Chapter 12 - The Past Betrays

"This is a little quaint, isn't it?" said Jenny as she looped her arm with Giles'. "A date to a cafe? Aren't we a little passed the 'let's get coffee' stage of the relationship?"

"We're not here for the beverages. Besides, that swill will never replace a good cuppa."

"Mmm, I love it when you get stuffy, English," purred Jenny. She tilted her head. "Or is it when I get stuffed?" she asked innocently. Giles tried to stifle his blush.

He was not successful. "Hush you. I'll have you know that this cafe has an open mike night. Some of the regulars are quite talented."

"Taking in some of the local culture in an intimate setting," said Jenny with a grin as they sat at a table in one of the darkened corners of the cafe. "This is quite spiffing."

"Oh, do contain yourself," retorted Giles dryly.

*BTVS*

"Xander!" cried a furiously blushing Buffy, "get out from between my legs!"

"Do I have to? It feels really nice," said Xander as he fought down is blush. Buffy stared up at him, her hands trailing up his arms-

She shook her head and shoved him, "Xander!"

"Okay, okay," grumbled Xander as he climbed to his feet. He reached down and helped Buffy up.

"You covered me in vampire dust, again!" complained Buffy as she tried to wipe her shirt.

"Well that guy had you pinned. What did you expect me to do?"

You couldn't have waited until I kicked him off of me?"

"I didn't know! Hence the twisting to avoid getting kicked, hence the falling, hence the wonderful landing betwixt milady's thighs," he said with a smirk. Buffy blushed and glanced away, idly wiping at her cheek as she did so. "Here," said Xander as he pulled some wet knaps from one of the pockets of the combat vest he was wearing under his jacket.

Gently taking her chin between his thumb and index finger, Xander turned her face until she was looking at him. He softly wiped her cheeks, getting rid of the worst of the dust on her face. He discarded the wet knap for a new one and wiped down her neck. As his hand reached around to clean the back of her neck he gently pulled her closer and leaned down. Buffy tilted her face up and closed her eyes.

*BTVS*

"I need to pop into the loo for a bit. Be right back," said Giles as he left the table. Jenny smiled at him before turning her attention back to the poet on stage. This had actually been a lot of fun. Some of the acts had been atrocious, like the one guy who had tried to adlib a poem through word association. Or the one singer who thought she was Whitney Houston. Jenny strongly suspected the only thing the two had in common was a drug addiction. She clapped along with the audience as the poet on stage took a bow. He had been one of the better acts, after all.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, one of our star regulars is here tonight," said the owner of the cafe, who was also acting as MC. "Accompanying him will be the house band on bass and drums. The man who needs no introduction, but he'll get one anyway, Johnny English himself, Rupert Giles!"

Nearly jerking out of her seat, Jenny felt her jaw drop as Giles practically strutted on stage, still wearing his tweed jacket, and swung a weathered guitar out from behind him. There was a brief pop as Giles deftly connected the instrument cable into his white Stratocaster as he stepped up to the mike.

"You'll have to forgive me," he said as he fiddled with the controls on his guitar for a bit. He strummed once and grinned. "I seem to have left my kilt at home, but I'm sure I'll be able to muddle through." He then started playing with gusto, the house band joining him a moment later.

Jenny could only stare in shock before she finally remembered Giles mentioning rock and roll a few nights ago. She had assumed he meant going to concerts, not playing them!

"She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean, she was the best damn woman that I've ever seen!" sang Giles as he locked eyes with Jenny.

*BTVS*

A snapping branch made Buffy and Xander whirl around. Xander's hands crossed in front of him and around to his sides. When he pulled his hands out Xander had a stake in each hand. Buffy had stepped back and rolled, picking up her short sword as she did so. From out of the shadows stepped out Angel.

"Hey," he greeted Buffy, purposefully ignoring Xander. Scoffing, Xander replaced his stakes into the holsters built into the sides of his vest as he turned to retrieve his hammer.

H-hi," replied Buffy nervously as she tried to read Angel out of the corner of her eye. Had he seen what was happening? For that matter, Buffy wondered what was about to happen? But maybe now wasn't the time. "Is something happening?"

"Just wanted to see you," replied Angel smoothly. Involuntarily he glanced at the boy and caught sight of Xander's glare. Angel continued to ignore him as much as he could as he stepped up to Buffy. He leaned down to kiss her. He frowned when she turned at the last moment and he ended up kissing her cheek instead.

"As you can see, we're busy here patrolling so you can leave now." Xander made a contemptuous shooing motion with his free hand. Angel glared at him.

"I'll join you for the rest of the patrol," he said with a smile at Buffy.

"Finally going to do something useful for a change?" mocked Xander as he sneered at Angel.

"I wasn't the one that had to be carried on Halloween."

"Yes, as I recall I nearly killed myself saving Buffy while you did squat. Now why does that sound familiar?"

"I've been doing this a lot longer than you have boy."

"And yet you're not as good at it as I am."

"You think too much of yourself, especially when the Master nearly killed you."

"At least I landed a hit, leech."

"And it didn't do the slightest bit of good. Imagine that."

"I tried, which is more than I can say for you. Or did you block out what happened that night out of shame?"

"You were the one that came crawling to me!"

"I shouldn't have been able to find you at all, you worthless coward!"

"Shut up! Both of you! God! You two do this every time!"

"He started it!" They both yelled at the same time. Angel turned to glare at Xander. He saw Xander drop his hammer and sprint toward him. Angel braced himself but Xander ran passed him and tackled Buffy. As he tracked Xander's movements he saw what had provoked Xander's reaction. He dove to the side as a large bird made of flame flew through where they had been standing.

Buffy was set to rip Xander a new one as he hauled her to her feet. She tore the arm he was holding from his grasp and took a breath to start yelling at him when he pushed her away. She saw him dive to the ground just as a giant flaming bird flew over him, grasping at the air above him with its fiery claws.

"Okay," drawled Buffy, "there's something you don't see every day."

*BTVS*

"Now that's something you don't see every day," remarked the announcer with a chuckle as Jenny and Giles made a hasty exit after his set. They ran for his car, Giles fumbling with his keys as he tried to open the boot.

It didn't help that Jenny kept reaching around him and grabbing - "Good lord woman!"

"Stop playing with the keys and get me to a bed English," growled Jenny, "or I'll rape you right here."

"Can't rape the willing, love." Finally, there was the button on the blasted clicker! The boot popped open just as he felt Jenny fumbling for his belt buckle. "Get in the car woman!" She nipped at his earlobe before practically diving into the car. Stowing his guitar, Giles settled into the driver's seat.

It was as he was buckling his seat-belt that he realized Jenny's state of dress. "Jenny! Put your knickers back on!"

"No. Drive. Quickly." Giles stared open-mouthed at her for a moment before starting the car and quickly driving out of the parking lot, narrowly missing a pedestrian as he made for home at best speed.

"Je-Jenny!" cried Giles as the car swerved dangerously.

"Don't crash," she told him seriously.

"Easy for you to say, you don't have to drive while- oh my god!" muttered Giles as his eyes bugged out. He nearly clipped a parked car as he made a right turn. Jenny mumbled something completely unintelligible. "Didn't your mother teach you not to talk with your mouth full?" asked Giles with a smirk. There was a popping sound that nearly made Giles' eyes cross.

"Didn't your daddy teach you to keep the car steady?"

"My Father would never have approved of this."

"And my Mother would never have approved of this. Aren't you glad I'm a naughty girl?"

"You have no idea."

*BTVS*

"You have no idea," said Xander sarcastically. "Well ain't that a big surprise!"

"Like you have something better, boy."

"As a matter of fact," said Xander as he pulled a canister slung on the side of his vest.

"A grenade!?" asked Buffy incredulously.

"Of course not! How the hell would that help?" Xander spun and pitched the canister into the maw of the fire bird chasing them. There was a large bang and the large bird of prey crashed to the ground. The three warriors stopped and turned. The bird's flames were quickly dying out, leaving behind black bones covered in frost. Xander wasted little time in stomping the bones into dust.

"What did you hit it with?" asked Buffy, slightly awed that whatever it was had worked.

"Liquid Nitrogen." Buffy blinked as she tried to remember what that was. She only came up with really cold stuff.

"Why would you be carrying something like that?" asked Angel suspiciously.

"Oh, I don't know, it's not like we keep getting attacked by fire demons," came Xander's sarcastic reply. At Buffy's frown he bit back his irritation with the vampire. "There's no conventional method to fighting living flames except to put the flames out. I had Giles buy some liquid nitrogen in easy to carry canisters. Looks like it worked perfectly." Xander double checked the rest of his gear while there wasn't any enemies around.

Well, there was Angel, but apparently he didn't count.

"At least whenever we run into one of those things we don't run into another," said Buffy, relief tinting her voice. She glanced between the two men with her. They had stepped away from each other and where deliberately turned so they wouldn't have to face each other while still keeping her in their line of sight. She grimaced internally. They'd left her in the middle.

"We're almost done for the night anyway. Only two more cemeteries to go." Xander found his hammer and began making his way toward it. "Coming Buff?" he called over his shoulder.

"If there's two more stops, then he can take one, we'll take the other," Angel suggested to Buffy.

"The idea of patrolling together is to not leave anyone without backup," said Xander, frowning at Angel. His frown turned into a glare when Angel smirked at him.

"Can't handle yourself, Harris? It's okay to bow out, we won't think less of you."

Xander turned and spat to the side. "It's called strategy and tactics. It keeps us alive and breathing." Xander theatrically snapped his fingers. "Oh, that's right, neither of those are a concern for you. I keep forgetting because you don't have your real face on." Xander mimed eyebrow ridges with his hands while affecting an overbite.

Angel didn't realize he had slipped into his vampire face. "At least I'm not afraid to go out at night. Want me to hold your hand?"

"You must be real thankful you have no reflection and don't have to look yourself in the face."

"Least I have a face worth looking at."

"I have it where it counts, you know: Breath, a pulse, a distinct lack of necrosis."

"And once you finish puberty you'll finally be a man."

"Better man than you." Angel scoffed. Xander scowled before he adopted a smirk. "The prophecy."

Angel growled. "You caught me by surprise."

"I shouldn't have caught you at all," snapped Xander.

"That's it! I've had it!" complained Buffy. "Well, you can both go home. I'm finishing patrol."

"Buffy!" Angel and Xander turned and glared at each other after their simultaneous exclamation. Angel broke the glare first and made to follow Buffy. Xander grimaced and followed behind them. Buffy studiously ignored them both as they finished up patrol.

*BTVS*

"I still don't understand why your family stationed you here. Not that I wish it were otherwise, of course!"

"Relax, English, I like being here too."

"But to station you here as a, a, a guard over his suffering…"

"I know. It was easy, at first. To watch. He was just a thing. But after getting to know him it became harder. He's not the monster that was cursed. He's even helped save the world. Not like me."

"You, you, you've helped us greatly!"

"Not like he has. Or as often. I spent most of my time observing. How do you deal with it?"

"Like you said. It was easy to remain detached. At first. But after getting to know Buffy, it became almost impossible to, to, to remain objective. To see her as only the Slayer and, and, and not as someone I care about. I read the writings of the other Watchers and cannot fathom how they remained so objective. Then I examine my own writings to the council and realize that they may have had the same feelings, and chosen to hide them, as I have."

"We make quite a pair, don't we? Both of us beholden to far-flung organizations, stationed far from our homes, watching two people in exceptional circumstances. Fending off the end of the world on a regular basis."

"It's enough to make anyone flee in terror. Still, I wouldn't trade places with anyone."

A door slamming made both Giles and Jenny jump. Giles was seated in a plush armchair while Jenny was seated on his bed.

"Sorry!" came the yell of Xander from the lower floor.

"Looks like your boy's home," teased Jenny. She began giggling. "You're blushing!"

"I have no idea what you're nattering on about," said Giles with a show of dignity, boldly ignoring the brilliant blush on his cheeks.

"Aw, you really do care," said grinning Jenny. Giles scoffed and rolled his eyes in a distinctly Xander-like fashion. Jenny made her way over to him, settling down into his lap. Jenny settled an arm around his shoulders and played with the hairs on the nape of his neck. Giles studiously ignored her lithe form even as he was betrayed by his glances and shifting body."I think it's sweet."

"Do you now?" asked Giles in a great show of disinterest.

"I like sweet," she said throatily as she spread her free hand on his chest. She lightly raked him with her nails. Giles quickly set his nightcap aside as Jenny leaned in, her hot breath and intoxicating scent washing over him. He leaned up even as she leaned down, their lips parting in anticipation of-

"I don't see a tie on the door so you two better have your clothes on!" came Xander's voice from just outside Giles' bedroom.

"Confound it, Xander!" spat Giles under his breath as they jerked away from each other.

"We're dressed," called out Jenny before giving Giles a wicked grin. "For now."

There was a huffing sound that reminded Jenny of a Lion tossing its mane in annoyance. "Before you get too distracted we have the after-patrol report to do."

"We can do it tomorrow," said Giles hurriedly.

"Oh no," exclaimed Xander, "we're doing this now! Or did mister 'procrastination is the enemy of accuracy' forget about last Saturday!"

"It's not my fault you let Willow and Buffy lead you about the mall by the hand in order to buy pants!"

"And it's not my fault you have Miss Calender's hand down yours!" Jenny gaped then began giggling.

"I say!"

"That's what I've been trying to tell you, you senile old coot!" Jenny broke out into gales of laughter.

"It's not funny!" Giles and Xander cried at the same time. Jenny stumbled off of Giles' lap and landed on the bed, clutching her stomach.

*BTVS*

"And then they both cried 'it's not funny' at the same time," a chuckling Jenny told Buffy and Willow. They were both scandalized at Xander's words to Giles. The giggling won out, however.

"Xander," scolded a giggling Buffy, "how could you?"

"I don't know what you're nattering on about," huffed Xander. Jenny grinned.

"Soon you'll be wearing tweed and polishing your own set of glasses," said Buffy. Giles shelved a book in particularly violent manner.

"I think it's sweet," said Willow. Xander growled.

"Oh, don't be such a pussy," chided Jenny. Giles dropped his book while the three teens gaped at her. Jenny rolled her eyes. "I meant pussycat, you bunch of perverts."

"I am not a cat," muttered Xander mulishly. Buffy's eyes gleamed.

"But you're such a pwetty wittle kwitty." Xander had seated himself with his back to the research table, the two girls perched on the tabletop on either side of him. Thus he didn't have any room to maneuver when Buffy reached out and scratched behind his ear.

"N- stop i~t…" whined Xander before he started purring loudly.

"Oh my god you're purring just like a cute little kitty I didn't know you could do that it's so cute!" squealed Willow breathlessly before she joined in on the other side, making Xander purr even louder.

Jenny grinned before frowning thoughtfully as she observed the trio. "Hmm, I wonder if catnip will get him high."

Giles dropped the books he had been trying to shelve. "You are not giving him psychotropics!"

"If he's affected it could be a severe weakness," Jenny told him seriously. "We should find out for sure. Besides," she added impishly, "wouldn't that make you a hypocrite?"

Giles glanced at the three teens. Fortunately they seemed to be too engrossed in their petting of Xander to catch Jenny's insinuation. "I have to set a good example. Xander is my ward, after all."

"But I'm Batman," mumbled Xander absently as he tilted his head so the girls would spread their loving around. Jenny smirked at Giles confused frown.

"Ugh! I know no one else comes in here but should you freaks be doing that in public?"

"Hello to you too, Cordelia," said Buffy sarcastically. Willow narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her.

"Now how do we make you leave?" growled Xander, annoyed that the thoroughly enjoyable petting session had ended.

"I didn't have to come here to tell you that Chevy is looking for Buffy, you know?" scoffed Cordelia.

Buffy blinked. "A car is looking for me?"

"Is it a talking car, like KITT?" asked Willow cheerfully.

"Or a possessed car, like that Steven King book?" Xander asked Jenny.

"A poltergeist could do it. Or some form of bound spirit."

"Um, w-w-where did you encounter the vehicle in question?" asked Giles.

"What are you talking about? Pontiac is a guy," said Cordelia as if it should be obvious.

"The car is a guy?" asked Buffy.

"I though you said it was a Chevy?" asked Xander.

"Look his name is Kia or Saturn or some other lame car company. Everyone knows all the good cars are German or Italian anyway."

"The British make a fine automobile," protested Giles.

"Oh really-"

"Rolls Royce," interjected Jenny.

"Fine!That's one-"

"Jaguar," said Giles.

"Okay, that-"

"Aston-Martin!" chirped Willow.

"Fine! Whatever! Buffy, Dodge is looking for you! Now I can get out of here before you infect me with your social ostracism!" Cordelia stormed out of the library.

"She knows what ostracism is?" muttered Giles under his breath.

"Cordelia Chase everyone," said Xander. "She's one of a kind. For which we are eternally grateful."

"You know someone is looking for me," mused Buffy.

"Are we not going with the talking car anymore?" asked a disappointed Willow, Buffy threw her a smile.

"It's daytime so at least it isn't a Deadite," added Xander.

"I think if someone's looking for you they'll be here soon enough," said Jenny. "Even the teachers know you guys hang out here."

"I can see how that would become problematic," said Xander with a frown.

"Honestly, the girl can use a commendable vocabulary for her sarcastic wit but she denigrates British vehicles?"

"I think the crown will be quite pleased with your loyal defense, Rupert," drawled Jenny.

"Can we get back to the person looking for me?" asked Buffy firmly.

"Or the car," added Willow hopefully. Buffy stifled a grin and frowned at her. Willow smiled sheepishly. "I'm still holding out for KITT."

"You know, I've been thinking-" began Xander.

"Did it hurt?" interjected Buffy impishly.

"Why do you ask? Afraid to try it yourself?" rejoined Xander. Buffy frowned. Xander grinned. She pouted at him. She turned a betrayed look on Jenny when she giggled.

"Sorry, but you have to admit it was a pretty good bon mot." Buffy huffed and muttered something disparaging in French.

Xander blinked at Buffy before turning to Giles. "We definitely need some kind of security system," he said. "Or at least locking doors."

"I'll mention it at the next budget meeting," said Giles dryly.

"We could just do it ourselves," countered Xander.

"The School Board frowns on unauthorized construction projects."

"Drat," Xander shot Giles a sour look. "I got Buffy riled up for nothing. Now how am I supposed to get her to stop being mad at me?"

"You could try Oreos dunked in apple juice," said a tall, dark haired teen with an earring in his left ear as he strode into the library.

"Ford!" exclaimed Buffy as she jumped off the table and ran to give the teen a hug.

"Oh, Ford!" Willow frowned. "That was harder to remember than Pontiac?"

Xander ignored her as he eyed the stranger. It was obvious Buffy knew him. The only question was what is he to her? He took a deep breath. He could smell the must from the older books, the tea-ink-tweed scent that was Giles, the spicy mature flavor of Jenny, the fruit medley of Willow, and the bubblegum and sunshine he knew as Buffy. Beyond that was an off-putting scent he couldn't place that he assumed was Ford. He grit his teeth. He could smell his attraction to his mate. Not only did this stranger intrude on his territory he was sniffing around his Pride!

"I can't believe I found the girl who told Mrs. Krupp she was too pretty to read in the library!"

"Shut! Up!" said Buffy. She spun to her friends. "Don't believe a word he says." She spun back to Ford. "What are you doing here?"

"Matriculating. My Dad just moved to Sunnydale."

"That's great!"

"Um, are you going to introduce us?" asked Willow shyly.

Xander blinked. He realized he was gritting his teeth hard enough to hurt. He needed to tamp down his instincts. The guy was an old friend of Buffy's. That's all. For now.

Best to observe first before judging.

"Oh," exclaimed Buffy. "Ford, this is Willow-" "Hi!" "-and Xander." "Hey." "Guys, this is Billy Fordham. We went to school together. He was my big fifth grade crush," she added.

"Yeah, but I was a manly sixth grader and wouldn't give her the time of day," said Ford. A decision Xander was sure that he regretted.

"I spent that summer moping over you and listening to that Divynils song 'I touch myself' all the time." Xander reared back and shot Buffy an incredulous look. "Of course, I had no idea what it was about!" she denied vehemently. Xander shot her a skeptical look. Willow looked down and mouthed 'I touch myself' questioningly to herself.

Buffy blushed and turned back to Ford. "Bronze! Tonight! It's a club. It's the only club. You should come. With us. Tonight."

"Sounds cool." Ford's eyes shot over to where both Xander and Willow were frowning, although only one was directed at him. "Unless I would be imposing?"

Buffy turned and frowned at Xander. "No, you wouldn't be imposing. Would he?"

Xander bit back a grimace. Buffy was already mad at him about his antagonism toward Angel. Plus, his Lion instincts were probably exacerbating the situation. He shook his head and tried to smile.

"See! It'll be fun," said Buffy. "You'll love it!"

*BTVS*

He both loved and hated this place. The thrum of the bass spreading throughout his body, the interplay of light and shadows, the feel of the massed pack of humanity, the heady mixture of rampant teenage hormones in the air. He loved how he felt in here and hated how much he craved the sensations. He took a deep breath. Like brilliant lights in the gloom the scent of his Pride stood out sharply to him. They were off to the side, around a table. He looked around. Ford was nowhere to be seen. However, there was another he wasn't expecting.

"Jock. Jock. Nerd. Lame-o. Ugh, where are all the good men?"

"Hello, Cordelia."

"Dufus," she replied reflexively. "What do you want?"

Xander paused, her barb completely ignored. He was in his instincts now. And she was a beautiful woman. He looked her over. From her petite feet in her high heeled shoes to her long, long toned legs. The small dress she wore outlined her perfect hourglass figure. The halter top showcased her lovely breasts. He finally looked up into her face, one perfect eyebrow raised at him.

"What are you looking at?"

"Your beautiful legs and lovely figure."

Cordelia was thrown by his sincere compliment. "Um, thanks," she muttered.

"Would you like to dance?"

Cordelia stared at his outstretched hand. She followed it up his sleek yet muscular arm to his broad shoulders. He was wearing his leather jacket and one of the dark polo shirts she'd helped pick out. It fit him snugly, stretched tight over his chest. He had it tucked into a pair of tight black slacks. With his shaggy hair he was looking distinctly yummy. Still, she hesitated. What would it do to her reputation to be seen dancing with Harris? She glanced at her entourage and smirked. Harmony and Aura where practically drooling over Xander. Of course, with her fashion expertise how could they not?

"Sure." She seemed surprised to find herself agreeing. Xander led her into the thick of the dance floor and pulled her close to him. Caught off guard, she found herself grasping his shoulders as she was pressed against him. They swayed to the beat. Up close, she could feel the heat of his hard body seeping into her. She pressed her crushed breast even tighter into him, molding herself to him. The hand holding his shoulder began exploring the thick musculature of the joint. She felt the heat of his hand on the small of her back and wished her dress was backless so she could feel his skin directly.

"Don't get drool on my shirt." And then Xander ruined the moment by opening his mouth.

"You wish I was drooling over you!"

Xander chuckled. She felt the rumble through their connected chests and bit her lip. "At least your body admits I look good."

"Hmph! Of course, it's all due to my impeccable fashion sense."

"And Mrs. Summers," added Xander.

"And Mrs. Summers," admitted Cordelia grudgingly.

"And Buffy."

"As if!" Xander laughed. Even at her friendliest Cordelia was still as prickly as ever.

The beat changed into an up-tempo song. Xander stepped back and threw a challenging smirk at Cordelia. She narrowed her eyes at him before throwing her arms up and swaying to the beat. Xander began an undulating stalk around her, one hand trailing along her midsection making everything below it clench deliciously.

The crowd parted around them, instinctively recognizing the alpha in their midst. Even if most of them told themselves it was really for Cordelia.

Xander completed a circuit and a half, placing himself behind Cordelia, who was looking over her shoulder at him. Xander's hooded gaze locked with Cordelia's smoky one as he pressed himself into her back and began a sideways shimmy that lead with his hips. Cordelia's lips parted involuntarily.

Buffy and Willow were staring at the scene with their jaws wide open. Buffy frowned and crushed the half-empty soda can in her hand, a snarl playing over her lips. What the hell was Xander playing at!? Willow's jaws closed with a click and she scowled furiously. Xander had never danced like that with her even though he'd gotten better lately and been more affectionate and physical with both her and Buffy he'd never scorched the dance floor like that when they were dancing together even though she'd be completely open to it instead he's dirty dancing out in public with Cordelia of all people the skank who's made their lives miserable since they were children and now the treasurer of the We Hate Cordelia club was practically having sex with her in the middle of the Bronze and that slut was probably only doing it because she finally noticed that Xander had gotten all studly and yummy lately-

Xander grabbed Cordelia hips and spun her in his grasp, his fingers digging into her sides, the energy nearly palpable between them. His eyes locked with hers again as their hot breath splashed against each other's face. They leaned in towards each other when Xander was suddenly jerked through the crowd. Xander raised his hands to defend himself. He realized his attacker was really Buffy pulling him towards Willow. Then he got a look at their stormy faces and thought that his first instinct might've been the right one.

"Uh, what's going on?" he asked tentatively.

"What do you think you're doing?" snapped Buffy. Xander turned to Willow but she had adopted the same cross-armed hip-cocked stance as the Slayer.

"Dancing?" he hazarded. The girls knew better than to try and make him guess what he had done wrong. Usually they knew to be more direct. It had been awhile since he had been called on the carpet so maybe they forgot protocol?

"Is that what you call it?" snapped Buffy.

"Mating is more like it," spat Willow.

"Do you want an STD?"

"Or the school's sloppy seconds?"

"Ah bwah?" In Xander's defense, this was a perfectly reasonable reaction to being clawed by your mousy best friend in public.

"What's your problem Summers!?"

"Our problem is you skank!"

"Who are you calling a skank, slut!"

"If the soiled panties fit!" Xander grimaced. He did not need to get caught in the middle of a Buffy-Cordelia catfight.

"At least I don't have to pad my bra!"

Buffy's eyes flashed with anger. "What's the matter, they ran out of studs at the stables?"

"At least I go for the living!"

Buffy paled. Fortunately, or unfortunately from Xander's perspective, Willow was there to pick up the gauntlet. "At least she doesn't go for every living thing with a penis!"

"I don't have to take that from a virgin geek!"

"Better than having had the entire football team. At the same time!"

"At least I don't have cobwebs in my cooch!"

"I'll pass on the gonorrhea!" The crowd, which was now watching raptly, gasped

"But not on these curves," said Cordelia as she ran her hands down her sides. "Seventeen years you've known him and you still haven't gotten to first base. Still waiting for puberty to hit?"

"At least I know they'll care about me instead of being used as a cum dump!" Buffy did a double-take.

"Go Willow," she muttered.

"Oh, it must burn that you can't keep your man. What's the matter Rosengberg? Afraid to let him see you naked? Or afraid he'll run if you do?"

And that's when the hair pulling started. Xander was so shocked from watching Willow vent her spleen in public that he was caught completely flat footed.

"This is all your fault!" Buffy screamed at him

That snapped Xander out of his shock. "My fault! Where do you get off?" he whispered harshly. "At least she didn't use me for a stripper pole." Buffy blanched. The sound of ripping made him turn back to the fight.

"Enough!" he roared, stilling all action in the club. He reached down and hauled Willow off Cordelia. Willow had a mouse under her left eye and the collar of her t-shirt was torn. He helped Cordelia up to her feet and stood between her and Willow. Cordelia had three wicked scratches on her cheek and her dress was torn almost to her navel. He took off his jacket and draped it over her. He whirled on Willow and Buffy and grabbed them by the arms. "Outside. Now." He dragged them through the crowd. A foul scent made him sneeze.

"What happened?" asked Ford as he met them at the edge of the crowd. "I was in the bathroom. I heard there was a fight!"

"Hold down the table," Xander ordered. "We'll be right back." He dragged his two best friends outside the Bronze and into a nearby alley. He marched up to a couple in an intimate embrace. Without breaking stride he pulled the guy away, slammed him into the ground and stomped on his head. "Go home," he growled at the stunned girl as the body below burst into dust. She ran off without a word as Buffy and Willow rounded the corner. "Alright! You two want to explain what the hell that was about!?"

Willow had a mulish expression on her face and kept her lips firmly shut. Buffy looked ashamed and wouldn't meet his eyes. Xander gnashed his teeth together. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Once his anger calmed down he looked at his two friends again. Neither seemed to be inclined to start explaining. This had really gone on long enough.

"Willow, I'm not blind or stupid. I know you like me." Both girls turned startled looks on him. "You're a beautiful girl Willow, inside and out. If I had any sense at all I would've already asked you to marry me. But the heart wants what the heart wants. I, I love you Willow. But I'm not in love with you." Her heartbroken look almost made him falter but he pushed on. "And you, you deserve so much better than someone who'll string you along for so long without letting you know the truth."

"But, Xander-"

"It's time, Willow. It's time for you to stop hiding behind me and became the confident, vibrant woman I know you can be. You'll find someone who loves you passionately. It's just not going to be me."

She looked down for a long moment, her arms wrapped around herself. Finally she relaxed and looked up at him. He saw the acceptance in her eyes. "Can, can I ask you for a favor?"

"Anything Wills. That's what best friends are for."

"Will you kiss me?"

"Uh, Willow-"

"It's just that I want to make sure my first kiss is with someone I love. Please?"

Xander knew it was a bad idea. But after breaking his best friend's heart he didn't have the will to deny her anything. He sighed and nodded. She smiled shakily at him. He clasped her shoulders gently. Her hands automatically settled on his chest. He pulled her close and leaned down. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. His senses were filled with the pure essence of Willow. It was a soft, chaste kiss. For a wild moment Xander fervently wished he was in love with his best friend. That he could give her everything she wanted. But he knew it was never meant to be. If they did, they'd both be settling, taking the easy way out. He pulled away from Willow and ignored her plaintive whimper.

Willow swayed in place for a moment longer, her eyes still closed. She blinked them open and gave him a brilliant grin. She turned to Buffy and gave her a firm nod then practically skipped back to the Bronze. "I'll see you two inside!" she called cheerfully before turning the corner. Both Xander and Buffy stared after her.

"She is just too damn happy," muttered Buffy.

"You're telling me." An awkward silence descended on them. Xander looked expectantly at Buffy. She glanced at him and then avoided his gaze. With each moment that passed his heart became heavier and heavier. This wasn't fair. Why did he have to be the one to bear his heart all the time and risk getting it ripped apart? At least girls had the option of being reactive. He couldn't wait passively without it diminishing his masculinity. Then he thought of Willow, always waiting for the one she wanted to notice her and realized it wasn't fair to either side of the equation. But he'd really had enough.

"Nothing to say Buffy?" he asked softly. She curled in on herself. Xander sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I was just dancing with a friend, just having a good time. And even if I wasn't, you don't have any right to throw a jealous fit. You made that clear back in spring. You're not interested."

"That's not true," whispered Buffy so softly that Xander was sure he wasn't meant to have heard it.

"What?"

Buffy grimaced and looked away. "It's, it's just that, I remember everything, everything the Captain and Lady Elizabeth did. Everything that she felt. And I don't know if what I feel is from her or something that was already there. I was already sharing headspace with the Slayer. Now I have a third personality to deal with."

"Tell me about it," commiserated Xander. Buffy turned a startled look at him.

"I keep forgetting about that," she murmured. "How did you suppress it?"

"It?"

"The primal."

"I didn't." Buffy cocked her head at Xander. "I integrated. Made it part of who I am." Buffy grimaced. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. "Look, the Slayer spirit, it changed you. But did it replace what you were? Or did it make you something more?"

Buffy stared at him for a long moment. "Something more," she whispered softly. Xander reached out and took her hands in his.

"You know yourself, Buffy. You just have to look deep inside, at the core of who you are. What do you see there?" he whispered softly as he stared into her eyes.

"I see," Buffy's eyes glazed over as she stared inwardly, "Angel!" Xander slumped in defeat.

"Buffy."

Xander whirled around. Angel was standing behind him! How did- damn it! He'd been so distracted he left himself downwind of a darkened alley infamous for vamp attacks. And now this corpse had snuck up on him.

"What are you doing here?" growled Xander.

"Patrolling," answered Angel dismissively.

"Well you missed one." Angel slid his shoe over the ground hearing the telltale scrape of dust on concrete. "And we already have this covered."

"Maybe I'll stick around. Keep an eye out. Take in a dance."

"You kind of stick out. Like a hemorrhoid."

"At least people want me around."

"Only in the 'I'm hot and could use an ice pack' kind of way, Room Temperature."

"And yet they still find me hotter than you."

"Until they get up close, Blood-breath."

"Jealous they aren't running away?"

"Bite me, corpse. It's what you're good at."

"I'm good at a lot more than that boy."

"Stop it," said Buffy weakly as she tried to shove herself between the two snarling males. They were almost nose to nose now. Maybe it would be better if they just finally had it out?

"Buffy, the band's almost done!" called Ford as he turned the corner. The three stepped back from each other. "Um, am I interrupting?" he asked as he stepped closer. A sheepish Willow followed him a moment later.

"Yes! I mean no, no you aren't interrupting," said Buffy quickly as she latched onto Ford. "Ford, this is my, um, friend, Angel. Angel this is my friend Ford."

"Hey," said Ford casually as he extended his hand, "nice to meet you."

"Likewise," said Angel politely as he shook Ford's hand.

"Wow, cold hands." Xander turned a sneering smirk on Angel, who frowned slightly. "So are you going to catch the last set?" Ford asked Buffy.

"Sure! C'mon, let's go back inside. Coming?" she asked Xander and Angel pointedly.

"Of course," said Angel smoothly as he followed her and Ford around the corner. Xander stared a hole in him until he was out of sight. He slumped and looked over at his best friend. Willow tilted her head questioningly at Xander. He shrugged and shook his head, glancing at the corner. Willow turned to spy Angel entering the Bronze. She turned a sad smile on Xander. He shrugged again before pointing a thumb to the side. Willow bit her lip and wrung her hands. Xander waited until she finally nodded. He gave her a smile and a wave that she returned. She went to the Bronze. He went home.

*BTVS*

"You invited him into your home!?" snarled Xander.

"Yes," said a startled Willow. "What was I supposed to do? Leave him outside?"

"Yes," said Xander firmly.

"That would have been rude," countered Willow. "In any case, I found out Ford isn't even registered at school."

Xander was all set to continue railing against Angel being allowed access to Willow's home when he stopped. "Didn't he say he was matriculating yesterday?"

"Yes! So I thought it was weird, you know, because he should've been in the records and all."

"If he's not in school then what is he doing here?" mused Xander.

"I found an address to something called 'The Sunset Club', in the warehouse district."

"And that's not ominous at all."

"Angel's going to meet us there after sunset. Because that's when the club opens. Which kind of makes sense, that being the club's name and all. But what if they expand their hours? Will they be called the 'a little before sunset club'?"

"You think too much," deadpanned Xander. Willow turned a hurt look on him until she caught his teasing smile. He placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "Don't change. Now, let's go see what ol' Billy's been up to."

*BTVS*

"Okay, uh, does anyone else think it's bad that Buffy's friend is running a club for vampire fans?" asked Willow as she looked around the redecorated bunker.

"When he knows what vampires are really like?" growled Xander.

"And he knows she's the Slayer," added Angel.

Xander repressed another urge to snarl. These people were sick and wrong and demented and wrong and insane and wrong! They worshiped vampires! They wanted to be vampires! He couldn't believe how many people were here! Vampire groupies! What the hell was wrong with these people!?

"We should find out how they know Ford," suggested Willow.

A pretty blonde in a velvet dress smiled at Xander. He snarled and she turned away, startled. A pretty brunette winked flirtatiously at Angel. He sent a scowl in her direction. She blew him a kiss. Angel turned a sour look at Xander's snort and smirk.

"Um, is this a thing?" Willow asked Angel. "The vampire wannabes?"

"More than I'd like. Anne Rice has a lot to answer for." Angel shook his head. "These people have no idea what vampires are like, how they act, how they dress…" A teen wearing Angel's exact outfit brushed passed them. Xander turned a toothy grin on a scowling Angel.

"Now all he has to do is go home and pout. Oh! I'm sorry. I meant brood."

"At least I have a style that makes people want to imitate it instead of gouge their eyes out."

Xander raised a brow and looked down pointedly at his leather jacket, black slacks, and white t-shirt under his black combat vest. "Because monochrome is so hard on the eyes," drawled Xander.

Angel looked down at his own ensemble whose colors matched Xander's. "Copy-cat."

"Like you invented it? Please, even you're not that ancient. Or that fashionable."

"At least I don't need to pay someone to give me a fashion sense."

"That netted me an afternoon with four beautiful women ogling my body and fawning over me. I win."

Angel scoffed and pointedly looked away from Xander.

"Are you two done?" admonished Willow, her arms crossed and her foot tapping away.

"Sorry," mumbled Angel. Xander turned an innocent grin at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Come on, we need to get back and tell Buffy what's going on."

"Uh, don't we need to find out first?" asked Xander.

"Ford's going to be here tomorrow night for a special meeting."

"How do you know that?" asked Angel.

"I talked to Chanterelle," Willow pointed out the blonde in the velvet dress.

"When was this?" asked Xander.

"While you two were making fun of each other. You know, instead of looking out for Buffy, like you're supposed to be."

"Oh." Said Xander and Angel at the same time. They glanced at each other out of the corner of their eyes and looked away.

*BTVS*

"Bloody buggering bastards," muttered Giles as he went through his card catalog. Xander shot him a look as he and Willow walked into the Library to meet with Buffy.

"Hey, Buffy…" Xander trailed off, unsure how to break the bad news. He shot Willow a pleading look.

"Um, uh, um, uh," stammered Willow.

Buffy turned a sour look on them both. "Angel told me."

"About Ford?" asked Xander.

"Yeah," drawled Buffy resignedly.

"Vile degenerates," muttered Giles as he slammed the drawer on the card catalog.

"I'm sorry Buffy," said Willow as she sat next to the sprawled Buffy on the stairs to the mezzanine.

"He wanted me to meet him tonight," Buffy said sadly. "Said he had a surprise."

"Filthy soddin' vandals."

"We'll spring one on him," Xander assured her before turning to Giles. "And I'll spare you the chastisement for using language like that in front of polite company as long as it's about Ford."

"They stole a book last night," explained Buffy.

"My bloody book!" exclaimed Giles as he marched to his office.

"Okay, so totally not about Ford. And also may I add a 'wha?' to that," said Xander.

"That vamp Ford said he staked showed up last night. It stole a book from Giles' office."

"Okay, A, we definitely need better security. Second, do we know which book it was?"

"Not yet." Buffy shrugged, "probably not all that important if Giles can't remember what it was."

"I guess," agreed Xander reluctantly. He knew Giles kept all his 'dangerous' books in the office or the book cage.

"So, what are you going to do? Tonight, I mean?" asked Willow.

"I don't want to miss my surprise," said Buffy listlessly.

Xander growled then huffed. "We'll pick up Deadboy and head in together. Whatever trap he has laid in for you he sure as hell isn't counting on the two of us backing you up." He shot Buffy a look. "Unless he knows about my lion half?" Buffy and Willow shook their heads. "Good. It's time to give these kids a reality check."

*BTVS*

"A lot less cars than last time," observed Xander.

"This'll be the inner circle. The one's that expect to be turned," said Angel.

"We've been making short work of the vamps lately but I don't think Spike is that hard up for minions."

"Maybe quality minions. There is such a thing as having too many mooks before they start going black ninja."

Angel opened his mouth to ask what the hell Xander was talking about but decided it was better if he didn't know.

"What?" Okay, he was glad he wasn't the only one who was confused by the child's prattling.

"Remind me to explain the law of conservation of ninjutsu to you later."

"Right," drawled Buffy as they went down the steps. The steel door of the bunker was ajar. They slipped inside. The crowd was significantly smaller than yesterday's. And all their costumes were much more elaborate. Xander suppressed a snarl. These were the 'true believers', the one that most wanted immortality. Idiots. There seemed to be an argument going on. Ford was in the middle of the group trying to reassure the others that he had everything under control. The trio was unnoticed until they reached the ground floor.

"It's going to be fine!" yelled Ford.

"No," said Buffy, "it's really not."

The group of groupies jumped. Ford shouldered his way to the front. "You came!" he said expansively. "And you brought him," he said salaciously. He leered at Angel in such a hungry way that Xander was questioning his sexuality along with his sanity. "Perfect. Everything's going according to plan."

"Why don't you enlighten me?"

"C'mon Summers, you need to observe the forms. You're supposed to say 'Plan? What plan?' and I'm supposed to make my dramatic reveal!"

"Do you think this is a joke!?"

"Oh no, it's deadly serious, Buffy. Life and Death stuff here!"

"I'm still trying to get over the part where you're a lying scumbag."

Xander froze as Ford's word tickled something at the edge of his consciousness. Life and Death. A club for people who wanted to be vampires. A trap for the Slayer. The hunger in Ford's eyes at Angel's presence. That strange scent that Xander suddenly realized was what had always bothered him about Ford.

"You're dying," Xander blurted out.

Buffy jumped and glanced at him before turning back to Ford.

"You're dying and you want to be turned," said Xander musingly before he scowled furiously. "You're dying and you want to be turned," snarled Xander, "and you're going to give them Buffy to do it!"

"Way to ruin my monologue," groused Ford.

"You're dying?" asked Buffy in concern.

"What? Feeling sympathy for the devil?" asked Ford sarcastically. "I look good now but what you can't see is the spider shaped tumor inside my brain. The docs only give me six more months," he said angrily. "And that's with treatments. Have you seen what chemo does to you? At the end I'll be a bald, shriveled freak! I won't even look like myself when they bury me." Ford shook his head. "No way am I going out like that."

"So instead you'll become a vampire!?" asked Buffy in disbelief.

"I'll miss the sun," said Ford reasonably, "and the diet isn't all that great but I prefer the nightlife anyway. And hey, eternal youth!"

"At the cost of your soul," countered Angel.

"Well it's not keeping me from dying horribly," countered Ford.

"I'm not going to let this happen Ford," Buffy told him firmly. She turned to the gathered crowd. "All of you need to leave. Right now!"

"I'm promising them eternal life" said Ford with a grin. "You really think they'll listen to you?"

"They are unbelievers!" cried a short guy in an outlandish Dracula costume.

"They'll keep us from our blessing!" cried another girl.

"Leave us alone!"

"They taint us!"

"Don't let them stop us!"

"Raagh!" with a shout Xander launched one of the couches littered around the bunker over the head of Ford and the crowd around him. It crashed into the concrete walls and smashed into pieces with a tremendous crash. The crowd gaped at the display and stared at Xander in disbelief and fear.

"What?" snapped Xander, "you believe in vampires but not the rest of the supernatural? Did you think only vampires were real?" An inhuman growl clearly suffused his voice. "There are other creatures that hunt in the dark. Things that only see humans as prey. As food." Xander snorted. "All of you playing pretend, without any idea what it is you're meddling with. I know that none of you have ever seen a vampire, a real vampire. Because none of you are dead!"

"That's only a myth about the lonely o-aah!" The girl screamed as Angel lunged at her in full game face.

"What the hell is that!?" screamed another boy.

Angel's face went back to normal. "That's a vampire's true face. The last face you'll ever see before you die. I'm to only vampire in the world with a soul. The only one who won't eat you the first chance it gets." Angel vamped out again. "Doesn't mean I don't want to."

"When you're turned you die," added Buffy. "Your soul's gone and a demon takes over your body and wears it like a suit. It may look like you but it's not you."

"My best friend, my brother in all but blood was turned," said Xander, a haunted look in his eyes. "What came back wasn't him. It was a demon wearing his face. I had to stake him myself in the end. Before he killed me and everyone he cared for." Xander took in a deep breath before glaring at the crowd. "Now I hunt the leeches. We all do," he motioned to Buffy and Angel. "He's helped save the world and I barely trust him. The rest of his kind? I loathe them. So remember our faces. If any of you are turned we'll be the last thing your corpse sees before we destroy it."

"But that's not going to happen, is it Ford?" Buffy asked him accusingly. "Whatever deal you made is just for you. So what are the rest of them here for? A snack?"

Ford shrugged insouciantly, "I can't be a bad host and let the guests of honor go hungry." The crowd around Ford stepped back.

"They're going to eat us?"

"What have you done!?"

"We have to get out of here!"

"Nobody's going anywhere!" yelled Ford with maniacal glee. "You didn't think I'd bait you into coming here if I didn't have a trap ready, did you?" he asked Buffy rhetorically. "The door only opens from the outside. And since you so obligingly waited after sunset it won't be long now before my sponsor shows up."

Everyone turned to the catwalk as the door clanged open.

"Well is this a fine how-do-you-do,"Spike sauntered in with a murder of vampires, Drusilla bringing up the rear. "Slayer, Poof, Whelp," he greeted Buffy, Angel, and Xander in turn. "I see the traitor has you all here. Good job on bringing the snacks, mate," said Spike as he motioned to the members of the Sunset Club. "A good fight always leaves us hungry. Kill Angel and the Hunter," ordered Spike, "leave the Slayer alive."

The crowd screamed and scattered as the vampires leaped over the railing toward the trio of vampire hunters. Buffy met her opponents in mid-air with a vicious spinning heel kick that shattered at least one jaw. Xander leaped at the nearest vampire, stake first. The vampire was dust before he even hit the ground. Angel grabbed his opponent out of the air and slammed him into the ground

Xander cursed his lack of Mjolnir the Second. Why he didn't think he'd need it was beyond him. As it was he was holding off three vampires with a stake and a knife. He couldn't even deploy his roar. In the enclosed space Buffy and Angel were sure to be caught in the blast and he couldn't warn them without tipping off the other side at the same time. Along with all the non-combatants running around and getting in the way, he was getting tagged more often than not.

Two vampires collided into each other from Buffy's sidekick. They fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs. She spun around a third vamp's punch and brought up a knee into his lower stomach. As he bent over she grabbed him in a headlock and spun him to keep him between her and a fourth vampire. She plunged her stake into her trapped vampire's back. She kicked him at the fourth vampire before turning back around, only to get tagged by one of the first two vampires, who had finally regained his footing. Her head jerked back. She grimaced at him before kicking him between the legs. As he grabbed at himself she jabbed her stake into his eye. As he was grabbing at that she staked him in the heart. A kick from the side made her lose her grip on her stake before she could pull it back.

Angel weaved around a vampire's punch and hit him with a looping right caught the fist of another vampire. He pulled it forward then up and over the vampires shoulder, locking it in place. He spun the stake that was still in his hand so that it was in a reverse grip and plunged it into the vampire's heart. He pulled it out and kicked the vampire into the first one. A third jumped onto his back. Angel grabbed it and bent forward, flipping the vampire onto the ground in front of him. He stomped it hard in the face. A loud crack sounded out as the vampire started screaming. A fourth vampire caught Angel in the face with a haymaker. He slashed out blindly with his stake, catching his attacker with his swing.

"This is so cool," said Ford. "I'm definitely getting minions." He side stepped as a vampire flew past him to impact with the wall. "Maybe turn some guys from dojos."

"Come on! Stop mucking about wankers!" cursed Spike as he moved to the top of stairs. "Kill those two already!"

"Why don't you come down here and give them a hand!" taunted Buffy as she tried to fight her way up the stairs.

"Tempting," drawled Spike, "but I think I'll play voyeur for now. Don't want to miss your gang bang, after all," he said lasciviously. Buffy blushed then scowled furiously as a vampire blocked her path up the stairs.

"Buffy!" called Xander. He'd finally gotten some breathing room by splashing a vamp in the mouth with some holy water, although now he had glass in his hand. He hadn't felt so beat up since the night the Master tried to open the Hellmouth but that gave him an idea. He motioned pushing up with his hands near his shoulders. Buffy's eyes widened and she nodded. Xander kicked an approaching vamp in the knee before leveling it with a hook.

Buffy exchanged three punches with the vampire on the stairs with her before spinning into a high roundhouse kick. She turned that into a step onto the railing before jumping off of it and at Xander. Xander grabbed the vampire he punched as it fell and spun it around himself once before tossing it at another vampire. He turned and caught Buffy's feet as she landed on his shoulders. He pushed her up as she kicked off.

She sailed easily over the railing of the catwalk, landing behind Drusilla. The vampire seer spun and hissed at Buffy before attacking with a rake of her nails. The attack was almost laughably slow compared to the other vampires. Buffy easily pulled Drusilla into a hammer lock. She used her off hand to place a stake at her heart. Buffy locked eyes with a surprised Spike.

"Everybody stop!" Spike yelled out.

"Good idea," praised Buffy sarcastically. "Now you let everyone out, or your girlfriend fits in an ashtray."

"Spike?" called out Drusilla fearfully.

"It's going to be okay, baby," he soothed her. He half-turned to the lower level. "Let them go," he ordered to his minions. The frightened humans wasted no time in fleeing. Angel and Xander lingered by the door as Buffy led Drusilla over by the top of the stairs. She shoved Drusilla hard at Spike and ran out. Buffy's eyes caught Ford's through the mesh of the catwalk as Xander slammed the door closed.

*BTVS*

"I don't understand why he did it."

"Being confronted with your own mortality is, is, is a harrowing experience. Everyone is changed by it. Some not, uh, not for the, the, the better."

"But to sacrifice your soul…"

"The soul isn't something y-y-you can touch. It isn't something you can feel. His illness was very much a, a, a physical presence. Especially one as advanced as his was. Not that I approve of his actions! No, never that. But it does, um, help, uh, one understand."

"That's the thing. It seems like the more I understand the less I get. Everything gets more and more complicated."

"I-I-I do believe that's called growing up."

"Well I want it to stop, okay?"

Giles smiled a little wistfully at Buffy. "I know the feeling."

Buffy smiled sadly at him before looking down at the freshly dug grave in front of her. "Does it ever get any easier?"

A hand broke through the dirt. Ford, in full vampire face tried to pull himself up. As his chest began to clear the grave, Buffy started to bend down toward him, stake in hand, when a bolt sprouted from his chest. Ford took one incredulous look at it before bursting into dust. Buffy and Giles spun around only to find Xander lowering a crossbow from twenty feet away.

"Life?" asked Giles. Buffy stared at him bewildered for a moment before her expression cleared.

"Yeah."

"What do you want me to say?" he asked as they walked toward Xander.

"Lie to me."

"Then, uh, yes. Everything's black and white and, and, and the good guys will always be loyal and true. You can easily tell who the bad guys are from their pointy horns or their black hats. The good guys always win and everyone lives happily ever after."

"Liar," drawled Buffy with a sad smile.

"Probably," said Xander, "but you can count on your real friends to care for you. To help you when you need it. Whether it's a shoulder to lean on or a stake to use."

Buffy waggled the stake in her hand at Xander. "I would have done it, you know."

"I know. But you shouldn't have to." Xander looked down. "No one should have to stake a friend." He looked over as Buffy bumped her shoulder into him. She smiled gratefully at him. He smiled back.

The companionable silence was broken by Giles. "You're not wrong. There are some things worth fighting for. Things worth living for," he said as Jenny and Willow waited at the gate of the cemetery for them. "Even if the ghosts of our pasts come back to haunt us we have the friends of the present to help keep them at bay."