Soulmates
Part 1
Since college started, Xander found himself around Giles more often. Giles
no longer had a job so it freed his time, and Xander wasn't in school.
Neither had much to do during the days and during the nights all they could
do was wait for Buffy to report back from patrolling. And that was usually
the time Xander was at Giles' house.
Since he wasn't in school he was seeing less and less of his friends, and he
didn't like that. But more than anyone, he wasn't seeing Buffy as much. So
he would "conveniently" stop by around the time Buffy would report in from
patrol. Xander knocked on the former watcher's door, but got no answer. The
door was unlocked so he went in. He heard Giles mumbling from his bedroom.
Xander closed the door behind him and ran up the stairs. Giles had his hands
lifted in the air, still spouting out phrases that had to be Latin.
Xander: Uh...Giles, what are you doing?
Giles titled his head down to see Xander. A bright flash went through
Xander. When the light went dim, he and Giles were standing in a house. An
1800's type house.
Xander: What did you do?
Giles: I did a spell, I was curious about the happenings in Sunnydale around
1873 so I found a spell that would take me back.
Xander: And I got sucked in with you.
Giles: Right, sorry about that. We shouldn't be here long though. Shall we
go exploring?
Xander: Yeah I guess.
Xander looks down at his clothing. His shirt is a light tan color held up by
suspenders a little darker than his shirt. His pants were a darker brown
than both his shirt and his suspenders.
Xander: Oh you've got to be kidding me! I've never been a very good dresser,
but I can tell you, this is about ugly.
Giles: Just go along with it, you're wearing the clothes of this time
period.
Xander and Giles walked around the dusty town, very few people were out.
Then they came across a little pub.
Xander: Oh thank God! A bar.
Giles: Aren't you a little young to be drinking?
Xander: You got me sucked into this damn world, I've been walking around all
day and it's hot, and to top it off I'm wearing the biggest fashion crime in
the history of the world, I think you can allow me a drink.
With that, Xander walked in the bar. Giles was soon to follow. They both sat
down and waited to be served. A short, fat man stepped out of the swinging
door that connected to another part of the bar. His face lit up when he saw
Xander.
Joe: Alexander! I thought you said you weren't coming back. Why you son of a
gun! You had all the girlies in town sweating it.
Xander looked at the man cockeyed for a second but figured he should just go
along with it.
Xander: I did, did I? Well you can tell 'em all I'm back.
Joe: So, the usual?
Xander: Uh...yeah.
Joe: And what for your friend there?
Giles: Oh...I...uh, the same as him.
Joe: (to Xander) So you went to England and picked up a friend?
Xander: Yeah. So what girls, exactly, have been asking about me?
Joe: Well that red head girl you were yearning after actually started to ask
about you. She acts like she cares now. You might actually have a shot.
Xander: Really.
Joe: Yeah, and of course the blonde you care nothing about. She's been in
here every night, seems like she's just waiting for you to come back.
Xander: Well then I guess I got my pick.
Joe: I guess you do. We'll talk later Alex, I've got other customers.
Joe walks to the other in the bar, Xander turns to Giles.
Xander: What the hell was that all about? How does that guy know me?
Giles: I don't know. Looks like something I'll have to see about when we get
back.
Xander: Back where?
Giles: I assume the place we found ourselves in belongs to you.
Xander: So you have your book with you?
Giles: Of course.
Joe walks back over to Xander and Giles.
Joe: That blonde girlie is back, Alexander.
Xander turned to the door. His heart stopped when he saw the blonde girlie
Joe was referring to...Buffy.
Part 2
Xander: Giles...
Giles: I see her.
Xander: What does this mean?
Giles: I'm not sure yet.
Xander watched Buffy make her way to a table. Giles turned around and began
on his drink. All Xander could do was stare at her, for she was just as
beautiful as his Buffy. Her hair was a bit longer, and more golden, she wore
a sky blue dress that cascaded to her ankles. Her skin was silky smooth, and
it was a nice tan color. The harder Xander tried not to stare, the more
infatuated with this Buffy he became.
He could not bare to take his eyes off her for even once second. Giles
looked at buffy and then at Xander.
Giles: You really shouldn't stare.
Xander: Can't help it.
He said that without even looking at Giles. He took his drink and got up. He
began walking towards Buffy.
Giles: I strongly advise against this.
Xander kept walking towards her table like he didn't even hear Giles. He sat
down and looked straight into the eyes that had captivated him so many times
before.
Buffy: You came back.
Xander: It seems to be that way.
Buffy: I'm glad.
Xander: Me too.
Buffy: I know you weren't gone that long, but I missed you.
Xander: I missed you too.
Buffy: You did? (Xander nodded) I just thought that Willow would be on your
mind the whole time.
Xander: Why would Willow be on my mind?
Buffy: She was the only thing you thought about while you were here.
Giles came up behind Xander and cleared his throat. Xander turned and looked
at him.
Giles: Xan...uh...Alexander, we should go.
Xander: I'm talking to someone right now Giles.
Buffy: It's okay if you have to go.
Giles: We really must.
Xander: I'll see you soon.
Giles and Xander walked out of the bar. They began walking back to Xander's
house. Giles looked at Xander sternly.
Giles: What the hell is the matter with you?
Xander: What?
Giles: Do you realize you could alter the future by changing any course of
life here?
Xander: Well why don't you research and get back to me. I'd like to know
what the hell is going on too.
Giles and Xander finally reached his place. Right after entering the door,
Giles picked up his book and choose a room to go reading in. Not more than
ten minutes later Giles was back out explaining things to him.
Giles: The reason people know you and not me, is because there was an
Alexander Harris alive at this time. He looks like you, talks like you. As a
matter of fact he is you, this is your previous life.
Xander: My previous life?
Giles: The book states that in a souls first life if he does not find his
match and does not live his or her life with the one he was meant for, the
body will die to be re-born again. This happens throughout life until these
souls connect.
Xander: So I, in this life, never found his soul mate?
Giles: Or never connected with his soul mate.
Xander: It's got to be her. I've always thought it was her and now I'm sure
of it. It's Buffy.
Giles: What about Willow? You're obviously acquainted with her in this life
also.
Xander: Oh, right. Guess we'll just have to find out which one it is then. Part 3
Xander neared the bar just before the sun set. It might have been different
times, but vampire were pretty old, and he really didn't want to catch one
looking for a meal. He sat down at the bar and got a drink. He surveyed the
room for buffy, but he couldn't find her. but soon thoughts of Buffy were
gone. His attention was turned to the girl who just walked in the room.
The fiery red head that walked in the door was non other than Willow. Except
she was dressed differently than other girls of these times. Her dress went
down to her ankles, but it showed a lot more skin than other dresses. It
still left plenty to the imagination, but Xander was sure this kind of dress
was frowned upon, and after she saw him he was sure the way she was acting
would not be appropriate.
She ran towards him and gave him a big kiss. She ran her hands wildly
through his hair and sat in his lap.
Xander: Hi.
Willow: Hi yourself. I heard you were back in town.
Xander: I can see that.
Willow: I'll be right back, I have to go to the powder room.
Joe: She's giving you a lot more attention than you ever expected, huh?
Xander: She kissed me.
Joe: (chuckling) Yea, she did. I sometimes don't understand that girl. One
minute she's hot for you and the next she couldn't care less about where you
are or who you're with.
Xander: Yeah...she's odd like that.
Joe: Well would you look at that your other love is back. You've got those
two all over you.
Xander turned his attention to the door. Sure enough, Buffy was there. She
was walking towards him, but passed right by instead of stopping. She looked
back at him with the sexiest expression Xander had ever seen, she made sure
he was watching her, and motion for him to follow her.
Xander: (to Joe) I'll be back.
Joe: (laughs) No you won't.
Xander got off his stool and followed Buffy to the back of the bar. She
opened the door to a dark room and let him enter first. She came in and shut
the door behind her.
Xander: I've never been...
Xander was cut off by a strong hard kiss. Buffy ran her fingers through his
hair much like Willow did, but
she was kissing and pawing at him much harder than Willow did. Xander made
no protest to the kiss though. Buffy brought the kiss to an abrupt stop. She
and Xander both were gasping for air.
Buffy: I'm sorry, I normally wouldn't do anything like this.
Xander: No need to apologize...really.
Buffy: If my father knew I was here with you...
Xander: He doesn't like me?
Buffy: You know that no father in Sunnydale would want you around his
daughter.
Xander: And why is that?
Buffy: Because of you less-than-gentlemanly-ways.
Xander: Well maybe I've changed.
Buffy: I hope not much.
Xander: Was is that?
Buffy: Maybe I loved the old you.
Xander: And maybe I've always loved you.
Buffy: I doubt that.
Xander: You shouldn't.
Buffy looked into Xander eyes to try and find a trace of insincerity, but
she couldn't. She moved in closer and kissed him a little more gently than
the last time and the kiss only lasted about ten seconds.
Buffy: I should go.
Xander: Yeah, me too. I would offer to walk you home, but you're father...
Buffy: I understand.
Xander watched as Buffy left the closet. He let out a hard sigh and walked
out himself. He was headed for the door when Willow stopped him.
Willow: Where did you go?
Xander: Something important came up.
Willow: So I'm not important.
Xander: You are, I just had to take care of this. And now I know.
Willow: Know what?
Xander: The reason I came here.
He pushed his way past Willow and walked out the door. He walked the rest of
the way home in silence, a smile spread across his face the entire time. He
walked up to his house and entered, seeing Giles sitting on his chair
reading.
Giles: Have fun?
Xander: I know.
Giles: What do you know?
Xander: It's Buffy.
Giles: How do you know?
Xander: Because of the way I feel when she's near.
Giles: You do realize she's not the Buffy you fell in love with?
Xander: I'm aware, I just can't help but feel that thing when I'm around
her.
Giles: I think you might want to back off her.
Xander: Why?
Giles: If your souls connect here, you won't be going back to our Sunnydale
with me.
Xander: Why not?
Giles: Because then your soul would have no reason to live on. I told you,
once your soul connects with it's mate, it has no reason to be born again.
It's imperative that you make sure your souls do not connect or else I won't
be seeing you or Buffy when I create the spell to go back to the Sunnydale
as we know it. Part 4
Xander had been in the bar nursing a beer practically since he had woken up.
Giles was still at his house trying to find a reverse to get them back to
their times. It didn't bother him that he would have to stay away from this
Buffy, or that they hadn't connected in this life. What bothered him was
that he really wanted to know what had stopped them from connecting.
A few hours later he found out why...
Buffy walked in the bar. She was very melancholy. She sat down at her table
without even looking at Xander. He couldn't help but to want to be next to
her. He kept reminding himself of what Giles had said, but he could do
nothing to stop the thoughts pouring into his mind and he certainly couldn't
stop himself from going and sitting down next to her.
Xander: What's wrong?
Buffy looked at Xander like someone had just ran over her dog. His heart
almost shattered. A single tear dropped from her eye and slid slowly down
her face. Xander did the only thing he could think to do, he brought his
hand to her face and wiped away her tear. She smiled gently when he touched
her but her expression soon changed back to sadness.
Buffy: I'm getting married.
Xander: What!?
Buffy: My father, he...
Xander: He arranged this marriage.
Buffy: Yes. He said the man was very nice and attractive, but I won't love
him. I'm supposed to be meeting him here tonight.
Xander: Then I guess I should go back to my stool.
He didn't even notice when the man Buffy was to marry walked in the door. He
didn't see the guy sit down and start talking with her. Xander was too busy
trying not to pay attention. But soon curiosity got the best of him and he
had to turn and see whomever it was that was inducing Buffy's fake laughter.
Xander's heart pounded heavily in his chest. "It can't be" kept passing
through his head. He paid his bill quickly and ran all the way back to his
house. He entered to see Giles reading, again.
Xander: Giles...we have a problem.
Giles followed Xander all the way back to the small pub. The both walked in
the door and Xander pointed Giles attention to Buffy and the man sitting
with her.
Giles: (horrified) Oh, my good God!
Both men stood there and stared at the familiar face. Both knew what year it
was and they also knew they had a decade and a half before Angelus would get
his soul back.
Xander: We have to get her away from him.
Giles: I have a plan.
Xander heard all Giles had to say. And he came to the swift conclusion that
he needed to get Giles back to Sunnydale '99 before the once smart man got
any dumber. Giles plan was simple, so simple in fact, that Xander could have
come up with it. Not that it was a bad plan, now he just had to put it in
effect. Giles walked to the back and Xander walked to Buffy's table. Angelus
looked up when Xander spoke.
Xander: (to Buffy) Can I see you for a minute?
Buffy: (looking between Xander and Angelus) Uh...sure.
She got up and walked to the back with Xander like Giles had. Xander had
been spending so much time at the pub that he had practically memorized the
floor plan, and had been in the back enough to know there was an exit. And
that was where Giles was standing. He had the door propped open with his
foot. Xander handed Buffy off to Giles.
Buffy: What's going on?
Xander: Just go with Giles, he'll explain everything.
Buffy looked at him with worry.
Xander: Don't worry, you can trust him and me.
Buffy smiled and walked out the door with Giles. Xander sighed a nervous
sigh and approached Angelus.
Xander: If you follow me to get to her I'll kill you.
Angelus: What?
Xander: I know who you are, and quite frankly, I hate you. If anything
happens to her I won't hesitate for one second to put a stake right through
your heart.
Xander was almost as surprised as Angelus at his bravery. He didn't stutter
or falter on one word. But true to his nature, Angelus stood and got right
in Xander's face.
Angelus: And how do you expect to take me?
Xander: I'll find a way.
And with that Xander walked out of the pub. He didn't want to run the risk
of getting in a fight with Angelus nor did he want to say something
incredibly stupid like he was bound to do. He began to his house in a full
sprint. He didn't look up until he ran smack into someone. The shorter guy
fell to the ground.
Xander: Oh, God. I'm sorry. Here...
He extended his hand to the guy, and that's when he got a real good look at
him. Red hair, greenish eyes, every feature that Oz had, this guy had. The
only difference between the two Oz's was that this one wore a wedding band.
Oz: Thanks.
He walked right past Xander.
'So Oz and Willow are meant for each other' Xander thought to himself before
continuing home. He opened the door and got a hard slap to the face.
Buffy: You bastard!
Xander: That hurt.
Buffy: Good, you deserved it.
Giles: I told her everything.
Xander: Everything?
Buffy: How dare you make me think you felt something for me! You deceitful
bastard.
Xander: I'm guessing you're angry with me.
Buffy: I'm leaving.
Xander: Wait, no...you can't.
Buffy: Why, because of Angelus?
Xander: (to Giles) You told her that too?
Giles: I told her everything.
Buffy: Good-bye.
She walks out the door and slams it behind her. Xander moves to catch her,
but Giles holds him back.
Xander: If we don't get her back here Angelus will kill her.
Giles: I think he's supposed to. Part 5
Giles: Maybe he's supposed to kill Buffy.
Xander: I don't think so.
Giles: That would explain why the two of you never got together.
Xander: I'll kill him before I let him touch her.
A loud thud came from the outside of Xander's door.
Giles: I think he may have beaten your threat.
Xander ran quickly to the door. He opened it and Buffy's lifeless body fell
to the floor. Xander could only stare in horror at the dead eyes that looked
back at him. He knew it wasn't the same Buffy, but couldn't help but feel he
had lost his Buffy. Tears welled in his eyes, his heart that was pounding
seemed to have crumbled into nothing, and his chest was so tight he could
barely breathe.
He lost control of his emotions and dropped to his knees. He cupped his
hands around Buffy and cradled her limp body. Giles couldn't help but feel
sorry for Xander, but he couldn't do anything to make him feel better…so he
stood and watched. He stood and watched Xander on the floor rocking back and
forth crying, with Buffy in his arms, and he then truly realized how Xander
felt about her.
He wasn't just some teenager hoping Buffy would love him, or someone so
infatuated they thought it was love. He honestly and truly loved her. He
would have done anything for her, and seeing him cradle her body in his arms
lead Giles to the immediate conclusion that Xander would give his life for
Buffy in a heartbeat. Giles had always known Xander feelings for Buffy were
more than just a crush, but until tonight he had no idea how deep those
feelings ran.
Xander looked up at the former watcher with tear stained cheeks and spoke in
a weak, shaky voice.
Xander: I want to go home.
Giles: I know. And I'm working as hard as I can to get us back there.
Xander: Please work harder.
Giles watched Xander as he stood up with Buffy still in his arms. The door
had been left open slightly, Xander pulled it open with his foot and walked
out. Giles sat in a chair and began reading his book.
It seemed that the rain started pouring the minute Xander was away from the
safety of shelter. He walked to the shed he had seen outside his bedroom
window. He walked in and looked around. He found a white throw-tarp and
wrapped Buffy in it, her hair being the only part of her sticking out, he
grabbed a shovel, and walked out.
He kept walking until he was about 5 minutes out of town. He places Buffy's
body on the wet, muddy ground as carefully as he could. He began digging a
hole despite the pouring rain. Two guys, obviously drunk, walked behind
Xander.
Drunk: What the hell are you doing?
Xander turned around and stared at the coldness in the man's eyes that
spoke.
Drunk: (to the other) Run back and get the deputy.
Xander: No, that's okay. I'm almost done here and then I'll be going.
Drunk: (points a gun at Xander's head) You won't be going nowhere.
Giles stayed up all night waiting for Xander to come home...it never
happened. But Giles had figured out how to get them back to their Sunnydale.
Finally, when morning came and passed, then the afternoon set in Giles got
out of his chair. He went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his
face. He grabbed his book and headed to the pub where he thought for sure to
find Xander.
Giles was greeted very friendly by Joe, even though the mood in the room was
less than happy or friendly. Giles ordered a drink, and looked around the
bar for Xander. When he couldn't find the boy he asked joe about him.
Joe: You didn't hear?
Giles: Hear what?
Joe: Alex was picked up last night and charged with murder.
Giles: What?
Joe: He killed that blonde girlie that's been chasing him.
Giles: You don't honestly believe that do you?
Joe: They found him trying to bury her dead body that's enough evidence for
me, and for the sheriff. They got him locked up and awaiting his sentence.
The girlie's parents are mighty angry.
Giles: Where is the prison?
Joe: Across the street from the girlie's house.
Giles: Thank you.
He paid for his drink and left the bar quickly. He found the prison quite
easy for someone who didn't know the town. He waltzed in and spoke with the
sheriff.
Giles: I need to see Alexander Harris.
Sheriff: Sorry pal, no one is allowed to see him.
Giles: It's of extreme importance that I speak with him.
Sheriff: I said no one's allowed seeing him.
Giles: Look, I have a little money...
Sheriff: Why didn't you say so before?
Giles paid the sheriff what he wanted and went back to Xander's cell.
Xander: Giles!
Giles: Ready to go home?
Xander: Oh God yes!
Giles: Let's go.
Xander watched Giles resolve face as he pulled out his book and began
reading in Latin. The minute Giles threw up his hands, Xander knew he was
home free. The blinding light poured in all around him, and when the light
was gone he found himself lying on Giles' stairs. He lifted his head and
opened his eyes. They hurt. His head hurt, he felt a bump. He must have
fallen. He got ice from Giles' freezer and wrapped them in a dishtowel.
Giles came in the kitchen and put on a pot of water for his tea.
Before either could talk they heard the door open and a familiar voice.
Buffy: Giles!
Giles: In the kitchen.
Buffy walked in the kitchen and smiled when she saw both Giles and Xander.
Buffy: You two have been spending a lot of time together.
Xander: Well to tell you the truth, the sex means nothing to me. I'm just
using him to get to you.
Giles: (ignoring Xander's comments) How was the slaying?
Buffy: Like every other night. Kind of slow, a little boring, and a few
kills.
Giles: None got away?
Buffy: Not a one. Well if I'm done here I think I'll go home and get some
sleep.
Giles: We're done.
Buffy: Bye.
Xander: Want me to walk you home?
Buffy: That's okay, I like being alone.
Xander watched as she walked out the door. Giles whistling kettle brought
Xander away from his thoughts. Giles poured the steaming water into his mug
that the tea bag had been dropped in.
Giles: I don't understand you.
Xander: What's not to understand?
Giles: I would have thought you'd tell her about our little adventure the
minute you saw her..
Xander: I'm not in a big rush. She'll know when she's ready. Right now I
think I'm going to focus my time on some serious Angel ass-kicking.
Giles: Good luck finding him.
Xander: With a guy like Willy in town, I don't think it'll be too hard.
By Ashley