Chapter 18
A/N: I don't think I have any at this time. I'll make a tiny speech at the end of this chapter. Suspenseful, eh?
Disclaimer: Can you believe I still don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer? I've called, I've written…I've asked very politely…I've made cheesecakes and cookies…I've whined and cried… Nothing seems to work! Bah!
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Previously on "The One Who Does Magic"…Buffy and Willow wrap up a phone conversation:
"Bye, Will."
"Bye, Buffy. See you soon."
"Huh?" Buffy said, but the only response was a dial tone.
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January 23, 2004
4:00 p.m.
"So…I think I'm gonna go to the store. Pick up a few things," Xander said, hopping off the sofa while Willow cast a confused look at him. "Anything you want? Pickles? Peanut butter? Ooh, or that stinky cheese you like so much?"
"Didn't we just shop for groceries, oh…yesterday?" Willow asked skeptically.
"Well, yeah," Xander answered, "but, see, you ate that whole can of Pringles last night—which is totally fine with me, 'cause, gotta feed my progeny and everything, but I wanted to get some more. Maybe those little snack-sized ones for my work lunches. Oh, and also? I need some mechanical pencils."
Willow raised her eyebrow.
Xander continued. "And we're almost out of toothpaste. For some reason, knowing that I can kiss you anytime I want makes me more attentive to oral hygiene."
"For which I am pleased and grateful," Willow said, smirking. "But…right now you have to go to the store? You just got here. Why didn't you go on your way home?"
"Didn't think of it," Xander replied. "You know me, Will. Scatterbrained to a fault."
"I didn't know there was such a thing as a no-fault scatterbrain. Is that ever a good thing?"
"I think it's permitted when the person is exceedingly good looking," Xander said cheesily.
"Well, in that case, you're allowed. Now if you would be so kind as to lean over and give me a kiss before you leave," Willow began, "I suppose I have no choice but to let you go."
Xander willingly obliged, then headed for the door.
"Oh, and could you get me some peanut butter Treasures?" she called after him.
"Sure thing, Will," Xander answered, smiling all the way out the door.
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The airport was crowded for a non-holiday Friday, and Xander had to make a few visual passes before he settled on Buffy and Dawn. They hadn't seen him yet, but as he neared them, they spotted his advance and rushed him, crashing into him with squealing gale force.
Xander happily endured their hugs and kisses. "Ah, the ladies do love the Xan Man," he said over their heads while they squeezed him within an inch of his life—especially Buffy.
"I'm kind of dying here, Buff. May I regain the use of my lungs, please?"
"Oops, sorry," Buffy said sheepishly. "I think you'll need to be fully functional in order to help us with our luggage, too," she said, indicating the mountain of suitcases behind her and Dawn.
"Egad, women!" Xander exclaimed. "You'd think you were moving back. Are you moving back?" he asked hopefully.
"We shall see," Buffy said cryptically, giving Xander a smile and another hug.
Dawn was still clinging onto Xander's arm, bouncing up and down occasionally in little teenage hiccups of excitement. "It's so great to be here!" she said cheerily. "How'd you get out of the house?"
"Oh, I had that all planned out," Xander answered. "I was Mr. Smooth. She didn't suspect a thing."
"Xander, you are the worst liar on the face of the earth," Buffy teased. "She'll probably have a seven-course meal prepared for us when we get there."
Xander laughed. "Uh, are you new? Will hasn't cooked a seven-course meal in, like, ever."
"Hey, a girl can dream," Buffy shrugged. "Now let's get this luggage loaded up and get to the store."
"Hey, how'd you—"
"Please," Buffy said. "You're so predictable, Xan. Besides, the store is where they keep foods and chocolate-type items, with which we can ply Willow into forgiving us for keeping this little secret."
"You're brilliant, Buffy. I've always said that."
Dawn tipped her head and frowned. "You've never said that, Xander. In fact, I don't think anyone's ever—"
"Hey!" Buffy said indignantly. "Let the man speak, wouldja? I for one think he's very observant." She picked up the two heaviest suitcases and headed for the nearest exit, while Dawn and Xander smiled at each other.
"Burn!" Xander congratulated.
"Totally," Dawn replied with a look of satisfaction.
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They arrived at the house and set the luggage down as quietly as possible. Buffy and Dawn shushed each other as Xander opened the door. He entered the house and shut the door behind him. "Peanut butter Treasures and even those tiny powdered donuts you like," he called out.
Willow emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her pants. "Where are they?"
"Geez, Will, talk about pouncing on the food," Xander laughed.
Willow rolled her eyes at him. "Food, schmood," she said, looking around the room. "Where are Buffy and Dawn?"
Xander dropped the grocery bags on the floor. "Willow, you sneaky little…why you…how did you…"
"Never mind that," Willow said impatiently. "Produce my friends immediately, Xander Harris!"
Buffy and Dawn, having heard Willow through the door, opened it and ran over to her, smothering her in a 3-way hug.
"Oh my God, Will," Buffy shrieked. "You're barely circumnavigable!"
"Thanks bunches, Buffy," Willow said dryly.
Buffy waved her hand at Willow's affrontedness. "You know what I mean, silly. You're huge! But in a good way."
"You look so beautiful, Willow," Dawn said, beaming.
"Now this one I like," Willow said, hugging Dawn again.
Xander still stood in the background shaking his head. Willow finally noticed and put her hand on his shoulder, leaning over to give him a kiss.
"Aww!" Buffy and Dawn said together, eliciting blushes from both Willow and Xander.
"But seriously, Will," Xander said, "How did you know they were coming? I thought I did pretty well with the secret-keeping."
"I told you, Xander," Buffy said knowingly. "You're transparent." Dawn nodded sympathetically.
"But—"
"It's true," Buffy said.
"Actually…" Willow said, causing three heads to turn toward her.
"You little cheat," Xander said, realization dawning. "You spied."
Willow looked guiltily at him. "I didn't mean to. I mean, I did mean to, but I didn't mean to see anything I shouldn't see. But I did, and, really, what's the harm? All that matters is that they're here, right? Um…right?"
Xander shook his head at her, feigning supreme disappointment in her actions. Buffy and Dawn stood there, looking back and forth between Willow and Xander with confused expressions.
Buffy raised her hand.
"Uh…let's see," Xander said, looking at pretend people around the room. "Buffy Summers," he called out finally.
"What in the name of Tom Jones are you talking about?"
"Tom Jones?" Dawn asked.
"Tom Jones?" Xander asked.
Willow just frowned.
"Whatever," Buffy said impatiently. "When and/or how did you spy on me? Or us?"
Willow looked up innocently. "I…uh… Xander?"
Xander sighed dramatically. "She's been astral projecting."
Dawn pulled a face. "Is that, like, a gross pregnancy thing?"
"Dawn!" Buffy and Willow said together.
"Well, sorry!" Dawn squeaked. "Like I'd know!"
"It's like leaving your body and going to another place," Xander explained. "I tried to get her to stop, but she says it relaxes her."
"'She' is right here," Willow said, waving her hand front of Xander's face. "And it does relax me, and don't forget you're the reason I started doing it in the first place," she said, pouting.
"I know," Xander said, a bit humbled. "Sorry."
"Still confused," Buffy said.
"I did it to…see Xander when he was in Africa."
"Because she missed me," Xander elaborated, putting his arm around Willow's shoulders.
"Aww!" Buffy and Dawn said to each other.
"And you wanted to see us?" Buffy asked. "That's so sweet!"
"I'm glad you think so," Willow said, relieved. "I was afraid you'd think I was being all stalkery. But I wasn't, I swear! I just wanted to see how you two were doing. But I accidentally saw you packing, and then I accidentally saw plane tickets on the table, and…well, I put two and two together."
"You didn't accidentally see me in the shower or anything, did you?" Buffy asked jokingly.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Willow said, casting her a mischievous glance.
"Willow!" Buffy and Xander said together.
"So, who's hungry?" Willow asked, changing the subject.
Three hands shot into the air.
"Well, should we order something, or do you want me to cook—"
"Oh, that won't be necessary," Xander interrupted. "Actually, I talked to your mom yesterday and she said we should all come to dinner tonight."
"Well, isn't that nice of her?" Buffy said.
"Yes, isn't it?" Dawn nodded enthusiastically. "I'm gonna change into something better. I'm all wrinkly from the many planes."
"Ooh, me too," Buffy agreed. "Where can we change?"
"Use the nursery," Xander suggested. "Then you can take note of anything it's lacking and you girls can go shopping tomorrow. I know you've been dying for that girly stuff," he teased. "Actually, I think I'm gonna change, too," he added nonchalantly. "I'm not parent-worthy."
"You're all insane," Willow said, shaking her head. "It's just my parents. You remember my parents…same ones I've had for the last, oh, ever?" She was talking to retreating forms. "Oh, fine," she said grudgingly. "I suppose I have to change now, too. Sheesh! Dressing for dinner like some kind of fancy…" she mumbled as she made her way toward the bedroom.
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Xander rang the doorbell while Willow looked on in shock. "You are all just…what's wrong with you tonight, Xander?"
"Just being polite," he answered casually.
Mrs. Rosenberg opened the door and smiled broadly at the gaggle of guests on her porch. "Come in, everyone. It's so nice to see you, Buffy," she said, hugging the girl. "And you, too, Dawn. And of course Xander." Hugs made their way around as each person stepped into the house.
Willow walked into the living room, still befuddled over Xander's weird behavior. She stopped when she saw the man sitting on the sofa next to her father. "Rabbi Gellman? What are you doing here?"
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A/N: So, I know you're throwing imaginary objects at my head right now, but this is one of those points were you just have to end a chapter. It's really completely out of my control. There was actually a different spot where I wanted to end it, but the chapter was getting kind of long, and if I had gone on to the first place I meant to cut it, then the next chapter would be too short. Also, it's 1:30 in the morning, and I've taken like 72 benadryls today so I'm a completely zombie. So don't be mad.
On a side note, the original Word document of this story is now over 50 pages long. That's insane! I've never written a piece of fiction that long! Thesis paper, sure, but fiction? It's crazy, I tell you! If only I could make up my own original characters and plot and such, I could be a novelist. Sheesh! Of course, there are already plenty of novelists, so no point oversaturating the market, I always say. Hee!