Title: White Knight, White Light, Part 7 – Back to L.A.

Author: Xanfan

Rating: R/NC-17 for violence

Pairing: Xander/Angel

Summary: Slash Xander means more to the Scoobys than they could possible imagine, and when something happens to him, chaos ensues. Crossover with Highlander.

Spoilers: Anything in Ats & BtVS is up for grabs, but I have messed with the timeline a bit. I have tweaked the timeline a bit to suit my own purpose, so there.

Warnings: CHARCTER DEATH and Violence and slash.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Words in Italics indicate thoughts.

They had decided that Xander would be more comfortable training at home, so they were heading for L.A., at nightfall.

The Sunnydale crew was deciding what they were going to do, now that the hellmouth was closed. Buffy was still the slayer and there was another hellmouth in Cleveland. Nothing was decided yet, so they were staying put, for the moment.

Xander was saying his goodbyes and receiving bone crushing hugs in return.

"I'll miss you Xan. Be careful." Tara said in his ear, as she gave him a surprisingly strong hug.

"I will."

"Come visit me?" Dawn asked, with her hug.

"Of course, Dawnpatrol."

"Stay safe." Anya said shortly, trying not to sniffle with her hug.

"I'll try."

"Take care of yourself, son." Giles said gruffly, with his manly half hand-shake half-hug.

"I'll do my best."

"Don't get dead…again." Buffy said firmly, nearly cracking a rib with her hug, but, whatever, it would heal pretty quick.

"Take care of yourself whelp; I don't want to have to pick up the pieces of Peaches o'er there if something happens to you." Spike said, and then ruined his nonchalant façade by grabbing the boy and lifting him off the ground in a firm, bone brunching hug.

"At least I didn't run you out of town this time." Willow said, with a sad smile.

"You didn't run me out the first time, Wills."

"I know, it's just, you're my Xander; I'll always want you to be near."

"And you're my Wills, and no matter how far away I am, if you need me, nothing would keep me away." Xander said softly, hugging his oldest friend, tight to his chest.

"And like Buffy said, don't go getting dead again. I can't go through that again." Willow said, against his shoulder.

They squeezed one more time and stepped back from each other.

Willow turned to Angel, "Take care of him?"

"Always." Angel vowed, earnestly.

"I don't need to reiterate the shovel speech?"

"NO! I mean, no, I remember it." Angel inwardly shivered at the first time she had given him the speech for Xander, ten times worse than the one for Buffy. Willow had been very descriptive and creative with just how she would use the shovel, should he hurt Xander.

Willow turned to Adam/Methos, "I usually only give the shovel speech to love interests, but in your case, I'll make an exception. You let Xander get hurt and there is no place on this earth you can hide, and shovels can decapitate just as well as swords, if a bit messier. But, don't think your head will be the first thing I remove. Vague disclaimers are nobodies' friend." Willow said, with utter seriousness and menace. She was backed up by nods from Buffy and Dawn, and Tara's eyes turned white when she nodded. Adam was thoroughly impressed and frightened at the same time, he nodded his understanding.

Spike grunted his approval at the threat, he had taught Red well with the threats.

Giles tsked at the threat, but Ripper shown through, with approval in his eyes.

The L.A. crew was similarly impressed with the threat and backed it up with nods, even though they would be on hand to make sure Xander was okay.

"Well, I can say this visit had been thoroughly enlightening, if not more than a little traumatic. However, I am glad to have met all the people that Xander has gone on and on and on about." Lorne said.

"What he said." Gunn said.

"I had a really nice time, aside from the death thing. I hope to see you all again real soon. And Dawn, I hope your next birthday party isn't nearly as eventful as this one." Fred chimed in.

"Thanks, I think I'll forget the party next year and just ask for a big, expensive present instead." Dawn said with a smile.

"I myself vote we stop celebrating birthdays, period. They haven't gone too well for any of us." Xander said.

The ones who remembered horrible birthdays past, nodded in agreement. The others shuddered to think of the birthday celebrations this group must have had.

"We still get presents, though, right?" Buffy asked.

"Presents, yes. Parties, no." Willow said.

They all chuckled a little, still stunned by the recent events and memories of birthdays past.

"Well, we better get going. Call if you need anything." Angel said.

"Hell, just call, no reason needed." Xander said.

The girls gathered him in a group hug and they all watched sadly, as he got in the car. After the watching Xander die and then undie, they had all wanted to spend a little more time with him, but, they knew that right now, training was the most important thing for him.

More than one cheek was wet with tears as the L.A. crew pulled away, Xander waving until he couldn't be seen, even by supernatural eyes.