Title: Calming the Beast

Rating: R

Chapter:4

Author:White Werewolf

Category:Buffy/Xander

Spoiler:Takes off from "The Wish." Then it hit's AU.

Disclaimer:I don't own anything, but the ideas, my computer, and my website: http: makes a wish that traumatizes Xander, and he becomes something far from human.

Author Notes:This idea came from Mac's Defender of the Night. It's also my way to do a Halloween fic, but not do the challenge. Hopefully, this turns out good.

Dedication:Merlin

-

Giles stated, "A lot of questions are going to be had answered. For instance, I don't think your parents are going to be easily accepting of your new body."

Buffy asked, "Then what are we going to do? Xander can't stay here at the library."

Willow suggested, "He could try living with Angel."

He shook his head, "Not gonna happen."

"Xander, we know you dislike Angel. We don't have any other answers at the moment." Giles said.

"I'd offer you to stay at my house, Xan. But my Mom will have a heart attack when she sees you." Buffy said honestly.

She would love him to stay at the house with her, but with him that size, the house couldn't survive. If Xander easily broke one of the library chairs, he could easily break furniture at her house.

Going over to him, she took his hand, and said, "I know you don't like him, Xander. And I respect that. But he has a mansion. And a lot of space. I'm sure he won't mind if you'd stay."

He sighed, "Buff, it's not that. I hate him, he hates me."

She flashed him a set of her puppy dog eyes. "Please, Xander. I want you to be safe."

His head automatically went face down. "Dammit. Why'd you have to do the eyes, Buff?"

She grinned, "Because I knew it would work."

He got up, "But if he goes all Angelus again, and if he angers me. Don't hold me responsible for my actions."

Nodding, "I know, Xan. We're going to have to work on that temper of yours."

Rolling his eyes, he said, "Fine. But it's going to take some work."

Glancing at the clock, it read, 3:00. "Well, I'm stuck here for another four hours. Great. What am I going to do?"

Willow suggested, "We could get some comics for you. Buffy and I want to read your old Ninja Turtle comics anyway."

Without thinking he said, "Sure no prob."

A moment paused.

His eyes widened, "No. You can't."

"Why?" Buffy asked.

He grinned slightly, "Because, Buffy. My house is being fumigated. Going inside will only make you sick."

"Oh," she said with realization.

Willow got an idea. "We can send in Angel. He doesn't breath. He could just walk in and get it."

Shaking his head, "I refuse to let Angel have permission into getting into my house."

Anger started to erupt within him. His eyes narrowed. "I don't want him there!"

Giles grabbed the rifle and aimed it at Xander.

Grabbing Buffy and Willow by their arms. He lifted them off the ground so they were eye-to-eye with him. "Deadboy isn't allowed inside!"

Buffy said calmly, "Xander, calm down. Please."

Willow nodded, "We won't send Angel inside."

His inner anger calmed down. "Sorry, about that."

Giles brought his rifle down.

Lowering his friends down, he glanced around, "Where's Cordelia?"

Buffy said, "We sent her to get the pendent. Giles is going to research it, and see if there's someway to turn you back."

He smiled, "So there's a chance to become me again?"

Willow nodded, "We hope."

Suddenly, Xander remembered something. "Did you guys figure out how I turned into Leatherhead?"

Buffy, Willow, and Giles looked at each other. Willow nodded slowly.

"We'll tell you, Xand." Buffy said. "But please, stay calm."

"I'll try. I'll keep an open mind."

Willow said, "Cordelia made a wish to a demon that would turn you into a comic book character. A monster no less."

Picking up the mirror again that was left on the table, he looked at himself, "So, I became Leatherhead because Cordy made a wish?"

Giles nodded, "That she did, Xander. We sent her to get the pendent because we didn't want you to get upset again. You see, it was Willow who informed us on who you became."

Xander looked at his eldest friend, "You remembered my Ninja Turtle comics?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

"How long will it take your house to be cleaned?" Buffy asked.

He guessed, "A few days. Just this weekend."

That should buy enough time for them to stay away from the house. But for how long? Sighing to himself, he knew that they would find out eventually. Not living at his house would be easily fixed with staying at Deadboy's. But what about his stuff on the lawn?

His house was on the way to Buffy's. She walked by it every night while on patrol. She would surely notice his things.

He had to tell the truth.

"I lied."

Willow looked confused, "About what?"

"My house isn't being fumigated."

Buffy asked, "It isn't?"

Xander knelt down so he could be the same height as Buffy and Willow. "I want to tell you something. But, please. Don't get too upset. You get upset, and then I'd get upset. Then this whole library will be torn down."

Buffy questioned, "What's the problem?"

Xander sighed, "My parents kicked me out. All my stuff's on the lawn."

"You're parents kicked you out, Xander?" Giles asked his young friend.

He nodded, "Yeah. That's why I was upset this morning. They're ashamed of me."

"Why would they be ashamed of you?" Buffy asked.

Xander gave her a look that sent chills down her spine. True, it wasn't a Xander natural look, well because it wasn't Xander she was looking at. But she could tell there was something more troubling going on.

Shaking his head, "Nevermind. I don't want to talk about it."

He got up and started to walk toward the cage.

"Xander." Buffy called out to him. "What's going on? You were about to say something, and now you don't want to."

He turned to face her, "It's not easy to talk about."

"You know you can tell us." Willow said.

Xander nodded, "I know. But it's hard."

"Xander," Giles began, "If your parents are mistreating you, it's a very good idea to tell someone."

Nodding, he started, "Well, it's like this…"

-

TBC