When She Was Bad

Late August/Early September

Willow sat legs crossed watching Cordelia Chase, painting her nails. Shaking her head in disbelief she said, "It's your turn."

Glancing up, Cordelia waved her hand in the air. "Okay. They're heeeere."

Willow laughed, who would've guessed Cordy was a closet horror movie fan. "Poltergeist."

"Good! Now, you." Willow shook her head, she didn't watch many scary movies.

"Umm.... Oh, okay. I got one. Heeeeeere's Johnny."

"I will not even dignify that with a guess," said Cordelia, nudging Willow over.

"I couldn't think of anything. I don't like scary movies; real life's weird enough."

"I know. But what else are we gonna do. You won't let me make you over. Xander's gone and Buffy's...."

Before Cordelia could finish Willow shushed her spotting a shape outside the French doors, grabbing a bat Willow moved to one side and Cordelia the other.

Before either girl could react, the doors flew open, Cordelia screeched and Willow swung. Buffy caught it, knocking Willow of balance, "Hi guys. Miss me?"

Looking up from the floor, Willow grinned.

"Like a root canal," said Cordelia, helping Willow up.

Closing the French doors, Willow turned "Buffy, when'd you get back?"

She shrugged, "Just now. Dad drove me over. I figured I'd see what you losers were up to. Imagine my surprise when I heard Cordelia."

Willow settled onto the bed, beside a reclining Cordelia.

"Don't worry. Normally, I wouldn't grace you with my presence but my parents after promising to take me to St. Croix backed out. So here I am travel-less." Buffy opened her mouth to respond, but Willow quickly jumped in.

"Well, it's been a slow summer and Xander still hasn't gotten back from vacation with his parents," she said making a face.

"Interesting look there, Will. Cause you went mental when?" asked Buffy sitting in the computer chair.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just that Xander always has the *worst* luck on vacation with the 'rents. Something bad always happens. Like once they left him in Iowa for a like a week before they noticed he was gone and another time...."

Before she can go on to list the trials and tribulations of a Harris vacation Cordelia interrupted. "So, what did you do? Slay anything big and ugly, well aside from your hair?" Ignoring Cordelia, Buffy turned to Willow.

"Ready for classes?"

Willow nodded eagerly. "I hear there's this great new teacher and...."

Xander sighed--June in New Orleans was hot. Not California hot, but sticky humid southern heat even the nights. Though it was infinitely preferable to Sunnydale nights. Still, being left in another state because your parents forgot they had a child sucked. It was bad enough when his parents used to lose track of him before; now knowing what's out there made it worse, somehow. Shrugging his shoulders, he carried the tray of dishes to the kitchen. At least this time he hadn't ended up in a foster home or jail.

He'd hit a growth spurt, filling out, and gaining a couple inches. He couldn't wait for Buffy to see him. She'd forget all about Angel. Xander snorted. Yeah and my parents actually care about me, he thought.

He guessed Angel was an all right guy for a vamp, but there was just something about him Xander didn't like. Never mind his being a member of the undead. Xander wandered back into the diner absentmindedly clearing tables, picking up dishes, and tips.

Starting suddenly, he glanced around. He could feel the eyes on him--hungry. Seeing no one he decided to make it an early night. Throwing his apron into the locker, he called out to his boss then headed home.

Xander paused on the tree-lined street. He couldn't help but stare at the magnificent architecture in the French Quarter. Whirling suddenly, he could feel the eyes again, he hoped to catch whoever it was in the act. But once again, there's no one. Sighing, he dismissed his paranoia. Resuming his walk he headed for the rundown motel he's been crashing at. The shadow following him drifted into the light. Mad eyes glow in the streetlight. She stood head cocked, holding a doll.

"You were right, Miss Edith. He's a like a little version of Daddy. I can have my own little daddy to love. And when we go home, I'll have two daddies. Ohhh... What do you mean he's not like Daddy, Miss Edith?" The vampiress held the doll to her ear as if listening intently.

"You're right again, Miss Edith. But I can make him like Daddy. I remember aaalll the games Daddy played with me, and we're going to play them with little daddy. The stars tell me we will have such fun and pain." Giggling madly, Drusilla rushed off to start her plans; for soon she'll have a new daddy.

Rick watched the kid jump for the hundredth time in less than twenty minutes. He shook his head sadly. He'd seemed like such a nice guy, but lately he'd been acting like a junkie. Twitchy, nervous, pale, eyes wild, and peaked. Rick grimaced as Xander dropped the tray of glasses he'd been carrying. He was going to have to let him go if he kept this up.

Xander glanced up, hoping no one had noticed the avalanche of shattering glasses. Seeing his boss staring at him, he sighed. He knew he was going to lose this job too. He'd lost three jobs this week. He couldn't understand what was happening to him. He'd thought at first a vampire was stalking him, when he wasn't attacked he'd dismissed the idea. Now, he didn't know what to think. The voices which had started haunting him at night; now followed him into the daylight. The one place he'd thought would be safe.

It started with one voice, the first--dark as the ocean at night. It whispered softly, insistently in his mind. Promises of pleasure, and pain beyond imagining.

He'd tried to block it... but it was invasive, enspelling... trapping him. Soon he'd lost the will to ignore the voice as it chased him in the dark. Always telling him he'd never be alone again, if he would just let go. And some twisted part of him wanted to, to simply let it all drift away but he was Xander Harris. And despite what others thought, he was not a quitter. Strong willed it would take more than that to break him.

Drusilla smiled watching her little daddy heading towards that nasty motel. He heard her in his head. Miss Edith had said he would. She'd said he was special like her, but it was deep, deep because of the pain. But she would find it, dig it up. She drifted slowly behind him ready to start the next phase of her seduction.

July

Sunlight glinted off the mirror in the diner's bathroom that Xander stared into, not even noticing the glare. He snorted at the image staring back at him, he was paler than Dead-boy. He hadn't slept in days and he was running out of places to hide. New job, new motel, every two days but no matter what she found him.

Always.

And though he'd never seen her, he was sure it was a she. The voice. The gifts... he shuddered uncontrollably. The gifts... even when they'd been normal, there had always been a sinister undertone to them. It was just a matter of time. And sure enough... psychoville was the next stop. They had gone from unsettling to a malevolency he'd never seen before. The last one had burned itself into his brain, he couldn't close his eyes with out seeing it.

So, he didn't close them; which only made it easier for the voices to call him. He'd tried calling the gang. No answer. No help... nothing. He was on his own. There was nothing he could do, but pray it went away.

Xander snorted, again. Not fucking likely.

Turning away from the empty-eyed reflection, he left the bathroom. As he cleared the tables, he could feel Patty's eyes on his back. He hadn't done anything, yet. Though it was just a matter of time.

Sooner or later he'd start answering the voices whispering in his head, or he'd see her and the screaming would start. When his hands started to shake, he put the tray down quickly. He hadn't destroyed any property as of yet, he planned on keeping it that way.

"Hey, Xander."

Xander tried not to jump, still his shoulders twitched. "Yeah, Mark."

"Package for you in the back. Looks like someone's got a secret admirer." Xander shuddered. There was no way in hell he was opening another thing from that demented bitch.

However, everyone gathered around him urging him to open it.

"Come on, Xander. Let us see what your sweety sent you."

He really didn't want to do this... especially since it looked just like the last one.

That box had also seemed innocent, sitting on the foot of his bed. Same purple 6x6 box, wrapped with silver ribbons. He'd reached for it just like he was reaching out now. The same eerie feeling, descending on him. An urge to fling the box as far and fast as he could. Morbid curiosity compelled him to open it. His hands unwrapped the silver bow, lifting the simple lid, he reached in. His fingers touched something soft, and warm.

Fragmented pictures assaulted his mind, as he stared at what he held in his hand. His mind shifted and slick red liquid stained his fingers. The smell of blood flooding his senses. A terrified shriek erupted from his throat as he dropped the heart.

The sound of flesh hitting flesh, startled him almost as much as the sharp stinging in his face. A stunned silence settled over the room. Xander blinked staring at the woman in front of him.

"What the hell is wrong with you," cried Patty. Dazed he stared at the plush heart, lying at his feet, certain it had just been wet, real. Glancing around he realized only he and Patty were still in the back room. So caught up in memories come to life, he'd never noticed the others leaving. Patty watched him struggle to get back to reality.

"Xander, I think maybe you should go home now."

"Please... don't--"

"Hush, I'm not going to fire you. I just think you need to get some rest, honey. Take the weekend off. Ok."

Xander sighed, "I'm sorry. Really." Patty gave him a gentle push, "That's all right, honey. Go on, now."

Sunnydale

Buffy walked into the classroom, stopping when she saw Willow and Cordelia. Turning to see what distracted Willow, Cordelia saw Buffy too. Dismissing her Cordelia started talking again. Buffy cautiously headed over to an empty desk next to Willow.

"Hey, Buffy."

"Hey," she said quietly.

"We saved you a seat," said Willow gesturing at the empty spot.

Cordelia snorted, "She saved you a seat. I'm still reserving judgment. I hope you've spanked your inner moppet or whatever..."

Buffy sighed sitting down, "I've gotten over my 'tude as you put. I'm sorry."

"That's ok."

"Whatever," said Cordelia shrugging.

"So what were you guys talking about?"

Willow looked worried, "We were kinda wondering where Xander is. I mean I know his parents are kinda not parents but even they should've remembered school has started."

Cordelia waved her hand, carelessly, "Dork boy will be here soon enough. What are we doing this weekend?"

Willow smiled, "I thought we could..."

Warehouse

Collin looked at all the damage Buffy had done. He stared at the pulverized bits of bone. "I hate that girl."

fin


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