Xander and Giles were just finishing when Cordelia and Amy arrived.
"Cordelia explained to me, as best she could, what happened to everyone on Halloween and to you, Xander." Amy said. "I've heard about a high level spell that uses Magic to bridge minds allowing a sort of telepathy, but it's temporary and only allows limited access, basically you see what the person who's mind you're entering lets you see. I suppose with enough power, the castor could do more, but Magic both is and is not as flexible as natural ability. She also said you wanted to talk to me?"
"Yes, have a seat." Xander told her. "Give me ten minutes to get cleaned up and then I'll be back." He grabbed his bag and headed to the boy's locker room.
Amy took a seat at the table and said. "Most of the girls are cursing themselves for not noticing Xander's growing up and growing up hot before Cordelia did and most of the guys are pissed at Xander for managing to catch Cordelia's attention and wondering how he did it."
"Combination of things." Cordelia said. "He keeps saving my life and not asking for anything. He looks good in sweatpants, all sweaty and he was honest with me. That last one especially caught my attention. Honesty means a lot to me, I have to hide behind this image I'm required to have and Xander was the first person who looked past the image and saw, really saw, me. And he likes what he sees. And he showed me, himself. I like what I see in him, an iron will, a protective streak, a need to help, he's loyal to those he feels or least hopes, are worth it. Frankly, there's a lot to like, past the surface."
"The surface, at least at first, is all most people are interested in." Amy pointed out. "I've no doubt, it's why you've dated most of the guys you have and why they've dated you."
"And you'd be right. Xander and I have been together since Saturday. We haven't even kissed yet, we haven't even been on a date yet. But I picked out clothes for him and he let me. I enjoy shopping and he can take it or leave it, but he listened to me while I explained cuts and fabrics and colors that work better for him and in the end agreed they looked and felt better. He said I could be in charge of his wardrobe and just remember he has a budget. And he never once asked if I'd try on some skimpy, revealing thing, or asked for a kiss to compensate for 'his wasted time'. It's what any other guy would have done. But Xander made it clear, it isn't just sex he's interested in, it's a relationship. When he showed me his and my counterparts memories, I saw nearly a year's worth of a relationship. Sure it started out with groping in Janitor's closets, but other Xander wanted more than that and I don't mean more groping. This Xander wants the same as his counterpart does, someone to build a relationship, a future, with. And both of them chose Cordelia Chase." Cordelia informed Amy. "Obviously they are both intelligent men wth good taste."
Amy laughed and Willow snorted. "Why do you want to take me shopping, Cordelia?" Willow asked. "Xander says it's just because he asked you to, but you've spent years humiliating me and we'll never be friends, so why did you really ask to go shopping?"
"My goal was never to humiliate you, Willow." Cordelia informed her. "It was to get you to see what you're doing to yourself. You could have guys lined up wanting a date with you. But you froze yourself at eight years old. Tights and fuzzy sweaters and meek little girl looks and never speaking up for yourself and relying on Xander to protect you. You're not a child and you don't need anyone to protect you. With a change in wardrobe people will see that you're beautiful too, not just a brain. With a spinal injection, people won't walk all over you. Just remember how you felt when people treated you like that and hopefully it will keep you from turning into a bully yourself. From what Xander's said, that's basically what other Willow became and she was on her way to being a really big bully. He also said, she didn't fight what the Shadows wanted her to do, because it's what she wanted too. Which means the impulse is also in you, whether you're willing to admit it or not."
Willow glared at her and than said. "I want to say it's not, but when Xander did his little mind walk, I clearly saw how arrogant and overconfident I can be. Both me and my counterpart. So maybe there's truth to what you're saying, but do you have to be so harsh about it? Haven't you ever heard of tact?"
"Tact is just saying not true things, Willow. But I'll also admit, maybe I could phrase things a little different. Instead of saying sarcastically 'it's nice you've seen the softer side of Sears', I could say, Willow, tights and fuzzy sweaters have a cut off age, eight years old and I believe you just turned seventeen, so it's time to dress like a seventeen year old."
"Okay, that's a little better. But like I told Xander, if you make me look like a clown I'll come after you."
"And I'll drop kick you into the middle of next week and then teach you how to do that yourself."
This time Willow laughed too and agreed.