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?
"I told you he would go for the dress code changes. He was putty in my hands."
"Our hands you mean."
Dawn smiled at Cordelia as the two of them chatted and watched the others. Amy and Kennedy had retreated back inside the meeting room for the moment, doubtless to discuss their little problems. Andrew was excitedly explaining something to Mrs. Hollings who was doing her best to look interested and follow along. Xander and Wood were quietly talking off to one side.
Cordelia's expression changed suddenly and Dawn looked behind her, trying to see what she was looking at. The younger brunette turned and a look of surprise spread across her face.
"Daddy?"
"Hi Dawnie," Hank Summers slowly approached his youngest child. He stopped a few feet from where she and Cordelia were standing. The area around them became silent as the other people watched the meeting of father and daughter. Tears slowly trailed down Dawn's cheeks as she tried to come to grips with what was happening. She was shaking slightly as she addressed him.
"I... I can't believe it's you."
"It's me Dawn. I promise it's me."
"Where were you? Why are you here, now?"
"Dawn, I promise I'll explain everything. But can we talk in private?"
The one time Key hesitated and looked back at Cordelia and the others. Slowly they nodded their agreement and Dawn bit her lip. Still shaking somewhat she gestured at the door they exited. Hank followed her inside, pausing to allow Kennedy to leave the room.
Xander watched the events unfold with a minimum of interest. He had contacted Hank and persuaded him to visit his children, if nothing else then to provide a sense of family and finality to Dawn's (and secretly Buffy's) lives. Now as he looked on, it looked vaguely possible that something more could develop. Perhaps Dawn could indeed salvage a relationship with her father.
'Good for her and him. Learn to love one another before it's too late'. A sharp pain went through his head, causing him to wince involuntarily. 'Damnit. Pills must be wearing off.' What happened next also caused him to wince, though not from physical pain.
"Yo Harris."
"Faith."
He watched the dark slayer stride towards him with an intense look on her face. Beside him, Robin Wood watched his girlfriend slow down and halt in front of the other man. Faith slowly put her hands on her hips as she sized her target up before speaking.
"Been a while X. Way you been acting, a girl could get the wrong idea."
"And what idea might that be Faith?"
"That you're avoiding me."
"Hmm."
"And it's not just me. It's Red and B too. Seems to me like ever since you came back and took over, you been running from us."
"Well I guess you would be wrong then Faith."
"Oh?" She cocked an eyebrow as she studied him.
"Your idea wasn't wrong, I was avoiding you."
The Boston native waited for him to continue and then frowned when he didn't.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I guess you forgot that part of my speech where I said I didn't want you in my life anymore."
"I thought that was B and Red."
"That was for all of you."
"Even C and little D? You seem awfully chummy with the people don't want in your life in anymore."
"I changed my mind."
"Oh and that applies to them but not to us."
"They're my friends."
"And what does that make B? And Willow?"
Alex didn't answer her. Faith's frown deepened as her mood soured, "What does that make me?"
"Nothing."
His answer seemed to surprise her as he continued, "It makes you nothing. Just the same as I was to you, nothing. You mean about as much as a coffee table to me."
"Bullshit."
"No, no bullshit here Faith. I don't give a rat's ass about you or your feelings or anything else. As far as I'm concerned you don't matter anymore then cashier at Doublemeat Palace."
An incredulous look covered the slayer's face briefly. She shook it off and a look of resolve took it's place. "Harsh words to be saying, X." She spoke in a questioning tone.
"Nothing harsh about it Faith. Just the plain and simple truth of the matter."
"Oh, well you sound kinda intense for a guy that is just speaking the truth. Sure you don't need a workout to let off some steam?" Faith's voice had taken a sultry tone, "What about Rob, umm for a group workout?"
Wood opened his mouth to try and defuse the situation when he noticed a brief shudder run through Alex. The former carpenter closed his eyes briefly, as he appeared to try and regain focus. Faith blinked as she watched him apparently calm himself down. Mentally she congratulated herself for taking him down a peg. That is until he opened his eyes and fixed her with a look that formed a ball of ice in her stomach.
Slowly clenching and unclenching his hands by his sides, Alex started walking by her. Realizing her mistake, Faith tried to get his attention.
"Look, I'm sorry."
He barely paid any attention and continued walking away.
"Xander, damnit. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I tried to kill you."
That slowed him momentarily then he began walking again. Faith grew upset and grabbed his right arm trying to stop him.
"X, didn't you hear me? I said I was sorry."
"Yeah, you're sorry. I'm sure family of the people you killed are okay with the fact that you're sorry. Sorry doesn't mean a hell of a lot. Especially coming from you."
Faith tried to say something as she yanked again on his arm. In retrospect, she would recognize her biggest mistake was grabbing his upper arm by the shirt and not the arm itself. Doing so would have led to things playing out differently. Instead, Xander was free rip his arm out of her grasp and backhand her across the face. It's a blow she's seen many times in her life and sometimes even been a victim of prior to her being called as a Slayer. Faith never again expected to struck like that, least of all Alexander Harris. She was left to hold her jaw and cover her bruised cheek as she stared at the man who hit her. The look is one she is also familiar with, having seen it accompany the blow she just received.
Silently the others watched along with her as Alex walked away from them. Blinking, Mrs. Hollings turned her attention to a stunned Andrew Wells. She cleared her throat politely to get his attention again before asking, "Does that happen often?"
-Cleveland-
The hellmouth in this city was far smaller then it's Sunnydale counterpart. It had only recently come into existence in the 1950's. Presently it was buried deep under the city as yet unearthed by those around it.
Yet despite those factors, it was not inactive. Indeed, it was prone to releasing minor waves of energy that spread outward across the city. In Sunnydale such waves led to the creation of ADAM and drew vampires in droves. Here they attracted far fewer vampires but tended to have other, more interesting and sometimes deadlier results.
In this case, a wave, unique in both composition and strength was released and slowly spread across the city, seemingly searching for something.
-Crestview-
Xander managed to make it to his room with no other distractions. He slammed the door shut and headed towards the bedroom. Like the rest of the apartment it was bare, stripped almost entirely of furnishings. Fred's things had been moved into storage mostly as the logistics of finding her a new place to stay had not been worked out yet. Adding yet another apartment building was an idea that had been considered but nothing had been decided.
Right now, He didn't give a damn about any of that as he located the bottle of pain pills. Quickly, Alex opened it and popped two pills into his mouth. He swallowed them with the last of the water from a glass by his bed. Xander refilled the glass with water and drained it before placing the glass on the counter. He put his head in his left hand as he hoped the throbbing pain would subside soon. His right hand slipped into his pants pocket in search of something. Finding it, he unconsciously wrapped his hand around it's familiar shape. It's thin shape and cool metal feel brought his attention away from his physical pain to something else, a different kind of pain. One that didn't go away with pills and hadn't faded in more then two years.
'Some things are forever'.
-Cleveland-
The wave released from the Hellmouth found what it was looking for in a dingy movie theater. Here it found feelings of fear, betrayal, grief, vengeance and murderous desire. The theater itself was unremarkable save the fact that it was running a marathon of slasher films. What was remarkable was what was happening in the theater itself. There a group of friends had gone to the movies on what they thought was another fun trip together.
At least that was the plan before one of their number revealed himself to be a vampire. The former young man in question, Toby Myles, had been turned the previous night and had lured the others to this location. He had already killed one of his former friends quite violently by ripping his throat open and splattering blood everywhere, even on the movie screen. He was in the process of draining the projection booth operator/usher that had come to try and save the others. Sitting in her seat was his blood splattered best friend nerdish girl with blonde hair named Crystal. She was too terrified to move, having seen the fates of the others. Now tears mixed with the blood on her face as incoherent mumbling as she wept and cowered.
Toby grinned at her as he continued to feed off the corpse in his arms. Neither he nor Crystal noticed the flicker of light behind him. Instead the vampire kept his eyes firmly on the girl in front of him as he finished feeding. He didn't pay attention to the footsteps of the rather large figure that came up behind him.
It was only when he smelled something strange did he release his hold and happen to glance back. As he did so, something rammed thru his chest. He barely had time to recognize the wooden handle of a shovel and mutter "What the fuck" before he turned to dust.
Crystal started blubbering as she watched him dust, thanking her rescuer even as fresh tears came from her eyes. That was until she saw who had saved her and her eyes widened as the figure flipped the shovel around in his hands.
"Please no. Please. Please I didn't do anything. Please don't do this. Please, Plea-", her cries were cut off as the shovel was shoved through her chest, ripping apart her heart and lungs and pinning her to the seat. The hulking figure watched as her blood leaked out and stained the carpet before walking out the fire exit out into an alleyway.
He paused to seemingly survey the empty alley, turning his head in each direction. His eyeless hockey mask gave no indication of his thoughts or if he had any thoughts at all. Instead, Jason Vorhees picked a direction and started walking.
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?
"I told you he would go for the dress code changes. He was putty in my hands."
"Our hands you mean."
Dawn smiled at Cordelia as the two of them chatted and watched the others. Amy and Kennedy had retreated back inside the meeting room for the moment, doubtless to discuss their little problems. Andrew was excitedly explaining something to Mrs. Hollings who was doing her best to look interested and follow along. Xander and Wood were quietly talking off to one side.
Cordelia's expression changed suddenly and Dawn looked behind her, trying to see what she was looking at. The younger brunette turned and a look of surprise spread across her face.
"Daddy?"
"Hi Dawnie," Hank Summers slowly approached his youngest child. He stopped a few feet from where she and Cordelia were standing. The area around them became silent as the other people watched the meeting of father and daughter. Tears slowly trailed down Dawn's cheeks as she tried to come to grips with what was happening. She was shaking slightly as she addressed him.
"I... I can't believe it's you."
"It's me Dawn. I promise it's me."
"Where were you? Why are you here, now?"
"Dawn, I promise I'll explain everything. But can we talk in private?"
The one time Key hesitated and looked back at Cordelia and the others. Slowly they nodded their agreement and Dawn bit her lip. Still shaking somewhat she gestured at the door they exited. Hank followed her inside, pausing to allow Kennedy to leave the room.
Xander watched the events unfold with a minimum of interest. He had contacted Hank and persuaded him to visit his children, if nothing else then to provide a sense of family and finality to Dawn's (and secretly Buffy's) lives. Now as he looked on, it looked vaguely possible that something more could develop. Perhaps Dawn could indeed salvage a relationship with her father.
'Good for her and him. Learn to love one another before it's too late'. A sharp pain went through his head, causing him to wince involuntarily. 'Damnit. Pills must be wearing off.' What happened next also caused him to wince, though not from physical pain.
"Yo Harris."
"Faith."
He watched the dark slayer stride towards him with an intense look on her face. Beside him, Robin Wood watched his girlfriend slow down and halt in front of the other man. Faith slowly put her hands on her hips as she sized her target up before speaking.
"Been a while X. Way you been acting, a girl could get the wrong idea."
"And what idea might that be Faith?"
"That you're avoiding me."
"Hmm."
"And it's not just me. It's Red and B too. Seems to me like ever since you came back and took over, you been running from us."
"Well I guess you would be wrong then Faith."
"Oh?" She cocked an eyebrow as she studied him.
"Your idea wasn't wrong, I was avoiding you."
The Boston native waited for him to continue and then frowned when he didn't.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I guess you forgot that part of my speech where I said I didn't want you in my life anymore."
"I thought that was B and Red."
"That was for all of you."
"Even C and little D? You seem awfully chummy with the people don't want in your life in anymore."
"I changed my mind."
"Oh and that applies to them but not to us."
"They're my friends."
"And what does that make B? And Willow?"
Alex didn't answer her. Faith's frown deepened as her mood soured, "What does that make me?"
"Nothing."
His answer seemed to surprise her as he continued, "It makes you nothing. Just the same as I was to you, nothing. You mean about as much as a coffee table to me."
"Bullshit."
"No, no bullshit here Faith. I don't give a rat's ass about you or your feelings or anything else. As far as I'm concerned you don't matter anymore then cashier at Doublemeat Palace."
An incredulous look covered the slayer's face briefly. She shook it off and a look of resolve took it's place. "Harsh words to be saying, X." She spoke in a questioning tone.
"Nothing harsh about it Faith. Just the plain and simple truth of the matter."
"Oh, well you sound kinda intense for a guy that is just speaking the truth. Sure you don't need a workout to let off some steam?" Faith's voice had taken a sultry tone, "What about Rob, umm for a group workout?"
Wood opened his mouth to try and defuse the situation when he noticed a brief shudder run through Alex. The former carpenter closed his eyes briefly, as he appeared to try and regain focus. Faith blinked as she watched him apparently calm himself down. Mentally she congratulated herself for taking him down a peg. That is until he opened his eyes and fixed her with a look that formed a ball of ice in her stomach.
Slowly clenching and unclenching his hands by his sides, Alex started walking by her. Realizing her mistake, Faith tried to get his attention.
"Look, I'm sorry."
He barely paid any attention and continued walking away.
"Xander, damnit. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I tried to kill you."
That slowed him momentarily then he began walking again. Faith grew upset and grabbed his right arm trying to stop him.
"X, didn't you hear me? I said I was sorry."
"Yeah, you're sorry. I'm sure family of the people you killed are okay with the fact that you're sorry. Sorry doesn't mean a hell of a lot. Especially coming from you."
Faith tried to say something as she yanked again on his arm. In retrospect, she would recognize her biggest mistake was grabbing his upper arm by the shirt and not the arm itself. Doing so would have led to things playing out differently. Instead, Xander was free rip his arm out of her grasp and backhand her across the face. It's a blow she's seen many times in her life and sometimes even been a victim of prior to her being called as a Slayer. Faith never again expected to struck like that, least of all Alexander Harris. She was left to hold her jaw and cover her bruised cheek as she stared at the man who hit her. The look is one she is also familiar with, having seen it accompany the blow she just received.
Silently the others watched along with her as Alex walked away from them. Blinking, Mrs. Hollings turned her attention to a stunned Andrew Wells. She cleared her throat politely to get his attention again before asking, "Does that happen often?"
-Cleveland-
The hellmouth in this city was far smaller then it's Sunnydale counterpart. It had only recently come into existence in the 1950's. Presently it was buried deep under the city as yet unearthed by those around it.
Yet despite those factors, it was not inactive. Indeed, it was prone to releasing minor waves of energy that spread outward across the city. In Sunnydale such waves led to the creation of ADAM and drew vampires in droves. Here they attracted far fewer vampires but tended to have other, more interesting and sometimes deadlier results.
In this case, a wave, unique in both composition and strength was released and slowly spread across the city, seemingly searching for something.
-Crestview-
Xander managed to make it to his room with no other distractions. He slammed the door shut and headed towards the bedroom. Like the rest of the apartment it was bare, stripped almost entirely of furnishings. Fred's things had been moved into storage mostly as the logistics of finding her a new place to stay had not been worked out yet. Adding yet another apartment building was an idea that had been considered but nothing had been decided.
Right now, He didn't give a damn about any of that as he located the bottle of pain pills. Quickly, Alex opened it and popped two pills into his mouth. He swallowed them with the last of the water from a glass by his bed. Xander refilled the glass with water and drained it before placing the glass on the counter. He put his head in his left hand as he hoped the throbbing pain would subside soon. His right hand slipped into his pants pocket in search of something. Finding it, he unconsciously wrapped his hand around it's familiar shape. It's thin shape and cool metal feel brought his attention away from his physical pain to something else, a different kind of pain. One that didn't go away with pills and hadn't faded in more then two years.
'Some things are forever'.
-Cleveland-
The wave released from the Hellmouth found what it was looking for in a dingy movie theater. Here it found feelings of fear, betrayal, grief, vengeance and murderous desire. The theater itself was unremarkable save the fact that it was running a marathon of slasher films. What was remarkable was what was happening in the theater itself. There a group of friends had gone to the movies on what they thought was another fun trip together.
At least that was the plan before one of their number revealed himself to be a vampire. The former young man in question, Toby Myles, had been turned the previous night and had lured the others to this location. He had already killed one of his former friends quite violently by ripping his throat open and splattering blood everywhere, even on the movie screen. He was in the process of draining the projection booth operator/usher that had come to try and save the others. Sitting in her seat was his blood splattered best friend nerdish girl with blonde hair named Crystal. She was too terrified to move, having seen the fates of the others. Now tears mixed with the blood on her face as incoherent mumbling as she wept and cowered.
Toby grinned at her as he continued to feed off the corpse in his arms. Neither he nor Crystal noticed the flicker of light behind him. Instead the vampire kept his eyes firmly on the girl in front of him as he finished feeding. He didn't pay attention to the footsteps of the rather large figure that came up behind him.
It was only when he smelled something strange did he release his hold and happen to glance back. As he did so, something rammed thru his chest. He barely had time to recognize the wooden handle of a shovel and mutter "What the fuck" before he turned to dust.
Crystal started blubbering as she watched him dust, thanking her rescuer even as fresh tears came from her eyes. That was until she saw who had saved her and her eyes widened as the figure flipped the shovel around in his hands.
"Please no. Please. Please I didn't do anything. Please don't do this. Please, Plea-", her cries were cut off as the shovel was shoved through her chest, ripping apart her heart and lungs and pinning her to the seat. The hulking figure watched as her blood leaked out and stained the carpet before walking out the fire exit out into an alleyway.
He paused to seemingly survey the empty alley, turning his head in each direction. His eyeless hockey mask gave no indication of his thoughts or if he had any thoughts at all. Instead, Jason Vorhees picked a direction and started walking.