(Set during Consequences)

There wasn't a single doomsday prophecy in the entire world that could have grabbed his attention this morning as he came to school. He can't focus on anything besides the weird new sensation he feels flowing in his veins. Thanks to having Elizabeth Gray's memoires and experiences inside his head he feels different somehow. Changed. Or maybe it was because he had sliced a woman's head clean off her body.

Pausing yet again he closed his eyes as the image of her headless body lying on the ground before him entered his mind yet again. Another image blasted into his head of sitting in Hyde Park in London during the summer enjoying a cider. One of Gray's memories. It had been like this all of yesterday hence why he skipped school claiming to had some food poisoning. He's glad no one from the group questioned him on his sickness because he doesn't know if he can hold a conversation at the moment certainly yesterday was spent locked in his old bedroom with his mind whirling in endless circles. Half guilt, half elation. Gray's quickening had been a sensation unlike anything he had experienced in his life. As much as he loathes to admit it the occurrence was but enough to almost make him look forward to experiencing it again. He had all this power coursing through his veins, felt new sensations like the world had been switched on in full technicolour. It was so scary and so exhilarating at the same time. He'd love to experience it again, if the memories weren't included and if he didn't have to kill someone to get the quickening.

Shaking his head trying to focus on the present he restarted his walk up the steps of Sunnydale High before going to his locker. Another memory rose to the surface of Gray receiving her Watcher Society tattoo and he briefing wondered if Giles had something similar or was it just the British accent that allowed you to join that club? "Xander!" A voice sounded next to him causing him to jump and drop his books.

"I'm fine!" He said alarmed before seeing it was Willow frowning at him.

"Are you sure? I was calling your name from down the hall, but you didn't even notice," she remarked sounding concerned.

"Just… doing my usual routine of going into autopilot mode when I get to school," he said grinning her one his lop-sided grins as he picked up his books.

"Are you sure you should be in school?" Willow asked reaching for his forehead to check his temperature. Xander looked like he hadn't slept in days.

His eyes are fixated on hers as her hand reaches his forehead and he thinks of that last time a girl's hand was touching him. He can't help the memories that flood his mind of Gray's hands on as she stabs him with her knife demanding information that he didn't have. "Tell me where the stone is!" She snarled in his face. "Tell me everything and this will all stop!" She yelled him and cut along his ribs causing him to cry out.

He jerks his head away from Willow's touch and she gives him her concerned face. "What's wrong?" She asks. He hesitates before smiling, making some crude joke then doing a little spazz movement and acts like the Xander she knew him to be. He did it more for himself than for her. Because right now he's not too sure his is that Xander, the guy who goes through life with a quick wit and even quicker tongue. He wants to tell her, to confess all but he can't. It would change things forever and make them more real and fleshed out. He just needs more time. Still Willow isn't buying his Xandman act and continues to push. "You can tell me… we used to tell each other everything."

Not since the fluke happened was hanging in the air between. Both of them knew it was in the other's mind but neither wanted to say it. "It's nothing Will," Xander lied keen to get moving and not have this conversation any longer.

"It is about your uncle?" Willow asked him causing him to look confused. Why was she asking about Methos? "You know it's strange I don't remember you ever mentioning an Uncle Adam. I don't recall him coming to your birthday parties."

"That would require me to have birthday parties to attend. After the infamous clown party, they kind of fizzled out," Xander said carefully eyeing her as much as she was eyeing him. She was fishing he knew that but why about Methos? Did she know about him? How could she? Had Willow the wonder hacker done some digging but why?

"Still, I just find it weird he shows up out of the blue and you move in with him," Willow commented.

"You have met my parents more than once," Xander deadpanned. "Do you really expect me to hang around when there is a better offer?"

Is this what they have been reduced to simply talking to each other in code rather than being honest with each other. "It's just you have been distant lately," Willow began. "I know things have been… awkward since we… but just know I still care about you. I am still here for you."

And here was he thinking they had just stopped paying attention to him completely. "Unless Oz is around, right?" Xander muttered closing his locker door.

"Xander," Willow began but he cut her off.

"Willow I'm doing what you wanted I'm staying away," Xander told her. "I'm not calling your house anymore! not interacting with you unless the others are around! I'm staying away! It's what you asked and it's what you wanted! I'm sorry if I'm not doing that right but I'm doing my best!"

Willow would have said more but she was interrupted by Buffy coming up to them. She seemed frazzled but still better than Willow had seen her last night when she confessed her part on the murder of the mayor's assistant Allan Flinch. Talking to Giles as Willow suggested must have been good for her. "Willow!" She said walking up to the pair all business. "Good I've found you! Giles wants to bring you up to speed on what he and I discussed about Faith last night."

"Faith?" Xander repeated looking between the two girls. "What about Faith?" Willow and Buffy exchanged a look causing the teenager to roll his eyes. "Oh, please don't all tell me at once!"

"It's complicated," Buffy replied.

"Well maybe all you need is some outside insight on the subject! And guess what I have a free period!" Xander replied sarcastically. Once again, the group were having secret meetings and talking about events, he wasn't part of. This really sucked. If anything it would keep him focused on the events in the here and now rather than the recent past.

Buffy had taken some convincing but seeing how he was not about to leave not even for doughnuts she allowed him to sit in a meeting between herself, Giles and Willow about Faith. He learnt then all about the events in past few days involving the death of Allan Flinch and Faith's cover up over it. Both Giles and Buffy were very concerned about her overall mental state. They had all agreed that someone needed to talk to Faith one on one rather than go in as a group. Deciding to man up for once Xander had suggested that he be the one to do so. "Well, *I* can be the one... on her one," He stuttered causing him to get confused looks from the others. "Let's rephrase. I think she might listen to me. We kind of have, um, a connection." His mind was racing to make sentences. Two days ago, he wasn't a killer, and neither was she. Things were changing fast.

Buffy looked in disbelief "A connection? Why would you think that..."

Interrupting Xander spoke up again. "I'm just saying it's worth a shot. That's all."

Buffy and Willow exchanged a look as Giles spoke up. "No, I don't, I don't see it, Xander. I mean, of, of all of us, you're the one person arguably that Faith has had the least contact with."

Or maybe it's caused I sliced off a woman's head clean off and I have some experience in the matter! Xander thought to himself darkly. Maybe Methos was right we as a group think too much in black and white terms to understand something like immortals and the game. "Yeah, but we hung out a little..." Xander once again tried stumbling over his words. "Recently, and she seemed to be, um... responsive."

Willow picked up on that and figures it out. She looks sadly off into space. "When did you guys hang out?" Buffy asked him narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, she was fighting one of those, uh, apocalypse demon things, and I helped her," Xander explained. "Gave her a ride home."

"And you guys talked?" Buffy asked.

More questions! God these people wouldn't trust him with a pencil sharper! "Not extensively. No." Xander replied staring straight ahead.

"Then why would you..." Buffy stopped talking as she figured it out also, widens her eyes with surprise. "Oh!" She said in shock.

"Oh!" Giles uttered naturally flustered. He and Buffy both look at Willow, concerned. Buffy is genuinely sorry that she had to hear it like this. She notices and looks up.

"I don't need to say 'oh'. I got it before. They slept together," Willow stated before going back to look off into space causing Xander to clench his jaw. He didn't realise that he had committed the crime of the century by sleeping with Faith. Last he checked he didn't have to ask Willow's permission on who he spent time with and what they did. A long silence followed as the four of them absorbed that new development.

The tension in the air is very thick. Giles finally breaks it. "Fine, fine, let's, let's, let's move on," Giles said sounding anything but convinced that such an action like Xander helping would be a good thing. Forget the pencil sharper these people wouldn't trust him to sit in a chair without killing himself! The meeting had ended quickly with Buffy telling Xander that guys with connections meant nothing to Faith no matter the guy involved… right in front of both Willow and Giles. He wanted to yell at her for that for doing it so casually, to put him once again down and demean him but had bit his tongue. Willow meanwhile couldn't even look at him which hurt although part of him wanted to scream at her that she had made her choice and had no right in any of his actions. Still the meeting had ended so it was time to do what he said he would.

XXXXXX

Xander stared at that the door to her room from down in the parking lot. He still has his uncle's car and is leaning against the front of it trying to figure out what he's going to say to her. He thought that he was the one person that could get through to her. After all, he was sure they'd shared something. He swallows and runs his hand through his hair before he started to move towards the motel room almost instantly feels a buzz go off in his head and closes his eyes shaking his head. He really didn't need this now. "I was hoping you would get back in the car, turn around and go back the way you came," Methos said emerging from the shadows across from Xander having stayed out of range from the younger immortal.

"How did you find out about all this?" Xander asked.

"I caught the news," Methos explained walking up to Xander. "It doesn't take much to put two and two together. Plus, I paid well to be informed of what is going on in the town or city that I am staying in. Never can be too careful. Tell me you are not doing what I think you are doing?"

"And what do you think I'm doing?" Xander retorted not in the mood for this. He didn't need another lecture. He already had one from the group after suggesting he could be the one to talk to Faith and they had all but dismissed his chances.

"I think you planning to save another damsel in distress," Methos told the teenager. "Another damsel who you have probably put on a throne somewhere in your mind."

"Just do what you are good at and stay out of this one Methos," Xander said moving past the immortal.

"No, you should stay out," Methos fired back at Xander getting back in his way. "This isn't going to end the way you think it is."

"I have to help her!" Xander told the man. "She is just confused and scared that's all!"

"Is that her you are talking about you!?" Methos swore at the young man causing him to shake his head in anger. "This is too risky! Too complex!"

"I have to try!" Xander simply stated.

"Another boy scout," Methos grumbled to himself in exasperation. "You know I have known a few Slayers in my time and let me tell you some of them are the lofty heroes that you may think they are. Some of the ones I have encountered have been nothing more than murders with pointy sticks! They wouldn't wait under danger or terror popped up! They would go looking for danger! They would hunt vampires and demons! Track them down! Beat them into pulps! Kill them and then move onto the next!"

Xander didn't say anything for a moment simply looking at Methos with a grim expression regarding the man and his words before he simply uttering. "Stand aside."

"Or you will do what fight me in this parking lot?" Methos asking the teenager stepping forward. "Is this it Xander the moment when you and I fight each other to the death? I had it pegged for at least a couple of thousand years before this moment but if that's what you want then sure take my head." He held hands out offering his head to Xander.

"I don't have time for this," Xander replied.

"You don't have time for this!" Methos said pointing to Faith's motel room. "There is a whole world out there our world which is so much more deadly than you possibly imagine. Focus on that not this trivial entertainment."

"Trivial?!" Xander responded in disbelief. "This is real Methos! You asked me to grow up and I'm doing it!" He took a moment before he pleaded again to his teacher. "Please Methos I have to try and talk to her." He implored the man.

Methos regarded the teenager before him. Xander really was another boy scout and with a heart bigger than he knew what to do with. One day it would most likely get him killed not matter how strong Methos's teaching. Nothing he would say or do would stop that and it pained him more than he would ever admit. No matter how hard he wanted to deny it Xander despite all he had been through in his life was only 18 years old. He was still figuring out life as he went along and had unresolved issues that he was dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Sighing he stepped aside and let Xander passed walking away back into the night.

Watching his teacher disappear into the night Xander swallows and runs his hand through his hair before heading up the stairs. He still hesitates just outside the door, and he can hear her moving around inside. He knocks.

Faith's trademark smirk greets him as she moves aside to let him in, and he walks near the bed. He doesn't remember the exact words he was using to try and convince her that she needed help, but he knew the sentiment and feeling behind them were real. He wanted to help her. She didn't see it that way. She'd accused him of wanting another taste. He didn't deny that. She was gorgeous, and the way she was standing with her head leaning slightly, hips swaying subtly, he had to swallow the thump in his throat before saying another word. He feels his sincerity dying when he notices the naughty gleam in her eye, the same one she had given him before.

He told her that they had a connection.

She laughs in his face. Told him it was just skin. She sees, she wants, she takes. She forgets.

Then her hands are on his throat.

She starts to squeeze, her strong slayer hands crushing his Adams apple into his windpipe. His teeth clench as he tries to gasp in a breath. She's saying something but he can't hear her. Her eyes are cold, and the mischievous look is gone, masked by something that scares him. It's then that he realizes he could have been wrong. That it was just skin, and she really had no other use for him. She forces him onto the bed and now he's really struggling for air and the reality that she really is going to kill him begins to sink in.

XXXXXX

Xander sighed as he took a moment before knocking on the door. A moment past and buzz went off in his head later and Methos opened the door to his house. "Hi," he said to his teacher who smiled a little and stepped aside allowing his pupil to enter. "I… umm… wasn't sure if I should come round after… we had words," he finished with a grimace.

"Well truth be told I wasn't expecting company," Methos replied pulling out a gun he had stuff in the back of his jeans and setting it down on the coffee table as he sat back on the couch. "I'm guessing your chat with the dark hair resulted in her seeing the light and you have come to gloat?" He asked without much interest.

Xander snorted as he slumped down in a chair. "No, I tried, and you were right at least in that moment. She tried to strangle me."

Methos coughed on his beer nearly choking. "Strangled? My god what the hell did you say to her?!"

Xander threw up his hands. "Nothing good it would seem. I just wanted to help her let her know that she wasn't alone in all of this. If deadboy hadn't been there I would have probably died."

Methos looked at the boy for a moment letting his final statement sink in before he unleashed his rage at the teenager. "You mean to tell me that that girl was moments away from strangling you to death?! And when you revied what were you going to say then?! I understand your pain, Faith! Damn it Xander how many times do I have to tell you to be more careful and think before entering a situation!"

"I got it," Xander muttered looking away.

"Oh, you do finally!" Methos barked at the young immortal.

"I said I got it!" Xander barked back at his teacher causing him to scowl in frustration at the teenager's reckless nature.

Sighing and trying to calm down Methos simply shook his head. "I at least hope that you have done torturing yourself over taking Gray's head," Methos stated causing Xander to tense up a little. "It's what this was really all about wasn't it? Be honest about it. You took a woman's head in cold blood to survive plain and simple. We have all done it one time or another. No immortal is above such acts not when the game is involved."

"You should write fortune cookies," Xander muttered darkly looking at what is on tv.

"Maybe I should but that doesn't change the fact that you wanted to make sure that Faith could be redeemed thus making sure that you could be redeemed," Methos replied. "This is a violent world even without such supernatural horrors and the never-ending battle like the game in it. Wars, pollution, corporate greed, and children starvation still feature. Why? because they are allowed to occur. Because we are all good AND evil. We have rage AND compassion. We have love AND hate. Murder and forgiveness. You have a long road ahead of you Xander you have to learn to forgive yourself now if you want to travel down it."

Xander smiled at his teacher. He seemed to be blessed meeting people who were vastly complex and insightful. Move past first glance impressions and one would find that Buffy, Willow, Giles, Oz and even Cordelia were all for more complex and deeper in ways he couldn't even understand. Sometimes it made him feel like he was out of his league with this group other times it made him feel honoured that he was able to share his life with such an extraordinarily group of individuals. "Thank you," he replied, and he laughed at Methos's shrug as if it was nothing.

Across town, elsewhere in the library Buffy sits at the table while Giles pours her some coffee from his thermos as she explains the events that involved finding Faith at the docks, Trick's ambush on the pair of them, and his dusting at the other slayer's hand.

"So she saved you," Giles said carefully as he walked slowly around the table.

"She could have left me there to die, Giles," Buffy confirmed to her former watcher. "But she didn't."

"She opted to come back to town with you," Giles nodded. "That... That bodes well," he stated as he sat down on a chair next to his desk before adding. "She still has a lot to face before she can put this behind her." He wanted to stress to Buffy that this would not be a simple project.

"I'm not gonna give up on her," Buffy told the man firmly.

Giles nodded again not for the first time impressed by Buffy's determination and strength as he poured himself a cup. "Then I think she stands a chance."

They discussed the situation a little longer before Buffy left the man alone in his office coming out to main library where Willow was waiting for her. "Quite a night," Buffy commented grabbing a seat at the table and sounding exhausted. Willow nodded chewing her lip a little staring off into the distance. Buffy picked on her best friend's demeanour and looked at her curiously. "Willow what's up?"

"I think something is going on with Xander," Willow announced turning to Buffy.

Buffy sighed expecting this. "Willow, look I know it can't be easy to hear this but who Xander gets… involved with is none of our business. Let's just grateful that after tonight I doubt, he would be on rebound mode and falling around her around like some little lost puppy! But really Willow if you don't mind me saying you made your choice you have Oz now." Buffy pointed out causing Willow to roll her eyes in frustration.

"It's not about that Buffy!" the redhead hissed to her blonde friend. "It's about his Uncle Adam!"

"What about his uncle Adam?" Buffy frowned already getting lost in the conversation.

"That's just it Buffy there isn't an 'Uncle Adam'," Willow said leaning forward talking as if she was telling Buffy national secrets. "I have known him for years and he never mentioned an Adam before in his life and just the other day his mother said she didn't know an Uncle Adam!" Buffy opened her mouth to point out that Xander's mother was hardly a reliable witness given that from Buffy understood the woman didn't even know how to boil an egg, but Willow cut her off on a roll. "I even did some checking there is no record relating to Adam Harris until a mere month ago then all of a sudden poof he is Xander's legal guardian! No record of him existing before that!"

"And does Xander know you have been doing a background check on his uncle?" Buffy enquired causing Willow to shrink a little. "Does Oz your boyfriend know?" Buffy added knowing this would likely see her best friend up in hot water with her werewolf boyfriend.

"Well, what's was the point of being a hacker if you never get a chance to use it?" Willow tried to justify. "I'm just worry about him I mean you must have noticed him tonight right?"

Buffy shrugged. "Yeah, he was all quiet probably just wounded pride from not getting through to Faith and nearly being strangled to death. No biggie… Well okay maybe it was a little traumatic for Xander to experience but I guess we can talk to him about that." The slayer suggested as she guessed that was what Willow was referring to.

"No Buffy the bruises!" Willow clarified. "He didn't have any bruises around his neck or if he did, they had already healed by the time he had reached the library! Faith's a slayer just like you and seen you bend steel! If Faith had her hands around his throat crushing his windpipe, don't you think that would leave marks and bruises?" Buffy opened her mouth and then frowned considering what Willow was saying to her. She was right. Her best friend was right! Xander should be sporting bruises with a voice sounding like sandpaper but there had been nothing. He had been fine.

"Buffy, I'm telling you," Willow said drawing the slayer's attention. "Something is going on with him!"