The Tides of Change

This chapter is specially dedicated to those readers who asked about this story so long after the last post. : ) Thank you!!!!

I hope it's enjoyable. As always constructive feedback welcome. : )


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Part Ten
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Lacroix found himself watching the petite blonde as he continued his own battle with the ugliest creatures he'd *ever* had the misfortune to run across -- though most of his attention was focused on keeping himself and Alexander intact. He had to admit, at least to himself, that this mortal moved with far more grace than most he'd come across, the beauty he saw being her incredible strength.

Within seconds of his and Alexander's arrival several more of the demons fell. Surprising him, the blonde noticed his presence almost immediately, her eyes narrowing with glittering anger. He smirked -- and made sure to keep several of the demons between them. No sense tempting fate. Somehow he suspected Alexander would consider it a break in their agreement if he killed her -- even if she attacked first.

"It's okay, Buff; he's with us," Alexander shouted over the sounds oe bae battle, jerking Lacroix' head around in shock. He certainly hadn't expected *that*. Loyalty *and* honor, a . . . deadly combination.

A powerful, reeking fist connected solidly with his jaw, snapping his head back. Had he been mortal his neck would have snapped. He didn't like that. Launching himself toward the demon, Lacroix brought vampvampire to the surface. "You will pay for that," he hissed quietly.

"What?!" Buffy exclaimed incredulously, her gaze flickering only briefly toward Alexander, her fight continuing unimpeded by her shock.

Alexander ducked and stumbled, scrambling away from two demons, laughing as each struck the other instead of him. "Can we talk about this later?" he asked, panting. "I'm kinda busy here."

Lacroix snorted, breaking the neck of his current opponent. As soon as it dropped another took its place. Lacroix dodged, then charged, ramming his shoulder into the demon's gut. As it stumbled backwards, however, he began to realize it was one he'd *already* defeated.

Growling, he edged toward Alexander. "How do you keep these 'demons' down?" he demanded angrily.

Alexander shrugged, ducking one of his own, grinning as the massive demon punched the wall right behind where he'd been. "Buffy!" he shouted, never removing his eyes from his attacker. "How do you kill these things?"

"Their eyes!" she shouted back, demonstrating ably as she rammed her thumbs into the one tackling her.

"Ewwww!" Alexander shuddered, but didn't hesitate before jumping one demon's back. "Gah!" he exclaimed as he followed Buffy's instructions.

Lacroix agreed with Alexander's assessment; it was a messy way to kill. He shoved the thought to the back of his mind as the three of them fought on, one demon after another falling to the floor -- finally not getting back up again. In the midst of it all, Lacroix noticed other mortals arriving -- the ones that had been with Alexander in the park. He kept his eye on them, but didn't otherwise react to their arrival.

He did notice the rather odd way each member of this growing group absently acknowledged each arrival without letting it interfere in the battle. It was actually quite fascinating to watch, and if he hadn't been in a fight that posed the most danger to his continued existence than he'd been in in centuries, he would have studied them all far more closely.

He *did* notice however, that the life or death struggle eased somewhat with the addition of the two females. That in itself was extraordinarily surprising. When he added in the fact that he was suddenly seeing demons who had no visible opponents hurtle away from them to land in undignified heaps, he was more than just a little intrigued by the newcomers. Just what were they?

Even above the rising stench of both the living and dead demons he could tell the two girls were mortals -- as far as he could sense *ordinary* mortals. Their actions, however, proved otherwise. What surprised him the most, however, was the blonde -- Buffy. She matched him kill for kill. In his existence he'd come across only a few vampires who could do that. The fact that she did so . . . impressed him.

As the last one fell, Lacroix was surprised to find the five of them back-to-back, surrounded by slowly liquifying corpses. While from a strictly objective point of view, he'd known the positions of everyone, and everything, in the room. It was another thing entirely to realize on a completely emotional level that he'd allowed this dangerous . . . *mortal* to guard his back. It was quite . . . disconcerting.

He slowly turned to face the otherr sur survivors, raking his eyes down Alexander. He was quite grateful to see that the boy seemed relatively unharmed. **Amazing,** he thought.

He was interrupted as the red-headed girl spoke. "As far as I can tell, these were the last of the hold outs. The others ran almost as soon Tara and I began blowing the place apart."

**How?**

Buffy nodded once, firmly. "Good," she said, then turned to face Alexander. "Okay, explain now," she demanded, her tiny hand clutched around a small wooden stake.

Despite the fact that he had long since figured out that appearances were quite deceiving, he noted she looked quite ridiculous. The corner of Lacroix' mouth twitched upward -- though he firmly quashed the urge to smirk. Did she really think that tiny . . . *toy* would destroy him -- even if she somehow managed to get close enough to actually use it?

"Buffy," Alexander began, "we made a deal. He came here to help you fight these things, instead of just making his escape."

"Well that gets him one vote of 'yay!" from me," the red-head said brightly, grinning at him.

He snorted, not quite sure what to make of the girl. Manners, however, took over and he nodded bowed his head to her, formally acknowledging her succor. He may not care overmuch for most mortals, but he always gave credit where it was due.

Buffy growled and Lacroix' eyebrow shot up. The little girl was *growling* at him?

"Buffy," Alexander pleaded quietly.

Buffy rounded on Alexander -- though Lacroix noticed she didn't relax her stance. "Just tell me this *isn't* another Spike thing, because," Buffy slumped. "I don't think I could handle another Spike thing."

"S-Spike?" Alexander stuttered out questioningly.

Lacroix got the distinct impression there was a *very* long story behind this 'Spike thing'.

"W-why would you make that comparison?"

"Xander?" Buffy questioned warningly.

"Perhaps -- if I may make a suggestion -- we should take this conversation to safer -- and less . . . aromatic -- surroundings?"

Buffy started, then looked sheepish. "Yeah, that'd be a good idea." She turned to stare hard at Lacroix. "That doesn't mean I trust you."

Lacroix did smirk then. "Of course not," he purred.

Buffy blinked up at him, frowning suddenly. "Just know I'm watching you!" she snapped, before stomping off.

"Quite paranoid, isn't she?" Lacroix murmured before following more slowly.

"Yeah, well, she's had good reason to be, what with--"

"Alexander," Lacroix cut in, waiting until the boy focused on him before continuing. "I did not say I thought that was a bad thing. I've discovered over the years that a certain amount of paranoia is very necessary to long term survival."

"Oh," Alexander replied, completely nonplused by his response. Shaking his head, the dark-haired mortal turned and followed his friend.

Only a moment later, Lacroix followed as well. Smirking, he mused that this day had ended on a far better note than he'd expected it would as little as an hour ago. Not only was he free of those insidious chains, the like of which he'd never before encountered, he was moments from true freedom. Additionally, he had extracted a promise from the most honorable -- if the memories Lacroix had seen were to be believed -- mortal he'd met since first encountering Nicholas de Brabant. Yes, this world, even with its oddities and uncertainties, might not be so bad after all.

Glancing down, he grimaced. His usually immaculate clothing, covered in days worth of grime even before the fight, was now also layered in inordinate amounts of foul smelling blood -- the repugnance of the scent surprising him no small amount -- and unidentifiable bits of demon gore. He need a bath -- hot and long -- and he needed a change of clothing. He wasn't entirely certain where he was going to get either. It was another in a series of firsts after a long draught.

**

Stepping out into night had never felt better. Xander breathed in the crisp, pre-dawn air, wincing as he caught a wiff of his own unwashed body. **Sour sweat mixed with demon entrails; Yum!** Xander thought sarcastically. **Could be the next Old Spice -- NOT.** He shuddered and shoved the thought aside. He was alive, worrying about his oh-so-lovely body odor could wait until he was physically safe. He'd just stay safely far enough from anyone else to keep the embarrassment factor down as low as it was humanly possible.

On the heels of that thought, they reached the street and Buffy stopped and turned around. Xander came to an abrupt halt, backpedalling quickly to avoid getting too close to his friend. If he could smell himself, he hated to think what others could smell. It really didn't bear thinking about.

"Okay, we're far enough now," Buffy said then frowned, "and on good old, *hard* cement. Talk. Explain."

"We were locked in together. He could have killed me, but didn't. The explosions started. We got loose. We found you on the way out. I got him to agree to help you. We helped you. We're free," Xander replied, knowing he was *really* shaving the facts down to the absolute minimum, but he didn't want Buffy to know the whole story, because she just might get really pissed, then where would he be?

//You wouldn't have to worry about a bargain made.//

Xander bit his lip as he gave serious thought to the that. The guy was a vampire. Xander hated vampires. He really shouldn't worry about promises made to the bad guys. He groaned. No, he couldn't do that.

"Okay, going to need the slightly longer version, Xander," Buffy replied shaking her head as she smirked.

"But not right now," Willow ordered firmly, grinning, then suddenly launching herself at him. "Xander!" she squealed. "You're okay!" she continued as she squeezed him tightly. "We were so *worried* about you."

Just when he thought he might have to protest lack of oxygen, she released him as suddenly as she'd latched on.

"Ugh!" she exclaimed backing away. "No offense, Xander, but you *really* reek."

Buffy laughed then, bending over and holding her stomach.

Xander glared at them both, even as he blushed beet red.

"I could have told you that from way over here," Buffy said after she got her laughter under control. "Sorry, Xander, but I'll save my hugs till we get you all nicely showered."

"Feel the love," Xander quipped, but couldn't help but feel a little hurt that she cared so much about that. He could have *died*; he was sure he'd come close several times. Beside him, Lacroix finally stepped forward.

"Perhaps," he suggested mildly, "we should take this discussion indoors?"

"Tell me again why he's still here?" Buffy ground out, glaring at Lacroix.

"Because I made a deal with him," Xander replied quickly before Lacroix could. He could see the vampire was not taking kindly to Buffy's continued belligerence. And somehow, he thought that just maybe, even Buffy would have difficulty handling a 2,000 year old vampire. The dude could *fly*!

"I didn't," she replied, stalking forward.

"Damn it, Buffy!" Xander exclaimed, stepping between his friend and her target -- a target he wasn't *really* so sure he wanted to protect in the first place. Only that annoying thing called honor made him do it. "I gave my word! The agreement was made to help save you. By inference alone, that means you shouldn't try to kill him -- at least for 24 hours."FrowFrowning, and muttering, Buffy backed off. "Fine, he's got those 24 hours, unless he does something to break the truce. I don't allow killing in *MY* town without striking back."

Behind him, Xander could almost *feel* Lacroix' rising anger. This situation was spirally out of control, and he knew with growing certainty that if something didn't stop it, someone he cared about was going to end up very dead. Then he *would* have to break his word, because he couldn't let anyone get away with that.

"And is there a place in this benighted town you call home that I might find . . . sustenance without hunting?" Lacroix asked, his voice deadly calm -- sounding very doubtful to Xander.

"Yes, actually," Xander replied, turning to face the vampire. "Willy's place. It's a demon hangout. They serve all sorts of drinks that are better left to the imagination -- including blood."

Eyes flashing, Lacroix nodded after a moment. Then stepping to the side, he spoke directly to Buffy. "Very well, 'Buffy', in respect for your . . . claim on this town, I will not hunt for the next 48 hours. I would, of course, expect you to grant the courtesy of extending your side of the agreement to that length of time."

Xander stared at the two of them as they stared at each other, Lacroix, haughty and formal, Buffy, suspicious but considering. It was like watching some ancient ceremony. It reminded him forcefully of some of the old movies he'd seen where two opposing samarai warriors faced off. Unnerving was what it was.

Finally Buffy pulled herself up straight, matching Lacroix' stance. "I'll agree on the condition that when the 48 hours is up, you leave town. Otherwise you get 24 hours to get out of town before I come after you."

Xander saw Lacroix stiffen, but was surprised to see amusement in his expression. He wasn't quite sure what to make of that. Well, obviously Lacroix didn't think she stood a chance against him, but beyond that. . . ?

Agaacroacroix nodded, "In 48 hours I will either have left," he said smoothly, the smallest of knowing grins curving the corners of his mouth upward, "or I will have . . . renegotiated."

Xander gulped. **Now, why doesn't that sound like sending a dozen roses and asking politely for the truce to continue?**

He didn't have time to voice those thoughts, however, before Buffy nodded, the agreement made. She strode forward, hand out, and with a surprised arched-eyebrow, Lacroix extended his own hand.

Xander wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the briefest flair of surprise in the vampire's eyes. **Why?** Xander wondered. Had it been the strength of Buffy's grip? **No, he wouldn't be surprised about that by *now*. They fought side by side.** Maybe it had been the *lack* of strength Buffy used in her grip. Xander shook his head. Right now, he didn't have the energy to figure it out.

He was about to suggest a return home -- at least for him -- when Willow latched onto his arm pulling him away from the immediate circle of people -- and vampire.

"Xander," she whispered fiercely, "you need to be careful."

Xander frowned down at her, then laughed. "You think there's something *not* obvious about that?" he asked pointedly, looking at her skeptically.

Willow shook her head. "I'm serious, and I mean beyond the obvious. I think-- I mean I'm pretty sure--"

Chuckling now, Xander put a finger over Willow's mouth. "Quit hedging and just say what you want to say."

Glaring it him over the finger that held her voluntarily silent, she took a deep breath and nodded. She spoke as soon as he removed his finger. "I think he *likes* likes you," she blurt out, still speaking in a whisper.

"That's what you're worried about?"

Willow nodded.

"I kinda figured that out already, Wills. I *did* spend a couple days locked up with him."

"You mean--" Willow gasped and her eyes widened until she looked like red-headed owl.

"No!" he yelped. "I just mean I figured it out."

**Of course, it was kind of easy with him pressing me up against the wall, and the way he blatantly eyed me up. I certainly never had a girl nervy enough to do it like *that*. Of course, the fact that he mentioned point blank it was a definite possibility, was kind of a big clue, too.** He shifted uncomfortably, not liking his train of thought.

"Geez, Wills, you're still the only one batting for the other team."

Tara, hovering just far enough away to give the illusion of privacy, hesitantly stepped forward at that point. Both he and Willow turned toward her. She didn't often give off that hesitancy anymore.

"There's something different about his aura, too," she offered quietly.

Xander frowned. "What do you mean?" This was the stuff he didn't understand.

Willow frowned too, but she, instead of questioning, look over at Lacroix.

Xander watched as her eyes seemed to lose focus. With a quick glance, it looked to Xander as if Lacroix was ignoring them in favor of conversing with Buffy. Though, judging from their expressions, it wasn't exactly tea time topics.

The darkness surrounding them was beginning to lighten, also. While that was usually cause of celebration of the 'Yay, we survived another night' variety, today it unsettled him. He didn't like this new concern about vampires going dusty. It messed with his world-view too much.

"Oh my God," Willow whispered.

"What?" he and Tara asked -- a little too loudly apparently, because it drew the attention of both Lacroix and Buffy.


TBC (yes, I know, I'm mean and nasty. Next chapter won't be nearly as long a wait, because I know just what I want to do with it.)
Kiristeen
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