Entry tags:

buffy, dune, rated: teen, slash, x-over

Fic: Written Upon The Sands Of Time 6/8 Dune/Buffy
Written Upon the Sands of Time.
By: Lopaka Tanu
Fandom: Buffy: The Vampire Slayer/Dune.
Pairing: Xander/Angel, mentions of Paul/Duncan - Paul/Otheym.
Rating: Adult Slash.
Archive: Yes, just tell me.
Warnings: Violence, Language, Character Death, Sexual Content.
Disclaimer: I do not own either Buffy: The Vampire Slayer or Dune.
Summary: After Halloween, Xander feels like he is losing his mind. When deaths of mysterious origins happen, will he remember what is so familiar about them in time to save those close to him?

---

Monday dawned bright and early for Willow. Despite the beauty of what would be a cheerful morning, all she wanted to do was stay curled up under her covers. It took her a moment to realize that her hopeful magical abilities hadn't progressed beyond just understanding the words of a spell. That meant the death spell she had wanted to say to the clock was worthless. Glaring at the blaring alarm, she willed it to die, fruitlessly.

After five minutes, she finally back handed it against the wall, effectively silencing the damned thing forever. Thinking about death brought back the memories of yesterday and she curled in tighter upon the mattress. She didn't want to get up today.

When her mother knocked upon her door, Willow didn't respond. After a while, the knocks stopped and her mother walked away. It was better this way.

(000000000)

In the library, a memorial was set up by Giles. Not so surprising to him, no one even stopped by or paid notice to it. There was a sign on the door letting them know it was here, he had made sure about that much. Even a bulliten in the school news paper. He surmised that either no one paid attention to the library and the news paper or they just didn't care. Either way, it was not his problem how disgraceful these children were.

Setting down the paper, he glanced to the empty table where the three students he had come to depend upon were no longer sitting. He had called Willow's mother that morning and that was not a conversation he wished to have again. Needless to say, his friend would no longer be coming to his library. Not that it would be his library for much longer.

His four phone calls to the boy Xander's family had gone unanswered. His appearance at the door had met with similar responces. This worried him less than it should have. Giles knew he should have been fraught with worry, but the emotion just wouldn't come to him. Xander was growing up, he could deal with grief in his own way.

Smiling sadly, he shook his head in denial. "Doesn't need the grief of an older man to burden him. Must make do with what I've got."

"I'm here, Rupert." Jenny wrapped her arms up from under his, over his ches to tighten in a warm embrace across his chest. Resting her chin on his shoulder, she had to strain a little to reach the height. "You aren't alone in this, I will be here for you."

"And I am grateful for your presence, but I still feel like there should be more of an impact on the lives of these young people. Someone should not just die and there be no impact." In a sudden fit, he took off his glasses and slammed them down on the counter top. Rubbing at his forehead, Rupert groaned in frustraition. "I heard from the Council this morning, I am being recalled. Since there is nothing here to stop me, I believe I will go back."

Jenny pulled back her hands. Staring at him in shock, she felt an urge to hit him. "Nothing stopping you."

"That's right, the only ties I have to the community are you and these kids. Now that my duties are fulfilled, I have little reason to protest their orders." Picking up his glasses, he put them back on. He was now more composed and ready to deal with life. He turned slightly to stare at her. "You know, there is nothing holding you here either. I am sure the Council can get you a position at any school of your choice in London."

Crossing her arms, Jenny glared at him. "Wait a minute, just a second ago you said nothing here was stopping you from going. Now, you're suggesting I move across the world. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I am suggesting that your special knowledge of the super natural combined with your computer skills and teaching creditentials, that you would prove an asset to the council." Putting on his best smile to try and placate her despite the circumstances, he felt the need to be reassuring.

"Rupert, I'm shocked." Her movements became jerky while she reeled from his words. Cocking her head, she squinted. "Are you asking me to come with you?"

"Essentially."

"Gee, you aren't one much for making light decisions, are you. Never mind, don't answer that. Give me a little time, I'll have to think it over and get back to you."

(000000000)

Sitting on the bed, Joyce wrapped the blanket around her waist. Glancing about the room, she tried to reconcile it. It just didn't seem to fit with reality. On the dresser was a half eatin box of cookies still open. Her makeup bag was scattered next to that. Buffy had been running late when she got a call from her boyfriend.

At the time, Joyce had thought it a relief that she wouldn't have to deal with her daughter around her cousins again. She had come home saturday finding them in her room and the shit had hit the fan. Since then the bedroom had been persona non grata for any thing breathing and not Buffy.

Clenching the comforter tighter, she continued to search for something. Joyce frowned. There was just something wrong about the room. Unable to find it, she put the blanket aside and reached over for Buffy's picture on the bedside table. Joyce smiled at the faces of her and her friends Xander and Willow. She didn't know when the picture was taken, just that it meant a lot to Buffy.

A memory came back to her of when Buffy had seen her last holding it and asked what she was doing snooping. Putting the picture backd down carefully so as not to make it look like anyone had touched it, Joyce traced her fingers over Buffy's face. "So pretty."

There was no responce from the photo. Letting her hand fall back to her side, Joyce continued her inspection of the room. Light touches of her daughter were here and there amongs the scattered clothes, school books, jewelry, and girly paraphanalia. The pink fur of a stuffed pig caught her attention.

Picking up the pig, Joyce ruffled the fake fur. "Mr. Gordo. I remember when Hank first brought you home for Buffy. She loves you the most." Movement in the door drew her attention away from the pig. "Sorry, Buffy, I was just... Eileene. For a moment I thought you were Buffy." Turning away from her sister, Joyce, held up the pig. "Mr. Gordo, he's Buffy's favorite. I just came to get something for them to bury her in and I guess I got distracted. It's just so hard to believe that... No!"

Joyce slammed the pig down on the bed in anger. "Buffy is dead! Buffy is dead! Buffy..." Her clenched fist rose to her face and she closed her eyes. "My daughter is dead and I can't, I just can't." Standing up, Joyce picked up the white dress that had been hanging on Buffy's closet door for six months. "She loved this dress, so this dress it is. Let's go."

(000000000)

Sheila Rosenberg sat at her coffee table arranging her collage when the door bell rang. It being the middle of the day on a monday, this was unusual. The painters for the back room weren't due til two, besides, the Price is Right was still on in the other room with Harold watching it. Frowning, she stood and made for the door.

Upon the opening the door she felt like slamming it shut. She had known this was coming from the moment she learned of her daughter's friend. Sheila put on a pleasant face. "How may I help you officers?"

"Ma'am," the elder officer said with a tip of his hat. "We are here to speak with your daughter."

"Is there something wrong? I assure you she had nothing to do with yesterday." Still not opening the door, she only cocked her head at their motions to let them in.

"We know that. This isn't about her, per sey." When Sheila stepped aside, the older officer smiled again. "Thank you. While my partner talks with your daughter, I'd like to know what you can tell me about one Alexander Harris."

(000000000)

Sitting in the kitchen, Xander continued to stare at the clock, watching the hands move. It was a funny thing to watch as he didn't feel its passing. At that moment the clock read eight past three in the morning. Right now he should have been in bed, tossing from another night mare. Xander half smiled in hysterical amusement.

It had been one week, four days since halloween. It had been one week, two days since he last slept. There was no sign of things changing.

Sitting there, he tired to summon up a yahn or a feeling of being tired, but he just felt fine. He felt better than fine, actually. If he was honest, he hadn't felt this good in a while. That was the main problem.

"Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock." He continued to watch the clock. There should have been some change in him.

Xander wanted to sleep. He needed to sleep. Why couldn't he sleep?

Rubbing at the back of his neck, Xander glanced away from the clock. "Well, this has been fun." Standing up, he pulled up the hood of his cloak. He was about to head for the back door when his mother came in to the kitchen.

"What are you doing up?" Scratching at the back of her neck, she yahned and headed for the icebox. Reaching inside, she pulled out the milk and grabbed a glass from the counter. When she faced her son again, she raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

"Nothing, just couldn't sleep." Xander leaned back against the stove, smiling at his mother.

"It's probably that candy you've been eating, I swear that stuff was better than coffee." Chuckling, she finished her milk. "For two days I was completely wired and then suddenly I crashed." She eyed him for a minute. "You didn't put anything illegal in it, did you?"

At that he had to laugh. "No, mom, there is nothing in any way illegal in that candy."

"Okay, but just in case it should be, take it easy on the stuff." Rinsing out her glass, she put it on the sink to be washed. She was heading back for the living room when she stopped. "You wouldn't happen to have any more of it, would you?"

"Nope." Watching her go, he snorted. It was a lie, of course, but if what was happening to him was to be blamed on the spice, he would be damned before he gave her any more.

"Okay, just checking. Night, sweety."

"Night." After her foot steps had disappeared up the stairs, Xander headed for the door again and closed it softly behind him. Stepping out in to the night, his eyes adapted to the lack of light. It was nothing new to him, he had been doing it every night for the last nine days.

If the spice was to blame, then he was fucked.

(000000000)

The night had turned to day in the time that Xander had spent wondering the streets looking for something to do. Two vampires were now dust and a demon that had been breaking in to an ATM was now broken in to pieces. It had been over so quickly all three times he hardly noticed the incidents at all.

According to town clock on main street he was supposed to have been at school a half hour ago. With nothing else better to do, Xander turned down the street towards the school. It would at least provide some amusement to listen to the teachers drone on.

Making his way down the ten blocks towards the school, he mused on how little Buffy's death had effected him. For someone who had meant such a great deal to him, he should have been mourning her loss. He should have been doing a lot of things that he wasn't. Hell, even Patsy Cline had lost her appeal and no one deals with pain better than ole Patsy.

Crossing the middle of the street of his second block he realized he had slowed down to almost a crawl. The blaring of a car horn hadn't even phased him. Stopping, he continued to stare ahead. There really should have been something that bothered him about this.

Movement out of the corner of his eye had him moving to him what felt like through molassis so he could see the source. It was a car coming at him. Even the car seemed to be moving slowly. The entire world was almost at a stand still.

Xander frowned. That wasn't right. Reaching out, he placed a hand on the hood of the car and shoved. The next instant the world seemed to speed up and the car crumpled against his hand. Moving his arm to the side, Xander dragged the crumpled vehicle a couple feet then released it.

Never in all his life had he been able to do that. The Bene Jesserit training his mother had put him through was not designed to give superman abilities, just better reflexes and stronger muscles. Glancing down at his hand, he tried to reconcile what just occured with all he knew. It wasn't possible, not even for a slayer.

That seemed to break him out of his funk. Moving off down the street, Xander picked up speed until the world was flying around him again. As soon as the school was in sight, he dropped out of what he called Self-Warp. Moving down the side walk at a normal pace, he saw the school was letting out first period and students were heading to their next class.

He was about to cross the street when he saw the cop sitting outside the library in a metal folding chair. Pulling up his oil lense, Xander looked the man over. The cop held a picture of himself, Willow and Buffy that could only have come from one place. That meant the man was after them, he had to warn the Buffster... "Right." They were after him and Willow because of the Buffster.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Shaking his head, Xander placed the newly made oil lense in his belt pouch. Until he knew what exactly they were after him for, there would be no going to school. There was one way to find out quickly what they were after.

Smirking, Xander zipped across the street, the school parking lot, and down the side walk to the stop beside the cop. Before the man could stand up, Xander grabbed him by the lapels and shoved him against the wall. He inflected his voice to a high pitch and prayed it worked. "You will tell me why you are after Xander Harris."

"He's a killer! The boy was part of the group of kids that tried poisoning the city's water." Growling, the man shoved at Xander's arms and freed himself. "You punks, not a single ounce of respect among you. When we get our hands on him, we'll show him what we do to killer's here. We are American's here, not some Commie lovin..." was as far as the man got before Xander slammed him in to the wall.

"Shut up." Growling, Xander started to squeeze his throat. "Who all have you interrogated for information on this supposed plot?"

"The faggot librarian, the little bitch girl's mom, and the other girl's family. I tried telling the Sargent that your Jewish girlfriend is in on the plot, that them disgusting Jews are..." He found himself slammed face first in to the concrete, out cold.

"I knew your kind were dumb, but racism went out with the sixties, asshole!" Out of a need to vent his rage over the situation, Xander kicked the cop in the ribs. The cop flew against the building and Xander stared in shock at the now broken man. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to... you shouldn't have... Oh god, what's going on with me?"

Xander glanced about to see if anyone had seen him. When he was reasonably sure he was alone, he took off for the pay phone in the quad. He dialed 0 and waited for the operator. "There's a guy hurt outside the high school library. I think he's a cop, but I'm not sure. All I heard were some racist remarks and then the guy go down. When I checked, he was barely breathing. Send someone and hurry!" He let the phone drop before taking off at top speed.

So much for going to school.

(000000000)

Sitting in the middle of a cemetary upon a headstone, Xander tried to think over the events of the past few days. It was easy to summon the memories, but no ensuing emotions would come. Everything he tried to feel seemed to be beyond his grasp. Finding no urge to do anything else, he had sat there the entire day.

He wasn't quite sure when night had fallen. He wasn't hungry yet, but judging from the way his gut was talking to him, he would be soon. That was another thing he had noticed. His body did not require as much food. It was strange, not being hungry, it was almost like he was turning in to a statue.

On a hunch, he stood in place, unmoving, arms wide. When he was forced to take another breath, he sighed. "So much for that theory." Lowering his arms, Xander continued to stand there. He tried to sum up what the world felt like to him at that moment, with what little he could feel, the only word that came to mind was pointless.

Standing across from him in the grave yard stood a figure in green. Staring at Xander, the man continued to stand there, just watching him.

Xander noted their stances were identical. Quickly, the shadows of the graveyard disappated in the morning light. Birds flew past and disappeared, plants and trees blew in unfelt breezes, drying up as sand took their place. In the distance, the sun rose over head, yet still neither of them moved. Xander knew he could stand there forever, waiting for the other man.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the man inclined his head. Stepping back under a tree, he disappeared and the night returned.

About to follow him, Xander tripped over something and crashed face first in to the freshly turned grave. "Great, just what I needed." He pulled out the crysknife, ready to kill the new fledgeling. Rolling over, he discovered the little demon was already half out of the ground with the tip of a stake poking through the front of his shirt.

As the vampire turned to dust, Angel stood erect again. He cocked his head to the side and stared down upon Xander. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd act lay out a 'welcome to your afterlife' buffet for the new vampire." Xander dusted himself off and quickly climbed to his feet. "Don't you have a tomb to haunt, may be an opera house to disturb with elevator music?"

Ignoring the boy, Angel stepped around him and headed for the opposite side of the cemetary.

Watching him go, Xander felt the world around him shift until he fell to his knees. Grabbing the ground for support, he glanced back up to see if Angel was still there only to find the vampire he knew in two different forms. Off to his right, drenched in sun light, Angel stood with his arms open and turning to ash. To his left, Angel was standing in shadows locked in battle with a horned demon.

They were both possible futures, the one in sunlight a coming morning, and the shadows a distant night. He knew how they would come to pass and how to influence both from happening. The key in the second case was him. Gripping the ground as a pain shot through his skull, he fought off a wave of nausea rising in him.

He was the deciding factor in Angel's life. If he let Angel go on as he was now, he would eventually work up the nerve to step out in to the sun light. Swallowing against the bile, Xander stood up. Despite the fact that he could barely stand the smug asshole, he had to do something for Angel.

Feeling something for the first time in days, Xander grinned. Picking up speed, he quickly caught up with Angel. Popping up suddenly beside the vampire, he enjoyed the thrill of having spooked the spook. "So, Deadboy, just what are you doing out here?"

Having recovered from his shock, Angel let his bad mood resurface. "What do you want, Xander?"

"Nothing, really. Just curious why you are still around and not filling up some body's dust buster." Shrugging in his cloak, Xander walked slowly around Angel as the vampire glared at him. "It seems to me that by now, someone who was so in love with someone like Buffy would have found a way to kill himself. I mean, you did love her, right?" He used the Bene Gesserit training to zip passed Angel's lunge and appear on the other side of the falling vampire.

Angel came crashing down upon the ground with a grunt. Growling, he clawed the dirt as he threw himself at Xander again. His attempt only landed him face first in to a tomb stone.

Sitting on the stone just above Angel, Xander shook his head in disapproval. "Tisk tisk, you should know better than that by now, Fangface."

"What the hell do you want," Angel screamed.

"The usual, fame, fortune, sex, to feel something other than numb." Sliding off the tombstone, he landed on Angel's back. He rubbed his boots clean on Angel's coat before stepping off. "But right now, I would settle for grief. Then again, this isn't really about me." Using the toe of his boot, Xander kicked Angel over on his back. "Are you really this stupid?"

Blinking, Angel couldn't summon the strength to care what the boy did. He looked passed the boy towards the sky and watched the stars.

Xander wasn't having any of it. Throwing one leg over Angel's waist, he sat down on his hips. Staring at the careless vampire, he felt the numbness start to return. If he couldn't get Angel to respond soon, he'd stop caring if the vampire survived. He tapped Angel on the face. "Hey, how am I supposed to cause you vampire angst if you aren't paying attention?"

"Sorry to be such an inconvenience." Glaring at the boy, Angel grabbed his wrist to stop him from hitting him. "What do you want?"

"I told you. This isn't about me, this is about you." Sighing, Xander leaned forward until their noses were touching. "Look, Deadboy, I know we've had our differences in the past, but the time has come to... overcome our differences. You want me to leave you alone, I want you, period. Thing is, neither of us is gonna get what he wants."

Angel tried to shove Xander away only to find the boy couldn't be budged. After his third gut busting push that only resulted in having Xander crush him further in to the ground, he gave up and glanced away in anger. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because the thought of you turning in to a walking match stick isn't as appealing as it once was. Though, if you still want to do that, at least have the decency to wait until after Buffy's funeral." Lowering his face to Angel's ear, Xander felt his body relax against the larger man. "I've wanted to be with you like this a while now, just didn't think it would take my best friend dying to get you on your back."

"Okay, I've had enough of this. You want to reminisce and be morbid, fine, just do it somewhere else!" This time Angel got Xander to sit up, allowing himself to sit up in turn. However, his plans back fired when it positioned Xander in the perfect place to wrap his body around the vampire. Angel groaned. "Let go. Now!"

"Nope. You need a hug. I want a hug. Let's hug together." Xander squeezed until he heard bones grind and Angel gasp. "See, doesn't that feel better?"

"All right, you asked for it." Game faced, Angel bent his head down to bite Xander. Nuzzling through the dense layers of fabric, he tried to locate skin. It took him a moment and a lap full of squirming boy before he reached neck. "Last chance, Xander."

"Go ahead, try it, I guarantee you won't like it." In the next second Xander grimaced from the pain as Angel bit him then yanked his teeth out. As Angel began to spit to clean the flavor from his mouth, Xander smirked. "I tried warning you, Deadboy. While the Xandman may look magically delicious, his taste is a very bitter pill to swallow."

Angel wiped at his tongue, letting the piece of flesh hang out of his lips. The taste had numbed the inside of his mouth. Shaking his head again, he tried to restore some feeling to his mouth.

"Angel..." the insult he had been about to say slipped from his mind as the malaise won over again. Letting Angel go, Xander slowly climbed to his feet. He couldn't even summon the will to say good bye as he turned away from the vampire. Heading from the cemetary, Xander started to wander aimlessly.

Angel watched in shock as Xander drifted away from him. Trying to stand, he fell back against the ground. His body slowly started to go numb and he tried to fight against it. Soon he was flat on his back, helpless to move.

Coming from the shadows of the moselium, a tall figure in a green cloak appeared above Angel. Blue within Blue eyes, knowing full well what was happening, watched with amusement. "The taste of Shai Hulud is toxic to one such as yourself. It extends life, enhances, changes those it touches. The dead do not benefit from the Maker's grace." Bending down, he reached out a gloved hand and traced it down the side of Angel's face. "Stay away from my lord Duke, I'll not warn you again." Standing, the figure walked after Xander.

Confusion warred with the grief and anger Angel felt. Tomorrow was Buffy's funeral, but at the moment he was more concerned with what was happening with her annoying friend. It was a long while before he was able to summon the strength to move.

(000000000)

Stumbling down the street, it took a while for Xander to realize he was almost home. Two houses down was his own for all the good it did him. Sitting on his front porch was a cop and his mother. She had a tissue in her hand daubbing at her eye to prevent runny mascara. The uniform was smugly staring at her, barely disguising his attempt at interogation.

Drawing closer, Xander strained to hear what they were saying.

"Did you know your son was involved with these criminals, Mrs. Harris?" Patting her on the knee, Officer Williams shifted closer. "I know this is difficult, but it would be best for all if you helped me bring them to justice. We can help your son, I'm sure he was a good boy."

"He is a good kid!" Shoving the man's hand from her knee, she stood up. "I have no idea what you are talking about. My son is not a criminal, I would know."

"Ma'am, no offense, but you work late and sleep through the day. By your own admission, you have no idea what exactly he has been doing." Standing up, he tried to match her height but came short by three inches. "If you would allow me to search his bedroom, I can prove it to you." When she seemed about to protest, he leaned in and whispered. "We already interogated the Librarian, so we know what we are looking for. He and Mrs. Rosenburg were very helpful."

Her anger welling up, she crossed her arms and stood off to the side of the porch. "Just what did they have to say?"

"Lot's." Matching her stance, Williams smirked. "As a matter of fact, they are waking up Judge Mathis as we speak to get a warrant. So you see, if you would let me in now, it will save us a lot of time and trouble."

"I don't believe you." Turning to go, she was forced to stop when William's hand grabbed her arm. "Get off my porch, now."

"Your son is being charged with attempted mass murder. If that little blonde bitch hadn't died, she'd be up there with him. We have his finger prints at the crime scene, they were matched with those on record at the school. We have a video of him entering the city water tower controls. The statement from the librarian cinched it, though. With him testifying, how long do you think it will take before the jury comes back with a guilty..." Williams gasped, clutching at his back, he began to spit up blood.

"Thank you for that bit of information, I'll be sure he knows it was you who revealed his trechory before he dies." Dragging his dagger up the spine of the officer, the green hooded figure sliced all the way to the skull before letting the body drop. Glaring at the woman, he wiped his knife off on the body of Officer Williams. "Be glad I have other business to attend else I would silence you as well, Paul be damned!" Putting his dagger away, the figure took off at top speed.

Standing against a tree, Xander replayed what the figure had said. The impact of what the man had said finally struck home. Panick gripped him and for the first time in a week he felt true fear. "G-man!"

(000000000)

Giles was putting a stack of books in a travel box when he heard the doors to the library swing open. Turning around, he saw the library was empty. Shaking his head, he set them in carefully. Their leather binding would need to be redone when he got home. Glancing up when the task was finished he jumped back against the table upon seeing the dark figure.

Taking in the green cloak, the hawk creast and the blue eyes, Giles adjusted his glasses. "Xander, are you deliberately trying to kill me?" The sudden drawing of a bone white knife made him loose all control of his faculties. "Oh lord!"

The figure lunged at Giles, his knife swiping out, struck the table when the Watcher jumped out of the way.

Rolling to his feet, Giles pulled out the dagger from his suit jacket. He held it under handed to match his oponent. "Xander, I don't want to hurt you."

"You will die, traitor!" The figure raced at Giles again, their knifes clashing against one another over head then under hand in a circle. He smacked Giles across the face, then backed away when Gile's kneed him in the gut.

"This has gone far enough!" Head butting the figure, Giles spun his knife the blade up.

"I agree." Standing in the doorway, Xander glared at the hooded figure. His own hood and facial scarf undone, he looked wild and unkempt. "You will stand down, Fedaykin!"

"Stay out of this, Paul!" Rising to his feet, the figure raised his dagger to attack Giles. Instead of the older man being there, his dagger clashed against Xander's. "What are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Shoving the warrior away, Xander replaced his dagger in his suit. "Get out of here before I get angry."

"He is a traitor! It is the law." Upon seeing Xander's resolve, his own blue eyes narrowed. Stepping back, he replaced his dagger faster than Giles could see. "Very well, we will discuss this later, Dukeling." A swish of his cloak and he ran through the doors to disappear.

Giles let out a gasp and a loud, wet fart. Catching his breath, he leaned over the table to glare at Xander. "Care... to explain this?"

Xander's blue on blue eyes quickly lost focus. "I don't know what is going on." Leaning on a nearby chair, Xander fell in to it. "I have no idea what is happening. I was... when I caught sight of the guy in the green cloak... I came in here just in time. Sorry he got to you first, I was a little distracted."

Coming over to stand beside Xander, Giles lay a hand upon his shoulder. "Are you hurt? You look pale."

"Really? Must be the lack of sunlight." Staring off in to the distance, Xander's breathing quickly evened out and he was back to his numb state. It took Giles' snapping fingers in front of his face to get his mind back on the situation. "Sorry." Xander smiled, chagrined at his behavior. "I can't seem to bring myself to care lately. It took all I had just to get here in time to stop..." He trailed off as he pulled out a piece of Spice Candy. Chewing on it, Xander sighed.

"What is going on here?" When he got no responce, Giles knelt down in front of the young man. It took him a second to recall that there was a situation beside his own problems. His mind raced over what he had learned before Buffy's death about Xander's situation, which wasn't much. "Xander, look at me."

It wasn't that he hadn't heard, it just didn't make an impact on him. Standing up, Xander pushed passed Giles. He was getting hungry. There was definitely something in the vending machine, even at this time of night. They restocked it every day after school.

Upon reaching the machine, he slammed his fist through the glass to get at the candy. The shattering of the glass felt funny upon his fist, but the glove protected him from harm. Pulling out the sticks of jerky and a package of twinkies, he bit them open and spit the packages aside while consuming them.

Giles stared on in sick fascination as the vending machine was systematically cleaned out of snacks in a record time. By the time Xander slowed down enough that Giles could see the movements, the machine was surrounded by torn wrappers and half eaten candy bars.

Xander burped and stepped back from the machine. It was enough for now. That settled, he moved on. There would be another time to eat in the future, right now he needed to keep moving.

It was strange, he had never experienced something like this in all his life. The boy was acting without conscious thought, merely satisfying his basic needs before moving on. He had consumed the food from the vending machine at a phenominal rate then walked off. All attempts at trying to get him to listen had been ignored by Xander. There had to be a cause behind it all. When Xander exited the school in no particular direction, Giles rushed to his car. There was no need to worry, the young man was basically a wandering animal, he could handle it, he had seen that much. Besides, he was going to get to the bottom of this even if it meant driving all night to get that book.