The late model SUV pulls up to the speaker as a familiar voice cries out." Welcome to DMP may I take your order?" A hand gently caresses the speaker set inside the menu board and the young man says." Yeah could I have three DMP specials and three cokes to go please?" The voice replies." So that's three DMP's and three cokes to go, do you want fries with that order?" Xander leans further out and grins." Well that would depend on whether you do Buff."
"Xander?" Buffy leans out the small window and looks at the SUV." Who's that with you?" She sees a young woman snuggling up to Xander and a sudden dark emotion envelopes her. " Jeez Buffy don't tell me you forgot your sister all ready?"
Buffy grins and tells her through gritted teeth." Dawn, what did we say about older men?"
She sees her sister shrug." As long as they're not more than ten years older it's okay?" Buffy shakes her head." No, older men are damaged goods trying to find comfort in the youth of others." Dawn grins." Well you would be the expert on the matter so I bow to your superior knowledge on the subject. Jeez Buff I was only yanking your chain."
"Why would pretending to come onto me yank Buffy's chain?" Xander asks as they pull up to the service window. Dawn watches Buffy's face turn three shades redder and she grins." Well it seems sis has a crush on.." The bag of burgers and fries hitting her interrupted her sentence. Buffy leans out and looks shocked." Oh my gosh I'm so sorry sis, did it hurt...Much?"
Dawn glares at her." No, not really." She brushes at the sauce stain on her jumper." I think you ruined your nice new red jumper though."
Buffy looks closer at her sister then asks." I suppose that's my skirt and top too?" She hands over the change to Xander then carries the drinks to the service area as Xander parks his car. Xander presses the button on his key ring and the SUV chirps in response." God I love my job!"
Buffy picks at her fries as she rests her head on her hand." Well that makes one of us!" Dawn slurps her coke then says." Well it pays the bills and that's of the good." She looks at Xander." I mean if she didn't earn the money we'd be living on the street by now." Dawn's eyes light up." Ooh! Unless you become the love slave of some rich sugar daddy! Then we could live in one of those serviced apartments. Mpph."
Buffy grinned as she finished jamming the handful of fries into her sisters mouth." No sugar daddy, no serviced apartment, we live like we are and make the most of it."
Xander sighs." Speaking of apartments." He takes out a letter and sighs again." It seems my landlord wants to retire early and is counting on me to pay for it." He hands the letter to Buffy and she reads it her eyes widening when she comes to the new monthly amount." He's misplaced the decimal point." She looks at Xander." Hasn't he?"
Xander grins sadly." Funny you should say that 'cuz that was what I told the agent when she came around." Dawn looked up from her meal and her eyes slit with an angered look." Again? What is her childhood trauma? Can't she find someone her own age or is the retirement home to far away!"
Xander blushed." Andr�... I mean Miss Parker is only trying to get me.."
Dawn cuts in." Into bed, I know. Desperate much?" Xander glares at her and finishes." A better deal."
Dawn looks at her sister who is suddenly very quiet on the subject of Xander's possible seduction by his real estate agent. Buffy feels her foot kicked from under the table and looks up at Dawn." I said, what do you think about this Miss Parker trying it on with Xander?"
Buffy once again looked at the new asking price." You would pay this much to live in a one bed roomed apartment in a crummy neighbourhood?"
Dawn shakes her head." Yeah but look at it this way." She leans in and glares at her sister." He gets to knock uglies with his agent!"
Buffy looks at Xander then shrugs." He's a big boy now Dawn. If he wants to pay this much just to sleep with her it's up to him." Buffy slides the letter across to him then tells him as he reaches for it." But I have to tell you there are always other options." His eyes meet hers and for just the briefest moment Dawn thinks that sanity has been returned to this hellhole. She grins as she sees the two people that mean the most in her life look like having the shutters removed from their eyes enabling them to see the one that they were meant to be with.
But her grin froze as she saw Xander take the letter and return it to his pocket without saying a word to Buffy. Dawn watched as the moment faded into history and another of her plans fell into the dumpster. Suddenly she saw another opportunity jump into view." Hey! I know a place that's cheaper, it has everything you could ever want, it's close to the new construction site and the owners are in desperate need of money!" She over emphasised the word money as she motioned to Buffy with her eyes.
Xander bit into his hamburger praying the new owner didn't use the same ingredients the old owner had used. When he finished he shrugged." Nah! There must be a catch, there always is when the owner's are that desperate." Dawn hit her head on the table top several times mumbling." I swear to god I don't know how you people survived seven years living on the hellmouth!"
Buffy suddenly asked." What about our place?" Dawn's head stopped mid strike and she whispered." Please God if you're listening give Xander some brains, even if it's only to answer this right!"
Xander stops eating and smiles." Hey! That would solve both our problems. I need a nice comfortable home that I know I wont have to keep fighting to keep undead free." He sees Buffy's quizzical look then closes his eyes." Shit!"
Both Buffy and Dawn demand." What does that mean?" Buffy then asks." Since when was there a problem in the Fairmont district?"
Xander's mind searched for a plausible answer His mind played out the possible scenarios. * Tell her the truth and she'll get all ' You should be danger adjacent' again. Tell her a lie and she will find out and make life hell! * He looked to Dawn but found no support forthcoming from her. He sighed." It seems the previous tenant wasn't as deceased as we thought."
"He came back?" Dawn asked. Xander nodded." And decided to throw a block party for his new undead American friends."
Buffy's lips became narrow slits as her anger built." And you never told us because?"
Xander shrugged and pulled apart the remains of his burger." You were kind of busy at the time and I was not in the girls good book of guys at that time." He grinned." Besides it all worked out for the best in the end, I'm alive they're fertilizing Mrs Johansson's rose bed and I never really needed that spleen thing anyway."
Buffy wiped her mouth with a napkin and started to bus the table, her anger building at the thought of the danger Xander had been in. Dawn leaned over and whispered to him." Am I still in your will?" Xander looked at her." Cuz I think I'm going to need the money when she's put in jail for killing you."
Buffy came back from the trashcan and then pointed her finger at Xander her anger building with every word." YOU will move in with Dawn and me so I can keep an eye on you, you idiot! You could have been killed." Her eyes went wide as a thought hit her." My God! They could have turned you! Then it would have been Angel all over again!"
Xander struggled to make it better." Buffy you loved Angel, me I'm just a nobody that no one gives a damn about." Buffy looked at him and shook her head as she left." I have to get back to work." She stopped and turned to him." If that's the way you think of yourself then maybe you are a nobody and anyone that thinks different is wrong!"
Xander watched Buffy storm back into the Double Meat Palace then his head slumped against the hard wood of the table top." Crap!"
He felt Dawn's hand on his back and she looked him in the eyes as he sat back up." First thing... Wrong choice! You should have told us about your problem, we are like family Xand. Second thing is get your stuff and move into the spare room this weekend." She smiled." Besides, if you hurry up you can get Showtime connected to our place and then we can watch Crossroads on your big screen TV this weekend."
Xander grinned and gripped her hand." You just want me for my TV." Dawn feigned shock." No! It's your DVD and the Big screen TV Xand." She grinned and he hugged her." You're like family Dawn only not like mine." She pulled away from him before he continued, a hurt look on her face." You don't drink, don't throw punches and you love each other, it's been my pleasure to know you." He smiled and held her chin." Better than my real family, you're my chosen family."
Dawn was folding Xander's clothes and placing them back into his dresser draw when he heard laughter coming from the front of the house. She peered out of the window to see Buffy chasing Xander around the front yard with the hose she had been using to help him clean his SUV after returning the U-Haul trailer. Her grin became a smile she thought of the times to come. Xander had spent most of the morning organising the move, hell he even coerced the cable guy into hooking up all the channels to the house and make sure it was working, and on a Saturday no less!
She looked around her mom's old room and she came to the photo that they had taken of the five of them. Joyce, Buffy, Dawn, Willow and of course Xander. Her mom had always told her that she thought of Xander as the son she never had and now, if everything went according to her plan, she would get her wish even if it was too late for her to enjoy. Her finger traced her mother's face and she whispered." I know you look in on us when you can mom so I only hope you can see us now."
Dawn noticed how quiet it was outside so she looked out the window just as she heard Buffy squeal. Xander had somehow managed to get the hose off of her and she had 'tripped' over and was lying on the ground as Xander hosed her down. "Ah! Now I know why she wore the tank top and shorts! My Miss Summers you little vixen!"
Buffy suddenly laced her feet between Xander's and sent him sprawling onto the ground. She was up and on top of him before he could react, pinning him to the ground." Ya' give?" She heard her ask. Xander laughed." I have not yet begun to fight!"
Buffy stopped for a second and looked puzzled." Who said that?" Xander used the opportunity to roll her over and he now pinned her to the ground. "Duh! I just did." He then began to tickle her in her one weak spot causing her sister to giggle like a schoolgirl.
As sudden as the tickle attack was it stopped and Dawn saw the moment slow down like she was watching one of those romance movies Buffy and Willow always watched. Their eyes locked onto each other as their heads moved closer together and she could see Buffy's breathing get faster as his lips drew within striking distance of hers. Her legs moved, wrapping themselves around Xander's trapping him in place. His lips brushed hers, questioning his right to proceed, the tip of her tongue dashed out licking her lips before she moved her mouth to his.
"Yes!" Dawn's fist punched the air as their mouth joined.
"Hey guys, what's the what?" Willow asked as she walked towards them.
Dawn yelled out." NO! God damn it Willow not now!"
Both Buffy and Xander rolled away from each other. Buffy trying to get back her composure as she stood while Xander staid face down on the lawn until his 'super trooper' as he called it, stood down from attention. Buffy shook her head." Nothing much Wills, what are you doing? Passing through?"
Willow had a huge grin on her face as she held up two bags." Nope! I brought the popcorn and chips for our usual Saturday night film fest."
All three turned their heads towards Xander's window as they heard Dawn cry out." Crap!"
Willow looked at the others." Must be math, she always has trouble with the math." She grinned." Good thing I showed up hey guys."
Xander had been nervous ever since the kiss, his mind replaying both the event and the possible events preceding the kiss. He walked behind Buffy keeping a check on her six he told her. Checking out her ass Buffy thought the more likely answer. At least she hoped he was otherwise all the energy spent accentuating her hip movement and the one size too small jeans she wore were for naught.
She quickly turned and caught him watching her rear, a smile crept across her face as she saw him blush." What're you looking at Xand?"
He grinned at her as he ran a hand through his hair and shrugged." The best view in Sunnydale?"
Buffy pretended to pout as she placed her hands on her hips." Just Sunnydale?" Xander shrugged." Well Natalie Portman is the next big thing Buff and you know you can't beat Hollywood heroines." He smiles." Besides, in a fare fight, I think I might just beat her."
Buffy grins." Play your cards right and.. HEY!" She cries out as something fast and bulky runs into Xander sending him crashing into the undergrowth. Buffy quickly follows and she sees a demon raise a knife above Xander's heart as the pair struggle." For the good of the world you must die!" Buffy's foot snaps out sending the demon flying off of Xander's chest and into the hard marble wall of a tomb.
Buffy helps Xander to his feet as she checks him over." Are you okay? " Xander nods as she hugs him." Man that was just too damned close!" He says as he watches the demon as it struggles to rise but he also sees something else drawing closer." Um Buff if you're finished squeezing my ass we appear to have more guests."
She turns around and shakes her head before telling him." We'll continue this later." Xander lets out a breath and grins." Oh you can pretty much count on it B."
Buffy winks at him as she takes Mr. Pointy from its special pocket in her Jeans." Guys I'm in kind of a hurry tonight so if you wouldn't mind speeding things up?" She tells them as they stalk towards her. The nerdy looking Vamp takes off his glasses and places them in his pocket." So you and the retard finally hooked up huh?" He grinned, flashing his fangs at the others, as he did." What you ran out of real men and now your doing charity cases?"
Xander's stake flew straight and true finding the creatures heart and dusting him into the afterlife." The next dumb MF that says that gets staked from the inside!" He glares at the remainder and boldly states." I have nurse Crotchets annul examination gloves and I'm not afraid to use them!" He says waiving his spare stake and a long set of rubber gloves at the Vampires.
"That's so very Hannibal Lector of you Harris. Are you going to eat our livers with a nice bottle of Chianti?" The lead Vampire asks. Xander shakes his head." Nope, I was planning on mixing your ashes with some chicken poop so we have a better chance at winning the flower section in next years festival though." He sees Buffy's look of bewilderment and shrugs." They started it!"
Buffy shakes her head in a 'why me' sort of way." Look like I said before I have something that I really need to do so why don't we.." The five remaining Vamps all charge at once taking Buffy by surprise. She dusts the first two but then feels herself falling backwards and she knows that if she hits the ground with these three creatures on her then she is finished. She feels one of them jerked off of her as she struggles to keep the snapping jaws of the other two away from her throat.
Her ears pick up the sounds of fighting off to her right followed by a snapping sound and Xander's yelp of pain." You son of a...GRRR!" She hears the Vampire scream like a girl then nothing. She then sees a black combat boot flash by her face landing at full speed into the face of Vamp number 2 sending him crashing off of her with the unmistakable sound of a snapped neck.
Xander presses his knee into the back of the remaining vamp, bringing him away from Buffy's trapped arm, allowing her to dust the demon. Xander hadn't allowed for her to be so quick and the sudden loss of the vampire caused him to collapse on top of Buffy.
She sees him grimace as his left arm hits the ground and hears his moan of pain as his head rests against hers. She grins up at his face as he struggles to stand." Well Mr. Harris here we are again." Buffy looks around and sees no other danger apart from the Vampire whose neck Xander broke. She could feel his body close to hers and she sighed when he attempted to stand. She bit her bottom lip then looked him in the eye." Do you remember that time you staked Theresa and saved my life?"
He nods, not trusting his tongue to say the words he wanted to say." I never thanked you then either...Till now." She brought his lips closer to hers and heard him whimper into her mouth as she kissed him.
Two figures were standing on the hilltop watching the night's entertainment. The red glow of a cigarette flashed through the night air as its owner flicked it into the night." So, pet, is he everything I said?"
The raven haired beauty smiled as she watched the pair kiss, the dust of the vampires the blond man had sent to test them blowing in the wind around their tangled bodies. Her voice was thick with an upper crust English accent." Oh yes, he's the one." Her eyes glowed with an evil light." After a thousand years of searching my beloved Ulrich is once again reborn." she saw the passion begin to build between her soon to be resurrected lover and his mortal mate.
Spike shook out another cigarette and lit it up drawing the cancerous smoke into his long dead lungs before releasing it into the night." So when do you wish to meet droopy?"
"As I said he is everything you said he was, and will be once more." She turned to him and smiled. Spike suddenly felt the urge to be a thousand miles from where he stood but he knew if he tried to leave Aisha would have his dust blowing in the night air before he took two steps." When I found you roaming the streets of Zimbabwe I told you that your reward for serving me would be great. As would the punishment be for betraying me."
Spike looked shocked and scared as he searched for a way out." I would never betray you! You are my Goddess and my life on this world is due to you."
She held out her hand and she offered it to him, he duly knelt and kissed it before telling her." You are the first one, your blood runs through my veins as it does all of my kind." She snatched her hand out of his grasp and gripped his throat her nails turning to talons as she warned him." A fact you had best not forget! I can remove my blood from your body as easily as it was given." She turned suddenly as Xander cried out in pain." Soon my love you shall feel no more pain, just pleasure beyond your wildest dreams."
Dawn was watching Buffy as she mothered Xander, she fluffed the pillow behind his head and placed the snacks closer to him." Are you sure your okay?" Xander nodded and smiled." Buffy it's all right you didn't break my arm the undead pecker head did." He held up his left arm that was currently entombed in blue plaster.
She blushed as she tucked her hair behind her ear." Why didn't you say something when we were." She glanced at Dawn then looked back at him." Patrolling?"
He grinned as he ran his hand through her hair and moved it back." Because I didn't want our 'patrol' to end."
Dawn suddenly caught on and she pointed at Buffy and then at the wounded Xander." Oh Now I get it! You two were 'patrolling'." She winked at them." I do hope you practiced safe patrolling. We wouldn't want any little accidents running around the house, not until you have the same last names anyway."
Buffy blushed and Dawn said." Man you blush easy sis!" Buffy told her." There was no 'sex' involved Dawn. We were tired and we just rested for a while before I took Xander to the hospital then came home."
Dawn looked at Buffy and shook her head." Do you know how long I spent getting you two together? Jeez I was about to try a love spell on the pair of you but I thought you were so thick it would just go over your two stupid heads!"
Buffy looked at the clock then told Xander." Didn't you say you to go to work today?"
Xander went to hit his head with his broken arm and groaned." Yeah, like I'll be any use with this!" Buffy patted his knee then left her hand there as she told him." I'll ring Kerry and tell her you can't make it in this week because of your arm." She didn't move as she gazed into his eyes and began to smirk at the evil thoughts that were running through her head." You know I could always give you a helping hand when you have that shower."
Dawn stood up and began to waive her hands." Okay enough with the visuals! I'm going to go over to Cindy's for the day so you two can get this thing you have to do out of your systems." She pauses at the door and tells her sister." Just don't break anything else okay? I kinda like the Xandman as he is."
As Dawn left the home she saw Giles's car pull up in front of it and thinking quick she ran over to it and jumped in before he could turn the motor off." Hey Giles! Just in time my good man." She pointed forward." To Cindy's house and don't spare the horses." Giles turned to her and said." As much as I would like to I have to speak to Buffy about a warning I've received from one of the Council's sources."
Her ears picked up the sound of a door closing suddenly and she looked up at Xander's bedroom window in time to see Buffy hurriedly drawing the curtains while trying to undress." I think she's going to be busy for a while." An ' Oh GOD XANDER echoed down the street and she bit her lip." Maybe longer."
Giles looked at the bedroom window and was about to say something then stopped, looked at the window again then stuttered." SSSo Iii take it she's going to be ' busy' for some time then?"
Dawn nods then looks at her watch." After seven years of bottling it up I'd be very surprised if there's anything left of them when we get back." She turns to Giles and asks." Just what did Anya mean by 'he's a Viking in bed' anyway?"
Giles drives off telling her." Best I leave that for your sister to answer I think."
Dawn was sat in the lounge watching a replay of Crossroads on Showtime while Buffy, Giles and Xander were in the kitchen discussing the ever-present apocalyptic event. Xander was finding it increasingly harder to pay attention to Giles as he told them of the dire warning he had received from the council of watchers. Giles looked at his Slayer and shook his head as she tormented Xander with her foot." And the winner receives a $ 5,000,000.00 bonus for being the last one remaining on the island." At the mention of the bonus Buffy was suddenly all ears. " The councils going to start paying me?"
Xander shook his head." No Buff the man was being sarcastic." He looks at her across the table." He thinks you weren't paying attention."
Buffy pouted." I still don't see why they can't start paying me." She picks up the paper hat she had to wear at Double Meat Palace." Sure would beat working for minimum wage!"
Giles shrugged." Yes well we discussed this several times now and."
Xander held up his hand and interrupted Giles." Wait a minute let me get this straight, you sit here and research and for this you get paid." He motions to Buffy." While she fights for her life each night and yet she has to work stupid shifts at some dead end job so she can keep her family fed and clothed?" He looks from Buffy to Giles and says." Is it me or does this seem whack?"
Giles looked from one to the other as his mind raced. * Please don't tell me he's going to organise the Slayers! I can just see it now The Organised Union of Slayers, or the Federated Union of Kickers of Undeadass! Or F.U.K. *
"GILES!" Buffy's shout jerked him from his thoughts and he had to remember what it was he was telling them." Yes well, be that as it may Xander that is the way of the world." He gave him his sternest glare then continued." As I was saying the Council has come across something that concerns us here in the Americas." He takes a book from his bag as Buffy groans." Please not more research!"
Giles places the book on the table and opens it to a mark page." I'm sorry am I keeping you from something?" Buffy glances at Xander." Well now that you mention it." Giles shakes his head and sighs." I left you alone all day so you could get it out of your system."
Buffy shrugs and leers at Xander." What can I say? All it did was wet my appetite." Xander grinned at her and gripped her hand." Well I told you once you got a taste there's no turning back."
Giles coughs getting their attention." Well then seeing as how you are injured you can stay behind and look after Dawn while you study up on this woman whilst I accompany Buffy on patrol." He turned the book around to show Xander the section he had marked. Xander cursed him under his breath as he read about the next big bad." Aisha..." He flipped the page over." What is it with these guys can't they think up a last name or something?" He reads a bit more." I mean she's supposed to be older than dirt you'd think she could come up with one."
Buffy grins at his words until he says." She does look kind of hot though." He looks up and sees her glare." For some old hag I mean."
Giles takes the book back." Well this 'old hag' has supposedly lived through the rise and fall of all five civilizations of man." He looks from one to the other." She and her lover Ulrich were thought to have been the first two creatures given the blood of demons as the demons were vanquished from this world."
Buffy grabbed the book." These two are still around? Why hasn't the council staked them yet?"
Giles looked nervously at his charge." They did. Think of these two as creatures twenty times more powerful than Dracula on his best day and on par with Glory in her worst rage!" His voice lulled them into a world far removed from that of today." The pair ravaged all corners of the known world for millennia; their deeds gave rise to the belief in the devil and his minions. Civilizations rose and fell at their whim until one day during the dark ages a force was created to do battle for the very world we take for granted."
Giles stood." The Council of Watchers was formed and they created the Knights of Byzantium to go forth and battle the hellish couple. Fifteen hundred men went forth that day and two years later only ten returned to tell of how the male was eviscerated and his parts scattered to every corner of the globe. The female lost much of her power and faded into the dim twilight of time."
Buffy shrugged." So now she's decided to come to America to see the sights and catch up on all the goss?"
Giles shakes his head." No she's come because something, or someone, has drawn her here. And one can only imagine what it could be."
Xander holds his hand out to Buffy." The envelope please." He does a mock drum roll as he holds the imaginary envelope to his forehead." And the answer is... The Hellmouth?"
"It may well be." Giles glances at Buffy." Or she could be after the only Slayer to have died twice, fought and defeated a God, stopped several apocalyptic events and yet still lives." Xander saw Buffy pale at Giles's words and he gripped her hand tightly until she looked at him." Never again! I will not see you go down ever again Buffy." Giles looks at Xander and suddenly the comic relief scares even the old watcher." This bitch isn't setting foot in this town, she's going down for a long overdue dirt nap!"
Giles nods." Yes well we all pray that you're right Xander..." Xander grips Giles's hand and his eyes lose any hint of humanity." No! I am right, I'll be a long time dead before anything hurts her again, do you understand me? Anything!" He releases Giles's hand then tells him." You call the Council back and you ask them... No you tell them that if they want to live past this event they send every available resource to this town and they damn well better make sure this bitch is put down or so help me I will put each and every one of those sanctimonious bastards in the grave next to Buffy's!"
Buffy led Giles through her usual routine and as they came to the mid way point of her patrol she glanced at Giles and spoke her first words." Xander was pretty... Intense tonight."
Giles nods." He was like this when you left for L.A. after you ahh defeated Angelus." He turns to Buffy." You know he loves you more than anything on this planet but if the worst should happen." Buffy stops and turns to Giles." If something does happen to me Giles I want you to do whatever it takes to make sure he lives. Don't let him go on some pointless revenge trip and get himself killed over me."
Giles nods." I must remind you however that even though he is the only normal person in this group he is quite...Resourceful when he has to be." Buffy grins at Giles and tells him." Oh he's a lot of things Giles but normal ain't one of them." She rubs her arms as if she is cold." He does things that make me ache every time I'm away from him." She touches the spot over her heart." When I'm next to him I feel complete, full, like I've just gorged myself on a hunk of Alexander Harris."
Giles grins sadly." Ah yes the joys of love. I only pray you have longer than I did."
Dawn watches the last of the credits roll across the big screen TV and glances over at Xander who is deep into something he's reading on Willow's laptop. She picks up a kernel of popped corn and throws it at him hitting him on the head." Watcha Doin'?"
Xander brushes his hair where the popcorn had stuck to and tells her." I told you I'm researching something for Giles." Just then the doorbell rings and Dawn jumps up." I'll get it." Xander absent minded waives to her." Yeah goodnight pumpkin."
Dawn opens the door, letting the security chain click into place." yes?" She sees a woman that reminds her of Rachel Wietz from those Mummy movies and she grins when she evens sounds like her.
"Hello young lady I was wondering if I might use your phone? My car stopped a little way back and I need to phone the auto club." She grins at her and Dawn bites her lip." Um I'll just go ask my friend." She turns her head." Xander?"
The lady looks shocked." Oh my! Would that be Alexander Harris? I've come so far to see him but I had thought he lived at 25 Freemont in apartment 3?" Dawn nods." Yes he did but he moved in with us when his lease expired." Dawn became suspicious." How do you know Xander?"
She grinned at Dawn and she felt very afraid as the woman showed a set of very feral teeth." Oh I don't but we will be getting very close real soon." Before Dawn could scream out the woman held up her hand and motioned to Dawn." Sleep." Dawn slid bonelessly to the floor and fell into a deep and restful sleep. The woman pushed against the door slightly and the titanium chain snapped like it was made of paper.
Xander was facing away from her as she entered the room." So who was it Dawn?" Suddenly Xander sensed danger, the kind that Buffy usually had to save him from. He turned and saw a woman standing there and he jerked in his seat before he glanced back at the drawing on the screen." Aisha!" He looked back at her with anger in his eyes." You won't have her!" He threw the laptop at her and she dodged it with ease as the young man dived at her using his good arm to pull a stake from the side of the chair as he did.
She caught him midair and gripped the hand clutching the stake until he dropped it. Aisha grinned as she drew him close." Who said I was after the Slayer?" Xander grimaced as she drew him even closer and as she did he saw Dawn lying on the floor." You bitch!" He struggled harder and Aisha was surprised at his strength." If you've hurt her so help me God I will rip you're heart out with my bare hands if I have too!"
She backed him up to the wall and started to admire his body." Loyal to the last! Now I know you are my Ulrich reincarnated!"
Xander looked bewildered." What? I am me Lady not some Erich guy!" Then the name hit him and he laughed." You think I'm some kind of super vampire?" His smile vanished to be replaced by the look he had given Giles." I would rather rot in hell than be like you!"
She pushed him back so hard his body dented the wall." You have no say in the matter! Once we have dealt with your pesky soul Ulrich will fill your voided body and we will once more rule this world by tooth and claw!" She tilted his head to one side as her fangs grew long and sharp, the tip of her tongue ran across his throat until she found his pulse point, then she dragged the tips of her deadly fangs across it till she had twin drops of blood dripping from them. Her tongue dabbed her fangs and she groaned with pleasure." Yes! You are my Ulrich. I never forget a taste as good as this!"
Xander struggled against her." Listen we don't have to do this. Maybe we should go on a few dates first, get to know one another before..." She tilted her head and grinned evilly at him." I don't know you; I don't want to know you. You have my lover's body, his blood and his essence and now I'm simply cleaning his house ready for his return." She shrugged." It's nothing personal."
Xander saw her head raise as she prepared to sink her fangs into his neck." No please don't..."
The quiet of the night was shattered by a soul-shattering scream.
Buffy walked up to her back door and used her key to unlock and open it. She closed and locked the door as quietly as she could then moved to Dawn's room. Buffy cracked open the door and glanced in at her teenage sister, finding her curled up with her blankets twisted around her body. Buffy smiled and said." She sleeps about as restless as I do." She closed the door and started to make her way to the shower then stopped at Xander's room. She smiled seductively as she opened the door and peered in at her new guests sleeping form.
Buffy crept up to the side of his bed and sat down on it's edge then moved his sweat soaked hair from his face." Oh my little Viking's had a hard night." She gently kissed his brow then stopped and placed the back of her hand to his forehead." Xander?" His skin felt cold and clammy like she was touching a wax doll instead of a man full of life." Xander.. Wake up honey." She turned him over and saw the scratch marks on his chest and shook him harder. " Xander!"
His lips parted and his tongue swept his mouth before he asked in a broken voice." Dawn? She went for...Dawn." Buffy paled at his words then she raced for Dawn's room slamming her palm against the light switch bathing the room in a florescent glow." Dawn!"
She sat bolt upright in her bed." WHAT?" She looked angrily at her sister." Jeez Buffy I was just having a wonderful dream and you had to go and wreck it! What is it? Do you have a sixth sense when I'm having a good dream or what!"
Buffy sat down and checked her sister over for any signs of being wounded. She saw the look in her eyes and Buffy told her." Xander said you were attacked." Dawn dove back on her bed and fluffed up her pillow." From what? Brittany Spears woeful acting? Cuz that's all that happened last night." She dropped her head back on the pillow and begged her." For the love of God Buff I have a trig test first thing so would you cut me some slack." She looked up at her." And try not to break the sound pollution laws when you and Xander go at it hmm I am a young and impressionable child."
Buffy shakes her head." Dawn you're older than I am. Maybe not in years but in other things." She turned off the light and closed the door." Ha, ha Mr. Harris very funny now we are.. Where are you?" She checked behind the door and was about to check under the bed when she heard a noise in the bathroom and went to check it out. Their eyes met as she entered the room and she asked." What was with the big fib?" He shrugged and lathered his face with shaving cream." I was woken from a nightmare, what do you expect a sane response? Besides I think the painkillers the doc gave me are having a weird 'freaky' side effect."
She grabbed his robe and turned him so he was facing her." In what way?" Xander licked his lips and said." Well I'm having hot and cold flushes and some real class 'A' freaky dreams." She checks his temperature with the family thermometer and tells him." You are running a little cool Xand." He takes the thermometer from her and places it on the cabinet then he holds her close." Hey I've all ways been a cool guy it's just taken you a while to see it for yourself."
She hugged him then told him." I want no secrets from either side of this relationship Xander. I've had enough secrets to last several lifetimes." Xander grinned at her and her stern self melted to reveal the woman that loved him." I promise to you that the only secrets I will ever keep from you are those about presents or surprises."
Buffy snuggled deeper into his chest." Just as long as the surprises are of the' my god look at the size of that diamond' type and not ' the world ends in five minutes ' type." She feels him yawn and then he holds her tight." Man I am so worn out I could sleep for a week." She looks up at him and pouts." So no after patrol wined down then?" She feels his breath on her neck as he whispers." Oh there's always time for that."
Dawn picked up her school bag and made sure she had everything for the trig test that morning before she checked that everything was okay. She knocked on Xander's door and crept in. The sight of her sister and her new boyfriend spooned up against one another brought a lightness to her heart and soul." After a year of gentle pushing and guiding my work has paid off." She made her way to the window and cracked open the blinds to let a little light into the darkened room. Buffy stirred and opened her eyes." Enjoy your day at school." She grinned at Dawn.
Dawn glowered." Yeah I'll try to. I'd say enjoy your day in bed but I see you already have." Buffy ran her fingers through Xander's hair and exclaimed." In the words of John Paul Jones. I have not yet begun to enjoy myself."
"Wasn't that John, Paul, Ringo and George?" She made her way to the door." Just get Tiger up in time for his appointment with Doc Halliday about his arm. You had better cover up those teeth marks though." She cocks an eyebrow at her." Get a little over enthusiastic last night did we?" She shut the door behind her and Buffy's brow creased." What teeth marks?"
Xander woke several hours later and smiled as he saw Buffy walk into his room with a towel wrapped around her hair and still wearing her Sushi pyjama's." Well hello Miss Summers, and what brings you into my den of debauchery this fine summer's day?" She removed the toothbrush from her mouth and pointed it at him." Not the same thing that brought me here last night." She grabbed the bedclothes and with a single pull dragged them from the bed." You have an appointment with the doc in an hours time so get up sleepy head." She walked over to the window and opened the blinds, flooding the room with sunshine.
"GAH!" Xander moved like a scalded cat, knocking his broken arm as he did. Buffy shook her head." Jeez Xand it's only sunshine!" He held his hand up to block the light from his eyes." Yeah well tell that to my eyes! Man that stings!" Buffy grinned as he fumbled for a pair of ancient Ray Bans he kept in his draw and slipped them on." Ahh that's better." He saw Buffy giggling at him as she continued to brush her teeth." What's with the big yuks?"
Buffy removed the brush and said, pointing to his belly as she did." Well if you could see what I do you'd laugh too!" She looked into his eyes as he turned to look past her and into the mirror." Hmm? Wonder what Giles would say if he saw a naked man wearing sunglasses in your room?" Buffy shrugged as she went back into the bathroom." Probably spend an hour trying to get the image out of his head and then spend the next three days chastising us for loose morals."
Xander took a deeper look at his image then placed his hand against the cool glass as he saw something that scared him. His image looked almost translucent in the mid morning sunshine. He dropped his hand and shook his head." Seven years of fighting the undead has warped your mind my friend."
Buffy sat by her boyfriend's side as he waited to see the Doctor about his arm; a small three-year-old girl that was sobbing next to her mother caught her attention. She smiled as the little girl looked over at her and Buffy mouthed hello. The girl stopped sobbing and drew closer to her mother causing her to look at Buffy." She's very shy around strangers." Buffy nodded." A smart kid, considering this town." The woman nods and shows her the front page of the paper." Yes the gangs are getting bolder and crazier. My husband is thinking about quitting his job and moving us to Las Vegas."
Buffy's attention is focused on the headlines." Gang being sought for desecration of Saint Bartholomew's church and cemetery. Rector and five worshipers slain in satanic ritual." Buffy turned to Xander." I didn't see any of this on my pat… Way home from work last night."
The woman leaned forward." You work nights!" She turned to Xander and looked sternly at him." Young man if you care for your girlfriend I suggest you move from this town or at least find her a nice day job!"
Xander sighed." Believe me lady I would like nothing better in this world if I could get Buffy to quit and move away with me."
The woman's head snapped around to look at Buffy." You're Buffy.. Buffy Summers?" Buffy looked confused and prepared for anything." Yeeess." She said slowly.
The woman walked over to her, bent down and hugged her whispering in her ear as she did." My brother went to school with you, you saved his life when a gang cornered him in the school grounds late one night." Just then the nurse came out and called." Elizabeth Macaffrey?" The woman shrugged." I named her after my hero." She grinned and took the little girl by the hand and led her into the Doctors surgery.
Xander watched them leave and watched Buffy as she observed the girl." I know I'm probably going to get hit for this but." He nods towards the child." Have you given it much thought? Having children I mean."
Buffy sighs and grips his good arm." More than anyone will ever know. But how could I bring a child into this world knowing what I know about the monsters under the bed?"
Xander hugged her and told her." How could you not? I mean could you imagine what would have happened if your Mom had thought that way? No Buffy equals no world!" He felt her sigh in his arms." But I want what ever you makes you happy because seeing you happy..." He searched for the right words then looks her in the eyes." Makes me complete."
Buffy hugged him then said." I'll think about it Xand." She sat back in her chair and her hand went to her belly as she tried to imagine what being pregnant would be like." A college degree would have to come first and as it is I'm barely making ends meet now."
Xander grins as he too leans back." Hank rang me after I told him about my little adventure in the world of broken limbs and he said." He turned to her and she looked worried." As soon as I come back he want's me to take over the Sunnydale High school reconstruction site, so with the extra cash I thought that we could maybe burn that friggin' paper hat and celebrate tonight then sign you up for next semester on tomorrow?"
Buffy shook her head." That's your money Xander." He placed a finger to her lips." No that'd be OUR money Buffy. All you have to do is decide what major you want and then go for it." Buffy grips his hand again." But four years Xand and then there's no guarantee of a job at the end of it."
Xander's grin deepened. "Hey if there's one thing I've learned in this life is if you want a guarantee go buy a fridge! After seeing the things I have seen I've come to the conclusion we can only live for the future cuz the present sucks the big one!"
She pulls his arm around her and then rests her head on his shoulder." What did I ever do to deserve you?" Xander shook his head." No hun you got that backwards, what did I do to deserve you? It may not look it but inside I have my own cheer squad doing summersaults at the thought of being with you for the rest of my life." Xander looked down on her." You could always save that DMP uniform though." He rubbed his chin." Say for when I hit my mid-life crises, you could trot it out and we could pretend I'm the angry customer and you're.. OWW! Slayer strength! Slayer strength!" She slaps his arm and he rubs it just as his name was called." I could put in a pretty good claim for spousal abuse right about now."
Xander threw his keys onto the counter and stretched his body till he could almost hear his joints pop." Man I am so bushed!" Buffy turned him around and put on her sternest look." Now unless you want me to be by your side at the next check up I suggest you tell me what he said." Xander shrugs." He said my arm was fine even if I was a little anaemic and I told him the Harris's are tall, Welsh and proud of it!"
Buffy shook her head and smiled." You goof ball. He means your bloods a little thin on the ground." He hugged her." Damn right it is! My bloods staying in my veins where it belongs!" Buffy cuddles up to him as they enter the kitchen." I have some beef and liver in the freezer. I'll take it out and defrost it for tomorrow." She pushes his cheeks together like her grandmother used to do." We got to give the man meat! Helps build up all those nummy red corpuscles and makes him nice and strong. At least that's what nanna used to say."
Xander smirks." Funny my nanna used to say' where's the damned Bourbon!" He wipes his sleeve across his mouth." We Harris's are a hard drinkin' bunch. Well we were until me." He made a bitter face." Alcohol tastes like crap to me." Buffy placed her hands on her hips as he sat down." Yet you sold it to me?" Xander looked like a deer caught in headlights." Hey a guy has to make a living and remember I told you beer was bad.... And if I didn't work there that guy would have had half the college doing their own remake of 20 million years B.C." He grinned." Hmm Raquel Welch in a fur bikini!"
Buffy sat on his lap, her legs straddled either side of his as she looked down at her hands." You know when I was all' cave Slayer'? Well I had this urge to." She lent in and whispered something in his ear that made him blush." ugh.. I'm pretty sure that's illegal several States." She used her body to force him back against the wall." What can I say." She sniffed his neck." Boy smell good! Me want boy now!"
She kissed him and when they finally broke the kiss Xander managed to squeak out." Boy is anaemic remember?" Buffy stood up and began unbuttoning her blouse as she swivelled her hips." Cave girl not want blood." She pulled on his good arm and Xander followed her like a zombie." Boy in deep crapolla."
Xander woke to the sound of Buffy scurrying around the room." Cave Slayer a little wound up." Buffy nods gripping the cap in her mouth as she ties her hair in a ponytail. She takes the hat out of her mouth." If Cave Slayer's sister finds her in your room she will think we never left the room and after the whole Spike thing I don't want her to think this relationship is just about the S word."
Xander snuggles deeper into his pillow and his senses pick up the smell of apricots." Man I love your perfume. Hell I love everything that makes you, you." Buffy sat on the bed next to him and ran her fingers through his hair." You know college isn't that important, I know lots of girls that live just as happy if not more so, without having a degree."
Xander took her chin in his hands." You're not most girls, and I've seen how you look at Willow when she tells you about her day at school." He pecks her on the lips." You, my girl, are going to College and that's the last I want to hear on the matter." He pats her ass as she stands." Now go and get to work and don't forget to hand in your notice."
Buffy stops at the door and turns." What you're not even going to drive me to work?" Xander slumped on the bed." I'm exhausted! You may not know it but there's only so much a normal guy can do without sleeping once and a while." Buffy smiles." Well then you get lots of rest till I come back from patrol. You will need it." She straightened her skirt and then told him." Willow's going on patrol with me tonight."
Xander sat up and looked nervous." How is she? I mean she hasn't had much to do with me since the whole cliff top episode." He slumped back on the bed and hit his hand against the wall." Maybe I should have just let her..." Buffy shook her head." NO! She's starting to come out of the funk Tara's death left her in and she does want to thank you for snapping her out of the black hole she was in. It's just... We all remind her of what happened, of how she went over to the dark side for a brief moment."
"Tell her. Tell her I love her and miss her more than I had ever thought possible." He yawned." God I feel so frigging tired." Buffy grinned as her lover fell fast asleep." Sure thing Xand, sure thing."
Xander was jolted from his sleep by the screaming of a man. His eyes snapped open and he saw the room he had gone to sleep in was not the room he had woken up in." What the hell is going on here?" He slapped a hand over his mouth as his mind went wild. * What the heck language was that? * A dark haired woman of great beauty slinked up to him and spoke in the same language but his mind understood every word." Ahh Ulrich my love you have risen!" She lent in and told him." This Human dared to try and release the cattle! I was... entertaining myself till you woke."
Xander heard his stomach rumble at the mention of cattle and he felt like his soul was trapped in a whirlwind. His nose twitched and he commanded." I thirst!" The woman stood and clapped her hands." Your Lord thirsts! Bring something to quench his thirst!" She turned to him and asked." Young or old?" She saw his confusion." Young, the older they get the more corrupt the blood becomes." Xander saw a girl being dragged before them and as she struggled he saw she could have been no more than twelve or thirteen. "AH!" The woman licked her top lip." Virgin! A tender morsel to place before you my love." She nods and before Xander could act the girls head was struck from her body and two men drained her blood into a large jug.
Xander's mind went berserk with rage but his body refused to move, instead it held the jug and drank deeply from its contents, smacking its lips when it had drained the container." Ahh so much better than the old vintage my love, my Aisha." He watched the woman sit at his side and then she tells him." We have all the time in the world my love! These humans make fine food stock. Much better than the animals we used to feed on."
The body licked the last of the dead girls blood from its lips and nodded." And their fear makes an exotic elixir before they pass on." She rose and offered him her hand." Come night has fallen and we have much to do." They walked to the window and looked out upon the mighty city state." The fools build their own resting places!" She motions to the great pyramid and moulds her body to his." When it is complete we will hang their carcasses like trimmings at a feast!" Xander's knuckles were white with strain as he fought to regain control." Why, why do we do this?" He asked. The woman grinned feraly as she placed her hand to his cheek." Because we can and nothing on this world can stop us." She kissed him and he felt power the likes of which even Glory had never dreamt of course through his veins.
His voice told her." And we won't stop till the rivers run with blood and we sicken of the taste!"
The bed shook as Xander's body began to jerk. A dense fog began to form outside the bedroom window and it seeped in through the cracks in the frame, pooling at the base of the bed until it began to swirl. It formed a whirlpool then the centre raised and took shape as the crackling of static electricity filled the room. Xander's eyes sprang open and he felt a warm, naked, body next to his, he sighed and spooned up next to it." Hmm what a weird dream I had my love."
The woman turned and kissed him, Xander deepened the kiss and his arousal increased with the kiss's passion. The woman groaned and Xander opened his eyes as he felt her teeth bite into his lip. His eyes widened when he saw it wasn't Buffy and he tried to move away." Hey! Who the heck are you?"
She flicked her dark hair from her face and grinned at him." Oh I think you know lover man." She pounced on him and drew his face to hers." We've done this since before time was time!" He felt like he was drunk as her nails slid down the side of his face until they reached his jugular. He felt them pry at something until a patch of fake skin was pulled from there. He tried to move away from her, as her canines grew larger than humanly possible. She licked at the drops of blood that ran down from the open wound and whispered." Once is for the taste but twice is for the pleasure..."
Xander felt like he had been overdosed with Viagra as her hands ran wild over his nakedness." No! Please stop." She gripped his mouth until it remained open, she then bit down on her tongue and let the drops of blood drip into his open mouth. Xander felt the coppery taste and he struggled to move away from her. The muscles in his neck stood out as he fought the effect her blood is having on his body until..
He stopped struggling and forced her mouth to his, the driving passion in the kiss amazed even Aisha and she moved her body on top of his. He broke the kiss but held onto her head." About bloody time Aisha my love!" He kissed her again and then rolled on top of her.
Giles was sipping his Earl Grey as he studied the information pack that the Council had sent him." About Bloody time!" He exclaimed as he read the report. He turned sharply to walk over and dial Buffy's number but jerked in surprise as he saw a woman dressed in a very revealing skirt and halter top, braced by two men covered head to toe in leather." Um... Sorry I didn't hear the bell ring." He placed the tea cup on the counter and flipped the report over so no one could read it." May I help you?" He asked as he made his way behind the counter.
The woman's gaze travelled around the shop until it settled on the Orb of Thesula. "I was told one would need one of these if they wanted to curse a soul into a body?" Giles suddenly became aware of the evil that pervaded the three beings. He cocked his head to one side." Why would you want to do that?" He gasped as she motioned to the orb and it flew into her outstretched hand. She turned to him and looked him in the eyes as she crushed the orb and dropped the shards to the floor.
"Oh I don't! I just want to make sure YOU and your little playmates don't interfere with my plans!" She strode towards him and for the first time he could see her face." Aisha!" He looked at the window and saw it was still broad daylight." But how... It's not possible!"
Aisha tittered." But I assure you it is! After the first few thousand years one becomes able to handle a few hours in this damnable light." She was within striking distance of Giles as his hand swept up a large cross and held it in front of him. "Be gone accursed one!" He yelled at her and she hissed and hid her eyes from the cross. Giles smile slowly vanished as she resumed her normal appearance. He held the cross up again then shook it when she simply grinned at his efforts. " I was born thousands of years before 'The One God ' was even imagined, Rupert." She gripped the cross and snatched it from his shaking hand." These trinkets have no effect on me." She snapped the cross in half and let their remains join those of the orb on the floor.
She walked up the counter and appeared to be browsing through the items." I have no quarrel with you, or your little playmates." She tilted her head to one side." Well apart from the Slayer that is, after all one can't stand idly by while she makes time with my chosen one."
Giles looked confused." Your chosen one?" She nods as she runs a fingertip along a wicked looking knife." You have of course been informed of my lovers demise at the hands of the damnable Council?" Giles absentmindedly nods." Well it appears that after a search lasting several lifetimes his Katra has been reborn, in this town, in this lifetime." She drives the knife into the counter top until it's hilt hits the wooden surface." I will bode no interference in my plans so unless you wish life eternal and an eternity of torture I should leave well enough alone!"
Giles had put two and two together and come up with." Xander!" She simply nods and tells him." I was told by.. An acquaintance that you were the bright one." She taps her fingernail against her ferrel teeth." Now what was the name of the other smart one? Oh yes Willow! I am looking forward to seeing just how strong a tree she is."
Giles turns red with rage." harm any of them and I swear to God.." She interrupts him and tells him." When I am finished in this town you will curse your hapless God to hell!"
She motions to the door and it swings open." Once for the taste, twice for the pleasure but thrice makes him mine!" For each line she raised a finger and for the final one she clenched her hand into a fist." Try to stop me and his first feeding will be of the little sister!"
As they left Giles raced to the phone and dialled Buffy's number and left a message when no one answered. He then clicked the phone's cradle and dialled another number." Just shut up and take this down! Aisha paid me a visit and she knows everyone here! I think she's found Ulrich's reincarnated form and intends to bring him back across the river Styx!"
"Remain calm! I'll give you calm when she's bloody dust! Just get your teams here now!" He pushes his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose." Yes I know who the poor sod is it's Xander!" He blanched realising his mistake." No! I mean he's one possibility. Hello? Hello... Well screw you too!" He threw the phone across the room and held his head in his hands." Oh lord what have I done?"
Xander struggled to consciousness and as he did his hand landed on the note Buffy had left for him on the pillow. He groaned as the midday sun struck his near naked body and he quickly snatched up the note moving to a darker position on the bed." Going to Sunnydale USC with Wills to sign on. Big yip! 4 more years of school! Don't forget to take your medicine. Please put the beef in the oven and start dinner. Love you."
Xander stretched and stood up then dressed, slipped on the Ray bans from the dresser and made his way down stairs. He saw both the beef and the liver were sitting on the bench and his stomach rumbled at the sight. He walked over to them and saw the blood that had gathered on the plates as the meat defrosted. The tip of his tongue came out and licked his lips as he picked up the coppery odour of the blood. He tilted the plate to one side and watched hungrily as the blood ran to that corner. He lifted the plate up and drank from the blood then began to eat the raw liver with gusto.
Dawn's voice made him jerk and drop the plate." What you can't wait to eat that cooked?" Dawn grinned at him and said." Gotcha!" Xander smiled and watched her every move as she cleaned up his mess until she suddenly stopped and turned to him." What? Is my dress on backwards or something?" She asked. Xander couldn't take his eyes from her neck as he saw the blood pulse through her veins. He ordered her huskily." Come to me!"
Dawn's eyes lost their sparkle and she dropped her arms to her sides as she stumbled towards Xander's outstretched arms. He could feel the warmth of her body as she nestled into his arms, his senses going wild as they picked up on the blood as it pulsed so close to the surface. He ran his hand over her hair and moved it from her neck; he licked his lips and felt his mouth begin to water at the thought of what he was about to do.
Dawn tilted her head to one side and held her hair away from her neck, smiling as she did. Suddenly Xander's eyes squeezed shut and he gripped her hard as his body shook." No! I will not do this!" He pushed her away and the link between them was broken. Dawn looked both shocked and very afraid." Xander what..." He lashed out at her." Get out! Get out now before it's too late!"
Dawn shook her head." What's wrong? Xander we can help you but we need to know..." He screamed with all his soul." I am becoming the thing I hate the most!" His mind raced and he began to search the draws until his hand came out holding a wooden salad spoon. He snapped the end off and gripped it with both hands as he drew it up to hover over his heart." I will not be turned!" His hands raised the makeshift stake to its apex and a tear rolled down his cheek." I'm sorry Buffy!"
Dawn was yelling at him to stop when the backdoor exploded inwards and four dark shapes moved into the room. Xander looked on in amazement as they hustled Dawn to one side but his inner demon saw his meal being stolen from him and a growl escaped from Xander's lips. Two of the dark clothed men held up pistols and fired several times into his chest. Xander staggered as his ears picked up Dawn's screams and then he dropped to the floor all movement ceasing.
The leader of the black ops team moved the curtains slightly to see outside then he turned to the specialist." How much longer Jackson it's getting too damned dark out there?" Jackson keyed in a few more buttons then held the remote out to him." All done! Just flick this switch and BOOM! No more Aisha, no more problems, and we get out of this god forsaken place."
Samuels closed the cover before walking up to Xander and shaking his head till he awoke." Hey kid how they hangin'?" He grinned at him as Xander struggled to the surface of the black pool the drugs had dropped him into." Wha?" His mouth felt like some one had decorated the walls with velour shag pile as his tongue fought to shape the words." What's going on?"
"Well Giles asked for help and the Council obliged." He pointed to the walls." See they figure that about now Aisha knows we have you and where we are, so they had us prepare a little coming out party for her." He grins at Xander." I got to tell ya I haven't seen so much Semtex since the time we raided that IRA camp last year." He could see Xander's confusion." See this is how it's going to end kiddo. Queen Bitch is going to come screaming in here with her troops and find you sitting in the middle of the room trussed up like one of Mrs. Knott's chickens." He feigns surprise." She rushes over to her lover and as soon as she gets to this spot." He pretends to flick the switch." BOOM Baby! Kentucky Fried Vampire. They'll be picking pieces of her out of the palm trees in LA." He walks away from Xander and motions for the others to leave, he turns and smiles at Xander." Of course you get to go with a bang as well but we figure you're almost turned as it is so no big loss to the white hats."
Xander struggles against his restraints as the man shrugs into a coat." See ya in the funny papers sport." The slams the door closed behind him. Xander begins to feel both the fear and the anger rise up in him." God damned sons of... I'm going to rip your souls apart!" The sudden sound of gunfire stops his struggles and then he winces as the front door explodes inwards and the shattered remains of the black ops leader lands at his feet. His eyes widen at the horrific sight but the smell of blood is sending him crazy.
Just then Aisha slinks into the room." Knock, knock lover man!" She's holding a human hand in hers and Xander can see the remote detonator gripped in its rictus grip. She strides towards him grinning seductively as she did. "You didn't write, you didn't call. I was beginning to think you didn't love me anymore."
She straddled his thighs and ground into his lap." Did my tiger miss me?" She ran the tip of her tongue across his neck and onto his lips. He tried to turn his head but she gripped his mouth with her free hand and squeezed till he opened his mouth. Her tongue probed his mouth like an IRS agent on overtime, her ears picked up Xander's body need for oxygen and she broke the kiss." My we have improved since the last time." He saw her fangs slide over her bottom lip and she told him." So now where were we?"
Buffy, Giles and Willow were speeding down the freeway in Giles's convertible heading towards the last safe house Giles knew of. Buffy kept drumming her nails on the window sill as she fumed." You know you'd think we'd be used to this by now. Every time we ask those assholes for help they screw us over!" Giles winced as he heard the metal of the frame squeal in protest as her hand gripped it." Well if they've hurt him, human or not, the Watcher's Council are going to be needing some new bosses!"
Giles switched on the cars headlights as night fell on the estate where the house was located. Willow told them." We don't have much time left. We go in get him and then get as far away from Sunnydale as we can...Dear God!" Her eyes widened at the signs of destruction in the once quiet street. Their eyes took in the carnage as Giles stopped the car." I fear we are too late." He told them.
"Ya think?" Buffy asked as she stepped over an arm." I think Cyclone Aisha's hit town." She took out her stake and braced herself." Know I have to get him away from Miss Psycho, stake an unkillable beast and try to un-turn my boyfriend before he feeds off of a human." She shrugged." No biggie."
A cigarette bounced on the sidewalk in front of her and a familiar voice told her." Oh I think you've got more on your plate than you think pet!"
Buffy and the crew turned to see Spike leaning against the wall of the home." My advice to you Spike is to get out of here before I make you scream like a girl." Giles turns to Buffy and Willow." No offence meant." Spike laughs." Hey! I'll do what I damn well please I'm over 121, white and." He morphs into his vampire visage." 100% chip free!"
Buffy smiled at him." If there's three words that would get you staked quicker that would be them."
Spike grins evilly at her." Remember when I said we would be together forever whether you wanted to or not? Well this is the time I meant." He motions to the door as Aisha steps out, blood running down the sides of her mouth as her tongue licks up the few stray drops." Well if it isn't Huffy the Vampire slayer." She glances at Giles and Willow." And you've come bearing gifts for my lovers rebirth, how nice of you." She steps to one side as Xander walks past her, cricking his neck as he did.
"Hello Buffy, long time no see." He looks past her and his eyes search for Dawn." What no Dawnie? Damn and I had a sudden urge for veal too." Aisha and Spike laugh." Still there's always room for seconds I say."
Buffy tries to fight back the tears that begin to flow." Xander?"
Xander cocks his head to one side as if searching for a missing sound." Nope, no one here by that name. Just Aisha and me." He looked shocked as he began to walk towards her, his hand held out in greeting." where's my manners? My name is Ulrich and I'll be draining you dry this evening."
Buffy began to back peddle as Xander drew closer." Xander I know you're in there please don't make me do this!" Xander grinned and she could see his fangs begin to extend." I'm sorry he's not in right now but if you leave a message after the scream I'm sure he'll get back to you."
She held her hands out to him." Xander.. I love you." Xander sighed." And I'm sure I'm going to love having your blood inside me dear. Now shut up and bleed for me!"
Buffy raised the stake as she begged him once more." Please Xander don't make me kill you." She began shaking, Giles and Willow tried to help her Aisha growled." Wait your turn's humans! I'm sure Ulrich has room enough for all three of you. He has been a hungry boy for the past thousand years."
Xander grins and Buffy can now see the fully extended fangs. Spike asks Aisha." So how is it pet that my kind looks like over grown rats when we feed yet all you get is pointy teeth?" Aisha smiles." It's to do with breeding Spike. We have it and you don't." Buffy looks into Xander's eyes and she sees the blood veins grow large as he tells her." Drop the stake lover, if I need a toothpick I'll grab it afterwards." She begins to lower her arm to the concerned shouts of her friends. Xander stands toe to toe with her and she feels his hands gently creep up her arms till his fingertips gently stroke her neck.
His tips hover over her pulse point and he smiles." Civilizations we have seen rise and fall yet the beat goes on." Buffy flicks her hair away from her neck." I love you Xander and if this is what you truly want then do it." She gazes longingly into his eyes and her words carry her very soul." I will love you in this life and the next." She feels his breath against her throat and the tiny prick as his fangs touch her throat ever so gently.
Xander's body jerks and for the first time since Aisha came into the room he can see, truly see out of his own eyes and he knows now what must be done. His fangs retract and he presses his lips to her throat as her Slayer hearing picks up." Forgive me for my weakness and remember me for my goodness." He flings her to one side and turns to face Aisha.
"Okay Bitch! You wanted me and now you're going to get me!" He flew through the air like a guided missile and struck her full on sending them both crashing back into the house. Spike yelled out." Oh for hell's sake!" He turns just in time to see Willow and Giles running at him with their stakes drawn and Spike shrugs." You're on yer own Aisha!" He turned to flee but tripped over the body of on of his victims." God damned Happy meals!"
He crabbed backwards as the two Scooby's stalked after him." You two think you can handle William the Bloody all by your lonesome?" He grinned at them then gasped as a stake sank into his chest. He looked over to Buffy and saw her lower her arm after she had thrown her stake." More like William the Wet noodle!"
Meanwhile Aisha had recovered enough to stand up while Xander shook the cobwebs from his head and stood facing her." Can you feel my lover inside you Harris?" She grinned feraly at him." One slip and he'll be off the leash and then..." Her eyes grew bright with an evil inner light." Then the humans will know why they fear the dark! They will put faces and names to the unholy fear that grips them as the sun goes down!"
Xander felt the power inside him hammer to be released and he starts to laugh with all his body. Aisha looked puzzled." Why do you mock me? Surely you know I will punish you till you release my Ulrich!" Xander holds a hand up to her." I'm sorry but this is just to funny!" Aisha backed up, frightened for the first time since the last demons mixed their blood with hers. Xander stopped laughing and looked at her." Do you know how I longed for a power, any power, so that I could be of use to her? " His smile turned ugly as his emotions came into play.
He stalked towards her his words used as a battering ram." But this! This is an abomination one that I had to save my best friend from by driving a freaking wooden stake through his heart!" She could see the veins standing out from his neck and her senses soaked up the anger and hatred that flowed from his very soul." Well, Aisha, I have a way to solve both our problems. Yours is that I can't let you walk away from this and mine..." He glanced outside and saw Buffy's stake dust Spike." Mine is that I can't give her the grief of staking me!"
Aisha grinned nervously and asked." So what are you going to do?" Her eyes widened as he brought his other hand into view." "BOOM! Baby!"
Buffy grinned at Willow as she helped her friend up from the ground. And now for..." Suddenly the ground shook and the three were lifted into the air by the shock wave and thrown twenty foot from the blast area and landed in a neighbour's pool as the debris rained down on them. Willow sputtered and coughed out some water." What the heck was that?" She asked as Buffy helped Giles to the side of the pool. Buffy's eyes went wide with fear as she scrambled out of the pool." Oh my god, Xander!" She ran off at speed leaving Willow to get Giles out of the pool.
Buffy ran towards the remains of the house but all she found was a smoking hole in the ground." She searched the area frantically and all she could find was the licence plate to Giles's pride and joy next to a burnt out ruin." Man Giles is going to be pissed!" Buffy turned as the speaker began to cough." Xander? Xander!" She went to run to him but stopped, torn between squeezing the life out of him with joy and worry at what he might have become." Um you are Xander aren't you?"
Xander stopped coughing and told her." I bloody well hope so!" He stopped and winced." That's it I have officially hung around Giles way too long."
"But how did you manage to get out of the house?" Buffy quizzed him. Xander grins." Hey you know me, I may not have been much at track and field but given the choice of having my remains being able to fit inside a matchbox or being with you I'll pick you any day of the week and twice on Sundays!" Buffy narrows her eyes." What about little miss overbite?" Xander shrugs." I went out the front door and she didn't pass me so considering there were bars on the windows I guess she got her wish and is with Ulrich."
Buffy took another step towards him and she could feel his heart beating in her very soul." What if she survived?" Xander shrugged." Then we put her in a hole another time. Either way stick a fork in the bitch cuz she's done!" Buffy grinned and dragged Xander into a hug as the others arrived. Willow began to panic as she saw Xander kiss Buffy's neck but the smile she saw on Buffy's face brought one out on hers." He's all right." She turned to Giles." Xander's okay!"
Giles was looking at the twisted wreck that used to be his pride and joy." That's good, great even, but what about Aisha?" Buffy looked at them from the comfort of Xander's arms." She didn't make it out of the house so my best guess is that we all tread carefully as we get the heck out of here." The sound of sirens made them move faster and they saw several fire engines pass them as they made their way home. They first stopped off at the Magic Box so Buffy could call Dawn and let her know she was okay. While she phoned her sister Giles had a talk with Xander." That was incredibly brave of you Xander and I'm sure the worst is over but I have just one more question for you." Xander shrugged and Giles continued." Just how did you manage to escape the blast?"
Xander sighed." To tell you the honest truth Giles... I don't honestly know." he looked at his hand and held it up to him." I had the detonator in my hand and the last thing I can remember is making some smart assed remark before I hit the trigger." He lowered his hand then looked at the walls." The whole room was covered in semtex so escaping the blast should have been impossible." He looked at Giles." Yet here I am." He looked at Buffy as she talked to Dawn." Promise me something Giles? Should it turn out that I'm not what I think I am don't let me live a second longer."
Giles placed the stake he had been hiding on the counter." Oh you can be assured of that Xander, very assured." Xander smiles at Giles and suddenly the old Librarian is very afraid." I guess if I can trust you to do that then I can trust you with the truth." Xander's form vanished in a mist and reformed behind Giles and the watcher felt a vice like grip on the hand that held the stake." It seems when I drained Aisha I changed the way things were meant to be." Giles gulps." Yyyyou drained your sire? But. How...I mean that's not possible...Is it?"
"...Boom Baby!" Xander exclaimed but his features froze when Aisha simply laughed." Do you think that would work on me?" She turned into mist and appeared at his side." Come on lover, I know you're inside there won't you come out to play?" Aisha teased Xander's throat with her fangs." First we'll drain that bitch your husk loved and then we'll turn little sister!" She sighed." Yes I've always wanted a younger version of me to mould into the perfect killing machine." Xander dropped his hand then turned to her, a resigned look on his face." I guess there's nothing else left I can do but." His eyes go blood red and his fangs slide down into place." Give into my wilder side." He kissed Aisha until she had to gasp in pleasure at the memories the kiss renewed." Oh my love you have come back to me!" She felt the tip of his tongue run down her throat and then shuddered as she felt his mouth press through her thin top and capture her nipple. Aisha changed her mind." I suppose the Slayer and her kin can wait a few more hours."
Xander ran his hands over her body and his mouth kissed it's way back up her quickly reddening skin until he hovered over her jugular. He drove his fangs into her neck and she moaned in pure lust. " Oh my Lord! After all this time, to have someone bite me back!" She felt an orgasmic bliss rush over her as the endorphins flooded her system negating any struggle to survive the draining. Xander know knew why the victims of Vampire attacks never screamed as a small part of his mind watched his actions from afar. All Aisha craved was to be fully drained and give her spirit over to her killer but then the demon in her rallied its strength and fought back." Wait! You're taking too much!"
Xander's grip turned to steel as she fought to break his hold." But I love you? I came across millennia to return you to my side...I love you!" Xander broke the deadly kiss of death and moaned. " God I love.." His eyes darkened till they were as black as midnight in a coal mine." The Slayer!" He released one hand from holding her down and drove it into her chest then pulled out her still beating heart." And the beat goes on!"
Xander stood and walked over to one of the packages of semtex tearing it from the rest. He then placed the block inside Aisha's body." Seems a fair trade lover." Xander was about to depress the button that would finally end his torment when his mind turned to Buffy." How could I live an eternity without her?" He looked to heaven and made a pact." I swear by my very soul that I will fight by her side regardless of whether she loves me or not and upon her death I will, willingly, succumb to whatever judgment you deem fitting before I join her side once more where no shadows fall."
Giles relinquishes his hold on the stake and turns to Xander once he releases his hold." What are you?" Xander grabbed Giles's hand and pressed his fingers to his neck. Giles's eyes went wide." A pulse! But how can this be...Unless." Giles ripped open Xander's shirt and placed his palm over Xander's heart." In God's name I call to thee reveal the mark for all to see." Giles took away his hand to reveal a glowing, pulsating tattoo in the shape of two hearts entwined and bonded by golden threads. Giles watched the design and he saw that each heart beat to a different pulse while the thread glowed constantly with divine energy. Giles looked into Xander's eyes." Do you have any idea what you have done?"
Xander nods." I remember the bonding ritual word for word Giles. I have all of Ulrich's memories and knowledge right up to where the Council's men defeated him." Xander closes his eyes." Whether she loves me or hates me I am joined to Buffy for eternity. Her death means mine and I wouldn't want it any other way." Giles then asks him." But what if you die?" Xander grins." It's hard to hit a moving target Giles, especially one that's darned near invincible." Giles is trying to think of anything that could go wrong. He grimaces when he thinks of one." What of your new nutritional needs?"
Xander shrugs." Hey I gave up my Twinkie addiction how much harder could it be? Besides there's always Angel's preferred beverage of choice." Xander is now the one to grimace." Though I haven't had much to do with pigs since that whole eating the school mascot episode back in good old Sunnydale High." Xander smiles half heartedly." So any other obstacles?"
"Apart from me being mega pissed you mean?" Xander jumped at Buffy's words then slowly turned to her." Hey uhh Buff...So how much..."
"Did I hear?" She crossed her arms and glared at Xander." Just about everything from where you turned into a gas and made Giles stutter!"
Xander looked meek and dejected. "Oh that much huh." He opened his arms to her." What can I say I'm Mr. Romantic? Buffy I couldn't even think of living if anything happened to you and I swear on my freshly minted tattoo that I will never harm, or through any action on my part, hurt anyone that wasn't attempting to hurt me or mine."
Buffy slowly walked towards him then placed a hand over his chest and felt the comforting beat of his heart. She then turned to Giles." Is there anyway to break this bonding Giles?" Giles shook his head." Only by his death will the bond be broken, upon your death he will simply...Cease to be."
Buffy shook her head." No I cannot allow this." She looked into his eyes." I could not live knowing that should I die you would not be left behind to help those I loved." Xander shook his head." You don't understand Buff I died when Aisha completed the ritual of becoming; I'm only alive now because of you. When you die so shall I and there's nothing this side of heaven that can stop it." He grinned and wiped away her tear with the ball of his thumb. "Not that I'd even consider changing a thing."