Backfire - Spander Files

“Of course, I’m not safe. But I’ll figure something out on my own! I don’t need
you!”
Xander and Angel were having this very loud and heated argument while standing
in the library surrounded by Buffy and Willow and Giles. Giles was standing near
the men, trying to mediate this unmediatable fight.
“Boys, boys, calm down please,” Giles tried to interject.
Angel ignored him, “I’m the only qualified person in this bunch who’s available.
Buffy has got her sacred duty keeping her busy. She can’t be at your house every
night.”
“I don’t want you at my house every night! Spike said he wasn’t going to kill me
right away. Can’t we just let it go for now?”
“No!” was the collective cry from the other four people in the room. Xander looked
over at Willow and was saddened by the look of fear on her face. He walked over to
her and squatted down in front of the chair she was seated in. He took her hand.
“Wills, I know you’re scared. And I am, too. But until we figure out how to fix it,
then this is the way it is. I’ll cope. I’ll deal. And I’ll not die. Not, yet.”
“Not ever, Xander,” Willow cried. He sighed heavily and stood up to face the group
again.
“I know I’m not safe. I know I’m walking a fine line by…well, just existing right
now. But there are some things that I will not do, and one of those things is have
this dead guy,” Xander pointed at Angel, “as my fucking bodyguard!”
“Xander!” Buffy and Willow gasped.
“Listen, you stupid punk,” Angel hissed out, “you’re really going to risk your own
life just because you hate me? The only thing standing between life and death for
you right now is pride!” Angel stepped up to Xander, put his face in his, and
continued with pure disdain, “You’re going to die bleeding and alone.”