Standard Disclaimer: I'm just a poor, humble fan. Poor being the operative word. No infringement intended, no profit gained.
Summary: One more cleaning-up vignette, this one between the rest of the scooby gang.
Spoilers: becoming 2
Rating: PG - not much to offend here, unless you are opposed to the Xander/Cordy 'ship.
Xander hovered outside the computer room, knowing Willow was in there, alone. All day, he had wanted to talk with her alone, and now that his chance had arrived, he felt almost tongue tied.
"Willow?" he asked hesitantly, as he entered the room. She was bending over a desk, her long hair fanning down her cheek. She looked up at him with a smile in her eyes.
"Xander! What's up?"
Xander had a hard time meeting Willow's eyes as he approached the teacher's desk she occupied. As she monitored his progress, the smile left her eyes. This was something serious. She hoped it wasn't about Buffy.
"Will, I need to talk to you." They were both silent as Xander collected his thoughts and courage. He sat on the edge of her desk, then looked into her eyes.
"I need to say this. I don't think I've ever told you how important you are, Willow. Last night, when you ... were ..." He stopped, swallowing over the tightness in his throat. He took her hand and started again.
"Last night, when you were laying on that bed, I just kept thinking, 'What would I do without her?' Will, I just need you to know, you are so important to me. You really are my best friend in the world. I need to tell you that I love you. Not boy-girl love - that kind of thing that can disappear over time. I- I don't know how to explain it. But ..."
Willow was smiling, with tears glistening in her eyes. She squeezed his hand. "Xander, I understand. I feel that way, too. For so long, I thought it was ... you know ... that boy-girl thing. But now, with Oz, I know what that is. It's different. Oz makes me feel all melty and tingly inside," she blushed, but continued, "in a way that you never did. I see that now, and I think I'm really, you know ... with Oz. But you're there, too. My best friend. We'll always be that way, I think."
Xander smiled. "You understand now. How I feel about Cordy?"
Willow smiled, and laughed a bit. "Yeah. At first, I didn't, you know? But I think you and me, we're, like, beyond that point. And I think she's good for you."
Xander smiled. "Yeah, she is. She's really great, you know? She wouldn't want anyone to know it - she's got this 'cool chick' thing going down. But she cares as much as the rest of us. It would be so easy for her to walk away, but she never does. And she likes *me*. Every time I'm with her, I wonder at that. This beautiful, smart girl likes *me*. "
Neither of them noticed the figure in the hallway. Xander continued to talk, holding Willow's hand.
"Cordy has changed so much. Or maybe I'm just beginning to look under that surface. But she's a great person, Willow. I'll admit, I didn't know what hit me at first. I couldn't understand why I was attracted to her. Yeah, she's a total honey, but she could be such a ..."
Willow laughed, "Don't go there, Xander."
"No. I'm not going to. Because I think that's all surface. Underneath, she's really just trying to go move on, like the rest of us. She gets scared, but she has the courage to stand and fight. She's not the slayer, and she's not super smart like you, but she stays and fights anyway. She could walk away. She probably *should* walk away. But she doesn't. And that makes her so much more beautiful to me." Xander's voice wandered off as he thought about it.
Willow squeezed his hand. "Shouldn't you be telling her this, Xander?"
Xander shook his head and smiled. "Nah, then she'd know I'm hooked for sure, and the whole challenge of conquering Xander the Unconquerable will disappear. See, Will, I'm convinced she only hangs with me is 'cause she thinks she hasn't got me twisted around her little finger. Once the challenge is gone, poof, there she goes, too."
Willow shook her head. "Xander, what am I gonna do with you?"
"Be my best bud?" He looked into her eyes, smiling, yet serious.
"Always." She reached up and he leaned down and hugged her.
"So, what's say we all get together and go to the movies or something?" Xander asked.
"You sure Cordelia will go for that? I mean, that means being *seen* with us!"
"Right. Maybe movies at your house? Popcorn fights and all?"
"Yeah, that'd be fun. Now I've gotta grade these final projects."
"Say no more. I'm outa' here"
Xander left the room, much happier than when he entered. He wanted to share his good mood, so he walked to Cordelia's locker. When he got there, he found her standing, looking into her locker, not moving.
"Cordy? What's up?"
She made a curious movement, wiping her eyes.
"Nothing's up, dweeb boy. Just got some dust in my eyes." She turned to him, and her smile belied the harsh words. She reached up and kissed him lightly.
"Hey! What's that for? Not that I'm complaining, but I may have to have the G-man perform an exorcism if you keep acting like that!"
Cordelia laughed and punched him lightly on the arm. "Don't let it go to your head, Xander. I'm just feeling charitable today."
They started to bicker in a friendly way as they walked down the hall together.