A Hero's Reward

"You passed out."

Xander blinked up at Buffy, trying to focus his vision. "I did not. I simply got tired, laid down, and rested my eyes."

"Then why are you covered in grass?"

"Can't a man enjoy the smell of grass covering his body?"

Buffy folded her arms. "I'm not ever going on that mental image."

Xander got up, groaning. "Good. Because I'm already seen it and I can tell you, it's not pretty."

"Hello? I just nearly died here." Dawn said, also folding her arms, but including foot tapping with it.

"Hey, Dawnie. You fight the good fight?"

"I think he's delusional." Buffy replied.

"What's that mean?" Dawn demanded, the foot tapping faster.

"Delusional? I think it means flying birdlike thorugh the air." Xander replied.

Suddenly everything went wobbly and he fell to the floor.

Dawn rushed to him, turning him on his back.

"You okay?" She asked.

"I think the world needs to stop shaking first." Xander said, slowly.

"This definitely isn't a good thing." Buffy replied, looking down at him.

Xander grinned, a lopsided grin. "I'll have to refute that argument."

"I totally don't want to know what you're suggesting there." Buffy said, taking a step back.

"You'll have to excuse me. Head's been shaken a bit."

"I think his brain's been turned to mush." Dawn said.

"You've barely noticed? Sure I guess since you are technically only two years old, but I've know that about ten seconds after meeting him." Buffy said, grabbing one of Xander's hands and puling him to his feet.

Dawn glared. "No. I think that knock on the head didn't do him any favors."

"It lent me money, along with helping me move." Xander grinned again. things were feeling a bit floaty, he steeped forward and nearly collided with Buffy.

"Hands! Hands!" Buffy shouted, shoving him away.

Xander fell upon the ground, groaning.

"Slayer strength." He groaned.

"Watch where you're putting your hands next time." Buffy folded her arms and looked down at him again, like Dawn her foot began that slow tapping.

"It's not his fault Buffy. I think we should take him to a hospital." Dawn said, worried. She set a hand upon his head, looking at that small gash that had been caused by the collision with the tombstone.

"Nah, it's cool, Dawnie. I've been knocked around by worse than your sister." Xander replied.

"No. You need medical attention.'

"I…" Then Xander passed out.

XXX

It was warm, a little too warm.

Xander opened his eyes to see the cottage cheese texture of ceiling texture. He groaned.

"Look who's decided to join the living." A familiar voice said.

Xander looked to see Buffy sitting in a chair across from his, a book in her hands.

'Buff? Wait, is that a book?"

"You're seeing things." Buffy answered, shoving the book under a quilt.

"Where am I?"

"Heaven." Buffy said.

"I think heaven wouldn't smell so dusty."

Buffy looked outraged. "Dusty! You try keeping house when all your time is spend saving the world and trying to hold a job."

Xander pulled the quilt off of him, sitting up. The world became a slight blur of images, but after a moment righted itself.

"I was talking about the blanket."

"Oh. We don't get much call for visitors who want to snore loudly on our couches." Buffy said.

"I do not snore."

"Like a chimney." She responded.

Xander paused. "Okay…"

"You doing okay?"

Xander rapped his knuckles against his head. There was a flash of pain he barely suppressed.

"Hunky dory." He replied, grinning.

"What does that even mean? How can a Dory be hunky?" Buffy shook her head. "Well, since you're not going to die on us. You might as well help me make breakfast."

"Generally the milk goes into the bowl of cereal."

"Yes, joke, Mr. Funnyman. I'm thinking of something sizzling on a skillet."

"Do you even know what those are?"

"I've got a dictionary."

Buffy got up and headed to the kitchen.

Xander watched her go. "Wait. You're going to cook?"

"Yes!"

Xander blinked for a moment. 'DAWNIE! BUFFY'S GOING TO COOK! HELP!!!!"