Backfire - Spander Files

Cordelia? And Ms Calendar.”
Giles nodded, then stopped just before he left the room and asked, “Should I contact
your parents?”
Xander took just a moment before he shook his head. “My family’s here.”
So two short hours later, the gang plus two sat in a semi-circle around Xander’s
deathbed. Willow took Buffy’s place, holding Xander’s hand. This time it was out
of love and friendship, not protection. Spike refused his chair, choosing instead to
lay next Xander. The two whispered a conversation to each other that Buffy easily
overheard.
Their foreheads pressed together, Xander asked of Spike, “Promise me?”
“Already told you before.”
“Promise me.”
“Couldn’t even if I wanted to. All these people around.”
“Promise me.”
“…I promise.”
It was sealed with a chaste kiss that Cordelia couldn’t help but grimace at slightly.
No one saw her.
Xander hitched in a sudden breath and everyone tensed. Giles’ grip on the boy’s leg
tightened as he asked, “Xander?”
Xander shook off the intensifying heat inside himself and gave his best ‘all’s well’
smile. “Time for the teary goodbyes. Could I get any more Hollywood
melodrama?”
Giles bowed his head to hide his smile.