Chapter 3. You're My Hero.
Sorry for the delay. Here is the end. Hope ya all like it.
Xander and Buffy head to do some research on Buffy's hunches. They check out some newspapers and other archives online and find a lead. Students entering college suddenly disappearing after the first day leaving a note saying 'I can't deal'.
"That's it," says Buffy. "It's gotta be them. They've been doing this for a while."
"Now, where could they be hiding?" asks Xander.
"Oh, check this article over here. It says building closed for renovations."
"What year was that?"
"82, why?"
"Cause the disappearances started to happen in 82. BINGO!"
"That's where they are stashing the students stuff."
"Plus your stuff. You up for a little reconnaissance?"
"You mean where we all sculpt and paint and stuff?"
"No, that was the renaissance."
"Oh. I've had a really long week. Let's go look at the building."
"Right."
The two head over to the building. It's pretty close to the school, making it easy for them to take the stuff from the students' dorm rooms. They find a side ladder that leads them to the top of the building. Buffy walks over to the skylight, where they could see the vamps inside.
"There they are," says Buffy, recognizing the vamps.
"Got some good stuff," says Xander. "I can't believe these vampires took your stuff. It's kind of petty."
"Yeah, guess it's the only thing they can think of."
"Buffy, maybe you shouldn't lean on that."
"Shhh…look she's…oh my gosh, that would look so bad on her."
"Buff, we need weapons."
"I don't see my weapons trunk down there. It was right by my bed. Mr. Gordo?" Buffy's voice turns to steel.
"Okay, Buff, maybe you should…"
"Go to my room, Xander. If it's not there, try Willow's. I'll keep an eye... my diary?" Suddenly Buffy feels the skylight start to give way. She stops moving and looks pretty terrified, then she looks at Xander.
"Buffy, get…" The skylight gives way and Buffy falls, but Xander quickly grabs hold of her right hand. All the vamps look up and see a dangling Buffy from the roof.
"Xander, pull me up."
"I'm trying, I'm trying." Xander loses his balance and they both fall into the building, luckily on a couch. Buffy hurt her arm again and sees that Xander is on top of her.
"Xander?"
"I think I hurt my back." He quickly gets up and helps Buffy, then they see the vamps surround them. "Got a plan."
"Oh, you again," says Sunday. "Come to get your ass wiped again? Oh, who's your friend?"
"Don't even think about it," says Buffy, pushing Xander behind her.
"Is that jealousy I smell?"
Xander looks at Buffy, then at Sunday. Buffy's eyes widen and throw a round house kick to Sunday. It knocks her down easily.
"You bitch!"
The other vamps start getting closer and Xander decides to take them on. He looks around to see what he could use on them, but finds nothing useful except one of those hard throw pillows. He swings it and hits the vamps in the face. It knocks them down.
"Man, what do they put in these things?" Xander then sees Buffy's trunk hidden in a corner. He rushes over to it.
Buffy and Sunday are fighting it out. Buffy with one arm isn't getting anywhere as Sunday punches her and she falls to the ground.
"You know this arm's not looking so good," says Sunday. "It might have to come off."
"You want to know the truth?" says Buffy on the ground. "I only need one." Buffy punches Sunday out, making her spin. She gets up and sees Xander, who tosses her a stake. Buffy approaches Sunday, who is down for the count. "Oh, one thing, in your next life, get a better a name." Buffy plunges the stake into her heart.
The other vamps scatter, but Xander pulls out the crossbow and shoots them. He gets two of them as they leave, but the other escapes.
"Nice shot," says Buffy as she walks over to Xander.
"Saw it in a movie," says Xander with a grin.
"Hmmm, my hero." Buffy laughs at that as she walks over to him. She grabs Mr. Gordo and her diary.
"Well, let's get your stuff." Xander puts the crossbow away in her trunk. They get the stuff and put it into some boxes. "We'll need to make two trips."
"Fine by me as long as you're with me."
"Is that supposed to be poetry, Buff?"
"No, it just rhymed knowingly."
They arrive at Buffy's dorm and put her stuff on her side of the room. Xander looks around and sees her roommate asleep in her bed. He then turns to Buffy, who bumps into him since the lights are off.
"Let's go outside," says Buffy. "I don't want to wake her."
The two exit the room and Buffy closes the door lightly. She turns to Xander, who smiles at her.
"Nice digs, Buff," says Xander, trying to find something to talk about.
"Thanks," says Buffy. "Um, well…"
"Well, going to go home to my lovely hole."
"I'll walk you."
"It's pretty late, Buff. Don't you have class?"
"Not until the afternoon."
"Oh."
"Come on."
The two walk down the hallway and out of the resident dorm room of Buffy. They head down the street to Xander's. The two walk to the back of the house to get into the basement, which has become Xander's humble abode.
"Welcome to Xander's." Xander shows the basement to Buffy as they walk down some steps. All his stuff is already there and he has a thin mattress on the floor as a bed. "See, I have a reversible bed slash cushion floor pillow."
"Nice." Buffy smiles at his silly ideas.
"Hey, all that stuff from the other people at that place we were they could come in handy. Couch looks decent."
"Very."
Xander collapses on the bed on the floor. He puts his arms under his head and closes his eyes. Buffy stares at him, then decides to sit down next to him. She lays back and turns to watch Xander.
"Buff, you don't have to stay here with me. And don't feel bad. It could have been worse."
"This is not a room. It's…well, the slaves had better rooms."
"I'm okay in here." Xander opens his eyes and turns to Buffy.
"Xander, you're subterranean. You're not a mole or anything that lives underground."
"I just need to get a job and maybe I'll manage to get an apartment on higher ground."
"Good. Maybe you can find a strip club in Sunnydale." Buffy laughs.
"Buffy." Xander says this in a stern voice.
"You know my birthday is coming up and I thought maybe we can have a little private session. You know me and my birthdays. Like to keep them simple."
"Simple. You want me to be your personal stripper."
"I said no such thing."
"Yeah, right, but you implied it. No power on this Earth, remember."
"Come on, Xander, I need a good story." Buffy gives him a sad puppy face.
"Nope. Not happening." Xander lies back down and looks at the ceiling.
"It's dark and you're alone, Xander. Do you want to know what am I wearing?"
"Buffy. What happened to the one of those things I never, ever, tell you about?"
"I want to know what you think, Xander, and I promise you I won't ask about your stripper days."
"Okay. Um, let me think." Xander closes his eyes and tries to imagine Buffy in his mind. "Boots, those cool, black ones you have."
"And?"
"That's it."
"What? You perv." Buffy smacks him with a pillow. He grabs hold of her waist to defend himself from her attack and she falls on top of him accidentally. She leans in and captures his lips. Xander's hand caresses her cheek and it goes into her golden hair as they continue their make-out session. Buffy then grabs hold of Xander and rolls over, having Xander being on top. They release from their passionate kiss, which Buffy seems to enjoy and gives Xander a pout.
"Buffy, I…" Xander tries to get a sentence out, but he struggles.
"Xander, can I sleep over?"
"Gotta ask my mom." Xander gives her his trademark grin.