Games: Part 4
by Samantha McCullah
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the story. Joss own everything else.
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Part Four
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Xander arrived at the Bronze fifteen minutes late, after nearly turning around and going home four times. he rationalized, He hesitated at the door several moments, earning himself very dirty looks from the bouncer, before finally paying the cover and walking in.
The Bronze was loud, smokey, and crowded as usual. Buffy and Willow sat together at the juice bar. he thought, as the hormones surged again. Xander stepped around to the other side of the pillar he had been leaning against.
"God," he mumbled, shaking his head.
"Shouldn't you be with your friends?" a voice asked from his right. Xander didn't need to turn to see who it was. Angel.
"Can't. Too many conflicting emotions, too much blood rushing, but you wouldn't know anything about that, would you, vamp boy?" Xander asked, his defense mechanism kicking in.
"Still hung up over Buffy?"
"Oh, no. I've moved on," Xander said, moving to the other side of the pillar to gaze at Willow. Angel followed his gaze; Xander heard Angel's short laugh.
"Buffy told me about you and Willow. I didn't believe it until now," Angel commented.
"So she sent you over here to distract me, while she tells Willow herself, right?" Xander replied.
"No, I was sent over here by Buffy to tell you, and I quote 'to get his smartass self over here' unquote," Angel answered, heading towards Buffy. Xander thought as he followed.
Willow turned to Xander as they walked up. "Hi," she said shly. Xander heard Buffy clear her throat; he glanced at her. She motioned with her eyes towards Willow. Xander's face went blank. Buffy sighed, grabbed Angel's hand, and pulled him passed Xander.
"Tell her," she whispered as she walked by. Xander watched as Buffy continued to pull Angel out onto the dance floor. As he watched them, he didn't notice Willow's face fall. Slowly, Xander turned and took Buffy's vacated seat, facing her. He stared at his hands for a moment.
"Xander? Is something wrong?" Willow asked, concerned. he wanted to reply.
"No, nothing." He sighed before continuing, "Willow? Can we talk?"
"Sure. About what?" she replied.
"We've been friends for a long time...."
"Since kindergarden, when you beat up that boy that was bothering me," Willow recalled.
"Yeah," Xander laughed, a nervous laugh, "We've been friends for a while, and you've probably noticed I've been acting oddly around you," Xander paused as uncertaintity flickered in Willow's eyes.
"I've got to go," she said hurriedly, gathering her bag and paying for her drink. Xander watched as she ran out the door. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Buffy and Angel stop dancing. Buffy gestured frantically at him to follow her. And he followed Willow out into the night.
"Willow!" he shouted but she continued to run, "WILLOW! Please stop!" She hesitated before stopping and turning. Xander covered the distance between them. "Please give me a chance to explain."
She slapped him. Hard. "I am not a plaything, Xander. I have feelings, too."
"What?" he asked softly.
"Everyday its the same thing. Some new girl comes, you drool over her, and tell me about it. Do you know how that makes me feel? When Buffy turned you down for the prom, did you have any idea how badly I wanted to say yes?" she replied.
"No, I didn't," he responded.
"Damnit, Xander, I love you, and you don't even care." She slapped him again, but before she could turn to run, Xander grabbed her arms.
"I care, Willow," he replied, pulling her into a hug. "Willow, I-"
"Xander, shut up."
"Willow..."
"Shut up."
"Willow, please...." Xander felt her sigh, and his skin tingled as she ran her hand behind his neck. She pulled his head down to meet her and kissed him roughly. He got over the shock enough to wrap his arms more firmly around her. But it did.
They stared at each other as the kiss stopped. Slowly they began to smile, and Xander tilted Willow's head back and kissed her again. This time both of them didn't try to stop the kiss. As it broke, disappointment showed in their eyes.
"Someone really should tell Buffy," Willow whispered.
"I agree."
* * *
They walked hand in hand back into the Bronze and over to where Buffy and Angel danced. Buffy looked up from Angel's shoulder and smiled.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" she asked.
Willow nodded as Xander pulled her to him as a slow song started, and they danced.
**One boy, one girl,
Two hearts beating wildly.
To put it mildly,
It was love at first sight.**
Xander lifted Willow's chin to gaze into her eyes. "I love you, Willow Rosenberg, and I don't want to lose you."
**One boy, one girl**
The End
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