The way I saw it, it had to be mistaken identity. Obviously these
     guys were sent out to find some woman for their boss and had
     loused it up somehow. When Buffy had gone home to avoid
     getting grounded, I considered just telling the others to forget it
     and go home, but a part of me was thrilled by the fact that they
     were all making such a fuss over me.

     A feeling of guilt washed over me when I realized that both Giles
     and Xander were still racing to find out about Dalton, who was
     after me and I was sitting there mooning over Xander. I quickly
     resumed reading. The words on the page seemed fuzzy, but I
     made myself keep going. I figured that if they were searching, I
     should be, too.

     At first when I saw the name I didn't quite believe it--I had to be
     imagining it. I blinked, but it remained on the page before me.
     DALTON BIZET. I stared at it a moment. It probably didn't mean
     anything; it was probably just a coincidence. If you look through
     enough books, you're sure to come across whatever name you
     are looking for. On the other hand, if this was the Dalton we were
     looking for, we would know what we were dealing with and maybe
     we could call it a night. I rose to my feet and announced that I had
     found something.

     Xander was on his feet and by my side almost before I managed
     to get the words out. He peered at the book over my shoulder. He
     was so close that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. My
     heart thumped faster and I found it hard to concentrate on
     anything but his presence.

     "Which manuscript is that?" Giles inquired, looking up at us from
     his chair.

     I flipped the book shut, keeping the page marked with one hand.
     "Demon Legends and Lore," I read. Demon. What if the Dalton
     who was after me--if of course, he really was after me-really was a
     demon? If he actually was a demon, what if he came after me and
     Xander got in the way? Or Giles for that matter. I sank down into
     my chair. It had to be a mistake. What would a demon want with
     me, anyway?

     "Couldn't you have at least married a human?" Xander asked,
     smiling weakly at me. "I mean..." For once in his life, he looked like
     he was at a loss for words. Meanwhile my mind was racing. I
     couldn't let him become involved in this. I would never forgive
     myself if something should happen to him...

     I didn't even notice that the book was sliding from my grasp until
     Xander grabbed it from me, quickly handing it off to Giles. Then he
     knelt down beside my chair and wrapped his arms around me,
     pulling me closer. It was kind of an awkward hug, but it still felt
     right, being nestled against him. For a few minutes I was aware of
     nothing but Xander's breath against my cheek, and the rhythmic
     beating of his heart that I could feel as he held me against him.

     "All right," Giles announced. "Do you...eh...want the long version
     or the...uh...the short version?"
 
                            Short Version

                            Long Version
 
     As Giles told the story my mind began to race. Harberge...not
     exactly Rosenberg, but when you factored in the name
     Azalea...Then, when Giles mentioned that this Dalton demon was
     intent on claiming his bride I knew that he was indeed the same
     one that had sent his men to fetch me. Then when Giles told of
     the horrible slaughter of Lissette's...my...family and friends I began
     to feel downright sick. I couldn't let that happen to Mom or Dad, or
     Buffy or Giles...or Xander!

     "So what do we do now? We can't just sit here..." I could see
     Xander's lips moving, but stopped hearing the words as my whole
     life started flashing before me. Instead of all the happy memories
     that should have been, however, I kept picturing each person that
     I had spent time with dead--killed trying to protect me.

     I'm not sure when I moved, but when I again returned my focus to
     the present I was in Xander's lap and he was rocking me, stroking
     my hair as if I was his child. My cheeks were wet with the tears
     that I didn't realize I'd been crying. "Hey, Wills," he spoke tenderly.
     "Don't worry, we'll get you through this. It doesn't have to end the
     same way..." With all my family and friends dead, with me taking
     my own life...He paused and seemed to rethink his choice of
     words. "It won't end the same way. We're gonna beat it. I promise."

     I looked up at him, trying to keep myself calm. "You have to leave
     me Xander," I informed him. There was no way I would put his life
     at risk. "I can't have you near me. I won't put you, or Buffy, or
     Giles, in danger."

     "You're not getting rid of me. I can't speak for Buffy or Giles, but I
     would rather die than live knowing I wasn't there for you."

     That was exactly what I didn't want to have happen. There had to
     be some way to stop it. I felt tears spilling forth down my cheeks
     again. I tried to push away from him. If he wouldn't leave, I was
     going to have to. He only held me tighter, trying to keep me with
     him. There was only one way I could think of to make him
     understand. "Let me go, damn it!" I tried to muster up some anger.
     I wasn't mad, but I had to make him think that I was. Otherwise he
     would never leave.

     I managed to pull away from him while he was still surprised over
     my slight outburst. I had to get out of here fast, though, or he
     would realize what I was doing. I wasn't even aware of Buffy's
     presence until she grabbed my arm.

     "Will, it's all right," she tried to soothe me. "Xander and I are going
     to get you home and I'll stay with you..."

     "NO!" I croaked. "Just stay away from me! I won't get you killed--I
     wont!" I yanked my arm out of Buffy's grasp and ran from the
     library. I knew she could easily overtake me, but I was hoping that
     she would at least keep Xander from following. She probably
     knew full well what I was doing.

     She didn't catch up with me until I was already out in the parking
     lot. "Will, wait!" she called.

     I stopped and turned to make sure that Xander wasn't with her. He
     was nowhere to be seen. I allowed Buffy to catch up to me. I
     wouldn't be able to out run her even if I tried, anyway. "What am I
     going to do, Buffy?" I asked, not really expecting an answer. "I
     would never forgive myself if Dalton hurt any of you. I have to go
     away from here." I began telling her about all the horrible images I
     had seen when my life flashed before me. I'm not sure how long I
     talked, but we were quite a distance away from the school before
     Buffy finally interrupted me.

     "Will, now is not the time to be alone. Let us stay with you, let us
     be there for you...We've gotten through tough times before.
     Remember, you have something Lissette didn't."

     I looked at her questioningly.

     "A best bud who happens to have slayed demons," she reminded
     with a slight grin.

     I forced myself to smile back. Maybe she was right. I mean, she
     had rescued us time and again from other evil creatures, why
     wouldn't she this time? The best thing to do would be what she
     said--let her stay with me until Dalton made his appearance. Then
     she could slay him and it would all be over. I just had to make sure
     that everyone else was in a safe place where Dalton wouldn't try
     to come after them to get to me. We had to go back to the library
     and get Xander and Giles. Then we could all hole up at my house
     until it was over.

     As we walked back to the school Buffy tried to lighten my mood by
     telling me again about her and Angel. Normally I love listening to
     her romantic tales, but my mind was elsewhere. I hoped I was
     doing the right thing.

     When we at last reached the school, I began having second
     thoughts. Perhaps it would be best if I just...no, I had to go through
     with it. I hurried up the steps and down the hall to the library.
     Before entering, I took a deep breath and pushed open the large
     ornate door. In that next moment, my whole world shattered.