Title: A Many Splintered Thing

Author: Alan Hitchen

Email: darkmere2000@yahoo.co.uk

Disclaimer: BtVS belongs to Joss Whedon and others

Pairings: Anya/Xander Faith/Buffy

Rating: PG-13 (Character Death)

Faith was out for a run in the park when she saw Xander alone on a bench. As she came closer she could see he was sitting with his eyes closed, mouth working soundlessly like some giant goldfish. She stopped in front of him but he didn't seem to notice her presence, so after a while she said: "Hiya!"

He opened his eyes and looked at her in some surprise. "Oh. Hi, Faith," he replied in an off-hand manner.

"What happened to you?" she asked in a mildly aggrieved tone. "I haven't seen you since you turned up at my apartment, blind drunk, at two in the morning. Is it 'cause you found me with Buffy? Cause I do have a life of my own ya know. I made that clear from the start, it's just sex, not a relationship."

"What? You and Buffy?" Xander looked confused. "I don't remember that. I don't remember anything much about that night. Even why I got drunk. I must have argued with Anya again I guess."

He shrugged. "What I do remember is falling over a couple of trash cans and cutting myself badly on some broken glass."

He stopped talking, unsure about saying more, but Faith made a 'go on' gesture, so he did.

"When I was being stitched up in the emergency room I happened to tell the doctor about my recurring headaches. He suggested having it checked out."

He stopped talking again. This time Faith had to prompt him verbally. "And?"

"And the tests showed I have Lampington's disease. It's in the terminal phase. I've got three, maybe six months left to live. So you can understand why my having illicit sex with you is no longer my first priority. That's why I haven't been in touch."

Faith was taken aback by the news. She sat down next to him and took his arm in hers.

"Xan, I'm so sorry. Isn't there anything they can do?"

"No. The only thing left is for me to pray for a spontaneous remission. That's what I was doing just now."

"How is Anya coping?"

"She doesn't know. No one does, apart from you. I'm trying to keep things as normal as possible for as long as possible. If my prayers are answered she may never know. But if not... I'm told the end will be very quick. So at least I can spare her the anguish of her waiting for me to die."

Faith nodded understandingly. "So, what are you doing now?"

"Well, besides praying, I've been putting things in order so Anya will be all right after I'm gone. That took me ten minutes," he said, emitting a bitter chuckle. He went on, "That insurance policy Aunt May took out for me is all I have, apart from my collection of comic books. Not much to show, even for a short life, is it?"

Faith was lost for words and an awkward silence followed.

"So what about you?" he said at last. "You mentioned something about you and Buffy?"

"Yeah, we're lovers now," she said distractedly.

This didn't surprise Xander. Faith had been after Buffy from the very first moment she saw her.

"Does she know about us?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Ah. Then that explains why she's been so off with me lately. Not that I've seen that much of her, just enough for her to yell at me."

"Don't take it personal, Xan. She doesn't like any of my boyfriends. She doesn't like sharing, period. I told her she was the only girl for me, but I also told her what I told you, I'm a free spirit and I won't be tied down." Then grinning she added, "Except in bed of course."

Xander smiled in response. "That's what I like about you, Faith. But you do see why it's best we should just be friends from now on. Anya will be hurt enough as it is without knowing I cheated on her."

"Sure, I get it, as far as I'm concerned it never happened. But if I can help in any way, just ask."

"Thanks, Faith. You already have. I know you can't do anything really. But just talking to you. Well, I don't feel so frightened any more. Thanks for that."

Faith and Xander continued to meet in the park. Their relationship deepened as the old trivialities were forgotten in the face of impending death. She eventually persuaded him to tell Anya. She took the news surprisingly well. The others rallied round to support the couple in their time of need, but to no avail. Their prayers were not answered, and four months after diagnosis Xander collapsed and died in Anya's arms.

His last words were, "I'd love to go to bed, darling, but I'm just too tired."

He was greatly missed.

Except by Anya.

He wasn't ill. She'd poisoned him. No one cheats on an ex-vengeance demon and gets away with it!