Patron Saint

Spoilers- None, I think.

Disclaimer- I don't own any of the following characters or settings, they belong to the holy Joss Wheden.

Note- I always wondered what the medallion around Xander's neck meant; decided I should do somethin' about that.

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"Xander! Hey Xander, you up there?" Willow stood at the bottom of a tree in the park where she knew Xander would often go when he wanted to hide from his parents.

Xander's head poked through the leaves. He grinned down at her. "Hey Wills, come on up."

Willow scrambled up the tree; coming to a stop to she found the fork where Xander sat. She sat next to him, sighing as she took in his black eye and the bruises that covered his body. "Oh, Xander."

He looked at her, his eyes haunted. "Wills, don't. Please, just don't."

Willow wrabbed her arms around his shoulders and rested her head next to his. "Okay."

Xander buried his face in her hair, fighting to keep back tears. Willow tightened her arms around him. For how long they remained like that they couldn't say, for the two friends it could have been minutes or it could have been hours. Xander cleared his throat and pulled back. He rubbed his hands over his eyes quickly.

"Thanks, Wills." His voice was thick.

She smiled at him and brushed his hair back from his face. "No problem."

He shifted slightly, trying to make himself comfortable against the rough bark. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I stopped by your house, but your father he…" Willow trailed off.

Xander frowned. "Yeah, I know."

Willow bit her lip. "You know it's your birthday next week."

Xander stared at her, slightly startled by the sudden change of topic. "Yeah, I know."

Willow bounced slightly. "You're going to be thirteen. You're going to be a teenager, Xander."

Xander grinned. "And everything will be different."

Willow reached into the front pocket of her overalls. She pulled out a small fake velvet bag and handed it over to him. "Here, I know it's early but…"

Xander looked at the bag curiously, he looked at her only opening the bag when she nodded at him. He reached in and pulled out a thin silver chain. He held it up in front of his face, watching as the pendant spun about.

Willow started to babble. "I found it in that weird old shop. The owner said that the picture on it is the patron saint of travelers. It will protect you, Xander."

"Travelers, Wills? You trying to get rid of me already?" Xander grinned at her.

Willow stared at him, her eyes suddenly grave. "You don't have to go anywhere to be a traveler, Xander. It could be a personal journey."

Xander slipped the chain over his head. "I love it, Wills. I'll wear it always."

Willow grinned brightly at him. "I'm glad you like it."

Xander looked around the park. "It would be nice to get out of here though, wouldn't it?"

Willow nodded. "Yeah it would, but not many do."

Xander looked her in the eye, the intensity in his eyes almost scaring her. "We will, Willow. I promise you we will get out of Sunnydale."