I.
"Jesse, man..."
Xander looks at what used to be his friend.
Still seems to be if you ignore the fangs.
Is he really supposed to know about fangs? Ridges? Things that go bump in the night?
He tries to imagine his future.
Always scared.
Fearing to go out at night.
Constantly
afraid for his life and those of his friends and no one to turn to
beside the people determined on saving the world all by themselves.
Is this how he wants to spend his life?
As soon as Xander drops the stake he feels the fangs at his throat.
II.
The sewer is cold, wet and dark and Xander is scared.
Buffy is facing the Master and destined to die.
And what does it say about your chances when Xander Harris is your last hope?
But there's still Angel, right?
Angel who's strong and brave.
Walking very close.
And smiling mysteriously.
And looking.
"Stop looking at my neck! I told you to eat be-"
Xander never finishes the sentence.
It doesn't hurt as when his body hits the ground. Listening to his fading heartbeat he thinks of Buffy and smiles.
She's the Slayer.
She'll survive without the help of the Zeppo.
III.
Xander pants and sweat is running down his face.
The fingers around his neck are the only things holding him up.
He's scared. More than that he's pissed.
"Undead liar" he hisses.
It goes unnoticed by the vamps, leaning in to bite.
Xander feels fangs scratch his neck just before Spike yanks him back and sends Angel flying with a kick to the stomach.
"Why don'tya show him the way out, boys?"
The minions throw themselves at Angel and Spike turns yellow eyes on Xander.
He makes it quick, not letting the boy suffer.
He has other plans for him.
IV.
Xander knows he isn't supposed to do spells.
He doesn't even like magic.
Things aren't ever easy and if they are you won't get away with it.
Also, it's creepy.
There are only a few things that are creepier.
Clowns.
Pit bulls
Bonanza re-runs.
And the female vampire dancing around him, singing and calling him her dark kitten.
She comes around to face him, waving two fingers in front of his face and Xander has to keep himself from snorting.
Yeah, like that hypnotic crap actually works.
In his trance Xander doesn't even feel her teeth slice into his neck.
V.
When Xander wakes up he's lying on the floor.
He doesn't know where he is and can't find the strength to open his eyes so he just listens to his surroundings.
The floor is cold and he shivers but oddly enough it doesn't really bother him.
Xander doesn't know why, but he can tell there's someone else in the room.
He wonders if he should pretend to be still asleep when the other person speaks up.
"Look who's awake then. I've been waiting for you. Aren't you hungry?"
Xander licks his lips and growls.
Oh yeah, he's hungry all right.