Quote:Wednesday kept her voice steady. She needed to stall. "How much is Wilkins paying you? I can pay you five times as much."

Trick barked a laugh, sharp and delighted like hearing a good joke. "I'd rather be dust than take Addams money. You fail to realize the situation you're in. Wilkins is going to kill everyone you care about. Your family. Friends. Your home. When Wilkins is done, you'll be praying for something as merciful as death. And I plan to have a front-row seat to see the end of your family."

Wednesday stared back, unblinking. "You won't even make it to sunrise."

Trick's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Tonight's the big night—the Ascension is happening. And thanks to your Uncle Fester, Wilkins has all the Addams blood he needs to complete it. Quite generous of him to deliver it personally."

Wednesday's eyes widened, shock cracking her marble composure. Fester had walked right into Wilkins' trap, delivering exactly what the Mayor needed.

"You Addams are nothing special…" Trick straightened, ready to deliver his grand speech, when, without warning, his body seized. Just for an instant. Then Trick erupted into a cloud of ash, scattering across the linoleum with a hiss. The two vampires holding Wednesday nearly recoiled in shock, and as the dust settled, Xander Harris stood amid the swirling ash. He looked…transformed. He gripped a stake in each hand, and for once, he wasn't comic relief. He had become something else entirely.

His eyes—black as midnight, just like Wednesday's—sparkled with something far darker than mischief. Wednesday just stared up in pure disbelief. It was too good to be true. Giles and Willow joined her in equal stunned confusion.

Xander smiled, but it wasn't his old goofy grin. "You know what's scarier than me attacking you guys?" he said, voice low and almost playful. "It's the idea that you have to let her go to fight me." He nodded at Wednesday, who shot the vampires a death stare over her shoulder at them. The two vampires saw her in action not long ago in this very library. They hesitated; each knew that when they released their grip the two of them would face her unrestrained wrath.

They didn't get a chance to decide.

Xander lunged forward, moving faster than ever before. As the first vampire on Wednesday's left tried to dodge, he let go of her arm and scrambled backwards, but Xander's stake in his right hand struck true, piercing the vampire's heart and turning him to ash. At the same time, with his left hand, Xander dropped the other stake in front of Wednesday. She snatched it in the air with her free hand as she rose to her feet, then immediately drove it into the chest of the second vampire. Ash erupted again, filling the air.

Everything went still. Xander and Wednesday stood in the swirling remains, just staring at each other across the drifting dust. For a heartbeat, the universe seemed to contract until nothing existed beyond their shared gaze.

Giles and Willow also stared, stunned at this unfolding event, while both were still tied to their chairs.

Xander blinked, sounding relieved. "Are you all right?" he murmured, voice softening. "I woke up and overheard them threatening you—all of you."

Wednesday stepped closer. His presence, his breath, him standing here—all proof she had succeeded. He loved her, and she truly loved him. Her family covenant sealed between their souls, binding them together in ways no mortal vow could match. Of all the dark rituals and macabre ceremonies in the Addams family grimoire, falling in love had never been on Wednesday's agenda.

There was just one last act she had to perform. It was to say four simple words.

She walked to him, reaching up to cup his face in her cool, sure hands. "Welcome to the family," she said, her voice even softer than he had ever heard before. His black eyes mirroring hers.

Xander's confusion flickered, then recognition dawned in his eyes. He matched her gesture, hands cradling her pale cheeks. He leaned in, and their kiss was neither awkward nor rushed, but sure and deep, a promise made and fulfilled. Xander's hands slid from her face to her waist, drawing her against him until no space remained between them. Wednesday's arms encircled his neck, their kiss deepening as the library around them faded away. The world contracted to just this—his heartbeat against her chest, her fingertips at the nape of his neck, two shadows finally merging into one…

Ahem!

They broke apart at the sound of Giles coughing pointedly through his gag. Willow widened her eyes at them, then looked down, clearly indicating the ropes binding them. Both still sat, tied to their chairs, anxious to be freed.

"Right!" Xander said, breaking into an apologetic grin. "Rescue party, part two."

Wednesday rushed to Willow and dropped to one knee beside her, deftly untying the knots. Xander hurried to Giles and attacked the ropes binding him, muttering apologies as he worked to undo the tight bindings.