Giles was startled as the doors to the library slammed open and

Xander walked in, "Xander, what is the meaning of…" He trailed off as

Xander's eyes locked with his own and Xander said in a voice thick

with something Giles couldn't really identify, "Giles, we need to

talk."

Giles nodded his head, and for the first time really looked at Xander

and what he saw shocked him mute. Xander looked, impossibly, as if he

had put on over 100 pounds of muscle. This was definitely not normal,

although normal for Sunnydale was a relative concept. What he did

notice was that the normal laughter and smiles he usually saw in the

boy's eyes was gone. In its place was something, old, and feral, and

angry, but also scared and it broke his heart to see it.

"What's happened Xander?"

"Last night Giles, the spell, it…had an after effect."

"What?" Giles shouted, "B-B-But that shouldn't have happened, th the

spell should have been broken when I broke the statue, and everything

should have returned to normal."

"Maybe," Xander said nervously, "but I'm here to tell you that it

didn't happen like that."

"All right Xander, sit down here," he told the boy as he moved

towards the table, "tell me everything you remember."

"There's not much to tell Giles," Xander said, and Giles looked at

him with no small amount of concern, that was the third time Xander

had called him by his proper name in as many minutes. This was a

clear testimony that something was definitely troubling the boy. "I

went home like everyone else did. When I got there I was so tired I

just collapsed into my bed and when I woke up this morning I was like

this.

Giles seethed inside as he realized that Ethan must have somehow done

something to Xander's costume to make the spell work differently for

him. But did he do it because he somehow knew that Xander knew Giles,

or was it just random chaos? Giles would have to be sure to ask his

friend the next time he saw him….while he was breaking the bones in

his body of course.

"It will be ok Xander; we'll fix this, somehow."

Xander shook his head, "I don't think so Giles, not this time.

Whatever that madman did to me, it's permanent, and I can feel it in

my Adamantium laced bones."

"Your what?" Giles asked in confusion, "What did you say?"

"Adamantium, Giles, it's on my bones, all of them. They're completely

laced with the stuff. The only thing keeping my blood replenished

with red blood cells since my bones can't do it anymore is my healing

factor." Xander said, "Just like Wolverine." was the bitter final

comment.

"Xander," Giles began, compassion filling his voice, "I think you

should tell me exactly what this character was that you dressed up as

last night. Perhaps understanding him I can understand what's

happened to you."

Xander nodded his head, "Ok Giles it's like this. I dressed up as

Wolverine, a comic book character from Marvel Comics and part of the

X-men. They're a band of mutants all brought together by a man named

Charles Xavier. He's a mutant to, specializing in telepathy. It's

really interesting the variety of characters in the comic if you've

ever read it…"

"Xander." Giles said softly, yet firmly, "perhaps we could keep on

topic?"

"Oh yeah, sorry Giles I'm just still getting used to this is all."

"It's quite all right my boy, just go on."

"Ok Giles, anyway, Wolverine, or Logan that's his real name,

Wolverine is his codename, is a mutant. Specifically his mutation is

that his healing is accelerated. He was born with, and this is

straight from the books, a Para human, super-efficent, healing

factor, that can deal with any illness, or wound, or poison. Makes

him way stronger than normal. Makes his senses keener than any

animal's. In addition to his senses his bones are laced with a metal

called Adamantium. It's an unbreakable metal that cannot be cut,

melted, or damaged by normal means. It makes his bones virtually

unbreakable, also means that he weighs damn near 500 pounds." Giles

raised his eyebrows at this information but signaled Xander to

continue, saving his questions for when the explanation was

finished. "Finally," Xander continued, "he has claws, six of them

extending from bionic housings implanted in his forearms. Made of

pure Adamantium and honed so sharp they'll cut through anything.

Giles I've got them all, the healing, the senses, and the metal on my

bones and the claws, all of it."

As Giles listened to Xander tell his story he could tell the boy was

getting more and more excited and more and more scared. If what

Xander said was true there was reason to fear. There might be no way

to remove the metal from his bones without killing him and they'd

have to do that in addition to reversing the rest of the process that

was done to him, otherwise he'd die in a matter of weeks if his bones

were really not producing new red blood cells. A though entered Giles

mind and he asked, "Xander these claws, are you sure you still have

them?"

In answer there was a Snikt sound and suddenly Xander was holding up

both hands, each with three claws sticking out of them between the

first knuckle of each of his four fingers. Giles removed his glasses

and quickly began to polish them in earnest before returning them to

his head. Gently he reached for Xander's hand, indicating with a nod

that he wanted to examine them more closely. Xander complied and

allowed the man he respected most in the world a chance to examine

his new freakdom. He so hoped Giles wouldn't freak out and order him

from the library. That was one thing he couldn't stand the thought

of, rejection.

Xander of course didn't need to worry; scorn was the furthest thing

from the Englishman's mind. Closely he looked at the metal. Studying

it like it was the rarest thing on earth. When he thought about it,

it was, no where else in the known universe did this metal exist

other than inside the body of a boy, no, he corrected himself, young

man, that he thought of as one of his children. That fact alone would

put Xander in grave danger, from both enemies and those that called

themselves friends'. The Council itself would jump at the

opportunity to get a sample of this metal if what Xander said of its

properties was true. They wouldn't care if Xander was hurt in the

process, it would be for a "good cause". Giles vowed to himself then

and there that no matter what happened, the Council would never hear

of this.

Of course any government in the world would be the same way. Of

course right now the chance of exposure to foreign governments was

remote, but it was a circumstance that they should definitely not

ignore. Xander's safety was dependent upon them remembering there

things and staying ahead of them.

Giles looked where the blades erupted from Xander's hands and asked,

carefully, "Xander, when these, claws' come out, does it hurt?"

When Xander didn't answer immediately and instead slid the blades

back into his hands Giles looked up at him after he watched in shock

as the wounds in Xander's hands closed in mere seconds. Xander met

his eye as he calmly said, "Every time."

"I see." said the librarian, and he decided to change the subject

quickly, "You said it cannot be destroyed?"

"Well that's not entirely true it's not impossible just damn hard.

This stuff is stronger than Titanium Giles." Xander said, "It can be

damaged, just not by any conventional means. Wolverine took shots

from some of the toughest people in the universe and they weren't

able to damage it. In our world terms I figure you put it next to a

nuclear bomb, or expose it to enough heat and it might melt, but then

I'd be vaporized so I probably wouldn't care at that point if I had

droopy claws."

The tone of his voice forced Giles to look up at the young man again

and he was relieved to see a slight grin on his face. At least he

still has his sense of humor. Giles returned the smile and said, "You

indicated that these will cut through anything' I believe was your

statement."

"Yup," Xander said proudly, "if you want, maybe we can head down to

the Sunnydale junkyard and I can give you a demonstration of what

these babies can do."

"That would be an excellent idea Xander, but for now, is there

anything else I should know?"

"Oh yeah Giles I'm just getting started," for the next hour Xander

explained to Giles in great detail everything that he could remember

that wasn't his memories. He demonstrated some of the more complex

form of martial arts he now knew like he was born to them, including

a fairly difficult sword kata that he said Logan had learned probably

before Giles had been born.

That was nothing compared to the knowledge in languages, dialects,

customs, and traditions he knew from all over the world in general

and the Orient specifically. When asked Xander explained, "its pretty

well commonly believed that Logan is MUCH older than he appears or

anyone believes. How old he is isn't know because he lost a lot of

his memory when the government put the Adamantium in his body. But if

he is as old as most people think, and if he's always had the

wandering spirit in him it makes sense he's been a lot of places and

learned a lot of stuff."

Giles couldn't argue with the logic of that statement.

Finally it was coming to time for the girls to arrive. Xander was

sure that Buffy and Willow would be in any minute for the research

that Giles said he wanted done because of last night. Xander was

saddened that he couldn't stand the thought of seeing them right now.

He couldn't even work up the energy to tease Giles, it just didn't

appeal to him like it used to. Hopefully that would change in the

near future but for now he was looking for a lot of help, and

understanding from Giles and a huge favor, making fun of the man in

that situation just didn't feel right.

"Ok, look Giles, I need to go. I've got some things to do, and I

don't want to be here when the girls get here."

"Why ever not?" Giles asked, "They're certain to be worried about you

when you aren't here."

"I know, Giles, I know. I just can't see them right now. I need

something first." He looked at the older man and his eyes spoke

perfectly and instantly the older man knew what he wanted. "You want

me to break the news to them, don't you?"

"Only in the save me from the sympathy brigade kind of way. Dealing

with Buffy wanting to go Slayer kill crazy on something and an

unending dose of Willow-babble is just not something I'm up to right

now."

"I understand how you feel, but how do you think they will feel when

they find out that you didn't want to face them? Don't you think

they'll be hurt?"

Xander thought about that and said, "Maybe Giles, maybe." He thought

about it for a second and said, "Fine, don't tell them anything, I'll

tell them myself, here but later, much later. Tell them I was here

and that you sent me on an errand or something. Hopefully that will

keep them from worrying too much about me."

Giles realized that was as good as he was going to get and

said, "Fine Xander, I will do as you ask, but if I may, what will you

be doing until that time?"

"I've got some errands to run for real Giles, some things to do, and

people to see." Suddenly his head snapped towards the library doors

and the teen leapt out of his chair and over the railing and beat

feet out the rear of the library, just as the doors opened and Willow

and Buffy came through them.

"Hey there Giles, how ya doin?" Buffy asked in her best blonde voice,

it was a sure fire indicator to the Watcher that she was up to

something. He pulled off his glasses and began polishing them, trying

to cover his shock at the incredible prowess Xander had just

demonstrated and he said, "I'm well Buffy, and yourself?"

"Peachy with a side of keen." She paused for a moment as she ran her

fingers over the counter and finally said, "So, I was wondering,

since its Saturday and all, if we might be able to skip research and

training today?"

Giles looked at Willow and said, "A boy?"

The redhead started to blush slightly and said, "A sale."

"Ah well in that case since it's so important…" Xander was smiling to

himself as he finally got out of range to hear the Watcher's

exasperated answer.

Xander had been telling the truth when he said he had things to do.

His first stop was the bank where he quickly transferred some money

out his savings account. He was in serious need of a new wardrobe and

fast. There was over 4000 dollars in his account, savings for a road

trip he'd been planning for years but now he figured some of the

money could go to a better cause. He was sure it was some left over

of Logan's personality but his normal clothing just wasn't going to

get it for him anymore. Of course Logan's preferred flannel shirts

and leather or denim jackets weren't going to work for him either.

California was most certainly not the Yukon. So he'd have to

compromise. Logan's sensibilities but his knowledge of the climate.

So after getting his money moved out of the savings and into his

checking with an expertly forged parental signature he headed for the

mall, wallet and credit card in hand.

Several hours later found Xander leaving the mall with several bags

filled with clothes. Normally he wouldn't go so hog wild with the

wardrobe but he realized that with his new abilities he was most

certainly going to be getting into a lot more scraps and fights, and

while his body would heal, his clothes wouldn't, so he was going to

need plenty of clothes to make for whatever got ruined. Tough denim

jeans and t-shirts of carrying colors was the order of the day. In

addition to hunting clothes he also restocked his school wardrobe. He

was feeling more grown up, without a doubt Logan's influences still

echoing in his mind and just didn't feel the loud shirts were him

anymore. He's keep the clothes as baggy as reasonable, hoping to cash

in on some of the Sunnydale blindness to keep the number of people

that noticed the new him to a minimum. Some hair ties that he found

worked in allowing him to pull his hair down into an oh so

fashionable' pony tale would hopefully further that goal along.

Finally his new wardrobe consisted of quite a few workout clothes.

He was in good shape no doubt but he knew now with Logan's memories

that he was only in that great a shape because he exercised. Xander

was going to start an exercise regimen if he was going to keep his

physique at its peak.

He checked his watch and realized that if Mickey wasn't lying to him

it was time to go back to the library and face the music. He decided

that walking with arms filled with bags of clothes wasn't a bright

move and so he hailed a cab and had it drop him off near the library.

Xander headed back in the same back entrance he left through and set

his many bags aside and slowly crept up to see what was going on. He

saw Buffy and Willow reading some of Giles' books, and the Englishman

himself was sitting at the counter while Mrs. Calendar tried to

explain something or other she had up on the computer screen. Giles

was looking typically flummoxed when it came to the computer and

Xander couldn't help but chuckle as he could hear the poor man

sputtering at some innuendo the attractive computer teacher had made

towards him. The lady was going to be good for Giles, Xander thought.

Xander then turned his attention back to "his" girls. Usually seeing

Buffy and Willow together was enough to get his hormones stirring,

especially Buffy, when she wore one of those skirts like she was

wearing now. This time however it wasn't happening, no he was to busy

staring in wonder at his oldest, and dearest friend.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered Logan's preference

for redheads, particularly fiery spirited redheads, which Willow had

certainly shown herself to be, especially when she had been

beating "Malcolm" with that fire extinguisher. So he knew it was

Logan's influence that was driving his attraction for his closest

friend. Of course he could also almost hear Logan's voice asking him

why it took a possession for him to realize how beautiful the hacker

was, and how crazy she was about him.

Sure he had acknowledged last year when he was possessed by the Hyena

that he knew Willow was holding a candle for him but he did so in a

condescending way, and he had used it to hurt Willow. After he had

been de-possessed he had locked her feelings away to the back of his

mind again.

Now he shook the thoughts from his head, plenty of time for that

later. He'd figure something out right at this moment. Buffy was

unattainable for him, his new pragmatism bringing that fact to

startling clarity. But just because he wasn't going to get Buffy

didn't mean he had to be lonely, or alone. There was someone in his

life right now that he'd always known he loved, he'd just never let

himself see it, until now. Of course the last thing he wanted to do

was approach Willow so soon with an offer at a relationship. Which he

realized was exactly what he wanted. Reviewing their relationship in

his mind, paying close attention especially to the last year since

they'd known Buffy he had treated her at times quite badly. He

remembered now what had happened the night Buffy came back after

summer break, he was ready to KISS Willow, and then he didn't because

Buffy was back in town. He also remembered the night of "the dance"

as he angrily remembered it. Willow had tried so hard to get him back

in that mood, but all he could think about was the blonde Slayer he's

been holding a candle for since he'd first seen her.

He sighed deeply and thought that of all the problems this change'

of his was going to create in his life, being able to see the truth

of his feelings for both girls was definitely not one of them. He

had a lot to make up for and he needed to do that first, but after

that he was going to make a play for Willow and just hope he hadn't

missed his shot. Oh no, he thought with a trace of bitterness,

Adamantium claws, healing factor, berserker rage, and I'm in love

with my best friend, who I've treated like trash, my life's not

complicated in the least. From somewhere deep in his mind he heard

that little voice of his chuckle with no small amount of sarcasm.

He took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the stacks, "Hey

folks, did you miss me?"

"Xander!" Willow shouted happily, and she started to move towards

him. Buffy however was much more aware that something was different

and tried to stop Willow, "Willow wait."

The redhead stopped in confusion and asked, "What's wrong Buffy, it's

just Xander."

"No, it isn't," Buffy said, edging towards the weapons cabinet.

"No, she's right, it isn't." Xander said as he stepped out of the

shadows and into the light that was filtering the windows. He easily

heard the three gasps from the women in the room and looked over at

Giles, "Giles, a little help here?" his voice imploring, he couldn't

stand the looks of fear and distrust he saw in both their eyes.

"Buffy stop this at once."

"But Giles?" The blonde seemed to almost whine.

"No, I am aware of what your concerns for Xander might be and I can

assure you that nothing bad has really happened to him. I've already

talked with him about it and he is here to explain it to the rest of

you. I ask that you calm down and allow him to explain before you do

anything rash."

Buffy thought about her Watcher's words, and about the subject of

their discussion. This was her Xander-shaped friend, but something

was wrong. She could feel him on her Slaydar and she didn't like the

feeling. It was the feeling that someone else was on her turf and she

wanted to fight whoever it was off. She knew instinctively that

Xander was the one she felt but she didn't know why and that

confusion only added to her anxiety, her whole world was being thrown

off center. Finally she nodded and slowly, almost painfully forced

herself to sit down at the table. Willow quickly joined and soon so

did Giles and Mrs. Calendar. The teacher for her part smiled in no

small amount of appreciation at Xander and his new look and build and

Xander could almost smell an aroma of jealousy coming off of Willow,

just as he could smell the attraction coming from the teacher. He

smiled slightly, before sobering quickly. He looked at his friends

and said, "Ok, I told Giles this already but this is the second go

around. Last nights spell had a little more lasting effect on me than

it did everyone else."

"Oh no," he heard Willow say, and she already had tears rimming her

eyes. Xander reached out and took her hand and said, "It's ok Willow,

see, last night after I went home…"