Family Matters, part 2
Red Moon Rising, Book 6
Author: Ms Hunter Ash
Feedback welcome!!
Disclaimers: The characters
and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God
only knows who else. The storyline, however, is the sole property of
the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way.
Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must
include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
F/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same gender and even 3 at the same time <G>.
Spoilers: up to Red Moon Rising
and veers off from there.
Summary: The Watcher's Council wants Willow either under their control or destroyed. Both sides offer compromises, which will the girls take? Take on the Council and all Slayers and Watchers as enemies? Or accept the Council's offer for training in England? Anya and Xander suffer a crisis of their own in this one.
Rating: NC-17 (US) 18 (UK) R (Aus) for abuse issues
Pairings: B/W/T, G/J, An/X
* * *
Willow swallowed visibly. "Burn out my abilities or kill me?" she squeaked.
Giles stood up and grabbed Buffy by the arms as the Slayer flushed with anger.
"Easy, Buffy," he advised as pistols covered all of them and the two witches held ready with magic.
"Didn't we do this two months ago?" Buffy snapped, struggling in Giles' arms.
"Mr. Travers," Willow said softly, letting Tara place a hand reassuringly on her shoulder. "I don't trust you or like you. I'm a good guy and won't hurt anyone innocent but I will defend myself. I'm not weak and crippled in a bed anymore."
"And we've anticipated that," Travers said calmly. "Please, Ms. Rosenberg, let's consider this calmly. We can offer you training that you'll not find anywhere in the world."
"You're asking me to leave my mates, the one thing that gives me balance in my life," Willow countered. "Buffy can't leave Sunnydale and we won't be separated."
"We're only talking a short time away from your friends." Quentin frowned deeply as he sat down in an easy chair.
Giles pulled Buffy onto the sofa with him and Joyce and everyone relaxed, slightly.
"They are more than my friends," Willow said wearily. "Surely you're not that blind. My relationship with Tara and Buffy is unlike anything you've run across in all of your history. A Slayer and two powerful witches and one who is learning to control her werewolf side. Tell me that's not the reason you're here."
"What do you mean, young lady?" Quentin questioned.
"Tara, could you get us a soda?" Willow suggested. "This is going to take awhile, I think."
"Don't be ridiculous, no one moves," one of the Watchers growled.
"Get real, Bud," Buffy snapped. "What's she going to do? Zap your soda can so you turn into a frog?"
"Frog? No frogs!" Willow squeaked.
"Shut up, all of you," Quentin ordered. "Let her get them something to drink. Ms. Maclay won't try anything with her friends and family in here with guns to their heads."
Tara glanced at Willow as the red-haired witch sat down slowly by the hearth and Willow nodded. "It's okay, love."
"You fear our combination of power and hate not being able to control Buffy as a Slayer," Willow said calmly. "You can't assure me that 'burning out' my magickal abilities won't leave me brain dead or kill me. You can understand that's not an option I'll agree to."
"I didn't think you would," Quentin agreed.
"I won't leave Buffy and Tara, so that's quickly coming to an option I really don't like," Willow said thoughtfully.
"Why can't your trainers come here?" Giles suggested and Quentin turned his focus that way with a glare.
"Unacceptable," Quentin growled.
Tara entered the room with three Cokes and slowly handed Buffy one and then sat next to Willow, handing her one before popping hers open.
"Well, we won't let you zap Willow or take her," Buffy said slowly. "And if you try and kill her, you won't know what hit you."
"I was hoping Ms. Rosenberg would come with us willingly," Quentin said softly. "Killing her would be such a waste of talent."
Willow dropped her head and Tara wrapped an arm around her lover's shoulders.
"Could I go with Willow?" Tara asked softly, her eyes filling with tears as she looked up at Buffy.
"Tara?" Buffy whispered.
Joyce reached out for her daughter's hand.
"Willow won't leave on her own and we can't let them kill her," Tara begged.
Before Quentin could reply he was left open-mouthed and stunned as his magic worker at the base of the stairs dropped to the floor without a word. The witch standing next to Willow cried out a moment later before dropping as well.
Buffy and Giles moved at the same moment, grabbing the wrist of the gunmen on either side of them. Buffy rammed the heel of her hand up into the nose of her gunman and Giles smashed his fist into the throat of his. Both dropped to the floor clutching the injured parts of their bodies.
Willow was on her feet and Quentin was stuck in his chair with a gesture from Willow and Tara had her hands outstretched, threatening the remaining two standing Watchers. Xander trotted down the stairs with a tranquilizer pistol in his hands and Anya stepped out from the dinning room with a tranquilizer rifle.
"Now maybe we can discuss this without the threats," Willow suggested and Quentin shook his head with a rueful smile.
"I should have known better," he muttered.
"You were expecting me and Tara to use magic, you forgot about the basics,” Willow nodded.
"Yeah, like guns and friends." Xander smirked, removing the dart from the shoulder of the Watcher he dropped as Anya joined him.
"Alright, what's your proposal?" Quentin sighed as Giles and Buffy turned their Watchers over and quickly tied their hands behind their backs with rope Xander tossed them. The young man motioned for the remaining two standing to turn around and bound their hands as well.
"Duct tape the mouths of the witches," Tara advised, leaning into Willow.
"Yes, ma'am," Xander teased.
"Well, now that I'm not as nervous with these guns at my mother's head! " Buffy snapped as she picked up the dropped weapons. "Maybe we can talk rationally?"
Tara and Willow quickly went to the Slayer for a three-way hug.
"Goddess, I was so scared," Willow admitted.
"You were beautiful!" Buffy grinned. "I wouldn't have let them hurt you."
"Yeah, you kept them talking long enough for me to climb into Buffy's window and Anya to sneak in the back door when Tara opened it." Xander grinned at Quentin as he shook his head.
"I don't believe this," the elder Watcher muttered as Giles stood over him.
Giles smirked and quickly hugged Joyce.
"Nice move there, Giles," Buffy commented. "Especially since you didn't know the plan."
"Thank you, always take advantage of every opportunity." he grinned.
"Okay, Jeeves." Buffy smirked as Quentin rolled his eyes. "The way we've figured it, you're not going to let go of this, are you?"
"No, we're not." Quentin nodded.
Willow and Tara sat next to Joyce on the sofa with worried expressions.
"Here's the deal," Buffy began slowly. "We start working with the Council again, as a team. The Council gets to test me, monitor the Hellmouth activities and ask for help when you need it. You, on the other hand, will also help with research."
"Buffy?" Giles questioned.
"No more tests like that screwed up one on my birthday and no giving us orders," Buffy continued. "You send a trainer or trainers here to teach Willow and Tara. No threats, no orders, no zapping Willow!"
Willow leaned against Tara, shaking from the emotions and situation.
"And if we refuse?" Quentin demanded.
"They'll be looking for a new Council leader and Watchers," Buffy threatened. "Willow has shown that she can disappear if need be. We'll go with her this time and you'll be short a Slayer again."
"We don't have a Slayer now with Faith in prison," Quentin growled.
"Well, the way I figure it, you need a Slayer or you're just sitting around twiddling your thumbs," Buffy agreed. "Take us up on our offer and you'll officially have a Slayer to watch."
"Same terms as you gave us earlier? Mr. Giles remains as your Watcher, I take it," Quentin growled.
"You bet." Buffy nodded. "He's going to be my step-father and Watcher. Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya will be part of the team and you'll stay in the background of our lives. As I said before, no secrets, no weird testing, and no orders. We work together or we don't work for you at all."
"You're willing to risk everything for a werewolf witch?" Travers demanded.
Buffy's eyes flashed angrily. "For Willow and Tara I would gladly ram my stake through your throat and deal with having killed a human."
"I suppose you still want his salary restored and one for yourself," Quentin snapped.
"Yep, Giles stays and we both get a salary." Buffy insisted. “Everyone else gets half Watcher salary as well."
"Ms. Rosenberg's training?" Quentin demanded.
"She agrees to training, much like school," Buffy pondered. "You have trainers sent here. No isolation from us, no magic tests that are dangerous, no zapping her powers and you treat her with respect and like an adult. All of us are adults now, Jeeves."
"Best accept it, Quentin," Giles advised. "You saw the reports of how much progress Willow made with the Weres. Don't force my kids into a war with you."
"May I offer a counter proposal?" Quentin asked calmly.
"What?" Buffy frowned.
"A semester in England for the three of you." Quentin smiled smugly.
"What? Have Buffy leave Sunnydale for four months?" Giles demanded.
"Yes, Willow and Ms. Maclay to train as Watchers and Buffy to be a trainer of new Slayers," Quentin offered. "In addition, both witches will be trained to control the magic and powers they possess."
"Trainer? For whoever is the next Slayer in case Faith dies?" Buffy asked, noticing Giles' frown.
"No, actually," Quentin said slowly. "Unbind me from this chair and let's discuss this, a rational discussion, on my word."
"Go ahead, Buffy," Giles said softly. "Send the rest of the Watchers out, Quentin."
"I agree, it's going to be a long evening," Quentin said wearily.
* * *
Joyce watched as Xander, Giles, and Buffy got the sedated Watchers awake enough to be bundled into one of the Watcher's cars with the others and sent on their way under Quentin's orders.
It was almost like a regular meeting of the Scooby Gang except for the missing Spike and Detective Brad Santiago. Giles and Joyce took a quick moment to hug everyone as Quentin sat down at the dining room table.
"If you were willing to let Buffy and Tara accompany Willow to England, why the dramatics?" Giles demanded.
"We weren't willing unless there was no other option," Quentin explained.
"What's your offer?" Buffy insisted as her mom moved to make more coffee and tea.
"A fully paid semester at Oxford for all three," Quentin said slowly. "A small flat will be provided for them and they will all be paid a regular salary as long as all three keep up their studies."
"Why suddenly so generous?" Buffy demanded. "And what would our duties be?"
"Willow and Tara would study witchcraft as well as continuing to attempt control over the wolf," Quentin explained calmly. "They will also train as Watchers. You will train as a Watcher and trainer in addition to your studies."
"What about living on top of the Hellmouth?" Buffy asked.
The women and Xander noticed the glance between Quentin and Giles. Quentin nodded.
Buffy turned to Giles with a questioning look.
"Giles?"
"Damn," Giles muttered.
"I have approval of the Council to tell them everything," Quentin said calmly.
"Are you doing this to ruin my life?" Giles suddenly snapped.
"That is an added advantage." Quentin smirked. "They'll never trust you after this, will they?"
"We've been gone almost two months," Buffy growled. "I want to sleep in my own bed soon and you held a gun to my mother and Giles' head and threatened to kill my lovers. Any reason I should hold back from killing you just out of impatience?"
"If you agree," Quentin continued. "You will be training other Slayers before they're sent out into the field."
"Future Slayers? You planning on killing Faith?" Buffy demanded.
"No, not future Slayers, current Slayers reaching their teen years," Quentin continued, his face without expression.
Xander and Anya watched their friends go pale as what Quentin was saying hit them.
"I'm not the only Slayer?" Buffy whispered as Joyce's eyes widened.
"No, you never were." Quentin shrugged. "You were and are the best and the longest living Slayer but you aren't the only one. Kendra was sent to replace you when you died and then Faith but there are others."
"Giles?" Buffy asked softly, her voice cracking. "You knew?"
Giles dropped his head and nodded.
"All Watchers do," he said quietly. "We need to know where other Slayers and Watchers are so we can keep you from running into each other."
"You knew? All those years? All the times I almost died because I was the 'only' one who could save the world and you knew?" Buffy demanded.
"Yes," Giles' voice cracked as well.
"How…?" Buffy's voice dropped an octave with anger and she felt Willow and Tara's energy sweeping over her, calming her.
//Easy, Buff// Willow urged. //Remember, this is the Council//
"Tell me, Giles," Buffy said, a little calmer.
"All Watchers know the minute we say a word about other Slayers, we condemn ourselves and our Slayer to death," Giles said softly. "There's a spell placed on us, it acts like an alarm to the Council. Right now, the witches on the Watcher's Council have been alerted I've broken the silence."
"You bastards," Buffy muttered, turning her anger on Quentin.
"Be realistic, Buffy," Quentin scolded. "We need Slayers to believe they are the one and only hope for the world, each of them or they won't do the job they've been called to do."
"Of course we wouldn't! Teenage girls might actually want to have a normal life instead of being a freak!" Buffy yelled.
"Exactly." Quentin nodded. "We do what's necessary to protect the world."
"Even if it means killing Willow?" Tara demanded and Quentin nodded.
"Why break the silence now?" Buffy demanded.
"Because of our magic, you're afraid we'll find out about the others," Tara pondered. "You can't control Buffy and she's an adult now."
"Yes, exactly," Quentin agreed. "So we decided to break the silence to all of you and utilize your skills, talents, and experiences."
"As long as we train Slayers and never tell them?" Buffy ventured and Quentin nodded. "I can't keep that kind of secret!" Buffy protested. "I've been there! I know what each of them will be going through."
Quentin frowned.
"Alright, that was the secondary option," he sighed. "You train the next Slayer and she teams up with you."
"Okay, recap," Willow demanded wearily. "I'm tired and this has been really stressful."
"You, Tara and Buffy will spend the school year at Oxford," Quentin began. "A flat of your own with a salary. You will do well in school and excel in your individual training. At least once a month the Council will fly Giles and your mother over for a visit or Mr. Harris and Ms. Smyth."
Quentin took a sip of his tea.
"You will be flown home for Winter Break and be given most weekends off," Quentin continued after a moment. "Willow and Tara train as Watchers, Buffy will train Slayers. After a year, you all return here. Willow and Tara will be the Watchers for the new Slayer that will be teamed with you."
"You mean Buffy can semi-retire and not wait until she's killed?" Giles asked bitterly.
"Yes, exactly," Quentin agreed.
"The girls and we need to talk about this," Giles said slowly. "What about Sunnydale? What about the fact none of us can trust the Council? Your goal has always been to separate Slayers from family and friends."
"The Council agrees that we may need to adapt with the ages," Quentin said, obviously reluctantly. "Your Slayer has lived longer than any others and she has been trained and lived differently than any other. We may need to re-evaulate some things. As for Sunnydale, Mr. Harris, Ms. Smyth and Mr. Giles will take on a temporary Slayer until the three return," Quentin offered.
"Mr. and Mrs. Harris, actually," Anya grinned.
Giles and Joyce turned with raised eyebrows and then began to smile.
"Well, congratulations are in order then," Giles smiled, walking over and hugging first Anya and kissing her on the cheek and then hugging Xander.
"We got married in Reno. We want a large wedding here, though," Anya said as Joyce quickly hugged her and the three lovers grinned.
They finally turned their attention back to Quentin Travers.
"If we don't agree?" Tara asked.
"Then I call every Slayer, Watcher and assassin we have against you," Quentin said calmly. "You see, it won't be as easy to become lost as you thought."
"Give us a couple of days," Buffy grumbled. "We've got weddings to plan and we haven't even unpacked."
"You have 48 hours," Quentin said firmly and walked to the front door and ran into Spike about to knock.
"Bloody hell! Watch it, mate!" Spike growled.
"Go drop on a stake, vampire," Quentin snapped back and continued to his car.
"Spike? What the hell are you doing here?" Giles demanded.
"Heard the Slayer was back in town and wanted to see if she had come to her senses and dropped the all-girl action." Spike smirked.
"Only in your dreams and my nightmares," Buffy snapped. "Go away, Spike. We've got a lot to talk about and it doesn't include you."
"I'm hurt, Slayer." Spike pretended to look just that but couldn't help smirking. "How about you, Anya? Give up on that loser yet?"
"Keep your hands and thoughts off my wife!" Xander growled.
"Wife? Don't tell me you fell for it all!" Spike demanded.
"The entire package!" Anya agreed. "Go away."
"I'll be back, Buffy," Spike snapped. "You need me."
"For comic relief maybe," Xander muttered as the vampire stalked off.
"Goddess, can we talk about this in the morning?" Willow begged. "I'm really mentally tired."
"I agree." Xander nodded. "We're going home and we'll see if my parents even noticed I was gone."
"Night guys." Tara smiled, hugging both of them
Hugs all around followed and the couple headed home, leaving the three girls with Joyce and Giles.
"I'm keyed up after that little showdown with those idiots, mind if I go out patrolling for a bit?" Buffy asked as Willow and Tara picked up their bags.
"Nope, just be careful, lover." Willow smiled and Tara nodded.
"You better be," Tara agreed.
"I will, see you in a bit," Buffy grinned.
* * *
Xander slowly pulled the RV up to the curb and glanced at the house he had grown up in. "Terrific, they're still awake," he muttered.
"We can usually get in without them noticing us if we go through the kitchen," Anya suggested.
"Okay, I am so not in the mood to deal with them," Xander mumbled, shutting off the engine and grabbing one of the backpacks sitting behind the seats. They all had luggage and goodies packed away but the gang intended on unpacking those in the daylight.
Xander saw Anya looking at her wedding band and engagement ring combination and smiling and couldn't help but join her smile.
"I love you, Xander," Anya said softly, kissing him softly before opening the door to the RV.
"I love you, An," he said gently and then frowned when the door to the house opened.
"Who the hell is out there? What are you doing parking that damned tourist thing in front of my house?" Xander’s father shouted.
"Oh great, he's drunk," Anya quickly observed.
"Yeah," Xander agreed and stepped down out of the vehicle and sat the backpack down. "Relax, Dad, it's me."
"What the hell are you doing with that thing?" Alexander Harris, Sr. demanded.
"I told you before we left, we were going on vacation with Buffy, Willow and Tara," Xander said slowly as his father stormed towards him.
"You've been gone two fucking months and didn't even call!" Alex Harris yelled.
Xander saw his mother stumble to the door and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"I sent the rent money and stuff," Xander protested and tried not to wince at his father's whiskey laced breath.
"Ungrateful bastard!" Alex yelled. "Didn't even tell your mother where you were!"
"I'm surprised you even knew I was gone," Xander snapped, unable to resist shouting back.
"Well, we did miss you and that whore coming back and forth through my house!" Alex Harris shouted.
"Anya's not a whore, damnit!" Xander growled.
Anya screamed when Alex, taller and heavier than Xander, backhanded his son, sending the young man to the ground.
"She sleeps with you, she's a whore!" Alex shouted for the benefit of the neighborhood, whose yards were filling with curious families.
"She's my wife!" Xander shouted, jumping to his feet. "We got married in Reno two weeks ago, so shut up!"
"That's all this family needs, another whore!" Alex yelled, knocking Xander across the jaw. "She pregnant like your mother was?"
"What?" Xander asked from the ground. "You said I was adopted."
"Not you, you little bastard," Alex hissed, taking a long drink from his whiskey bottle. "The little prick before you. Died in his crib so I went out and found you. Sorriest thing I ever did."
"How dare you!" Anya shouted, stepping out of the RV and helping Xander to his feet. "Xander is a wonderful man! He loves me and he works hard!"
"Oh yeah, what is it this week, pizza?" Alex sneered at his son.
"Better than a drunk," Xander snapped back.
He never saw the bottle coming for his head.
* * *
Tara turned the light out and was surprised when she turned over and Willow's hands moved under her nightshirt.
"I thought you were tired," Tara teased softly, pulling Willow into her arms.
"Mentally tired," Willow corrected, moving her lips to Tara's neck as her lover's hands moved to the buttons on Willow's pajama top. "I love you, Tar."
"I love you, Willow," Tara whispered as Willow's body moved to almost cover hers, the red-haired witch's leg pressing between Tara's
Tara sighed with happiness, putting the major decisions facing them out of her mind. Willow's touch tonight was gentle, loving and devoted. The blonde witch knew it was going to be a long night of making love with her mate and they probably wouldn't be through before Buffy came back and joined them either.
* * *
Just up the hall Joyce settled into Giles' arms with a worried sigh.
"Rupert," she began softly. "Do you think it's safe for the girls to accept the Council's offer?"
"Not really but I don't see how we have a choice," Giles said thoughtfully. "With Slayers around the world at their beck and call, it would be very difficult for the girls to go on the run. Willow could hold most of them off with her magic but what kind of life would that be for them?"
"I just don't want them gone for that long!" Joyce complained.
"Well, we would get to visit," Giles muttered. "And they will train Willow to handle this magic talent of hers."
"Can we trust the Council with them?" Joyce pressed.
"No, but again, do we have a choice?" Giles complained.
"I'll support whatever decision they reach," Joyce said softly.
"I'll try," Giles agreed and started to drift to sleep when the phone startled him and Joyce.
"Who in the world?" Joyce muttered as she fumbled for the phone. "Yes?"
Joyce Summers was sitting up in a flash and Giles snapped wide awake.
"Anya! Calm down! Talk slowly, please," Joyce demanded into the phone as Giles stripped off his pajama bottoms and reached for his trousers. "Yes, we'll leave a note for Buffy and we'll all be right down there. Just stay calm!"
"Were they attacked? What's happened?" Giles demanded as he grabbed a pair of socks from the dresser.
"We really do need to move you in permanently," Joyce muttered absently as she grabbed a pair of jeans for herself.
"Xander's father was drunk when they got home and picked a fight or something. He put Xander in the hospital."
"Good Lord! How serious?" Giles asked as he pulled on his running shoes and Joyce slipped a shirt over her nightgown top.
"He's unconscious and the doctors won't say anything yet," Joyce answered.
"Let's go." Giles growled and walked into the hallway. He stopped in front of the bedroom shared by the three young women and started to knock but hesitated.
"Goddess, Willow!" Tara's voice drifted through the wood. "Oh so good, please don't stop!"
"Good grief," Giles muttered, hating to break up the moment. He wished he could move back into the bedroom with Joyce and start the night over again. No Watchers, no goddamn Quentin Travers and no drunken fathers!
Giles knocked loudly on the door and heard a whimper of frustration.
"This is so not a good time!" Willow yelled.
"I'm afraid it's urgent," Giles said loudly. "Xander's father put him in the hospital. We're going down to be with Anya."
"What? Oh I am so gonna kill him this time!" Willow shouted. "We'll be right down."
* * *
Buffy ran from her home all the way to the hospital when she found the note. The Slayer slid to a stop in the hallway in front of the waiting room and quickly moved over to the small group waiting impatiently around a tearful Anya.
"I got here as fast as I could," Buffy said, a little breathless.
Tara and Willow both moved like one and hugged their lover as Anya continued to cry in Joyce's arms.
"What happened?" Buffy asked as she sat down across from Anya with Willow and Tara. The blonde noticed Xander's mother in the corner, holding a coffee cup and looking lost. Buffy also noticed that Mrs. Harris Sr was ignoring them.
"We pulled up and Mr. Harris was drunk and abusive to my Xander!" Anya wailed. "He hit Xander and then smashed a whiskey bottle across his cheek!"
"I'll kill him!" Buffy muttered.
"Stand in line," Willow growled.
"I called for an ambulance and they came and the police came," Anya sobbed. "Mr. Harris was shouting and swearing. He fought with the police and was threatening me and Xander. They took him away."
"They arrested the bastard?" Buffy asked and Anya nodded. Buffy glanced over at Mrs. Harris and noticed the woman watching them with fire in her eyes. "Good!" Buffy said firmly and loudly. Mrs. Harris broke the stare first.
"The doctors don't know yet," Joyce continued. "Xander's been unconscious since his father hit him. He has a broken cheekbone and they're working to determine if glass may have gotten in his eye."
"Oh my God," Buffy said softly.
"He also has a broken nose and two broken ribs," Giles added. "Seems that when Xander went down, Mr. Harris wasn't through with him and kicked him in the ribs several times."
"That bastard!" Buffy hissed.
"Police officers came by earlier and took a statement from Anya," Joyce added.
"She tried to keep me from my Xander!" Anya shouted, pointing at Mrs. Harris. "She told the doctors no one could see him or make decisions except her!"
"Then Anya pulled out her marriage license and the doctors told Mrs. Harris that Anya makes the decisions," Giles said wearily.
Everyone looked up as someone entered the waiting room and Giles' expression became one of surprise. All of them saw Brad Santiago walking towards them with a uniformed officer.
"Hello everyone," Brad said softly. "I just wanted you all to know, I read the preliminary report on the incident and Mr. Harris has been booked on a charge of first degree assault with a deadly weapon, causing physical harm while intoxicated, and whatever else I can think of."
"Will he get out tonight?" Anya asked, her voice soft and fearful. "He said he'd kill me and Xander when the police came."
"No, he won't get out tonight but he probably will in the morning," Brad growled.
A doctor in green hospital scrubs walked in slowly and looked between Mrs. Harris and the small group, hesitating.
"Mrs. Harris?" he asked loudly.
"I'm Mrs. Harris," Xander's mother said loudly, standing up.
"I'm his wife," Anya countered and the doctor approached her first.
"Well, Mrs. Harris," the doctor began and Xander's mother moved closer to the group. "I'm Dr. Arvidsson and I understand that Mr. Harris prefers to be called Xander, correct?"
"Yes, he hates Junior," Anya nodded firmly, glaring for a moment at Xander's mother.
"Well, Xander is going to be alright in a few days," Dr. Arvidsson informed the group. "We're taping his ribs up and there isn't much we can do for the broken nose."
"The cut cheekbone?" Giles questioned.
"One of our surgeons on ER rotation is studying specifically for plastic surgery and spent a lot of time on Mr. Harris' cheek. There will be a scar but it won't be too bad after a few months," Dr. Arvidsson explained.
"Xander's eyes?" Anya demanded.
"They're fine, a light scratch so we're putting an eye patch on for several days," Arvidsson reassured them.
"Doctor, did you find any bruises on his hands or any cuts?" Brad asked.
"No, why?" the doctor responded.
"Mr. Harris' attacker says it was self defense and that Xander threw several punches at him," Brad said.
Giles placed a hand on Anya's arm before she could explode.
"No, none." Arvidsson shook his head. "We've got some great pictures of Xander's injuries though and the glass we pulled out of his face and eye lid. Also a really good picture of a bruise that looks very much like a boot print off his ribs. You can probably even match it up with his attacker."
"Thank you, Doctor." Brad nodded grimly. "Could you throw in a couple of pictures of Xander's hands as well? I don't want any doubt who the victim is here."
"We're going to keep Xander for the night, we sedated him pretty heavily with all his injuries. He'll probably be able to go home after tomorrow," Arvidsson said with a small smile.
"Can we see him?" Anya demanded.
"You can see him for a moment, he's asking for you," the doctor nodded. "Now listen, everyone. He's not going to look like himself. The broken cheekbone is bandaged, he has a patch over one eye, his ribs will be black and blue and both eyes are black, blue, purple and other colors from the broken nose."
"We'll be okay, doctor," Joyce said firmly.
"He's going to need help. Any trauma to the face like this can be very hard on someone's self esteem; I'll have the nurse give you a number for the psych that treats victims of violence."
"Thank you, very much," Giles said wearily, shaking the doctor's hand firmly.
"Anya, you go ahead and see Xander, we'll wait out here for you," Joyce urged.
"I want to see my boy," Mrs. Sally Harris demanded.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Harris," Dr. Arvidsson shook his head. "He's heavily sedated and probably won't even know that Mrs. Harris is there with him. You can come back tomorrow after I've talked with Xander and he gives the hospital a list of people he's willing to see."
"What?" Sally Harris demanded. "He's my son!"
"He's also an adult and a victim of a very vicious and violent attack," Dr. Arvidsson countered. "I'm concerned for his mental recovery, especially since it was his father who did this to him. Xander has a right to say who can visit and who can't. Check back tomorrow during visiting hours."
"I'll sue you, you bastard!" Sally shouted, throwing her paper coffee cup against the wall behind his head.
"Easy, Mrs. Harris," Brad said, stepping in between the doctor and the enraged drunken mother. "I'm going to have one of the officers drive you home. You can see about getting your husband released tomorrow and call about Xander's condition."
"To hell with you! I want to see my son! I need to explain it was just an accident!" Sally whined. "Alex didn't mean to hit the boy!"
"Just like the thousand other times he never meant to hit Xander," Willow snapped, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I take it you've seen this before?" Brad asked as Sally cursed under her breath.
"Lots of times," Willow nodded, suddenly sagging. "He didn't want anyone to know because he was afraid any other family might even be worse if they took him away."
"Will, I never knew," Buffy said softly.
"He always told you he ran into trouble on the way home or had gotten into it with some jocks," Willow explained. "I've known since we were kids about the bruises, burns, whip marks and cuts. I used to hold him when he cried and I bandaged his cuts."
"Mrs. Harris," Giles turned to Sally Harris with a stern look. "We will come by tomorrow and pack and remove Xander and Anya's things from your house."
"You can't do that," Sally muttered.
"Anya, as a tenant and Mr. Harris' wife, can," Brad corrected her. "If there's any problems, please call the police department, Mr. Giles."
"Thank you, Detective," Giles nodded and watched as a uniformed officer began leading Sally Harris towards the hallway.
"Put her in the back or she'll rip your eyes out," Detective Brad advised the police officer's partner.
"You got it!" The officer grinned, following his partner.
The gang sat down to wait for Anya to return from visiting Xander.
