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buffyfic-digest         Sunday, July 19 1998         Volume 02 : Number 268



In this issue:

       BUFFYFIC: Xeweitced. Part 6/8
       BUFFYFIC: Xewitched. Part 7/8

See the end of the digest for information on (un)subscribing to the buffyfic
or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 09:07:21 -0700
From: Jeff Weitkamp <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Xeweitced. Part 6/8

Title: Xewitched, Xothered, & Xewildered
Author: Jeff W
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Feedback: Yes please. Tell me anything. Was is good, bad, or what.
Distribution: Please ask and I'll say yes.
Spoilers: Definitely Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered.
Summary: This is a Xander POV story for Bewitched, Bothered, &
Bewildered. I know he was pretty much the main character in the story,
but I thought it would be fun to get inside his head.
Rating: PG
Time line: Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered.
Disclaimer: Most of the characters in this story belong to Joss Wheadon
ect. The original story was written by Marti Noxon. The episode was
directed by James A. Contner
Thank yous: To write this story I used a script transcribed by.
AleXander Thompson. Thanks man. You saved a lot of wear an tear on my
VCR.



_______________________
Xewitched, Xothered, & Xewildered.  Part  6 / 8


When Xander stepped into the hall heard Cordelia yell, =93What are you
doing? You guys are crazy.=94 He looked down the saw a group of girls in =
a

tight cluster. Then he heard what sounded like Harmony=92s voice say, =93=
You

thought you could do better, is that it?=94

Then a gap opened in the crowd of girls, allowing Xander to see Cordelia

in their midst, being grabbed, pushed, pulled, and punched. Immediately
Xander ran towards the group.

Some of the girls saw him approaching. They broke from the cluster,
running towards him, shouting their love, or just trying to grab him.
Inside the circle, Xander saw Cordelia get pushed to the ground, as one
of her attackers began to pull her hair.

Xander warded off the hands of the girls grabbing at him as he struggled

forward. When he reached Cordy, he pushed away the girl pulling at her
hair. Then he bent down and picked Cordelia up. She threw her arms
around him and hung on for dear life. Xander stood up and ran up the
hall, the shouting girls following behind.

Xander ran for all he was worth. Somehow, he managed to build a lead
over the pursuing mob. I=92ve got to lose this crowd, he thought.

As he rounded a corner he saw an open door to a classroom just ahead.
Making an instant decision, Xander angled through the door and ducked
behind the wall. In his haste Cordy=92s foot bumped against the doorframe.

When Xander glanced down at the floor, he saw that the bump had knocked
her shoe off her foot, and onto the floor, right in the middle of the
doorway. From the sound of running, and shouting in the hallway, Xander
knew that it was filled with crazed females, and that retrieving the
shoe would not be a good idea. So he mentally crossed his fingers hoping

that none of the girls would notice it.

As the sound of running and shouting faded in the hallway, Xander took a

moment to catch his breath. Then he looked down at Cordelia who still
had her arms tightly wrapped around his neck and her head buried in his
chest. Filled with relief for her safety, Xander bent his head down to
rest on top of hers and whispered, =93It=92s okay now, I=92ve got you hon=
ey.=94

Xander felt Cordelia begin to move her head. He lifted his head to stare

down at her. She looked up at him, the fear beginning to fade from her
face, and said, =93Xander, You saved m=85.=94 Then an angry look came ove=
r her

face. She released her grip around his neck, pushed away from him, and
said, =93What are you doing? Put me d=85.=94

Setting her down, Xander cutoff Cordelia with a hand over her mouth, and

whispered, =93Will you be quiet. They might hear you.=94

Cordelia reached up, pulled his hand away and whispered. =93What the
=91Hell=92 is going on?=94

Xander open his mouth to respond, then thought better of it and said in
a low voice, =93I=92ll explain later.=94 Cordelia started to reply but st=
opped

when Xander held a finger to his lips. Xander turned and slowly moved to

the door, listening for any signs of the mob. All he heard were distant
shouts. Xander crouched down and cautiously reached out and retrieved
Cordy=92s shoe.

After she replaced the shoe on her foot he said, =93Come on. I think it=92=
s
clear.=94 Then he took her hand and led her into the hall.

Xander wanted to get away from school as fast as possible, so he headed
for the nearest exit. They were almost there when a group of girls came
around a corner just ahead, led by Ms Calendar. As soon as he saw them,
Xander turned to head the other way. But he pulled up short when he saw
more girls behind them with Harmony in the lead.

As soon as the girls saw him, they began to shout his name, and run
towards them. Xander was rooted in place with fear. Suddenly he felt a
pull from the hand that held Cordelia=92s hand. He looked at her. She was
pulling him towards the stairs up to the second floor.

Xander followed her up the stairs. Once at the top Cordelia turned right

toward a place they both knew very well. One of their favorite janitors
closets. Cordelia opened the door, and rushed in, Xander right on her
heels. Cordelia shut the door behind them and stood with her ear to the
door, listening. Xander stood close behind her, straining to hear
anything.

When the mob reached the top of the stairs, Xander could tell that
confusion reigned about which way he had gone. Oh I am such a fool,
Xander thought.

As he stood close behind her, Xander became aware of Cordelia. First the

smell of hair. Then he noticed her perfume. It was his favorite. Without

realizing what he was doing, Xander started to reach up to stroke her
hair.

=93I think=85=94 Cordelia began, as she turned towards Xander. He was abl=
e to
jerk his hand back before she saw it. When she turned around, she seemed

to notice just how close he was, causing her to stop in mid-sentence.
Just for a second, she looked down. Xander couldn=92t remember when he ha=
d

ever seen Cordy quite so, so subdued.

Then she looked up, her face was just inches from his. He stared into
her eyes, afraid to speak or even move for fear of breaking the moment.
He knew at that moment that he still felt something deep inside for
Cordelia. And from the look in her eyes, he knew that there were some
feelings in her for him too.

They both stood there staring into each other=92s eyes not speaking, but
still communicating. It was a special moment. A moment that Xander
realized that he would treasure for a long time. That is if he lived
that long. That thought shook Xander out of his reverie, and into
action. He grabbed Cordy by the hand and said, =93Come on let=92s get out=
 of

here.=94

Xander led the way out of the closet and down the stairs. Just before
they reached the bottom of the stairs Xander stopped. Very cautiously,
he peeked around the corner to check the hallway. When he saw no one
there he turned back to Cordelia and said, =93It=92s all clear. Let=92s g=
o.=94

Once in the hallway it was a few short steps to the exit. When they were

out the doors Xander began to breathe easier. He turned to Cordelia and
said, =93I think we lost them.=94

As soon as he turned around Xander knew he=92d spoken too soon. While it
was true they had evaded the mob of girls chasing them through the
school, they had managed to find a whole new mob. This one had Willow at

its front, holding a large ax in her hands.

=93I should have known that I=92d find you with her.=94 Willow said on th=
e
verge of hysteria.

=93Will=85 Come on. You don=92t want to hurt me.=94 Xander said trying to=
 calm
his redheaded friend down.

=93Oh no? You don=92t know how hard this is for me. I love you so much! I=
=92d
rather see you dead than with that bitch!=94 Willow said as she raised th=
e

ax and started towards them, the other girls with her following along.

=93Stay away from him he=92s mine.=94 Xander heard coming from behind him=
. He
turned to see Harmony at the head of a throng rushing out of the
building. They poured out of the building and into the girls advancing
on Xander and Cordelia. Xander saw Harmony grab Willow=92s ax and try to
wrestle it from her.

Xander realized that for the moment no one is paying attention to them.
Quietly he tugged on Cordelia=92s hand.  They quickly maneuvered out of
the melee. They made it almost to the sidewalk before someone spotted
them and let out a shout. Quickly the girls forgot about each other and
began to chase after Xander and Cordelia.

Hand and hand the couple fled down the street.



The Mid-February night fell early as Xander and Cordelia ran through the

streets of Sunnydale, attempting to evade their pursuers. Xander felt
like he=92d been running for hours. He looked over his shoulder again and
saw no sign of pursuit. Gradually as he and Cordelia slowed to a walk,
he said, =93Okay, now I really think we lost them.=94

=93Damn it, Xander,=94 Cordelia said. =93What=92s going on? Who died and =
made
=91you=92 Elvis?

Xander saw a familiar house and said, =93Buffy=92s house. Let=92s get ins=
ide.
I=92ll explain later.=94

They ran to the door and began to knock loudly, while making an
occasional glance over their shoulder to see if they=92d been found by th=
e

roaming mobs of woman.

Mrs. Summers opened the door and said, =93Xander, Cordelia, what=85=94

With out giving her a chance to finish her question, Xander and Cordelia

pushed their way into the house.

=93Yeah, hi.=94 Cordelia said as she slammed the door shut behind them. T=
hen

they both looked out the small windows in the door to make sure that
they still had not been discovered.

Mrs. Summers pointed to the kitchen and said, =93Well I guess you might a=
s

well come in. Then she followed behind Xander with Cordelia trailing
behind. =93What happened?=94 She asked. =93Why are you all scratched up?
Where=92s Buffy?=94

=93She=92s, um=85=94 Xander said as he thought, why did she have to ask t=
hat?
What am I going to tell her, Buffy=92s a rat, she wondering around
somewhere at school. And it=92s all my fault. I think that this is one of
those times when the truth is better left unsaid. =93Around.=94 Xander
finished.

=93Well sit down and tell me all about it.=94 Mrs. Summers said pointing =
to
a stool. Then she turned to Cordelia and asked, =93Why don=92t you go
upstairs and grab me some bandages from the bathroom?=94

As Cordelia left to go upstairs, Mrs. Summers turned back to Xander and
said, =93Let me, uh, get you something to drink. You in the mood for cold
or hot?=94

=93I, uh=85=94 Xander said with a shrug.

=93Mrs. Summers walked around behind Xander. Then she began to rub his
shoulders and said, =93I think it=92s more of a =91hot=92 night, don=92t =
you?=94

Xander dropped his head to the table thinking, not her too, will this
ever end, as he said, =93Whatever.=94

Mrs. Summers began to massage his shoulders, and said, =93Ooo, you are so
tense.=94 Then she leaned over and kissed his neck.

Then Xander heard Cordelia come back into the room and saying, =93What ar=
e

you doing? Make me Yak!=94

Mrs. Summers turned to Cordelia and said, =93Cordelia, go back upstairs.
This is between us.=94

=93Gross, I think not.=94 Cordelia replied, as she grabbed Mrs. Summers b=
y
the arm, pushed her towards the door and opened it.

=93What are you doing?=94 Mrs. Summers protested. =93Hey! Get your hands =
off
me!=94

Cordelia pushed Mrs. Summers out the door, slammed it shut, Then she
twisted the dead bolt locking it, as she said, =93And keep your mom aged
mitts off of my boyfriend. Former!=94

Cordelia turned to Xander and said, =93Why has everyone gone insane?=94

Now that hurts, Xander thought as he said, =93Insane? Is it impossible fo=
r

you to believe that other women find me attractive?=94

Cordelia put her hands on her hips and said. =93The only way you could ge=
t

girls to want you would be witchcraft.=94

=93That is such a=85=94 Xander started, then he thought, That is pretty c=
lose
to the truth actually. =93Well, yeah, okay, good point.=94

Abruptly they both turned to the sound of breaking glass, as Mrs.
Summers broke a pane of glass in the door.

=93Oh, my God.=94 Cordelia said.

Mrs. Summers stuck her arm through the broken panel, began to feel for
the lock, and said, =93Xander honey, let Joycie in. Hon, let Joycie in.=94

Xander thought, I have to get out of here. Then he stood up, grabbed
Cordelia, and ran from the kitchen, as he said, =93Upstairs, Buffy=92s
room.=94

Xander led the way into Buffy=92s room. Cordelia following behind slammed
and locked the door. Xander crossed to the window, checked outside. Then

he turned back to Cordelia and said, =93Good. The mob still hasn=92t foun=
d
us yet. We should be safer up here.=94

Then he turned back to the window and found himself staring into the
demonic face of Angelus. The vampire reached through the window, grabbed

Xander by the shirt and said,  =93Works in theory.=94

Before Xander could react, Angelus yanked him through the window and out

onto the roof, as he heard a terrified Cordelia yell his name.



    End of Part 6

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 09:21:49 -0700
From: Jeff Weitkamp <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Xewitched. Part 7/8

Title: Xewitched, Xothered, & Xewildered
Author: Jeff W
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Feedback: Yes please. Tell me anything. Was is good, bad, or what.
Distribution: Please ask and I'll say yes.
Spoilers: Definitely Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered.
Summary: This is a Xander POV story for Bewitched, Bothered, &
Bewildered. I know he was pretty much the main character in the story,
but I thought it would be fun to get inside his head.
Rating: PG
Time line: Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered.
Disclaimer: Most of the characters in this story belong to Joss Wheadon
ect. The original story was written by Marti Noxon. The episode was
directed by James A. Contner
Thank yous: To write this story I used a script transcribed by.
AleXander Thompson. Thanks man. You saved a lot of wear an tear on my
VCR.



_______________________
Xewitched, Xothered, & Xewildered.  Part  7 / 8



Angelus yanked Xander up by the shirt, pulling him close to his face. I
never liked the old Angel, Xander thought, but I=92d sure prefer him here
now.

=93Where=92s Buffy?=94 The demon asked.

Xander caught movement by the window from the corner of his eye.
Glancing over he saw Cordelia standing there with a look of sheer panic
on her face.

=93Cordy, get outta here.=94 Xander said, trying to sound calm and brave.

Before he could see if she obeyed, Xander felt himself flying through
the air. It was a weird feeling he thought. But his trip ended abruptly
when the ground got in the way.

When Xander looked up, he saw Angelus leap off the roof to land next to
him. Reaching down to pull Zander up by the shirt, Angelus said,
=93Perfect. I wanted to do something for Buffy, actually to Buffy, but
this is =91so=92 much better.=94

Xander managed to get his feet underneath him. He used all his strength
to slam his knee into the vampire=92s crouch, as he thought, Yeah, take
that dead boy. But to Xander=92s surprise, Angelus wasn=92t even fazed.
With a push, Angelus sent Xander spinning. Xander watched his view
quickly change from Angelus, to sky, to tree, then to lawn. When he came

to rest Xander found himself face down staring at the grass.

Before he could move, Xander felt his hair being pulled forcing his head

back. He found himself looking into Angelus demonic face just inches
away.

=93If it=92s any consolation to you,=94 Angelus said. =93I feel very clos=
e to
you right now.=94

This is it. Xander thought. I=92m gonna die. I love you Willow.

Suddenly Xander saw a hand grasp Angelus by the shoulder. Then the
vampire was pulled away from him and slammed into a tree.

Xander thought, Way to go G-man. You managed to reverse the rat-girl
spell, as he said, =93Buff, how=85=94 Xander=92s words freeze on his lips.
Instead of seeing the face of his beautiful, blond friend standing
there, he saw the demonic face of Drusilla staring down at him.

=93I don=92t know what you=92re up to Dru, but it =91doesn=92t=92 amuse!=94=
 Angelus
said.

Drusilla looked at Angelus and growled, receiving a growl in response to

hers.

=93If you harm one hair of this boy=92s head=85,=94 Drusilla said as she =
stroked

Xander=92s hair.

=93You=92ve gotta be kidding. Him?=94 Angelus asked.

Why is it so impossible for everybody to believe that anyone might find
me attractive, Xander thought?

=93Just because I finally found a real man.=94 Drusilla said.

=93I guess I really did drive you crazy.=94 Angelus said as he backed awa=
y.

Drusilla ran her fingers over Xander=92s lips, and said, =93Your face is
like a poem. I can read it.=94

Xander tried to keep the fear out of his voice as he said, =93Really, It
doesn=92t say spare me by any chance?=94

=93Shhh.=94 Drusilla said. Then she kissed him.

Xander felt his blood turn cold at the touch of her lips. There was a
chill to their touch that seemed to penetrate to his core.

=93How do you feel about eternal life?=94 Drusilla asked.

Xander fought against the fear. Somehow, he managed to keep his knees
from giving out on him. But his voice stilled trembled as he said, =93We
couldn=92t just start with coffee? A movie, maybe?

Drusilla grabbed Xander=92s hair, and pulled his head to his left, fully
exposing his neck. Then she slowly opened her mouth and moved in.

Xander was frozen in fear. For the second time in as many minutes he
thought, I=92m going to die now. Then a realization struck him, No I=92m
going to become a vampire. Oh God no. And Buffy will have to slay me.
I=92m sorry Buffy.

Suddenly Xander saw Drusilla=92s head snap up. He could tell she was
looking at something over his shoulder. She still held his hair,
preventing him from looking. Then he heard it. The sound of running feet

accompanied by screams and yells.

Xander heard a female voice he didn=92t recognize shout, =93There he is! =
Get

him!=94 Then another voice said, =93He=92s mine! Get off!=94 Was that Ms
Calendar, Xander wondered?

Xander could see surprise on Drusilla=92s face, as she let=92s him go. Th=
en
he saw Willow, still holding the ax, run up and pushed the tall thin
vampire away.

Xander managed to turn around in time to see the wave of screaming
females, led by Ms Calendar, and Harmony, crash into him, knocking him
to the ground. They began to paw at him. Desperately, he tried to get
away, but he was pinned to the ground.

Through the mass of arms and legs, Xander caught a glimpse of Willow.
She raised her ax and pleaded, =93All you had to do was love me.=94

Then Xander saw Cordelia running from the house shouting, =93NO!=94 She
jerked the ax from Willow, and pushed her to the ground. Then Cordy
began to force her way through the mob towards Xander, shouting, =93Get
out of the way! Move it! Get off him!=94 Finally, Cordelia was able to
reach Xander. She managed to push the girl pinning him to the ground off

him. Quickly she grabbed Xander=92s hand and helped him up.

=93Back off!=94 Cordelia shouted at the crowd as she pushed Xander toward=
s
the house. They managed to make it to the house and slam the door just
before the desperate girls could get to them.

Although the door was locked, Xander stood there with his weight against

the door as he thought, We=92re running out of places to hide pretty
quickly. Hurry Giles, we=92re running out of time.

=93It=92s never going to work for us, Xander.=94

Xander spun around to see Mrs. Summers standing there. But his gaze
fixed on the extremely large kitchen knife in her hand.

=93We=92re going to have to end it.=94 Mrs. Summers finished, as two girl=
s
came running up behind her from the kitchen.

Despite his panic, Xander managed to think, Where can we go. Then not
totally sure if he was acting on thought or instinct, Xander grabbed
Cordy=92s hand and ran through the Living room towards the kitchen. Maybe
he was trying for the back door. At this point, he wasn=92t even sure,
mostly he was just reacting.

As they made it to the kitchen, Xander could see that the back door was
lying on the floor. There were several girls coming towards it, and
Drusilla was standing just outside, looking in. Xander looked around
hoping to spot another way out. Then he saw the basement door. Quickly
he jerked it open and pushed Cordelia inside just in front of him. As
the pulled the door shut and hooked it from the inside, he thought,
Haven=92t we been here before?

Almost immediately, someone began to yank violently on the door, but the

hook seemed to be holding for the moment.

=93Wait here.=94 Xander said to Cordelia as he ran downstairs.

=93As if there was anyplace to go, Elvis boy. You seemed to have us
trapped pretty well.=94 Cordelia said.

Xander ignored her as he looked around the basement to find something to

help hold the door closed. =93Yes=94 Xander, said when he saw some strips=
 of

wood, with a hammer and nails sitting on a table in the middle of the
basement. Quickly he grabbed the Items and ran back up the stairs.

=93Here, hold these.=94 Xander said as he handed some of the nails to
Cordelia. Then he began to hammer the wood strips across the doorframe
hoping that they would help hold the door closed.=94

=93Gimme a nail.=94 Xander said as he started to nail the third board in
place.

Cordelia handed him a nail, as she said, =93If we die in here I=92m gonna
kick your ass. I mean it!=94

Xander paused from his hammering, looked up at her and said, =93None of
this would=92ve happened if you hadn=92t broken up with me. But no, you=92=
re
so desperate to be popular!=94 Then he resumed his hammering.

=93Me? I=92m not the one who embraced the black arts just to get girls to
like me. Well, congratulations, it worked.=94

Xander looked back at her and said, =93Would=92ve worked just fine, excep=
t
your hide=92s so thick that, not even magic can penetrate it.=94

Xander returned his attention to hammering again. Then he felt a hand
gently touching his arm, He looked up at Cordelia who had an expression
on her face that looked to be anger, fear, and delight all rolled into
one.

=93You mean that spell was for me?=94 Cordelia asked.

They stood there looking at each for a moment, while Xander thought, Of
course it was for you. What did you think?

Then they both turned when they heard a strange noise from the door.
Looking up Xander saw the blade of a huge knife sticking through the
door. Cordelia screamed as they both turned and fled down the stairs.

Just as they reach the bottom of the stairs Xander heard the sound of
glass breaking. Looking up he saw that some girl had broken one of the
basement windows. Then the girl stuck her arm through the window towards

Xander, and said, =93Oh, please let me touch you.=94

Xander looked around the basement, and then he pushed Cordelia away from

the windows toward the washer and dryer. When Xander heard the door at
the top of the stairs open he thought, Hurry Giles, Hurry.

=93Oh, my God.=94 Cordelia said from behind Xander.

Xander desperately looked around for something he could use to defend
them. He spotted a large pipe wrench and grabbed it. Then he glanced
over his shoulder and said, =93Stay behind me.=94

Soon they saw feet descending the stairs. Xander=92s heart sank when he
saw that the first person down the steps was Willow, still holding her
ax. She was followed closely by Mrs. Summers with her knife, then Ms
Calendar and many more. Xander backed up as far as he could while he
tightened his grip on the wrench. He could feel Cordelia standing behind

him, her shaking hands resting on his back. He wanted to say something
brave sounding, but as usual, nothing came to mind.

Soon one of the mob spotted them and shouted. All the girls in the
basement rushed at them, Willow leading the way. Xander steeled himself
for the onslaught, and hauled the wrench back to swing. But when the
time came to swing all he could do was stare at Willow and think, I
can=92t hurt you Will. It=92s not your fault. It=92s mine.

The mob dropped what weapons they held and swarmed over them quickly,
knocking them to the ground. Desperately Xander fought to keep the hands

off him, and prevent being torn apart.

Somewhere in Xander=92s panicked mind was a calm voice that couldn=92t he=
lp
thinking, How ironic the situation was. He had fought against demons,
vampires, and even a giant preying mantis that wanted to eat him. He=92d
survived it all. Now he was going to die at the hands of a mob of crazed

women that loved him. And it was all his fault.

The not so logical part of his mind was too busy to appreciate the
irony. It was desperately battling to stay alive. Hands would grab at
him. He flailed away with his hands an feet to keep them off. One of his

legs was already pinned by the mob. Xander knew it was just a matter of
time.

Then without warning the hands stopped grabbing at him. Xander opened
eyes and saw all of the girls standing in the basement looking around in

confusion.

Quickly he glanced over at Cordy. She pushed some girl away and said,
=93Get off me.=94

Well, Xander thought. Cordelia seems to be back to normal.

=93Where am I?=94 Xander heard one girl say. What=92s going on?=94 Asked
another.

Mrs. Summers looked around and asked, =93What=85 Why did we=85=94

=93Boy.=94 Cordelia said. =93That sure was some scavenger hunt.=94 She lo=
oked at

Xander with a lame smile on her face, which Xander quickly mirrored.

=93Scavenger hunt?=94 Mrs. Summers said mostly to herself, as she turned =
to
head for the stairs.

Xander looked around at the former mob as it began to break up. He saw
Ms Calendar who stared at him with a disgusted look that turned him
cold. Xander had to look away.

Then he saw Willow who was still standing there staring off into space,
with a look on her face that was near to tears. Xander took a step
towards her and said, =93Willow I=85=94

When he spoke Willow jerked her head towards him. Then she broke into
tears, burying her face in her hands.

Xander took another step towards her and asked, =93Will? Are you all
right?=94

Willow looked up at Xander and said, =93You=85 Just stay away from me!=94=
 Then

she spun around and ran for the stairs.

Xander started to follow, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He
turned to see Cordelia standing there. She looked at him and shook her
head as she smiled gently, and said, =93I think you=92d better leave her
alone for now.=94

Xander stared at her for a moment while her words sunk in. Finally, he
nodded his head in agreement.

When Xander and Cordelia reached the kitchen, they found most of the
girls gone, and Mrs. Summers sitting on a stool near the island. Xander
found his hammer and removed the boards from across the basement door.
These did a lot of good, he thought. The door pulled open. That=92s the
second time today he made that mistake.

Next, he did what he could to secure the backdoor in place, while
Cordelia made a cup tea for Mrs. Summers.

When Mrs. Summers asked to no one in particular, =93Scavenger hunt?=94
Xander decided that maybe they should go before she started to ask
really hard questions.

Once outside Xander asked, =93Can I walk you home Ms Chase.

Cordelia smiled weakly and nodded her head.

As they walked, Xander explained everything to her. He tried to offer no

excuses, just explanations. While he talked, Cordelia ask a few
questions, but mostly she just listened. Xander wondered if that was
because he was she was mad, shocked, or maybe she realized that he just
needed to talk.

As they neared Cordelia=92s house, Xander realized that he was holding he=
r

hand. He didn=92t remember taking it. Maybe she was the one who reached
out for his hand. Or maybe it had been something mutual. But he did know

that he liked it. It was a good sign.

When they reached Cordelia=92s front door, she unlocked it. When Xander
leaned forward to kiss her, he thought she was going to kiss him back.
Then she got a disgusted look on her face and said, =93What are you tryin=
g

to do?=94

=93But=85 Well=85 I thought=85=94 Xander managed to stammer.

=93You thought. That=92s a change, smart boy.=94 Cordelia shot back. =93J=
ust
because=85 If you think=85 Who do you=85=94

Xander just stood there with a shocked look on his face. His mouth
moving but no sound coming out.

=93Oooohhhhh, Just get away from me, you=85 you=85=94 Cordelia said. Then=
 she
turned around, stormed inside the house, and shut the door. Xander heard

it lock with a loud click.

Xander stared at the door for a moment, his mouth still working.
Finally, he managed to say,
=93I=92m sorry.=94 But there was only the door to hear him, and somehow h=
e
figured that the door really didn=92t care. Slowly he turned and began
walking home as he said aloud, =93Maybe I can find that truck with my nam=
e

on it.=94

When he reached home, he was dead tired. But, he decided that that there

was one other thing he needed to do. He sat down on the bed and picked
up the phone, dialing the number from memory. He had decided to let the
phone ring ten times. On the ninth ring, he heard someone pick up the
phone. His heart beat faster as he heard a teary but familiar voice say
=93Hello.=94

Xander took a deep breath and said. =93Willow. I=85=94

The rest of the words stopped cold when he heard the line go dead. Well
he deserved it he supposed. For a while he stared at the phone in his
hand. Then he hung it up, shaking his head.

After sitting on the bed for a few minutes, Xander managed to take off
his shoes and one sock. Then he just fell back on the bed, grabbed a
pillow and covered his face.


  End of part 7

------------------------------

End of buffyfic-digest V2 #268
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