"Yeah, I was out of it for a few days. The spell kind of wore off though, I started remembering more and more of who I was", Xander told Spike, Giles, and Buffy. "How do we know he's not lying?", Spike asked, as he glared at Xander. "I never forgot what a dick you were", Xander added. "Spike does have a bit of a point, you understand of course, don't you Xander?", Giles asked. "Sure, I guess. What can I do to prove myself?"

"How about let us torture you? That always proved to be a good truth serum in my day", Spike said. "I don't think that'll be necessary, but I do like the idea of a truth serum.What do you think Xander?", Giles asked. He was looking to see if Xander got nervous. "Let's do it", Xander said, cheerfully. That was a good sign, "I'm pro-lesbian, we all know that, but to see my friends turned into hypno-zombie sex fiends, that just isn't cool. I've had enough of this hypno-crap"

"Well, Xander", Giles explained, "it's unfortunate that you say that." "Why?", he asked "Yeah, why?", Spike added. "Well, we don't have any 'truth-serum' to speak of here. I was thinking Buffy could hypnotize you and see what was really on your subconscious mind", he said. Buffy didn't even hear him. She was off in an other world again. It was obvious she was thinking of

Mesmotto. It was times like these that Spike and Giles knew they had a hard road ahead of them if they wanted to keep her out of his clutches. "Do you think you could pull it off Buf?", Spike asked. "What?", Buffy said, it was clear she had missed the whole conversation. "Do you think your hypnotic powers are still strong enough to put Xander under, see if he is really free of Mesmotto's influence?", Giles asked.

"Sure I can", Buffy said, rising out of her seat and staring at Xander as she approached him. "Look guys, I don't mind proving that I am good to go, but I don't want her in my head again. This is what got me in trouble the last time. It's a violation, ok?", Xander said nervously. "Xander, shut up and look into my eyes...", Buffy said. He was pretty weak, so his eyes glanced over without problem.

"There we go Xander, staring deep into my eyes, and feeling a warm relaxation coming over you. Warmer and warmer, more and more relaxing. Come into my eyes now. Breath in, and out. Relax. Hear only the sound of my voice, and hear it from deep within your own mind. I'm going to count down from 10 to 1. When I reach one, you will be a state of complete submission, a state of deep hypnosis", Buffy said, then counted down.

"So relaxed now Xander. Totally unable to resist me, totally under my control. Now you will answer all of my questions Xander, and you will do so honestly, do you understand?" "Yes" "Good. Are you currently under anyone's hypnotic spell?" "Yes" "I mean, anyone other than me?"

"No" "When did you realize you had been hypnotized" "Little by little. When things started coming back to me, I did some detective work to find out what happened to everyone. Your house was the first place I snooped at. That's when I saw them all. I did some spying and found they were all under that Netherworld Bastard's power." "You didn't like that idea?", Buffy asked. Giles thought

that was a strange question. He was starting to get a bad feeling about this. "No", Xander answered, "I want to see him banished back to the hell he came from". "Really?! Why, because you're jealous? Jealous of his incredible magnetism? Does the way women fall at his feet make you feel inadequate? You are such a--" "Buffy!", Giles shouted. "Oh, sorry", she said as she realized her tone.

"He seems to be under pretty deep, and his story stayed true, so I think he is probably all right", Giles said. Buffy was still fuming, but she was trying to hide it, "Ok Xander, when I snap my fingers, you will awake. But whenever you hear the name Mesmotto, you will say 'My name is Xander Harris, and I'm insecure with my masculinity', do you understand?", she asked. "Buffy!", Giles admonished again as Xander said yes and Buffy quickly snapped her fingers. "Sorry, I'll reverse it later." she said.

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