Title: Transformations
Rating: PG-14 give or take a few years
Spoilers: I reserve the right to claim that just about anything from the first three seasons is fair game.
Summary: Just the usual. Something decides to use Sunnydale as a playground and turn the scooby gang into scooby snacks but what's up with Xander?
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story. Joss & ME own the characters, I own nothing and make nothing from this story. In other words; Don't want them. Don't need them. Couldn't afforded them if I did.
Note - thoughts
Chapter Two
Buffy vaulted over the couch, barely beating Giles to the fallen form of her friend. She then rolled Xander on to his back as Giles checked for a pulse. "Is he.."
"Xander's alive," Giles sighed, then took a closer look at Xander's head and shoulders. "He has some scrapes on his neck and face but I want to check for any other possible injuries he might have." Giles spared a glance at Buffy and did not like the helpless look on her face. "Why don't you go and get my first aid kit, a bowl of warm water and a washcloth," Giles counted off as he started to unbotton Xander's shirt.
Buffy got up and was about to leave the room when a sharp, startled gasp from Giles stopped her. With a lump forming in her throat, she turned around and looked at Giles. The stunned expression on his face caused the Slayer to worry. "Giles, what's wrong."
When she recieved no response, Buffy slowly made her way back to the seemingly frozen man. Coming up from behing her mentor, Buffy got a good look at Xander over his shoulder and felt an intense, burning sensation in her chest at what she saw.
Staggering back slightly, Buffy was unable to tear her eyes from the ugly red circle, that was about the size of a man's fist, branded into the center of Xander's chest. She didn't know what frightened her more, the circle or the fact that inside the circle, Xander's skin was pure white.
Liking her dry lips, Buffy whispered, "Giles, what happened to..."
Giles finally jerked his gaze away from Xander and looked at Buffy. "I do not know," Giles slowly reached down to Xander's chest and felt around what he thought of as a wound. "It appears to be a burn mark but the severe discoloration inside the circle does not make any sense. I am sorry Buffy but I do not know."
Both were quiet "Do you think that this," She pointed to Xander's chest. "happened in the dream I saw last night?"
"It is possible if you were indeed witnessing Xander's memories of his trip." Giles mind wandered for a second before returning. He looked up at Buffy. "Ah... Buffy, I do need the items that-"
Before he could finish, Buffy ran from the room leaving Giles to his thoughts. What could have done this? Giles racked his brain for any explanation what could have happened to Xander. He didn't want to believe Buffy's dream because if it was real then that would only give more questions instead of answers. Deal with what is in front of you, old boy. The rest can wait until later. Giles thought to himself. Willow would be of help in this, both supernaturally and medically.
"Is he any better?"
Giles jumped at Buffy's soft whisper. He had been so wrapped up in his thought that he hadn't heard her come back. "No, Xander's status has not changed. Since it appears that there is no other serious injuries, perhaps you could help me move him into my bedroom."
* ~ * ~ *
After settling Xander onto the bed, Giles used the washcloth to clean some of the scratches and scrapes along his neck. Buffy sat on the bed next to Xander, idly counting the small but noticable scars along his arms as she lightly touched the edges of the burn circle on his chest. "This scar looks older than those scrapes," Buffy noticed with a critical, if worried, eye. "Giles, what has happened to him?"
Buffy watched the older man pause to remove his glasses and gently rub his eyes. "That information, I am afraid, will have wait.. until.... Xan......"
To Buffy, Giles began to move in slow motion and his voice fadeed away just before the entire room went dark.
FLASH
** Looking out a bus window and watching a 'You are now entering Sunnydale' sign go by. **
FLASH
** A book with a demon on the cover. **
FLASH
** A sketch of a dark circle with two glowing eyes. Darkness appeared to be flowing from the circle, like smoke. **
FLASH
** A page from a book. a short paragraph at the top reads; 'I still don't remember what happened that night. From what I was told, I changed that night somehow. I just hope Giles can help me.' **
FLASH
** Standing in a room with no lights. turning on a flashlight and seeing what could be furniture covered with sheets. **
FLASH
** Being held by two vampires while getting hit, repeatedly, by a third. **
FLASH
** Looking at a door as a hand reaches to open it. **
* ~ * ~ *
Buffy slowly awakened to find a bright light shining in her eyes. Squinting, she realized that a lamp was positioned above her head. She rose slightly and found herself laying on Giles' couch. How did I get here? Fear filtered into Buffy when she couldn't remember. "Giles?"
As if on cue, Giles walked out of his kitchen with a glass of water for her. "How are you feeling Buffy?"
"Once the room stops spinning I'll be fine," Buffy shook her head. "What happened Giles?"
"I'm not sure. I was cleaning Xander abrasions when you started convulsing. You had your hand on the white area of his chest and was mumbling to yourself. I couldn't wake you and when I moved your hand off him, you simply collapsed. It was then, that I moved you out here, to the couch."
Buffy took a small sip of water, absorbing what he told her. "Is Xander ok?"
"He is still asleep but his condition has not become worse." Giles carefully studied Buffy. "Can I assume that you experienced a vision?" The startled look on Buffy's face caused him to explain. "It.. um well, before you collapsed, you were muttering something that I couldn't understand."
Buffy's face scrunched up as she tried to remember. "I don't think..." Buffy trailed off as images flashed in her mind's eye. When she felt the room stop spinning again, Buffy tried to explain what she saw.
"Giles, I think I saw..."
"Xander's memories" Giles tried to help.
"Yeah. I think I saw him riding a bus into town and -"
"Wait," Giles interrupted her. "You actually saw Xander on a bus?"
Buffy's face screwed up in concentration. "No, I didn't. It was like the dreams, I was seeing through his eyes. Seeing what he was seeing."
Giles nodded to himself. "Go on."
"I think he was also at Angel's mansion," at Giles' questioning glance, Buffy elaborated, "When Angel left after graduation, he had all his furniture and things covered up and everything I saw in the vision was covered in sheets. I also think that Xander was there when he was attacked."
"What do you mean 'attacked'?" Giles asked.
"I didn't see much. Xander was being held by two vampires while another was punching him. Other than that the only things I saw was a sketch of glowing eyes surrounded by darkness and two books. Xander had written in one of them about being 'changed' and he was hoping you could help." Buffy was silent of a moment. "Giles, he felt so scared."
"Interesting, hmm." Giles started to pace. "If your dreams or visions are indeed memories from Xander, it is possible that the sketch you saw was a picture of the deamon for which the sacrifice was meant for." Giles stopped in front of Buffy. "I think that it's also safe to assume that Xander has not been to his home yet, since you have not heard from his parents." Giles started pacing again. "If you're correct about what you saw then it's possible that he might have left his personal effects at the mansion."
"Giles," Buffy grated out, causing the older man to stop pacing in mid-stride. "could you please stop that. I'm beginning to feel like I'm watching a tennis match."
"Sorry." Giles gazed up at his bedroom, thinking about Xander's condition. "Buffy, do you think you could call Willow and Oz. They should be here too."
Buffy face flushed at the mention of the two. "Oh My God!" Buffy exclaimed. "I can't believe I forgot about Willow. What should I tell her?"
"Just tell her what has happened and that I could use her help." Giles headed upstairs to check on Xander.
Buffy grabbed the phone and began to rapidly punch in Willow's number. She had to stop and calmly hit the numbers as she had misdialed twice.
[ Hello? ]
"Willow, are you busy?"
[ Not at the moment. I'm just going over what I need for college. ]
"Could you come over to Giles'?"
[ Sure. what's up? ]
Buffy paused, deciding what to tell her. "Xander's back but -"
[ Really? That's great! When did he get back? What did he do? Did he have fun? Where did he go? Did he bring - ]
"WILLOW!"
[ What? ]
"Sorry. It's just that he..." Buffy didn't know what to say. 'There's this big white spot burned into Xander's chest.' Yeah, like that won't send Willow into hysterics.
[ Buffy? Is Xander ok? ]
The tone of her voice reminded Buffy about how timid Willow was when they first met. "Giles believes that Xander is fine." Buffy quickly said as she could guess what images were going through her friend's mind. After three years of hacking into the coroner's files, Willow a very vivid imagination.
[ But? ]
"He has some cut and bruises and... stuff. We really could use your help."
[ No problem. I'll call Oz and we'll be right over. ]
"Thanks. Bye."
[ Bye. ]
* ~ * ~ *
Giles had left Xander alone when he heard Buffy shout out her friend's name and listened to Buffy's half of the conversation. "Why didn't you inform Willow of the rest of Xander's condition or about your dreams?"
Buffy set the phone down and sighed. "I didn't want her to freak out and start asking questions that we don't have the answers for." Buffy shivered when she thought of her dreams. "Hell, we don't know why I'm reliving his memories in suround sound each night."
"Hopefully Xander will have those answers but until he wakes up, it might be prudent for you to check out the mansion and see if his property is there."
"But what if Xander-"
"I will be here to look after him but I'm sure that he will be fine while you do this."
Buffy battled internally over whether to go or stay. Finally she decided that finding Xander's stuff might lead to clues about what had happened to him. She was about to leave when Giles spoke up. "Ah Buffy, are you sure that it was Xander who wrote what you saw?"
Buffy nodded. "I'd recognize his handwriting anywhere," a shadow of worry flitted over her face. "But what do you think he meant by 'changed'?"
"It could be as simple as the circle on his chest but even that raises questions about how it happened and what it means." Giles took off his glasses and began to clean them. "Perhaps you should head out now. Willow will be here soon enough."
"Okay, but you promise to beep me if there are any changes or if he wakes up?"
"I promise. Now as soon as the others arrive, I will send Oz to you. If Xander's personal belongings are there, it would be better if you would bring them her right away."
Buffy nodded and after looking in on Xander once more, she made her way to the mansion feeling both hope and fear.
Hope in finding something that might explain what was happenning to Xander.
Fear because of the memories that would surface of her and Angel. Buffy's feelings for Angel were still there and she has purposely avoided the vampire's home so she wouldn't have to deal with missing him. Buffy knows that it was his decision to leave and she has tried to move on but the future that was denied them still causes some pain for her.
It was about mid-afternoon when she realized that she was standing at the entrance of the mansion. With so much on her mind, she didn't even remember walking the path she always took to her former love's home.
Pausing briefly, Buffy steeled herself to withstand the internal battle she knew was coming. She was willing to try and put her personal problems aside in order to help Xander because she knew that Xander would do no less for her.
"Hey."
Buffy literally jumped at the sound of the voice that belonged to Willow's boyfriend. "OZ!!" She screeched. "Don't do that. You nearly gave me a heartattack."
Oz only raised an eyebrow. "Giles said that you might need help."
Buffy kept the scathing retort that she wanted to say to herself. instead she took a deep breath and stepped inside. Oz just shrugged and followed.
All thoughts and concerns of Angel flew from Buffy's mind the moment she stepped through the door. She was immediately assaulted by a nearly overwhelming sense of magic causing the Slayer to assume a defensive pose. Looking around for any threat, Buffy only found two duffel bags; one in the far corner and one by the door she had just entered.
The next thing that registered in Buffy's mind was that the place was a mess. Furnature was strewn all over the place as if a fight took place in her but what really sent chills through her body was that among the overturned furniture, she saw several piles of ash. There are at least five small piles and one big pile. Buffy clearly remembered Xander's appearance this morning. There were three vampires in that vision. Did that happen here or was Xander attacked somewhere else.
Distracted as she was, Buffy was caught unaware as a steel mesh net fell from above covering her. Buffy rolled onto her back, brought her legs up to her chest and kick the net off her. Buffy then sprang to her feet and assumed a defensive posture but the 'enemy' that was in front of her was not what she was expecting.
Sitting before her was a large black cat.
Okaayy. Where did the nice kitty come from? The cat, which was the size of a tiger, calmly yawned and then quickly jumped at Buffy.
Buffy had her eyes closed and her body tensed up, expecting to be mawled but nothing happened. What? She was still standing, unhurt. But the cat.. She opened her eyes to find that the cat in question, was still sitting in front of her, laughter shining in the feline's bright blue eyes.
Buffy was feeling an intense need to wipe the 'smirk' off the cat's face when the cat attention shifted. Following where the cat was looking, she turned slightly and saw that Oz was trying to edge his way behind the cat.
The cat turned back to Buffy and growled. Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy noticed a flash of light. In the far corner, a crossbow floated in the air. The crossbow followed Oz's movements and released an arrow.
"OZ!" Buffy ran to her friend, hoping to be in time to knock him out of the way.
THUNK!
* ~ * ~ *
Rating: PG-14 give or take a few years
Spoilers: I reserve the right to claim that just about anything from the first three seasons is fair game.
Summary: Just the usual. Something decides to use Sunnydale as a playground and turn the scooby gang into scooby snacks but what's up with Xander?
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story. Joss & ME own the characters, I own nothing and make nothing from this story. In other words; Don't want them. Don't need them. Couldn't afforded them if I did.
Note - thoughts
Buffy vaulted over the couch, barely beating Giles to the fallen form of her friend. She then rolled Xander on to his back as Giles checked for a pulse. "Is he.."
"Xander's alive," Giles sighed, then took a closer look at Xander's head and shoulders. "He has some scrapes on his neck and face but I want to check for any other possible injuries he might have." Giles spared a glance at Buffy and did not like the helpless look on her face. "Why don't you go and get my first aid kit, a bowl of warm water and a washcloth," Giles counted off as he started to unbotton Xander's shirt.
Buffy got up and was about to leave the room when a sharp, startled gasp from Giles stopped her. With a lump forming in her throat, she turned around and looked at Giles. The stunned expression on his face caused the Slayer to worry. "Giles, what's wrong."
When she recieved no response, Buffy slowly made her way back to the seemingly frozen man. Coming up from behing her mentor, Buffy got a good look at Xander over his shoulder and felt an intense, burning sensation in her chest at what she saw.
Staggering back slightly, Buffy was unable to tear her eyes from the ugly red circle, that was about the size of a man's fist, branded into the center of Xander's chest. She didn't know what frightened her more, the circle or the fact that inside the circle, Xander's skin was pure white.
Liking her dry lips, Buffy whispered, "Giles, what happened to..."
Giles finally jerked his gaze away from Xander and looked at Buffy. "I do not know," Giles slowly reached down to Xander's chest and felt around what he thought of as a wound. "It appears to be a burn mark but the severe discoloration inside the circle does not make any sense. I am sorry Buffy but I do not know."
Both were quiet "Do you think that this," She pointed to Xander's chest. "happened in the dream I saw last night?"
"It is possible if you were indeed witnessing Xander's memories of his trip." Giles mind wandered for a second before returning. He looked up at Buffy. "Ah... Buffy, I do need the items that-"
Before he could finish, Buffy ran from the room leaving Giles to his thoughts. What could have done this? Giles racked his brain for any explanation what could have happened to Xander. He didn't want to believe Buffy's dream because if it was real then that would only give more questions instead of answers. Deal with what is in front of you, old boy. The rest can wait until later. Giles thought to himself. Willow would be of help in this, both supernaturally and medically.
"Is he any better?"
Giles jumped at Buffy's soft whisper. He had been so wrapped up in his thought that he hadn't heard her come back. "No, Xander's status has not changed. Since it appears that there is no other serious injuries, perhaps you could help me move him into my bedroom."
After settling Xander onto the bed, Giles used the washcloth to clean some of the scratches and scrapes along his neck. Buffy sat on the bed next to Xander, idly counting the small but noticable scars along his arms as she lightly touched the edges of the burn circle on his chest. "This scar looks older than those scrapes," Buffy noticed with a critical, if worried, eye. "Giles, what has happened to him?"
Buffy watched the older man pause to remove his glasses and gently rub his eyes. "That information, I am afraid, will have wait.. until.... Xan......"
To Buffy, Giles began to move in slow motion and his voice fadeed away just before the entire room went dark.
FLASH
** Looking out a bus window and watching a 'You are now entering Sunnydale' sign go by. **
FLASH
** A book with a demon on the cover. **
FLASH
** A sketch of a dark circle with two glowing eyes. Darkness appeared to be flowing from the circle, like smoke. **
FLASH
** A page from a book. a short paragraph at the top reads; 'I still don't remember what happened that night. From what I was told, I changed that night somehow. I just hope Giles can help me.' **
FLASH
** Standing in a room with no lights. turning on a flashlight and seeing what could be furniture covered with sheets. **
FLASH
** Being held by two vampires while getting hit, repeatedly, by a third. **
FLASH
** Looking at a door as a hand reaches to open it. **
Buffy slowly awakened to find a bright light shining in her eyes. Squinting, she realized that a lamp was positioned above her head. She rose slightly and found herself laying on Giles' couch. How did I get here? Fear filtered into Buffy when she couldn't remember. "Giles?"
As if on cue, Giles walked out of his kitchen with a glass of water for her. "How are you feeling Buffy?"
"Once the room stops spinning I'll be fine," Buffy shook her head. "What happened Giles?"
"I'm not sure. I was cleaning Xander abrasions when you started convulsing. You had your hand on the white area of his chest and was mumbling to yourself. I couldn't wake you and when I moved your hand off him, you simply collapsed. It was then, that I moved you out here, to the couch."
Buffy took a small sip of water, absorbing what he told her. "Is Xander ok?"
"He is still asleep but his condition has not become worse." Giles carefully studied Buffy. "Can I assume that you experienced a vision?" The startled look on Buffy's face caused him to explain. "It.. um well, before you collapsed, you were muttering something that I couldn't understand."
Buffy's face scrunched up as she tried to remember. "I don't think..." Buffy trailed off as images flashed in her mind's eye. When she felt the room stop spinning again, Buffy tried to explain what she saw.
"Giles, I think I saw..."
"Xander's memories" Giles tried to help.
"Yeah. I think I saw him riding a bus into town and -"
"Wait," Giles interrupted her. "You actually saw Xander on a bus?"
Buffy's face screwed up in concentration. "No, I didn't. It was like the dreams, I was seeing through his eyes. Seeing what he was seeing."
Giles nodded to himself. "Go on."
"I think he was also at Angel's mansion," at Giles' questioning glance, Buffy elaborated, "When Angel left after graduation, he had all his furniture and things covered up and everything I saw in the vision was covered in sheets. I also think that Xander was there when he was attacked."
"What do you mean 'attacked'?" Giles asked.
"I didn't see much. Xander was being held by two vampires while another was punching him. Other than that the only things I saw was a sketch of glowing eyes surrounded by darkness and two books. Xander had written in one of them about being 'changed' and he was hoping you could help." Buffy was silent of a moment. "Giles, he felt so scared."
"Interesting, hmm." Giles started to pace. "If your dreams or visions are indeed memories from Xander, it is possible that the sketch you saw was a picture of the deamon for which the sacrifice was meant for." Giles stopped in front of Buffy. "I think that it's also safe to assume that Xander has not been to his home yet, since you have not heard from his parents." Giles started pacing again. "If you're correct about what you saw then it's possible that he might have left his personal effects at the mansion."
"Giles," Buffy grated out, causing the older man to stop pacing in mid-stride. "could you please stop that. I'm beginning to feel like I'm watching a tennis match."
"Sorry." Giles gazed up at his bedroom, thinking about Xander's condition. "Buffy, do you think you could call Willow and Oz. They should be here too."
Buffy face flushed at the mention of the two. "Oh My God!" Buffy exclaimed. "I can't believe I forgot about Willow. What should I tell her?"
"Just tell her what has happened and that I could use her help." Giles headed upstairs to check on Xander.
Buffy grabbed the phone and began to rapidly punch in Willow's number. She had to stop and calmly hit the numbers as she had misdialed twice.
[ Hello? ]
"Willow, are you busy?"
[ Not at the moment. I'm just going over what I need for college. ]
"Could you come over to Giles'?"
[ Sure. what's up? ]
Buffy paused, deciding what to tell her. "Xander's back but -"
[ Really? That's great! When did he get back? What did he do? Did he have fun? Where did he go? Did he bring - ]
"WILLOW!"
[ What? ]
"Sorry. It's just that he..." Buffy didn't know what to say. 'There's this big white spot burned into Xander's chest.' Yeah, like that won't send Willow into hysterics.
[ Buffy? Is Xander ok? ]
The tone of her voice reminded Buffy about how timid Willow was when they first met. "Giles believes that Xander is fine." Buffy quickly said as she could guess what images were going through her friend's mind. After three years of hacking into the coroner's files, Willow a very vivid imagination.
[ But? ]
"He has some cut and bruises and... stuff. We really could use your help."
[ No problem. I'll call Oz and we'll be right over. ]
"Thanks. Bye."
[ Bye. ]
Giles had left Xander alone when he heard Buffy shout out her friend's name and listened to Buffy's half of the conversation. "Why didn't you inform Willow of the rest of Xander's condition or about your dreams?"
Buffy set the phone down and sighed. "I didn't want her to freak out and start asking questions that we don't have the answers for." Buffy shivered when she thought of her dreams. "Hell, we don't know why I'm reliving his memories in suround sound each night."
"Hopefully Xander will have those answers but until he wakes up, it might be prudent for you to check out the mansion and see if his property is there."
"But what if Xander-"
"I will be here to look after him but I'm sure that he will be fine while you do this."
Buffy battled internally over whether to go or stay. Finally she decided that finding Xander's stuff might lead to clues about what had happened to him. She was about to leave when Giles spoke up. "Ah Buffy, are you sure that it was Xander who wrote what you saw?"
Buffy nodded. "I'd recognize his handwriting anywhere," a shadow of worry flitted over her face. "But what do you think he meant by 'changed'?"
"It could be as simple as the circle on his chest but even that raises questions about how it happened and what it means." Giles took off his glasses and began to clean them. "Perhaps you should head out now. Willow will be here soon enough."
"Okay, but you promise to beep me if there are any changes or if he wakes up?"
"I promise. Now as soon as the others arrive, I will send Oz to you. If Xander's personal belongings are there, it would be better if you would bring them her right away."
Buffy nodded and after looking in on Xander once more, she made her way to the mansion feeling both hope and fear.
Hope in finding something that might explain what was happenning to Xander.
Fear because of the memories that would surface of her and Angel. Buffy's feelings for Angel were still there and she has purposely avoided the vampire's home so she wouldn't have to deal with missing him. Buffy knows that it was his decision to leave and she has tried to move on but the future that was denied them still causes some pain for her.
It was about mid-afternoon when she realized that she was standing at the entrance of the mansion. With so much on her mind, she didn't even remember walking the path she always took to her former love's home.
Pausing briefly, Buffy steeled herself to withstand the internal battle she knew was coming. She was willing to try and put her personal problems aside in order to help Xander because she knew that Xander would do no less for her.
"Hey."
Buffy literally jumped at the sound of the voice that belonged to Willow's boyfriend. "OZ!!" She screeched. "Don't do that. You nearly gave me a heartattack."
Oz only raised an eyebrow. "Giles said that you might need help."
Buffy kept the scathing retort that she wanted to say to herself. instead she took a deep breath and stepped inside. Oz just shrugged and followed.
All thoughts and concerns of Angel flew from Buffy's mind the moment she stepped through the door. She was immediately assaulted by a nearly overwhelming sense of magic causing the Slayer to assume a defensive pose. Looking around for any threat, Buffy only found two duffel bags; one in the far corner and one by the door she had just entered.
The next thing that registered in Buffy's mind was that the place was a mess. Furnature was strewn all over the place as if a fight took place in her but what really sent chills through her body was that among the overturned furniture, she saw several piles of ash. There are at least five small piles and one big pile. Buffy clearly remembered Xander's appearance this morning. There were three vampires in that vision. Did that happen here or was Xander attacked somewhere else.
Distracted as she was, Buffy was caught unaware as a steel mesh net fell from above covering her. Buffy rolled onto her back, brought her legs up to her chest and kick the net off her. Buffy then sprang to her feet and assumed a defensive posture but the 'enemy' that was in front of her was not what she was expecting.
Sitting before her was a large black cat.
Okaayy. Where did the nice kitty come from? The cat, which was the size of a tiger, calmly yawned and then quickly jumped at Buffy.
Buffy had her eyes closed and her body tensed up, expecting to be mawled but nothing happened. What? She was still standing, unhurt. But the cat.. She opened her eyes to find that the cat in question, was still sitting in front of her, laughter shining in the feline's bright blue eyes.
Buffy was feeling an intense need to wipe the 'smirk' off the cat's face when the cat attention shifted. Following where the cat was looking, she turned slightly and saw that Oz was trying to edge his way behind the cat.
The cat turned back to Buffy and growled. Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy noticed a flash of light. In the far corner, a crossbow floated in the air. The crossbow followed Oz's movements and released an arrow.
"OZ!" Buffy ran to her friend, hoping to be in time to knock him out of the way.
THUNK!