Title: Tales of the Lost Warrior: Book Three - Testing His Mettle
Author: Michael Wilson
Email: wyrdradio@yahoo.com

Rating: PG-13 to R
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. Any song I use by The Doors... well, it is obvious I don’t own them... just borrowing them. William Parker and Saeah Covington are mine. I own none of these people, except for William Parker and Sarah Covington. I get nothing by writing this except maybe some kind words of encouragement and a few cheers... at least I hope.
Spoilers: Not sure. It is after the show went off the air.. I guess.. cause Duncan is living in Seattle with Amanda and Richie is still alive as well and living up there. Methos is staying temporarily there was well.

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/Highlander crossover with the setting being in the Highlander series. " " as always means talking while * * means thoughts. / / means speech from another entity. # # is telepathy or a being speaking to Xander from inside.
WARNING!! Character Death
Feedback: Yes please!!!!!
Distribution: If you like it... please feel free to place it on your site... but please tell me first.

Tales of the Lost Warrior: Book Three - Testing His Mettle

The sound of the engine dying brought Xander out of his daze. He looked down at the gas gauge and frowned.

*SHIT!!!*

He looked around franticly and saw he was in the middle of nowhere. He had been traveling north along the coastline and had forgotten about keeping an eye on his gas usage.

*I’m going to run out of gas in the boonies and someone is going to do bad things to me...*

As he climbed to the top of the hill, the engine cut out completely, and he coasted down the other side... and as luck would have it, directly into the parking lot of a small dingy gas station.

Xander smiled and braked hard once he was safely in the parking lot. He then hunched over in pain as he felt the buzz of another Immortal.

*God.. no!!*

Xander hopped off his bike and looked around franticly. A man appeared out of the darkness of the garage part of the station... with a sword in his hand. Xander raised his hands and shook his head.

"Whoa!! All I want is some gas!"

The man stared at Xander and then shrugged, placing the sword in the back of his overalls. He then walked over and began looked Xander over.

"New?"

Xander nodded. "Only a few years."

The man nodded and walked over to the pump. As he walked away, Xander stared at him. He could swear the guy was famous.

"Regular or Premium?"

Xander blinked.

"Regular..."

The man looked at the bike and shook his head.

"No.. you need Premium or else this beauty will be knocking in a week... judging by the smoke coming out your tailpipe."

Xander shrugged. He didn’t want to make the guy mad.

"Sure.. Premium.. fine with me."

The man smiled and started filling the tank. Xander watched him and got up his courage.

"Are you famous?"

The man turned to Xander and grinned. He removed his baseball cap to reveal long wavy brown hair and haunting eyes. He stared into Xander and with an almost evil grin...

"... used to be."

Xander nodded and looked over at the pump. He wanted to get this over with and go.. the guy was giving him the creeps.

*Weird guy... and weirder place...*

Just as the pump stopped, they both jerked as they felt an Immortal. A man stepped out from the shadows and grinned at them. The man next to Xander paled and pushed Xander onto his bike.

"Move it kid.. now!"

Xander hopped on and revved the engine... riding out of there so fast he threw gravel. He rode away, knowing the two men were going to fight.. but he knew he couldn’t let the guy do it alone.

*Shit.. here I go again... protector of humanity rears his ugly life-risking head again..*

Xander turned around, after riding a mile or two, and headed back. As he neared the station, he saw lightning fill the sky and knew that one of them was dead... and that if it was the new guy.. well.. Xander would take his head.

Xander pulled into the station and saw the new man kneeling next to the body of the man who had saved Xander’s life. With a cry of rage, Xander pulled his sword and leapt off the bike. He ran over to the man and stabbed him through the back... then sliced him open and took his head.

"That’s for killing the nice dude!"

Xander stared at the rolling head and turned green. He hunched over and threw up his breakfast... all over his shoes... then noticed the white mist coming toward him.

*What the...*

Xander backed away from it.. but ran into a pole and was stuck. The mist came closer and closer.. lightning jumping off of it.. until it reached Xander and engulfed him; bolts of lightning entering his body.

As Xander writhed in pain, he felt the thought, memories, and experiences of the man he had killed filling his mind...

*****

In his mind, a person appeared on the landscape and looked around in shock.

"Where the hell am I?"

The merged Xander being appeared and stared at the man.

"William Parker... what is your view on your afterlife. Do you wish to aid or.."

William growled and attacked the figure.

"I’m going to kill you for killing me. Your body is mine!!!"

Merged Xander snapped his fingers and the Hive appeared.

"Disassemble him and distribute the important information to Xander’s memory. Everything else... throw it away."

/Understood./

The Hive swarmed on the man and began ripping him apart.. piece by piece.. his screams filling the room. As this happened... a second man appeared. He stared around in shock and then looked at M-Xander.

"Um.. you going to do that to me too?"

M-Xander turned to the man and smiled.

"Jim Morrison... do you wish to aid Xander or do you wish to fade away in peace?"

The man, the not so late Jim Morrison, grinned. "The kid killed Parker for me... and he didn’t even know me. That means something to me."

He paused and grinned wider. "Hell.. sure, I’ll help. What do I do?"

MXander smiled and pointed to the distance. "Come with me... and lets talk..."

Jim nodded and then followed M-Xander toward the courtyard.. barely visible in the distance...

*****

Xander opened his eyes and stumbled to his feet. His head was swimming with things he didn’t know before.

*Wha... what’s going on..?*

/You have received the Quickening of a man named William Parker. He had just killed the other man, a Jim Morrison. William Parker tried to take control of your body. We destroyed him and kept what we felt was important. Jim Morrison, having not been integrated into Parker.. was complete and has agreed to aid you.. as an advisor./

Xander blinked in shock.

*You mean I have another person in my head now?*

/Correct./

*Great.. just great. Can I talk to him?*

/One moment./

#Yeah, kid? What do you want... I’m kinda busy.#

*You ok in there?*

#Yeah, kid.. you helped me. I know we’re supposed to just be absorbed by you... but you seem different.. and they asked if I wanted to help.. so I am.. so... anything else... cause I need to get settled in here.#

*No... nothing at all... is it ok to talk later?*

#Sure kid.. later.#

Xander nodded and walked back over to his bike. He then looked at the bodies of the two men and walked over to them instead. He looked down at their swords and smiled.

*Proof...*

Xander picked up the swords and walked back to his bike. After strapping them carefully to his bike, Xander hopped on and headed back on his way... not noticing that he was humming a Doors tune...

*****

Xander pulled into Seattle and grabbed his cell phone. He dialed Duncan’s number and waited.

"Hello?"

Xander grinned. It was Amanda... and he had a wicked idea. "Bonjour, ma petite."

Xander heard Amanda gasp in shock and then her voice grew confused. "Who is this?"

Xander laughed and began speaking in German. (My name is Xander, Amanda.. I would have thought you would have recognized my voice.)

Xander listened at he heard Amanda growl. She had only understood two words... Xander and Amanda. "If you hurt Xander.. I will track you down and I will flay the skin from your body.. inch by inch.. keeping you alive.. then I will slowly cut off your balls and feed them too you. Then I’ll get mean!!!"

Xander winced in shock. *Wow.. strong mental there... but she must care a lot.*

Xander sighed. "Sorry, Amanda, didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to know where you guys are. I’m finally in Seattle."

He heard Amanda sigh. "Xander... thank god... oh you had better get your ass over here right now... or else I will make you life a living hell. You don’t scare me like that!"

Xander frowned. "Sorry Amanda."

Xander heard Amanda sigh again and then listened as she gave him directions. "Right.. ok, I’m on my way."

Xander closed his cell phone and followed the directions Amanda gave him. Within 10 minutes he was there. As he got off his bike, he felt the buzz of not one... not two.. but four Immortals. Xander looked around in shock and then saw them walked outside to meet him. It was Duncan... who was grinning, Amanda.. who looked pissed, Richie.. who looked ready to pee his pants from laughing, and some new guy. Xander smiled and walked over. "Hi guys. Hi Amanda.. sorry about bef..."

He stopped mid word as Amanda kicked him as hard as she could in the balls. "ARGGHH!!!"

Xander screamed and fell to the ground. The men watching all winced and bent over in understanding. Xander looked up at Amanda, who was smiling now, and whimpered. "Why.. I apologized...?"

Amanda pulled Xander to his feet and kissed him.. then grinned. "Because you don’t play games with me, Xander. Anyway.. welcome home."

Xander stared at her and shook his head. "No more welcomes like that.. please.."

Richie grinned. "What? The kick or the kiss... cause you must be something special to get her to do that. She never did for me."

Amanda smiled evilly at Richie and walked toward him. "Is that a request.. because I am willing to kick you as well.. if you want it so bad."

The men smirked as Richie paled and shook his head.

"No! No thanks, Amanda."

Amanda grinned and wrapped an arm around Xander’s waist.

"Come along, Xander.. time for Auntie Amanda to show you your new home."

Xander stared at Amanda and then looked over at Duncan and mouthed.

"Auntie Amanda?"

Duncan shrugged and then grinned.

*Good... she’s just playing with him.*

He followed them inside and grinned at the new arrangement.

*Amanda always did want kids... well, this is a weird way to get one...*

*****

Inside, Xander looked around in awe and smiled.

"Wow... nice place Duncan. How do you afford it?"

Duncan grinned.

"Well placed buys in the stock market."

Xander grinned and looked around. As he walked, he began humming "People are strange" by The Doors. The others looked at him and shrugged. It was the new guy who said something.

"Xander?"

Xander paused and looked at the new guy.

"Yeah.. and you are?"

The man smiled. "Adam Pierson.."

*But you can call me Methos.*

Xander nodded, waiting for the man to continue. "What were you humming?"

Xander frowned. "Humming... I wasn’t humming."

They all stared at Xander in shock and then looked at each other. "Yes.. you were."

Xander looked at Duncan and then it hit him. The Quickening... Jim Morrison... he thought it was just a coincidence. "Oh.."

Xander sat down on a bench and looked around in shock. Duncan and Amanda rushed over and crouched in front of him. "What is it?"

Xander looked up at them. "I took my first head... right after he took the head of a guy who saved my life."

Duncan nodded and grabbed a pad off a nearby bench. He needed to take notes.. for his own personal files. "Who?"

Xander looked at Duncan. "William Parker."

Xander watched as they all jerked back in shock. The new guy, Adam, moved closer and gaped at Xander. "You took Parker?! How?!"

Xander shrugged. "He had just killed the other guy. I hit him from behind while he was down."

Duncan nodded and made notes. *Xander killed Parker... a 1400 year old Immortal.*

"Who did Parker kill?" 

Xander looked at them and smirked. "Jim Morrison."

The look the four of them gave Xander was priceless. "WHAT!"

Xander laughed. "Jim Morrison... lead singer for The Doors... the guy who faked his own death."

They stared at Xander and shook their heads. Xander was beginning to worry when he heard a voice... #Kid... open your mind to me more... I’ll show them.#

Xander nodded and opened his mind some.. and felt something join his consciousness. He then grinned at them, a wry look on his face... and he began to sing; his voice identical to that of Jim Morrison.

They listened.. dumbfounded... and shook their heads. When Xander stopped singing, he felt the presence fade and then smirked at the group.

"Believe me now?"

They nodded and Xander laughed.

"So.. I’m starved. Can we eat?"

*****

He pushed the plate away and grabbed another breadstick and began knawing on it. As he looked around for the waiter, the others at the table stared on in horror.

"Xander... you’re not full yet?!"

Xander looked at Richie and shook his head.

"Nope.. still hungry. Hey.. can I have some ravioli? Is it good here?"

Duncan nodded and waved for the waiter. He arrived and Xander ordered more food.. and smiled at the man’s expression.

"... and some more salad too please."

The waiter nodded and walked away. Xander ate another breadstick and grinned at the others... who had finished eating 30 minutes earlier.

"So.. when do I start training?"

Duncan smiled.

"Tomorrow morning... early. I’m going to start you by giving you a test... to see what you remember and learned. Then, from what I see there.. I will decide the rest."

Xander nodded.

"Cool... you’ll be surprised.. I’ve been training a long time since then."

He then grinned as the waiter arrived with his foot. Xander thanked the man and dug in. Amanda stared at the food and turned away.

*How can he do it... ugh!*

They all just stared... in awe.. as Xander continued to eat... knowing that this was by far the strangest night they had experienced in a long time. Little did they know that the strangeness was only beginning...

*****

Xander parried the sword thrust and then returned with one of his own, his sword slicing toward Duncan’s neck. Duncan blocked it easily and then twirled Xander’s sword... trying to force it from his hand. Xander smiled and countered, sliding Duncan’s sword down toward his feet.

*Damn... how did the kid... right.. Parker.*

Duncan stared at Xander and decided that he was finished with going easy. Time to see what the kid knew. Duncan jumped back and then came in low, slicing across Xander’s mid-section... only he wasn’t there. There was a gasp from behind them and Duncan looked up to see... Xander, floating above him.

*What the...?*

Xander then aimed for Duncan’s head and came flying back down... his sword blade so close it cut off Duncan’s ponytail.

*Got him!*

As Xander ran from a now pissed Duncan, he ran toward a wall... and up it. To all watching, it looked like Xander could have been in The Matrix, considering the way he was moving. Duncan stared in awe as he watched Xander walking up the wall.

*How in the world...*

Xander reached the top of the wall and flipped off... landing behind Duncan... and his sword came to rest at the crook of Duncan’s neck.

"I win!"

Xander cheered and began dancing around the room.. doing something similar to his Snoopy Dance. The others stared at him, their jaws down in shock... except for Methos, who had seen this before.

*Impossible... they haven’t been on this planet for many millennia... but still...*

Xander finished dancing and walked over to Duncan.

"So... how would you rate me now?"

Duncan grabbed a towel and sat down on a bench.

"Acrobatics... a 10. Speed... a 7. Sword Skill... a 6.5. You’re still slow and you repeat moves. If it wasn’t for your floating or jumping... you would lose your head."

He looked at the others to gage their reactions to the training session and they nodded in agreement. Duncan turned back to Xander and nodded.

"Overall.. you’re better than you were when you left... and I know what to do to help you. This will be a long trip. You willing to take it?"

Xander smiled and nodded.

"I’m going to live forever... I can handle a few weeks."

Duncan grinned.

"Try half a year to a year... depending on how well you do."

Xander paled.

"Oh... well... ok, but I get my own room. No sharing with the red haired wonder over there. I slept in his room in Paris and it was a stinky pig pen."

Richie yelled in anger.

"Hey! It’s not that bad!"

Xander turned to Richie and smiled.

"Oh yeah? Something green, furry, and sandwich shaped attacked my foot one day and tried to eat it."

Everyone turned to Richie as he stared at Xander in shock.

"So that’s where that thing went..."

Xander laughed and sat down next to Duncan.

"So.. mighty leader... what now?"

Duncan grinned.

"Anything else you want to show us?"

Xander thought about it a second and then smiled.

"Sure... you might get a kick out of it."

He stood and walked into the center of the room. Once there, Xander drew on his knowledge of magic and began to float. A blue glow surrounded his body and as Xander began to chant softly... tiny balls of light appeared around him and began orbiting him, growing larger and larger the more Xander chanted. Soon they were basketball sized and Xander was at the center of a large bright swirling cascade of light.

As Xander finished the last chant, the balls of light exploded around Xander... forming a protective shield around his body. He looked up at the others and grinned.

"Try to hit me."

Richie looked at Duncan and shrugged. Duncan nodded and Richie pulled his sword... then attacked. He ran at Xander and sliced down at the shield... and screamed in pain as his sword was reflected off.

"Shit! That hurt! It was like hitting a brick wall!"

While watching everything, Methos recognized the spell and nodded to himself.

*So.. he is more than just what I thought.... a mage as well... well then, let’s test his power*

As Xander smiled at the others, a blast of lightning came out of nowhere and bounced along the surface of the shield... searching for a weak point. Xander looked around, franticly, and saw the new guy, Adam, casting lightning at him. Xander blinked in shock and felt his shield weakening.

*How?!*

Just as his shield failed, Xander saw a bolt of lightning coming right toward him. He raised a hand up and deflected the lightning away, glaring at the man across the room from him.

Methos grinned and smiled.

"Who trained you?"

Xander lowered his hands and glared at the man.

"The Charmed Ones... and their Whitelighter."

Methos nodded and grinned.

"Good... good... but they really know nothing about defensive magic. The shield you used was vulnerable to energy of a high enough frequency. You need to oscillate the frequency of the shield constantly.. that was no one can figure out your spell and work against it."

Xander smiled.

"Like the phasers against the Borg?"

Methos stared at him and shrugged.

"The what against the what?"

Xander blinked in surprise.

*No Star Trek in their universe... too bad.*

"The Borg.. a race that kidnaps people to assimilate them. When you meet them, in order to survive, you have to use a modulating shield frequency to confuse them.. and a modulating phaser frequency to attack them."

Seeing the looks on their faces, Xander just nodded.

"Let me put it this way... I get what you’re saying."

Methos nodded and walked closer.

"Duncan.. I’m adding on my own training."

Duncan started to argue the point but then saw the look in Methos’s eyes... and reluctantly agreed.

"Fine."

He turned to Xander.

"From now on, I want you doing an hour of aerobics every morning and night. I also want you running 10 miles a day with a weighted backpack. You will increase the weight, by a pound, every third day.. starting with 10 pounds. When you can run the full 10 miles with the backpack loaded to 100 pounds... I will tell you what to do next. You’ll find everything in the storage room downstairs. There is a running track three blocks from here at the High School."

Xander listened and nodded.

*I’m going to regret this... I just know it.*

"Do you want me to start today?"

Duncan started to nod but was stopped by Amanda.

"No.. he’s coming with me."

Xander stared at Amanda and raised an eyebrow.

"Doing what?"

Amanda grinned evilly.

"Shopping... your clothing sucks."

Xander paled and then slowly nodded. He knew that he had to do it or else she would hound him day and night until he relented.

"Ok... fine... but you’re NOT watching me change."

Amanda grinned.

*We shall see, my boy, we shall see...*

*****

Xander stared at himself in the mirror and ran his fingers along his scars. He had been so startled to see them when they had returned... but now he was beginning to think he might know of a way to get rid of them again.

*The Healing magic... if I used it over and over on the same spot... it might work, over time.*

Xander shrugged and pulled on his t-shirt. It was light blue and very tight. He then picked up the button-down silk shirt and pulled it on. As he buttoned it, he smiled at its color, a cool indigo. Once the shirt was in place, he tucked it into the black pants and tightened the belt.

*Not bad...*

He had to admit it, Amanda had nice tastes in clothing.

"Are you dressed yet?"

Xander grinned and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He then moved to the door and opened it slowly, stepping out to greet Amanda... and smiled at her expression. She grinned and then looked Xander up and down.

"Turn around.. I need to see your ass."

Xander blushed and turned around. He felt Amanda cup his ass with her hands and then felt her slide her hands across it.

"Is it too tight.. or too lose.. or what?"

Xander shrugged.

"Feels fine to me."

Amanda walked around him and then crouched down in front of him, her head even with his waist. Xander’s eyes widened and he looked around franticly... then felt her hands around his ankles.

"These need to be brought up a quarter inch... and you need new shoes to go with it... but we will get that next. Ok.. take it off and put on the khaki outfit with the baby blue shirt now."

Xander nodded and walked into the dressing room, his face bright red.

*She wouldn’t have... no.. she was just checking the pants.. snap out of it Xander.*

As he stepped back into the dressing room, Amanda began to laugh quietly.

*Poor boy.. he got so red... thought I was going to go there... well... maybe... if I didn’t have McLeod.*

She smiled and remembered the feel of Xander’s ass.

*His ass is so tight.. *

She giggled and sat back down, her own face turning a little pink...

*****

The next few weeks passed slowly for Xander. He spent all of his time training or running.. and the monotony was slowly driving him insane. It gave him time to think about his life, dwell on it to the point of madness, and it had sent him into a depression.... one that for an Immortal, could be deadly...

*****

Xander ran around the curve in the track and stared down the straight section again. He was on his eighth mile for the day and was getting very tired. His backpack weighed close to 20 pounds now and wasn’t that much of a problem. The problem was all the stupid rain all the time.

*Damn rain... Damn Seattle and its stupid rain... Damn the whole fucking town*

Xander had been in a bad mood all day. His dreams had been plaguing him for the last few days and their meaning wasn’t lost on him.

*It’s not real... none of it is real.*

He had been dreaming about Sunnydale... and about Dawn. She was lying in a coffin with a vampire bite on her neck. He could see everyone standing around her grave... and they were lowering her into the ground when the coffin began to shake. The lid then exploded open and Dawn jumped out in full Vamp mode.

*Not real...*

She then proceeded to lunge at her mother and rip her neck open.. drinking and laughing.. as the others watched on in terror. She then dropped Joyce and moved on to snap the necks of every one of the Scoobies... except Buffy, who was just staring at her and crying.

Xander knew that Buffy wasn’t able to kill her... that she just couldn’t do it... and he had to watch as Dawn ran over and drank Buffy dry... then ran off into the approaching night.

Xander came to a halt and dropped to his knees on the cinder track.

*No.. that can’t happen... its... its not possible.*

/What if it was.../

Xander jerked his head up and wiped his eyes.

*What do you mean?*

/You saw her being taken... before... there is a chance you are bonded to this young woman. What you saw might have been one of your visions./

Xander stood slowly and shook his head. He didn’t want to believe it... but he knew it might be true. He walked over to the bleachers and removed the backpack. He then rummaged through his pockets until he found the cell phone.

*I.. I can’t... what.. what if...*

/Do you want the lovely girl to die?/

Xander shook his head and dialed the number... then waited as it rang.

*****

"... and its head was a little between green and yellow in color."

Willow looked through the books and then turned the picture toward Buffy.

"This?"

Buffy looked at the page and nodded.

"That’s him... that’s the freak that shredded my shirt last night."

Giles walked over and looked down at the picture.

"A Vertian Demon... no big problem with killing it. It’s vulnerable to silver. Just take the Talber dagger with you... it is pure silver."

Buffy nodded and then jumped as the phone rang. She leaned over and picked it up.

"Hello.. home of the stuffy Englishman."

*****

Xander heard someone pick up the phone and then the voice. It was Buffy. For a moment, his heart twisted in his chest and a flash of that old feeling came through... but it was soon replaced with a feeling of resentment.

"Hey.. its me... is Giles there?"

*****

Buffy smiled at the group as she waited for the person on the other end of the line to speak... then dropped the phone in shock at the voice. As the phone it the floor, the group looked over to see a stunned Buffy.

*Xander...*

Giles walked over and picked up the phone.

"Hello... Xander, How are you.... fine... yes... when did this happen..... the last few days, I see.... and you believe it to be true..... right.... yes, I’ll warn them and place Dawn under watch... you too.... take care.... bye."

Giles hung up the phone and sat down. Willow looked at him.

"Well.. what is going on... what did Xander say about Dawn.. what’s wrong?"

At the mention of Dawn’s name, Buffy snapped out of it.

"Dawn! What about Dawn!"

Giles removed his glasses and rubbed them.

"Xander has been having visions of Dawn... being killed... then her killing all of us... as a vampire. He believes them to be true visions."

Buffy shook her head.

"No.. no way... that can’t happen."

Willow looked at Buffy and frowned.

"He knew Dawn was going to be taken, Buffy, he saw it. I saw we believe him."

Buffy frowned.

"Why should we. Why should we listen to anything he has to say. He abandoned us... he abandoned me..."

The look of pain on Buffy’s face was heartbreaking. She had been like that, off and on, for months... ever since Xander left. Giles sighed and put his glasses back on.

"We have to take his word on faith, Buffy... or else Dawn might die. Do you want her dead?"

Buffy shook her head, tears falling from her eyes.

"No.. I love her... but... how can we know if this is true?"

Giles stared into her reddening eyes and sighed.

"We just do our best.. and hope we stop whatever it is he saw."

Buffy still looked so brokenhearted... so much so that Giles didn’t know what to say to cheer her up. It was Willow who attempted it.

"Buffy.. think about it... Xander called to warn us... that means he still cares... about Dawn.. about all of us.. even about you. He wouldn’t have called if he didn’t care... and he would have hung up and dialed back.. or been rude if he hated you. Think about it like that."

Buffy looked at Willow as her words sank in.

*He.. he doesn’t hate me...?*

A small smile crossed Buffy’s face as she realized that maybe there was a small glimmer of hope alive... that maybe Xander might still care, a little.

"Let’s do this. We have my sister to protect."

The group nodded and began making preparations...

*****

Xander hung up the cell phone and then shoved it back in his pocket.

*Come on.. 2 more miles.. then you can go home to your room and mope.*

Xander pulled the backpack back on and ran... trying to let his feeling disappear, along with his pain...

*****

The next week was hell on earth for Xander. His days were filled with training and pain, leaving his nights filled with chaotic nightmares of every evil thing Parker had done. It was slowly driving him insane.

Xander stood in the shower, the hot water almost burning his skin, and began to scrub... harder than necessary... trying to wash away the evil. He had no idea how long he had been in there when he heard someone pounding on the door.

"Come on! You’re using up all the hot water, Xander! Get your ass out of there!"

Xander shook his head and blinked. He shut off the shower and looked down at himself. His skin was bright red and irritated and pain was lancing across his body.

"Sorry,, be right out!"

Xander grabbed a towel and dried off... then ran out of the bathroom past a pissed Richie and into his room. As he stared about him in confusion, Xander began to shake and a chill went down his spine.

*I’m loosing my mind...*

*****

The inner landscape of Xander’s mind was a swirl of chaotic forces. Lightning was crashing all around the two figures standing in the middle of a courtyard.

"What the hell is going on?!"

M-Xander turned to the other man and shook his head.

"Xander’s grasp on his mind is fading. His depression is sending him into madness..."

Jim paled and gasped.

"... and us with him. Shit! What the hell do we do?"

M-Xander shrugged.

"I don’t know. We need help... but there is no one here Xander trusts."

Jim walked around, staring at the buildings in the distance as one by one they fell. He turned to M-Xander and sighed.

"Well... who does he trust?"

M-Xander sat down and thought about it.

"He trusts Luke and Paul the most... only there is no way to get to either of them."

Jim frowned.

"Why?"

M-Xander sighed.

"The transdimensional bracer is destroyed. It’s power source is gone and we have no other replacement."

A light went on in Jim’s eyes and he grinned.

"Is the rest of it in one piece?"

M-Xander nodded.

Jim smiled. "Then why not power it with magic. Isn’t the kid powerful enough to do it?"

M-Xander’s eyes widened and lost focus. "He... is. That might actually work...."

M-Xander stood and snapped his fingers. "Hive! Come to me quickly!"

A buzzing sound was heard in the distance and soon a black cloud appeared on the horizon. It moved toward them quickly and was soon floating in front of them. /You called./

M-Xander nodded.

"Can you get into the bracer?"

/Yes./

"Can you repair it?"

/Explain how?/

"Can you isolate the working componants from the power source?"

/Yes./

"Can you rewrite the subroutines so that the mechanism can be powered through magic?"

/..... yes./

M-Xander smiled at Jim.

"Yes! Please do so."

The hive bobbed in mid-air and then flew off...

"Now we just wait and see..."

*****

Xander had fallen asleep after his shower but was awakened when he felt something moving inside his wrist. He opened his eyes and looked down to see a faint glow outlining his wrist.

*What the hell is going on?*

Xander brought his wrist up to his face and was amazed to see the skin around the bracer being repaired.

*What are you doing?*

/We are repairing the bracer./

*How.. the power source is destroyed.*

/A theory has been put forth that the bracer might be powered by magic. We are repairing the skin around the bracer and the bracer itself. Then, once everything is repaired, you can attempt to use it again./

Xander nodded. He felt touched that the Hive was trying to help him.

*Thank you.*

/You are welcome./

*****

Xander spent the rest of the day in training, trying to ignore the tingle in his wrist.

*Damn.. it itches.*

He brought his sword up and blocked the slice then spun around and was cut on the leg by a movement he missed.

"Damn it, Duncan! Richie cut me again!"

Duncan laughed and shook his head.

"Pay attention, Xander, and it won’t happen."

Xander growled and increased his strength and speed. He wanted payback. He launched himself at Richie and soon his movements were a blur. They were so fast, Richie was soon unable to counter and a multitude of slices were appearing on his arms and chest.

"Xander.. whoa!"

Xander, too enraged to listen, continued.. slicing into Richie’s shoulder. Richie screamed and tried to back way.

"Duncan! Help!"

Duncan jumped to his feet just as Xander swung at Richie’s head. Duncan threw his sword at them, and it miraculously managed to turn Xander’s sword aside just centimeters from Richie’s skin.

With a growl of feral rage, Xander turned on Duncan and laughed... a hyena laugh. He backflipped over to his sword and grabbed it.. then jumped out the window, landing on the pavement below.

By the time they ran to the window, Xander was gone...

*****

Xander ran, his rage releasing the hyena within, and was on the hunt. He wanted to kill. He needed to kill.. to release the rage.

*****

"What the fuck is going on!"

M-Xander laughed and turned to Jim.

"I’m in control. The rage has set me free......"

Jim watched in horror as the feral beast before him took control of Xander’s body and went hunting...

*****

Xander ran through the city, searching... feeling out his prey. Soon he felt the buzz of another Immortal and grinned.

"Time to play..."

He ran across the street and into the building and was greeted by a woman in her 20’s. She had brownish-blond hair with red highlights. She was dressed in a yellow gown and the look on her face was priceless. The fear mixed with confusion was evident and it fueled Xander on.

"Xander Harris... there can be only one!"

Xander laughed manically and ran toward her. The woman screamed and ran for her sword... which happened to be across the room. Seeing this, Xander put on a burst of speed and ran her down, his hands on the back of her head... pushing her into the ground.

"Nope... no can do.. if I let you get your sword.. you might try to cut me... and I want to make this more fun..."

He flipped the woman over and looked down at her, grinning evilly. The fear on her face was radiating off of her in waves.

"You smell so good... the more you fear me, the better you smell..."

Xander moved in to rip out her throat with his teeth when all hell broke loose. She reached up and grabbed his head with her hands and lightning cascaded through his skull.

With a scream of pain, Xander was thrown backward and knocked unconscious.

*****

Sarah had been shocked when the young man had entered the store... but what she was feeling from him was even more shocking.

*Animal possession... how?*

She had seen it before in her 600 years as an Immortal and a Witch. She knew that whatever the young man was doing, he wasn’t in his right mind.

When the young man introduced himself and attacked, she knew she was done for.

*Stupid... stupid.. stupid... never leave your sword across the room!*

She turned to run but was hit from behind and thrown to the floor. She was silently praying that she might get off with just being beaten up, that maybe he might want to play with her before he killed her... so that she might have a chance to escape.

She gasped in pain when he flipped her over and then stared down at her with feral amber eyes. As he leaned in, making as if to bite her throat... Sarah came upon a plan. she reached up quickly and grasped his head, releasing a lightning spell directly into his brain.

His scream as he was thrown off of her was gut-wrenching and it made her wince. Sarah climbed to her feet and walked over to him.

"Let’s see just what kind of animal you are..."

She crouched down and chanted a spell to let her look into his mind... and gasped at what she saw.

"You’re not evil... just confused. Your mind is scattered... its no wonder you attacked me in that fashion. It’s a wonder you’re even sane..."

As she watched him, the young man, who had called himself Xander, began to awaken. Sarah ran across the room, quickly, and grabbed her sword... just in case.

*****

Xander woke slowly and blinked, the action shooting pain through his head.

"Ow... what hit me?"

He was startled by the soft voice that answered him.

"I did... you were trying to rape and or kill me at the time."

Xander’s eyes flew open in shock and looked into the face of a very beautiful woman.

*What the... who the hell is this?*

He looked at her... and the sword in her hand.. and frowned.

"If I did what I did..."

He paused. He had no memory of even walking into this... flower shop? He looked around in shock and it began to hit him. Something must have happened to let the hyena loose.

"Oh... I see."

Xander looked up into her eyes and frowned.

"I’m sorry. I wasn’t in control of myself. I hope you’re not hurt."

Sarah looked at Xander and shook her head.

"I’m fine. You didn’t have enough time to do anything. I blasted you with lightning before you could begin."

Xander felt the side of his head and nodded. He then climbed to his feet and looked at her.

"Sorry... I’ll just be going now."

He turned to leave and was stopped by the blade of her sword touching the back of his neck.

"Name’s Sarah Covington. Come back here again the way you were and I will remove your head while you are unconscious... next time."

Xander looked over his shoulder and nodded.

"Yes Ma’am."

Sarah nodded and then let him go. As he walked outside, a small smirk crossed her face.

*Ma’am.. me... oh Goddess... the poor boy has no idea what his charm can do.*

She laughed softly and went about cleaning up her store, not noticing the cell phone lying in the corner... also not noticing that it was vibrating with a very important phone call...

*****

"Damn it! Where is he! Why isn’t he answering!"

Willow screamed into the ringing phone and slammed it down. Tara reached out and touched her love’s shoulder.

"Calm down, honey. You don’t know that something is wrong. He might have it turned off."

Willow spun around and glared at Tara.

"For three days!"

Tara jumped back in shock, pain written on her face. Willow saw her lover’s expression and paled.

"Oh god, Tara, I’m.. I’m sorry... its just.. he’s not answering.. and I want to let him know we caught the vampire that was going to turn Dawn... you know, let him know that she was ok."

Tara nodded and pulled Willow to her.

"I know, sweetie, I know. He’s ok. If he were dead... you would know. You would feel it... right?"

Willow nodded.

"Yeah... I felt it last time he died... and a few times since then... and yes, I know he is Immortal.. but it still hurts his not answering."

She looked over into Giles’s kitchen and saw Buffy sitting dejectedly at the counter. Willow frowned and leaned into Tara’s embrace.

"It’s hurting her too. Buffy refuses to admit just how much she feels... but you see it, don’t you?"

Tara nodded.

"Yes... she is in love with Xander."

Willow nodded, agreeing.

"He loved her.. like forever... and then her refusal to let him love her just turned him away... and now that she finally loves him, its too late... and she’s afraid to even let herself believe it."

Willow sighed.

"It’s eating her up inside... and this is very bad."

They both looked at each other then looked back at Buffy... hoping they could think of something to snap her out of it...

*****

The day after the blowup, Xander had moved out and had gotten himself a studio apartment. He had been living in it for almost a week when he got his first "surprise" visitor.

*****

Xander was painting the walls a warm amber color when he felt the Quickening. He dropped the paintbrush and ran over to the closet to grab his sword. He then ran to the door and opened it slowly... peeking out into the hall.

*Nothing.. then who?*

Xander stepped out into the hall and moved toward the stairwell. He looked down the 6 flights and saw the arm of someone down on the second floor landing.

*There...*

Xander started to move down the stairs.. then head the other person running up the stairs toward him. He jumped over the edge of the railing, aiming himself at an angel, and plummeted down three floor to land on the third floor landing... just as the other Immortal came bolting up the stairs... and right into Xander.

Xander readied his sword and then spun the Immortal around to see... the woman from days earlier.

"You!"

He jumped back and looked her up and down, not knowing exactly what to make of her.

*****

Sarah stared at Xander and frowned.

"What are you doing here!"

Xander backed up and growled.

"I live here. Why are you here?!"

Sarah’s eyes widened in shock and she looked around for an exit... but didn’t see one he couldn’t get to first.

"I live here... but I’ve been gone for a few days."

She lowered her sword and raised her hands.

"Truce?"

Xander nodded and lowered his sword.

"Your place or mine?"

Sarah’s face turned red then and Xander wasn’t sure if it was from anger or embarrassment.

"How dare you..."

Xander winced.

*Anger all right.. oh shit*

Xander raised his hands.

"I meant to talk. I wouldn’t do anything... well.. you know.. and after what happened that’s not too assuring is it?"

Sarah shook her head.

"No.. its not... but I understand now. Mine.. its closer."

Xander nodded and let her lead the way. Sarah walked past him and he paused to admire her figure as she walked. She was dressed in a baby blue tank top and very tight jeans that made her ass look... well, amazing.

"Damn..."

Sarah looked over her shoulder and blushed.

*Over 600 and still sexy... way to go girl.*

She smiled and led Xander to her apartment... one more floor up.

*****

Xander sat on the couch and looked around. The room was larger than his place and the walls were painted what looked like a light green color.

*Seafoam maybe...*

He looked toward the kitchen and he saw Sarah moving from cabinet to cabinet as she put her groceries away.

*She’s very beautiful.*

Xander smiled and looked down at the drink in his hands. He took a sip and then head footsteps coming toward him. He looked up and smiled.

"You have a nice place."

Sarah sat down across from Xander and smiled.

"Thank you."

She took a drink of her coffee and then leaned back in her chair.

"Ok.. let’s get started. Ground rules... number one, we both live here and there will be no fighting, by either of us, here. One wrong move or one loose Quickening and we BOTH lose a home; number two, we agree to not attack each other; number three, if what happened before happens again... come to me and I will knock some sense into you again, hopefully snapping you out of it. Deal?"

Xander nodded.

"Deal."

Sarah nodded.

"Good. Now, story time."

She grinned and motioned for Xander to go first. Xander laughed and began to tell her his life story.

"Well.. I was born in Sunnydale, California. I grew up with my best friends Willow and Jesse. Everything went ok, all perfectly normal, until she came..."

Xander thought about Buffy and remembered the first day.

"It was weird. I was riding my skateboard to school... swerving expertly in and out of the crowd, doing a really good job too... until I saw her... and everything went all funny. Next thing I knew I slammed into the sidewalk railing and landed on my ass."

Xander looked down and sipped his drink.

"Didn’t know it then.. but she had me from that moment on..."

*****

"... and then she told me that things would have been better if I just left them alone, for good, and told me I hadn’t helped them at all the entire time. I got upset and ran away. Tried to commit suicide but was stopped by some "friendly people"....."

Xander continued to tell his story to Sarah, going over everything that happened... telling her EVERYTHING... until he came up to just recently and his discovery.

"Then I found out that I can have kids... and I’ve got a kid on the way... only the kid’s mom wants the guy she’s seeing to be its father... so I basically bowed out, knowing it would be easier for them and better this way. Doesn’t matter how it makes me feel..."

Xander set his drink down and stood.

"I have to go.. I’m.. I’m sorry."

He walked to the door and opened it... then ran down the hall. Sarah watched him go, a tear in her eye, and shook her head.

*So much pain for someone so young...*

She turned and walked back inside... hoping to have a chance to talk more about this with Xander at another time...

*****

Xander spent the next three weeks busy training with a weary Duncan and an agitated Richie or talking with Sarah. He had grown to like her a great deal and was wondering why he didn’t feel more.

*She is an Immortal, like me, yet all I feel toward her is something akin to that of a brother/sister relationship.*

Xander shook his head and focused himself back on his task at hand. He was in the middle of a sword duel between himself and Methos and he was rapidly loosing ground.

*Stop thinking about her and focus.. or you’ll lose your head.*

Xander focused on Methos and increased his attack. His sword arm became a blur as he drew upon all of his inner skills... and soon he was evenly matched with Methos, who began to grin.

*He is in complete harmony... time to up the scales...*

Methos began to form lightning in his free hand and sent it at Xander... who managed to block it aside and then return a blast of his own.

*So.. he wants to add magic to the mix... I can do that.*

Xander began firing off spell after spell at Methos, going through his entire list of spells.. but was stunned to see Methos block all of them easily.

*This isn’t good... I need to extend myself further...*

Xander fired a dual shot of lightning at Methos then took the second he was distracted to delve deeper into himself. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled ALL of the power he had in reserve.

As the power surged through him, Xander felt something he had never felt before. He felt almost God-like. He opened his eyes and energy crackled across the black dot of his pupils. Methos saw this and knew he was in trouble.

*SHIT! The kid has gone full power on me!*

Just then, Richie entered... but neither of them heard him. Richie glared at Xander and moved around them to watch. He didn’t realize how close he was to the fight until a straw slice cut open his arm.

"Ow!"

Richie grasped his arm and glared at the two men... who were completely oblivious to him even being there.

*Crap.. better get Duncan.. this is freaky.*

He turned to go when suddenly... Xander’s sword came flying toward his head.....

*****

Xander ducked then sliced at Methos’s head and screamed in anger as Methos leaned back... the blade missing him by a hair... and then Xander watched in horror as the blade moved on... toward a pale, terrified Richie.

*What.. Richie... oh shit.. NO!!*

"NO!!"

Xander tried to stop his swing but he had put too much power into it. He tried to let go of the sword... but it was too late. The sharp steel sliced into Richie’s neck and then hit bone.. cutting it like it was butter... severing Richie’s head from his neck.

As Richie fell to the floor, Xander dropped his sword and screamed in horror as he saw the other Immortal he called his friend fall dead.

"Oh god no..."

He tried to back away from the body as the Quickening appeared... but there was no place to run. The mist flowed toward him and then both after bolt of lightning crashed into him. Richie’s life passed through Xander’s mind as he absorbed his friend’s Quickening... and as the last of the lightning hit him, he passed out... screaming....

*****

Jim looked up at the sky and say lightning cascade across it.

"Incoming!"

M-Xander looked up, sane again once more, and looked over toward the main courtyard and nodded as someone new arrived...

*****

Richie materialized on a cracked marble path in the middle of a courtyard. He could see two men standing off to the side and he could swear one of them looked like Xander.. only different.

"Where am I?"

The two men walked over and as they drew closer, Richie growled. The man he thought to be Xander actually WAS him. "You killed me you bastard!"

M-Xander looked at Jim then looked back at Richie and sighed. "I believe we have a few things to explain..."

He took a deep breath and then carefully explained everything to Richie.

*****

"... and therefore, I now ask you. Do you wish to become one with the Universe and continue on to whatever you perceive as Heaven.. or would you like to remain here, with us, and aid Xander in any way possible."

Richie blinked and sat down into a chair that appeared out of nothing. "Ok.. this is too much to believe. I’ve taken a few heads but none of them were still in my head actually talking to me. What is going on here? Why are we still... well, alive?"

Jim grinned.

"As far as I can tell, Xander ain’t like a normal kid. He’s got some stuff in his DNA and he’s been through some shit that would make most people go nuts... yet this kid has learned to adapt... and so did his mind and his Quickening. We all get to either go poof or live on and help the kid out. I chose to help the kid.. and I like it in here. The food is great, you just think it and it appears... and the company ain’t bad. The big guy here can make your family come visit you in... what did you call it?"

M-Xander smiled. "A tactile hologram.. created by the power of the realm around us. You just picture who you wish to see and they appear."

Richie’s eyebrows went up and he grinned. "Anyone?"

The two men nodded and Richie laughed. "Then yeah.. I’ll stick around."

M-Xander smiled and stepped toward Richie. "Please give me your hands and I will copy your knowledge into Xander’s memory."

Richie nodded and grabbed the other man’s hands. A surge of energy passed between them and within seconds it was complete. "Thank you. You are now free to find yourself a place to live here and enjoy your self. We have meetings here at the large onyx table in the corner of the room every other day or when something important happens. You are free do roam as you wish or stay here with us."

Richie grinned. "Cool.. I think I’ll have a look around. Thanks."

He turned and walked off into the mists of Xander’s mind, leaving the two men to watch him leave. Jim turned to M-Xander and smiled. "You think the kid will be ok?"

M-Xander nodded. "Richie will be fine... Xander, however, is in for a world of hurt..."

Jim nodded and then turned and walked back into the other room, a party materializing as he entered.

*****

Methos, who had jumped away when the Quickening began, now crawled back over to Xander and began shaking him.

"Xander... Xander... come on... come on, wake up..."

Just then, Duncan and Amanda ran into the room and saw Richie’s headless body. Amanda screamed in terror and Duncan’s eyes took on a look of complete rage. He walked over to Methos and glared at him.

"What happened! Who did this!"

Methos pointed at the unconscious Xander and Duncan pulled his sword, ready to cut off Xander’s head.

"NO! I won’t let you!"

Amanda threw herself over Xander, blocking Duncan’s sword.

"You can’t, Duncan, he’s all I have left. You said I could keep him.. you promised.. YOU PROMISED!"

Duncan stared at Amanda, his eyes not understanding, but he backed a step away.

"Methos.. explain what happened."

Methos nodded and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"We were sparing... we took things a little too serious and went all out. Richie came in but we didn’t feel him... until it was too late. I swiped at Xander, he ducked, he came back at me and I ducked.. but Xander’s slice was too powerful and it hit Richie. He let go of his sword.. but it was too late. He didn’t mean to do it, Duncan, it was an accident."

Duncan looked down at Richie’s body and then looked over at Xander. Xander’s sword was lying next to Richie... dropped as if released in mid-swing.

*He’s telling the truth... it was an accident... but I can’t... first Tessa now Richie.. I.. I just can’t...*

"When he wakes.. tell him he’s done. I won’t be teaching him anything more. He has learned everything I can teach him."

Duncan walked to the doors and stopped.

"Tell him not to even think about returning for at least 10 years... that way I can recover."

He then continued out of the room and slammed the doors.

*****

Methos looked at Amanda and frowned.

"What about you?"

Amanda brushed her fingers through Xander’s hair and sighed.

"I need him, Methos. He looks so much like the boy I adopted so many years ago... my beautiful Andrew... and it hurts so much... but then I found Alexander... and the pain lessened."

She looked up into Methos’s eyes and there were tears.

"Xander is mine.. my child, even thought not from my body.. he is mine and he will be so forever. Sure, I tease him and everything.. because I don’t want him to know the truth. I know he knows I care about him... I just don’t want him to know how I care... not right now... not when he has to leave."

Amanda kissed Xander’s forehead and then brushed her fingers along his cheek.

"Tell him... Methos... when he wakes... that I care... and that if he needs anything, to call me."

Methos nodded as Amanda got to her feet.

"I will do as you ask."

Amanda nodded and then ran off after Duncan. Methos watched her leave and then sat down to wait for Xander to awaken... knowing that the young man’s life was going to be vastly different, now, from what it was before... for he had lost a friend... and more than that, he had lost a teacher as well... and Xander would be on his own now...

*Don’t you worry, my young friend, I will watch you... and one day you will find your place in this world...*

*****

Xander had awakened earlier and had been told everything. He had understood and ad gathered up this things then had headed back to his apartment. When he got there, he found Sarah waiting for him.

"You’re leaving.. I can tell.. what happened?"

Xander looked at her and then moved into his bedroom... Sarah following.

"I killed someone... in an accident... and I’m supposed to leave now."

Sarah gasped in shock.

"Who.. who did you kill?"

Xander opened his duffle bag and sighed.

"Richie."

Sarah frowned and nodded.

"What happened?"

As Xander packed, tears in his eyes, he told her everything. Sarah listened and nodded.

"And so now you’re just leaving?"

Xander nodded.

"Yes.. either that or stay and have Duncan wanting my head for the next 10 years."

He closed his duffle bag and turned to Sarah.

"I’m sorry I’m going... cause I’m going to miss you. You’re a lovely person and a good friend..."

Sarah stopped him by placing a finger on his lips.

"You may be leaving... but we will still be friends, Xander, nothing can change that. We will talk and write and email.. you know this.. and when you get settled you can send me your address and I can come visit you."

Xander nodded and smiled.

"Thank you, Sarah. You mean a lot to me."

Sarah nodded and kissed him on the cheek.

"Ditto."

Xander laughed and pulled his duffel up onto his shoulder. "You can keep anything you want, Sarah. I can’t take it with me."

Sarah nodded and began to cry. "I understand.. now go.. I don’t want you seeing me cry."

Xander nodded and then leaned in to kiss her goodbye. As he turned to leave, he whispered a final goodbye to her. "... I love you, Sarah...."

*****

Xander got on his motorcycle and revved the engine. He knew it was time to move on... and there was something important he wanted to do... someplace he needed to be... he just wasn’t sure where... but he knew someone who could help him. *The Prof will know... I can see some country on the way and check in with Giles to see how the gang is doing too.*

Finally knowing what he was going to do, Xander smiled and headed out of town.. going south......

The End