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?

"Don't worry." Her voice was husky and served only to fuel his emotions even more, "I'll steer you around the curves." She finished as she began moving above him. He felt their heartbeats increase, their bodies tinged with sweat and desire. When it was over, the bliss of the aftermath, the warmth of holding her and soft she felt now... He felt her hands move up his chest, massaging his muscles as they did so. Then suddenly they were around his throat, crushing it, choking away the air from his body. He struggled trying to free himself but she was too strong. His cries became quieter as life faded from him. He pleaded silently with her, she merely tossed her dark brown hair out of the way casually and spoke in her husky voice, and "It'll all be over soon, X." She leaned back, tossing her hair as she did so.

And then she was different but the same. The same black hair, but shorter. Her skin was paler with veins that could be seen. Her eyes were black with power; her touch was cool as she stroked his now bleeding cheek. A somewhat goofy grin was on her face as she spoke, "Poor baby, it hurts so much doesn't it? I'll make it stop hurting, I'll make everything stop hurting." Slowly confusion spread across her features, "Why? Why did he leave? Why was she taken away? Where were they?" She was crying now, tears flowed down her cheeks, taking with them her sadness. Black hair became a vibrant, deep shade of red, color flushed through her face and her body. Hesitantly she leaned down and brushed her lips across his and settled down on him. Her head rested in the space between his neck and shoulders. Somehow his arms were around her supporting her tiny frame. She spoke softly into his ear; "I love you."

He was surprised to hear that and looked down at her as she looked up at him. Her deep green eyes became less green, more blue. A gentle, warming smile was on her face framed by golden blonde locks. Slowly she started backing away from him until one of the shadows itself reached for he. He tried to call out a warning but his voice was gone. His fear became confusion as the shadowy figure did not hurt her but pulled her into a lover's embrace. The same smile was still on her face but the warmth from it and from her was gone. At least he could speak, "Why?" She seemed to hear him and tilted her head at him. Strangely he felt his question was answered and asked a second, "What about me?"

"What about you?"

"Where do I belong?"

"Right where you are."

He looked to his right people going about their daily business. Each took notice of him and was repelled by his presence so much that they hurried away. Looking further, he saw a man and a woman with a baby carriage. They gave no sign of being afraid or repelled by him, expressions of pity were on their face and he felt a deep pang of regret mixed with sadness resonate through him.

A flicker of movement to his left attracted his attention. They were all there, from before, along with others. Some he knew some he did not. They walked near him and he cried out but they didn't hear and continued on their way. Again and again He cried out but they didn't hear and they walked away. Leaving him alone, behind him he could still hear and see the other people walking around, carrying on with their lives but in front of him, all he could see was the group of people he once knew rapidly moving out of sight, leaving only a barren street.

Slowly he sunk to his knees sobbing as he did so. Tears tried to flow but stopped, they would not fall, and instead they clung to him, unwilling to be released.

(Time to wake up.)

Alex's eyes snapped open to a still dark apartment. Slowly he looked around trying to get his bearings. He was laying on a couch with a blanket draped over him. In the background he could hear water running as someone was showering. 'Cordelia must be getting ready for her day'.

(That would be a big ten-four, good buddy. It's time for you to get ready too, can't be late for work.)

With a groan, Xander got up and stretched as he heard the bathroom door open. Behind him, Cordelia watched appreciatively as her ex boyfriend bent over and began rooting through his bag for fresh clothing. Quietly she made her way to her bedroom door, she paused and announced, "Bathroom's all yours Xander." And then she went in and began getting dressed. Silently he padded to the bathroom and pushed the door closed. From inside her bedroom she heard the shower running as she finished dressing for the day. A not so innocent thought came to her and quietly she left her bedroom and tiptoed to the bathroom. Cordelia pushed on the door just enough to open it a crack so that she could see Xander's reflection in the mirror. A bright red blush colored the former seer's cheeks at what she saw.

-Later-

"Are you sure this is the place?"

"Yea this is it."

Cordelia parked her convertible and followed Xander up into the store. She was looking around the place when she heard a muted 'damn' and saw Alex talking with a co-worker. Smiling she waved to get his attention, "bye Alex, see you tonight." "Bye Cor."

After she was gone, Alex went behind the counter only to met by James and Keith. Keith was a black man from a nearby neighborhood that worked as a DJ on the weekends while James was a 'professional student' at a nearby community college. Each had been working at the store for around six months when He was hired. Aside from some initial resentment at being passed over, they got along well and were starting to become good friends. Right now though they were staring at him with surprise on their faces.

"Problem fellas?"

"Yeah since when did you start hitting a supermodel?"

"Hitting a super model?"

Keith gestured at the front door, "That fine woman that was in here a minute ago".

"Oh her," Xander shook his head. "She's no super model. She's Cordelia Chase."

"She yours?"

"No. We dated in High school but that's a long time ago"

"Damn, would have killed to be in your high school."

Xander shook his head as he walked away at that.

Late in the afternoon, Alex had a visitor, Wood.

"Hello Alex."

"Wood."

He looked over at younger man for a second before asking, "Can we talk in private? I want to discuss some things."

Xander nodded and went to the front counter, "Hey Terry. You've got the store. I'm taking my break." He then led Wood out the door and around to the alley around back.

"All right then Wood, what do you want to know? Why me, the simple one-eyed man, why am I in charge? Why did I cut everybody off?

"No that's not it." He began. "I don't know everything that happened between you and Buffy, Willow and Faith. It's none of my business what you do or say to them. All I want to know is what are your plans for the school?"

Alex pondered before responding, "That depends. Was the school setup to be a school or to teach them how to be slayers?"

Wood's silence told him the answer, "That's what I thought. I gather there aren't many real teachers there."

"No, mostly just ex-watchers that we found and persuaded to help."

"That'll have to change. Most of those girls are just kids. They need to learn to read, write and do Geometry, not how to kill a demon."

"Buffy won't go for that."

"You leave Buffy to me, to us."

Wood looked at him oddly, "Both of you huh? You guys working out the details of this as you go?"

"Something like that."

"And what's he got to say about Buffy?"

There was a pause as Cole took over. "What I have to say is that the whole lot of them need some serious mental help. Not to mention some beatings along the way."

Wood's expression darkened as he tried to speak but Cole cut him off. "Look I like you Robin. You're a good guy, you've got the tragic past thing, which I respect and your abilities as a fighter speak for yourself. But Faith has major emotional problems, some of which are not her fault but some are and she HAS to deal with. For God's sake she killed in cold-blood and got off on it. The only people that have been able to reach are an immortal warlock, a vampire with a soul and yourself."

"Are you saying there is something wrong me?"

"I'm saying that I couldn't save my father no matter what I did and you can't save your mother this time either."

Wood was silent as Cole's words sunk in.

The chosen one continued, "As far as Buffy goes. She's got some real issues; she trusts and prefers the company of dead guys to that of the people who saved her ass. She has absolutely no use or regard for civilian losses and other people's pain. That is a very BAD thing in my opinion and it's something that cannot be passed onto the others. It may come to a point where I can't let her just walk away."

"What about Willow?"

"Willow will be dealt with."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you have a right to know. Because you risked your life for someone that valued the life of the thing that killed your mother over yours. That is why I am telling this, You deserve to know."

Cole sighed and his features changed back to that of Alex.

The principal/demon hunter looked over at the younger man with a confused look on his face. He spoke in a tired voice; "I used to think when I was a kid, that when I got older, life would make more sense. When my mom was killed, I thought there wasn't anything to smile about anymore. When I met Buffy, I thought that maybe I could still do some good and When I found Spike," his voice cracked a little, "I thought it was a second chance. And now with Faith, I thought I had found redemption."

"Do you feel redeemed?" Alex asked.

Wood didn't answer.

-Elsewhere-

"Just sign right here sir."

"And this will be it?"

"Ah no, there will still be a waiting period of a few days while everything is processed but you have my guarantee that myself and my staff will work to see this done and by the end of the week, everything will be done."

"I like the sound of that." The man flashed a dazzling smile and signed the required documents. Done, he handed the forms back to the other man behind the desk who filed them away in a folder. He then turned and offer his hand, "Welcome to Cleveland Mr. Thomas, I look forward to doing further business with you and your company.

Mr. Thomas smiled and shook his hand, "As do I."