Author:
MagnusXXN
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: BTVS doesn't belong to me, it's
Joss Whendon's baby as is Angel. I don't own Charmed or the concept
of witches or demons, I'm pretty sure that belongs to the church. I
just own this story but I don't have any money so sue someone else.
A Wizard by any other name.
Xander hated being made to feel useless.
Hated being the odd man out, the fifth wheel when it came to his friends. He hadn't felt like this last year, when everything was so screwed up. Jenny's death, Angelus's free, Buffy taking off.
Or the year before that when his world went and turned 360 degrees. When one day out of the blue, a hot little blond showed up in his school and would forever change his life.
But that was then, and this was now. And right now Xander felt like a Zeppo.
Whatever un-written rule the Scooby's had about pointing out his uselessness was forgotten. When he cheated on Cordelia, he didn't just lose a girlfriend.
He lost his best friend, who wouldn't...or more accurately 'couldn't treat him as she once did. The fluke put their friendship in a funk.
Oz didn't trust her, and sure as shit didn't trust him. So they're easy relationship had been nixed to something more sedated and uncomfortable.
Buffy was to busy to be their for him, with Faith changing sides and the mayor planning their slaughter, his slayer pal and her petite hands full.
However, it was more then just not having anyone to talk to anymore. It was the general feel of the Scoobies these days.
His friends thought they needed to protect him because he didn't have any special training or super powers. That he was in constant danger being around them.
So they decided the best way to protect him was to keep their distance, and restrict his help in the group to solely doing research.
The night Xander got into a fight with Jimmy O'Tool and his marry band on undead had made him feel good. Damn good, had proven to himself if no one else that he wasn't useless.
Now all he needed to do was convince the others.
Which was why he was roaming one of Sunnydale's 11 graveyards in search of Buffy and Angel. The latest monster of the week was causing trouble in town around the Bronze, and they needed the duo their pronto.
This wasn't what he had in mind as far as convincing them, though. Being the go-to guy wasn't really a step up from research monkey or doughnut boy.
And on his birthday no less.
It would have been nice if someone, anyone, had remembered. His friends, Willow, hell his goddamn parents. 18 was a big number, and a party wasn't too much to ask for, right?
But no party for Xander, instead he got to walk the eerie pathways of a graveyard at 9:16pm.
"Damn it." He cursed as he rubbed his hands together. The palms of his hands had been feeling weird all night, and the tips of his fingers had been practically numb.
Like when your a little kid and you stick a penny into a light switch.? That zapped feeling. Like electricity was banging around between his fingers.
It hurt like hell, and his eyes weren't exactly at their best either. Itching, "Shit, all I need is to come down with pink eye. Ya, that'll make me mister popular for sure." He ranted sarcastically.
