Backfire - Spander Files

attempt to walk again.
Xander and Angelus stared each other down. Xander was reminded of that time in
the crypt when the patch of sunlight separated them. Only this time, the look on the
vampire’s face was one of determination, not desperation.
After several minutes of quiet, Angelus spoke again. “How long you gonna keep us
waiting, boy? I know how tortured you feel right now. What are you trying to
prove?”
Xander’s frame filled the doorway. Giles, Buffy, Willow, Oz, and even Ms
Calendar all had a hand on him, touching his arms and back. The touches were
meant to show support and love, but they didn’t know that any kind of touch was
also soothing, lessoning the itch slightly. Xander felt some of his power come back.
Angelus didn’t have anyone who would touch him like this.
Xander felt in control enough to answer, “Not trying to prove anything. Just not
looking forward to the dying part.”
“Now, now,” Angelus sounded agitated, “never said I was gonna kill you.”
“Yes, you did.”
He thought on that for a moment. “Okay, yes. I did say that. But I’ve changed my
mind.”
“Oh, really? So what’s plan B?”
Just then footsteps could be heard coming down the stairway into the sunken
courtyard. All the humans shouted, “No!” but Angelus was too quick. A second
later, two grocery bags were spilled across the tile and Mrs Franklin was gasping
for breath. Being choked by a vampire was definitely one of the unknown hazards
of being neighbor to a Watcher.
The woman’s eyes were darting from her attacker to the mangled figure on the
ground to the group huddled in the doorway, not helping.