Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
So sorry for the long wait, I've been a bit stuck on this one plus the others were clambering for attention.

Chapter 4

Dick relaxed back on the couch and watched as Xander moved about the apartment. It had been nearly a week since he'd found the other man on the roof and his nightmares were getting worse, not better. He only had a few days left before he had to go back to work but he wasn't sure about leaving Xander alone for that long. They were both exhausted from lack of sleep but Dick was more worried about Xander than himself since at least he was eating properly. Xander just picked at his food and rarely talked. He'd thought things would be okay after that first night but it was just getting worse and he didn't know what to do.

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Xander couldn't do anything but scream as Willow faced off against the demon. He struggled futilely against the two holding him in place; he simply wasn't strong enough to break their hold on him. Every trick he knew for getting free was useless and he slowly went limp, his injuries and whatever spell he'd been hit with finally taking their toll on his body. He tried to keep struggling but his body refused to move. Seeing this the demons released him and moved back to the fight. He couldn't even scream anymore, he'd lost all control of his body. All he could do was stand and watch as his friends fought. She was beautiful as she fought, her long white hair whipping around her body and power pouring off her slender form. But he could see she was beginning to tire and all he wanted to do was help her.

"Xander? What are you doing?" He could hear Buffy but she sounded so far away. He could vaguely feel her shaking him but he was still locked under the spell.
"Giles! Get over here! Something's wrong with Xander!" He wanted to tell her to forget him, to help Willow but he couldn't speak. He felt his very soul scream in pain and denial as he saw his Willow stagger under the demon's power and begin to fall. He wanted to reach out to her as her green eyes met his brown one. She smiled sweetly at him and he could see her gathering her magic one last time.
"Willow!" He wanted to add his voice to Buffy's, to scream but he couldn't.

'I love you Xander. Live for me.' He heard Willow's voice in his head before everything went white.

Xander bolted upright and fought against the arms holding him.

"Xander, calm down. It's okay, you're safe." Recognising the voice his body went limp and he turned into a comforting embrace.
"It's okay, I won't let anyone hurt you." For once he let himself believe that he was safe and gave into the sobs instead of fighting them. He cried into Dick's chest, alternating between sobs and screams of grief as the other simply held and rocked him, murmuring comforting nothings.

"She's gone. She's gone." He sobbed.

"I know." Dick whispered. He looked up and saw a familiar figure on the opposite rooftop, watching them. But he didn't care what Batman thought tonight.

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Bruce watched as his son comforted the younger man. He'd been patrolling Bludhaven every other night without telling Dick. It was hard to imagine that the young man in his sons' arms was the same one he had met on a rooftop two years ago. He owed him for saving Dick's life so he would patrol and let Dick help his friend.

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Xander blinked and stretched sleepily. He froze as someone murmured in his ear before realising who it was. He smiled and slipped from the bed and Dick's arms. He was surprised to find that he felt better than he had since that night. It still hurt more than anything but it wasn't a crippling pain anymore. Who knew sobbing like a baby could be so good for you. He grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the shower.

Xander stared at his face in the mirror, studying his new eye for the first time. There was no way to tell it wasn't the original, al the scaring was completely gone as if he had never been injured in the first place.

'Having fun?' Xander jumped and stared at the mirror in shock.

"Wills?" He whispered, reaching out a hand to touch the mirror. The redhead giggled softly.

'I'm dead Xan, you can't touch me.'

"What? How?" He stammered and she smiled sadly.

'This is a one off chance to say goodbye and fill you in on a few things. Do you remember what happened that night?'

"You died." He said sadly.

'Other than that?'

"The fight, not being able to move, your voice in my head like now and then a white light."

'Okay. That white light was magic, pure and simple. That's how you got your eye back, a nice piece of work if I do say so myself. I knew I was dead but I had to stop the demons and my body had already pretty much shut down.'

"So how did we stop them?"

'No we Xander, you. It was my magic yes but I was already dead. I managed to transfer the spell over to you at the last second.'

"Oh shit. But magic and me aren't a good combo."

'This once you were thanks to my guidance. Getting your eye back isn't the only side effect though.' She looked at him guiltily.

"Willow?"

'Your body has never had to channel that much power before Xander.'

"Am I dieing?" He asked softly, that was the most likely thing.

'I don't know. It changed you somehow, maybe enough to spare you but I don't know.'

"How long do I have if…"

'A month tops. Xander I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you.'

"It's okay Wills, I know you didn't. It had to be done. I always knew I wouldn't die of old age in this line of work, only human after all. I die I die, its as simple as that. If I don't then I keep fighting. I don't blame you."

'Thank you. I have to go Xander.' He nodded and put his hand to the mirror. A ghostly hand was raised to rest where his did.

"I love you Willow."

'I love you too Xander. Jesse says hello and to not come too soon.' With that she faded and Xander was left staring at his reflection.

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"Xander?" He looked up and smiled sadly at his friend.

"Hey Dick." The older man sat on the couch beside him.

"How are you feeling?"

"For someone who just found out they may only have a month to live? Pretty good." It took a few seconds for Dick to realise what his friend had said since he was so laid back but when he did he froze.

"What?"

"The night Willow died she channelled the spell through me. Know what happens when you push that much power through someone who has never even had to handle a quarter of that? Generally bad things." Dick went pale and put a hand on Xander's shoulder.

"What can we do?"

"Wait. Hey it's only a month." Xander shrugged. Dick just stared at him in complete shock and disbelief.

"How can you be so calm about this? You could be dieing." Xander gave him a small smile.

"I knew the day I started that I wouldn't live to die of old age Dick. I never figured on lasting this long as it is."

"I…you can't just give up Xander. There has to be something we can do!" Xander watched him as he leapt from the couch to pace.

"We?"

"Yes we! You're my friend and I don't abandon my friends. There has to be something and we will find it." Xander smiled softly.

"Thanks." Xander took a deep breath as Dick collapsed back onto the couch.
"It's not definite. With how many weird things I've gone through there's a chance I won't die. Willow wasn't positive, the magic has changed me but it may be in a no fatal way."

"You willing to wait and take the chance?" Dick asked softly, pulling his friend into a lose hug. Xander let his head hang for a bit and Dick swallowed hard. It was his choice after all.

"No. I should contact Giles, maybe they can find something at the Council."

"So let's go call him." Dick let him go and stood up. Xander looked up at him and then smiled, a genuine happy smile for the first time in a while.

"Dick?" Dick looked down at him.

"Thanks."

TBC…