disclaimer: The characters of BtVS belong to Joss Whedon and Co.
Summary: Xander accepts the responisibility of being a vampire slayer's friend.
Buffy made her way through the cemetary with ease. She smiled at Xander walking beside her and listen to his witty commenatry on an unusually slow night of slaying.
"Thanks for coming with." She told him sincerely.
"No problem, if you can't count on your friends to endanger their lives while helping you slay some pesky vamp, then what good are they?" He joked .
"And it's been so slow lately." Buffy told him as she took a seat on top of a large marker.
"Sorry to dissapoint, Slayer" A rather large vamp appeared from behind a crypt.
He lunged towards Buffy, she quickly dispatched him, but before his dust could settle, three more appeared,
Xander fought hard he managed to dust one of the vamps the two remaining had Buffy cornered, Xander quickly came up behind the larger of the two and staked him through the back.
Buffy was momentarily distracted watchng Xander to make sure he was okay, the vamp took advangtage of the moment and threw her hard against the crypt, she sank to the ground stunned, Xander ran towards the vamp who with an ugly grin pulled out a gun. Xander looked at him "A gun, not very vampy?"
"I'm not a vampire, boy. I'm a bounty hunter hired by some vamps though."
"Xander run." Buffy screamed as she struggled to her feet. Xander blinked a moment then decided to run circling the crypt and come up behind the man again.
The man turned to her, "Oh, I'm not going to shoot your little friend, Slayer. Won't get paid for him." And with that the gun went off, Buffy felt the impact of the bullet hit her chest, she could feel the blood gushing and running down her chest, her last thought was that she hoped Xander had made it to safety before she drifted off into unconciousness.
Xander was half way around the crypt when he heard the gunshot. His heart skipped a beat as he peeked around the corner, the man was standing over Buffy.
"Goodbye, Slayer. Gotta run and collect my bounty. ." He stomped off through the cememtary.
When the man was safely gone, Xander ran to Buffy's side, he knelt and checked her pulse, it was there although weak and her chest was rising and falling though unevenly. He lifted her gently into his arms and started to walk out of the cemetary.
A noise rustling in the bushes startled him, for safetys sake he took Buffy into a crypt and blocked the door. Shortly he heard the sound of soft voices, "I didn't see a body, the hunter lied."
"But there was blood, possibly her little friend took the body?"
"I'll get the reenforcements, we'll comb the grounds." The first vamp replied.
The two voices got softer as they walked away from the crypt. "Reenforcements, great." Xander said outloud.
"He moved Buffy out of site behind a monument in the corner of the crypt and knelt beside her. She was pale and her breathing off, but her eyes were fluttering open. "Xander, what happened?" It came out in a choked whisper.
"Shh, you were shot. I've got a compress on the wound, and I think the bleeding is slowing down. I'll get you to the hospital as soon as the coast is clear." He told her pushing the hair from he forehead.
"It's bad isn't it?" She looked at him fear in her eyes.
"Yes, it is, but it's gonna be okay, your Xander shaped friend promises it's gonna be okay." He told her encouragingly trying to hold back tears.
"Xander, I've got to tell you some things, just in case." She said softly.
"No, Buffy. There is no just in case, you are going to be fine." He said more roughly then he had meant to.
"Xander, please." She implored him pain in her hazel eyes.
Xander softly shook his head okay.
"First tell my Mom I'm sorry for all the trouble I've put her through, I love her and I tried to be a good daughter."
Xander nodded his head "She knows."
"Please let Giles know, that I considered him more of a faher then my own. He did the best he could for me."
Tears were sliding down both of their faces now.
Buffy took a small breath and continued "Willow is the best friend you could ever ask for. Tell her I love her and I wasn't in pain."
"I love you, Buffy." The words slipped out before he could stop them. He was rewarded with a radiant smile.
"I know Xander, I've always known. Maybe things would have been easier if I had loved you that way too. But my heart belongs to Angel, and you've never tested the boundaries of our friendship even when you had a chance during that love spell. You are a dear friend Xander and I love you for it."
He smiled down at her. "You are a dear friend too, Buffy." And he placed a soft kiss on her forehead as she closed her eyes and took another deep breath, tears rolled down her cheeks.
"It does hurt." She sighed softly then she began to talk again "You have to tell Riley how special he was to me how he offered me a second chance at happiness."
"I will, Buffy." Xander answered looking out the small window above the door he noticed that it would be daylight soon.
He gathered Buffy into his arms and lifted her walking towards the door. She shifted painfully and looked up at him "One more person, Xander. You have to promise to talk to Angel for me. You have to tell him that I never quit loving him no matter what. Can you do that? Promise me." She asked in a painful voice.
"I promise, now hush we're going to the hospital." He told her as the tears rolled down his face and he walked quickly to a payphone and called the ambulance.
Later.........
The young Doctor came out of the ER with a grim look on his face. Xander winced his stomach knotted. He stood and the doctor began to talk "She's going to survive by some miracle the bullet missed vital organs but she has suffered from extreme blood loss so she'll be here a while. She wants to see you."
Xander entered the room to find the tiny Slayer looking more frail then he have ever seen her. She was hooked up to an infuser with blood being pumped into her pale body. She managed a small smile.
"Thank you Xander." She said softly, "I thought, I thought it was over." She sobbed softly.
"I know, but I promised you it would be okay. Your old friend Xander doesn't lie." He placed his hand over hers. She gave it a light squeeze.
"Xander all that stuff I told you in the crypt." She started but was interuppted by Xander.
"It goes no further Buffy. Don't worry."
"No, Xander, I meant all of it. And when the time really does come, I want you to be the one to tell them all, okay?" She asked solemnly.
He looked into those big hazel eyes and nodded "Okay." He said softly as he leaned into brush her forehead with his lips, she moved her head up and placed her lips on his in a soft kiss. Xander looked at her in shock. "Thanks Xander for everything. I'm going to rest now." She told him as she closed her eyes, she was soon sleeping her hand firmly in the hand of her friend.
The End