Cander (Cordy/Xander)

The Help

What the hell is she doing here? I think to myself.

"Cordelia," I say.

She smiles warmly.

"Hey, Buff. Looking good for just coming back to hell on earth. That was a compliment by the way. I'm here to help. May I please come in?"

Please? Since when is Cordelia polite? And since when does she call me Buff? But we've all changed, so I guess even Cordelia Chase can change.

"Come on in," I say.

She walks in and I close the door behind her. I follow her into the living room.

Willow Rosenburg

As soon as I see my old classmate, I stand up from the couch and walk up to her.

"Cordelia, what a surprise. Welcome home. Do you need anything? Are He and Doyle okay?"

"Thanks for the welcome. We're all fine, but thanks anyway, Will."

We give each other a smile.

Xander Lavelle Harris

"Welcome back, Cordy. We would've thrown you a welcome home party if we had known you were coming, but we're in the middle of something big," I say.

We share an awkward look before she looks away from me.

Anya Jenkins

I watch the silent exchange. They still have a thing for one another. I can see it. We're broken up so I know I shouldn't be jealous. But I am. It must be a famous human feeling. Something I didn't have until now. I watch from my seat on the couch between Xander and Dawn with hatred and jealousy in my eyes. It's her wish that made me human, which is why I hate her so much.

Spike (William the Bloody)

"Well, well. Look what the Hellmouth drug in," I announce, standing by the bookshelf, as I look at her. "And you haven't changed one bit, Princess," I add.

"Spike, shut up. Don't act like we're old friends, because we're not. You're the one that ruined everything. You know what I'm talking about," the ex-cheerleader of Sunnydale High replies sharply with venom.

Dawn Summers

"So, who's this?" I ask, looking at the brunette I have never seen before in my life.

"Cordelia," Buffy replies.

"I'm Cordelia Chase. I used to be the Sunnydale High famous Queen C and cheerleader, but that's all over now. Well, unless I get mad or I'm fighting the evil undead. That's a different story. And one more thing. I'm Xander's high school sweetheart. And when I made a wish, Giles broke Anya's amulet which made her human. Now she hates me for it. But that's nothing new. Everyone hates me. Well, almost everyone."

"Nice meeting you, finally. I've heard about you, but Buffy never talks much about you," I tell her.

"That's because we never got along in high school. But she did save me a few times. All the other times, it was Xander saving me or me saving myself."