Xander Harris kicked the rusty can and watched as it rolled loudly into the gutter.  Sighing, he quickened his pace as his watch beeped seven o'clock reminding him that the fang gang would be out soon.  The setting sun was also a reminder of the event a week ago at the cemetrary where Willow had an emotional breakdown.  He felt guilty knowing partly it was his fault, if not all.  He had ignored his childhood friend for weeks, running and hiding from her feelings.  He was still a little shocked at her confession.  Ever since that day, Xander had tried everything to get things back to at least a little like they used to be.  It was hard work, but she was letting her guard down and letting him in.  He was on the way to her house now, but unfortanely, it was to bring bad news.
**********

 He let himself in the front door and as usual headed straight to the Rosenburg's kitchen.  There, Mrs. Rosenburg was backing his favorite, homemade apple pie.

 She smiled warmly and greeted him with a big hug.  "Your parents jus called and said you were on the way over to tell her.  She's going to be devastated."

 Xander only nodded, blinking back the tears.

 "She was in and out of the house all day- doing what I don't know," Mrs. Rosenburg continued, "I think she may be cleaning and fixing the old clubhouse."

 Once again, Xander only nodded and murmured a thank you.

 "No prob, honey.  Here, take some of this apple pie out back.  I know it's your favorite."

 He took the pie from her hands and made his way to the back of the house.  He watched quietly through the screen door as his best friends finished painting the door of the old clubhouse.  That old clubhouse held many memories.  When he, Jesse, and Willow were seven, they had begged their fathers to build one for them.  When it was finished, the threesome had slept their every Friday until they were thirteen.

 Opening the screen door, Xander called out to Willow.  Willow looked up, smiled warmly, and made her way over.   She was so happy to see him that she didn't watch where she was going and stepped into the pan of blue paint.

 "Look what you made me do, Xander!  Oh well, always wanted a blue pair of shoes.  Ooooh- apple pie!  Hey, want to sleep in the old clubhouse tonight?  I figured it was about time to repaint it and clean it up.  Check out the inside.  I vacummed the carpet, got new bean bags, washed the windows...looks great, huh?"  Willow blabbered on, excited at her accomplishment.

 Deciding to wait till later to tell her, Xander agreed whole heartedly to stay the night.  The two headed to the house to grab sleeping bags and more food.

Four hours later, Xander rolled on the floor, laughing, his sides hurting him.  It had been a great night.  The two best friends had joked, laughed, and talked about old times.  And it was almost like old times, except without Jesse.  Xander wished they could stay like this forever and forget about all their problems of Angelus, ghosts, demons...

 "Penny for your thoughts"

 "Huh?  Oh, sorry, Will.  Just thinking."

 "About what?"

 "How much fun tonight has been and how much I've missed you."

 Willow felt her face grow hot, and was thankful for the darkness surrounding them.  "I've missed you, too."

 They sat in silence for a few seconds until Willow broke the silence.  "We should do this more often, huh?"

 Xander didn't respond.  He didn't know how to.

 "Xander?  Dija hear me?  Are you okay?  What's wrong?"  Willow was growing worried at the other slayerette's silence.

 "Yeah, I'm fine...just got a lot on my mind.  Yeah, we should do this more often, except..well,...there's a problem.
********************

 "What do you mean 'there's a problem'?  Didn't you just say you had fun?  Oh...this is about Cordelia, isn't it?  You have a girlfriend now and can't go around sleeping over at your best friend's anymore...Sorry, I just thought things were different ...Never mind...Well, I'll better start cleaning up... You might want to go call your parents,"  Willow replied quietley.

 "Will, wait!" Xander all of a sudden shouted and grabbed her arm, pulling her back down.  His heart was breaking at the sight of Willow hurting.  "It's not about Cordelia.  I, um, -I don't know how to tell you this..."

 "Xander, whatever it is, you can tell me- you know that."

 "Yeah, I know.  Well, um, mydadisbeingtransferred to Washingtoandwe're moving."

 "What?  You think you can slow down just a tad bit?  To understand you would be nice."

 Xander sighed and replied slowly," My dad is being transferred to Washington and we're moving at the beginning of the school year."

 Silence.  Utter silence was the only response he got from her.

 She stared at him, then a light seemed to go on in her head. "What month is this, Xander?  June?  Aren't you 2 months late for an April Fool's joke?  Very funny though.  For awhile there, I believed you!  Great! Now I got to think of one to top yours."

 Xander stared back at her.  <She doesn't believe me! She thinks I'm joking! It's either that or she's in denial already.>

 When he didn't answer back, Willow began to worry again.  She studied him carefully.  He looked so serious...but he had to be joking!  Didn't he?

 "Xander?  Are you there?  You're not serious, right? Come on, Xander.  You're supposed to say 'April Fool's!' now..." Willow trailed off.

 Xander watched as Willow's mouth moved, but no sound came out.  Finally, he found his voice again. "Wills, I'm serious.  I'm moving.  I'm sorry."

 Willow only looked him, got up, and ran out.