AUTHOR'S NOTE: This takes place during BBB. That would be the upcoming episode due to air on February 10, 1998. That said, I haven't seen the ep but I'm creating theories and making guesses and taking all that from just the thirty second preview.
DISCLAIMER: None of the characters of this fic belong to me. They belong to Joss "Da Man" Whedon. Any dialogue that appears on the show also belongs to Joss while any that doesn't belongs to me. No toe-stepping is intended. The title is taken from a Pink Floyd song. The quote is taken from the Verve Pipe song "The Freshmen". The ultimate title of this piece is from an Eagles song.
STORY NOTES: This is the epilogue. This one deals with the after-effects of the other three pieces. At this point, all of these stories step out of the time-stream and exist within mine.
"I can't be held responsible Cause she was touching her face I won't be held responsible She fell in love in the first place"
"Xander, your elbow," she growled as she gave him a less than delicate shove that pushed him into the still sleeping Slayer.
"Hey! Will..be nice. She's already gonna hurt me for taking her out..I don't want to deal with a cranky Slayer who's pissed because I woke her up, too." Xander protested as he moved over-so-slightly to allow Buffy's head to fall back against his chest.
"Too late, "Buffy moaned. "I'm awake and you are so going to pay.." she lurched forward and then stopped abruptly and put a hand to the back of her head, "Ow, it wasn't a dream."
"Um, nope." Xander said with a shy smile. "Um, this is kinda my fault. It's a long story."
"Ugh, I imagine. All I remember is you, me, the library, a black robe, Angel, blonde rats and then getting hit over the head. You hit me?"
"Yeah," Xander nodded.
She looked down at her hands and then whispered, "Thank you." Reaching forward, she gave him a hug and then she placed a hand on the arm of the couch and tried to push herself up. "Ow..I'm gonna get some Tylenol."
"No, hey, sit down. I'll do that," Xander said quickly as he pulled her back down into the sitting position. Then he stood, "It's the least I can do."
"Yeah," Willow chimed in, "And Oz and I can fill you in on what happened."
"Okay," Buffy replied. "Besides, my head really doesn't want me to get up. I think for once I'll listen. Ow. Ow. Cripes, Xand, what did you hit me with? A lead pipe?"
"Something like that," he muttered before beating a hasty retreat to the kitchen. Maybe it would have been easier if she had been pissed and wanted to kick his ass. Then at least he wouldn't have to think about what it was that had started the whole mess.
"Xander?"
He looked up at the open kitchen door, "Cordelia?"
"Hi," she said softly, walking a few steps into the kitchen. "I thought maybe we could talk."
"Thinking? You? Wow..." Xander said. Almost immediately he slapped himself mentally. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
"You know what? Never.."
"No, hey, wait..I'm sorry. It was instinct. I'm sorry..about everything..."
"I know," Cordelia said softly.
He didn't seem to hear her,"I tried to get you back but I guess I had no right.."
"Xander.."
"I mean, everything I did and the stupid spell. I tried to take a short-cut and I'm sorry. I wouldn't blame.."
"Xander, shut up!" Cordelia hissed, leaning forward and kissing him hard.
After a long moment, he broke away reluctantly, "So...you're not mad?"
"Wrong, Romeo..I'm furious." Pulling back, she slapped him sharply across the face and then she leaned forward again and kissed his reddened cheek. "But I think it's cute, too."
"You..you do?" Xander asked in astonishment.
"God help me but yeah," Cordelia grinned, kissing him again. He wrapped his arms around her and their passionate embrace deepened.
"So," he asked between breath consuming kisses, "Does this mean that we're back together?"
"Well, yes. As long as you promise no more weird spells. They're just icky."
"What made you change your mind?"
She chuckled, "I realized that none of the people I tried to please by dumping you would have ever gone as far as you did to keep us together. Even if it was way weird." Then she grinned, "That and I really like the necklace you got me."
"Oh..right." Xander said shyly. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. "It's yours." Reaching around her, he slipped it around her neck and clasped it, kissing her neck as he passed over it. "You're beautiful."
"I know," she replied with a large grin. Her eyes twinkled devilishly. With a small laugh, she reached up, grabbed him by the collar and then pushed him against the wet-bar.
"Hey, Xand, what happened to the Tylen..oh. Oh." Buffy murmured. "Hi guys," she chirped. "Um, not on the counter, okay? I have to eat on that."
"Sure, Buffy." They both laughed.
She sighed and shook her head, "I am so going back to bed."
