldn't either. Or those cops. . . or the orderlies. . .. But I'm kinda curious to find out. You game?"
Angelus paused. "Buffy's White Knight. You still love her." Angelus leaned in close. "It must just eat you up that I got there first."
"You're gonna die," Xander said. "And I'm gonna be there."
Angelus slapped a bouquet of flowers into Xander's chest. "Tell her I stopped by," he said, and then walked back through the waiting room towards the elevator.
{End Flashback} __
"White Knight," Angel said into the phone. "I called him Buffy's White Knight. When she was in the hospital with that flu. . . from Der Kinderstod or whatever it was."
[Oh. Oh, yes, I see. Thank you. I do seem to recall a few entries about that in some of my books. Thank you.] Giles said. [Do you mind my asking why?]
"I don't mind you asking," Angel said, "but I'm willing to bet he can tell you better than I can, once you jog his memory."
[Of course, I shall have to ask him] Giles said.
"Giles, what did you mean abandoned?" Cordelia asked.
[Oh. Well, it appears that about two months ago, while Xander was out traveling, his parents sold their house and left town. I haven't done the math yet, but that appears to be about the time his powers began to manifest themselves, so it would seem to fit] Giles said.
"Oh my gosh, is he okay?" Cordelia asked.
[Yes, he seems to be doing quite well. He's staying with me for the time being.]
"Okay. Well tell him to call me if he needs anything," Cordelia said. "I still owe him after that last little stunt he pulled at prom, no matter what he says."
[Yes, of course. I'm sure he'll be grateful. Um, I really must be going, I'm afraid. We still have quite a bit of research to do.]
"Of course," Angel said. "Um, Cor, could you. . ."
"Yeah, yeah," she said. "Bye Giles."
*click*
"So, Giles. . . how is she?" Angel asked.
[Well, she seemed to be doing fine, until I mentioned today that I had been in contact with you. She. . . kind of stormed out, and then Willow yelled at me and followed her.]
"But, normally. . ."
[Normally, she seems to be doing quite well.]
"Okay. Well, if you need anything. . ." Angel said.
[Of course, you'll be the first we call. Thank you, Angel.]
* * * * *
"Go away," Buffy said, sitting on a bench near Giles's apartment. "I'm fine."
"Buffy, you're not fine," Willow said. "You're obviously upset. Come on, talk to me."
"I'm fine, it's just. . . how come he talked to Giles, and not to me? Didn't he know I'd want to talk?"
"Maybe he did," Willow said. "And maybe that's why he didn't call you."
"But that doesn't make sense," Buffy said, tears forming in her eyes. "If he knew I would want to talk. . ."
"But, Buffy, listen. Angel loves, you, okay? But he knows that you need to get over him, and that's more important than him talking to you. Buffy, we all know you miss him, I'm sure he does too. But even you have to agree that you're better off without him. I know it hurts, but you two had no future. We talked about this. It's hard, but you need to let him go."
"I know. I mean, I can usually go all day without thinking of him. In fact, I didn't even notice that I didn't think of him until today. Sometimes I just miss him so much."
"I know, Buffy. But we're here for you, all of us. We may not know the right thing to say all the time, or. . . or at all, but we love you. And you can talk to all of us, about anything. Well, okay, maybe not Giles so much, cuz you know, that'd give him major wiggins, but in a less graphic way, him too."
"Thanks," Buffy said, smiling and wiping her tears away. "I think I just need to maybe get back out there, see if somebody can take my mind off him."
"You mean like a rebound guy?" Willow asked, a little worried.
"No," Buffy said. "Not a rebound. . . but, maybe a nice guy, with a pulse who doesn't know about all my. . . stuff, and just wants me for me. And who's hot."
Willow smiled. "Well, that never hurts. You wanna go back inside?"
Buffy smiled and shook her head. "In a few minutes. I need to clean me up."
"Okay," Willow said. "Well, we'll all be here."
Willow got up and walked back inside.
"How is she?" asked Xander, who was waiting at the door for the girls to come back.
"Gettin' better, but still not all the way there," Willow replied. "You should go talk to her. She might like to hear what must be your unique perspective on the situation."
"Ya think? Cuz I never have been a fan of Deadboy, and I'm not sure she needs to hear that."
"I know, but just be tactful. I'm sure she'll appreciate whatever it is you have to say."
"'Kay."
"Good," said Willow. "Now I'm gonna go apologize to Giles, cuz of being snappy."
Xander smiled. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Xander walked up to where Buffy was sitting.
"You know, it's not safe out here," he said as he approached her.
"Xan, it's 4:30 in the afternoon. The sun is still up," Buffy said.
"I know. That's what I mean. A pretty young thing like you, all alone... might get skin cancer."
Buffy laughed while wiping her eyes.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yeah," Buffy said. "It's just sometimes I don't know if I'm gonna be able to deal, you know?"
"Of course you can deal," he said. "You're Buffy!"
She looked up at him skeptically.
"Buffy listen," he said, crouching down in front of her. "I've gone through some pretty dark times in my life, and faced some scary things, among them dating a bug lady, an Incan Mummy Princess and going to prom with a thousand-year-old former vengeance demon, who likes nothing more than to talk about her many, many male eviscerations. But let me tell you something. When it's dark, and I'm alone, and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think 'What would Buffy do?' You're the strongest person I've ever met. You've done and faced things that would make most men give up and run away, and you came through it stronger. You're my hero, Buff."
Buffy looked up at him, her eyes still wet. "You mean that?"
"Of course I do. Okay, so sometimes, when it's dark, and I'm alone, I think 'What is Buffy wearing?'"
"Can that be one of those things you never, ever tell me about?"
"Deal," he said, standing up and grinning. "Come on, let's go tackle some books, and see what they say about me. And later, we'll get ice cream."
* * * * *
"You know, I'd really like reading about myself more if there was actually something to read," Xander said. "Aren't there supposed to be prophecies about this stuff? More than just 'There will be hard times' and 'Mr. Room Temperature will name you'?"
"Hey, what did he name you? I wasn't here when you guys found out," Buffy said.
"He called Xander a White Knight," Oz said.
"When did he say that, Xan?" Willow asked. "I don't remember it either."
"Oh. . . yeah. Right. That was when Buffy was in the hospital, with that whole Der Kinderstod thing. Angelus showed up, and I kinda. . . got him to leave."
"Got him to leave?" Buffy asked. "How'd ya pull that one off?"
"I kind of, umm. . . well, I told him to leave," Xander said, a little embarrassed and not wanting to sound like a braggart. Xander shrugged. "He called me a White Knight and left. Oh, but he gave me flowers for you, Buffy. Sorry, I threw them out."
"So," Willow said, "what you're saying is that you faced Angelus down with no back up, and he ran away?"
"Um. . . I guess," he said.
"Wow," Oz said.
"Yes, wow is right. Xander, that was terribly foolish of you," said Giles.
"Well, what was I supposed to do? Let him get to Buffy and kill her? Or worse, turn her?"
"Well, no, but -"
"But nothing. I did what had to be done, and that's all," Xander said. "Besides, that's like a year and a half ago now."
"Yes. Well. I suppose we should get back to work."
"I agree with Giles," Xander said, wanting the attention off of him. "Hand me that book, would ya Buff?"
Diving back into research mode, the Scooby Gang searched for any prophecies they could find about the White Knight. Buffy neglected patrolling for the night, and they all stayed up until about 1:30 am looking for prophecies.
"Well, that one's a bust, too," said Willow, throwing a book back into the pile. "Not finding things isn't as fun as. . . well, finding them. And I'm tired."
"Yes, well, I think we've all done enough for one day," Giles said. "Why don't you three head home, and we'll pick up again in the morning."
After the three college-bound Scoobies left, Giles got ready to go to bed.
"Hey, I'm just gonna stay up for a little while and watch TV, ok Giles?"
"Certainly, Xander. Just keep the volume down?"
"No prob, G-man. G'night."
"Goodnight."
* * * * *
Giles looked through one of the books he had near his bed before he went to sleep, paging through it for any reference to the White Knight. His finger scrolled down the page, and paused as a phrase caught his eye. Adjusting his glasses, Giles re-read the passage twice before sighing.
"Well," he said to himself, "I certainly can't tell them that."
--------
End Chapter 2
