Title: Tales of the Lost Warrior: Book Two - A Charming Time
Author: Michael Wilson
Email: wyrdradio@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Joss, Mutant Enemy, and a lot of other people own the characters from Buffy. Duncan McLeod, from Highlander, and the immortality theory is owned by Rysher. Kitty Pryde and the X-men are owned by Marvel Comics. Charmed is owned by Spelling Production/Viacom. I own none of these people. I get nothing by writing this except maybe some kind words of encouragement and a few cheers... at least I hope.
Spoilers: AU Second season after the wedding... but no Cole. Highlander: After the Paris seasons.
Summary: Xander's life has drastically changed and after a wondrous journey, he has returned a new man with his own destiny... these are his tales...
Author's Notes: This fic is a Buffy/Charmed crossover with the setting being in the Charmed series. " " as always means talking while * * means thoughts. / / means speech from another entity. # # is telepathy.
Feedback: Yes please!!!!!
Distribution: If you like it... please feel free to place it on your site... but please tell me first.
San Francisco... it was much bigger than Xander had expected. He rode through town on his motorcycle, looking for the address that the strange man, Leo, had given him. He had called him, telling him he was on his way, and Leo had given Xander some more detailed directions. *Boy am I glad he gave me these clear directions... or else I might have just wandered around all day looking for his place.*
He thought back to the other night and smiled. It had been wonderful... and he was glad that he and Cordy were still friends. It was on the trip over that he had called Duncan on his new cell phone and told him everything. He said he wasn’t sure how long he would be in San Fran, but Xander told him he would give him a call before he left and would check in with him every week. Xander smiled to himself, still happy, and then looked back down at the directions. *Right on Sullivan... then 4 blocks... then a left and go up the hill... then its the third house on the left...*
Xander looked up at the street sign and turned right. Within 10 minutes, he was on the right street and was pulled up next to a large manor house. He looked up at it and smiled. *Nice place... hope I'm at the right house.*
Xander got off his bike and headed up the walk. As he walked up the steps, he heard someone arguing inside. "... Phoebe... get your sorry ass down here right now. We have company coming and you are not getting out of meeting him!"
Xander smiled. *Wonder if that was Leo's wife or the other sister...*
Xander stepped up to the door and rang the bell. Within moments, the door opened and a lovely woman stood before him. "Yes.. what do you want?"
Xander smirked. "Does Leo live here?"
The woman nodded and turned her head. "Leo! Front door!"
Xander smiled and watched as Leo entered the foyer from a side room. He smiled as he saw Xander. "Xander... you made it earlier than I thought you would."
Xander laughed. "I don't follow speed laws."
The woman frowned at Xander and then turned to Leo. "So this is your friend?"
Leo nodded and pulled Xander inside. "Yes, Prue, he is... and he's also your new student, so be nice."
Xander looked Prue up and down and grinned. *I'm going to enjoy this...*
He heard someone on the stairs and turned to look and gasped at what he saw. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen, since Kitty, was walking toward him. His jaw dropped and his mind disconnected, making him mumble softly to himself. Phoebe noticed the reaction and smiled. *Leo never said he was this hot. I'm going to enjoy this.*
Leo looked at Xander and smiled. "Xander... this is Phoebe and you already met Prue. Piper is at her club right now but she will be back later for dinner."
Xander nodded and mumbled something. Phoebe laughed and smiled. "Thank you... that is a very nice thing to say."
Prue shook her head and just stared at her. "You understood what he said?"
Phoebe nodded. "I understand the language that is man-in-shock-babble. Xander said `You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I would be honored to protect you for all eternity.' or something along those lines."
Leo laughed. "You said that, Xander?"
Xander nodded and blushed. "Sorry... went non-verbal for a sec there. Pleased to meet you both. I hope my being here won't be a problem."
Prue started to say something but was stopped by Leo. "No problem whatsoever. Now... would you like to have a look around or would you rather get set up in the guest room?"
Xander smiled at Phoebe and looked at his feet. "Both... if that's ok."
Phoebe moved closer and placed her hand on Xander's arm. "Where are your things?"
Xander patted his backpack and smiled. "All right here. I travel light."
Phoebe laughed and patted him on the chest, then jumped back in shock. "What the hell was that?"
Prue frowned and moved closer. "What is it?"
Phoebe shook her head. "His chest is as hard as a rock."
Xander smiled and dropped his backpack on the floor. He then took off his cloak and then peeled off his t-shirt revealing... the mithril armor. He grinned inwardly and was glad he had gone back for the mithril vest... for when he was going incognito. "It's mithril armor. It stops pretty much anything you can think off... except for maybe magical weapons or things of that nature."
They all stared in shock and moved closer to examine it. "Can I touch it?"
Xander nodded to Phoebe and grinned. "Sure.. go ahead."
Phoebe reached out and ran her fingers across Xander's buff chest, feeling the smooth silky quality to the mithril vest. "It's smooth... like silk... but it's cold... but not as cold as ice... and it tingles.... has this been enchanted?"
Xander nodded. "A friend of mine put a few spells on it and a few other items of clothing I have. When I am fully decked out... nothing short of a God or a Dragon can hurt me... at least that is what he told me."
Xander ran his fingers through his long hair and felt Phoebe grab his hand. "What is this and what happened?"
Xander looked at his wrist and nodded. "It's a bracer of dimensional travel. It was destroyed a while back and the results are what you see. It has been fused into me... all the way down to the bone. The only way I can get rid of it would be to cut off my hand. It hurt for a day or so.. but I don't even feel it anymore."
The looks on their faces was enough to tell Xander that he had shocked them pretty badly. Xander just shrugged and grabbed his things. He pulled his shirt back on and smiled. "Can someone show me to my room now?"
Phoebe nodded and squeezed Xander's hand. "I will... come with me."
She then turned and lead Xander upstairs. As they disappeared upstairs, Prue turned to Leo and shook her head. "She has him... but he doesn't know it yet. The poor guy is doomed."
Leo smiled and nodded. "I know... isn't it great."
They both laughed and walked into the kitchen, hearing laughter from upstairs.
*****
Xander followed Phoebe into the guest room and dropped his backpack on the bed. "Nice room... um.. where's yours?"
Phoebe smiled seductively. "The one next to this one... and I stay up late, in case you want to talk... or something."
Xander blushed and nodded. He then dumped out his clothes onto the bed. Phoebe looked at his lack of clothing and frowned. "You don't have much there. Do you need to go shopping?"
Xander shook his head and smiled. "Naw.. I can make anything I need."
The confused look on her face told Xander he would have to show her. "What color do you think would look good on me?"
Phoebe looked at Xander and considered for a moment. "Light green maybe... why?"
Xander laughed and created a t-shirt similar to the one he was wearing. It materialized before their eyes and he heard Phoebe squeak and jump back. "How.. how did you do that? You didn't cast any spell."
Xander smiled. "It's called Keening. Some friends of mine taught me how to do it. I keen something... which means I memorize it completely, down to the molecular level, and then I can recreate it over and over as many times as I want."
Phoebe's eyes widened. "Anything?"
Xander nodded. "Yes.. even money.. but I sometimes can't get the serial numbers right so I end up making counterfeit money most of the time. I tend to stick to making small amounts in various denominations... and I don't give money to the same person twice. I'm thinking I need to get my hands on some gold or silver or diamonds or something... then sell them till I have enough money to live comfortably on. The hard part is actually getting them in the first place."
Phoebe nodded. "Well.. we can be in the lookout for those things and maybe you can give me some of it too.... as a nice gift maybe?"
Xander smiled at her. She had started flirting with him and was looking very sexy at the moment. "Of course. I would gladly give you all some money... as a thank you for helping me... if I can ever get some... but for now..."
He looked around the room and saw a piece of amethyst on the dresser. He walked over and picked it up... keened it.. then set it back down. He then turned and walked back over to Phoebe. He looked down at the ring on her hand and smiled. "Can I see that ring for a second?"
Phoebe nodded and pulled it off... then handed it over. Xander keened it then gave it back. He then sat down and closed his eyes. He was going to try something he had never tried before. He was going to merge the ring with the amethyst... and see if he could make a ring. He concentrated and went for it... then opened his eyes. He opened his hand and smiled at what he saw. In the palm of his hand was an amethyst ring. He heard Phoebe gasp and then sigh. "It's beautiful..."
Xander looked into her eyes and smiled. "It's for you... if you'd like it."
He then took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. His eyebrows wiggled and he smirked. "Not here ten minutes and already they are going to think I proposed..."
Phoebe laughed and nodded. "Who cares what they think..."
She threw her arms around Xander's neck and hugged him. "Thank you... I love it."
She then kissed him on his cheek and skipped away, humming happily to herself. Xander watched her go and just smiled. *Play your cards right and you might just have something with her...*
*****
Later that night, Xander met Piper and was pleased to see that she was happy to have him there. "You're a welcome addition to this household, Xander. I just want you to know that."
Xander blushed and nodded. "Thank you, Piper."
The women nodded and smiled. Prue stepped forward and slapped Xander on the shoulder. "Get a good night's sleep, Xander, because in the morning... you will learn a new definition for Hell... and Piper will be your teacher. Potion Making 101... your worst nightmare."
They laughed and Xander wondered if they were serious. *Guess I'll find out tomorrow.*
He grinned and said his goodnights... then headed up to his room. After he left, Piper grinned and laughed. "I wonder if he will be worse than you, Phoebe? Then again... nobody could possibly be worse than you."
They laughed and Phoebe smirked. "Hey.. you never know... "
They all nodded and headed off to bed... preparing for a busy tomorrow.
*****
Xander woke up early and when he noticed the house was quiet, he decided to get in some exercise before everyone woke up and his training began. He dug through his things and pulled out a tank top and a pair of jogging shorts. He changed into them and then headed downstairs and out into the backyard. He warmed up with a kata Duncan had taught him and felt his body awaken and unkink as he performed the fluid movements.
After about 20 minutes, Xander dropped into a fighting stance and launched into a mock battle with an imaginary opponent. His body was a flurry of kicks and punches with a leap, a flip, or a twist added in every other move. He was a sight to behold, a floating performance of skill and agility that was breathtaking to behold.
As a shimmer of sweat formed on his body, Xander turned things up a notice and began focusing on the Force... and his movement doubled in their speed and strength... making him look almost like a God...
*****
Phoebe woke up and smiled at the sunlight streaming in through the window. *Mmm.. what a wonderful morning.*
Her thoughts wandered to Xander and she smirked. *I wonder if he is still asleep... if so, maybe I can surprise him.*
She grinned evilly and moved quietly next door... but found the room empty. The room was messy, but not overly so, and the window was open. *How in the world... that window has been stuck shut for years.*
She moved over to the window and looked down into the backyard and gasped at what she saw. She could see Xander fighting nobody and his body was moving faster than she even thought possible. *How is he able to do that?*
As she watched, Xander began to jump into the air, his jumps taking him higher and higher off the ground. It was on one particularly high jump that he reached the second story window and looked right into Phoebe's smiling face. "Hi Phoebe... be right in... I'm almost done."
Xander then dropped back to the ground and finished his routine with a flourish. He then smirked up at Phoebe and walked inside. Phoebe just stared in shock and smiled. *He's gorgeous... oh god... down girl, he just got here... need to let him get settled in before you try to eat him alive.*
She blushed at the image and then heard the door opening behind her. She turned and smiled at a very sweaty Xander. Xander entered the room and smiled at Phoebe. "You have fun watching?"
Phoebe nodded and grinned. Xander smirked and pulled off his shirt, revealing a broad, heavily muscular chest. As she looked, she could almost see tiny very pale circles down his chest and stomach. "Xander... what are those?"
Xander looked down and frowned. *The scars are returning... why?*
/Perhaps the stress of the fighting, a few days ago, has caused your body to revert to a previous form and the results are the scars that vanished when you died and came back and returning./
Xander sighed and sat down. "These, Phoebe, are the bullet wounds from an AK-47. I was shot at point blank range over 30 times. It caused massive damage and I almost died."
Phoebe gasped and shook her head in disbelief. "Oh god.. Xander... who did it.. how did it happen?"
Xander looked at his chest and nodded to himself. "It was a few years ago... I was visiting a friend of mine in Paris. A man showed up one day and fired at Duncan. I jumped in the line of fire... to save his life. I then portaled out some friends of mine fixed me up good as new."
Phoebe reached out and ran her fingers across one of the scars and a tear escaped her eye. "I don't know why I'm crying... but for some reason it hurt me to think you came so close to dying..."
Xander pulled her into his arms and held her. "It's ok... I'm ok now and nothing is going to hurt me ever again. I have ways of dealing with things now and I will be ok for a very long time."
Phoebe looked up into Xander's eyes and sniffled. "What ways?"
Xander smiled. "I'm Immortal. I will never die... unless my head is removed from my neck. I will never get sick and I will never look any older than the 18 I look now."
Phoebe paled and leaned back. "How old are you?"
Xander shrugged. "I'm not really sure. I was killed a little over a year ago... your time.. but for me it has been about 6 years... so I'm either almost 20... or almost 24."
Phoebe shook her head, very confused by what she was hearing. "What do you mean by `my time'?"
Xander smiled. "I spent about 5 years in a place where time is compressed. One day there was 5 years inside. It allowed me to spend years training myself without wasting a lot of time."
Phoebe nodded, finally beginning to understand. "I follow.. so you don't really know how old you are. That must be tough."
Xander shrugged. "Not really. I figure... I'm going to live forever... so why get hung up on how old I am. I figure I probably have a Watcher taking care of keeping track of my history anyway so why should I bother."
Phoebe raised and eyebrow. "A Watcher... what is that?"
Xander smiled. "Watchers are people who watch Immortals and document their lives. I have one... but I haven't seen or met him or her yet... but I know that he or she is out there, watching me, probably as we speak."
Phoebe turned to the window and looked out... but saw nothing. Xander smirked. "I think they know how to hide pretty well. I haven't seen anyone following me and believe me... I've looked. I will leave him or her alone... as long as they do the same to me."
He stood and grabbed a shirt off the dresser. After pulling it on, he smiled at Phoebe and grabbed her hand. "Why don't we raid the kitchen... before I am sent to Hell."
Phoebe giggled and nodded then lead him downstairs for his last meal...
*****
The explosion rocked the house and smoke billowed out the open kitchen windows. As the smoke cleared, Xander got to his feet and grabbed onto the counter for support. He wiped the soot off his face and caught his reflection in a nearby pan... and gasped. Half of his face was burnt black and his eyebrows were singed. He turned to Piper and heard her scream in terror. "Leo!"
Xander tried to tell her it was ok... but Leo orbed into the room. He took one look at Xander’s face and paled. He moved over to help but Xander held up a hand to stop him. "I’m ok... it will heal itself in a few minutes. Remember.. I’m Immortal."
The two of them looked at each other and nodded, relaxing. Piper walked over and ran her fingers over the skin. As she watched, tiny blue lightning crawled over Xander’s face leaving behind healed skin. "Does that hurt?"
Xander shook his head. "Not really... not as bad as being shot... or stabbed for that matter."
Leo and Piper looked at each other... then at Xander. He grinned and nodded. "Time to spill?"
They nodded and Xander smiled... then told them everything...
*****
"You have got to be kidding me. You went through all that?"
Xander nodded. "Yeah... and I have much more to experience as I get older. I still haven’t taken a head yet... and hopefully I will be able to avoid doing that."
Leo shook his head. "You can’t run for your destiny, Xander. You will have to do whatever you must... and if that means killing someone who wants to kill you... then you will have to do it."
Xander nodded. "I know... I just don’t like the idea. I’ve already killed once and I lost control."
He saw their look and sighed. "My girlfriend... Kitty... we were in love. She meant the world to me... and she was killed by a savage freak animal. He snapped her neck like it was a twig... and I snapped. I killed him, gruesomely, and almost killed the man he was working for. I was lost... giving him as much pain as I could... but it was less than the pain I was feeling."
He saw their expressions as he told them... but failed to notice that Phoebe was listening as well. She had heard everything and was crying softly. *So much pain... and still so young... I just hope that he isn’t closed off inside.*
Piper walked over to Xander and drew him into a hug. "You’re a strong man, Xander. You will be fine and you will find someone to love you... I’m sure of it. You’ll get married and have children.."
Xander frowned and looked away. Piper noticed the look and looked concerned. "Xander... what is it?"
Xander looked up at her and shook his head. "Nothing.... nothing’s wrong..."
*... except the fact that I can never have children.*
He wiped his hands over his face and sighed. "Ok.. so what did I do wrong? Why did it explode?"
Piper shook her head when he changed the subject but just let it go. *He will talk when he is ready.*
"Well... you had too much heat... and you used the wrong powder...."
*****
Xander sprinkled in a dash of rosemary and waited. He needed this to work... As he watched... the blue liquid in the pan turned red. Xander smiled, he had finally done it. *YES!!*
"Woo Hoo!!"
Xander heard people running toward him and smiled when everyone ran into the kitchen. He pointed at the potion and grinned. "I did it."
Piper grinned and walked over. "We’ll see..."
She examined the potion and then tried it. It was supposed to create a viewing crystal... if Xander made it correctly. She said the spell and poured the potion into a small tub specially chosen for this test. As they watched, the potion swirled in the tub and began to glow. Slowly... it shrank down until it was a small red sphere. Piper grinned and turned to Xander. "Pick it up and try it."
Xander picked up the sphere and looked into it. As he stared, the crystal turned clear. "How does it work? I’ve been here almost a week and you never told me why I was doing this."
Piper grinned. "Think about who you want to see.. then concentrate.. and stare into the sphere."
Xander grinned evilly. *I wonder how Cordy is doing?*
He stared into the sphere and watched as the office of Angel Investigations became visible. He looked closer and he could see Cordelia and Angel talking. *I wish I could heard what they were saying...*
Suddenly, he could hear a whisper in the back of his mind. As he focused on it... it grew louder and louder until he heard.... "You know that you forgot to tip him last night...."
Xander let his eyes glaze over as he got lost within the sphere... and soon was seeing everything in his mind...
*****
Cordelia smiled at Angel and laughed at his discomfort. He shuffled his feet and grinned. "I had other things on my mind..."
Cordelia smirked. "Like what?"
Angel grinned. "The dress you were wearing. The dress that turned me on so much that my pants were tight the entire evening."
Cordelia giggled and leaned back. "So that’s why you were so... eager... later."
Angel blushed and nodded. "It had been a long time... a very long time."
Cordelia smiled warmly and stood. She walked over to Angel and kissed him on the lips. "You know... I don’t regret any of it... in fact, I liked it... alot... and I am very glad that the PTB changed your curse."
As Xander watched, he frowned. *Curse... changed his... oh dear lord... they had sex!*
Angel nodded. "I know.. I was still a little scared that I might... revert.. but then we made love... and I was... I am ok... and I just want you to know, Cordy... I love you."
Cordelia gasped in shock and sat down... missing the couch completely. "I.. I don’t know what to say.. I.."
Angel crouched down next to her. "You don’t have to say anything... just know how I feel... and that I don’t regret last night."
*****
Xander pulled back. He couldn’t take anymore. "Oh god.. that was... that was.. that was just wrong."
He stared at the sphere in his hands and crushed it, feeling it shatter in his hand. He heard a gasp and turned to see Phoebe staring at his hand... and the blood flowing from it. Xander threw the glass in the trash and then stormed outside. *It’s been less than a week and she’s having sex with him... with him!*
He stormed across the back yard and just paced back and forth. *I mean.. I know she and I aren’t... together... and I know she isn’t in love with me... but still... just a week after we make love she sleeps with him..*
Xander screamed in anger and slammed his fist into a nearby rock wall... punching a hole through it. "Why does this happen to me?!"
He sat down and just stared at his hand... watching as it began to heal itself. He didn’t notice when someone walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him from behind. He just turned into the hug and closed his eyes. "It’s ok... you just let it go... its ok Xander."
Xander was shocked by the voice and looked up into... Prue’s eyes. *Prue... but.. but she hates me...*
"Prue?"
Prue looked into Xander’s eyes and smiled. "You were expecting Phoebe?"
Xander nodded. Prue grinned wider. "I’m here because I know what you are feeling. I lost my Andy... and it still hurts to this day. Do you want to tell me what you saw?"
Xander nodded slowly and told her everything. As she listened, Prue nodded... not thinking too much of this Cordelia person. "I see... well... you parted as friends... correct?"
Xander nodded. "We... love each other... but we’re not in love."
Prue smiled. "That is a rare thing to achieve with an ex-lover, Xander. Consider yourself lucky."
Xander frowned. "I know.. but.. she... with him... only days after me... its.. its just wrong."
Prue shook her head. "Did you want her to be celibate forever?"
Xander shrugged. "Just for a while... long enough to make me a happy memory... not the guy who was there just few days earlier."
Prue nodded. She could see his point... but he was failing to see hers. "She cares, Xander, about you... but do you honestly think she would wait forever to have sex again?"
Xander looked at her and shook his head. "No. I’m being an idiot... aren’t I?"
Prue smiled and nodded. "Yes... but you’re a cute idiot... and my little sister thinks the world of you."
Xander smiled. "I like Piper too."
Prue laughed and slapped Xander on the back of the head. "You idiot... I meant Phoebe."
Xander smirked. "I like her too... alot... just don’t tell her yet."
Prue nodded. "Deal."
They then stood up and walked back inside.
*****
It was a little over a week after the vision event and Xander was feeling something he never thought he would feel again... he was in love.
*She isn’t scared of my dark side. She accepts what I am and isn’t terrified that I might kill her by accident. She’s wonderful..*
Xander looked across the dinner table at Phoebe and grinned. They had all gathered together for some reason and were waiting for something to happen.
*I wish whatever is going on would hurry up...*
He looked over at Leo and was surprised to see the big grin on the man’s face.
*Something is up... I can feel it.*
Just then, Leo cleared his throat and stood.
"We... Piper and I... have an announcement to make. We would like you all to know... that... we’re having a baby!"
The girls erupted in screams of joy and began congratulating Piper. Xander grinned at Leo and laughed.
"Way to go, stud.. you the man!"
Leo laughed and nodded. He was so happy he was almost glowing. Xander smiled and watched them... trying to hide the sudden sense of loss that washed over him.
*They look so happy... and that joy is something I will never feel... this really sucks.*
Xander forced his smile and then excused himself. He walked upstairs to his room and sat down; the events of the night were just too much to handle anymore. He lowered his head into his hands and closed his eyes.
He sat that way for what felt like forever until he heard a knock on the door. He ignored it and shook his head. The knock returned and Xander rolled onto his side, lying with his face toward the window.
*Please go away... please...*
The door opened a crack and Xander could feel who it was.
"Xander... are you ok?"
Xander closed his eyes tight and sighed softly.
"Can we talk tomorrow, Phoebe? I’m really tired right now."
He heard her sigh and then move back into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Xander frowned and shook his head.
*I can’t, Phoebe... not right now... maybe not ever..*
As tears began to fill his eyes, he wept for the one thing he knew he would never have... a family... and ended up crying himself to sleep...
*****
The next morning didn’t start well for Xander. He avoided Phoebe as best he could, spending as much time in his daily lessons with Piper and Prue as he could manage... but it was inevitable that he would have to see her, seeing as how he had a lesson with her as well.
He walked into the living room and found Phoebe waiting for him... and she didn’t look happy.
"Show me the spells I taught you."
Xander nodded and went through them one by one... but in his mind, he was elsewhere.
*She sounded so cold... this isn’t good.*
Xander tried to look her in the eyes but she refused to make eye contact with him. Realizing it was useless, he finished the spells and then left the room, apologizing on his way out.
"Sorry about last night..."
He walked outside and just kept on walking. He didn’t know where he was going... but he knew he had to get out of the house. He just walked and walked until he came to a playground and a memory flashed in his mind.
*****
"Push me higher!"
Xander laughed and pushed his bestest friend in the whole world higher on the swings. He was laughing and smiling and enjoying the first day of summer vacation.
"No more stupid school!"
Willow frowned at Xander and her 10 year old face began to pout.
"But I like school..."
Xander saw the pout and winced.
"Well... no more school for the summer... so we can spend it in the pool... or playing in the ocean... or eating Twinkies..."
Willow laughed and grinned at Xander.
*He’s so great... I love him so much...*
"Push me higher, Xander, and I’ll buy you a box of Twinkies with the leftovers from my birthday money."
*A box of Twinkies!!*
Xander’s mind was in awe and he pushed ever harder... then did something he wasn’t expecting to do... he leaned in and kissed her cheek... then ran away.
"Tag! You’re it!"
Willow held her cheek with one hand as she watched Xander run away. She smiled and then jumped off the swing and took off after him.
"I’m gonna get you Xander..."
*****
"... Xander."
Xander blinked and looked around. He saw Phoebe running toward him. He turned and sat down in the swing.
*Now it happens...*
Phoebe came to a halt in front of Xander and stared at him. Her hands were on her hips and she just looked so cute that Xander couldn’t help but smile.
"What’s wrong, Xander? Why did you apologize and then run off like that?"
Xander shrugged.
"I don't know... I just... didn’t want to have you mad at me... it hurts inside when you’re mad at me."
Phoebe smiled and sat down next to Xander.
"I’m not mad, Xander... just confused. Why did you run away last night?"
Xander sighed and looked at her.
"Phoebe... how do you feel about kids?"
She was taken aback by his question and just answered it honestly.
"I hope to have them someday... with the man I love."
She smiled at Xander and took his hand.
"Why do you ask?"
Xander swallowed.
"What would you do if the man you loved... couldn’t have kids."
Phoebe frowned.
"There are medical procedures now, Xander, we could..."
Xander interrupted her.
"What if he couldn’t ever have kids. What then?"
Phoebe leaned back.
"I know there is adoption... but.. I want me own kids. My flesh and blood.. and the flesh and blood of the man I love. Why.. what are you getting at Xander?"
Xander looked at her.
"I care about you, Phoebe, a lot. You mean a lot to me. I know we have only known each other a little under a month... but its been a very close time for us."
He turned away and sighed.
"... but I don’t want to lead you on. You want kids someday, Phoebe... but I can’t have any... ever. Immortal can’t have children."
Phoebe paled and frowned.
"You’re sterile..."
Xander nodded.
"I’m sorry, Phoebe..."
Phoebe looked away.
*The man I finally choose to give me children and he can’t... this.. this is just wrong... why...*
She stared at Xander and began to cry.
"I.. I can’t be here right now."
She got up and ran back home... leaving Xander behind.
*****
Xander spent the week working extensively on his magic. He had worked non-stop... all day and all night.. relying on the Hive to keep him going.
It was during one late session that they spoke to him.
/Xander.../
*Yes?*
/Your conversation about infertility... it confuses it./
*How does it confuse you?*
/We told you we corrected your body. We continued to do so even after you were killed. We thought you knew.../
Xander frowned.
*Knew what?*
/You are fertile... you can have children./
Xander listened to the words and then fainted.
*****
Xander came to sometime later and shook his head.
*How long...?*
/Almost an hour./
Xander sat up and blinked a few times.
*How long have I been... fertile?*
/Since you left Dune./
Xander paled.
*Oh god... Kitty... she could have been pregnant and I wouldn’t have ever known... and if she was then I lost more than just her... oh god....*
It was then he remembered more.
*Oh god.. Cordy... she might be pregnant even as I sit here... oh my god... I wonder if she knows...*
He grabbed his cell phone and dialed Angel’s number... then waited... wondering.
*****
"Angel Investigations. We help the hopeless."
Xander smiled. Cordy was there.
"Hi Cordy."
He heard a soft gasp from the other end.
"Hi... Xander."
Xander felt the tension almost immediately.
"Um.. Cordy.. I know this is a weird question.. but bare with me. Are you... pregnant."
The phone was dropped on the other end and then picked up minutes later.
"Xander... how.. how did you know. I’m only found out this morning and...."
Xander sighed.
"I found out that I’m not as... empty.. as we thought. There is a good chance that I got you pregnant..."
What he heard next shocked him.
"But it can’t be you... it has to be Angel.. we... oh god."
Xander winced. He hadn’t thought of that.
"I was there, first, Cordy.. and I know about you and Angel. I’m... I’m ok with it. I just wanted you to know that your kid... our kid... might be mine."
He could hear Cordelia crying on the other end.
"Oh Xander... I don’t know what to do. How can I tell him that its not his child. He was so happy when I... told him... this morning."
In that moment, Xander felt his heart break.
*Oh god.. this isn’t fair...*
"Cor... its not fair... but... he’s there and I’m not. I love you... but I think he might love you more. I just hope you know what it is I’m giving up here. I want you to tell him or her about me... someday.... and please convince Angel to name her after me... at least part of her name."
He could hear the sobbing continue as Cordelia listened to him.
"Oh god Xander... I love you too... and I promise our child will know... someday... and thank you... oh god thank you so much for this."
Xander nodded, tears in his eyes, and hung up the call.
*This day just sucks more and more each second.*
He stood and went back to training... wanting to finish his training as quickly as possible. He no longer felt comfortable living with... mortals.
*****
Xander stood before them and waited for them to test him.
*This is it. Soon this will all be over and I can get the hell out of here... and get back in touch with my own kind.*
Prue stepped forward and began the testing.
"You will show me... one by one... all of the spells I taught you. When you have completed the spell correctly, I will notify you and you can move on to the next spell. Do you understand?"
Xander nodded.
"Good. Then Xander... begin."
Xander nodded and called upon his magic. He let it flow within him and concentrated on focusing it... much the same way he focused the Force. He pooled it together between his cupped hands and formed a fireball.
He extended its size out large and large... then shank it back down. Once he had it to the size he wanted, he let it go and sent it flying toward a nearby target... hitting dead center.
"Fireball... accomplished. Next spell..."
*****
Xander spent the next two hours showing the spells Prue taught him. He had failed on only one of them... and it took him 4 tries to get three others. His last spell left him tired and weak... but he knew there was more.
"Ice Bolt... complete. You know enough to pass... in my opinion. Congratulations, Xander."
Prue smiled and hugged him, glad Xander had done so well. She then turned to Piper and grinned.
"Your turn..."
*****
Xander followed Piper into the kitchen where a cauldron was set up.
"I want you to create every potion I showed you.. then place them on the rack next to the cauldron. I will then test each potion and if you get at least 20 out of 30 right... I will pass you... but I want you to do better."
Xander nodded and walked over to the cauldron. He gathered together all of the ingredients for his first potion and then got to work.
He spent the next three hours creating potion after potion... until he had the rack filled. Xander then turned to Piper and was going to ask her to check them when he noticed she was grinning.
"Are you going to check them now?"
Piper shook her head.
"No need. I watched your work. They are ALL correct. Well done, Xander. You have a definite talent for this."
Xander smiled.
"Just like chemistry... no big deal."
Piper laughed and nodded... then stepped aside as Phoebe took her place.
*****
Phoebe stood before him and sighed.
"There will be no test."
Xander looked confused.
"No test... why?"
Phoebe sat down and wiped her eyes.
"It was my job to bring you out of the cold shell you were in. I thought I had done the job.. and had gotten myself a boyfriend in the deal... but you are back to the way you were... only worse. This shows I failed."
She got to her feet.
"I’m not going to tell them, though. It hurts too much, Xander."
Xander frowned.
"I.. I don’t understand."
Phoebe looked at the ground.
"I wanted to marry you... and have your children... but now we can’t."
She ran off just as Xander was about to tell her the news... but it was too late. Xander heard the sound of a car leaving in a hurry and he knew she was gone. He walked to the window and just stared out.
*Maybe this is for the best, Phoebe. I would only outlive you... and I couldn’t bare to see you grow old and begin to resent... then hate me. I guess I am just going to have to live alone...*
He turned around and walked upstairs... to pack.
*****
Xander loaded his motorcycle and was about to go back in to say goodbye when Leo orbed in front of him.
"You passed... and now it is my turn."
Xander frowned.
"Your turn?"
He started to ask what was going on... when they both disappeared... the bike going with them...
*****
Xander appeared in a white courtyard surrounded by large marble pillars.
"Where are we?"
Leo smiled.
"Call it Limbo. I like to come here to practice."
Xander stared at Leo.
"Practice what?"
Leo grinned wider.
"My skills... which I am going to teach to you... if I can... but first I need to tell the girls you are ok."
He laughed and orbed out... leaving Xander there.... alone....
*****
Xander waited for what felt like an hour and jumped when Leo orbed in.
"What took you so long?"
Leo winced.
"I had to talk to my bosses. They told me exactly what I am to teach you. You are to learn how to detect magic, grant low level healing on another, and how to sense someone innocent in danger."
Xander nodded.
"I see.. so when do we begin."
Leo grinned.
"Now."
*****
Xander spent the next two weeks with Leo in Limbo. In that time, he was taught all he was supposed to learn and had dreaded every minute of it.
*This shit was harder to learn than the magic...*
He watched as Leo talked to someone who wasn't there... then smiled when Leo looked at him.
"You are to be tested now. A young witch is lost and hurt. You will find her and heal her. If you can do this... in under 10 minutes...you will pass."
Xander frowned and then slowly nodded.
"Sounds not too bad. When?"
Leo grinned evilly.
"Now..."
*****
Xander appeared in the middle of a dark forest filled with shadows and noises. It was so loud he couldn’t hear himself think. *Ok.. turn off the noise... concentrate...*
He focused his mind and heard everything slowly go silent. He then opened his mind to the feelings of the witch and felt a soft glow off in the far northwest. Xander grinned and moved toward her. *Piece of cake..*
He laughed and moved in her direction... running quickly... until he hit his first magical trap. A blue field of magical energy formed in front of him and began to crackle and smolder. "Oh boy... not good."
He recognized the field from his lessons and knew what to do. He recited the spell and watched as the field dissipated and then vanished away. *I had better be more careful...*
He closed his eyes and focused his mind... then called up his magic sense...and he immediately felt another four traps waiting on the path he was following. Xander grinned and headed own the path... avoiding the traps... and was soon in the location of the witch. He smiled at her and moved over to help her. She was tied to a tree and it looked like some kind of animal had attacked her. "Don’t worry.. I can heal you."
He focused on his hands and watched as a white glow filled them. He then placed his hands over her wounds and watched in awe as they began to heal. *I can actually do this... this is amazing..*
He finished healing her and then untied her. "Are you ok now?"
The witch nodded and morphed into Leo. "Yes.. I’m fine... thank you."
Xander jumped back in shock and glared at him. "You?"
Leo nodded. "Yes... me... and you passed. Congratulations, Xander. You now know all we can teach you."
Xander nodded and smiled. "Good... can you send me back now?"
Leo nodded and they back on the street. Xander checked his motorcycle and then hopped on. "Thank... for everything. Tell the girls bye for me."
Leo nodded and smiled. "Be careful Xander... and don’t lose your head."
Xander laughed and rode away. As he rode off... he could almost feel Phoebe watching him... and he knew she was crying. *I’m sorry, Phoebe... I’m so so sorry...*
He blinked away the tears and then headed off.... toward Seattle... and his future....
The End
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