uc sunnydale
Xander: When I woke up I didn't know where I was at first. I looked around and I saw that I was in Giles' bed, in his apartment. I was clean and all of my cuts were bandaged. I didn't know how long I had been sleeping. All I knew was that I really had to go to the bathroom. I sat up, groaning at the pain, and swung my legs over to the side. Now was going to be the hard part.
Giles: I heard movement, went up the stairs. 'Xander?' I asked, when I saw him sitting up in bed from the open door. 'Do you - ah - need any help, or anything?'
Xander: I looked up at Giles when he came into the room. "I think I might need some help getting to the bathroom. Just someone to lean on if you don't mind."
Giles: 'No, I don't mind. I rather suspected as much, actually,' I told him. I walked over beside the bed. 'Do you think you can manage standing, or would like a bit of help with that as well?' I asked him.
Xander: "Yeah, that would be good." Giles reached out his hands and I took them. "I hate being invalidy man." We walked to the bathroom and he helped me in and closed the door, waiting for me outside.
Giles: 'Nothing lasts forever, Xander,' I said as I helped him to the door. 'You'll be back to your old self before you know it,' I assured him, as I helped him to maneuver into the loo, and then watched him shut the door behind him. I waited.
Xander: I finished my business and walked out of the bathroom. I took Giles' arm and we went back to the bedroom. "Thanks for everything Giles. I really mean it." I looked up at him.
"How did you guys find out that I was missing?"
Giles: 'Well, when you didn't show up after the last time everyone was
over, and you wouldn't return my calls, I was beginning to get
concerned. So, when I was in town...' I elided mentioning that I went
into town specifically to ask after him. 'I stopped by the Espresso
Pump and talked to your employer. He said you hadn't been in for two
days, and hadn't called in sick. I knew that wasn't like you, so I
started asking a few questions. It took a little time, but everything
came together eventually.'
Xander: I owe my life to Giles. I wonder if Buffy or anyone else even noticed that I was missing? "Wow, I don't know what to say really, but thanks again. Speaking of work, I need to give them a call. I have no idea what to tell them."
Giles: 'I called for you,' I said, helping him back into bed. 'I hope
you don't mind. I - ah - said you were in an accident, so you might
want to remember that if anyone asks. Your employer said to get well,
and to give him a call when you feel like you're ready to get back on
schedule.'
'And I really couldn't have done anything if Buffy hadn't been able to
distract Faith, so... she deserves more of your thanks than...' My
voice trailed off. There was a short leap from modesty to hypocrisy and
I was about to make it.
'Would you like something to drink, or eat?' I asked Xander instead.
Xander: Buffy...I love her, but she would have never know that I was gone. I'd be a corpse right now if it hadn't have been for G-man. "Yeah, food would be good in a bit...but I wanted to tell you everything that I got from Faith when she was slicing and dicing me. I don't want to forget or do the repressy thing."
Giles: 'Oh, yes, right,' I said, wishing briefly Xander had wanted
something right away so I could put the kettle on for myself, but since
he didn't, I dutifully sat down in the chair I'd pulled up next to the
bed the night before to sit and listen.
Xander: "Did you want to get yourself some tea or something before I start? I don't think it'll take me that long to say what happened." I pushed the pillow behind me so I was a little more comfoy.
Giles: 'No, no,' I assured him. 'Please. Go ahead.'
Xander: "Faith showed up at work. I was closing the store by myself because two people called in sick. She said that she was studying and needed coffee to keep her awake. So I got her coffee and then she said she needed a break, asked me to go to the Bronze with her for a quick beer. So I agreed. We went there and had a beer. My arm brushed up against hers, and I saw horrible things."
I took a deep breath.
"She killed two men, for no reason. I tried to get out of there to go tell Buffy. I said that there was something I had to do that I had forgotten about. She didn’t believe me though, slayer sense or something like that. She followed me and then beat me up pretty bad outside the Bronze. She then took me to the hotel and tied me up. But...there is a twist on all of this..." I looked to him to see his reaction to everything I had said so far.
Giles: 'It all seems... fairly twisted so far,' I said to Xander. 'You mean there's more?' Somehow, nothing that he said about Faith surprised me. How could it? In a lot of ways, seeing the pointless, explosive violence, the lashing out at the world for no reason or any reason was rather like looking into a mirror at myself at her age. I could still look into the abyss, even though it had looked into me. Faith was on the verge of merely falling into it.
Xander: I nodded and shuddered a little remembering everything I felt when I touched her or she touched me. "She didn't want to kill me Giles...I mean deep down she didn't want to do it. She reminded me of a scared little girl. She was cutting, beating, and hurting me, all because she was so afraid. She was afraid that someone would find out that she really isn't on the side of good. I felt deeply that she wanted to be good. But also that she just couldn't control some deep rage and fear that she had. I couldn't put a finger on what that came from. I wanted to but the pain of what she was doing got in the way." I took a deep breath. "Another thing...she is extremely jealous of Buffy, her life, her friends, your relationship with her. She wants it all. I think she is going to try to come after all of us." I shook my head, trying to get the images out of it.
Giles: I sighed. I could have told Xander most of that, and I've never
had any great talent for reading minds. 'Unfortunately, the only person
who is ever going to be able to do anything to change Faith is Faith.
Until she decides that she wants to do the right thing more than any of
the other things that distract her from the pain and the rage she
feels... no one is going to be able to convince her of anything. Once
she makes the decision herself, no one will have to.'
Xander: I nodded agreeing with him. "We are all going to have to keep our guard up. I really think that she is going to come after all of us, now that she knows that I know about her." I looked up at him in the eyes. "Do you want to hear something really wacky?" He nodded at me. "Her and her watcher, or former watcher..." I shook my head, it didn't matter what the relationship was. "...they have a thing. She is in love with him and from what she was thinking...he feels the same about her."
Giles: Wesley? I didn't know whether to be appalled, or secretly
a little pleased that he's apparently grown a pair since the last time
I'd seen him, if Faith could find anything attractive in him.
Unless, of course, he hadn't changed, and she... methinks I do
project too much...
'Well, I am a bit surprised,' I had to confess. 'I mean, it's not
something one likes to talk about, but it... has been known to happen.
They seem rather more unlikely than a lot of others I've read about,
but there really aren't that many people a Slayer can turn to for
someone who can understand her whole life. There's us, and then, of
course, there are the monsters.'
Xander: "I just can't really picture that happening I guess." I wasn't even going to put that visual in words. Buffy thought of Giles like a Dad. Ew ew ew. "So what is going to be the plan now?" I meant asking about what was to be done about psycho girl.
Giles: 'I'm going to make myself a cup of tea, get something for you to
eat, and talk some more if you're up to it, I think,' I replied.
'Later, I'll have to take a look at the dressings I put on your
injuries, but I don't see that any of them are soaked through, so I
think that can wait for a bit.'
Xander: That wasn't the plan I was thinking about, but I didn't say anything. I wanted to thank him again but I knew he'd probably just brush it off. Giles was more of a father to me then mine ever was. I knew that he'd probably never want to hear that. It'd probably make him feel old. I looked down at the cover on the bed. "Thanks, that sounds good."
Giles: 'Was there something else you wanted?' I asked, concerned. 'Is
there someone you want to call, or...' my voice faltered. 'Well, take a
moment to think about it while I throw something on the stove and fix
the tea.'
After a moment, it dawned on me. 'Which would you prefer, tea, or
coffee? Or just water? I have milk, and some fruit juice as well. I'm
sorry, I don't mean to run roughshod over your preferences. I'm...
really not accustomed to sharing my space with anyone,' I said, which
was about as self-revelatory as I intended any remark I made to get.
I'm starting to sound like his nanny even more than his nurse, I
chided myself. I never had one, of course, but I'd heard stories…
Xander: I smiled. "Do you think you can call Dawn and Willow and let them know I'm okay? I doubt Wills has even noticed that I've been gone." I shrugged a little. "Juice sounds great. Thanks."
Giles: 'Orange, or,' I paused, somewhat abashed, 'Kiwi-Strawberry?' I
asked. 'Do you want me to call Willow and Dawn, or would you rather I
bring the phone up here, so you can do it? I do have one of those
cordless things now, I can do that, if you'd like. Or I'd be happy to
make the calls for you if you're asking because you really don't feel
up to it right now.'
Xander: "Orange is good." I smiled. "Do you mind calling? I really just don't know what to say right now." What would I say? Hi, I was kidnapped and tortured. I'm at Giles' right now getting better. Don't feel obligated or anything to care or come over.
Giles: 'Speaking of... what you've been through. Do you need anything for the pain? I think you probably ought to wait until you eat to take it, but...'
Xander: I was in quite a bit of pain still but I didn't want to say anything before he asked. "Yeah, if you have anything. That would be great." I was getting a little tired already.
Giles: I put the kettle on, and started to make Xander a bit of
porridge (oh, sorry, 'oatmeal' I'm reliably informed is the more
intelligible term), then took him a tall glass of orange juice.
While I was still waiting for the water, I put on a few slices of
toast.
By then, the kettle was almost at the boil, so I got out a tea ball,
and half-filled it from a tin of Twining's Lady Grey. As soon as I
heard the whistle, I scalded the cup, waited till the porcelain warmed,
dumped it, added the tea ball and then more water to the mug. Only a
semi-proper cup of tea, I'm afraid, but I've grown terribly lax the
past few years.
I took Xander's porridge off the stove, took out his toast, and tried
to hunt down the tray I knew I had somewhere, if I could only remember
where I put it. It was supposed to be for breakfasts in bed and the
like, but I seldom ate breakfast alone, and there really hadn't been
any opportunities to share that kind of thing with anyone else.
'I'll be right there,' I called up to him. I found the tray at the very
bottom of the linen cupboard. Wiping it off, I put the porridge, toast,
and some butter, salt, sugar and honey in small condiment cups, so that
he could fix things however he liked before I took it up to him.
After I'd given Xander his rather abbreviated invalid's meal, I went
into the bathroom, and the medicine chest. Tylenol with codeine,
vicodin, percoset, darvocet... The number of times I've been hit
over the head and otherwise knocked about gives me rather an
embarrassment of riches when it comes to not-over-the-counter pain
medications. I settled on vicodin for the time being, rather middle of
the road as these things go. If that didn't do the trick, it wasn't so
strong he couldn't have something else later.
Since it was a rather awkward thing to offer someone else one's
prescription, I simply gave it to him wordlessly by putting it on his
tray with everything else.
Xander: Giles walked into the room and I sat up, wincing as I did so. He handed me the tray. There was oatmeal, toast, and juice on the tray. There was also two pills of some sort on the tray. "Thanks Giles. Should I take the pain pills now or after I eat?"
Giles: 'Well, they usually say 'with food,' but don't get more specific
than that. I'd probably eat a bit first, then take one. If it seems to
work have the other one about four hours from now. If that doesn't help
enough, I'll find you something else in about an hour or so, when
you've given it a fair chance to work,' I told him.
Good Lord, I hope he isn't allergic to anything, I never even
thought to ask. I would have asked then, except that by then I was
afraid that it might undermine his confidence in me if I did.
Xander: "Okay." I took a few swallows of my juice. I was really thirsty for some reason. I took a piece of toast. I buttered and put honey on it. I took a bite. "Mmm, food."
Giles: 'I know you probably feel like you're starving right now, but
try to eat slowly, if you can. I can fix you something more later if
you still want more by then,' I cautioned and told him. He was liable
to make himself sick if he ate too quickly, but that wasn't something
one wanted to mention while someone was actually eating. 'Why don't I
leave you to it, and go downstairs to use the 'phone?' I asked him.
Xander: I tried to slow down a bit. I was starving. I thought and remembered that I hadn't eaten in almost three days. "That sound good." I watched as he left the room. I ate a few bites of the oatmeal and then took one of the pills.
Giles: I walked downstairs and picked up the phone. Coincidentally
enough, I think it was Willow who programmed the speed dial for me,
because I called her first. I was better acquainted with her, and it
would be less awkward for me. After the friend, I could speak with the
girlfriend.
Not an easy conversation, that. Not just speaking to Xander's
girlfriend - but because of who it was. I know I have to stop
thinking of Dawn as a child - I would have resented being called one
quite intensely at her age - but somehow I always think about the girl
she was, rather than the young woman she's rapidly becoming.
Dawn's older, now, than Buffy was when she first became the Slayer.
Imagine that.
I hit the very efficient one digit number (2) for Willow, and waited
for an answer.
Willow: I heard the phone ring. I was in the middle of a good book, but I put it down, mildly aggravated, and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
Giles: 'Willow? It's Giles,' I said, knowing I'd interrupted something by the distracted sound in her voice.
Willow: "Oh, Giles? What's going on?" Giles never usually called me. I wondered what was up.
Giles: 'Have you - ah - talked to Buffy recently?' I asked her. 'About Xander?'
Willow: "No, I really haven 't been around lately. What's happened to Xander?"
Giles: I didn't quite know where to begin. 'This might be a bit
upsetting, so I'd sit down. If you aren't, already, that is,' I said. I
was stalling as much for my own sake as I was concerned for Willow. 'He
was - ah - abducted by Faith a couple of nights ago.'
Willow: "Oh my gosh... Is he alright?!!! Abducted?? As in she did things to him?"
Giles: 'He's fine, Willow,' I told her. 'Buffy distracted Faith so I
could get him out. He's at my place for the time being, seeing as it
ought to be considerably quieter, and easier for him to rest here.'
Willow: "Thanks for letting me know, Giles." I sighed some relief. I was very glad he was alright. "Are visitors allowed?" I really wanted to see Xander. Not only had I not seen him in forever, but the poor thing.
Giles: 'I don't see why not, but I'll ask Xander if he feels up to it,'
I replied. I thought it would do him a world of good to have his
friends around. I was only sorry it had taken something so extreme for
the people he'd known and
loved for so long to notice him again. 'Hold on a moment, I'll ask,' I
told her.
I set the phone down and went back upstairs, so Willow wouldn't be
privy to our conversation. I was especially concerned if he refused.
For the present I could always tell her he was sleeping, so she
wouldn't feel rejected.
'Xander?' I asked, pleased to see that he'd done a very creditable job
with his food already. 'I called Willow first, and she'd like to come
over to visit, if that's all right with you.'
Xander: I was a little surprised, but in a good way. "Yeah, I'm a little tired, but I would love to see her." It was sad that something bad had to happen for me to see my best friend.
Giles: I smiled slightly. 'Good. I'll tell her to come on over, then.
Maybe by the time she gets here, you'll feel up to eating a bit more.'
I walked down the stairs a bit quicker than I'd gone up, and not merely
because it was easier, and picking up the receiver again. 'Yes, Willow,
Xander says he would love to see you. He's tired, but not too tired. So
come on over, if you like.'
Willow: "Alright, great. I'll head over as soon as possible." I hung up the phone and quickly started my journey to Giles' place.
Giles: I put the kettle back on, humming a bit to myself. I was aching
all over, too, but somehow taking care of someone else's needs made my
own pain recede to secondary importance. I went back upstairs one more
time. 'Do you still want me to call Dawn now, or would you rather wait
until after Willow's visit?' I asked. I thought too many visitors at
once may well tire him too much, but I wouldn't dictate to him.
.
Xander: "I think I can wait until after Willow is gone. Was she coming right over?" I was finished with my food. I had finished everything.
Willow: I hurried to Giles' front door. I started knocking vigorously. I was so worried about him. Since when was Faith evil? Giles answered the door and I asked Giles where Xander was. I ran up the stairs and into Giles’ room. "I'm so glad that you are ok."
Xander: I looked up at Willow. "I'm a little beat up, but I'll be okay. If it weren't for Giles, I wouldn't be here. Oh and Buffy did the punching thing with Faith to distract Faith so Giles could get me out of the hotel room where she had me."
Willow: I looked down. I had been so distracted lately that I didn't even know what was going on with my best friend. I took Xander's hand. "Xand, I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you. I promise to be around more often." The guilt was just penetrating through me. How could I let this happen to Xander?
Xander: I smiled at her as best I could with my beaten up face. My touchy thing wasn't all the way up to par, but she was my best friend so I heard her thoughts. "It's not your fault Wills, psycho girl just went a little nuts. She brushed up against me and I saw some bad things that she did and she figured it out." I shrugged my shoulders a little.
Willow: "I think 'a little' is more than an understatement." I tried to lighten the mood. "Have any cool battle scars?"
Xander: I gestured to my face. "Well there's this and then..." I had boxers on so I thought that I was decenty enough. It was only Wills after all. I lifted up the comforter so she could see the deep cuts on my legs, chest, and arms. They were all bandaged, but she could at least see where they were. I pointed to all of them. "She tried to make mince meat pie of me, and didn't succeed. Thanks to Giles and Buff."
Willow: Thanks to Giles and Buff. No 'thanks to Will.' I wasn't there. Did he still consider me a friend? I smiled. At least he was alright. "Well I don't want anyone eating my Xand as a pie." I tried to fake a laught. "Does Oz know yet?"
Xander: I looked at her. "I'm sure Giles would have called you if there was time when it happened Wills. Don't think like that. You'll always be my best pal. I have missed you though." I took a deep breath. I was getting tired. "I haven't talked to Oz in a little while."
Willow: I forgot that he could read minds. Damn. Oh well... I guess it was good for him to know that I still really cared. He seemed to be getting a little sleepy. I wasn't sure if he wanted me to leave him alone or not. "Yeah me neither actually. Everything just been a mess lately, if you know what I mean."
Giles: 'Xander, do you need anything?' I asked, interjecting myself into their conversation.
Xander: I was worried about Willow, I was going to tell her so when Giles came in. I was so very tired. I think it was the meds. "I'm good Giles, I think I need some sleep though. Sorry Wills, I'm fading fast. Need to get some sleepy."
Willow: "Alright. I'll let you be. If you need anything, please feel free to call me." I kissed Xander on the head.
Giles: 'We'll let you rest, then,' I said, turning the lights off, and
leaving the door slightly open. I went back downstairs with Willow.
'Can I get you a cup of tea, or anything?' I asked her, wondering how
their visit went.
Willow: "Thanks for the offer, Giles, but I probably should get going." I had so much studying and homework to catch up on. "We'll do it another time, I promise."
Giles: 'I hope so,' I said seriously, looking at her. 'Please come and see Xander again soon, if you can find the time.'
Willow: "I'll be sure to find the time. I really miss Xander, and you as well. I miss the meetings we used to have." I hugged Giles goodbye and left wishing I had tried to be closer to my friends this school year.
Giles: I made myself a cup of tea, and sank down onto the sofa,
searching for the book I'd been reading a few days ago. It was nice to
have a moment on my own, but I barely had time to contemplate it before
I fell asleep.
Giles: I heard movement, went up the stairs. 'Xander?' I asked, when I saw him sitting up in bed from the open door. 'Do you - ah - need any help, or anything?'
Xander: I looked up at Giles when he came into the room. "I think I might need some help getting to the bathroom. Just someone to lean on if you don't mind."
Giles: 'No, I don't mind. I rather suspected as much, actually,' I told him. I walked over beside the bed. 'Do you think you can manage standing, or would like a bit of help with that as well?' I asked him.
Xander: "Yeah, that would be good." Giles reached out his hands and I took them. "I hate being invalidy man." We walked to the bathroom and he helped me in and closed the door, waiting for me outside.
Giles: 'Nothing lasts forever, Xander,' I said as I helped him to the door. 'You'll be back to your old self before you know it,' I assured him, as I helped him to maneuver into the loo, and then watched him shut the door behind him. I waited.
Xander: I finished my business and walked out of the bathroom. I took Giles' arm and we went back to the bedroom. "Thanks for everything Giles. I really mean it." I looked up at him.
"How did you guys find out that I was missing?"
Giles: 'Well, when you didn't show up after the last time everyone was
over, and you wouldn't return my calls, I was beginning to get
concerned. So, when I was in town...' I elided mentioning that I went
into town specifically to ask after him. 'I stopped by the Espresso
Pump and talked to your employer. He said you hadn't been in for two
days, and hadn't called in sick. I knew that wasn't like you, so I
started asking a few questions. It took a little time, but everything
came together eventually.'
Xander: I owe my life to Giles. I wonder if Buffy or anyone else even noticed that I was missing? "Wow, I don't know what to say really, but thanks again. Speaking of work, I need to give them a call. I have no idea what to tell them."
Giles: 'I called for you,' I said, helping him back into bed. 'I hope
you don't mind. I - ah - said you were in an accident, so you might
want to remember that if anyone asks. Your employer said to get well,
and to give him a call when you feel like you're ready to get back on
schedule.'
'And I really couldn't have done anything if Buffy hadn't been able to
distract Faith, so... she deserves more of your thanks than...' My
voice trailed off. There was a short leap from modesty to hypocrisy and
I was about to make it.
'Would you like something to drink, or eat?' I asked Xander instead.
Xander: Buffy...I love her, but she would have never know that I was gone. I'd be a corpse right now if it hadn't have been for G-man. "Yeah, food would be good in a bit...but I wanted to tell you everything that I got from Faith when she was slicing and dicing me. I don't want to forget or do the repressy thing."
Giles: 'Oh, yes, right,' I said, wishing briefly Xander had wanted
something right away so I could put the kettle on for myself, but since
he didn't, I dutifully sat down in the chair I'd pulled up next to the
bed the night before to sit and listen.
Xander: "Did you want to get yourself some tea or something before I start? I don't think it'll take me that long to say what happened." I pushed the pillow behind me so I was a little more comfoy.
Giles: 'No, no,' I assured him. 'Please. Go ahead.'
Xander: "Faith showed up at work. I was closing the store by myself because two people called in sick. She said that she was studying and needed coffee to keep her awake. So I got her coffee and then she said she needed a break, asked me to go to the Bronze with her for a quick beer. So I agreed. We went there and had a beer. My arm brushed up against hers, and I saw horrible things."
I took a deep breath.
"She killed two men, for no reason. I tried to get out of there to go tell Buffy. I said that there was something I had to do that I had forgotten about. She didn’t believe me though, slayer sense or something like that. She followed me and then beat me up pretty bad outside the Bronze. She then took me to the hotel and tied me up. But...there is a twist on all of this..." I looked to him to see his reaction to everything I had said so far.
Giles: 'It all seems... fairly twisted so far,' I said to Xander. 'You mean there's more?' Somehow, nothing that he said about Faith surprised me. How could it? In a lot of ways, seeing the pointless, explosive violence, the lashing out at the world for no reason or any reason was rather like looking into a mirror at myself at her age. I could still look into the abyss, even though it had looked into me. Faith was on the verge of merely falling into it.
Xander: I nodded and shuddered a little remembering everything I felt when I touched her or she touched me. "She didn't want to kill me Giles...I mean deep down she didn't want to do it. She reminded me of a scared little girl. She was cutting, beating, and hurting me, all because she was so afraid. She was afraid that someone would find out that she really isn't on the side of good. I felt deeply that she wanted to be good. But also that she just couldn't control some deep rage and fear that she had. I couldn't put a finger on what that came from. I wanted to but the pain of what she was doing got in the way." I took a deep breath. "Another thing...she is extremely jealous of Buffy, her life, her friends, your relationship with her. She wants it all. I think she is going to try to come after all of us." I shook my head, trying to get the images out of it.
Giles: I sighed. I could have told Xander most of that, and I've never
had any great talent for reading minds. 'Unfortunately, the only person
who is ever going to be able to do anything to change Faith is Faith.
Until she decides that she wants to do the right thing more than any of
the other things that distract her from the pain and the rage she
feels... no one is going to be able to convince her of anything. Once
she makes the decision herself, no one will have to.'
Xander: I nodded agreeing with him. "We are all going to have to keep our guard up. I really think that she is going to come after all of us, now that she knows that I know about her." I looked up at him in the eyes. "Do you want to hear something really wacky?" He nodded at me. "Her and her watcher, or former watcher..." I shook my head, it didn't matter what the relationship was. "...they have a thing. She is in love with him and from what she was thinking...he feels the same about her."
Giles: Wesley? I didn't know whether to be appalled, or secretly
a little pleased that he's apparently grown a pair since the last time
I'd seen him, if Faith could find anything attractive in him.
Unless, of course, he hadn't changed, and she... methinks I do
project too much...
'Well, I am a bit surprised,' I had to confess. 'I mean, it's not
something one likes to talk about, but it... has been known to happen.
They seem rather more unlikely than a lot of others I've read about,
but there really aren't that many people a Slayer can turn to for
someone who can understand her whole life. There's us, and then, of
course, there are the monsters.'
Xander: "I just can't really picture that happening I guess." I wasn't even going to put that visual in words. Buffy thought of Giles like a Dad. Ew ew ew. "So what is going to be the plan now?" I meant asking about what was to be done about psycho girl.
Giles: 'I'm going to make myself a cup of tea, get something for you to
eat, and talk some more if you're up to it, I think,' I replied.
'Later, I'll have to take a look at the dressings I put on your
injuries, but I don't see that any of them are soaked through, so I
think that can wait for a bit.'
Xander: That wasn't the plan I was thinking about, but I didn't say anything. I wanted to thank him again but I knew he'd probably just brush it off. Giles was more of a father to me then mine ever was. I knew that he'd probably never want to hear that. It'd probably make him feel old. I looked down at the cover on the bed. "Thanks, that sounds good."
Giles: 'Was there something else you wanted?' I asked, concerned. 'Is
there someone you want to call, or...' my voice faltered. 'Well, take a
moment to think about it while I throw something on the stove and fix
the tea.'
After a moment, it dawned on me. 'Which would you prefer, tea, or
coffee? Or just water? I have milk, and some fruit juice as well. I'm
sorry, I don't mean to run roughshod over your preferences. I'm...
really not accustomed to sharing my space with anyone,' I said, which
was about as self-revelatory as I intended any remark I made to get.
I'm starting to sound like his nanny even more than his nurse, I
chided myself. I never had one, of course, but I'd heard stories…
Xander: I smiled. "Do you think you can call Dawn and Willow and let them know I'm okay? I doubt Wills has even noticed that I've been gone." I shrugged a little. "Juice sounds great. Thanks."
Giles: 'Orange, or,' I paused, somewhat abashed, 'Kiwi-Strawberry?' I
asked. 'Do you want me to call Willow and Dawn, or would you rather I
bring the phone up here, so you can do it? I do have one of those
cordless things now, I can do that, if you'd like. Or I'd be happy to
make the calls for you if you're asking because you really don't feel
up to it right now.'
Xander: "Orange is good." I smiled. "Do you mind calling? I really just don't know what to say right now." What would I say? Hi, I was kidnapped and tortured. I'm at Giles' right now getting better. Don't feel obligated or anything to care or come over.
Giles: 'Speaking of... what you've been through. Do you need anything for the pain? I think you probably ought to wait until you eat to take it, but...'
Xander: I was in quite a bit of pain still but I didn't want to say anything before he asked. "Yeah, if you have anything. That would be great." I was getting a little tired already.
Giles: I put the kettle on, and started to make Xander a bit of
porridge (oh, sorry, 'oatmeal' I'm reliably informed is the more
intelligible term), then took him a tall glass of orange juice.
While I was still waiting for the water, I put on a few slices of
toast.
By then, the kettle was almost at the boil, so I got out a tea ball,
and half-filled it from a tin of Twining's Lady Grey. As soon as I
heard the whistle, I scalded the cup, waited till the porcelain warmed,
dumped it, added the tea ball and then more water to the mug. Only a
semi-proper cup of tea, I'm afraid, but I've grown terribly lax the
past few years.
I took Xander's porridge off the stove, took out his toast, and tried
to hunt down the tray I knew I had somewhere, if I could only remember
where I put it. It was supposed to be for breakfasts in bed and the
like, but I seldom ate breakfast alone, and there really hadn't been
any opportunities to share that kind of thing with anyone else.
'I'll be right there,' I called up to him. I found the tray at the very
bottom of the linen cupboard. Wiping it off, I put the porridge, toast,
and some butter, salt, sugar and honey in small condiment cups, so that
he could fix things however he liked before I took it up to him.
After I'd given Xander his rather abbreviated invalid's meal, I went
into the bathroom, and the medicine chest. Tylenol with codeine,
vicodin, percoset, darvocet... The number of times I've been hit
over the head and otherwise knocked about gives me rather an
embarrassment of riches when it comes to not-over-the-counter pain
medications. I settled on vicodin for the time being, rather middle of
the road as these things go. If that didn't do the trick, it wasn't so
strong he couldn't have something else later.
Since it was a rather awkward thing to offer someone else one's
prescription, I simply gave it to him wordlessly by putting it on his
tray with everything else.
Xander: Giles walked into the room and I sat up, wincing as I did so. He handed me the tray. There was oatmeal, toast, and juice on the tray. There was also two pills of some sort on the tray. "Thanks Giles. Should I take the pain pills now or after I eat?"
Giles: 'Well, they usually say 'with food,' but don't get more specific
than that. I'd probably eat a bit first, then take one. If it seems to
work have the other one about four hours from now. If that doesn't help
enough, I'll find you something else in about an hour or so, when
you've given it a fair chance to work,' I told him.
Good Lord, I hope he isn't allergic to anything, I never even
thought to ask. I would have asked then, except that by then I was
afraid that it might undermine his confidence in me if I did.
Xander: "Okay." I took a few swallows of my juice. I was really thirsty for some reason. I took a piece of toast. I buttered and put honey on it. I took a bite. "Mmm, food."
Giles: 'I know you probably feel like you're starving right now, but
try to eat slowly, if you can. I can fix you something more later if
you still want more by then,' I cautioned and told him. He was liable
to make himself sick if he ate too quickly, but that wasn't something
one wanted to mention while someone was actually eating. 'Why don't I
leave you to it, and go downstairs to use the 'phone?' I asked him.
Xander: I tried to slow down a bit. I was starving. I thought and remembered that I hadn't eaten in almost three days. "That sound good." I watched as he left the room. I ate a few bites of the oatmeal and then took one of the pills.
Giles: I walked downstairs and picked up the phone. Coincidentally
enough, I think it was Willow who programmed the speed dial for me,
because I called her first. I was better acquainted with her, and it
would be less awkward for me. After the friend, I could speak with the
girlfriend.
Not an easy conversation, that. Not just speaking to Xander's
girlfriend - but because of who it was. I know I have to stop
thinking of Dawn as a child - I would have resented being called one
quite intensely at her age - but somehow I always think about the girl
she was, rather than the young woman she's rapidly becoming.
Dawn's older, now, than Buffy was when she first became the Slayer.
Imagine that.
I hit the very efficient one digit number (2) for Willow, and waited
for an answer.
Willow: I heard the phone ring. I was in the middle of a good book, but I put it down, mildly aggravated, and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
Giles: 'Willow? It's Giles,' I said, knowing I'd interrupted something by the distracted sound in her voice.
Willow: "Oh, Giles? What's going on?" Giles never usually called me. I wondered what was up.
Giles: 'Have you - ah - talked to Buffy recently?' I asked her. 'About Xander?'
Willow: "No, I really haven 't been around lately. What's happened to Xander?"
Giles: I didn't quite know where to begin. 'This might be a bit
upsetting, so I'd sit down. If you aren't, already, that is,' I said. I
was stalling as much for my own sake as I was concerned for Willow. 'He
was - ah - abducted by Faith a couple of nights ago.'
Willow: "Oh my gosh... Is he alright?!!! Abducted?? As in she did things to him?"
Giles: 'He's fine, Willow,' I told her. 'Buffy distracted Faith so I
could get him out. He's at my place for the time being, seeing as it
ought to be considerably quieter, and easier for him to rest here.'
Willow: "Thanks for letting me know, Giles." I sighed some relief. I was very glad he was alright. "Are visitors allowed?" I really wanted to see Xander. Not only had I not seen him in forever, but the poor thing.
Giles: 'I don't see why not, but I'll ask Xander if he feels up to it,'
I replied. I thought it would do him a world of good to have his
friends around. I was only sorry it had taken something so extreme for
the people he'd known and
loved for so long to notice him again. 'Hold on a moment, I'll ask,' I
told her.
I set the phone down and went back upstairs, so Willow wouldn't be
privy to our conversation. I was especially concerned if he refused.
For the present I could always tell her he was sleeping, so she
wouldn't feel rejected.
'Xander?' I asked, pleased to see that he'd done a very creditable job
with his food already. 'I called Willow first, and she'd like to come
over to visit, if that's all right with you.'
Xander: I was a little surprised, but in a good way. "Yeah, I'm a little tired, but I would love to see her." It was sad that something bad had to happen for me to see my best friend.
Giles: I smiled slightly. 'Good. I'll tell her to come on over, then.
Maybe by the time she gets here, you'll feel up to eating a bit more.'
I walked down the stairs a bit quicker than I'd gone up, and not merely
because it was easier, and picking up the receiver again. 'Yes, Willow,
Xander says he would love to see you. He's tired, but not too tired. So
come on over, if you like.'
Willow: "Alright, great. I'll head over as soon as possible." I hung up the phone and quickly started my journey to Giles' place.
Giles: I put the kettle back on, humming a bit to myself. I was aching
all over, too, but somehow taking care of someone else's needs made my
own pain recede to secondary importance. I went back upstairs one more
time. 'Do you still want me to call Dawn now, or would you rather wait
until after Willow's visit?' I asked. I thought too many visitors at
once may well tire him too much, but I wouldn't dictate to him.
.
Xander: "I think I can wait until after Willow is gone. Was she coming right over?" I was finished with my food. I had finished everything.
Willow: I hurried to Giles' front door. I started knocking vigorously. I was so worried about him. Since when was Faith evil? Giles answered the door and I asked Giles where Xander was. I ran up the stairs and into Giles’ room. "I'm so glad that you are ok."
Xander: I looked up at Willow. "I'm a little beat up, but I'll be okay. If it weren't for Giles, I wouldn't be here. Oh and Buffy did the punching thing with Faith to distract Faith so Giles could get me out of the hotel room where she had me."
Willow: I looked down. I had been so distracted lately that I didn't even know what was going on with my best friend. I took Xander's hand. "Xand, I'm so sorry I haven't been here for you. I promise to be around more often." The guilt was just penetrating through me. How could I let this happen to Xander?
Xander: I smiled at her as best I could with my beaten up face. My touchy thing wasn't all the way up to par, but she was my best friend so I heard her thoughts. "It's not your fault Wills, psycho girl just went a little nuts. She brushed up against me and I saw some bad things that she did and she figured it out." I shrugged my shoulders a little.
Willow: "I think 'a little' is more than an understatement." I tried to lighten the mood. "Have any cool battle scars?"
Xander: I gestured to my face. "Well there's this and then..." I had boxers on so I thought that I was decenty enough. It was only Wills after all. I lifted up the comforter so she could see the deep cuts on my legs, chest, and arms. They were all bandaged, but she could at least see where they were. I pointed to all of them. "She tried to make mince meat pie of me, and didn't succeed. Thanks to Giles and Buff."
Willow: Thanks to Giles and Buff. No 'thanks to Will.' I wasn't there. Did he still consider me a friend? I smiled. At least he was alright. "Well I don't want anyone eating my Xand as a pie." I tried to fake a laught. "Does Oz know yet?"
Xander: I looked at her. "I'm sure Giles would have called you if there was time when it happened Wills. Don't think like that. You'll always be my best pal. I have missed you though." I took a deep breath. I was getting tired. "I haven't talked to Oz in a little while."
Willow: I forgot that he could read minds. Damn. Oh well... I guess it was good for him to know that I still really cared. He seemed to be getting a little sleepy. I wasn't sure if he wanted me to leave him alone or not. "Yeah me neither actually. Everything just been a mess lately, if you know what I mean."
Giles: 'Xander, do you need anything?' I asked, interjecting myself into their conversation.
Xander: I was worried about Willow, I was going to tell her so when Giles came in. I was so very tired. I think it was the meds. "I'm good Giles, I think I need some sleep though. Sorry Wills, I'm fading fast. Need to get some sleepy."
Willow: "Alright. I'll let you be. If you need anything, please feel free to call me." I kissed Xander on the head.
Giles: 'We'll let you rest, then,' I said, turning the lights off, and
leaving the door slightly open. I went back downstairs with Willow.
'Can I get you a cup of tea, or anything?' I asked her, wondering how
their visit went.
Willow: "Thanks for the offer, Giles, but I probably should get going." I had so much studying and homework to catch up on. "We'll do it another time, I promise."
Giles: 'I hope so,' I said seriously, looking at her. 'Please come and see Xander again soon, if you can find the time.'
Willow: "I'll be sure to find the time. I really miss Xander, and you as well. I miss the meetings we used to have." I hugged Giles goodbye and left wishing I had tried to be closer to my friends this school year.
Giles: I made myself a cup of tea, and sank down onto the sofa,
searching for the book I'd been reading a few days ago. It was nice to
have a moment on my own, but I barely had time to contemplate it before
I fell asleep.