The Paladin Project (20/23) – For Faith
The two Bringers patrolling outside the school's front entrance turned to confront Xander as the youth stormed out of the shadows, his gleaming sword a menacing accompaniment to his murderously glittering eyes. Their daggers came up in their defence but Xander's movements were quicksilver fast, his blade flashing right and left, tearing heads off their shoulders and covering the young man in their viscera.
Even as Xander began to lower his blade two more Bringers burst through the school doors. A feral growl burst from Xander's lips as he surged to meet them, the pommel of his sword smashing into the right minion's face even as he drove his knee into the demon worshipper's stomach.
The left Bringer lunged at Xander but he twisted away from the attack and pushed the doubled-up minion into his adversary's path. Unable to stop his upwards knife thrust, the bringer ploughed his dagger into his counterpart's chest, sending blood spurting out of the gaping wound.
The demon worshipper barely had time to register his mistake when Xander was on him. Grabbing his opponent by the throat with one hand, the Paladin Project's leader threw the unfortunate follower of the First into the wall.
The Bringer bounced off the wall and into Xander who grabbed hold of his rival with one hand on his forehead and one on the underside of his jaw and twisted in opposite directions. There was a crack and then the head flew off the minion's shoulders, exploding in a torrent of blood as if blown off by a hand grenade. For a second Xander stared down at the bodies before turning to those huddled behind him, the battle rage of a few seconds ago replaced by an icy bleakness. "Inside," he grated.
"Since you asked so nicely," O'Neill muttered. Despite his jocularity he'd been shaken by what he'd just seen. He'd trained with his son and seen him fight on occasion so he knew how good he was. But the level of dispassionate brutality he'd displayed was spine chilling. "Say Teal'c," he muttered to the thickly muscled alien beside him. "I ever get any doubts about Xander and Faith, remind me to keep them to myself."
His friend nodded. "A wise tactical decision O'Neill."
"Yeah," he muttered. "That's what I get for being related to King Arthur. I'm a regular military genius."
* * *
Angel was worried. At first his entire being had been consumed with fear for Faith but now the way Xander was acting... His friend was teetering on the edge. If they lost her maybe Xander would follow suit, fall into an inescapable pit of despair.
"It doesn't look good does it?"
Angel turned to Giles, surprised that the Englishman would speak to him. Since they'd helped Xander recover from Buffy's assault atmosphere between them had warmed from freezing to merely cold. They communicated occasionally but always at his behest. It was the first time he could remember the Watcher actually starting a conversation between them. "No it doesn't," he admitted. Suddenly a terrible thought hit him. After a moment's hesitation he decided to share his misgivings with the middle-aged Englishman. "Giles, what if this is the First's plan? If when we enter the cavern, they kill Faith," Angel felt his stomach hollow at the thought. "In the hopes of provoking Xander into doing something reckless. Or even perhaps turning him evil."
"Oh good lord," Giles looked stricken. "We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Yes," Angel nodded. "Yes we will."
* * *
Xander heard the muttered conversation behind him but paid them no attention, he was too focused on what he was about to do. If Faith couldn't be saved, then at the very least Caleb wouldn't live a moment longer.
Sensing a presence in the in the corridor's shadows, he pivoted to his right and, after a quick glance confirming it was a hostile, thrust his blade at the shape. His sword hit soft flesh tearing through his victim's body. Hearing a footfall behind him he released his grip on his sword and spun around, blocking a knife thrust with his left arm while pounding his opponent's face to a bloody ruin with a series of bone-shattering rights.
The bringer stumbled away, desperate to escape Xander's attack, but he was relentless. Surging forward, he grabbed the demon worshipper's wrist and twisted. The bone snapped and the minion's knife fell, allowing Xander to snatch up the plummeting blade and thrust it deep in his rival's throat.
As soon as the Bringer had crashed to the floor he turned back to his first assailant and retrieved his sword. After wiping his blade clean on the priest's robes, he turned to the others. "Come on." He didn't care about their shock and disgust, all he was concerned about was Faith.
* * *
"They're almost here."
Caleb nodded at the First's announcement. It was a shame, he'd enjoyed his time with the bitch, breaking her down, showing the error of her ways and the true meaning of power. "Pity." He picked up a cattle prod and sent a jolt of electricity through the whore's groin. The slut spasmed but to his disappointment didn't scream or even whimper, she was probably too far gone to feel anything. Ah well, they'd had fun together.
Suddenly the basement door crashed open and a stormy-faced Harris charged in, followed by his cohorts. "Paige!" he bellowed.
Instantly the Slayer was consumed in a glowing white light and transported into the arms of a handsome young man. Caleb's heart pounded with excitement when he saw the Project Leader's look of horror at the harlot's brutalised condition and when he realised the man who cradled his victim wasn't a man at all but a White Rider. "Perfect, just perfect," he taunted. "Your little angel can heal her up. And then," he smiled at his fellow Fallen members. "We can take her apart again. And this time she'll know exactly what we're going to do and we can really take our time with her. Days even."
* * *
Xander fought back the bile rising in his throat, threatening to choke him, at the sight of his destroyed friend. What had they done to her? His gaze moved from the brunette to the preacher, his pain turning to blistering rage. "That. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen," he grated. Without moving his eyes from the smirking holy man, he began giving orders. "Blade, Eric, Lance, you deal with the holy trinity," he nodded towards Caleb's three accomplices. Given the choice, he'd rather deal with them all himself, one after another, but he hadn't the time. "The rest of you get out." He heard the sound of Leo teleporting out, the angel carrying Faith's limp body in his arms.
"Xander."
He shook his head at Angel's gently protesting voice. "Faith needs you more than I do. When she comes round tell her," Xander paused. He nearly said tell her I loved her but that would only heap more pain on her. "Tell her I'm sorry I didn't realise what an amazing person she is."
"Xander," Angel tried again.
"Go Angel, me and Caleb," Xander cracked his neck, "are going to have a little talk about the proper respect for women."
Hearing the sound of the door leading out of the cavern closing he moved towards Caleb. The reverend's beaming smile widened when he dropped his sword. "You think you can stand against me?" the holy man taunted.
Xander smiled coldly. He was going to enjoy this. "I've picked up a few tricks along the way."
* * * Caleb's eyes narrowed as his rival began to chant in an arcane tongue. The youth wasn't supposed to know magic, and powerful magic at that. Suddenly the boy burst forward, his speed supposedly unattainable by a human. At the last second the youth moved to one side, dodged under his right cross, grabbed hold of his out-stretched arm at the wrist and elbow, and flung him into the far wall. Shaking off the shock, he turned to face his adversary.
* * *
A vision of a beautiful woman, her full lips parted in a crooked grin and her luminous eyes filled with sparkling invitation filled his mind. Then he saw a picture of the same female hideously wrecked, her face misshapen and her body bent and twisted. "Hurt mate," Beast-Xander growled as he charged the evil man. "Never hurt mate again!" He slammed a torrent of blows into the preacher's face, repeatedly snapping his head back. The reverend responded by grabbing him around the throat and hurtling into the table laden with torture instruments, sending him and the table crashing to the ground.
Beast-Xander howled, infuriated by the pain thundering through his body. "Kill man!" Leaping to his feet, he met the on-rushing priest with a leg sweep but Caleb leapt over his attack and retaliated with a crescent kick to the face that sent flying him into the wall behind.
* * *
Caleb's eyes widened as the boy, or whatever he was, bounded instantly to his feet. That attack should have knocked the youth out at the very least. "What are you?"
The youth's eyes flashed yellow but he didn't reply. Instead the boy raced to meet him only to leapfrog him at the last moment. Before Caleb had chance to turn round, his kidneys exploded in pain as the brat launched a knee into them.
He hit the floor on his hands and knees and screamed in agony as the youth slammed a foot in his ribs. The impact of the blow lifted him off the ground and sent him plummeting into the table's remains. Seeing the young man charge him he grabbed the cattle prod he'd earlier used on the Slayer and sent a charge through the man's left leg. The man howled hoarsely before falling to his knees.
A grin on his face, Caleb rolled to his feet and began kicking at his rival who rapidly covered up, catching most of the blows on his arms. Caleb cursed as his opponent grabbed his left ankle and pulled. Knocked off balance he fell onto his back. Before he had time to recover, the youth had gotten to his feet and was charging him. "Not hurt mate!"
As soon as the young man was in position Caleb brought his foot up into the boy's groin, putting every ounce of power into the kick. He was pleased when the youngster's eyes crossed and he fell to the ground. His body shaking with pain, Caleb struggled to his feet and brought his foot down, intending to stomp Harris' skull in.
He cursed as the young man rolled to his feet, noting with trepidation the ferocious light still burning in his eyes. What did it take to stop him?
Gathering his courage he lunged at the youth but Harris' hands shot out to grab him by his shirtfront. Then his rival dropped backwards, his feet slamming into Caleb's stomach. The blow drove the wind out of his body and sent him flying over his adversary's head.
Shaking away his shock, he rolled to his feet just as the youth shoulder- charged him, the impact knocking him into the wall. Again Harris ran at him but this time Caleb was able to catch his opponent with a thudding right hook that sent him crashing to the ground.
A triumphant grin twisting his face, Caleb straddled his stunned opponent and began pounding his face to a bloody pulp, every punch splintering bone and shredding flesh. He screamed as pain erupted in his stomach. Despite the beating he was enduring the unbeliever had managed to wrap his legs around his waist with agonising force. Teeth grimaced with the effort, Caleb surged upright, pulling himself loose of the hold.
Every breath tortured, he spat blood out of his mouth as he watched in disbelief as the young man clambered to his feet. As soon as the youth moved in range, Caleb shot out a thumb, gouging the boy's eye. Even as the Sunnydale native's hands flew up to his face Caleb leapt forward, grabbing the boy in a bear hug around his waist and began squeezing. Soon the young man's spine would be shattered and -.
"Oow!" Caleb screamed in agony as his adversary clamped his teeth around his throat, tearing flesh, and spewing blood out. Instantly he released his grip and stumbled away from the youth, unable to concentrate on anything but the roaring pain in his neck.
* * *
"Not hurt mate again!" Beast-Xander surged forward, grabbing the preacher around the crotch and jaw before lifting Caleb above his head in a single smooth motion. After unleashing a triumphant roar he brought the helpless holy man down fast, smashing the small of the priest's back into his upcoming knee, jack-knifing his body. Caleb screamed as his back shattered, his spine splintering.
Tossing the crippled man to the ground, Beast-Xander bent over, grabbed hold of his rival's head and ripped it off his shoulders. Trophy in hand he straightened and lifted it above his head, blood dripping to the ground, and howled his victory. His mate was avenged!
* * *
"Oh brother!" Jack muttered, his stomach flip-flopping at what he'd just seen his son do. When Xander had ordered them all to leave he'd ignored the order, well as General Hammond could testify it was hardly the first command he'd disregarded, and stayed, together with the rest of his team.
Jonas had practically wet himself when Xander had begun reciting the unknown language, muttering something about 'pre-dated dialects'. And then his offspring had begun moving with a speed impossible for even Teal'c to match, taking blows that should have killed him without stopping, and ruthlessly taking apart the preacher. Literally.
But now. O'Neill looked across at his team members and then at Blade, Draven, and Amore who'd all won their battles, and were now staring open- mouthed at his snarling and snorting son. Seeing the Crow move warily towards the young man he shook his head and passed his gun over to Teal'c before moving towards his child. "Xander, I know you're in there." Looking into his son's wild eyes he was far from sure but he had to try.
"This is not wise O'Neill," Teal'c cautioned.
"We've been friends for years Teal'c," O'Neill smiled tightly, his gaze fixed on his howling son. "Since when have I done the wise thing?"
"Indeed," Teal'c nodded.
"Sarcastic aliens," he muttered as he started forward. "Don't you just love them?"
* * *
Beast-Xander snarled at the stranger's approach. Nobody was going to steal the glory of his kill, he had to show his trophy to his mate to prove his love. He realised the interloper was talking. "Xander, son listen to me." He growled warningly, the grey-haired man swallowed but then stepped nearer. Beast-Xander stopped snarling, man smelt familiar. "I don't know what you've done to yourself exactly but you have to come back. 'Cause as bad as your conversational skills are they're better than Mr. Grunt." He cocked his head, not understanding what was being said yet strangely soothed by the man's tone. "Look son, I need you back. We need you back," the man paused. "Faith needs you back."
"Faith?" The name struck a chord somewhere deep within him. "Mate," he mumbled.
"Yeah, that's right. You've killed Caleb and that's great. But what do you think the guilt will do to her if you can't change back, if you're lost to us. Come back to her."
Xander's body spasmed as the pain from his fight with Caleb thundered through him. "Oh shit!" His head spinning he stared at O'Neill. "Faith." Suddenly he was itching forward, vision blurring as he plunged into darkness.
The two Bringers patrolling outside the school's front entrance turned to confront Xander as the youth stormed out of the shadows, his gleaming sword a menacing accompaniment to his murderously glittering eyes. Their daggers came up in their defence but Xander's movements were quicksilver fast, his blade flashing right and left, tearing heads off their shoulders and covering the young man in their viscera.
Even as Xander began to lower his blade two more Bringers burst through the school doors. A feral growl burst from Xander's lips as he surged to meet them, the pommel of his sword smashing into the right minion's face even as he drove his knee into the demon worshipper's stomach.
The left Bringer lunged at Xander but he twisted away from the attack and pushed the doubled-up minion into his adversary's path. Unable to stop his upwards knife thrust, the bringer ploughed his dagger into his counterpart's chest, sending blood spurting out of the gaping wound.
The demon worshipper barely had time to register his mistake when Xander was on him. Grabbing his opponent by the throat with one hand, the Paladin Project's leader threw the unfortunate follower of the First into the wall.
The Bringer bounced off the wall and into Xander who grabbed hold of his rival with one hand on his forehead and one on the underside of his jaw and twisted in opposite directions. There was a crack and then the head flew off the minion's shoulders, exploding in a torrent of blood as if blown off by a hand grenade. For a second Xander stared down at the bodies before turning to those huddled behind him, the battle rage of a few seconds ago replaced by an icy bleakness. "Inside," he grated.
"Since you asked so nicely," O'Neill muttered. Despite his jocularity he'd been shaken by what he'd just seen. He'd trained with his son and seen him fight on occasion so he knew how good he was. But the level of dispassionate brutality he'd displayed was spine chilling. "Say Teal'c," he muttered to the thickly muscled alien beside him. "I ever get any doubts about Xander and Faith, remind me to keep them to myself."
His friend nodded. "A wise tactical decision O'Neill."
"Yeah," he muttered. "That's what I get for being related to King Arthur. I'm a regular military genius."
* * *
Angel was worried. At first his entire being had been consumed with fear for Faith but now the way Xander was acting... His friend was teetering on the edge. If they lost her maybe Xander would follow suit, fall into an inescapable pit of despair.
"It doesn't look good does it?"
Angel turned to Giles, surprised that the Englishman would speak to him. Since they'd helped Xander recover from Buffy's assault atmosphere between them had warmed from freezing to merely cold. They communicated occasionally but always at his behest. It was the first time he could remember the Watcher actually starting a conversation between them. "No it doesn't," he admitted. Suddenly a terrible thought hit him. After a moment's hesitation he decided to share his misgivings with the middle-aged Englishman. "Giles, what if this is the First's plan? If when we enter the cavern, they kill Faith," Angel felt his stomach hollow at the thought. "In the hopes of provoking Xander into doing something reckless. Or even perhaps turning him evil."
"Oh good lord," Giles looked stricken. "We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Yes," Angel nodded. "Yes we will."
* * *
Xander heard the muttered conversation behind him but paid them no attention, he was too focused on what he was about to do. If Faith couldn't be saved, then at the very least Caleb wouldn't live a moment longer.
Sensing a presence in the in the corridor's shadows, he pivoted to his right and, after a quick glance confirming it was a hostile, thrust his blade at the shape. His sword hit soft flesh tearing through his victim's body. Hearing a footfall behind him he released his grip on his sword and spun around, blocking a knife thrust with his left arm while pounding his opponent's face to a bloody ruin with a series of bone-shattering rights.
The bringer stumbled away, desperate to escape Xander's attack, but he was relentless. Surging forward, he grabbed the demon worshipper's wrist and twisted. The bone snapped and the minion's knife fell, allowing Xander to snatch up the plummeting blade and thrust it deep in his rival's throat.
As soon as the Bringer had crashed to the floor he turned back to his first assailant and retrieved his sword. After wiping his blade clean on the priest's robes, he turned to the others. "Come on." He didn't care about their shock and disgust, all he was concerned about was Faith.
* * *
"They're almost here."
Caleb nodded at the First's announcement. It was a shame, he'd enjoyed his time with the bitch, breaking her down, showing the error of her ways and the true meaning of power. "Pity." He picked up a cattle prod and sent a jolt of electricity through the whore's groin. The slut spasmed but to his disappointment didn't scream or even whimper, she was probably too far gone to feel anything. Ah well, they'd had fun together.
Suddenly the basement door crashed open and a stormy-faced Harris charged in, followed by his cohorts. "Paige!" he bellowed.
Instantly the Slayer was consumed in a glowing white light and transported into the arms of a handsome young man. Caleb's heart pounded with excitement when he saw the Project Leader's look of horror at the harlot's brutalised condition and when he realised the man who cradled his victim wasn't a man at all but a White Rider. "Perfect, just perfect," he taunted. "Your little angel can heal her up. And then," he smiled at his fellow Fallen members. "We can take her apart again. And this time she'll know exactly what we're going to do and we can really take our time with her. Days even."
* * *
Xander fought back the bile rising in his throat, threatening to choke him, at the sight of his destroyed friend. What had they done to her? His gaze moved from the brunette to the preacher, his pain turning to blistering rage. "That. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen," he grated. Without moving his eyes from the smirking holy man, he began giving orders. "Blade, Eric, Lance, you deal with the holy trinity," he nodded towards Caleb's three accomplices. Given the choice, he'd rather deal with them all himself, one after another, but he hadn't the time. "The rest of you get out." He heard the sound of Leo teleporting out, the angel carrying Faith's limp body in his arms.
"Xander."
He shook his head at Angel's gently protesting voice. "Faith needs you more than I do. When she comes round tell her," Xander paused. He nearly said tell her I loved her but that would only heap more pain on her. "Tell her I'm sorry I didn't realise what an amazing person she is."
"Xander," Angel tried again.
"Go Angel, me and Caleb," Xander cracked his neck, "are going to have a little talk about the proper respect for women."
Hearing the sound of the door leading out of the cavern closing he moved towards Caleb. The reverend's beaming smile widened when he dropped his sword. "You think you can stand against me?" the holy man taunted.
Xander smiled coldly. He was going to enjoy this. "I've picked up a few tricks along the way."
* * * Caleb's eyes narrowed as his rival began to chant in an arcane tongue. The youth wasn't supposed to know magic, and powerful magic at that. Suddenly the boy burst forward, his speed supposedly unattainable by a human. At the last second the youth moved to one side, dodged under his right cross, grabbed hold of his out-stretched arm at the wrist and elbow, and flung him into the far wall. Shaking off the shock, he turned to face his adversary.
* * *
A vision of a beautiful woman, her full lips parted in a crooked grin and her luminous eyes filled with sparkling invitation filled his mind. Then he saw a picture of the same female hideously wrecked, her face misshapen and her body bent and twisted. "Hurt mate," Beast-Xander growled as he charged the evil man. "Never hurt mate again!" He slammed a torrent of blows into the preacher's face, repeatedly snapping his head back. The reverend responded by grabbing him around the throat and hurtling into the table laden with torture instruments, sending him and the table crashing to the ground.
Beast-Xander howled, infuriated by the pain thundering through his body. "Kill man!" Leaping to his feet, he met the on-rushing priest with a leg sweep but Caleb leapt over his attack and retaliated with a crescent kick to the face that sent flying him into the wall behind.
* * *
Caleb's eyes widened as the boy, or whatever he was, bounded instantly to his feet. That attack should have knocked the youth out at the very least. "What are you?"
The youth's eyes flashed yellow but he didn't reply. Instead the boy raced to meet him only to leapfrog him at the last moment. Before Caleb had chance to turn round, his kidneys exploded in pain as the brat launched a knee into them.
He hit the floor on his hands and knees and screamed in agony as the youth slammed a foot in his ribs. The impact of the blow lifted him off the ground and sent him plummeting into the table's remains. Seeing the young man charge him he grabbed the cattle prod he'd earlier used on the Slayer and sent a charge through the man's left leg. The man howled hoarsely before falling to his knees.
A grin on his face, Caleb rolled to his feet and began kicking at his rival who rapidly covered up, catching most of the blows on his arms. Caleb cursed as his opponent grabbed his left ankle and pulled. Knocked off balance he fell onto his back. Before he had time to recover, the youth had gotten to his feet and was charging him. "Not hurt mate!"
As soon as the young man was in position Caleb brought his foot up into the boy's groin, putting every ounce of power into the kick. He was pleased when the youngster's eyes crossed and he fell to the ground. His body shaking with pain, Caleb struggled to his feet and brought his foot down, intending to stomp Harris' skull in.
He cursed as the young man rolled to his feet, noting with trepidation the ferocious light still burning in his eyes. What did it take to stop him?
Gathering his courage he lunged at the youth but Harris' hands shot out to grab him by his shirtfront. Then his rival dropped backwards, his feet slamming into Caleb's stomach. The blow drove the wind out of his body and sent him flying over his adversary's head.
Shaking away his shock, he rolled to his feet just as the youth shoulder- charged him, the impact knocking him into the wall. Again Harris ran at him but this time Caleb was able to catch his opponent with a thudding right hook that sent him crashing to the ground.
A triumphant grin twisting his face, Caleb straddled his stunned opponent and began pounding his face to a bloody pulp, every punch splintering bone and shredding flesh. He screamed as pain erupted in his stomach. Despite the beating he was enduring the unbeliever had managed to wrap his legs around his waist with agonising force. Teeth grimaced with the effort, Caleb surged upright, pulling himself loose of the hold.
Every breath tortured, he spat blood out of his mouth as he watched in disbelief as the young man clambered to his feet. As soon as the youth moved in range, Caleb shot out a thumb, gouging the boy's eye. Even as the Sunnydale native's hands flew up to his face Caleb leapt forward, grabbing the boy in a bear hug around his waist and began squeezing. Soon the young man's spine would be shattered and -.
"Oow!" Caleb screamed in agony as his adversary clamped his teeth around his throat, tearing flesh, and spewing blood out. Instantly he released his grip and stumbled away from the youth, unable to concentrate on anything but the roaring pain in his neck.
* * *
"Not hurt mate again!" Beast-Xander surged forward, grabbing the preacher around the crotch and jaw before lifting Caleb above his head in a single smooth motion. After unleashing a triumphant roar he brought the helpless holy man down fast, smashing the small of the priest's back into his upcoming knee, jack-knifing his body. Caleb screamed as his back shattered, his spine splintering.
Tossing the crippled man to the ground, Beast-Xander bent over, grabbed hold of his rival's head and ripped it off his shoulders. Trophy in hand he straightened and lifted it above his head, blood dripping to the ground, and howled his victory. His mate was avenged!
* * *
"Oh brother!" Jack muttered, his stomach flip-flopping at what he'd just seen his son do. When Xander had ordered them all to leave he'd ignored the order, well as General Hammond could testify it was hardly the first command he'd disregarded, and stayed, together with the rest of his team.
Jonas had practically wet himself when Xander had begun reciting the unknown language, muttering something about 'pre-dated dialects'. And then his offspring had begun moving with a speed impossible for even Teal'c to match, taking blows that should have killed him without stopping, and ruthlessly taking apart the preacher. Literally.
But now. O'Neill looked across at his team members and then at Blade, Draven, and Amore who'd all won their battles, and were now staring open- mouthed at his snarling and snorting son. Seeing the Crow move warily towards the young man he shook his head and passed his gun over to Teal'c before moving towards his child. "Xander, I know you're in there." Looking into his son's wild eyes he was far from sure but he had to try.
"This is not wise O'Neill," Teal'c cautioned.
"We've been friends for years Teal'c," O'Neill smiled tightly, his gaze fixed on his howling son. "Since when have I done the wise thing?"
"Indeed," Teal'c nodded.
"Sarcastic aliens," he muttered as he started forward. "Don't you just love them?"
* * *
Beast-Xander snarled at the stranger's approach. Nobody was going to steal the glory of his kill, he had to show his trophy to his mate to prove his love. He realised the interloper was talking. "Xander, son listen to me." He growled warningly, the grey-haired man swallowed but then stepped nearer. Beast-Xander stopped snarling, man smelt familiar. "I don't know what you've done to yourself exactly but you have to come back. 'Cause as bad as your conversational skills are they're better than Mr. Grunt." He cocked his head, not understanding what was being said yet strangely soothed by the man's tone. "Look son, I need you back. We need you back," the man paused. "Faith needs you back."
"Faith?" The name struck a chord somewhere deep within him. "Mate," he mumbled.
"Yeah, that's right. You've killed Caleb and that's great. But what do you think the guilt will do to her if you can't change back, if you're lost to us. Come back to her."
Xander's body spasmed as the pain from his fight with Caleb thundered through him. "Oh shit!" His head spinning he stared at O'Neill. "Faith." Suddenly he was itching forward, vision blurring as he plunged into darkness.
