Three Slayers 11B
"So this demon thing's causing Ken to black out and shit?" Faith's tone was casual but her heart was thundering nearly enough to explode out of its constraining ribcage. It had taken her ages to get to the meeting with Xman and now to hear this. She couldn't lose her sis. "How serious is it?"
"According to Wes we've got to track the demon's mate and Kendra's got to eat its heart to reverse the process. Otherwise," Xander swallowed, "the last person this happened to went mad."
Faith nodded, well that was simple anyway. "Right, I'll cover the south side, you take the north, and B can -."
"No Faith," Xander interrupted, his tone heavy. "It's too risky somebody might see you and wonder why you're trying to help an enemy."
"Fuck that Xan! This is Ken we're talking about," she replied hotly. "Your girl-friend and my sis, I'm not gonna sit on my pretty little ass whi- ."
"Damn it Faith!" Xander's roar made her take a step back. "Can't you just do as you're told! We can't risk you getting discovered okay!"
Rage and hurt bubbled up inside Faith, she didn't take that sort of tone off anybody and she didn't expect it off Xman. Not trusting herself to respond she nodded brusquely, her set face hiding her turbulent emotions.
* * *
Angel swallowed nervously before knocking on the front door. After a few seconds it swung open. Xander's expression changed from harried to distast(ful). "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help with Kendra."
Now the boy's face turned aggressive. "No way I'm letting a vampire near my Ken when she's ill," he growled.
Angel remembered the last time he'd seen that look in the teen's eyes, outside Buffy's hospital room. Unfortunately for the boy he wasn't a coward like Angelus. "Xander-."
He was interrupted by the arrival of Giles, the Watcher wearing a scarcely less baleful expression than the younger man. "Angel," Giles said, his voice ice cold. "What are you doing here?"
"Buffy told me about Ken-."
"Come to gloat?" Xander put in, his eyes bubbling with hate.
"Xander enough!" Giles snapped before turning back to him. "Go on Angel."
Angel nodded his thanks before continuing. "It's impossible to read a vampire's mind, part of that reflection thing. I could look after her without causing her any pain. I'm also," he licked his lips, "strong enough to restrain her if she goes into seizures."
"Restrain her?" Xander stepped towards him, his eyes flaming but Angel didn't back down.
In an instant Giles was between them. "Xander, bloody calm down!" The Englishman turned to him, his eyes considering. Finally the Watcher nodded. "Come in Angel."
"You're not serious-."
The youth's words trailed off at an angry look from the middle-aged man. "Xander I would strongly advise that you don't engage in a pissing contest with Angel when Kendra's health is at stake."
"Fine," the teen glared at him, "but you hurt a hair on her head and I'll submerge you in a vat of holy water in a coffin filled with crosses. Do we understand each other?"
Angel's face remained expressionless but he was shaken by the resolve in the youth's voice and eyes. Not trusting himself to respond without escalating the situation he pushed past the youth and made his way upstairs.
* * * "Angel will take good care of her Xander."
"He better."
Buffy looked up into her companion's eyes and sighed. Sometimes Xander scared her, the night she messed up and caused the others to be kidnapped by the Master's disciples and when he'd found out Angel had returned from hell for example, but both occasions were nothing to the look in his eyes right now. When they caught up with the demon she suspected her and her sword might very well be redundant. "Where did Giles and Wes head?"
"To Willy's to see if he's got information." Xander cast her an angry glance when she chuckled. "What's so damn funny?"
"Sorry," she smoothed her face, "I was just picturing Wes putting the hard word on somebody."
The beginnings of a smile tugged at Xander's lips. "Maybe we should have sent Jonat-," the smile died. "There it is!"
Seeing that Xander was about to race towards the monster and probably get himself killed, Buffy swept his legs from beneath him, knocking him to the ground. Ignoring the youth's angry bellow she rushed towards the demon. "Sorry Xand couldn't let you do something stupid."
Reaching the demon she sprung into a flying-drop kick at the monster's head but the beast sidestepped her attack and slammed a right hand in her chest, knocking her to the ground. Instantly she spun back to her feet and ducked under a overhead right before snatching her assailant's arm and pulling him into an elbow to the jaw.
The demon's head snapped back before swinging another punch that Buffy smoothly swayed away from, bending backwards at the waist. Seeing the beast was off balance she snapped out a heel smashing the creature's knee knocking it off balance. "Jeez, you're like the Buster Keaton of demons aren't you?" she commented before exploding into a flying spin-kick that connected solidly with the side of the monster's head knocking him to the floor. Before the monster had chance to recover his feet, Buffy's axe came down, slicing its head off its shoulders even as she leapt back to avoid the blood splatter. "That was easy," Buffy's face fell as she realised something and heard Xander hurrying to catch her up. "Now for the heart."
Sometimes she really hated her calling.
* * *
Seeing the young girl he and Buffy had force-fed the heart to begin to shift, Angel rose and hurried to the door. Leaning over the stairs he called out to the others who'd sat downstairs in the hope that some distance . In an instant Xander was half-way upstairs, his speed even out- stripping that of the blonde Slayer. "Is she alright?" the youth demanded.
Damn, thought Angel, if he looked that pale he'd definitely use some tanning lotion. "She hasn't spoken yet."
Xander swallowed, his body shaking. "If it doesn't work out," the boy's words came in gasps, "thanks for trying."
"My pleasure," he smiled and stepped aside but the youth didn't move.
"Dea-, Angel I'm scared," the teen's voice trembled, "I've never loved anyone, not before Kendra, never thought I'd find anyone to -. What if we were too late? What if she's-."
"Xander-." At the weak sound of Kendra's voice, the young man's face expanded in the hugest, most genuine smile he'd ever seen. "Coming Ken," after a grateful nod to him, Xander pushed past and hurried into the bedroom.
* * *
Forcing his trembling legs under control Xander walked into the bedroom. "Hi Ken, how you doing?"
The smile that used to reply to his whispered question was a wan one, but no less beautiful than her normal effervescence. "Better thank you Xander. The silence is wonderful. How was I cured?"
"Um," Xander wished she hadn't asked that question. "Buffy killed the other one."
"Ah," Kendra's eyes filled with understanding. "And that freed me?"
"No," Xander swallowed, "what freed you was when you ate its heart. So you want any breakfast?" he added in a voice redolent with false cheer.
Kendra's face turned queasy and for a second he thought she was going to throw up. "No, I'm quite full," Kendra looked him dead in the eye. "Did the others find the killer?"
"No." Kendra nodded at his answer and started climbed out of the bed. "Where are you going?"
"To find the killer."
"No way -."
"'Tis my duty Xander."
Seeing the unshakeable resolve in his girl-friend's eyes he nodded. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."
* * *
"Kendra!" She was surprised when Buffy engulfed her in an enthusiastic hug. Behind her blonde counterpart Willow was glaring jealously at her. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better Buffy, thank you for your help," she smiled at the older girl before turning serious. "Is there any news on the killer?"
"No-."
"It's Percy!" Kendra turned to see a red-faced and panting Jonathan racing towards them. "We found a letter in Freddy Iverson's office from him, there's a lot of hate in it."
"Okay," Buffy took charge. "Split up and look for him, if you see him and he's not doing anything dangerous, come find us. If he is," Buffy grimaced. "Good luck."
* * *
Buffy ran into the Quad, her gaze going over the groups stood there, no sign of Percy. Growling in frustration she turned and looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun. Her heart missed a beat as she saw a silhouette in the clock tower holding a rifle. Buffy looked around, her blood freezing at the people milling there, it would be a massacre. Looking round she charged forward, when she reached the base of the stairs, she hopped onto the railing and ran up it. Once the roof was in reach she leapt towards it onto the edge and swinging forward in a ball, then back, up, and over into a flip forward to land on her feet on the roof tile. Her heart pounding she raced across the roof and leapt through a boarded up tower window. Instantly Percy spun round and pointed the gun at her. "Get away from me!"
"Ok Percy," Buffy struggled to stay calm. "You wanna point that somewhere else? Bullet holes aren't really in this season."
Percy shifted the barrel slightly to the side. "Don't you try and stop me!"
Buffy raised her hands but took a step forward. "No, no no stopping. Just thought I'd take in the view."
Percy shook his head. "Go away!"
"Never gonna happen," Buffy retorted, her tone hardening.
"You think I won't use this?" Buffy's heart sank as she noticed Percy's hands had started to tremble.
"I don't know Percy," she stepped forward. "I just-."
"Stop doing that!" Percy lunged backward.
"Doing what?" Buffy stopped.
"Coming closer!" Percy, "I have to do this!"
"Why?"
Percy looked confused for a second then his face became hate-filled. "Because of Harris!" "Uh?" now Buffy was really confused.
"Before he started playing Mr. Tough Guy, I was somebody, respected. Any girl I wanted I got, because they didn't dare say no to the town star. But after your friend decided to get tough, I'm just a laughing stock!"
Buffy couldn't believe how self-centred this asshole was, he was going to kill people because somebody had stopped him from bullying them. Her temper snapped, surging forward she snatched the rifle from the surprised footballer and flung it to the ground. Growling angrily she lifted him by the throat, ignoring his frantic struggles. "Let me get this right," she said through gritted teeth, "you were going to massacre people because you weren't top-dog anyway?"
"I..I wouldn't ever murder anybody," Percy gasped. "I came up here to kill myself."
"Oh crap," Buffy muttered. That meant the real killer was still out there.
* * *
"Damn it I'm hungry." His stomach growling, Xander hurried into the school kitchen. "Maybe Percy-, hey jello!" A grin on his face he hurried the tray full of jello in little bowls and grabbed one only to stop. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the obese lunch lady standing over a cooking pot pouring in a box labelled 'Rat Poison'. "Oh boy, maybe I should go on a diet," he muttered.
Even as he stared at her, the massive woman looked straight at him. Xander dropped the bowl, normally in such a situation he'd stay and fight – but he didn't hit women. Well he didn't hit women twice his size and carrying butcher's knives anyway. Turning he fled into the canteen yelling and knocking over tables as he went. "RAT POISON! RAT POISON!"
Behind him he heard the sound of the lunch lady bursting out of the kitchen doors. Another student standing to escape the panic knocked a chair into him, knocking him to the floor. Before he has chance to rise the lunch lady was stood over him, her cleaver raised. "I can't be letting you hurt him," Kendra clamped her hand on the lunch lady's wrist, preventing her from swinging. "I know he's annoying but he's grown on me."
"Hey!"
Kendra ignored him. "Now let's calm down."
The lunch lady had other ideas. "Vermin! You're all vermin. You come in here and you eat, and you eat. Filth!"
"I don't see this being settled with logic. " Kendra pulled the lunch lady forward by her arm, then twisted her wrist back sending the cleaver falling to the ground. The lunch lady let out a bestial growl before taking a swing at Kendra who easily ducked under the attack before retaliating with two hooks that crashed into the large woman sending her flying into the canteen wall and sliding into the floor. Kendra looked down at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Do you need a hand up Xander?"
Xander glared up at his girlfriend. "You're going to pay for that annoying remark you know."
Kendra's smile widened. "What sort of gratitude is that, I just saved your life!"
* * *
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do for you?"
Kendra smiled wearily. It had been a close thing, so close in fact that if she hadn't been a Slayer she'd probably be dead. Xander's attentiveness was sweet, but it was also to quote Giles 'bloody annoying'. "Just one thing – go to see Buffy." Seeing her boyfriend's face harden she hurried on. "I read her mind when I was ill. She realises she made mistakes and she really wants to be your friend again. And mine and Faith's too."
"Really?" She nodded. "What about Willow?"
Kendra winced inwardly at the look of hope on her love's face and at what she'd seen in Willow's mind. "Willow's mind wasn't pretty Xander."
Xander's face fell. "Okay," Xander stood and softly kissed her on the forehead. "See you later."
"See you Xander, and make sure you make up with Faith too." Kendra smiled at her boyfriend's surprise. "Mind-reader remember? Oh Xander"
"Yes Ken?" her boyfriend turned back to her, his expression questioning.
"Stay away from Cordelia."
"Uh?"
"She has lustful thoughts about you and I'll not be standing that."
A smile played on Xander's lips. "Well she is only human."
* * *
"She's gonna be alright though?" Xander nodded. "Five by five." Faith turned to leave, still angry after last night's confrontation.
"Faith," she turned at her friend's voice. Xander was looking down at the ground. "I'm sorry for shouting at you last night."
Faith shrugged, her nonchalance hiding her hurt. "Didn't mean shit."
"It does. I was so worried about Kendra I forgot other people care about her too, you more than anybody, and that you were only trying to help out of concern. It was selfish and unforgivable. I'm sorry. So we five by five?"
An unwilling smile played on her lips at hearing her catchphrase from somebody else. "Always Xman, always. Same bat-time, same bat-channel tomorrow?"
"You bet," her friend flashed her a grin. "Any message for Jonathan?"
"Tell him," Faith hesitated, she nearly said 'I love him', but fear of rejection stopped her. "Tell him I find out he's even been looking at another girl I'll cut his dick off."
"How romantic," Xander chuckled, "see you tomorrow." Her friend turned away.
"Xand," Xander turned back to her, his expression questioning. "Tell him to be careful."
"Will do. And do the same yourself."
* * *
"Oh hello Xander," Joyce's face showed her surprise at his arrival on her front step. "It's been a long time."
Xander smiled, as uncomfortable with the situation as the middle-aged woman plainly was. "Hi Joyce, Buffy in?"
Joyce smiled before turning in direction of the stairs. "Buffy!"
"Jeez Mom, you bellow like a -," Buffy's voice trailed off as she noticed him stood in the hallway. "Xander."
"Hi Buff," Xander glanced down at his feet, "Ken said I should come round to see you."
The blonde smiled uncertainly. "You want to come up?"
"Sure," Xander smiled at Joyce, "good to see you again."
"And you Xander." Buffy's mother smiled at him before scolding, "try not to make it so long before you come round again."
"Yes Ma'am." After nodding his head in acknowledgement at the telling-off he'd received he joined Buffy on the stairs. He patted the bag he'd brought with him. "Got some munchies and vids for us to watch."
"Great," Buffy smiled maliciously, "Mr. Gordo's missed seeing you."
Xander groaned. "Buffy, I am not talking to your cuddly toy."
The blonde raised an eyebrow. "You'll do what this Slayer tells you."
"No," Xander shot back with a grin and a stuck-out tongue. "That doesn't work anymore. I've got a Slayer of my own to hide behind now."
"Damn," Buffy giggled before turning serious. "I've missed you Xander."
"Missed you too Buffy."
"So this demon thing's causing Ken to black out and shit?" Faith's tone was casual but her heart was thundering nearly enough to explode out of its constraining ribcage. It had taken her ages to get to the meeting with Xman and now to hear this. She couldn't lose her sis. "How serious is it?"
"According to Wes we've got to track the demon's mate and Kendra's got to eat its heart to reverse the process. Otherwise," Xander swallowed, "the last person this happened to went mad."
Faith nodded, well that was simple anyway. "Right, I'll cover the south side, you take the north, and B can -."
"No Faith," Xander interrupted, his tone heavy. "It's too risky somebody might see you and wonder why you're trying to help an enemy."
"Fuck that Xan! This is Ken we're talking about," she replied hotly. "Your girl-friend and my sis, I'm not gonna sit on my pretty little ass whi- ."
"Damn it Faith!" Xander's roar made her take a step back. "Can't you just do as you're told! We can't risk you getting discovered okay!"
Rage and hurt bubbled up inside Faith, she didn't take that sort of tone off anybody and she didn't expect it off Xman. Not trusting herself to respond she nodded brusquely, her set face hiding her turbulent emotions.
* * *
Angel swallowed nervously before knocking on the front door. After a few seconds it swung open. Xander's expression changed from harried to distast(ful). "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help with Kendra."
Now the boy's face turned aggressive. "No way I'm letting a vampire near my Ken when she's ill," he growled.
Angel remembered the last time he'd seen that look in the teen's eyes, outside Buffy's hospital room. Unfortunately for the boy he wasn't a coward like Angelus. "Xander-."
He was interrupted by the arrival of Giles, the Watcher wearing a scarcely less baleful expression than the younger man. "Angel," Giles said, his voice ice cold. "What are you doing here?"
"Buffy told me about Ken-."
"Come to gloat?" Xander put in, his eyes bubbling with hate.
"Xander enough!" Giles snapped before turning back to him. "Go on Angel."
Angel nodded his thanks before continuing. "It's impossible to read a vampire's mind, part of that reflection thing. I could look after her without causing her any pain. I'm also," he licked his lips, "strong enough to restrain her if she goes into seizures."
"Restrain her?" Xander stepped towards him, his eyes flaming but Angel didn't back down.
In an instant Giles was between them. "Xander, bloody calm down!" The Englishman turned to him, his eyes considering. Finally the Watcher nodded. "Come in Angel."
"You're not serious-."
The youth's words trailed off at an angry look from the middle-aged man. "Xander I would strongly advise that you don't engage in a pissing contest with Angel when Kendra's health is at stake."
"Fine," the teen glared at him, "but you hurt a hair on her head and I'll submerge you in a vat of holy water in a coffin filled with crosses. Do we understand each other?"
Angel's face remained expressionless but he was shaken by the resolve in the youth's voice and eyes. Not trusting himself to respond without escalating the situation he pushed past the youth and made his way upstairs.
* * * "Angel will take good care of her Xander."
"He better."
Buffy looked up into her companion's eyes and sighed. Sometimes Xander scared her, the night she messed up and caused the others to be kidnapped by the Master's disciples and when he'd found out Angel had returned from hell for example, but both occasions were nothing to the look in his eyes right now. When they caught up with the demon she suspected her and her sword might very well be redundant. "Where did Giles and Wes head?"
"To Willy's to see if he's got information." Xander cast her an angry glance when she chuckled. "What's so damn funny?"
"Sorry," she smoothed her face, "I was just picturing Wes putting the hard word on somebody."
The beginnings of a smile tugged at Xander's lips. "Maybe we should have sent Jonat-," the smile died. "There it is!"
Seeing that Xander was about to race towards the monster and probably get himself killed, Buffy swept his legs from beneath him, knocking him to the ground. Ignoring the youth's angry bellow she rushed towards the demon. "Sorry Xand couldn't let you do something stupid."
Reaching the demon she sprung into a flying-drop kick at the monster's head but the beast sidestepped her attack and slammed a right hand in her chest, knocking her to the ground. Instantly she spun back to her feet and ducked under a overhead right before snatching her assailant's arm and pulling him into an elbow to the jaw.
The demon's head snapped back before swinging another punch that Buffy smoothly swayed away from, bending backwards at the waist. Seeing the beast was off balance she snapped out a heel smashing the creature's knee knocking it off balance. "Jeez, you're like the Buster Keaton of demons aren't you?" she commented before exploding into a flying spin-kick that connected solidly with the side of the monster's head knocking him to the floor. Before the monster had chance to recover his feet, Buffy's axe came down, slicing its head off its shoulders even as she leapt back to avoid the blood splatter. "That was easy," Buffy's face fell as she realised something and heard Xander hurrying to catch her up. "Now for the heart."
Sometimes she really hated her calling.
* * *
Seeing the young girl he and Buffy had force-fed the heart to begin to shift, Angel rose and hurried to the door. Leaning over the stairs he called out to the others who'd sat downstairs in the hope that some distance . In an instant Xander was half-way upstairs, his speed even out- stripping that of the blonde Slayer. "Is she alright?" the youth demanded.
Damn, thought Angel, if he looked that pale he'd definitely use some tanning lotion. "She hasn't spoken yet."
Xander swallowed, his body shaking. "If it doesn't work out," the boy's words came in gasps, "thanks for trying."
"My pleasure," he smiled and stepped aside but the youth didn't move.
"Dea-, Angel I'm scared," the teen's voice trembled, "I've never loved anyone, not before Kendra, never thought I'd find anyone to -. What if we were too late? What if she's-."
"Xander-." At the weak sound of Kendra's voice, the young man's face expanded in the hugest, most genuine smile he'd ever seen. "Coming Ken," after a grateful nod to him, Xander pushed past and hurried into the bedroom.
* * *
Forcing his trembling legs under control Xander walked into the bedroom. "Hi Ken, how you doing?"
The smile that used to reply to his whispered question was a wan one, but no less beautiful than her normal effervescence. "Better thank you Xander. The silence is wonderful. How was I cured?"
"Um," Xander wished she hadn't asked that question. "Buffy killed the other one."
"Ah," Kendra's eyes filled with understanding. "And that freed me?"
"No," Xander swallowed, "what freed you was when you ate its heart. So you want any breakfast?" he added in a voice redolent with false cheer.
Kendra's face turned queasy and for a second he thought she was going to throw up. "No, I'm quite full," Kendra looked him dead in the eye. "Did the others find the killer?"
"No." Kendra nodded at his answer and started climbed out of the bed. "Where are you going?"
"To find the killer."
"No way -."
"'Tis my duty Xander."
Seeing the unshakeable resolve in his girl-friend's eyes he nodded. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."
* * *
"Kendra!" She was surprised when Buffy engulfed her in an enthusiastic hug. Behind her blonde counterpart Willow was glaring jealously at her. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better Buffy, thank you for your help," she smiled at the older girl before turning serious. "Is there any news on the killer?"
"No-."
"It's Percy!" Kendra turned to see a red-faced and panting Jonathan racing towards them. "We found a letter in Freddy Iverson's office from him, there's a lot of hate in it."
"Okay," Buffy took charge. "Split up and look for him, if you see him and he's not doing anything dangerous, come find us. If he is," Buffy grimaced. "Good luck."
* * *
Buffy ran into the Quad, her gaze going over the groups stood there, no sign of Percy. Growling in frustration she turned and looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun. Her heart missed a beat as she saw a silhouette in the clock tower holding a rifle. Buffy looked around, her blood freezing at the people milling there, it would be a massacre. Looking round she charged forward, when she reached the base of the stairs, she hopped onto the railing and ran up it. Once the roof was in reach she leapt towards it onto the edge and swinging forward in a ball, then back, up, and over into a flip forward to land on her feet on the roof tile. Her heart pounding she raced across the roof and leapt through a boarded up tower window. Instantly Percy spun round and pointed the gun at her. "Get away from me!"
"Ok Percy," Buffy struggled to stay calm. "You wanna point that somewhere else? Bullet holes aren't really in this season."
Percy shifted the barrel slightly to the side. "Don't you try and stop me!"
Buffy raised her hands but took a step forward. "No, no no stopping. Just thought I'd take in the view."
Percy shook his head. "Go away!"
"Never gonna happen," Buffy retorted, her tone hardening.
"You think I won't use this?" Buffy's heart sank as she noticed Percy's hands had started to tremble.
"I don't know Percy," she stepped forward. "I just-."
"Stop doing that!" Percy lunged backward.
"Doing what?" Buffy stopped.
"Coming closer!" Percy, "I have to do this!"
"Why?"
Percy looked confused for a second then his face became hate-filled. "Because of Harris!" "Uh?" now Buffy was really confused.
"Before he started playing Mr. Tough Guy, I was somebody, respected. Any girl I wanted I got, because they didn't dare say no to the town star. But after your friend decided to get tough, I'm just a laughing stock!"
Buffy couldn't believe how self-centred this asshole was, he was going to kill people because somebody had stopped him from bullying them. Her temper snapped, surging forward she snatched the rifle from the surprised footballer and flung it to the ground. Growling angrily she lifted him by the throat, ignoring his frantic struggles. "Let me get this right," she said through gritted teeth, "you were going to massacre people because you weren't top-dog anyway?"
"I..I wouldn't ever murder anybody," Percy gasped. "I came up here to kill myself."
"Oh crap," Buffy muttered. That meant the real killer was still out there.
* * *
"Damn it I'm hungry." His stomach growling, Xander hurried into the school kitchen. "Maybe Percy-, hey jello!" A grin on his face he hurried the tray full of jello in little bowls and grabbed one only to stop. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the obese lunch lady standing over a cooking pot pouring in a box labelled 'Rat Poison'. "Oh boy, maybe I should go on a diet," he muttered.
Even as he stared at her, the massive woman looked straight at him. Xander dropped the bowl, normally in such a situation he'd stay and fight – but he didn't hit women. Well he didn't hit women twice his size and carrying butcher's knives anyway. Turning he fled into the canteen yelling and knocking over tables as he went. "RAT POISON! RAT POISON!"
Behind him he heard the sound of the lunch lady bursting out of the kitchen doors. Another student standing to escape the panic knocked a chair into him, knocking him to the floor. Before he has chance to rise the lunch lady was stood over him, her cleaver raised. "I can't be letting you hurt him," Kendra clamped her hand on the lunch lady's wrist, preventing her from swinging. "I know he's annoying but he's grown on me."
"Hey!"
Kendra ignored him. "Now let's calm down."
The lunch lady had other ideas. "Vermin! You're all vermin. You come in here and you eat, and you eat. Filth!"
"I don't see this being settled with logic. " Kendra pulled the lunch lady forward by her arm, then twisted her wrist back sending the cleaver falling to the ground. The lunch lady let out a bestial growl before taking a swing at Kendra who easily ducked under the attack before retaliating with two hooks that crashed into the large woman sending her flying into the canteen wall and sliding into the floor. Kendra looked down at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Do you need a hand up Xander?"
Xander glared up at his girlfriend. "You're going to pay for that annoying remark you know."
Kendra's smile widened. "What sort of gratitude is that, I just saved your life!"
* * *
"Are you sure there's nothing I can do for you?"
Kendra smiled wearily. It had been a close thing, so close in fact that if she hadn't been a Slayer she'd probably be dead. Xander's attentiveness was sweet, but it was also to quote Giles 'bloody annoying'. "Just one thing – go to see Buffy." Seeing her boyfriend's face harden she hurried on. "I read her mind when I was ill. She realises she made mistakes and she really wants to be your friend again. And mine and Faith's too."
"Really?" She nodded. "What about Willow?"
Kendra winced inwardly at the look of hope on her love's face and at what she'd seen in Willow's mind. "Willow's mind wasn't pretty Xander."
Xander's face fell. "Okay," Xander stood and softly kissed her on the forehead. "See you later."
"See you Xander, and make sure you make up with Faith too." Kendra smiled at her boyfriend's surprise. "Mind-reader remember? Oh Xander"
"Yes Ken?" her boyfriend turned back to her, his expression questioning.
"Stay away from Cordelia."
"Uh?"
"She has lustful thoughts about you and I'll not be standing that."
A smile played on Xander's lips. "Well she is only human."
* * *
"She's gonna be alright though?" Xander nodded. "Five by five." Faith turned to leave, still angry after last night's confrontation.
"Faith," she turned at her friend's voice. Xander was looking down at the ground. "I'm sorry for shouting at you last night."
Faith shrugged, her nonchalance hiding her hurt. "Didn't mean shit."
"It does. I was so worried about Kendra I forgot other people care about her too, you more than anybody, and that you were only trying to help out of concern. It was selfish and unforgivable. I'm sorry. So we five by five?"
An unwilling smile played on her lips at hearing her catchphrase from somebody else. "Always Xman, always. Same bat-time, same bat-channel tomorrow?"
"You bet," her friend flashed her a grin. "Any message for Jonathan?"
"Tell him," Faith hesitated, she nearly said 'I love him', but fear of rejection stopped her. "Tell him I find out he's even been looking at another girl I'll cut his dick off."
"How romantic," Xander chuckled, "see you tomorrow." Her friend turned away.
"Xand," Xander turned back to her, his expression questioning. "Tell him to be careful."
"Will do. And do the same yourself."
* * *
"Oh hello Xander," Joyce's face showed her surprise at his arrival on her front step. "It's been a long time."
Xander smiled, as uncomfortable with the situation as the middle-aged woman plainly was. "Hi Joyce, Buffy in?"
Joyce smiled before turning in direction of the stairs. "Buffy!"
"Jeez Mom, you bellow like a -," Buffy's voice trailed off as she noticed him stood in the hallway. "Xander."
"Hi Buff," Xander glanced down at his feet, "Ken said I should come round to see you."
The blonde smiled uncertainly. "You want to come up?"
"Sure," Xander smiled at Joyce, "good to see you again."
"And you Xander." Buffy's mother smiled at him before scolding, "try not to make it so long before you come round again."
"Yes Ma'am." After nodding his head in acknowledgement at the telling-off he'd received he joined Buffy on the stairs. He patted the bag he'd brought with him. "Got some munchies and vids for us to watch."
"Great," Buffy smiled maliciously, "Mr. Gordo's missed seeing you."
Xander groaned. "Buffy, I am not talking to your cuddly toy."
The blonde raised an eyebrow. "You'll do what this Slayer tells you."
"No," Xander shot back with a grin and a stuck-out tongue. "That doesn't work anymore. I've got a Slayer of my own to hide behind now."
"Damn," Buffy giggled before turning serious. "I've missed you Xander."
"Missed you too Buffy."