Title: Ex post facto
Author: Nodakskip
Beta Read: by Theo
Rating: PG-ish
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, and never did. Everything Buffy and Angel-ish belongs to Joss and Mutant Enemy, WB and everyone else.
Summary: Just read the story.
---
Ramsey Hotel, Los Angeles, California
Wednesday, December 15th, 1999
Someone was holding her, bound and gagged, while his partner was handling the shop talk. "I'm sure your people will be happy with their purchase."
The black woman in the sharp business ensemble seemed almost bored. "We won't be needing the body. My employers have requested that the eyes be extracted."
At that point, the instincts of the empath demon called Barney - honed from his many years of experience as a used car salesman - kicked in. "Ah, well, an extraction is a very delicate process. We run the risk of damaging the gift. It's going to cost you an extra thousand, at least."
The female lawyer scoffed. "Please! Extraction is always included in the price."
Barney just shook his head. "Not with a seer's eyes."
"I never heard of such a thing!" the woman replied huffily.
"There's never been a thing like this on the market," Barney told her with a shrug. "An extra thousand, or you take her as is."
The lawyer thought for a moment. (The body's good-looking enough for one of the VP's to have some fun with…but then again, the whole 'no eyes' thing would be kind of a turn-off. Plus, then I'd get stuck having to dispose of the remains!) Annoyed, the Wolfram & Hart attorney then told the empath demon, "Fine! Go ahead."
"All right-y then," Barney said, as he rubbed his hands together. He turned to his partner, "Give me the extractor."
The other man, Hank, looked like an upset child as he looked over Cordelia's attractive body. "But - I want to do it. You know that! I've been begging you…"
"Hank!" Barney yelled. "You're embarrassing yourself. Just hand it over."
Hank grumbled as he looked at Cordelia's chest, before he handed the extractor. "Here!" he said, upset. And Barney took the metal instrument that looked like a pair of razor sharp salad tongues, with obvious glee...
Cordy's eyes went wide, as she saw it. She shook her head, and renewed her struggling. But her kidnapper just forced her to sit in a nearby chair, and pulled her head back. "Now, be a good girl and hold still. This will only hurt… a lot," he told her with a cruel smile.
"No!" Cordelia's muffled shout through the gag came, as he moved in.
"Too bad, baby, we could have had some fun…" Barney said, before he suddenly jerked hard - and dropped the metal tool.
"Barney!" Hank yelled as he watched his friend fall to the floor, dead, with a curved blade sticking out of his back.
Relief flooded Cordelia, (Angel!) she thought as she saw the shape of a man in a dark jacket appear in her peripheral vision. However, it was not the vampire with a soul that had rescued her...
"Okay, now this just royally pisses me off!" Xander Harris said, as he walked right past the lawyer and stepped up to Hank. "Hello? This is the point where you start pissing your pants and run away?"
"I'm…I'm not afraid of you!" Hank declared, shaking.
"Fine," Xander told him, as he reached out and impossibly fast, broke the man's neck like a twig. "But you should have been."
"Hey, you okay?" Harris then asked his ex-girlfriend as he removed her gag and restraints.
She just nodded, her eyes misting over with tears as she hugged him tightly. "I am now!"
"Good, well, it's all over," Xander whispered to her. "You're safe now…"
"Excuse me!"
Xander turned to look at the lawyer, and was surprised when it was not fear, but anger that showed on her face as she pointed at Cordy's eyes. "Those are the property of Wolfram & Hart!"
Cordelia cringed as the woman came closer, instinctively moving behind Xander. "You have GOT to be kidding me," Harris scoffed. "Lady, you honestly think you have any claim on her or her eyes?"
"Well, I bought them fair and square!" she fumed.
"You…bought a kidnap victim?" Xander demanded. "What are you, a special needs person?"
"Either hand her over to me now," the woman said menacingly, "or the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart will come find her! Preferably over your dead body!"
Xander just looked at her like she was an idiot. "Is that a threat? Look, her visions have nothing to do with her eyes, I'll have you know. She sees them in her mind. Plus, think about it; the Powers That Be wouldn't send her visions if she was under evil control, now, would they? Face it. You screwed up on this one, and good luck on trying to explain it to Evil Incorporated's accountants..."
The male teen turned back to Cordy. "Come on Cor, we're leaving…"
"Like hell you are!" the woman yelled, blocking their path. (Why, you little punk...who do you think you are?)
Xander sighed, as he looked at her. Making up his mind, he quickly uttered a long-lost spell in Latin.
And when he was done, the lawyer's pupils went white. "What did you do to me?" she screamed at him, scrabbling at her face.
"It's a karma spell," Xander replied with a smirk. "As in what goes around, comes around. You wanted to take her eyes…so yours got taken instead. And just so you know, only way to break the curse is by balancing out the scales of your deeds. Meaning, you have to do more good deeds than bad…and personally, I'm guessing you have a very long way to go before you ever reach balance point..."
"No! DAMN YOU-!" the blind woman yelled, starting to lose it as she tried to attack him.
Sighing, Xander just pushed her aside as he and Cordelia left the room.
---
Cordelia was wiping her eyes, as she walked down the large stairs to the street below. "Xander…don't think I'm not happy you showed up…believe me, I am VERY happy! But-"
"But why me and not Angel?" Xander finished her question for her. "And why am I in LA?"
"Well, yeah!" Cordy said as she moved to flag down a taxi, when Xander put his hand on her arm. "I've got a car."
He held out a small remote on his key ring and Cordelia's eyes bulged as the taillights on a brand-new red Dodge Viper convertible flashed. "This is your car?" she demanded of her rescuer.
"Yeah," Harris told her. "Just got it yesterday."
Cordelia looked the car and then him over as well. "Someone's been eating his Wheaties," she mused appreciatively, as they got into the convertible. "Okay, you are SO going to tell me what's going on, mister!"
"I know," Harris told her with a warm smile. "But let's get back to Angel and Wes first. They're going to want to know you're okay and everything."
----
Angel Investigations, Room 1.03
Thirty minutes later
"Cordy!" Angel cried, as he ran to meet her. "Are you okay? How'd you get away?"
"I'm fine, Angel," Cordelia told her boss warmly. "An old...friend saved me."
"Another old…" Angel started to say, before Xander Harris walked in the door. "Harris?"
"Angel," Xander said succinctly with a nod.
"Thank God. You and Buffy were in town?" Angel asked, jumping to the obvious conclusion in his undead mind.
Xander shook his head, as he and Cordelia took a seat on the old couch. "Nope. Right now she's back in Sunnydale."
"O…kay," Angel said, unsure. "No offense but, uh, how were you able to save Cordelia without Buffy?"
"Why don't you call Wesley up here, and I'll tell you all at once," Xander replied as he leaned back against the couch's frame.
"You know about...?" the vampire asked, before he just nodded. He went over to the door in his office, and called for Wesley to come up.
When the Englishman did, he was very relieved to see Cordelia in one piece. "Cordelia! You're all right..."
Wes trailed off, as he saw Xander. And his attitude quickly changed back to his ridiculous rogue demon hunter mode. "Ah, yes, Mr. Harris. I didn't know that Ms. Summers-"
Xander rolled his eyes. "I CAN do stuff on my own, you know!" He sighed, before he repeated what he told Angel. "Buffy isn't here in town, just me. Besides...she wouldn't have been able to do what needed to be done."
"And that would be?" Angel asked.
"He killed those people who took me," Cordelia said simply. "Not in a very White Knight type of style, either."
Xander turned to her. "If it had been me getting my eyes torn out by a demon…wouldn't you have done the same?"
"Maybe," Cordelia said, but her expression told the 'One Who Sees' that she damn well would have.
"There was more than one demon?" Angel wanted to know, angrily thinking back as to how he had been suckered in by Barney.
"No, there was only one," Xander told him. "The other guy was human."
"And you killed him too?" Wesley asked, not liking that.
"Personally, I don't have a problem with killing the guy holding Cordy down so his friend could do what he almost did," Xander answered.
"But, but he was human," Wesley stated. "You, you could have just turned him over to the police-"
"And said what?" Xander demanded. "'Officer, officer, this man tried to tear out my friend's eyes because she gets visions from the Powers That Be?' Screw that, Wes. If that bastard was so ready to mutilate and then kill Cordy…I won't lose any sleep at nights over what happened to him. I mean, what the hell, after all - I didn't kill the Wolfram & Hart chick-"
"Wolfram & Hart?" Angel asked angrily. "They were in on this?"
"She bought me at an auction," Cordelia told the vampire Champion. "She told them to pluck out my eyes, when Xander showed up."
"Ah, yes," Wesley said. "I'd figured it was an some sort of caller sale. But the only clue we had, that sculpture, wasn't at all easy to track-"
"Our Internet connection went down, for some reason," Angel said, very unhappy. He looked to Cordelia. "If Wolfram & Hart are involved, then we'll have to hide you…"
"Nah, it's okay, man," Xander interrupted him. "They won't be coming after her again."
"You don't know these people, Xander," the vampire told the young mortal. "If they want her, they won't stop till they-"
"My boss will call their boss if they decide to get pushy," Harris said simply. "Besides, the evil guys hadn't yet lost any money by the time I got involved, so Cordy should be in the clear - unless they want an all-out war with you. Which isn't part of their...game plan."
"Your boss?" Angel asked, focusing on the most important part of the speech. "Who do you work for that Wolfram & Hart would listen to?"
"He never told me his real name," Xander said truthfully. Seeing the three AI team members looking at him, he added, "Story time?"
"I'm all ears," Angel said, as he sat on the edge of Cordelia's desk.
"Okay, I was only a few miles out of Sunnydale on my road trip - when I suddenly appeared at some monastery in China," he told them all with a grimace. "Long story short, some old guy told me I'd been...chosen."
"Chosen?" Wesley asked, shocked. "As in, a-a Slayer?"
"Big no!" Xander said firmly. "He said he needed a champion to correct events on the earth plane. He said he'd pulled himself back through the 'river of time', and wanted to fix what he saw as stuff that went wrong."
Cordelia tried to understand, "Why would he take you to China to just talk?"
"Number of reasons," Xander told her. "He said I had to be...prepared. I got a power boost, and was trained in a lot of different forms of combat. I mean, I don't know if I could take Buffy down, but I could sure do her some damage-"
"Why would you want to fight Buffy?" Angel asked, very interested.
"I don't," Xander said quickly. A bit TOO quickly. "I just used her as an example. Besides, I won't be going back to Sunnydale for a while, a couple of years at least."
Cordelia looked at him, shocked. "But that's where Buffy and Willow are…I don't get it. I never thought you would ever leave them!"
She didn't understand this at all. It was because of that fact that Cordelia hadn't bothered to try to patch things up with her ex back in Sunnydale, at least when they'd started to talk again. As Ms. Chase knew she wanted to leave Sunnydale forever, and she'd thought for sure that Xander would never leave the Hellmouth with her.
"It's not my choice," Xander told her, a little downcast. "I was told that I had to stay away, or else it would get very bad there. In any case, someone else is being sent there to...take my place in the group."
"But this doesn't make any sense," Wesley said to that. "Why remove a trusted ally of the Slayer, to replace him with an unknown?"
Angel watched Harris's reaction, and instantly understood. "You know why, don't you? You were told everything about all of the why's and wherefore's, most likely. Even if you're not in share mode?"
Xander shrugged. "I was shown some things. Things that I...well, things that three months ago I would have believed were completely impossible, if you or anyone else had told me about them." He took a deep breath. "I then agreed to come here, and take on my new job."
"Which is what?" Cordelia asked, wondering where he'd gotten all the new money for the clothes and car.
"To train you," Harris told his ex-girlfriend. "Prepare you for what's coming. What happened to you, four years down the road...it's a big thing that my boss wants changed. And after I saw what I saw…I'm making damn sure it gets changed, too."
"Does something bad happen to me?" Cordy asked in a scared, low voice.
"Something would have," Xander answered resolutely. "But this time around, it's not going to. Come what may, I won't let it."
"Thank you," she said quietly. (Wow. This is majorly intense...)
Angel very much didn't like not knowing what was the what, already. "Can you tell us ANYTHING?"
"No, so don't ask for details," Xander said, his expression very remote and troubled as he shook his head. "I'm here to teach Cordy how to defend herself, and to act as her…bodyguard as well, I guess you could put it."
"Does this have anything to do with the thing you'll be doing, when you eventually return to Sunnydale?" Wesley inquired, his inherent Watcher-ness fascinated by these new and unexpected developments.
"No," Xander responded at once. "That's another matter, that I have to do my own training for." He stood and held up his hand. "Return."
Angel and Wesley jumped back in surprise, as a large weapon appeared by magic in Xander's hand. It was a long multipurpose weapon with a red and silver blade on top, and a solid stake on the bottom.
"Now that's one big-ass axe," Cordelia said, amazed.
"It's a scythe, actually. At least, that's what he - I - am going with at the moment," Xander informed her. "Depart!" he uttered, and the ancient weapon vanished.
Next, Xander pulled a small test tube that seemed to be full of glowing liquid. "Cordy, do you trust me?"
She looked into his eyes before answering, "Yeah, I guess..."
Harris offered her the small, corked test tube. "Then drink this, right now. It'll make sure your visions don't ever hurt you again. And believe me, that'll definitely be a plus for you - in more ways than one."
---
The realm of the Powers That Be
The same time
The Power that was known to Xander as his 'boss' watched through the viewing portal, as Cordelia Chase drank the liquid down. "Good, Jasmine cannot now manipulate her chosen vessel. Her entry into the earth plane should be barred forever..."
"Master?"
The Power removed the image it was watching, before turning to its servant. "Yes?"
"I have been told your coven in the land of England believe the witch named Amy Madison is ready for your needs," the higher being informed his lord.
"Good," the Power replied at once. "I will attend to her shortly. When next the Watcher is to get new books, make sure that the de-ratting spell is planted within one of them."
"Yes, Master," the underling responded. "Also, the one called Anya has arrived..."
---
Watchers Council Main Library
London, England
December 17th, 1999
"Must be a big project," the man at the desk told the young woman.
"The biggest!" Anya said, faking her enthusiasm. "I tell you, it's a lot of work making sure all the books and scrolls we've collected over the centuries are all still here..."
"Of course they're still here!" the man said, as if it was obvious. "This library has been here longer than London itself. NOTHING is ever going to happen to change that!" He quickly handed her the keys. "Just make sure you reactivate the magical locks, when you leave?"
"Right, no problem..." Anya replied pushing up her thick-rimmed 'undercover' glasses. She then watched as the man grabbed his coat and left, leaving her all alone in the massive library.
She took a moment to look over the countless bookcases on multiple levels, before releasing a huge groan. "This is going to take forever..."
Anya Christina Emanuella Jenkins walked over to the first row, and placed her hand on the first book. "Copy," she said, then watched as the books began to glow all the way down the long shelf.
When the books stopped glowing, she reached for the first book on the second shelf, "Copy..."
---
The home of Rupert Giles, Sunnydale, California
December 21st, 1999
Everyone stood around watching, but not standing in the way. "You sure this will work, Willow?" Buffy asked.
"Not completely," Willow replied. "But it's worth a shot..."
She placed the rat down onto the couch cushions, before she started to utter the spell in a bastardised version of Italian. "'Cio che fu non e piu. Cio che fu fatto disfa. Passato e il pericolo, finita e la prova. Metti le cosa a posto.' What was is no longer. What was done undo. The danger is past, the trial no more. Set it right.
A bright swirl of white lights caused them to cover their eyes, and when the Scooby gang could see again, a very naked Amy Madison was there looking around in shock. "I'm human again!" she yelled in joy. "I knew you could do it, Willow!"
Willow smiled, as Giles covered Amy with a blanket. "Glad someone did-"
"I always knew you could," Amy said, giving her audience a performance worthy of an Oscar. "It took some time…but you did it!"
----
Apartment of Alexander Harris, Los Angeles, California
December 24th, 1999
Cordelia walked off the large mat, practically sweating a river in her workout clothes. "Thank God that's over!"
"I thought you were starting to like my lessons?" Xander asked, as he wiped his face with a towel.
"I do. I am," Cordelia admitted. "I mean, I get to see you all half-naked and glistening…it's better than your time on the swim team, during junior year! But Xander, why did we need to spar on Christmas Eve?"
"It was only a half-time lesson, woman!" Xander grumbled. "Should we go for another hour? 'Cause we can do that if you like-"
"No!" Cordelia told him firmly. "No, it's fine. I'm just going to go up to my apartment, and take a quick shower. Then we're meeting the others, for Christmas dinner!"
----
An hour later, two members of the Powers That Be were watching Xander and Cordelia exit their apartment building, arm in arm.
"Do you think your changes have sufficiently altered what you say is to come?" the female asked the male.
"I anticipate so," the male responded. "Jasmine's plans have been removed from the board, and that damned mercenary of hers is now constantly screaming in agony within that cube of fire. Glory's spell of forgetfulness has no effect on the witch released from animal form, and Amy will also be able to keep her fellow witch off the path of darkness."
"That may not be able to be avoided," the female cautioned. "Apparently nothing could stop Willow Rosenberg from killing, the first time around."
"Have faith."
"Very well," the female said, with a touch of irony in her 'voice'. "And what of the First?"
The male Power watched the mortals drive away into the night. "If the Slayer doesn't need to sacrifice herself, then she won't ever need to be pulled out of the afterlife. The forces protecting the Slayer line will remain inviolate. However, if somehow the First still comes forth…the power of the scythe will be wielded properly this time, to defeat its demon hordes."
"The army of Slayers-?"
The male nodded. "Is still an option if need be, though it may not be the witch Willow casting the spell."
The female raised an eyebrow. "And if the First comes some time in the far distant future, long after its current wielder is dead?"
"Then one of his descendants will wield the scythe in battle," the male stated.
"You truly believe the seer and the wielder will bear offspring one day?"
"I'm pushing for it to happen," Xander's boss replied. "The old protector line is extinguished. A new line needs to be created."
"I have a feeling," the female told the male archly, "that the next few years to come will be a very interesting time, if nothing else."
The male looked at the female. "That much is true."
THE END