Chapter 2
TITLE: The Power of XION
AUTHOR: Methos if ya want to host it somewhere else just tell me where ya putting it ok? ;)
DISCLAIMER: All things BtVS belong to Joss Whedon, Green Lantern, ION, Batgirl and any other mentions of DC characters belong to DC Comics ok? I own nothing ;)
SUMMARY: On Halloween Ethan's little costume stunt may have changed the future more that he know. and created something completely new in this dimension.
FEEDBACK: love it :) my first fanfic and so many reviews already :) more please lol
RELATIONSHIPS: None as yes, copious amounts of flirting yes but no relationships planned.
RATING: FR18
SPOILERS: Anything from the Halloween episode onwards. I plan on taking the story through to the bitter end of Buffy. Changing a few things along the way of course ;)
Xander went around the back door of his house to get in and snuck downstairs to his basement bedroom.
He had been put in such a good mood after getting everything ready that he just wanted to avoid his parents and get tonight over with.
Maybe this costume thing might not be a total drag, he thought to himself. He had the children to take care of at eight but they had to be back at the high school to be picked up by their parents by half past nine so after that perhaps they could head to the Bronze.
He let his imagination wander for a bit, thinking about all the women who would be out tonight dressed up in costumes.
Being California, most of the costumes to women picked out would be skimpy to allow fun to be had while staying cool he thought. So a night at the Bronze surrounded by cute girls in skimpy fancy dress.
Grinning to himself at the thought, he hung his costume over the door to his wardrobe and flopped down on the bed with a box of Twinkies, and his new book.
Well he didn't have to be over at Buffy's for about two hours yet. That left plenty of time to catch up on the character he was dressing up as tonight and some Twinkie indulgence.
Opening the book to the first page Xander quickly got engrossed in the book. The story was pretty much as the costume guy had described it. The kid was a Green Lantern who came into possession of the power of all the guardians and then some. When he'd be told that, the character had become a godlike being there was no joke there.
This hero, The ION, had enough power in him to re-make the universe. He could create anything he wanted. He could step in and out of time on a whim. He could exist in multiple places at once. Was nigh on omnipotent. God, it was even said that he could take down Superman without even breaking a sweat.
Hearing another fight upstairs, Xander dropped the book halfway through. Grabbing the ION costume and stuffing a last Twinkie into his mouth, he put his jacket on and snuck back out the way he came.
Off to somewhere he could find a bit of peace and quiet he thought to himself. With that in mind, he started the walk over to Buffy's house.
"Xander, aren't you a bit early? Buffy's still out getting the last bits of her costume together," Joyce looked at Xander, reaching out with her hand and wiping a bit of cream off his lips. "And have you been practicing eating an entire Twinkie all at once again young man?"
Smiling at this Xander reached up and wiped his hand across his entire mouth making sure there was no residue cream left. "No Mrs. Summers, I just had to get out of the house. Mom and Dad were starting another fight so I came to see if I could relax with Buffy for a bit before heading to the school." Dropping his shoulders a bit he realized that Buffy wasn't here so he would have to go and find somewhere else to hide from his parents.
Seeing his almost dismayed look Joyce decided to take pity on the young man. "Well I've just finished making dinner, so you're welcome to join me for a bit if you want. I can't imagine Buffy is going to be that long."
With this said Xander's face lit up. Joyce thought that the young man had a truly wonderful smile. She couldn't believe it when Buffy had told her that he had asked her out and she had turned him down.
Under those baggy shirts and combats Xander had acquired quite a physique from being out patrolling with Buffy, and sparring with her and Giles he was no slouch in combat. However, he still thought himself as the goof of the group. Where as if he actually started to realize he was one of the best-looking guys in the school he might get a lot better reputation for it.
"I'd like that, thank you Mrs. Summers." Xander practically beamed to her.
"Well come in then. I've got homemade lasagna with some lemon meringue pie for dessert and we don't want them to get cold do we?" Xander flashed her one of his famous lop sided grins and followed her into the house.
It was well known that Mrs. Summers was one of the best cooks in Sunnydale. She always made him meals when he stayed around for movies or just hanging around with Buffy. He didn't think she knew about his home life but the fact that every time he was here she made something from scratch actually made him feel like he was part of a family.
The closest thing he ever got to that at home was getting the pizza takeaway menu thrown at him and being told to order something for his dad and he could have whatever was left. A proper home cooked meal was something he had never had before Mrs. Summers came to Sunnydale.
"Make yourself at home Xander. I'll just be a minute in the kitchen. Would you like something to drink?"
"I'll just have a coke please Mrs. Summers."
Joyce poked her head round the corner of the living room, "Now I've told you before about that. Please call me Joyce, calling me Mrs. Summers makes me feel way too old."
Laughing it off Joyce went back to the kitchen to fetch a drink for them both.
Smiling Xander laid his costume carefully over the sofa and sat down thinking about tonight.
"Well here you go Xander," passing him a coke she noticed the costume lying over the sofa, "I) that your costume for tonight? I thought you were going as a soldier, or a Jedi, or that character you keep talking about from the game..."
"Oh the master chief? Nah those costumes were far too expensive. I got this one free from the shop owner. He said something about having found a kindred spirit after we talked for a while. It had something split on it but it looks to be fine. No stains or anything so I'm good for tonight."
Joyce smiled at this. "Where did you end up getting yours from Xander? It looks pretty high quality." Tumbing) the leather she could tell it was hard wearing not cheap material.
"Yeah this new place called Ethan's you know it?"
Smiling Joyce nodded. "That's where Buffy went to get the last bits of her costume. I popped in there earlier. While you and the kids are out me, Mr. Giles, Mrs. Calendar and a few others are going to be having a get together here. We've all got costumes for it as well."
Putting on his trademark grin Xander turned to Mrs... Joyce. "Well Joyce, they did have a very nice Supergirl outfit there. You didn't perhaps pick that one up did you?"
Seeing Xander's grin Joyce decided to have a little fun with him. Waiting until he had taken a mouthful of his coke Joyce replied, "No sorry no Supergirl here. I did pick up this fabulous dominatrix outfit though."
As soon at the word 'dominatrix' had left her mouth the coke left Xander's, spraying over the table in front of them and the carpet behind. Joyce seeing this laughed so hard she nearly fell of her seat. Looking over Xander was bright red and trying not to look at her wiping coke off his clothes.
Joyce stood up and went to fetch some kitchen roll to clean up with when she came back a very flustered Xander was stood up still wiping coke of his now drenched combats.
"Xander I'm sorry, no dominatrix sorry. I'm going to be dressing up as one of the doctors assistants from Doctor Who."
"Who?" Xander replied mockingly trying to get the coke out of his clothes.
"Exactly." Joyce grinned up at his finishing wiping the last of the coke off the carpet. Standing up she walked over to Xander and started wiping the coke off his combats.
"It's a British TV show that Mr. Giles has been watching. He was kind enough to lend me a few of his video tapes of the show."
Before she could get any further Xander let out a small yelp and sat back down again.
Joyce realizing what she had done suppressed a grin, she still had it. Smiling to herself she walked back into the kitchen to throw the paper towels in the bin.
"Xander," Joyce called out from the kitchen, "Your pants will be all sticky from the coke. Why don't you go upstairs and get changed into your costume? I'll put your pants into the wash and you can pick them up when you've finished trick or treating."
"Ok Mrs. Summers. . . I mean Joyce. I'll just be a second." With that he grabbed his costume and hurried upstairs to get changed.
Joyce sat in the kitchen and started to dish up dinner, quietly smiling to herself she poured herself a glass of wine and was quietly sat there enjoying it when there was a knock at the door.
"Buffy have you forgotten your keys again?" she shouted making her way round to the door
Opening the door expecting to find her wayward daughter Joyce was a little shocked to see Willow stood there.
"Willow sorry I was expecting Buffy home. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Oh, is Buffy not in Mrs. Summers?"
"No, but you're welcome to come in and wait for her. Xander is already upstairs getting his costume on. He had a little accident with some coke." Smiling at this Joyce opened the door further to allow Willow in.
"Xander! Willow's here," Joyce shouted up the stairs. "We were just about ready to sit down for dinner. Perhaps you'd like to join us?"
Smiling at Mrs. Summers Willow quickly agreed. She'd rushed home to finish her homework before coming straight to Buffy's. They were going to have a girly night in, getting ready for tonight so she hadn't had anything to eat yet.
"I'll be right down Joyce," came a voice from upstairs.
Joyce? Willow thought. Isn't that a bit familiar for Xander? Raising her eyebrow at the thought she looked into the kitchen where Joyce caught her eye.
Laughing Joyce put down the Lasagna. "No Willow, nothing like that. I insist everyone calls me that in my house. Calling me Mrs. Summers seems too formal and makes me feel too old."
With this Willow hung up her bag with her ghost costume in it and made her way into the kitchen to sit down ready for dinner.
"Xander, I'm dishing up now if you want some."
"Here's a tip Willow, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach." As if to punctuate the comment there was a thundering down the stairs and Willow turned around to see Xander enter the kitchen.
Smiling Joyce looked over at Willows reaction. Dear lord she knew Willow was attracted to Xander but this was ridiculous. She was sat there, open mouthed just looking at him.
Joyce decided to turn round to see what the fuss was about.
Xander was stood there in the doorway. Striking the usual hero pose, which for some reason didn't look stupid on him anymore.
The uniform fit him like a second skin. Tight leather stretched over his entire body. The black buckle up boots were still undone, as were the buckles around his waist, chest and neck but the effect was still astounding.
"Wow, Xander that costume really does suit you," Joyce remarked finally.
"Willow, Willow, WILLOW! You alright there?" Xander wandered over and waved his gloved hand in front of her face.
Swatting his hand away Willow just smiled up at him going slightly red. "Sorry Xander, it's just that the last time I saw you in something that tight. You didn't have all those muscles," going even redder as she said it she turned around looking at Joyce for support.
"She's right Xander. You are looking good. You having trouble with those buckles?"
"Yeah thanks Joyce. The buckles are a bit weird. Haven't had anything with them on before." Xander chose to ignore the compliments he got from the two women. Inside he was beaming but he wanted to wait and see the reaction from Buffy when she got home.
"Well why don't we sit down and eat before the dinner gets cold and then I'll give you a hand with them," Joyce said walking over to behind Xander and guiding him to his seat. "Besides I've had plenty of practice with buckles before. Most of the best dominatrix outfits have loads of them on," she whispered in Xander's ear before seating him.
Seeing Xander had gone a bright shade of red which didn't at all look good with his black and green costume Willow decided to break the tension.
"What costume is that Xander? I don't recognize it from your comics."
"Nah, it's a new one from a movie they were going to make apparently. Never got off the ground so I managed to get it cheap from this shop in town. Ethan's? Well it's from a comic called Green Lantern so I didn't think you'd recognize it."
"Ethan's? That's where I got my costume from too. Nice English owner. Was very helpful finding me something to wear." Willow smiled waiting for the reaction.
"What? You mean you're not going as your ghostly self this year? Ohh do tell. What's your costume then?" Xander was practically off his seat waiting to hear what Willow was going to be. Normally she went as a ghost or something else quiet and unassuming.
"Well Buffy convinced me to try something else so I went around town looking for something that would be fun." Willow smiled. She was grinning inside, happy about the reaction she had got from Xander.
"Dinner's ready," Joyce called out, making her way over to the table with two plates of lasagna with salad on the side.
"Hmmm smells delicious Joyce." Xander started rubbing his hands together but stopped when he noticed the clinking the open buckles on his wrists were making.
Laughing Joyce put the meals down in front of the two teenagers before returning to dish up her own. Throwing a cloth at Xander she called, "Put that on your lap. I know how much of a messy eater you are Xander and we don't want you ruining your suit before you've been trick or treating."
Sitting down next to Xander she smiled as he did as he was told before starting his meal.
It wasn't long before the meal was finished and everyone was full from the pasta dish Joyce had made.
Xander grinned at Joyce, obviously sated. "Well that was delicious Joyce. Compliments to the chef."
Smiling back Joyce thanked him for the compliment and started to clear the plates away.
"So Willow, you never told us what your costume is tonight." Joyce smiled over at Willow who had been quiet as usual through the meal.
"No Mrs. Sum… Joyce. Me and Buffy wanted to keep it a secret to surprise Xander."
"Well ok then. I'll have to wait until Buffy is here for you two to get ready I suppose. Xander would you like help now with those buckles before dessert? You don't want them falling into your bowl while you're eating do you?"
"Excuse me I've just got to… you know… use the little girls room," Willow said before heading upstairs quickly.
I swear that girl needs to come out of shell a bit. Looking over at Xander it was obvious he thought the same.
"Now Xander why don't you sit here." She pointed to a high stool by the window. "And I'll get those buckles done up for you."
Smiling Xander walked over to the chair and sat down as Joyce knelt down and started to buckle up his boots.
"Wow, some of these are really tough aren't they?"
"Yeah. I was having trouble with them myself. That's why I left them open. I hoped Buffy could help me with them." Smiling Xander thought that Buffy's slayer strength should be able to get these done easily.
"Well from the look of things I think you might have done a better job of doing these that Buffy could have. She's not exactly She Ra you know?" she smiled at Xander. More likely he just wanted to have her daughter holding him close as she attempted the buckles.
Managing to get the boots on both legs done up Joyce moved on to the belt, which had been done up. But with the wrong buckle.
"You know you've got the wrong ones tightened up here don't you?"
Xander looked down to find he had done the buckles up the wrong way. Looping them over each other so they had formed a messy loop round his stomach.
"Well I'll get these undone first then we'll see about doing them right ok?" Trying to get a grip on them Joyce's fingers slid all over the leather and metal before she hit on an idea.
"Well I can't get these open with my fingers. You've done them too tight and made a right mess of them. Give me a second I'll just use my teeth to get these open quickly."
Before Xander could object Joyce had knelt down and maneuvered herself between his legs putting her face right into his stomach, using her fingers to feed the top part of the buckle into her mouth so she could pull it loose with her teeth.
It was at this point when the back door opened and Buffy walked in with several shopping bags. Seeing the position her mother and Xander were in Buffy dropped the bags and screeched "Mother!" at the top of her voice.
Xander froze.
Joyce turned around to see her daughter there with a look of horror on her face. It was only then that she realized how what she had been doing must have looked.
"Buffy, it's not what you think," Joyce started.
Heh I know just a short one but I had a few scenes in my head that I wanted to get done.
Hope people are still enjoying this. As usual if ya spot any glaring errors let me know and I'll clean em up asap.
As for the funny teasing between Joyce and Xander. I've always thought that Joyce was a underused character and want to get more out of her this story, besides the thought of a few of the characters in Buffy dressed in a dominatrix outfit ;)
Don't think I could feasibly get Ms. Calender into one before the end do ya? Lol
