Death Moves to Sunnydale 4


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. I know this is short, but I want to jump-start my writing of this story.

Saturday, November 1st, 1997 – 10:00 AM

Xander had let go of Willow and explained some of the things he'd seen in his dreams; not so much the deaths of beings, but the locations of the events surrounding them. Giles and Jenny more than the girls noticed that Xander, Alexander and Death all seemed to have slightly different emphases within the same person. And an attempt at reading his aura had given the techno-pagan an immediate migraine. Giles had noted the shift to a look of expressionless on the young man's and only then of concern; it was if he had to choose how and who to be.

And the further from the group he walked, the more it seemed he became Alexander instead of Xander, standing upright in full nonchalant confidence, unaware of the Power he truly might hold. If the dreams were any indication, the young man would need to be encouraged to remain as human as possible lest he be lost entirely.

Saturday, November 1st, 1997 – 10:30 AM

The Chase Household had been informed that Mr. Harris would be arriving as a guest of William Randolph Chase. Cordelia's parents weren't around, so it was easy for the young woman to intercept him. Seeing that he was still impeccably dressed in spite of apparently walking to the estate threw her enough as to not start loudly begin drilling him for explanations.

"What happened to you last night and why is my grandfather acting funny around you Xander?"

"I…aged…and I don't think your grandfather is acting in a humorous manner," the young man deadpanned, though Cordelia noted that by the time his explanation ended his eyes had regained some of the sparkle she was used to seeing, though no malice or bite as they sometimes held in their verbal interchanges.

"Xander…"

"Alexander…I did ask you to call me by my full name."

"Um, okay…" she replied, not used to a Xander Harris that was in full verbal-warfare mode with her, "Alexander. So, what's going on between you and my grandfather?"

"I'm going to learn about the life of a successful businessman that still appreciates the real quality of what is called Living."

"But why does he seem edgy around you?"

"You'd have to ask him that, Cordelia," Alexander replied noncommittally. "In the time I'm around William I hope to … gain perspective."

"Something happened to you last night, didn't it? Something big," Cordelia actually showed some concern. She remembered how he'd been helping save her over the last few months and decided to risk exposing a bit of her inner self, "Is, is it something I can help you with?"

"You actually are, believe it or not. You and I are having a pleasant and conversation, Cordelia. I'm emotionally…dead…right now," he smiled wanly at his truthful lack of information. "So being around someone intelligent like yourself, as sharp as you are, is good. And I'll be around your grandfather like you wouldn't believe. I need to anchor myself."

"Wow, that's…different."

"Yeah."

"No, I mean you're right, us talking and not attacking…" She looked thoughtful.

"Afraid it could become a habit?" he smiled a little as she guided him into a sitting room in which Tea had been set out in spite of the early hour. He smiled again. "Trying to butter me up with food; it could work."

"No to the second, and if you keep acting like this…I might not mind talking to you becoming a habit Alexander Harris. You haven't once snuck any looks at me or gotten on my nerves. You haven't become gay did you?'

Xander frowned, then smiled with a headshake, "No Cordelia, I'm just so overwhelmed by … well… not Life … that I'm a little detached."

The young woman poured tea, Xander surprising her when he indicated he take his tea same as she did. First he was associating with grandpa, and now talking to her like someone, well, like someone he liked but not in a teenager way. It didn't add up, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

"So…Alexander…how do we treat each other at school on Monday?"

"I'm not sure I'll continue to go. I can learn more from your grandfather than I can from classes." He noted her shock, "But if I do go, there isn't a reason we can't be polite, is there?"

"I guess not. But I never took you for a quitter, though. Doofus maybe…" she added with a smile clearly showing she meant no ill. Xander smiled back, and might have said something in response had William Chase not joined them at that moment. Instead he addressed the older man.

"Good morning, William. Are you ready for me?" The man paled slightly, so Xander showed a little mercy. "To mentor me?"

The man sighed in relief, having misinterpreted Death's meaning, but feeling a little grateful the Being had quickly dispelled his immediate fear.

"If you'd follow me…Alexander? We'll head up to my suite and we can discuss where best for you to start. I've my computer set up there, and a few phones for when I'm here. I can have refreshments brought up if you'd like."

"No, I'm fine, William," he responded then noted how Cordelia was closely watching him, "Let's go learn me some finance."