Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered
Xander held out the silver bauble necklace for Libby and Buffy to see. The heart shined in the moonlight and Libby thought it appeared to be classier in person, which was a relief because in the show it looked kind of big.
"So what do ya think?" Xander asked.
"It's nice," answered Buffy, a bit unenthusiastic.
"But do you think Cordelia will like it? And yes, that question is directed at Libby."
Laughing, Libby replied, "She'll love it, Xander. Really."
"Yeah? Good, good. That's good." Xander smiled as he put the present back in his pocket.
"While the relief is good, are you sure she knows what a heart is?" teased Buffy.
"Okay, big yacks. When are you guys gonna stop makin' fun of me for dating Cordelia?"
"I'm sorry. But never."
"For the record, I don't." Libby snapped and got a dirty look from Buffy.
"I just think you could find somebody more…better."
"Yeah. Parallel universe, maybe," rebutted Xander. "Here the only other person I'm interested in is, um, unavailable."
Libby scrunched her nose and Buffy cast her eyes down. They both knew whom he meant and they all knew that Buffy and him would never happen.
"Besides, Cordy and I are really gettin' along. We're not fighting as much and yesterday we just sat together, not even speakin'. You know just, um, enjoying comfortable silence." Xander glanced at Libby and saw her raise and eyebrow and said, "Man, that was dull."
"It's good that you guys are getting along because you guys are really good for each other," said Libby. "You'll have bad times and rough patches and moments when you want to stuff the sweater over her shoulders down her throat, but in the end, you'll grow together and it'll be what you need. So don't lose it over the gift."
"Thanks, Libbs. It's just new territory for me. My valentines are usually met with heartfelt restraining orders."
Libby got up from her seat on the crypt and hooked her arm with his. She rested her head on his shoulder and he placed a cheek on her crown. Libby had a way about her that Xander never even dreamed of. Her emotional instincts were perfectly in sync with his and he felt so great with her.
"It's beautiful, Xander. She'll love it."
"I wish dating was like slaying, you know – simple, direct, stake to the heart, no muss, no fuss."
An animalistic growl lunged up from out of the ground and immediately went for the joined Xander and Libby. However, the Protector swung him into a mausoleum and Buffy ran up to him, putting a stake through his heart before he could steady himself.
"Sorry to say, Xand. Slaying is a tad more perilous than dating," quipped Buffy as she turned back to walk with her friends.
"Well, you're obviously not dating Cordelia," Xander quipped back.
The bell rang loud throughout the halls and the classroom. Students instantly scrambled to get out, but Libby just sat and waited. Why bother? It's the same school routine everyday. Sad to say, but school is school no matter what reality you're in. Even Sunnydale.
"Papers on my desk! Anybody who tries to leave without giving me a paper is looking at a failing grade," the English teacher announced.
Chuckling, Xander admired the paper in his hands and muttered, "This time I'm ready for ya. No F for Xander today. No, this baby's my ticket to a sweet C minus." He then saw Libby stand and jumped up to grab her arm. When she faced him with a knowing smile he said, "And I love you for that."
"You better."
"I do! Without you I'd be way below average. Now I'm just below."
Libby snatched the paper out of his hand and skimmed over it proudly. "Go get your C minus."
"I'll wait until you hand in your A plus."
Libby rolled her eyes and walked ahead where she caught up with Buffy and Willow who spotted Amy. The Protector had to hold in a growl. I can't wait for you to turn into a rat! And I'll make sure you stay that way.
"You guys goin' to the Valentine's Day dance at the Bronze? I think it's gonna be a lot of fun," asked Amy.
Willow spun her head around and flashed Buffy and Libby a huge smile. Buffy smiled back and said, "Go ahead, you know you wanna say it."
Whipping back around, Will bragged, "My boyfriend's in the band."
Amy grinned – a grin Libby wanted to rip off her face like a pesky orange peel – and responded with one word, "Cool!"
"I don't think there's anyone else on earth who doesn't know now," Libby poked Willow's arm in jest.
"There're other planets." Willow poked back.
"What about you guys?"
Libby and Buffy snapped out of it and stared at Amy. This would be fun answering.
"Oh, Valentine's Day is just a cheap gimmick to sell cards and chocolate," attempted Buffy.
"Bad breakup, huh?"
"Believe me when I say, "Uh-huh"," Buffy drawled.
"We're having a sister date instead and I think it's gonna be loads of fun." Libby side hugged Buffy and the blonde gripped onto the brunette really tight in thanks and agreed, "It's gonna be the best ever!"
The girls walked forward and handed in their papers in a row. Buffy went first and got a mere 'thank you'. Willow was second and got a more encouraged 'thank you'. Libby was third and the teacher gave her a bright smile and said, "Oh, the hope of your generation! Thank you." Libby pursed her lips together in an embarrassed smile and nodded. She was best at English; it was the only subject she was beyond average in. Every other A was earned through blood, sweat, and exasperated tears.
Amy was last and stared hardcore into the teacher's eyes. It looked as if she was trying to shoot lasers, but soon enough the teacher came out of it and accepted an invisible paper from Amy. What the blonde witch didn't know was that Xander was standing behind them, witnessing the whole thing.
The trio of girls walked down the stairs as Amy skipped on ahead of them. Libby wanted to telekinetically trip her on the way down, but Willow's voice brought her out of it.
"I just hate to think of you two solo on Valentine's Day."
"We'll be fine. Libby and I are gonna hang out and then we're gonna have a pig-out with my mom. It's a time-honored tradition among the loveless," explained Buffy in a light tone.
Shortly, Xander caught up with them and inquired, "Did you guys see that?"
"Amy using magic instead of handing in an actual paper?" Libby replied. "No, but I know she did."
"What? Wow, I mean her mom was a witch," pondered Willow, growing concerned and curious.
"And an amateur psycho," added Buffy with zest. "Amy's the last person that should be messing with that stuff."
"You have no idea," Libby replied.
The four stopped as Libby's voice was drowned out by Giles calling her and Buffy. He marched right up to them and it was clear that he had an urgent matter to speak of with them. "Might I have a word?"
"Have a sentence even."
Giles squinted but then understood the Slayer's humor and responded, "Oh, good. Well…" The librarian's eyes trailed off as the sight of Jenny came into view. She was as beautiful as always, but it was shrouded in her betrayal. It hurt Giles to look at her because as real as her grievance was…he missed her terribly.
"Rupert," Jenny tried to reach out but was shot down by Giles' very detached, "Ms. Calendar." Instead of giving up, Jenny moved forward and said, "I'm glad we ran into each other, actually. I was hoping that we could, uh…" She looked at the kids and then motioned toward her office, "Do you have a minute?"
"Um…" Giles stumbled, not knowing how to correctly handle this. "Actually, not just now. Erm, I have a matter to discuss with…with Buffy and Libby."
"Yeah, it's pretty heavy stuff," Libby backed him up.
Buffy brushed past Jenny and Libby soon followed with a wave to their friends and a meek smile to her computer teacher. She liked Jenny. She really did and it was hard to see everyone shun her in this manner. However, Giles lingered for a few moments and Libby felt like there was a new kind of hope for them.
As Libby attempted to enter the library, a young and ever short Jonathon suddenly popped up next to her causing a sharp gasp and a near punch to his face.
"Jonathan! You scared me! What's – What're you doing?"
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to! Scare you!" Jonathon stammered as he stepped back from her. "I just – well Valentine's Day's coming up and I didn't know if I'd see you so I wanted to give you this."
He pulled a short-stemmed lavender rose encased in a clear container from his backpack. Libby gasped at the beauty of the lovely color and softness of the look. Jonathon smiled at her reaction and handed her the rose out of the case.
"It means enchantment," declared Jonathon with a big gulp in his throat and wide eyes staring up at her. "It's a way to show admiration to someone you think is unique."
Libby gingerly accepted the rose and placed her nose against the smooth petals to smell the wonderful fragrance. She held it to her chest as she tried to catch her breath at the moving gesture as well as the fear as to what may happen next.
"That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard, but Jonathon…why would you give one to me?"
"You always smile at me when you see me and somehow know my name when no one really does. I wanted to thank you for that."
"You're welcome."
Jonathon smiled awkwardly and after a little wave and stumble of his feet, he paced off in – what Libby would have guessed as – a hurry. The Protector shook her head and thought, how is he going to be a villain in five years?
Libby made it into the library and sat down a couple of minutes before Giles became present. He looked troubled and both of his girls were worried about him.
"Are you okay?" they asked at the same time.
"Me? I'll…I'll be fine," Giles replied as if he was a ghost. "Um, I was more concerned about the two of you, actually."
"Both of us?" Libby questioned.
"Yes. Since Angel – erm – turned, I've been reading up on his earlier activities. You know, feeding patterns and the like. Libby, I'm sure you're familiar with it."
Libby nodded, but Buffy needed more. "And?"
"Around Valentine's Day he's rather prone to, well, brutal displays of – he would think of it as affection, I suppose."
"Like –"
"Don't ask." Libby cut her sister off.
"Libby's right, there's no need to go into details."
"That bad?" the Slayer pushed but got nowhere.
"Suffice it to say, I think it would be best if you both stayed off the streets for a few nights. I'll patrol. You know, keep an eye on things."
"Okay, first off, I'm agreeing with you, but why is it important for me to stay inside? He's fixated on Buffy way more than me. If he even is fixated on me."
Giles drew in a deep breath and sat down directly across from the Protector. "If anything he is just as fixated on you, Libby. He may not have loved you the way he loved Buffy, but you were a very important person in his life – a close friend, if you will. And that makes you a target."
"I never thought of it like that. I mean, we didn't spend a whole lot of time together."
"Doesn't matter. Friends weren't easy for him to come by and he knows that you can't predict anything revolving around you; only the rest of us," Buffy interjected.
"And that is a very dangerous opening," Giles stated.
Drusilla opened the velvet case in front of her and revealed an elegant ruby necklace on a gold chain. Spike watched her reaction closely and pried, "Fancy it, pet?"
"Ahhh! It's beautiful. Mmmmm," gasped Drusilla.
"Nothing but the best for my gir –"
Angelus dropped a fresh and bloody heart next to the necklace and purred, "Happy Valentine's Day, Dru."
"Oh," Drusilla leaned in, her tongue on her lips, and sensually hovered her hands over her non-beating gift. "Angel! It's still warm."
Spike rolled his eyes and Angelus stared him down in victory over the competition. "I knew you'd like it," he replied. "I found it in a quaint little shop girl."
Noticing the necklace, Angelus reached over and picked it up in order to mock Spike further. "Cute." The soulless vampire sauntered behind Drusilla and offered to clasp it around her neck.
Spike rolled closer and demanded, "I'll get it."
"Done." So simple in his words, but they cut deeper than blades. "I know Dru gives you pity access, but you have to admit it's so much easier when I do things for her."
"You would do well to worry less about Dru and more about that Slayer and Protector you've been having a ménage à trois with."
Angel's interest was peaked with the subject change and he went into what he qualifies as deep thought. "Dear Buffy and sweet Libby. Hmm. I'm still trying to decide the best way to send my regards."
"Why don't you rip their lungs out? That might make an impression," Spike frustratingly suggested.
"Lacks poetry."
"Doesn't have to. What rhymes with lungs? I bet Libby could tell you before she watches you do it…" Spike gritted his teeth.
"Yes…she does know everything about everything," sighed Angel with sadistic admiration. "My Libby is quite special. And Buffy needs to know how much she means to me."
"Don't worry, Spike," Dru giggled in delight. "Angel always knows…what speaks to a girl's heart."
"I have to!"
"No you don't!"
"Yes I do! I promised. You know that."
"Please don't go, I'm begging you."
"What is the big deal?"
"You heard Giles. It doesn't get much bigger than this right now."
"Buffy, Angel doesn't do anything tonight and Xander needs me at the party. I'll be gone 30 minutes tops. If not, feel free to kill half the town to find me."
The blonde hung her head back and groaned at the stubbornness of her Protector. Libby finished dressing herself in tight, dark purple pants and a sequin black tank with a black jacket and strappy pumps. Scrunching her hair one last time, the brunette turned back to look at Buffy.
"You look hot. Don't get killed."
Smirking, Libby said, "Thanks and I won't."
The Protector waved bye to Joyce as her Slayer saw her out the front door. Buffy watched Libby walk away until she couldn't see her anymore and went back inside to plop on the couch next to her mom. They got comfortable quickly with their lounge clothes, junk food, and movies, but it wasn't ten minutes before something happened.
A knock sounded on the door. Buffy looked over and back at her mom. She wasn't budging, so the young girl affectionately jeered at her mother and handed her a bowl of popcorn before getting up.
The Slayer opened the door, hoping Libby decided not to go and forgot her key. Obviously, that wasn't true…and there was no one at the door. Buffy tried to shake it off but when she went back into the living room her mom was gone.
"Mom?"
No answer.
Buffy tried again in the kitchen, but this time she received a thud in response. Nerves and muscles on alert, the Slayer did her best to remain calm. The best choice because when she turned around her mother was suddenly coming in from the back door.
"Buffy, it's me," Joyce reassured at her daughter's gasp.
"Yeah, you just startled me a little."
"I was just checking the back door. Somebody left – um – this for you and this for Libby. I guess they knew she was here tonight. Don't let us forget to give it to her?" Joyce smiled and waited for Buffy to open her package.
They were identical. Bought from the same place for sure. However, the long, sleek black boxes with the large, elaborate black bows had one difference: one had white calligraphy spelling, Buffy, and the other spelled, Libby.
Buffy opened the lid of her package and was disturbed to see deep, red roses wreathed in baby's breath. They were gorgeous, but the note placed on the bottom sent a sick, writhing pain to the very center of her. Red roses meant romance and love, but the note meant misery and cruelty.
Joyce saw how upset and frightened her daughter was and soothingly inquired, "Honey, are you all right?"
"What?" Buffy snapped. "Um, yeah. It's just – I didn't expect this, ya know? I'm gonna bring these upstairs," the Slayer closed her box and gathered both packages in her arms. "Be down in a minute."
The blonde dumped her flowers into the trash and then went up to her room and dropped them on the bed. What was inside hers? Buffy really wanted to look, but that would be torture. Not to mention invasive. Then again, it was from soulless Angel so it didn't count.
Buffy flipped the top off and was surprised to see a dozen fiery orange roses with a hue of coral. They too were surrounded by baby's breath, but the note on the bottom was even more disturbing than the Slayer thought possible.
Mine
Xander sat with Willow who was entranced with watching her boyfriend on stage. He couldn't stop fiddling with the boxed necklace and kept looking for Libby. She should be here by now; she said she'd be there ten minutes ago.
"Hey," greeted Libby with a friendly stroke on his arm. "How're you doin'?"
"You're late!" Xander hissed.
"Buffy held me up, but I'm here now. Hi Willow!"
"Hi! Oz has his cool hair today!"
"I like it!"
"Focus!" Xander yelled nervously as he pulled Libby away. "Now, what do I do?"
"Be honest and sweet…so be you."
"That's the advice you give me?"
"Don't snap. You need to learn to be open and have patience but not lack initiative, so yeah. I stand by my advice."
Xander frowned and cocked his head at Libby. "Sometimes you make no sense."
"And yet you want me here," Libby shrugged with a playful grin.
"Yeah, I really do," Xander tilted his head and saw Cordelia sitting alone on a bench. She looked conflicted and defeated along with guilty, but Xander didn't truly notice. "Okay, here we go."
Xander walked over to Cordelia who got to her feet and met him half way.
"Hey," he said.
"Your clothes. You look so good."
"Oh. I let Libby dress me," Xander flashed a brief smile over to her. Cordelia followed his eyes and then scowled in confusion back at him. "Well, not physically."
"Perfect," groaned Cordy. "Had to make this harder, didn't you?"
"Okay, clearly the fact that I please you visually has got us off on the wrong foot here."
"Xander…"
"Let me finish," Xander breathed in more confidence. "I've been thinking a lot about us lately. The why and the wherefore. You know, once, twice, a kissy here, a kissy there. And you can chalk it all up to hormones. And maybe that's all we have here – tawdry, teen lust – but maybe not. Maybe something in you sees something special inside me, and vice versa. I mean, I think I do. See something. So…" Xander reached into his pocket and handed her his thoughtful gift.
"Xander," Cordelia's voice was surprised and happy. She opened it and immediately said, "Thank you." Cordy held it up and admired the touching present that she really did love, but it wasn't enough. She wasn't used to life on his side of high school and she was too insecure to leave her side for good, especially with her shallow friends ridiculing her. "It's beautiful. I wanna break up."
He was shattered. For a moment, he was happy. Actually happy and relishing in the fact that he was with someone he cared about and doing something right…and having insurance from his best friend that everything would be all right.
"Okay, not quite the reaction I was lookin' for."
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just…who are we kidding? Even if parts of us do see specialness, we don't fit."
"Yeah. Okay," Xander broke down in heartbreaking anger. "Do you know what's a good day to break up with somebody? Any day besides Valentine's Day! I mean, what? Were you runnin' low on dramatic irony?"
"I know," Cordy apologized, sincerely and guiltily apologized. "I didn't mean to do it this way."
"Well, you did."
Xander trudged away absolutely stunned while Cordelia tried not to cry. Libby saw Cordy leave to find her superficial and materialist pack of sheep and waited for Xander to make his way over to the secluded place she found. It didn't take him long and the rage in his eyes literally took her breath away.
"How could you not tell me?"
"Xander, I –"
"No! You knew! Like you know everything about everyone all the time! And you didn't tell me!"
"I told you, sort of. Bad times, rough patches, wanting to kill her."
"THAT DOESN'T COUNT!"
Libby pulled him into the shadows and managed to sit him down, but he recoiled from her. The brunette gazed at Xander and felt her heart crack at the presence of pain and betrayal in his eyes. Cordelia didn't cause all of that…she did and it killed her.
"Xander, listen to me. This isn't the end. Cordelia needs to make a decision. She needs to realize that she has a chance to be her own person – with you – or stay the high school queen of bitches that she's been all her life." Xander finally looked up at her, but no forgiveness had reached his eyes. "I know you're hurt and angry and fueled for revenge and while that's justified I need you to not act on it."
"Why not? Clearly I can't count on you to make it right."
The Protector leaned back and tried to keep from crying. She hated crying and would prefer to not give into the hurt tears.
"I can't spare you from ever feeling pain again, Xander. If that was an option I would be doing it for all of you, no questions asked, no hesitation, but that's not how this works. I thought you understood that. You know, when you said you'd never blame me?"
He looked away from her so Libby decided to take another approach and rose to her feet saying, "You're my best friend and I love you. I hate that you're hurting, but if you trust me I promise that I can make it right. Your call."
Libby entered the Summers' home and saw Joyce asleep on the couch still surrounded by comfort foods and a movie playing on the screen. She closed the door as quietly as she could but that was a waste because Buffy's feet pounded down the stairs and she barked, "Where have you been?"
"Shhh! Your mom's sleeping." Libby hissed in a whisper.
"She's in a sugar coma. There's a difference," rebutted Buffy as she grabbed her sister's hand and led her upstairs to her bedroom.
"Come on, I was gone for…" Libby looked at the alarm clock and continued, "28 minutes. And that should be a record because not only did I get Xander furious with me, but six guys hit on me too. And two of them were all-star athletes and Devon even managed to flirt while singing on stage. So how bout instead of scolding me – what's that doing on your bed?"
The package was secure with its lid on top and the calligraphy facing the girls. At first, Libby thought Angel sent it to Buffy but it was clearly her name. The Protector twisted to her Slayer and inquired, "What's going on? Isn't this yours?"
"No, mine's in the trash," Buffy sternly and protectively answered. "This is yours."
"Angel sent me red roses too?"
"Not exactly."
Buffy walked over to the bed and lifted the top off and showed Libby her orange bouquet. The brunette gasped and took a step back. What was happening? Orange had to mean something different from red and there must be a note. Could it be something worse than, Soon? By the look on Buffy's face, it was.
"I looked it up while you were gone. Orange roses mean desire, enthusiasm, and passion," stated Buffy as she eased her way over to her sister in order to comfort her. "Giles was right. He's fixating on you too. Only in a worse way than we thought."
"Did he leave me a note?" the Slayer's breath hitched at the question and Libby had her answer. "Give it." At her Protector's order, Buffy handed the square card to her. Libby's eyes froze in fear. Mine.
"The card he sent with my flowers said, Soon. I think that whatever he's planning for me will happen soon and whatever he's thinking of doing to you…he sees you as being his. Being his what, I haven't figured out."
Libby glanced up at Buffy and sighed, "What is it with meaningful flowers today?"
"Sorry?" Buffy asked as she sat down on the bed with Libby joining her.
"Nothing, it's just – I don't get it. Why play with me? And what does his game even mean?"
"It means something's going down," replied Buffy without pause. "But I swear, he's not getting you. I won't let it happen."
Libby smiled and sweetly said, "You're a good sister, but I'm the Protector."
"I'm as much of a Protector as you just like you're as much of a Slayer as me," Buffy earnestly teased. "I mean…" the blonde got up to Libby and touched the simple, but special cross around her neck. "You remember this was the first cross I wore after becoming the Slayer?"
"I remember."
"Well, every time it's around your neck, I'm with you and it'll help keep you safe."
Libby couldn't help but get choked up. "No wonder it's my favorite…"
"Good," Buffy smiled and let go of the cross. "I need you to be okay and when you wear this then I know you will be."
"He's not getting me, Buffy. Ever. I promise, I'm not disappearing on you again."
Buffy threw her arms around her Protector who hugged back just as tightly and lovingly.
"I don't know what I'd do…"
"We're strongest together and he knows that. He'd be stupid to try something to either of us."
"You're right about that. I'd kick his ass," laughed Buffy.
"And I'd send him flying." Libby laughed along, but then grew quiet. "He doesn't hurt us. He doesn't hurt you… I promise."
The moment the sisters entered the school, Libby darted off to find Xander. She told Buffy everything that happened, but she left out one very important detail. Xander could not go to Amy and could not cast that spell. It may have been hilarious on the show, but now with everyone in serious – and incredibly real – danger, the Protector needed to stop it.
Libby caught sight of Xander dashing forward to catch Amy, but the Protector shuffled him to the side and pinned him against the lockers. Xander tried to break out of it, but the second his back stuck to the lockers he knew it was Libby's telekinesis.
The Protector marched right up to him and commanded, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Trying to do something about a certain predicament that you let me fall into."
"Don't get smart with me." Libby snarled through gritted teeth, making Xander gulp and feel like he was about to get grounded. "If you cast that spell then we could be in a whole boat load of trouble."
"My plan is about Cordelia," Xander retorted. "It has nothing to do with anyone else."
"That doesn't mean it won't effect everyone. I mean it, Xander. We're in enough danger as it is! Please, don't make things escalate."
Xander frowned and clenched his muscles in an attempt to move away, but it wasn't working. There was no way out of this until Libby knew he was on her side.
"Xander, I know she hurt you…I know I hurt you, but this isn't how to make it right. Give me a chance and I promise I won't let you down."
Xander glanced down at his best friend and nodded. "Okay, I won't do anything."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Libby released him with a small, but grateful smile and walked away to find Buffy. Xander watched her go and then caught sight of Cordy with all of her popular friends. The raging flames blazed again and the young man sharply turned to find Amy. It didn't take long and he rudely maneuvered her to the opposite side of the hall.
"What are you doing?" Amy demanded.
"Amy. Good to see you. You're a witch."
Amy's eyes boggled and she fearfully lied, "No, I'm not. That – that was my mom, remember?"
"Yeah, I'm thinkin' it runs in the family. I saw you workin' that mojo on Ms. Beakman. Maybe I should tell somebody."
Xander began to turn away when Amy blurted out, "That's not…That is so mean!"
"Blackmail is such an ugly word."
"I didn't say blackmail."
Xander shrugged and sarcastically replied, "Yeah, but I'm about to blackmail you, so I thought I'd bring it up."
"What do you want?"
Xander chuckled a very infuriated chuckle and passionately responded, "What do I want? I want some respect around here. I want, for once, to come out ahead. I want the Hellmouth to be workin' for me. You and me, Amy," Xander twisted back toward Cordelia and finished, "We're gonna cast a little spell."
"A love spell?" Amy asked in disbelief as Xander closed the door to the empty classroom.
"Yeah. You know, just the basic: can't eat, can't sleep, can't breathe anything but little old moi."
"Well, that kind of thing is the hardest – to make someone love you for all eternity?"
Xander shot out a hand and bellowed, "Whoa! Whoa! Back up. Who said anything about eternity? A man can only talk self-tanning lotion for so long before his head explodes."
"I don't get it," Amy pried. "If you don't wanna be with her forever, then what's the point?"
"The point is I want her to want me, desperately, so I can break up with her and subject her to the same hell she's been puttin' me through." answered Xander matter-of-factly.
Amy grimaced and paced, replying, "Oh, I don't know, Xander. Intent has to be pure with love spells."
"Right. I intend revenge. Pure as the driven snow. Now, are you gonna play, or do we need to have another chat about invisible homework?"
At Xander's threat, Amy took a few steps forward and answered, "I'll need something of hers. A personal object."
"Right." Xander grinned.
Buffy and Libby stormed into the library to find Giles reading a book at the table. Before he had time to look up, the sisters slammed down their notes onto the page he was reading. Giles jumped, but his entire body stilled when he read the cards.
"Soon what, Giles? And why is Libby his? You never held out on me until the big, bad thing in the dark became my ex-honey."
"Where'd these come from?" Giles inquired as he took them between his fingers.
"He said it with flowers. Mine were red and Libby's were orange. Clearly we are two separate things to him. This isn't the time to start becoming Mr. Protective Guy. I can't just hang around and prepare when I don't know what's coming."
"I thought – Libby, do you not know his plans?"
Buffy pounded a fist on the table between her Watcher and Protector. "He threatened my sister, Giles. I don't know what's coming for her. I need to know everything and you both are gonna fill me in."
Giles looked to Libby who just nodded.
"Yes, of course. You're right," Giles agreed. "S-Sit down with Libby."
Xander sauntered down the hall until he ran into Cordy. When she saw him she immediately spun around, but Xander sped up and cut her off.
"Aw, come on, don't flatter yourself. I'm not gonna make a big scene," Xander barked. "I just want the necklace back."
"What?" Cordelia gasped she was so hurt. "I thought it was a gift."
"No, last night it was a gift. Today it's scrap metal. I figure I can melt it down and sell it for fillings or something."
"You're pathetic!"
"Come on. I'm not gonna add to the Cordelia Chase Castoff Collection."
Cordy scowled and tried to contain herself as Xander glared at her with the broken pieces of his heart piercing into her eyes.
"It's in my locker."
"I can wait."
Cordelia went to unlock the dial as Xander leaned back against another row a couple of feet away. She eyed him to make sure he wasn't looking and leaned farther into her locker to remove the necklace from around her neck. She didn't want to take it off. It was the sweetest most special gift anyone had ever given her, but Cordelia knew she couldn't have both worlds.
Shutting the slender, metal door, Cordy gave the heart pendent back to Xander snapping, "Here. It's a good thing we broke up. Now I don't have to pretend I like it."
Xander took a moment to look into her eyes and Cordelia saw how much she hurt him. What had she done?
Xander sat on the floor of a darkened science room with markings on the ground as well as his bare chest. He held a candle in his hands as Amy completed the spell on a nearby table.
"Diana, goddess of love and the hunt, I pray to thee. Let my cries bind the heart of Xander's beloved. May she neither rest nor sleep until she submits to his will only," Amy dropped the necklace into the potion and it burst into magical flames. "Diana, bring about this love and bless it."
Xander looked up at the intensity of the power above him and started to wonder how right Libby was.
"Blow out the candle now!"
And he did.
The next day, Xander walked into school and found Cordelia sitting with the friends she chose over him. With a vengeful smile on his face, Xander strode over and leaned down close to his ex. No one looked up at him at first, but he only needed one of the girl's attention.
"What?" Cordy asked.
"Morning, ladies," He stared into Cordelia's brown eyes and tried to find loving submission. "Some kind of weather we've been havin', huh?"
"What do you want? You can't be sniffing around for more jewelry to melt 'cause all you ever gave me was that Smallmart-looking thing."
Xander lowered herself to her ear and replied, "Is this love, 'cause maybe on you it doesn't look that different."
Taking a hand to his chest, Cordy pushed him up and away from her yelling, "What are you doing? Are you going like, Stalker Boy on me now?"
Confused, embarrassed and fearful of how he just ruined his life further, Xander looked around the table at all the judging eyes. "Sorry, my mistake."
"Yeah, I should say so."
Giles sat on the top rim of a library chair as he skimmed over a page to find more violent displays of affection that Angel had committed in the past. Libby lay flat down on the table (having shared what she knew of his past and some of what she knew of the future) while Buffy sat in a chair very on guard.
"Oh, yes, here's another. Here. Um, "Valentine's Day. Angel nails a puppy to the"…"
"Skip it." Buffy ordered, getting a little too disturbed.
"But –"
"I don't wanna know. We don't have a puppy. Skip it."
"Right you are. I'll get another batch."
As Giles hopped down and went into his office, Libby whined, "I can't take this anymore. He's done too many despicable things and my nerves are shot as it is."
"I have a plan," Xander announced. "We use me as bait."
Libby shot up and sneered, "You seem more discouraged."
"So, what, just because I want you to chop me up into little pieces and stick me on hooks for fish to nibble at because it'd be more fun than my life makes you think I'm more discouraged?"
Libby raised an eyebrow. "Duh."
"This is about you and Cordy, right?" Buffy comforted. "Eh, it's her loss."
"Not really the popular theory," Xander replied glumly.
The three of them sat in a triangle formation and Xander noticed something strange. Libby looked awfully suspicious which made his stomach churn, but Buffy looked entranced…which made his stomach churn.
"Libby! Will you check the shelves I was browsing through earlier! I think I may have missed something!" Giles called out to the Protector.
Naturally, he'd ask me! Buffy never remembers where anything is! Libby slowly stepped up the stairs and once she was out of sight, Buffy moved closer to Xander.
"You know what I'd like? Why don't you and I do something tonight? Just the two of us."
Xander did a double take and happily asked, "Really? Like even without Libby?"
"Yeah. We can comfort each other."
"Would lap dancing enter into that scenario at all? 'Cause I find that very comforting," joked Xander.
Buffy didn't take her eyes off him as she glided up on her feet and moved her body into his. "Play your cards right…"
"Okay, uh…you do know that I'm Xander, right?"
"I don't know, I just…when Libby told me you and Cordy broke up, I guess I was just surprised how glad I was." Buffy lightly touched his shirt and got closer, making his heart pound hard in his chest. "It's funny how you can see someone every day, but not really see them. You know?"
Nervously laughing, Xander replied, "Yeah, it's funny. And it's just getting funnier."
Buffy put a finger to his lips and Xander went instantly quiet. He could smell her perfume, feel her warm breath on his lips, and her body was almost pressed fully against his. Xander couldn't believe what was happening and when she leaned in to kiss him, Xander swore he was dreaming.
"OUT!" Libby shouted at the top of her lungs.
Xander sprung backwards in terror, thinking that Libby knew he didn't listen to her warning and Buffy whipped around ready to pounce on the interrupter. However, it was Amy that Libby had ordered to leave.
"I just –" Amy stammered.
"No! Get outta here! Scoot!"
"Look, Libby, I just need to talk to –"
"No whores in the library! Get out before I throw you out!"
Libby had stomped down the stairs and began shoving the witch away and through the doors with a very stunned Xander and Buffy witnessing it. When she turned around there was a very specific glare on her face for Xander.
"Hallway. Now."
"Coming…" Xander meekly answered.
Buffy watched as her Protector lead Xander out of the library but was forced to stay when Giles came back with more information.
"What. Was. That?" Libby growled, eyes unblinking in ferocity.
"What, what?" Xander anxiously giggled.
"You know what."
"Okay, I know what I did was bad, but nothing actually happened so it's all good…right?"
Libby tilted her head and scowled. Xander saw her nose flare as her breathing became rhythmically deep and a very large part of him wanted to back away and grovel.
"I'm sorry, Libby, really. I just wanted a little respect, ya know? Some actual power in my life. You can understand that?"
"And how is flirting with Buffy going to get you any of that?"
"Well, once Cordy loved me I was gonna – hold up, flirting with who now?"
"You and Buffy were about to get it on in the middle of the library!" Libby hissed as she pushed him against the wall. "You didn't really think that was gonna go unnoticed did you?"
"Honestly," Xander perplexedly smiled he was so lost, "I wasn't entirely sure if that was really happening."
"It did. And it shouldn't. You and Buffy are not meant to be together and what's happening now isn't real."
"What does that mean?"
Libby swayed forward and pressed her arms on his chest, softness returning to her eyes. Xander wasn't sure how to handle this but he always liked how open and caring Libby always was with him so he welcomed the physical gesture.
"It means that you need to open your eyes to what's right in front of you."
Xander squinted, trying to understand. Libby tilted her head up as Xander unconsciously leaned down and suddenly the dark-haired boy realized that he was even closer to Libby than he was with Buffy only minutes ago. She smelled like subtle citrus, had cherry lip balm on her lips, and it somehow felt more natural to be this close to her than Buffy.
"Hi, Xander!" A preppy blonde girl greeted out of nowhere.
"What?" Xander groaned and froze when he saw it was one of Cordelia's friends.
"You're in my history class, right?"
"Yeah."
"I thought maybe we could study together tonight."
Libby slithered around so that she was blocking the trashy girl from Xander and leaned her back against his chest; making Xand very aware of how forward she could be if she so wanted, especially with her hips.
"Excuse me, but can you not see that we're in the middle of something? Private."
The prissy girl's face dropped as she sighed in discontentment, but this apparently spurred Libby on because Xander felt her body tense up and he suspected the Protector to fling her off somewhere.
"I really gotta go," Xander declared as he escaped the corner Libby backed him into. "Sorry, Libbs, we'll do this later?"
Not waiting for an answer, Xander ran off to come to grips with what was happening. Libby knew where he'd be. Go home, find Willow in his bed, she'll come on to him, he'll understand that it's the spell going awry. Tomorrow he'll come to school and seek Giles' help.
This gives me plenty of time.
Randomly, Giles looked up from his book and asked, "Where's Libby?"
Buffy's head darted to the door. No!
Xander couldn't believe what was happening. First Buffy, then maybe Libby, then definitely Willow. Oh, Willow. He loved her so much, but no matter how attractive she was in his shirt…and how good her tongue felt on his ear…it was so wrong! And now all of the girls in school look at him like he's what they've been searching for their whole lives.
Xand made his way into the library and met Giles coming down the stairs with a remorseful and terrorized look on his young teenage face.
"Xander…what is it?"
"It's – It's me," Xander panted. "Throwing myself at your mercy."
"What? Why?"
"I made a mess, Giles. See, I found out that Amy's into witchcraft and I was hurt I guess. So I ignored all of Libby's warnings and broke my promise by making Amy put the love whammy on Cordy, but it backfired. And now every woman in Sunnydale wants to make me their cuddle monkey, which may sound swell on paper, but –"
"Rupert, we need to talk. Hey, Xander," stated Jenny, stopping next to Xander…lightly fondling him. "Nice shirt. Look Rupert, I know that you're angry at me, and I don't blame you, but I am not just gonna go away. I mean, I care far too much about you to…Have you been working out?"
Xander shrugged at Giles, silently begging him to help. Giles grabbed Jenny and moved her away from Xander, but she couldn't take her eyes off him. That confirmed everything Xander just said in Giles' mind.
"I cannot believe that you're a fool enough to do something like this."
"Oh, no, I'm twice the fool it takes to do something like this."
"Has – erm – Amy tried to reverse the spell?"
"I get around Amy and all she wants to do is talk honeymoon plans."
Sensually stepping forward, Jenny said, "Rupert, maybe I need to talk to Xander alone."
Giles pushed her back and reprimanded, "Do you have any idea how serious this is? How could you not heed Libby's advice? People under a love spell, Xander, are deadly! They lose all capacity for reason."
Jenny hungrily stared at every inch of Xander as she ran her fingers through her hair and down her neck to her chest.
"And if what you say is true, and the entire female population is affected…" Giles took a quick glance at Jenny and his anger bubbled again. "Don't leave the library. I'll find Amy and see if we can put a stop to this thing."
Xand submitted to Giles' plan, but Jenny began zeroing in. Thankfully, Giles grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the library despite her groans of protest. Xander then went to put a rolly desk in front of the door, but that didn't stop Libby from opening it and walking inside. Xander didn't notice her right away, but when the deadbolt clicked into place, he jumped.
"I've been waiting for you," purred Libby.
Xander felt his eyes pop nearly out of their sockets and for a few brief moments he forgot how to breathe. He always thought she was attractive, but he never let himself see just how insanely sexy she was. Libby let her richly dark brown hair down in smooth ringlets and they rested upon the black, scantily clad, corset dress that perked up her bosom more than usual. She had strappy black heals to match and an arrow-shot heart necklace above the cross one. It was hard not to look at her body…her slender, curvy, toned, naturally ivory body. Libby's smokey make-up revealed her desire for him and Xander could smell her intoxicating perfume from where he stood.
"Libbs! You tryin' to give me a heart attack?"
"And here I thought you'd never notice." Libby seductively smiled and slowly strolled closer, circling him like delicate prey.
"How could I not? I mean, wow," Xander may have been backing away from her, but he meant what he said.
"That's sweet, but you don't have to say that. I know you'd rather have Buffy or Cordelia. I know you don't want me."
Xander was never so thrown. After everything he went through with every other girl, important or not, they all were clearly throwing themselves at him, but Libby? She kept her distance, sweetly smiled, and actually looked back at him. Why was it different with her?
"It's not that I don't want you," stuttered Xander. "I mean, how could I not? You're beautiful, you're smart, you're funny, kind, and all around amazing. I never knew someone like that could care so much about me in such a short amount of time, but here you are," Libby stopped circling and Xander's voice grew steadier. "You came out of no where and act like I'm one of the most important people in your life…and I go and get angry with you for no reason and break my promise. It's not that I don't want you. It's that this isn't real."
Libby began circling again and forced Xander to sit himself on the stairs. He expected her to launch, instead she knelt between his legs and gently rested her hands on his knees.
"Because of the spell?" Libby inquired, caressing a little higher up his legs.
"You know?"
"I guess I do, but it doesn't feel like a spell."
"But it is! I swear, Libby, it is. I mean, if I thought you truly knew what it would mean to me…but you don't. So we can't."
"Who says I don't?"
Libby bent into Xander and his breathing became erratic. He tried to push her away, but before he knew it the brunette had him lying down on the stairs. She was looking at him with so much desire that her seduction was mesmerizing. Xander wondered if this was all part of her ploy or if this is how the spell affected her. Or both. He wished he could ask, but the sudden taste of cherries was on his lips.
The Protector was on top of him and kissing him. Xander strained to get away, but she held him there and next thing he knew her tongue was in his mouth. This triggered a switch to go off in his teenaged boy head, which made him kiss her back. It felt strange and when her pelvis ground into his, Xander instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist and neck in order to deepen the kiss. He knew what was happening and that he should stop, but come on!
Crash! The library door swung open and splinters flew out as Buffy barged up to them wearing nothing but a short black raincoat and sleek black heels. Libby twisted around to see the rage on the Slayer's face and Xander did nothing to mask his fear.
"What is this? You're two-timing me?" Buffy shrieked at Xander. "Libby, how dare you do this to me?"
"How dare I?" Libby jeered as she floated up, hands domineeringly on her hips. "What makes you think that you're the one he's been pining for?"
"Excuse me?!"
"From what Xander just confessed, I'd say he's been mine a lot longer than he's been yours."
"Huh?" whimpered Xander.
"Is this true?" Buffy demanded.
Libby moved in front of the blonde and said, "Xander, tell her that I'm the one you really want."
"This is not good."
"Get away from him!" Amy shouted at the girls. "He's mine."
"Bitch please!" Libby flung her arm and sent Amy flying into the front desk.
Buffy sneered and said, "Good idea," and punched Libby to the floor.
"Not good at all."
Amy lifted herself up and targeted the girl standing. Buffy stood strong, but when Amy started conjuring something, the Slayer got a little uneasy.
"Goddess Hecate, work thy will. Before thee let the unclean thing crawl!"
"Buffy!" Xander cried. "Oh my God!"
Bright, fiery, magical light shot out of Amy's hands and enveloped Buffy. Within moments, she was nothing but a pile of raincoat and heels. Until the pile of raincoat and heels moved…and a rat scurried out.
"What just happened?" Giles demanded as he returned with Jenny.
"Buffy," Xander pointed at the rat.
"Wh-Where is she?"
"She's the rat, Giles," Libby mouthed off. "Aren't Watchers supposed to be observant?"
"Oh my God!" Giles breathed as he saw her scurrying away, but then looked up at Libby. "What in God's name are you wearing?"
"I can't look nice for my man?" Libby replied as she hooked arms with Xander.
"You need to get off him!" Amy growled at the Protector, who scoffed.
"You need to take a nap." Libby telekinetically banged Amy's head on the table and she was out cold, just sprawled out on the floor.
"Can you focus for a minute? Buffy is a rat!" Xander scolded, but didn't detach himself from his now friend with spelled benefits.
"When Amy wakes up, Giles will make her turn Buffy back. No big deal."
"No big deal?" Giles huffed as his eyes trailed the Slayer rat.
Growing jealous, Jenny put herself in front of Libby and remarked, "Why don't you help Giles contain Buffy and then get Amy up to undo all of this. I'll make sure Xander's all right."
"What the hell makes you think that you can order me around?" snarled Libby.
"Because something tells me Xander's just too much man for the pimple squad," Jenny retorted with sass and grabbed a fist full of Xand's shirt to bring him closer.
"Really?" Libby forced Ms. Calendar back with only a sharp look. "You should've talked to him about that. Oh wait, his tongue was too busy being in my mouth."
"Snarky, snarky!" Xander was astounded and put his hands on her hips in order to guide Libby away from their computer teacher.
"His tongue was where?" Giles screamed.
Cordelia closed her locker door and turned around to see her group of friends confronting her yet again. It was the rare times like these that made Cordelia wonder where Libby was to help her.
"Okay, what now? You don't like my locker combination?"
"It's just not right. You never loved him. You just used him." Harmony snapped. "You make me sick."
"Okay, Harmony, if you need to borrow my Midol, just ask."
Harmony took a hand and slapped Cordelia on the face, hard. She couldn't believe it. Cordy looked back to see the undiluted anger on their faces, but when she tried to leave they all pinned her against the lockers so they'd have the leverage to throw her down.
"You two, sit!" Giles ordered. "Be quiet."
Libby and Jenny glared at each other as they took their seats, but Libby made sure to take Xander's hand and squeezed it, giving him a reassuring smile as well. Of course, Xand was on guard now, but her demeanor hadn't really changed with him that much so he nervously smiled back.
"We have to catch the Buffy-rat."
"Ooh there!" Xander spotted her and ran to cut her off. "Can't we ask Libby to catch her?"
"I doubt she would help us in this matter."
"I bet if I asked she would."
Giles shot him a dirty look and Xander shut up.
"Good, Buffy," cooed Xander as he and the librarian cornered her behind the bookcase.
Of course, that didn't go so well because Oz appeared out of nowhere and punched Xander in the face. He fell back into the bookcase, which gave Buffy-rat time to escape.
"That kinda hurt," said Oz, shaking his hand.
"Kinda? What was that for?" demanded Xander.
"I was on the phone all night listening to Willow cry about you. Now, I don't know exactly what happened, but I was left with a strong urge to hit you."
Feeling calm again, Oz offered Xander a hand up.
"I didn't touch her, I swear."
"Xander! Where's Buffy?" Giles brought him back to the problem at hand.
At Oz's furrowed brow, Xander explained, "Amy turned her into a rat."
"Oh."
Giles got back on the floor and squeaked in order to coax her out, but it didn't help. Not even with Xander and a reluctant Oz getting low and looking.
"I don't see her. If anything happens to her, I'll –" Giles glanced at Xander and saw the guilt all over his face. Giles then turned to Libby and saw how innocently lost she was in all of this so he dialed down his resentment over Xander's part in the situation. "Go home. Lock yourself away. You're only going to cause more problems here. Amy, Jenny, and I will try to break the spell. Oz, take Libby and find Buffy?"
"Sure. Absolutely." Oz nodded and motioned for Libby to join him.
The Protector skipped over and stood next to Xander, stroking his arm in comfort, but it wasn't working.
"If –" Xander whispered, but Giles wasn't having it.
"Just go. Get out of my sight."
Guilt, sorrow, and shame were evident on his face and in his posture as Xander left the library, but when he reached the doorway Libby sprung to him and gave him a tight hug around the neck. Xander hugged back because he knew that no matter what state of mind Libby was in, her hugs were always real.
"It'll be okay. I'm here for you," she whispered against his cheek.
"Yeah, just not the way I need…" Xander mused over, wanting his Libby back.
The brunette released her hug but stayed connected to him. Their eyes locked and Xander couldn't hide the pain his face, but Libby could and she kissed him. Afraid of making things worse, he kept still and let her.
"I'll find you," she sighed as their lips parted.
"Whatever."
Xander walked out into the hallway and was met with the screams of Cordelia. He looked over to see a dozen girls or more screaming and beating on her in the middle of the hallway!
"We'll knock that snotty attitude right out of you!"
"No!" Cordelia cried. "Ahhh!"
Xander couldn't let this happen. He strode over, but his presence sent the girls into a screaming frenzy as they tried to fondle him, but all Xand saw was Cordy. He knelt down and picked her up to carry her out of the school and away from her attackers faster.
"I think we…" Xander started to say, but saw a bigger mob of scarier girls. Among them was Willow holding an axe in tears. "Lost 'em."
"I should've known I'd find you with her," cried Willow in anguish.
"Will. Come on, you don't wanna hurt me."
"Oh no? You don't know how hard this is for me. I love you so much. I'd rather see you dead than with that bitch!"
Willow lunged forward with the axe, but the second band of Xander fan girl came running out of the school doors and stopped her. Xand and Cordy found their opportune moment to run away and managed to leave school ground unscathed.
Buffy-rat slipped through the door leading down to the basement where the smell of cheese was the strongest. Oz and Libby quietly followed her down the stairs, Oz holding a flashlight and Libby's hand at the ready. However, among the water heaters, boxes, shelves, junk, and the like Libby was able to slip away from Oz and make her way out of the school unseen.
"Okay, now I really think we've lost 'em," confirmed Xander as they reached the Summers house.
"Dammit Xander, what's going on?" Cordy freaked as their pace finally slowed. "Who died and made you Elvis?"
"Buffy's house. Let's get inside. I'll explain later."
They rushed up the stairs and knocked on the door. Thankfully it didn't take long for Mrs. Summers to answer, but Xander and Cordelia pushed their way through and locked the door with barely a hello.
"What happened?" Joyce asked as she led them into the kitchen. "Why are you all scratched up? Where's Buffy?"
"She's – um – around," answered Xander.
"Well sit down and tell me about it," turning to Cordelia, Joyce added, "Why don't you run upstairs and grab some bandages out of the bathroom?"
Once Cordy left the room, Joyce offered, "Let me, uh, get you something to drink. You in the mood for cold or hot?"
"I – I –"
"I think it's more of a hot night, don't you?" Mrs. Summers flirted as she rubbed his shoulders.
Exasperated beyond belief, Xander clunked his head on the island counter and threw up his hands moaning, "Whatever!"
"You are so tense. Mmm," Mrs. Summers hummed as she loomed over his back and went to kiss his neck.
"What are you doing? Make me yak!" Cordelia shouted in disgust.
"Cordelia, go back upstairs. This is between us."
"Gross! I think not. Let's go."
"What are you doing? Get your hands off me!" Joyce squealed as Cordy kicked her out of the house and locked the back door.
"And keep your mom-aged mitts off my boyfriend. Former!" Switching back to Xander, she wailed, "Why has everyone gone insane?"
Xand shot up insulted and rebutted, "Insane? Is it so impossible for you to believe that other women find me attractive?"
"The only way you could get girls to want you would be witchcraft."
"That is such a…! Well, yeah, okay. Good point."
Glass from the back door shattered as Joyce stuck her hand through to unlock the door from the outside. "Xander, honey, let Joycie in. Hon, let Joycie in."
"Upstairs! Buffy's room!" Xander planned aloud and they ran up the stairs.
The moment they entered the room, Cordelia slammed the door shut and locked it. Xander made his way to the window to make sure they were safe and completely didn't see Libby lying across the bed.
"Nice to see you two getting along."
"Ahhhh!" Xander screamed and plastered himself against the wall. "Libby! What're doing here?"
"I told you I'd find you, so I came here to wait."
"Does Mrs. Summers not know you're here?" Cordy asked.
Libby shook her head. "Last thing I need is for her to butt in."
"Butt in on what?"
"You haven't told her?" Libby strut over to Xander who had opened the window to scan the street for the mob.
"Told me what?"
"We had a pretty intense kiss. But I guess they're all intense when you're in love."
"What?" Cordelia roared.
"Okay! Let's not dwell on the whole kissing thing, shall we? Good news is the mob still hasn't found us so we should be safer up here."
No one had time to take a breath, no one's heart had time to beat again before Angelus snarled and grasped Libby around the throat and waist saying, "Works in theory." The soulless vampire said nothing else and pulled her out of the window and into the night.
"Libby!" Xander and Cordy screamed at the same time.
Angel pinned her up against a tree and clutched her hands good and tight so she wouldn't be able to hurl him anywhere. Snickering, he put his nose in her hair and said, "I was going to do something special for Buffy – actually, to Buffy – but I just couldn't get you out of my mind."
"Get away from her!" Xander bellowed as he ran up from behind and kicked Angel as hard as he could.
Keeping a fist full of Libby's hair entangled in his hand, Angelus looped around and sucker punched him to the ground.
"Xander!" Libby shrieked and tried to get to him, but it was no use.
Angel's grip hurt her head so much that she couldn't focus and with the spell all she wanted was to get close to Xander. Not the best conditions for winning a fight, or fighting at all. As Angelus went down to bite him, Drusilla showed up and threw him back into a tree…with Libby along for the ride.
"Don't fret, kitten," Drusilla cooed as she helped Xander up. "Mummy's here."
"I don't know what you're up to, Dru, but it doesn't amuse!"
Drusilla growled at her sire and he growled back, still forcing Libby to stay on her knees.
"If you harm one hair on this boy's head…" The vampiress warned.
"You've gotta be kidding. Him?"
"Just because I finally found a real man." Drusilla spun him around and felt him all over.
"I guess I really did drive you crazy," Angel mused and faced Libby. "At least I still have you."
"Get off of me! Xander needs me!" Libby's screams were muffled as Angelus pinned her on the opposite side of the same tree so they were cloaked in the shadows.
Angel grazed his nose across her skin, whispering, "I need you too."
Xander did his best to back away from Drusilla so he could save Libby, but there was no way he could move. Fear and long vampire nails stopped him.
"Your face is a poem," Drusilla lustfully moaned. "I can read it."
"Really? It doesn't say "spare me" by any chance?"
"Shhh," Drusilla tenderly kissed him on the lips. "How do you feel about eternal life?"
"We couldn't just start with a coffee? A movie maybe?"
As Drusilla went to bite him, cries from the screaming throng of girls caught her attention and within seconds the two were bombarded with spelled female prospects.
"There he is! He's mine!"
"Get off!"
So many screaming, but it split Xander and Drusilla up. However, cheerleaders and the lunch lady tackled Xander to the ground. Willow stood over them and painfully bellowed, "All you had to do was love me!"
Cordelia rushed to his rescue and stopped the axe from imbedding itself in Xander's skull. They fought for the axe, but Cordy shoved Willow to the ground and went for Xander.
"Get out of the way! Get off him! Back off!" She screamed and helped Xander to his feet so they could barricade themselves inside the house again.
It worked for about 30 seconds thanks to Drusilla breaking the back door down. Only she was the one who couldn't get inside. Angelus walked up a ways behind her, Libby flailing behind and taunted, "Ah, sorry, Dru. Guess you're not invited."
"Let me go! I need to save him! I need to be with him!" Libby screamed and struggled.
"What is it about Xander today? Of all people." Angelus laughed, but that was not the smart thing to do.
"He's everything!" Libby hollered and hurled Angel through branches and down the street.
The Protector sent Drusilla flying after him and she dashed inside, fighting all of the girls trying to get to Xander. Sadly, the group of people was so big that Angel was able to find her and drag her out of the house. The moment they got outside, Libby flung him back into a tree, but Angel sprung back and grabbed hold of her. The Protector fought to get away – to get back to Xander – but no matter what she did it wasn't enough to get free. Still, Angelus knew he wouldn't be able to control her for long so he seized the back of her neck and plummeted her head into the railing of the porch. Libby was out and lifeless and with a victorious smile, Angelus lifted his spoils into his arms.
Xander and Cordelia ran into the basement and began barricading themselves behind the door. It vibrated with the bangs and kicks and screams of the girls outside, but they hadn't broken through yet.
"Gimme a nail," Xander harshly requested.
"If we die in here, I'm gonna kick your ass. I mean it."
"None of this would've happened if you hadn't broken up with me – but oh no, you're so desperate to be popular!"
"Me? I'm not the one who embraced the black arts just to get the girls to like me! Well, congratulations. It worked. You even got Libby!"
"It would've worked fine, except your hide's so thick not even magic can penetrate it!"
Wide and starry eyed, Cordelia grabbed Xander's arm and forced him to look at her. "You mean that spell was for me?"
Xander saw his Cordy shine through and for a moment they forgot about the raving psychos behind the door. But then a knife slashed through and forced them to flee down the stairs.
Xander took Cordelia's hand and shielded her body from the door, but then the glass window broke behind them so he was forced to back them up into a corner. Soon, the door had busted down and the girls were flooding in.
"Oh my God!" Cordelia screamed.
"Stay behind me!" Xander said as he got a weapon.
"Where're Buffy and Libby?"
"Buffy's a rat and Libby's fighting off Angel."
"What?" Cordelia wailed.
"Don't worry! Giles is finding a way to undo everything!"
"How long is that gonna take?"
"Too long." Xander replied as the girls began to swarm.
They fell to the ground and were suffocated by hands, feet, hair, and voices and no amount of swatting would make them dissipate. They pulled and prodded and pushed and there was no escape. Until they suddenly stopped. Everything went silent and still as confusion took over everyone's minds.
"Get off me!" Cordelia shouted.
As all the bewildered women began to spread out, Xander helped Cordy get on her feet. Everyone stared at them so Cordelia took matters into her own hands.
"Boy, that was the best scavenger hunt ever."
Xander laughed and hugged her around the waist. They looked at each other and genuine laughter came out. Xander felt something with her then and when Cordy looked into his eyes, he knew Libby had been right.
Libby felt her body twitch and throb as her eyes fluttered open. At first her vision was blurred, but by the smell of things she was not where she was supposed to be. What happened? The Protector tried to piece it together, but it felt out of her control. It had to do with Xander. She was with Xander, she wanted Xander, she seduced Xander, she kissed Xander…hold on, no that can't be right. But it was. The love spell. He did it behind her back and she was affected!
Grunting, the brunette tried to get up, but suddenly the presence of metal was around her wrists. Libby shot up, vision clear as glass, and yanked on the chains that bound her tightly to the wall. The Protector looked around her and saw that she was in the factory…and Angelus, Spike, and Drusilla were all staring at her.
"Good evening, Lib." Angelus growled in his chest as he knelt down to look his greatest spoil in the eyes. "Those chains look marvelous on you."
"What the hell are you doing?" the Protector hissed.
"I'm changing the game. I can't very well let you hold all the cards now can I?"
Angelus slid closer and grabbed a fistful of her hair in order to tilt her head back so he could stare down at her with his breath on her lips. Libby tried to fight him, but her head felt swollen thanks to the massive hit she took from him slamming her into the porch railing.
"I want to play! I want to play!" Drusilla whined in excitement. "I love a new live dolly."
Angelus chuckled and replied, "I know you do Dru, but for now she's mine."
"Right, but now that we have the Protector what are we gonna do about the Slayer?" Spike demanded.
"Keep her exactly where she is," Angelus bellowed, letting Libby fall face first onto the cold, hard floor. "Alone, frightened, and vulnerable. Without her sister to predict and protect, the Slayer is half the threat and twice the fun."
"You'll never beat, Buffy." Libby wheezed as she slumped against the wall and looked at Angelus with a sneer. "She's gonna kick your ass all the way to hell and that's after she busts in here to save me."
The soulless vampire tisked and crouched back down in front of her. "Not if she knows I'll kill you if she tries."
"What?"
Angelus maniacally grinned and Libby's stomach twisted in panic.
Buffy raced up the stairs newly human and clothed after everyone left the house to make sure Libby was all right. She wasn't among the throng of crazy, horny, spelled girls so the Slayer was hoping she was up in her room. The moment Buffy walked through the door her heart cracked in dread at the open window. Buffy didn't leave the window open; not after Angel lost his soul. The Slayer frantically searched the room to find some sign of anything, but there was nothing.
'Maybe it's not in here…' Buffy feared to think, but dashed out of the regardless. She didn't stop until she was crashing through Giles' apartment door. He was sitting at the table, head in his hands with glasses next to an envelope with bloodstains.
"Giles?"
The Watcher shook his head and drew a shaky breath into his hands. His eyes were red and he couldn't bring them to look at his Slayer. He just slid the paper closer to her.
Buffy opened it and saw the sketch of Libby lying unconscious and chained with bloodstains on her hairline. The Slayer breathed deeply to keep herself calm and prepared because nothing would stop her from getting her Protector back alive…if Angelus really had her. Then something fell out of the envelope. Buffy's breath hitched and deflated from her lungs. The cross necklace she gave Libby sprawled out on the table and blood had dried over the pendent.
"No…" Buffy cried as she dropped the picture and clasped the necklace in her hand. How could this happen? Libby would've known – no, she wouldn't. And Angel counted on it. But shouldn't Libby be powerful enough to fight him off? Buffy rolled her eyes. Not if she was under a spell.
"Doesn't matter." Buffy stated as she went for a bag of weapons. "I'll go to the factory and save Libby. I don't care if I have to kill –"
"Turn the page over," wheezed Giles.
Buffy did as he said to see one sentence neatly spelled out so there could be no confusion. Try to save her and her blood will be on your hands.
Buffy collapsed on the floor and let the tears fall because she couldn't contain it anymore. Her ex-boyfriend had kidnapped her Protector, her sister, and the Slayer was powerless to stop it.
"There is no hope for you," Angelus whispered in Libby's ear as his fingers traced around her neck. "You will tell me everything you know, but not right away. I am so looking forward to hearing you scream. It's been so long since I made a young girl scream."
"Threaten me all you want. Torture me until there's nothing left. I know how this ends." Libby taunted as she pulled on her chains. "You lose. You will always lose."
Angelus smiled. "We'll see."
Without warning, he plunged her skull into the wall behind them and watched the Protector slump over to her side as Drusilla cooed and Spike snickered. Angelus delicately moved strands of hair from her face and caressed her cheek. She was a pretty little thing in his hollow eyes.
Soulless Angel descended over her and placed a possessive kiss on Libby's forehead and sighed, "I have so much in store for us."