"Xander?" Buffy asked as she opened her door. "Oh. Hi."
"Can I come in?" Angel asked.
"I guess. . ."
"I. . . kind of need more than that," he said.
"Oh. Right. Come in."
"Thanks," he said, moving in to give Buffy a kiss.
"Whoa, whoa," said Buffy, pulling away from him. "Back off there. You don't get to do that anymore."
"But I-"
"You what, Angel? You left. Or don't you remember that?"
"I told you, it was for the best."
"And I didn't agree, although I've changed my mind since then."
"What, because of Xander?"
"No, because of me. I realized this summer that you were right. You and me? We don't work. We can't work. You can't give me what I need."
"Oh, and I suppose he can?"
"Yes! He can. He can give me a normal, healthy relationship with love, and real feeling. He can take me into the sunlight and not constantly hurt me."
"He will hurt you."
"You don't believe that anymore than I do. God, what is it with you? You left, you don't get a say in my life anymore!"
"I don't want you to get hurt!"
"Well neither do I! But that's all that happens when you're around. That's why you left, so that this wouldn't happen anymore."
"I don't think he's right for you."
Buffy glared at him. "Xander is more right for me than anybody has ever been. Even you."
Angel looked hurt at that. "What we have. . ."
"Had, Angel. Not have. You can't do this. I'm with Xander now, and I'm going to stay that way. I feel whole when I'm with him. I need him. And he needs me."
"And neither of them needs you."
Buffy and Angel turned to see Giles standing at the door.
"I received a telephone call from a man named Doyle. He says he had a vision, and you are needed in Los Angeles, but he couldn't find you. He thought I might be able to help. It appears he was right."
"Giles, I-"
"You needn't explain yourself to me, Angel. I don't care. But your time here has passed, and you should leave."
"But-"
"He's right," said Buffy. "This isn't your place anymore. You know that as well as the rest of us. I love you, Angel. But you have to leave."
"How?" asked Angel, his eyes watering. "If you love me, how can I. . ."
"Because it's right," said Xander, stepping into the room. "Because it's necessary."
"This is your fault!" Angel said, rushing at him. Xander easily sidestepped, grabbed Angel's wrist and flipped him onto his back and placed his foot on Angel's neck.
"It's nobody's fault, Angel," Xander said without a hint of malice in his voice. "Sometimes, things just are." Xander moved away from Angel and stood next to Buffy.
"Buffy loves you, Angel. And you love her. Nothing will ever change that," he said. "Not even me. And I wouldn't want to, either. It's a part of what makes her Buffy, the woman I love."
Giles helped Angel sit up.
"You said some pretty harsh and very untrue things in the cemetery," Xander continued. "And I think you know it, too. You weren't the only one, either, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry. You're not him, and what I said was unfair."
"I suppose you expect me to apologize?"
"I don't expect you to do anything," Xander said, "although an apology wouldn't be out of line. It doesn't matter to me, though, because I forgive you what you said. I know you're trying to protect Buffy, but that's not your job anymore. Nor is it mine or Giles's, or anybody else's. Buffy can take care of herself. She makes her own decisions, and we support her. It's what we do. I may have powers now, and I don't really understand why. But at the end of the day, I'm still a Slayerette. I still follow Buffy's lead, and back her up. I'm just a little better equipped to do it, is all."
Buffy walked over and crouched down in front of her ex-lover. "It's time to move on," she said. "It will take time, but you'll be okay. The only reason I'm as good as I am is because I have these amazing friends who help me through everything."
"It's time to leave, Angel," said Giles. "You are needed elsewhere."
Angel looked down at his lap, then nodded and got to his feet and turned to leave.
"Angel," Xander said calmly. Angel paused at the door, but didn't turn around. "I forgave you tonight, because Buffy loves you, and you're important to her. But don't ever say anything like you did again. Insult me, mock me, call me worthless, whatever, I don't care. Question my love for Buffy again, and you'll be filling out the inside of a dustbuster."
Angel stood at the door another moment, then walked sullenly into the hallway. Giles nodded a quick goodbye to the pair and followed Angel. Buffy wrapped her arm around Xander's waist, and they stood, holding each other for a minute. Eventually, they just started to dance.
"You're not, you know," she said.
"Not what?" he asked.
"Just a Slayerette. You've got these powers now. You're a front-line guy. More than just back-up."
Xander looked down at Buffy and smiled. "No I'm not," he said. "You're the champion here, I'm the guy who makes your load a little easier. Supporto- guy, just like always."
"That's not true, you make it sound so inferior, so much. . . less."
"It is true, Buffy. But it's not less, it's just what I do."
"But, I don't want you to feel like that, Xander. I love you, and you do so much more than just help me in fights. You're my rock, the guy I count on. You're always there for me, even if it's just stupid girl stuff, and not the end of the world. You're always on the front line in my life."
Xander laughed. "Oh, that. Yeah, I do that. All that stuff I said about not being your protector? That was just about the fighting. Vampires and stuff. I'm not your protector on the battlefield, Buffy, we all know that. But I plan to protect you in every other way possible, for as long as I live. If you'll let me."
"So you were lying to Angel?"
"Not at all," he said. "Just not letting him in on the whole truth. I really don't like that guy."
"What did he say to you?"
"You don't want to know. Let's just say it was bad, and leave it there."
"What did you say to him?"
"Not good things."
"Hmph. You know, you're seriouser than you used to be."
"I resent that. And 'seriouser'? Is that even a word?"
"It is if I say it is."
"I can accept that."
"Besides, it's true. Ever since you got back from your trip, you don't make as much with the funny."
"I don't know. I guess I'm just. . . growing up, or something. Hey, maybe we should find some more of that band candy and. . ."
"No! The last time we had that there was. . . ickyness with Giles and my Mom."
"Ickyness? Like what kind of -- oh my god they had sex."
"Yeah. It's not a happy thing."
"How did you find out?"
"When I was telepathic that one time."
Xander stopped dancing. "Our lives are so far from normal it scares me sometimes."
"Yeah," said Buffy, as they started moving again. "Makes things interesting though. I mean, how many guys can say they can field strip an M-16 in under a minute because of a Halloween costume?"
"And how many girls can say they blew up the mayor and got away with it?"
"Or that their best friend is a hacker and a witch?"
"Who is dating a werewolf."
"And how many girls can say that their boyfriend once brought them back to life after she had been killed at the hands of a vampire?"
"Mmm. . . not that many, I'm thinking."
"I'm thinking any girl who can. . . well, she'd be really lucky."
"She would, would she?"
"Yup. And she would have to make sure her boyfriend knows how much she loves him."
"Well, she should also keep in mind that she's saved her boyfriend's life numerous times. But her boyfriend is glad to hear about how much she loves him, and would like her to know that he loves her as well."
"I'm sure she already knows."
Xander leaned down and kissed Buffy full on the lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Xander. But I'm tired now, and I have to study tomorrow."
"Okay," Xander said. "Should I. . ."
"No," she said. "You're staying here tonight. Now turn around, I have to change."
Xander grinned as he turned around.
"And don't stand in front of Willow's mirror."
The grin disappeared as he moved. "You know me too well," he said.
"And this is a bad thing?"
"No, but it on occasion takes away my fun."
"Hey, Xan, what do you usually sleep in?"
"My boxers, why?"
"So, you don't think it will be fun to sleep with me in *just* your boxers?"
"You know, you really do raise an excellent point."
"Try not to sound so surprised."
"Just surprised I didn't think of it."
"Ah. You can turn around now."
Xander turned and saw Buffy in a tank top and sweatpants, her hair up in a ponytail.
"Wow," he said. "You look beautiful."
"In this?"
"In anything, but yes, in that."
Buffy smiled. "Thank you. Now come on, I'm tired."
"Yes, ma'am," Xander said, quickly shedding most of his layers and lying down on Buffy's bed. She quickly snuggled up next to him.
"Mmm. . . comfy," she said.
"I kind of like it myself."
"Love you, Xander."
"I love you, too, Buffy."
----------
End Chapter 11
"Can I come in?" Angel asked.
"I guess. . ."
"I. . . kind of need more than that," he said.
"Oh. Right. Come in."
"Thanks," he said, moving in to give Buffy a kiss.
"Whoa, whoa," said Buffy, pulling away from him. "Back off there. You don't get to do that anymore."
"But I-"
"You what, Angel? You left. Or don't you remember that?"
"I told you, it was for the best."
"And I didn't agree, although I've changed my mind since then."
"What, because of Xander?"
"No, because of me. I realized this summer that you were right. You and me? We don't work. We can't work. You can't give me what I need."
"Oh, and I suppose he can?"
"Yes! He can. He can give me a normal, healthy relationship with love, and real feeling. He can take me into the sunlight and not constantly hurt me."
"He will hurt you."
"You don't believe that anymore than I do. God, what is it with you? You left, you don't get a say in my life anymore!"
"I don't want you to get hurt!"
"Well neither do I! But that's all that happens when you're around. That's why you left, so that this wouldn't happen anymore."
"I don't think he's right for you."
Buffy glared at him. "Xander is more right for me than anybody has ever been. Even you."
Angel looked hurt at that. "What we have. . ."
"Had, Angel. Not have. You can't do this. I'm with Xander now, and I'm going to stay that way. I feel whole when I'm with him. I need him. And he needs me."
"And neither of them needs you."
Buffy and Angel turned to see Giles standing at the door.
"I received a telephone call from a man named Doyle. He says he had a vision, and you are needed in Los Angeles, but he couldn't find you. He thought I might be able to help. It appears he was right."
"Giles, I-"
"You needn't explain yourself to me, Angel. I don't care. But your time here has passed, and you should leave."
"But-"
"He's right," said Buffy. "This isn't your place anymore. You know that as well as the rest of us. I love you, Angel. But you have to leave."
"How?" asked Angel, his eyes watering. "If you love me, how can I. . ."
"Because it's right," said Xander, stepping into the room. "Because it's necessary."
"This is your fault!" Angel said, rushing at him. Xander easily sidestepped, grabbed Angel's wrist and flipped him onto his back and placed his foot on Angel's neck.
"It's nobody's fault, Angel," Xander said without a hint of malice in his voice. "Sometimes, things just are." Xander moved away from Angel and stood next to Buffy.
"Buffy loves you, Angel. And you love her. Nothing will ever change that," he said. "Not even me. And I wouldn't want to, either. It's a part of what makes her Buffy, the woman I love."
Giles helped Angel sit up.
"You said some pretty harsh and very untrue things in the cemetery," Xander continued. "And I think you know it, too. You weren't the only one, either, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry. You're not him, and what I said was unfair."
"I suppose you expect me to apologize?"
"I don't expect you to do anything," Xander said, "although an apology wouldn't be out of line. It doesn't matter to me, though, because I forgive you what you said. I know you're trying to protect Buffy, but that's not your job anymore. Nor is it mine or Giles's, or anybody else's. Buffy can take care of herself. She makes her own decisions, and we support her. It's what we do. I may have powers now, and I don't really understand why. But at the end of the day, I'm still a Slayerette. I still follow Buffy's lead, and back her up. I'm just a little better equipped to do it, is all."
Buffy walked over and crouched down in front of her ex-lover. "It's time to move on," she said. "It will take time, but you'll be okay. The only reason I'm as good as I am is because I have these amazing friends who help me through everything."
"It's time to leave, Angel," said Giles. "You are needed elsewhere."
Angel looked down at his lap, then nodded and got to his feet and turned to leave.
"Angel," Xander said calmly. Angel paused at the door, but didn't turn around. "I forgave you tonight, because Buffy loves you, and you're important to her. But don't ever say anything like you did again. Insult me, mock me, call me worthless, whatever, I don't care. Question my love for Buffy again, and you'll be filling out the inside of a dustbuster."
Angel stood at the door another moment, then walked sullenly into the hallway. Giles nodded a quick goodbye to the pair and followed Angel. Buffy wrapped her arm around Xander's waist, and they stood, holding each other for a minute. Eventually, they just started to dance.
"You're not, you know," she said.
"Not what?" he asked.
"Just a Slayerette. You've got these powers now. You're a front-line guy. More than just back-up."
Xander looked down at Buffy and smiled. "No I'm not," he said. "You're the champion here, I'm the guy who makes your load a little easier. Supporto- guy, just like always."
"That's not true, you make it sound so inferior, so much. . . less."
"It is true, Buffy. But it's not less, it's just what I do."
"But, I don't want you to feel like that, Xander. I love you, and you do so much more than just help me in fights. You're my rock, the guy I count on. You're always there for me, even if it's just stupid girl stuff, and not the end of the world. You're always on the front line in my life."
Xander laughed. "Oh, that. Yeah, I do that. All that stuff I said about not being your protector? That was just about the fighting. Vampires and stuff. I'm not your protector on the battlefield, Buffy, we all know that. But I plan to protect you in every other way possible, for as long as I live. If you'll let me."
"So you were lying to Angel?"
"Not at all," he said. "Just not letting him in on the whole truth. I really don't like that guy."
"What did he say to you?"
"You don't want to know. Let's just say it was bad, and leave it there."
"What did you say to him?"
"Not good things."
"Hmph. You know, you're seriouser than you used to be."
"I resent that. And 'seriouser'? Is that even a word?"
"It is if I say it is."
"I can accept that."
"Besides, it's true. Ever since you got back from your trip, you don't make as much with the funny."
"I don't know. I guess I'm just. . . growing up, or something. Hey, maybe we should find some more of that band candy and. . ."
"No! The last time we had that there was. . . ickyness with Giles and my Mom."
"Ickyness? Like what kind of -- oh my god they had sex."
"Yeah. It's not a happy thing."
"How did you find out?"
"When I was telepathic that one time."
Xander stopped dancing. "Our lives are so far from normal it scares me sometimes."
"Yeah," said Buffy, as they started moving again. "Makes things interesting though. I mean, how many guys can say they can field strip an M-16 in under a minute because of a Halloween costume?"
"And how many girls can say they blew up the mayor and got away with it?"
"Or that their best friend is a hacker and a witch?"
"Who is dating a werewolf."
"And how many girls can say that their boyfriend once brought them back to life after she had been killed at the hands of a vampire?"
"Mmm. . . not that many, I'm thinking."
"I'm thinking any girl who can. . . well, she'd be really lucky."
"She would, would she?"
"Yup. And she would have to make sure her boyfriend knows how much she loves him."
"Well, she should also keep in mind that she's saved her boyfriend's life numerous times. But her boyfriend is glad to hear about how much she loves him, and would like her to know that he loves her as well."
"I'm sure she already knows."
Xander leaned down and kissed Buffy full on the lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Xander. But I'm tired now, and I have to study tomorrow."
"Okay," Xander said. "Should I. . ."
"No," she said. "You're staying here tonight. Now turn around, I have to change."
Xander grinned as he turned around.
"And don't stand in front of Willow's mirror."
The grin disappeared as he moved. "You know me too well," he said.
"And this is a bad thing?"
"No, but it on occasion takes away my fun."
"Hey, Xan, what do you usually sleep in?"
"My boxers, why?"
"So, you don't think it will be fun to sleep with me in *just* your boxers?"
"You know, you really do raise an excellent point."
"Try not to sound so surprised."
"Just surprised I didn't think of it."
"Ah. You can turn around now."
Xander turned and saw Buffy in a tank top and sweatpants, her hair up in a ponytail.
"Wow," he said. "You look beautiful."
"In this?"
"In anything, but yes, in that."
Buffy smiled. "Thank you. Now come on, I'm tired."
"Yes, ma'am," Xander said, quickly shedding most of his layers and lying down on Buffy's bed. She quickly snuggled up next to him.
"Mmm. . . comfy," she said.
"I kind of like it myself."
"Love you, Xander."
"I love you, too, Buffy."
----------
End Chapter 11
