A/N So there actually is a logical, as far as logic in a supernatural world goes, explanation for why the witches didn't find evidence of the wolf. In an earlier chapter, on the first day of her transformation cycle, Cordelia told Xander she could 'feel' the wolf, that it was 'close'. In a number of fics, Oz says stuff like this too. Along with his senses being more acute in the days just prior to and just after the cycle, with them being at their height during the cycle. In the original episode, Giles says the full moon 'pulls' the wolf out. I'm taking that to mean the wolf is in a dormant or resting state in between. At this point we are nearly smack dab in the middle of two cycles. Cordelia herself knows almost nothing about werewolves beyond the movies or what Giles books say, so she has no idea what would show up.
Anyone wondering why Cordelia is acting somewhat out of character, remember we're talking about a girl who likes to feel in control of every situation she is in. She is most definitely not feeling in control now. Plus it hasn't even been two months since she was bit. She needs time to adjust to the situation. Xander's efforts are helping a lot with that, but she isn't there yet.
Upon returning to the library the two witches filled everyone in on their findings.
"A seers ability can be useful, indeed. It may give us a heads up on potential concerns, but it is also not controllable, visions happen when they happen. You will simply not be able to command a vision, I'm afraid." Giles told her. "Anything else of any concern?"
"Not that we saw, she's in excellent health."
"Good."
"Hey, everybody, I'm back, got everything everyone wanted." Xander said he as came through the door backwards, bags in both hands. He headed for the table and set them down on it. "How'd your checks go?"
"Well, it'll take some time, but they think they'll be able to heal the damage," Willow said.
"Good, that spider looking thing is scary. How about you, my Queen."
"I'm in great health, nothing unexpected showed up and I'm now a seer, I'll start getting visions at some point, glimpses of the future." she moved into his arms for a sniff, "don't worry, Doofus, I'm good."
Since no one was commenting on the werewolf thing, Xander assumed it hadn't come up in the diagnosis. He was relieved, as that explanation was not going to go over well when the time came for it.
"Anyway, I found my Halloween stuff," he said, holding up the bag with the fatigues, gun and dog tags in it.
"Give it to me," Sherry said, reaching for the bag. Xander surrendered it easily. Sherry moved to the checkout counter and laid the items on it. She held her hands over them and chanted. "That's strange, there no residue of magic on the gun, but there is on the fatigues. It should be on the gun, since that's the item you purchased at the shop. That it's on the fatigues, indicates you somehow attracted the magic to you. I am at a loss as to how to explain that. Hopefully the diagnostic will give us some idea."
"Huh, I got nothing," Xander said, "but go ahead and do the check."
The two witches motioned him the open space and then joined their hands and began their chant. "Well, that answers some questions and raises a few others."
"What did you find?" Xander asked.
"Well, we could see the physical changes mentioned, though we can't tell you how extensive they are, that will require physical testing to determine their extent. As for how you retained the knowledge, well you have a naturally occurring clairvoyant ability. Low level, currently, but properly exercised can grow. Rupert can help you with that. It's likely been there your whole life, it's the kind of thing that if you don't know you have it, you just dismiss it as something lucky happening. Just finding what you're looking for, for instance or just 'knowing' something. As for your potential mystical ability, well you have the ability to be a pyromancer, someone who can create and control fire."
Xander abruptly sat on the floor. "Any chance it's already activated? Cause the house next door caught fire when I was seven and I was scared about something."
"It is possible that since such an ability is enhanced by emotions that it could have briefly flared without actually manifesting."
"Great, I'm a firebug. At the time I actually thought Willow had set it as a birthday present because I wanted to see a real fire engine. Fortunately, it was empty."
A ripple of laughter moved though the others.
"As for the biggest surprise. It seems you've somehow, and I can't begin to explain this, you've been blessed. As in a god granted you a blessing at some point, why I have no idea. It was probably whichever god powered the spell, perhaps the fact that you were able to attract the power impressed them maybe? I don't know, I've never seen anything like it. Nor anything that explains how you attracted it the first place."
"Anyway, your pyromancer ability can be safely activated, but you will need to practice rigerously to gain and maintain control."
"Yum, ok go ahead," Xander said as he stood up. He was feeling rather dazed as it was a lot of revelations to deal with.
It only took a moment and then Xander's ability too had been activated. "Now, remember, keep control of your emotions, they can cause it to flare unexpectedly and temporarily enhance it."
"Ok, I'll be careful. Thank you."
"No problem, this has been a fascinating trip."
A/N No Xander is not going to be Avatar or Nexus or Champion of Chaos of Janus or anyone else in this fic. Giles' research will find a totally different explanation for the blessing and what it entails. Basically it's a gift.
