Where Did The Time Go: The Beginning
by Seth
Disclamer:All characters belong to Joss Whedon,Mutant Enemy ,The WB and so on.
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"Ok! OK! how about telling me some stories of when you and dad started working together."
Faith nodded her head and said"All right set back and I'll tell you the true stories of Faith The Vampire Slayer and her sidekick Xander."
Xander raised his hand "Uh sidekick?"
"Xander?"
"Yes dear?"
"Shut up."
"Yes dear."
Faith set down on the couch next to her daughters and said"Now this story goes all the way back and I mean all the way back to the beginning."
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Fifteen years ago
"Xander are you sure this is what you really want?"asked Buffy
"Thats the tenth time you've asked me that question Buffy and the answer is still yes."
"Your really sure Xander?"
"Yes Buffy."
This whole conversation had been going on since the moment at the hospital when he told everyone he wasn't planning on going to London with them,but was going to stay behind with Faith.They all had immediately begin to try to talk him out of staying.All of them except Willow that is.She hadn't said a word to him since that moment and he was starting to worry about her.Now that they had arrived at the airport for the trip to London, many of the new Potentials turned Slayers had come up to him to tell him goodbye or to thank him for everything he had done for them.But not Willow, she just sets there quietly with her head hung down in her seat at the ticket gate.
"I'll ask you one last time Xander and than I'll respect your wishes,but are you sure this is what you want to do?"Giles asked.
"Yeah G-man it is I plan on staying with Faith for a while and work with her trying to find some of the new Slayers on the west coast."
Noding his head Giles stuck out his hand and said"Goodbye Xander and thank you for everything you'v done over the years"
"I'am not dying Giles I'am just not heading to London right now with you guys but your welcome anyway."said Xander shaking Giles hand.
Xander turned and walked over and knelled in front of Willow taken her hand in his and putting his other hand under her chin and making her look up.Xander was shocked at the sight of tears in her eyes.
"Ok this non-verbal Willow is starting to freak me out"said Xander."come on Will speak to me tell how your feeling
."You want to know how I'am feeling Xander I'll tell you I feel like SHIT!"
That shocked Xander, except for that time he stoled her Barbies when they were kids,she had never cursed at him.
"I'am losing my bestfriend since as far back as I can remember. How else am I suppose to feel?"
"Look Will I'v explained this to you before, your not losing me and this is not forever."
"It sure feels like it."said Willow with tears starting to fall.
Oh great Xander thought.I could never stand Willow crying.
"Look what with Woods gone Faith needs time to deal with it and with Anya gone I need time to deal with my pain The way I see it maybe we can help each other out ."
"You can't do that in London with us?"Willow asked him.
"No I can't."
"So this is for real."asked Buffy"your going to bust up the Scobby Gang to stay behind with Faith."
"Only for a short time."said Xander.
"Ladies Xander is a grown man and if he chooses to stay behind we must respect his wishes."said Giles
"Thanks for the support Giles."
"But who's going to do the Snoopy dance for me at Christmas time?" Willow asked him
"Andrew"
"But who's going to stay up with me and Willow when we watch the India Channel on late night cable?" asked Buffy.
"Kennedy,Oh I know she dosen't know all the best gossip like me or can braid hair as well as I can but you can teach her like you both taught me."
Well at least that one got a smile out of Buffy Xander thought.But he was still worried about Willow he could still tell she was majorly depressed.
"Willow,I'am not doing this just for me.You know this is a rough time for Faith what with Woods dying in her arms on the bus.She dosen't need to be alone right now,someone should be with her."
"And you'v decided that person should be you?"
"Yeah I quess so."
"UNITED AIR LONDON FLIGHT 170 IS NOW BOARDING AT GATE 16."the annoucement came over the loudspeaker.
"Well I'am afraid that is our flight."said Giles.
Giles walked up to Xander and put his hands on Xanders shoulders"I shall miss you Xander and I do think you again for all that you have done over the years."
Swallowing the lump in his throat Xander could only say"Your wellcome and thanks for being there for me when I needed a father figure in my life."
Smiling Giles turned around and begin to herd all the new Slayers on to the plane for the long trip to London.That left Xander alone with only Buffy,Willow and Dawn.Dawn who had been leaning against the wall with her arms crossed not saying a word simply pushed herself off the wall and brushed past Xander without giving him a hug or one word goodbye.She showed her ticket to the lady at the gate and than boarded the plane.
"I quess I shouldn't have expected much from Dawn after the way she waylaid into me when I announced I was staying behind."Xander said to Buffy.
"You know she loves you Xan its just hard for her to bear you staying here with Faith and her in London,what with her crush on you."
"What about you Buffy are you ok with this?"
"Honestly no, but Giles is right about its your life and you have the right to choose whats best for you.But I know also the fact that you have a big heart and you care for people and thats the reason you want to stay behind and make sure Faiths all right."
Xander smiled and held out both arms and both girls rushed in for their last group hug for quite sometime.
"I love you Xander and you take care of yourself."Willow told him.
"I love you too Will and I'll be careful."
"That goes double for me Xander."Buffy said"I love you and like Giles I want to thank you for everything you'v done for me."
"Oh you mean like giving you CPR to bring you back from the dead?Don't sweat it it was no big thing."
Buffy laughed and gave Xander another squezze.
"Willow Buffy its time to go."they heared Giles yell from the gate enterance.
Breaking up the hug Xander took each girl in one hand and walked them to the gate.The girls showed their tickets and headed for the plane.But just before they got out of sight they turned toward Xander and waved.
"You do know that both of you have been my bestfriends my whole life and and I love both of you.And don't forget what I said I will be back with you soon."Xander yelled to them.
Both girls nodded and waved one last time before turning and walking to the plane.Xander noticed that Giles had hung back one last time to speak with him.
"Xander I want you to know that there is an open ticket for both you and Faith to use any time you want to come to London."
"Thanks Giles I'll let Faith know."
"Where is Faith by the way?"
"She's hanging back outside.She said something about hating big teary goodbyes."
"Yes that sounds like her."Giles said smiling"Please thank her for us on all she did to battle the First."
"I will Giles and goodbye."Xander said shaking Giles hand one last time.
"Goodbye Xander."
Xander watched Giles walk to the plane until he was out of sight,than he went to the window and said a small prayer for a safe flight and watched the plane take off.He watched it until he lost complete sight of it.Slowly Xander turned around and for a second realized the consequences of his actions.For the first time in all most seven years he was alone.No Willow to do all the silly things they'v done together since they were kids.No Giles to show him how a man is suppose to behave and to have all the answers.No Buffy to slay with and give his life purpose.Lord he missed his friends all ready,but I'am not alone he realized.Faith is here and she needs my help even though she doesn't fully realize that yet.
Xander walk out to the parking garage and found Faith leaned up against the large SUV Giles had bought for them smoking a cigarette.
"Are they gone?"Faith asked him.
"Yeah and they were disappointed that you weren't there to tell them goodbye."
"I told you why I didnt want to be there."
"I know your not big on the big mushy goodbyes."
"Thats right and thats why I had you to tell them goodbye for me."
"You know Faith I know your not as tough as you try to act and you miss Buffy right now as I speak don't you?"
"Shut up Xander.Did Giles have an assignment for us or what
"Yeah there has been a few reports of a woman in San Francisco with great strength running around stopping crimes there.Giles want's us to go there and see if she's a new Slayer or what.
"Well Xan jump in,"said Faith thumping her cigarette on the ground"and lets burn rubber for San Fran and find this new Slayer."
Xander smiled as he climbed into the passanger seat and latched his seatbelt.He didn't now where this journey with Faith was going to lead him,but he knew it would a fun and exciting ride.
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"And thats how your father and I got started on our first assignment together."said Faith.
"Are there more stories?"asked Buffy
"Oh yeah sweatheart!" said Xander"A lot more."
"Will you tell me the rest of them mom?"
"Sure dear"said Faith.
To Be Continued
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