When all else fails pop culture rides to the rescue. Bubbling up to the surface of Xander's mind was the scene before the final battle of Conan the Barbarian. Mimicing Conan's plea Xander spoke aloud, "Crom, grant me ****!"

Looking at Cordelia as she seemed to be coming out of the weird hypnotic trance thing his Would You Rather question caused, Xander scrambled fast to think of something to say to get his pound of flesh. He knew the minute Cordelia was out from under the effect of the question she was going to run and hide from him.

If he was going to act, it was going to be now. Before Cordelia ran. And before he lost his nerve.

Blinking back into awareness Cordelia looked at him with narrowed eyes, "Satisfied? Can I go now?"

"One more question." Xander asked thru gritted teeth.

Cordelia rolled her eyes and clucked her tongue, "Fine. Lets get it over with so I never have to deal with a loser like you again."

The added venom and hate from Cordelia clarified Xander's thinking.

"Would you rather be my girlfriend and be a real person who may not be popular but at least be loved and valued and cared for or would you rather be a bitch who is only concerned with being pretty and popular and fake and is willing to do anything to be the most popular girl in school and has no real relationships, attachments or people who care about you."

Xander watched as Cordelia reentered that quasi hypnotic trance caused by the question. Unlike before this time it took more than a second for an answer. The blank hypno face Cordelia sported for a few seconds seemed to show something of an internal fight. But then the moment passed.

"Popular." Cordelia answered.

Stunned Xander goggled for a second and then asked, "Why?"

Cordelia still in the trance didnt answer.

"Fuck." Xander palmed his face, "Would you rather tell me why or get hit in the face?"

"Our relationship wouldnt last. High school relationships never last unless someone gets pregnant. Its better to be popular. Less complicated. If we don't date it also means you cant hurt me emotionally when I tell you I love you."

Xander gawped. He leaned towards her and just stared. "You love me? You? Then why did you DUMP me?" He shouted at her.

Hypno trance Cordelia didn't answer.

Angry beyond belief Xander threw his hands up in the air. "Fine. Fuck it. Who gives a shit." He turned away only to turn back, "Have fun being Little Miss Popular and knowing nobody loves you."

He flipped her the bird and stomped away as Cordelia came out of the hypnotic fugue state being asked the question caused.