Title: Iron Will

Author: Merlin the Enchanter

E-mail: merlin.enchanter@jverizon.net

Rating: PG, - for Now

AN: This occurs sometime after The Zeppo, and Xander helped Faith rather than sleep with her, she has sought out help from Joyce and did not start to turn bad.

Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me, they belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Co. And Marvel Comics owns Ironman and the other Marvel characters. Only the story is mine.

Special Thanks: To My Betas, Greywizard, jayesh, and Brer Abbott, Thanks guys your support has meant a lot!

Category: F/X, B/X, AU, X-Over W/O Angst.

Summary: When things look the darkest for Xander his luck takes a turn for the better, and he gains a new ally for his fight with the dark forces, an ally with all the right toys.

Chapter 2

The Next Morning

Faith and Dr. Yin arrived at the hospital the next morning promptly at nine. Faith felt rested for the first time in a week, and she continued on up to Xander's room while the doctor checked in with her answering service for any messages.

Exiting the elevator, Faith was thrust into a madhouse, doctors and nurses rushing around frantically, with Xander's room the center of all the activity. Worried, she pushed her way through the crowd and peered in the room.

Xander was lying on his bed, gasping for breath as the doctors worked to keep his heart going.

"He's not going to make it," she heard one of the doctors say. "His lungs aren't working, and his heart keeps stopping."

"Get a respirator up here. Now!" another ordered.

She stepped back from the door and moved off to one side, her eyes fixed on Xander. There was still plenty of action to watch, as equipment was wheeled in and out. Standing on the edge of the hallway, Faith continued to watch in horrified silence. When she heard the sound of the heart monitor start squealing, she did what she always did when she couldn't face something. She turned and ran.

As Dr. Yin exited the elevator, much as Faith had, she was greeted with the long flat tone of a heart monitor flat lining.

Rushing into the room, she shoved the doctors and nurses aside.

"Keep going, don't stop a thing," she ordered.

The staff looked at her questioningly but obeyed and kept working until the respirator and portable defibrillator could be set up to keep his heart and lungs going. After all the equipment was operating satisfactorily and Xander had stabilized, Dr. Yin was pulled out of the room by a very upset Walter Iverson, the hospital administrator.

"Dr, Yin," he began, "you have no authority over this case. Alexander Harris' parents had specifically stated that they wanted no heroic measures taken if their son had any major complications. He was legally dead, and now you have thrown us into the middle of a legal quandary. His parents may not be legally responsible for his care any longer. Are you ready to assume responsibility for his care?" Iverson demanded.

"If I have to, yes," Yin answered, staring back up into Iverson's eyes. "A friend of mine is on his way here to look over the case, for an experimental procedure that his company is working on. If he agrees, and he most likely will, his company will assume the burden of care, and cover all medical costs, until he is transferred to his facility."

"Well then, let's hope he is not late," Iverson said, as he stalked away.

"You pompous, overbearing, incompetent ass," Yin muttered under her breath as she watched him leave.

Dr. Yin returned to Xander's room and tried to comfort the boy, his fear evident in his eyes.

She tried to make him as comfortable as possible, explaining what was happening, and reassuring him in a calm soothing voice.

She was sitting there, reading the charts when a thought came to her.

\\ Where's the girl? Where did Faith go? //

After reassuring Xander that she would return soon, she went out into the corridor, and checked the two waiting rooms, then went to the nurse's desk.

"Excuse me, but when the emergency in the Harris room was going on, did anyone happen to see a young brunette girl around here?" she asked the staff gathered around the desk.
Several of them answered in the negative, but Nurse Munsey, a veteran who had been here for years remembered her.

"Was she wearing black jeans and a red tank top?" she asked.

"Yes, I believe she was," Yin answered.

"The poor girl looked like she was crushed when he flat-lined, and took off down the hall towards the surgical wing just before you arrived. She looked devastated. Was she his girlfriend?" Munsey asked.

"I don't know. I really don't know," Yin replied.

Dr. Su Yin, neurologist, onetime girlfriend of Tony Stark, and now possibly lead medical doctor of the Stark medical research team, went out in search of the troubled young girl. She searched several places before calling Security and asking that they put a watch out for the brunette. She was heading back to Xander's room when she received a page from one of the security men. They had located Faith in a stairwell, and she seemed to be just sitting there, crying.

Dr. Yin hurried to the location she had been given and walked down the half a flight to sit next to the scared young girl.

"He's doing better for the time being, Faith. I have him on a external pacemaker, and he is breathing with the help of a ventilator. Barring any more problems developing, he should be fine for a few days until we get the device set up for him," she explained, as she tried to reassure the young girl.

Faith sat up straighter and wiped her eyes, trying to regain her normal cocky attitude and manner, but failed.

"You love him, don't you?" Yin asked her quietly.

"Yeah, I guess I do. But that don't matter. Xander don't care about me that way. He has a thing for a blonde Slayer. I think he has always loved her," Faith said softly.

"So when did you fall for him?" Yin asked, trying to get Faith to talk a little.

"Complicated story. We were out one night on Armageddon alert, trying to keep the Sisters of Jhe from opening the Hellmouth when I stumbled on one at the cemetery. I was gettin' my ass kicked when Xander shows up in his uncle's car and slams her into the wall of the crypt. I used my trusty demon killer knife on her and then we headed back to my place. I was gettin kind of twitchy, 'cause slaying makes me hungry and horny, and I figured the two of us could work off a little of that adrenaline together," Faith paused for a moment, looking at her feet.

"Well, anyway, he refused, and when I freaked out, he calmed me down and slept with me, holding me all night, even though we never took our clothes off. I felt so protected and loved that night. Anyway, the next morning, he hauled my butt over to Buffy's house and had me talk to Joyce, Buffy's mom. Well, we ended up talking for hours, and she convinced me to move in with them, and I actually felt like I belonged somewhere, for the first time in my life," Faith said as she stood, leaning back against the wall.

"Xander and Joyce have been there for me again and again this past year. I owe him everything, so what does he do? He saves my life and Buffy's. Again. And do you know why? He said we were more valuable to the world than he would ever be." Faith's indifferent façade broke down as she spoke, and her tears began running down her face once more.

Dr. Yin stood up and gently hugged the young slayer, holding her close while she cried, her own eyes threatening to spill over.

After a few minutes, she began leading the young Slayer back up to Xander's room.

"Come on, Faith. Xander's alone right now, and he's scared at what's happening to him. He needs you," Yin whispered.

Later that afternoon.

Xander had just been returned to his room after having yet even more tests run. Faith was there waiting and grabbed his hand as soon as he was back in his bed.

\\ God, Faith, you don't know how much this means to me, // Xander tried to say with his eyes.

Faith just squeezed his hand, and gave him a weak smile back.

She heard a noise and looked up to the doorway.

A tall dark haired man with a neatly trimmed goatee was standing there. A small youngish looking redhead and a large muscular black man stood with him. Behind them, Faith heard Dr. Yin urging everyone into the room. After she entered, she made the introductions.

"Xander, Faith, this is Tony Stark, Jim Rhodes, and Deidre McTaggart. Tony, Jim, Deidre, this is Xander Harris and Faith Williams. Tony, Faith is the one I was telling you about, the Slayer." Yin elaborated, to Faith's shock.

"Dr. Yin, what the hell's the idea? That was not supposed to be spread around. It's supposed to be a kinda secret identity thing," the brunette hissed.
Jim Rhodes, or Rhodey as he was known, snorted.

"What's your deal, muscle brain?" Faith asked, a snarl on her face as she looked at him.

"Don't know where you get called a "Slayer" ,doll face. You look more like a shopper. You don't look big enough to be a threat to anyone," the big bodyguard grinned down at her.

Faith had started to take a step toward the big bodyguard, but stopped when Xander held onto her hand. Turning to look at him, she saw the look in his eyes, and the shake of the head that meant 'no.'

"Rhodey, back off. A lot of people don't look at all like they really are," Tony Stark said, stepping in to diffuse the tension. "Now shake hands and make nice."

The big man stuck his hand out to the small woman, then was shocked when he found himself on his knees, unable to move because of the pressure point on his hand that she had found.

"Uncle,." he whispered.

Faith relaxed her grip and helped the man up. His eyes opened wide when Faith easily pulled him to his feet.

"Slayer strength. I never go anywhere without it," She said, a sly grin on her face.

Tony Stark stepped up closer to the bed and started to talk to Xander.

"Dr. Yin tells me that you are aware of what is happening to the nerves in your chest. Is that correct?" he asked.

Xander, unable to speak with the respirator in his throat, nodded in agreement.

"We have developed a way to bypass the damaged nerves, and a device which can control your heart and lungs, but it is a complicated and lengthy process. My company is willing to test it on you, so that we can research the results. I just want to make sure you know that it will be a long and painful process, but it should eventually let you have a normal life, more or less," Tony explained.

Xander could only nod and give a 'thumbs up' to the proposal.

Faith stayed in physical contact with Xander as much as possible for the rest of the day, as he was transferred to the research wing that had been provided to the hospital by Stark International. Xander's room was much larger and a lot more private than the previous one.

Near the end of the day, both Tony and Dr. Yin returned to see how Xander was doing. Unable to speak, he used a small whiteboard that had been provided for him to indicate that he was doing fairly well.

"I'm heading up to Sunnydale tomorrow to talk to Rupert Giles, and your parents. I want to make sure they know what is going on. I want to talk to Mr. Giles in particular, about vampires and demons. Is there anything you'd like me to pass on? If you want to write some letters, I will deliver them for you," Stark offered.

Xander nodded, then started writing. He also asked if Faith could ride back with him, insisting that she was missing too much school being here with him. When Faith tried to protest, Xander turned on the puppy dog eyes and she caved in, almost without a fight.

Stark then arranged to return the next morning and pick up Faith, and Xander's letters. Dr. Yin was going to remain at the hospital for awhile, and would return to take Faith home with her just for the night..

After the two adults left, the two young people sat there, holding hands and looking at each other. Xander moved first, taking his white board and reassuring the Dark Slayer that he would be okay. Faith nodded to him with tears in her eyes, unable to speak.

After a bit, Xander asked her to help him find some paper and a pen, so he could write his letters. Faith found them, setting them on his table for him to use whenever he was ready.

After he had finished his letters, the pair sat quietly and waited until Dr. Yin returned to get Faith.

The ride that night was quiet, Faith lost in her own thoughts, and Dr. Yin was thinking about seeing Tony again. They stopped and got a Pizza, then finished the trip to the doctor's home.

Two Weeks Later.

Xander was sitting up, out of bed for the first time since his injury, awaiting his visitors.

True, he was tethered to a bank of computers that were monitoring the chest plate assembly that was controlling his heart and lungs, but he now had some limited mobility. It was also true that the chest plate was very similar to the armor that a Conquistador would have worn, but lacked the flaring out at the bottom. But at least he felt normal for the first time in quite a while.

The whole assembly was constructed of a multi layered, knitted metallic material (only Stark knew the real composition) which formed a skin tight hard shell when it was powered up. It controlled both the pacemaker and the device which regulated his lungs which had been implanted in Xander's chest, while bio-metallic fibers replaced the destroyed or damaged nerves. The testing of his chest plate assembly was just beginning.

When Buffy, Faith, Willow and the rest of the gang arrived, Xander was on the treadmill, the computer analyzing his breathing and heartbeat requirements, comparing them to a normal human in Xander's condition. All things considered, he was doing surprisingly well.

The Gang waited and watched quietly while he finished his time on the device, amazed that he was doing so well. When Dr. Yin shut down the treadmill, Xander stepped off and stood quietly, at least until the clapping started.

"Good job, Xan!" Buffy laughed.

"Yes, a very good job, Xander," Dr. Yin agreed. "Now, please lift your arms so I can make some adjustments to the chest plate computer. The other one seems to be fine, but I want to make sure that they are synched up as closely as possible."

Xander stood, holding out his arms, while Dr. Yin and Deidre McTaggart, the designer, powered down the device and pulled it off the young man.

Dr. Yin examined the implants while Deidre plugged in the now flexible chest piece into her computer. The steroids and other medication that were being used accelerated the healing process quite a bit, and the scars that were visible were very faint and nearly completely healed. The micro-computers and electronic pacemaker that were implanted under the Pectoralis minor muscles ran off a special Stark Industries battery pack that was still very secret. The electronics that controlled his lung functions were implanted under the muscles on both sides of Xander's chest.

A secondary effect of the steroids was the bulking up of Xander's muscle tissue, a side effect that had also been planned for, as a way to provide further padding for the electronics.

The chest plate was responsible for providing the main power supply to the electronics, as well as protecting them from everyday activities. The knitted metallic fiber formed a hard shell when polarized by the proper electrical field, allowing flexibility on the inside , but forming a strong, impervious shell on the outside.

Both Buffy, and Faith hugged the shirtless Xander gently, not wanting to hurt him.

"Damn, but you've bulked up some, X-man. Looking good!" Faith commented.

"A side effect of the steroids we're using to help repair as much of the damage as we can, but the workout routine we have him on will help that out. He'll stay in pretty good shape as long as he keeps up with the routine," Yin commented. "Xander, we're finished for the moment, until we can get set up for the remaining test. Why don't you rest up a bit, and spend some time with your friends?"

He took the hint, and gratefully sat down on the couch, but still within reach of his tethers.

The group just sat around and talked for awhile, trying to catch up on what was going on back home. After a discreet bit of maneuvering, Joyce finally managed to get a few minutes alone with him.

"I just wanted to thank you for saving Buffy's life again, Xander," she started.

"No need for that, Mrs. Summers, you know I would do anything…" Xander tried to explain. Joyce interrupted him before he could continue.

"Yes, Xander, that is exactly what I mean. Out of all of Buffy's friends, you are the one I know that would do anything to protect her, or for that matter, Faith, Willow and Dawn. For that alone, I can't thank you enough. I want you to know Xander, that if you ever need anything, and I mean anything at all, you come to me. If it's in my power to help you, I will do it."

She hugged Xander in a very motherly fashion, kissed him on the cheek and then walked away, leaving a stunned young man behind her.

Dr Yin had overheard the last part of the conversation and said to Xander, "You are a very lucky person to have someone like that care for you."

"Yeah, I know," Xander replied softly.

The friends' afternoon visit was over before they realized it, and they all gathered together to say goodbye. Dawn, Buffy, Willow, Faith and Joyce all hugged him when saying their goodbyes. Giles shook hands with him, leaned closer to him and whispered, "Thank you for everything." Then he turned and left. The rest of the Gang promised to return the next weekend.

After they left, Xander returned to the treadmill and went through several more tests that the doctor had set up. He was finishing the final one when Tony Stark came in. He was accompanied by a rather beat up Rhodey.

"Hello, everyone,." Called out Tony as they entered.

"Hi Tony, hi Jim, what the hell happened to you?" Dr. Yin asked, concerned about his injuries.

Tony chuckled.

"We went on patrol with Buffy and Faith two nights ago; we wanted to see for ourselves what was going on. We ran into a pack of vampires. Buffy and Faith fought an amazing battle, keeping the vampires away from us." Tony explained. "However, one got by, and Rhodey got the idea into his head that they weren't that tough, so he jumped on him. It tossed Rhodey off like he was some kind of pillow. You should have seen the look on his face. Giles killed it with a crossbow."

"So he's a believer now, huh?" Asked Xander.

"Oh yeah, big time," Tony smirked.

Rhodey rolled his eyes, but he now knew what Xander had been going through, a bond began to be formed between them.

"I did spend a lot of time talking to Rupert though, and he told me a lot about you," Tony stated.

"Really?" Xander questioned, not sure what kind of answer to expect.

"Yes, he told me that you have some sort of 'White Knight' complex. He guaranteed me that if you were able to, you would go through the exact same thing as you have just been through, if it meant you would get to save Buffy or Faith again."

Tony fixed Xander with a direct stare. "Is that true Xander?"

Xander squirmed as he stepped off the treadmill.

"Yeah, I would. Even if it killed me," Xander admitted, his throat tight with tension.

"Giles said you would answer that way, and I thought you would as well", Tony said. "Do you know where this technology came from, Xander?"

"No, I haven't the slightest idea. I guess I just figured that there was a market for it somewhere?"

"Well, there is a long story behind it, but let's just say that, a long time ago, I was very headstrong, and when a rival company wanted to take SI over, I fought it with all my heart and intellect ," Tony started his explanation. "When it looked like I was going to win, the rival company tried to destroy me, first using threats and then industrial sabotage."

Tony paused to get a cup of water from the cooler, and then sat down on one of the couches. Xander sat in the chair as Dr. Yin unplugged the tethers.

"I found out about a bomb threat and I went in to find the bomb, but I wasn't quick enough and the bomb went off. A piece of shrapnel hit me in the chest and damaged the nerves controlling my heart, much like what you are suffering from." Tony paused again. "Having heard that I would be bedridden, possibly for the rest of my life, I started designing a way to control and protect my heart. I succeeded, and you are seeing a more updated version of what I created. I talked at great length with Giles about you because I was concerned about spending a lot of money on someone who would not think before doing anything. Talking to Giles assured me that you would think, but then risk yourself for your friends as well."

There was a period of absolute silence. "So what are you saying, Tony? That you don't want to help me because I would risk everything for the people I love? If that is what you want, pull this crap out of me and send me back upstairs to die in peace," Xander said very quietly and coldly.

Tony Stark sat silently, watching as the young man stood up and told him what he could do with what Xander assumed were his conditions for treatment and assistance.

"Xander, please sit down! I was implying no such thing. If you want my assistance, you are going to have to learn to listen more closely and think things through before you react." Tony said, taking a second to take a drink of water. "What I was trying to make you understand is that I know how it feels to be helpless, and that I want to help you and your group of friends."

Tony stood up and walked over to the wall and opened a panel, exposing a complete entertainment unit. He slipped in a tape, grabbed the remote control and sat back down.

"After my injury healed enough to return to work, I found myself unable to trust most of my key people. I needed a way to move around them and protect my business at the same time. That is when this guy came into play." He clicked the remote.

On the screen, an armored form came into view; it was all gleaming, metallic yellow-gold and moved with almost the same ease and grace of a human.

Xander watched in stunned silence as it flew for short distances, fired some kind of light beams from its hands that pushed things back, and easily lifted a car with one hand.

"That," Said Tony as he clicked the TV off, "was Iron Man."

Xander looked at him, unable to think of anything to say.

"That was also *me* in that suit. A suit designed and created by me, to allow me to move around unrecognized, and protected; it powered my pacemaker, and kept me alive. At the time, many people thought he was some kind of super hero, but we kept the suit under wraps as much as possible, trying to keep the design from the military. I didn't want to be responsible for creating some sort of super soldier."

Tony returned to his seat after closing the panels.

"That is why Deidre is here. She has modified the suit's design considerably, made it lighter, stronger, and easier to conceal." Tony again got to his feet and walked over to Xander, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Would you consider using a modified version of the Iron Man armor, Xander? I know I can't stop you from fighting, but I think I can give you the edge against what you fight. Rupert convinced me to keep quiet about Vampires and Demons for now, but I don't know how long I will able to keep your secret. For now, I can; and I will assist you in your fight."

Tony returned to his seat after getting some more water as he waited for Xander's answer.

Xander's answer was in a soft and determined voice. "I will accept your assistance, but as always, my first priority will be to protect my friends."

Tony nodded in agreement.

"Since you just turned eighteen, your parents have decided that you are now on your own. I took the liberty of having your things moved to your new place. You are now living with Deidre and her brother Sean, in a house in Sunnydale. You will be living in the basement apartment. The place is a pretty good size and has an attached workshop area for adjustments and repairs to your armor. You should be able to return to school in about three more weeks, but until then, Rhodey has personally picked your physical therapist to help you with your workouts."

Tony picked up a gym bag and walked over to Xander and handed it to him.

"Here try it on," he said.

Xander opened the bag and pulled out a pair of flat black boots with a thick band around the top, a pair of shorts with thick bands around the legs and waistband,, a pair of gloves with thick cuffs and a strange looking helmet folded open. He looked at them, unsure of what to do, until Deidre explained.

"Here, put this chestplate on first," she instructed, handing him a black duplicate of his normal plate.

He stood and pulled on the chestplate.

"Now, strip down to your boxers," she commanded.

And Xander, without thinking, pulled off his sweat pants.

She had him pull the shorts on, donning them just like he would any ordinary shorts then showed him how to hook the waistband up to the chest plate. When he had done that, she had him put the boots on. After he was finished with that, Deidre showed him how to pull out the knitted metal leg pieces and pull them up, connecting them to the leg openings.

Next came the gloves, and while he was dong that, Tony asked another question.

"Which Slayer are you going to have help you?"

"Excuse me? Which one help me do what?" said Xander, confused by the question.

"Yes, which one is going to help you while you try out the armor? Xander, this is new technology, and if there was a failure while trying it out, you would be helpless. I want you to have one of the Slayers with you at all times when you're wearing the armor, while we are testing it. So, who is it going to be?"

Xander thought a minute as he connected the sleeves that pulled out of the gloves.

"Faith. Buffy still thinks of me as a doofus, but Faith was always willing to give me a chance," he replied.

"Okay, then, now for the helmet," said Deidre, as she showed him how it went on. "Now, be careful. When the helmet is connected, all systems will come on line. You will feel a slight buzz over your entire body as the knit metal fabric is polarized. That is what gives it it's strength. You will be able to move, but be careful, the micro-motor amplifiers will give you much greater strength than you had before."

Tony walked around the young man, looking over the suit. The flat black would not be very visible at all during the night, and it looked fairly comfortable.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Xander, as the helmet snapped into place and the hum of the armor polarizing was heard by all and felt by Xander.

"This is so cool," cried Xander. "It feels so, so…"

"Powerful?" offered Stark.

"Nope, just cool, that is the only way I can describe it," Xander told him.

They then had him remove the outfit and Su Yin suggested he get to bed and rest, since tomorrow was going to be another long day, and he had work to do.

Xander bid everyone good night, and returned to his room.

Su Yin walked up to Tony and spoke.

"He's a strong young man, Tony. He'll be all right."

"I never doubted it; that boy is stubborn, courageous, and has a very strong will to survive," Tony stated.

"Aye, Mr. Stark. An Iron Will," said Deidre.

"Yes, an Iron Will for an Iron Man. Fitting," declared Tony as he left to return to his west coast apartment.

TBC