Part ILife sure couldn’t get any better. Things at home were finally lightening to a pleasant degree, work was good and paid well, and the dusting of vampys and other evil creatures of the night were on a low note. Xander Harris felt very confidant this night of slaying.
Willow, Tara and Oz were off in their own little group, Tara sans stake as she still had troubles dusting. Even if the vampire was the most evil, revolting of creatures, she just couldn’t bring herself to destroy the thing. Thankfully she and Wills had a well- trained werewolf to handle any slipups. Oz had only returned to Sunnydale a month ago, but when he was supposed to go all wolfy this last moon and remained his wonderful Oz-shaped self, things were all good.
Xander could see Buffy and Riley in their own corner of the vamp-laden parking lot. Xander still wasn’t sure he really liked Buff’s new boytoy, but at least her taste was improving on a small degree; this guy was human. At least, he was pretty sure he was.
Side stepping another charging vampire, Xander staked two more before plunging his stake into the back of the charger, dusting the female evil thing without difficulty. Seeing no one else approaching, he smiled to himself, flipping his stake in his hand absently.
‘Oh, yeah, who’s good? I’m good.’ He thought to himself as he watched Oz rip the arm off some insane vampy that had tried to go after Willow. He sighed, smirking. ‘Yeah, and no one else noticed. That’s new.’ Xander rolled his eyes and stuck his stake back into its holster on his jeans.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you, boy,” Some voice hissed from behind Xander, causing the dark haired boy to jump, though he managed somehow to stifle his rather unmanly squeal. Cold, pale hands wrapped around Xander’s throat as the colder metal tip of a dagger traced up his cheek. “Never turn your back on an enemy?” The vampire chuckled. Xander swallowed.
“Uh, this is…uh, new…” Xander stammered, his fingers clenching, wishing they were wrapped around the familiar wooden stake only mere inches at his waist. The vampire trailed his weapon down Xander’s cheek to his neck, stopping just at the collarbone, pressing into the skin enough to cause Xander to inhale sharply but not enough to break the membrane and cause bleeding.
Xander squeezed his eyes shut, hating to do this but knowing there was very little choice on his part. Grabbing the vamp’s arm so he couldn’t just jab the dagger into his neck, Xander screamed, gaining everyone’s attention. The vampire clutching Xander growled.
Willow was the first to see what was going on. Squealing, she grabbed the stake she dropped when she heard Xander scream and ran at him and his captor. Instinctively, the vampire clutched Xander tighter and moved backwards, dragging Xander with him.
‘Not good, so not good,’ Xander’s mind whirred. Willow stopped in her tracks, glaring at the vamp that had her best buddy held captive. Oz and Tara were at her heels, both sporting an expression of horror and worry. Buffy and Riley were soon right there with the rest of the gang.
The vampire holding Xander could see he was in a losing situation, but the ghost of a smile played at his lips. He clutched Xander tighter, almost breaking his ribs, and whispered into his ear.
“How would you like to live in a dream, human? I can take away all the humdrum out of your pathetic existence and give you the life you really want,” The vampire murmured. Xander couldn’t help but snort.
“If you’re thinking of turning me, I will impale myself on your midget sword like now.” Xander stated flatly. The vampire chuckled. Xander made the offhand observation that this vamp’s chuckle sounded gravelly. Did vampire’s still have to deal with lung cancer from smoking after they died? ‘Cause this guy seriously sounded like he’d been smoking since forever.
Breaking Xander from his reverie, the vamp pushed the blade against Xander’s skin again. Xander swallowed.
“I’m not planning on turning you,” The vamp said innocently. He trailed his dagger further down Xander’s front to just at his heart. “After all, this could be so much more fun.” Turning his attention to look directly at the Slayer, the vamp suddenly plunged his dagger into Xander’s chest, immediately dropping the boy and running, cackling all the while.
Willow ran to her fallen friend with a shout, gathering Xander in her arms quickly and shielding him with her body.
“Oh, Goddess, oh, no,” Willow keened. Oz dropped to kneel next to Willow, petting her shoulder. His nose twitched and he scowled.
“Uh, Willow,” Oz spoke. Tara and Buffy were now also kneeling next to Willow and fallen Xander. Tara was crying, her shoulders shaking with her sobs, and Buffy sat wide-eyed, unable to believe it was all over for Xander in such a short, anticlimactic battle. Riley simply stood off to one side, unsure of what to do for anyone. Oz nudged Willow, again trying to gain her attention. Her wide, tear filled eyes turned up to him.
“Y-yes?” Willow asked in a small voice. Oz gave her a half smile.
“He’s not dead.” Oz leaned over Xander’s body and sniffed him, nodding to himself. “Yeah, he’s not dead, Will.” Willow squeaked, her eyes turning down to Xander, searching for any signs of life. His chest slowly rose with a barely noticeable breath, and fell again as he exhaled.
“He’s alive!” She shrieked, one hand flying to cover her mouth in surprise. Buffy scowled.
“Then we need to take him to a hospital, he can’t survive that,” She pointed to the dagger protruding from his chest. “Being stuck in him.” Willow nodded and looked to Oz, who already began to shift so he could carry Xander. Tara reacted almost immediately, striking out a hand and slapping Oz’s arm down.
“Don’t!” Tara yelped. All eyes were on her. She shook her head and pointed at the dagger. “He’ll be fine, he doesn’t need a doctor, he needs Giles.” Didn’t take any more to convince Buffy. With a determined nod, she grabbed Xander herself and the small group of Scoobies hurried to see the Watcher.
On to Part II
