Fateful Encounter Chapter 3
(Xander's flat, Sunnydale 3 weeks later)
Xander woke up from his dream, feeling annoyed and sorrowful at having to leave Prue. Their one night stand might truly had led somewhere, but he had stated he needed to get back and help guard the Hellmouth and she had understood that and even admitted admiring his loyalty to his friends. They promised to stay in touch, which they had so far. However he still wondered what could have been. His mind turned back to the day after the one nightstand.
(Xander's hotel room, flashback)
Xander awoke to the feeling of someone hugging his side. He opened his eyes to find Prue there and the events of the night before came back to him in very vivid details, as did the pain from the hangover he now had. He remained as still as he could, as he looked over Prue's peaceful form wondering how the hell he had gotten so lucky.
Then the fact they'd had unprotected sex hit him again and he desperately hoped there would be no fallout from that, as he did not think he was up to being a good father at this point in time. He would have to discuss this with Prue before he headed home, which he planned to do in a week or so as he was beginning to worry about his friends.
Finally Prue began to wake up groaning, as she did so and he guessed she too had a nasty hangover from their heavy night of drinking. He smiled, as she opened her eyes and noted him next to her.
Prue rubbed her eyes before greeting Xander, whilst trying to ignore the pain of her hangover. Not that Xander looked any better. They had drunk quite a lot last night. She rolled into a sitting position and tried to stop her head spinning. The memories of last night were also playing in her head, including a very important fact and she could not believe she had gotten so drunk as to have unprotected sex. She would have to keep a close eye on herself to make sure she had not gotten pregnant. She had basically raised her sisters and did not want to go through that experience again just yet, if she could help it.
"You ok?" Xander's voice broke through her jumbled thoughts.
"I got a killer hangover and I am just realizing what we did last night," Prue added. "Not that I regret having sex, but the fact we had unprotected sex," she added quickly.
Xander groaned as he too sat up and rubbed his eyes tiredly, pleased at least that she did not regret last night. "Yeah wasn't to smart that, was it? But what's done is done," he finally said, placing a hand on her back. "We can hope there will be no consequences, but if there is, just let me know ok and we will decide what to do together," he added as serious, as he could make himself sound and he meant what he said. He may not think he could be a good father right now, but that did not mean that he would run from the responsibility if it happened.
Prue turned to look at him and was at least thankful he was not acting freaked out and was trying to be mature about it. "How old are you Xander?" she asked.
"I turned twenty a few months ago," Xander replied. "It seems there was some kind of mistake on my birth certificate when I was born and I ended up with the wrong age. It finally got straightened out at the end of last year, but by then the damage was done and so I finished school, which I should have done two years ago," he said with a very put out look. "Granted I would not change what happened if I could, as thanks to that error I met Buffy and learned the truth of the world and am now involved in doing something that whilst dangerous is a very good thing," he finished.
Prue was at least relieved the age difference was not so big after all. "I am twenty seven. A seven year difference is not so bad," she replied with small smile, before wincing from pain as she tried to get up, but failed. "I don't suppose you have any pain killers do you?" she asked.
"Yeah I have some in my bag. I keep some on me at all times these days, just in case I run into something and get hurt," Xander replied, forcing himself to his feet and moving for his bag. He retrieved the bottle of pain killers, before he headed to the bathroom to get a glass of water and then he handed both to Prue.
"Thanks," Prue said, as she took two pills and then swallowed them along with some water. Then she handed the glass to Xander, who did the same before he sat back down and put the glass on the near by nightstand.
"So want to go get some breakfast?" he asked, after a few minutes silence.
"Sure, I could do with a good meal and then I will have to check in with my sisters," Prue answered, but was not looking forward to that as she knew both Piper and Phoebe would be very interested in where she was last night.
(Xander's flat, Sunnydale)
Xander shook the memories off, as he got up and headed for the shower to get ready for the day. He was still looking for work at the moment, but was not having much luck, but he was sure he would find something. Ten minutes later he stepped out and changed before heading for his kitchen to grab a quick meal. He was supposed to meet Giles at his new magic shop he had bought, whilst he had been away.
Buffy and Willow were at university, so he would not see them until much later on in the day. He wondered briefly how Tara was getting on in San Francisco, as she had decided to stay and help the Charmed ones anyway she could.
She had enrolled at the same university Phoebe was currently attending and the last he heard she was doing quite well. He did not begrudge her deciding to stay away from the Hellmouth and if he was honest with himself he envied her. As he turned to leave after eating his breakfast, he paused in surprise as he saw the now familiar pillar of lights appear before they turned into Leo Wyatt and Piper. He was very worried that Prue was not with them.
"Hey guys, it's good to see you," he said as casually as he could. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
"We need you to come with us back home to talk to Prue," Piper said, still feeling very annoyed with her elder sister for forcing her to go behind her back and bring Alexander, as she called him, to her. "She would have come herself, but she's been stubborn and refused to come so I'm forcing the issue," she added.
Xander frowned, before he picked up the near by phone and called Giles to let him know he would be late to their meeting, before he headed over to Leo and Piper and then was orbed out.
(Halliwell mansion)
Phoebe waited in the living room for Piper and Leo to return with Xander. Prue was currently out with Tara, who was distracting her so she would not know what they had planned. Finding out that their eldest sister was pregnant had been shocking news, no more than the actual story of how it had happened and who the father was. This was not something either she or Piper had expected from Prue.
Still in the end, once learning all the facts and coming to terms with the knowledge that, in nine months, they would have a niece or nephew to care for, they had asked Prue when she intended to inform Xander that he was to be a father.
For some reason Prue had refused to tell him and even in the arguments that followed, she just would not relent. In going to Sunnydale with Leo to let Xander know, they guessed she was scared or maybe just very reluctant so they were going to make it so, that she could no longer avoid the subject by bringing Xander back here.
She looked up as Leo orbed in with Piper and Xander who looked quite confused, so clearly Piper had not told him the news and now they just needed Prue. As if to answer her prayers, she heard the front door open and Prue and Tara returned home. She took a deep breath knowing Prue was going to explode, once she saw Xander, but this was for the best.
A few seconds later Tara entered first, with a welcoming smile for Xander who returned it and then finally Prue walked in before coming to a complete stop, as she noted Xander's presence. Xander gave a small wave and a smile, but Prue just stared at him.
"So, what exactly is this all about?" Xander asked, as he looked around from the stunned Prue to the anxious Piper and Phoebe and finally the calm Leo and Tara.
"You and Prue need to have a very long talk," Phoebe finally responded. "It is important and neither of you are leaving until it is done," she added, noted the glare Prue directed at her, but she ignored it. "We'll be upstairs if you need us," she added, before she led the others out of the room.
Xander was really beginning to get annoyed at this, because whilst he was being told he needed to talk to Prue and that it was important, no one was saying why and from the look on Prue's face, she was reluctant to start.
He was at least pleased nothing seemed wrong with Prue, but clearly something was bothering her, as she began to pace up and down, glancing at him every now and then. He ran a hand through his hair, before taking a seat and just waited. He knew she would eventually start and there was no rush he thought.
Prue could not believe her sisters and Tara had gone behind her back like this and brought Xander here, basically ensuring she would have to confess that she was pregnant with his child.
She had been avoiding this moment as much as possible, out of fear of being rejected no matter what he had told her the day after they had sex and in addition she was worried considering that he was only twenty years old and had told her how unsure he was about being a father at the moment.
She had not wanted to drop this on him, even though she knew in her heart she had to do it. She guessed she could not avoid it anymore and so she finally took a seat across from him and prepared to tell him the news that would change his life.
"I'm sorry, I've been avoiding this for at least a week and a half, since I found out the truth and I guess I didn't know how to tell you," she began, making Xander frown as he tried to work out what was wrong. "I began getting sick two weeks ago at odd intervals and after first thinking I was just ill, another thought hit me and I quickly headed for the nearby pharmacy to buy something to confirm my theory and it turned out to be true," she explained.
Xander shifted a little in his seat a little, as he began to get a very real idea where this was going. He did not know how he truly felt at the moment, but he guessed her next words would show that.
"Xander, I'm pregnant and the baby is yours," Prue finally told him, after taking a deep breath. She felt a wave of relief sweep through her, as she finally told him the news.
Xander felt as if he had been hit by a Mack truck, as Prue confirmed his growing realization, as to what was going on. He leaned back in his seat and wondered how he was going to deal with this. He wouldn't run, he had promised he would stand by her if there had been repercussions from their one nightstand and he intended to keep that promise, but he felt a lot of fear and uneasiness at knowing he was going to be a father.
He did not know how or even if he could be a good father considering how he was raised, but he would do the best he could. This raised a lot of questions and he would need to discuss this with Giles first. His need for a good job was even more important now, but the biggest point was could he afford to stay in Sunnydale, knowing this? Was it even possible Prue was looking for something long term from him?
"I know this changes everything for both of us Xander and we have a lot to talk about, but one thing I have to say is that I refuse to get rid of this baby," Prue's serious tone as she spoke up again broke though the raging maelstrom in his head.
"I wouldn't ask you to Prue," he assured her. "My only question at the moment is, are you looking for something long term from me or do you want me to stay away?" he asked as clearly as he could.
Prue looked him in the eye for a few moments, as she tried to work out what he was asking, before it became clear to her. He was asking whether she wanted to try to form a relationship. That was not something she had considered since learning the news, but the fact that he had asked showed he was willing and maybe even hopeful.
If they could become a couple, then having and raising a kid would be much easier than being single, but could she ask him to move here to try to form something? Did she have the right to ask him to give up helping the Slayer to defend the Hellmouth? She guessed in the end she did, but could she?
"I wouldn't mind trying to form something between us. I know we both felt there was a connection between us after that night and that the only reason it didn't go anywhere was because you needed to go home and help your friends," Prue finally answered. "I know it is a lot to ask, but would you consider moving to San Francisco to try?" she inquired.
There it was plain as day, the biggest question had been asked. Would he leave Sunnydale, as well as his friends behind for this? He knew he would have to, as there was no way he could leave Prue to care for and raise this kid on her own. He would have to tell the girls and Giles he was leaving and the reason why.
Maybe Giles could help him find a place to buy and even help him sort out his money and job problems. No matter how much it would hurt leaving Buffy and Willow, he had new responsibilities that came before anything else.
"I would consider it, but first I will have to talk to Giles and inform the gang about this. I will need a flat and a job and Giles maybe able to help me find both, considering some of the contacts he has," Xander finally replied. "This will not be done quickly and I know we have a lot more to discuss and go through, but for now I need to process this," he added as he stood up.
Prue stood up also, pleased by his response and understanding that he needed time to go through all this. She'd had that time and she would not begrudge him his time. Their lives would be vastly different from this point forward. Xander took her in the arms and hugged her for a while and then she called Leo down and watched, as he and Xander vanished. She was joined a few minutes later by her sisters and Tara.
"How did it go?" Piper inquired weary of her sister's reaction for them forcing her hand.
"Better than I would have expected, but we still have a lot to talk about," Prue answered. "He just needs time to truly come to terms with this news and what it will mean for both of us," she added.
"I wonder what mom and gramps think about this," Phoebe mused, as she was sure the two spirits continued to keep an eye on them.
(Xander's flat, Sunnydale)
Leo released Xander and watched, as the young man took a seat and then rubbed his face and eyes before focusing on him. He wondered how this would all turn out. No one had seen this coming, especially not the elders or even the oracles. Prue being pregnant was big news and so far no one in the underworld was aware of this and that was how they wanted it to stay as long as possible.
The fact that the father was a defender of the Hellmouth was also news and Xander himself was well thought of for his actions so far, but it would seem his biggest challenge was just about to start and he hoped he was up to it.
"You okay Alexander?" he inquired.
"It's just a lot to take it, but yeah I'm okay," Xander answered. "I just have a lot to do and two major problems to solve to be an effective father and to support Prue and our child," he added, running a hand through his hair.
"I'll talk to the elders and see if they can't help out a little," Leo told him, placing a calming hand on his back. "I know exactly what has you so worried, but go ahead and talk to Giles and see what you can come up with and don't think for a minute you are abandoning Buffy and the others. We both know, that if they need you I can bring you here to help, but your main priority has to be Prue and your child right now," he advised him.
"Yeah you're right and thanks Leo," Xander replied with a small smile, as Leo nodded his head and orbed out, intent on talking to the elders and the others about this.
Xander stood up and went to his window. He stared out of it, across the town he had been born in and his mind wandered. Nothing would ever be the same again, but Leo was right. He was not running away, just reorganizing his main priority.