Unwelcome Visitors

Chapter 28

The trip back to the Magic Box was accomplished with less trouble then they thought. Willow placed a sleeping charm on Xander and they had all piled into the humvees. Spike and Daniel sitting on either side of the slumbering man as he growled and twitched in his sleep. They carried him into the training room at the back of the shop and deposited him on the padded floor.

“What are we going to do with him Giles”

At a distinct loss, Giles took off his glasses, rubbing his hands across his face trying to dispel the weariness he felt.

“I’m not sure if there’s anything we can do Buffy”

The young slayer frowned, “But there must be something, Willow can’t you just do a spell on him like you did Nefu?”

Willow’s green eyes were filled with pain as she regarded her best friend.

“This is different Buffy, Nefu had a parasite inside his body, something physical…..Xander has had the hyena spirit in him for a long time. Its part of him now, I don’t think we can banish it without harming him.”

Tara gently took Willow’s hand, squeezing gently in reassurance, the red head smiled gratefully at her.

“But we can’t just leave him like this, he’s feral”

Spike leaned up against the wall not far from his mate, his gold tinged eyes fixed on Jacob.

“He can help, can’t you mate”

Jacob raised an eyebrow, placing his hands behind his back as he considered Spike’s question.
The vampire’s head dropped and Radic’s voice issued into the silence of the room.

“I agree with Spike, and William agrees as well. The Tokra would be able to help our mate become whole”

Selnac took over from Jacob and his eyes glowed as he regarded his fellow Tokra.

“You are correct, it would indeed be possible for us to aid your mate Radic”

Jack spoke up from here he stood beside Daniel who sat on the floor next to Xander.

“I’m gonna jump in here and ask. Your not talking about what I think your talking about….are you”

Selnac turned to face the colonel, his voice diplomatic as he explained.

“A Tokra symboite would enable Xander to function without the total dominance that the hyena now has”

“But doesn’t he have to be willing to do that?”

“Yes he does, the Tokra will not invade any living thing without permission.”

Daniel took Jack’s hand “Xander is a strong person, but the hyena is in control of him now”

“I gather the hyena thinks he has a claim on you Danny”

Daniel blushed and lowered his gaze, looking back down on the sleeping man.

“Uh yeah….about that, it wasn’t his fault….but yes we were put in a situation where the animal side of Xander reacted rather powerfully.”

Jack sighed and glanced around at the group gathered in the training room.

“What do you all think, if Xander has the symboite he’ll have it for life and quite a long life at that”

Giles looked at his girls, Buffy, Willow and Tara exchanged looks and Willow stepped forward.

“The symboite won’t harm him will it?”

“No the symboite will do all in its power to keep Xander well, but he must be willing to do this.”

“How are we going to find that out if the hyena is in charge?”

Willow moved to sit down on the opposite side of Xander; she smiled at Daniel and motioned to Spike to join them.

“I think I can find out for you though our bond. If he agrees how long will it take to locate a symboite?”

Radic knelt beside the red haired witch, reaching out a hand to smooth the tangled locks away from Xander’s face.

“Once we are able to use the Stargate it will only be a matter of hours to recall one whose host has failed. We have had to keep several Tokra contained until a host could be found for them.”

Selnac considered for a moment, “ I have in mind a suitable candidate, Willow please contact Xander and explain to him the situation”

Willow composed herself, closing her eyes and folding her hands in her lap. Subtle traces of power swirled around her as she opened her mind to her friend. Her hand moved out to take Spike’s and Radic gave back control to the demon.

“Bloody ‘ell”

Spike’s eyes were wide as he felt Willow connect with Xander’s sleeping mind; they drifted together through the layers till they came upon the voice. In the midst of the swirling mists they heard Xander’s tone, and the growls and yips of the hyena.

“Xander, can you hear me?”

“Xanlove where are you?”

From nearby Xander’s voice echoed around them, confusion evident in his tone.

“Spike, Willow….what are you doing in my dream…..and why can’t I wake up.”

“Xander, they hyena has taken control of your body and we’re trying to find a way to help you”

“Oh, how are you going to do that, are you going to like do a spell on me, cause that’s not of the good. I sorta like being in one piece and everything, and is Spike here too..”

“Bleedin hell pet, shut up and let the witch do the yakking”

“Oh…ok…I’ll be quiet”

“Xander I cant do a spell to remove the hyena without doing damage to you as well. But we can give you a symboite that will help to control the hyena”

“A symboite…..what’s that”

“One of the Tokra, Spike has one in him as well. Its divided him into three personalties….Spike the demon side, William the human side and Radic the Tokra.”

“Spike are you okay with that”

“Yeah whelp I am…..we all get equal shares, and I can get a tan now without worrying about goin up in flames”

“Xan it’s the only way for you to be in control again, but the Tokra need permission to do this.”

“And if I say no…”

Willow’s voice grew sad “Then I’m afraid you may be locked in your own mind forever”

“Okay so that’s not an option”

Willow and Spike could almost hear the sigh. “Okay I give permission”

“You wont regret this Xander, bye”

“I’ll be there when you open your eyes luv”

“Bye guys, oh and Spike…I love you”

“Love you too Xanpet, love you too”


tbc

Tara took Willow’s hand offering her girlfriend support, the red head squeezed her hand tightly.

“There must be something we can do, we cant leave him like this…..he’s feral”

Spike looked at Jacob “He can help, cant you mate”