Title: Best Laid Plans.
Author: Charlie
Timeline: Post BtVS S7 (initially), later on Post AtS S5.
Summary: Xander begins a new chapter of his life.
"Well that went well."
"I thought so."
Riley and Alex were headed for the parking lot where the rental car waited. Riley spared a glance at the other man. Alexander Lavelle Harris had changed a great deal from the construction worker he had met in Sunnydale. When Sam had bumped into Alex in town more then a year ago she had mentioned the same thing. He was different; he rarely smiled, much less laughed. The honest, hard working young man had become a grim, solitary figure.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"You want to pay that much for the thoughts of a farmboy?"
"Well it beats paying for my thoughts, I find it much easier to mimic others rather develop my own original way of thinking."
Finn laughed. "Just thinking about how you were and how you are now?"
"If you're sucking up to in the hopes you won't have to eat Sam's meat loaf alone, save your breath. No amount of Pepto-Bismol is worth that agony."
"It was pretty bad wasn't it?"
"Pretty bad? No the food in that diner on the way here was pretty bad. That meat loaf was Hellmouthy."
"I'm gonna tell her you said that."
"You can't it violates the buddy rule. Men shall not rat their best friends out to wives, girlfriends or one-night stands."
"Is that a rule?"
"Yes it is. And if you tell on me, I'll tell her about your little adventure involving Crown Royal."
Fear, embarrassment and a host of other emotions flashed across Riley's face at the mention of that particular incident.
"So. You sure you're okay with what went on?"
Alex was quiet for a bit and he answered Riley as they reached the car.
"I thought it was going to be harder."
"Really? What happened"
"I saw their faces again."
-Back inside the library-
Willow was curled up in a ball crying on the floor. Sobs racked her body as tears streamed down her face. Kennedy ran to her and pulled her into her a tight hug. She kissed Willow's forehead as she rocked back and forth trying to calm her girlfriend.
Buffy stood silently staring at the open door for a long minute before she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked up into the face of her lover. Her eyes seemed to waver a second, then she took a deep breath and started walking back to the table, not paying attention to those behind her.
"Buffy."
The oldest slayer sat down and resumed her reading.
"BUFFY!"
She turned her attention to her younger sister. Dawn's face was red from crying and she was clinging to Cordelia. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going back to researching, Dawn."
"Buffy, Xander he was just here and he talked to us and now you're going back to research!"
The elder sister sighed.
"Dawn we have a lot of work to do. If you don't want to help, then please leave so we can concentrate."
Her sister watched as Buffy picked up her book and resumed reading it. Shortly thereafter Giles, Faith, Wood, and Travis also returned to researching. Dawn's gaze fell on Willow still crying and sobbing in Kennedy's arms. Abruptly she came to a decision and spoke.
"I don't want to be here."
Following that, Dawn ran from the library with Andrew hot on her heels. Cordelia shot a look in Buffy's direction before following. Fred watched them leave before heading back to where the others were. Spike saw her heading towards them. Smiling he made his way out to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, followed with a kiss. Fred was blushing when they parted.
"Missed you."
"I know pet." He lightly stroked her hair and face.
A snort from Buffy caught their action and they pulled back somewhat. Trying to calm herself, Fred took a breath before asking the question that was on her mind.
"What was that all about?"
"That pet, was Captain Cardboard, Riley Finn and one fairly weak man named Xander Harris."
A look of confusion came over Fred's face, "But I thought you said Xander was a lamb. That he would never act like that?"
Spike chuckled, he lightly stroked her hair while answering, and "Harris didn't have the stomach for dealing with rough times He was always so threatened by being around strong women. Kept threatening his masculinity they did. Had to figure he would snap sooner or later."
Fred looked around at the others and saw that they weren't paying attention.
"Well I have to go back to class now, so I'll see you tonight." She smiled, kissed him and left.
As she was walking by she paused by Willow and Kennedy, a concerned look on her face.
"Is she still crying?"
Kennedy looked up at her, still rocking Willow and nodded her head. Fred kneeled down and touched her friend. "Willow, are you okay?"
The witch looked up at her with red, puffy eyes, tear tracks still on her face. Kennedy took the opportunity to get to her feet while still holding Willow.
"Come on, Willow let's get you to bed".
The red head nodded slowly and allowed Kennedy to take her to their room.
Angel looked at the group from the shadows where he lurked. He had seen Xander's actions and heard every word spoken by him. Now the former detective was watching the others act as though nothing had happened. A hand touched his shoulder lightly causing him to look in its direction. Harmony was standing beside him, looking confused. She looked as though she had taken time to freshen up before coming.
"Where is he?"
"Xander left already"
"Xander was here?"
"Yes he and Riley were here."
"Oh." She snuggled closer to him. "And I hurried thru the tunnels and still missed it. I hope he's okay?"
"He's fine, Harmony." Angel sighed as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. Automatically Angel slid his arm around her as well. He paid little attention Buffy glancing in their direction. While his mind began pondering the events that had unfolded earlier, his gaze settled on the hardwood floor of the library.
-Beneath the streets-
They had arrived.
They're long journey was at its end. Soon the time to strike would come. They would carry out their mission. And they would reap the generous rewards of their master. For now, they would simply wait.
-Crestview dormitories and faculty apartments-
Cordelia was watching Dawn and Andrew with a great deal of interest. Since leaving the library earlier, Buffy's younger sister had an air of quiet determination. She and Andrew had Willow's laptop open and were looking up Willow's earlier searches that had led her and Buffy to Riley's hotel room. There was a knock on the apartment door and the one time May queen opened it. In the doorway she found Kennedy supporting Willow. Taking a step back to allow them into the apartment, Cordelia watched the pair as they entered.
Willow's eyes and face were still red, as even now she looked ready to cry again. Kennedy's concern and fear for her were emblazoned on the young slayer's features. Slowly with little energy, Willow made her way to the couch and sat quietly. She turned her head slightly and watched Dawn and Andrew playing with her computer.
"Willow honey, do you want some tea or hot chocolate?"
She didn't answer.
Kennedy's concern became frustration as she finally had enough.
"Damn it. Willow why are you doing this? Just because some guy came back here and said you weren't friends? What does that matter?"
"SHUT UP Kennedy RIGHT NOW"
The slayer turned her attention on the ex-seer. Indignant, she glared at the older woman. "And why should I? That man, he basically told her she was worthless to him and ever since then she's been crying. What does his opinion matter so much?"
Cordelia spoke softly, "It matters because for a long time, Xander was the only person Willow ever had. He was the only one who paid attention to her."
"But, that's not true anymore, there's me. There's Buffy, Faith, Giles, Angel and Wood. All those people and the younger slayers, they all pay attention to her now."
"He's right you know."
They turned and saw Dawn looking at them while Andrew was still busy on the computer.
"Xander said that only people with power matter to Willow and Buffy. And he's right."
Kennedy became angry again at hearing that. "Dawn that's not true, Willow treats everyone fairly. Whether or not they have power has nothing to do with it."
"Then why didn't we go looking for him?"
Silence.
"We had work to do, Dawn." Willow's throat was dry and rough after her crying. She blinked slowly trying to hold back the tears that had been flowing freely.
"The mission is what matters." Kennedy added.
Dawn's face flickered at that phrase. She turned her back on them, "Maybe to you but not to me."
-Riley and Alex's hotel room-
With a practiced motion, Riley reloaded the pistol. It was an older Second World War era Colt .45 that had been issued to his grandfather. Despite the move to the newer, lighter Beretta and it's 9mm rounds, Riley preferred the older gun. It's heavier weight and fewer rounds were made up by for by its firepower and stopping ability. Smiling he replaced the gun in its shoulder holster. The ringing of his cell-phone interrupted him.
"Hello?"
"Hey, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine dear, unfortunately Alex was eaten by a large mutant rat."
"Ha, how is he?"
"He met them today."
"Oh."
"It went as expected."
"... Riley, did he?"
"He told them what he needed to tell them. We'll be headed back tomorrow."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you two."
Riley hung up as the bathroom door opened and Alex came out dressed in older sweats.
"Just talked to Sam. Told her we were going back tomorrow. You know barring any natural disaster."
Alex grimaced at him, "You do remember we're on a hellmouth right?"
Riley smiled, "yeah but I don't think there's anything out there that we can't handle."
Before Alex could respond the phone in the room rang. Riley looked at it with mild surprise before answering.
"Hello?"
"Hi Riley."
"Oh hello Dawn, I suppose I shouldn't ask you how you got the phone number to this room."
"Willow keeps very detailed notes."
"Ah."
"Is Xan-, I mean is Alex there?"
"Yes. He's here."
"May I speak with him?"
"I'll ask." Riley covered the phone with his hand and mouthed 'You want to?' to Alex who reluctantly nodded. He took the phone from Finn and sat down on the bed.
"Hello Dawn."
"Hi Xan-, I mean Alex. Look I don't want to keep you busy so I'll just come straight to the point. I don't know if I did anything wrong-"
"Dawn-"
"No, let me finish. I don't know if I did anything wrong. But I want the opportunity to try and apologize. Will you please come by the school tomorrow? So we can talk?"
Silence as Alex drew a deep breath.
"All right, I'll be there around eleven."
"Okay. Thank you Alex. Have a good night."
"Good night Dawn."
With that Alex hung up the phone. Riley watched him for a bit. Then he picked up the remote and clicked on the TV, he quickly found the Indians game and they settled down for the night to watch it.
Author: Charlie
Timeline: Post BtVS S7 (initially), later on Post AtS S5.
Summary: Xander begins a new chapter of his life.
"Well that went well."
"I thought so."
Riley and Alex were headed for the parking lot where the rental car waited. Riley spared a glance at the other man. Alexander Lavelle Harris had changed a great deal from the construction worker he had met in Sunnydale. When Sam had bumped into Alex in town more then a year ago she had mentioned the same thing. He was different; he rarely smiled, much less laughed. The honest, hard working young man had become a grim, solitary figure.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"You want to pay that much for the thoughts of a farmboy?"
"Well it beats paying for my thoughts, I find it much easier to mimic others rather develop my own original way of thinking."
Finn laughed. "Just thinking about how you were and how you are now?"
"If you're sucking up to in the hopes you won't have to eat Sam's meat loaf alone, save your breath. No amount of Pepto-Bismol is worth that agony."
"It was pretty bad wasn't it?"
"Pretty bad? No the food in that diner on the way here was pretty bad. That meat loaf was Hellmouthy."
"I'm gonna tell her you said that."
"You can't it violates the buddy rule. Men shall not rat their best friends out to wives, girlfriends or one-night stands."
"Is that a rule?"
"Yes it is. And if you tell on me, I'll tell her about your little adventure involving Crown Royal."
Fear, embarrassment and a host of other emotions flashed across Riley's face at the mention of that particular incident.
"So. You sure you're okay with what went on?"
Alex was quiet for a bit and he answered Riley as they reached the car.
"I thought it was going to be harder."
"Really? What happened"
"I saw their faces again."
-Back inside the library-
Willow was curled up in a ball crying on the floor. Sobs racked her body as tears streamed down her face. Kennedy ran to her and pulled her into her a tight hug. She kissed Willow's forehead as she rocked back and forth trying to calm her girlfriend.
Buffy stood silently staring at the open door for a long minute before she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked up into the face of her lover. Her eyes seemed to waver a second, then she took a deep breath and started walking back to the table, not paying attention to those behind her.
"Buffy."
The oldest slayer sat down and resumed her reading.
"BUFFY!"
She turned her attention to her younger sister. Dawn's face was red from crying and she was clinging to Cordelia. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going back to researching, Dawn."
"Buffy, Xander he was just here and he talked to us and now you're going back to research!"
The elder sister sighed.
"Dawn we have a lot of work to do. If you don't want to help, then please leave so we can concentrate."
Her sister watched as Buffy picked up her book and resumed reading it. Shortly thereafter Giles, Faith, Wood, and Travis also returned to researching. Dawn's gaze fell on Willow still crying and sobbing in Kennedy's arms. Abruptly she came to a decision and spoke.
"I don't want to be here."
Following that, Dawn ran from the library with Andrew hot on her heels. Cordelia shot a look in Buffy's direction before following. Fred watched them leave before heading back to where the others were. Spike saw her heading towards them. Smiling he made his way out to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, followed with a kiss. Fred was blushing when they parted.
"Missed you."
"I know pet." He lightly stroked her hair and face.
A snort from Buffy caught their action and they pulled back somewhat. Trying to calm herself, Fred took a breath before asking the question that was on her mind.
"What was that all about?"
"That pet, was Captain Cardboard, Riley Finn and one fairly weak man named Xander Harris."
A look of confusion came over Fred's face, "But I thought you said Xander was a lamb. That he would never act like that?"
Spike chuckled, he lightly stroked her hair while answering, and "Harris didn't have the stomach for dealing with rough times He was always so threatened by being around strong women. Kept threatening his masculinity they did. Had to figure he would snap sooner or later."
Fred looked around at the others and saw that they weren't paying attention.
"Well I have to go back to class now, so I'll see you tonight." She smiled, kissed him and left.
As she was walking by she paused by Willow and Kennedy, a concerned look on her face.
"Is she still crying?"
Kennedy looked up at her, still rocking Willow and nodded her head. Fred kneeled down and touched her friend. "Willow, are you okay?"
The witch looked up at her with red, puffy eyes, tear tracks still on her face. Kennedy took the opportunity to get to her feet while still holding Willow.
"Come on, Willow let's get you to bed".
The red head nodded slowly and allowed Kennedy to take her to their room.
Angel looked at the group from the shadows where he lurked. He had seen Xander's actions and heard every word spoken by him. Now the former detective was watching the others act as though nothing had happened. A hand touched his shoulder lightly causing him to look in its direction. Harmony was standing beside him, looking confused. She looked as though she had taken time to freshen up before coming.
"Where is he?"
"Xander left already"
"Xander was here?"
"Yes he and Riley were here."
"Oh." She snuggled closer to him. "And I hurried thru the tunnels and still missed it. I hope he's okay?"
"He's fine, Harmony." Angel sighed as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. Automatically Angel slid his arm around her as well. He paid little attention Buffy glancing in their direction. While his mind began pondering the events that had unfolded earlier, his gaze settled on the hardwood floor of the library.
-Beneath the streets-
They had arrived.
They're long journey was at its end. Soon the time to strike would come. They would carry out their mission. And they would reap the generous rewards of their master. For now, they would simply wait.
-Crestview dormitories and faculty apartments-
Cordelia was watching Dawn and Andrew with a great deal of interest. Since leaving the library earlier, Buffy's younger sister had an air of quiet determination. She and Andrew had Willow's laptop open and were looking up Willow's earlier searches that had led her and Buffy to Riley's hotel room. There was a knock on the apartment door and the one time May queen opened it. In the doorway she found Kennedy supporting Willow. Taking a step back to allow them into the apartment, Cordelia watched the pair as they entered.
Willow's eyes and face were still red, as even now she looked ready to cry again. Kennedy's concern and fear for her were emblazoned on the young slayer's features. Slowly with little energy, Willow made her way to the couch and sat quietly. She turned her head slightly and watched Dawn and Andrew playing with her computer.
"Willow honey, do you want some tea or hot chocolate?"
She didn't answer.
Kennedy's concern became frustration as she finally had enough.
"Damn it. Willow why are you doing this? Just because some guy came back here and said you weren't friends? What does that matter?"
"SHUT UP Kennedy RIGHT NOW"
The slayer turned her attention on the ex-seer. Indignant, she glared at the older woman. "And why should I? That man, he basically told her she was worthless to him and ever since then she's been crying. What does his opinion matter so much?"
Cordelia spoke softly, "It matters because for a long time, Xander was the only person Willow ever had. He was the only one who paid attention to her."
"But, that's not true anymore, there's me. There's Buffy, Faith, Giles, Angel and Wood. All those people and the younger slayers, they all pay attention to her now."
"He's right you know."
They turned and saw Dawn looking at them while Andrew was still busy on the computer.
"Xander said that only people with power matter to Willow and Buffy. And he's right."
Kennedy became angry again at hearing that. "Dawn that's not true, Willow treats everyone fairly. Whether or not they have power has nothing to do with it."
"Then why didn't we go looking for him?"
Silence.
"We had work to do, Dawn." Willow's throat was dry and rough after her crying. She blinked slowly trying to hold back the tears that had been flowing freely.
"The mission is what matters." Kennedy added.
Dawn's face flickered at that phrase. She turned her back on them, "Maybe to you but not to me."
-Riley and Alex's hotel room-
With a practiced motion, Riley reloaded the pistol. It was an older Second World War era Colt .45 that had been issued to his grandfather. Despite the move to the newer, lighter Beretta and it's 9mm rounds, Riley preferred the older gun. It's heavier weight and fewer rounds were made up by for by its firepower and stopping ability. Smiling he replaced the gun in its shoulder holster. The ringing of his cell-phone interrupted him.
"Hello?"
"Hey, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine dear, unfortunately Alex was eaten by a large mutant rat."
"Ha, how is he?"
"He met them today."
"Oh."
"It went as expected."
"... Riley, did he?"
"He told them what he needed to tell them. We'll be headed back tomorrow."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you two."
Riley hung up as the bathroom door opened and Alex came out dressed in older sweats.
"Just talked to Sam. Told her we were going back tomorrow. You know barring any natural disaster."
Alex grimaced at him, "You do remember we're on a hellmouth right?"
Riley smiled, "yeah but I don't think there's anything out there that we can't handle."
Before Alex could respond the phone in the room rang. Riley looked at it with mild surprise before answering.
"Hello?"
"Hi Riley."
"Oh hello Dawn, I suppose I shouldn't ask you how you got the phone number to this room."
"Willow keeps very detailed notes."
"Ah."
"Is Xan-, I mean is Alex there?"
"Yes. He's here."
"May I speak with him?"
"I'll ask." Riley covered the phone with his hand and mouthed 'You want to?' to Alex who reluctantly nodded. He took the phone from Finn and sat down on the bed.
"Hello Dawn."
"Hi Xan-, I mean Alex. Look I don't want to keep you busy so I'll just come straight to the point. I don't know if I did anything wrong-"
"Dawn-"
"No, let me finish. I don't know if I did anything wrong. But I want the opportunity to try and apologize. Will you please come by the school tomorrow? So we can talk?"
Silence as Alex drew a deep breath.
"All right, I'll be there around eleven."
"Okay. Thank you Alex. Have a good night."
"Good night Dawn."
With that Alex hung up the phone. Riley watched him for a bit. Then he picked up the remote and clicked on the TV, he quickly found the Indians game and they settled down for the night to watch it.