Xander's Punishment

AN: Sorry the chapter is a bit shorter.  Natural divisions sort of made it that way.

“Punish? Are you guys going to ground me? Give me a time out? Or a spanking?” Xander babbled with a chuckle. He often made jokes when he was nervous.

Cordelia raised an eyebrow and gave a smirk, the first facial expression she made since her earlier outburst at him. Willow made a similar expression.

He cursed his babbling. Of all the weird things he could suggest.

“Well if you guys really need me to take a time out-” he tried to cover for his suggestion.

“We're not going to give you a time out Xander” Buffy said with a smile. The first she'd worn all day.

Xander was happy everyone was less upset, but wasn't sure what to think about what they were suggesting they would do. He figured that they were just joking around, which was a good sign. They must have been moved by his heartfelt apology. The looks on their faces still gave his stomach a churn. They kept looking at him. Their expressions turned from angry and upset to one of amusement. Butterflies grew to the size of baseballs in his stomach.

“You guys aren't really planning on spanking me are you,” he asked nervously. “because I think I left my spanking pants at home, and you know, I won't feel anything through these jeans, and I probably should be going there, you know,-”

“It's ok, we can work around it.” said Willow.

Xander realized that in his chattering he once again suggested something he hoped he had never mentioned. Now they wanted to pull his pants down. Not only would it be embarrassing as hell, but it would also hurt a great deal more. No wait, what was he talking about, the whole situation was ridiculous! But the way they were all looking at him, they were serious. He tried to back away slowly, but Buffy caught up to him, and gave him a charming smile that made him melt.

“Xander, I just wanted to say that even though I have not forgiven you, I'm very touched that you are willing to take a bare-bottom spanking to prove you're sorry.”

“Wait, who said anything about-” panic began to set in. What kind of fucked up situation had he gotten himself into this time. And he had no one to blame but himself. Not only did he do the spell, but he accidentally talked them into it. He had to get out of this. But Willow, Cordelia, and Buffy all looked so moved. Amy just looked amused. His brain protested and panic raged wild when his mouth said the words, “Okay, I'll do it.” God he had such little control over his mouth sometimes.