Xander wore pretty much the same outfit he had on the day before, except I think he was wearing a different t-shirt.
"So when Buffy went off to fight Angelus in the grave yard, where were you?"
"I stayed in the library to help Willow and the others."
"To restore Angel's soul?"
"No, more to help Kendra guard them, I guess. Giles was helping Willow with the heavy lifting, spell casting wise. Even Cordy was waving some kind of incense around."
There was an angry undercurrent to Xander's voice.
"So what happened while you were on guard?"
"OK, I wasn't really on guard. I was standing around in the library holding a stake because I didn't have anything better to do. Kendra was the one actually standing guard."
"So what happened while you were standing around?"
"We were attacked by four vampires plus Drusilla. I tried to fight them but I was pretty much worthless. I mean, I landed some punches but you know from experience how well that works, and I know you hit a lot harder and better than I do. One of the vampires broke my arm, I managed to hit him and even shove him into another vamp so that Cordy could get away. But they'd already shoved a bookcase onto Willow and knocked out Giles, who was the only real threat to them other than Kendra. Then one of the vamps punched me and knocked me down but not out. Not that it mattered, I was rendered completely useless anyway. I could just watch like a worthless dork as the other vamps attacked Kendra. She might have beaten them, but then Drusilla came in and waved them off."
Xander shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Drusilla and Kendra fought, if you can call it that. Drusilla played with her like a cat with a mouse before slicing open her throat. Then Drusilla and the other vamps picked up Giles and booked. Buffy ran in about a minute later, but it was too late. Kendra was dead. When the cops came in, they pulled their guns on Buffy and I still just watched. I tried to say something, but nothing came out."
"Too weak?"
"Yeah, that punch may have done more than just knock me down. And my arm…"
Xander's voice seemed to drip with self disgust.
"Xander, that happens. A broken arm and a good punch will render most people temporarily helpless. There's no shame in it."
"That's what Giles says, but if I had been able to say something then, maybe Buffy would still be here."
"Do you know why people dismiss Monday morning quarterbacking?"
"Because it doesn't matter?"
"That's right," I said. "Tell me about meeting Buffy in the hospital."
"There isn't much to tell. Buffy came, Willow was unconscious and the cops were at the hospital in force looking for her. She couldn't stay. She told me to stay with Willow while she tried to stop Angel from waking Acathla."
"But you saw Buffy again."
"Yeah," Xander said. "Willow woke up and decided to try the spell again. When the Willster really gets determined to do something, there's no stopping her. Will sent me to tell Buffy what she was up to. I got there and Buffy told me to get Giles out of the house and stay away from the fighting. Buffy went in and started killing vampires, and Spike whaled on Angel with a crowbar. I got Giles and we left.
"I have no idea what happened after that."