Title: Sacrificial Lamb

Author: Aslan

E-mail: aslan_g@mailcity.com

Rating:R

Summary:Xander is taken hostage by a Vampire Cult.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the BTVS Characters, Joss Whedon, The WB and Mutant Enemy own them. I do not own Descartes quote and in point of fact in my Philosophy class they said it was more like "I think, I am", but i digress I wouldn't want to own it. I only own the story and Maybe Jenness.

Distribution: If you want it, please ask. And let me know where it is.

Feedback: Please! I need it!

Spoilers: None

Author's Note:I wrote this (most of it)in my Psyc Class during a 15 minute break...so please tell me if it sucks! Oh, and Xander Naked was necessary for the plot-really it was.





Sacrificial Lamb

His head was ringing-it felt like a full-scale marching band was keeping time within his aching brain. Bright stars flickered madly, blossoming into dazzling displays of pyrotechnics behind his closed eyelids. He was feverish, nauseous and weak from blood loss but that the fact that he could comprehend these facts seemed like a pretty good sign to him.

He had heard that a crazy man was always the last one to question his sanity or lack thereof-he figured it worked the same way with dying. He couldnt possibly be dead if he could rationally question it. Descartes Famous words come to mind 'I think, therefore I am.' So as long as he perceived that he was alive he must be-besides he was sure a dead man would not be running a fever or hurting so God damn much!

The side of his face from his temple to his chin was coated with a dark sticky liquid that was rapidly running down his neck and congealing on his shoulder blade. If he could possibly open his eyes or at least speak- he'd probably laugh- well, maybe not. The Hellmouth seemed to have a real obsession for him- if it wasn't an evil, inanimate gateway to hell, he would almost think it was stalking him.

Whatever the Case it seemed to have it in for one Xander Lavelle Harris, perhaps tonight would be the night the Hellmouth finally beat him. He wanted to collapse back into the peaceful oblivion whence he had come but he knew by the rhythmic chanting and movement he could sense around him- that now was not a good time to surrender to his desire for the yawning void of tranquility he desired.

He tried to search through his hazy memories to discover what had happened to him earlier that night but it was all a blur. He couldn't concentrate with the resounding and incoherent babble surrounding him- he knew it was Latin- just not exactly what was being said. When he finally was able tentatively, to open his eyes he was shocked with two new horrifying and unexpected realities.

One- he was completely, utterly; embarrassingly naked, Two- his wrists and ankles were securely manacled to the hard table upon which he was trussed up like a turkey for the slaughter. Shards of broken glass from God knows where, were cutting sharply into his strong, supple flesh. The painful flash of light that struck him like a slap when he opened his eyes, and the strange haze that surrounding him was continuously drawing back allowing him to view his current predicament with disbelief and fear.

He was trapped naked and painfully vulnerable at the hands of what could only be called a cult- a Vampire cult. As he watched their antics with shock and trepidation as the Vamps danced, undulating gracefully around what appeared to be a large pyre- a funeral pyre. It was a rite of resurrection.

He didn't question his knowledge or how it came to him-he just knew. Which would make him-the blood sacrifice or virginal sacrifice- pick your desired sacrificial criteria, he was it. Which scared the crap out of him-'How come I get to do all the fun stuff?' He questioned exasperatedly. The Vampires continued to move around the fire in their pagan dance of worship and restoration. There was a heavy thudding sound coming from a door just behind him, grunts and yells which he presumed were part of this little ceremony. He decided he needed to adopt a proactive strategy, if he was gonna die- it would be with a damn hard fight!

"Excuse Me!" He cried to a Vampire off to his right. "Excuse me Suck-face, but what the fuck's going on?"

The Vamp grinned-full of ignorance and hate, at the tiny human-child trying to talk brave even as fear gnawed at his heart. "What's going on? You don't need to know what's going on boy-except that your death comes soon enough, besides a base creature such as yourself could never comprehend the rites of Jenness; the Beautiful-the Corrupter! She will rise again and devour you whole worm, then I will mop up your entrails and roast them on the fire!" The Vamp finished grinning in expectation.

"Wow, sounds like a good time, I'm sorry I'll miss it! Question, though-what kind of sacrifice am I supposed to be? Huh, you worthless sack of blood?" Xander was pushing it but he didn't give a damn- he was dead anyway.

The Ugly Vampire grinned "You are the sacrifice of light."

"Damn!" Xander cried. "What happened to the good old Virgin sacrifice!"

The Vampire stared at him strangely. "Oh, I'm not a Virgin." Xander explained in defense of his Manhood. "I just figured, (maybe hoped would be a better word for it) you grabbed the wrong guy or something. Damn it! I finally stop being eligible for the whole Virgin Sacrifice thing only to be sacrificed for something else! Shouldn't there be some kind of rule- you shall be offered up for Human sacrifice only once in a lifetime, then you shall be free or something!"

Just then a cry of reverence and awe erupted from the followers around the pyre as a deep blue mist appeared and danced around the fire, moving slowly, methodically towards Xander. Everyone standing within touching distance suddenly backed off as though he had the plague. Despite his fever he realized this was a very bad sign, if the Monsters were afraid of this thing then he had no chance.

Meanwhile outside the doors the Slayer and the rest of the Scooby gang-including a pissed off Angel, and the ever complaining Cordelia were trying desperately to fight their way through a mass of Vampires determined not to let them pass. Fortunately they were no match for the angry Slayer and her companions. Within Moments they were before the Door, unchallenged except for the lock that stood between them and whatever horror was occurring within. Angel took up the task of knocking the door down but it was the Slayer who finally forced the door open when she heard Xander's voice cry out in pain.

They were astounded by the sight before them a hulking Vampire was trying to desperately hold down a NAKED thrashing Xander as a blue light approached from a nearby fire.

He didn't know how he knew but Xander knew he could not let that seemingly beautiful light touch him...In it he saw and felt pure, unadulterated evil. He began to buck, and flail his limbs against their restraints. Unfortunately he was too weak and soon his struggles along with the blows of the Vampire took their toll- and he was out like a light.

The spectre gazed entranced upon the beautiful youth chosen as her sacrificial lamb-she could feel his power, his strength still unsung- she wanted him but not like this, not by force. He was chosen well but she had never expected her desire for him to be so strong. A sacrifice was a sacrifice-you felt nothing for them-this boy was different, and would be treated accordingly. The Blue mist retreated back into the fire; it had just felt the presence of a Slayer. Better to let them think the rites had failed, than to be hunted by them while she was still weak.

"XANDER!" Buffy screamed. Charging through the horde of Vampires to free him. The Entire Scooby gang pulled out their weapons to kick some crazy Vampire Ass.

It took a little longer to clear the field this time stupid Vampires were one thing, crazy cult-like zealots were quite another, they seemed determined to protect whatever it was they'd been calling from the Fire. Which was fine by Buffy- it was better when they didn't run-there was nothing better than a dead Vampire, impaled upon her stake.

Twenty minutes later the entire Gang stood assembled around Xander. "Um, Giles why is he Naked?" Buffy asked shocked barely able to take her eyes off the Boy in front of her. Who knew that behind that smart-assed, clown Fagade was a God! He was beautiful! "Umm, Girls... Could we please close our Mouths and step back now Please." Giles said with a disgusted expression. "I highly doubt if the positions were reversed you'd want anyone ogling you when you were so vulnerable besides he's hurt we have to get him out of these restraints and to a hospital!"

"Ooh!" Buffy cried blushing deeply as she pulled her sweater off and covered him from the waist down. As her hands connected with his flesh she felt a curious flash of electricity. Uh-oh, I can't be doing this Buffy thought in Shock! Xanders a friend just a friend, a very cute,sweet,sexy friend, No! Buffy kicked her insane thoughts right out of her mind, for now at least.

Angel looked at her strangely as she began to work at Xander's restraints-they were tight and had bitten into his wrists and ankles drawing blood, and tearing the flesh.

Buffy glared up at Angel, "A little help would be nice, Angel! Jeez!" she urged anxiously. The Vampire proceeded to break the cuffs on the boy's ankles -quickly and easily as the Slayer worked on freeing his wrists. When that was done everyone was at a loss as to what to do with the unconscious, naked Man before them. Everyone exchanged a curious look- "Now what do we do?" Willow asked cautiously "He's ummm...still naked?"

Giles moved forward from his post across the room with a dark bundle in his arms. "Cordelia, Willow, and Oz go out to the van and clear a place for Xander to lay, be very careful- we don't know what was going on in here, it's best to be prepared for the worst." "Buffy and Angel keep watch, while I get some pants on him! Buffy keep watch the other way Please! Just turn your back for a moment!" Giles was a second away from losing his cool- so everyone made to obediently follow his orders.

"Is he okay Giles?" Buffy asked worriedly. "I just want to know he's going to be alright?"

Giles could hear the Concern in his Slayer's voice but he didn't know what to tell her-he wasn't sure this was going to workout all right at all. Giles gingerly began the arduous task of dressing the boy trying to carefully avoid aggravating the many serious wounds he had sustained.

He could barely control his reaction to Xander's condition-he could tell the Boy was badly hurt and he knew if he vocalized his concern the Slayer would... as the Children were so fond of saying "Wig" out! So he simply worked as quickly and carefully as he could to get the matter over with so they could get him to the hospital as fast as they possibly could. He couldn't help but wish that there were a Vampire left from the carnage so he could stake him in retaliation for the boy's pain. God knows revenge solves nothing but it does help to work out aggression!

Very gently the Slayer and Angel carried the wounded boy out to Oz's Van. The Others had cleared a space in the back and covered the floor with blankets in order to make Xander as comfortable as possible. Oz, Willow, Buffy, And Giles rode with Xander in the Van, while Angel and Cordy piled into his car with the promise to meet them at Sunnydale Memorial hospital. It took them about fifteen minutes to get through the snarled traffic to the Emergency entrance of the Hospital. Throughout the whole drive Buffy tearfully held Xander's hand tightly in hers, as he jerked and spasmed in pain.

From the Way his eyes were moving behind his eyelids Giles could tell the boy was dreaming and by the expression on his face Giles could tell that they were far from pleasant. Xander was sweating profusely and Buffy was pale as a ghost.

The fear in her eyes as she looked questioningly at him, begging him for some, any reassurance of the Boy's condition, made his stomach do flip-flops. He had no answers for her this time.