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What sound does a heart breaking make?	By : chilli Category: AtS/BtVS Crossovers > Slash - Male/Male > Angel(us)/Xander > Angel(us)/Xander Views: 24007 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy, Angel or Blade. I make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Chapter 2
Faith groaned at the sight of yet another magic shop. “C’mon, Wes, we’ve been traveling for six days looking for that damn Toucan root. Can’t we just, I don’t know, REST for more than one night? Can we possibly make it for two days? Dude, I’m even willing to settle for a day and a half of rest.”
And as Wesley spared her a glance over the roof of his car, his face softened. True, she was a Slayer but at the pace they were traveling, it would take far more that simple Slayer reknown stamina to keep up with the brutal pace. He regrettably had it much easier than she. All he was required to do under the Council’s edict was watch and take notes as she faced her demonic foes. Night after night.
She needed rest, they both needed rest in all actuality but she more than he needed to recuperate. And the only way for her to do so was by taking the time to rest.
“Why don’t you stay in the car while I inquire within…” he said soothingly. Smiling slightly at her look of refusal. “Really Faith, I shall be quite all right inside.” He smiled at hnd snd saw the acquiesce in her weary eyes.
“Well, if you’re sure…” she replied slowly, looking at the lines that exhaustion had carved in his face. He needed to rest almost as much as she.
“I’m sure, now get back into the car while I see to the proprietor within.” And he watched as she got back into the car and tilted the seat as far back as it would go and closed her eyes.
Wesley sighed as he followed yet another dead end to find the, and his lips quirked, the Toucan root as Faith liked to call it. Then he sobered up, he really hated leaving Sunnydale. Leaving the boy all alone. He could only pray that he did the right thing, but then again what could he have done? Disobeyed the Council’s legitimate request?
Clearly there was an over abundance of Slayers in Sunnydale and it did make sense for he and Faith to traverse the countryside. Hunt down the various demons that were disturbing the local inhabitants. However, that wasn’t to say he had to like his order. He was…it just felt like too much of a coincidence that he received orders so quickly after that rather nasty quarrel in the library. He simply couldn’t shake the feeling that Giles hadn’t abandoned his plan. That the senior Watcher was still scheming to, as Xander put it, make his Slayer Supergirl.
He looked up as the elderly shopkeeper toddled towards him. “Good morning, sir. By any chance would you have Toupacan root?” he asked with little hope of a positive response.
And the old man smiled. “Why yes, I just got a shipment in this morning. I haven’t even had a chance to open the box yet.” He wheezingly laughed at the look of joy that transfigured the young man’s somber face.
“That is a bit o’luck!” Wesley exclaimed. Now he and Faith could return to Sunnydale. That was the only agreement he was able to wring out of the Council. That once he located the Toupacan root for Giles, he and his Slayer could return back to Sunnydale to continue ‘studying’ the methods of the existing Watcher/Slayer team.
The old man slowly shuffled into the back room, shortly returning with a medium size sealed box. “See, haven’t even opened it yet.” He announced waving a box cutter.
“Yep, not much call for Toupacan root,” he continued chattily. Good thing it has a long shelf life, eh?” he eyed Wesley with knowing eyes. “This here is powerful stuff. Ya just don’t get many needs for Toupacan root. Why, I remember back in ’39…”
And Wesley sighed, well used to the routine after six days of visiting various magic shops…the older the owner, the more stories they had to tell.
He tuned back in, nodding at the right moments as he helped the old man open the box. Exhaling in relief at the unique sight of Toupacan root. Knarly, twisted about itself and colored quite vividly of dark maroon and a dark mustard yellow. After paying the man, he politely snatched the bag and swiftly headed out to the car.
Faith sat up with a jerk when Wesley tapped on the window and held up a brown paper bag. His eyes were glowing with triumph, they could go back to Sunnydale! She hurriedly unlocked the door and eagerly dragged the bag from Wes’ grasp.
Quickly readjusting her seat back to it’s proper position, she peered into the bag as Wesley turned the car around.
“That’s it? This is what we’ve been stressing out ov she she asked slowly, pulling the weird shaped plant out of the bag.
“Yes. Now it’s back to the hotel to pack our bags. Tomorrow it’s back to Sunnydale,” he replied with immense satisfaction.
“How come we just couldn’t use the one Giles has?” Faith turned the root over, trying to figure out which end was the top.
Wesley froze. “I beg your pardon? What did you just say?” And his words were very precise as he spoke.
“Why can’t we use Giles'? Is the one he has less…unusuable?” she glanced up at him, and was startled at the dark glitter in his eyes.
“That bloody rotter!” he snarled and slammed his hand on the steering wheel in rage.
“Uhm, I’m gonna take it that you’re pissed at the Tweed Man?” she looked at him warily.
“Toupacan root has an average shelf life of about 20 years,” came the cold precise answer and Faith blinked before her eyes narrowed.
“Those fuckin’ asswipes wanted us out of Sunnydale…to get to Xander.”
“Precisely...” His voice was icy with mounting fury.
He snatched his cell phone as they arrived at the hotel and quickly dialed a well familiar number, while Faith left hurriedly to pack her things. And when she returned, he was sitting on the bed, holding his head in his hands. The picture of despair.
“Wes, you’re starting to freak me out,” she exclaimed nervously. Wesley was always calm, while she knew that she was frequently much more volatile.
“We’ll keep each other company,” he said without lifting his head. Then sighing heavily, he looked up and Faith's fear increased twofold.
“Apparently there’s no indication that the Gn’aesh will be visiting Sunnydale anytime soon,” he spoke dryly before springing up and began shoving everything into his bags without a care.
“For some reason, I’m thinking that’s not a good thing though?” Faith started pacing.
“Very perceptive of you. Perhaps you should be a Watcher instead. While the Gn’aesh are not scheduled to put in an appearance, their long standing ancestral rivals, the Zynesh will be in Sunnydale to greet the Gn’aesh with bared swords.”
“But I thought you said the Gn’aesh weren’t going to Sunnydale?” she looked at him as they hurried down the stairs after checking out.
Throwing their bags into the car, Wesley said nothing for a few minutes.
“Zynesh do not like to be deprived of prey.” He finally replied.
And Faith’s eyes widened. “They’ll slaughter every last person in Sunnydale,” she whispered in horror.
“Most decidedly, and while Giles’ methods were deceitful and underhanded, we will need the Protector Buffy will become in order to live though this,” he sighed quietly.
They drove through the night, each taking turns driving until both ere literally shaking with exhaustion.
Wesley didn't bother trying to call Giles again. Actually he couldn’t, after having broken his cell phone in a fit of rage earlier. He was still infuriated at the smug superior air the senior Watcher had taken with him, when he called to let him know that they knew what he was planning.
Gritting his teeth as he recalled how he had wound up destroying his cell phone.
Dialing to the library with fingers stiff with rage, he waited with seething impatience for Giles to pick up the phone.
“Rupert Giles…” came the quiet resonant voice over the phone.
And it took all of his strength not to fly into a blistering rage. “Ah Giles, it’s Wesley Wyndam-Price,” he instead replied smoothly, aware of Faith’s quick look before she refocused on getting them closer to Sunnydale.
“Wesley?! Yes, yes of course! How goes the slaying? Have you found a Toupacan root for use in the spell?”
“A rather amusing story, that. It seemed like every store we ventured to were all out,” he answered, gripping the phone tighter.
“All out you say? My word! I should have expected such an event considering the rarity of this particular plant.” But Wesley was able to hear the note of pleased satisfaction in the other’s tone. “I fear that you must continue searching, as it is one of the main ingredients in the spell.”
“Oh but, we don’t!” Wesley exclaimed with false cheer and Faith smiled.
“You…you don’t?” and this time he heard the surprise in the other man’s voice, he could practically see the look of consternation widening Giles' eyes.
“No, we just found it in a rather out of the way store. The shopkeeper just received it today! Isn’t that absolutely fabulous?!”
“Smashing…” Giles replied sourly.
“The funny thing is, that we wanted, that is Faith and myself wanted to know is why didn’t you use the one you already have? Faith recalled seeing it a few months ago and considering its potency life of about 20 years, it would seem highly impractical to have us chasing Toupacan root down if you already have a ready supply.”
And there was a harsh silence at the other end.
“Or perhaps there was another reason why you wanted us out of Sunnydale, hmmm? Could it be, perhaps you are still trying to boost up your Slayer’s powers? At the expense of a young boy’s innocence?!” By now Wesley was screaming into the phone.
“You bleedin’ pillock…you are barking mad!”
“How dare you speak to me like that!” Giles snarled.
“How dare I? How dare I not?! You know that I have you bang to rights, you smeghead! You are sacrificing an innocent in your lust for secondhand power. Xander has repeatedly, at great length, expressed his strong desire NOT to become Angel’s little bumboy. Yet you, in your almighty wisdom, decide you know best. “
And at the sputtering noises Giles was making, Wesley shouted into the phone, “Oh, give over! It makes me wonder if the prophecy called for you to spread your bum for Angel to dip his wick would you be so eager?”
“You go too far, Mr. Wyndham-Price. I have the Council’s authority…”
“Bollocks!” he snapped.
There was a short outraged silence. “I beg your pardon?!”
“You think you’re such a clever dick! But you will be begging a whole lot more from me if I find Xander in dire straits from your machinations. And further more I have no doubt that you may have concocted some sort of story to get the Council’s sanction…” he began.
“And if you interfere, they will make you regret it…” Giles growled over the line. And Wesley heard the clear warning and he stilled in his seat. Then he spoke and Faith shivered at the icy finality in his voice.
“Mr. Giles, if the Council is fully aware of your doings and has sanctioned your actions then I will deal with them at my leisure. As for you, if that young man is hurt, because of you, by you or at your direction…I will beat seven shades of shit out of you.”
There was a cold silence at the other end before Giles breathed, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
*Click*
Wesley’s hand spasmed involuntarily on his phone and too late, he heard the ominous crack of the plastic.
“Ponce!” he growled.
“Faith, we need to hurry. I believe Mr. Giles and his silly bird will accelerate whatever they are doing to coerce Xander’s agreement.”
“You’re paying the tickets,” she replied grimly and the car shot down the highway.
And a journey that took six day was reduced to four. It was amazing the distance one could travel if you sacrificed sleep.
They coasted into the parking lot with bleary eyes and shaky limbs, just in time to see Cordelia face off against Giles before the girl hustled Xander to her car. Wesley focused his weary eyes on the young man and sighed heavily. By the stiff and halting way the boy was walking, something had already happened.
“Follow her or do we go kick some Watcher/Slayer ass?” Faith asked hoarsely and Wesley glanced over at her. She needed rest more than anything but in her exhausted eyes, fire still burned.
“Follow. Xander and Cordelia had an adversarial relationship previously, but she appears to be protecting him now. She could use some help...” Wesley said as he followed after the sleek sporty red car.
Then Faith began frowning in puzzlement as they traveled some distance. “Wes this...this ain't good. I think she's taking him to Angel!”
“Bugger...!” he snarled, thinking furiously. “Very well. When she comes to a stop, I'll grab her while you get Xander. Don't worry about me, just get him away...is that clear?” his voice was cold iron as he spoke.
“Five by five...” she replied reluctantly. “Where should I take him?”
“Anywhere, just don't tell me where you are going,” he answered her softly and Faith hissed, finally understanding what may happen.
Wesley gave her a brief smile. His Faith was everything he dreamed a Slayer should be: strong, proud and fiercely loyal to those she considered a friend. Xander could have no better guardian protector than she.
He only wished he could be around to see them, but if the Council sanctioned this...travesty, then he had no doubts as to what would happen to him. Losing Faith would be the least of his worries. Buying the two time to flee would be his top priority.
Despite the...vampire's protestations he was as much of a bleedin' sap as Giles for that incompetent Slayer. Instead of giving her the guidance she needed, they gave her what she wanted. G all allowed her to be weak in order to preserve his control over the Slayer, and Wesley's lip curled in disgust, though he kept a tense watch on Cordy's flashy car. And he sighed as Faith's prediction was spot on. The bloody fool betrayed Xander as well.
And his eyes grew immeasurably colder as he stopped some distance away. “Just stick to the plan,” he gave his final order to Faith, who nodded as they opened the door. Splitting up, they crept silently up to Cordelia's car.
Cordy cut the engine and twisted to look at Xander. “Xander please tell me what's wrong...” she pleaded once again. She had been begging for the last 20 minutes of the ride but he stubbornly refused to tell her.
“Okay then, tell me what's going on between you and those other bunch of losers?” she switched tactics and saw him flinch.
“Dammit, Xander you owe me..!” and she was practically in tears. She wanted to help but how can you help someone when they won't tell you what's wrong?
And when he went to unlock the door, she pressed the Master lock on her side, relocking the door. She was adamant: he wasn't leaving this car until he told her why he was at his favorite enemy's house. And if she didn't like the answer, then he was coming home with her. She was starting to put the puzzle together. The long shirts, the bruises she would sometimes glimpse, and the silent, fearful tension that seemed to fill him when she dropped him off at his house in their dating stage.
When Xander turned to look at her, she gave him her fiercest glare. “You are not getting out of this car until I get some answers, buster.”
Xander sighed wearily. He didn't need this...not now. Another person that pretended to care about him, only to leave him or worse, betray him. Just like THEY did. He hadn't expected much from Faith or Wesley, he hadn't known them that long...but Willow. And he inhaled slowly, feeling something trying to stir within the cocoon of mist that enclosed him.
All he wanted to do right now was end this...to let Angelus out of the bag and get on with the killing. Starting with his sorry carcass. His father was right...he was a waste of space but soon he wouldn't be.
Soon he would be free.
He pressed the power button for the windows. Cordy pressed her Master control switch, forcing the window back up.
Xander unlocked the car again...
...and Cordy locked them back.
Anger was trying to burn through his sweet numbing fog as he glanced at her. And he was startled to see her glare at him...and something else in her eyes. Tears. Why was she crying? And puzzled, he asked her and it hit his comforting fog thin slightly at her fierce response.
“Because I know something is really bad and is wrong with you and you won't let me help!” she screamed at him and then finally burst into harsh racking sobs of frustrated fury.
And slowly she felt arms enfold her. “I hate you, Xander Harris! You're always making me cry and hurt over you. I'm Cordelia Chase, damn you! I'm supposed to be the one that does the hurting and making people cry. And you're making me ruin my makeup,” she hiccuped, sniffling as she got herself under control.
“Xander please, whatever it is, I can help! Just...just please tell me. Give me a fuckin' clue,” she begged, peering up into his shaded eyes.
Xander’s thoughts moved slowly. Ever since Friday, it felt like he was moving in slow motion. Everyone was moving at Warp 9 but he was still riding in a hot air balloon. He felt almost disconnected from everything around him, like either he or the world didn't exist in the same dimension...like he was moving through a fog. Everything felt so...unreal.
And looking at Cordelia, into the glistening eyes he vaguely remembered that he once cared for her, he offered her one word...
“Run.”
Then tried to open the door again but she locked it absently. Frustrating Wesley and Faith who were crouched by the doors, ready to snatch Xander away.
“What do you mean run? What's coming that I need to run...?” she asked warily.
“Get out of Sunnydale and keep running, Angelus is coming,” he replied quietly. “Will you let me go now?”
“Does Angel know what's going on?” she demanded to know. And if the dark vampire was involved, well she still had the stake Xander had given her for a present under her seat.
He cast a confused look at her. “Of course he does. How else would Angelus return except through him?”
He blinked at the look that settled on her face. And if he could feel, he would probably take to the hills as fast as he could. But as it was, he merely shrugged her icy, vicious smile away.
“Yessss...let's go see dear Angel,” she hissed as she reached under her seat for her stake. Buffy had her Mr. Pointy and she had the Equalizer. And she unlocked the door...screaming for Xander to run before quickly turning her attention to her attacker. Quickly recognizing Wesley, another fuckin' Watcher! She couldn't believe that she swapped spit with him.
Wesley found himself hard pressed to defend himself against Cordelia's whirlwind attack. Her initial scream for Xander to run confused him, this wasn't what a betrayer would do. So he struggled to contain her against the car and suffered numerous blows before he jerked her arms behind her back and forced her against the car. Ignoring the breathless curses and insults spewing from her mouth as they both panted for breath.
And Wesley wound up looking into Faith's astonished eyes over the car's roof, as well as Xander's expressionless face. Dear God he just prayed that it was only the shades that made the boy's face so blank.
“Whoa...good thing the princess ain't a Slayer, huh Wes?” Faith tried to laugh but she was pretty sure it was weak at best. She was disturbed by Xander. This wasn't the same boy she had seen almost two weeks ago.
“Xander...” she softened her voice. God knows she didn't want to spook him as she touched his face gently.
And Cordy snarled, jerking her head back to try hit Wesley. “Get your hands off of him, you...you Slayer!” she yelled and almost managed to wiggled free of Wes' tight grip.
Faith ignored the screaming cheerleader, focusing only on the still boy in front of her, not wanting to believe what she was swiftly coming to see. Someone was going to pay.

“Xander...it's me and Wes. Xander, can I...” and slowly, giving him enough time to react, she gently pulled his shades down before she carefully replaced them. And when she turned to look at Wes and Cordy, the struggling girl stilled her efforts to get free.
“Who...” Faith breathed, forcing herself past her own dark memories of an abusive childhood and just focused on the icy rage that filled her.
Cordy lifted her chin defiantly and simply glared furiously at Faith. “Why don't you ask your goddamn, buddy! I'm sure Giles and Buffy would love to tell you what the FUCK is going on. But I DON'T KNOW SHIT! All I know is Xander is hurt and in trouble. And I'm gonna get some goddamn answers from Angel. And if I don't like his answers...” and her smile was as vicious as Faith's.
But while they were yelling insults, Xander moved purposely, making his way down the pathway to Angel's front door.
“Ladies, while understandably fascinating, Xander is headed for Angel's front door...” the young Watcher exclaimed to the hissing women before releasing Cordy and sprinting after Xander. Not understanding Faith's shout, “Don't touch him, Wesley!”
And as soon as he grabbed at Xander's shoulder he had the boy backed up against the wall screaming and crying. Wesley simply stared at his hand in horror, “All I did was just grab his shoulder...” he muttered to himself.
“I know...” Faith patted him on the arm as she slid past him. Both she and Cordy approached Xander left and right.
“Xander honey...it's Cordy. Just Cordy and Faith she she whispered soothingly, ignoring the opening door and the vampire standing just out of reach of the sunlight.
“That's right, Xan...it's just me and Cordy. Nobody's gonna hurt you, we won't let them...” Faith crooned softly as she and the other girl crept closer. All their attention focused on him.
Angel opened his mouth, puzzled as to why these people were outside his home. He had been tempted to ignore the shouting between the two females. But when he heard screaming, curiosity over came him. He frowned angrily at the glare the Watcher shot him, then the almost overpowering smell of sheer terror hit him and involuntarily he growled. The delicious aroma of fear and the sweet scent of terror had awakened his demon, but both he and Angelus were astonished to find it coming from the boy.
“Xander...?” he whispered in shock, but the young man's head had already jerked to him when he had growled. And the fear/terror smell increased.
Cordy whirled around with a growl herself and raised her stake.
“Angel, what the hell is going on? And you better start talking fast because me and the Equalizer are just itching to hurt somebody, especially a dead somebody.”

“I have no idea what the hell you're talking about,” he replied absently but more than half his attention was on the trembling youth. “I've been out of town for almost a week, chasing down information about the Gn'aesh. Their strengths, weakness and ways to beat them.”
He reluctantly put the puzzle of Xander aside for more pressing matters. “Wesley, we might be in more trouble than Giles realizes. Apparently the Zynesh are coming to this little party as well,” he said grimly.
And he blinked when the man began chuckling hollowly.
“Oh, it's much worse than you think...” Wes retorted as he noted that the women had Xander corralled and calmed between them.
Angel stepped back, gesturing them into his home. “How much worse can it possibly be?” he snorted, sipping at his coffee once everyone was seated.
“How about how Giles lied about the Gn'aesh arrival?” the other said coldly.
Angel raised his brows in disbelief. “Lied?! But...but...but why...?” Then his eyes hardened when the Watcher's eyes drifted significantly to Xander.
Slowly the vampire got up and approached the boy, his eyes fixed on the young man's face. Crouching in front of Xander, he inhaled deeply, hies hes half-closed as he sorted through the scents intermingled with the young man's normal ones. Then his eyes opened and both Cordy and Faith tried to pull Xander back from the dangerous glitter of hot gold lurking deep within Angel's eyes.
His hand trembling, Angel slowly reached up and carefully removed the boy's shades. And his jaw tightened visibly while Wesley gaped in shock at the swollen cheek and purplish skin that darkened Xander's left eye.
“Oh dear god...” Cordy whispered, but Angel wasn't quite done. And he knew, now, that something was horribly wrong with the boy. Especially for Xander to sit still while he touched him. He lifted up the young man's shirt and wanted to howl in fury at the lurid bruises and bleeding welts that darkened the boy's torso.
“Ohgodohgodohgod...” Cordy could not stop whimpering, as she in turn lifted the back of her ex-boyfriend's shirt and saw the livid welts and split skin that liberally covered his back.
“Somebody had better start talking fast, or the only one left alive will be Xander.” Angel voice was more terrifying for the extreme evenness in his tone. Hot primitive rage lurked just below the surface. Waiting to erupt.
Xander spoke...
“Will you fuck me now...?” he asked the enraged vampire calmly.
And everyone froze, before Angel slowly eased to his feet in horrible understanding.
Cordy gasped, and not being a part of the meeting, she glared at Angel. “NO, he most definitely will not 'fuck' you! If he puts any part of his body on you, or in you, I swear I will cut it OFF!”
“But he has too...it's part of the prophecy. He has to fuck a virgin so Buffy can become the super Slayer Protector,” he replied in a very calm, reasonable tone.
And it took everything Faith had not to throw up. She tried to draw in a shuddering breath through the huge lump in her throat as hot tears blurred her vision. Blinking rapidly, a quick glance at Wesley revealed he looked as sick as she felt.
Cordy frowned, still not understanding. “What prophecy? And why would you hafta *fuck* Angel...why can't the bitch do her own fucking?”
“Cause the prophecy says that the oldest must have sex with the youngest virgin and Oz, very conveniently, took Willow out of the running.” Angel's voice was heavy as he backed away and slumped in a chair.
“So what does that ha...oh Hell no you don't!” She began impatiently, then dark knowledge had her surging to her feet. “Xander, we are so outta here! Angel, you tell that bitch of yours that if she wants a taste of what power feels like, have her come see me! And I'll put my foot so far up her ass she'll finally know what Prada feels like!”
“But I can't...Angel has to do it now!” Xander protested, feeling a sense of urgency building in him that tried to slip through his cocoon and he frantically thickened his walls.
Angel buried his head in his hands.
“Xander, look at me...” Faith said softly and when he did, she continued. “Why does Angel have to *fuck* you now?” Please God let me be wrong, please...she begged desperately.
Xander frowned slowly, a vague look in his eyes. “Cause when those boys try to de-virgintize me again, daddy's gonna kill me. So if Angel does it, then he can kill me instead cause daddy said he was gonna break all my bones if I was gay and I just know that'll hurt a lot.”
Cordy ran outside and threw up. She was swiftly joined by Faith while Wesley desperately wished he could join them, but stayed behind, uneasily guarding the motionless vampire.
Slowly the two pale, trembling girls stumbled back in and sat like guardians on either side of Xander. Glaring at Angel.
Cordy patted his hand, “Honey, Angel's not gonna kill you.” At least she hoped not, well remembering the hostility they seemed to have towards each other.
And Xander felt the embers of panic start to burn through his nice safe fog. “But...but he has too! I...I don't think...I can't take another beating and dad...he'll...and those boys...they'll...they'll....they tried...and I couldn't...they almost... ” then he turned to Angel. “I lied when Buffy went to kill Angelus. She was supposed to stall while Willow restored you...but I got scared and lied.” He looked expectantly at Angel, who slowly raised his head.
There was a moment of absolute silence before Cordy jumped in desperately. “He was only trying to protect us! Nobody would listen to us when Willow asked Buffy if she should do it. He didn't want her to do the spell and frankly neither did I. But you know Buffy just had to get her own way...he was scared, I was scared.” And she stared nervously at Angel.
“And when...when you had Myhnegon's glove, Xander told me that you didn't bash Giles over the head and steal it, but I didn't wanna listen,” Faith added.
But still Angel said nothing. And looking into Xander's calm face Angel realized something: Xander just wanted to die. It wasn't about Buffy getting more power, the boy didn't believe the spell was going to work and that Angelus would make a surprise appearance.
“So are you gonna fuck me know?” Xander repeated patiently when the vampire didn't respond to his question again. And he tilted his head to gaze solemnly at Angel with his good eye.
Angel blinked, coming out of his moment of reverie, then slowly shook his head at what had been done to the boy to make him this...this caricature of himself. Taking a deep unneeded breath ,he plastered a sad expression on his face.
“Xander, I'm sorry but I....” and he cast a feigned look of embarrassment at the two girls and Wesley before continuing. “I haven't been feeding enough these last few days for the flag, to be raised if you get my drift.”
And slowly Xander frowned as the words filtered through his mind. Blood? Flag? Then comprehension dawned.
“Oh...OH!” He looked sorrowfully at the chagrin on Angel's face as Wesley caught on to what the vampire was doing.
“Oh, I say! Hard cheese!” he exclaimed with a false air of sympathy. He turned to the confused Faith. “Do you remember me telling you about....” he looked at her meaningfully.
But she didn't know what the wanted her to say so all she could do was nod and snap her fingers. “Oh yeah!t I totally forget what you called it.”
Wesley allowed a look of embarrassment also to show on his face. “It's called Vampire Erectile Disfunction. It's recorded in the Watcher's journal that sometimes it takes days of a steady diet of quality blood before a vampire could recover.” And he shook his head sadly, hiding a smile at the look of annoyance that crossed Angel's face.
Xander's expression remained a little blank. “Uhm...I have...” and he tilted head ead slightly to the side, exposing his neck.
“Sorry Xander, but since I usually drink my blood from a cup, my fangs have become...” again Angel paused, “Weak.” And again he glanced at Wesley and the two girls with a look of shame on his face.
And Xander shook his head. Poor Angel, can't get it up and can't get 'em in.
“How long...” he searched for a way to ask his question.
“How long before I'm back at full...strength?” Angel bluntly finished the sentence. “Maybe two, worse case, three weeks,” he added, wildly picking times frames out of thin air. One week would give them a chance to at least get a handle on how to help the boy, though two weeks would be ideal, he thought grimly.
The others remained tensely silent, hardly daring to interrupt. Angel was buying them some time, that was all that mattered. Time.
“That long...?” Xander felt dismay trying to creep through the walls, but he managed to thicken the foggy barriers. He needed to find someplace to stay. If he went back home, he knew his father would most likely beat him again.
“Maybe you could stay here...” Angel said overly casual and looking around, “Why don't you all stay?”
“I don't know...” Xander frowned.
“Xander, I'm doing you a favor by killing you,” Angel looked im rim reproachfully. “The least you could do is stay and keep me company until I'm ready.”
“Well..” the boy hesitated and Wesley jumped in the pause.
“Xander, I must say, I quite agree with Angel. You want him to do something for you and yet you're not willing to extend the same courtesy? Bad show!” and the Watcher made tsking sounds accompanied by slow shakes of his head.
And outside the fog that encased him, something was screaming faintly for his attention. He tried to hear but the fog was too thick.
Finally understanding the ruse, Cordelia put in her two cents. “Alexander LaValle Harris! I'm shocked, didn't you learn anything from me? If you want something that someone else has, you gotta act nice to them until you get what you want!” she exclaimed with a feigned huff of impatience.
Wesley and Angel frowned at her, both feeling something teasing at the back of their minds. Xander turned his attention back to the vampire.
“I apologize. I will be happy to stay with you.” And he still spoke in that awful distant tone. But Angel hoped with the time that he had bought that hopefully Xander would be back to his old, annoying self. Realizing with a bit of disbelief that he missed THAT Xander...the one that almost always had some mocking comment to make, or an acid retort dripping from his lips.
“But there's only one problem,” Angel said slowly, wondering if his next lie would be caught. “I only have three bedrooms with beds so I think at least two of us will have to share a bed.”
“Oh...” was all the boy could say. Then slowly, “Maybe I could sleep...”
“...with me?! Good idea, Xander. That way if I start feeling stronger, you'll be right there for me to fuck and then kill you,” Angel interrupted with desperate enthusiasm. He was going to slowly roast them all over hot coals, was his savage thought. But then Angelus whispered a much better idea to him.
Xander nodded as if that was what he was going to say. “Can I rest now?” he gazed at the vampire.
“Yes you can rest now...” Angel said huskily and eased the boy to his feet. Guiding him to the bedroom, he shook with rage at the marks that crisscrossed the too slender body as he undress the boy. All the while Xander just stood motionless while Angel stripped him naked.
“In the bed with you now...” the vampire said gently as he eased the warm body into his bed. He watched with brooding eyes as the bruised face seemed to ease slightly in sleep.
As he stepped back into the living room Wesley opened his mouth but closed it at the savage glance Angel shot at him.
“Wesley if it doesn't involve gutting all four of them slowly, or roasting them over an open fire or Angelus personal favorite, ramming a hot metal spike up their arses, please shut the hell up.”
“Angel, Giles said that the hidden Protector will be joined to the Dark Champion, did he not?”
“If you think I will willingly shackle myself to that bitch, I will...” Angel left the threat unvoiced as he literally vibrated with the hot need to rend the flesh from her bones. Dark pleasure swirled through him as the Watcher paled and swallowed hard.
Wesley turned to Cordy. “What is Xander's Christian name?”
“Alexander LaValle Harris...why?”
And Angel began to laugh as he met Wesley's eyes in perfect understanding.
“We must get that scroll.” The Watcher had a cold dangerously intent look about his eyes. But still he shuddered at the twisted, vicious smile Angel flashed at him.
“Cordelia, if you're planning to stay, I suggest you run home and grab some things. If you plan on going back to school, be careful: Giles won't allow you to get away easily. One way or the other he'll try to strike back at both you and Xander.” Angel's voice was calm as he planned on how to protect his little group. He was going to need help, he thought reluctantly.
Cordy gave him a haughty, superior look. “Better yet Giles is going to get an old fashioned lesson: Money and power mean I can do any fucking thing I want. You do NOT fuck with the Chase's in this town! I think it's time to call in the reinforcements and I got something else planned for daddy dearest,” she tossed venomously over her shoulder as she stalked out of the mansion.
Pulling out her cell, she got into her car and zipped off. “Hey Mom? Could you put Daddy on the phone…uh huh, thanks…. Dad? Yeah, I had a little incident at school...” And she explained the situation to her father. She may not have the best parents in the world, but nobody was allowed to mess with the Chase name. Not even her.
After listening, Mr. Chase replied coolly. “Very well Cordelia, I'll have our lawyers get on it at once. I'm quite sure that once we've spoken with the School Board, neither you nor that Alexander boy will suffer any negative repercussions over this trifling incident. However, both your mother and I warned you before that that boy would get you into trouble, did we not?” He nodded to his assistant when the man came into the room with papers for him to sign and scanned a business contract while talking to her.
“Dad, his father beat him,” Cordy protested heatedly as she turned the wheel sharply and screeched around a corner.
Mr. Chase paused as he was about to sign off on a business deal. He leaned back in his chair and raised a brow, ignoring his assistant. “Well, perhaps the young man deserved it. While I've never believed in corporal punishiment...”
“He's still bleeding,” she interrupted him flatly, and there was a frozen silence on the phone.
“Would you care to borrow Michael and Jonathan? Perhaps, for a belated birthday present? I'm sure they would love a 'visit' with the boy's parents..” he spoke coolly and finished signing the contract.
“Have I mentioned that you're the best Daddy in the whole world?!” Cordy laughed. While they might not be the best parents in the world, she knew that they did care about her.
“Frequently...especially when you want something,” he responded dryly before saying goodbye.
Far away, deep within a hidden town in Brazil, Spike and Drusilla ceased their arguing over why she won’t leave her Chaos Demon lover, and come back to him.. And as one they turned in the direction to the words that whispered in their minds: 'Come'.
“Daddee...?” Dru looked prettily confused.
“No luv...it's still the ponce.” Spike sighed and started to walk away. He stopped and looked back with a wicked glint in his wild blue eyes, “Comin' pet?” And he stared challengingly at Dru's lover.
And her look of confusion settled into a sulky look of annoyance as she also stood up.
Her lover looked down at her in confusion. “Sweetheart, where are you going?” the demon asked, casting an uneasy glance at the blonde vamp
“Daddee calls and we must answer,” she replied with a pout and shook her head regretfully when he said that there was a telephone inside.
“Not that kinda answer,” Spike threw out, lighting up a cigarette.
“Uhm...you want...can I come with?” the Chaos demon wanted to know, while Spike forced himself not to rub his hands in demented glee.
Drusilla shook her head regretfully. “Sorry, my love. This is a family matter.” And she touched his cheek gently, ignoring the dripping ichor from his horns.
He sighed in turn. “You'll come back?” Silently begging her to say yes.
“I don't know,” she answered vaguely, already drifting away from him. “The stars haven't been singing lately.”
And Spike gently took her hand, easily recognizing the unfocused look on her face. “C'mon luv, we need t'hurry.” And the Chaos Demon drew in a shuddering breath at the look that softened the sharp features of his rival. He knew that somehow, if the vampire had his way, Dru would never return to him.
Meanwhile as the days progressed, they each tried to reach Xander, trying to bring back the merry, acid tongued, mocking boy that each treasured in their own way. Nothing worked, and Angel finally realized that no amount of coaxing was going to force Xander to return to them.
Save one.
“It's been almost five days,” Angel snarled in frustration to Wesley. The two girls had gone grocery shopping while Angel kept an eye on Xander and Wesley continued to research the prophecy. Neither male, human or demon, looked their best. Angel's hair was sticking up in spikes, he had a nasty burn on one hand that was slowly healing from when Xander had tried to wander outside. Only a hasty grab, that mercifully didn't set off a screaming fit prevented the vague youth from leaving. Inside they could keep him safe.
And Wes, he looked no better. Surviving on coffee, tea and toast. He hadn't shaved in days or bothered to comb his hair. Eyes bloodshot,heavy dark circles underneath and caffeine tremors shaking his hands. Numerous calls to the Council had yet to yield any results; only 'don't call us, we'll call you'.
He threw down his pen in exasperated rage and simply sat holding his head in his hands. “I just know there's more information out there, information that I can't BLOODY well find!” And surging to his feet, he angrily upended the table he was working at. Eliciting a cry of alarm from Xander, who had just wandered into the room.
And instantly Angel was at the boy's side. Pulling him gently into his arms and crooning softly, while Wes directed a guilty look at the pair. They had quickly found that while Faith and Cordy could yell and scream at the top of their lungs, however when he or Angel raised their voices…it was male voices that caused Xander to react with fear.
Holding and rocking the trembling boy, Angel was pleased to feel the tremors ease and the young man gently push against him in a silent bid for freedom.
Xander frantically ran around and patched the holes in his warm cocoon, but he had the despairing feeling that it was a losing battle. The screaming outside his walls was getting louder and he could sometimes make out a word or two but they didn't make any sense. He was getting the impression that the screaming voice wanted him to leave his hiding place, but why would he want to do that? Outside was pain and hurt, inside it was safe...he sneered at his walls. Nope, not gonna come out!
Finally freed of the encircling arms he wandered back into the bedroom and got back into bed, feeling safe among the familiar smells of the sheets and comforted for some odd reason.
Angel sighed watching as Xander disappeared into their bedroom. “There's only one thing that we haven't tried that might work,” he said with clear reluctance in his voice.
“And what pray tell would that be?” Wesley whirled around and snapped at him. Then he covered his eyes and held himself still, struggling for control. “I apologize. This stress...this damnable situation is a bit wearing on my nerves. I just wish the Council would call me back.”
“Now then, what's your plan?” he said briskly, smoothing down his hair. “What haven't we tried that...” and his voice tapered off at the look of embarrassed hunger on the vampire's face.
“You want him...” was said flatly, accusingly.
“Want doesn't even begin to describe what I feel for him,” Angel spoke ruefully, sinking into a chair. “Every night, lying beside him, holding him in my arms...there's this sense of possession that comes over me. And all I can think, is this boy belongs to me. He is MINE! And this, I might add, is confusing the hell outta me. I want to protect him, but I also want to...”
“...claim him so that no one can take him away from you,” Wesley interrupted Angel softly. He paused as the vampire nodded in agreement. “But most of all you want to love him.” And his expression was shrewd.
Angel continued nodding as he thought on the man's words...then he surged to his feet, “Wait a minute! Who ever said anything about love? I don't remember saying anything about love!” He yelped in protest as he backed away from Wesley. “Uh uh...nope, oh no no no no, I just want ...” and he faltered helplessly.
“...to love him.” The other man again said.
“To love him...” Angel repeated in a stunned voice, then started banging his head against the wall.
“Dear God, haven't I suffered enough for Angelus' crimes?!” He looked imploringly heavenwards.
“You don't want to love him?” Wesley regarded the vampire with a steadily darkening look. “You just want to shag him and toss him aside?!” he asked harshly.
And Angel gave him a hard look in return before speaking slowly. “May I remind you that we are speaking about Xander Harris. A boy that affectionately calls me Deadboy for no other reason than to get my goat; someone that would possibly throw a 'Hurray! Deadboy's Dead’ party when I'm dusted; someone that would playfully fill up a Supersoaker with Holy Water in a water fight with me...or are you perhaps thinking of some other Xander currently unknown to me? When he's back to normal, he's gonna hate me even more!” he said stonily, refusing the look of appalled sympathy on the Watcher's face.
Wesley sighed in returned. “You're absolutely right. So what do you purpose to do?” he inquired hey any and felt reluctant admiration for the vampire at the answer...
“Make love to him, of course...”
At the grocery store Cordy and Faith chatted quietly about Xander and how he was coming along.
“If it wasn't so pathetic, I'm almost tempted to smack Xander myself, hoping that'll bring him back,” Cordy said despairingly.
And as usual, she looked like money, lots and lots of money. Makeup perfectly done. Hair elegantly put up in a modified French twist anchored with a long silver pin. She was the picture of elegant beauty in a pair of tight, dark brown pants. A brown shirt just a fraction lighter than the pants, completed her attire. Silver glinted discretely at her ears and around her neck, while her boots were of distressed brown leather with a silvery toe and spiked heel.
“Except for the fact that you know who would probably rip your throat out about two seconds later,” Faith snickered at the rueful look the other girl gave her. They were always careful about mentioning Angel's name in public.
Unlike Cordy, she was dressed almost the complete opposite in casual disarray. Sexily frayed tight, dark blue jeans with cut out holes marching down the outside of her legs, showing a glimpse of firm tanned flesh. And a dark blue silk halter top completed the wardrobe, showing a flash of a tanned belly with every shift of her hips. Like her companion, silver also accessorize her outfit. Huge silver earrings dangled from her ears while her neck was encircled by a long thick silver chain. A silver rope was wrapped around her waist, with the excess left to dangle at her side.
Drawing the male (and a few females as well) eyes unerringly to her hips. Palms just itching to feel how they moved in the throes of passion.
Which was not to say that Cordy didn't draw an equal amount of attention. They would kill to see that look of haughty pride cast aside for a look of hungry pleasure while they rode between her long legs.
But with the ease of long practice, the two girls ignored the drooling in their wake as they tossed food into the cart.
“You know what the worse thing is? Those stupid bitches that pretended to be his friend. Man, I want to ...” she stopped abruptly as they turned left at the end of the aisle.
Right into Willow and Oz.
And Oz's eyes were blank. He had heard every word the two girls said while in the next aisle. Giles had them all looking for Xander and these two knew where he was.
They had initially tried Xander's house but a helpful neighbor told them that both Harris' were in the hospital. Adding in a scandalized whisper, “Somebody had beat, whipped and broken numerous bones within Mr. and Mrs. Harris' bodies. It was a miracle that they were both still alive. I heard the police say that they were bound and gagged with underwear so they couldn't cry out. And this is such a nice neighborhood!”
They had thanked the helpful lady and quickly departed to report this to Giles. And the librarian had made one ill-fated attempt to contact Cordy's parents and was told in a very soft voice by Mr. Chase that 'Should he every attempt to contact them again, he had better make sure he had a lawyer present'. And that was the end of that.
And to make things even worse, when Giles attempted to get both Cordy and Xander expelled one week before the school year ended, they found the Chases' lawyers waiting. It seemed that the Chases' had contacted the School Board and now Principal Snyder was under investigation. An investigation that intensified when Xander's locker was opened and dozens of lewd, filthy notes poured out along with clearly altered pictures of the young man having sex with different males.
Principal Snyder had denied all knowledge of what was going on, but he was immediately suspended until it was determined if he did, in fact, have knowledge of the sexual harassment that was taking place within the school.
That's what they were calling it: Sexual Harassment. It had the whole school buzzing, and sympathy immediately switched over to Xander. Cordy was hailed as a heroine for managing to get him away from...and eyes slid slowly over Willow, Buffy and Oz.
But eyes lingered especially on Willow.
Every kid at Sunnydale High had practically grown up together. Jesse, Willow and Xander lived in all their minds. If you saw one, you would soon see the other two. But then Jesse became a casualty of Sunnydale and the group shifted, becoming Willow, Xander and that new girl. But still it was Willow that had been a part of the original trio. The red-headed girl had been part of his life since they were in kindergarten.
Willow Rosenburg.
And some of the kids, being the good little brainiacs that they thought they were, managed to put two and two together. Though they came up with the number five, they still were on the right path.
Some of them were good Christian kids as well and they remembered their bible...
On the last day of school, Willow found five silver dollars on her desk in her first period class, three in her second class and two in her third. And puzzled, she had asked Buffy if she knew why someone was leaving her money. But with a shrug of unconcern, the blonde impatiently told her to just spend it before the Slayer darted away.
In her fifth period class there were eight silver dollars.
Ten in her sixth period class. And by the end of the day, she had become aware of the cool looks she was receiving from over half the school population.
And with heavy steps, she approached her locker. She also knew her bible as well and was not in the least surprised to see an envelope sticking to it.
With Buffy and Oz at her side, she shakily plucked the envelope off and found two more coins. And written on the front of the envelope was one word....
JUDAS.
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