Title: A Fair Exchange.
Author: Charlie
Timeline: Post BtVS S7 & AtS S5. Sequel to "Best Laid Plans."
Summary:Xander begins revamping the slayer school but finds his biggest challeges lie within.
Feedback is always appreciated.
Author Notes: Round and round, the ship goes. Where it lands, the
Author doesn't know. Will it be (A)my, (B)uffy, (C)ordelia, (D)awn, (F)aith, (F)red, (H)armony, (K)ennedy or (W)illow that wins the Xandman?
"So what do we do now?" Kennedy asked.
Alex looked over at the group. "Amy, where are you going to stay?"
The former witch turned mouse paused to think, "I don't know."
"She can stay with me." Everyone turned and looked at Dawn. "What, I have room. She can sleep on the couch."
Amy considered briefly before accepting, "All right."
"So where are we going to sleep?"
"You can stay in my room." Wood told her. She and Riley looked at each other briefly, then nodded.
"Where is Xander going to stay then? I mean it's going to take some time to fix up Fred's room."
"He can stay with me." Cordelia said with a glint in her eye.
"Why Ms. Chase, are you trying to seduce me?" Alex cocked his head and raised his eyebrows for added effect.
"In your dreams Harris."
"HEY! WE'RE TALKING HERE." Faith yelled. That got everyone's attention and they turned towards where she and Buffy were standing. Willow was still sitting the table staring at them while Spike and Travis lurked in the background. The dark haired slayer moved closer to where Alex was with a curious look on her face.
"How did you do that?"
He looked at her as he reached in his coat and removed something. Without saying a word he tossed the book the table. Willow reached out and examined it, "An Albanian to English dictionary?"
"Like I said, you don't know me Faith. And just like Buffy, you never bothered to try." Alex walked away, leaving her confused.
"So the plan is I sleep in Cordelia's umm room?"
"I think so, yes." Wood told him.
"All right. You couldn't by chance show me around this place tonight could you Robin?"
"Be more then happy to."
As the group began making their way out the door, Angel tapped Harmony on the shoulder and they steered Fred away from them.
"What's going on?"
Angel looked at his onetime employees; "We have to talk Fred."
"About." She hissed.
"About you and Spike."
"That's none of your business."
"No but Cole is making it his business. And I don't think you want to get on his bad side."
She glared at him; "I can handle myself."
"Fred, there are things about Spike you don't know. Things that didn't make into any book."
"I know all I need to know about Spike."
"You didn't know he attacked Buffy in her bathroom." She flinched at that remark and the anger seemed to drain out of her. The former physics student tried to raise her gaze and look at her lover but for some reason she couldn't.
Quentin Travers looked on at the scene for a few seconds longer, watching as Harris led the others from the room. He turned towards the other two men near him and addressed them, "Well Rupert, I believe it is time for you to begin packing."
With an air of resignation, Rupert Giles stood up and began to gather his coat. Travers turned his attention to the other ex-Watcher. "Mr. Pryce."
The younger man nodded, his nervousness fading "Mr. Travers."
"We have become aware of your activities in light of your initial dismissal from the council."
"Yes."
"Well the council would like to speak with you about those activities and discuss some other matters. It would be most convenient if you would accompany Mr. Giles and myself back home."
"Yes of course. I'll um pack my things and be ready to leave in the morning."
"Good."
Satisfied the head of the Watcher's council nodded at the balance demon as he made his way out of the library and headed for the parking lot. Giles and Wesley followed at a distance. Whistler watched the men leave, and cast a glance back up at where Buffy, Faith and Willow were. Shaking his head, he also turned to leave when Willow's voice stopped him.
"Why is this happening? Why is he doing this?"
"If you have to ask the question, you wouldn't understand the answers."
Willow watched him go, following the others. She returned her gaze to the dictionary in front of her. Xander's words came back to her, 'you don't know me' and 'you're part of the problem'. She sighed, wondering what had happened that she no longer knew the man he had become. Maybe it was time, time had passed and they had changed. She went from a shy computer nerd that pined at a distance to a powerful witch involved in a healthy relationship with another woman.
And yet...
"Are you all right?" Travis approached Buffy from behind. Slowly she turned towards him; eyes filled with tears that hadn't fallen. The half demon wordlessly pulled her into a hug.
Spike sneered at the group, "Bloody wanker. Acting all high and mighty then those better then him." He continued muttering as he departed through the tunnels that led under the campus.
Faith didn't move for a long time as she thought about what had happened. With Xander and with Cole, the harshness of their words and the intensity in each's gaze.
"Damn Xman, who are you?"
-Sometime later-
Alexander entered the darkened room, flipping on the lights as he did so. This was the 'faculty gym' AKA the real training room used by Buffy, Faith, Kennedy and the others when they wanted to work out. Wood had shown it to him earlier. There was both a 'heavy' punching bag and a speed one. The floor was covered with mats and in the corner, weights were stacked up in a neat pile.
(Nice setup)
'Looks like. You want to check it out for yourself?'
(If you don't mind.)
'Be my guest. Just remember got work tomorrow at the record store.'
(Gotcha.)
Alex's face changed becoming that of the blue-eyed Chosen warrior once again. Cole walked around, examining the entire setup closely. Grunting he turned his attention to the windows, with a little effort he opened it but not the screen. He took a deep breath inhaling the scents the night air carried. Exhaling the Hunter stepped onto the backs, removed the jacket he wore and began stretching his limbs. As was his custom, Cole began talking to himself.
"Twelve years on the job, facing down zombie lords, master vampires, ancient undead mages, demon knights, a freaking insane hell god. And I still can't get a vacation."
(Don't forget Death, the grim reaper itself.)
"Oh thank you very much Alex I had forgotten how much I enjoyed THAT particular experience." He shivered involuntarily at the memory of that confrontation. "That ranks right up there with being shot and throwing myself into the hellfire to save the planet."
(Yeah but look at the bright side. You got a cool sword out of it to kill Death's shades.)
"True, the little life-sucking bastards. Still I don't like remembering those things. It freaks me out and I already have enough nightmares." He felt Xander nodding in agreement with him.
"Still there were some good memories in there. Hanging out at the Playboy mansion for a couple of weeks was fun."
(... I hate you more then words can describe)
That got Cole laughing for a good five minutes. As his laughter faded, he cast an eye towards the hallway beyond the door.
"You gonna come in here or stand out there all night Ken-doll?"
Kennedy had a disapproving look on her face as she entered. "Don't call me that."
"Okay Kenny."
She shot another withering look at him only to see Cole continue smiling at her.
"Fine. Listen about earlier, I only did that because I owned you one and because I think Buffy isn't in the best frame of mind sometimes. But don't you dare hurt Willow."
The male chosen warrior digested her words before replying. "All right but fair warning. Willow does have a fairly big problem with abuse and power and if she can't control it..." He shrugged.
Ice formed in her stomach as she realized what he meant. "She can control it. I know she can."
"We'll see, only one person I know of can stop her and they're not on the best of speaking terms you understand."
Kennedy bit her lip as she spoke, "About that. I came here to say something to Xander."
There was a pause as Alex's face shifted into being. "Yes Kennedy?'
"I'm sorry you lost your eye, saving me. Thank you."
He looked at her for a long time, staring right into her eyes before he answered.
"You're welcome."
Author: Charlie
Timeline: Post BtVS S7 & AtS S5. Sequel to "Best Laid Plans."
Summary:Xander begins revamping the slayer school but finds his biggest challeges lie within.
Feedback is always appreciated.
Author Notes: Round and round, the ship goes. Where it lands, the
Author doesn't know. Will it be (A)my, (B)uffy, (C)ordelia, (D)awn, (F)aith, (F)red, (H)armony, (K)ennedy or (W)illow that wins the Xandman?
"So what do we do now?" Kennedy asked.
Alex looked over at the group. "Amy, where are you going to stay?"
The former witch turned mouse paused to think, "I don't know."
"She can stay with me." Everyone turned and looked at Dawn. "What, I have room. She can sleep on the couch."
Amy considered briefly before accepting, "All right."
"So where are we going to sleep?"
"You can stay in my room." Wood told her. She and Riley looked at each other briefly, then nodded.
"Where is Xander going to stay then? I mean it's going to take some time to fix up Fred's room."
"He can stay with me." Cordelia said with a glint in her eye.
"Why Ms. Chase, are you trying to seduce me?" Alex cocked his head and raised his eyebrows for added effect.
"In your dreams Harris."
"HEY! WE'RE TALKING HERE." Faith yelled. That got everyone's attention and they turned towards where she and Buffy were standing. Willow was still sitting the table staring at them while Spike and Travis lurked in the background. The dark haired slayer moved closer to where Alex was with a curious look on her face.
"How did you do that?"
He looked at her as he reached in his coat and removed something. Without saying a word he tossed the book the table. Willow reached out and examined it, "An Albanian to English dictionary?"
"Like I said, you don't know me Faith. And just like Buffy, you never bothered to try." Alex walked away, leaving her confused.
"So the plan is I sleep in Cordelia's umm room?"
"I think so, yes." Wood told him.
"All right. You couldn't by chance show me around this place tonight could you Robin?"
"Be more then happy to."
As the group began making their way out the door, Angel tapped Harmony on the shoulder and they steered Fred away from them.
"What's going on?"
Angel looked at his onetime employees; "We have to talk Fred."
"About." She hissed.
"About you and Spike."
"That's none of your business."
"No but Cole is making it his business. And I don't think you want to get on his bad side."
She glared at him; "I can handle myself."
"Fred, there are things about Spike you don't know. Things that didn't make into any book."
"I know all I need to know about Spike."
"You didn't know he attacked Buffy in her bathroom." She flinched at that remark and the anger seemed to drain out of her. The former physics student tried to raise her gaze and look at her lover but for some reason she couldn't.
Quentin Travers looked on at the scene for a few seconds longer, watching as Harris led the others from the room. He turned towards the other two men near him and addressed them, "Well Rupert, I believe it is time for you to begin packing."
With an air of resignation, Rupert Giles stood up and began to gather his coat. Travers turned his attention to the other ex-Watcher. "Mr. Pryce."
The younger man nodded, his nervousness fading "Mr. Travers."
"We have become aware of your activities in light of your initial dismissal from the council."
"Yes."
"Well the council would like to speak with you about those activities and discuss some other matters. It would be most convenient if you would accompany Mr. Giles and myself back home."
"Yes of course. I'll um pack my things and be ready to leave in the morning."
"Good."
Satisfied the head of the Watcher's council nodded at the balance demon as he made his way out of the library and headed for the parking lot. Giles and Wesley followed at a distance. Whistler watched the men leave, and cast a glance back up at where Buffy, Faith and Willow were. Shaking his head, he also turned to leave when Willow's voice stopped him.
"Why is this happening? Why is he doing this?"
"If you have to ask the question, you wouldn't understand the answers."
Willow watched him go, following the others. She returned her gaze to the dictionary in front of her. Xander's words came back to her, 'you don't know me' and 'you're part of the problem'. She sighed, wondering what had happened that she no longer knew the man he had become. Maybe it was time, time had passed and they had changed. She went from a shy computer nerd that pined at a distance to a powerful witch involved in a healthy relationship with another woman.
And yet...
"Are you all right?" Travis approached Buffy from behind. Slowly she turned towards him; eyes filled with tears that hadn't fallen. The half demon wordlessly pulled her into a hug.
Spike sneered at the group, "Bloody wanker. Acting all high and mighty then those better then him." He continued muttering as he departed through the tunnels that led under the campus.
Faith didn't move for a long time as she thought about what had happened. With Xander and with Cole, the harshness of their words and the intensity in each's gaze.
"Damn Xman, who are you?"
-Sometime later-
Alexander entered the darkened room, flipping on the lights as he did so. This was the 'faculty gym' AKA the real training room used by Buffy, Faith, Kennedy and the others when they wanted to work out. Wood had shown it to him earlier. There was both a 'heavy' punching bag and a speed one. The floor was covered with mats and in the corner, weights were stacked up in a neat pile.
(Nice setup)
'Looks like. You want to check it out for yourself?'
(If you don't mind.)
'Be my guest. Just remember got work tomorrow at the record store.'
(Gotcha.)
Alex's face changed becoming that of the blue-eyed Chosen warrior once again. Cole walked around, examining the entire setup closely. Grunting he turned his attention to the windows, with a little effort he opened it but not the screen. He took a deep breath inhaling the scents the night air carried. Exhaling the Hunter stepped onto the backs, removed the jacket he wore and began stretching his limbs. As was his custom, Cole began talking to himself.
"Twelve years on the job, facing down zombie lords, master vampires, ancient undead mages, demon knights, a freaking insane hell god. And I still can't get a vacation."
(Don't forget Death, the grim reaper itself.)
"Oh thank you very much Alex I had forgotten how much I enjoyed THAT particular experience." He shivered involuntarily at the memory of that confrontation. "That ranks right up there with being shot and throwing myself into the hellfire to save the planet."
(Yeah but look at the bright side. You got a cool sword out of it to kill Death's shades.)
"True, the little life-sucking bastards. Still I don't like remembering those things. It freaks me out and I already have enough nightmares." He felt Xander nodding in agreement with him.
"Still there were some good memories in there. Hanging out at the Playboy mansion for a couple of weeks was fun."
(... I hate you more then words can describe)
That got Cole laughing for a good five minutes. As his laughter faded, he cast an eye towards the hallway beyond the door.
"You gonna come in here or stand out there all night Ken-doll?"
Kennedy had a disapproving look on her face as she entered. "Don't call me that."
"Okay Kenny."
She shot another withering look at him only to see Cole continue smiling at her.
"Fine. Listen about earlier, I only did that because I owned you one and because I think Buffy isn't in the best frame of mind sometimes. But don't you dare hurt Willow."
The male chosen warrior digested her words before replying. "All right but fair warning. Willow does have a fairly big problem with abuse and power and if she can't control it..." He shrugged.
Ice formed in her stomach as she realized what he meant. "She can control it. I know she can."
"We'll see, only one person I know of can stop her and they're not on the best of speaking terms you understand."
Kennedy bit her lip as she spoke, "About that. I came here to say something to Xander."
There was a pause as Alex's face shifted into being. "Yes Kennedy?'
"I'm sorry you lost your eye, saving me. Thank you."
He looked at her for a long time, staring right into her eyes before he answered.
"You're welcome."