Chapter 4: The Next Day
Warnings: Light slash
Xander awoke the next morning, but not in the alley. He was in the library, in a chair, and Angel was staring at his form, with a blank expression. Xander rubbed his eyes and stared down at the table, not knowing what was coming next, but he had some faint ideas. None of them were anywhere close to good. He looked up catiously at Angel, who was still staring him down.
"H-how did I get here?" Xander said, breaking the silence. Angel glanced down for a second and then back up at Xander, with renewed determination. "I followed your scent. And plus, you were sobbing loud enough to power a third world country." Xander frowned. "Why did you follow me in the first place?" He shot back. Angel sighed. "Because Buffy called me after you ran out and said since Angelus was taken care of you were the last of the evils."
Xander stood up and kicked the chair over. "Since when have I, the one who has been in the group even longer than YOU have, become evil. All I did was sleep with your evil side." Realization dawned on him after he heard himself speak. "Oh."
Angel stood up, and Xander backed into the bookshelf behind him. Angel walked around the table and to Xander's trembling form. Angel felt bad for causing Xander's fear, but persisted. "What attracted you to him?" Xander looked up at him in suprise. "What? Oh. Um, I honestly don't know. He just gave me something I was missing. I can't explain it but, I think he actually cared about me."
Angel caressed Xander's cheek, and moved his mouth to his ear. "He still does," Angel whispered softly. Xander eased up, leaning onto Angel. "But, i'm not sure if I do. The beast is strong, but i'm stronger." Xander sighed and moved away, or attempted to. Angel snaked an arm around his waist. "What are you doing?" Xander asked, with an accusing tone of voice.
Angel looked down at him. "I'm not gonna let them hurt you. I gave Angelus my word. He doesn't want to see you get hurt." Xander got away from the arm and turned away. "What about you?" Xander thought out loud. Angel gave a half smile, then went grave faced again. "No. I don't want you getting hurt. You did nothing wrong."
Xander realized that they wouldn't be alone forever. "When do they get here?" He inquired. Angel looked down at him. "In a few minutes. I'm gonna go call Giles and tell him everything that's been going on. And that you aren't evil. I think it would be better if he heard it from me." "Thanks."
Xander watched Angel walk into the office, wondering if he really did care.
