Pain and Consequences
Author: Silent Bob Foley
E-mail: BobRgnt@netscape.com
Rating: Don't know the American rating so equivalent of a 15 certificate in
England
Summary: After the body swapping episode What would have happened if Xander
had gone after Faith in LA Instead of Buffy, well now we will see. B/X
angst F/X friendship. I doubt this will be a BX relationship the angst will
be the BX of this piece and the loss of Xander to her psyche is likely I'm
still figuring that bit out.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the BTVS Characters, Joss Whedon does
Distribution: BBTZ, Slayerette and anyone else who wants it
Feedback: Hell Yeah
Spoilers: Body Swap episode.
British Words and Spelling
Dedication: To those guys at home at uni or anywhere else that I personally know that may be reading this- I know who you are. 'specially you Stu or you Kim. ;)
Authors note: Serious British pride ahead. I know the brits on the list will get a kick out of this.
Buffy and Willow's Dorm Room 1am
It had passed midnight in Sunnydale- the first of the two currant slayers Buffy Summers was finding it hard to sleep and harder to stop thinking about her showdown with her best friend. She felt bad about how it had gone but vindicated wit the belief that she was right and that Faith should be put down forever.
For the moment she sat awake her eyes fixed on the ceiling above her bed, her arms wrapped around an old stuffed pig- Mr Gordo, turning over she looked over at her friend who's face now looked directly at the slayer.
"So you still awake Will?"
"Yeah, I'm still thinking about Xander."
"Same here, I can't believe he left us in the lurch."
"Are you sure about what he's doing Buffy, for Faith of all people I find it hard to believe. I mean he needs us just to get by, he wouldn't leave us lie that. We may not always need him really he still gets in the way, but he needs us still he can't get along without us."
"I know but he's left us now. He's never done that before."
"Maybe we don't know him as well as we though we did."
"Well if he comes back here I'm gonna kick his ass back to LA."
"But he still has a right to come back here Buffy. It is his home."
Buffy thought about that for a second, Willow was right Sunnydale had been Xander's home all his life and a lot longer than hers. But at the moment she didn't care at all, she puts her life on the line constantly to save the people of this town and just doesn't care for those who get in her way or abandon her. Xander was one of them now and she would not pull her punches if they came face to face, the same went for any of the people in LA. Not one of them had any reason to return to Sunnydale and she would make sure they would not.
"Do you still love him Will."
Even in the dark she could see Willow blushing, her face almost redder than her hair. She calmed down a little and she went back to her fair complexion. Looking to Buffy she nodded her head.
"I think so, I've known him forever Buffy, I don't love him like I thought I did- that disappeared after the fluke but I still love him. He's the only real long time friend I had, Jesse was another but we kinda grew apart then he died. You took his place but Xander's been here for my whole life."
"I understand Wills I do but I don't think I can care anymore, he betrayed me for that slut probably so he can get another roll from her, any one of them comes back here I'll do things I would only do to demons. As far as I'm concerned they are all traitors and will be treated that way."
"Buffy."
"I won't let anyone else abandon us or hurt us again Willow anyone tries and I'll do some serious damage to them."
"Good." Replied Willow hesitantly, not too happy at losing the last link to her before slaying life, she still loved Xander as much as she ever had but couldn't forgive him for what he was doing but also could not let him go in any way,
"Maybe one day they will see their mistake and come running back, and on that day I'll be the one choosing what goes on here."
With that they fell asleep not realising the true implications of what they were saying.
So for the whole night and for many nights after the dreams of the slayer and the wicca would be filled with the memories of what had happened and in some cases what was to come. They saw much of the lives they had led but for both would see flashes of things they had never witnesses, things that only lived in the heart of one Xander Harris.
Two Weeks Later The Home of Rupert Giles 12pm
Giles stood In his kitchen contemplating one of the truly strange phenomena that seem to plague human kind, one of only two that seemed not to have a real answer- the first being does the light go off when you close the fridge door this one was another.
Does a watched kettle never boil? Shaking his head Giles finally realised that yes he was that bored, he had not talked to anyone face to face for several days and was quite bored. Going through what could only be described, as 'Old Wives Tales' were what he had been reduced to while he was waiting for some results. Unfortunately those same things had arrived that morning.
But still he had little to do at all.
"Giles?"
*Thank god*
"I'm in the Kitchen Willow."
"Hey Giles."
"Good Morning Willow, it's nice to see you. " He trailed off. "My word Willow you look terrible is all alright."
The Red headed wiccan looked wane and tired, her normally bright demeanour and perky attitude was missing from her face. Her normally vibrant read hear and healthy colour looked pale and ll. In all she look like death warmed up and in Sunnydale that is not just an Expression.
"I haven't slept well recently, I'll be okay soon."
"If you are sure."
"I am, I've just been to talk to Anya and checking her apartment she's gone, so I checked Xander's place. Both are totally empty, what's happened do you know where they both went."
"Sit down Willow, I'll tell you what I can. Xander and Anya have left Sunnydale for the moment, they are helping Faith in LA. She needs as much help as anyone does. I know you and Buffy don't want Faith to get help but the rest of us believe she is worth helping."
"They've left us, what ehere are they, do you know how to get hold of them. How's Xander, is he Ok."
"Willow calm down, he's fine. He's in LA staying with Wesley for the moment. He needed to get away for a while. He's also staying to help Faith with her recuperation
Willow took a deep breath to calm down. "I'm glad he's okay. I've had a little time to think about that Giles. I still believe we should get rid of her completely what if she snaps again what happens to all those around her Giles. Xander has made a serious mistake here and anyone who joins him is a traitor to our side of this fight, I love him as much as anyone ever did but I can't side with him on this. He's made a mistake and split our group apart. All that left is the three of us and whoever the Initiative have."
"I don't trust the Initiative at all Willow and I don't think that Xander and the others have left us on our own we have them if we need them and we will do. No matter how much Buffy and that Idiot Riley believe that we won't, the American army has no idea what we're doing here and how we do it."
"The American Army doesn't know, your saying others do."
"Of Course the British army is taught much about demons and vampires, why do you think the Council is based in England it's the only Human haven on the planet mainly because the council works with the Armed forces to remove all supernatural activity from British soil."
"Well that makes a little more sense now, I assume that that only happened once the watchers had been created and finally set up into the council."
"Yes, once the council had been set up, my predecessor Robert William Giles along with many other watchers approached the King- at this time Henry the Fifth of Great Britain."
Giles went on to tell Willow several things about the haven of the British Isles, the King had seen men of his ranks killed at encampments and later the next night rise from death, others on the French side had seen the same. When reports of such behaviour in England had reached his ears he had requested his librarian and archive staff to research this. Once the council had been alerted to his Royal Highness' questions they had approached him through one of his cousins whom had been inducted as a Watcher himself.
The King had not immediately dismissed the claims as several of his lords had and had asked for a demonstration, so Annabelle Johnsson of the Netherlands had been introduced as the slayer of her generation, the tall lithe sixteen year old caught and brought a vampire into the courtyard of the King's residence and after a slight scuffle had staked the vampire. With this proof the king had decreed the council along with his armed forces and all forces from then on to have whatever they would need to fight this evil and rid the Isles of these abominations.
With the King's decree the council was funded and equipped, and they in turn trained many units to fight the demons infesting the great island. Within ten years their mission had been successful and England had become a haven. For years after wards as the empire had grown more areas of the world had been cleared fully, India, Australia, several Mediterranean countries and much of America had been cleared of Vampire and demon infestation, only demons that allied themselves with the council or were of no harm were left alone.
But even golden ages came to an end- and unfortunately another one, A demon one had come to replace it.
"However we do still require the rest of our allies to keep this Hellmouth under control and will do for along time to come, no matter how much power you and Buffy have."
"Buffy won't like it Giles But I agree with you, much as I hate it we need them all."
"I'm glad you see that Willow, Buffy can often be headstrong when she believes she is in the right and those times she is wrong she refuses to acknowledge it."
"I know but I can't help thinking things are spiralling out of control now, Xander's gone Buffy's getting a little more reckless and Riley isn't helping much. I agree I don't trust the initiative either but we need them at the moment or we'll get swamped.
"There is not much more we can do."
"I know but I wish we could."
Willow stood up and left the house leaving Giles to ponder what he could possibly do to rectify the situation or if he was making the right choices and the consequences of each of those choices. He moved back to his chair and picked up the folder from the side table. On the Cover was written City Real Estate and inside sat several three bedroom apartments in the centre of LA. Giles had made up his mind for the final time. He was leaving and joining the rest in LA, much as he loved Buffy and Willow their selfishness and self-righteous attitudes had rankled him so much that he was finding it difficult to stay around Sunnydale.
Even with Willow's slight change of heart and the chance she may totally change her mind could stop the domino like effect the actions of the two had put on everyone, she seemed really to be regretting what was happening but had lost the battle when she took Buffy's side without even trying to hear Xander's side
They had pushed both Xander and himself out of the loop several times, not realising exactly what they were doing. Both believed the young Mr Harris had little use- they obviously did not know the young man as well as they thought they did. He had rarely met such self sacrificing and intelligent young man as Xander had appeared to be, that self sacrifice had more than shown the way he was and the mindset that he held.
That was why Giles had kept Xander in the fight and also why he had pushed Xander out of the Hellmouth opening, his penchant for that sort of action would have killed him. However Xander had still managed to hold himself up high and stopped an action that could have doomed the world, as well as himself.
Giles knew he would be in better sorts and would be more use with the others in LA, he had no real reason to stay anymore, his watcher duties were removed and much like Xander had been left more and more out of the loop when it came to the fight.
So now he was leaving and as soon as he could he would be gone, however he knew he would need help to move and the only people he could get were the people he would be working with- with any luck he could get them here and out again before Willow and Buffy and that highly annoying Mr Finn could find what was happening here. Xander and Wesley would be turning up in a few days to take the first few shipments of things to his new apartment he had bought earlier that morning, that was the reason he was getting rid of the folder so the girls would not find out what's going on.
He may be feeling a little guilty but his dedication to the fight and the promises he made to himself and the others as a man and as a Watcher meant he had to keep fighting and Buffy and Willow were detrimental to his fight. He believed in the cause even after his way of fighting was removed from him by the council and those that would condemn him for his actions, even know he believed that he had been right and that he couldn't have let any of them get hurt because of an archaic ritual that had no place in the modern world of the slayers.
But Buffy and Willow had changed his belief, changed it so that he no longer felt right or safe in Sunnydale- they were powerful and could take care of themselves, so he would leave because he had to.
In all he knew he had to go, and he knew he had somewhere to go.
Wesley's House Same day A few hours earlier
"Xander you decent?"
"Come on in Wes I'm dressed." Wesley had taken Xander in and given the front room as a place to stay, putting up a curtain rail they managed to give Xander a bit of privacy when he needed it. Wesley had gotten on well with the young man, both had been left out of their group originally but had found they were at home with Angel Investigations.
Xander had found a job at a construction firm in LA, he now had a good wage packet and a place to stay. Faith and Anya both stayed with Cordelia for the moment and both had also found jobs, apart from their day jobs each of them also worked with Angel and the rest patrolling and investigating what they could. Xander had become Faith's de-facto watcher once again this time working with Angel and Wesley to train her up to standard.
"I got a phone call from Giles this morning, he has his new apartment sorted and needs us to help him move out."
"Who else knows he's coming here?"
"No-one, once he gets to LA we'll let the others know, but that's about it."
Xander realised that Buffy and Willow would be left very much alone except for White Bread Riley, he didn't hate the guy per say but he as much as anyone believed that Xander was no use in the fight even though he had fought had and long against anything that they could name. How many people had faced down the scourge of Europe and survived, who out of them had faced down over a ticking bomb. He was far from useless and the whole of Angel's gang as well as Anya and Faith had realised what he was capable of.
"When?"
"Tomorrow we get the first shipment of his belongings then two more trips should do it. He says that Buffy and Willow will be away for the weekend so we can do it then."
"Good, Giles deserves to at least be with people who respect who he is and what he does around here. Still maybe we should let the girls know where he is. Much as it sickens me they are still necessary in this fight."
Wesley knew he was right, Buffy was still a slayer and Willow could be useful as a Witch- the two of them may think low of the others and see themselves as all important but everyone else knew it was more the support group they had. Now that team was gone and they would be left alone, however it also seemed to Wesley that Xander had always been the heart of the group, the creator of their teamwork.
Now there was a new team being created every one of the original Scoobies was being replaced by a new one, one again created by Xander with him as the head this time as well as the heart. One slayer, one research genius, one watcher and one normal person. It had surprised him as much as anyone when the young man had requested him to be the watcher for the group. Ever with Xander's own watcher training being started by Giles he had been shocked and very surprised by the man's offer and had joyously accepted. The two of them had become fast friends since that point, Wesley had also increased the détente Angel and Xander had begun until the two had also begun to become friends, everything that had made them enemies came out.
Reasons they had hated each other and more had been brought out, the full stories of that night in the hospital and the 'Night of Acathla' even the bomb under the library was told to all. It had originally started as the three of them talking in the office one evening but by the end of the conversation every one of the gang had appeared as if something had pulled them together.
"Are we doing the right thing Wes."
"You mean leaving Sunnydale and moving to La where you are helping a lost soul with her redemption to life, and a return to full sanity. Giving her a second chance when no other would. Living with those who believe in your skills and care for you more than those back in Sunnydale do." Wesley replied rhetorically
"Stupid question huh."
"Yes, quite so. Xander you and Anya have help Faith a great deal and the help from you and Faith on patrol has made quite an impact in the demon population of this area. You are very welcome here Xander and I know everyone else thinks you're the same and believe it or not you are what holds this group together."
"Thanks Wes."
Snapping back to his usual self Wesley said, "You going to Cordelia's place today?"
"Yep, Faith, Anya and I are training and I have an unfortunate feeling they are gonna drag me shopping."
Wesley blanched, "You poor, poor man."
"Hell yeah, it could be worse."
"Cordelia could be there too." Both men shuddered at that thought. Both had been through Cordelia's shopping trips and Xander knew that Anya could be as bad and he dreaded Faith's thoughts on the subject because of what she might get up to in those changing rooms and he didn't want to get in shit with Anya.
However for Alexander Harris things could did get worse or perhaps better depending on how you see it.
Angel Investigations One hour later
*Damn*
It had got worse, as he and Wesley had approached the offices they had seen the three girls outside laughing and chatting- at this point Xander had realised he was doomed. He found out then not only had Anya and Faith nixed the training for today but Cordelia had decided to come with them, looking at Angel and Wesley they could see the sympathy in their eyes and the barely held smiles in their faces. And only one thought came into his mind.
*REVENGE*
He would get that revenge and good, but how he had no idea how right now but he would get it and, as the Klingons would say.
*Revenge is a dish best served cold*.
*Maybe I'll ask Giles, I'm sure he has a few ideas that I can do to really wind them both up. After all his ripper days may reveal a cruel but harmless and very funny revenge tactic.*
"Well a day in the city with three very beautiful ladies coming up, after you all."
The girls left the room down to Angel's convertible that Xander had borrowed for the day, much against Angel's better judgement.
"I'm officially in hell, shoot me now please."
Xander looked over to the others and Angel threw a small package at him. Inside the envelope was exactly one thousand dollars. Xander started and looked up at Angel, the vampire with a soul just simply nodded and walked into his office, the surprise on Wes' face was a mirror to that on Xander's own, they both simply shrugged and Xander walked out the door.
"So ladies where to today."
"Shopping," they all cried in unison.
Xander shook his shaggy head as he stepped on the accelerator,
This was gonna be a very, very long day.
Inside Angel investigations Soon afterwards
"So with Giles coming to LA and with all the others still here, we will have a larger group than when we started back in Sunnydale. I believe that Sunnydale may become even more of a hotspot than it currently is."
"I agree Angel but with the sole exception of Giles none of the rest of us can even contemplate a return, I suggest we do something to create a series of agents in Sunnydale perhaps a few who can tell us if anything strange is going on if they need help. I'm sure the rest of our little group have friends they can talk to as well as a few demons Giles and yourself could talk to."
Angel sat back, it was a good idea, he already had a few contacts set up in a network throughout LA, it had taken a while but he now knew what big bads were in town and where they were. Buffy and willow would need their help when it came to it, now more than ever, Giles and Xander the real heart and mind of the group and indeed now with their own had left them alone. That was going to be hard on them both maybe it was wrong of them to do what they were doing but there was little choice left but to leave them to their own devices.
*Flashback* Two Days after Xander's arrival in LA Angel's Apartment 11am
For two days Xander had slept, the full flood of his emotions had ripped through him like a waterfall tearing away his inner walls and the defences that had been built over so many years had crashed down and been ripped away by the flood. Each member of the group, Cordelia, Angel, Wesley, Faith and Anya had taken turns to watch over him the girls sometimes curling up next to him or around him to hold him down while he thrashed around in the depths of Morpheus' realm.
Anya should have seemed very jealous and maybe even a little scared about Faith's attachment to Xander and the way both she and Cordelia would wrap themselves around Xander to keep him calm and relaxed. Strangely enough though she was not in the slightest bit worried about it. For the entire time she had returned to humanity she had been out of place and out of time, and as the old song had gone Xander had 'Picked her up, turned her around and turned her into someone new.'
For two days she had stayed near him, only leaving when the others forced her into a bed they had set up across the room. She slept and ate but did little else while Xander was comatose, she had for lack of a better word shut down. She really loved the man more than she believed she could have, he had given up everything for his friends even fought alongside them while she herself had run away from the fight. He had been a great man as far as the stories went even those who had scorned him for years had told her that he had pulled them together and made the fight for what meant the most to them, their homes and their families and each other no matter who they were, from Cordelia and Harmony the school In group to Jonathan the walked upon geek. All agreed he had kept them alive and fighting throughout that day.
Now he followed his ethics and his heart once more, she knew of his dalliance with Faith from a year ago and did not worry about it as most would. Xander had followed what he believed to be right and decent when it came to Faith- granted she had fallen to the forces of darkness and come under the thrall of the mayor but like many who had been in her place power could be seductive and consuming, the power of a slayer is close to that of the ancient gods. That power had seduced Faith and made her seem like she could never be hurt, he belief that she was better than anyone had distanced her from what she had done from her inadvertent killing of the deputy mayor to her framing of Buffy and later her body swapping.
It had hurt her more than she could ever have believed and Anya knew so much of that, for a thousand years she had served the dark side as a vengeance demon doing things that would make old Hera blush and she was well known to be vindictive. He own fall to the dark powers had lasted so long she had forgotten everything about being human, once she had returned to the human she had once been she had needed help. So she could easily identify with the hell that Faith was now going through, too often Anya had woken in the middle of the night screaming as all she had done over the years.
So now she was there to help another who had been so harmed by her choices, Giles had been right to send her to help Faith as much as she could a human that had to face her past and the wrong that she had caused for so many people. She may have been human but Anya knew more about pain and suffering than even Angel could have imagined and now she had to use her strength to help Faith to overcome the darkness and find a way back to them all.
Xander on the other hand had come of his own free will to help Faith through her redemption, he had no real reason to even come here at all. His life in Sunnydale may not have been the greatest there could be, he has a job somewhere to live helped look after the town and wit just a little ego, she was there too. His entire life had centred around Willow and Buffy and his willingness to sacrifice all in the name of their friendship and the people he had sworn to protect.
However so much had changed for him that he now realised that he had been pushed out of the loop again and he had been left behind, with that knowledge and the knowledge that no matter who or what you are you deserve a chance to make things right. It was that belief that had allowed him to defy all the rest and to help a fallen slayer return to the light.
Now his own healing would be necessary as well as Faith's and indeed her own different types of healing, the whole of the group had so many problems and bottled up emotions that a lot of work would be needed to keep them going. They would be there for each other as long as they were needed, she loved Xander very much and would stay there to be with him as much as she could, Xander would not be leaving anytime soon mainly because he knew he was no longer welcome in Sunnydale and Faith would need him here with her as far away from that bitch Buffy as she could get.
Xander would be one of the few people around them that would be wholeheartedly trusted by the rest not one person out of them all will turn their back on him ever again, there would be no reason to. He was more than willing to put himself on the line again and again to save them all, not one person was ever abandoned by him without reason- that much was sure once and forever. He was unwilling to abandon Anya when she needed him and would not leave Faith now she needed him more than ever even after all she had done to him over her time in Sunnydale.
She didn't know his mindset about leaving Buffy and Willow, no matter what they had done they had been his world for a very long time even before they started fighting the forces of evil Willow and Xander had been friends- she also knew that he would feel really unfortunate once he lost Willow. He still blamed himself for the loss of Jesse that way- but he may not feel so much self hatred because it was much more Willow's fault that anything Xander had ever done.
Anya had come to realise much over the last few months, that unlike the others Xander had grow up faster than they had he still had his comedy persona but there was a maturity that probably exceeded all but Giles. That part of Xander came out rarely but she is quite sure she had seen it a few times more than others, he was more than capable of being an adult but for the years he had been through the fights and the constant danger he had never let anyone see that part of him.
More and more recently she and Giles as well had seen that his reasons for staying had nothing to do with the selfish need many others may have had for staying, he may originally stayed to be close to Buffy as he had been very much in love with her for three years. That would have been selfish originally but for the fact he was needed as much as anyone to keep the rest in line and to keep them alive.
That changed so much over the last year- he didn't stay around because he needed to, he stayed because he wanted to. But that want had waned severely since he had returned from his road trip He may have still be the joker but something in him had grown, Xander was now more than he had been and Anya believed that it was possible the time he had been able to dwell on the graduation ceremony had made him think much more than he had before.
He had been a leader that day something he had not done very often when Buffy was around, when he had had to do it during a Summer a few years ago when Buffy had run away he had only had to watch over three of four people and kept them alive. He also admitted he did have Giles helping him, that day however he had led fifty students in a fight for their lives and the lives of all Sunnydale against a demon of massive power and miscellaneous vampires. Many had died that day and Xander blamed himself for those deaths he sometimes believes he should have done more to save those who had dies, the same way he believes he should have saved Jesse or stopped Faith falling.
These were all ridiculous ad many of them know he did all he could but that thought still haunts him to this day, the lack of belief in himself and his abilities were atypical of his behaviour across the board. Self hatred and his constant ridicule from all corners had hurt him so much over the years that when he does do something right he always believes he could have done more to save people or help others- it doesn't help that no-one had ever known about his real bravery and his capability to save his friends.
So know she sat here next to his bed watching over him like he had done so many times to his friends, it should have been one of them doing this too not just people he had known for a few years but the two people his entire life had wrapped around. But he had left them and all he knew behind three days ago and for the moment there was no going back and no way for him to repair what had happened. Anya didn't believe he would even if he could, Buffy had all but turned against those who had been defiant of her. An arrogance even Anya had never contemplated filled Buffy's mind making her believe she could never be wrong and she was always the one that was right.
The power of the Slayer may have magnified that but it was purely Buffy Summers that had that egotism that was driving a wedge in the forces that had always helped her, that ego had been strong enough to drive her closest allies away from her with a speed that was unlike any she had encountered before. Xander had loved Buffy Anya was very sure of that but her superior attitude had shattered Xander more and more even after all he had done, even enough to keep her going after getting are arse whipped by a Vampire. That love had been strong and for the time she had known him she had felt that love and the light that burned so bright from it but slowly, ever so slowly it had begun to fade like a candle in a sunrise.
Then one day it had gone he still felt love as a friend but the wholehearted love he had had for Buffy had left him, and now even that little chance of the spark that she had seen that threatened to pull a flame from the depths had finally flickered and died. All the strength and power he had from his time with his friends had dulled more and more until there was nothing and he had been a hollow shell inside. It would take more than she had to fill that gap he had and he didn't know what to do for him, for not the first time she was at a complete loss.
LA City Centre A mall somewhere Inside Victoria's Secret About 7 hours later
Xander was not the most comfortable man at this point in time, the women in his life were all trying on different pieces in the store. Now most men would love this and Xander was no exception. He was just nervous about what could happen. Xander just stared blankly as he waited for theb girls to finish in the changing room. The curtains opened all at once and first out stepped Anya and his head stopped, Cordy emerged from the next changing room and his brain left his body, finally faith walked out and all the blood in his body had centred in his underareas.
They all looked incredible, Anya was in a very small blue baby doll nighty with long blue stockings showing her perfect legs and very tight arse. Xander stared at her and felt his trousers get very tight.
Cordy stood in a red and black Basque that pushed her breasts up and in enhancing here already incredible cleavage She turned and bent over pretending to pick something up showing her rear end and legs even Faith was surprised at her audacity. Xander's eyes were almost popping out of his sockets and that's when he saw Faith and his brain turned to mush.
As a contrast to all he knew of her and the darkness of her eyes and hair she stood in a white bra and panty set, white stockings and garters and to top it off and long diaphanous white robe that covered her down to her thighs. All three knew the effect they were having on the young man and he looked as if he was ready to have a heart attack and so returned to their changing rooms to let him calm down.
"Damn man I can't believe you have that much luck."
Spinning around at the familiar voice he almost fell over as his usual lack of grace prompted an overbalance. In front of him with for once undyed hair and wearing a suit like attire stood his old friend and former scooby Daniel Osborne. A massive grin bigger than any he had given anyone since leaving Sunnydale appeared on his face, It was good to see the wolfman again especially after the last few weeks.
"Oz what are you doing here."
"Working."
Succinct as always.
"That looked like Cordy and Anya I get that but was that Faith."
"Yep."
Xander gave Oz a condensed version of the story of what had been going on both in Sunnydale and in LA, only leaving out that Giles would be leaving Sunnydale too. Oz agreed with what had been happening in Sunnydale and that it had been a good idea to leave for a while. As they were talking the girls came out of their rooms surprised at least to see Oz. Faith was a little wary of the warewolf, as one of her nastiest moments she had threatened to kill Willow, however Oz seemed to take it all in his stride.
"Hello Oz."
"Faith. Cordelia. Anya." He nodded to each in turn.
"Well ladies have you decided what your getting."
"Yes, including a few things for us to see in private." Said Anya huskily, that sent the remaining dregs of blood right down again. Giggling the girls went off to pay for their purchases with some of the money Xander had been given by Angel. His mind was still whirling after the show he had been through. "You have all the luck man, all the luck." Oz said with a hint of comedy in his voice.
This was going to be a very strange day.
Once out of the shop they all clambered back into the car, Xander passed an address card to Oz and asked him to come round to their offices once work had finished. He agreed and within a minute they had left and Oz had returned to work. They continued the drive with Anya and Cordelia talking and giggling comparing clothes and thoughts on stuff that did not interest Xander or Faith at all. So they sat there in companionable silence thinking about how things had changed for them all. Faith still found it hard to believe that Xander had given her such a chance and that brought a smile to her face- a smile that had not seen the light of day for many years, her eyes drifted off to sleep and her dreams began.
*Flashback* Two Days after Xander's arrival in LA Angel's Apartment 12pm
Standing across the room in the doorway to the apartment stood the raven- haired slayer that they had all gathered to help. Well originally anyway, now it seemed two of them would be helped by all, she herself and the dark haired young man in the bed.
*Xander Harris.* he started to think. *Why do this for me, why distance yourself from those you had. Why leave them all to help me*
More and more for two days Faith Williams had thought about the young man that had come after her all the way to LA, he had arrived bare hours before Buffy had but that had been enough for her, without his presence Faith may have totally lost the plot and fought back just to get away maybe even killing once again. That was one thing she never wanted to do again, kill a human it was too heart wrenching to go through.
She had heard a small exchange between Angel and Wesley a day ago, Xander had believed she had some kind of mental illness. So she was more than ready to run if they had decided she was going to be moved to a hospital for mental patients, then she heard the rest and identified it with a TV program she had seen about it- PTS. She had met others on the road mostly old Vietnam vets that had seen it in others that had come back from the war, they were never the same after that- the demon hunter and the Watcher had agreed to keeping all of the newcomers with them until they were forced elsewhere by circumstances.
So now she stood here waiting for the only man in her life to make her feel like she was worth anything to wake up or failing that to take Anya's place by his bedside. She already realised she loved the boy but much as she did she could see it in the other girls eyes that she loved him more than Faith ever could. Somehow the young man could get under your skin and stay there keeping hold of part of you and of your heart, making you feel like you were important to someone and you were worth more than you ever thought you could be.
The hostile intent that was so obvious from many people's reactions to her presence were now painful but distant memories thanks to this young man, the one that had finally and painfully wormed his way into her life over the last few days she had been around him. It was a sharp pain buried so far into her to see her saviour in such a condition, knowing she was the one that had been responsible for putting him in it, even with Anya and Angel telling her otherwise. That he wouldn't have done what he did unless he believed in the person he had helped, none of it would get through into her mind until she heard them from Xander himself.
Anya looked up as she realised Faith was watching them, smiling at the dark haired girl and motioned her new friend into the room and to the chair the other side of the bed from her to allow the slayer to watch over Xander as she also did. For the two days they had known each other they had talked for a long while, about their various time on the dark side of the fight and how they had been brought back by those that felt they should have that chance. Mainly the two people that should have had so much reason to fear and loath them Angel and Xander, Faith found it quite strange to have been brought back by the two long time nemeses working together to help her and more that that hatred had dissipated into a working relationship that they had never had before.
Both the women had realised long ago that the whole reason that the two men had been at odds was one person: Buffy Summers, for several years she had had both of them wrapped around her little finger. Fortunately over time the spell she had around them had faded and so recently stopped altogether, piece by piece Xander had been able to move on from her as had Angel, so now both had literally abandoned her to her own fate and that fate was to be hers alone. That would be the price she would have to pay for her selfish ways and self-righteous behaviour that had hurt so many of those who had once proclaimed to being her friends. It was something she well deserved and it would hurt her very seriously, but Faith and Anya found it nigh on impossible to feel any sort of sadness or fear for the young woman.
Now Anya studied the face of the young slayer in front of her, like the rest she knew of the circumstances and of what had happened to Faith. How she had fallen and hurt all those who had tried to help her gain and again, Angel had told her what had happened to Xander as Faith had tried to kill him by strangulation. The poison that had almost killed Angel, threatening Willow, more recently the torture of Wesley and how she had again tried to kill the rest of them. However even after what she had seen during her life Anya could no longer see that type of person in Faith, whatever had been in there that had forced her hand no longer seemed to be there all that remained was a tired scared woman with little hope and only a few people to count on. She would be okay if they helped her and help her they all would, the woman deserved more of a chance than she had ever been given by anyone and they had all seen that in her- the pain and suffering she had been through as much as anyone ever had.
"He's bigger." Faith whispered.
"What do you mean?"
For the first time Faith was embarrassed by her outburst, she smiled a little and responded quietly.
"He's a lot bigger than I remember I mean he was never a small build but he's a lot bigger now, I suppose that's because of his fighting and stuff."
"That's not the only part that's bigger." Anya replies slyly to which Faith giggles a little.
"I heard that you dirty little madams."
Xander's eyes were still closed but a grin was starting to form on his face, his eyes opened and he looked at Anya and then Faith.
"Damn two beautiful women looking over me while I'm in bed this day's getting better every time I open my eyes."
Both girls looked shocked to hear his voice so casual like, that didn't stop them from jumping on the bed and hugging him like women possessed- which for all intents and purposes they were. Both held on for dear life to the man that they both loved as much s anyone they had ever known, Both held on for dear life to the man that they both loved as much s anyone they had ever known, to Anya he was the man who had given her humanity and the freedom to have a life again and to Faith he was the only man to see her for who she was and not a piece of meat or a toy to throw away.
Xander on the other hand was more than a little surprised by the reactions of the two women that had suddenly jumped on him and had death grips on him. Not that it wasn't enjoyable but he was a little confused as to what was going on, the last thing he remembers is running through the street after talking to the Angel gang. Why Anya was here he didn't know but he did remember all that had happened during that day. The way that he would now be unwelcome in his home and with the people he had helped and looked after for so long- and all for a woman who had tried to kill them all. But she was someone who deserved a chance at making all things right for her again.
"Hey it's okay, I'm fine a little groggy but ok. What's going on."
Anya sniffled a little. "You have been asleep for almost two days Xander, We were worried you weren't going to come out of it at all. I didn't want to leave you until you woke up."
"She hasn't either." Faith said as she sat up gripping one of his large hands in her two smaller ones. "She's not left the offices since she arrived, she stayed watching over you just as much as the rest of us have, none of us wanted you to wake up alone so we stayed here for you."
Xander squeezed the hands of both the women sitting next to him, looking at one and then the other very surprised at the thought that the two women would be so worried for him that they would spend so long watching over someone like him. But he could see in their eyes that this was really the case, their eyes were totally open unlike any other time he would have looked into their eyes, he could see right into the souls of the two women and the tortures that ripped through their psyches haunting their days for so long.
For the first time he allowed every defence he had ever built into his mind to collapse and let them see all the way into the depths of who he really was. From the surface of the wisecracking fun guy he had always shown, past the fighter and sometimes lover that he had allowed others to see. Through the layers of rubbish and collection of layers that had been there as a defence against others seeing into his mind or through his eyes as he was doing to them. He finally opened the last parts of his defences, that which held every single time he had been told he was useless, the times he had been pushed away. But most of all the part of him that held his inner strengths and fortitude that had allowed him to face down so much in his life from bullies up to and including Angelus.
As the final barriers opened his looked directly into the eyes of both women allowing them to finally see who Alexander Lavelle Harris really was- the first in his life to really see him for who he was and why he was the way he was. To his surprise neither recoiled or backed away, they only held onto him tighter than before enough for him to know that they had seen it and would not be repelled by it. Anya began sobbing with combined joy and sorrow as she realised what was to come and that she would not be alone anymore, same as Faith whom realised that she was not the only in need to healing and redemption.
As for Xander, he loved them both enough to realise he could no longer keep himself bottled up and alone the way he had done and it would be these women and his other friends here in LA that would be the people who would see the changes and who he would become. But for now however he would be content to rest and know he was in good hands- with the two women whom now meant more to him than anyone had ever done. Two women whom had replaced and filled the part of his heart that had been hollow for so many years.
Back in Angel's Car Ten minutes later.
Xander was concentrating on the road, although it was early evening it was just after the rush hour would have hit LA so there were still a few cars on the road but not too many. Looking in the rear view mirror he could see the two in the back flicking through magazines in silence while Faith had fallen asleep n the front seat. A smile appeared on his face- he still found it strange to be the guardian of these women, in more ways than one.
Over the years he had watched and cared for every woman in his life be they best friends, lovers or even casual friends or people that he barely knew. Buffy- he had fought alongside and protected from those who meant her harm, Willow, his oldest friend her had watched over so often to make sure she was never hurt. Cordelia- he had messed up right royally there but was never able to see her alone and was always willing to help her if she needed it.
Now the most recent Anya and Faith, both had much in common, both had fallen to the dark side and fought against those that tried to stop them be they human or demon. But he had managed to get through to them both and had repeatedly fought against his friends to give them a chance. Now he would keep his promise to both that he would always be there for them no matter what happened.
Anya had told him about Giles' wish to train him as Faith's watcher, as he was the person she really did trust the most, he was honoured to be chosen for that duty. But for now he was happy enough to watch over her as a friend, with help from Anya and Cordelia among others he knew he would be able to handle her well maybe even back to being a full slayer.
For now though they would have to take it all step by step, looking again he saw the others had fallen asleep curled up in the back seat of the car. The smile deepened and became a full grin as he thought now how much his life had changed and the way that he was needed and respected, a hell of a lot more than he had even been welcome in Sunnydale. There he had always been the one in the way, the one usually unneeded or unwanted, hell even during those few times he had done things right he had never been fully respected for it.
Now he was, the gang here knew of all his exploits and how and why he had done what he had to, for a long time even he hadn't known really why he was fighting against the darkness and then it hit him rather like the railing had. He was unable not to, for years he had heard stories or seen things- people that just let others get hurt even after hearing the screams. He was not willing to do that, the first time he got involved was years before he met Buffy. A plump blond girl was being attacked by two men- he had grabbed a long pole from some rubbish and hit one across the head with it, at the same time the girl had kicked the other man in the gonads. He had grabbed her had and run as fast as he could dragging her along. That had been the first time he had met Amy Madison.
He had fought normal people, helping some against bullies or those who just wanted to cause pain, mostly just those at school but sometimes those outside. Then came the slayer, with that a whole new approach to his fight against the forces that would pray on innocents, like when he fought normal people he would fight Vampires and demons. Why? Put simply he couldn't not fight them, going away and burying your head in the sand is so easy and unlike how many saw him going the easy way is not the way he is.
He had no destiny, no real reason to keep fighting but he continued anyway- human tenacity can be as strong as any demon or godlike power, and his own was far stronger than anyone had ever believed. He fought because he had to, there was no way for him to go back to being Xander Harris, class clown and Friend to those oppressed by the 'In' crowd, he could have been one of those type easily if her had tried but refused them after making friends with two shy and unassuming people.
Willow and Jesse.
They were the other reason he had kept fighting all those years, the first few day they had met Buffy Jesse had been killed and Willow had been in serious danger. She at that time had no real powers, his strength and size advantage allowed him to help look after her, he was damned if he was willing to let her go the same way he lost Jesse. So he fought and fought so much more than many others ever had, but in the end had lost Willow to her own selfishness and insecurities about him.
Now he had a new chance at stopping the evils of the world, through the help he was to give the people there in LA. The people that would not push him away or ridicule his efforts and most of all not leave him alone like so many others had, it had really hurt when he had been virtually removed from the fight, it was as if he was totally unnecessary to them now. With the arrival of Riley to their group with his military training and access to military hardware etc, Xander now felt so totally useless that he had believed it himself. Well almost.
When Faith had reappeared after so long he had realised his reason to fight was not gone but just shifted to a different type of fight, one to save the soul of a woman whom had never been given a chance by anyone before much like himself. Looking back at her sleeping frame he could see in her the same thing he had seen those times he had watched Buffy over the years, she looked happy and the emotional scars, fear and resigned look they both had was gone. In it's place was a very beautiful and serene looking woman. A inner peace and beauty unsurpassed by any awakened person in history, he now knew he had to keep that there for them, no evil not pain or suffering just peace and contentment, caring and love that only true friends could ever give.
The love and caring he would give her- until the day they parted.
"What's that smile for?" A voice asked from the seat next to him.
He watched as Faith slowly sat up and stretched languorously hiking he midriff cut top up further and rippling the muscles down her curves, running her hand through her hair she grinned mischievously. She had him again and she knew that, maybe a few weeks ago she would have grabbed him and rode him then and there, but something had happened that had changed that part of who she was.
She had friends, Anya and Xander had taken her in and been friends to her unlike she had ever known, she still believed she loved the tall dark man but could not bring herself to hurt either of them by trying to lay Xander. She had already taken him once and had regretted the way she had treated him ever since she had come back from the dark place she had been for so long. If she had stayed with him that night maybe she would have stayed with the white hats enough to muddle through and not try to kill anyone.
"Careful Xander, your other half may get jealous."
Xander blushed and grinned at the dark haired slayer, she smiled back and giggled- a good sound to hear from her, Xander's humour had rubbed off on faith enough for her to be able to make jokes and play around without hurting anyone. Her now infamous carving of a tiny cross into Angel's chair was hilarious, he had sat down on it and it had taken him several minutes before he had realised his arse was on fire. He had run around the office looking for the fire extinguisher with everyone in the room staring or laughing their heads off.
It took a matter of seconds for Angel to realise who had done it, but had taken it in it's intended joking role. Xander had fixed the chair and Angel had got on with his work. To this day Xander is sure he had seen the vampire smiling and every so often laughing at what had happened. Proving he wasn't just the brooding pain in the ass he had always seemed to be.
"Down Girl or I may have to tie you down."
"Promises will get you everywhere."
A third voice interrupted. "Sorry but I'm the only one who's getting tied down around here." A laugh and a pair of arms snaking around his neck signalled Anya was awake now. Winking at Faith she continued. "Although maybe we can sort something out including you Faith."
Xander's mind blanked as he concentrated on the road, his mind now in overdrive as all the images that one sentence brought forth came into his mind. Looking at him Anya and then faith waved their hand in front of his face trying to bring him out of his stupor before he had an accident. One turned to the other as both said.
"I think we broke him."
Dedication: To those guys at home at uni or anywhere else that I personally know that may be reading this- I know who you are. 'specially you Stu or you Kim. ;)
Authors note: Serious British pride ahead. I know the brits on the list will get a kick out of this.
Buffy and Willow's Dorm Room 1am
It had passed midnight in Sunnydale- the first of the two currant slayers Buffy Summers was finding it hard to sleep and harder to stop thinking about her showdown with her best friend. She felt bad about how it had gone but vindicated wit the belief that she was right and that Faith should be put down forever.
For the moment she sat awake her eyes fixed on the ceiling above her bed, her arms wrapped around an old stuffed pig- Mr Gordo, turning over she looked over at her friend who's face now looked directly at the slayer.
"So you still awake Will?"
"Yeah, I'm still thinking about Xander."
"Same here, I can't believe he left us in the lurch."
"Are you sure about what he's doing Buffy, for Faith of all people I find it hard to believe. I mean he needs us just to get by, he wouldn't leave us lie that. We may not always need him really he still gets in the way, but he needs us still he can't get along without us."
"I know but he's left us now. He's never done that before."
"Maybe we don't know him as well as we though we did."
"Well if he comes back here I'm gonna kick his ass back to LA."
"But he still has a right to come back here Buffy. It is his home."
Buffy thought about that for a second, Willow was right Sunnydale had been Xander's home all his life and a lot longer than hers. But at the moment she didn't care at all, she puts her life on the line constantly to save the people of this town and just doesn't care for those who get in her way or abandon her. Xander was one of them now and she would not pull her punches if they came face to face, the same went for any of the people in LA. Not one of them had any reason to return to Sunnydale and she would make sure they would not.
"Do you still love him Will."
Even in the dark she could see Willow blushing, her face almost redder than her hair. She calmed down a little and she went back to her fair complexion. Looking to Buffy she nodded her head.
"I think so, I've known him forever Buffy, I don't love him like I thought I did- that disappeared after the fluke but I still love him. He's the only real long time friend I had, Jesse was another but we kinda grew apart then he died. You took his place but Xander's been here for my whole life."
"I understand Wills I do but I don't think I can care anymore, he betrayed me for that slut probably so he can get another roll from her, any one of them comes back here I'll do things I would only do to demons. As far as I'm concerned they are all traitors and will be treated that way."
"Buffy."
"I won't let anyone else abandon us or hurt us again Willow anyone tries and I'll do some serious damage to them."
"Good." Replied Willow hesitantly, not too happy at losing the last link to her before slaying life, she still loved Xander as much as she ever had but couldn't forgive him for what he was doing but also could not let him go in any way,
"Maybe one day they will see their mistake and come running back, and on that day I'll be the one choosing what goes on here."
With that they fell asleep not realising the true implications of what they were saying.
So for the whole night and for many nights after the dreams of the slayer and the wicca would be filled with the memories of what had happened and in some cases what was to come. They saw much of the lives they had led but for both would see flashes of things they had never witnesses, things that only lived in the heart of one Xander Harris.
Two Weeks Later The Home of Rupert Giles 12pm
Giles stood In his kitchen contemplating one of the truly strange phenomena that seem to plague human kind, one of only two that seemed not to have a real answer- the first being does the light go off when you close the fridge door this one was another.
Does a watched kettle never boil? Shaking his head Giles finally realised that yes he was that bored, he had not talked to anyone face to face for several days and was quite bored. Going through what could only be described, as 'Old Wives Tales' were what he had been reduced to while he was waiting for some results. Unfortunately those same things had arrived that morning.
But still he had little to do at all.
"Giles?"
*Thank god*
"I'm in the Kitchen Willow."
"Hey Giles."
"Good Morning Willow, it's nice to see you. " He trailed off. "My word Willow you look terrible is all alright."
The Red headed wiccan looked wane and tired, her normally bright demeanour and perky attitude was missing from her face. Her normally vibrant read hear and healthy colour looked pale and ll. In all she look like death warmed up and in Sunnydale that is not just an Expression.
"I haven't slept well recently, I'll be okay soon."
"If you are sure."
"I am, I've just been to talk to Anya and checking her apartment she's gone, so I checked Xander's place. Both are totally empty, what's happened do you know where they both went."
"Sit down Willow, I'll tell you what I can. Xander and Anya have left Sunnydale for the moment, they are helping Faith in LA. She needs as much help as anyone does. I know you and Buffy don't want Faith to get help but the rest of us believe she is worth helping."
"They've left us, what ehere are they, do you know how to get hold of them. How's Xander, is he Ok."
"Willow calm down, he's fine. He's in LA staying with Wesley for the moment. He needed to get away for a while. He's also staying to help Faith with her recuperation
Willow took a deep breath to calm down. "I'm glad he's okay. I've had a little time to think about that Giles. I still believe we should get rid of her completely what if she snaps again what happens to all those around her Giles. Xander has made a serious mistake here and anyone who joins him is a traitor to our side of this fight, I love him as much as anyone ever did but I can't side with him on this. He's made a mistake and split our group apart. All that left is the three of us and whoever the Initiative have."
"I don't trust the Initiative at all Willow and I don't think that Xander and the others have left us on our own we have them if we need them and we will do. No matter how much Buffy and that Idiot Riley believe that we won't, the American army has no idea what we're doing here and how we do it."
"The American Army doesn't know, your saying others do."
"Of Course the British army is taught much about demons and vampires, why do you think the Council is based in England it's the only Human haven on the planet mainly because the council works with the Armed forces to remove all supernatural activity from British soil."
"Well that makes a little more sense now, I assume that that only happened once the watchers had been created and finally set up into the council."
"Yes, once the council had been set up, my predecessor Robert William Giles along with many other watchers approached the King- at this time Henry the Fifth of Great Britain."
Giles went on to tell Willow several things about the haven of the British Isles, the King had seen men of his ranks killed at encampments and later the next night rise from death, others on the French side had seen the same. When reports of such behaviour in England had reached his ears he had requested his librarian and archive staff to research this. Once the council had been alerted to his Royal Highness' questions they had approached him through one of his cousins whom had been inducted as a Watcher himself.
The King had not immediately dismissed the claims as several of his lords had and had asked for a demonstration, so Annabelle Johnsson of the Netherlands had been introduced as the slayer of her generation, the tall lithe sixteen year old caught and brought a vampire into the courtyard of the King's residence and after a slight scuffle had staked the vampire. With this proof the king had decreed the council along with his armed forces and all forces from then on to have whatever they would need to fight this evil and rid the Isles of these abominations.
With the King's decree the council was funded and equipped, and they in turn trained many units to fight the demons infesting the great island. Within ten years their mission had been successful and England had become a haven. For years after wards as the empire had grown more areas of the world had been cleared fully, India, Australia, several Mediterranean countries and much of America had been cleared of Vampire and demon infestation, only demons that allied themselves with the council or were of no harm were left alone.
But even golden ages came to an end- and unfortunately another one, A demon one had come to replace it.
"However we do still require the rest of our allies to keep this Hellmouth under control and will do for along time to come, no matter how much power you and Buffy have."
"Buffy won't like it Giles But I agree with you, much as I hate it we need them all."
"I'm glad you see that Willow, Buffy can often be headstrong when she believes she is in the right and those times she is wrong she refuses to acknowledge it."
"I know but I can't help thinking things are spiralling out of control now, Xander's gone Buffy's getting a little more reckless and Riley isn't helping much. I agree I don't trust the initiative either but we need them at the moment or we'll get swamped.
"There is not much more we can do."
"I know but I wish we could."
Willow stood up and left the house leaving Giles to ponder what he could possibly do to rectify the situation or if he was making the right choices and the consequences of each of those choices. He moved back to his chair and picked up the folder from the side table. On the Cover was written City Real Estate and inside sat several three bedroom apartments in the centre of LA. Giles had made up his mind for the final time. He was leaving and joining the rest in LA, much as he loved Buffy and Willow their selfishness and self-righteous attitudes had rankled him so much that he was finding it difficult to stay around Sunnydale.
Even with Willow's slight change of heart and the chance she may totally change her mind could stop the domino like effect the actions of the two had put on everyone, she seemed really to be regretting what was happening but had lost the battle when she took Buffy's side without even trying to hear Xander's side
They had pushed both Xander and himself out of the loop several times, not realising exactly what they were doing. Both believed the young Mr Harris had little use- they obviously did not know the young man as well as they thought they did. He had rarely met such self sacrificing and intelligent young man as Xander had appeared to be, that self sacrifice had more than shown the way he was and the mindset that he held.
That was why Giles had kept Xander in the fight and also why he had pushed Xander out of the Hellmouth opening, his penchant for that sort of action would have killed him. However Xander had still managed to hold himself up high and stopped an action that could have doomed the world, as well as himself.
Giles knew he would be in better sorts and would be more use with the others in LA, he had no real reason to stay anymore, his watcher duties were removed and much like Xander had been left more and more out of the loop when it came to the fight.
So now he was leaving and as soon as he could he would be gone, however he knew he would need help to move and the only people he could get were the people he would be working with- with any luck he could get them here and out again before Willow and Buffy and that highly annoying Mr Finn could find what was happening here. Xander and Wesley would be turning up in a few days to take the first few shipments of things to his new apartment he had bought earlier that morning, that was the reason he was getting rid of the folder so the girls would not find out what's going on.
He may be feeling a little guilty but his dedication to the fight and the promises he made to himself and the others as a man and as a Watcher meant he had to keep fighting and Buffy and Willow were detrimental to his fight. He believed in the cause even after his way of fighting was removed from him by the council and those that would condemn him for his actions, even know he believed that he had been right and that he couldn't have let any of them get hurt because of an archaic ritual that had no place in the modern world of the slayers.
But Buffy and Willow had changed his belief, changed it so that he no longer felt right or safe in Sunnydale- they were powerful and could take care of themselves, so he would leave because he had to.
In all he knew he had to go, and he knew he had somewhere to go.
Wesley's House Same day A few hours earlier
"Xander you decent?"
"Come on in Wes I'm dressed." Wesley had taken Xander in and given the front room as a place to stay, putting up a curtain rail they managed to give Xander a bit of privacy when he needed it. Wesley had gotten on well with the young man, both had been left out of their group originally but had found they were at home with Angel Investigations.
Xander had found a job at a construction firm in LA, he now had a good wage packet and a place to stay. Faith and Anya both stayed with Cordelia for the moment and both had also found jobs, apart from their day jobs each of them also worked with Angel and the rest patrolling and investigating what they could. Xander had become Faith's de-facto watcher once again this time working with Angel and Wesley to train her up to standard.
"I got a phone call from Giles this morning, he has his new apartment sorted and needs us to help him move out."
"Who else knows he's coming here?"
"No-one, once he gets to LA we'll let the others know, but that's about it."
Xander realised that Buffy and Willow would be left very much alone except for White Bread Riley, he didn't hate the guy per say but he as much as anyone believed that Xander was no use in the fight even though he had fought had and long against anything that they could name. How many people had faced down the scourge of Europe and survived, who out of them had faced down over a ticking bomb. He was far from useless and the whole of Angel's gang as well as Anya and Faith had realised what he was capable of.
"When?"
"Tomorrow we get the first shipment of his belongings then two more trips should do it. He says that Buffy and Willow will be away for the weekend so we can do it then."
"Good, Giles deserves to at least be with people who respect who he is and what he does around here. Still maybe we should let the girls know where he is. Much as it sickens me they are still necessary in this fight."
Wesley knew he was right, Buffy was still a slayer and Willow could be useful as a Witch- the two of them may think low of the others and see themselves as all important but everyone else knew it was more the support group they had. Now that team was gone and they would be left alone, however it also seemed to Wesley that Xander had always been the heart of the group, the creator of their teamwork.
Now there was a new team being created every one of the original Scoobies was being replaced by a new one, one again created by Xander with him as the head this time as well as the heart. One slayer, one research genius, one watcher and one normal person. It had surprised him as much as anyone when the young man had requested him to be the watcher for the group. Ever with Xander's own watcher training being started by Giles he had been shocked and very surprised by the man's offer and had joyously accepted. The two of them had become fast friends since that point, Wesley had also increased the détente Angel and Xander had begun until the two had also begun to become friends, everything that had made them enemies came out.
Reasons they had hated each other and more had been brought out, the full stories of that night in the hospital and the 'Night of Acathla' even the bomb under the library was told to all. It had originally started as the three of them talking in the office one evening but by the end of the conversation every one of the gang had appeared as if something had pulled them together.
"Are we doing the right thing Wes."
"You mean leaving Sunnydale and moving to La where you are helping a lost soul with her redemption to life, and a return to full sanity. Giving her a second chance when no other would. Living with those who believe in your skills and care for you more than those back in Sunnydale do." Wesley replied rhetorically
"Stupid question huh."
"Yes, quite so. Xander you and Anya have help Faith a great deal and the help from you and Faith on patrol has made quite an impact in the demon population of this area. You are very welcome here Xander and I know everyone else thinks you're the same and believe it or not you are what holds this group together."
"Thanks Wes."
Snapping back to his usual self Wesley said, "You going to Cordelia's place today?"
"Yep, Faith, Anya and I are training and I have an unfortunate feeling they are gonna drag me shopping."
Wesley blanched, "You poor, poor man."
"Hell yeah, it could be worse."
"Cordelia could be there too." Both men shuddered at that thought. Both had been through Cordelia's shopping trips and Xander knew that Anya could be as bad and he dreaded Faith's thoughts on the subject because of what she might get up to in those changing rooms and he didn't want to get in shit with Anya.
However for Alexander Harris things could did get worse or perhaps better depending on how you see it.
Angel Investigations One hour later
*Damn*
It had got worse, as he and Wesley had approached the offices they had seen the three girls outside laughing and chatting- at this point Xander had realised he was doomed. He found out then not only had Anya and Faith nixed the training for today but Cordelia had decided to come with them, looking at Angel and Wesley they could see the sympathy in their eyes and the barely held smiles in their faces. And only one thought came into his mind.
*REVENGE*
He would get that revenge and good, but how he had no idea how right now but he would get it and, as the Klingons would say.
*Revenge is a dish best served cold*.
*Maybe I'll ask Giles, I'm sure he has a few ideas that I can do to really wind them both up. After all his ripper days may reveal a cruel but harmless and very funny revenge tactic.*
"Well a day in the city with three very beautiful ladies coming up, after you all."
The girls left the room down to Angel's convertible that Xander had borrowed for the day, much against Angel's better judgement.
"I'm officially in hell, shoot me now please."
Xander looked over to the others and Angel threw a small package at him. Inside the envelope was exactly one thousand dollars. Xander started and looked up at Angel, the vampire with a soul just simply nodded and walked into his office, the surprise on Wes' face was a mirror to that on Xander's own, they both simply shrugged and Xander walked out the door.
"So ladies where to today."
"Shopping," they all cried in unison.
Xander shook his shaggy head as he stepped on the accelerator,
This was gonna be a very, very long day.
Inside Angel investigations Soon afterwards
"So with Giles coming to LA and with all the others still here, we will have a larger group than when we started back in Sunnydale. I believe that Sunnydale may become even more of a hotspot than it currently is."
"I agree Angel but with the sole exception of Giles none of the rest of us can even contemplate a return, I suggest we do something to create a series of agents in Sunnydale perhaps a few who can tell us if anything strange is going on if they need help. I'm sure the rest of our little group have friends they can talk to as well as a few demons Giles and yourself could talk to."
Angel sat back, it was a good idea, he already had a few contacts set up in a network throughout LA, it had taken a while but he now knew what big bads were in town and where they were. Buffy and willow would need their help when it came to it, now more than ever, Giles and Xander the real heart and mind of the group and indeed now with their own had left them alone. That was going to be hard on them both maybe it was wrong of them to do what they were doing but there was little choice left but to leave them to their own devices.
*Flashback* Two Days after Xander's arrival in LA Angel's Apartment 11am
For two days Xander had slept, the full flood of his emotions had ripped through him like a waterfall tearing away his inner walls and the defences that had been built over so many years had crashed down and been ripped away by the flood. Each member of the group, Cordelia, Angel, Wesley, Faith and Anya had taken turns to watch over him the girls sometimes curling up next to him or around him to hold him down while he thrashed around in the depths of Morpheus' realm.
Anya should have seemed very jealous and maybe even a little scared about Faith's attachment to Xander and the way both she and Cordelia would wrap themselves around Xander to keep him calm and relaxed. Strangely enough though she was not in the slightest bit worried about it. For the entire time she had returned to humanity she had been out of place and out of time, and as the old song had gone Xander had 'Picked her up, turned her around and turned her into someone new.'
For two days she had stayed near him, only leaving when the others forced her into a bed they had set up across the room. She slept and ate but did little else while Xander was comatose, she had for lack of a better word shut down. She really loved the man more than she believed she could have, he had given up everything for his friends even fought alongside them while she herself had run away from the fight. He had been a great man as far as the stories went even those who had scorned him for years had told her that he had pulled them together and made the fight for what meant the most to them, their homes and their families and each other no matter who they were, from Cordelia and Harmony the school In group to Jonathan the walked upon geek. All agreed he had kept them alive and fighting throughout that day.
Now he followed his ethics and his heart once more, she knew of his dalliance with Faith from a year ago and did not worry about it as most would. Xander had followed what he believed to be right and decent when it came to Faith- granted she had fallen to the forces of darkness and come under the thrall of the mayor but like many who had been in her place power could be seductive and consuming, the power of a slayer is close to that of the ancient gods. That power had seduced Faith and made her seem like she could never be hurt, he belief that she was better than anyone had distanced her from what she had done from her inadvertent killing of the deputy mayor to her framing of Buffy and later her body swapping.
It had hurt her more than she could ever have believed and Anya knew so much of that, for a thousand years she had served the dark side as a vengeance demon doing things that would make old Hera blush and she was well known to be vindictive. He own fall to the dark powers had lasted so long she had forgotten everything about being human, once she had returned to the human she had once been she had needed help. So she could easily identify with the hell that Faith was now going through, too often Anya had woken in the middle of the night screaming as all she had done over the years.
So now she was there to help another who had been so harmed by her choices, Giles had been right to send her to help Faith as much as she could a human that had to face her past and the wrong that she had caused for so many people. She may have been human but Anya knew more about pain and suffering than even Angel could have imagined and now she had to use her strength to help Faith to overcome the darkness and find a way back to them all.
Xander on the other hand had come of his own free will to help Faith through her redemption, he had no real reason to even come here at all. His life in Sunnydale may not have been the greatest there could be, he has a job somewhere to live helped look after the town and wit just a little ego, she was there too. His entire life had centred around Willow and Buffy and his willingness to sacrifice all in the name of their friendship and the people he had sworn to protect.
However so much had changed for him that he now realised that he had been pushed out of the loop again and he had been left behind, with that knowledge and the knowledge that no matter who or what you are you deserve a chance to make things right. It was that belief that had allowed him to defy all the rest and to help a fallen slayer return to the light.
Now his own healing would be necessary as well as Faith's and indeed her own different types of healing, the whole of the group had so many problems and bottled up emotions that a lot of work would be needed to keep them going. They would be there for each other as long as they were needed, she loved Xander very much and would stay there to be with him as much as she could, Xander would not be leaving anytime soon mainly because he knew he was no longer welcome in Sunnydale and Faith would need him here with her as far away from that bitch Buffy as she could get.
Xander would be one of the few people around them that would be wholeheartedly trusted by the rest not one person out of them all will turn their back on him ever again, there would be no reason to. He was more than willing to put himself on the line again and again to save them all, not one person was ever abandoned by him without reason- that much was sure once and forever. He was unwilling to abandon Anya when she needed him and would not leave Faith now she needed him more than ever even after all she had done to him over her time in Sunnydale.
She didn't know his mindset about leaving Buffy and Willow, no matter what they had done they had been his world for a very long time even before they started fighting the forces of evil Willow and Xander had been friends- she also knew that he would feel really unfortunate once he lost Willow. He still blamed himself for the loss of Jesse that way- but he may not feel so much self hatred because it was much more Willow's fault that anything Xander had ever done.
Anya had come to realise much over the last few months, that unlike the others Xander had grow up faster than they had he still had his comedy persona but there was a maturity that probably exceeded all but Giles. That part of Xander came out rarely but she is quite sure she had seen it a few times more than others, he was more than capable of being an adult but for the years he had been through the fights and the constant danger he had never let anyone see that part of him.
More and more recently she and Giles as well had seen that his reasons for staying had nothing to do with the selfish need many others may have had for staying, he may originally stayed to be close to Buffy as he had been very much in love with her for three years. That would have been selfish originally but for the fact he was needed as much as anyone to keep the rest in line and to keep them alive.
That changed so much over the last year- he didn't stay around because he needed to, he stayed because he wanted to. But that want had waned severely since he had returned from his road trip He may have still be the joker but something in him had grown, Xander was now more than he had been and Anya believed that it was possible the time he had been able to dwell on the graduation ceremony had made him think much more than he had before.
He had been a leader that day something he had not done very often when Buffy was around, when he had had to do it during a Summer a few years ago when Buffy had run away he had only had to watch over three of four people and kept them alive. He also admitted he did have Giles helping him, that day however he had led fifty students in a fight for their lives and the lives of all Sunnydale against a demon of massive power and miscellaneous vampires. Many had died that day and Xander blamed himself for those deaths he sometimes believes he should have done more to save those who had dies, the same way he believes he should have saved Jesse or stopped Faith falling.
These were all ridiculous ad many of them know he did all he could but that thought still haunts him to this day, the lack of belief in himself and his abilities were atypical of his behaviour across the board. Self hatred and his constant ridicule from all corners had hurt him so much over the years that when he does do something right he always believes he could have done more to save people or help others- it doesn't help that no-one had ever known about his real bravery and his capability to save his friends.
So know she sat here next to his bed watching over him like he had done so many times to his friends, it should have been one of them doing this too not just people he had known for a few years but the two people his entire life had wrapped around. But he had left them and all he knew behind three days ago and for the moment there was no going back and no way for him to repair what had happened. Anya didn't believe he would even if he could, Buffy had all but turned against those who had been defiant of her. An arrogance even Anya had never contemplated filled Buffy's mind making her believe she could never be wrong and she was always the one that was right.
The power of the Slayer may have magnified that but it was purely Buffy Summers that had that egotism that was driving a wedge in the forces that had always helped her, that ego had been strong enough to drive her closest allies away from her with a speed that was unlike any she had encountered before. Xander had loved Buffy Anya was very sure of that but her superior attitude had shattered Xander more and more even after all he had done, even enough to keep her going after getting are arse whipped by a Vampire. That love had been strong and for the time she had known him she had felt that love and the light that burned so bright from it but slowly, ever so slowly it had begun to fade like a candle in a sunrise.
Then one day it had gone he still felt love as a friend but the wholehearted love he had had for Buffy had left him, and now even that little chance of the spark that she had seen that threatened to pull a flame from the depths had finally flickered and died. All the strength and power he had from his time with his friends had dulled more and more until there was nothing and he had been a hollow shell inside. It would take more than she had to fill that gap he had and he didn't know what to do for him, for not the first time she was at a complete loss.
LA City Centre A mall somewhere Inside Victoria's Secret About 7 hours later
Xander was not the most comfortable man at this point in time, the women in his life were all trying on different pieces in the store. Now most men would love this and Xander was no exception. He was just nervous about what could happen. Xander just stared blankly as he waited for theb girls to finish in the changing room. The curtains opened all at once and first out stepped Anya and his head stopped, Cordy emerged from the next changing room and his brain left his body, finally faith walked out and all the blood in his body had centred in his underareas.
They all looked incredible, Anya was in a very small blue baby doll nighty with long blue stockings showing her perfect legs and very tight arse. Xander stared at her and felt his trousers get very tight.
Cordy stood in a red and black Basque that pushed her breasts up and in enhancing here already incredible cleavage She turned and bent over pretending to pick something up showing her rear end and legs even Faith was surprised at her audacity. Xander's eyes were almost popping out of his sockets and that's when he saw Faith and his brain turned to mush.
As a contrast to all he knew of her and the darkness of her eyes and hair she stood in a white bra and panty set, white stockings and garters and to top it off and long diaphanous white robe that covered her down to her thighs. All three knew the effect they were having on the young man and he looked as if he was ready to have a heart attack and so returned to their changing rooms to let him calm down.
"Damn man I can't believe you have that much luck."
Spinning around at the familiar voice he almost fell over as his usual lack of grace prompted an overbalance. In front of him with for once undyed hair and wearing a suit like attire stood his old friend and former scooby Daniel Osborne. A massive grin bigger than any he had given anyone since leaving Sunnydale appeared on his face, It was good to see the wolfman again especially after the last few weeks.
"Oz what are you doing here."
"Working."
Succinct as always.
"That looked like Cordy and Anya I get that but was that Faith."
"Yep."
Xander gave Oz a condensed version of the story of what had been going on both in Sunnydale and in LA, only leaving out that Giles would be leaving Sunnydale too. Oz agreed with what had been happening in Sunnydale and that it had been a good idea to leave for a while. As they were talking the girls came out of their rooms surprised at least to see Oz. Faith was a little wary of the warewolf, as one of her nastiest moments she had threatened to kill Willow, however Oz seemed to take it all in his stride.
"Hello Oz."
"Faith. Cordelia. Anya." He nodded to each in turn.
"Well ladies have you decided what your getting."
"Yes, including a few things for us to see in private." Said Anya huskily, that sent the remaining dregs of blood right down again. Giggling the girls went off to pay for their purchases with some of the money Xander had been given by Angel. His mind was still whirling after the show he had been through. "You have all the luck man, all the luck." Oz said with a hint of comedy in his voice.
This was going to be a very strange day.
Once out of the shop they all clambered back into the car, Xander passed an address card to Oz and asked him to come round to their offices once work had finished. He agreed and within a minute they had left and Oz had returned to work. They continued the drive with Anya and Cordelia talking and giggling comparing clothes and thoughts on stuff that did not interest Xander or Faith at all. So they sat there in companionable silence thinking about how things had changed for them all. Faith still found it hard to believe that Xander had given her such a chance and that brought a smile to her face- a smile that had not seen the light of day for many years, her eyes drifted off to sleep and her dreams began.
*Flashback* Two Days after Xander's arrival in LA Angel's Apartment 12pm
Standing across the room in the doorway to the apartment stood the raven- haired slayer that they had all gathered to help. Well originally anyway, now it seemed two of them would be helped by all, she herself and the dark haired young man in the bed.
*Xander Harris.* he started to think. *Why do this for me, why distance yourself from those you had. Why leave them all to help me*
More and more for two days Faith Williams had thought about the young man that had come after her all the way to LA, he had arrived bare hours before Buffy had but that had been enough for her, without his presence Faith may have totally lost the plot and fought back just to get away maybe even killing once again. That was one thing she never wanted to do again, kill a human it was too heart wrenching to go through.
She had heard a small exchange between Angel and Wesley a day ago, Xander had believed she had some kind of mental illness. So she was more than ready to run if they had decided she was going to be moved to a hospital for mental patients, then she heard the rest and identified it with a TV program she had seen about it- PTS. She had met others on the road mostly old Vietnam vets that had seen it in others that had come back from the war, they were never the same after that- the demon hunter and the Watcher had agreed to keeping all of the newcomers with them until they were forced elsewhere by circumstances.
So now she stood here waiting for the only man in her life to make her feel like she was worth anything to wake up or failing that to take Anya's place by his bedside. She already realised she loved the boy but much as she did she could see it in the other girls eyes that she loved him more than Faith ever could. Somehow the young man could get under your skin and stay there keeping hold of part of you and of your heart, making you feel like you were important to someone and you were worth more than you ever thought you could be.
The hostile intent that was so obvious from many people's reactions to her presence were now painful but distant memories thanks to this young man, the one that had finally and painfully wormed his way into her life over the last few days she had been around him. It was a sharp pain buried so far into her to see her saviour in such a condition, knowing she was the one that had been responsible for putting him in it, even with Anya and Angel telling her otherwise. That he wouldn't have done what he did unless he believed in the person he had helped, none of it would get through into her mind until she heard them from Xander himself.
Anya looked up as she realised Faith was watching them, smiling at the dark haired girl and motioned her new friend into the room and to the chair the other side of the bed from her to allow the slayer to watch over Xander as she also did. For the two days they had known each other they had talked for a long while, about their various time on the dark side of the fight and how they had been brought back by those that felt they should have that chance. Mainly the two people that should have had so much reason to fear and loath them Angel and Xander, Faith found it quite strange to have been brought back by the two long time nemeses working together to help her and more that that hatred had dissipated into a working relationship that they had never had before.
Both the women had realised long ago that the whole reason that the two men had been at odds was one person: Buffy Summers, for several years she had had both of them wrapped around her little finger. Fortunately over time the spell she had around them had faded and so recently stopped altogether, piece by piece Xander had been able to move on from her as had Angel, so now both had literally abandoned her to her own fate and that fate was to be hers alone. That would be the price she would have to pay for her selfish ways and self-righteous behaviour that had hurt so many of those who had once proclaimed to being her friends. It was something she well deserved and it would hurt her very seriously, but Faith and Anya found it nigh on impossible to feel any sort of sadness or fear for the young woman.
Now Anya studied the face of the young slayer in front of her, like the rest she knew of the circumstances and of what had happened to Faith. How she had fallen and hurt all those who had tried to help her gain and again, Angel had told her what had happened to Xander as Faith had tried to kill him by strangulation. The poison that had almost killed Angel, threatening Willow, more recently the torture of Wesley and how she had again tried to kill the rest of them. However even after what she had seen during her life Anya could no longer see that type of person in Faith, whatever had been in there that had forced her hand no longer seemed to be there all that remained was a tired scared woman with little hope and only a few people to count on. She would be okay if they helped her and help her they all would, the woman deserved more of a chance than she had ever been given by anyone and they had all seen that in her- the pain and suffering she had been through as much as anyone ever had.
"He's bigger." Faith whispered.
"What do you mean?"
For the first time Faith was embarrassed by her outburst, she smiled a little and responded quietly.
"He's a lot bigger than I remember I mean he was never a small build but he's a lot bigger now, I suppose that's because of his fighting and stuff."
"That's not the only part that's bigger." Anya replies slyly to which Faith giggles a little.
"I heard that you dirty little madams."
Xander's eyes were still closed but a grin was starting to form on his face, his eyes opened and he looked at Anya and then Faith.
"Damn two beautiful women looking over me while I'm in bed this day's getting better every time I open my eyes."
Both girls looked shocked to hear his voice so casual like, that didn't stop them from jumping on the bed and hugging him like women possessed- which for all intents and purposes they were. Both held on for dear life to the man that they both loved as much s anyone they had ever known, Both held on for dear life to the man that they both loved as much s anyone they had ever known, to Anya he was the man who had given her humanity and the freedom to have a life again and to Faith he was the only man to see her for who she was and not a piece of meat or a toy to throw away.
Xander on the other hand was more than a little surprised by the reactions of the two women that had suddenly jumped on him and had death grips on him. Not that it wasn't enjoyable but he was a little confused as to what was going on, the last thing he remembers is running through the street after talking to the Angel gang. Why Anya was here he didn't know but he did remember all that had happened during that day. The way that he would now be unwelcome in his home and with the people he had helped and looked after for so long- and all for a woman who had tried to kill them all. But she was someone who deserved a chance at making all things right for her again.
"Hey it's okay, I'm fine a little groggy but ok. What's going on."
Anya sniffled a little. "You have been asleep for almost two days Xander, We were worried you weren't going to come out of it at all. I didn't want to leave you until you woke up."
"She hasn't either." Faith said as she sat up gripping one of his large hands in her two smaller ones. "She's not left the offices since she arrived, she stayed watching over you just as much as the rest of us have, none of us wanted you to wake up alone so we stayed here for you."
Xander squeezed the hands of both the women sitting next to him, looking at one and then the other very surprised at the thought that the two women would be so worried for him that they would spend so long watching over someone like him. But he could see in their eyes that this was really the case, their eyes were totally open unlike any other time he would have looked into their eyes, he could see right into the souls of the two women and the tortures that ripped through their psyches haunting their days for so long.
For the first time he allowed every defence he had ever built into his mind to collapse and let them see all the way into the depths of who he really was. From the surface of the wisecracking fun guy he had always shown, past the fighter and sometimes lover that he had allowed others to see. Through the layers of rubbish and collection of layers that had been there as a defence against others seeing into his mind or through his eyes as he was doing to them. He finally opened the last parts of his defences, that which held every single time he had been told he was useless, the times he had been pushed away. But most of all the part of him that held his inner strengths and fortitude that had allowed him to face down so much in his life from bullies up to and including Angelus.
As the final barriers opened his looked directly into the eyes of both women allowing them to finally see who Alexander Lavelle Harris really was- the first in his life to really see him for who he was and why he was the way he was. To his surprise neither recoiled or backed away, they only held onto him tighter than before enough for him to know that they had seen it and would not be repelled by it. Anya began sobbing with combined joy and sorrow as she realised what was to come and that she would not be alone anymore, same as Faith whom realised that she was not the only in need to healing and redemption.
As for Xander, he loved them both enough to realise he could no longer keep himself bottled up and alone the way he had done and it would be these women and his other friends here in LA that would be the people who would see the changes and who he would become. But for now however he would be content to rest and know he was in good hands- with the two women whom now meant more to him than anyone had ever done. Two women whom had replaced and filled the part of his heart that had been hollow for so many years.
Back in Angel's Car Ten minutes later.
Xander was concentrating on the road, although it was early evening it was just after the rush hour would have hit LA so there were still a few cars on the road but not too many. Looking in the rear view mirror he could see the two in the back flicking through magazines in silence while Faith had fallen asleep n the front seat. A smile appeared on his face- he still found it strange to be the guardian of these women, in more ways than one.
Over the years he had watched and cared for every woman in his life be they best friends, lovers or even casual friends or people that he barely knew. Buffy- he had fought alongside and protected from those who meant her harm, Willow, his oldest friend her had watched over so often to make sure she was never hurt. Cordelia- he had messed up right royally there but was never able to see her alone and was always willing to help her if she needed it.
Now the most recent Anya and Faith, both had much in common, both had fallen to the dark side and fought against those that tried to stop them be they human or demon. But he had managed to get through to them both and had repeatedly fought against his friends to give them a chance. Now he would keep his promise to both that he would always be there for them no matter what happened.
Anya had told him about Giles' wish to train him as Faith's watcher, as he was the person she really did trust the most, he was honoured to be chosen for that duty. But for now he was happy enough to watch over her as a friend, with help from Anya and Cordelia among others he knew he would be able to handle her well maybe even back to being a full slayer.
For now though they would have to take it all step by step, looking again he saw the others had fallen asleep curled up in the back seat of the car. The smile deepened and became a full grin as he thought now how much his life had changed and the way that he was needed and respected, a hell of a lot more than he had even been welcome in Sunnydale. There he had always been the one in the way, the one usually unneeded or unwanted, hell even during those few times he had done things right he had never been fully respected for it.
Now he was, the gang here knew of all his exploits and how and why he had done what he had to, for a long time even he hadn't known really why he was fighting against the darkness and then it hit him rather like the railing had. He was unable not to, for years he had heard stories or seen things- people that just let others get hurt even after hearing the screams. He was not willing to do that, the first time he got involved was years before he met Buffy. A plump blond girl was being attacked by two men- he had grabbed a long pole from some rubbish and hit one across the head with it, at the same time the girl had kicked the other man in the gonads. He had grabbed her had and run as fast as he could dragging her along. That had been the first time he had met Amy Madison.
He had fought normal people, helping some against bullies or those who just wanted to cause pain, mostly just those at school but sometimes those outside. Then came the slayer, with that a whole new approach to his fight against the forces that would pray on innocents, like when he fought normal people he would fight Vampires and demons. Why? Put simply he couldn't not fight them, going away and burying your head in the sand is so easy and unlike how many saw him going the easy way is not the way he is.
He had no destiny, no real reason to keep fighting but he continued anyway- human tenacity can be as strong as any demon or godlike power, and his own was far stronger than anyone had ever believed. He fought because he had to, there was no way for him to go back to being Xander Harris, class clown and Friend to those oppressed by the 'In' crowd, he could have been one of those type easily if her had tried but refused them after making friends with two shy and unassuming people.
Willow and Jesse.
They were the other reason he had kept fighting all those years, the first few day they had met Buffy Jesse had been killed and Willow had been in serious danger. She at that time had no real powers, his strength and size advantage allowed him to help look after her, he was damned if he was willing to let her go the same way he lost Jesse. So he fought and fought so much more than many others ever had, but in the end had lost Willow to her own selfishness and insecurities about him.
Now he had a new chance at stopping the evils of the world, through the help he was to give the people there in LA. The people that would not push him away or ridicule his efforts and most of all not leave him alone like so many others had, it had really hurt when he had been virtually removed from the fight, it was as if he was totally unnecessary to them now. With the arrival of Riley to their group with his military training and access to military hardware etc, Xander now felt so totally useless that he had believed it himself. Well almost.
When Faith had reappeared after so long he had realised his reason to fight was not gone but just shifted to a different type of fight, one to save the soul of a woman whom had never been given a chance by anyone before much like himself. Looking back at her sleeping frame he could see in her the same thing he had seen those times he had watched Buffy over the years, she looked happy and the emotional scars, fear and resigned look they both had was gone. In it's place was a very beautiful and serene looking woman. A inner peace and beauty unsurpassed by any awakened person in history, he now knew he had to keep that there for them, no evil not pain or suffering just peace and contentment, caring and love that only true friends could ever give.
The love and caring he would give her- until the day they parted.
"What's that smile for?" A voice asked from the seat next to him.
He watched as Faith slowly sat up and stretched languorously hiking he midriff cut top up further and rippling the muscles down her curves, running her hand through her hair she grinned mischievously. She had him again and she knew that, maybe a few weeks ago she would have grabbed him and rode him then and there, but something had happened that had changed that part of who she was.
She had friends, Anya and Xander had taken her in and been friends to her unlike she had ever known, she still believed she loved the tall dark man but could not bring herself to hurt either of them by trying to lay Xander. She had already taken him once and had regretted the way she had treated him ever since she had come back from the dark place she had been for so long. If she had stayed with him that night maybe she would have stayed with the white hats enough to muddle through and not try to kill anyone.
"Careful Xander, your other half may get jealous."
Xander blushed and grinned at the dark haired slayer, she smiled back and giggled- a good sound to hear from her, Xander's humour had rubbed off on faith enough for her to be able to make jokes and play around without hurting anyone. Her now infamous carving of a tiny cross into Angel's chair was hilarious, he had sat down on it and it had taken him several minutes before he had realised his arse was on fire. He had run around the office looking for the fire extinguisher with everyone in the room staring or laughing their heads off.
It took a matter of seconds for Angel to realise who had done it, but had taken it in it's intended joking role. Xander had fixed the chair and Angel had got on with his work. To this day Xander is sure he had seen the vampire smiling and every so often laughing at what had happened. Proving he wasn't just the brooding pain in the ass he had always seemed to be.
"Down Girl or I may have to tie you down."
"Promises will get you everywhere."
A third voice interrupted. "Sorry but I'm the only one who's getting tied down around here." A laugh and a pair of arms snaking around his neck signalled Anya was awake now. Winking at Faith she continued. "Although maybe we can sort something out including you Faith."
Xander's mind blanked as he concentrated on the road, his mind now in overdrive as all the images that one sentence brought forth came into his mind. Looking at him Anya and then faith waved their hand in front of his face trying to bring him out of his stupor before he had an accident. One turned to the other as both said.
"I think we broke him."
