Looking forward to the next bit.

I really think you were too hard on Xander. I seem to remember every time he tried to do better it was ignored or dismissed. No he wasn't perfect but I think that Giles went over the line. As for acting like a child - I think Giles little temper tantrum showed he isn't always so mature... An adult would have sat him down and adressed him calmly while dealing with things point by point. An adult would explain his actions and perception of events and accept his portion of the blame and help Xander to see they were both at fault and how things can get misinterpreted. Giles' rant came off to me as saying that it was all Xander's fault and that Giles and the rest were blameless. One last thing, how many times can a person try and be around, hang out and/or participate pushing himself in when every single time and comment says go away. How can they come running to help him if they won't listen to anything he has to say.

It seems like Buffy and Giles pulled a 180 since the last chapter, in attitude at the very least.
Buffy went from being concerned and overly-protective of Xander to the 'I'm the Slayer' biatch-Buffy attitude many people write for S7 stories.
While I could see Giles having a stern conversation with Xander (although I disagree with his points entirely, I could see him as having them) I think he would do so in a much calmer manner, especially since the immediate threat is over.

As for Giles' points, first, when (other than in Zeppo) did Buffy tell Xander to hang back, or stay out of a fight or anything like that?
In fact, she didn't want Owen (IIRC) helping them in the first season, because he was to much into the action, but said Xander and Willow understood the score.
And, in very first ep Giles tried to dissuade them, that is the only time until Zeppo that I recall. And Giles wanted both Willow and Xander out completely.
And when did Xander ever put Willow or Cordelia in danger, with the obvious exception of the summer Buffy had run away?
Heck, half the time he was staying back and it was the vamp who came at them (Xander, Willow, and or Cordelia).
Nevermind the times he helped Buffy herself when she needed it.
As for asking for training, sorry, but Giles is an adult, and I'd assume he was given at least some training as an educator, even if just a librarian, so he wouldn't completely screw up right away. He should have known, even from his own teenage years, how difficult it can be for some people to ask for help, especially from an authority figure.The mere fact that Xander is there shows he has an interest, given what we do know his home is like I'm no surprised he wasn't willing to put himself out further and ask. All Giles had to do is suggest Xander do more than stare and drool on himself and he probably would have jumped at the chance.
Oh, and when is Xander supposed to let them know he's in danger? Assuming said danger lasts more than the vamp attacking him and then getting dusted. When he is being gently moved along, or even flat out pushed away, during regular school time? Or during the meetings he was no longer invited, or even really welcome to?

Personally, I hope this chapter turns out to be that Xander passed out as the adrenaline faded, and this is some sort of quick nightmare he is having while he and Willow are being driven back to the school.
Otherwise, I'd like to see Xander come back a little later, ask if they were a bit calmer now, and refute what Giles had just said.
Also, as far as the gang knows, does Xander know about Faith? Cause as far as she should know Xander has been pushed almost completely out of the group, and I could see Faith stopping for a visit, trying to see what he knows, what the others were able to find out, ect.

Every two weeks is better than not at all. It will also give you time to iron out any issues you have within your storyline with a bit less pressure. Please be assure that I for one, and I'm sure I am not alone, am enjoying this story and I look forward to seeing how Xander proceeds with his new found maturity and identity. Looks like Oz has him busted though and that could be a blessing a link between Xander & Walker the scoobies & his army contacts.
Well done now have a stress free fortnight.

To DHX- Giles is depicted as pretty damn scary on the show without really doing much fighting. Who knows what taking a shot at Giles might cause.

Meanwhile Xander's got to take some damn responsiblity for never even attempting to take a self-defense course or something until he got thrown out.

Giles is employed to research for and train a single supernatural warrior. I'd bet training an ordinary person is a lot different. Plus he has to justify his job at the school. So, what is supposed to do just take time to drag the Sccobies in and make them learn something they may not be interested in?

Lik Maeven said, "one slayer, one watcher." That's how he was taught to work and it's how he expected to work

I always hated that he gang decided to make Xander 'fray adjacent. Basically they were excluding a friend who wanted to help. In a previous chapter Xander made a great point (which I hadn't thought of) about the danger he was put in by being out of the group. However, Giles' little rant surprised me, because he actually made some valid points. What Giles doesn't know is that Xander realised some of that for himself, and made improvements to himself. After Oz's confrontation, I think that Xander needs to go back in, acknowledge a few of Giles' points, and let them know...something. I don't know if he should tell about his secret idenity, that probably won't go over well. But, I kinda do want it to happen. ;o)

Just...ugh. With things screwed up this bad in the group dynamics, me personally, I'd just leave the group. I mean, why go back if things will never be even remotely like they once were? If he goes back, I really don't see what's going to change. They'll be pissed at him for fighting behind their backs (as Walker), then even more pissed when he won't reveal/betray his new friends who trained him, and yet more pissed when he won't stop fighting even when they order him to stop; Buffy in particular with the jealousy issues she's displaying here. Really, just what's there for him to go back *to*?

The right response is to just cut ties - turn around, walk out, and then be politely distant to them in the school hallways - the semester's almost over anyway and he won't have to see them on a daily basis for much longer as it's his Senior year. Just keep doing what he's been doing since he left them. They're Faction A - he's left and joined Faction B. I think that's the right choice and he should stick to it.

hell no. you have a pendulum problem here. you've swung from one extreme to the other. if i had been in xander's position when Giles tried that rant i would of bitch slapped him. i really hope this has nothing to do with jason barnett and is just a case of giles trying to justify his cockups.

Excellent job. Just as in RL, no one is every entirely in the right. It's good that Giles at least got some equal time, even though his observations aren't entirely valid (as Xander's were not earlier).
I see things as finely balanced here, and the Scoobies friendship may become stronger or finish falling apart completely.

As for updating, take your time. This is a good read, but updating shouldn't be at the expense of RL and your health.

I'd have to agree with Finn a bit.

Not that Xander is blameless, but Giles is the adult and if he recognized Xander as a liability, should have said something, should have offerred training, should have INSISTED on training in fact.

But then, Giles is also a product of the Watcher's training, that whole "One Slayer, One Watecher" no helpers allowed mentality.

It looks like you took some of my words to heart(if I'm not taking to much credit.) and I'm glad. There needs to be some clearing the air and this is a place to start.

I have to call shenanigans somewhat on Giles' rejoinder in this chapter.

Essentially he boils it down to "You never got any training because you never asked. Instead you acted like a child and threw yourself into danger."

Now, who is the forty something Watcher and who is the 17 year old here?

Did Giles expect Xander to be an adult, to grow up and realise he needs training? From the show, all I could see at that stage, was Xander doing what he could because that was all he knew.

So, therefore, because he doesn't have the life experience of Giles, to realise that, if he asks for it, he will get it, instead of how his parents would react to requests of the same, it's his fault? And he should man up and admit it's all his fault?

Shenanigans.

Another quality chapter with a few surprises in it, ie Giles and Wesley.

Sorry to hear about RL but do what I do and wish for the comfortable lottery win.

Whining in the corner about you not being able to post as often. Joyfully dancing everywhere that you have a job and life that interferes with this. Living indoors and eating regularly is always preferable to having lots of free time to write. Both would be nice but.... I love the story and since I'm not paying you I will gladly wait until you post more.

Awesome. I like his conclusion as to why Cordy is accepted & he's not. I also loved him taking Giles down a peg or three.