Part 16

  A.N. Thanks to Margo for the Xander insight!

"Mr. Harris, please, come in," says Meg to Xander as he sticks his head inside the door.

"I'm Xander."  "Mr. Harris is the drunken lout I call a father."

"Very well, and I am Meg."  "Please Xander, have a seat."  "You and I have several issues to address, including your renovation of my living quarters."  "If it is acceptable to you, I would prefer to start there."

"Ah, sure, Prof, Meg," said Xander as he sat down at the table where Meg already sat.

"The first thing we need to know is exactly what you want to spend, and from there we can start picking out materials."

"Xander, I'm so bloody wealthy that I can afford to have the room done in gold if I want," said Meg with a laugh.  "I'm more concerned with a comfortable living and working space that doesn't interfere too much with Ms. Summers house hold."

"Are you the one who is going to be paying Buffy's salary?" questions Xander.  "Is that what's happening here?"  "I'm not about to let you do anything to Buffy."

"Xander, sit down and relax," said Meg loudly over Xander's diatribe.  "The offer of a salary from the council is legitimate."  "As is their supplying some of the funds to provide me with living quarters."  "However, the council is also notoriously cheap, and I refuse to allow myself to live in substandard conditions."  "That being said, let's table this discussion for now, and move along to your role as a member of the scoobies."

"Oh great," said Xander angrily.  "Here we go again, you're going to tell me that I have no real skills and I'm of no use to the Scoobies!"

"On the contrary Xander."  "You are the Heart of the group and that even without powers you are essential for your strategies."  "In times of crisis, you often provide a level headedness that is desperately needed."

"Oh," said Xander, who was rather ashamed of his outburst.  "Go Me!"

"However, it does concern me that you have no other means of defending yourself, save your fists."  "You've had no particular training in self defense, have you?"

"Other than ducking and covering?"  "No, I mostly specialize in running."

"Well, there are two things we can do about this, but it is up to you."  "I would like to propose that you start training with Buffy and Spike, and second,"

"No, I refuse to work with undead boy."  "He'd use any opportunity he can to beat me to a bloody pulp."

"Xander, do not interrupt me, it is a rude and vulgar habit."  "Now, as I was saying, you will train with Buffy and Spike."  "Spike is a valuable member of the Scoobies, and there is much you can learn from him, just as there is much that he can learn from you."  "Second, I would like to provide you with an amulet to wear."  "It will enhance your fighting abilities."  "You will not be invincible, but you will be able to defend yourself."  "The magical properties of it will allow you to tap into the knowledge and skills of it's past owners and put them to use."

"Cool, I'll become Uber Xander!"

"No Xander, you will not, and unless you can grasp that small albeit important piece of information, I cannot give you the amulet."

"No, I get it, honest I do, but it will be nice to be more of a help to Buffy."  "And I'll train with Spike."  "I can't promise to like it, but I'll do it."

"You never know Xander, you may enjoy it more than you ever thought possible."

"Now do you want to go over the plans for your new living quarters before I go?" asked Xander.

"No, no, you just do whatever you think is best, you have a basic idea of what I want, and I trust your judgment."

"May I ask you a question then?"

"You may."

"Why did you start out this meeting by suggesting we start with the renovations at Buffy's?"

"Xander, you are a very wise young man."  "I could tell how insecure you felt about your place with the Scoobies, and I wanted you to feel comfortable with me."  "I decided to start off talking about the renovations because construction is obviously an environment that you feel comfortable in."  "What kind of a watcher would I be if, in our first official meeting, I dove in headfirst and touched upon all your insecurities?"

"Oh," said Xander, at a loss for words.  "Cool."

"Now, here is the amulet I was telling you about," said Meg as she slipped a necklace with a jet and tigers eye amulet on it.  "Wear it constantly, for you never know when you may need it."

"I don't feel any different," said Xander.

"Don't worry Xander, have faith, believe in the amulet." 

"Great," said Xander.  "I'm going to be drawing my strength from jewelry."  "Why am I not feeling very manly?"

"Xander, have faith, and please send in Anya," said Meg, signaling an end to their interview.