Author: BmblBee
Paring: S/X
Rating: Adult
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the
characters in this story and make no
money off them.
Summary: AU. Xander is a young man
living in an Amish community when he
finds himself confronted by the evil of a
vampire.
STRONG WARNING: although done in a respectful
manner, this story deals with religious issues. If you
find that offensive DO NOT READ.
Special thanks to Petxnd for the wonderful artwork
The whole morning was a blur of confusion.
Xander went about his chores unable to concentrate
on anything but the need for his demon.
He trusted Willow's assurance that he was alright,
but the thought that he may never see him again was
both depressing and frustrating.
All that combined with the knowledge that as of tomorrow
his future would be all laid out. Plotted, planned and
sowed like a well organized garden.
It was too much. It was overwhelming.
Xander had always accepted his spot in the
community and the family without question and had
no particular gripe with Anya.
She was a good woman and chosen for him with the best
of intentions. She would give him many children and her
work in the church was already spoken of by the other
women. She was honest, modest, and was already well
trained in canning, quilting, and child rearing.
It was just not what he would have selected if he had
the choice.
And to be honest from what he had heard about Anya
and her feelings for Eli, it would not be her choice either.
But all that was without discussion. Their places
have been decided by the elders. Period.
Returning to the house he was swamped by the smell of
hot fruit pies and warm breads. It made him want to cry.
He sat quietly at the table and was given a sandwich and
a glass of milk. Willow sat down with him and put her
hand over his. She kept her voice low and their
conversation confidential.
"Are you o.k? I'm sure you don't think so now Xander,
but this really is for the best. The things I've seen. Xander
there is something I have seen about the demon."
Xander pushed back his plate and jumped up. "I don't
want to hear it Sister, You don't understand."
And he rushed from the house, his lunch uneaten.
"Willow, what on earth is wrong with your Brother?
Willow, where are you going?"
Willow caught up with Xander as he ran down the steps
and off the porch.
She stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"No, Willow. Whatever you have to say, I have already
said to myself.."
But this time Willow would not be put off.
"Hush up, Brother. This time you will sit down and listen.
There is something I should have told you days ago but I
didn't. I thought I was protecting you but I was wrong.
You are a man now. A man full grown and all haired over.
You should know everything then make your own decisions.
I have to trust that you will make the right one. Now come
sit with me and listen."
Xander was speechless. Willow had never spoken to him
in a harsh manner before and despite the fact that he
was not in the mood for another lecture on how stupidly
he was acting, he was curious as to what she was keeping
from him.
Willow took him by the hand and led him to the old metal
yard chairs that sat in the back yard. There they sat down,
she took a deep breath, and began.
"Xander, something has happened to you since the demon
came here. He has somehow made a connection with you
and I see his dark aura surrounding you. It engulfs you
like a heavy cloud or fog. At first it only swirled around
you, but as of two days ago it began touching you.
I'm not going to ask what happened to cause the change,
although I can guess."
Xander blushed and hung his head but made no move
to correct or challenge what she claimed to see.
"When I first saw it I was worried and God forgive me,
should have done something then, but I thought he would
just go and the evil of him that was touching you would
dissipate. You are a good man, Xander, honest and true.
It's important that you understand that nothing I see has
changed that."
Xander smiled and she continued
"I went to the barn one morning to find him. I knew he
was sleeping and I meant to destroy him and save you."
Xander jumped up, shocked and fearful.
"Willow! You had no right!
Did you hurt him? Is that why he is gone?"
Willow remained calm.
"Sit down dear Brother. Let me finish. When I went
there I found him in the back stall. I wanted to understand
so I looked at him with my minds eye. What I was saw
the most amazing thing.
In the same way his dark aura was surrounding you,
your purity and white aura was starting to engulf him.
I don't understand what it means or how it happened but he
is as connected to your soul as you are to his demon.
I believe it has something to do with the blood you gave him."
Xander sat back beside her, his brow wrinkled and
scrunched. "I don't understand what that means.
Willow. Does it mean that my soul is in jeopardy?"
Willow stood up beside him and placed her hand on his
cheek.
"I don't know Xander. I need to pray on it to find the
answer. In the mean time I think you need to face your own
demons and decide for yourself what is the best thing to do.
In my mind I see him in the woods. In the caves we
played in as children. Go and confront him Xander, but
be careful. What you do will effect the entire community.
I believe you must break ties with him and reclaim that
which he has taken of you."
Xander barely heard her warning. He was already running
as fast as his legs would take him towards the woods.
Towards his demon.
Willow sighed as she watched him disappear into the woods.
She knew it didn't matter what he decided. The dye was
already cast. When he was finally out of sight she turned
and walked back towards the house to help her Mother
with arrangements for a wedding that would never take place.