2008: Thursday

Sunnydale, California

Sunnydale Elementary School: Classroom #15A

Xander flung open the door and hurried down the hallway, nearly fifteen minutes late for the school meeting. He swiftly ties a tie around his neck and tucks the tails of his button-down shirt back into his slacks.

Josh sat in a little chair outside the classroom, patiently waiting for the meeting to end.

"You're late." Josh gave his father a knowing glance that was strikingly identical to his mother's.

"Traffic." Xander rolled his dress shirt sleeves down his arms and buttoned the cuffs around his wrists. "Is your mother here?"

"What do you think?" Josh tossed his father a side-eye look.

"Damn it." He muttered, running his fingers through his dark hair, which had been flattened by the construction helmet he had been wearing for the majority of the day.

Peering into the classroom Xander looked at Josh's teacher, Miss Murray, leaning back on the edge of her desk in front of the room. Buffy sat at a desk, immersed in a conversation with the teacher.

Taking a few deep breaths, Xander prepared himself to face not Josh's teacher, but Buffy's wrath.

1999

Sunnydale, California

UC Sunnydale: Stevenson Hall: Room #214

They hadn't made very good time when they finally arrived at Buffy's dorm room. They had spent the majority of the journey stopping often, making out against streetlight poles, setting off car alarms, and leaving a trail of barking dogs behind them.

Xander kissed her passionately, pressing her back against the door. His hands were caressing her face and stroking her long hair. Buffy's hands unfastened his shirt and massaged her hands over his toned chest and lean stomach.

His lips were kissing and nibbling the flesh of her neck. Inhaling sharply, and reached behind her, wrapping her fingers around the doorknob. Twisting it open.

They staggered through the doorway into the dark dorm room.

They poorly stifled their hysterical laughter, trying to keep quiet.

"Shh. Shh. Shh." Buffy pinched his lips together and curled her other arm around the back of his neck.

Xander laughed, his hands running down the sides of her slim figure.

"Willow? Are you here?" Buffy loudly whispered, adding to their amusement.

"Willow?" Xander whispered loudly.

Buffy flipped on a lamp behind her back, filling the dorm room with a yellowish dim light.

Their gazes were drawn to Willow's side of the room. Her bed remained undisturbed.

"She must be studying at the library all night." Buffy slurred.

Xander nodded his head, his dark eyes staring hungrily at the blonde Vampire Slayer. "That's good for the library."

"Very good…" Buffy nodded, her hands stroking his muscular chest. She completed the final few buttons of his shirt.

"Lucky for us," Xander murmured, kissing her neck as his hands slid up and down her sides.

"Lucky…" Buffy breathlessly replied and pushed his open shirt off of his round shoulders.

Xander pulled the wife beater tank up his body and tossed it on the floor. Buffy quickly discards her own top after pulling it over her head. She bit her lower lip and gave Xander an inadvertently sensual look.

His hands palmed both of her breasts. Buffy moaned her arms encircling him, tenderly rubbing his back. Buffy's petite body was pressed firmly against Xander's front as they kissed passionately.

They stumbled backwards onto the bed. Xander positioned her on her back and drew up her skirt, too eager to remove the rest of their clothing. He was easily set free by pushing his pants past his hips. He took hold of his erection, directed it toward her entrance, and slipped inside of her.

Their second mating was just as frenetic and intense as their first. Xander pumped within her, tweaking her nipples with his rough thumb pads. Buffy screamed and raised her hips in response to his thrusts; as ecstasy washed over her.

As his climax approached, Xander slipped his hand between their bodies, touching her swollen clit. Xander continued massaging it with his thumb till Buffy cried out his name as her body erupted in orgasm. He let go, savagely thrusting, pouring his seed deep within her.

Xander collapsed on top of her, exhausted. Buffy caught her breath before erupting into a fit of inebriated giggles.

Xander dipped down, swallowing as much of one of her breasts as he could into his mouth before pulling back his head and caressing the nipple with the tip of his tongue. He nibbled gently on her rosy nipple, which protruded fully towards him. She hissed and rolled her eyes back in her head as he repeated the same sluggish strokes before switching to the other breast.

Buffy's hips naturally began to raise as she pleaded with Xander to give her what she so much desired—him. Her fingers gently tugged his dark hair, moaning loudly.

He returned his mouth to her lips and kissed her passionately while feeling around the zipper of her skirt. Eventually, he found a zipper and tugged it down, bringing his lips to her neck and nibbling at her skin, oblivious to the fact that she would bear the remnants of their passionate inebriated night the next day.

Buffy attempted to push Xander's pants all the way down with her feet.

Buffy's skirt slid down over her legs. Xander smiled at their dilemma and stood up to begin pulling off his pants, realising that it would be easier to remove his shoes first.

Xander stood at the side of the bed naked. He looked at Buffy's flawless figure in awe. The tip of his tongue licked his lips as his fingers stroked her side and descended to her hip. He bowed his head and placed a delicate kiss on her hip.

Buffy shifted onto her stomach, getting on all fours. She looked back at him wearing a seductive grin on her face.

He found that alluring smile tempting and swiftly moved behind her, stroking the head of his erection over her sopping entrance, teasing her for a moment before sinking himself into her once more.

He was able to exert more control this time, carefully pulling almost all the way out of her before ramming into her until the hilt. Buffy cried and bucked back, but Xander ignored her and proceeded at a moderate pace until his desire forced him to come.

They were soon slamming into one other in an animalistic fury, utterly engrossed in their pleasure.

Buffy found herself exploding in orgasm all too soon and Xander slowed his thrusts until Buffy's shaking subsided. Despite her protests, he pulled out of her and laid on his back on the bed. She took the hint and straddled him, sliding down on his length with no preamble.

Buffy's eyes closed, her back arched, and her head fell back.

Xander drove up within her and massaged her clit with the pad of his thumb. She bounced up and down on him, her back arched, and hands on his thighs tightened.

She had reached another climax, but this time Xander was emptying himself within her. Buffy relaxed and she fell on top of him, kissing his shoulder.

Both felt satisfied and exchanged a few sweet kisses on the lips before falling asleep in one other's arms, not at all thinking about what the next day would bring.

2008

Sunnydale, California

Sunnydale Elementary School: Classroom #15A

The sound of the door opening interrupted the conversation. Miss Murray and Buffy turned to see Xander standing in the doorway, sporting a tight smile and waving uncomfortably at the women.

"Mr Harris, I'm glad you could make it." Miss Murray, a thirty-something woman with black hair pulled back into a low bun, smiles gently.

"Uh, sorry, the traffic from the site was, uh, awful." He shut the door behind him and tried not to notice his estranged wife's stern disapproving expression.

She quickly saw straight through his traffic excuse since they both came from the same location. Buffy has been working as a guidance counsellor at Sunnydale High School for the past four years. She liked her work, and it was also the ideal position for keeping an eye on the Hellmouth.

Xander, who is now a project manager, oversaw the development of the new laboratories for advanced high school students at the science building.

The distance between the high school and their son's elementary school was barely two miles.

"Not a problem. Have a seat," Miss Murray replied, motioning to the empty desk next to Buffy.

Before walking over to the desk, Xander looked at Buffy, then back at the teacher, and wordlessly walked over. He pulled out the miniature plastic chair and sat down.

Miss Murray continued, "I was just telling your wife that Josh is such a joy to have in class. He has the biggest personality. Always makes the other kids laugh."

"That's our Joshy. He makes us laugh too." Xander smiled.

"Josh is very bright. He is always quick to throw his hand up, but I've noticed lately that he's been a little down. Quieter. Not as engaged. Distracted. I fear…" Miss Murray paused, her words carefully chosen.

Buffy frowned, troubled by the teacher's tone. "Fear? There's fear?"

"Yes. I fear that something is happening with him. I've noticed him staring out the window during class and at recess, he's been sitting by himself, which is unlike him. I'm concerned. Have you noticed a shift in Josh's behaviour at home? Has something happened that could have affected him?" She inquired, her gaze drawn to the parents seated in front of her, who appeared rather guilty.

Buffy nodded after a brief silent exchange with Xander. "Yeah. Earlier this week, Xander and I told him about our separation. Joshua hasn't been taking it very well."

"I see."

"Buffy and I are trying very hard to keep normalcy for him, but none of this is normal," Xander added.

"I-it will take some time for all of us to adjust," Buffy stammered nervously. "We can try talking to him again. Letting him know that just because his father and I are separated, it doesn't mean we love him any less or that any of this is his fault."

"What do you think we should do?" Xander asked.

Miss Murray felt sorry for the estranged spouses. She has seen numerous youngsters suffer when their parents divorced. She sincerely hoped Mr and Mrs Harris would find their way back to each other. "I think that you should keep an open line of communication for Josh to talk to you."

Buffy nodded in agreement. "We can do that. Anything to make this easier on him."

"Right," Xander swallowed. "Easier." His dark gaze turned to his wife, who was doing everything she could to avoid eye contact with him.


"How'd it go?" Josh asked, looking up at his parents as they exited the classroom.

Buffy combed her fingers through her son's shaggy dark brown hair. "We'll talk about it later. Your dad and I need to chat for a minute. We'll be right over there." She pointed down the hallway, far enough out from the eight-year-earshot.

Xander patted Josh's head as he moved down the hall, following Buffy.

She encircled herself and lowered her eyes to the floor. "What do we do about Joshua?"

Xander shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Exactly what the teacher said. We keep the line of communication open." He looked at Buffy. "Maybe we three can grab dinner and talk about it."

Her head jerked up as she looked at her husband. "I don't think that's a good idea." Xander's anguished expression twisted the invisible stake that was already impaled in her heart. She exhaled a heavy breath. "Xander, we're trying to establish a new normal for our son. Going out to dinner as a family would only confuse him."

Xander massaged his rough chin, desperately attempting to keep his frustrations at bay. "Then what do you suggest?"

"I suggest that we speak to him individually and let him know that he can talk to us and ask as many questions as he wants."

"And what if he asks a question neither of us has the answer to?" He asked, hinting at the inevitable notion of divorce.

"We're going to have to take it as it comes." She said, lowering her eyes to the dainty silver-chain watch around her wrist. "Listen, I've got to go. I've got to make dinner before heading out on patrol."

"Who's watching Josh tonight? Giles?" Xander shifted his gaze down a hallway to Josh, who was still sitting on the chair, kicking his feet.

"No, Spike," Buffy answered.

Xander suddenly focused on Buffy. Hatred darkened his eyes, and the frown on his face hardened into a scowl. "Spike? Are you kidding?"

Buffy rolled her eyes in annoyance, not in the mood for this recurrent argument. "He's watched him a hundred times before. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that I don't want my kid left alone with a serial killer." Xander's voice began to rise.

"It's never bothered you before," argued Buffy.

"Yeah, well, that was before—"

"Before what?"

Xander stepped back while raising his hands. "Fine, Buffy, fine. Once again, you call all the shots and I have zero say."

"Pfft. This isn't anything new, Xander. Willow and Tara are busy. Dawn's at school and Giles has to stay late at the Magic Box. What do you want me to do? Leave our eight-year-old alone in the house?" Buffy asked, cynically.

"How 'bout entrusting me to watch our son? I'm the damn father!"

"Fine. You want to watch him? Then watch him." She noticed his frown change into an uneasy expression on his face. "What?"

"I can't tonight. Work…"

Pursing her lips together, Buffy could have predicted his response a mile away. "You are unbelievable."

"I need to go back to the site and—"

"I don't need an explanation anymore." She said, oblivious to the fact that her sharp words pierced him. "Spike will be over after sunset—if that's okay with you." Buffy abruptly turned away, heading back down the hallway to take Josh home.

Xander rubbed his rough face in frustration. He inhaled deeply, but it did little to calm him. He did his damndest to put up a pleasant front as he returned to Josh, but he was fuming on the inside. "Joshy, c'mere and give me a big hug." He held his arms out for Josh to rush into.

Josh sprang into the air and wrapped his arms around his father's neck.

"Oof, man, you weigh a ton." Xander carried Josh in his arms back towards Buffy.

"Am I going home with you?" Josh asked, touching his father's unshaven cheek.

"Not tonight, bud. Mom's got you one more night than it's you and me all weekend, so you gotta figure out what you wanna do."

"Okay!" With a burst of excitement, Josh jumped out of Xander's arms and took his backpack from Buffy's hand. "Mom, can we go home so I can plan an epic weekend?"

Buffy lovingly pushed Josh's floppy hair off his forehead. "Yeah, sure, honey. Say goodbye to your dad."

"See ya tomorrow, Dad!" Josh waved at Xander as he took Buffy's hand.

"Can't wait, kiddo." Xander plastered a lopsided smile on his face.

Buffy and Xander stood for a moment, regarding each other. Without saying a word, Buffy turned away and headed out the door with Josh.

"When we get home, I'll start dinner and you, my love, will put on your pyjamas. Spike is coming over in a little while."

Josh jumped up and down, excited to see Spike. "Awesome! Spike said that he'd finally teach me poker."

Shaking her head, Buffy smirked at her son in amusement. "Oh, really? Just please, no gambling kittens."

"Huh? Kittens?" Josh frowned, looking up at his mother in confusion.

Xander stood in the background, watching his love and son leave the building. He ran a hand through his hair, longing to run up to them and take his family home.