Title Series: A Hairy Situation
Rating: PG-13
Chapter: Three
Author: White Werewolf
Category: Buffy/Xander
Spoilers/Timeframe: Season 6. Before Xander's failed marriage, and Spuffy is happening. Willow and Tara are separated due to Willow's magic use. And Dawn almost got killed because of Willow's problem.
Summery: While on a camping trip, Xander starts to go through some changes. And, it's for the better.
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We arrived at the campsite within two hours. As soon as Buffy pulled up to the front entrance, I jumped out of the car, and looked at the girls. With a smile, I said, "Be right back."
Then I left them to head to the front counter. The building was made to look like it had a Native American motif. I approached the counter, and there was a sign. It read, "Ring Bell For Service."
So I did. I rung the bell, and a young man with brown hair and hazel eyes said, "Welcome to Arnold's Camping Site. How may I help you?"
I looked at the man's nametag, and it read, Marion. Can you believe it? This guy's name is Marion. I had to hold my laughter, and I did. I was proud of myself. "Yes, Marion. I'd like to pay for a three day weekend. How much is that?"
"It will be seventy-five dollars, Mr....?"
"Harris. Xander Harris." As soon as I said that, I realized that I said my name like James Bond. Yes I know, it was a shameless attempt to seem cool, but come on, who doesn't want to be James Bond, Connery was the man.
"Very well, Mr. Harris. Your site is at the site, B2. There's a grill, picnic table, out house, and the lake for swimming and fishing."
"Great," I said. I gave him the money and a few extra dollars as a tip. "When's checkout?"
Marion told me, "You have to be out by Monday at 1:00."
"Thanks, Marion. Have a good day."
"You too, Mr. Harris."
"Goodbye." I said.
Then I left the counter, and jumped back in the car, taking my seat next to Buffy. "We're at Campsite B2." I said to the girls.
Buffy nodded, "Right," she said, and turned on the car, and put into drive. We began going down the campsites. First were the A's. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. I figured it out, and I'm not a genius. See, I proved my point. Then we reached the B's and soon the second site, which was of course B2.
When we reached the site, we parked the car, and got out. The scenery was breath taking. Well, if it was breath taking, it would actually take my breath away, and my lungs would deflate. Hey. I made a funny. Pretty lame, I know, but it was beautiful.
"Ok, let's unload." I grabbed my bag, and the girls grabbed theirs. We each took our tents outs, and started to put them together. I made mine in four minutes, while the girls took ten. It was pretty uneventful. Nothing special to say about that.
After the tents were up, I knew something had to begin. I wanted to talk to them. I really did. I know it was hard, but it had to be done. "Buffy, Willow come to the table for minute. I need to talk to you."
They did as I told them, and they didn't look too enthused. I had my work cut out for me. I sat on one side while the girls sat on the other. "So, how are you?"
"Fine," they both said at once.
I knew it wasn't fine.
"Guys, I know you're not fine. The point of this weekend is to work out our problems."
"I don't have a problem," Buffy said as she looked at the tabletop. Avoiding eye contact.
Willow and I shared a look.
"I know this is hard," I glanced at Willow, "and I know that you'd rather be at home. But, we need this. I want what we had in high school back. I miss you." I thought I would never be that direct, but they needed to hear this.
My redheaded friend looked at Buffy, "I'm really sorry about Dawn, Buffy. I didn't mean to hurt her."
Buffy sighed, "I know you didn't mean to hurt her, Willow. But you did, and it's going to take a while to trust you again."
Willow looked at the tabletop this time, "I figured that much. It just that I need help. I want to get back with Tara. I love her just so much."
I got up from my seat, and pulled her into a hug, "We know you do, Willow. And we're going to help you the best way we can." Then she started to cry, I stoked her hair. It hurt me so much to see any of my friends cry. So, I had to be 'support o' guy.'
"Thanks, Xander."
"We'll help you go cold turkey, Willow," I went into his pocket and pulled a pack of gum out. Then gave it to Willow, and continued, "everytime you feel the need to do a spell, chew a piece of gum."
Buffy looked at Xander, "That's for quitting smoking."
I said in my best Homer Simpson voice, "D'oh. Same sentiment though."
Then I just held her for a few minutes to allow her tears to stop. I thought I made progress, and smiled because of it. I brought her back to her seat, and then walked to Buffy.
I squatted beside her, and brought her face to meet mine. I looked into her eyes, and I saw how dead they looked. Her fire was gone, and I knew that it wouldn't be that easy to get a hold of the inner Buffy. I also knew that she wouldn't just break down in front of Willow. "Want to take a walk, Buff? Just you and me."
She didn't say anything.
I took her hand, squeezed it, trying to change her mood. She looked disgusted with herself. "C'mon, Buffy. We're going to take a walk."
I turned to Willow, "Is that okay with you? We won't be gone that long."
She nodded.
"Thanks, Wills."
I took Buffy's hand in mine, and started to walk around the campsite. "What's the problem, Buff?"
"I'm fine."
"No you aren't. I want my friend back, and I don't care what it takes to find that person again."
She shook her head, "Well, I want to go back to Heaven. I was at peace, and then I find out that my best friends pull me out. How would you feel?"
I winced, "We wanted you back, Buff. We also thought you were in a hell dimension. I really am sorry."
"Sorry? You're sorry? Everyone's sorry," she began to tear up, "but I don't feel alive, Xander. I feel like a corpse, I just want to go back to Heaven where I was loved and felt peace. I felt complete, now, I'm here, among the living again. I don't want to go back to that." Then she broke down, and I comforted her. It's what I'm here for.
I held her close to me, and let her cry into my chest. Then I said, "If I could change the past, I would be the one to take that swan dive. Dawn needs a family, and she rather have a sister, then just me." I really regretted what I did, but I learned from that mistake.
Buffy composed herself a little, "I want to tell you something."
"Alright. Go ahead."
"You're going to hate me. Heck, I hate myself for doing this."
I flashed her my lopsided grin again; "I could never hate you. I may be disappointed with you at times, but I'll never hate you."
My best friend sighed, "I've been...." She paused, "been....been."
I knew that this had to be something difficult for her to say, and I promised myself not to get angry with her. I wanted us to be close friends again. "Been what?"
Buffy stopped walking, and turned to face me. Tears were in her eyes, and she said in an almost whisper, "Sleeping with Spike."
Spike? My best friend's been having sex with Spike? Take it easy, Xander. Remember your promise. Buffy needs a friend right now, and I want that to be me. So, I put a lid on my anger. I actually understand why this was happening. Willow, Tara, Anya, and I were busy with our own things, and Spike was an easy answer.
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
I took a deep breath and asked her something. I needed to know. "Do you love him?"
Buffy immediately shook her head, "Of course not. I could never love Spike."
I breathed easily. I knew that she didn't love him. Then I said in a calm voice, "Then why have you been sleeping with him?"
"I needed to feel something. I felt so dead inside. So empty. I've been using him."
I actually chuckled a little.
She showed a confused look, "Why are you laughing? I'm telling you something very difficult, and you're laughing?"
"Sorry, Buffy. It's just that you're using him. I just find 'using Spike' funny."
And she laughed too. We both laughed, and it made me happy that Buffy's mood was changing.
After the laughter died, she said, "Not that I'm complaining, but why aren't you angry?"
"Because Buffy. I realize it's your life. I have no part of it. And I know that we haven't been there for you. It's our fault that we ripped you out of Heaven, and we're sorry about that."
My friend smiled, and that made me happy. "If you want, I can patrol with you when we get back, so you won't be with Spike."
She pulled me into a hug, "I'd like that, Xan."
I think that at that moment, the old Buffy was returning. "Are you going to tell Willow, and the others?"
"I think I have too."
"Do you want me there when you tell them?"
She shook her head, "I need to do this on my own, but thanks, Xander."
I shrugged my shoulders, "No problem, Buff."
We withdrew from each other, and she smiled. It was a smile that reached ear to ear.
"Do you want to go fishing?"
She nodded, "Sounds like a plan. But first, I want to talk to Willow."
"Sure."
TBC
Rating: PG-13
Chapter: Three
Author: White Werewolf
Category: Buffy/Xander
Spoilers/Timeframe: Season 6. Before Xander's failed marriage, and Spuffy is happening. Willow and Tara are separated due to Willow's magic use. And Dawn almost got killed because of Willow's problem.
Summery: While on a camping trip, Xander starts to go through some changes. And, it's for the better.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We arrived at the campsite within two hours. As soon as Buffy pulled up to the front entrance, I jumped out of the car, and looked at the girls. With a smile, I said, "Be right back."
Then I left them to head to the front counter. The building was made to look like it had a Native American motif. I approached the counter, and there was a sign. It read, "Ring Bell For Service."
So I did. I rung the bell, and a young man with brown hair and hazel eyes said, "Welcome to Arnold's Camping Site. How may I help you?"
I looked at the man's nametag, and it read, Marion. Can you believe it? This guy's name is Marion. I had to hold my laughter, and I did. I was proud of myself. "Yes, Marion. I'd like to pay for a three day weekend. How much is that?"
"It will be seventy-five dollars, Mr....?"
"Harris. Xander Harris." As soon as I said that, I realized that I said my name like James Bond. Yes I know, it was a shameless attempt to seem cool, but come on, who doesn't want to be James Bond, Connery was the man.
"Very well, Mr. Harris. Your site is at the site, B2. There's a grill, picnic table, out house, and the lake for swimming and fishing."
"Great," I said. I gave him the money and a few extra dollars as a tip. "When's checkout?"
Marion told me, "You have to be out by Monday at 1:00."
"Thanks, Marion. Have a good day."
"You too, Mr. Harris."
"Goodbye." I said.
Then I left the counter, and jumped back in the car, taking my seat next to Buffy. "We're at Campsite B2." I said to the girls.
Buffy nodded, "Right," she said, and turned on the car, and put into drive. We began going down the campsites. First were the A's. It didn't take a genius to figure that out. I figured it out, and I'm not a genius. See, I proved my point. Then we reached the B's and soon the second site, which was of course B2.
When we reached the site, we parked the car, and got out. The scenery was breath taking. Well, if it was breath taking, it would actually take my breath away, and my lungs would deflate. Hey. I made a funny. Pretty lame, I know, but it was beautiful.
"Ok, let's unload." I grabbed my bag, and the girls grabbed theirs. We each took our tents outs, and started to put them together. I made mine in four minutes, while the girls took ten. It was pretty uneventful. Nothing special to say about that.
After the tents were up, I knew something had to begin. I wanted to talk to them. I really did. I know it was hard, but it had to be done. "Buffy, Willow come to the table for minute. I need to talk to you."
They did as I told them, and they didn't look too enthused. I had my work cut out for me. I sat on one side while the girls sat on the other. "So, how are you?"
"Fine," they both said at once.
I knew it wasn't fine.
"Guys, I know you're not fine. The point of this weekend is to work out our problems."
"I don't have a problem," Buffy said as she looked at the tabletop. Avoiding eye contact.
Willow and I shared a look.
"I know this is hard," I glanced at Willow, "and I know that you'd rather be at home. But, we need this. I want what we had in high school back. I miss you." I thought I would never be that direct, but they needed to hear this.
My redheaded friend looked at Buffy, "I'm really sorry about Dawn, Buffy. I didn't mean to hurt her."
Buffy sighed, "I know you didn't mean to hurt her, Willow. But you did, and it's going to take a while to trust you again."
Willow looked at the tabletop this time, "I figured that much. It just that I need help. I want to get back with Tara. I love her just so much."
I got up from my seat, and pulled her into a hug, "We know you do, Willow. And we're going to help you the best way we can." Then she started to cry, I stoked her hair. It hurt me so much to see any of my friends cry. So, I had to be 'support o' guy.'
"Thanks, Xander."
"We'll help you go cold turkey, Willow," I went into his pocket and pulled a pack of gum out. Then gave it to Willow, and continued, "everytime you feel the need to do a spell, chew a piece of gum."
Buffy looked at Xander, "That's for quitting smoking."
I said in my best Homer Simpson voice, "D'oh. Same sentiment though."
Then I just held her for a few minutes to allow her tears to stop. I thought I made progress, and smiled because of it. I brought her back to her seat, and then walked to Buffy.
I squatted beside her, and brought her face to meet mine. I looked into her eyes, and I saw how dead they looked. Her fire was gone, and I knew that it wouldn't be that easy to get a hold of the inner Buffy. I also knew that she wouldn't just break down in front of Willow. "Want to take a walk, Buff? Just you and me."
She didn't say anything.
I took her hand, squeezed it, trying to change her mood. She looked disgusted with herself. "C'mon, Buffy. We're going to take a walk."
I turned to Willow, "Is that okay with you? We won't be gone that long."
She nodded.
"Thanks, Wills."
I took Buffy's hand in mine, and started to walk around the campsite. "What's the problem, Buff?"
"I'm fine."
"No you aren't. I want my friend back, and I don't care what it takes to find that person again."
She shook her head, "Well, I want to go back to Heaven. I was at peace, and then I find out that my best friends pull me out. How would you feel?"
I winced, "We wanted you back, Buff. We also thought you were in a hell dimension. I really am sorry."
"Sorry? You're sorry? Everyone's sorry," she began to tear up, "but I don't feel alive, Xander. I feel like a corpse, I just want to go back to Heaven where I was loved and felt peace. I felt complete, now, I'm here, among the living again. I don't want to go back to that." Then she broke down, and I comforted her. It's what I'm here for.
I held her close to me, and let her cry into my chest. Then I said, "If I could change the past, I would be the one to take that swan dive. Dawn needs a family, and she rather have a sister, then just me." I really regretted what I did, but I learned from that mistake.
Buffy composed herself a little, "I want to tell you something."
"Alright. Go ahead."
"You're going to hate me. Heck, I hate myself for doing this."
I flashed her my lopsided grin again; "I could never hate you. I may be disappointed with you at times, but I'll never hate you."
My best friend sighed, "I've been...." She paused, "been....been."
I knew that this had to be something difficult for her to say, and I promised myself not to get angry with her. I wanted us to be close friends again. "Been what?"
Buffy stopped walking, and turned to face me. Tears were in her eyes, and she said in an almost whisper, "Sleeping with Spike."
Spike? My best friend's been having sex with Spike? Take it easy, Xander. Remember your promise. Buffy needs a friend right now, and I want that to be me. So, I put a lid on my anger. I actually understand why this was happening. Willow, Tara, Anya, and I were busy with our own things, and Spike was an easy answer.
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
I took a deep breath and asked her something. I needed to know. "Do you love him?"
Buffy immediately shook her head, "Of course not. I could never love Spike."
I breathed easily. I knew that she didn't love him. Then I said in a calm voice, "Then why have you been sleeping with him?"
"I needed to feel something. I felt so dead inside. So empty. I've been using him."
I actually chuckled a little.
She showed a confused look, "Why are you laughing? I'm telling you something very difficult, and you're laughing?"
"Sorry, Buffy. It's just that you're using him. I just find 'using Spike' funny."
And she laughed too. We both laughed, and it made me happy that Buffy's mood was changing.
After the laughter died, she said, "Not that I'm complaining, but why aren't you angry?"
"Because Buffy. I realize it's your life. I have no part of it. And I know that we haven't been there for you. It's our fault that we ripped you out of Heaven, and we're sorry about that."
My friend smiled, and that made me happy. "If you want, I can patrol with you when we get back, so you won't be with Spike."
She pulled me into a hug, "I'd like that, Xan."
I think that at that moment, the old Buffy was returning. "Are you going to tell Willow, and the others?"
"I think I have too."
"Do you want me there when you tell them?"
She shook her head, "I need to do this on my own, but thanks, Xander."
I shrugged my shoulders, "No problem, Buff."
We withdrew from each other, and she smiled. It was a smile that reached ear to ear.
"Do you want to go fishing?"
She nodded, "Sounds like a plan. But first, I want to talk to Willow."
"Sure."
TBC