Watcher 4 - Family
"So."
"So."
Xander smiled weakly at the two Slayers staring at him. From the looks on their faces he was in big trouble and as usual he didn't have a clue why. "Hi girls."
"Hi, he says hi," Xander was sure he could see steam coming out of Buffy's ears. "Are you nuts? Just what happened with this zombie gang?"
"Oh that." Xander went through the entire night, trying to play down all the dangerous bits even as he secretly enjoyed the Slayers' wide-eyed looks. Once he'd finished the comments began.
"Wolfie ate one of them? Gross!"
"You played chicken with a bomb!"
"So you're telling us you start the night riding around with a zombie, then you save my life, have sex and then go back to battling zombies? Then the next day you say nothing, just dismantle the bomb and walk off?" Xander nodded. The brunette snorted and shook her head. "B, boytoy's crazy!"
"It's been said before." Xander groaned as he struggled to his feet.
Instantly the brunette was by his side, a look of concern on her face as she allowed him to lean against her. "Where you goin' Xand?"
"The toilet."
"Sure," Faith glanced towards Buffy. "Can you grab the door B?"
* * *
"So what was he like?" Buffy asked as soon as the toilet door was closed. Now Xander was out of earshot she could get some dirt on him.
"Boy's got some moves. Tough too, kept hitting with punches and kicks but he wouldn't stay down. Could handle a newbie easy, too smart and skilled for them-."
"That's great Faith," Buffy interrupted impatiently. "Really interesting. But I meant in bed. And unless you're really kinky..."
"Oh," a wistful smile flickered across Faith's lips but was quickly gone. "Interested for yourself B?" the brunette asked, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Buffy blushed. "Bite me, Faith."
"That's your boyfriend's bag," the brunette shot back. Faith's face grew reflective. "Considering it was his first time he was pretty good." The Slayer smiled. "Not bed-rocking but real sweet and gentle; haven't been with too many guys who treated me nice like he did," Faith scowled. "Then what do I do to a guy who's just saved my lousy life and treated me like I was somebody? I kick him out into the street without even a thank you."
"Oh Faith," Buffy's heart broke at the self-loathing she heard in her friend's voice. She opened her mouth then closed it again when she realised she couldn't think of anything comforting to say.
"A prince of a guy like Xand deserves his first time to be with a lady not an ungrateful skank like me," the younger Slayer continued bitterly.
"Bullshit!" the girls turned to see an angry looking Xander stood in the bathroom doorway. "I was lucky, my first time was with a beautiful woman who also happens to be one of the bravest people I know and somebody who honours me with their friendship. I'm your Watcher now and I'm telling you now I won't allow you talk crap about yourself anymore. Faith, you're a wonderful person with plenty of great qualities, who goes out every damn night and risks her life to help other people. I'm proud and lucky to call you my friend."
"That goes for me too," Buffy added softly even as she smiled at the pride that shone in the younger Slayer's eyes. Somehow Xander had managed to connect with Faith in a way the rest of them hadn't. Perhaps it was their similar childhoods that gave her friend a way in or perhaps it was just his compassion that made Faith trust him. Deciding that the two of them needed some alone time she smiled and stood. "I'm going now. See you later."
* * *
Faith looked up at the man she was snuggled up to and smiled contently. It was the first time she could remember being this near a guy, just enjoying his comforting closeness, knowing that she could trust him not to try anything. "Xand, can I ask you something?"
Xander grinned. "Course you can Faith. After all as your Watcher I am now officially a fount of all knowledge."
Faith giggled, he was such a goof, before turning serious. "W..why is everybody trying to help me? Nobody's ever tried to help me before."
Xander smiled sadly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Before Buff, G-Man and Joyce came to town, I never really had anybody except Will and Jesse," her friend's smile brightened. "Now though you're a part of our family. You're in trouble and you need help but that's what families do, they help one another."
"Oh," Faith thought about what her friend had said. Family, she smiled, belonging to something, being wanted for something other than her looks, sounded pretty good. "So what about all these conditions - if you want to help why do I have to do all that stuff?"
"Because," Xander gently brushed a stray hair off her face. "You haven't had much of a normal life, been part of a family or gone to school. You deserve a chance to be ordinary, to hang with kids your own age and do what usual stuff teenage girls do." Xander laughed softly. "Not that I've ever thought there was anything normal about cucumber face packs."
Faith thought for a moment about what Xander had said before looking up at him. Time for some fun. "Xander, about that fourth condition," she said, her eyes innocent as she started to run her finger in a circular motion across the man's chest. "Having a steady boyfriend. I can think of one guy who I might be interested in."
Xander's eyes widened. "I, um, ah, eh."
Chuckling throatily, the Slayer leaned over the man and blew in his ear before whispering," that a yes X-Man?"
"That's a maybe."
Faith's eyes filled with hurt. She thought he'd really cared about her. "What! Good enough to be a one night stand, your friend and Slayer but not girl-friend. Still got a Jonesing for B or is it Re-."
"Now hold on!" Shocked by the man's tone, Faith's tirade petered out. After a few seconds, Xander continued to speak his voice calm again. "Faith, you've got to learn to control that temper." The Slayer flushed red. "What I was going to say is that you don't know many guys our age and I don't want to start dating you before you've had a chance to meet some people at school. But if after a month you're still interested.."
Faith beamed. "Promise!"
"Faith, are you crazy? You're incredible, everything a guy could want, but I don't want you to be with me because I'm the only choice you've got. But if you still want me after a month, then it would be an honour and a privilege to be dating you."
"An honour and a privilege?" Faith arched an eyebrow, secretly she was delighted with what Xander had just said but she had to keep him on his toes. "One day as a Watcher and you already sound like a junior G." She giggled at Xander's horrified look.
* * *
"Are you ready Xander?" Giles asked.
"Guess so." The youth began to slowly climb out of the car, his head held low. Giles exchanged a worried glance with Angel. When they'd arrived at Faith's room with Buffy at sundown to escort the two teenagers to their new respective homes, Faith, despite her brash exterior, had been bubbling with eagerness. Xander on the other hand was subdued. Clearly the thought of telling his tyrannical father he was leaving terrified him.
Giles smiled comfortingly at the boy. "It'll be fine Xander, you'll see."
The young man didn't speak just nodded nervously as he walked up to the front door and opened it before turning back to him and the vampire. "Come in Giles, Angel."
They'd barely stepped over the threshold when the lounge door flew open. In the doorway stood a towering man in his mid forties with angry brown eyes, a pot belly, and a half -drunk beer in one hand. "Where were you last night you little bastard?" yelled the man, his face reddening. "You had chores to do you lazy brat!"
Seeing the way Xander flinched, Giles stepped between the boy and his father. His face icily polite, he started to speak, his voice stern. "Your son was helping a friend last night. That's what he does, he helps people. He's come to collect his things and move out, move in with me."
"Like hell he is, I need his rent and I'm not letting him move in with a couple of fags even if he is a worthless bastard."
Giles felt the rage of his youth rise up in him. A scowl on his lips, he started towards the man to give him the horse-whipping he so richly deserved.
But before he'd taken a step Angel was there. Grabbing the surprised man around the throat, the vampire lifted him to arm's length and slammed him into the wall. "Worthless bastard?" Angel growled, his eyes glittering golden. "That worthless bastard is my friend. That worthless bastard has saved the life of everyone I care about on at least one occasion." Angel pressed his face into the suddenly pale man's face. "So if I hear another word from you, I'm going to show you what happens to people who piss me off. Understand?" The man nodded numbly. Angel smiled coldly. "I'm so glad we had this conversation." After effortlessly throwing the man into the living room, the vampire turned towards Xander and placed a protective arm around the youth's shoulders. "Let's get packing Xand."
* * *
"I'll be with you in a minute." Giles watched as Angel and Xander carried the last of Xander's heart-breakingly few belongings out to the car, he'd have to get the boy some more clothes, before turning and walking into the front room. "Mr. Harris -."
The man stood, his earlier arrogance returning. "You're not so tough without the big qu -."
Giles smashed his forehead into the man's face, breaking his nose and sending him crashing to the floor. "Shut it," he growled as he crouched over the man's body, noting with sadistic delight the blood leaking onto the carpet. "Your son is one of the finest people I know, while you sir are a worthless pillock. If I find out you've even looked in his direction, my associate and I will pay you another visit." The Watcher rose and turned away from the groaning man before turning back and smashing a foot into his ribs. "Good night Mr. Harris. It wasn't a pleasure."
"So."
"So."
Xander smiled weakly at the two Slayers staring at him. From the looks on their faces he was in big trouble and as usual he didn't have a clue why. "Hi girls."
"Hi, he says hi," Xander was sure he could see steam coming out of Buffy's ears. "Are you nuts? Just what happened with this zombie gang?"
"Oh that." Xander went through the entire night, trying to play down all the dangerous bits even as he secretly enjoyed the Slayers' wide-eyed looks. Once he'd finished the comments began.
"Wolfie ate one of them? Gross!"
"You played chicken with a bomb!"
"So you're telling us you start the night riding around with a zombie, then you save my life, have sex and then go back to battling zombies? Then the next day you say nothing, just dismantle the bomb and walk off?" Xander nodded. The brunette snorted and shook her head. "B, boytoy's crazy!"
"It's been said before." Xander groaned as he struggled to his feet.
Instantly the brunette was by his side, a look of concern on her face as she allowed him to lean against her. "Where you goin' Xand?"
"The toilet."
"Sure," Faith glanced towards Buffy. "Can you grab the door B?"
* * *
"So what was he like?" Buffy asked as soon as the toilet door was closed. Now Xander was out of earshot she could get some dirt on him.
"Boy's got some moves. Tough too, kept hitting with punches and kicks but he wouldn't stay down. Could handle a newbie easy, too smart and skilled for them-."
"That's great Faith," Buffy interrupted impatiently. "Really interesting. But I meant in bed. And unless you're really kinky..."
"Oh," a wistful smile flickered across Faith's lips but was quickly gone. "Interested for yourself B?" the brunette asked, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Buffy blushed. "Bite me, Faith."
"That's your boyfriend's bag," the brunette shot back. Faith's face grew reflective. "Considering it was his first time he was pretty good." The Slayer smiled. "Not bed-rocking but real sweet and gentle; haven't been with too many guys who treated me nice like he did," Faith scowled. "Then what do I do to a guy who's just saved my lousy life and treated me like I was somebody? I kick him out into the street without even a thank you."
"Oh Faith," Buffy's heart broke at the self-loathing she heard in her friend's voice. She opened her mouth then closed it again when she realised she couldn't think of anything comforting to say.
"A prince of a guy like Xand deserves his first time to be with a lady not an ungrateful skank like me," the younger Slayer continued bitterly.
"Bullshit!" the girls turned to see an angry looking Xander stood in the bathroom doorway. "I was lucky, my first time was with a beautiful woman who also happens to be one of the bravest people I know and somebody who honours me with their friendship. I'm your Watcher now and I'm telling you now I won't allow you talk crap about yourself anymore. Faith, you're a wonderful person with plenty of great qualities, who goes out every damn night and risks her life to help other people. I'm proud and lucky to call you my friend."
"That goes for me too," Buffy added softly even as she smiled at the pride that shone in the younger Slayer's eyes. Somehow Xander had managed to connect with Faith in a way the rest of them hadn't. Perhaps it was their similar childhoods that gave her friend a way in or perhaps it was just his compassion that made Faith trust him. Deciding that the two of them needed some alone time she smiled and stood. "I'm going now. See you later."
* * *
Faith looked up at the man she was snuggled up to and smiled contently. It was the first time she could remember being this near a guy, just enjoying his comforting closeness, knowing that she could trust him not to try anything. "Xand, can I ask you something?"
Xander grinned. "Course you can Faith. After all as your Watcher I am now officially a fount of all knowledge."
Faith giggled, he was such a goof, before turning serious. "W..why is everybody trying to help me? Nobody's ever tried to help me before."
Xander smiled sadly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Before Buff, G-Man and Joyce came to town, I never really had anybody except Will and Jesse," her friend's smile brightened. "Now though you're a part of our family. You're in trouble and you need help but that's what families do, they help one another."
"Oh," Faith thought about what her friend had said. Family, she smiled, belonging to something, being wanted for something other than her looks, sounded pretty good. "So what about all these conditions - if you want to help why do I have to do all that stuff?"
"Because," Xander gently brushed a stray hair off her face. "You haven't had much of a normal life, been part of a family or gone to school. You deserve a chance to be ordinary, to hang with kids your own age and do what usual stuff teenage girls do." Xander laughed softly. "Not that I've ever thought there was anything normal about cucumber face packs."
Faith thought for a moment about what Xander had said before looking up at him. Time for some fun. "Xander, about that fourth condition," she said, her eyes innocent as she started to run her finger in a circular motion across the man's chest. "Having a steady boyfriend. I can think of one guy who I might be interested in."
Xander's eyes widened. "I, um, ah, eh."
Chuckling throatily, the Slayer leaned over the man and blew in his ear before whispering," that a yes X-Man?"
"That's a maybe."
Faith's eyes filled with hurt. She thought he'd really cared about her. "What! Good enough to be a one night stand, your friend and Slayer but not girl-friend. Still got a Jonesing for B or is it Re-."
"Now hold on!" Shocked by the man's tone, Faith's tirade petered out. After a few seconds, Xander continued to speak his voice calm again. "Faith, you've got to learn to control that temper." The Slayer flushed red. "What I was going to say is that you don't know many guys our age and I don't want to start dating you before you've had a chance to meet some people at school. But if after a month you're still interested.."
Faith beamed. "Promise!"
"Faith, are you crazy? You're incredible, everything a guy could want, but I don't want you to be with me because I'm the only choice you've got. But if you still want me after a month, then it would be an honour and a privilege to be dating you."
"An honour and a privilege?" Faith arched an eyebrow, secretly she was delighted with what Xander had just said but she had to keep him on his toes. "One day as a Watcher and you already sound like a junior G." She giggled at Xander's horrified look.
* * *
"Are you ready Xander?" Giles asked.
"Guess so." The youth began to slowly climb out of the car, his head held low. Giles exchanged a worried glance with Angel. When they'd arrived at Faith's room with Buffy at sundown to escort the two teenagers to their new respective homes, Faith, despite her brash exterior, had been bubbling with eagerness. Xander on the other hand was subdued. Clearly the thought of telling his tyrannical father he was leaving terrified him.
Giles smiled comfortingly at the boy. "It'll be fine Xander, you'll see."
The young man didn't speak just nodded nervously as he walked up to the front door and opened it before turning back to him and the vampire. "Come in Giles, Angel."
They'd barely stepped over the threshold when the lounge door flew open. In the doorway stood a towering man in his mid forties with angry brown eyes, a pot belly, and a half -drunk beer in one hand. "Where were you last night you little bastard?" yelled the man, his face reddening. "You had chores to do you lazy brat!"
Seeing the way Xander flinched, Giles stepped between the boy and his father. His face icily polite, he started to speak, his voice stern. "Your son was helping a friend last night. That's what he does, he helps people. He's come to collect his things and move out, move in with me."
"Like hell he is, I need his rent and I'm not letting him move in with a couple of fags even if he is a worthless bastard."
Giles felt the rage of his youth rise up in him. A scowl on his lips, he started towards the man to give him the horse-whipping he so richly deserved.
But before he'd taken a step Angel was there. Grabbing the surprised man around the throat, the vampire lifted him to arm's length and slammed him into the wall. "Worthless bastard?" Angel growled, his eyes glittering golden. "That worthless bastard is my friend. That worthless bastard has saved the life of everyone I care about on at least one occasion." Angel pressed his face into the suddenly pale man's face. "So if I hear another word from you, I'm going to show you what happens to people who piss me off. Understand?" The man nodded numbly. Angel smiled coldly. "I'm so glad we had this conversation." After effortlessly throwing the man into the living room, the vampire turned towards Xander and placed a protective arm around the youth's shoulders. "Let's get packing Xand."
* * *
"I'll be with you in a minute." Giles watched as Angel and Xander carried the last of Xander's heart-breakingly few belongings out to the car, he'd have to get the boy some more clothes, before turning and walking into the front room. "Mr. Harris -."
The man stood, his earlier arrogance returning. "You're not so tough without the big qu -."
Giles smashed his forehead into the man's face, breaking his nose and sending him crashing to the floor. "Shut it," he growled as he crouched over the man's body, noting with sadistic delight the blood leaking onto the carpet. "Your son is one of the finest people I know, while you sir are a worthless pillock. If I find out you've even looked in his direction, my associate and I will pay you another visit." The Watcher rose and turned away from the groaning man before turning back and smashing a foot into his ribs. "Good night Mr. Harris. It wasn't a pleasure."