Title: Phoenix Risings
Rating: PG-13/R
Chapter Number: 2
Author: White Werewolf
Category: Buffy/Xander, Sam/Daniel, Gabrielle/Joxer
Spoilers/Timeframe: All I know for sure it is after "Becoming Part 2."
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the ideas and my computer.
Summery: After Buffy leaves Sunnydale, Xander decides to go looking for her. On the other side of the universe, Ninedinna wants the book she created...the Necronomicon Ex Mortis: the Book of the Dead.
Special Thanks: Danii, Tenhawk, Teri, Silent Bob Foley, BMT, and X-Lander
Crossovers Planned:
Buffy: the Vampire Slayer
Hercules: the Legendary Journeys
Evil Dead
Stargate SG-1
Xena: Warrior Princess
Three's Company
Cameo Crossovers are sudden to appear. See if you can spot any.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Xander?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it's me, Mrs. Summers."
"Where are you?"
Xander decided to be completely honest with her. Knowing the truth will only help Buffy in the long run. "I'm in Santa Monica."
"Santa Monica? Why Santa Monica? Is Buffy with you? Please tell me she's alright. Please, Xander. I want her back. I want her back home with me."
He could hear the emotion in her voice and it could only make him want to cry now. But he had to hold it in, he had to be there for her mother even if he really isn't in Sunnydale. "Sorry. Buffy's not with me. That's why I'm in Santa Monica. I'm looking for her."
"Please find her Xander. Please bring my baby back."
A deep breath was made, "Mrs. Summers, I saw Buffy going on a bus from school this morning. I found out that she's somewhere in Los Angeles. So, I got in my car and headed for LA. I already got myself a job and an apartment. My whole purpose for being here is to find Buffy. When I find her, I'll talk to her, and bring her back home."
He could hear a sigh over the line. "Thank god, Xander. Just promise me to stay safe and take care of her when you do find her. I know everything. Mr. Giles and Willow told me everything. Just bring her back to me-tell her that she has nothing to fear. I love her. We all do, and I know you do too."
A small smile appeared on his lips, "I do love her, Mrs. Summers, and I'll bring her home."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it."
"I'll talk to you later, and I'll keep you in on everything I find out. After I'm done talking to you, I'm going to talk to Giles, and then go to bed. I'm dead tired, and I'm no good tired. But tomorrow after work, I'll try and find her."
"Don't overstrain yourself. But, thank you. Good night."
Then she hung up the phone.
Next, Xander called Giles and told everything that he told Joyce to him. He also told the Watcher that Xander gave him his name on his resume. And the elder man was fine with it.
Xander hung up the phone and started to prepare for bed.
As he was about to slide into bed, he felt something. Basically, hunger hit, and he didn't have any food yet.
With a yawn, he got out of bed, got redressed, and headed for S-Mart.
***
"I'm Buffy." She said with a smile.
"Well, let me get that knife for you, and then you can leave."
The blond nodded, "Sounds good to me."
With that said, Ash retrieved the knife from the display case and rung it up on the cash register.
Shortly Buffy came up to the register and asked, "How much?"
The former promised one looked at the digital display and then back at the young woman. "17 dollars and 99 cents."
Buffy opened her purse and pulled out her wallet. After pulling out her money, she gave it to him. "Here you go."
Ash nodded, and put in the money into the register. After getting her change, he said, "There's your change. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart."
With taking her money, she showed a confused look.
"They make me say that," he said sheepishly.
"Uh...huh." The young woman said slowly as she grabbed her bag. "I'll see you around, Ash."
She was about to leave when Buffy noticed his hand, "Whoa!" Xander's friend said aloud.
The clerk noticed the tone of her voice. "What?"
Buffy pointed to his hand. "What happened to your hand?"
His hand? Why did people always have to ask about his hand? Stupid question. People always ask about unexplainable things.
He'll never forget what happened to his hand. When he was at the cabin, the evil that was let out by the tape got into his hand and it became processed. The hand started to try and kill him.
After looking around the cabin, he noticed the chainsaw. So, he cut his hand off at the wrist.
Flash forward to when he got transported to medieval Europe. After defeating some deadites with his shotgun and chainsaw arm, he asked the blacksmith to retool a gauntlet from an armor to fit his limb. That's how he got his metal hand.
He looked back at her, "Long story. Just let it go."
Buffy looked at the man and saw the numerous scars and a haunted look in his eyes. One look that she recognized all too well. She said in an almost voice knowing that he wasn't going to go into that story. "Sorry Ash."
The taller man smiled softly, "It's alright, Buffy. It's been a long day."
She agreed, "I know that feeling all too well. I too had a long day. A very long day."
A nod was made, "I'll see you around."
"Yeah, see you later, Ash." Then she headed for the exit.
As she was leaving the store, she failed to notice a young man in the food aisle.
Although there was this one thought in the back of her mind. What was Ash hiding? What hurt him so much in the past? With a sigh, she thought, (I'll figure it out somehow. That much I'll know. One thing is for sure, Ash is going to find himself one friend richer.) Then she left.
***
As Xander grabbed his snack of potato chips, he failed to notice a young blond walking toward the exit.
He quickly left the aisle and headed for the cashier at the front of the store.
***
After work, Xander searched for his friend, but came up empty handed.
He hated this. Xander would take the time to try and find her, yet he never did. But Xander couldn't give up. The teen would never give on her.
Buffy was extremely important for him. Not only because he loved her, but she helped shaped his whole existence. After Jesse died, turned, and later staked, Xander made a promise to help in the fight against evil.
He loved Jesse like a brother, and with him gone, he learned to cherish the friends that he had. Willow soon became his best friend, and he never would change that. Xander wouldn't be himself, if Willow weren't around. The two of them were the best of friends and they'd stay that way. To him, Willow was his little sister, someone to look after, and keep away the darkness.
Giles soon became his father-a better father than the one he owned. The Watcher treated him with respect and Xander valued that. There was this unspoken bond between them, and they learned to be grateful for that fact.
Cordelia was the girl that he loathed since preschool. Willow, Jesse, and him created the 'We Hate Cordelia Club' in which he was treasurer. But he had to face facts. With Buffy never returning his feelings, he tried to move on. After saving Cordy a few times, the two began sneaking around and making out in broom closets, which led to dating.
But one thing that Xander learned since yesterday is that he couldn't make it work with her. Cordelia always wanted to be part of the in crowd and that became her main goal within this past year.
No matter how hard he tried, his love for Buffy was still strong. She was the person that he dreamt about for the last two years, and even before that.
Xander never told anyone, not even Willow, but when he was younger. Years younger in fact, he had this dream where he was Peter Pan. And his Wendy was someone that he never met before. Someone who had the cutest smile, amazing blond hair, and the brightest hazel eyes.
The male Scooby spent years trying to figure out that one person, but he never could. Then in Highschool during his Sophomore year, he met the girl that was his Wendy. Buffy was Wendy, and that proved it. Buffy was his soul mate. She just didn't know it yet.
Even though he wanted to tell Buffy his love for her, he couldn't. Not yet anyway. She just lost her boyfriend and this point she'd still be grieving. So, he'd have to be her friend. That's what Buffy needed. And if that meant telling her the truth of his lie, then so be it.
What took top priority was to get Buffy back home safely, and if he could try to help her heal, to become the girl that he first met-the one so full of life. And that meant he had to bring Buffy back foremost, and the Slayer part second.
Xander walked down the sidewalk with a stake in his hand searching.
All of a sudden he felt a gust of wind go by his jacket. He turned around and spotted the back of a guy wearing a trench coat and fedora. "What's his problem?" He asked himself.
For some reason Xander just watched the guy heading down the street to a neighboring park. Xander looked at the park and saw children playing on the jungle gym and swing set.
"Great," he said to himself, "that's just what I need, a stalker."
But was he sure? Sure, this character looked strange, but that doesn't mean people in trench coats and fedoras watched children.
But that sure did sound extremely weird.
So, he decided just to watch from a safe distance for a while. If he saw anything strange he would intervene, or call the police.
Xander continued to watch.
Suddenly, the guy turned his head around, and Xander hid behind the nearest alley. After the guy took off his hat and scratched his head. He had horns. Horns? "Demon," he said under his breath.
He glanced around his shoulder and noticed a baseball bat behind some trashcans. Placing the stake in his pocket, he grabbed the bat and tightened his grasp. Cautiously, he walked over to the demon and placed the bat on his shoulder. "Move away from the children, and nobody'll get hurt."
The demon tensed at the touch of the wood on his shoulder. He turned around slowly to face whatever was behind the bat. There in front of him stood a normal looking teenage boy. In the demon's defense, he said, "Take it easy, Baby face. My name's Lorne. I'm an Anagogic Demon."
"Anagogic Demon?"
"Yeah, Sweetcheeks. That's me. I read auras, and I enjoy watching children play. Innocence is so rare in this world its wonderful to watch. Is that a crime?"
Xander didn't know if he was telling the truth. He didn't know that much about demons yet. It's only been a year and half since he started fighting the supernatural. But he knew who would know.
The teen grabbed Lorne's arm and said, "Come with me."
"Where we going?"
He said in an uneasy tone, "We're going to talk to a friend of mine. If he says that you're what you say you are. Then you have nothing to fear. If not, then we have some trouble. Don't we?"
Lorne didn't want to start trouble. Far from it, and he had nothing to hide. This boy didn't really seem that fearful. "Alright, but you're wasting your time, Sweetcheeks. I'm just a demon who runs a bar, Coritas. I'll bring you over there."
Ignoring the statement, he said, "Just come with me."
With that said, Xander pulled Lorne into a phone booth, and quickly closed the door. With his hand still holding the bat, he took his other hand and placed it under his ear, deposited money, and dialed a number.
It rung a few times, and then it was picked up, "Hi, Giles."
"Oh, hello Xander. How are you? Any news on Buffy?"
"I'm fine, but Buffy's not here. Anyway, the reason I called is because I need some info if you would."
"Information? What kind?"
Xander could picture Giles right now sitting up straighter going into as Buffy called it 'Watcher Mode.'
"Have you ever heard of Anagogic Demons, green skin two red horns, ring any bells?"
"Well yes they're generally peaceful and...Xander, why are you asking about Anagogic Demons!?"
"Because I'm currently holding one hostage after I found it watching a group of children play."
"Your holding a demon hostage where?"
Xander smiled. "In the phone booth."
Shocked, the elder man asked, "The phone booth?"
"Yep. That's what I said." Xander said as he heard a sigh and knew he was cleaning his glasses.
"Put him on." Giles said.
The boy breathed easily, "Are you sure he's friendly?" Lorne smiled in response, "He's showing his teeth."
"Yeah, he's friendly. Let me talk to him."
"If you say so." Then he took the phone and gave it to the demon. "He wants to talk to you."
The bar owner nodded, and spoke to the phone, "Hello?"
"This is Rupert Giles. I must apologize for my young friend. He used to live here on the Hellmouth..."
Lorne interrupted, "Say no more, Rupert. I completely understand. I get that a lot. Y'know, with being a demon and all. But I got the solution for him."
"And that is?"
A bright smile came on his face, "Caritas."
There was a chuckle over the line, "Well yes, that would do."
After that was said, Lorne said his goodbye and as did Xander. Then they hung up.
The teen cleared his throat, "I guess I owe you an apology, Lorne."
The demon smiled, "As I told your friend earlier, Sweetcheeks. Don't worry about it. So, what brings a kid from the Hellmouth to come out to LA."
He decided to be honest, "Well, Lorne. My friend is the resident slayer of Sunnydale. She ran away after sending her boyfriend to another dimension. It's my job to try and find her."
"Good luck with that."
"Thanks. All I know is that she somewhere is in LA. I already got myself a job and an apartment."
He grinned, "It looks like you got yourself going," a pause was made remembering the conversation he had with Rupert, "why don't you come with me to Coritas? Have a drink and sing a song."
A confusing look was made, "Sing a song? I don't think so."
"Ah, c'mon, Sweetcheeks," he said as he wrapped his arm around Xander's shoulders. "A song is the perfect way for me to help you."
Xander looked at him strangely, "How does a song help me?"
"Walk with me. Talk with me."
The two of them left the phone booth and started walking down the street. Of course Lorne put back his hat on and tightened the belt around his waist.
"Here's the deal, Sweetcheeks. I'm an Anagogic Demon. I read your aura from your singing voice. With that, I can predict the future and hopefully it would lead you to your Slayer friend."
The teenager shrugged, "Why not? Anything to help me find Buffy'll be great."
"Great," the bar owner said as they turned the corner of one street to another.
***
Buffy was sitting on her bed with Angel showing his back to her. He's was pacing. " I did a lot of thinking today. I really can't be around you." The blond looked up at him, "Because when I am..."
She said, "Hey, no big. Water... over the bridge, under the bridge..."
After facing her, "When I am all I can ever think about is how badly I want to kiss you."
"...over the dam..." Then she paused, and continued, "Kiss me?"
"I'm older than you, and this can't ever... I better go."
Older? "H-how much older?" He looked a little over twenty.
"I should..."
Buffy approached him, "...go... You said..."
They kissed. They kiss again. They kissed passionately. She put her arm around him. The kiss went on for several moments. Angel suddenly pulled back and looks away.
A confusing look was made, "What? What is it? What's wrong?"
He turned to face her and growled. She saw he had his vampiric face on and screamed.
A flash of white light filled the room and after it dissolved.
Suddenly she found herself in the master's lair. She stood still with her white gown on and a crossbow in her arms.
"You're not going to kill me with that thing."
Buffy founder herself saying, "Don't be so sure."
"You still don't understand your part in all this, do you? You are not the hunter. You are the lamb."
She slowly walked around, searching for the Master. The blond came upon a dead and rotted body. She continued her search.
"You know, for someone who's all powerful, you sure do like to hide."
"I'm waiting for you. I want this moment to last."
"Well, I don't."
She searched for a few moments longer, then the Master suddenly came to stand right behind her.
The Master said, "I understand."
Buffy turned around and the Master knocked the crossbow out of her hands. He grabbed her by the neck.
His hand was around Buffy's throat. She swung up with her arm, knocked his hand away and started to run. He held his hand out toward her and she froze, caught by his hypnotic powers.
She looked back at him and couldn't move. He approached her, making slow twisting motions with his hand. He came up behind her, gently took off her leather jacket and lets it fall to the ground. Buffy was panting hard with fear.
"You tried. It was noble of you. You heard the prophecy that I was about to break free and you came to stop me. But prophecies are tricky creatures. They don't tell you everything," then he started to whisper, "You're the one that sets me free! If you hadn't come, I couldn't go. Think about that!"
Buffy was frozen with fear. The Master waited a moment longer and then bent down and bit her at the base of her neck. He drank a few sips and lets her go.
"Oh, God! The power!"
Buffy fell to the ground and her face fell flat in the water. He headed for the exit when suddenly he got an idea. The Vampire turned back around and grabbed her by the neck and held her in front of him.
"At first I wasn't going to do anything with your body. Just let if stay in the water, but then I thought. What I need is a protector, and that's you."
He laid her down on the ground and cut a slit on his wrist. With one hand, he held Buffy's mouth open, and the other was a mere few inches from her mouth. "Bottoms up."
His blood then dripped freely into her system, and with no gagging reflex. Buffy was as good as turned.
"Oh, and I like your dress."
***
Lorne and Xander entered Caritas, and the teenager's eyes widened.
"What the?"
The bar owner said with a chuckle, "Welcome to Caritas, Xander. This place is a bar for both humans and demons," he pointed to the front of the bar, "over there is the stage. That's where you're going to sing for me later."
"Uh huh." Was Xander's statement.
Together they made it to the bar. Xander sat on a stool while Lorne went behind the counter. "What can I get you?"
Xander gave a chuckle, "A beer?"
Lorne looked at him, "I don't think so, Sweetcheeks. How about a Coke?"
A smile crossed his lips, "Can't blame a guy for trying."
"I guess," he said as he poured Xander the drink. "so, Xander, what are you going to sing for us?"
***
Suddenly Buffy walked into the Masters lair. Her eyes widened in shock. Down on the ground was the Master and he was kneeling over...
over...
...over her body?
"What the hell is going on?" She screamed aloud.
But the Master didn't move.
"Get away from my body, you Bastard!"
Again, he didn't move.
"He can't hear you, Buffy."
She knew that voice.
A big smile crossed her lips. She turned around and saw the very person that she thought it was.
"Xander?"
He nodded, "Hey, Buffy."
Without another thought, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. "My god, Xander. You're here. You're really here!"
He returned the hug.
"I'm not really, Xander, Buffy,"
Buffy pulled away slowly and looked into his eyes. They were the same brown pupils. Nothing seemed different, but then she looked closer. She shook her head and covered her mouth with her hand. "You're not, Xander."
He smiled, "I just picked this form so you could easily talk to me. Y'see, I'm your spirit guide."
"Spirit guide?"
He nodded, "Yeah, that's me, Buffy."
"Does that mean I'm-"
The Spirit guide cut her off, "No, you're not dead, Buffy. But your body over there is," he said as he pointed to her body that was lying on the ground. "This is a dream, Buff. The Master here just drained you and rather than leaving your body to rot like what happened in your real timeline, he turned you."
She whispered, "Turned me?"
He continued, "Yeah, y'see. The Master turned you so your vampire self will become his protector. My job is to help you."
"Help me with what?"
***
Xander searched his brain thinking of a song. What could he sing? He didn't know any song at the moment. Country was something, but he didn't want to focus on that type of music.
Definitely anything but country.
One thing that has been on Xander's mind a lot lately was Buffy and the way he felt about her.
Then a song hit him.
"Alright, Lorne. I got the song. What do I do now?"
He smiled, "Tell me the song, you go the stage, I play the karaoke machine and you're good to go."
"And you can read the future from my singing voice?"
The demon nodded, "You got it, Sweetcheeks. So, tell me. What's your song?"
Xander told him the title and the artist.
He grinned, "I've always loved that song."
The teenager shrugged, "It's a good song." Inwardly, he didn't want to tell the reason why he was singing it. Not at this moment anyway.
"Come with me, Xander."
Together, the two went to the stage and Lorne went to the microphone. "Well let's hear a round of applause for Xander Harris as he performs (Everything I Do) I Do it For You."
Then the crowd erupted in applause.
Then he goes to the karaoke machine and set up the song. When it was selected, he said to Xander. "Go for it."
Xander nodded and went to the microphone. He picked it up and said, "Here goes." After taking a deep breath, he sang:
"Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - Ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you."
As he concluded his song, he felt a little better about himself. It was a way to finally get his feelings out of his system, and Buffy wasn't even there.
***
Lorne chuckled, "Sweetcheek's got a hell of a destiny."
----------------------------------------------------
TBC
Rating: PG-13/R
Chapter Number: 2
Author: White Werewolf
Category: Buffy/Xander, Sam/Daniel, Gabrielle/Joxer
Spoilers/Timeframe: All I know for sure it is after "Becoming Part 2."
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the ideas and my computer.
Summery: After Buffy leaves Sunnydale, Xander decides to go looking for her. On the other side of the universe, Ninedinna wants the book she created...the Necronomicon Ex Mortis: the Book of the Dead.
Special Thanks: Danii, Tenhawk, Teri, Silent Bob Foley, BMT, and X-Lander
Crossovers Planned:
Buffy: the Vampire Slayer
Hercules: the Legendary Journeys
Evil Dead
Stargate SG-1
Xena: Warrior Princess
Three's Company
Cameo Crossovers are sudden to appear. See if you can spot any.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Xander?"
He nodded, "Yeah, it's me, Mrs. Summers."
"Where are you?"
Xander decided to be completely honest with her. Knowing the truth will only help Buffy in the long run. "I'm in Santa Monica."
"Santa Monica? Why Santa Monica? Is Buffy with you? Please tell me she's alright. Please, Xander. I want her back. I want her back home with me."
He could hear the emotion in her voice and it could only make him want to cry now. But he had to hold it in, he had to be there for her mother even if he really isn't in Sunnydale. "Sorry. Buffy's not with me. That's why I'm in Santa Monica. I'm looking for her."
"Please find her Xander. Please bring my baby back."
A deep breath was made, "Mrs. Summers, I saw Buffy going on a bus from school this morning. I found out that she's somewhere in Los Angeles. So, I got in my car and headed for LA. I already got myself a job and an apartment. My whole purpose for being here is to find Buffy. When I find her, I'll talk to her, and bring her back home."
He could hear a sigh over the line. "Thank god, Xander. Just promise me to stay safe and take care of her when you do find her. I know everything. Mr. Giles and Willow told me everything. Just bring her back to me-tell her that she has nothing to fear. I love her. We all do, and I know you do too."
A small smile appeared on his lips, "I do love her, Mrs. Summers, and I'll bring her home."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it."
"I'll talk to you later, and I'll keep you in on everything I find out. After I'm done talking to you, I'm going to talk to Giles, and then go to bed. I'm dead tired, and I'm no good tired. But tomorrow after work, I'll try and find her."
"Don't overstrain yourself. But, thank you. Good night."
Then she hung up the phone.
Next, Xander called Giles and told everything that he told Joyce to him. He also told the Watcher that Xander gave him his name on his resume. And the elder man was fine with it.
Xander hung up the phone and started to prepare for bed.
As he was about to slide into bed, he felt something. Basically, hunger hit, and he didn't have any food yet.
With a yawn, he got out of bed, got redressed, and headed for S-Mart.
***
"I'm Buffy." She said with a smile.
"Well, let me get that knife for you, and then you can leave."
The blond nodded, "Sounds good to me."
With that said, Ash retrieved the knife from the display case and rung it up on the cash register.
Shortly Buffy came up to the register and asked, "How much?"
The former promised one looked at the digital display and then back at the young woman. "17 dollars and 99 cents."
Buffy opened her purse and pulled out her wallet. After pulling out her money, she gave it to him. "Here you go."
Ash nodded, and put in the money into the register. After getting her change, he said, "There's your change. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart."
With taking her money, she showed a confused look.
"They make me say that," he said sheepishly.
"Uh...huh." The young woman said slowly as she grabbed her bag. "I'll see you around, Ash."
She was about to leave when Buffy noticed his hand, "Whoa!" Xander's friend said aloud.
The clerk noticed the tone of her voice. "What?"
Buffy pointed to his hand. "What happened to your hand?"
His hand? Why did people always have to ask about his hand? Stupid question. People always ask about unexplainable things.
He'll never forget what happened to his hand. When he was at the cabin, the evil that was let out by the tape got into his hand and it became processed. The hand started to try and kill him.
After looking around the cabin, he noticed the chainsaw. So, he cut his hand off at the wrist.
Flash forward to when he got transported to medieval Europe. After defeating some deadites with his shotgun and chainsaw arm, he asked the blacksmith to retool a gauntlet from an armor to fit his limb. That's how he got his metal hand.
He looked back at her, "Long story. Just let it go."
Buffy looked at the man and saw the numerous scars and a haunted look in his eyes. One look that she recognized all too well. She said in an almost voice knowing that he wasn't going to go into that story. "Sorry Ash."
The taller man smiled softly, "It's alright, Buffy. It's been a long day."
She agreed, "I know that feeling all too well. I too had a long day. A very long day."
A nod was made, "I'll see you around."
"Yeah, see you later, Ash." Then she headed for the exit.
As she was leaving the store, she failed to notice a young man in the food aisle.
Although there was this one thought in the back of her mind. What was Ash hiding? What hurt him so much in the past? With a sigh, she thought, (I'll figure it out somehow. That much I'll know. One thing is for sure, Ash is going to find himself one friend richer.) Then she left.
***
As Xander grabbed his snack of potato chips, he failed to notice a young blond walking toward the exit.
He quickly left the aisle and headed for the cashier at the front of the store.
***
After work, Xander searched for his friend, but came up empty handed.
He hated this. Xander would take the time to try and find her, yet he never did. But Xander couldn't give up. The teen would never give on her.
Buffy was extremely important for him. Not only because he loved her, but she helped shaped his whole existence. After Jesse died, turned, and later staked, Xander made a promise to help in the fight against evil.
He loved Jesse like a brother, and with him gone, he learned to cherish the friends that he had. Willow soon became his best friend, and he never would change that. Xander wouldn't be himself, if Willow weren't around. The two of them were the best of friends and they'd stay that way. To him, Willow was his little sister, someone to look after, and keep away the darkness.
Giles soon became his father-a better father than the one he owned. The Watcher treated him with respect and Xander valued that. There was this unspoken bond between them, and they learned to be grateful for that fact.
Cordelia was the girl that he loathed since preschool. Willow, Jesse, and him created the 'We Hate Cordelia Club' in which he was treasurer. But he had to face facts. With Buffy never returning his feelings, he tried to move on. After saving Cordy a few times, the two began sneaking around and making out in broom closets, which led to dating.
But one thing that Xander learned since yesterday is that he couldn't make it work with her. Cordelia always wanted to be part of the in crowd and that became her main goal within this past year.
No matter how hard he tried, his love for Buffy was still strong. She was the person that he dreamt about for the last two years, and even before that.
Xander never told anyone, not even Willow, but when he was younger. Years younger in fact, he had this dream where he was Peter Pan. And his Wendy was someone that he never met before. Someone who had the cutest smile, amazing blond hair, and the brightest hazel eyes.
The male Scooby spent years trying to figure out that one person, but he never could. Then in Highschool during his Sophomore year, he met the girl that was his Wendy. Buffy was Wendy, and that proved it. Buffy was his soul mate. She just didn't know it yet.
Even though he wanted to tell Buffy his love for her, he couldn't. Not yet anyway. She just lost her boyfriend and this point she'd still be grieving. So, he'd have to be her friend. That's what Buffy needed. And if that meant telling her the truth of his lie, then so be it.
What took top priority was to get Buffy back home safely, and if he could try to help her heal, to become the girl that he first met-the one so full of life. And that meant he had to bring Buffy back foremost, and the Slayer part second.
Xander walked down the sidewalk with a stake in his hand searching.
All of a sudden he felt a gust of wind go by his jacket. He turned around and spotted the back of a guy wearing a trench coat and fedora. "What's his problem?" He asked himself.
For some reason Xander just watched the guy heading down the street to a neighboring park. Xander looked at the park and saw children playing on the jungle gym and swing set.
"Great," he said to himself, "that's just what I need, a stalker."
But was he sure? Sure, this character looked strange, but that doesn't mean people in trench coats and fedoras watched children.
But that sure did sound extremely weird.
So, he decided just to watch from a safe distance for a while. If he saw anything strange he would intervene, or call the police.
Xander continued to watch.
Suddenly, the guy turned his head around, and Xander hid behind the nearest alley. After the guy took off his hat and scratched his head. He had horns. Horns? "Demon," he said under his breath.
He glanced around his shoulder and noticed a baseball bat behind some trashcans. Placing the stake in his pocket, he grabbed the bat and tightened his grasp. Cautiously, he walked over to the demon and placed the bat on his shoulder. "Move away from the children, and nobody'll get hurt."
The demon tensed at the touch of the wood on his shoulder. He turned around slowly to face whatever was behind the bat. There in front of him stood a normal looking teenage boy. In the demon's defense, he said, "Take it easy, Baby face. My name's Lorne. I'm an Anagogic Demon."
"Anagogic Demon?"
"Yeah, Sweetcheeks. That's me. I read auras, and I enjoy watching children play. Innocence is so rare in this world its wonderful to watch. Is that a crime?"
Xander didn't know if he was telling the truth. He didn't know that much about demons yet. It's only been a year and half since he started fighting the supernatural. But he knew who would know.
The teen grabbed Lorne's arm and said, "Come with me."
"Where we going?"
He said in an uneasy tone, "We're going to talk to a friend of mine. If he says that you're what you say you are. Then you have nothing to fear. If not, then we have some trouble. Don't we?"
Lorne didn't want to start trouble. Far from it, and he had nothing to hide. This boy didn't really seem that fearful. "Alright, but you're wasting your time, Sweetcheeks. I'm just a demon who runs a bar, Coritas. I'll bring you over there."
Ignoring the statement, he said, "Just come with me."
With that said, Xander pulled Lorne into a phone booth, and quickly closed the door. With his hand still holding the bat, he took his other hand and placed it under his ear, deposited money, and dialed a number.
It rung a few times, and then it was picked up, "Hi, Giles."
"Oh, hello Xander. How are you? Any news on Buffy?"
"I'm fine, but Buffy's not here. Anyway, the reason I called is because I need some info if you would."
"Information? What kind?"
Xander could picture Giles right now sitting up straighter going into as Buffy called it 'Watcher Mode.'
"Have you ever heard of Anagogic Demons, green skin two red horns, ring any bells?"
"Well yes they're generally peaceful and...Xander, why are you asking about Anagogic Demons!?"
"Because I'm currently holding one hostage after I found it watching a group of children play."
"Your holding a demon hostage where?"
Xander smiled. "In the phone booth."
Shocked, the elder man asked, "The phone booth?"
"Yep. That's what I said." Xander said as he heard a sigh and knew he was cleaning his glasses.
"Put him on." Giles said.
The boy breathed easily, "Are you sure he's friendly?" Lorne smiled in response, "He's showing his teeth."
"Yeah, he's friendly. Let me talk to him."
"If you say so." Then he took the phone and gave it to the demon. "He wants to talk to you."
The bar owner nodded, and spoke to the phone, "Hello?"
"This is Rupert Giles. I must apologize for my young friend. He used to live here on the Hellmouth..."
Lorne interrupted, "Say no more, Rupert. I completely understand. I get that a lot. Y'know, with being a demon and all. But I got the solution for him."
"And that is?"
A bright smile came on his face, "Caritas."
There was a chuckle over the line, "Well yes, that would do."
After that was said, Lorne said his goodbye and as did Xander. Then they hung up.
The teen cleared his throat, "I guess I owe you an apology, Lorne."
The demon smiled, "As I told your friend earlier, Sweetcheeks. Don't worry about it. So, what brings a kid from the Hellmouth to come out to LA."
He decided to be honest, "Well, Lorne. My friend is the resident slayer of Sunnydale. She ran away after sending her boyfriend to another dimension. It's my job to try and find her."
"Good luck with that."
"Thanks. All I know is that she somewhere is in LA. I already got myself a job and an apartment."
He grinned, "It looks like you got yourself going," a pause was made remembering the conversation he had with Rupert, "why don't you come with me to Coritas? Have a drink and sing a song."
A confusing look was made, "Sing a song? I don't think so."
"Ah, c'mon, Sweetcheeks," he said as he wrapped his arm around Xander's shoulders. "A song is the perfect way for me to help you."
Xander looked at him strangely, "How does a song help me?"
"Walk with me. Talk with me."
The two of them left the phone booth and started walking down the street. Of course Lorne put back his hat on and tightened the belt around his waist.
"Here's the deal, Sweetcheeks. I'm an Anagogic Demon. I read your aura from your singing voice. With that, I can predict the future and hopefully it would lead you to your Slayer friend."
The teenager shrugged, "Why not? Anything to help me find Buffy'll be great."
"Great," the bar owner said as they turned the corner of one street to another.
***
Buffy was sitting on her bed with Angel showing his back to her. He's was pacing. " I did a lot of thinking today. I really can't be around you." The blond looked up at him, "Because when I am..."
She said, "Hey, no big. Water... over the bridge, under the bridge..."
After facing her, "When I am all I can ever think about is how badly I want to kiss you."
"...over the dam..." Then she paused, and continued, "Kiss me?"
"I'm older than you, and this can't ever... I better go."
Older? "H-how much older?" He looked a little over twenty.
"I should..."
Buffy approached him, "...go... You said..."
They kissed. They kiss again. They kissed passionately. She put her arm around him. The kiss went on for several moments. Angel suddenly pulled back and looks away.
A confusing look was made, "What? What is it? What's wrong?"
He turned to face her and growled. She saw he had his vampiric face on and screamed.
A flash of white light filled the room and after it dissolved.
Suddenly she found herself in the master's lair. She stood still with her white gown on and a crossbow in her arms.
"You're not going to kill me with that thing."
Buffy founder herself saying, "Don't be so sure."
"You still don't understand your part in all this, do you? You are not the hunter. You are the lamb."
She slowly walked around, searching for the Master. The blond came upon a dead and rotted body. She continued her search.
"You know, for someone who's all powerful, you sure do like to hide."
"I'm waiting for you. I want this moment to last."
"Well, I don't."
She searched for a few moments longer, then the Master suddenly came to stand right behind her.
The Master said, "I understand."
Buffy turned around and the Master knocked the crossbow out of her hands. He grabbed her by the neck.
His hand was around Buffy's throat. She swung up with her arm, knocked his hand away and started to run. He held his hand out toward her and she froze, caught by his hypnotic powers.
She looked back at him and couldn't move. He approached her, making slow twisting motions with his hand. He came up behind her, gently took off her leather jacket and lets it fall to the ground. Buffy was panting hard with fear.
"You tried. It was noble of you. You heard the prophecy that I was about to break free and you came to stop me. But prophecies are tricky creatures. They don't tell you everything," then he started to whisper, "You're the one that sets me free! If you hadn't come, I couldn't go. Think about that!"
Buffy was frozen with fear. The Master waited a moment longer and then bent down and bit her at the base of her neck. He drank a few sips and lets her go.
"Oh, God! The power!"
Buffy fell to the ground and her face fell flat in the water. He headed for the exit when suddenly he got an idea. The Vampire turned back around and grabbed her by the neck and held her in front of him.
"At first I wasn't going to do anything with your body. Just let if stay in the water, but then I thought. What I need is a protector, and that's you."
He laid her down on the ground and cut a slit on his wrist. With one hand, he held Buffy's mouth open, and the other was a mere few inches from her mouth. "Bottoms up."
His blood then dripped freely into her system, and with no gagging reflex. Buffy was as good as turned.
"Oh, and I like your dress."
***
Lorne and Xander entered Caritas, and the teenager's eyes widened.
"What the?"
The bar owner said with a chuckle, "Welcome to Caritas, Xander. This place is a bar for both humans and demons," he pointed to the front of the bar, "over there is the stage. That's where you're going to sing for me later."
"Uh huh." Was Xander's statement.
Together they made it to the bar. Xander sat on a stool while Lorne went behind the counter. "What can I get you?"
Xander gave a chuckle, "A beer?"
Lorne looked at him, "I don't think so, Sweetcheeks. How about a Coke?"
A smile crossed his lips, "Can't blame a guy for trying."
"I guess," he said as he poured Xander the drink. "so, Xander, what are you going to sing for us?"
***
Suddenly Buffy walked into the Masters lair. Her eyes widened in shock. Down on the ground was the Master and he was kneeling over...
over...
...over her body?
"What the hell is going on?" She screamed aloud.
But the Master didn't move.
"Get away from my body, you Bastard!"
Again, he didn't move.
"He can't hear you, Buffy."
She knew that voice.
A big smile crossed her lips. She turned around and saw the very person that she thought it was.
"Xander?"
He nodded, "Hey, Buffy."
Without another thought, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. "My god, Xander. You're here. You're really here!"
He returned the hug.
"I'm not really, Xander, Buffy,"
Buffy pulled away slowly and looked into his eyes. They were the same brown pupils. Nothing seemed different, but then she looked closer. She shook her head and covered her mouth with her hand. "You're not, Xander."
He smiled, "I just picked this form so you could easily talk to me. Y'see, I'm your spirit guide."
"Spirit guide?"
He nodded, "Yeah, that's me, Buffy."
"Does that mean I'm-"
The Spirit guide cut her off, "No, you're not dead, Buffy. But your body over there is," he said as he pointed to her body that was lying on the ground. "This is a dream, Buff. The Master here just drained you and rather than leaving your body to rot like what happened in your real timeline, he turned you."
She whispered, "Turned me?"
He continued, "Yeah, y'see. The Master turned you so your vampire self will become his protector. My job is to help you."
"Help me with what?"
***
Xander searched his brain thinking of a song. What could he sing? He didn't know any song at the moment. Country was something, but he didn't want to focus on that type of music.
Definitely anything but country.
One thing that has been on Xander's mind a lot lately was Buffy and the way he felt about her.
Then a song hit him.
"Alright, Lorne. I got the song. What do I do now?"
He smiled, "Tell me the song, you go the stage, I play the karaoke machine and you're good to go."
"And you can read the future from my singing voice?"
The demon nodded, "You got it, Sweetcheeks. So, tell me. What's your song?"
Xander told him the title and the artist.
He grinned, "I've always loved that song."
The teenager shrugged, "It's a good song." Inwardly, he didn't want to tell the reason why he was singing it. Not at this moment anyway.
"Come with me, Xander."
Together, the two went to the stage and Lorne went to the microphone. "Well let's hear a round of applause for Xander Harris as he performs (Everything I Do) I Do it For You."
Then the crowd erupted in applause.
Then he goes to the karaoke machine and set up the song. When it was selected, he said to Xander. "Go for it."
Xander nodded and went to the microphone. He picked it up and said, "Here goes." After taking a deep breath, he sang:
"Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - Ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you."
As he concluded his song, he felt a little better about himself. It was a way to finally get his feelings out of his system, and Buffy wasn't even there.
***
Lorne chuckled, "Sweetcheek's got a hell of a destiny."
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TBC