Title: Tales of the Lost Warrior: Book Six - Metamorphosis

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. X-Men is owned by Marvel Comics. The Highlander Immortality Theory is owned by Rysher. Star Wars is owned by George Lucas. Elvis owns himself... and is still out there having drinks with the Aliens. I get nothing by writing this except maybe some kind words of encouragement and a few cheers... at least I hope.
Spoilers: Unsure where in X-Men timeline... do know that Cable has visited a few times.

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/Angel/X-Men crossover. " " as always means talking while * * means thoughts. / / means speech from another entity. # # is telepathy or a being speaking to Xander from inside. Also.. can anyone guess who the woman in the hallway is?
Feedback: Yes please!!!!!
Distribution: If you like it... please feel free to place it on your site... but please tell me first.
Dedication: Thanks to Alex Memnoch for his help with the classifications of mutant power and thanks to everyone on my group who voted. It really helped me come up with the right name for Xander‘s X-Men codename.

Xander walked through the oncoming darkness toward the mansion. As he neared it, he could feel dozens of eyes locking onto him... watching as he approached.

*Still paranoid I see...*

It was just as he reached the steps that he heard a BAMF noise and smelled brimstone. A blue skinned young man appeared in a puff of smoke next to him.

"Hi... I’m Kurt... are you Xander?"

Xander nodded, somehow at easy by the young man’s appearance.

"That would be me. Are you the welcoming committee?"

Kurt nodded, smiling.

"The Professor wants me to teleport you inside. We had a problem a day or so ago and the front doors are still not working."

Xander smiled.

"Where did he want me to come?"

Kurt looked up at the windows and pointed.

"He said his office..."

Kurt turned to look at Xander and gasped when Xander disappeared in a flash of white light.

*Oh my.. he can teleport... this is so cool!*

He grinned like a maniac and then followed him...

*****

Charles Xavier sat at his desk, smiling to himself over sending Kurt to bring Alexander in.

*It will do Alexander some good... and Kurt needs more friends... and I think they will like each other.*

It was then that he heard a sound like the hissing of air and then, seconds later, the unforgettable sound of Kurt’s teleporting. Charles looked up at the sounds and saw Alexander appear before him in a flash of white light.

"Alexander... welcome back. I see you have acquired a new skill. Prey tell... can you explain?"

Xander nodded and sat down... Kurt soon following him. Charles noticed them and began to send Kurt away... until Xander stopped him.

"Let him stay... he’s an ok kid."

Charles nodded and motioned for Xander to begin. Xander smiled and took a deep breath.

"Where do I begin...."

*****

"... and then all of this power was released inside me and things I didn’t even know I could do... well, suddenly I could do them. I figured I needed to come back here... find out what’s going on in my head."

Charles nodded and smiled.

"That we shall see, Alexander, that we shall see. Your room is as you left it... in the senior wing. Do you wish to stay there or somewhere else?"

Xander thought about it for a moment. Surely enough time had passed for the smell of Kitty’s perfume to have dissipated...

"Sure.. that will be fine."

Charles nodded and moved around in front of his desk.

"Well then... I am thrilled to have you home. Do you know how long you will be staying?"

Xander shrugged.

"Not really... I just know I want to stay awhile... and see if I can help you guys in your fight against evil..."

*Plus I still owe some payback to Magneto...*

Charles stared at Alexander’s expression and nodded.

"We shall see what we can do. We might be able to assimilate you into one of the squads. Be thinking about that... meet with them.. talk to them.. and then tell me what you think."

Xander nodded.

"Sure thing Prof."

He grinned and turned to walk away. He stopped and smiled at Kurt.

"Hey Fuzzy... come on to my room with me.. and invite anyone you want to come with.. I’m throwing myself a coming home party."

Kurt grinned and nodded... then teleported away. Xander smiled and turned to the Professor.

"Nice kid.. but his teleporting out stinks to high heaven."

Charles nodded and smiled. Xander laughed and then headed out into the hall...

*****

Xander walked down the hallways... passing open doors... seeing people he didn’t recognize... and then bumped into a young woman with wild purple hair. She was wearing a skintight purple outfit and she looked pissed.

"Watch where you’re going, idiot... and stop staring at my breasts."

Xander blinked in shock and moved away.

"Sorry... not looking where I was going."

The young woman nodded and then moved past... continuing on her way. Xander watched her go and shivered.

*Something about her feels.... weird.*

He took one last look at her and then continued on down the hallway... headed for his room and the welcome home party he was going to throw himself.

*****

Xander entered his room and smiled. Everything was the same... down to the smallest detail... but there was one thing that was bothering him...

*What the hell is it?*

He sat down on the bed and a waft of perfume floated up to his nose. Xander’s eyes widened and a tear fell down his cheek.

*Kitty... god.. I still miss you....*

He closed his eyes and lay back on the bed. He felt bad about his feelings for Kitty... considering he was with Buffy now and loved her with all his heart. He just didn’t know what to do...

*****

Soldier kicked down a half-crumbled wall and then began rebuilding it. He was moving at a speed unnatural to anyone alive... and it was scaring the shit out of Richie.

"Damn it man... how do you move so fast?"

Solider placed another block and paused to answer Richie.

"Speed is nothing... the rules are different here. Do you really think this is air you are breathing? Do you really think that I am building a wall? Do you really believe that any of this is real?"

Richie nodded.

"I’m breathing... I’m watching you.. so yeah, its real."

Soldier shook his head.

"You’re dead... nothing.. none of this is real... we are just the psychotic ramblings of Xander’s troubled mind. We mean nothing."

To make his point.. Soldier pointed at the wall with his hands and it was imediately restored.

"This is also not real. I was only making a point by acting like I was repairing it. Do you begin to understand?"

Richie thought about it. He had wondered why time never seemed to pass here... why there was no food, yet he never got hungry.. why there was nothing to do but yet he never got bored. Maybe Soldier was right.. maybe none of it is real.

"If what you say is true... then why are we here?"

Soldier smiled then.

"Because he needs us."

*****

Xander heard a knock on the door and opened his eyes. He walked to the door and smiled at the young woman standing outside.

"Hey sugah... missed you."

Xander grinned like a fool and pulled the girl into a hug.

"God, Rogue.. I missed you too."

He smiled at her and then took in her appearance. She was wearing a skintight green bodysuit and black gloves. Xander ran a hand down her bodysuit covered arm and giggled.

"Found a loophole... good for you."

Rogue nodded and smiled.

"That and a few other ways..."

Xander raised and eyebrow at that remark.. but let it slide.

"Later... and in detail."

Rogue nodded and laughed. She then stepped into Xander’s room and opened the window.

"Get ya some fresh air in here... clear out the spirits."

Xander nodded and sat down on the bed.

"I meant what I said when I said I missed you. You and Kitty were my only friends... even though I didn't get to know you as well as I would have liked."

Rogue turned to Xander and grinned.

"Well thank you sugah.. that’s very sweet of you."

She sat down next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"So.. you got someone now?"

Xander nodded and pulled out a picture from his pocket. He had made it earlier... wanting to have something with him. He showed it to Rogue and then smiled.

"Her name is Buffy... we’re engaged."

Rogue looked up at Xander with sad eyes.. then smiled and nodded.

"Good for you..."

She leaned in and placed her hand on his lips.. then kissed her fingers... pretending it was his lips she was kissing.

"Welcome home."

She then stood and left... leaving a very confused Xander behind....

*****

The party was in full swing by the time midnight rolled around. It had grown so much that it had slowly drifted down the hall and eventually everyone agreed to move into the auditorium.... where even more people showed up. Soon, pretty much everyone was there, a sight which made Xander feel pretty good.

*Never knew there were this many people here..*

Xander smiled as he mingled with everyone. He could see those he knew, Scott, Jean, Rogue, Kurt, Beast, Wolverine... and those he hadn’t met before today. They were new, found sometime after he left it seemed. The Professor calls them his "secondary team" and Xander could see why. They were wild, restless, flippant with their powers, and just acted plain stupid. It was one of these, a girl calling herself Boom Boom that really irritated him. She just kept making these small bombs and then left them in the drinks or the food or what have you. It was after one such incident that Xander decided to teach the girl a lesson.

*That’s it... go ahead... no one’s looking... and when you do.. I’m going to get you.*

He watched as she made a small bomb and then placed it in Scott’s drink. The bomb was only the size of a pea.. so it wouldn’t hurt if it exploded on someone.. just sting alot... so the moment she let go of it and turned away, Xander grabbed it from across the room and dropped it down the back of her pants. The following explosion was priceless... and the look on her face brought laughter induced tears.

*That got her.*

She looked around in shock, an embarrassed red flush on her face, and then ran pass Xander and out of the room. Xander waited a moment, then followed. He found her crying in the hall and moved next to her.

"Sorry about that.. but you had it coming. You can’t just do whatever it is you feel like doing and not expect someone to turn around and throw it back in your face. Don’t you agree?"

Boom Boom looked up at Xander and nodded.

"Yeah.. I know.. its just so boring here."

Xander smiled and nodded.

"I know.. but things get exciting once you prove yourself enough to get placed on a team.. then you have missions and saving the world and stuff... so it gets less boring."

She looked at Xander and frowned.

"How do you know?"

Xander smiled.

"I used to be one of the X-Men... for about a year or so... then I had to leave."

Boom Boom smirked.

"Why.. you do something wrong? Did you kill someone or something?"

She had been joking... but was shocked by his answer.

"Yeah.. I did."

She jerked her head back and stared at him in shock.

"What?! Who?"

Xander frowned.

"Sabertooth..."

Boom Boom’s eyes widened.

"The freak who killed Kitty Pryde... so you must be Xander Harris... but how? I thought he was an Omega Class mutant."

Xander stared at the girl before him and pondered her words.

*Omega class... what the hell is that?*

Xander frowned.

"A what?"

Boom Boom’s eyes widened and she made a sound that sounded like a small squeak.. before she ran away in fright. Xander watched her go and then stormed back into the auditorium.

*Where is he? He has some explaining to do...*

Xander looked all around for the professor... but couldn’t find him. He did, however, spot Jean standing by the deserts. Xander nodded to himself and walked over to her.

"Jean.. hi.. can we talk... in private?"

Jean stared at Xander, confused, and just nodded. She lead him over to the side of the room and then into a small side room.

"What did you want, Xander?"

Xander sat down on a bench. He looked up at Jean and sighed... not sure why he was so nervous.

"Jean.. what do the words Omega Class mean to you?"

Jean gasped and took a step back... then shook her head and sat down beside Xander.

"Omega Class, Xander, is a classification we use. For example.. the new students, they are Beta class. The rest of us, those who have been here a long time, like myself, Scott, Wolverine.. etc, we are Alpha class. Then you have Omega class... and they are people like Magneto, The Shadow King, and Apocalypse."

Xander nodded.

"I kicked Magneto’s ass. What does that make me?"

Jean swallowed, nervously, and a bead of sweat trickled down her cheek.

"You very will could be Omega class yourself."

Xander sighed.

"How do I find out?"

Jean smiled.

"We can ask the professor. If anyone would know.. it would be him."

Xander nodded.

"Tomorrow. For now.. let everyone enjoy the party... including you."

Xander smiled and kissed her cheek.

"You know.. I can see why the men all find you so attractive. You remind me of my Willow... only you’re in better physical shape... but if you ever tell her that I will deny everything."

Jean laughed and nodded.

"I see.. well, I’m glad you’re an admirer as well."

Xander smirked.

"I never said I was an admirer."

He stood and then grinned at her.. before they walked back into the party.

*****

A few hours later, the party had wound down some and most of the people had left... leaving only the main core of the X-Men. Xander smiled at them and noticed someone he hadn’t met before standing in the shadows in the corner. He walked over to Rogue and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Rogue.. hon.. who is the guy in the corner... why is he staring at you.. and do I get to kick his ass for you?"

Rogue laughed and shook her head.

"That, sugah, is Gambit. He’s staring at me cause he’s sweet on me.. and no, you can’t kick his ass... cause I like him some too."

Xander nodded.

"Does he know about..."

Rogue raised and eyebrow.

"Ma powers... yes, he knows... and he ain’t afraid either."

Xander smiled.

"Well.. he’s either brave... stupid.. or in love."

Rogue blushed and smiled. Xander laughed and leaned in to kiss her cheek... her bare cheek... then walked over to talk to the others, leaving a shocked Rogue behind.

*He.. he kissed me.. but I didn’t drain him... how?*

She watched him, her eyes wide with wonder and shock... and she wasn’t the only one. Across the room, Wolverine saw everything and frowned. A low growl escaped his lips and he walked over to Xander.

"How?"

Xander looked at Wolverine and frowned.

"How what?"

Wolverine growled softly.

"You kissed Marie... but you’re still kickin... so I’m asking you, how?"

Those words caught everyone’s attention. Xander stared at Wolverine.. then looked over at the stunned Rogue, who was holding her cheek, and his eyes widened.

"I.. I don‘t know..."

*****

The incesent knocking on his door awakened Charles Xavier from his sleep.

"Yes.. yes.. what is it?"

From outside the door he could hear a mix of voices... then Jean over the others.

"Professor.. can you come out here? We have a... problem?"

Charles sat up in bed and wiped the sleep from his eyes... then slid across his bed and into his hoverchair.

"I’m coming.. just one moment."

He floated over to the door and opened it.. revealing a small group surrounding a very startled Xander.

"What’s going on?"

Wolverine stepped forward and pushed Xander with him.

"New boy here kissed Marie.. but no zapping occurred. We want to know why."

Charles raised and eyebrow at this development and nodded.

"I suspected as much..."

Xander looked around at everyone and shook his head.

"Does this have anything to do with me possibly being an Omega Class?"

Once those words left his lips, everyone.. except Jean.. took three steps back. Charles nodded.

"Yes.. I believe so."

Xander sighed.

"Ok.. so.. am I or not?"

Charles shrugged.

"I do not know."

This made everyone gasp in shock. The All-Knowing, All-Powerful Professor Charles Xavier was unable to answer a question. Xander blinked in shock and shook his head.

"Ok.. how do we find out?"

Charles smiled and pointed down the hall.

"Follow me..."

He then headed down the hall.... toward the Danger Room.

*****

Inside the room, Xander and Charles went below while everyone else went up to the monitoring room.

"Scott... please run program Xavier Omega Three Three Gamma."

Scott nodded and within seconds a large glass cylindar appeared in the center of the room. It was filled with a pink fluid and something about it made Xander feel uneasy. He could see, out of the corner of his eye, Wolverine flinch in shock.

"I have to get in that thing?"

Charles nodded.

"Yes.. the fluid will cushion your power and will allow you to release a full power blast... so we can measure your level."

Xander looked at the thing and shuddered.

"Can Wolverine come down here... to be with me?"

For some reason.. he wanted the man with him. He wasn’t sure why, he just felt that the other man’s presence would be comforting. Xander looked up at the room and saw Wolverine nod.. then he was gone... only to appear in the room a few minutes later.

"I’m here, kid, so you can relax now."

Xander nodded and smiled.

‘Break me out of there if something goes wrong."

Wolverine nodded.

"Will do."

Xander walked over to the cylinder and picked up a mask and breathing apparatus. He slipped it on carefully then climbed up into the tank. He took one last look around... then sank down into the pink fluid.

*****

Inside the tank, sound was distorted... but he heard the Professor’s voice.

"Ok.. Alexander... build power until you cannot hold any more... then raise your hand to notify us... then release all of your power at once."

Xander nodded and began to draw on his power. He tapped into his own internal power source... feeling the power rising quickly. He then tapped into the force and felt his mind expand immensely... but yet there was still more. He reached out as far as he could and felt this enormous wellspring of power... and with a long drink, absorbed it all until he was vibrating with intense power.

*Not much more...*

He took a bit more then raised his hand.

"Now.. Alexander... release."

Xander focused his power into a blast and let it radiate off of his body in all directions... his head jerking back in the process. Light filled the tank and within seconds, it was too bright to look at. A low hum began to echo in the room and then a crackling sound. Almost immediately after that, the cylinder exploded, sending power, glass, and pink fluid in all directions.

"Down!"

Wolverine tackled the Professor to the ground just seconds before the power wave crashed over them... blasting a groove in the wall 10 feet deep... before Xander was done, collapsing to the ground.

Wolverine helped the Professor to his feet and placed him back in his chair.. then the two of them rushed over to Xander.

"You ok, kid?"

Xander raised a tired head and nodded. His eyes rolled back in his head and then he passed out. Wolverine stared at Xander then looked back at the Professor.

"He’s Omega... isn’t he?"

Charles nodded.

"I’m afraid so... and I believe he may be above Magneto in power... possibly even The Shadow King as well. I think only Apocalypse is more powerful... but I will have to see the results from Cerebro."

Wolverine nodded and then picked up Xander.

"You go do that. I’ll drop off the kid in his room."

Charles nodded and then floated away. Wolverine watched him go.. then walked off to the senior wing, an unconscious Xander over his shoulder.

*****

Xander awoke minutes after someone dropped him onto his bed. He noticed the time that passed in between his fainting spells was getting shorter.

*Must be that I’m getting used to them or something...*

He opened his eyes and looked around. He was in his room and he was alone... but he could tell my the time on the nearby alarm clock that he hadn’t been out for long.

*Just about 10 minutes... not bad. I had better get up and go see what’s going on.*

Xander sat up and stared down at himself. The pink fluid was still covering his body and he was surprised he hadn’t felt it.

"Better get cleaned up first."

He climbed off the bed and walked into his bathroom, stripping as he walked...

*****

Sometime later, cleaned and freshly dressed, Xander entered the Professor’s office and found it empty.

*Must still be down there..*

He turned and walked to the Danger Room.. but it was empty as well.

*Cerebro then...*

Xander had heard of the room.. but wasn’t exactly sure where it was located. He closed his eyes and felt for the Professor. He felt him.. about three floors down. Xander opened his eyes and teleported to him.

*****

Charles sat in his chair with the metallic helmet in place on his head. He was examining the information recorded by Cerebro when he felt someone touch him mind... then seconds later, he felt Alexander teleport next to him.

"Hello Alexander... please wait a moment, I am just finishing here."

Xander nodded and sat down on an outcropping of metal to wait. He only had to wait a few minutes before the Professor removed the helmet and turned to look at Xander.

"Well.. Alexander... I am pleased to tell you that you are an Omega Class Mutant... with notable ones being Magneto, The Shadow King, and Apocalypse."

Xander nodded.

"And where do I fit in on that list?"

Charles smiled.

"You are second in power only to Apocalypse himself... and that is because you are still young and semi-inexperienced to your powers. With time, and training from the world’s experts.. you could possibly outclass him someday."

Xander had heard of all those people and was frankly shocked.

"So am I dangerous?"

Charles was taken aback my the question. He hadn’t expected it at all.

"Some may feel so, Alexander, but I do not. I know you had the inner strength necessary to do the right thing."

Xander nodded. He knew that the Professor had scanned him soon after arriving.. so he knew that the man knew everything he had done... and yet.. he still trusted him.

"Thank you."

Xander paused and then smiled.

"I thought about your question earlier... about joining the X-Men full time. I.. I’d like that."

Charles smiled and nodded.

"Have you thought about which team?"

Xander nodded.

"Whichever one Rogue and Wolverine are on."

Charles nodded and smiled wider.

"Well then.. Alexander... welcome to.."

Xander stopped him.

"Not Alexander... if I’m going to be one of your X-Men.. I want a codename."

Charles nodded.

"Very well.. what did you have in mind?"

Xander smirked.

"You know about the whole White Knight deal..."

Charles nodded.

"... and the magic..."

Charles nodded again.

"... and the killing the unholy, vampire and demons and sort..."

Charles nodded and smiled, sensing where this was going.

".. so I was thinking... what about this."

Xander smiled and chuckled.

"Call me... Paladin."

Charles smiled. The name seemed to make sense.

"Paladin it is then. Do you need help with an outfit?"

Xander shook his head.

"No.. I have something in mind. I’ll go work on it and meet you later to show you..."

Charles nodded.

"There is a team meeting in about an hour.. in my office."

Xander nodded.

"I’ll be there."

With that said, he teleported out...

*****

Buffy turned in her sleep... moaning... missing something that should be there. She had been unable to sleep all night and she knew why... because Xander wasn’t there.

It had all started from that little present he had given her. His feelings and wants.. all compressed in that fantasy. It had made her shiver for hours, a grin plastered to her face... but now, in bed, she was all alone.

Unknown to her.. however.. a flash of light filled the room as Xander teleported in. He looked around and spotted Buffy... asleep.. in his bed. It made him smile... and then he noticed she was naked, and he did more than smile.

*No time.. you’re on a schedule...*

He moved to the closet and opened it, the squeak loud in the deafening silence.

"Xander... is that you?"

Xander smiled and turned around.

"Yes baby... its me."

He looked at her, the moonlight shining in through the window, making her body a portrait of shadow and breathtakingly beautiful nude skin. A smile crossed his face and he blushed.

"You’re in my bed, Buff... in the buff... not that I’m complaining or anything.. but its kinda startling."

Buffy grinned and motioned for him to come to her. Xander smiled and nodded, ten walked over. He sat down next to her and leaned in to kiss her, softly at first, then with more passion.

As they broke the kiss, Xander sighed and kissed her nose.

"I love you so much, Buffy, and I know that I promised... but I have a meeting in less than 45 minutes and I really have to do what I have to do."

Buffy grinned evilly and growled under her breath.

"More than enough time..."

She pounced on him and ripped his clothing off... then proceeded to crawl up his body, ready to have her way with him.

"After that little gift you left me... well.. I want the rest of it..."

She dove at him and was a bundle of wild, animalistic fury... and in that moment, Xander learned never to make a Slayer horny...

*****

It was about 30 minutes later while Xander was gasping for breath that Buffy finally crawled off of him. Xander stared at the ceiling, sweat dripping off of his body, and fully aware that they hadn’t used any protection that he began to worry.

"Baby.. you do know that we weren’t safe."

Buffy leaned over him and nodded, smiling.

"We’re Immortal.. we don’t need to."

Xander winced.

"I’m not fully normal... Buffy. Remember Cordy?"

Buffy nodded, a confused look on her face.

"Yeah.. so?"

Xander sighed.

"I’m fertile. Her baby is mine.. and you might be pregnant now."

Buffy’s eyes widened and she swallowed in shock.

*Pregnant.. from one time... it could happen... but am I ready?*

She looked into Xander’s troubled, yet still love-filled eyes, and smiled.

*Yes.. I want his baby.. I want a part of him to be with me forever... a part of both of us...*

Buffy grinned.

"If I am.. then it is a gift... and we will just have to not tell her.. or him.. that his parents were naughty before the wedding."

Xander laughed and nodded.

"Oh Buffy.. I love you so much."

He kissed her again and then got out of bed.

"I really do need to get ready now. Can you get out my stuff while I get a quick shower?"

Buffy nodded and then leered at him as he walked naked into the bathroom.

*He’s mine... all mine.. and damn, he was sooo good.*

She got out of bed and stretched, wincing slightly.

*Oh.. going to feel that in the morning.. man he was good.*

She moved to the closet and pulled out Xander’s box. Inside were his things... his stilsuit/armor, his lightsaber... still seemed funny to her that her Xander has visited the Star Wars people...

Buffy looked up as Xander entered, clean and glistening, and growled playfully.

"No time for that, hon, but maybe if you’re a good Slayer.. I will teleport you to my room in the mansion from time to time... until it is safe for me to come home."

Buffy nodded and smiled.

"What do you need all this for anyway?"

Xander smiled.

"I’m one of the X-Men now. Slayerette and X-Man... two, two, two Xander’s in one."

Buffy giggled and fell back onto the floor.

"Oh god.. that’s funny."

She caught her breath and looked through the box.

"So.. you like making a costume or something?"

Xander nodded as he pulled out the stilsuit and the mithril vest. He placed them on top of each other and then fused them together.

"Yes.. I had an idea.. and figured I would get it all together..."

Xander then took the cape from the box and shifted its color so that it was a metallic silver... then set it aside. He then created a molten ball of silver and formed it into a stylized cross.. and fused it onto and over the heart of the suit.

"... and as you can see, I had a few idea in mind."

Buffy nodded. She could see and appreciate much of what he had decided on.

"Looks pretty... black with a flash of light purple.. and then a hint of silver here and there... not bad."

Xander finished up and nodded.

"That’s what I thought."

He picked up the stilsuit and pulled it on over his naked body. It fit him like a second skin and it was almost comforting. He then grabbed the cape and attached it to his shoulders.. letting it flow down his back.

"There... how does that look?"

Buffy took at good look at him. He was a vision in black.. with the shimmering purple scales of mithril over his chest.. and the silver cross right over his heart... and the cape flowing behind.. his lightsaber on his hip with the longsword he had used a few times on his other hip. He looked amazing.. but something was missing.

"You look great.. but there are two things missing..."

Buffy ran over to her purse and pulled out a small silver ring. Her mother had given it to her when she was 15 and it meant a great deal to her. She then grabbed a hair band and walked back to Xander.

"This ring.. is important to me.. and I want you to have it... to remember me and have a piece of me with you at all times."

She placed the ring onto his finger and watched, amazed, as it glowed and then appeared almost one with his skin.

"Oh.. Xander.. you.. you didn’t have to.."

Xander smiled at her.

"Yes.. I did.. because I will love your forever, Buffy, and it will never come off my finger."

Buffy began to cry.. then wiped her eyes as she handed over the hand band.

"You need something on your head... and I was thinking you could make this into something... like a silver band that you wear across your forehead or something."

Xander understood what she was saying. A band of silver across his forehead.. sort of like that which he saw once in a book about King Arthur. A simple band of silver.. worn over the eyes.. a few inches up... it would look good.

"Thank you.. my love."

Xander took the cloth band and transmuted it into a thin half-circlet of silver.. then slid it into place across his forehead.

"Now how do I look?"

Buffy smiled and kissed him.

"Perfect... my...?"

Xander smiled.

"Paladin."

Buffy grinned.

"The holy knight who kills demons and stuff... I like it."

Xander nodded.

"Exactly... the counterpart to the Slayer... man and woman.. husband and wife... protecting the world for all eternity."

Buffy began to cry again and nodded.

"Oh Xander.. I love you so much."

She threw herself into his arms and hugged him so hard it almost hurt... then let go and ran to get a camera she had seen earlier.

"I have to get a picture of you... Willow isn’t going to believe this..."

Xander nodded and waited as Buffy got the camera.. then turned on the lights.

"Hold still..."

Xander smiled and waited as Buffy took shots of him from pretty much every angle.

"There.. you can move now."

Buffy placed the camera on the bed and frowned.

"Do you have to go now?"

Xander nodded.

"Yes.. my love.. but I will return tomorrow night.. and set up something here for you so you can come visit me whenever you want. I’m thinking a portal or gate than you can open and close at will.. I still need to work out all the details..."

Buffy nodded and kissed him one more time.

"I love you, Xander. Come home to me soon..."

Xander nodded and then vanished in a flash of light....

*****

The X-Men had gathered, one by one, in the Professor’s office and were waiting for the reason they had been called.

"What’s going on?"

Charles turned to Scott and nodded.

"We are here because I have an announcement to make... as soon as.."

Just then, Xander teleported into the hallway.. and his flash of light was visible under the door. Charles noticed the light and smiled.

"... as soon as Xander arrives.. which he just did. Well, my X-Men.. I would like to introduce to you... the newest member of the X-Men... Paladin."

The doors opened and in walked Xander, his cape flowing in the air behind him.. the light glinting off the mithril armor covering his chest and the silver cross almost glowing in the light.. and at his side.. on the left, a longsword that looked polished and well-used, and on his right.. the lightsaber he had had before.

A gasp of shock was heard as Xander entered and then cheers and congratulations were given from everyone. Xander nodded and gave his thank you’s.. then nodded to the Professor.

Charles nodded and smiled.

"There is more... "

Everyone grew silent and turned to look at the Professor.

"Paladin is an Omega Class... and he is second in power only to Apocalypse himself."

The room exploded in uproar then.. and Xander just stepped back and let them all do their thing.. knowing his world just got quite a bit more complicated.....

*****

Days passed quickly for Xander as he adjusted to his new life as a full member of the X-men. He had been welcomed openly... but not really warmly. Many of the students seemed terrified of him with the rest just ignoring him... which was fine with him. As he saw it, the fewer people he interacted with... the better.

He had allowed himself a day to settle in before he had set up the portal in his closet. Xander had discovered that the magic required had been quite difficult and very experimental... and after three explosive tries, he had a stable portal connecting his closet in the mansion with Buffy’s closet back in Sunnydale. He and Buffy celebrated the portal with a all night long romp... exploring their relationship fully.

When Buffy had to leave, he was sorry to see her go... but he knew that she would be able to return any time she had a free night, and he was happy about that. This would allow them to grow closer and make their time apart seem not as bad.

It was almost a week later... when all hell broke loose......

*****

Xander ran into the meeting room and came to a halt next to Rogue. He was in full uniform and the surprised and amused look on her face made him smile. He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"What’s going on?"

Rogue pointed to the viewscreen and shook her head.

Magneto is up to something. He’s in South Florida and he is creating a large bubble of magnetic energy."

At the mention of Magneto’s name, a snarl crossed Xander’s face and his eyes darkened.

"How long has he been there and when can I kill him?"

At this, Professor Charles Xavier spun around in his chair and stared at him, a look of shock on his face.

"Alexander... I am shocked. I would have thought you would be beyond this..."

Xander shook his head.

"That bastard killed Kitty! For that... he dies!"

Jean moved closer to Xander and shook her head.

"Xander... Magneto didn’t kill Kitty... Sabertooth did and you already killed him. You need to calm down and get a grip."

Xander glared at her and growled.

"He told Sabertooth to do it. That makes him just as guilty in my book... and so he will die."

Charles moved closer to Xander, a concerned look on his face.

"No... Alexander... you cannot do this. Magnus has much good in him. You cannot just take his life for no good reason."

Xander, infuriated by now, moved closer to the Professor with his hands bundled into fists... and was stopped by Wolverine.

"Freeze kid... it ain’t worth it."

He reached out to restrain Xander and in that instant... something happened. A flash of light flooded Xander’s mind and for a second... his and Wolverine’s minds were linked. Images flashed across the back of Xander’s eyes and he saw every moment of Wolverine’s life... at least everything he could remember... and he knew by the look on Wolverine’s face that the same thing must be happening to him as well. In that moment... Xander got a flash of Wolverine’s future... and he saw something horrible. He saw Magneto capturing Wolverine in some manner... and then... he saw him rip all of the metal from his body, painfully and over a long stretched out time. It was torture.

Wolverine, linked to Xander, saw this as well... and a cold chill came over him. With a shudder, he looked into Xander’s eyes.

"If you can stop that from happening... I’ll help you do anything you want... just promise me. Promise me."

Xander felt the emotion radiating off the other man and slowly nodded his head.

"You have my word. What we saw will never come to pass. He will die by my hands and you will have his corpse as your proof."

*****

An hour later Xander, Rogue and Wolverine were searching South Florida for Magneto. Xander would have teleported them there... but for some reason, he was having trouble pinpointing his location. It was very strange. It was as if someone... or something... was blocking him. The best he could narrow it down to was somewhere around Miami... and so there they were... searching for their prey.

*****

"Damn it! Shit! Where the hell is the bastard!"

Xander slammed his fist into and through the brick wall directly in front of him, completely obliterating it. He was beyond mad... beyond angry... beyond furious. He was in a level of rage and white-hot hatred so intense... it was unknown in all of existence... and even the Emperor himself, had he been near, would be quaking in fear. Lucky for him he was millions of miles away.

"I want him now!"

A wash of energy exploded off of Xander in all directions, causing Rogue and Wolverine to drop to the ground to take cover. It also had one other effect... it caught someone’s attention.

*****

Deep underground a lone figure raised his dark head. He sensed something... no, someone... powerful... very powerful indeed.

*What is this? The power.... so near my own level... but this... this cannot be. I am so far above mutants that there is no way for anyone to possibly approach me.*

He looked at the energy cage hanging on the wall next to him and sneered at the broken and bleeding old man inside.

"Who is it, Old Man? Answer me... and maybe I will end your life quickly."

Magneto lifted his head and stared at the abomination before him.

"Never... I will never do anything for you... Apocalypse............"

*****

"Something’s wrong."

Giles looked up from his book at Buffy and raised and eyebrow.

"Pardon?"

Buffy leaned in closer to his face.

"I said... something’s wrong."

Giles closed his book and stared at her.

"Yes.. well then.. go ahead. What is it?"

Buffy frowned.

"I... I don’t know. It’s just a feeling... not much more than that... but I know it has to do with Xander."

Giles nodded.

"Can you get in touch with him?"

Buffy shook her head.

"I checked out his room at the school... but he wasn’t there. In face, not many people were there... and the ones that were were talking about someone named Magneto being in South Florida. Do you think I should go back and ask them where Xander is?"

Giles pondered this for a moment.

"Yes... you do that. Head over there and see what you can discover. I will research this... Magneto... if I can and get back to you."

Buffy nodded and ran home. She was getting more and more worried the closer she got to her bedroom. She threw open her closet and activated the portal by tapping on a small ruby embedded into the wall; the portal opened and Buffy stepped through...

*****

A couple of hours earlier....

"I know he is here... somewhere... and I just have to find him."

Xander stormed his way through the city, knocking people out of his way, searching for Magneto... with Rogue and Wolverine following.

"You need to calm down, sugah, you can’t concentrate if you’re angry."

Wolverine nodded, agreeing with Rogue, but said nothing... for there was something strange in the air... but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.

"I don’t have time to calm down. I have to find him and I have to do it..."

Just then, a silver feather-shaped dagger imbedded itself in Xander’s shoulder. As he screamed in pain and shock, he looked up to see a strange creature diving down at him. It appeared to be a blue skinned man with silver metal wings.

"I have you now, Apocalypse. You’re disguise can’t fool me."

He swung his wing around and a volley of feather daggers came flying at them. Xander, still with the feather imbedded in his shoulder, screamed at the others to get down then sent a blast of lightning up at the flying man, grazing his shoulder... which made him spin out of control.

"Shit... this thing hurts!"

Xander was in shock. Nothing should have been able to pass through his armor... or his skin.. and yet, there was a dagger stuck all the way through his shoulder. To make things worse.. it was doing something to his nervous system... making it impossible for him to lift his arm or remove the dagger.

He looked up at the man and saw him swerve off into a nearby park. Xander wanted answers... but first, he needed that damn dagger out of his body. He grasped it with his good hand and tried to pull it out... but it was stuck.

"Shit! Wolverine.. I need help!"

Wolverine got to his feet and moved over to Xander. He examined the dagger and winced.

"I’m going to have to cut it out."

Xander nodded.

"Just do it."

He clamped his teeth shut and nodded. Wolverine grabbed Xander’s shoulder with one hand.. then extended his claws into Xander’s shoulder with the other Xander... then began spiraling them around the dagger... cutting it free.

Xander screamed out in pain and threw Wolverine off of him... with the dagger in Wolverine’s hand.

"SHIT!!!"

Xander fell to the ground and stared at the open hole in his shoulder... then concentrated and made it close up... healing from the inside out. Once healed, Xander looked up and nodded his thanks.

"Thanks..."

Wolverine nodded and slid the dagger into a pocket in his uniform. He wanted to save it for later. He walked over to Xander and helped him to his feet. As Xander stood, he stared at Wolverine and frowned.

"Who the hell is that freak and why did he think I’m Apocalypse."

Wolverine nodded slowly.

"His name is Warren Worthington... but now he is known as Archangel. He has a blood vendetta against Apocalypse.. for some reason. He thought you were him cause you’re both so close in power."

Xander nodded.

"So that means..."

Rogue stepped forward.

"It means, sugah, that Apocalypse is here too."

Xander looked over at the park and nodded.

"Rogue... tell the Professor that we have a problem. Wolverine and I are going after Archangel."

Rogue nodded and ran back to the jet. Xander watched her go and then headed toward the park, with Wolverine following...

*****

Buffy stepped out of the portal and into Xander’s bedroom. She then stepped out into the hallway and was nearly run over by a girl with a white streak in her hair. Buffy recognized her. She was Rogue... a friend of Xander’s.

"Rogue! What’s up?"

Rogue stopped and turned to look back at the girl who spoke. It was Xander’s fiance... Fluffy.

"Xander... in trouble.. no time to talk.... Apocalypse!"

Rogue ran down the hall and heard Buffy following her.

"Where is he?!"

As Rogue reached the end of the hall, she paused and answered before running down the second hall to the Professor’s office.

"Miami..."

Buffy nodded and ran back to Xander’s room. She had to talk to Giles.

*****

Xander walked into the park and found the blue man lying on the ground. Xander walked over to him and then ducked as a second volley of feathers was thrown at him.

"I’ll kill you!"

Xander raised his hands and backed away.

"I’m not him, Archangel!"

The man frowned and sneered.

"You can’t fool me, Apocalypse... I can sense your power signature anywhere!"

Wolverine stepped forward.

"Warren... its not him... but I think he is here."

Warren looked at Wolverine... then at Xander... and then let out a breath.

"Come closer."

Wolverine nodded and Xander stepped forward. Warren stared at him then nodded.

"Sorry... you’re not him.. but you’re close. I.. I didn’t know."

Xander nodded and helped the man to his feet.

"No problem.. just no more funky feathers, ok."

Warren nodded and folded his wing back against his body.

"Archangel."

Xander nodded.

"Paladin."

Warren smiled.

"Pleased to meet you. So.. why are you two here?"

Xander frowned.

"We’re hunting Magneto. He’s here... somewhere.. but something is shielding him from detection."

Warren nodded.

"Or someone... I think we are after the same thing. I think Apocalypse might have Magneto with him... for Apocalypse can shield himself from detection..."

Xander nodded.

"Alliance?"

Warren nodded.

"Yes... we work together on this one."

Xander smiled and then looked back at the city.

"Any clue where to begin?"

Warren nodded and pointed down.

"Logan... can you track him... below ground?"

Wolverine nodded and then headed to a manhole, ripping it open.

"Follow me."

He then jumped down into the darkness... Warren and then Xander following....

*****

Buffy ran into Giles’s apartment and slammed into him.

"Giles.. Xander’s in trouble. They talked about an Apocalypse in Miami. He’s there!"

Giles rubbed his shoulder and nodded.

"I don’t see how... nothing is mentioned about any Apocalypses recently. Let me check my books."

He walked over and picked up a few books and scanned through them... and noticed something he had never seen before. It was a drawing... and there was something familiar about it.

*What is this... my word.. it can’t be...*

"Buffy... look at this and tell me what you see."

Buffy looked down at the drawing and gasped. It was a drawing found in a cave in Egypt of a dark bluish-purplish man fighting a young man in black armor...

"It’s Xander!"

Giles nodded.

"This drawing is over 6000 years old, Buffy. What on earth has Xander done..."

Buffy stared at Giles... then looked back at the drawing... wondering that very question herself.....

*****

Xander slammed into the wall and through it, destroying it completely. Apocalypse’s blast had been something he had never experienced before... and it frightened him.

*God.. he’s as strong as me... I’m in deep shit.*

Xander climbed to his feet just in time to see Archangel launch himself again at Apocalypse... only to be thrown back again, this time landing with a sickening crunch. Xander winced and jumped back into the laboratory through the hole his body had created.

"Time to end this, Apocalypse."

Apocalypse turned and looked at Xander and smiled. He was alone now, what with Archangel out of the picture from that last blast and Wolverine unconscious and bleeding in the corner, and now he was left with the young man who’s power signature was so close in strength to his own.

*There is something about him... something I cannot quite place...*

Apocalypse nodded slowly and grinned evilly.

"Time.. yes... quite correct young one. Time to end this indeed... but what time?"

Xander frowned, not understanding, until he saw Apocalypse’s body begin to waver. Xander could feel someone using temporal magics and knew that Apocalypse was about to escape.

"NO!"

Xander ran toward Apocalypse and leapt upon him just as his body became translucent. He was caught in the wake of the monster’s temporal fold... and was dragged along with him... to who knows where.

*****

Time.

It flows... not like a river... but like a spider web of rivers, flowing out and in in all directions.

Given skill... and the right power... one can go anywhere.

Xander was discovering this himself as he flailed along behind Apocalypse as he transferred himself through time...

*****

Buffy grabbed her stomach and hunched over in pain.

*Oh god... no... no!*

Something deep inside her... something primitive that extended beyond her own existence... felt something it hoped to never feel... the loss of a mate.

"He’s gone!"

Giles looked over at Buffy and gasped. They were in one of the Professor’s jets with Rogue as she flew them back to Miami.. along with the Professor himself and the rest of the X-Men.

"What do you mean... he’s gone?"

Professor Charles Xavier nodded his head.

"She is correct. I also cannot feel young Alexander. He was here one second... then gone... and I fear I do not know to where or what has happened to him."

Buffy stared straight ahead, his eyes glazed and filling with tears.

*God.. no.. please.. you can’t do this to me.. please... please.. I can’t live without him now that I have him... please.....*

Tears fell from her eyes and Buffy turned her head away, not wanting to have people stare. Her heart was breaking and she just wanted the jet to land so she could be alone. It was Giles who happen to realize something they didn't...

"Dead... that’s impossible... we have proof that he is spotted 6000 prior to now fighting a strange man. The books prove it..."

Giles pulled out the book and handed it over to the Professor.

"See... that is Xander..."

The Professor nodded and then frowned.

"... and that is Apocalypse."

Buffy looked up, her eyes red from crying.

"Apocalypse? You mean its a person?"

The Professor nodded.

"Indeed... only not a person. He is a monster, an abomination, that so far no one has been able to kill. He has existed for as long as recorded history.. perhaps longer... no one knows for sure."

Buffy closed her eyes and let out her breath.

*He’s still alive... thank god...*

She opened her eyes, a new hope showing in them, and smiled... knowing that her heart still lived. All she had to do now was find him.

*****

Xander materialized next to a muddy river and fell beside it, knocked off balance by the act of the journey itself.

*Whoa.. what a rush.*

Xander shook his head and looked around. All he could see was sand for miles and miles. He had no clue where he was.. but he had a feeling it wasn’t South Florida anymore.

"Where the hell are you, you freak?"

Xander spun around in place and spotted Apocalypse walking off toward what looked like a partially built pyramid... only it was flat on top and looked strange.

*There you are... I’ve got you now!*

Xander grinned and ran after Apocalypse, reading to kick the living shit out of him...

*****

Apocalypse lowered himself down into the caverns below the tesseract and descended the stairs that lead to his rejuvenation chamber. He felt odd... and figured he needed to recharge. He had no clue that he was not alone... that is until he felt the side of his head blown off by a blast from behind.

"Arrghh!"

Apocalypse grabbed his head and spun around, his vision fuzzy, and was able to see who hit him.

"Surprise... it’s me asshole!"

Xander jumped toward Apocalypse and ignited his lightsaber in midair... then impaled it through Apocalypse’s chest... before dropping to the floor to regroup. Apocalypse screamed and swung at Xander, releasing a blast of his own... but missed.

"I will crush you like the insect you are!"

Xander laughed and sent lightning cascading at the injured monster before him.

"Not likely... you have to catch..."

Xander was cut off by a punch to the head that had come out of nowhere... knocking him to the ground with blood pouring out of his nose and mouth... and a little trickling out of his ears.

"Sucker punch... knew you’re stoop to something like that."

Xander climbed to his feet and felt his world spin for a moment... then right itself. He shook his head then winced in agony.

*Something is knocked loose up there...?*

He glared at Apocalypse and only had a second to avoid the next oncoming attack... then fired back one of his own.

"I will beat you..."

Apocalypse laughed evilly and stared at Xander.

"You will die!"

Xander grinned himself and nodded.

"Let’s party."

*****

The jet landed and Buffy ran out to meet Wolverine and some blue guy who had approached them.

"Did you see Xander before he left?"

Archangel shook his head.

"Xander?"

Wolverine turned to him and nodded.

"Paladin."

Archangel nodded.

"Yes.. he was alive... last I saw him. He followed Apocalypse through time. He could be... anywhere. Apocalypse has many places he goes throughout time."

Buffy frowned and then nodded slowly.

"But he was ok?"

Archangel nodded.

"He was holding his own."

Buffy nodded and smiled.

"Then he will come back to me."

Archangel looked at her then sighed and shook his head.

"You might have a long wait..."

Buffy grinned.

"I can wait forever..."

*****

Xander felt his leg crumple under him and he screamed out in pain. It joined his other one and now he was crawling to move out of the way of Apocalypse’s blasts.

*Not much more left.. got to end this now.*

Xander turned his body to look at Apocalypse... who himself was on the ground, missing a leg and an arm... removed by Xander personally.

*Got to focus everything... only get one shot... getting too tired to continue much longer...*

Xander pulled all of his power and crawled toward Apocalypse. Apocalypse glared at Xander and felt something he had never felt before... fear.

*He’s killing me... I.. I need to escape.*

He started to shift through time but felt something hit his neck. He looked down, in mid shift, and saw his neck opening... and a sword’s blade extending out of it. The blade itself looked like any other.. except for the faint blue glow to it that made his eyes widen in shock... moments before he saw and felt his head separate itself from his body.

Xander grinned in triumph.. then frowned and leapt onto Apocalypse’s fading body... feeling time grab onto him once again... but this time... there was no one steering the ship...

*****

The X-Men and the Slayer and her Watcher, all began to walk back onto the jet when something unusual happened. Both Archangel and Buffy cringed and then looked around franticly.

"He’s back!"

They had both screamed it. Buffy with relief, Archangel with anger. They stared at each other then ran off into the park... the others following soon behind them.

*He’s alive!!*

Buffy grinned as she ran in the direction she felt Xander... then stopped and gasped in shock and horror at what she saw.

Xander stood before them, a feral gleam in his eyes, and held something in his hands... Apocalypse’s head, a surprised look forever frozen on his face. Xander looked them up and down and then ran his empty hand over his clothing, now shredded and very old looking. He tossed the head to Archangel and laughed.

"A present.... Archangel."

Archangel gasped as the head fell at his feet. He stared down at it in disbelief and then looked back up at Paladin.

"How?"

Xander closed his eyes and swallowed.

"I removed his head... after ripping most of his body apart. He had gotten me good and I knew we were both in serious trouble. I got him just as he tried to leave... but with no one at the wheel... I ended up someplace... different."

Buffy started to move toward Xander, wanting to hold him in her arms, but stopped at the look in his eyes.

"Different how Xander?"

Xander frowned.

"I ended up in the Axis of Time... but only after being ripped into a few dozen pieces....."

*****

Years Earlier....

Xander felt himself ripped apart and he screamed in unending agony as he died.... only to awaken sometime later to see a funny little man staring down at him.

"I was right! Hot Damn!"

Xander glared at the man and then sat up. He felt something in his hand and looked down to see Apocalypse’s head.

*When did I grab that... and how the hell did I hold onto it?*

He looked up at the man and swallowed.

"Where am I?"

The little man grinned.

"You’re in the Axis of Time, my boy, and you’re the first living person I’ve seen in close to 100 years."

Xander nodded slowly.

"The Axis of Time... and that would be?"

The little man sat down... in thin air... and smiled.

"The place where all time meets. You’re here... after being ripped apart by the temporal forces here. I felt something unusual about you and gathered up all your pieces... then put you back together and you just grew back into one piece. Scared the you know what out of me."

Xander nodded and lay back down, closing his eyes, trying to process everything.

"How do I get out of here?"

The little man laughed and then laughed some more.

"Leave... you can’t leave... no one has ever left before... except of course that scarred fella... but he was special..."

Xander opened his eyes and sat up.

"What did he do? Whatever it is.. I’ll do it."

The little man squinted at Xander.

"It’ll hurt..."

Xander shook his head.

"I don’t care... show me."

The little man nodded and floated higher... allowing Xander to stand.

"Follow me."

He floated away... deeper into the realm.. toward a shining tower...

*****

"... and then you just enter, and it takes you to some random place. You have to just hope you get close enough to your own time."

Xander stared at the swirling vortex of energy and frowned.

"What if I don’t get home? Then what?"

The little man grinned.

"Then you is lost... my boy. Do you still want to do it?"

Xander looked at the vortex again and then nodded.

"Yeah..."

The little man laughed and smiled.

"Good luck then... you’re gonna need it."

With that said.. he vanished.. leaving Xander alone.

"Better do this before I lose my nerve..."

Xander took a breath and stepped into the vortex... then screamed as he was swallowed by time.....

*****

"... and I was trapped inside there... being spit out here and there only to be sucked back in.. only to feel the agony again.. and again.. and again..."

His eyes, filled with what almost looked like madness, where what scared Buffy the most. She was seeing her Xander... broken... and she needed to do something.

"Xander...."

She ran toward him and grabbed him up in a hug... kissing his face and running her fingers through his long, dirty hair.

*Please let this work... please come back to me...*

Xander returned the kiss... then inhaled deeply and growled as 200 years of longing exploded out of him all at once, catching Buffy off guard. As they broke the kiss, she looked into his saner eyes and tilted her head.

"Xander... how long..."

He looked at Buffy.. then past her to the others.. then back at Buffy and sighed.

"I was there... in that hell... for... close to 230 years."

A collective gasp echoed around Xander as the shock of what he had been through finally sank in. It was similar to what they had thought about Angel when he had returned from the Hell Dimension... only this time it was Xander and it had been for much longer.

"My god..."

Giles rubbed his glasses and shook his head. The Professor nodded and closed his eyes.

"We need to get back, Alexander. The authorities will be..."

"No."

Everyone looked at Xander at his outburst.

"I’m going home... with Buffy.. and we are going to get me cleaned up then I’m teleporting us to Vegas. We are getting married and then I am not going anywhere for at least a good 20 years. The Government can try to do anything.. I don’t care. After what I’ve been through.. nothing they can do can ever scare me... not anymore."

They stared at him and then nodded slowly. Giles moved toward Xander and Buffy and then waited for them patiently. Xander nodded at Giles and then placed a hand on his shoulder. He then turned to everyone and stopped his gaze on Wolverine.

"He’s dead. You will find his corpse in a sealed tomb in Odessa. I have kept my promise."

Wolverine nodded and saluted Xander. Xander returned the salute then teleported himself, Buffy, and Giles home.

*****

"... and do you, Elizabeth Anne Summers take this man, Alexander Lavelle Harris to me your lawfully wedded husband. To love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Buffy looked up into Xander’s eyes and nodded.

"I do."

Elvis grinned and shook his hips.

"Then, by the power invested in me and my hips, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You man kiss your hunka hunka burning love."

Xander grinned and kissed Buffy. He could hear cheering and crying behind them and smiled as they broke the kiss. He turned and looked at his family. Willow and Tara were both sobbing their eyes out. Dawn was smiling.. but with a sad look in her eyes as well. Joyce.. Mom now.. was smiling and holding back tears. Giles was wiping his glasses.. and his eyes.

"I’d like to introduce to you all... Mr. and Mrs. Xander Harris."

Xander grinned at Buffy and sighed happily.

"Ready to go, Mrs. Harris?"

Buffy giggled.

"Ready if you are... Mr. Harris."

Xander nodded and swept Buffy off her feet.. then carried her down the aisle and out into the hotel.. almost running to their room... happier than he had ever been before. Little did he know that his happiness wouldn’t last long.....

The End - Book Six