Author: Charlie Timeline: Post BtVS S7 & AtS S5. Sequel to "Best Laid Plans" and "A Fair Exchange.
Summary: The face we see isn't always the one that is visible?
Feedback: Coin of the realm.
Author Notes: Round and round, the ship goes. Where it lands, the Author doesn't know. Will it be (A)my, (B)uffy, (C)ordelia, (D)awn, (F)aith, (F)red, (H)armony, (K)ennedy or (W)illow that wins the Xandman? Vote now.
"H-hi Xander."
Andrew did his best to act nonchalant as he watched the one-eyed man to face him. Xander appeared to study him closely for a minute before smiling. The former Trio member smiled in return while inside his stomach was doing flip-flops.
"Hey Andrew. What are you doing here?"
"Oh nothing. Just wanted to drop by and say hi, so 'hi'. Ummm... What are you doing?"
"Just thinking about how people never really change, only grow. I mean take Faith for instance, she went from The Mayor to Angel to Wood, none of them are really that different, just little less creepy then the previous one."
"Robin's a good guy."
"Sure he is. Buffy thought he was such a good guy she was going to let Spike eat him. Maybe she got 'good' confused with 'tasty' again. There is no such thing as a 'good' vamp only 'staked' and 'unstaked'."
Andrew blinked, swallowing hard before responding, "Spike and Angel have saved the world with their courage."
"Courage?" Xander arose from the recliner he was sitting in and stood facing the younger man, "You call that courage? Deadboy was so courageous he was willing to let Buffy die because he was scared. Only after he got into her pants did he show some balls. Same thing with Spike, I guess of the power of Buffy is fucking her makes you brave. Kind of appropriate when you think about it."
He moved closer to the smaller man, "No Andrew, you want to know what Courage is? Courage is standing up to your old man, knowing he's going to beat your ass until it's so bruised you can't sit down. Courage is telling your mom that you poured her beer down the sink then feeling the sting of a belt on your back. That's what courage is, the rest is all fluff. Crap any idiot can do."
"But what about saving the world?" Andrew whimpered.
"I've saved the world Andrew, more times then anyone knows. I took down the zombie gang of Jack O'Toole. While everyone else was busy fighting the Sisterhood of Jhe in the Library, I was in the Boiler room with Jack staring as the last few seconds ticked away on a bomb that would have blown us all to bits."
The Library
Willow was pale as she and the others listened to Xander speak.
"Shit, I knew he was up to something tooling around in that ride after dark. Fuck."
"Faith."
Angel said nothing he merely watched the speaker in silence.
Cleveland
The off duty police sergeant watched as two fairly expensive luxury cars illegally cut across several parking lots and in one case, tore the bumper of one sedan. He smirked tiredly as he pulled up behind the cars. As he exited his jeep, he noted that the occupants of either car had yet to move.
"All right folks, get out of the cars and let's see some id's."
The doors on the second car opened and out stepped a handsome man, dressed in all white designer looking clothing. The handsome man smiled at the rent a cop as the first car opened it's doors and out stepped what the cop could only call a blue monster with green streaks on it's face. The creature's gaze set chills running thru his body. It turned, raising it's clawed hands up and released a blast of yellowish-white energy at a young man. As the bolt struck him, he didn't even have time to scream before he was consumed by it and reduced to ashes.
Years of training kicked in as the sergeant drew his sidearm and pointed at the man in white's head. He instinctively released the safety as he centered his sights between the man's eyes.
"FREEZE. Don't move."
The man smiled and took a step towards him, acting so on reflex the sergeant squeezed off a round. The man's hand and arm reacted so fast all he was a blur. The sergeant's eyes widened as he realized the impossible had happened and the man had caught the bullet between his fingers.
"Interesting..."
The man's voice crystallized the fear in his stomach. And his smile struck him cold, then the man's wrist snapped around, as his hand seemed to flick something. The sergeant didn't even realize he was dead as the bullet bored into his skull and killed him instantly.
Mr. Thomas laughed as he watched the human die, then turned his gaze to his latest creation, "Burn them all."
Crestview
"Don't shake now Andrew. It's far too late for that. I know why you're here, I know you're wearing a wire, I smelled it on you, and the second you walked in."
The former geek opened his mouth to refute that but the cold look in Xander's eye stopped him. "Yeah, that's right. I know about you and Tucker or at least what happened to Tucker. You remember don't you Andy? When Tucker came home that one night? Or at least the demon wearing Tucker's face came home. You remember what happened, don't you?"
"Y-yes."
"You remember the screams... and who saved you?"
"Jonathan did."
"Yeah, good old Jonathan. The man you murdered in cold blood was the man who saved your pathetic life. I betcha that feels real good when you sleep at night."
"You said I was a Max Mercury."
"I lied. You're more like a Caliban, a former murderer turned hero. Nobody really trusted him and the smart ones were counting down the days until he turned on them. Again."
The Library
Willow sat back in her chair, trembling over what she had heard. Right now she was trying to decide what was more shocking, Xander's confession or his exposure of Andrew. Try as she might, the witch knew her former lifelong crush was not lying on either count. The sound of books dropping to the floor drew her attention and she looked up to see Dawn and Buffy in the room. The look on the younger Summer's face as she listened to Xander's voice over the speaker was one of pure shock and horror.
"I-I..." Dawn's jaw worked as she tried to form a coherent sentence.
Just then Harmony burst into the library. "Guys there is something horrible going on at the North Mall.
North Mall, East Parking Lot
'Mr. Thomas' watched in delight as the death and destruction spread across the parking lot. He watched as the 'new and improved' Judge incinerated whole families, lone individuals, and even family pets. Behind him several cars burned and with the increasing heat, more threatened to. A movement at the far end of the lot attracted his attention and several familiar faces emerged from a van.
"Oh this should be interesting."
North Mall
"I can't believe it's really him. All put back together again."
"Believe it Will. And this time we don't have a Rocket Launcher handy."
Buffy hefted her scythe, "but we do have this and magic."
"Buffy I don't know if I can hurt him. My magic...I don't know..."
"Don't worry Red," Faith hefted the high powered rifle in her hands, "We got this."
A familiar voice issued forth from inside the van.
"That's not gonna be enough."
The three women turned back to see Xander emerge with a cocky grin on his face. "That's gonna do jack shit to him Faith."
"Yeah, well never hurts to give it a try." She turned her back on him and walked away. Buffy tried to ignore them as she got Willow's attention, "Okay so if you're not sure about an attacking spell, how about something to help me? You something that can hide me, close enough to use this."
Xander watched as the two women conferred before the blonde walked off in the direction of The Judge. Behind him Angel watched him from the driver's seat.
Across the parking lot
The Judge continued his path of destruction when he felt a stinging pain flash through his back. He turned around in time to be stabbed in the chest with the scythe by Buffy. The ancient demon roared in pain before grabbing the weapon and yanking it from his chest. Showing no emotion he flung the weapon to the ground and stared at the girl before him.
"I don't understand. That weapon was designed to kill true demons. It should have worked."
"No weapon forged can harm me girl."
He took a step towards the girl, raising his hands towards her as yellowish light encircled his hands again. There was the report of a rifle and the judge's shoulder reacted as it was shot. Then it shrugged off the impact and stepped forward again. Again there was the sound of a rifle as Faith shot him in the face. The judge paused and then shrugged off the impact of the bullet.
"Nor can any device created by the hands of mankind hurt me."
"Hey ugly I can got something that can hurt you."
Buffy blinked as she heard Xander's voice and then saw him emerge from behind some parked cars. He was wearing a grin on his face as his hand dove into his coat pocket and emerged holding something she recognized as hilt of the green bladed sword. He flicked his wrist, igniting the blade.
"That weapon will not help you boy."
"Oh yea, well big blueberry, let me clue you in on something. First, this weapon wasn't forged it was BORN. Second, the girl who carried it wasn't exactly human. And third, it's not 'boy' I'm the asshole that killed you last time.
The Judge seemed unimpressed and returned his attention to Buffy. "This conversation is over, human. The Righteous shall all burn."
The Blue demon raised it's glowing hands again and pointed them at Buffy. The slayer froze as she realized she wouldn't be able to out run the blast in the confined, smoke-filled area. Xander blinked as though in slow motion the blast appeared to begin to be released, then he moved. There was a blinding flash of light and Buffy shut her eyes as she braced for the end. She heard the sounds of the energy impacting something but didn't feel it.
Slowly she opened her hers and saw Xander standing in front of her, clothes smoking. Xander turned and faced the demon again. A grim, determined look came upon his face as he did so.
"That was unexpected."
The Judge again blasted forth it's power and again Xander was struck by the full force of the blast. He was knocked back only a step but began walking towards the Judge. More blasts issued forth, each striking home with unerring accuracy. Xander's clothes began to disintegrate under the assault, he began to bleed but refused to be deterred. Soon he had walked to within only a few yards of the creature.
"Like I said asshole, I'm the guy that killed you last time even if I didn't pull the trigger. This time I aim to finish the job."
The Judge seemed confused as Xander raised the sword and then slashed across his body. A wave of green light seemed to fly from the blade and strike the Judge causing it to wince in pain. Xander followed with more slashes, each adding another bit of green light that struck home and caused the Demon further agony.
Eventually the Judge's body was spike with numerous bits of green light. Looks of pain of were on it's face as it tried to move.
"Master...Taurkass... I serve you with my life."
Xander raised the sword above his head with both hands and then brought it down with a cold look on his face. A much larger wave of Green energy blasted forth and struck the Judge. The demon screamed in pain as the energy atomized it, reducing it to nothingness within seconds.
After it was gone, Xander stood and stared at where it had been. Dimly he became aware of his own wounds as he turned to face Buffy. He started walking towards her, moving slower and drooping slightly with each step. The blonde slayer watched as he came within a feet of her and the sword slipped from his grasp, it's blade vanishing as it hit the pavement.
"Buffy..."
That was all he could say before his legs gave out and he started collapsing, Buffy moved and caught him in her arms. She turned and saw his face become serene and gentle as he passed out.
"Xander..."
