What had been a good day for Xander Harris was actually looking to
  have a promising ending. Strange, he thought, since the Hellmouth was
  after his personal happiness most days. He was planning on celebrating his
  survival of another school week with an evening visit to the Bronze. With
  luck, he'd find his two galpals, or maybe Cordelia. He hummed to himself
  as he showered and dressed, feeling happy with the world in general. He'd
  had a good day at school, completely avoiding Principal Snyder -- AND it
  had been Hamburger Day in the cafeteria. The slaying activity had been
  pretty quiet lately, his grades were holding their own, and Cordelia
  acknowledged his existence as a possible suitor in public. Life was
  pretty darn good.

  Xander contemplated his relationship with Cordy as he selected his
  ensemble for the evening. He knew the wrong outfit could set the tone for
  hours of bickering. He grinned to himself – bickering usually let to more
  pleasant activities. Cordy was really beginning to open up to him. They
  still fought everyday like wildcats – but that was part of the
  relationship's charm. Now their make-out sessions were shorter, and they
  spent some of the time talking. Cordy told him of the pressure she felt to
  always look perfect, be accepted, and popular. But then right after that
  she was honest enough to be able to admit to him that she still LIKED
  looking perfect, being accepted and popular – she just didn't want those
  qualities to be influenced by other people anymore. He'd been proud of
  her. His feelings for her were still jumbled on occasion. There were so
  many layers to her personality. Every time he peeled back a layer, it was
  a surprise as to whether or not he'd like next one. One minute, he was
  sure it was just the thrill of dating the most popular girl in school that
  made him so interested in Cordy. And then the next, she'd do something
  really sweet – like bringing him food when he was guarding Buffy in the
  hospital – and he'd get this mushy feeling in his stomach. But he liked
  the mushy feeling. He wondered if it was love.

  Finally, still slightly wet but dressed to his satisfaction, he
  bounded down the stairs of his house and headed for the kitchen. I know
  better than to even look for food here, he thought glancing at the
  cupboards and fridge with longing. He sighed at the blemish on his
  otherwise really good day and looked for a pen and paper to write his
  mother a note. He scrawled something completely unintelligible, signing it
  with "Don't wait up. Love, Xander" at the bottom. She wouldn't have a clue
  where he was, but she would be pleased he remembered to leave a note.
  Resuming his humming, he grabbed some cash from her cookie jar reserve
  and
  jogged out the door.

  He considered dropping by Willow's house to see if she wanted to walk
  with him, but quickly discarded the idea. It was Friday, nearly 8:30, and
  Oz had probably picked her up already. Buffy would already be out and on
  the lookout for undead trouble. Of course, he still couldn't go anywhere
  near Cordelia's house – he didn't want to have to meet her parents. He
  turned on a darkened street and headed for the Bronze on his own. I'm a
  manly man, he thought, I don't need an escort. Still, precautions should
  be taken and he felt in his jacket pocket for his cross and small container
  of holy water, smiling slightly to himself as he touched them both for
  reassurance. As it turned out, his walk was uneventful except for a cat
  that insisted on rubbing against his legs when he stopped to pet it.

  Xander glanced around the parking lot at the club as he headed for the
  door. He easily picked out Oz's crazy zebra van, but it took him a moment
  longer to find Cordy's car. Paying the doorman, he stepped inside the
  darkened nightclub and let his eyes adjust. He spotted Willow and Oz at a
  table near the dance floor, heads close together as they spoke over the
  loud music. Moments later he stood beside them.

  "Hey guys!" he exclaimed, "Break it up before you revive the lost art
  of conversation!"

  Willow rolled her eyes as she straightened and grinned at him. "We're
  just trying to set an example for you and Cordelia."

  "Examples like that, I don't need. Now, if you get into close contact
  together later, I'm gonna need a full report. If possible, illustrated
  with diagrams and pictures. That way I can check if Cordy and I have this
  necking thing down right or not." Oz snorted. "Where's Buffy?" Xander
  continued, scanning the room for signs of the slayer.

  "She was going to check in with Giles before heading over. She should
  be here any minute," Willow replied. "Where's Cordelia?"

  "I'm not sure. Her car's in the parking lot, but I haven't seen her
  yet."

  "Well, she's probably in the little girls' room again, checking her
  hair and makeup," Willow suggested, giggling when Oz snorted again.

  Xander rolled his eyes in silent agreement and nodded towards the bar.
  "I'm gonna grab some eats. You guys want anything?"

  Oz looked to Willow and then shook his head, "No. We're good. I'm
  sure you'll eat enough to cover our share anyway."

  While they giggled together, Xander turned in the direction of the bar
  and started weaving through the crowd, looking for Cordelia as he went.
  Still no sign of her. He saw Harmony and some of Cordy's friends lounging
  in a booth in the corner. Strike one on that count. She wasn't lined up
  at the bar either. Strike two. So he ordered a hot chocolate and a banana
  muffin and waited as they prepared his order.

  Xander noticed it completely by accident as he was waiting. The guy
  sitting on the stool beside him didn't have a reflection in the mirror
  behind the bar. In the darkened room, he probably would never have noticed
  except that the guy smelled kinda bad and Xander was too polite to turn and
  directly stare at him to see what was wrong. He froze, considering his
  options. Well, find Buffy NOW seemed like a good plan. Only she wasn't
  here yet. He was contemplating a backup plan involving the contents of his
  jacket pocket when a woman approached the vamp. Xander swallowed as he
  noted her absence of reflection also. He overheard her say, "We've got
  her. Let's go." She began to move through the crowd towards the exit.

  The vamp guy finished his drink before he hopped off his stool and
  began to follow. Got her? Got who? Xander thought quickly as he abandoned
  his post to follow the guy. It couldn't be Buffy -- she would have dusted
  them already. Unless she was drastically outnumbered. That thought made
  his blood run cold. Or they might have Cordelia. She was known now to be
  a 'friend' of the slayer. That would make her of interest to the vampiric
  community. This idea didn't calm him any. He glanced to Willow and Oz's
  table, but Willow's back was to him, and Oz was nowhere to be seen. At
  least I know they don't have Willow, he thought, amazed at the relief he
  felt. As long as I live, they will never get Willow, he vowed.

  He considered grabbing Willow for help and following the vamps, but
  the woman was out the door and the guy was almost gone from sight too. He
  wouldn't have time to cross the room and go back without losing them. He
  tried calling her as he moved to the door, but the music was too loud for
  her to hear him. He swallowed as he exited the door and realized that for
  the time being, he was on his own.

  ***

  Oz was talking to the bassist of another band near the stage when he
  saw Xander trying to get Willow's attention. He sure is in a big hurry, Oz
  thought, sensing from the look on Xander's face that trouble was about to
  erupt. He quickly excused himself as Xander disappeared out the door. He
  was at Willow's side in an instant. "Trouble," he said, cocking his head
  towards the door. "Xander just split in a big rush, and he was trying to
  call you the whole time."

  Willow didn't wait for more. "Let's go," she said shortly, jumping off
  her chair and grabbing her jacket in one swift, fluid motion. Again Oz was
  momentarily stunned by her grace and beauty in the action, but he managed
  to follow her closely as she hurried for the exit.

  ***

  Xander had just caught a glimpse of the second vamp turning the corner
  of the building as he burst though the door of the Bronze into the night.
  Great, he thought. Another alley showdown. Can't these guys come up with
  something more creative? He reached into his jacket pocket and touched the
  vial of holy water and his cross as he prepared to follow. He went to the
  edge of the building and listened carefully without looking down the alley.
 

  "She's still struggling." A female voice said.

  "Then knock her out." Was the masculine reply.

  The next sound stopped Xander's heart. The captive, apparently not
  liking the idea of an imminent whack to the head, began protesting. And
  even though she was gagged, it was unmistakably Cordy's voice whining out
  the muffled plea. A second later, the plaintive noise was followed by the
  sound of a thump, and then silence.

  Xander was prepared to enter the alley and kick some serious vampire
  butt when he felt a hand on his arm. "What is it?" Willow whispered
  softly.

  "Vamps got Cordy." Xander answered shortly, before turning the corner
  into the alley and preparing for a fight. He wasn't used to fighting
  vampires without Buffy around, but Cordy's life was in danger. He couldn't
  let them take her away. He figured they could hold their own until Buffy
  showed. He expected to find two vampires and an unconscious Cordelia.
  Instead, he found a trio of vampires. He instantly recognized the two
  vamps from the club – the man and the woman – they were leaning over
  Cordelia. What he was unprepared for was the sight of Angelus also leaning
  over Cordy. He came to an abrupt halt and felt Willow crash into his
  back. In a moment she and Oz fanned out on either side of Xander.

  Angel didn't even look up as the three slayerettes stood there. "Hey
  Harris. Willow. Oz, was it? Long time no scare."

  Deciding that a fight with Angel was definitely not an option, Xander
  decided to try bluffing. "You forgot to say Hi to Buffy." He began
  boldly.

  Angel straightened and smiled as he met the gazes of the little group.
  "I didn't forget. She's not here."

  Xander tried again. "Let Cordelia go. Buffy wouldn't care if you did
  anything to her – she doesn't even like her. Hell, she'd probably thank
  you."

  Angel completely ignored him. He turned to the other two vampires and
  said something to them softly. They all laughed and then the two
  disappeared into the darkness at the other end of the alley.

  "What's going on?" Xander asked nervously. Oz, thinking the two vamps
  were circling the building, returned to the entrance of the alley and
  prepared for an ambush from behind, keeping an eye on the activities in the
  alley as well.

  "You were right, Xander," Angelus laughed. "Buffy would be upset if I
  killed Cordelia, but she'd get over it. Now Willow on the other hand –
  we're talking life-scarring trauma here. Thank you for leading her outside
  for me. " He chuckled softly and began moving towards them.

  Xander felt Willow tense beside him. "Run." He whispered, nudging
  her.

  "No." she said firmly. "I can't leave you and Oz here."

  Xander inwardly sighed and looked at Angel, approaching them lazily.
  He grabbed the cross from his pocket and presented it to the demon.
  Instantly Angel's game face appeared, and he flinched away from the object.
  "Now run." Xander repeated to Willow. "And find Buffy. Oz and I will
  hold him off."

  Willow looked from Angel to Xander and turned to run. Xander's
  distraction in watching her make her decision was a costly error. Angelus
  blindly kicked at his hand and knocked the cross out of it and into a
  nearby row of garbage cans. A second later, Xander was pinned in Angel's
  grasp, and Angel was poised above his neck.

  "NOOOO!!!" Willow screamed. "Wait! Angel, you wanted me! Take me!"
  Angelus looked at Willow with amusement. She was truly terrified he would
  kill Xander. Her best friend almost since birth. Such a loss would take
  years to overcome. Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. Her
  breathing was quick and light. His heightened senses could hear the
  pounding of her heart from several feet away. He could SMELL her fear.
  And Angelus was inspired. He thought about the thrill the kill would bring
  him. He thought about how Buffy would blame herself for not being present
  to stop him. He thought about how Willow would cry herself to sleep
  tonight, and many nights in the future. The friendship between Xander and
  Willow was so deep and so rare that his death would destroy her. And in
  destroying both Willow and Xander, he would ANNIHILATE Buffy. The very
  idea made him eager with anticipation. And then he thought of an even
  more prefect revenge.

  "I don't want to kill him Willow," he laughed. "You see, killing him
  would be too easy. Like that Calendar woman. You guys are all healing
  from that blow already." Willow flinched and paled visibly at the memory of
  her friend and teacher. "I want to torment you all forever. I want to
  make him into what he despises – ME." And then he tried to lower his fangs
  into Xander's neck as Xander struggled against him.

  Oz saw Willow immediately charge Angel, and cursed their lack of
  weapons. She'd decided that the undead activity was so light lately that
  they didn't need to bring any stakes or holy water with them tonight. At
  the time, Oz had made some flippant comment about her being in denial.
  Now
  he wished he had insisted. Oz knew Willow would try to tear Angel apart
  with her bare hands before she'd let him hurt Xander. He quickly grabbed a
  piece of wood from a nearby garbage can and prepared to bludgeon Angel
  with
  it before she got hurt. Willow had already launched herself at Angel,
  however, and was hitting him in the face. Some of the assault was actually
  landing on Xander, but Oz noted that at least Angel couldn't sink his fangs
  into Xander while he was ducking Willow's blows. Then Angel got a hand
  free and managed to land a solid punch to Willow's jaw. She was thrown
  back from the force of the punch into the side of the building. She reeled
  momentarily, disoriented, and then fell to the ground in a heap.

  Oz lost it completely. The sight of his Willow, crumpled and wounded,
  caused a rage to take over. At that moment he had no other goals in life
  other than obliterating Angel from the face of the earth. He now moved in
  and smashed the piece of wood into Angel's back with all his might. This
  however, didn't have the desired effect, for Angel just leaned in closer to
  the struggling Xander and sank his fangs into the skin. The sucking sound
  made Oz's blood run cold, and it was quickly joined by a scream that tore
  from Xander's throat.

  Oz tried bashing Angel again and again with the wood in an attempt to
  make him let Xander go, but Angel was intent on his purpose. Damn Blood
  Token. It was going to slow him down. He had to drain Xander enough to
  leave him weak, but still alive. Of course, if that stupid boy would stop
  pounding on my back, I could concentrate a lot easier! When Angel had
  Xander drained to his satisfaction, he let his body fall to the ground.
  Then he turned to Oz. "Too late." He murmured, licking the blood from his
  lips. "He's
  dead." There. That look. That look of grief and horror on Oz's face was
  what he lived for.

  "I-I thought you weren't going to kill him." Oz stammered.

  "He tasted so good I changed my mind." Angel watched the look of
  absolute horror cross Oz's face and he smiled. He loved the power of fear.
  He reached out and took the wood out of Oz's hands, greatly empowered by
  his recent feed. He grabbed Oz by the neck, intending on a repeat
  performance, but stopped after sinking his fangs through the skin.
  "Dog-boy" he spat with distaste. He merely knocked Oz out cold with a
  strong blow to the head with the wood.

  Angelus looked at the carnage around him with satisfaction. Now for
  the real fun, he thought, picking up Xander's body and disappearing into
  the night.