Buffyverse

"That is quite a story Riley. I have to admit when I asked you to explain why you had various teams running around this town all night and all morning, I did not expect that." Maggie Walsh said to the young man she viewed as the child she never had as she sipped her morning coffee.

"It's the truth," Riley stated.

"I would expect nothing less," Maggie replied in a tone that sounded suspiciously like a warning. He was one of her best boys; loyal, hard-working, and by-the-book. Of all of her soldiers, he was the one she trusted the most. Still, she could feel him pulling away from her due to this new girl in his life. She had a feeling it was developing far more than a simple college crush, and this was bad timing with project 314 so close to being up and running. "So, the teams have located nothing that reveals Buffy Summers's whereabouts?"

"Nothing," Riley confirmed. "Not a scrap of evidence or a trace of her, she just vanished off the face of the earth." The man stated and Maggie could tell that the blond disappearance had affected him. Her limited experienced with the Buffy had been an interesting experience. Finding out that Buffy is the Slayer is a kind of a gas, and it's nervous-making and exciting to have good people on her team. To take the next steps on her plan she wants and needs a great cabinet underneath her. She just was not sure if Buffy would fit in her cabinet. "Her… former watcher," Riley said struggling with the term before adding, "has a theory about her… possibly being… transported to another… reality."

Captain Finn looked like he was struggling to believe what he was saying and as a woman of science Maggie Walsh had her doubts. "Another reality?" She said unconvinced as Riley nodded grimacing looking uneasy. Choosing to stick to the facts and not such fiction Walsh got up from her desk exiting her office with Riley following him. "We work with facts not myths or legends are we clear Captain Finn," she stated to him.

"I am clear," Riley replied sounding every bit the loyal soldier.

The pair entered a computer room nodding at the men and woman working there. "Lt how are we with locating the other one the brunette?" Walsh asked one of the computer programmers.

"I was just about to call you," the young woman replied quickly before bringing up an image. "I found this footage from a security camera last night." It was Faith moving down a back alley away.

"Where was this?" Riley asked leaning in.

"Just off Mains Street," the Lt informed them.

"That's going away from Giles's place," Riley muttered to mostly to himself before speaking up to the Lt. "Check the addresses for both Rosenberg and Harris, they are known associates of Buffy Summers."

"First names?" The Lt asked as she typed on the computer.

"Willow and… ummm Xander," both Walsh and the Lt gave the young Captain a look. "We've only met a couple of times," he shrugged in his defence.

After a moment the woman brought up a page of information. "Alexander Lavelle Harris lives about 4 blocks from Mains Street."

"I want a team there at once," Walsh spoke up the members of the room. "I want every security camera tapped and every possible exit route mapped out and blocked with one of our own. I want that girl brought in!"

"Don't you think that is overkill?" Riley muttered to Walsh. "We should be focusing on finding Buffy."

Walsh glanced at Riley, questioning her orders another sign that he was slipping away from her. "This girl appearing, and Mrs Summers disappearing cannot be just a random event Mr Finn," she pointed out. "Even so from what Mrs Summers's friends have informed you this girl is dangerous and needs to be contained." Ever the soldier Riley nodded and detailed his plans to capture the other slayer and who would make up his team. Perhaps, Buffy's disappearance was not unwelcome and more importantly this other slayer could provide a chance to study their unique physiology. From Riley's reports and conversations, she had already come to an understanding their slayer's physical capabilities were far above the human norm but yet they were only featuring in one single little girl. Perhaps with this slayer as a test subject Maggie Walsh could create an entire army of slayers.

XXXXXX

Wishverse

Alexander rubbed his arm and watched warily as Buffy circled him. That last kick had made his whole-body ache. In fact, he was aching in a various different, but it was a good kind of ache. The kind of ache that one only got from training with a Slayer, especially a Slayer that knew her trade. Training with the Slayer had sounded like a good idea when she suggested it. It would give them both a chance to get ready for another assault on the Master and secretly he'd been looking forward to the chance to match himself against her. He wouldn't have been so enthusiastic if he'd known just how worthy.

It had started out well, just sparring and throws in the converted garage of Giles' apartment. Alexander had seen her fight, but hadn't really appreciated just how strong Buffy was, or how fast, not to mention creative. He quickly was able to spot the differences in the two slayer's fighting styles Faith employed a more brawler-type fighting style than Buffy, who was more prone to Asian martial arts. Faith tended to be more aggressive and reckless, using her Slayer brute strength rather than speed or agility as Buffy did. Giles had already begun to work to discipline Faith's wilder style and balance it into becoming more focused without losing its energy. Faith even when sparring his mind wandered back to her. She was now displaced and stuck in a world where he was still human, still just Xander and not the vampire or fighter that he was in this one. That left him uneasy at the idea of Faith meeting his younger self. Alexander was well aware that he was unfocused, immature, and lacking much common self. He didn't like being reminded of that younger self as it reminded him of… Willow. His beautiful, vibrant, wonderful Willow. Alive in well in at least some universe.

His daydreaming was halted with a hard kick that jarred his teeth and he grunted as he hit the mat. He was on his back with Buffy straddling him, her shiny teeth gleaming as she pressed the plastic stake into his chest, not quite hard enough to break the skin. "Staked and dusted," Buffy told him looking down at him. She grinned at him and ran her free hand through her hair, which had become very messy after hanging upside down.

"It's a familiar feeling," he replied looking back up at her while moving his jaw painfully.

"Oh, right because you were killed before Giles brought you back, "she said as she moved off and allowed him to get back up. She flipped the stake in her hands; turning it away from him and making it seem to vanish. For her part she had been impressed with this Xander's skills and moves, he seemed capable and even challenging to deal with. Buffy supposed she shouldn't be surprised about that. It made sense that this Xander would try and learn how best to defend himself as his life went on. But she was saddened to see the affected this world has had on her friend. He was closed off, more cynical and far darker. The goofball Xander, the one who always be relied on to make a joke when times where tough… he didn't existed in this universe.

"By yourself no less," Alexander nodded to her.

Buffy's eyes widen. "What I staked you?" she questioned him.

"The other you did," he replied and noticed she seemed very uneasy about the fact. "Hey, it's okay soulless vampire meets vampire slayer. Only one of us was ever going to walk away."

Buffy still didn't seem to be comfortable about the idea of killing Xander even though on occasion she had pictured his face on a punching bag. "You are good," she remarked.

"You sound surprised," Alexander replied slightly bemused.

"Xander," Buffy began. "Well, he never put much effort into learning how to fight or defend himself. Plus, he has this annoying habit of jumping right into the face of danger all careless and stupid." She grumbled.

"Hmmm well I can be helpful in unhelpful ways," Alexander remarked clearly not impressed at hearing his other half. It didn't sound like Buffy respected him all that much. The old slacker Harris gene was still on full display in the other universe it would seem.

"You don't seem too enthusiastic to hear about yourself," Buffy replied, and Alexander grimaced at the fact it was written all over his face.

"Do you want to hear about the Buffy the vampire slayer from this universe?" He asked her sharply. "From what Giles has mentioned she didn't have a happy life here."

"Can't be any worse than mine," Buffy grumbled under her breath.

Alexander turned to face her. "Her parents put her in and out of many a psychiatric clinic, doctor's office, and specialist. She ran away and lived rough on the streets. No high school, no friends, no true love and barely anyone cared when she died... I'm guessing life doesn't seem all that bad now in your universe."

Pissing her off, hmm maybe there was still a little Xander left in this model Buffy decided fuming. "You don't know anything."

"You are right I don't know the details but know this. In your reality you look out the window on a sunny day and its paradise. Mundane paradise where people going around clueless as they like here? You look outside a window, and you see some scared people knowing that they are on the menu of some nasty creatures, but they don't want to admit what they are!" Alexander told her. "So you can't even compare our realities. Out here, there are no saints, just people-angry, scared, determined people with little chance or hope who are going to do whatever it takes to survive, whether it meets you're your approval or not!"

"So, if think you have little or no chance of winning why bother at all?!" Buffy growled at the vampire stepping forward into his space. "Why not just run away? And start a fresh?"

"Because they took Willow from me," Alexander confessed, and Buffy blinked a little backing off. "They killed her and turned her into a monster. See Buffy that is where I know you have had the better end of deal because you live in a place with Willow." He smiled softly and she melted backing down. "No doubt she is brilliant, blossoming in the academic world of university and has turned into a wonderful woman… everything that has been stolen from her here. So, I intend to kill them for doing this to her. Destroying them as they destroyed her."

Buffy gritted her teeth but did not say anything. "He brought me back to life," she admitted unable to look at anything but him. "I was prophesied to die by the Master, I went to face him, and I died, drowned… Xander brought me back. He saved me."

"Good to know my counterpoint is good for something," Alexander remarked causing Buffy to frown a little but let the comment go.

XXXX

Buffyverse

After a nice cold shower to rid himself of any urges and desires of the alternate Faith from another universe Xander went upstairs to grab the pair some breakfast. The sounds of lawns being mowed, cars being started up and driven to work in background as he went back downstairs to his basement. It was strange being around her again as they ate pop tarts and drank orange juice. They hadn't really hung out that much apart from that one night they shared together. When she first arrived in town last year, he was immediately attracted to her. Part of it is that Faith is a new person: she's hot, she's exciting, and she's armed with impressive stories, an aspect that also immediately wins over Willow as well. The other part of it is his Slay-dar is going off. He flirted with her, rather pathetically and in a very Xander Harris manner but then he was with Cordelia, and she would come and go in and out of their slaying group.

Right now, she sat across from him listening to him tell her a few tales of this universe, in a combination of her own clothes and what clean things of his he'd given her. Her pants, his shirt, her jacket, his boxers. Not that he could see the boxers. Well, maybe once or twice when she had moved in a certain way, and her (his) shirt would ride up a little, and her tight jeans would kind of sag a little bit. Not that he was looking for that kind of thing, but - well, it was hard to miss. She was a very beautiful girl, regardless of what she wore. Even like this, she was beautiful. Even like this, he was reminded of the soft, almost innocent face that he'd stared at in the dim light of a cheesy motel room. He could remember her scent, remember her feel. Remember that strange feeling deep in his stomach that told him this was something special. And he could remember that feeling being quickly stomped away, filed into the back of his mind, only to be torn out barely a week later. Torn out by the feel of iron fingers around his neck.

"You are so full of crap," she said grinning at him.

"I am serious!" he defended himself his hands raise up in the air. "The spell turned every girl and woman into being totally in love and I mean crazier than that boat trip in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory in love with the Xan-man but still I resisted all attempts and come on to me!" He smiled proudly.

Faith scowled at him good-naturedly while taking another bite of her pop tart. "So, you are telling me that you have a whole female population of all shapes and curves coming onto you and you didn't even give in once?"

"Well, it was touch and go with one or two encounters," he confessed honestly before shaking his head. "But nope I resisted!" She laughed shaking her head. She'd been having a good time, she realized. The past few hours in the morning had been oddly peaceful, like she was taking a vacation from the place she knew. Xander's stories were always interesting and fun however she suspected she dodged any story from around the time her other self… was bad. It was so strange as he was so markedly different than the Alexander, she knew but still she felt safe in his presence. Yeah, he was goofy a lot of the time, but there was nothing wrong with that. Most of the guys she knew were so concerned with being cool all the time that they barely seemed like real people. Xander seemed to have no problem with being a complete idiot half the time. And yeah, maybe it was annoying sometimes, but there was also something kind of admirable about that. Alexander was far more brooding and controlled in contrast. It was like she was seeing a younger version of her friend/crush and she quite like getting a peak into him.

He was grinning at making her laugh as he inhaled the rest of his pop tart. She was fun to be around as they swapped a few battle stories, and he was slightly in awe of the fact that there was a Xander Harris who was front and centre in most of them. It was him leading the charge, him taking on demons and winning and him saving the day on occasion rather than being pushed to the back and told to stay out of trouble. He was a warrior in that universe even though he suspected she embellished the heroics of his other self, a part of him kind of liked that she'd do that.

It stuck him that she respected him.

They were a team fighting side by side.

Equals.

He almost resented this other version of himself. He had respect which was something Xander graved more than he would care to admit. Alexander, his other self his presence was required, needed, and sought after while Xander knew quite painfully that the Scooby gang could function well without him. Oh, hello Mr self-loathing you are right on time this morning Xander darkly thought to himself before sighing. Things were never simple on the hellmouth.

"What's up with you?" she asked noticing his mood seemed to slip.

"Oh nothing," Xander quickly lied passing of his mood and changing it for a better, bigger, and far goofier expression. "Just sad about the lack of pop tarts you are eating the last one."

He smiled but she could tell it was half hearted. "What's up? What's with you?" She asked putting down her plate. "You seemed to like someone killed your puppy when a second ago you were all chatty."

Xander sighed wishing he hadn't let his mask slip. He had been feeling like a spare part for months not just in his friend's lives but his own. They were all running around in college learning new things and having new experiences while he was stuck in the basement jumping from one dead end job to another. He often felt like a car simply spinning his wheels pointing in the direction of nowhere. "It's just," he began uncomfortably shifting around on his chair, "there is some kickass version of me and here I am the butt of everyone's jokes in this one. Your version is living his life better than I do here." He added sourly.

"First off Alexander isn't living he is undead," Faith pointed out. "Secondly the guy has been inches away from being a pile of dust more than once. The guy only exists as a weapon, he has no friends like no Buffy or Willow to talk to every day."

"I know that feeling," Xander replied bitterly sulking into his chair. "They are off living their best lives in college with little time for me."

"And have ever told your friends what you just told me?"

"And have you told them how you feel?" Faith asked and Xander was forced to look away. "What I figured. Listen the only way to change things here is for you to change them. When I first met Alexander, I wanted to stake him in every which way, but he opened up a little about his Willow. About how it feels to lose her… that took a pair and its what made me trust him and give him a chance." Xander considered what she had to say as she added. "You already feel like you are losing them well believe me you will lose them forever if you don't speak up about how you feel."

Sometimes it's sucks and it's great rolled up into one when someone's advice makes sense Xander decided. "I'll think about it," he grumbled before noticing that she was frowning slightly. "What is it?" he asked.

"It's quiet," she whispered standing up.

Then the door to the garden exploded open behind them. Looking up in shock Faith saw three men coming quickly down the stairs, their commando outfits, and their intent pointed in her direction, brought back unpleasant memories of the Watchers' Special Ops Team. "Who the hell are these guys?!" She snarled before ducking as one moved to stun her with a cattle prod looking device. She spun and dropped kicked him to the ground. Whoever the Tom Clancy rejects were, they were good she thought to herself dodging and engaging the other two in combat.

"Err… long story we still aren't sure if we can trust them yet," Xander said having moved out of the combat zone and into a corner. The men were all wearing masks which he thought was pretty stupid as he knew who they were. Guess Riley had sold Faith out.

"So… not friends of yours, then?" Faith grunted as she landed a hard strike on one of them sending him crashing into a shelving unit.

"Not so much," Xander responded, shifting position watching as Faith grabbed one of the men's arms and pushing the cattle prod into another commando stunning him violently. "No chance this could simply be a case of mistaken identity?!" He called out as the other two men tired to battle Faith. "'Because I don't recall violating any national security type laws recently. Admittedly, my family's tax-paying is iffy at best, but I don't think its as bad as my ex-girlfriend's!" Faith threw a short straight punch at a commando's neck causing him to drop his knees breathless before delivering a painfully looking kick in the other man's liver forcing him onto the floor.

"Come on!" she said grabbing Xander and pulling him to his feet. They moved quickly running upstairs as one of the commandos reached for his walkie talkie on his chest.

"Target on the move!" He yelled down the device while clutching where Faith had kicked him in his liver. "Repeat she isn't contained! I need more men!" He called out as the pair ran out into the back garden moving quickly, they jumped over a fence.

Faith spotted more men running towards them this time with guns drawn. "I love it when I'm popular!" she muttered fists clenching before feeling Xander's hand on her shoulder.

"We can't win this we have to get out of here!" He looked at her pleading her to back down and run. She gave in and nodded grabbing him and pulling him along to a back alley as they ran quick the men chasing after them.

XXXXX

Wishverse

At the second ring Giles answered the phone. "Rupert Giles," he said as he looked over his book he had been reading for the last hour.

"Hello there Rupert," a familiar sounding voice came from the other end causing Giles to set down his book on the table before.

"Quentin," he replied leaning back on his chair. "This is a surprise! It has been such a long time I am at a loss do I bow or do I curtesy I cannot recall." He replied darkly.

"Charming as ever Rupert," came Quentin's reply. "I am calling to take issue with your field reports which have been brief as they have been infrequent… as always."

Giles rolled his eyes, always by the book Quentin Travers was. "Well, there is not much to tell really once you write 'Hellmouth town overrun with vampires help required'. Plus given how nothing is ever done I was beginning to think that they are not even being passed on."

"Oh, trust me Rupert the Council is well aware of what is happening in your area and your involvement in it," Quentin replied which sounded more like a threat and a warning than a reply. Giles was forced to bite back a reply involving the lack of help from a bunch of whiskery sipping watchers sitting around the gentleman's lounge. "I am sure you know why I am calling. The Cruciamentum-"

"Is barbaric," Giles spat cutting off his elder. "And I won't do it. Not now or ever."

"That is not something you get to decide. You have been ignoring our attempts to organise it for the Slayer meaning it is long overdue. The Council and I will discuss the matter right now as both you and I both know how important the Cruciamentum is. Without it, there is no telling what each generation's Slayer might do."

"Live a longer life?" Rupert tossed down the phone causing Quentin to shake his head. Clearly living so long away from his friends and county had caused this Watcher to go feral and loss sight of his traditions and responsibilities. Quentin had to remained himself of the young boy who he had taken under his wing and his father who he was proud to called friend. If only Christian could see how his son was saying now.

"An out-of-control Slayer is nobody's friend. A wasted Slayer is a missed opportunity. A Slayer out of control is a Slayer without purpose or direction. She is too powerful a force to be left to her own devices! She needs guidance! Discipline!" Quentin told the younger man. "The test prepares her for the worst possible outcome, forces her to do better than she ever has, and she will be a stronger slayer because of it if she lives. Must I remind you of history Rupert the Cruciamentum is not a death sentence," Quentin said dismissively. "It is a test of worthiness. Slayers have survived it in the past."

The last statement made the Giles's blood boil. Here was a man acting like Faith was nothing more than a pair of old socks. Out with the old and in with the new. "Eleven of them survived it," Giles said. His voice had a hard edge to it. He had heard about it time and time again. A Watcher's sworn duty to protect and watch over those precious girls that were called as Slayers become twisted and perverted, and he wanted no part of it. "Eleven in the entire recorded history of the Watchers, dating back over three thousand years. And you- and I- I am ashamed of myself for going along with it as long as I did."

"What are you saying Rupert?" Quentin enquired not quite believing his ears.

"Just as I said before The Cruciamentum will not ever be taking place or involving Faith and," he took a breath pausing briefly, "to offer my resignation and to warn you If any attempt is made to enact the test, it will not just be the Slayer who loses her life."

"Careful there old friend remember who you are speaking to," Quentin warned him. "We are not some country club you can just pop in and out of when the mood fits! Do you really think it's wise to threaten us, Rupert? We are not without teeth. An ocean's distance will not protect you from us."

Giles let out a wry chuckle. "That would involve one of you tossers actually putting down your brandy and getting abroad a flight to come deal with me. Even if you do you are more than welcome to test me. You have no idea as to the depths of my resolve, resourcefulness, or strength to fight you or whoever on this matter!"

"But think of the traditions man!" Quentin all both yelled at him. This was unprofessional! Unthinkable! A Watcher almost casually offering death threats to one of his seniors! It would appear that the rumours in the Council about your lack of loyalty were true. "Your duty! She is a Slayer, and you are a Watcher!"

"And it is our sworn duty to help her. I'm following that duty, Quentin. Are you?" Giles fired back harshly knowing full well the answer.

"You always were a disappointment, Rupert," Quentin said with a sneer. "If only Merrick had lived. He would have done his duty without fail. How unfortunate for us that we were forced to go with a backup option like yourself! Don't you see the Slayer is too important to be left without our supervision!"

"Supervision!" Giles yelled back at the man. "You haven't lifted a finger to help this girl. You capture and then threw her into hell without so much as a stake to defend herself with. Your and so many others in that estate you call headquarters are all words and titles. I'm loyal to the cause," Giles said coldly. "I am loyal to the ideals. To the Slayer. To these girls who have died so that you and I might live. That is where my loyalty lies, you tremendous prat! It doesn't matter if you don't pay me my salary! Or cut me off from my sources or contracts! Or send some team to relive me or worse! I am here to stay to do my very best to protect this young woman from your intentions by any means necessary do you hear me?!"

There was a click, and the line went dead. Giles sighed heavily and took that as a yes. He knew it wasn't the smartest decision he had ever made to speak to Quentin like that with the Council too powerful an organization to count as enemies, but it had been a long time coming. There was no way he was about to let Quentin and his band of followers to subject Faith to something so inhumane. Not when she was being subjected to the horrors here on the hellmouth here while the others stayed in the English countryside. He had previously putted the test blaming bad timing, more pressing matters and outrightly avoiding the issue all together but this was the first time she had rejected the idea of it full stop. Sighing he took off his glasses and rubbed his temples feeling double in his years. Nonstop fighting will do that to a man. He never gave up the fight not when the Master rose and conquered this town. Not then the fight took Jenny, Oz, Larry, Nancy and so many other innocent lives. He knew at times it was a losing battle and at times he wanted nothing more than to leave this cursed town, but he stayed because of them.

Alexander and Faith.

Alexander who he had resurrected would not leave the battle for sheer vengeance and stubborn wish to see all vampires in this town gone. And Faith well if it was not her it would be another Slayer thrown to slaughter by the Council. If Faith tried to leave the Council may very kill her so to hope that the next one would be more easily controlled, and Giles was sure as hell not about to let that happen. They were in some ways the closest thing to children, and he would die for them. Nothing would stand in his way from that fact.

When he put his glasses back on, he found to his amazement a young woman was standing very much in his way. Before him was an attractive young woman standing in the middle of his living room. She was in her early twenties at most and had shoulder length brown hair. She stood stiffly and awkwardly, as if she were not quite used to it. Her hands were fidgeting as she looked up at him.

"Oh, good it worked I was afraid I was going to end up in some world with giant Bunnies or something," she said looking around.

"What the hell?!" Giles said nearly falling out of his chair as she stood. "Who the hell are you? And how the bloody hell did you get here?!" There was something familiar with this girl like he had met her before.

"Willow cast one of her spells with your help and then poof I am here!" The woman remarked before adding. "That redheaded witch might have warned me about the dizzy spell though," Anya muttered shaking her head as if to get rid of the cobwebs. "I swear she did that just to mess with me, but Xander would never believe me on that! Oh no! Not his Willow nothing bad comes out her mouth!" Giles blinked in confusion and the woman stepped forward. "By the way how are you going to make it up to me?"

Confusion was here to stay Giles suspected. "Make what up to you? I don't even know who you are."

"Make up for ruining my life?" the woman said as if it were obvious. "Costing me my job and all my friends? Killing me?"

"I beg your pardon? Kill you?"

"You might as well have!" the woman exclaimed. "I've got hardly sixty years left, and that's not even counting getting hit by a bus or something! Didn't think about that when you were smashing my power source to bits did you!"

Power source? Wait that was it he did know her! "Anyanka! The Patron Saint of Scorned Women!" he exclaimed. Yes, he summoned her around the time of when Buffy Summers and Mrs Chase had appeared. He took one slow step forward as he examined the pretty young woman. The last time he had seen Anyanka, she had certainly not looked at all like this attractive woman standing before him. She had been a demon through and through. This woman looked like she belonged as a freshman in college, not a demon destroying the lives of all those she came into contact with. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and examined her a little more intently. Yes, he could see it now. There was a resemblance there. It was as if this girl, this young woman, was the human equivalent of that terrible demon. "Good lord," Giles whispered. "You really are her." He quickly threw up his glowing magical hands at her. "Stay back!"

"It's Anya now," Anya confirmed to him as she rolled her eyes at him. "I'm not going to hurt you, stupid. I'm just a useless human now… when you get your hands to do the light display? Haven't seen magic like that since the 1300s."

"A-a human?" He uttered slightly lowering his hands.

"D'Hoffryn won't give me back my power centre," she said as a pout slid onto her face. "He says I failed and now my punishment is to be a human again for the rest of my life."

Giles noted the name. D'Hoffryn. He had found it in several of his studies on Anyanka and the power of the wish. He was a very high-level demon and was worshipped as a deity among some of the lower castes of sub-primate demons. "You caused all of this?" He muttered lowering his hands. "This world! What are you doing here?!"

"I have been sent here to bring back Buffy into her world," Anya explained to him. "I bring her back and hopefully whenever she turns up hand you back your Slayer. You know she apparently spend the night at Xander's!" Anya exclaimed full of jealous rage. "I swear I will kill him when I see him! Again you have seen Willow's face she looked almost pleased when she told me!"

XXXXX

Buffyverse

Xander and Faith raced down the streets looking every which way for fear of being followed by the commandos. Out of breath Xander had to stop and lean against a steel bin. "You should just leave me and take off!" He said sucking in breath.

"What and leave you for those commandos? Not going to happen." Faith told him looking around up and down the street.

"I'm slowing you down," Xander muttered.

"Yeah, whatever come on!" Faith said pulling him back to his feet and the pair took off again. A million thoughts ran through Xander's mind. What if he couldn't protect her? What if Riley found her and they had her dissected? He couldn't protect her from an entire army. He knew that she was the slayer, and he was the lowly regular human, but he still wanted to do everything to keep her safe as he'd never forgive himself if something happened to her. Despite the fact she was in many ways complete stranger and despite his past history with this reality version of Faith he wanted to help her. There was something in the way she looked at him, almost like she understood him. It was something Xander wasn't used to, people understanding him. Usually no one bothered to take the time.

A few blocks away from the pair Riley sat in a black truck in communication with his base. "Okay turn here," Riley instructed the driver quickly while on his comms. "They have been spotted on a security camera at Mains Street." He announced to the men in the car.

"I told you we should have gone in with guns," Forrest, his best friend said rubbing his neck from where Faith had punched him.

"What and wake up the whole town?!" Riley glared back at him. He had ordered Forrest to go in slow and wait for his team to be in position so they could take her together, but it seemed his friend had decided against that tactic and gone all full of bravado. He then went back on the comms. "Unit 2! Graham come in from the East we will pin them in!" This was supposed to be a simple grab and capture mission but now it was turning into a mess.

Jumping down from a wall Faith landed on her feet and grimaced slightly as Xander landed on a heap on the ground. "That's going to bruise," she muttered pulling him to his feet. "Okay where to now?" she asked him.

Xander grimaced as he rubbed her shoulder. "We need a place to lay low! This way!" he said pointing to the right. The raced down a sidewalk through the small residential neighbourhood before Xander led them to a small house and frantically knocked on the door.

It was opened by Mrs Summers. "Xander, what are you doing here?"?" She asked surprised to see the young man before her eyes widen when she recognised who he was travelling with. "Faith!" she said alarmed at the sight of the dangerous girl.

"It's okay Mrs Summers!" Xander held his hands up. "This Faith isn't going to harm you trust me! But we need to come in!" He and Faith stepped inside into the small house, and he closed the door behind them looking carefully down and up the street.

"Another life I ruined?" Faith asked Xander gesturing at Joyce who was still looking at her alarmed as the young woman made her way into the living room and closed the curtains. Was there anyone in this town her counterpart hadn't ruined?

"It's kind of a long story," Xander told her.

"What is Faith doing with you? Why are you here? What is going on?" Joyce asked Xander looking completely confused.

"Err… that's another kind of a long story," Xander told the older woman sheepishly.

Faith came back into the hallway. "Do you think we are safe here?" she asked Xander seriously.

"Hopefully!" Xander nodded "I'm betting that Riley has enough class not to head to the house belonging to the mother of his girlfriend all guns and GI Joe's blazing."

"Mother of his girlfriend?" Joyce repeated before her eyes widen. "Wait! Buffy has a boyfriend?!" She asked sounding very angry at yet again being the last to know about a new development in her daughter's life. "And he what works in the military?!"

Xander looked like a dear in headlights. "Yeah… that's also… kind of a long story."