Title: Inevitability (Prologue/?)

Author: Michael Dunbar

Disclaimer: Joss and CO own everything about the Buff Verse

Timeline: Set in season 2 sometime after Angel went bad. No other slayers exist either.

Summary: What's preordained cannot be changed

Author's notes: Just getting back into the swing of things with a Xander POV fic. I'm trying to write the last parts of my immortal years story as I type this, ill get it done within the next few months hopefully.

Author's notes 2: I'm also looking for a beta reader and somebody to throw ideas at if anybody's interested.

Author's notes 3: This will be an average length fic, something along the lines of 10 parts or something.

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I'm hurting bad, the pain in my side is a stabbing pain that just seems to be getting sharper by the minute.

My head hurts even worse than my side and I can feel the blood trickling down the side of my face from the injury that I can't seem to really remember getting.

All I really remember really was a wall coming towards me and then pain and darkness.

I'm sure my arms broken or dislocated or something; it hurts a lot although I try really hard not to focus on that in the here and now.

It isn't really good for the thought processes or the ability to move and besides if I did I'd be tempted to sit down in a corner somewhere and cry.

"Come on tough man" I goad myself, it helps me have some semblance of control other my bodily functions.

I seem to be losing that control by the second.

The stake is snug in my only working hand and my only protection against the advancing figure.

His eyes are feral yellow and he has a smirk on his face, that evil bastard.

I hate him.

I hate what he did to my friends.

But most of all

I hate what he did to Buffy.

He always thought he was so tough, so hard, so Mr. I can't be beaten by anyone even a slayer.

Angelus is hurting though, despite the smirk.

I think the sword sticking from his side and the bruises lining his face have something to do with that.

I'm glad I brought that sword along.

But I can't fool myself. I can try but it won't do much good.

I am not in a good position right now, fucked up pretty badly with only a stake and an ugly vampire for company.

But then I was prepared for this inevitability I knew it would come down to this from the beginning.

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(5 days earlier)

"Come on Wills" I moan at her with a sad look on my face.

I knew it'd get to her.

It always did.

No one can resist my moaning voice; they always give in at the end.

What can I say, I know how to annoy to the next level of annoyingness.. ness.

"But Xan I've got to get my own work finished and patrol with Buffy and Giles.. and do my hair and meet Oz and. "

Big guns time

I look at her like someone kicked my puppy, all head down eyes glazed over in a sad pathetic looking way.

3

2

1

"Oh who am I kidding; of course I'll help you with your history homework"

Bringing her into a sideways hug I smile widely.

Knew it would work.

"But you be prepared to work, I'm not doing it for you this time and no television. You are not watching badly dubbed Bollywood movies while we work"

Damn

I have to do work this time, I can tell there's no room for diplomacy.

Willow's resolve face is on and even I don't mess with that

"Fine." I moan again "I'll work I promise, now come on. to the library fair wench"

Willow looks at me likes she's going to use a bad spell to turn me into something horrible.

Like Angels hair gel.

"Relax Wills I'm just getting into the history thing.."

"The homework's on world war 2" Willow reply's with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay then mein Fuhrer.. To Ze head quarters" I try out my best German accent and cause her to laugh outright as we head for the library.

The days were getting better

Buffy isn't as down, depressed and sad as she used to be a few week back which I am personally glad about.

She even smiles occasionally, just occasionally though.

But then I guess it's hard to smile when the one you love is out there and wants to kill you and your friends.

Not much to smile about

But that's what I am here for, to make her smile

I always like a challenge

Well one that isn't particularly difficult anyways

What can I say, I'm a lazy individual. I can live with it.

"Buffster" I smile widely as I see my friend sitting at the table reading some big book.

Obviously some research thingy going down.

Willow heads straight for the computer

I just lean on the table and put my bag on the floor.

"How is my favourite slayer today? "

"Favourite?" She says with a smile playing on her lips "I am the one and only Xander"

"Well that only proves my point then although id say you rely too much on that one and only business"

"hmm Xander" I turn my head way too fast and nearly fall over and hear Buffy stifle a giggle at the side of me.

I stick my tongue out at her then turn my attention back to Giles "Yes G dude"

"hmmm" I know that he is thinking of something to say to my new moniker for him but he just takes his glasses off and rubs his nose in an irate manner.

For that I have just gained 5 bucks from my good red headed friend and can't help but turn and smile smugly over at her.

Willow just sticks her middle finger up and flips me the bird.

"I need your help moving something in my office.." Giles finally says after grabbing my attention once more.

"Me? But you've got your very own on call weight lifting, bench pressing a Buick, Slayer sitting right here."

"I don't lift" Buffy simply replies with a smile, the one that always causes me to go weak at the knees "I might break a nail"

"Oh no" I reply sarcastically "We wouldn't want that"

Giles rubs his nose again and puts his glasses back in there place "Must you be so tiresome. the sooner we get it done the sooner you can get back to your laying about time"

"You know, I resent that implication Giles"

"I only tell the truth" he says with an annoying pompous smile.

"Fine I'll do this moving thing but if I get an hernia don't think I won't sue, I'll take you for every penny Mr cant move a stupid thing in my office"

As it was I didn't hurt myself unfortunately.

Accident Direct would have been on him like a vampire on a virgin.

"XANDER!!"

Oh great, Queen C has arrived.

She can kiss great but sometimes I really wish she couldn't talk.

"XANDER"

Scratch sometimes.

All of the time.

"Yea Cordy"

Cordelia is standing near the door of the library and looks pretty angry.

Even more angry than she usually is

I take a step towards her but she holds up her hands motioning for me to stay where I am or lose something vital to my manliness.

"Did you forget something last night by any chance? "

I thought real hard for about 5 seconds.

The date

I totally forgot about our date to the cinema.

She must have been there all alone.

I might as well just carve my own headstone, dig a grave and jump in because I am going to be on the wrong end of a rather pointy shoe any moment now.

"Ermmmm." is all I manage to get out.

"Yes ERMM!!" Cordelia shouts out "You were supposed to be with me, your girlfriend. You know. girlfriend. I'm sure even you can grasp that"

"Well Cor you see."

How is the Xandman going to get himself out of this one?

"He was patrolling last night" Buffy says quietly from her seat "We were patrolling."

Thanks Buff

But somehow I don't think that's going to make her any happier.

"What can't miss slayalot do it on her own now? She has to steal my boyfriend and put his life in danger."

I have to intervene; I don't want a fight between Cordelia and Buffy.

Cordelia would be a stain on the floor in 5 seconds.

"Look Co."

"No you look" She interrupts sadly "I.. I think we should call it quits"

I remain quiet not really knowing what to stay, so I just stand there dumbly and watch as she walks out of the library.

The closet excursions would be sorely missed.

But more than that, I thought I was actually getting to know her.

Getting to know Queen C what a joke

I feel a hand on my arm and turn to see Buffy looking at me with worry and put on a fake smile.

"Are you okay Xan?"

"I'm fine" I reassure her and widen my smile "Just fine, I've got something to do before classes start. I'll see you later folks"

Exiting the library I head towards the main entrance of the school and take a deep breath.

Country music here I come.