The Fallen Slayer {1}

Going Under

**

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA: 3 WEEKS AGO

The version of him from the future had shown Xander everything he had been dreading in the back of his mind for months.

A life with Anya where he completely turned into his father only worse.

Following the reveal, Xander had bolted from his own wedding. He just needed to think. Even if those visions were not real, deep down Xander knew that the life he saw could happen.

Xander finally knew what he had to do.

And his decision was going to hurt a lot of people, more importantly, Anya.

Heading back into his wedding his eyes widened in shock, his family and Anya's demons were at each other's throats, and there in the corner, a seven-foot demon currently had his fiancé in a chokehold "Anya!"

"Xander!"

Out of nowhere Spike jumped forward and started fighting off the demon allowing Anya to escape.

Who invited Spike to his wedding?

Probably the Buffy-bot glitching again.

Running over to Anya, he quickly helped her up to her feet as she smiled up at him in relief.

It made Xander feel all the more worse.

"I'm so glad you're here. It was all lies." 

Xander looked away from her hopeful eyes, he just couldn't hold her gaze because it didn't matter that it was all lies. He knew what he was going to do and there was no changing his mind.

"What he showed you, it wasn't true. He just wanted to break us up."

Xander glanced over to where Spike was still fighting the demon before turning back to Anya "Doesn't matter now."

"It's going to be okay."

As Spike struggled Xander grabbed one of the pillars covered in flowers and hit the demon in the face knocking him down before he slammed the demon in the face again.

Again and again, until the fake demonic future Xander finally stopped moving.

With the demon dead, Xander turned his focus back to Anya and quickly grabbed her hand "We need to talk."

Not sensing the despair in his voice, Anya just nodded before turning to the crowd "Everyone sit down! The wedding will go on...in a minute."

Xander sighed before pulling her with him, just out of view of their guests, so that no one would be able to overhear them.

Anya merely smiled at her man, having no idea of what was about to occur "You know, it's bad luck to see me in my dress." When he doesn't speak she merely smiled "Hey. It's okay. It's all over now. He's dead, and it was just smoke and mirrors."

Xander smiled sadly "I know."

Anya grinned brightly having no idea what was about to come "So...we're ready now. Let's get married."

"I-I...I'm not. I'm not ready. I can't, An. I'm sorry."

"But it-it wasn't real. What he showed you, it wasn't real."

Xander sighed trying to hold back tears "I know it wasn't real, but it could be. And...it showed me...that I want something else..."

Anya's face fell and her eyes started to brim with tears. This couldn't be happening.

NO.

It was her wedding day it was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

How was this happening right now?

"Well—what was it? Was it about me?..." Pausing her eyes widened in horror as she thought back to the glances and smiles"Was it about Elena?"

"No...It wasn't about you or her...it wasn't you I was hating. I had these thoughts and fears before this. Maybe we just went too fast."

Anya shook her head, she wouldn't give up this easily "Look, everybody has thoughts...thoughts about the future...other people...it's natural. It doesn't mean that getting married is wrong."

"I know. I know."