Death Moves to Sunnydale 3

Author: Tohonomike tohonomikea...
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owners... Joss/ME characters and others. I do not and cannot make money off of this, but for feedback I try to churn out a quality product.

Thanks for reading

Saturday, November 1st, 1997 – 7:00 AM

Cordelia Chase wasn't sure what was going on between her grandfather and Xander Harris, but both looked very serious. And Xander speaking in Latin might just be from hanging around the Library dweebs all this time. But where did he get that suit! It was perfect on him! And might even cost more than many of her own best…

The young woman hadn't really expected her grandfather to show up, but out of the blue he'd arrived around midnight looking like Death himself was looking for him. And when he'd seen the sleepy Chase daughter, he'd made her promise to be ready at six so he could talk to her about some things. She'd hoped it would be more than just talking about her parents; the older man was one of the few who was able to ignore her 'princess' front and actually converse with her. And though he'd started to ask her about her plans for the future, he was now showing respect for Xander Harris! Though if what they said was true, and who could tell in this town any more, she'd play quiet and see if she could find out.

"Xander? Please stop talking in Latin," Cordelia gently in front of her grandfather admonished, "I don't understand a lot of it, so it's kinda rude."

"Alright Cordelia. And please, call me Alexander."

"So…Alexander…what business are you going to be working with grandpa on?"

"Hmm? Oh, not the business itself, Cordelia, just how he is an executive handling his affairs and life."

"Really? Why?"

"Because he's a man of power and position that still has passion. It's amazing how many of those die long before they're collected."

"When did you become a philosopher?"

"Thirteen hours and thirteen minutes ago."

"Oh," she replied, remembering that a lot stranger than normal things had happened last night, "But how do you know grandpa?"

"We've just met in person," Xander smiled wanly at her and glanced at a worried William R. Chase, "But…he was on a … contact list. So here we are."

"Oh, a referral? Okay. Um, you stayin' for breakfast with us?"

"No, but I'll be by later. I have some things I am obligated to take care of first." He stood and turned toward the man of wealth, "You had some matters to begin, William. I will be by at eleven?"

The man swallowed slightly, something that did not go unnoticed by Cordelia as the men shook hands, "Of course, Alexander. I don't know how far along I'll have gotten…"

"That's alright," Alexander replied quietly, and shook the hand of a surprised Cordelia. His hand lingered for just a second longer than necessary. "I'm sure I can find someone to help pass the time with until you're ready for me."

Mr. Chase began to protest the possibility that Cordelia would be any part of the deal, but Alexander looked into his eyes, "Don't worry William, our deal is ours alone."

And the young man simply wandered off and left Cordelia watching her grandfather's concerned look after the doors closed. She'd get Xander alone later and find out what the heck was going on, or else!

SHS Library – 9 AM

Buffy, Jenny, Willow and Giles had just gathered to discuss the Xander situation. The adults had an hour before driven over to check on the boy, only to find the front door wide open, the car gone and from the looks of it the two parents as well. They'd called the police to report it, then managed to reach the library as planned.

"So Giles," Buffy broached, "Does this mean Xander's still…Dead Guy?"

"Death," Giles corrected absently, then sighed, "We don't know when they left, and even Xander had mentioned in passing there was hope his situation would change at dawn."

"So where is he? Did he run off with his folks?"

"No Elizabeth, I didn't," the young man commented without much tonality as he entered the main doors silently. "But they probably couldn't handle the 'vibes' I must put out when I'm not holding back."

"Huh? Holding back what, Xander?"

"The cold chill of mortality realized; being in the presence of something so old that Epochal doesn't begin to convey the weight of time. And maybe being so close in blood relation, they experienced some of my dreams. I didn't ask when I left the house before them this morning."

Willow looked at him, "You're Death now?"

"It seems that way."

"Are you, are you still Xander?"

"Alexander would be a better description."

Buffy braced herself, and pushed herself only slightly from the table, "Evil?"

"Amoral, Disinterested, but Aware."

"Were you speaking with Capital Letters, Xander?"

The Being actually smiled at his friend, though it barely touched his eyes.

"Yeah."

"So Mom mentioned—"

"I know. By the end of next year, she should get a full scan…Buffy. It is treatable, and the aneurism only developed because of surgery when things were quite a ways along."

"So how do I tell her?"

"Tell her everything. Most beings regret not telling the important things that would have made a difference. You should tell her."

Giles looked uncomfortable at that possibility, but Alexander looked at him.

"Rupert, as far as human matters go, it is her Right." Alexander looked at Jenny Calendar, who blanched in remembrance of the last time. He tipped his head to the side, then looked at Buffy. "You and Angel aren't a couple anymore."

"What?" the blonde slayer asked in confusion, "What do you mean? Of course we are."

"No. I'm guessing he remembered what Death told him. Miss Calendar now won't be murdered by Angelus in February, and a lot of teenagers will now live much longer lives."

"How would his breaking up with me make a difference? He's a good person!"

"A moment of happiness…with you…would have broken the curse, and without the soul, Angelus would have reigned again. Angel is the soul, not the vampire body." He turned to the computer teacher, "I'm glad for you, you're a good person."

As he began to leave the room without a hint of a good-bye, Willow called out to him, drawing his attention back.

"Please stay," she near-begged quietly, suppressing tears, ""Please…Xander."

He stared at her for a moment, and a little more life seemed to enter his eyes, and he gained an expression of slight concern. He walked over and sat down next to her, apposite of Buffy, and he held her lightly.

Alexander closed his eyes, and felt something a tiny bit stronger inside of him.

"I don't think I'm going anywhere for a while, Wills," he whispered to her. "but we'll see what happens over the next few weeks."