Giles is reading a fax from the watcher council as Anya tends shop. Buffy, Willow and Tara are talking about the latest threat to the life and souls of Sunnydale whilst they research Giles's books. Anya rings up another sale and grins at the customer." Thank you for shopping at the Magic Box where we tend your every magic need." She sighed as she placed the hundred dollar note into the till and shut the drawer." See Giles easy as selling candy to a baby."
Giles looks up and then back down to the fax." Yes very good Anya." He keeps reading as she sighs." You know you could show a little more appreciation! I am the only one making this place any money!" Giles mutters." Yes very good Anya...Anya! " He looks at her as if he sees her for the first time." When does Xander leave New York?"
She grins." Xander leaves at nine o'clock on Saturday morning. Did I tell you about the bonus check his boss is giving him for finishing the job two weeks ahead of schedule?" Buffy and the other girls raise their eyebrows and whisper." Only about a hundred times." She pretends she doesn't here them." He only rushed the job so he could get back to me!" She turns to Buffy." It's the sex... If we don't do it at least three times a day he gets peaked." She admires the engagement ring , making sure everyone saw the size of it." Did I ever tell you that he was a Viking in the sack? " She sighs." After being away for so long I might need back up!"
Buffy stands up." If you keep this up I'm going to yak up a lung!" Buffy shuts the book she's reading." Sex and money is that all that matters to you?" She glares at her." Does love ever factor into your relationship or is Xander only interested in you for your bedtime aerobics?"
Willow ducks her head, as does Tara." Oh boy here we go." Willow mutters.
Anya sighs as she polishes her ring." I don't care what you think Buffy. You were 'Factored' out of Xander's life the minute I came back from my trip after you stopped the Mayor." She looks down her nose at Buffy." You had your chance and blew it big time! I doubt he even knows you're even a girl anymore, especially since you came back and took up with Spike."
Giles hits his palm on the counter." For God's sake! All I wanted to know was when Xander was coming back! I did not want to hear you two carry on about a young man who isn't even here!" He looks at Anya." I take it he's still at the Americana?" Anya nods." Good! I'm going to phone him now." He looks at the clock." I want this placed tidied up before I get back!"
He shakes his head as he walks into the office." Like looking after a bloody kindergarten!" He sits down and goes through his Rolodex until he comes to the number written in Anya's hand. He dials the number and asks for Alexander Harris's room. The phone rings several times and a sleepy Xander answers." An for the love of god I have not got a hooker in my room!" Giles blushes and stammers. "Umm I Uhh It's Giles actually."
Xander rubs his eyes and looks at the clock." Giles do you have any idea what the time is?" Giles looks at the clock." Yes it's...Oh dear I forgot. Sorry."
Xander turns on his bedside lamp." No worries Giles." He was suddenly worried." Buffy's all right? It's not Willow is it?"
Giles tried to calm him down." No it's not anything to do with anyone here. I need you to do me a favour."
Xander twists his neck to get rid of the crick in it." Sure thing Giles shoot."
"Have you a pen and paper handy?" Xander tells him yes." Okay then I need you to go to Brycefields Rare Books on Fourth and Main. It's a small shop but well marked so you can't miss it, and you're to pick up a book they have there. The council is wiring you a money order as we speak so it should be there by the time you uhh wake up."
Xander finishes writing the address down." I don't suppose it's a first edition Superman is it?"
"No it's a very rare and very expensive lithograph of a 12th century book. It will be bound so you needn't worry about it." He paused then told him." You are coming back on Saturday aren't you?"
"Yeah bright and early, today's my last day. I'm just dotting the I's and crossing the T's of the contract. Why?"
Giles cups his hand around the phone." Because Anya and Buffy are driving me round the flipping bend!" Giles can almost see the smirk on Xander's face." You had better not be grinning young man!"
Xander stops grinning and tells him." Who me? I would never even contemplate it." He yawns and feels very tired." No if you don't mind I'd really like to get some sleep now. Tell Anya I'll see her soon and tell Buffy we can have hot naked sex the second we're in our flat." He placed the phone on it's hook and turned out the light.
Giles walks out to the shop and looks at the four women as they try to clean the place up." Was he tired or was it a Freudian slip?" He mumbles." Still as long as he picks the book up and delivers it to me it's no concern of mine."
Xander pushes on the door and he hears the tinkling of a small bell above his head as he enters. He looks around the store and sees someone serving a customer and another man browsing. He waits for the man to finish and he goes up to him." Hello my names Alexander Harris and I've come to pick up a book for a Rupert Giles?"
The man smiles." Ah yes the book of the dead." Xander's head almost falls off he turns it so fast to look at the man. The clerk smiles." Sorry I couldn't resist it. Ever since that movie I've been dying to see peoples reactions to that name." He tells Xander." It's in the safe in the back room. I do hope you have brought a bank cheque, I do hate those infernal credit cards!"
Xander takes the envelope out of his jacket pocket and hands it over saying." That's an awful lot of money for a book, haven't you guys heard of CD ROMs? Or even putting it on a DVD?" The look on the mans face makes it all worth while." Tag! Now I know what I looked like." The clerk goes in the back room and comes out with a briefcase with handcuffs attached." I take it you're leaving for London right now?" He tells Xander as he snaps the cuffs on him.
Xander shrugs." London? Nah I'm heading back to Sunnydale tonight. I'm going to surprise Giles."
The clerk pales again." Mr. Giles isn't in London then? Please tell me he's not still in Sunnydale California." The clerk sees Xander nod." Dear God is the man a buffoon?"
"He can act like one around Halloween or when he sings at the caf�"
The clerk takes a silver cross from a drawer." Here this was blessed by Pope Ignatius, I prey God it helps you!"
After years of living on the Hellmouth Xander takes this as an ill omen. He races out of the store and hails a cab for his hotel .The second he's inside he locks the door and dials Giles's shop." Hello?" A very tired Englishman answers." Okay, look I know I said I'd do anything to help but this goes beyond even what I normally do! He handcuffed me to the damned book then when I told him I was taking it to Sunnydale he just about had a stroke! What the hell is this book about anyway and it had better not be about what I'm thinking it's about."
Giles tells him." The book is an obscure piece of mad ramblings written by a man who was believed to have conjured up the devil."
Xander begins to freak." And you think taking it to a FREAKING HELLMOUTH is a good idea because?"
"We can see if it will close this, and every other Hellmouth for all time, thus freeing the Slayers from their deadly but very short lives. Is that all right with you Xander or would you prefer we watch Buffy die yet again?"
Xander rattles the handcuffs and curses his luck." All right, but I tell ya Giles if I get turned into a freaking brain sucking undead Zombie YOU'RE my first victim!"
"As long as we understand each other then. Till tomorrow then Bye." Giles hangs up the dials London." Mrs. Hennig please." He waits a few seconds then tells her." I have an associate bringing it from New York on the first flight out tomorrow.. Yes Alexander Harris and the Slayer will be there to meet him at the airport so we can begin whenever you wish." He hangs up and lies back down.
In London Mrs. Hennig turns to her lover." Rachel my dear it's time to tell the others to assemble in Sunnydale. The dawning of a new age swiftly approaches."
Xander sits on the edge of his bed and watches Babylon 5 on TNT, every now and then he rattles the handcuffs and stares at the small case that contains the book." I hope you're worth all this trouble!" The phone rings causing him to jump. Xander picks it up and is told there's a woman waiting to see him downstairs. Xander shrugs and gets up then grabs a coat to try and hide the case and handcuffs. He walks down the hall after leaving the elevator and sees a woman with red hair standing at the reception desk. She turns and smiles, offering her hand." Mr. Harris? Hello my name's Angela Tumble and I represent someone that's very interested in a book you have in your possession."
Xander shrugs." I'm sorry but you seem to have the wrong person Miss Tumble. I don't have any books, now if it's comics your interested in I have a large selection back home."
Angela grins." We were told you had a sense of humour Mr. Harris." She leans closer and he can smell her perfume and he thinks of Buffy." Believe me if you try to take the book back to Sunnydale you will need it!" She held out her hand and Xander saw a small slip of paper in it. He took it from her and read the numbers on it." Look Miss Tumble I already have enough women in my life to cause me grief for several lifetimes."
She smiles." It's not my phone number Mr. Harris it's our first offer." She places a finger nail against her teeth as she looks Xander up and down." However if you want my number?"
Xander looks at the figure and gulps." This...This is more money than I have..." He looks up and shakes his head as he screws it up." No I'm sorry but I don't know what book you're talking about."
Angela sighs and places a hand on his chest." We can increase the offer, or maybe money isn't the only thing we can offer. Is it power you crave? No longer the butt monkey but maybe you crave to be the organ grinder? My employer can offer you Power beyond your wildest dreams."
Xander grins." I don't know Miss Tumble, I have some pretty wild dreams."
Now she grins." Ah yes I believe having sex with your two Lesbian Wicca friends plays a large part in them." She sees the shocked look on his face. "You look surprised Mr. Harris, does it shock you that he knows your deepest desires, your darkest secrets? You can have power beyond anything you have seen or dreamt of, power to make anyone do as you wish!"
Xander backs off and his hand fumbles for the cross but he realises he left it on the dresser." Look lady I don't know who you are but I have a rough idea who your' employer' is. I didn't spend the last six years of my life fighting your kind just to roll over at the last minute!"
She glares at him." You fool! What we offer is a way for you to walk out of this with something. If you want to play hardball we too can play that way." she turns on her heals then stops, turns , and points to him." I will be back with another offer Harris so think about the consequences of your actions till then just remember what playing the hero has got you so far! Oh and I really wouldn't depend on the Slayer for help." She grins evilly." You may have noticed several.. mmm Improvements since she returned to you."
She left the hotel leaving Xander in no doubt as to her meaning. He raced upstairs and dialled Giles's number cursing his name every time it rang without him picking up. When he did Xander ripped into him." What the fuck have you got me into!"
Giles was taken aback." Xander? What's wrong?"
Xander walked around the room, phone in one hand and the cross in the other." Wrong? What could possibly be wrong apart from being paid a visit from the local rep of Lucifer! Giles she knew things about me even Anya doesn't know! Then she tells me her Boss can offer me power beyond my wildest dreams if I give her the damned book!"
Giles sits down and strokes his forehead." How the hell did they find you so fast? I was assured you would be safe until the book was in Sunnydale and then you would be with us."
Xander laughs." I think your security leaks like a freaking sieve! " He places his wallet in his pocket and grabs his ticket." I'm leaving my stuff hear and getting on the first flight out of here!" He thinks about what Angela had said." I don't know whether she was playing me or what but she said Buffy had been 'improved' before she was returned to us." A bang on his window makes Xander jump. He turns to the sound and sees hundreds of birds, black birds circling the hotel." Uhh Giles I think..." The windows explode inwards covering him in glass shards and severing the phone cord." Giles.. Giles!" He sees the line is cut then turns and runs for the door.
Giles taps the phone trying to reconnect." Xander? Xander!" He hangs up the phone and grabs his coat, slipping into it as he leaves the office. He sees Buffy and the others getting ready to patrol." um Buffy I need your help, you to Willow." The two girls approach him and he tells them." Xander's in trouble." He sees the worried looks on their faces and continues." He picked up a book for me in New York and it appears there are other parties interested in it."
Buffy looks into Giles's eyes." They wouldn't hurt him for it would they?"
Giles pauses and looks down, it's all she needs to know." Right how soon do we leave?"
Anya is standing behind her and she asks." This book, what's it called?"
Giles sighs." It's proper name is in Latin but it roughly translates to 'Conversations with the.."
"Devil!" Anya glares at him and grips his shirtfront." You sent Xander to pick up the only book on conjuring the devil that works! Are you totally insane?"
"He was safe; we assumed no one knew he was going to pick it up. It was a last minute change in our plans."
Buffy asks him." Why last minute?"
Giles shrugs." The council told me their courier was delayed and they had to have the book here by Saturday at the latest."
Anya turns to Buffy." For delayed, read butchered! Jesus, Giles I thought you were supposed to be smart?" Anya sighs." We have to get to him and quickly. He'll not only have the devil itself after him but the forces of light want the book just as badly!"
Giles pulls away from Anya and heads for the door." Come on we have to go to him." He turns to Tara." The council will be here by tonight at the latest, I will phone them and let them know what's going on but you have to organise things while I'm away."
Buffy tells Anya." Look after Dawn for me?" Anya nods and tells her. "If you keep Xander safe I will."
Buffy tells her." To get to him they'll have to get through me first."
Willow and Tara kiss and hug before the three head off to the airport.
Xander ran from the hotel and hailed a cab just outside. He jumped in and told the driver to take him to the airport. All through the drive the cabbie talked about the weird thing with the crows then as they approached the airport turn off he said." Yes those birds sure seemed upset about something." Xander saw the mans eyes as he looked at him in the rear-view mirror." Can you imagine a world where all living things lived or died at the whim of one man? Where atrocities were a daily way of life? " Xander hears the snick as his door locks.
He dives across the seat and tries the other door but finds it too is locked." Oh no Mr. Harris it's best the book is destroyed for good this time."
The car speeds up and Xander beats on the plexi-glass between the two." Listen to me! We need this book to close the Hellmouths for once and for all! Then I promise to personal burn this piece of pulp into ashes."
The driver looks at Xander through milky white eyes." Who told you that the book closed the Hellmouths?" He grins." The greatest trick the devil ever performed was not to convince man that he didn't exist, but that he could be believed."
The cab was speeding down the road at a suicidal rate and Xander saw smoke begin to rise from the cabbies jacket." It's best you sit back, I promise to make this as painless as possible." Xander saw the pylon supporting the flyover fill the windscreen and he quickly buckled his seatbelt then the world went black.
The next thing her remembers is the door being wrenched from its hinges and a hand grabs his coat in an effort to drag him from the burning cab. Xander unlocks the seatbelt and staggers out into the arms of Angela. He pushes her away and looks at the burning cab." Is this how your going to get the book, by burning it?"
She grins." That wasn't our doing my friend, the opposition want the book destroyed and their not too fussed about who goes up with it." She walks up to him and runs a hand down his arm, coming to rest on the handcuffs." So it's a simple choice, hand the book over to us and live like a king or burn alongside it if you don't."
He holds the small case close to him." I think there's a third choice. Take the book to Giles, seal the Hellmouths and then burn the damned book!"
She smiles." You're strong, stronger than we had ever imagined." She leaned in and snapped her teeth at him." Your soul will taste all the better when we win, and we will win." She then simply walked into the thick cloud of smoke leaving Xander to ponder his next move. The emergency response team arrives and douses the fire; Xander watches from the sidelines then picks an empty cab at random and tries to continue his journey.
They get to within five miles of the airport when the cabbie answers the radio and then tells him." The airports been shut down, bomb threat or something, where do you wanna go now?" Xander runs his hand through his hair." Any idea how long it'll be closed down for?"
The cabbie shrugs." Hard to say, could be a couple of hours could be days."
"Trains...Take me to the train station then please."
The cabbie takes the next exit and heads for Central Station where Xander pays him and walks towards the ticket booth. He raps on the window to get the sellers attention." How much to Sunnydale and when's the next train?"
Xander paid the man and took his ticket then walked over to the concession stand and bought a Snickers bar and a paper. He sat down and began to read the paper only to find it kept repeating the same words in different typeface over and over again. NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO OR WHAT YOU DO I WILL FIND YOU AND CLEAVE YOUR SOUL FROM YOUR BODY ALEXANDER HARRIS.
Xander screwed the paper up and threw it into the bin then looked at the case." The bookseller! He had it for all this time He'll know what to do!"
Xander checked his dwindling funds then hailed another cab to the booksellers shop. He raced down the stairs and opened the door to find the shop empty, not one book lined it's walls and only dust moved around inside the shop." What the..?" He hurried to where the man's office was and entered, his eyes drawn to a slowly turning body hanging by its left foot from the ceiling. It was the proprietor and his body was stiff meaning he had probably died shortly after selling Xander the book. Xander closed his eyes and whispered." I'm going to wake up in a minute... I'm going to wake up and all of this will be a bad dream."
Angela's voice made him jump." Yeah and I'm going to win the national lottery!" She walked towards him." Give us the book." She saw him eye the front door and she held up her hand causing the door to slam shut." I have a new offer from the Boss." she ran her hand over the dusty counter and then brushed the dust from her fingers." Deliver the book to Mrs. Hennig in Sunnydale and...." She smiled at him." We'll let you and your friends live a long pain free life."
Xander looked puzzled." You want me to take the book to this Hennig woman?" Xander smiles and holds out his hand." Deal, you let me get this book to Sunnydale and I promise to give it to Mrs. Hennig."
Angela smiled." There that wasn't so bad was it now? Your not as dumb as they say you are." She holds out her hand." Come, let's seal it with a kiss."
Xander walks around her and declines the hand." Um if you don't mind I think I'll pass on the kiss and just get going."
She shrugs." Your loss." Then just as Xander steps out of the shop she tells him." Your friends are on the way here and should arrive in about three hours. I'm sure Buffy will assist you to get the book to it's right full owner."
Xander pauses and his mind is in turmoil. * Again with the snide remark about Buffy being different, about being on her team*He shuts the door and begins to walk." Do I wait for them or do I try to get back without them, without Buffy?"
Xander lent against the signpost and hit the back of his head against it." Do I trust her? Or is it all just one big con?" His mind went back over the years and his heart knew what was true." It's too late after all this time to doubt her now!" He raised his arm and hailed yet another cab to take him to the airport figuring if they're on their way the airport must be opened.
Angela walked up the stairs and watched the cab drive away. She sighs and runs a hand down her hip." You were the right choice Alexander. Both two years ago and this time!"
Xander checks his watch for the hundredth time and looks at the display." Two more hours till they arrive." He glances around him." Two more hours of wondering who's going to take a crack at me." Xander watched every person that walked by him until they were out of range of harming him. He rested his back against the cool tiled wall and felt the heavy weight of the case as it hung at his side. He finally came to a decision." If I live through this I have had it with the freaking dark side of life! I intend to live in blissful ignorance of the daily fight against evil and just be a normal guy and worry about my job or whether to have pizza two nights in a row instead of what weapon will kill the next big bad or if my girlfriend is going back to her old job!"
The priest standing in front of him shocked Xander back into reality." You look troubled my son, can I be of assistance?"
Xander smiled and shook his head." No father I'll be fine. I just had a few things on my mind."
The priest smiled." I find if you put your trust in your friends and pray to God things have a way of working out."
Xander snorts." That's fine as long as you know who your friends are and if Good is on your side."
"Do you believe in God?"
Xander shrugged." I have to, I've seen to much not to believe."
The priest nods." I'm glad, because God my son, believes in you." The priest walks away to catch his flight and Xander feels a weight lift from his shoulders." I know what to do and who to trust."
Xander rests his eyes and he drifts off to a troubles sleep. He dreams of living a quiet life with his friends in a world where the only evil lies in the hearts of man and not in some undead demon as it stalks the night. He walks into the lounge where Willow and Tara are sitting on the lounge and they make room for him to sit between them. He feels Willow rest her head on his shoulder as Tara curls her fingers around his. He shuts his eyes and sighs." This is what life's all about! Good friends and great company."
Willow turns his face to his." Friends?" She cocks an eyebrow." Xander honey we're more than friends." She kisses him in a way only Anya ever had and he thought it would go on for ever until he felt Tara pull him from the kiss." Hey! I thought you were my girlfriend." She pouts." And girlfriends share." She then kissed a very surprised Xander but he just goes with the flow as the two Wicca's drive his body wild with passion.
A wash towel hits them and they break apart to see Buffy and Dawn watching them from the kitchen door." Hey!" Dawn shouts." She said we were all his not just the two of you!" Dawn pouts and Buffy shakes her head as Dawn tells them." Besides as the mother of your first child I thought I had right of way in your house?"
Xander's head snaps to look at her and he sees her rubbing her distended belly." Mom always told me if I wasn't careful there would be the devil to pay. I guess I know how much I owe you." she grinned.
Xander jolted awake from his dream shouting." NO WAY!" Xander felt sick to his stomach and raced for the men's room, finding the toilet just in time as he emptied his stomach at the remembrance of the dream. Xander flushed and then washed his face in the sink, the handcuffs and case making it even more difficult." Man I need some new dreams!"
Suddenly the priest was behind him in the reflection of the mirror." It's the book my son it has just given you a glimpse of what could be."
Xander shook his head." No it can't be! I wont let it." He looks at his reflection and told him." Willow and Tara are my friends and Dawn! Dawn is like my little sister and that's just Eew! To sick to even think about."
"And yet it saw all of this in the dark of your heart. It will try anything to get to you and so will the fallen one." Xander saw the priest place his hand on Xander's shoulder yet he felt no pressure." We once had a lot of faith in you my son, please do not let us down this time."
As his image began to fade Xander cried out." Wait! What do you mean let you down this time?" The image vanished and Xander threw some more cold water on his face then cursed. "Man I'm so tired of this crap!"
He looked again at his watch then turned around to leave and as he did he suddenly received a flash image of his uncle's car crushed and over grown with weeds at the bottom of a ravine." What the heck was that?"
Xander walked over to the arrivals lounge and watched as the plane from Sunnydale landed and disembarked. He saw Giles, Willow and Buffy walk down the aisle way and he went to meet them. He nods to the girls then pulled Giles to one side and told him." Not impressed Giles! Not by a long shot! Do you know how many times some asshole has either tried to kill me or tried to entice me to give them this damned book?" He held up the case handcuffed to his wrist." I want this off and I want it off NOW!"
Giles pales and he tells him." I had no idea, the council just rang me and faxed me the information. They didn't mention the fact it was so dangerous to have in your possession otherwise I would never have asked you to pick it up."
Xander narrows his eyes." Yeah right! After the crap I've seen the last 24 hours I wouldn't trust Jesus Christ himself if he came down and told me the sky was blue!" He looks over as Willow and Buffy seem confused by Xander's actions." Can you trust her? Buffy I mean. Does she seem different to you?"
Giles looks over at Buffy." She's had a rough year since you three brought her back but she seems to be semi-normal. Apart from her sudden need to argue with Anya over every little detail that is." he looks at Xander." But I put that down to hormones, and the fact Anya has something she wants."
Xander lets the gentle hint slide over him and he tells Giles." Okay the sooner we get this book to Sunnydale and hand it over to the council the better I'll feel." Giles nods and collects Xander's, Willow and Buffy's tickets and proceeds to change their flights to the next one out.
Buffy and Willow walk up to Xander and hug him. Willow says." Jeez Xand next time just wait till the film comes out okay!" Xander grins." Believe me when I say I hope never to see another book again as long as I live!"
Buffy places her head against his chest." I thought we had lost you!" Xander kissed the top of her head. "Hey kiddo you're not getting rid of me that easy." Buffy sighed into his chest and held him tighter." I never want to lose my Xander shaped friend." As Giles approached the three separated but Buffy slid her hand into his free hand then gently gave it a squeeze.
Giles tells them." I could only get us as far as L.A. I guess we drive from there on." He looked at Xander." I rang the Council and they told me Mrs. Hennig and several other members should arrive in Sunnydale just before we land at LA." He looked at the display and said." We had best hurry if we wish to catch our flight."
Buffy had taken the seat next to Xander while Willow and Giles took their seats across the aisle. The plane took off with out a hitch and Xander gripped Buffy's hand like his soul depended on it. She turned to him and smiled." Your lack of confidence in our pilot is beginning to worry me Xand, something I don't know?"
Xander gives her a nervous smile and says." Well if you had been through what I have you'd be worried too!" He felt her hand stroke his face and grip his chin. She lent in a gave him a non-brotherly kiss then the tip of her tongue touched her top lip as she told him." For luck." She sucked in her bottom lip and grinned thinking* No Wonder Anya's always so chipper in the morning. I must give her nightly regimen a try. *
Buffy watched the grin spread on Xander's face grow as the lights dimmed on the red eye to LA she then told him." Best you get some rest Xand. It's a long drive back to Sunnydale." He nods." I could do with some shut eye , seems like a lifetime ago since I last slept." Buffy smiled as he tilted his chair back and began to relax. Buffy looked over at her friends, Giles was trying to use the air phone to call some one while Willow shook her head and brushing her index finger over the other tusking her. Buffy grinned and shrugged then lay back joining Xander in trying to sleep.
Xander was in a dreamless state when he felt pressure against his throat, his eyes snapped open and he found he could barely move his head. His right hand came up to the pressure on his throat and found a thin plastic wire embedded in his skin drawing a thin line of blood. He tried to call out then tried to raise his left hand to help but the case caught in the handrail stopping him.
Buffy was woken by Xander's thrashing, at first she assumed he was having a bad dream but when her eyes took in the headphone wire looped around his neck and the hulk of a man with his knee pressed against the back of Xander's chair as he attempted to strangle Xander, she went into action. She saw another man trying to stop the man's actions but to no avail. Buffy lent over her seat and delivered blow after blow to Xander's assailant's head until the man collapsed in a heap. She then pulled the wire from Xander's throat, hearing him gulp down lungful of air. " Xander! Xander are you okay?" The deep red colour slowly faded from his face as the gulps subsided." What in ...The book!" He then tried to snap the chain and rid himself of his millstone but it was no use .The steward and an air Marshall carried the man to the rear section and handcuffed him to a seat. The steward came back and apologised profusely for the air rage attack. Xander waived her away but accepted the bourbon and coke. He gulped it down then told Buffy." Thanks for the save Buff. I might have to hire you as my personal bodyguard!" He turned to Giles as he and Willow tired to find out if he was all right. He held his cuffed hand up and demanded. " Keys NOW!"
Giles told him." I don't have them! The Council has them, they were given them when they agreed to the purchase price." Xander turned to Buffy and held up the chain." Buff tell me if these would hold up to an axe coupled with you're slayer strength?"
She tested the chains and told him." As soon as we land consider it gone."
Xander nodded his thanks then saw Giles and Willow sit down , he turned to Buffy and told her." I don't know what's come over me lately." He sighed." It's just... Anya and I have drifted apart ever since the whole non-marriage thing. But now ...I.." She placed a finger to his lips." I know Xand." She rested her head on his chest." Ever since I shook off that thing with Spike I've been doing nothing but think of you." She smiled then began to massage his sore throat; she then surprised the heck out of him by placing butterfly kisses along the discoloured area. She paused and told him." I'm expensive Xan, at least three kisses an hour."
Xander smiled then kissed her." Take that as an advance."
Buffy grinned and her tongue could still taste him as she kissed him back." And there's your change sir."
They began to get closer and Buffy could feel her blood race, then her eyes caught sight of Willow and she looked at her. Willow had an air sickness bag to her mouth and said." Please, no more Buff I'm running out of bags." Buffy sneered at her then snuggled up to Xander and the two feel into a comfortable sleep.
While Giles rented the car for a one-way trip to Sunnydale, Willow rang Tara. Buffy watched her talk heatedly with Tara the saw Xander walking over with something tucked under his jacket. She smiled at him." What's under your coat Xand?"
He grinned." A freaking big skeleton key!" He quickly opened the coat to reveal a small fire axe." Reckon it'll work?"
She looked around and saw the men's room and waggled her eyes.
Giles came back with keys and asked Willow." Where are they?" Willow shrugged. I thought I saw them heading for the toilets, but I could be wrong." She then told him." Tara says the Henning woman and several others has arrived in Sunnydale." She frowned." They closed your shop and then spent over two hours talking to Anya, alone!"
Xander and Buffy chose then to walk up to them." Any luck?" Giles asks. Buffy shook her head and produced the shattered axe head." The damn thing shattered!" Xander shook the case and almost exploded." It's freaking cursed!" Willow's words finally sank in. " Wait a minute! Did you say the council talked to Ahn for two hours? Shit!" He ran for the bank of phones and dialled her number.
Buffy and Giles looked at him." She freaked when just Travers talked to both of us for just a little while. She was worried they'd know she was an ex demon!" He replaced the phone." That's strange, she normally picks up after 6 rings, I'll try the apartment." He did and it had the same result." Where the hell is she?"
The drive to Sunnydale was uneventful and passed quickly, Giles drove them straight to the Magic Box and they arrived just before mid-day. All through the trip Buffy had kept Xander's hand firmly in her grasp and the contact seemed to calm the trouble man, all his fears subsided by the mere contact of the one thing his heart had desired for so long. As they climbed out of the car Buffy lost contact with Xander and he stood staring at the door." I had better see Anya and make sure she's all right." He looks at Buffy and sighs." Then I had better tell her about us." Buffy nods and the pair enter the shop.
Xander looks around and he sees Willow talking to Tara while Giles is having a few words with two strange women." They have to be from the Council... But where's Ahn?" He walks over to Tara and they hug, Tara telling him." What is it with you and leaving Sunnydale? Every time you do it always means trouble?"
Xander shrugs." I guess it's the PTB's way of making sure I don't stray to far from you guys." She smiles and Xander can see one of the reasons Willow wanted to get back with Tara so much." Is Anya around?"
Tara looked over at the two women and whispered." No, she went home as soon as the British inquisition was over." Buffy placed her hand on his back." I'm sure she'll be fine Xand." Xander glared at the strangers." Yeah but they couldn't have timed this any worse than if they tried." He held the case up and yelled at them." Okay it's here now get this piece of crap off of me!"
Rachel smiled and an icy chill ran down Xander's back." We'd like to love but the spell can't be broken till the ceremony begins."
Xander's arm drops and he feels the case bang against his leg." Great! And just how far off is that? Cuz I have a sinking feeling my lucks not going to last for ever!"
Rachel motions for him to come closer, she looks him over and Xander suddenly feels like a horse about to be traded." Hmm, they chose well. You're strong young and not too bright." She looks over to Buffy." Your choice of boyfriend has improved my dear." Xander pulls his arm away from her." Okay! Now I think I've been pretty accommodating up to now and my patience have just run out!" He grips the case and shoves it into Rachel's chest." I want this off me now!"
Mrs. Hennig shakes her head." My dear, Rachel has already told you no one can take it off of you till tonight."
Xander drops the case and shakes his head." Screw this! I have to see Ahn see if she's all right and sort things out."
Hennig shakes her head." I'm sorry Xander but the book must not leave our sight from now on."
Xander grips the case handle so hard his knuckles turn white." Listen lady, you maybe able to order Giles around but I DON'T work for you! I did this as a favour for Giles and if I want to go see my ex-... my girlfriend I will!"
She leans into Xander." Young man if you leave this place you will die! And in doing so you will be the cause of more deaths than the Devil himself!" She looks at Giles." This much has been foretold in the great book, if you have any sway in the boys mind I suggest you talk to him!"
Buffy stands next to Xander." Listen Xand we don't have to tell her today but I know you need to know she's safe, so why don't I go over and check up on her for you?" Xander sighs and then nods." Tell her I'll see her as soon as they have this crap off of my hand." Buffy kisses him then takes the rental keys from Giles and leaves.
Hennig tells Giles." Take the two Wicca's and prepare the site for tonight's ceremony." She sees Giles hesitate and she holds up her hand." We will look after him and make sure no harm befalls our young Parisfal." Giles looks at her and wonders what relevance Xander has to the old Wagnerian opera.
Xander is tired of watching the two Council members preparing for the ceremony to close the hell mouths, research being Xander's sleeping pill, he began to sink into the chair in Giles's office and slipped into a restless sleep and dreamed of his road trip. He was listening to his CD and tapping his hands to the sounds of EMF's you're unbelievable, when he saw the two-tone convertible pull into his rear view mirror again. He altered the mirror so he could see the drivers face but he still couldn't make her out. He knew she was a girl as he had seen the white dress as she searched for something, so unless a cross dressing seriel killer was stalking him he was reasonably safe.
His mind was set on one thing and one thing only. Cordelia Chase! He had heard she moved to LA just after the destruction of the Mayor and his plans for ascension, he meant to make things right between them. He had loved her in his own Xander way but there was another that laid claim to his soul. He knew now that Buffy would have nothing in the romantic sense to do with him but that still didn't mean he loved her any less. Still man needs woman like a fish needs water and so here he was halfway to the address he had managed to squeeze out of Harmony.
He knew what he had to do and was willing to do it for her. He owed her that and so much more for the pain and suffering he had put her through over Willow. He grinned and imagined the look on Willow and Buffy's faces when he tells them if Cordy want's him back he would move anywhere on the face of the earth for her. Still, in his heart of hearts, he knew there would always only be room for one. " Still, you can't have what will never be yours."
He turned the car into the windy roads that was Highway 1 and opened up his Uncles car." Man this is what it was all about!" The wind whipped through his hair and the fresh salt sea air purified his very soul. He was watching out for the hairpin bend he knew was coming up when his eyes saw the convertible in his rear-view take the corner too fast. His mind was concentrating on her at the wrong time. he saw the bend too late and the echoes of the squeal of brakes sent shivers down his spine.
The bell above the door ringing woke him from his nightmare and he wiped his forehead and felt the sheen of sweat that was running down his face." What kind of a whacked out dream was that?" He saw Buffy slump into a chair and shake as she told the two Council members of what happened.
Xander stretched and walked in on the conversation."...She was just led there, I thought she was asleep but then I saw all the blood and..."
"What blood?" Xander asked." Where's Anya?" Buffy jumped and then saw him standing there. She got up and ran to him, drawing him into a bone crushing hug." Oh God Xander I'm so sorry!" Xander looked at her then closed his eyes and felt his heart cry out." What happened?"
Buffy sat him down then told him." I went to your apartment to check on Anya, I knocked for ages then I opened the door, my spider senses went into overdrive. I knew something was wrong, I just didn't know how wrong. There was a note on the kitchen counter and I smelt cordite." She began to shake." I went into your bedroom and...And found her lying on the bed. At first I thought she was asleep but then I saw the pool of blood on the floor and the revolver lying in the blood." She looked at Xander and she saw his knuckles begin to whiten." The police came and said it was suicide but it seems strange.." She glanced at the two strangers." That she would do something as drastic as that."
Xander stood up and made his way to the door." I have to see her." Hennig stood." You will not leave this place!" Xander glared at her." And just who's going to stop me?" She sits down and shrugs." It's your life but don't say I didn't warn you." Buffy stands." I'll go with you Xand." Xander shakes his head." No I just want to be alone for a while Buffy, please understand."
Buffy nods." But if you're not back in an hour I'll come looking for you." Xander nods and smiles sadly, then leaves the shop. He drags in a breath of fresh air and he feels his throat choked with emotion." Wise move kiddo." Xander jumps and sees Angela there in front of him. He yells." Oh for God's sake will you leave me alone!" he shoved the case at her." I've had enough! Take the frigging book for all I care!"
Angela grins and shakes her head." It's too late for that cowboy! You're in Sunnydale now and the book is where it's supposed to be." She looks back at the shop." Like I was saying, smart move leaving the Slayer behind after all you wouldn't want tot end up like poor old Anyanka would you?"
Xander looks at her as he grips the case handle." What's that crack supposed to mean?"
Angela shrugs." You do the math. Anya has a long talk with the council chicks and then Buffy, who by the way works for the council, goes to see your girlfriend and surprise Anya is dead! I warned you she came back improved but you wouldn't listen and now poor Anya has paid the price." Xander pushes her against the wall with a strength he never knew he had." I've told you before, she's not evil! You're just saying these things to get the book."
Xander storms off and Angela smiles." Oh it's not the book we want!" She is about to leave when she sees the car veer off of the road and head for Xander." XANDER!" She yells out and he turns just in time to dodge the speeding car. The car slides to a halt and out of it a detective jumps, his gun drawn and pointed at Xander." You must die!" He began to fire his weapon but some how manages to miss Xander. The cop steadies his aim then pulls the trigger once more , but Angela is there in front of him and she makes light work of the insane police man.
Xander mumbles." Thanks for the save." Angela shrugs." Like I said before your death is no longer in our interest." Then she takes off as Buffy comes running out of the shop and grabs him." You had better get back inside where its safe."
Xander looked at her and he knew the seeds of doubt had been planted in his mind.
Xander was standing behind the raised dais as he watched the people gather, all of them were members of the watchers council and had answered the call put out by Mrs. Hennig and Rachel. He saw Willow, Tara, Dawn and Buffy standing at the rear of the gathering and Buffy waived to him and smiled while she held Dawn's hand. He looked for Giles but couldn't see him anywhere. He felt sure the old librarian would have been here to see the Hellmouth closed for once and for all time. He heard a noise from the old stacks and backed out to check on it. He rounded one set of shelves and saw a pair of shoes poking out from under a canvas sheet.
He hesitated fearing what his mind thought would be true. He placed a foot under the canvas and flicked it back revealing his mentor, Giles, as dead as Elvis. At least he prayed he was dead! The way so much of the tongue gaped from his mouth and the way his eyes bugged out it appeared someone of great strength had chocked the life out of him. Xander knelt by his side and checked for a pulse and found none. He then closed Giles's eyes and vowed revenge for his friend.
He knew Giles had been murdered and he was pretty sure Anya had been killed for what she knew." I swear on my soul Giles, whoever did this will wish for a death as quick as yours." he looked back at the crowd." No matter who they are!" The sound of clapping startled Xander and he quickly turned to its source, already guessing who it would be." Hello Angela."
"It's a pity you were not quicker Mr. Harris. Your friends may still be alive otherwise." Angela looked down on the ruined library and the group of thirteen people gathered there, then turned to Xander." He was a proud and loyal man, his loyalty blinded him until it was too late." She sighed." He was about to confront them about his suspicions and try to take the book from you before it was too late but?" She shrugged." He confided in the wrong person."
Xander began to move towards Angela , her death in the for front of his mind." And just who would that have been?"
"Why me of course! Now come on they're waiting for you!" Xander turned to the voice and saw." Willow!"
She turned and smiled at him." Yes? Now come on Xander we don't have much time they're about to begin." Xander was shocked, his mind refusing to take in what his ears had heard." But he was our friend!"
Willow frowned." And the point is?" She shook her head." We don't have time for this! I've planned this moment for years. Others have guided us to this moment for centuries, now get out there Harris!"
Xander began to walk out but then he stopped." But you said Buffy had come back..."
"Improved? But she has my dear boy can't you see that? She still fought the evil on your plain, after all there can be only one master, but all will be made clear to you soon enough." She grasped his elbow and forced him towards the dais." This is your big moment kiddo, don't blow it now!"
There was a large voluminous fire blaring away in the centre of the room and the thirteen people had taken their positions in front of the dais and watched Mrs. Hennig with awe." We have come here tonight to read from the great book and command the great Satan himself to stand before us." She glanced at Xander and she smiled." One who was pure was sent to retrieve it and he did after many trials and tribulations, he stands before us with the book of books."
Xander felt the handcuffs release and the case open. He held the case in one hand while the other took it out. He red the words on its cover and began to laugh out loud." All this.. Death and destruction for this?" He held the book up and showed it to Hennig." You, and whoever battled against you, killed and seduced all those people for ' An interview with William Shatner'?"
He threw the book up to Hennig and laughed like a madman." All you freaks dressed up like it was Halloween to hear a reading from a man who single handily has kept the wig industry afloat!"
Hennig leafed through it and cursed out loud." All the planning and the sacrifice were for nothing?"
Angela laughed." Oh I wouldn't say for nothing my dear." She looks at Willow and nods." The master will rise tonight, have no doubt about that." Willow stands by Hennig's side and pushes Rachel from the dais." With this sacrifice we pledge our bond!" Willow's eyes grow black and she places her hand over Hennig's heart. A popping sound is heard and Hennig falls down dead. Willow holds her still beating heart in her hand as pandemonium breaks out." I serve thee my dark master and call upon thee to take thy place in this world tho hast created amongst the reviled one's creations!"
A small red hole appears in the centre of Willow's head and the sound of a gunshot stills the room. Xander pulls the trigger of his Uncles .45 three more times and Willow's lifeless body crashes to the floor. Angela screams his name and drops in front of him." You fool! Do you think by killing his servant you can stop him from being raised?"
Xander takes out the cross the book seller had given him and holds it out in front of him." Back the fuck off bitch or I'll turn this into a four point suppository!!" He backed towards the fire and when he was close enough he took out the real book." Duh! Only the handcuffs were locked not the case, I swiped the book from the airport while no one was looking and put in the case along with the real one." He looks at Angela." Not bad for a dumb human ah Angela Tumble!"
She walks towards him and he holds up the cross." hmm, Angela Tumble. I like words and the different things they mean. Take your name for instance, Angela meaning Angel, and Tumble...Hmm Tumble - to trip or fall..Fall..Fallen Angel." He looks shocked." Hey didn't that happen long ago you know when even dirt was young."
Angela grins evilly." You're not as stupid as you make out Harris." Xander bows to her." But we out number you and I doubt you will kill us all, especially me!"
Buffy runs up to him and he points the gun at her." Xander! It's me, come on we can take the book to a priest he'll know what to do."
Angela looks at him." He knows what has to be done, don't you! For the book to be destroyed a sacrifice has to be made." she looks at Buffy, Tara and Dawn then scratches her chin." Now then which one will you kill to keep the book from me?"
Xander felt the cross become hot and he looked surprised but kept it trained on Angela." What if I choose, I don't know...You!" He tucked the book into Angela's dress and heaved her into the roaring flames then stood back covering the others with the gun." Now which one of you darlings killed Giles?" He pointed the gun at each and every one of them and in turn they stared at their neighbour.
Dawn looked very frightened and she told him." Xander what's happening? You can trust us can't you?" She motioned Tara and Buffy.
Xander felt like a heat wave was washing through his body and he almost dropped the gun." No! I can trust no one! " The cross began to burn like it was white hot. He cried out and dropped it and felt another wave of heat wash over him then the world began to flash in front of him. One minute the ruined library was in front of him and the next the world was turning over and over as the car he was in tumbled down the cliff and crashed into the rocky outcrop before he felt the flames of the explosion burn him from this world.
He staggered back and looked at Rachel as she began to smile." So the sleeper awakens at last! Anyanka was right to offer you as a vessel." She morphs into Angela and then holds out her arms wide and high. The remaining members of the council burst into flames and the shrieks and cries of tortured souls echoes through the night. Buffy, Dawn and Tara move closer to Xander." What the hell is going on here?" Buffy demands.
Angela looks insanely at her." YES! Hell is what is going on here! Hell on earth is now just more than words it is a fact."
She walked towards Xander and Buffy tried to stop her but, with a flick of her hand, Buffy was thrown against a wall." For twenty thousand of your years he has bidden his time waiting for this millennium to arrive. The appointed time when his high and mightiness upstairs had named as the day my, sorry, our master would walk the earth as it's new master."
She knelt at Xander's feet then laid prostrate before him." Dawn cries out." What is she talking about?"
Xander finally moves. he offers his hand to the grovelling Angela and she kisses his ring finger. Xander turns his face to the two as they help Buffy up. Buffy gasps as she sees his eyes glow red and he tells them, his voice booming across the ruins full of power." It means now we see the real New World Order commence!"
The earth shudders and the sky turns eerily red, blood red. The rocks and dirt fly away from the Hellmouth as it begins to open." Come my children, come dance upon our new home!" Then all the creatures from hell's heart spewed up from the very centre of hell itself.
The creatures ran from the Hellmouth and into the night and as the screams of their victims could be heard Xander stalked up to the three and grinned." All the pretty maids in a row." He glanced at each one in turn." Now Angela which one shall we have first?"
The evil laugh echoes through the night as the dawning of a new age of darkness descends upon the world.