Alexander smiled, noting that somehow his Captain America shield and empty but sealed serum bottle made the trip with him in his Flinx outfit. The Mini-drags wrapped themselves around his shoulders and across the back of his neck lazy in the warm California sun, making him glad he'd been given just enough time after the magic ended for a less jarring transition, "Thanks, Janus, I appreciate it."
'You're welcome, Alexander, and you're doing a great job of helping without getting too involved. Now, I'm really starting to get busy, so, maybe I'll meet with you again in a few 'Quantum Leaps''
'Wow, Janus is a sci-fi fan? Not really expected, but I guess nothing's wrong about it. Wait until I tell Rupert and G-Man about it.'
Alexander looked around and sat on a bench along the row of shops, wondering what his next adventure might hold; the hope of a set number of Resets and a deity that actually seemed to watch out as he could, gave comfort to the young man with the weight of several thousands of years on him.
'The way we're always involved with hurt people, maybe going as a doctor might be a good choice, maybe a surgeon. But other than remembering to leave notes about how to deal with the Judge and Angelus, is it enough? Probably, and it would be nice to know one of me makes a non-fighting contribution as well to the fight.'
Entering the costume shop, which he thought sad brought him more comfort than ever entering his parents' house had, he greeted the owner before the man could respond to his entry.
"Hello Ethan, Janus sent me to observe and enjoy the festivities you have planned for the night." Alexander showed him the amulet that radiated magic that Rayne could feel matched the Chaos of his invocative spell.
"Hmm, I can't say I expected company, but please do come in and if you'd like to participate in costume please feel free to look around and select something."
"Hmm, would you have seen a much smaller version of myself, with a redhead and a blonde slayer yesterday afternoon?"
"No, I can't say that I have, though I did see the girls you mentioned, is he a younger brother or something?"
"Not exactly, he's the me that belongs in this reality, I'm actual a 'neighbor' so to speak, that's why Janus has me here, I don't have a particular stake in what happens, though I'm sorta curious to see my other self turn out quite well even if the others don't quite make it."
"Really?" Ethan smiled nastily, "Well then, find something for him as well."
"Kind of in a bland mood, maybe a surgeon for him, make a lot of money off the rich gals and the cosmetic stuff, and for me, something geeky, hmm, also a surgeon, from Star Trek."
"Oh, which one?"
"Bashir, Julian Bashir, Doctor on Deep Space Nine," Xander mused, "Maybe I'll complain at my other self that his twentieth century medicine is worse than leaches and bleeding."
"Hmm, not my choice, but let's get you suited up, and you're in luck, I didn't have any real medical clothing for what you wanted, but a young intern left his laundered scrubs and a few other items behind: we'll use those."
Alexander was actually near his soon to be surgeon self, having 'casually run into Xander and offering the costume for five bucks, claiming a friend ran off with some girl and he'd now need five more dollars for cab fare.
While way more massive than Bashir, he always liked the suave sound of the actor's voice, and who knew? Maybe some of his future knowledge could be applied to real problems once he stopped with Resets and Sliding. Being Sunnydale, Alexander had stocked up on Star Trek pieces of necessary technology, a medical tricorder, a couple of phasers, and a med kit. He made sure to have a note in his hand explaining the need to remain calm and be nice to the snakes, and not let the gear next to him get lost; explanations and a way home would be provided if he did this.
As the magic swept over the town he noticed that his other self seemed to transform into a very attractive blonde woman shouting for her minions.
Julian Bashir got up off the ground, tuning out an attractive woman with a shrill voice and tremendous lung power. He seemed to be in some type of holosuite, if lucky, but the note seemed to indicate otherwise. His own body seemed much larger and stronger, leading him to wonder if he was having a very bad dream, as several humanoids went after frightened girls of human stock. Setting his phaser on stun, he had to increase the power setting to neutralize the four beings.
"Thank you, kind sir, if you would be so kind as to escort me to safety in this strange place, my father would no doubt reward you," the noblewoman of an earlier historical figure informed him, "Now might be a good time."
"Yes, indeed," Bashir replied, "But as I just arrived, might you have an idea as to a direction?"
"No this is a frightful situation, and why would you take advice from a woman, are you feeble in some way?"
"I was merely being polite," he grimaced, wondering what the Ferengi had put in his drink, "We'll go this way, and hope to find what passes as the local constabulary." He picked the direction heading toward some shops, hopeful of a proprietor that could direct them and perhaps take the woman off of his hands.
Reaching the point a short distance away, he came across a young man in his twenties that was lying unconscious near where the screaming woman had been, and after checking that his health was adequate, set him a little under the hedges to keep ruffians from too easily noticing him.
"That was king of you mister…"
"Bashir, Doctor Julian Bashir, at your service, milady," he said bowing slightly and offering his arm once again to get her going. In the other, having affixed the large bag with which he'd been entrusted by the note to his back, he used the tricorder after they'd walked another ten minutes. He scanned the surroundings and picked up a large energy signature two kilometers in the direction they headed, and another, more intensive one, in the shop midway up the row of shops.
"Why are we stopping?" asked the woman, watching as other people were running back and forth further down the street.
"You must stay here, as I sense something inside which I'll handle myself to ensure your safety."
"Very well, but make it fast, I grow weary of this place."
Stepping inside, he heard three voices, two of older men that seemed to be altercating, and a younger woman making noises of discomfort as she watched. Unsure of who might be in the right, Bashir used his phaser to stun both as he heard a man mention the statuary.
"Xander!" the girl exclaimed at him, "What happened to you? What did you do to Giles?"
"I don't believe I've been called a Xander before, I hope it's not too nasty of a creature," the Federation genius-doctor replied with a sigh, "I merely stunned them after detecting an unusual power signature. I mean you no harm, but am hoping to secure a safe place to stay while the insanity outside can subside."
"Oh, um, just destroy the bust of Janus and everything should go back to normal," she told him, finally catching on that it wasn't Xander. He fired and found himself in the next World.