Becoming What, Exactly?: Part 34
by Theory Queen
Xander went by Cordelia's house before returning to Willow's, to have a talk with her. He knew she wouldn't like what he had to say, but he had to tell her. "Cordelia," he said. "I want you to know that I like you. A lot. And I'm really lucky to be dating the most popular girl in school, but the truth is that I realized I love Willow. Now, I don't know if I even have a chance with her -- but even if I don't, I like and respect you too much to make you play second fiddle."

Cordelia nodded. She'd been expecting this ever since her phone call from Willow yesterday, informing her of Oz's defection. That didn't take away the humiliation of being dumped by a dweeb, but at least it was understandable. And he was right - she didn't want to play second fiddle to anyone! In fact, "That's okay," she said sweetly. "I was going to break up with you later on today anyway. I just found out my dad's been transferred to -"

" - New York?" Xander asked snidely. She nodded and looked at him strangely. "Oh, maybe you'll see Oz there. He just told me he's going to college in New York. And maybe you'll see Buffy and Spike there, too. Boy, at this rate, you might even find another hellmouth!"

"Hmm. Oz is going there too?" she asked coyly. Xander rolled his eyes and took his leave.

Giles had reached Willow before Xander did, and she wasn't home when he stopped by. Knowing the limited number of places she was likely to be, he headed for the library. Bingo.

"Xander!" Willow said. "I tried to call you but you weren't home. Adam's back from New York."

"With Buffy?"

"Actually, no," Adam said, coming out of Giles' office followed by the man himself. "Hard as this is to believe, she's staying in New York with Spike."

"The ritual worked!" Willow informed Xander in an excited squeal. "It worked! I did a powerful magic spell, and it worked!"

"Wow. That's great, Will. So she's staying there, huh. Great." Xander's tone of voice belied his words.

"The ritual seems to have had a curious side-effect as well," said Giles, as usual ignoring the by-play of his charges. He was holding a letter. "It seems that, due to some of Willow's substitutions in the text in addition to the use to two orbs of Thesula at opposite ends of the country, the ritual also restored the souls of all the vampires between here and New York City. I got this letter from the Watcher Council this morning." He put it on the table, and Xander snatched it up.

"Wow, holy vampires, Batman!" he quipped.

Adam grinned. "Nice change from the usual unholy kind, I must say!"

"Yes, Willow, you have congratulations sent from the Council, from Father Joe, and from Brother Luka. Well done. Well done, indeed!" Giles beamed at his protégé, who had gone red, smiling, and speechless.


This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=9629