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[jackienichols]

I look at my watch again. Where is he? Geez, he left the room to get ice hours ago. I can't believe he's not back. He's smart enough not to lose his way, I know that much. I'm worried. He'd never just leave and not tell me he won't be back for a few hours. He knows I'd kick his ass for that. I get up, and think maybe I should go look for him. He's

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[seerxander]

My phone had been ringing all night, but I ignored it, wanting some time with the gang alone no problems. When the night was over and I finally looked at my phone to see it was Jackie and that couldn't be good. Great, the one time I take away from Giles and the plan and something goes wrong.

I was about to call her back when my phone rang again. "Jackie?" I asked softly into the phone as I was walking out the door. I didn't want to spill the beans to Buffy.

[jackienichols]

"Xander." I got out, trying to hold back tears. Michael still wasn't back yet and I didn't know what to do. He's the one who always knew what to do, and he's not here right now. I almost couldn't believe it when Xander finally answered. I had thought I was truly alone for awhile there.

I sniffed. "Michael's gone. Vanished. I don't know where he is or what happened to him, but I know he wouldn't leave me and not tell me where he's going. I didn't know who else to call. Hell, I don't even know if you can help me, but it's nice to hear your voice." Some tears fell then. God, I must be the most pathetic slayer ever.

I gathered myself up again. "Can you help me? I can meet you somewhere, except that I don't know this place. Just please...I don't know what to do and I'm so worried...he's like a father to me, Xander, that wasn't total play in Wolfram and Hart."

[seerxander]

I took a deep breath. Ok hot girl wants your help, you can do this Xander....except you can't do this.

"Jackie" I started slowly. "I don't know what to do and honestly if they do have him, it might just be a ploy to get us to come to them."

I thought a moment, atleast I can go to her, comfort her. "tell me where you are." I said worried. "Let me come get you."

[jackienichols]

I nodded at what he said at first. I mean, I like the guy, but he's no Buffy or Willow. It's not like by himself he could do a whole lot to help me. But if he was here, so I wouldn't be alone in this, that would help.

Then he wanted to know where I was so he could come get me. I wasn't sure I should tell him, but my cover is blown and they have Michael, so it's probably not a secret anymore anyway. I decided I needed to pack up and get out of here. That would be best. I should pack up Michael's things too, and God, the templates, I don't even know where they are.

"I'm at this Ritzy hotel, uh, The Beverly Wilshire. I'm thinking I should vacate, but Xander, I don't know where the templates are. Look, just come over here, I'll be waiting downstairs in the lobby. You know where it is, right, 'cause I can't give you directions."

I wiped my eyes and took a breath as I waited for his answer.

[seerxander]

"What room are you in? I don't want you to leave the room, just wait for me to get there ok." I said in a concerned tone as I rushed to the hotel she named.

"Do you need anything? Just tell me and I will bring it with me." I thought about how heartless that sounded. "Sorry, I just want to make sure you stay ok."

[jackienichols]

I told him what room I was in. Fuck it, everyone probably knows where I am anyway. "No, I don't need anything, thanks. Kind of lost my appetite, but wait, I could use a drink. Stop at the bar on your way up, will you?" I was half joking about that but half not.

"Sorry," I said. "Just please, get here. I don't know why, but I trust you. I just need you here."

[seerxander]

"Stay on the phone with me." I said as I headed to her. I stopped at the gift shop instead, got her a small bear and a couple bottles of coke and some water as well.

"I am now on my way up." I declared as got on the elevator and headed up. "Just take a deep breath, and oh yeah, can you open the door cause my hands are kind of full at the moment."

[jackienichols]

"Full? What did you do, bring me the whole bar?" I actually laughed a bit. I went and opened the door, and there he was with coke, water and a cheesy little bear that made me blush because it was so damn cute.

"You sure know how to romance a woman, Xander." I said as I closed the door behind me. "You got any Jack to go with that coke?"

[seerxander]

"You don't need Jack, and I just thought it would make you feel better." I said as I rushed over to set everything down tripping over a bag on the way and falling flat on my face.

"You would think I would be better at walking by now." I said amused as I pulled myself up off the floor.

[jackienichols]

I laughed when he fell, then I helped him up. "Dude, you are something else. And I've been drinking since the age of five, I am not some innocent teenage girl that you don't want to corrupt. I am far beyond corruption."

I smiled at him. "Anyway, you walk alright to me. Uh, and thanks for getting over here so fast. I'm glad you're here." Yeah, now I get shy. I couldn't help it though. He's been so sweet and he rushed over here so fast. He must care about me.

[seerxander]

I picked everything up and set it on the table, except the bear. Ok it wasn't so much a bear as it was a lion, I don't know, it was cute I guess.

[jackienichols]

I took the bear, er, lion from him. "It's cute. I like it. No one's...no one ever gave me a stuffed animal before." I blushed.

I then decided to be spontaneous and I kissed his cheek. I wanted to kiss his lips, but I didn't want him to think that I wanted to seduce him or anything.

About the only person who ever gave me anything nice and not because they were trying to get into my pants was Michael. Just thinking about that made me get upset again. He's missing and I can't help him. I'm lost without him.

I leaned on Xander, trying not to cry. "What am I going to do, Xander? Michael always told me to what to do, and now he's missing, and I don't have a clue how I can help him."

[seerxander]

I wrapped my arms around her still shocked by the kiss on my cheek. It took me a moment to focus, but once I did I knew exactly what to say. "Jackie, you will be ok, Michael has taught you everything he could. If something happened, and I am not saying it did, but if something happened I will be here to help you through it. I promise."

I prayed that helped, that it calmed her knowing I would be by her side. I was not going to let anything happen to her like what happend to Anya.

[jackienichols]

He is so very sweet. Watch it Jackie, don't go falling for him now. Hell, it's too late for that. I looked at him. "You hardly know me, but you do know I'm a slayer and if you hurt me your ass is grass. And you care about me anyway. You've gained a lot of points with me, Mr. Harris."

I was betting he was going to be shocked at me knowing his last name. I can't help being nosy. I had to know everything about Buffy and the Scoobies. That includes Mr. Xander Lavelle Harris. Yep, I even knew his middle name. I'm going to shock him with that later.

I sighed. "I guess there's not much I can do right now. Someone should tell Willow that he's missing, though, I know she likes him and she's the only other one who knows where the templates are."

[seerxander]

"Willow went with Buffy..I think back to talk to Angel." I said "Why don't I give her a call, see what she can find out." I suggested.

I led her to the couch. "For now, will you atleast relax a bit, I am not good with the multitasking. I can't worry about you and Michael at the same time...."

[jackienichols]

I sat down and smiled a little. "Okay. I'll try to relax." I said, holding on to the lion. "Thank you for coming here when I asked you to. You're a good guy, Xander."

And I'm falling so hard for you right now it's not even funny. I opened up a coke and took a sip. "You want some coke? Maybe you should sit down and relax too?"