AuthorÕs Notes: I am so sorry to all my reviewers who have waited so long for me to update. As the famous saying goes: Life Happened. But here it is, the long awaited next chapter, and hopefully I wonÕt keep you all waiting as long for the next one.

Also, I am sorry for the excessive use of italics in this chapter. I just felt that they fit the mood. I try to cut back after thisÉ.

Well, on with the show. Enjoy!!

Chapter 11

Summers-Giles Residence

About 7:30am Christmas Morning

2002

Richie and Methos made their way towards the door of the house with their heads hung low. They were about to tell a group that had were family in every sense except blood that one of their own was gone.

After the explosion that had occurred around Xander and the fire element, the two comrades had picked up XanderÕs battered and burned body and taken it to a hotel room Methos had checked into. It would be days and maybe even weeks before the new immortal would awaken. They grimly decided that for the time being they would allow XanderÕs friends to believe he had perished in the blaze. This way Xander would be allowed an easier separation from his friends who would grow old and die while Xander remained his youthful self. If Xander wished to let them know of his immortality after he awoke, they would not stop him.

Needless to say, the news was hard received by the small group. Oz held Willow close to himself as she sobbed for her childhood friend, her brother. Giles held Joyce as they grieved for the loss of another child who their hearts had claimed as flesh and blood. JoyceÕs unborn child stirred as if sensing the pain her parents were in.

As the next few days passed, the saddened group held a memorial at the stone placed next to BuffyÕs. Angel, Cordelia and Wesley joined them in remembering their fallen friend.

One by one they walked up to the stone and offered a few soft words and prayersÉ

ÒI canÕt believe youÕre goneÉ I mean you were always there for any one of us, even if you got too close the wrong person sometimes, but thatÕs why I loved you and still love you, you doofus.Ò Cordelia placed a red rose beside the grave and backed up so the rest could pay their respects.

Willow knelt down beside the stone with OzÕs hand resting on her shoulder, lending her the mental support she so desperately needed. ÒEver since that day with the yellow crayon, you have been there for me. You were my rock, the guy who could make me laugh and cry, you were my Snoopy dancing friend, you were my brother.Ó With that last word, Willow broke down as she placed her white rose with a yellow crayon tied to it by the stone. Oz gathered her is his arms as he looked down at the grave. ÒIÕll see you on the other side man,Ó said the werewolf of few words. The heartbroken couple stepped aside to make room for another.

Joyce stepped up to the grave with one hand resting on her stomach and the other in the hand of her husband standing behind her. ÒXander, my son, you were a brave, courageous man whom I will never forget. You stood beside my daughter without a thought for yourself. You protected her and the others around you from losing the greatest thing of all, their hearts. I just wanted you to know, that, whether it is a boy or girl, Rupert and I plan to name the baby after you and Buffy; the two heroes who died to protect the world they will be coming into. As tears began to fall down her cheeks, Giles pulled her into his embrace.

Giles moved towards the grave while holding his wife. He removed his glasses as he looked down at the grave of his ÔsonÕ that sat so close to the grave of his ÔdaughterÕ. A silent thought ran through his head before he spoke out loud: A parent isnÕt supposed to bury their childrenÉ

ÒXander,Ó he paused as he wiped his glasses on his shirt and then stopped when he saw what he was doing. With a brief chuckle he place them back on his face. ÒOf all the times I told you not to, I wish with all of my heart that you were here to call me G-Man. Even though you had a way of irritating me to no end, I always respected you. You were the heart of our little group, the person who brought a change to ages of traditions that had killed many because of their stupidity. You brought friendship and bravery into a world that only saw death. I swear to you that I will make it my personal goal to see that no slayer is mistreated or left to fight the darkness alone. You have my word.Ó Giles started to break up as he backed away with Joyce.

Wesley stepped forward and placed a sealed envelop on the ground. ÒXander, I only knew you as the annoying kid but I know that you had a pure heart. May you find a peaceful rest. The letter I laid down is from Faith. She hung her head when we told her the news and wanted us to let you know that she was sorry for what happened between you. She made us promise to deliver this letter to your grave or, and I quote, ÔIÕll stake your sorry asses, five by five?ÕÓ

Richie had been standing off to the side trying not to feel guilty for lying to this group that Xander meant so much to. Methos had left the day before taking XanderÕs body up north to the dojo, leaving Richie behind to aid the grieving group. He stepped up towards the grave and spoke as well, ÒHey Xander, I just hope you can forgive us for not finding another way.Ó ÔAnd that you donÕt lose your head any time soonÕ he added silently.

Angel was the only one who had not spoken. He shifted uncomfortably as he walked towards the grave of the man who hated him for the vampire he is/was. ÒI canÕt believe that I am the one standing at your grave. I believed you when you told me that you would be there to see me die. You, a mere human, were the one who struck the most fear into the un-beating heart of my demon. You may not believe it, but I hold you in high regards for that. You were always a White Knight as Angelous once told you. So watch over all of us wherever you are and take care of Buffy up there, because she probably needs a friend. One tear of blood dropped silently from the corner of the souled demons eye as he stepped back into CordeliaÕs arms.

The group stood in a semi-circle around the grave, which read:

Alexander Lavelle Harris

1981-2002

The Heart of a Champion

As they stood in silent reverence, none noticed the man standing of in the shadows of the crypts. He watched as another hero of Sunnydale was laid to rest. As he took a drag on his cigarette and turned away, he spoke softly to wind, ÒRest in peace whelp, rest in peace.Ó