After classes let out for the day, Xander and Cordelia returned to the Chase Mansion. While Cordelia changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, so as not to risk damaging her more fashionable clothes while they checked out the old groundskeeper's shed at the back of property; Xander listened to a message on her answering machine from the hospital. The lab results hadn't shown any trace of drugs or viruses, so their feelings were that Cordelia was fine.
'Guess that means, whatever it is that makes a werewolf isn't something normally tested for. Or isn't detectable by modern science. If it's supernatural or demonic, science must have a hard time with it, not being aware of it would contribute to that.'
When Cordy came out of her closet, Xander filled her in on the message before deleting it.
"Giles' book made it clear though, werewolves are considered supernatural not demonic, Cor. So you're not a demon and you don't have anything demonic in you. So that, at least is something you don't need to worry about."
"It does help, knowing that. Ok, let's get going, the sooner we get it checked, the sooner we'll know what you need to fix it up."
They set out for the back half of the property. The Chase estate wasn't that large, but did encompass roughly 5 acres of land, not including the wooded area. Some of which was apart their property, and but blended into what was known as Miller's Woods on the edge of town. So it took a little while to get to. When they arrived, Xander noticed an access road that wound past the woods and came up to the shed, which he saw was more of small house than a shed, as Cordelia had said yesterday. Maybe 500 sq ft, it was one empty room with a tiny ¾ bathroom. The lights worked and the bathroom had running water. Xander also noticed a couple plugs, which he pointed out to Cordelia.
"We can bring a hot plate and TV, not to mention a clock, portable on everything of course. Maybe with a small generator in case weather causes any problem. I can keep it all, along with a sleeping bag in the trunk of my car and unload and set it up each time we're out here, Like we're camping. The place looks solid, the windows are small but can be opened to let in air. Higher up and screens, makes it hard for anything animallike to get in. One door in and out and it's solid too, with a lock. The lock will need to be changed though, we need a deadbolt not a regular. It looks like Fernando hasn't been using it, there's dust everywhere and none of it looks disturbed. No signs of foot prints or anything. Nothing's been nesting here, vampire or otherwise. It shouldn't be hard get it cleaned up. A couple hours tops. Biggest problem I see is the fact it's not a home and with us using it, we may attract the attention of vampires. We need some magical protection. I know you don't want Buffy and them to know about this, so that means we need to figure out some protections without their help. We can go to the magic store and ask the owner, she should have some ideas that could work."
As Xander talked Cordelia was amazed at how knowledgeable he seemed, how confident he was acting. 'When he knows what he's talking about, it really shows.' She thought, it's too bad the others don't get to see this side of him more. She remembered when they broke into the base and stole the rocket launcher. He'd had that same authority and confidence then. She shivered slightly, it's was damned attractive, he looked so hot standing there talking, suddenly a rush of hormones had Cordelia reaching for him. She stopped the flood of words with her tongue in his mouth. For several minutes they simply kissed. When she pulled back, Xander's eyes were glazed and she could smell his arousal and her own. She was damn close to just tearing off their clothes. With a few deep breaths she managed to get herself under control.
"What, what was that?" Xander asked breathless.
"You're really attractive when you know what you're talking about. It's a real turn on. It reminded me of when we broke into the base. You were so impressive with that soldier. I just had to kiss you."
"Ok, remind me to do that again. Uh, let's lock up and head back to the house. We can come back Saturday and clean the place up, in the meantime we can go to the magic store tomorrow and for today we should find any maps you guys have of the property so we can trace that road. We can use it to get here and no will see us and why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're doing the authoritative thing again, like I said, it's a turn on. We should get going, our first time is not going to be on a dirty floor and if you don't shut up, it will be. So let's go to the magic store instead so I can watch you talk about something you don't know. That should help me calm down."
"Whatever you say, Cor." he said dazed and happy as he followed her out the door, barely remembering to lock it with the key she had given him.
When they got back to Cordelia's house, they headed straight to his car and drove to the magic shop. Xander told the owner he had just moved into a small apartment and was on his own for the first time. He told her he was hoping for a few charms or amulets – he wasn't sure which, he told her, since he wasn't a witch, but knew some who dabbled, that would help make the place feel more safe and keep any unwanted visitors out. The owner knew what he meant and directed him to some amulets that could be hung from doors and windows. They would help form a protective shield around the place, she assured him. The one for his door needed a small incantation that even as a non magic user he'd be able to do. So Xander bought all of them, determined to do everything he could to make the place safe for Cordy.
Afterward they headed for the locksmiths, Xander telling Cordelia he'd changed locks before, Tony having an unfortunate habit of breaking them, meant they they needed to be changed and his Uncle Rory had taught him how.
Over the next few days Xander studied the maps Cordelia found of the property and traced the road out to an access point on the other side of Miller's Woods. It had once been an access point for the servants and continued up toward the house, but grass had been planted over the area between the small house and the Chase Mansion some time ago. On Saturday the two treked back out to the house with Xander cleaning the bathroom and Cordelia sweeping the floor and washing the windows and keeping up a prattle of complaints the whole time, they had quickly gotten the place in order.
Xander hung the amulets and said the incantation on the one on the door. They felt a small pulse of what felt a bit like electricity wash over them and immediately felt better about their safety. Later, after cleaning up, Cordelia rewarded Xander with another kiss and the two of them relaxed on the couch watching TV and just cuddling while he occasionally stroked her hair. It made Cordelia wonder if she wasn't a werecat instead of a werewolf as she enjoyed having him stroke her hair like that.
They were as prepared as they could be for her next cycle of transformations.
