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Rating: NC17
Pairings: Spike/Xander main paring. W/T, B/R
Spoilers: Up through Season Five. Completely AU after The Gift.
Warnings: angst, male/male relationships, racism towards the demonic persuasion
Summary: Xander learns some new things about himself, and in the process steps up to be a champion for those in need. 
Email: amejisuto_kagetsu@yahoo.com
Distribute: Excessent, The Batpack, SXandV, Bloodclaim.  Let me know if you want this.
Archives: http://www.livejournal.com/users/amejisuto/
              http://www.fanfiction.net/~amejisuto
              http://www.livejournal.com/community/bloodclaim/
              http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/authors.php?no=17790
              

Thanks to [info]kyrieane  and [info]kitty_poker1 for the beta work!
 
Disclaimer: I hardly own this computer I’m writing on, much less the wonderful town of Sunnydale and all those within.  Joss Whedon, UPN, WB and other people who aren’t me own Buffy and all of her friends. 
 
Author’s Notes:  This is a follow up to Behind The Masks.  If you missed that, Anya has left Xander, and Buffy didn’t die during the episode The Gift.






White Knight, Black Knight

by
Amejisuto

         


Part One

Xander kicked at rocks as he trailed along behind his two best friends.  Buffy and Willow has asked that he patrol all the graveyards on the south side of town that night.  Why he didn’t know, they were so busy chattering about the extra collage courses they had been taking over the summer he could have been abducted by aliens in Elvis costumes and they might miss him sometime tomorrow. 
 
It had been a terrifying spring followed by a weird summer.  School was scheduled to start up again in just two weeks, and Buffy was planning an outing with Dawn, Willow and Tara.  Of course he wasn’t invited.  Oh they would have, sure, but he had an actual job and just couldn’t take off.  Buffy worked for Giles at the Magic Shop since Anya had left him, and Giles closing up the shop and giving her a week’s paid vacation.  It was going to be an end of summer blast, with shopping, music, food and bonding.  Giles even had his friend from England over again. Everyone had big plans for the next week it seemed.  Everyone but Spike and him.
 
Even though the blond vampire had saved Dawn when Glory’s toady tried to cut her, Buffy still wasn’t giving Spike any credit or respect.  Which put Xander in an odd position.  He’d gotten to be friends with the Bleached Menace didn’t even call him Fangless anymore, since he realized to what extent the chip really bothered Spike.  Oh that didn’t stop him from calling him other things, but mostly it was playful bantering.  None of the venomous exchanges they used to have, or the now commonplace life threatening Buffy seemed to thrill in.  She just couldn’t see Spike and not shove Mr. Pointy in his face.  It was getting old rather quickly.   
 
Tara was with Dawn that night, cooking up a storm for a late night snacks.  That was one thing he missed about Anya’s leaving.  When first becoming human she taught herself to cook, thinking that was something all women did.  He could have told her that was wrong; him Mom’s attempts at cooking made Peg Bundy look like Martha Stewart.  Yet while they were together he had nice home cooked meals.  Now it was micro waved dinners, freezer pizza and mac and cheese. But he was trying to learn.
 
 All this was running through his mind as he listened with half an ear to the girls.  He would be surprised if they killed anything tonight, he thought.  Buffy’s chatter alone would be a dead giveaway that the Slayer was on patrol.  Add to that the noise they were making while walking and every undead person within a mile was heading for the other half of town.  Why Buffy chose to wear wooden clogs while on patrol, he’d never know. 
 
“Xander! Xander are you listening?”  Willow’s worried tone.  He’d been hearing that more and more since Anya left.  She just couldn’t understand why broke up with the ex-demon. 
 
“Yeah Wills.  Well, kind of.  I mean I heard you talking but I didn’t hear everything.  I started zoning when you were talking about facials.  Sorry it was a long day at work and this humidity sure as hell isn’t helping.”  It was late August, the Dog Days of Summer and boy was he glad he used Sure!  The air was almost t hick enough to see. 
 
“She said are you coming?  Back to the house with us.  We’ve got lemonade and ice cream and Hugh Grant movies!  Could anyone want more?”  Buffy laughed while pushing her hair out of her face.  She was dressed in a halter-top and shorts.  Not the most fashionable, but it was too hot for anything else. 
 
“You’ve got to come Xander.” Willow squealed.  “ You can hear all about where we’ll be going next week.  I’m so glad the Hellmouth has been calm since we defeated Glory, I think we all need the vacation!”  She bounced in place and he eyed the top of her green sundress with worry.  Once, long ago in a high school far away he might have enjoyed seeing the strapless dress slip but no more.  It would be like peeking at his sister.
 
“Sorry ladies but you forget.  The Xan-man has to work tomorrow, and next week.  No rest for the wicked and the carpenter type people.  You do realize though that you have tempted the Goddess of Fate by commenting on how slow it is.  I expect we will have vampire hoards, zombies, and smurfs singing Broadway show tunes any minute now.”  He put on his trademark goofy grin. Didn’t want to start another round of Pity Xander. He’d had enough of that in the couple of month since Anya left. 
 
“Xander we are of the good.  We kicked Glory’s ass and the word has gotten round that the Slayer has killed a God.  No one wants to take us on, leaving us free for junk food and fun in the sun next week.  You don’t have to stay too late Xander, come on don’t be a party poop!”  If possible Buffy was even more bouncy than Willow for once.  The sad, stressed woman that had come into being when her mother died and Glory was a threat had gone back to the enthusiastic girl with a love for life.  Which was good he supposed.  That was the way of the world, you grieved and moved on. 
 
Never mind that it was actually Giles and Spike that saved the day.  Sure Buffy beat Glory to a pulp, but it was Giles that killed her human counterpart, Ben.  Giles who took that on himself and never spoke of it, but Xander knew.  Spike was the one that took Doc out, before the toad could cut Dawn.  Took him out the hard way, by tackling him and falling with him the hundred or so feet down to the concrete.  Xander was still amazed that Spike survived. 
 
“Nah Buff, gotta be at the site in,” he looked at his watch, “damn, seven hours.  Time for all good little construction workers to be tucked in bed.”  He turned to walk home, “Goodnight sweet ladies! Have fun painting each other’s nails or whatever it is you girls do! Why you’re calling it a slumber party I don’t know, its not like you don’t all live in the same house anyway.”
 
“It’s the point of it Xander, slumber parties are fun, and you talk about boys, except not me so much anymore, and you play games and its fun.  You really ought to come, we can get you up in time for work on the morning or you could call in.”  Willow looked at him with puppy dog eyes.  The same eyes she used when they were kids to con him out of his vanilla pudding. Never worked when he had chocolate though, and he was exhausted, so it wasn’t going to work now. 
 
 
“No Wills, not so much with the games tonight or the boys so I guess that leaves me out.  Thanks for thinking of me though.” 
 
Buffy called out as he again tried to break away from the estrogen-fest.  “Sure you don’t want us to walk you home?  I mean its not like you have super-strength and it is my job.” 
 
Xander winced.  Buffy didn’t mean to rub it in he knew that. Somehow that just made his one mediocrity all that much worse.  “There isn’t anything out here, Wills said it, it’s slow and I’m ready for Miller Time.  Have fun!”  He jogged away before they could say anything else. 
 
As he walked home Xander couldn’t help but feel a bit depressed.  Somehow, when the fight with Glory was over and they had all survived he had thought of the future as being quite different.  Him and Anya would be engaged, he had wonderful friends and they’d do couple things with Willow and Tara.  They’d find someone for Buffy and it would be wonderful.   All “hearts and puppy dogs’ as Spike would stay. 
 
Instead he was going home to an empty apartment after working a twelve-hour day and spending what free time he had patrolling.  Anything to keep from being alone.  Problem was he was feeling alone even when he was with the others.  Just like when the girls first went to college, he felt he didn’t belong in their world. 
 
What was even odder was the fact that the one person, well being, who he seemed to have the most in common with right now was Spike.  Spike had been rejected often enough by Buffy to where he finally gave up, Spike who was on the outside looking in during Scooby meetings.  In the past couple of months they had patrolled together, played pool, watched crappy movies and even gotten shit-faced.  Spike knew what it was like to be left behind and didn’t press him to talk about his feelings or ask questions that Xander wasn’t prepared to answer. 

 Xander made his way into his apartment.  More and more coming home was a trial, he remembered getting this apartment to please Anya.  Yes it was nice and it was great that he could afford it, but he did it for her more than for him.  Without her it just didn’t seem right to be there.  Maybe he should move; the lease would be coming up in a couple of months. 
 
He made his way to the bathroom, stripping along the way. Didn’t matter if he left his clothes on the floor anymore.  He took time out to shower, letting the hot water soothe aches from both work and attempted slaying.  Pulling out a pair of pajama bottoms he got from the bedroom, he made his way into the kitchen.  Looked like it was peanut butter and jelly for dinner again. 
 
Xander didn’t turn on the television, or the radio.  The apartment was quite, and that was very strange.  Usually he had one or the other on, sometimes both, but after dealing with noise at the site and then the girl’s chatter he was ready for some peace.  He pulled back the sheets and slid into bed, trying not to notice the empty area on the other side.  He tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable.  Trying not to think about how things were changing too fast for him, and failing. 
 
 
As he doubled checked the alarm, he hoped that at least he wouldn’t  have yet another nightmare that night.



Part Two



Author's Note: Umm, just a warning, I cried when I wrote this, so you may want a kleenex or something. Then again it could be proof that I'm insane. Xander resisted the urge to bend down and start banging his head against the research table.  It wouldn’t do any good; Buffy would still be having a hissy, and more than likely she’d get even madder.  If he would have known she would have this big of a fit at the thought of him and Spike patrolling while the girls were out of town, he would have just kept his big mouth shut. 
 
“You know you can’t trust him, Xander; what the hell are you thinking?”  Buffy summed up her rant with that one statement.   It was funny to watch her fume; her lower lip poked out and she actually had stamped her foot a couple of times.  Xander was glad he missed out on the six-year-old Buffy; he had had enough problems with Willow and Jessie. 
 
Giles looked up from behind one of the display cases. “She’s quite right, Xander, unless you are, perhaps, paying him to make sure you’re all right?  It wouldn’t hurt to stop patrols right now, I don’t think; you don’t really have to do it. It’s not as if you’re the Slayer.”  He went back to counting crystals.  Monthly inventories always left him a bit short-tempered. 
 
Buffy sat in one of the chairs opposite him, “He’s right, Xander. You don’t want to get killed or maimed; it would ruin our vacation if we came back and found you dead.” She smiled at him. She was teasing, but the comments hurt nonetheless.
 
“Buffy, it’s not as if there’s an apocalypse or anything; we’re just going to make sure the fledges don’t get out of control.  You know how much Spike likes to beat things up - we’ll have fun.  Male bonding and all that.” It was actually sort of fun watching Spike fight, like watching a dance – okay, a violent dance, but a dance nonetheless. 
 
The sun was just setting and the bell over the door to the shop rang as Willow, Tara and Dawn came in.  The girls were leaving in two days for L. A. and Dawn was talking a mile a minute about a concert they were going to see. 
 
“Willow, you tell him what a bad idea he has!” Buffy all but screeched, cutting off her sister’s monolog. 
 
“Jeeze, Buffy! Rude, much?  I was in the middle of a conversation!”  Dawn stormed past her sister to sit on the steps to the upper level of the store and threw her a dirty look.  Dawn was the only one of the group besides him that could stand Spike.  Willow was polite and all, but she still had issues from when the vampire had kidnapped them in high school. 
 
“What is a bad idea?” Willow and Tara sat at the table as well.  “Eating chocolate ice cream and pizza before bed? I could never convince him of that and I’ve been trying since we were five!”  She smiled her big Willow smile, eyes twinkling as she took her girlfriend’s hand. 
 
“I-I don’t think anyone could convince Xander that chocolate is bad, Willow.”  Tara, shy and quiet. Tara, who had a kindness in her soul and a gentleness that made you want to wrap her up in cotton so nothing could hurt her.  He really liked Tara, and loved the fact that she loved Willow with all her heart. 
 
Buffy got up and started pacing again.  “He’s going to go patrolling while we’re gone, with Spike! The evil soulless demon that’s tried to kill us!  What happens if he does something to Xander while we’re gone? Huh? We wouldn’t be able to help save you, Xander; you could die!” 
 
“Buffy!”  Dawn interrupted, sticking up for Spike before he could. “Spike saved me! Twice!  He didn’t tell Glory I was the Key when she was beating the crap out of him, and he fell off a tower getting all smashed to protect me from getting cut! He and Xander are friends; he’s not gonna let anything happen to him.”  He watched as she pushed hair back from her face.  Good ol’ Dawnster, remembering only the good about someone. 
 
“Dawn, he like, owed us!  We’re keeping him in blood and stuff!  Plus, you know, he’s tried to kill us more times than he’s helped, so it’s just now balancing out! And you know he was just doing it to get to me!  He was trying to convince me that he loved me; he’d do anything.  I don’t even want to think what his plan is now. He hasn’t done anything recently and it makes me wonder what the leech is up to!” Yet another foot stamp.  Xander just couldn’t take it anymore. 
 
“Okay, guys, chill out! All I said was that we would do a couple of patrols.  Not that I was gonna slit my wrists and offer up my blood or anything! Jeeze! If Spike wanted to kill me while he was chipless, he had plenty of chances. Hell he could even have let me die of alcohol poisoning last week when we were out drinking, but he didn’t!  I keep on telling you that he’s different, but no!  You don’t believe me! Get this through your skull, Buffy, Spike did love you!  I know; we drowned our sorrows together.  Spike loves Dawn and would do anything to protect her! As odd as it might sound, we are friends, and if he’s waiting till the chip comes out to kill us all, I would think you’d have a better chance of living if you would stop threatening to kill him every time you see him!  Gods, people, we are supposed to be the good guys here; it’s not polite to give death threats - it goes against the superhero handbook.  Only tall, dark and angsty types can threaten a person; that’s why Deadboy can get away with it.”  He tried to turn his tirade into a joke. Gave his goofy smile. Nothing to see here, go away.  “Maybe you could get away with it if you wore tights and a cape.  Wear your underwear on the outside like Madonna.  You code name could be Stake, like Blade, that guy in the Marvel comics that hunts vampires and uses a sword.  But then people might think you’re a guy and well, let’s just so not go into that!”  Grin and smile. Back to goofy Xander. “So, Dawnie, got plans to sneak backstage to see Purple?” 

”Xander, for the last time it’s Pink!” Dawn rolled her eyes and Buffy laughed.  Good - they were distracted.  Dawn went on, ”And no, I haven’t figured that out yet.  I was trying to convince Willow and Tara to use an invisibility spell to get us back there.” 
 
His diversion worked.  Willow went on to explain to Dawn the ethics of spell casting and how it wasn’t fair to use it to get to restricted areas of the concert.  Tara laughed and got in the discussion, and Buffy had finally given up on telling him how many ways Spike was going to kill him and went to train in the back room. 
 
Xander looked around and saw that Giles was finished with that part of the inventory.  “So, G-Man, when does Olivia get here?” 
 
“Hmm?” Giles had moved from crystals to wands.  “Oh, yes, well her timetable has been switched around a bit; her flight comes in tomorrow afternoon so I’ll be closing up a day early.  That’s why I’m trying to get this infernal inventory done tonight.  I won’t have to worry about it waiting for me when I open back up.”  He turned back and started counting again. 
 
The girls continued whatever it was they were talking about and Xander was left in silence.  He got up and moved to where Giles was working.
 
“Need any help with that?”  He didn’t really want to spend the rest of the night counting, had plans in fact, but he could never not offer to help.  It was his nature to help those he considered family.
 
“No thank you, Xander; I don’t think you’d understand the intricacies of doing a proper inventory.  Perhaps if I had more time…” Giles stopped what he was doing to polish his glasses.  The man should buy stock in handkerchiefs to make up for all the ones he wore out doing that.   
 
“No prob, G-man.  Just trying to be of some use. Guess if y’all don’t need me, I’ll be going.  A friend’s birthday was today and I’m gonna celebrate it with him.”  Xander walked towards the research table and looked at Willow from under his eyelashes, waiting. It was Dawn who finally asked, though.  
 

”Cool!  Whose birthday?” 
 
Still nothing from Willow. “No one you know, Dawn, just a friend.  If I don’t see y’all before you guys leave tomorrow, have fun!  He turned and yelled at the training room. “Bye, Buff!  Have fun!”  He started to the door. 

Buffy, of course, had to get the last word in about Spike.  “If Spike so much as lets you get a paper cut, I’ll dust him, Xan.  Tell him that for me! I still wish you’d just forget patrol; it’s not as if you could do that much without powers.” 
 
“Gee thanks, Buff, way to emasculate!  You get a gold star for making my balls shrink a size!  Have fun mooning over Deadboy while in L.A.!” He stormed out.  Behind him he could hear their voices calling him.  Any other night he might have stayed, joked, let them feel better, but he was tired.  Tired of putting on the masks that made them feel better about themselves.  Tired of being left behind or ignored. 
 
He turned the corner and started walking to his parents’ house. The moon was full and it looked like you could almost touch it.  Took a few deep breaths to calm himself.  He was so very glad it was Thursday and he had asked for time off the next day.  He was frustrated and he wished he could go patrolling for fledglings to kill. 
 
It frustrated him that they didn’t think he could take care of himself.  Okay, so he wasn’t big on the whole martial arts kick-ass thing.  And he couldn’t do magicks like Willow.  Still, he was alive after living on the Hellmouth for just about twenty-one years; that had to count for something. 
 
Giles’ comments had hurt, as well.  Inventory was inventory. Okay, so he might not know the formula for figuring profits and losses that Giles used; he could count, dammit!  Didn’t even need to take off his shoes.  And the whole hating Spike thing was getting old.  Okay, they didn’t trust Spike, but after all this time it would have been nice if they would have trusted him and at least shut up about it. 
 
He finally made it to his parents’ house.  He stopped on the sidewalk in front, not going in the yard.  He closed his eyes and let the memories wash over him. His parents drunk and/or yelling, times in the Basement of Doom with Anya, with Spike.  Camping out at Christmas.  Fights with his parents, sneaking out of the house at night. Running to the only safe place he ever really had as a kid, Jessie’s. 
 
It was Jessie’s birthday; he would have been twenty-one years old today.  Gods, he missed him.  While he had been friends with Willow since kindergarten, he’d been friends with Jessie from the womb, it seemed; their Moms had been friends once upon a time, before the alcohol changed his Mom.  Born just eight days apart. When they were kids, he wished he was really Jessie’s brother and that one day he could stay at his home and live with him and have a happily ever after.  Never have to deal with his asshole parents ever again.  Then, as he got older, that feeling changed. And then Jessie was gone.
 
Xander started walking.  It was a ritual, something that the three of them had started years ago on Xander’s tenth birthday when his parents had totally forgotten.  Willow walking in the middle, Jessie and him on either side.  In just a few minutes he reached the first of his destinations, Old Man Winters’ grocery store in the middle of town.  Xander was convinced that the owner was a demon.  The guy was healthy and hearty, but he looked so old he must have been there before the turn of the century, yet he looked the same as when Xander was little.  Go figure.  He never tried to kill or maim him, and when he was six and had a broken arm he got extra chocolate, so he at the very least meant no harm to Xander. 
 
He hadn’t been there since he moved across town, yet he wasn’t surprised to see Mr. Winters there.  “Hey there, Mr. Winters!  Haven’t seen you in a while; you doing okay?” 
 
The old man came around from the counter to shake his hand.  Dark skin, white hair, weathered hands, but still his eyes were a bright green and twinkled when he greeted him. 
 
“Well met, Xander!  Let me look at you! Turning into a fine young man, Xander, even if you do have a weight on your shoulders this night.” 


“Thanks, Mr. Winters.  Do you have it?  I know I haven’t been by or called, but I was hoping you’d remember.” Xander held his breath.  While this night would be okay if Mr. Winters didn’t have what he came for, it would make him feel better if he did. 

”Got it under the counter here, Xander.  I know you, my boy; you wouldn’t forget what today was, even if you had to fly in from Africa.  Where’s Willow, is she missing it again this year?” 
 
Xander sighed, the disappointment he’d been feeling all night coming to the foreground of his mind.  “Yeah, she didn’t remember.  She’s happy, she’s got a girlfriend, and is doing great in school, and has other things to occupy her time, and she just forgot.  She and some of our friends are going out of town for a while and she’s all excited.  I didn’t want to make her feel bad for forgetting, or bring her down.  So it’s just me for Jessie’s party this year.” 
 
“Well I’ll tell you what, Xander,” Mr. Winters had set a six pack of sarsaparilla on the counter and two big thick chocolate bars.  Their traditional birthday fare.  “I’m a bit too old to follow you wherever it is that you’re going, but at midnight, if you don’t mind me snitching one of these wonderful drinks, I’ll open one and toast Jessie too.  Good young men like that should be remembered.” 
 
Xander could tell by the look in the man’s eyes that he was serious.  They were wise and sad all at once, and he wondered how many people the man knew that had passed on.  Had to be a helluva lot, between his age and the mortality rate in Sunnydale.  “Thanks, Mr. Winters; Jessie, well Jessie would have loved that. He always did like you.  I’d, I’d really like that.” His breath hitched, but he couldn’t afford to start crying, not yet. 
 
“Thanks again, Mr. Winters; I’ll remember it, always.”  An unspoken promise to remember him too when the old man’s time came, if it ever did. 
 
“Thank you, Alexander.  Be safe.”  The old man waved; it was almost a benediction, and once again Xander wondered what the man was.  It didn’t matter though because he was a friend to him.  He took his drinks and candy bars and left, not looking back for fear he would find the store empty and that it had all been his imagination. 
 
Xander turned to go to his final destination of the night, to the park three blocks down the street.  The same park where Buffy and her Mom had found that demon playing at Hansel and Gretel.  Joyce, he’d have to figure out something to do for her on her birthday, too; she was too good of a lady not to remember.  At least she had died of natural causes, no pain really, no terror.  Not like Jessie. 
 
He made his way to the slide and sat down underneath it.  He realized what a big target he made of himself on these nights, yet nothing had ever tried to attack him.  He had a stake in his belt, but that was it. 
 
He opened two bottles of sarsaparilla, one for him and one for Jessie.  Unwrapped both candy bars, took a bite and savored the taste.  This was the only time of the year he’d eat dark chocolate; it had been Jessie’s favorite.  He couldn’t stand it any other time. 
 
He raised his bottle to the sky. “Hey, Jessie; how you doing, man?  Still haunting me?  Or at least dropping by to see how I am like that Sylvia Browne woman on Montel says?  Gods I hope so.  Happy Birthday, Jessie.  I’m sorry Wills isn’t here, but well, she’s got other stuff going on.  She’s even bigger and badder at the Wiccan stuff since last year.  Kind of scares me sometimes.  Don’t get me wrong, we needed the mojo against Glory, but I worry about how the power will affect her.” 
 
He took a drink and continued, “That’s right, Glory wasn’t around last year on your birthday, and neither was Dawnie.  Wonder if the monk’s memory trick would apply to ghosts? Oh well.”  Xander proceeded to tell his friend everything that had happened in the past year.  How he finally got out of the basement and away from his parents, Dawn, Riley leaving, Spike in love with Buffy, the battle with Glory, Anya leaving him. Everything.  Then he sat for a couple of hours and just listened to the night, hoping Jessie would show if he were there or not.  
 
About two hours till dawn he started talking again, “Gods I miss you, Jessie.  I’ve started having the nightmares again.  Watching you turn to dust and knowing that I did it, that I killed you.  Oh I know it was Darla that turned you into a minion, but I destroyed your body, and the more I get to know Spike the more I hate myself for that, because I see that he is a person.  Sure, if he didn’t have the chip he’d be killing, and if you were still around, so would you, but dammit he has feelings and can laugh, and can be hurt.  You could have had a chance of some sort of life, at least.  Unlife.  Would you have hated it? Or do you hate me for killing you?”  Tears started falling down his face silently. 
 
“I just wish things would have been different.  I wish I could change so much.  I wish Willow was still there for me always, that I had a parent that cared.  I wish I wasn’t invisible to my friends, that I could do more to protect people so they don’t have to go through what I did when I lost you.” Xander snorted and looked around, “Better stop that, you think that if anyone knows what a bad idea saying ‘I wish’ is, it would be me.”
 
 Xander got up and looked around.  Took a calming breath and tried to get himself back together. It didn’t work, and he was sobbing now, huge tears running down his cheeks, breath hitching.  He poured all of the drinks on the ground and packed up the bottles and wrapping from the chocolate.  Jessie’s bar was left in bite-sized pieces. 
 
“Most of all, Jessie, I wish with all my heart that I hadn’t had been so cowardly and confused.  I wish I would have braved you hating me just to tell you once exactly how much I loved you. Needed you.  Gods, Jessie, forgive me.”
 
Xander turned to go home in the pre-dawn light, tears still clouding his vision. 
 
It was for that very reason he didn’t notice the pale shadow that had been watching him from the shadows.



Part Three



Xander woke next day after four.  His eyes had that gritty, dry feeling that came after crying.  All in all he felt like shit, but after last night at least he had no dreams, and that was a plus.  Maybe things would get back to normal now.  All this summer he’d been feeling like he was at a crossroads.  First he blamed it on Anya leaving, then on Jessie’s birthday.  You never knew though, maybe he was just finally growing up. 
 
He disproved that idea to some extent, by eating cold leftover pizza and Twinkies while trying to wake up.  The worst part about being off on a weekday is that you never really knew what was on TV, he thought, while trying to find something he recognized.  Star Trek and Xena wasn’t on, and he really wasn’t up to thinking much after last night.  Ended up watching Trading Spaces.  At least there he could get some carpentry ideas.
 
After getting cleaned up he checked his answering machine.  There were messages from several people.  As always Giles was clipped and polite, you would have never known that Xander had left in a huff the night before.  He had left Xander the keys to the Magic Box in case Xander needed anything from there.  Willow had called, she was rushed with getting ready to leave but said she was worried about him, they’d do lunch when she got back.
 
Yeah, her people could call his people.  Okay, so she had a girlfriend and he didn’t. She spent a lot of time studying and he didn’t, understanding that still didn’t make him feel like he was a big part of her life. Xander tried to ignore those feelings, knowing it was mostly depression and some resentment over her forgetting Jesse’s Birthday again.
 
Buffy called to apologize, but she didn’t apologize for what she said, just that she said it. Great.  Anya left him because he was unwilling to stop the fight, to stop trying to protect his friends and the innocents of Sunnydale. Now his friends thought he couldn’t do it, didn’t believe in him.  At least that was how it felt.
 
Great pity party Xan! He couldn’t help but laugh at himself.  No more serious thinking till he was in a better mood.  He’d end up like Deadboy, brooding in the dark all the time and that was so not of the good.  Only one thing could help him now, massive amounts of chocolate, or alcohol, either one would do. 
 
As he had not yet reached the levels of pathetic ness needed to overindulge in either alone, he figured he’d go meet up with Spike first.  They could go through some of the tunnels under the city and clear them out, then after the sun set to a patrol.  That way Xander would have an excuse to invite Spike to the Bronze for a drink.  He never wanted to get so far gone he ended up like his parents, but lately he was going a bit overboard.  Maybe they should do junk food and movies.  Although Spike was far more likely to agree to come if JD was involved.  And blood, which he had some of in the fridge; since he started really hanging around Spike he tried to make sure he always had some on hand, both pig and some human in the freezer in case Spike was hurt. 
 
So he had a plan, time to put it into action.  Leaving the TV on, so he wouldn’t miss it when the homeowners saw what that Doug did to their bedroom, he undressed and made his was into the shower.  Turning the water as hot as he could stand it he got in and started to clean up.  He looked down and Lil’ Xan.  Not sure what was more frustrating, the fact that he hadn’t gotten any attention since Anya left, or the fact that his fantasies didn’t even seem to do it any more. 
 
Not that he had a lot of great experiences sexually. Cordy and him barely got past second base and then Faith pretty much threw him down and got on, barely even waiting for him to get hard.  He would have felt less violated if she had left money on the side table for him. 
 
Anya showed up in the basement demanding orgasms.  Sure it had developed into a relationship, but it started out as fuck buddies.  Gods, between all that and the people, or rather things he had been attracted to in the past he was a Jerry Springer show waiting to happen.
 
Once again trying to shake off such melancholy thoughts, Xander got out of the shower, dried off and dressed.  When he went patrolling with the Scoobies it didn’t matter what he wore, but when he was out with Spike he did try to dress for stealth.  The vampire had been teaching him some tracking tricks and his usual wear did tend to make him stick out like a sore thumb. 
 
He pulled on black jeans, black tee shirt, and black work boots with steel toes.  It was really too hot to wear a coat, so he wore a dark green long sleeved shirt to hide the stake and small hatchet he’d shoved into the waistband of his jeans.  Gabbing his keys, he looked at the clock.  It was near six o’clock, Spike would be awake and most likely bored. 
 
He got in his SUV and drove down to the cemetery.  It was late summer and there was a lot of traffic.  He parked in the cemetery and got out.  There were two funerals going on.  He tried to make his way over to the closest one, trying to figure out what had happened.  If it had been a vamp attack they’d have to come back in a couple of nights
 
It was just ending, but he could tell by the picture set near the grave it was a closed casket.  More than likely something a bit messier than a vampire had gotten a hold of the person.  On the one hand, good, because then he and Spike probably wouldn’t have to come back later, bad on the other hand, because that meant something out there was chewing people to bits.  Yea, another fun weekend on the Hellmouth. 
 
As he made his way over to Spike’s crypt, he tried his damnedest to be quiet.  Watching his footing, trying not to step on any twigs or leaves; a dozen other things Spike had been trying to teach him.  Of course Spike could always hear his heart or breath, not like he could stop that, but still it was the thought that counted. 
 
He made to knock, but a voice called out from inside.  “Might as well come on in Harris!  Could bloody well hear you from fifty paces!” 
 
He laughed as he swung the heavy door open.  “Gee Spike, I think that was a compliment, two weeks ago it was a hundred paces! I must be getting better!”  Xander felt something lift as he walked into the Master Vampire’s home.  It was the best he’d felt in the past couple of weeks.  Maybe it was because Jessie’s birthday was behind him, but maybe it was the company.



Part Four

Spike listened to Xander try to keep quiet as the boy moved towards the crypt.  He was getting better actually.  Instead of sounding like a herd of elephants he only sounded like a herd of cattle.  Not bad considering Xander’s natural state was loud, both in his clothes and his volume. 
 
After finding Harris out alone last night while hunting up something to kill and watching all night, Spike felt he knew the boy so much better.  The hostility he had shown both Spike and his poofter of a grandsire was understandable if he had staked his best friend.  It also explained some of Xander’s weird behavior recently and why he looked like something a Neko demon dragged in. 
 
Spike would not mention anything he heard, wouldn’t even say that he saw the boy.  He knew all too well how hard it was to keep a stiff upper lip, and while Xander joked around Spike now knew how much of that was a mask.  He would not deny Xander his odd type of dignity. 
 
The boy stopped outside his door and paused.  He was the only one of all the Scoobies that knocked, even Dawn just barged right in most of the time.  “Might as well come on in Harris!  Could bloody well hear you from fifty paces!”  He turned to watch Xander come in. 
 
“Gee Spike, I think that was a compliment, two weeks ago it was a hundred paces!  I must be getting better!”  He was laughing. That was a good sign; Spike couldn’t deal with an evening of brooding.  If he wanted that he would have gone to L. A. to bother his Grandsire after giving up on Buffy. 
 
“Yeah, I suppose even whelps have a chance to improve.”  Spike took note of Xander’s scent.  Citrus, sawdust and sugar.  No sign of depression or anything like that.  He didn’t smell as happy as that weekend when he had that bloody Star Trek marathon going on, but that was okay.  Spike could stand only so much babbling about whoever that Seven woman was before wanting to stake himself. 
 
 
Spiked jumped up and sat on the sarcophagus that was in the upper level of his home.  Xander joined him.  “Talked to Clem today, said there was some great beastie down in the tunnels eating whatever it could lay its paws on. You up for it Harris?” 
 
Xander gave it a moment’s thought.  “Did he say like how big?  All I’ve got is an ax and stakes.  Okay for fledges and minor uglies, but not for something big. You think that’s what got those two being planted out there today?  I eavesdropped a bit, and from what I could tell there was barely enough to put in a casket.”  Xander’s nose wrinkled as he thought of the different possibilities. 
 
Spike thought for a moment.  “Clem didn’t say what it was or anything, just that there was something looking to snack on the populace and didn’t care if it was human or demon.  Come on down, I think I’ve got something that might just do.”  Spike climbed down to the plain part of the crypt and Xander followed.  
 
There were a few candles lit to give just the smallest amount of light so Spike lit a few more so the boy could see.  He had actually done well getting down here without falling, Spike thought.  He’d realized something not long after they had first mended fences.  Xander wasn’t as stupid as he let on, and the only reason he didn’t know things, like how to fight or the easy way to research, was because no one had ever taught him anything, and Spike had been trying to change that.  
 
Spike remembered his short stay in the boy’s basement.  His parents either totally ignored him or seemed to delight in embarrassing him with their own certain flare.  Course it was easy to do that last one with Anya almost always there.  The American school system sucked, leaving Xander to flounder with his grades to graduate.  Spike may not have liked the discipline of an English boarding school like the one he’d hated when he had been human, but they did make sure you got a decent education.
 
What really shocked Spike though, is that in nearly six years the Watcher had never taught him any self-defense.  What little skills he had, Xander had either taught himself or they were from half-forgotten memories of a soldier.  That was one weird Halloween.
 
Spike shook off his musings and bent down to dig under his bed.  He pulled out a couple of swords in their sheaths, and then a couple of knives.  “Know how to do anything else with these pig stickers rather than just swing and hope?” 
 
He watched as Xander tried to lift the hand and a half sword.  It was awkward, too heavy and too long for him to use it.  Spike picked up the katana and held it out to him. “Here, try this.  Doesn’t have the impact of that big bugger, but it will be a bit easier for you to handle.” 
 
Xander did know some basics, but Spike took a few minutes to show him how to block and a few other tricks.  Course the boy had to joke. “There can be only one!”
 
“What, think you’re immortal just because you got a fancy sword Harris?”  Spike couldn’t help but smirk at the look on the boy’s face.  “What, you think I only watch Passions?  Like that Kronos bloke I do, he had some good ideas about destruction.”  He was almost laughing at the look of astonishment on Xander’s face. 
 
They made their way to the entrance to the tunnels.  “How’s you night vision?  Think you can get used to almost complete dark or do you need a torch? I have one around here somewhere” He was hoping for the former. 
 
Xander thought for a moment and replied “Even if my vision sucks I think I’d be better off without a light, down here it would just make me a better target.  And you’ve got your lighter if I really need to see, so I think I’ll pass on the neon sign proclaiming come and get it, thanks.” 
 
So he had grasped the problem.  Very good. 
 
As they moved their way through the tunnels, Spike tried to point out landmarks and the like, so if they were separated the boy would be able to figure out where he was and could find his way out on his own.  You never knew what could happen. 
 
They had been walking for quite some time.  Spike could feel that the sun had finally set up top.  He was getting very sick of this, of the smells down here in the sewers, of the twisting and turning.  After the first bit the boy had gone quiet.  Spike couldn’t tell if it was because of the boy concentrating, being depressed like he had the night before, or something else altogether. 
 
Spike was just about to suggest they call it a night at this hunt and go up top when he froze.  There, just about 200 yards or so ahead he heard something.  It was hard to tell, mainly because as soon as he stopped Xander’s heartbeat had quickened, making it hard to hear anything else. 
 
That was taken care of in a flash as both men heard a terrible roar that sounded close.  Whatever it was roared again, closer.  Spike turned to face whatever it was that was now barreling down the tunnel towards them, and braced himself.  Whatever the hell it was, it was big, pissed, and knowing their luck had a lot of sharp pointy teeth.  The better to eat you with my dears.



Part Five

A scent hit Spike, one that spoke of decay and carrion.  Whatever it was that was about to come down the tunnel in front of them, it was what they were looking for.  He glanced at his companion.  With his vision he could see the boy clearly.  He could tell Xander was nervous, but ready to face whatever it was.   
 
Whatever other thoughts he might have were banished when another roar sounded right in front of them.  Spike stepped forward; hoping to see it before it saw them, thanking whatever it was that looked after vampires that they were in one of the larger tunnels. 

They turned another corner and there it was.  About five feet tall, it looked like a giant rat.  Claws curved from its human-like hands and a long tail whipped around behind it.  While the thing was tall, it was thin. Otherwise it might not have fit in some of the smaller crawlspaces. 
 
“Oh shit, an ROUS! I so don’t need bubonic plague!  That one Thanksgiving was enough, thank you very much!”  Spike couldn’t help but snort at that last bit that Xander had said under his breath. At the time, seeing the boy so sick was the only thing that cheered him up, just getting out of the Initiative and all. 
 
Other than that he could tell the boy was trying to stay quiet until Spike made the first move.  He’d been teaching the boy to be his backup, and he was quite good at it. 
 
Right then.  Spike gripped the sword he held tighter and charged the beast, going for the throat.  He got one good swipe in before a claw grazed his side and threw him against the tunnel wall.  The rat turned to him there, and Spike saw Xander come up behind the thing and take a good swipe at its back leg. 
 
Blood spurted and the rat turned to the boy, giving Spike time to get up and go for its throat again.  The rat was crippled now, but still going after what had hurt it.  To give Xander credit he didn’t run, but joined Spike in assaulting the beasts head area, choosing to gouge out an eye with the sword while Spike was hacking at it’s neck. 
 
The beast was half mad with pain and partially blind and thrashed around, trying to shake them off.  Xander had dropped his sword, but was taking his ax to the other eye and any other bits he could reach.  Spike finally got through the thick hair and managed to make a fatal cut to its jugular.  “Harris, I got it!” He jumped back, content now to watch the thing twitch in death. 
 
Xander was bent over, panting and sounding like he was trying not to puke.  Spike couldn’t blame him, the black blood that poured from the thing was worse than the smell of its breath.  They were both covered in it though, along with grime and various substances from the sewers that Spike did not want to think about. 
 
“Well now, that was a right bit of fun. Always did hate rats, nasty little buggers.  How and why Peaches lived off the damn things I’ll never know.”  Spike pulled a pack of cigarettes from his duster and lit one.  Anything to get that smell out of his nose and mouth. 
 
“Gotta admit, Deadboy sure likes to punish himself.” A few more deep breaths were taken. “Hey, you think there are any more ROUS’s around?  Don’t they travel in packs or groups or whatever?”
 
Spike looked at the boy, confused. “Harris what in all Hells is an ROUS?” 
 
Xander looked shocked at the question. “That.  That was an ROUS.  Rodent Of Unusual Size.  You know, from The Princess Bride? The movie.  Please tell me you’ve seen it, it’s a classic!” 
 
Spike bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.  Only Xander would be thinking of movie references in face of giant rats. “Can’t say as I have mate. If I went to see it, I was either distracted by Dru or eating one of the ushers.” He was letting the boy distract him. “If there are any more of these bloody things we’ll find out soon enough.  I for one want a cup of blood and a good draft.”  He tucked the sword away in one of the loops of his duster and turned back the way they had come. He watched as Xander picked up his sword, wiped it off on his already ruined shirt.
 
“Hey I got an idea.  My truck is at your place, why don’t you grab a change of clothes and whatever else you want and you can come shower at my place. In return I can make you watch Princess Bride.  Can’t have a master vampire running around ignorant of one of the finer points of human culture!” Xander was walking along behind him, but he could just imagine the grin on his face.   
 
“Oh bloody hell no!  Not gonna watch something called The Princess Bride.  Do I look like a ponce?”  Actually Spike was kind of looking forward to it.  The shower at least, not the movie. He was mainly arguing because that was what they did. 
 
“Come on Spike, you know you can’t get this goop off in your crypt!  I’ve got beer and a menu for that new rib place that moved downtown. Besides there are monsters, and giants and all sorts of things!” 
 
They continued arguing all the way back, much like the trip down the tunnels.  Whether or not the new rib place had human ribs, to which the boy and gone “Ewwww!” to, who got the shower first, who was buying beer.  The sort of things friends fussed about. 
 
It was almost a strange feeling for Spike.  The boy had hit it on the head earlier that summer when he said that Spike missed a hunt partner.  Even when Dru was well she had the attention span of a gnat, running off to wherever her stars or dollies told her to.  Even Angelus wasn’t reliable, apt to leave you in the worst lurch.  His bitch of a sire taught him that, she had run off on him, leaving him for that bastard Holtz.  It happened before he was turned, but he’d heard about it. 
 
So he took the boy in hand, teaching him things he was almost desperate to learn.  If you would have told him a year or six months ago even that he would be voluntarily going home with Xander Harris he would have walked into the sun.  He had to admit, the boy was not only loyal but had balls as big as boulders.  Not a bad thing in a partner.  
 
They stopped at his crypt and Spike threw a change of clothes and a couple packs of blood into a bag.  His side still ached where the thing had swiped him, but it would heal.  He had a thought though, “That thing didn’t swipe you did it?  Don’t wanna nurse you if you’ve got some sort of cooties from that thing.”   
 
They made their way to Xander’s SUV. “Nah, bruised but not broken yet again.  I may die of asphyxiation though, don’t see how you can stand it.  You have first shower and I’ll order.”  The cemetery was deserted.
 
Spike watched as Xander opened up the back of his truck and pulled out some handy-wipes and a couple of tarps.  They cleaned up as best they could and got in, careful of sliming the seats.  Spike had long since given up being surprised what the boy kept in his truck.  Tools, a first aid kit bigger than some hospitals had, towels and cleaning stuff.  As they drove off, Spike was thinking it only made sense.  After all, not only did they boy have a white knight complex; he was a bloody Boy Scout as well.



Part Six



The next day was Saturday, and Xander woke up much earlier than usual.  Back when he was a kid, he’d love to be up to watch all the cartoons, but most of today’s shows were a bit too childish, even for him.  Then again Toonami was on in the afternoon on Cartoon Network, so that made up for it.  He just wished they would show more really good ones, like Batman and Gundam Wing. Good thing he had some on tape. 
 
Still not much could keep Xander’s mind from going boldly where it should not be going.  It had all started last night, when Spike was looking for weapons.  Seeing the vampire’s unmade bed, indentations still there from where he slept, along with Spike with his shapely butt in the air while he picked up the sword made Xander flush for just a moment. 
 
He had to use the old trick of thinking of Principle Snyder in his underwear the entire time Spike was showing how to use it.  Sitting back now, TV on low so he didn’t wake the undead, Xander tried to think without getting…physically involved.  Nope, couldn’t do it, and he sure as hell didn’t want Spike smelling his arousal.  He checked to make sure that Spike was still asleep before turning to what was now his other guilty pleasure, the Food Network. 

He was tired of living off of freezer pizza and macaroni and cheese.  Right after Anya left he had been sent home early due to weather and had found a couple of shows that actually cooked things he might eat. Case in point was this morning’s show, 30 Minute Meals.  Watching the bubbly brunette on TV make some damn good looking meatball hoagies and oven fries, the cereal he had eaten was forgotten.  That was the problem with these things, he may learn, but he also got hungry. 
 
Try as he might; only part of his brain was on the show.  The rest was reliving last night.  How much fun it was to force Spike into watching The Princess Bride.  How the blond actually laughed under his breath at all the right parts, despite his protests that it was too silly for a vampire.  To make it up to him, Xander had put in a copy of Christine, figuring the violence and rock and roll would be something that he would love. 
 
It was odd.  Xander was used to having female friends, not someone he could be crass and unleash his morbid sense of humor with.  He loved Willow like she was his own sister, but sometimes if he enjoyed watching someone in movies or TV who is an asshole get theirs she would get such a disappointed look in her eyes.  It was as if Xander was supposed to be better than most humans. Personally that was what horror and disaster movies were for, Xander thought, so you could picture your boss as the jackass who gets killed in the most spectacular of ways.  He could show that side of himself to Spike without feeling like he was wrong for joking about things.  Heck, Spike encouraged it! 
 
Spike also didn’t try to coddle him.  Didn’t try to tell him to back off from that rat-thing, ROUS, whatever it way.  Even if Buffy was down and he tried to help she’d be all me slayer you weak man.  Sometimes he thought that damn beer back in her freshman year permanently did something to her brain.  He could patrol with Spike and feel like he was making a difference, that he helped.  Even if Spike didn’t need that much help.  Still it made Xander feel needed and that he made a difference that he wasn’t just taking up space. 
 
Still he had been unprepared for that half-second of lust that ran through him before he squashed it down last night.  He probably knew better than any of the other Scoobies just what a vampire could sense, and he so did not want to die of embarrassment if Spike found out. Speaking of which, if he couldn’t stop going there in his brain it would happen again, with Spike sleeping in the next room.  Bad brain! Bad cock for wanting Spike!
 
He got up and snuck into the bedroom to grab some clothes, and hadn’t that been weird last night, sharing the bed with Spike. Of course they stayed as far away from each other as possible, and Spike hadn’t even made a snarky comment, but still…Xander could get used to it. 
 
He jumped into a cold shower, again trying to stop thinking until he got out of the apartment. He’d go get some groceries, and some blood, and other things he needed.  Never mind he never usually did anything on a Saturday until sometime after four; he needed to get out, to think.  He left a note for Spike and was out the door before his hair had even had time to dry. 
 
Four hours later he was back, laden with blood, all the stuff to make those hoagies, and still a bit confused.  He had gone to the library first, to look up that recipe on the computer.  He really needed to get one for himself, but with Anya there had never been the spare cash for things like that.  Now he could get one. That way he wouldn’t have to risk dying from embarrassment that he, Xander Harris, came to the library for recipes and how to books.  He’d learned a lot, it even helped get him his job, but still he could imagine what Buffy would say. 
 
The time in the library let him think in quiet though, which was of the good.  He admitted that yes he was attracted to Spike.  That was probably why the dreams about Jessie was worse this year; he was feeling guilty to be attracted to another male besides his lost friend. Spike was a vampire, and so was Jessie.  If Spike could turn out to be a friend, despite the demon, maybe Jessie could have had a chance. 
 
Spike was definitely drool-worthy though.  The question was, did he want to do anything about it? 
 
Spike was rapidly overtaking Willow and Buffy in the best friend category; did he want to risk that?  The girls were just so busy with things he had no part of, it was like that first year they were in collage all over again, and they were drifting away. 
 
Plus there was the question of if Spike liked him that way. What could he do, leave a note like some eighth grader, “Do you like me? Yes, no, maybe?”  Gods he was turning into a girl! 
 
Resolving yet again not to think of anything like that within a mile of his friend, Xander turned to making lunch. He figured he could try out his cooking on Spike, unless he added garlic it wouldn’t kill the vampire if it was bad. 
 
Twenty minutes later, he hears Spike start to move around.  The smell of food and blood probably woke him.  Xander spoke from the kitchen, knowing he didn’t have to yell, “Hey lunch is just about ready. Ten minutes, fifteen at the most.” 
 
Five minuets later Spike came out, looking… Nope, not gonna go there, Xander thought. 
 
“You cooked?”  Spike also looked confused. 
 
“Yes, Spike, I cooked.  Granted I’m just learning, but I figure you being the Big Bad and all, you can take it.”  Xander started piling up the fried onions and peppers on top of the meatballs that he had actually made with his own two hands. They looked good and he was proud of it. Oh yeah, he was turning into a girl. 
 
They ate quickly, and neither Spike nor himself keeled over or had to go to hospital.  Always a good sign.  He did have a moment when Spike poured some of his blood and dipped the fries in it, but he figured he’d deal. Vampire, after all, and Spike just loved to gross people out with the fact. 
 
Looking back on the weekend, Xander realized everything went well.  He’d actually had some fun and was able to be himself.  Still he knew he’d have to figure out what was his deal with Spike soon.  There were only so many ways to get his brain to thinking something else besides sex and he was running out. 
 
They had destroyed a nest of vampires Saturday night, and got a minor demon Sunday.  Both times Xander made sure to be looking the other way when Spike looked for cash and other valuables.  It wasn’t as he could get a real job, cause hello daylight.  Plus Xander figured this way the money would work it’s way back into the economy rather than disintegrating in a paper bag in an old abandoned hotel. 
 
 
Monday afternoon and Xander was paying close attention to what he was doing at work so as not to cut off a hand or something.  Ever since coming back from running from Glory he’s been with this new crew and they don’t quite trust him yet for some reason.  Still when he was the girder being lifted about to fall on Bobby and Ryan he did what any good Slayerette would do, ran like hell and threw them both out of the way.  Just because they weren’t bosom buddies didn’t mean he wanted to see them squished. 
 
Of course seeing the blue colored blood gushing from Ryan’s nose and the slitted eyes peering at Xander from under Bobby’s bangs was quite a surprise. 
 
It was late Monday evening when Xander finally got home.  He hadn’t had so much fun in with a group of people very long time.  He’d gone to a bar with some of his co-workers after shift.  Dark Havens[1] was much nicer than The Bronze, and made The Alibi look like a cesspool. Willy needed better a clientele. 
 
Of course he’d been freaked out at first, realizing that he was the only human in a work crew of demons.  That was why everyone was standoffish, they were afraid of him, the Zeppo.  They figured he’d report them to Buffy and they’d have problems. 
 
 
But hanging around Spike and Clem somewhat this summer had made Xander realize that lots of demons were just like humans, had as much potential for being good as they had being bad.  That some wanted a normal, Leave It To Beaver Life. 
 
So it was with great relief to his new friends at work when Xander joked about the time he could have saved worrying, when being chased by a demented Hellgod was a valid excuse for missing work.  Bobby was a neko youkai, a Japanese cat demon, and the older man now loved to tease Xander that they could now say they fought like cats and dogs, once he found out about the hyena. Ryan was some breed of Sidhe, and wasn’t that cool to find out there really was fairies.  Although he was sure if he called the huge fae Tinkerbelle he’d be thrown through a brick wall. 
 
Of course he was still a little freaked that he worked with and for demons.  From what he knew Mr. Long, the construction company owner was a good man, involved in the community and everything.  He found out from Spike the next night Mr. Long was a wyvern.  Half-dragon and half-human, very old and very powerful.  It was kind of scary to think about.  But still he had given Xander a chance after the whole skipping town running from Glory thing, and from what Spike knew of him, Mr. Long wasn’t about to pull a Mayor on them with his power on the city counsel. 
 
By Wednesday night he had accepted his new friends and new situation.  It was nice to be able to just talk to someone else outside of the Scooby sphere of influence about the weirdness of Sunnydale.  He even met Bobby’s fiancé, Kyri[2] one day when she brought him his lunch.  She was human about twenty-eight years old and gorgeous. Add to that a powerful witch and healer and Bobby was one lucky cat.  Xander couldn’t help but think that Willow could learn something from the older woman.
 
Of course it was a good thing his brain had started to deal with that revelation, because he had a whole new one to worry about by Wednesday night. 
 
They were patrolling the campus at Sunnydale U, the girls not getting back into town till Sunday afternoon.  Evidently some college seniors had decided to show up for the semester early, and having nothing better to do got roaring drunk.  What looked like just over half a dozen of the football team stopped them near the dorms, trying to block their path.
 
Somehow, even with Spike trying to maneuver him around, they got the better of them, numbers outdoing intelligence yet again.  Just over five years of fighting demons, vampires and ghouls (oh my!) gave Xander an advantage over the average drunk.  Problem was these drunks weighed in around 300 pounds and was used to knocking down men twice Xander’s size. 
 
Xander tried to put himself in front of Spike, thinking to take the majority of the blows.  But that wasn’t what ended up happening. 
 
The lead idiot made a comment about queers and took a swing at Xander; he ducked and hit back, actually following through for once.  He heard the sound of a nose breaking and the big lug actually started freaking out at the sight of blood.  Still that left about seven to take out.  Xander turned to make sure Spike was okay and his jaw dropped in shock. 
 
The vampire was fighting beautifully, not using too much force, but enough to stop the homophobes from rearranging his face.  He currently had one by the neck while he snapped the arm on one of the others. 
 
Xander was positive they were human.  So that meant Spike’s chip wasn’t working anymore.



Part Seven



Spike figured he knew what would happen when the boy found out about the chip, so he had kept it quiet. He didn’t really feel like leaving Sunnydale as of yet and he sure as hell didn’t feel like ending up a pile of dust.  No matter what his feelings for the Slayer had been, if they knew… well he hadn’t really thought about it when they found out.  Not one for borrowing troubles was he. 
 
And now he was going to pay for it, he knew.  He had seen the boy’s jaw drop like something out of one of his bloody cartoons, and then Xander had snapped out of it and started pummeling the gits that had attacked them.  The scent of anger filled the air, it even drowned out the scent of blood from their punching bags. 
 
Part of Spike’s mind was on the fight, and part of it was on the boy.  He spared a moment to admire how the boy fought when seriously pissed off, his movements had a flow that weren’t usually noticeable. 


Then the fight was over, two of the idiots having to be carted off by their friends. Xander didn’t say anything, didn’t even say a word, just continued on their route for patrol.  His shoulders were stiff, and Spike could tell just how tightly controlled the boy was. 
 
He followed, giving the boy distance while waiting for the other shoe to fall.  After a few minuets Harris stopped at an alley and went in. Spike followed, figuring the boy wanted to talk in private. 
 
When did his Unlife get so messy?  Here he was, waiting for someone not even half his age to make up his mind about whether or not to attack him.    Spike opened him mouth to say something, anything to break the silence, but Xander beat him to the punch.
 
“You jerk! You asshole!  You, you…. sheepfucker!” 
 
“Now pet, no need to get rude.”
 
“Arrggh!” 
 
Spike just watched while the boy made the most unusual sound and quickly turned to kick, hit, and beat on the trash dumpster they were standing next to.  He could almost see the child Xander had been, in the middle of a temper tantrum.  Still the boy hadn’t taken a swing at him as of yet. 
 
“Calm the fuck down Harris, and I’ll tell you what happened.” 
 
“It better be good Spike, real good cause I’m still pissed as hell.”
 
They walked further into the alley, finding a couple of old boxes to sit on.  Spike quickly light up a cigarette and for once offered Xander one.  He declined.
 
“This might go better with some artificial help pet, and we don’t have a case of beer or any JD on us.” 
 
“Just talk asshole” 
 
“Charming talk considering you know I can rip off your head.”  The look he got would have actually frightened many people and demons, Spike’s skin certainly didn’t shiver.  Sure.  He could hear Xander’s teeth grind.
 
“Talk.”
 
“It’s like this. Remember the night we fought Glory?  ‘Course you do. When I took that little fall I was pretty messed up.  I know you were busy, what with your ex-demon girl all over you, but I wasn’t healing up quite right.  Ended up having to go to a healer, real powerful witch, for help.  Part of the problem was the damn chip; it got damaged somehow in the fall.  Kept giving me sparkles even while watching Passions and I was yelling at the telly.” 
 
“So the witch helped me, not only with getting the bloody thing out, and it’s totally out, but did some real powerful mojo to help me get back to full strength.” 
 
“And you didn’t tell me? Why?” 
 
“Didn’t want to end up swept under the carpet Harris, why do you think?” 
 
“Bullshit Spike, that was a good excuse that night we started talking, but why didn’t you tell me later?  I understand not telling Buffy, or Giles, but dammit Spike I thought we were friends!  I really thought that I could talk to you and you’d talk to me and we could get along without doing the whole ‘keep something back from Xander for his own good’ routine! Look at me!  Did you really think I’d dust you?  Really?” 
 
Spike couldn’t meet his eyes. “You’ve got to admit six months ago you would have staked first and asked questions later.”
 
“Past Spike, I though we’d buried the hatchet and it wasn’t in either one of our heads.”
 
“Didn’t know how to tell you, did I?  Not like it comes up while talking cars or movies.  ‘By the way I could kill you now, please pass the popcorn’ does not make good conversation.”
 
“Since when do we have normal conversations?  I seem to remember bickering for an hour on the best way to get gore out of knit pants one night.  We are not normal; did you miss the memo on that?  Here I am, an everyday guy trying to help keep the Hellmouth closed and you’re the only vampire I ever knew that is limiting his killing for a human girl.”
 
 
“Hey!  I don’t give a flying fuck about the Slayer’s opinion of me anymore!  She can sod off for all I care!” 
 
“Did I say Buffy? No. Did the bleach eat through your brains?  I said girl, not slayer.  Protest all you want, you’re being a good little vampire because you love Dawn.” 
 
Spike had to get up, had to move around.  Damn little fuck was all too close to figuring it out.  “’M not in love with the Niblet!” 
 
“In love with, no.  Again get the graveyard dirt out of your ears Spike; you’re not hearing me straight.  I said you love her. That’s okay, I love her too, she’s the little sister I never had, except I could sneak her candy and then send her home to Buffy to work off the sugar high.  If you started being the Big Bad again you’d either have to kill Buffy, the only family Dawn has left really, or she’d kill you, which would hurt Dawn.  So I know you’re going to be good.  Dammit I’m still pissed as hell at you for not telling me, but I trust you.  You’ve had plenty of chances to kill me, hell you could have killed me that first night we really talked, couldn’t you?”
 
“Yeah, but I wasn’t going too, especially after the offer of booze.” 
 
Xander stood up and walked over to where Spike had ended up leaning against the wall.  “So, are we friends?  Real friends, who help each other and all that sentimental shit?”
 
Spike was surprised at the knot that had formed in his throat.  He hadn’t had someone he’d call friend in a very long time.
 
“Yeah mate, friends.” 
 
Xander’s face broke out into widest smile.  Spike couldn’t help but think the boy should show his real smile more often. 
 
“And friends do stuff for each other, right Spike?”
 
“Yesss! What are you getting at Harris?”
 
 “First of all, no more of this Harris shit, it’s Xander.  Come on, you can say it, Xan-der.  Secondly, you being my friend means that you have to come to my birthday party and bring a gift on Friday!”  The boy bounced out of the alley, leaving it up to Spike to follow him or not.
 
“Bloody hell a flipping birthday party? I thought we were friends, how come you want to punish me? There are better ways you know, Xan-der!”
The boy blushed, and almost stumbled.  Well, well looks like someone’s mind was in the gutter. 
 
“I am so not going there right now Spike.  Besides I’m still mad.  If you come I just might forgive you, depends on how good a gift you bring. Besides it’s at demon bar so you’ll fit right in.  There will be alcohol, chocolate and possibly blood.  If you’re nice I’ll buy you human.  Or get someone else to buy it for you since it is my birthday.  They guys at work found out about it and are treating me.”
 
“Alright, I’ll go, the blood convinced me.  ‘Sides I can’t wait to see what the Slayer is going to do in a roomful of demons.”
 
Spike noticed the boy stumble again, and smelled the change in his emotions. Sadness and disappointment.
 
“Willow and Buffy and the girls won’t be back in town till Sunday, so they won’t be there, and Giles is busy.”
 
Spike looked at his…friend.  Really looked closely.  He could see the hurt at being forgotten, and remembered how he felt when he was at boarding school on his thirteenth birthday.  Except for his Mother no one had said a thing.  Problem was Xander’s Mum as well as his Da had completely forgotten the boy since he moved out. 
 
That meant if it hadn’t been for his mates at work, Xander would have been alone on his birthday unless he had mentioned it to Spike. 
 
Spike threw a friendly arm around Xander, and turned him towards his car.  He’d come back later and finish patrolling; he had to get Xander out of his sudden funk. 
 
“Well then, they’re gonna miss a damn fine party and it’s their loss.  Let’s wrap it up for tonight, there was a movie on your telly I wanted to watch.” 
 
***
 
Friday afternoon and Xander was almost bouncing with glee.  Okay so it was childish to bounce for a birthday once you were over ten, but damn it he was now twenty-one.  He didn’t have to use a fake license to buy beer anymore!  He was officially an adult and if he wanted to celebrate with an ice cream cake with the Enterprise on top who was gonna argue? 
 
Not that he was, actually he didn’t know what was being planned and that was part of the fun.  He’d gotten to talk Tuesday with Bobby and his girl at lunch and mentioned his birthday. Okay so he might have bitched about his best friends forgetting, it was just a little whine, not a whole bottle of it, and no he didn’t need cheese to go with it as Kyri had asked with a smirk. 
 
Still she had offered to set up a party for Xander’s friends at work at Dark Havens, talking to the bartender to insure a reserved area for everyone. 
 
The guys at work had all finished up early, so it was still afternoon and Xander was home getting ready when the phone rang. 
 
“Hello?”
 
“All right mister, you better tell me what’s happening with you and you’d better make it quick. I’m important around here now and I don’t have all the time in the world to fix your life!”
 
“Cordy?!” 
 
“No, it’s the Easter Bunny!  Yes it’s me.  What the hell is happening Xander!  Your friends cam by this morning and I know for a fact that today is your birthday; I even took time off from MY lunch break to go home and look it up.  How come Willow and Buffy isn’t making with the party?  You’re not alone are you?  Because I really don’t have the right outfit for an impromptu trip to Sunnydale.”
 
Xander couldn’t help but grin.  Cordelia had changed, but was still the same in some respects.  And he hadn’t talked to her in a long time, they hadn’t actually parted ways as enemies, but they weren’t really friends either. 
 
“What’s the matter Queen C, jealous that someone else besides you might be giving me the brush off?” 
 
“Ooh Xander’s got fangs!  Meow!  Really though Xan, what’s up?”
 
“Nothing really, well nothing’s wrong, they just had some time to get out of town, and I just couldn’t take off from work so the girls went to L.A. for some female bonding.  I’m assuming that will include make up and shopping of some sort, other than that I really don’t want to know what they’re up to.  I need to have plausible deniability if anything happens.”
 
“So it’s just you and Giles for your birthday? How sad, are they at least bringing you back something? You can use the guilt factor to get something great!”
 
“Nah, Giles’s ‘friend’ Olivia is in town this week, haven’t seen hide nor glasses frame of him.”
 
The line got quiet, and Xander felt the odd need to speak up.  He wasn’t going to be alone, and for some strange reason he didn’t want Cordy to feel bad.  He was such a sucker. 
 
“Besides I’ve got it covered.  Well, my friend from work and his fiancé has it covered.  Going to a bar, and there has been a promise of chocolate as well as drink, and the possibility that I can con Spike into singing, depending on if he brings a good gift or not.  Of course, he does not know of my evil plans involving him and the karaoke machine, but I don’t think you’ll tell.” 
 
And in fact Xander did have it planned.  He’d try to use Spike’s guilt over not trusting him to make the vampire sing, hopefully something from Billy Idol so he could make fun of the look as well.  It was going to be a fun party!
 
“You’re going to a bar with Spike?  Spike?! The vampire Spike?”
 
“Yeah, we’ve gotten to be real friends since Anya left me.”
 
“You were dating Anya?  Why do I not get the memos about these things?”
 
 
Two hours later and Xander was finally in his SUV, going to get Spike for the party.  He’d spent quite some time on the phone with Cordy, giving her the rundown on what had been happening in Sunnydale since she left and finding out about her. 

It was kind of nice.  Now that the sexual tension wasn’t there, and they admitted they were friends, he could see Cordy as the bitchy big sister he never had.   She’d even made him tell her what he was planning on wearing over the phone and had made him change it.  He was now wearing dark jeans, and a red button up shirt.  
 
She’d bitched at him over his lack of cool clothes, and about his lack of an email address and cell phone.  All the while she had also been bitching at someone named Gunn about tracking demon goo into the hotel, and Angel for leaving his weapons out.  It was really funny, the bitchiness she’d used to kill people with words in high school was now used to show how much she cared. 
 
Of course now he had promised to get a phone and computer. 
 
The cemetery was deserted so Xander was able to get quite close to Spike’s crypt. 
 
“Bout time you got here, if I have to go I at least want to get there before they stop selling beer.” 
 
“Keep your pants on, I’m here now.” He saw Spike pulling on a tarp for the short run to the car. “What no present?” 
 
“Stored it at the bar last night, didn’t want someone getting nosey and peeking when he came to pick me up.”
 
“Aww, would I do that?”  He tried to look as innocent as the driven snow, but Spike was right, he would have peeked. 
 
“Quit driving like a granny and lets get to the party already!”
 
Ooh, Spike was in a snarky mood.  This was going to be fun!



Part Eight



Sodding hell, how did he get himself in these kinds of a mess?  As always, he was making a bloody fool out of himself for a pair of dark eyes and dark hair.  Grumbling to himself, wishing he had a drink or ten, he stepped up to the mike. 
 
“You say it’s your birthday

It’s my birthday too--yeah

They say it’s your birthday

We’re gonna have a good time

I’m glad it’s your birthday

Happy birthday to you.

 

Yes we’re going to a party party

Yes we’re going to a party party

Yes we’re going to a party party. 

 

I would like you to dance--birthday

Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-birthday

I would like you to dance--birthday

Dance

 

You say it’s your birthday

Well it’s my birthday too--yeah

You say it’s your birthday

We’re gonna have a good time

I’m glad it’s your birthday

Happy birthday to you.” 

 

By the end everyone was singing along with the chorus, yelling and stomping feet.  It was early; a few drinks had been had, along with Buffalo wings, cheese sticks and other finger foods the bar had to offer.  Even though he was grumbling he admitted to himself that this was kinda nice.   It had been a while since he had really felt comfortable in Willy’s rat hole, and The Bronze sometime had too many bloody human children running around with their dates and crap pop music.  Whoever helped Britney Bloody Spears reach the top deserved to be beaten to death with his appendages.  After being whipped bloody.  

 

Dark Havens was different.  It was mostly a demon bar, but humans were welcome, Xander’s friend’s fiancé Kyri and her girlfriend Usagi being the only others in attendance tonight besides Xander.  But there wasn’t the hostility from the demons and other beings in the bar.  They knew Xander helped the slayer and that he had too, but they didn’t seem to care. 

 

 

It was nice; being in a place he was accepted.  Not that he’d ever let on. 

 

He flopped down in his chair next to Xander’s.  “Happy now?” 

 

The boy just smiled at him, lashes lowered as he laughed.  “Yep, sure am!  That was good Spike, although I still don’t get why you wouldn’t do Billy Idol.”   

 

“Fucking imposter, stealing my look. Beside, the Beatles are classic.”  

 

 Xander just snorted into his beer glass.  Tabia, the quick-witted head bartender at Dark Havens refused to sell any “frou-frou” drinks as she put it. Beer, whiskey, Jack, sour mash, blood and other demonic drinks were served, but nothing with more than two ingredients or umbrellas.  She’s snarl when asked, her fangs showing.  Spike was glad it wasn’t him; he did not need some jackal demon planning his demise over a Slippery Nipple or Shirley Temple. 

 

“Come on Xander, ante up, it’s your turn.” 

 

“I don’t seem to remember it like that Spike.”

 

“Bastard.  I said I’d sing if you would.”  

 

“Umm, don’t remember agreeing to it, so nope, not gonna.”  

 

“Harris get your arse up there and sing before I sic Kyri on you! You promised!” 

 

God he sounded like such a child.  Still he watched as Xander got up for his turn, his mates from work egging him on as much as Spike was.  Hadn’t it been a bit of a shock when he saw the witch that had gotten his chip out at Xander’s party.  She hadn’t said anything, not yet, but he didn’t like how her and her girlfriend were looking at him and Xander. Whispering behind their hands and then, when caught, smiled identical smiles at him.  The type of smile he’d seen from other predators.  It made him nervous.  

 

He hid his nervousness by taking a drink of Jack, slamming the glass down on the table and watching as Xander got up to the karaoke machine.  

 

“Umm, thanks everyone for the great party.  It’s been one of the best I’ve ever had!  So I’m gonna sing, please don’t run away screaming.  This is from Bon Jovi, one of my favorites.” 

 

“I used to be the kind of guy

Who’d never let you look inside

I’d smile when I was crying

I had nothing but a life to looseThought I had a lot to proof

In my life, there’s no denying

 

Goodbye to all my yesterdays

Goodbye, so long, I’m on my way

 

I’ve had enough of cryin’

Bleedin’, sweatin’, dyin’

Hear me when I say

Gonna live my life everyday

I’m gonna touch the sky

And I spread these wings and fly

I ain’t here to play

I’m gonna live my life everyday

 

Strange, everybody’s feeling strange

Never gonna be the same

Makes you wonder how the world keeps turning

Life, learning how to live my life

Learning how to pick my fights

Take my shots while I’m still burning

 

Goodbye to all those rainy nights

Goodbye, so long, I’m moving on

 

I’ve had enough of cryin’

Bleedin’, sweatin’, dyin’

Hear me when I say

Gonna live my life everyday

I’m gonna touch the sky

And I spread these wings and fly

I ain’t here to play

I’m gonna live my life everyday

 

There ain’t nothing gonna get in my way

Everyday

 

Goodbye, so long, I’m moving on

 

I’ve had enough of cryin’

Bleedin’, sweatin’, dyin’

Hear me when I say

Gonna live my life everyday

I’m gonna touch the sky

And I spread these wings and fly

I ain’t here to playI’m gonna live my life everyday

 

I, oh I, oh I, I’m gonna live my life everyday

I (gonna touch the sky), oh I (spread these wings and fly), oh I

 

I’m gonna live my life everyday” 

 

The boy actually sang quite well, but you could tell he didn’t think so, the blush on his cheeks making him look shaggable.  Gods he needed another drink, he did not think that about Xander!  Still the song reminded him of their conversation on the way to the bar, how Xander wasn’t mad at his so-called friends for forgetting his birthday. 

 

“I’m not gonna rub their noses in or anything like that Spike.  I want to be a grown up for once.  If they remember, great, if not, well it’s not like I’m miserable exactly either.  I need to start taking control of my life and stop waiting for people to notice me.” 

***

A few more rounds and a few more gits from Xander’s work getting up to sing and the party was really going.  Couples were making out, Kyri was in Bobby’s lap and he was in his natural form, his cat tail swinging around indicating just how happy he was.  The pheromones had to be getting to him. How else could Spike even think more than once that Xander was fuckable and wishing he could kiss him.  

 

Just then someone came in through the door to the private room that had been set up especially for the party.  Clem.  Spike had mentioned the party to the other demon, Xander had even invited him, but he didn’t think Clem would have shown up. 

 

“Hey Spike, Xander, people I don’t really know.”

 

“Hey Clem! Glad you could make it, pull up a chair!” Xander’s smile had gotten wider with each round bought for him, and Spike had stopped his drinking so he could drive the boy home.  

 

“Sorry Xander, I can’t stay, I just wanted to give you a birthday present.  So here. This one was just too cute to bet, even for me.”  With that Clem reached into the pocked of his coat, pulling out a small Siamese kitten, with cream coloring, blue eyes and a gray mask and ears.  

 

Spike snorted.  Shameful waste of good betting kitten, Clem could have gotten a lot for the little thing, being a pure breed and all.  

 

“Oh how cute!” Xander immediately picked up his present and started cuddling it. “I always wanted a pet as a kid and well…with my parents it wasn’t a good idea.  Thanks Clem, really. Stay for some chips at least.”  

 

While everyone awed and cooed over the little ball of fluff, Spike got up and sauntered over to the bar.   “You got what I brought last night stashed behind there girlie?”  

 

Tabia looked annoyed at the pet name, but brought out the long bundle of red fabric.  Not one for wrapping was Spike.  

 

“If you stole this and the owner comes looking for it so help me you’ll be wishing to be dusted!”  

 

“Pecker up luv, of course I stole it, well the old owner found himself skewered on the end of it and decided he didn’t like it anymore.  Soddin Xathe demons don’t know how to haggle properly and tried to cheat me.”  

 

He really had been prepared to purchase the gift, figuring the boy would appreciate him for it, but the demon he was trying to buy it off of decided he could get a lot of money selling Spike’s coat with his skin still in it.  Spike had been force to persuade him otherwise quite forcibly.  

 

He walked back the table and laid the bundle in front of Xander, picking the cat up out of his arms so the boy could unwrap it.  The little fur ball was kind of cute, even though it was small.  

 

Xander looked up at Spike and grinned. “Thanks Spike!”  

 

“Don’t even know what it is and you’re thanking me?  That’s rich.”

 

The boy unwrapped the cloth, revealing a sword over a yard long.  Spike had gone for a good quality sword, this was made of Damascus steel and had a double edge with a pattern etched into the blade in the blood groove.  It even had a sheath and Spike had found a belt that it fit, adding it to the package.  A proper fighting sword.  

 

Xander seemed to recognize quality workmanship at least, running his hand reverently over the sheath and handle, but not touching the blade.   Spike was treated to the sight of Xander Harris, babbler extreme, shocked silent.  

 

“Spike its… wow, Spike! Thank you really.”  Xander looked up at Spike through his long lashes and once again Spike noticed how good the boy looked when happy.  

 

“Welcome, I’ll even teach you how to use the thing if you like.” 

 

“Umm, yeah, I’d like.”  

 

One of Xander’s mates from work reached over and gave the boy a package.  “Here, this is from all of us at the site.”  

 

Xander flashed a grin at everyone as he ripped the packaging off the papers.  Despite his earlier claim of not being able to stay, Clem was leaning forward just like everyone else, trying to get a look at what was in the box.  

 

He pulled out what looked to be a necklace but Spike recognized it as a powerful charm.  It was made out of what looked to be balsam wood, the back was painted black with red writing and the front had a picture of a woman with four arms holding weapons, black skin and a red tongue sticking out. Skulls hung round her neck. Xander looked just as lost as Spike was as to what it meant. 

 

“It’s a protection charm, blessed by the Goddess Kali.  Bobby had me make it for you” This from Kyri.  Spike knew the woman had powerful magick, after all she had gotten rid of the chip, but this charm held a lot of power, more than he had felt from anyone except Red when she went up against Glory.  

 

“Umm, thanks, but isn’t Kali the one who tired to kill Indiana Jones in the second movie?” 

 

Kyri just rolled her eyes. “Goddess will people ever get over that movie?  Like Hollywood gets any of their information right.  Please!  Kali is the Goddess of death in the Hindu culture, but also presides over time, freedom, motherhood, and is a powerful protection Goddess.  She was born full grown, specifically created by the Goddess Durga to fight an army of demons.  So She should help you with some of your…extra curricular activities around town.”    

 

“Gee, thanks guys, really.”  Spike was treated to the sight of the boy hugging or thanking everyone at the table from his work, a sappy sight if ever there was one. The kitten in his arms howled softly, mad that it’s new person wasn’t paying attention to him anymore.    

 

“You and me too Pet, you and me too.”  

 

*****

 

Xander felt a cool mouth engulf his erection, tongue swirling around his head teasing him to the point of madness.  He couldn’t stop himself; he thrust forward, trying to get more suction, more pressure on his cock.  He was panting, his heart pounding and he was sure his partner could hear it, hear his blood as it ran through his veins.  

 

The mouth left his cock, moving on to his balls and licking on each one.  Moved more to the side and licked at his thigh.  Fangs suddenly pierced his skin and Xander came shouting his lover’s name.  

 

He sat up in bed, breathing hard.  As he tried to catch this breath, Xander thought about the dream.  It was one of the best wet dreams he’d ever had in his life, the bite at the end being so sexy but deadly all at once.  His belly and sheets were soaked with the evidence.  

 

Problem was, he had dreamed about Spike, his friend.  The same friend that had driven him home, who had stopped and gone into Wal-mart with him to get supplies for his cat.  

 

The same friend that had supernatural hearing and sense of smell and was sleeping on the couch in the next room.  The main problem being that more and more said friend was causing these reactions in the human, especially after finding out the blonde could once again bite.  

 

After cleaning up with an old tee shirt, Xander laid back down, covering his face with his pillow.  Maybe if he was lucky Spike hadn’t heard anything, wouldn’t smell anything.  

 

 

Maybe if he was lucky the Hellmouth would open before he died of embarrassment. 

 

 

 

After Chapter notes: 

 

1. Wanna see a pic of Xander's sword? It's the last one on the page here: http://www.swordsdirect.com/knight_swords.html





Part Nine

“So Kyri and Usagi told me to ask you if you and Spike have had sex yet?”
 
Xander all but snorted the pop he was in the middle of drinking out of his nose.  It was Monday lunchtime at the work site.  When Xander had woke up finally Saturday afternoon Spike hadn’t said anything but he’d sort of looked at Xander. When the sun had set the vampire made his escape from human and kitten and Xander hadn’t seen him since.   Which was just as well, it left Xander time to think.
 
“No we haven’t shagged, and I am so glad your fiancé and her girlfriend are taking a notice of my sex life.  Should I be worried?”
 
Bobby looked like he was as embarrassed as Xander was.  “Nah, it’s just that they, well their hobby is to watch television shows and pointing out guys who don’t know they are gay or should be getting it on with other characters.  It’s kind of scary actually.  I think they just wanted me to shock you.  That and they really do want to know.” 
 
Xander thought about moving his lunch out of the way so he could bang his head on the table.  Nah, too much trouble.  He took a bite out of his hamburger and made Bobby sweat just a little.  It was bad enough that when he’d gone and finally gotten a cell phone and called Cordelia yesterday she’d grilled him, now his friends’ girlfriends were getting involved. 
 
“Okay tell them this, I do kind of like Spike, but I don’t know if he likes me and I’m not ready to make a total ass out of myself to find out just yet.  And that is all those two harpies are getting!”
 
“Fine by me, I didn’t want to bring it up anyway. Hey you gonna drop by Havens tonight?” 
 
“Nah, my friends got back into town from their trip and I’ve got to catch up with them.  I’ll probably end up at the Magic Box all night.  Tomorrow okay?” 
 
They made plans and went on to talk of other things. The current project, a friend’s bad luck with women, but through it all in the back of Xander’s mind was thoughts about a certain blond vampire. 
 
****
 
Xander rushed from his apartment to the Magic Box, late for the Scooby Meeting.  He’d stopped by home to check on Max and change.  He’d got behind because the little fur ball had got into his closet and shredded his favorite Hawaiian shirt. He’d already killed a pair of shoes and one end of the couch as well, Kitten of Death was right! 
 
He walked in the Magic Box, the bell chiming about his head.  Giles was taking care of some last minute customers, and all the girls but Buffy were all gathered around the research table, chattering to each other.  From the sounds of it, Buffy was in the training room hitting the heavy bag. 
 
Xander walked over to the table and pulled out a chair, sitting on it backwards.  “Hey there Ladies! Was a fun time in La-La Land had by all?” 
 
“Ooh I got backstage to see Pink and we went to Rodeo Drive and we walked past the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills and Cordy took us to some shops on Friday!  It was just great! I got all my school shopping done in L.A.!  Janice is gonna die from envy!”
 
“Whoa, slow down Dawn, you’re gonna beat me and Willow at babbling if you keep that up!” 
 
“Xander!” 
 
“Willow!” 
 
The customers left and Giles locked up.  “Yes, now that we are all here, perhaps you should brief us on any problems you’ve had this past week Xander.’ 
 
Xander straightened up and gave his report as Buffy drifted in from the back.  “Well we cleared a couple of nests, slayed some minor demons.   The biggest problem, and I do mean biggest, was the ROUSs’.”
 
“I beg your pardon?”  Xander all but laughed, Giles looked so confused and only Willow got the reference right away, she was leaning over and whispering in Tara’s ear. 
 
“Jeeze, do I need to get cards made up or something?  Rodents of Unusual Size. We killed two, but we figure there is more down in the sewers somewhere.  I’ve asked around, no one summoned them so me and Spike figure it’s just some sort of side effect of the Hellmouth, giant four foot tall rats.  Cause the regular ones running around in the tunnels just aren’t nasty enough.  Hey, maybe we can get a camera and film us killing a couple and make a bad B movie!  I’ve seen giant octopus movies, and alligators, giant rats wouldn’t be that hard of a stretch!” 
 
Buffy groaned. “Please tell me you didn’t go looking for these things with Spike!”
 
“Umm, we found the first one by accident.  Actually we came across both of them, but we were kinda looking for the second.  Some of the workers in one of the sewer plants got munched and we went hunting.” 
 
“Xander are you sure you were safe with Spike as your back up on patrol? I mean, he tried to kill me and waved that bottle in my face that one time.” 
 
“Come on Wills, that was years ago, he saved Dawnie here.  Besides we patrolled all week and the worse injury I got was a smashed thumb at work.  We’re… friends.”  Xander was so not getting into the subject of his dreams with his two best friends, his father figure, the girl he thought of as a little sister and Willow’s shy lover. 
 
“The phenomena of the rats really is quite fascinating, perhaps you could pinpoint on a town map where exactly you fought them. Buffy, come over here and look, you’ll want to check these places out when you patrol.” 
 
Whether Giles was just interested in the rats or not, Xander was glad of the distraction.  Buffy had looked ready to blow her top, and then Dawn would have jumped in and defended Spike and they would have gotten into one of their screaming matches. 
 
As he was pointing out the sites of the attacks and where they’d found the two rats they had killed the phone rang and Tara answered.  A few moments later she handed the phone to Xander. 
 
“Here it’s for you. I-I think it’s your boss at work.”
 
“Hello?”
 
“Hey Xander, it’s Mike.  Listen one of the foremen at one of the other sites found something and Mr. Long said we’d better tell you and let your friends handle it.  They were digging a basement when they came across a stone with what looked like Teutonic runes from what I’ve heard.” 
 
Xander grabbed a notebook right out of Giles’s hands, much to the watcher’s surprise and started taking notes.  When the call was over he finally noticed that everyone was looking at him like he’d just walked into the room naked. 
 
“What?”

”I think, perhaps that we are all curious as to what that was all about.”  Giles was polishing his glasses again, meaning that he was near the end of his rope.  Guess he shouldn’t have snagged the notebook. 
 
“Well at one of the sites the company I work for has got going right now, the workers dug up a stone with what my foreman, Mike, said looked like runes.  Mr. Long, the owner, was wondering if we could check it out.”
 
“Xander why does your boss think you can do anything about it?”
 
Ohh, just like Buffy to cut to the quick. “Because he knows I help you and that you’re the slayer.  How else did you think I got time off to fight Glory?  I’m probably the only human he’s got working for him that’s got the demon level health insurance package.”
 
****
 
Almost a full hour later and finally they were on the other side of town to look at this rune stone or whatever it was.  Buffy had thrown a fit when she found out not only was her secret identity not so much of a secret in the demon circles, but that Xander had more friends than just Spike who were demons. 
 
Even Giles had interrogated him, which pissed Xander off to no end.  It wasn’t like he was stupid or anything, but they seemed to think he was doing the equivalent of wandering the Hellmouth at night naked and bleeding by working where he did.  Dawn had thought it was neat, but both Willow and Tara hadn’t said a word to him since.
 
At the site a large demon was waiting, at least Xander was sure it was a demon.  Tall, over six feet, and dark black, he was either a demon or an African warrior, maybe both.  Without hesitating Xander walked right up to him, figuring him to be the security guard left on site that Mike mentioned. 
 
“Hey I’m Xander, I think Mike said I might be by about a stone?” 
 
“I am called Halim, nice to make your acquaintances.”  Xander was almost embarrassed that none of the other Scoobies other than Giles moved to shake the man’s hand or return his greetings.  He shrugged apologetically at the taller man and he just smiled slightly.  It was obvious he hadn’t expected much from the Slayer and her group. 
 
Xander quickly grew bored while Willow, Tara and Giles were all oohing and aahing over the stone.  It was entirely too big to carry back to the magic shop so Tara and Willow were doing rubbings of the figures etched into the stone.  There was no use as to try his luck talking to Buffy, she was obviously still mad, besides which she was looking back towards where Halim had gone back to his rounds like she was getting an itchy staking finger. 
 
“I do believe that this is all we can do for now, I must consult some books, and perhaps you Willow will go on that infernal machine and see if you can find out anything.  Xander perhaps you’d better tell your…friend we are leaving and we will let your employer know something as soon as we do.” 
 
Xander did just that, adding an apology to the larger man. 

”It’s all right young man, it’s not unexpected.  In fact I’m more shocked at your reaction, not many humans walk right up to an effrit with no fear and just shake their hands.”
 
“Yeah, well I dated a vengeance demon for almost two years and I hang out with William the Bloody, so not much shocks me anymore.  Besides I really doubt Mike would let me talk to you if you were gonna pull my arms off and beat me to death with them or something like that.” 


“A vengeance demon? Anyanka?  You are brave, or foolish.”
 
“Gee, thanks.  I think.”  Xander laughed and waved goodnight. 

 

He quickly made his way back to the SUV, he’d been elected to drive even though the others were upset with him, and no one else had a car big enough to fit them all.  When he got there the three women were all piled in the back and Giles was in the passenger side reading over one of the rubbings and mumbling under his breath.  Instead of starting up meaningless babble he just got the car going and headed back to the shop. 
 
“I hope this isn’t gonna be an all night thing Giles, I gotta get home before too long.” 
 
“Lemme guess you have a demon waiting for you at home?” 

Buffy’s snide comment had a different effect on Xander, he immediately thought of how Spike looked whenever the blond slept over on his couch, shirt and boots off and pants unbuttoned.   He shook his head to clear it of the image, he so didn’t need to wreck.
 
“No Buff, no demon, well it might be a demon, I got a kitten for my birthday and I don’t wanna leave him at home too long alone.  The little shit’s loves to get in my stuff and destroy everything despite the cash I put out for special cat toys.” 
 
“Oh my Goddess! Xander! Why didn’t you tell us we missed your birthday? I’m such a bad friend, leaving you all alone!” 

 

Before Willow could go on a marathon guilt trip Xander hurried to assure her.  “Don’t worry Wills, I know you were busy with your trip and all.  Besides it wasn’t like I was alone, the guys from work threw me a great party and Clem gave me the cat, Max, and Buffy you should see the sword Spike gave me! You’re gonna be so jealous!” 
 
“So now you’re getting gifts from Fangless?  What’s next?” 
 
Before he could reply a figure darted across the road about a half-mile from the shop.  Xander jerked at the wheel, swerving to avoid it. He managed to stop the SUV without rolling it over or causing the airbags to go off. 

”What the hell?” 
 
“Language please Xander!”


“Whatever G-man, did you see that?  Looked like a kid or something.”  Without thinking Xander got out to check for signs that he’d run over someone. 
 
He should have known it was one of the oldest tricks in the books; he immediately was attacked by fledges hoping to kill some good Samaritans.  They had struck before Xander even had a chance to shut the door to the car.  He punched the vamp that had a hold of his shirt, loosening his hold enough so that he could reach back into the driver’s side under the seat where he’d hidden his sword.  He could hear the sounds of fighting all around, the others either had gotten out of the SUV to help him or had been dragged out.  He could only see Buffy though, and she was busy with four fledges to fight. 
 
He swung his weapon as well as he could given that he was backed up into the car.  He managed to decapitate one of his attackers and the dust flew into his eyes, making it hard for him to see.  He swore under his breath and then started coughing.  Leave it to him to die from second hand vampire dust rather than from the vampire itself. 
 
He finally managed to get clear of the vehicle to where he could move and managed to off another fledge.  That left only three more for him to worry about, Buffy still had two and he could hear Giles and the witches still fighting from the other side of the street. 
 
He barley listened as Buffy made rude comments on the vampire’s fashion choices, time patrolling with Spike had helped him learn the value of keeping quiet and focusing during a fight. 
 
Just when it looked like the Scoobies had turned the tables on their attackers Xander was knocked down from behind.  Stunned, he struggled to keep the heavier vampire that was now sitting on his chest from biting.  Just when he had just about lost the feeling in his arms the vampire suddenly was light as air as he turned to dust.  Coughing once again Xander looked up, into the blue eyes of the vampire that saved him.



Part Ten



If he got to be any more of a poof he was going to have to take a long walk at dawn or find a convenient tree branch to throw himself on.  Here he was, pacing around his crypt like a bloody schoolgirl waiting to see her crush. 
 
If he broke down and was honest with himself, he’d been brooding for the past two days, but of course he’d never admit it.  He’d just been thinking, that was it.  He’d been thinking since the other night.  He’d heard the boy’s dream and had started out ready to tease Xander with what he’d heard.  That was until his own name was called out in passion. 
 
Failing to get to sleep, he’d watched the boy the next day.   Xander was embarrassed and nervous in turns, but otherwise said nothing.  His scent told an entirely different story, pheromones of lust and love hitting Spike full blast, only to taper off quickly. 

If any human knew what kind of actual powers vampires had it was Xander, so he wasn't surprised when the delicious smell switched off.  It was when the boy relaxed and looked at Spike from underneath his eyelashes that the scent peaked.
 
So the boy was attracted to him, didn’t mean they had to do anything about it.  He spent the entire night going through the worst areas of town, killing whatever crossed his path.  That night he had his own dream to deal with. 

 

Over the next two days he came to a decision.  Xander was nothing like Buffy or Drusilla, or even Angelus for that matter.  For one thing, he’d seen the boy try to lie and watched him as he tripped over his tongue.  Oh, sure, he’d lie about big things, like keeping the world from being sucked into hell, but one on one Xander just couldn’t do it. 
 
He was also loyalty incarnate.  Once he dedicated himself to a cause or a person he never gave up on them.  Look at how he chose a life of a Slayerette over a life with demon-girl.  Hell, look at how until recently he’d had no friends really, outside of the Slayer and her bunch.  He had a tenacious quality about him that a Master Vampire like Spike could appreciate.  Even before they were friends and had all but hated each other the boy had risked his life to drag him out of the high school library to safety. 
 
He remembered the night they’d first talked, when Xander had pointed out the things the vampire wanted in a mate.  An equal, a hunt partner, someone to accept him as he was.   In the course of their friendship, Xander was quickly becoming all that.  The boy didn’t even freak out when he dipped his onion rings in blood any more. While he was still learning tracking, stealth and self-defense, Xander was good for a human and getting better. 
 
He’d never made a childe, but sometimes Spike wondered if this was how it felt.  Teaching someone, knowing that if they were in a fight Xander would give his all to protect Spike as much as Spike watched out for the young human. 
 
Of course, it helped that Xander was absolutely delicious looking, tanned from outdoor work, big brown eyes and an innocent look to him even when he was playing a joke or was madder than hell at someone.  Oh yes, Xander could be he perfect mate, better than the Slayer, at any rate. 
 
Now that he’d decided to court the boy he felt energized.  He knew Xander was meeting up with the Scoobies tonight and maybe if he followed he’d get some information.  Worst came to worst, he could always wait till they were out and slip in the boy’s apartment with the key he’d nicked in case of emergencies.  All he had to do was live through the wait till the sun went down. 
 
****
 
By the time the sun went down the Magic Box was empty.  Hands in the pockets of his duster, he quickly walked to the apartment.  He wondered what was going on that caused all of the Scoobies to leave the shop.  Usually the Watcher was in the store and was good for a laugh if he was bored. 
 
All he had to do was bug the man for blood, which he didn’t even need anymore, and then set about to cause general chaos.  Smoking indoors, stealing a drink from the bottle hidden in the office, rearranging the prices on the shelves.  Nothing major, but it seemed to set the human on edge and cause a vein to throb in his forehead. 
 
Of course if he really wanted to relieve his boredom he could always just wait till the others were on patrol, go over and find the man in the training room, all alone.  There were plenty of weapons lying about, and part of him wanted to pay the man back for chaining him in the bath. 
 
But once again a conversation he’d had with Xander came back to haunt him.  He was limiting himself; not killing humans was unnatural to him.  Part of it was the challenge.  After being chipped he’d had to make do with hunting demons and he’d found that hunting humans didn’t have quite the same thrill anymore. 
 
The main reason was the thought of hunting for dinner at the Bronze and then Dawn coming to his crypt to cry on his shoulder at the loss of one of her classmates. So he kept his hunting limited to human scum.  Vampires could always tell the humans that had a taint of evil in them... like calling to like. 
 
Lost in his thoughts, he found himself at the boy’s apartment.  He let himself in, not hearing any human heartbeats inside.  It was obvious Xander had come home after work; his tool belt was on the kitchen table and the room reeked of that damn expensive kitten food the human had insisted on buying for the little fur ball. 
 
He set about looking around. He’d not done this before, just quick peeks here and there.  Stakes and weapons hidden in odd yet handy places; the umbrella stand by the front door had a wooden cane that had been sharpened to a point and behind some knickknacks on a shelf was a water gun filled with holy water.  A laptop he’d not seen before was on the kitchen table along with instruction book.  He found himself smiling at the blood in the fridge and the imported beer set on the cabinet.  Xander hated the stuff, bitching about it not being cold, but he’d bought it for Spike. 
 
Not finding much in the main rooms, he made his way into the bedroom.  Obligatory porn hidden in the bedside table, along with lotion and small towels.  Embarrassing yearbook hidden in the top of the closet.  The kitten had followed him from room to room and he picked out the most hideous shirt from Xander’s wardrobe and teased the fur ball with it.  He’d done this on the Friday night as well, while the boy was busy fixing up a place for the moggie.  
 
Leaving the door open to the closet and the cat busily clawing his way through an orange sweater, Spike made his way back into the main room.  He’d not found anything really, at least nothing he didn’t expect.  No notepad with anything doodled on it, no sex toys, nothing out of the ordinary. 
 
Spike found himself sighing needlessly.  First he fell in love with the freaking Slayer, now it was her Boy Scout sidekick. 
 
Only he wasn’t her sidekick so much lately.  He knew that Xander had felt like he was being left behind; hell, it was obvious that his friends forgot him from time to time while living their busy lives.  If anything, he now belonged to Spike. 
 
Feeling somewhat better he left the apartment, making sure to lock the door so the boy would never know he’d been there. 
 
***
 
 
 He took the short cut back to the Bronze and there was still no one there.  Frustrated, he sat down in the back alley to have a smoke and try to plan his next move.  Neither Xander nor himself had much luck with relationships; the stories of the boy’s courtship of the cheerleader reminded him too much of gas lit parlors and Cecily.  He figured it was best to be forward about things.  Declare his intentions, give the boy time to panic, and then court him proper like. 
 
Either that or make sure of Xander’s feelings and then shag him through the mattress; either way would work. 
 
Growing restless after a few minuets, Spike growled and then started hunting in the area.  Circling through the town, he found a surprising lack of fledges.  Even the back alley and area surrounding the Bronze was clear. 
 
A few minutes later he found out why.  Xander’s SUV was parked in the street and the Scoobies were under attack by a large group of minions.  He stood in the shadows to watch.  The witches and Watcher were protecting each other’s back, using a combination of magic and stakes to defeat their opponents.  On the other side of the vehicle, the Slayer was busy using her stake and nattering on about nothing important.  Either she was trying to draw them away from Xander or she just wasn’t watching his boy. 
 
Xander was using his sword to fight, lopping the head of one of his opponents.  Unfortunately he was backed up against the SUV and was having difficulty getting enough room to move.  Plus more vampires were after his boy than even the Slayer, she’d gotten down to fighting two but was playing with them, while Xander still was facing three fledges. 

Growling to himself, Spike joined the fight.  Before he could get there one of the vampires that had been attacking the humans on the other side of the car had been sent flying, crashing into Xander from behind.  The minion quickly turned the disadvantage into an advantage and started attacking Xander, sitting on his chest and lunging at the boy’s neck. 
 
His human façade fell away as he pulled out a stake from one of the deep pockets of his duster.  Grabbing the demon by the shoulder, he rammed the stake from the back straight into his heart.  He collapsed into dust and Xander started coughing.
 
“Spike!” 
 
“Look at you, pet.  I let you go play with the Slayer one night and you’re already in trouble.”
 
He held out his hand and pulled the human up effortlessly, taking a moment to rub the back of Xander’s hand.  Dark eyes dilated for just a moment and then the boy simply grinned and shrugged.  Spike slipped an extra stake out from his jacket and handed it to Xander.  More vampires came from the shadows and they quickly moved into their fighting positions, back to back. 
 
Ten minutes later and the fight was over.  Dust covered everyone and the humans had various bruises and scrapes.  Spike could scent blood coming off the Watcher but it wasn’t much; the man wasn’t hurt badly. 
 
“Well, that was not fun.  Xander, I thought you said you and Fangless here patrolled this past week? What’s with the ambush?  Your demon friends set us up?” 
 
Spike growled low in his chest and lit a cigarette, trying to use the action to calm himself down. 
 
“Yes Buffy, my boss lured us out to a sparse area of town to give us a false sense of security.  When nothing happens they know we’re not paying attention and wait till we get half a block from the Magic Shop to attack.  I’m sure no one but Mr. Long knows what my SUV looks like either.  Just like no one knows your name in the demon community and know that you ride with me sometimes.  Now, aren’t you going to thank Spike for helping us?” 
 
The blond preened at the thanks.  “Think nothing of it, pet.”
 
“I’ll think nothing of it, he probably set us up. Why are you here anyway Spike?  Get tired of scaring people out of their money? Or following me again, is that it? I don’t need your help, Fangless.”
 
Spike just narrowed his eyes at the blond woman and leaned on the side of the SUV, hands in his pockets to keep him from slapping the girl.  Whatever could he have seen in her? “Wasn’t helping you was I, Slayer?”

”Thanks, Spike.  If it hadn’t been for you, I’d be vamp chow right now.  Lets get out of here, guys, before our new fan club finds us again.”
 
“Quite, one surprise attack a night is sufficient.” The other Brit was cleaning the ash off his glasses while the two witches leaned tiredly on each other.  Xander has come over to lean on the truck with Spike, and he noticed that the boy’s heartbeat sped up just a little bit more.  The Slayer looked like she was ready for another fight, though.  She crossed her arms and glared at the vampire. 

”I’m not riding in the back seat with him, he'd most likely grope me or something.”
 
“Fine, Buffy, he can ride up with me and you can worry about Giles groping you.”
 
“Ewwww! Xander!”  Both Red and the Slayer’s voice were shrill and the Watcher made a noise of protestation.  Red’s girl smiled from under her hair, though, and he could see Xander’s smirk. Oh no, he couldn’t let his boy have the upper hand quite yet. 

”Well, guess I’ll just have to grope you Harris.  Now get your arse in the truck and let’s go.”  He leered at the boy, enjoying the way embarrassment made the blood rush to his cheeks to fill capillaries and veins.  He had to stop himself from grinning like some lovesick girl when the blast of pheromones hit him. 
 
“Spike! Don’t tease Xander! It’s not nice.” 

”I’m not nice Red, and who says I’m teasing? Or maybe you ladies just want me to come and sit with you, eh?”
 
“Spike, I think that is quite enough.  If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”  Spike grinned to himself; that vein in the Watcher’s forehead must be throbbing by now.
 
“I get it, you’re just jealous I’m not trying to grope you!  You’re not my type, mate, but I suppose I could cop a short feel.”
 
“Spike!  Don’t make me pull out Mr. Pointy!” 
 
"Really, Slayer!  I didn’t think you were that way, never could tell from the clothes or the attitude.  Must hurt to tuck it up when you’re wearing those really short skirts, don’t it?”
 
“God, would you all please just stop it?  Why are Tara and I the only ones acting our age?”  The voice sounded angry but his boy’s scent was amused.  Looking in the back, Spike could see why Tara hadn’t commented. 
 
“Don’t look now, but Glinda is playing house with Red back there. Either that or they're playing doctor and Red is checking her tonsils.” 
 
“Oh, gods.”  He can see the boy wiggle in his seat and it was nice to know the flirting was affecting him. 
 
They made it back to the Magic Box, the witches pulling themselves apart and unlocking the door, leaving the others to follow.  
 
”Okay, what the hell was that?  Spike, I swear to god if that was you recruiting fledges…” Everyone gathered around the big table they used for research except for Spike.  He pulled himself up to sit on the counter, ignoring the Watcher’s protests. 

”The only thing I can think of is that you’ve pissed off some master.  Most minions don’t make fledges, too stupid. So there’s someone recruiting. Most of what we fought off tonight were only one or two days old, so it’s not like we’d have seen them on patrol.” 
 
He didn't say what bothered him most; it was obvious to him that the majority of the fledges he'd seen tonight was of the same line as he was. He knew Dru wasn’t in town, and hadn't done it.  He figured if Peaches had flipped his soul they would have gotten a call from L.A.  So who was it, siring minions left and right, since there weren’t any other masters in his line? 
 
He put the thought aside, as he ignored for the most part the complaints and conversation surrounding him.  No one was talking to him, so it didn’t matter.  He did notice Xander look over from time to time and could see the boy struggle not to blush or give himself away.  Oh yeah, the boy was interested, he thought with a grin. 
 
“So, Willow and Tara will keep an eye out in the paper and on their infernal computer for any dog attacks or other signs of vampire activity.  Buffy, you should patrol some of the usual places vampires will hide during the day tomorrow and see if you can find the nest.  We did manage to destroy quite a few minions tonight, so that’s good.  Xander, perhaps you could…”  
 
“Ask my evil demon friends for information?  Sure thing, G-man, but I’ll leave out the part where I tell them you think they set us up.  Might get more answers that way. I warn you, with the exception of Spike none of them are the hanging out with Master Vamp types.” 
 
He watched as the boy stood up and stretched, enjoying watching the muscles ripple underneath the blue tee shirt Xander was wearing. 
 
“And with that thought, I say good night.  Ladies, glad you had loads of fun on your trip.  G-man, glad you had fun with your lady; at least I assume you did, you closed mouth devil you.”
 
“A true gentleman never kisses and tells, Xander, and, once again, do not call me by that name!”
 
“Night Xander!  Oh, want to come over tomorrow night for movies and popcorn after patrol?  We’ve got to make up for missing your birthday still.  I can magic up a cake!”  Spike couldn’t help but shudder at that idea; magic food never did seem like a good idea to him.  He didn’t wait to hear the rest of the nightly pleasantries. 
 
“Right then I came,” he leered at Xander.  “I saw and I helped you lot kick ass.  Gimme some blood, Watcher, so I can go home before you lot give my fangs a cavity from all the sweetness.”
 
“I’m afraid there isn’t any, Spike.  I haven’t been here for a week after all. You’ll have to wait.”
 
“I’m hungry now, don’t wanna wait.  I’ll just have to go home with you. Xander, know you’ve got some.”
 
He didn't wait to hear the boy stutter out his agreement or finish saying goodnight to his friends.  He jumped down off the counter and was out the door first, stopping at the SUV to wait. 
 
He didn’t have to wait long.  Xander followed him out and Spike took a deep breath.  He almost lost his human face as the scents of lust, love, fear and a hundred other things washed over him.  He knew the other thought that Spike was either teasing or playing with him, so before Xander could speak he crowded the boy, standing in his space.

”I heard everything the other night.  I know you’re attracted to me, you know I can smell it on you.” A blush made its way across Xander’s face but he saw the eyes grow darker at the comments. 
 
Taking a chance, Spike stepped even closer, until their bodies were leaning into each other. 
 
“I know you can’t scent me, Xander, so I’ll come out and say it, pet.  I’m just as attracted to you, your smile, your eyes, the way you throw yourself into a fight; fucking beautiful it is.”  Here he let his human face slip away, and made sure that Xander was looking at him before going on. 
 
“This is what I am, Xander; a demon, a Master Vampire at that.  I’m possessive, Love, very.  You’d belong to me in a way.”  He dropped his voice even lower and raised a hand to caress Xander’s face and neck.  “I’d bite you, Love, not to turn you unless you wanted it, but that’s part of what I am.  The bite, the blood... like fighting, it gets vampires going, eh? Now, I’d love to see where we can go, but you’ve got to think about it, make sure this is what you want.”  
 
He stopped to brush his thumb across Xander’s lips.  The human was panting, his eyes halfway closed, and Spike was hard just from the smell and the heat radiating from the body in front of him. 
 
“I’m gonna go now, Xander; you think about it and decide what you want.”  This was the hardest part for him, stepping away.   He was surprised when Xander caught his arm and pulled him close. 

”What if I don’t want to think about it, Spike?  What if I just want to feel?” 
 
Spike leaned forward quickly and kissed him, waiting for Xander’s mouth to open so he could slip in his tongue, using it to map out all the sensitive places in his boy’s mouth and stroke his tongue.  After a few moments he pulled away and Xander took a deep breath. 
 
“No, Xander.  From what you’ve said, your other relationships have all been that, starting out with feeling without the thought.  You deserve better than that and, besides…” Again, he leaned in to kiss his boy, this time just a soft brush of his lips. 
 
“Sometimes anticipation makes everything sweeter.”



Part Eleven



Author's Note: Warning, may cause cavities due to too much schmoop. Two days later found Xander Harris walking in down the street with a song in his heart and a bounce in his step.  If he was going to embrace the gay side of himself, he could finally admit to enjoying ‘The Sound of Music’.  After all, liking musicals was like rule number two in the gay handbook wasn’t it?  Right after the one that said always use lots of lube.
 
That’s not to say he hadn’t been freaked out after The Kiss.  And that was how he thought of it, The Kiss; capital letters and everything.  After he had finally gathered his brain together he’s panicked, just a bit. Well, a lot.  After a really cold shower and much internal babbling he’d called the one person in the world that knew of his romantic history and his crush on the blond vampire. 
 
Needless to say Cordelia was less than happy to be woken up on her night off.
 
They stayed on the phone for two hours, going over every angle of what courting might possibly mean to a vampire like Spike and what would happen if he decided to go with the flow.  Of course it helped that Xander had gotten Cordy to admit her feelings for a certain brooding vampire.  Not that she could do anything about it, thanks to those darn gypsies. 
 
Xander figured courting could be anything from chocolates, which were always welcome, to the heart of someone who had pissed Xander off. Which could be fun in a way, but he didn’t really need to get the call that his asshole parents had sucking chest wounds. He figured when Spike finally popped up again he’d go for the truth, he’s all for courting but please don’t make him identify any bodies. 
 
He knew it wouldn’t be like dating a human, or even a demon trying to be human.  He wasn’t stupid; vampires were possessive, territorial, and violent.  He just hope that since Spike was curbing some of his natural instincts to be around Dawn that he’d do it for Xander too. 
 
Not that he’d stop the vampire from hunting human scum, or fighting.  He wanted the real Spike, not some ideal. That never worked; trying to change someone to suit your needs, just look at his relationship with Anya for proof of that. 
 
Yesterday he’s spent in a goofy fog, the smile just wouldn’t leave his face and he’d almost cut off a finger.  The guys at the site had teased him and Bobby said he guess he’s have something to tell Kyri and Usagi soon.  Xander didn’t deny it; he just shrugged, blushed and grinned. 
 
He’d taken today off, he had things he needed to do, and there just wasn’t enough time with patrols and dividing his time with his friends at work and the Scoobies.  He’d spent the morning cleaning the apartment and fixing things; mainly just keeping himself occupied until after lunch and when Tara would be working alone at the Magic Box.
 
The bouncing stopped as her reached the store.  He hated to do this, hated to go behind Willow’s back to her lover, but he didn’t know what else to do.  Luckily when he walked in there was no one in the shop, Wednesdays were always slow in the afternoons.
 
“Hey Tara.”
 
“Hi Xander.  Willow isn’t here right now.”
 
“I know.  I kinda came to talk to you.  If that’s okay.”
 
“S-sure Xander.”  She left her position behind the register and they both sat down at the table.  Xander leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his hair, feeling frustrated and not knowing where to start.   
 
“Okay, if I ask something that’s like too personal, just say something, okay?  It’s just that since the other night, Wills has been acting all weird on me and I was kinda hoping you would know what’s up.  It’s like she’s mad at me, but I don’t know what I did. She got mad that I didn’t wanna hang out last night, but it’s not like I can just stand around waiting for her.  Help me out will you?” 
 
He looked at Tara and was glad she didn’t seem mad however she did seem worried. 
 
“I-I thinks she’s upset that you didn’t miss her while we were gone.  I think she’s kind of jealous.”
 
“Of what, that I had fun without her?  That I do have friends other than you guys?  I thought she’d be glad I wasn’t moping around.” 
 
“It’s that you had fun, and with who or what you had fun with, I think. You know, that you’re hanging out with d-demons.”
 
“For god’s sake they aren’t going to hurt me!  I’m not stupid; I know when someone is trying to kill me after all this time.” 
 
Tara seemed to shrink into herself and quietly she said, “To Willow it’s like you are making friends with the enemy. She’s kinda upset about it.”
 
“What do you think?”  He had noticed the slight quiver in the girls voice and he hated putting her thought his, but he needed to know where his friends stood.  Buffy he knew was on the hate bandwagon, Giles was half and half.  The thought that Willow hated him for his friends hurt, but he wasn’t going to change for her.  Especially if things went as he hoped and he got to have snuggles with Spike. 
 
Tara hid her head and her hands were almost shaking.  “I…remember my first birthday with you guys, and my f-family came to take me home?  How they made me think I was this evil horrible thing?  I wonder if it had been true, if I was a demon, would Willow still want me?  That’s why I didn’t say much, it doesn’t bother me that you have other friends, or that they are demons.  It was Willow’s reaction that was b-bothering me.”
 
He leaned forward and pulled her into a hug.  “God Tara, I’m so sorry.  At least you know you’re not a demon, you don’t have to worry about it.”
 
“Yeah, but it’s the thought that if I was...”
 
“I know, and I don’t know what to tell you, about Wills at least. I think that’s something she’s going to have to deal with.  We can’t change who we are to suit our friends or lovers.  And Tara, even if you were the slimiest demon with horns, you’d still be my friend.” 
 
“Gee thanks Xander.”
 
“Really, horns, hooves, it’s all good. Unless you like wanted to eat me, and I mean not in a fun way; I wouldn’t like that.  Unless we’d been in a plane crash and I was dying, then you could eat me. What else are friends for but emergency rations in case of blizzards?” 
 
“Xander!”  She laughed and he was glad that serious look was off her face.  It was true; he didn’t know what to tell her about how Willow would have reacted, not now at least.  Once upon a time the Willow he knew would be friends with anyone, it didn’t matter, but it seemed time on the Hellmouth was making her jaded. He hated that for her, but didn’t know what to do.
 
“Tell you what, when you get off tonight round up the girls and come over to Casa Harris.  I’ll fix dinner and you guys can bring the movies and we’ll have a Scooby night, okay?” 
 
“That sounds like fun, I-I’ll call the others and make sure they can make it.  Maybe we can do your birthday?  Willow felt really awful that she forgot.” 
 
“Sounds like a plan!  Now Tara,” he leaned forward “I need some help.  I want to buy some bath oils and things, but I don’t want them to have too much perfume or whatever it is that makes them smell nice.  I need them to be toned down a bit, do you have something like that or can you make it?” 
 
“Sure Xander, but most of these aren’t too bad unless…” Her eyes got wide.  “You’re dating a demon!  Someone whose got a good sense of smell?  What kind of demon is she?  That would help me figure out what she’d like.”
 
He looked down at the tabletop and blushed.  He hated it when he blushed.  “It’s not a she it’s a he.  Don’t say anything to Wills or Buffy yet, please!  We haven’t even gone on a real date or anything like that, I just found out that he liked me too, and I don’t want to mess it up before anything even has a chance to start.” 
 
He can feel Tara looking at him and he’s just too worried to look up.  He doesn’t want to lie to Willow, or make Tara keep quiet, but he wanted her advice and to know that at least one of his friends approved. 
 
“It’s Spike isn’t it?”


“Umm…would you be mad if I said yes?  We’ve gotten to be friends and now it’s like we can be friends and more and I want that.” He laughed.  “Spike say’s he’s gonna court me and that’s a hellava step up from Anya throwing down a condom and demanding sex.  Are you okay with this?”
 
“I don’t know Xander, when the chip comes out he’s promised to kill us all.” 
 
“He’s also had plenty of opportunity to kill us all. Hell he could burn down the place with us in it, pay to have minions break into the shop, or you know he could have left Riley to be bloodwhores he was going to and get turned. That would have been a sure way to kill us, but he didn’t, he warned Buffy.  Yes he’s a killer, always has been and always will be.  But I’ve seen the love he has for Dawn, and how he cared for Drusilla and I know he’d never hurt me.  I trust him, crazy as it seems.”
 
He sits quietly, he doesn’t want to push Tara, but he hopes that coming clean with one of his friends’ works.  He can trust Tara, she wasn’t around for his high school years, so she doesn’t remember his failed past with romance.  If it were up to Buffy and Willow he’d never live that Preying Mantis thing down. 
 
“I trust you Xander, is that enough?”
 
“God yes!  Thanks Tara, and you won’t say anything just yet?”
 
“If Willow asks I will, but really Xander I can’t see a reason why she’d ask me if you and Spike are dating, it’s too…weird.” 
 
“Gee thanks!”
 
A half hour later and the bounce was back in his step, a bag full of bath oils, candles and other goodies all designed to smell good but not give Spike a headache sneezing.  He had other errand to run before going home to get ready for the gang, new sheets and pillows and some high neck shirts being on the list. 


An if a sway to his hips was added after he caught a glance of a car with blacked out windows, who was going to tell?
 
****
 
“Xander I think your cat hates me.”
 
“Aww Buff he’s just a kitten, he’s playing with you.”
 
“Then why does he keep trying to draw blood?  Is this a demon cat? Can I kill it?”
 
“He’s learning how to hunt, that’s why he’s chasing your feet. Yes, he might be a demon, but he’s cute so no you can’t kill him.” 
 
“Aww, the Big Bad Slayer is afraid of a kitten!”
 
“Shut up Dawn!”
 
Xander was finding it hard not to laugh at the slayer.  She’d faced master vampires, hell gods, zombies, but one little kitten had her freaking out.  Of course it didn’t help that Max didn’t like her, he’d stretched the truth about that. Still is was funny to watch her jump every time the kitten ran under her legs and ticked her with his tail. 
 
It was nice, being here with his girls. He had to admit his missed times like these.  Willow and Tara were curled up together on one end of the couch, hands entwined and talking about the movie softly to each other.  Buffy was on the other end of the couch being tormented by Max.  Dawnie was on one of the big floor pillows he’d bought, in front of the television that was playing and old favorite of the Scoobies, ‘Night of the Comet.’
 
Still, he wonders what it would be like if Spike was here, sitting behind him in his overstuffed chair, the one Anya hated but the vampire always seemed to live in when he visited.  How Spike would laugh at Buffy for screaming just like the blond chick in the movie.  He knew the vampire would root for the good guys to win, if only so that the government scientist could die horribly. 
 
A couple hours later, during a potty break for the girls, he found himself looking out the window.  Smiling, he grabbed a pad from by the phone and wrote a short note, folded it into an airplane and sailed it out the window towards the platinum head before closing the window and going back to his friends and Tara’s pick of movie.  Oddly enough he found himself loving  ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.  Who knew he’s actually use Shakespeare in real life?
 
****

Spike looked up at the window and grinned to himself.   Xander had spotted him twice now, once during the day even when any sane vampire would be tucked into their crypt asleep.  But he’d followed the boy last night and overheard about his extra day off.  Curiosity as to what the boy was planning had Spike sitting in a car all day long, watching as the boy went shopping and visited Glenda. 
 
He was watching for any sign of acceptance or nervousness.  At least that was the only reason he’d admit to himself.  And while it might be nice to go up and sit with Dawn and pick a fight with the Slayer he didn’t want to make Xander uncomfortable.  So he settled for watching. 
 
He was glad to see the boy didn’t seem to be frightened, in fact Xander seemed happy.  Maybe, just maybe he’d get away from his sucky past and have some luck for once. Of course that meant he was watching his love’s window at night like a complete and utter git. 
 
Xander came back to the window and a slip of paper flew out.  He caught it and read it with a smile.  Evidently Xander was willing to be just as big a poof as he was.
 
Spike- 
Ever notice how we’re kinda like Beatrice and Benedick from that movie about the Shakespeare play?  All fighting and fussing and bickering to cover the fact we like each other? If you’re willing, I am ready to…how did it go? “I will requite thee.”
 
God can I be any more of a girl?



Part Twelve



“Never figured you a Shakespeare fan Pet.” 
 
“Yeah well I was, but I wasn’t.  I was interested, but it was hard for me to just sit down and read it alone.  Not so good with the reading.  And school just made it worse instead of better.  I remember in tenth grade having to sit though this reading of Julius Caesar.  It sounded good, all sex and murder and stuff, but we he to listen to it on a record and it was scratchy and the actors doing the voices sounded worse than Giles when he’s lecturing.  I’d fall asleep.  But this?  This was fun, I laughed so much and I felt like I could really enjoy it with you.  Thanks Spike.” 
 
They were on their way back from an end of summer showing of Shakespeare in the Park in L.A.  Xander couldn’t help but smile contentedly.  They past two weeks had flown by, and Spike had kept his promise to court.  He had a notebook full of notes that the blonde had slipped to him or had delivered, all signed Benedick.   
 
There had been the usual training to use the sword, and pool at Dark Havens, but they’re been dinner and movies at Xander’s apartment and walks that didn’t end up with anything trying to kill them.  One night Xander had quickly found he loved the beach at night, when it was nearly deserted and they’d light a bonfire and sit up all night and talk. 
 
They’d had to run to Xander’s truck to beat the sunrise. 
 
Tonight was their third official date and it had been ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.  They had amused themselves during the intermission by finding similarities between Angel and Buffy and Oberon and Titania.  
 
It was now after two a.m., and Xander was near that state of contentment where everything was right in the world and he could go to sleep and dream of a chocolate covered Spike.  In fact the only thing keeping him up was fear; Spike was driving.   In fact the blonde was driving his new SUV. 
 
Xander figured it was a symbolic symbol of trust.  That and the DeSoto didn’t have seat belts.  
 
“The teacher made Caesar boring?  Bloody hell that’s hard to do.  Did this teacher happen to get eaten perhaps?”
 
“No I think she would have tasted too bland.  She was that boring.  She retired right after Graduation, I think she had a nervous breakdown or something.” 
 
“Serves her right.  And you still haven’t told me how you got interested.  Don’t think I don’t know your tricks Pet.”
 
Xander tried to hide in his seat. “You’re gonna laugh. It’s silly.”
 
In the darkness of the car he could see Spike look at him before returning his eyes to the road.  “Don’t promise I won’t, but I’ll be laughing with you instead of at you.” 
 
“Yeah, yeah that’s what they all say.  Okay it’s like this.  You know I’m into Star Trek and that sort of thing, right?”  He could swear he heard Spike’s eyes rolling but since it was dark he let the vampire get away with it. 
 
“Well there was this one episode of Star Trek where they were investigating some murders and it led to this Shakespeare Acting Troupe.  A turn out the guy who played Hamlet’s Father was a mass murderer and his daughter was killing people to cover it up.  Still there were some bits and pieces of Hamlet and another play and it sounded cool.” 
 
He looked over at Spike to try and see if the other man was going to start laughing. 
 
“I was like twelve when I saw it and at the age that if Captain Kirk liked it so did I.  Then the one with Picard came out and he liked Shakespeare too. So I wanted to read it but never really had the chance.     I think I mentioned it once a couple months ago to Willow and Tara.  Tara must have remembered and rented that movie and well the rest is with you.”  He leaned over and put his hand on Spike’s arm.
 
“I really liked the play, it was funnier than some sitcoms on, and I can so see you as an evil version of Puck running around and making trouble!” 

Spike did laugh at this.  “Lord what fools these mortals be?  I can see that Pet.  Still wouldn’t want to follow Oberon around for eternity, a right wanker that one is.”
 
“The character or Angel?” 
 
“Both.  Either.  Take your pick.”
 
“So you’re not going to laugh?”

”What?  At the fact that your school system sucks or that you had to get information from the bloody boob tube?  Nope.  Not gonna laugh at you Xander.”
 
The blonde’s tone made Xander flush with happiness and more, and he wished there wasn’t room in-between their seats, he’d love to just lean against Spike till they got home.  
 
Later, when they were home, there were goodnight kisses that made Xander weak with either lust of lack of oxygen, he wasn’t sure which and wasn’t up to figuring it out.  Spike could kiss like there was no tomorrow.   Lips meeting and tongues and the taste of they chocolates they had shared in the park and blood.  
 
Xander let his hands roam across Spike’s back, getting lower at each pass.  Finally he made it to the taught cheeks he’d been dreaming about and pulled the vampire in closer. Just when the thought he might get somewhere, Spike pulled away.
 
“Naughty, naughty Pet.  Nice little boys don’t go that far on third dates.”
 
“Nice?  I’m not nice, and you’re evil.”  Spike just chuckled and leaned forward to lick at his ear, sending shivers down his spine and making him harder than he was before. 
 
‘No, believe me, your nice Pet.  Very nice.”  Spike kissed him again, and it was like the floor was moving under his feet.  Spike pulled away with a growl and Xander leaned against his door trying to concentrate. 
 
Shaking his head he couldn’t help but ask.  “Do they go that far on fourth dates?”
 
“Guess we’ll just have to find out.  Goodnight Xander.” With that Spike was gone, leaving nothing but his scent and a raging hard on behind.
 
Xander fished for his keys and muttered to himself under his breath.  “Wow.  Can’t wait. That is if I don’t die from having blue balls first.  Now lets see how high I can run the water bill up.”
 
Sunday passed quickly, with sleeping in and going on patrol with Tara for once and going to bed to get some sleep for work. Monday came and he was out the door into the late summer sun.  When he opened his door though a brown wrapped package was inside.  Xander grinned. Spike had a habit of leaving notes on his windshield and now that he had a spare set of car keys he was taking advantage.  Now if only he’d take advantage of Xander. 
 
Who would have thought he would get involved with the one vampire that could be chivalrous?
 
 
Sitting in his car he read the note before opening the package. 
 
Beatrice-
 
I know you said you didn’t read much, but this seemed right up your alley Love.  See, not laughing.
 
Benedick
 
Xander ripped open the brown paper and had to laugh.  It was a Star Trek book, Q-In-Law by Peter David, a name he recognized from his comics.  Reading the back he found himself almost bouncing in eagerness of reading for once.   
 
Only Spike could find him a Star Trek book with Romeo and Juliet overtones. 
 
****
 
Waking up on a Wednesday afternoon after a good dream Spike had to smile to himself. It was satisfying to have dreams of Xander because he had a chance in hell that they might come true. 
 
The boy was coming along nicely.  It was good for once being wanted for him.  Dru had wanted him once upon a time, but she didn’t want him like he wanted her.  He wanted exclusivity.  Angelus had only wanted someone strong to dominate, it helped stoke his ego.  Darla and Buffy both wanted nothing to do with him.
 
Now with Xander, hell once that boy gave his loyalty it took a lot to make him give it up.  And that was just with friends; Spike could very well imagine how it would be like with a lover.  In fact he imagined a lot. 
 
He’d been going slowly, the boy had as much pain in his love life as Spike had.  That was saying a lot since there was about a 120 years of difference.  Of course it meant a lot of time with his right hand, but soon they’d be ready to go that final step.  If what he’d smelled two nights ago was any indication the boy was beyond ready.
 
He couldn’t help but smirk; he knew he had a way of making humans dizzy.  This was just the first human he’d ever seduced and not used as a hormone packed dinner. 
 
Hearing a familiar heartbeat Spike pulled on a pair of jeans and shirt and climbed to the upper level of his crypt.  It was still afternoon and the mid-September sun was still bright as the door to his crypt swung open.  Gods didn’t anyone knock anymore?
 
“Spike?  You in here?” 
 
“No Bit, I’m out trying to get a suntan.  Where else would I be?” He stepped out of the shadows and watched as Dawn jumped. 
 
“Spike! Not nice!” 
 
“Once again I point out: evil vampire here. Of course that wasn’t nice.  Now what brings you to my humble abode?”
 
The young girl threw her backpack down and jumped up to sit on the top of a sarcophagus.   It had been a while since he’d been able to see his Dawn, but Xander kept him updated.  She smelled of strawberries and baby powder and perfume.  A little girl trying to grow up. 
 
“If I ask you a question do you promise not to treat me like…like some kid that doesn’t know anything?”
 
“If I can Niblet.  Depends on the question.”  Spike had the feeling he was being set up, Dawn had a look in her eyes that he didn’t like.
 
“What’s going on with you and Xander?  Are you having sex?”


Spike stopped in the middle of lighting a cigarette, it wouldn’t be good for his image if he started choking.  Looking at the girl from through narrowed eyes he couldn’t help but wonder what brought this on.  He lit his fag and inhaled, blowing out a cloud of smoke before answering. 
 
“What makes you say that Niblet?”
 
“I’m not an idiot Spike.  Xander’s been going around on cloud nine for two weeks now, and while I’ve not seen you as much you look like the cat that got the canary.  He’s been extra busy, Buffy’s bitching that he’s not patrolling enough and he’s extra sensitive about certain issues when they involve you.  Spill before I run and tell Buffy or worse yet Willow.  She’ll turn you into a friend for Amy.”
 
Spike sighed and sat down next to her, making sure the girl could see him.  Dawn was one of the few people in the world, living, undead and dead, that he couldn’t lie to.  Not because he didn’t try, but because the perceptive little chit caught him almost every time. 
 
“Hold off calling in the hit men Bit.  We’re dating.  Yes, wipe that smirk off your face, actual dating.  I’m a poof of a vampire, go ahead say it.”
 
“I think it’s cute!”  Spike groaned, just what he needed, to be found cute by someone not legal to drive yet.
 
“So you gonna tell your sister?”
 
“Nope, no way.  She’ll have a fit and a half.  In fact please warn me when you guys do tell her so I can make sure there is a month’s supply of chocolate on hand and I can be out of the house.  Do you love him?”
 
Spike thought for a minute.  Neither one of them had said the words just yet, waiting for the time to be right but he was sure of his feelings. 
 
“Yeah Bit, I believe I do.”
 
“Good cause by what happened last night it’s obvious that Xander loves you and that means I don’t have to hurt you.” She crossed her legs and leaned forward.  “Now tell me all about it, how’d you guys get together?  Dish Spike!” 
 
“Wait a minute, what about last night?”
 
“You mean you don’t know?”
 
“Tuesday’s my poker night, well one of them.  Got home near dawn and found a note saying that Xander would be by right after work. Which should be an hour from now so don’t plan on sitting here gossiping like a bird.”  Of course the note had more to it, not that he was going to tell her that. 
 
“Ooh you are so not gonna like this.  Okay so last night Buffy made sure that we’re all there at the Magic Box, Scooby meeting you know?  There’s a whole lotta fledges out there for some reason.  Well we got there early, talking and stuff and Buffy came in late.  With her boyfriend.”
 
“So your big sis has a new boy toy eh?”
 
“Nope, not a new one, an old one.  Riley.”



Part Thirteen



Xander’s hands gripped the steering wheel as he tried to move through the late afternoon traffic.  Work today had been useless and his face was sore where Riley had hit him last night.  Now that he was free to get to Spike it seemed like the Hellmouth itself was trying to keep him from where he needed to be. 
 
Grinding his teeth, he made a detour around a wreck that was tying up one of the major roads in town.  He had to calm down before he caused another one, but he was just so freaking angry. 
 
He could handle Riley coming back, if only the man wouldn’t be such an ass.  If anyone could understand the pressure of being the normal one in a relationship it would be Xander.  But the man had only talked about it to him once, and he denied that Buffy even loved him when it was obvious to Xander that she did. 
 
Nevertheless, Buffy had had a lot on her plate, the last year.  Discovering that her little sister was a glowing ball of energy, her Mom being sick, school, and money problems.  Xander could understand how a man could feel pushed out, but when he thought about it later on, if Riley had tried to understand, just give her some space and just be there for her, rather than go out and let any Tom, Dick and Fledge use him as a giant sized juice box, then things would have worked out much better. 
 
Pulling into the parking lot at the cemetery, Xander all but jumped out of his SUV and opened the back, pulling out folded boxes and duct tape.  He quickly made his way to Spike’s crypt, ducking through the headstones and avoiding a funeral by going the long way around.  There always seemed to be a funeral; no surprise there.
 
He knew Spike must hear his heart pounding a mile a minute, but he was too worked up to care.  He dropped the boxes outside and pushed open the door just enough to slip through.  Before he could look around, strong cool arms held him and he sagged in relief.
 
“Oh, thank god!  You’re okay.  I was so scared. Spike...” A cool mouth covered his own and stopped the babbling before it started.  He let himself fall into the taste of whiskey and smoke and blood and tried to crawl inside Spike, letting his desperation show.
 
Finally the kiss broke off and he panted, trying to catch his breath.  Spike shifted his attention to his neck and he arched it, letting Spike have his way.  His shirt was un-tucked as Spike reached under to rub the small of his back, trying to sooth him. 
 
“What’s the matter, Love?”
 
“Riley’s back, and I was afraid he’d try to hurt you or something.  I kinda mouthed off last night.  You know me, I start babbling and anything will come out.”
 
“You know they’re gonna figure us out soon, Love. Dawn came by earlier and told me about last night.  She knows, Xander.”
 
“Good, cause the only people who don’t know are Buffy, Wills and Giles.  Well, and Riley, but he’s a git and I don’t care.  What did Dawn tell you anyhow?” 
 
“That everything was going fine, everyone was playing nice till Captain Cardboard started in on me.  Asking if I was still sniffing around the Slayer, saying how he’d come around and stake me if I was.  Bloody idiot, I’d like to see him try, I’ll rip out his spine and feed it to him one vertebra at a time.”
 
Xander poked Spike in the side.  “Can you saw eeeww?  Not that he doesn’t deserve it, but then Buffy would have to come after you and it would be a big mess.  Well, Dawn left to go to Janice’s, and Riley just kept on talking about how much good the Initiative’s done, and how they killed this nest of demons in Peru and stopped a Master Vampire in Rio.  Basically he was acting like one of those puffer fish I saw on Animal Planet.” 
 
Xander got quiet and then dragged Spike over to the sarcophagus to sit.   “Spike, I recognized the name of one of the nest of demons they killed.  They weren’t that, not bad enough to have fifty army guys wipe them off the face of the Earth.  You’ve heard of granaks, I know you have.”
 
He could see Spike’s mouth tighten and the anger in his eyes.  “Yeah, Pet, they’ll leave humans alone as long as nothing goes into the rain forest they protect.  I’d say that’s pretty fucking good.” 
 
“Well, from what Riley said they killed a lot of men, but I looked it up today at work and it was a logging company that was trying to clear an area illegally.  The granaks killed all of them, over 100.  But if they hadn’t been where they weren’t supposed to be, they wouldn’t have died.”  Xander shifted around, embarrassed. 
 
“I didn’t know the full story last night, Spike, but I knew enough to ask Giles and he just said that it was possible they were an evil clan, that they needed killing.  I couldn’t believe it and started arguing and Riley started mouthing off, asking if I was a demon lover.” A smile broke out on his face and he couldn’t help but laugh. 
 
“I said that I was, that I had demon friends and I was even dating a demon and Buffy jumped in and, well, to make a story short I have a bruised face, Riley has a black eye, and Buffy and Wills aren’t talking to me.  Good news is that, thanks to your help, I’m learning to duck, so it wasn’t as bad as it could be.  Bad news is that Riley brought friends, and the Initiative is working with the Slayer to patrol the Hellmouth, under Riley’s command.”
 
“Bloody fucking hell.”  Spike jumped up and started pacing, lighting a cigarette with a shaking hand.  Xander was probably the only person that knew about the nightmares the vampire had after escaping.  They hadn’t even been friends in the Basement of Doom, but that was the one thing Xander never snarked at the vampire about.  It was wrong that the Big Bad should have nightmares about humans. 
 
“I told the foreman, and he called Mr. Long.  I spent an hour going over it with my boss, what Riley said.  They’re gonna try to make sure that the good part of the demon population is safe.  They asked if I’d, if we’d, patrol those areas; keep watch for bad guys and soldiers making trouble.   I said I’d let them know tomorrow.  You want to?  Protect the population from the Army Wankers?”
 
Spike smiled, but it wasn’t a good smile; it was the smile of the crocodile sneaking up on its dinner, all teeth and hunger.  “Does this mean I can eat Captain Cardboard, Pet?”
 
Xander squinched up his nose.  “Spike!  You don’t know where he’s been; he rented himself out as a buffet item, that can’t be healthy.  Besides, then Buffy will know you have the chip out and I don’t want to live with a pile of dust.” 
 
Spike stopped and looked at him, the cigarette he was smoking dangling from his fingers.  “Live with?”
 
“Umm, yeah.  I brought boxes.  That’s if you want to.  I always figured we’d move in together eventually, you know?  And Riley knows where you live, and he can just walk right in, not like there’s a lock on the door.  I…worried about you today, almost cut off my hand once or twice till Bobby made me trade jobs and measure while he cut the 2x4’s.  I kept on imagining coming here and finding a pile of dust and Riley standing here gloating.  If you don’t like the apartment we can just stay there till we find something we both like, with less windows or something.  Just say you’ll come, please?”
 
Three hours later found Spike’s tee shirts sharing a drawer with his, and Xander wanted to bounce.  He knew Spike hated the thought that he couldn’t protect himself, and now that Spike didn’t have the chip so he really didn’t need protection.  That still didn’t keep Xander’s overactive imagination from running away.  So really Spike was there to protect Xander from himself. 
 
Hey, whatever he needed to say to get the proud vampire safe behind locked doors, he figured.  He had been prepared to pull out the greatest weapon in his arsenal, Puppy Eyes. They had even worked on Anya so he was sure they’d work on Spike as long as he didn’t overuse them.  Luckily he didn’t need to. 
 
He grabbed the boxed dinner they’d bought while out and joined Spike on the couch.  The room was dark except for the flickering of the television and one lamp on giving the room the feeling of blue/white firelight. Some random movie was on.  After a while most explosions looked the same, and he could tell Spike wasn’t really watching the screen, he was brooding.  Not that Xander was going to call him on it. 
 
He opened his dinner and enjoyed the smell of it.  They’d dropped off Spike’s stuff and drove around, looking for the Initiative.  They’d seen one patrol only, but that was one more than they wanted.  Then Spike had directed him into the worst part of town.  It was mostly humans and vamps in that area and was Spike’s hunting ground.  While Xander waited for his dinner-- ribs, biscuits and all the trimmings-- Spike had made sure to insult three men drinking in the parking lot. 

It was early so they were only mildly buzzed.  Still, yet three humans were no match for a Master Vampire and each donated blood less than willingly.  Spike took some from each man, so that none died but they were sure wake up with a hangover. 
 
It had been odd to sit on the inside and watch Spike hunt, but he’d gladly do it to make sure someone watched the blonde’s back.   Not that watching the backside of Spike was any problem for him at all. 

Tasting one of the ribs, Xander had to hold back a moan.  This was some of the best barbecue he’d ever had.  He held one out to Spike.  “Want some?”
 
“No Pet, but thanks.”
 
“You don’t know what your missing, but, hey, more for me.  We’ll have to go back there some night, good food for the both of us.”
 
He could feel Spike’s eyes on him.  “What?  It’s good.”
 
“So it didn’t bother you that I took from those gits?”
 
So that what was bothering him.  Xander had refused to stay behind and Spike was worried he’d flip. 
 
“Nope, not really.  They’re not dead, just a quart low.  And it’s not like they were good people or something.  As long as you don’t go around munching on Dawnie’s friends or any innocents, I can deal.  Now have a rib, before I accuse you of Angelic behavior, and I don’t mean the little cherubs with wings.”
 
“M’not brooding.”  Spike stole the rib Xander had been nibbling on and finished it.   They finished the meal in silence, sharing the one dinner and watching TV.  It was nice, it felt like home, sitting there cuddled up to Spike’s side while they bickered over who got the last biscuit. 
 
Xander got up to throw the trash away and get them each a beer.  He set both on the coffee table and then flopped down on the couch with his head in Spike’s lap.
 
“Comfortable, Pet?”
 
“Mmmm, yeah.  It’s nice.  I like having you here.”
 
“I like being here.  You know the others will figure it out soon.”
 
“Actually I was thinking of telling Willow last Saturday, I called her to help me with an outfit for the play.  You know my sense of dress sucks.  I even told her I had a date.  She was busy, though.  We can tell them at the next Scooby meeting, or better yet let them figure it out, don’t try to hide it. Either way, I’m happy.” 
 
He really didn’t want to be thinking about Willow while he had his head in Spike’s lap.  He turned so he could nuzzle Spike groin and was rewarded with cool hands running through his hair. 
 
“So, how did you end up looking so sexy Saturday if Red didn’t help? Glinda?”
 
Fine, if Spike wanted to play this game, he’d play.  He continued to give Spike’s jean covered cock attention while he talked.  “I called in the cavalry.  Cordelia. I was on the phone with her for three horrendous hours.  If I have done anything bad I’ve more than made up for it after that.” 
 
“Remind me to thank her, you looked delicious that night.” 
 
“You look delicious now.”  He reached out and unbuttoned Spike’s fly.  Despite the blonde’s talking it was evident he was interested in what Xander was doing.  He didn’t pull Spike out, instead he nuzzled even closer, letting his nose inhale the unique scent of the vampire.  He looked up and just mouthed at Spike’s groin and watched as blue eyes took on a golden tint. 
 
Suddenly his arms were grabbed and he was pulled up to sit in Spike’s lap.  Spike leaned forward to meet his lips and soon their tongues were dueling.  Spike forced his way into Xander’s mouth and stroked the roof of his mouth, getting all a taste of everything Xander had. 
 
Finally Xander had to breathe, but as soon as he got some oxygen in his lungs he kissed Spike back, using his tongue to map out his lover’s mouth, tasting blood and smoke and Spike.  He got a wicked idea, worthy of Spike, and raked his tongue across Spike’s human teeth.  While not as sharp as his fangs it was still enough to open up a small cut and let his blood fall into Spike’s mouth. 
 
A growl rumbled from deep within his lover’s chest, the sound of it going straight to his cock, making him harder than he thought possible.  Spike took control of the kiss, using his tongue to gather every drop of blood.  Finally Xander had to pull away to breathe again and he saw the almost feral lust in Spike’s eyes. 

”Spike? Fuck me? Please?” 
 
“God yes! Xander…” The world tilted as Spike picked him up and manhandled him towards the bedroom.  He was slammed against the wall by the door and then Spike’s wicked tongue was there again, trying to draw out everything he was through his mouth.  He spared a thought about that tongue doing other things in other places and moaned, rubbing his erection against Spike’s before pulling away. 
 
“Clothes off.  Bed now.”  Spike’s voice was low and it made Xander shiver in a good way. 
 
He reached down for the edge of Spike’s tee shirt and got tangled up.  Laughing, he pushed Spike away so the blonde could undress himself while Xander stripped. 
 
He didn’t even have time to be embarrassed about being naked in front of Spike for the first time; he found himself on his back in the middle of the bed with his lover cradled in-between his legs.  He thrust his hips up, making sure to rub his lover’s cock with his own, and enjoyed watching Spike’s human features slip.  It was electrifying to know that he’d affected someone so powerfully. 
 
“I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.1”  He’d made sure to memorize the line perfectly; it reflected how he felt so much. 
 
A year ago if anyone would have told them he would be under William the Bloody ready to give him his male virginity he would have checked them for head wounds or possession.  Now, it was all he could think of, all he wanted.  He spread his legs wider in a clear invitation. 
 
Spike stilled and looked at him and it was like the demon was looking into his soul.  He switched back to his human face and eyes once again blue stared into his own.  He must have seen what he wanted in Xander’s face because Spike broke out in the most wonderful smile. 
 
“I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?1”
 
“Please Spike, make love to me.  I belong to you.”
 
Soon he found himself rocking back on three of Spike’s fingers and wishing that the vampire would fuck him already.  The pain/pleasure of Spike’s fingers stretching him was wonderful but he wanted more.  Wanted everything.  Spike’s other hand had trailed down from teasing his nipples to where it was now, stroking his cock quickly, whereas the fingers inside were working him slow. 
 
Xander felt like he was flying apart, torn between Spike’s talented hands while his own gripped the sheets and twisted, trying to keep some control.  He’d long ago started babbling but now he added pleas. 
 
“Now Spike, please…I want you in me, filling me up and making me whole.  Now Spike, please!  Pleasepleaseplease!” 
 
Spike came forward and captured his mouth for another soul searing kiss as his legs were placed over the blonde’s shoulders.  His eyes closed as he waited and soon he felt the blunt head of Spike’s dick pressing at his entrance. 
 
He breathed out and tried to relax, the burn of Spike entering him causing his breathing to speed up for a moment. 
 
“You all right Love?”
 
“Yeah, it’s just different.  Keep going, I want you.” 
 
Soon Spike was fully seated within him and Xander felt full.  It was almost as if he could feel everything about his lover, down to the vein on the bottom of his cock and it was so fucking good.  He squeezed his internal muscles and watched Spike’s eyes roll to the back of his head and then moved, letting Spike know it was okay to start. 


And start he did, thrusting in and out slowly at first as Xander gritted his teeth and tried to hang on.  All of a sudden white lights flashed in his eyes and he felt like he’d been shocked by a live wire, only better. 
 
“Oh god that’s so good Spike, you fill me so good.  Harder, please Spike!”
 
“You sure, love, I don’t want to hurt you?” 
 
“Need it, need you! Please!” 


Spike sped up and the force of his thrusts caused the bed to shake.  Xander did his best to meet each thrust but it was like a fireworks show in his head each time Spike hit that one special spot. 


Soon his breathing became ragged and it was if every muscle in his body was tensing, waiting for his release.  Spike seemed to sense it and his hand moved from holding one of his legs up to once again stroking his cock, this time with the same rhythm as his thrusts.  Xander could feel his balls draw up but couldn’t find the words to warn his lover. 
 
He came with a shout, arching his back so much that it was almost like only having his feet and head on the bed.  He collapsed, panting.  He arched his neck in invitation and tightened his muscles to help Spike reach the edge. 
 
Spike darted forward and licked his neck and Xander found himself getting hard again.  He never knew it could be like this, he’d never felt like this with anyone, not even Anya.  It was as if Spike was filling every empty piece of his body and they would be connected forever. 
 
There was a sharp pain at the juncture of his neck and shoulders and he could feel his blood leaving his body. It felt like he was shattering and being remade all at once and he screamed through another orgasm as he felt Spike’s essence fill him, the coolness of it a huge contrast to the fires that had been burning inside. 
 
They lay there panting, Spike still on top of Xander, licking his bite closed while Xander worked on getting his brain back online.  He felt sore in places he never knew about before and sweat was starting to cause a chill.  Still, he wouldn’t trade this feeling on oneness with Spike for anything in the world.  He made happy murmur noises and let his hands wander over the body that was blanketing him. 
 
“You’re mine now Pet, no matter what anyone says.  Claimed you, no going back now.”
 
“Yours.  Course that means you are mine too.”

”That I am, Pet.”
 
Spike got up and got towels to clean up the mess while Xander found himself melting into the bed.  Spike could be so gentle at times, and he felt so loved and cherished.  Nothing was quite like this.  They curled around each other in the bed, legs and arms entwined. 
 
“Thank you, Spike, that was more than I could ever hope for.”
 
“You weren’t bad yourself, Xan.  Nice to make love to someone and have their brain in the same room.” 
 
“Hey, we are so not gonna talk about our exes during afterglow!”  He smacked the blonde’s ass lightly.
 
“Oooh, a spanking!  Have I been naughty Xander?  Gonna punish me?”
 
“Maybe later, sleep now.  Love you, Spike.  I mean it.”


“Yeah, I mean it too, Pet.  Love you with all that I am.”

Author's Note: 1 Both lines are from Much Ado About Nothing.



Part Fourteen



Author's Note: Sorry it's short but it takes me so long to write smut.  I figured ya'll wouldn't mind as long as there was smut though. Slight warning, you may never look at Blow Pops the same way again.

Spike woke up when he felt a sudden pressure on his chest along with the feeling of being watched.  He opened his eyes only to see that fur ball Max sitting on him with an expectant look and an old milk-cap top.  Spike growled softly so he didn’t wake up Xander and threw the toy across the room; grunting when the moggie used him as a trampoline to take off from as he hunted his prey. 
 
He looked at the clock and grained.  Damned fucking cat waking him up when all good little vampires should be going to bed.  He knew he’d never be able to get back to sleep, he’d slept most of the night which was so unnatural to him.  Add to that the fact that Xander was curled up so sweetly to his side his fangs ached.  His entire body could feel his boy’s presence, could feel his breath, his heart, his blood. 
 
If he had a soul like his wanker of a Sire, it would have been lost in the past twenty-four hours. 
 
Part of his brain still didn’t believe the boy knew what he was getting into.  Sure he played the part of a semi-good guy nowadays, he started doing for the Niblet but now he’d do it for Xander too. 
 
But last night his boy had seen him fight, seen him feed.  Not only did it not send him screaming into the night but Xander had suggested they go back to hunt there again.  His pet sure had grown up since the days when they shared the basement.  Now if only his so-called friends would notice. 
 
Figuring that the boy would have to work, and if not why should his lover sleep while he was awake and bored, Spike started tracing patterns on Xander’s back and buttocks with his hands. 
 
He could feel the reaction he was getting, and not just in the stiffening cock.  He could hear Xander’s heart speed up, could practically feel the heat from the flush that was enveloping his boy. 
 
“Morning Xander.”
 
“Umm, morning Spike.  Feels good.”
 
“What does pet?”
 
“You, being here with you touching me.  Waking up with you.  Feel free to stop me at any moment, I’m sure I’m acting like a big girl.”
 
Spike laughed and moved a hand to stroke his lover’s erection.  “I think I can pretty much say you’re not a girl Xander.” 
 
Xander’s breathing had sped up along with his heart but the boy still managed to laugh.  “Mmmm, guess I’m just a girly man, a poofter.  Don’t care, love you.”
 
He enjoyed watching Xander pant, watching how his eyes dilate.  He can hear his blood rushing through his veins and Spike can’t help but think that is one of the most wonderful sounds.  The room was thick with the scent of arousal and sex. 
 
He had his boy pinned to the bed as he suddenly he had the overwhelming urge to taste Xander all over, find out what the skin on the back o f his knees tasted like, or the area behind his ear.  He used his lips, tongue and teeth to worship his lover, enjoying the range of moans and gasps that his beautiful boy could produce. 
 
He traced the lines of Xander’s muscles with his tongue, stopping to taste his collarbones, to bite at his nipples.  Worked his way lower and licked then bit at his boy’s navel, delighting in the shudder than ran through the body underneath him. 
 
He ignored Xander’s cock to travel down his legs; laughing at the breathless insults the boy threw at him.  In the back of his mind, Spike spared a thought that maybe half of their fighting in the previous years might have just been unresolved sexual tension.  Then he went back to his goal, licking down the inside of one of Xander’s legs.  His boy arched off the bed with a strangled scream when he nibbled on his anklebone. 
 
“Oh God Spike! Fuck me or something! Anything! Please!”
 
In a flash Spike moved from the foot of the bed to where he was hovering over Xander’s cock, nuzzling the base of it.  He looked up into needy brown eyes.  Seeing his boy like this was a miracle, finally he loved someone who loved him just as much.
 
“As you wish.”  With that he swallowed Xander’s length whole, using the muscles in his throat to work the tip of the shaft as his hand teased his boy’s balls and the skin behind them.  He felt Xander tense up and then tasted his essence as Xander shouted above him.  He suckled until Xander was soft and licked him clean before crawling up to kiss him, savoring the taste and feel of Xander in his mouth.   After a moment Xander weakly pushed him away, gasping for breath.
 
“Spike…fuck that was…gods I think I almost passed out from a blow job.  Gods that was good.” 
 
“I aim to please Love.  Think you’re up to doing something with this?”  He thrust his hardness into Xander’s thigh, just to remind him and Xander rocked back. 
 
“Mmmm, I might.”  With that Xander scooted down till he was eye level with his cock.  He started licking and suckling the tip while using his hand to stroke Spike’s length.   A talented tongue went to work on the underside, tracking the vein before going on to tease the foreskin.  Spike had to control himself so he didn’t thrusting in that warm heat.  The feeling of Xander’s mouth on his cock…it was indescribable.  No one in over one hundred forty years made him feel so aroused, so free.  Sheets ripped as he clawed at them for control.
 
“Xan, Love, gonna come!”   Instead of pulling away Xander just looked at him from underneath those long eye lashes and smirked around the cock in his mouth.  He released it for just a moment to breath and then swallowed Spike whole, and Spike could feel the muscles, the ripple of them in the back of Xander’s throat. 
 
Lights flashed in front of Spike’s eyes and his body arched as he came, shockwaves shuddering through is body.  He panted as he drifted, and suddenly Xander was there, brown eyes looking for reassurance. 
 
“Bloody hell Xan, that was wonderful!  Thank you Love.  Tell me though…” his voice switched to sincere to teasing in an instant.  “Tell me how a nice boy like yourself learned how to give such a wonderful blow job, eh?’  
 
They had shifted till they were laying down fact to face, so Spike got to watch the beautiful blush that colored Xander from head to toe. 
 
“Umm, Cordy.”  At Spike’s growl he blushed more and started babbling.  “Not that we got anywhere past second base when we were dating.  It’s just that I talk to her about stuff now, both on the computer and off.  And well she taught me a couple of tricks on how to learn…so I did.”
 
Something in Spike’s chest squeezed and he couldn’t keep the grin off his face.  He purred in delight and snuggled closer to his boy, his beloved.  Of course his love didn’t keep him from doing only slightly evil things. 
 
“Do I want to know how she taught you so well over the computer Pet?”  Of possible Xander blushed even more and he put his face into Spike’s chest to mumble. 
 
“What was that Pet?  Didn’t hear you did I?”
 
“Popsicles.  That and Charms Blow Pops.  Well she said any sucker would do, but I kinda thought a blow pops was more appropriate.” He could feel Xander’s grin even though his boy had his face hidden in Spike’s chest ad the boy started to shake with laughter. 
 
“What Pet?”
 
“It’s a Blow Pop!”
 
“Oh bloody hell!”
 
****
 
Xander hummed to himself as he fixed a brunch of ham, mushroom and cheese omelets.  Fun in bed had progressed to fun in the shower and he just knew he had a smile on his face that let everyone know he’d been fucked and fucked well very recently. 
 
Spike was sitting at the bar to the kitchen drinking tea and Xander found himself touching his bite mark on his neck and having to keep from pouncing the vampire again.  Not that Spike would mind but they had played enough for a Thursday morning.  As it was Xander was glad that work was canceled for the rest of the week and they didn’t have to rush. 
 
Of course they had enough to think about, what with the community meeting and then facing the Scoobies, about the Initiative and about their relationship. He wasn’t stupid, Buffy and Willow were going to be awfully upset. 
 
Still he wouldn’t trade Spike for all the money in the world.  Being able to look across the kitchen and see him there, safe, with fading marks from their sexcapades, gave him such a warm feeling. 
 
“It’s a bloody good thing we decided to quit hiding now isn’t it?”  Spike’s voice broke him of his reverie as he dished up breakfast.
 
“Huh?”
 
“Xander-love you’re body language is screaming well-fucked.” 
 
Xander just grinned and slid a plate in front of his lover before leaning in for a kiss.  “With good reason Spike, I am well-fucked.   And I love you.”
 
“Love you too Pet, you’re mine.”
 
****
 
Xander was torn between bouncing down the street and dragging his feet.  It was late afternoon but Southern California was having one of it’s very few odd rainy days and while he was a bit damp at least Spike and him could walk around after the meeting. 
 
The meeting about the Initiative in itself was fun but weird.  His friends from work had congratulated them, Kyri and Usagi smirking all the while.  He’d also gotten to see one of the few teachers he’d liked from school, Mr. Musick; and just as he thought Mr. Winter from the store was there.
 
Best of all he wouldn’t have to try to patrol and work, he was on paid leave for the time being so he could work as a sort of liaison between the demon community and the Slayer and Initiative.  It was almost like a honeymoon, simply because he’d get to spend all his time with Spike.  Just the thought of it made him want to throw Spike against the wall and…
 
“Love for the sake of my sanity please stop thinking whatever it is you’re thinking.”
 
“Hmm?”
 
“Xander, we’re almost to the Magic Box, can you please refrain from sex thoughts till after we tell the bloody group so I don’t have to defend myself with a hard on?”
 
“Oops.  Sorry Spike.”
 
“Git.  You don’t sound sorry.”
 
“No I don’t suppose I do.  Gonna punish me for it?”
 
“Fuck Xander…”
 
“That’s the idea.”  Suddenly Xander found himself pinned against the wall as Spike did a very thorough exam of his tonsils.  As soon as he was dazed Spike moved away and shoved him towards the shop. 
 
“Move, the faster we do this the faster we can patrol and then go home.”
 
“Love your plans Spike, that sounds good.” 
 
They walked in silence the rest of the way, but it was a comfortable silence.  The only thing Xander wished was that they could hold hands, but with the others not knowing, and the thought of a redneck trying to beat them up, held him back.  
 
The bell over the shop sounded almost ominous to Xander as they walked in the shop.  The place was empty and Giles was working in his office so they sat down on the steps to the loft to wait for the others.  Xander was feeling nervous as hell at the thought of coming clean about everything.  To distract himself he pulled out the treat he’d grabbed from the meeting but hadn’t shared. 
 
He waved the lollypop in front of Spike’s nose.  “Want a lick Spike?  It’s your favorite flavor: cherry.”
 
Spike narrowed his eyes and grabbed to candy from him.  “Here I thought I was the evil one Xander.” 
 
“Hey I’m learning from the best!  I bet you’ll teach me all of your tricks before too long.”
 
“Oh good lord!”  While they were flirting Giles had decided to come out of his office and was standing there with his mouth open.



Part Fifteen

Xander couldn’t help but tense up at Giles’s swearing but he had promised himself he wasn’t going to let his friends regret his decision. He was also going to try and not let them ruin he extremely good mood, but he kinda doubted that would happen.

“Hey G-man! What’s up for tonight? Hey did I tell you my boss thanked you for translating that stone thingamajig we found a couple of weeks ago? He’s gonna move the site so that they don’t disturb the Warsaw demon that’s trapped there.

“Please don’t call me that and it’s a Wracklaw demon…Xander what is Spike doing here?”

“Come to keep my boy company today, nice and gloomy out you know? Besides Xander has a new job as of today and the Slayer and her toy aren’t going to like it, have to lend my support like any good beau would.”

Xander found himself smiling at the term beau. He had a beau. “Spike… beau? That’s so southern.”

“Spent some time down south with Dru after New York didn’t I? Great food Pet, I’ve got to take you sometime.”

Xander just smiled, he rather liked the term beau. Of course the proper term would be mate but there wasn’t any reason to give Giles a complete heart attack. Cause beau seemed to be making him faint.

“Giles man, you okay?”

He had fallen into a chair at the research table and had taken off his glasses and was pinching at the area between his eyes as if what he had heard and saw could be driven away. He felt Spike nudge him from behind.

“You go lock up Love, and I’ll make the Watcher some fortified tea. We’ve got time before the others show up, we’re early for once.”

Xander did as he was told and soon Spike had a cup of tea so laced with brandy even his nose could smell it. He watched as Giles sipped at the tea and then sputtered.

“Spike!”

“What? You needed the pick me up, admit it.”

Giles looked ready to blow a gasket, and Xander found himself stepping closer to Spike, their shoulders touching. He really wanted to make it obvious to the man that was closer to him than his own father that he was happy and he wanted this relationship with Spike.

“Xander you have no idea what you’ve done! Why…”

“Wrong Giles, I’m not stupid, I know. I’ve read the books from the restricted section and everything. Hell Giles we’ve been flirting for weeks and dating for a while now. You can’t say you really just noticed. Yeah I was discreet at first but I did tell you I couldn’t patrol Saturday cause I was going out on a date with Spike.”

Okay so he hadn’t used the word date, but he had said he was going out, that counted didn’t it?

Spike was being oddly quiet, something that Xander was kind of glad for. He didn’t want to end up fighting this early and he figured that if anyone would understand it would be Giles. Like he said he wasn’t stupid, he knew Giles wasn’t as straight as he pretended to be, although he really didn’t want to bring up the name Ethan, that would bring the Ripper out in Giles for sure.

“You…weeks? Date? Spike? What…?”

“Look Pet, you’ve made the Watcher speechless.”

“You didn’t help by getting him sloshed this early Spike. Look Giles we’re in love. You know Spike can love, okay so it’s not human love but hey he’s not human. I’m okay with that and let’s face it, it’s not a surprise that I ended up with Spike. Once we stopped arguing and bitching at each other it was a given that we’d get together.”

He can feel Spike preen at the comment that it wasn’t human sort of love, and had to stop from rolling his eyes. In truth most of Spike’s notions of love was more human than Anya’s or Cordy’s ever were, but he’d not tell his mate that. He just wanted Giles to know that he was sure about what he was doing.

They let the watcher sit in peace for a bit and eventually the glasses went back on. “Well I cannot say that I approve but there seems to be nothing I can do about it. I would like to know how Spike was able to mark you but I doubt you would tell me. You do realize how difficult this…relationship of yours will be for the others to accept.”

“No Watcher, he’s stupid, or course he knows!”

Xander noticed Spike didn’t mention the chip, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to bring it up.

“Yes Giles, I know. Both Buffy and Willow are going to freak, that’s kinda why I was hoping you wouldn’t. I mean, you know more than anyone else the gray areas between black and white and they don’t get it. I mean you have demon friends and all that…”

“Yes, well. There is that. I shall withhold my judgment then.”

Spike shuffled beside him and he could almost hear the wheels turning in his lover’s head.

“Listen Watcher, why don’t you come over Sunday when the shop’s closed eh? Xan’s teaching himself to cook and I’m a bit biased about his skills. Boy went out and bought proper Irish Guinness for me even, we’ve got to teach him how to drink it rather than that American piss he’s so fond of.”

“Hey, Sam Adams isn’t that bad. Founding Father of the United States I’ll have you know you…British man!”

The snarking was comforting and routine, but still Xander felt all warm and gooshy inside. He knew that Spike didn’t like Giles all that much, so he’d invited him to dinner for Xander’s sake and that…that meant a hell of a lot to him.

“So you’re coming to dinner Giles?”

A deep sigh. “Yes, it seems I am. As long as you assure me that you’re not hurting Xander.”

Spike growled and Xander couldn’t help but agree with that sentiment. “Giles he isn’t going to hurt me. Well no more than most couples hurt each other. Anything else that happens…is between us okay?”

He can almost feel the heat of Giles’s stare and he was kinda glad that Spike was already dead, cause he was getting a pretty good death glare now. And he could felt the growl starting in Spike, low for now but it will get worse if Giles continued to challenge him. He shifted his feet and made the chair he was standing by scrape the floor.

Both men jump at the noise and Spike aims narrowed eyes at him. He just smiled apologetically. He wasn’t really sorry though; he just didn’t want Spike to rip out anything Giles might miss someday, like his tongue or his spine.

“Yes, well…I believe Spike mentioned you had a new job?”

“Umm, yeah. See my boss and some of the other people on the town council are worried about the Initiative coming back in town, even if it’s just a small unit. They didn’t really give people the warm fuzzies last time they were here you know? And they know I work with you and Buffy so they want me to be a go-between. Make sure the soldier boys are only getting the bad guys and there’s no problems with innocent people getting hassled. I promised that Spike and I will patrol the demon parts of town, and because that’s quite a lot to do I’m kind of on paid leave till we make sure everything will go okay. What do you think?”

In fact Xander was very excited about this idea. He’d get paid to do what he liked to do anyway and be able to spend time with Spike and he’d be useful. He liked that Mr. Long, Mr. Winter and the others felt he had skills he could contribute, it made him feel proud of himself and his decisions.

“Well that is reasonable I suppose. I can imagine that parts of the demon community are anxious hearing about the return of the Initiative.”

“Part? Giles do you realize that they had demons down there in their labs that were total innocents? People lost family members, friends. It’s like having only a few KKK members moving into a black neighborhood. Something bad will happen; I just hope that we can prevent it.”

“Well one can hope that nothing will happen and cooler heads will prevail. There are plenty of unscrupulous demons in this town for them to chase after, no need to bother the peaceable ones.”

“Right Watcher, and the good guys will all wear white hats so we can tell them apart from the evildoers.”

Suddenly there was a tapping on the glass to the door of the shop and Xander looked up. It was the others, all at once. He shared a look with Spike as he moved to unlock the door.

“Hey Xander…why’s the door locked?”

“Oh hey Wills, umm, we were talking to Giles and locked up so no new customers could come in. Sorry I just locked it without thinking, I should have just flipped the open sign to close.”

The rest filled in after Willow and Xander closed and locked to door again. He nervously sat on the steps to the loft and watched as everyone else got settled. Dawn immediately went for Spike by the counter and Xander smiled at the pair. The contrast was kind of beautiful, age and innocence. Spike whispered something in her ear and she looked at Xander and grinned.

Giles had remained at the research table, and Willow, Tara, Buffy and Riley joined him there, with Buffy on Riley’s lap. Part of Xander wanted to roll his eyes at their lovey-dovey act, but part of him was jealous. Even after their relationship came out he really doubted anyone would be comfortable with Xander sitting in Spike’s lap, or vice versa. Unless they were in a safe place or one that was deserted they rarely even held hands in public, not because they were ashamed but because they didn’t want to be tangled up in each other if they were attacked. And unfortunately Xander could see the possibility of one or the other of them being attacked by Riley at least, if not from his friends themselves.

Spike leaned over and whispered in Dawn’s ear and she nodded.

“Hey Buffy? Can I go down to the corner for some snacks or something? Chocolate sounds good right about now.”

“Sure, but why not let Xander go? He can get us all something.”

Xander shook his head. “Sorry Buff, gotta talk to you guys about my new job. Besides it’s early yet, she’ll be okay.”

“I…I could go with you if you want Dawn.”

“Sure Tara! That would be great! See you later guys! Oh, Xander, Spike, the Homecoming Game is next Friday and I’m in the Queen’s Court. You two will be there, you hear? No matter what.”

Xander flicked a glace at Spike and nodded. He got what the girl was saying, that no matter the outcome of their coming out of the closet tonight she wanted them to be there for her. And they would.

“Sure Niblet. We’ll be there.”

“Course we’ll come Dawnie. Hey want us to sneak in after hours and stuff the ballet box so you’ll be Queen?”

“Xander! I’m a Freshman. You have to be a Senior to be Queen. Gosh how many years has it been since you were in high school, fifty?”

“Nope, I just didn’t pay much attention. But we’ll be there, promise.”

As the two left Spike casually sauntered over and sat down on the step above Xander. It took all his willpower not to lean into his lover’s space and inhale the smell of smoke and leather and Spike.

Evidently Giles had seen something in his face, the man got up rather quickly and paced over to the counter. If Xander remember correctly that was where the brandy Spike had used in his tea was stashed. Great, he’d driven the man to drink.

“Yes, well we’d better get started without Tara and Dawn. Xander’s employers have proposed something and I must say I rather agree with them. Not that we are inclined to distrust you Riley, it’s just that the Initiative has a rather bad name around town. Xander?”

During Giles’s speech he’d seen Spike flinch at the thought that they’d trust Riley and there had been nothing more he wanted to do than put a hand on his leg or something and reassure the vampire. Instead he stood up and stood to the side, in-between where Riley and Buffy was sitting and Spike.

“Mr. Long the…gentleman who owns my company is also on the town counsel and along with a few others they are hesitant about the Initiative returning to Sunnydale, even if it is just a few men under your command Riley.”

“What? How did they even find out, it is supposed to be a covert mission! Did you tell them?”

“Well duh, of course he did. Didn’t I tell you Riley? Xander works for a bunch of demons. I’m not sure what he’s thinking half the time anymore.”

Xander gritted his teeth. Damn it Buffy could be so snide when she wanted to be, and evidently it was still a sore spot with the Slayer that there were good demons out there she couldn’t stake.

“Yes, I told them. Spike and I are going to be patrolling the demon areas in town each night. All night. If your soldiers have a problem with someone I want to know about it so we know you’re not going to be killing someone for playing their breed’s version of hopscotch with their kid. There are more than enough fledges around for everyone to have loads of fun staking but if a Master or Childe shows up in town Spike will take care of it. I am also going to be the mediator between the Initiative and demons. If you arrest someone or if an innocent disappears I’ll come looking on your base and if I find out they’re in one of your labs there will be hell to pay.”

By the time he was finished he was having to keep a rein on his temper. Just the thought of what some of the idiots in the government could do to some of his friends made his blood boil. Bobby wouldn’t hurt a fly, and for one of the many species of cat demons he was remarkably even tempered. He’d never survive one night of…questioning if they got too rigorous. He didn’t even want to think what they’d do to someone as kind hearted as Clem either.

“If they’re so good why are they living on the Hellmouth Harris?”

“Because they fit in here Finn.” He couldn’t keep the snarl out of his voice. Riley could be so damned condescending sometimes. “There are other demons and they don’t have to hide all the time. But don’t make the mistake that it’s just here it happens. Most cities that have a halfway decent population size have demons, both good and bad, living there.”

“Back in the late 70’s there was even a bloke elected to your congress that was a demon Pet. Don’t rightly remember his name, didn’t care then, but it just goes to show that you never know.”

Xander smiled over at his lover while both Buffy and Willow questioned him. Xander didn’t know either, had asked throughout the day who it was but Spike had said that at the time he was far more concerned over killing the Slayer in New York and the Ramones. Funny thing was he believed him; it wasn’t like Spike to get involved in elections.

Riley nudged Buffy off his lap and stood up. “What I don’t get is why you’re helping them, instead of your own kind. And why you’re going to be out with Spike of all people. Oh, right he’s not a person, is he?”

Xander bristled at the statement and he didn’t have to look over at Spike to know the vampire was on the verge of attacking. Luckily Giles said something before he could make things even worse.

“Really! I would think that by now you would have learned that not all demons are out to get you Riley. I have many friends of the…non-human variety shall we say. And to be perfectly honest not a one of our group here would qualify as a pure human except with the possibility of yourself. Buffy is super powered thanks to her slayer linage and Willow, Tara and I are all magic users. If your group is going to be effective you must have a more open mind about such things.”

“Look from what I’ve seen demons bad, humans good, that’s all I’m saying.”


”Yet it was your precious Dr. Walsh that created Frankendemon and she was human wasn’t she?” Spikes words were growled out and Xander stepped closer to him in hopes that it would help the vampire keep calm. So far no one had really looked at him close enough to notice his claim mark but he knew it would happen, and soon if Riley didn’t get out of his face.

“She also managed to put a collar on you Spike. How’s the head? Any headaches lately?”

“God you were they type to poke at the tiger at the zoo weren’t you Riley?” He just had to get the soldiers attention off his mate before Spike did something that Xander would regret, because he knew Spike wouldn’t. It was hard though, the way Riley had been acting since coming back to town he was ready to pull his spine out too, the only difference was that Spike could actually do it.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What it means is you love poking at predators that can kick your ass five ways from Sunday as long as they can’t hit back. Not very sporting. I’d be careful if I were you.”

“Are you threatening my boyfriend Xander?” Great now Buffy was getting into the argument and they hadn’t even gotten to the Spike and Xander lived and unlived happily ever after part.

“No Buffy, just stating a fact.”

“Ummm, guys?” Willow actually had her hand up as if she was back in high school and Xander laughed just a little at the picture of it. Giles must have found it amusing too, his face had lost its pinched look.

“Yes Willow?”

“Giles you said none of us would count as human but you left out Xander…I mean he’s human, isn’t he?”

Xander stepped back towards Spike as Giles gave them the eye. “Xander I believe you wanted to explain that?”

He held his head up high and a cool hand found it ‘s way to his back out of his friend’s field of vision. “Well not really. I was possessed twice so even before I doubt if I counted as normal, but now I’m not.”

Both Buffy and Willow looked confused and upset but he could almost see Riley calculating in his mind. Finally it was Willow, dear sweet Willow who asked. “What are you Xander? When?”

He wasn’t going to touch the when part with a ten-foot pole, they didn’t need to know. “Well I’m still physically human, mostly. It’s just who I am that has changed. I am Spike’s claimed mate. It kind of makes me different.”

What happened next was so quick he almost didn’t see it; he wouldn’t have if he hadn’t been expecting something like it to happen. Still he’d been too slow.

At his statement of being Spike’s mate Buffy had moved quickly, pulling the stake from the back of her waistband and rushing forward. Xander tried to intercept her but only got stabbed in the shoulder on her way to kill his lover instead. Willow’s eyes had turned black with power and Giles was trying to keep Riley from killing Spike.

And Xander realized it was too late to try to keep the fact that the chip didn’t work a secret, because Buffy had hurt his mate Spike was in total gameface and had the Slayer by the neck and she was turning blue. He pressed a hand to his shoulder and went to his lover’s side. Willow had stopped when she saw that Spike held Buffy hostage.

“Everyone calm down. Willow shut off the damn magick; it’ll only piss him off more. Damn it Buffy for once could you listen to me instead of attacking?”

He waited till they did what he said and he saw the look of hurt and anger on his oldest friend’s face and the disgust on Riley’s. Right now that didn’t matter, the only thing that mattered was keeping Spike from racking up his third slayer. The sad part was he kind of understood; he’d be ready to kill if Buffy had dusted Spike.

“Spike? Spike, I’m okay. Buffy’s not going to do anything else. Let her down, please?” No response. Spike was all hatred and fangs and pure vampire right now, beautiful and terrifying in his anger. Xander really doubted that William would get a better reaction, Spike hated his human name.

“Benedick? Benedick please Love, let her go.”



Part Sixteen

“Benedick? Benedick please Love, let her go.”

It was the pet name that Xander had only used in writing that got through the red haze that had filled his vision at the scent of the boy’s blood. He finally realized what he’d done, that he had the Slayer dangling from his grip like a rag doll and he roared and tossed her away, letting her hit the counter and slide to the floor.

He turned to Xander and could smell the blood and the pain. He swore under his breath and then turned to the humans. “You lot even try to attack Xander or me again, and you’ll be sorry. Boy still considers you his friends so you’re safe from evisceration, for now at least. That could change at any time. Watcher, we’ll need the med kit.”

“Yes…yes of course. Willow?”

“No.” Spike couldn’t help but growl. “You. The little witch has been playing with Chaos magicks, she stinks of it”

“What! Willow…”

“Not now Rupert, get the med kit and then you can shout at her.”

“Spike, I’m okay, really.” Spike snorted. Just like the boy to brush off one of his best friends stabbing him. Not this time.

“No your not okay, you’re bleeding from where the Slayer here wouldn’t let you talk and oh, she tried to kill your lover. Don’t pretend Xander, we’re gonna have to deal with this.” Xander just looked down at the ground and Spike could tell that he was hurt by his friend’s actions, despite the fact he halfway expected it to happen.

The Slayer was being coddled by her boyfriend, bruises visible around her throat. She’d probably not be able to talk much and right now Spike was glad of that, one less problem.

Red seemed frozen at the table, whether it was because of Xander’s protection of Spike or the fact that he just let her little secret out. Truth in fact he hadn’t noticed the taint of chaos magicks around her recently, not since the night she tried to take on Glory and failed.

But he had felt the growing power in the room as he deafened his boy, felt the crackle and tingling of it along his spine, the taint of it reminiscent to some of Drusilla’s workings. He may have loved his Dark Princess, but some of the magick she had played with felt like nails down a blackboard and had left him shuddering. He was glad with Xander the worst he had to worry about was being forced to watch bad television programs.

Spike fought the urge to lick at Xander’s wound to clean it, knowing it would only scare the Scoobies more, and he kind of wished Dawn and Tara would return. He’d feel less outnumbered; not that he couldn’t take on the slayer and Finn, but he knew Xander didn’t want him to.

“I think I know how to deal with it.” Joy, the tin soldier speaks up. “Deal with it like we should have over a year ago, with a nice piece of wood through the heart. I don’t know how you got rid of the chip, but now that you’re not harmless I don’t think anyone would mind.”

As Finn spoke Giles came out of the office with the first aid kit. “Will everyone please calm down! We are all letting our tempers get ahead of us. Here’s the med kit Spike, is Xander going to be all right?”

“Yes, no thanks to his best friends.”

“Spike, please…”

Spike let is drop as he cleaned Xander’s shoulder up and bandaged it. The room was silent, everyone seemed to be watching how he took care of his mate, and so Spike kissed him on the temple. “There. Not too bad Beatrice, no splinters at least.”

“Thanks.” Spike stood behind Xander, well away from everyone else with his arms wrapped around his waist.

All of a sudden Giles laughed, a true sounding laugh free of tension and both he and Xander looked at him curiously. “This isn’t funny Watcher.”

“I’m sorry, you’re right. It’s just…the thought of the two of you, quoting Shakespeare at each other is quite, well, amazing is a polite way of putting it.”

Spike growled, either at the thought that the Watcher underestimated him or that the fact that his secret as an educated man was out. Before he could say anything though the life had come back to Xander who was answering for the both of them.

“I love it! Spike even took me to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream Saturday in Oxnard. It was so much fun!”

“Really? I didn’t know they did that anywhere closer than Los Angeles?”

“Hey!” Buffy’s voice was hoarse as she broke into the conversation, and Spike hid a smirk in Xander’s hair. “If the mutual English lover’s tea party can come to the end can we discuss how Spike has Xander under a spell and how his chip isn’t working anymore?”

“I still say we ought to kill him.” Riley had his hands clenched, ready to strike out and part of Spike just wished for one of the spike’s that gave him his name and ten minutes alone in a room with him. Then they would see who would get staked.

“That’s enough. All of you! Spike and Xander, you two stay over there. Everyone else sit down. We are all going to discuss this rationally, without any more attempted staking, assaults or death threats.”

While everyone settled down, Giles once again took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose and Spike bet that when it was all said and done the bottle of brandy he’d opened earlier would be gone, once everyone had left.

Truth be told he was feeling rather appreciative towards the Watcher. He didn’t like the idea of Spike being with Xander, but had been willing to give them a chance. He was glad he had invited the man over for dinner, he’d done it for the look of happiness that had crossed Xander’s face at the time, but now he had double reason to do it.

“Now these are the facts. Spike and Xander are…mated for lack of a better term. There is nothing I or any of you can do to change it, and as Xander is over the age of eighteen, he does not need our permission. Any more acts of violence, will no doubt be met with similar violence from their part, so there will be no more attacks. Do you three understand me?”

The Slayer crossed her arms defiantly but it was Willow that looked up with tears in her eyes. “But Giles! You can’t just be going along with this! Spike has Xander under some sort of…thrall or spell or whatever and you’re just going to let it happen? He’s just trying to get to Buffy through Xander!”

Spike just shook his head and he felt Xander sigh. Evidently Giles was tired of explaining it as well; the man thumped the table with his hand. “Willow! You do not have to approve or give your blessing but you will not interfere. I find it hard to believe that Spike would bind himself to a human just to annoy Buffy, it’s much more permanent for him than Xander.”

“Watcher, careful…” Spike growled. The man may know about vampire rituals but the Slayer didn’t need to know.

“Yes, well. Right now I want all three of you to give your word, no more violence. For now at least, I’d like to get through this conversation without needing to restock the first aide supplies.”

Spike curled his lip in a sneer towards the group at the table. “Little bit late for that, isn’t it?”


He hated how Xander was so quiet. Of course it could be that he was just waiting till the others to say his piece, but it was just, wrong. Xander was never quiet, not even during a movie, constantly talking to the screen. He knew that Xander would still patrol, bad shoulder or not. So tonight after they patrolled he’d have to do some reassuring thanks to the damn Scoobies. A nice slow lovemaking session should reassure Xander that he was wanted and appreciated for who he was.

“True. Buffy apologize to Xander please.” Giles actually looked serious and Spike had a picture in his mind of the Slayer being forced to keep her nose to the blackboard like a child. That may work for a little while, but not in the long run.

“Sorry I staked you when I was trying to rescue you from Spike’s thrall Xander.”

Spike found himself laughing and he could feel Xander shake, either with laughter or rage.

“Thrall? Have you been watching late night movies with Dawnie again Buff? Spike couldn’t thrall himself out of a paper bag.”

“Hey!”

Xander turned in his arms and winked at him. “You know it’s true Spike, either your crazy-ass Sire of yours forgot to tell you how to do it or you were too hyper to listen to her. I’d blame it on JD but I don’t think you could get that in London back then.”

“Stop it Xander, just stop!” Willow had gotten up and Spike watched for signs that she was going to start casting something nasty their way. As it was though, the girl seemed lost and had tears in her eyes. “You’re the normal one Xander, you can’t be special. You’re human and…and normal and it’s our jobs to protect you, that’s how it’s supposed to work!”

Just then the bell over the door chimed and Tara and Dawn came in. Spike was glad to see the two girls, maybe they’d help Red, because it seemed as if the girl was throwing a wobbly.

“Hey guys, discussion over yet?” Dawn bounced in and started to move past where the others were sitting and towards Spike and Xander.

“Dawn stop! Come back over here.” At the girl’s curious look her sister bit her lip, and Spike knew she was trying to figure out just what to tell the girl. “Just…don’t go near Spike, the chip’s not working anymore, stay over here okay?”

Dawn looked at her and rolled her eyes and jumped up on the counter within Spike’s reaching distance and he could taste the Slayer’s fear for her sister.

“Old news Buffy. I noticed it a month or so ago. He’s not gonna eat me.” Spike felt a swell of pride that this girl had such faith in him, and he knew he’d never do anything to disappoint the two mortals that meant the world to him. Luckily enough both knew him so well, for Dawn continued on with her conclusions even as the three at the table looked on in sort of horror.

“Now he might eat someone else, but not us. Cause that would hurt Xander and me and he doesn’t want to do that.” She looked over at them and smiled, a smile that quickly faded into a worried frown. “God Xander! Are you going to be okay? What happened?”

“I’m just a little sore Dawn, I’ll be okay.”

Before the discussion on Spike’s chip could get started again a soft voice came from near the door. Spike looked over and noticed finally that Tara had frozen in place as she took in the sight of her lover; and he realized that something in the Red Witch’s looks told her girlfriend about the chaos she’d been playing with. Tara’s voice was hoarse with fright.

“Goddess! Oh Goddess, Willow! What have you done?”

For some reason the way the girl spoke sent shivers down his spine, and Willow seemed to fold into herself even more.

“Tara! Wh-what do you mean?”

“I think what Tara means Willow is why you’ve been working with chaos magicks. Now that Spike has pointed it out it’s obvious to me. Why do you feel the need for dealing with something you know is dangerous?”

Spike could feel the worry radiating off the other man, and Giles looked as if he was ready to scold another one of his children. Willow sank to the chair behind her and put her face in her hands. Her voice was muffled when she finally spoke.

“I…I had to do it! Buffy and I agreed! I mean, what if Glory came back for Dawnie, we had to protect her and it had to be us! So I’ve been learning more dark magicks, and…and other stuff. Like helping Buffy get more power, so we can protect the rest of you better the next time something happens. So Tara won’t get hurt and Dawn won’t get killed and Xander can live a normal life! That’s why Xander and Dawn have to be normal; I’ve given up so much of myself so they could stay that way. Spike how, how could you? You’ve tainted him!”


“Who ever said I wanted to be normal Wills?”

Spike can feel Xander, feel his heart beating a mile a minute and know that his boy is getting ready to blow his top. He remembered the first night they made friends, how Xander resented so being told to go home, have a normal life. Hated the way his friends didn’t understand why he didn’t pack up and leave the Hellmouth and everything behind.

What had always been different is that Spike, he understood. Understood hating being weak and normal. Remembered when he was human and could empathize. It had been what had started their friendship, Spike offering to teach the boy things the Watcher and his friends should have years ago.

“Do you know how much it sucks to be normal? To be the one left behind all the time? I never asked you two to play with magicks like that Wills, and I know Dawnie didn’t so don’t try to blame us. Besides I thought we all know that we didn’t have to worry about Glory anymore so that’s just an excuse for you and Buffy powering yourself up. Damn it Willow! I don’t know much about magick and I know there’s a high price to pay for crap like that!”

Spike tightened his arms, this time to keep Xander from doing something stupid and looked at the group. “So you want Xander to keep being normal to make you lot feel better? Never works you know. He can’t live by your expectations just like he can’t live by mine.”

There is more shouting, so much that his ears rang from it. Riley threatening, Xander and Tara arguing with Willow, Dawn doing her usual “you never let me do anything because I’m young” routine that even Spike thought was getting old.

But finally it is the Slayer’s voice that overpowered all of them.

“What do you mean we don’t have to worry about Glory?!”

And Spike realizes then that the girls never knew. Never saw when he, Giles and Xander came back to the site of the tower, broken bits of concrete and scrap metal littering the place as the three of them gathered up paper and other kindling from the area and made it look as if Ben had gotten drunk and burned the place down around his head.

He realized that the Slayer never knew what her Watcher had done for her.

And from the look of horror across her face she wasn’t appreciating it now and Spike found himself reluctantly feeling sorry for the Watcher as the arguing started again.

******

The light of dawn was beginning to tint the sky when they finally got home. Spike was right, Xander refused to put off patrolling unless it was a life threatening injury. He was afraid Riley would know and take advantage and Spike found that he couldn’t argue with that reasoning.

He took off his duster and followed Xander into the kitchen. Spike thought back on the evening and found it rather ironic. All those times he had tried to break the Scooby gang up and now that it looked like it might be happening he felt bad for them.

Not just for Xander either. Tara had been devastated by the thought that Willow not only had been playing with things better left alone but that she hadn’t trusted her to take care of herself. Dawn was forbidden to see both Spike and Xander and from going to the Magic Box after school.

Buffy was furious that Giles took a human life and the Watcher had let his mask slip and Ripper had come out to play. Add to that Riley being confrontational to anyone who didn’t agree with him and the entire evening was a giant cock-up.

Xander stood at the refrigerator with the door open but Spike doubted that he was seeing anything in there. He took him by the shoulders and sat him at the kitchen table.

“Here Pet, sit. I’ll fix us something and then we can go to bed.”

Xander smiled at him, and that seemed to make all of the crap they had to deal with earlier go away. “Thanks Spike. I’m so tired I don’t think I could do 30 second oatmeal right now.”

“Don’t know why you’d want to that stuff’s nasty.”

“Not when you add enough chocolate syrup. Anything is better with enough chocolate on it.”

Spike turned from the fridge and leered at his mate. “I’ll have to remember that when you have more energy Xan. Cover us both in chocolate and see what happens.”

They didn’t speak about what had happened on patrol, or earlier. They talked about other things, like needing more roast beef for sandwiches and what to make for dinner on Sunday. Xander had a recipe he wanted to try with the Guinness so they needed to buy more and Spike thought they might by some hard liquor. Spike figured the Watcher might need it. The only mention they made to their problems was when Xander said he’d offered their couch to Tara now and in the future if she ever needed it.

After eating they made their way to the shower, warm water soothing away both physical and mental hurts. Caring touches and clean soap, washing each other as a way to connect with each other, not just for sex but also for love. Spike soaped up Xander’s back while at the same time nibbling and sucking on his neck and Xander moaned and arched into the touch.

And Xander returned the favor, soaping up Spike down to his legs and falling to his knees to follow the lines of his calves before engulfing Spike in his hot mouth and making Spike scream as others in their building were getting ready for work.

It wasn’t about the sex. It was about love and connecting and touching each other the way no one else would. Some things couldn’t be said but Spike could show Xander just how much the human meant to him, just how precious he was.

After much teasing they ending up in the bedroom, damp and panting. Spike looked up at Xander and it was as if his boy was glowing he was so beautiful. And when his hot shaft finally entered Spike’s body he could feel his Xander’s pulse inside of him, as if they were one being in two different shells finally being put together again.

Xander thrust forward a few times before actually hitting Spike’s prostate but he wasn’t going to complain, it was the boy’s first time with a bloke and damn he was being so forceful and controlling. Normally he would fight, not being used to being the bottom for a long time.

But Xander needed this, and Spike could give it to him.

The entire time Xander gasped words in his ear, tickling him with his breath.

“Love you Spike…so much. Can’t live without you now. Love, love you. Spike…”

And Spike in return wrapped his lean legs around Xander’s middle; pulled him close and thrust up to meet him, increasing the pace until finally he felt himself reaching the edge. He licked at Xander’s neck, laving the mark there with his tongue even as Xander returned the favor one his own neck.

“Love you Spike, no matter what happens I’ll love you forever.”

The entire time Spike had been able to keep his human mask, but hearing the love and want coming from his mate made him growl as his true face slipped through. Blunt teeth ripped into his neck and he plunged forward, sinking his own fangs into his mark as they came together.



Part Seventeen

Xander rushed around the kitchen doing last minute things for dinner as Spike sat at the bar and poked fun. He’d gripe at his lover, but Spike had helped a lot. That is if you counted chopping things and complaining that Xander was turning him into a ponce as help, which Xander did. It was Spike after all. He hadn’t even expected the help with the chopping.

Then again when did Spike give up a chance to play with sharp objects?

The past few days had been…weird, even for Xander. He’d had conversations with Buffy and Willow, Buffy throwing his attitude towards Angel back in his face even though he’d been a kid at the time. He tried to explain things to her but in the end she had hung up on him.


Willow was entirely different. She wasn’t so much upset about Spike; but she didn’t understand how he could trust Spike. Then again she never could even when they were friends. No, she was mainly upset that he was ‘rejecting’ her gift of normality. If Willow had her way he’d be away from the Hellmouth with Anya with a house and 2.5 kids, a cat and a dog.

He hated watching ”Leave it to Beaver”, he sure as hell didn’t want to live it.

This time it was Xander that had slammed the phone down in anger, and Spike had just handed him his sword and they left early for patrol through the sewers. He didn’t want to be normal, never had, and she was upset with his refusal and he was upset that she was trying to run his life for him. All through the conversation she had been on the edge of tears and talking about how she’d sacrificed for him.

He really tried not to think about hat, he was afraid of the mental images he’d get. He’d pretty much washed his had of magic after than messed up love spell, but that didn’t mean he didn’t understand some things, didn’t understand how much of yourself you gave away when you worked with the stuff Willow had been playing with in his name. It made his skin crawl. He hadn’t even talked to Tara.

He hadn’t talked to Giles that much either, mainly just confirmed with him the time for dinner. Xander was just glad that his mentor was at least giving them a chance. He knew it would have been a lie if Giles had come out all supportive, so in a way this was better, more honest.

He’d gone a bit nuts with the dinner plans, hence Spike’s heckling that he was tuning out.
He’d made a Beef and Guinness Pie, salad with spring greens and chocolate mousse. He was hoping that a semi-sophisticated dinner would make Giles think of him as an adult and not the fifteen year-old he’d been.
“…then I’m gonna paint myself purple and run into the Magic Box at noon and ask Rupert for a fertility charm.”

“Hmm? I really don’t think we need a fertility charm Spike, and purple? So not your color.”

“You haven’t been listening to me.”

“I’ve been listening, sort of. It’s just going in one ear and out the other.”

“Xander calm down. It’s not as if this is life or death, we did that the other day. This is just…”

“This is as close to having my parents coming to dinner as we will ever get considering I started ignoring them even before I left the Basement of Doom and I am so not talking to them. Just wait, you’ll have your turn. One of these days despite Cordy’s phone acrobatics Buffy is going to get through to Angel and we’ll be having your family over.”

Spike snorted. “Yeah but I don’t give a damn what Peaches might think.”

Xander really doubted that but he wasn’t going to point that out right at this minute. It was bad enough that Cordy called screaming Thursday night and was still continuing to block the frantic calls to Angel to have him come down and dust Spike. Of course she was angrier about not knowing he and Spike had gotten together than playing phone tag with Buffy, but she promised she’d back him up when Angel finally did find out.

He really wasn’t looking forward to that, but one crisis at a time.

“Its just…I just want my friends to be happy for me, for us. Is that so unreasonable?”

“Unreasonable, no, but unlikely maybe. You knew that at the start luv.”

Xander sighed and sat down next to Spike at the bar. “I know. I guess I’m just happy and I want everyone else to be happy all at the same time.”

“Well I’m happy and you’re happy. Got to count for something, don’t it?”

Just then the doorbell rang and Xander got up to answer the door. He stopped and planted a wet, slobbering kiss on Spike’s cheek, the kind that made him splutter. “It counts for everything Spike. Everything.”

****

The dinner went off well, despite the fact that Xander nearly vibrated through the floor. All weekend Xander had been worried and when the time had finally come for the dinner Spike watched as he almost effortlessly charmed the Watcher. A small bit of talk before dinner over brandy about Buffy and Willow, but that was all. The dinner was spent on other things, like the fact that Giles was shocked silent that Xander had actually knew how to cook, much less cook something nice that didn’t go in the bloody microwave.

There was a lot Giles didn’t know about Xander, and Spike couldn’t help but be pissed off. Yeah he was glad he had time with Xander with none of the others sticking their nose in where it wasn’t wanted; but his friends should know things about Xander. The girls hadn’t even mentioned the fact that Xander had a cat to the older man.

It was as if the whole group never talked to each other anymore.

It was beginning to change. Right now he was out in the living room trying to fiddle with music or whatever and give Xander some privacy in the kitchen. Of course he was still evil, so when he heard his name mentioned he did eavesdrop.

“Xander about you and…and Spike.”

“Yeah Giles?”

“He seems to genuinely care for you.”

“Not to sound rude or anything Giles, but duh. Even before we became lovers we’ve been friends. I’ve told you guys that much.”

“Yes, well, I must admit it even then I had a difficult time believing that Spike wasn’t…”

Xander’s laugh was bitter. “Using me to get to Buffy?”

“Precisely.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Spike was torn between anger on Xander’s behalf and finding the Watcher’s embarrassed spluttering amusing. He moved over to the stereo and started looking through CD’s, trying to make it at least look like he wasn’t listening in.

“I’m sorry Xander, but it just seems such a different course for your life to take. We all thought you were happy with Anya.”

“I was, till she tried to change me. You guys seem to forget that even though she was in a human form, her brain for over a thousand years was a demon’s. I could take the stories of evisceration and vengeance, but the white picket fence and station wagon thing scared the shit out of me.”

“Little chance of that now is there?”

“Nope, the only use Spike has for a white picket fence is for possible weapons, and a station wagon isn’t his style.”

“Xander, you do realize that he isn’t going to want to let you go…ever. Not even to death?”

“Once again with the duh statement there Giles. I assure you I’m not an idiot, I only play one on TV.”

“And have you given any thought to what happens then? When the years add up, or when you get fatally injured on patrol?”

Spike found himself holding unneeded breath. They hadn’t talked about this yet, and he was curious as to what Xander would say. The CD he was holding in his hand cracked from the pressure.

“Then you find a way to stick a soul on without the side effect of not being happy. Or I go soulless. Either way I’m not leaving him.”

*****

“Did you mean it?” They were patrolling after dinner. Xander was afraid if they even took one night off the Initiative would take advantage and Spike couldn’t fault his thinking. He’d been thinking of the conversation he’d overheard for hours now and he just had to know.

“Huh?”

“What you said to the Watcher…about us, there in the kitchen. Did you mean it?”

Xander stopped and leaned on one of the cars they were walking by, and Spike was finding it hard not to move around. How this mortal not even a fifth of his age could get him so flustered he didn’t know.

“What, about us loving each other? You know I did.”

Spike snorted and pulled out his cigarettes and light one. “Don’t be daft pet, it doesn’t suit you. About if you were hurt.”

“Oh, that. Yeah I guess I did. I hadn’t thought about it really, and I don’t want to loose who I am. But if we could find a way…wouldn’t you want me?”

The words had barely left Xander’s lips before Spike grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him. Usually they kept their distance on patrol, but the thought of Xander being with him not for the next fifty years or so but for the next fifty centuries? It was too much, he couldn’t tell Xander what he thought, he had to show him. He let his tongue roam inside Xander’s mouth as if he could taste the words of devotion.

Xander moaned into his mouth and warm hands cupped his ass and pulled him closer. Finally Spike pulled away, partly so Xander could breathe but also because if they didn’t stop he was going to throw his love on the hood of the car and shag him right then and there.

Maybe another time, when there wasn’t soldier boys running around trying to catch them with their, snerk, pants down.

“Spike!” Xander’s chest was pumping like a bellows and Spike actually had to tear his eyes from his mate. “Patrol. We’ll go kill things and then I am going to show you just how much I love you and how much that turned me on.”

“Right, let’s go kill something.” Spike thought he could kill a legion of demented hell gods at that very moment. Xander loved him enough to stay with him forever. He wanted to howl, to fight…

To take Xander home and make it extremely hard for him to sit down.

The nest of fledges they found in Restfield Cemetery didn’t know what hit them.

*****

The phone call came the next morning after he answered he could have sworn the room temperature go down with the first ring. They had only been asleep for two hours and he had muscles ache that he didn’t know about before.

Spike of course, slept like the dead he was so it was left to Xander to crawl out of their warm bed and stumble into the living room to answer.

“What!”

“Well good morning to you too sunshine. Wake up on the wrong side of the vampire this morning didn’t we?”

Xander ran a hand through his hair and tried to wake his brain up enough to talk. “Cordy? It’s like morning!”

“No! Is that why the sun was coming up in the east! I didn’t know!”

Thank god it was a cordless phone. He could stumble into the kitchen for coffee and still bitch at his friend. “Funny Queen C, very funny. What’s so important that you’re calling me during the middle of my night?”

“Aww, you’re so grouchy in the morning. What else would I be calling about but her Slayerness? She called this morning and if she doesn’t hear back from Angel today she’s coming to visit. I do not need to tell you how bad that would be for you and your honey now do I?”

Xander laughed. “That’s not even going into not letting her near your Angel, right?”

“Damn straight. Well I am at least. It’s going to have to be today Xander, I can’t stall any longer. As it is I had to tell Fred, that girl I was telling you about, because she was covering the phones the other day.”

He poured a cup of coffee and wandered back into the bedroom to shake Spike awake. It didn’t work. Bastard.

“Yeah, and it’s not fair to you either. Call when Angel’s awake and I’ll talk to him.”

“He’s awake now so no more putting it off.”

“God can’t he keep night hours like a normal vampire?”

“Hey it’s taken me over a year to train him to be awake sometimes during the day so back off!”

“Yes Ma’am!” Only Cordelia could talk about training a man like some people talked about training a dog. He stifled his laughter at the thought of his ex taking Angel out on a leash.


“Don’t use that tone with me mister!! Remember I may very well be the only one standing between your honey and a piece of oak through the heart.”

Xander walked back into the living room and settled in the most comfortable chair. “Thanks Cordy, really.”

“I expect gifts Xander, preferably flowers or jewelry.” He could hear a fumbling with the phone. “ANGEL!! PHONE!!”

If Cordy’s voice made his ears ring it must have been hell for Angel. Which was why Xander was going to cut him some slack. He couldn’t help but think that Spike had better appreciate this.

“Hello?”

“Hey Angel, it’s Xander.”

“What? Xander?”

“Yup it’s me. Need to talk to you for a second.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh nothing’s wrong, in fact it’s right. Very right. I know that Buffy is going to try to get a hold of you, and you wouldn’t believe anything Spike would say so I thought I’d give you a call. See I’m with Spike now and he’s claimed me. Thought I’d say hi to the head of the family and all that.”


Complete silence on the other end of the line and Xander found himself grinning. Being nice to Angel was just about as fun as snarking at him because the other man was so confused. He could almost hear the hamster fall off the wheel in the vampire’s brain.

“You’re joking, right? This is just a new way to bother Deadboy.”

“Nope, 100% serious. True love, with dating and everything.”

“You…and Spike!?!”

“Me and Spike.”

Xander’s grin got even wider as Angel, also known as Angelus, one of the Scourge of Europe, whimpered.



Part Eighteen

Author's Note: I tried to write smut for two days and finally gave up. So you get a bit of comedy instead with a nod to [info]suki_blue. If you haven't read her latest...well you really need to. Go read Manroot: A Very Bad Spander Pornfic.

“Come on Xander, shake a leg.”

“I’m coming Spike.”

“You’d better be pet, or you’ll be explaining to the Niblet why we were late.”

Xander finished hiding stakes in his pockets and hurried to keep up with Spike. It was Thursday night and Dawn was in the Homecoming Court and they had promised they’d be there. Spike was even more adamant about it than Xander, but Xander suspected it was because of Angel’s near dismissal of his grandchilde. When Xander had talked to Angel he’d gotten nothing but an “I’ll take care of it”. Well after the shock wore off.

Later on when Buffy showed up in the vampire’s L.A. offices and Cordelia had called to warn them, even his human hearing could hear Angel say he had no claim on Spike and didn’t like Xander so he didn’t care what Spike and Xander did.

Whereupon Cordy had slammed the phone down on the desk and added her own strident voice to the mix. It hadn’t bothered Xander; he didn’t like Angel anymore than the brooding vampire liked him. But Xander could tell it bothered Spike, being rejected by family, and in the past week he’d been not only sticking closer to Xander but they had added the Magic Box to their patrol route and would stop in to talk to Giles nightly.

After the conversation in the kitchen the Watcher had been moved from the “tolerate for Xander’s sake” to “family, don’t let anyone else but Spike mess with him”. Xander had encouraged it, but subtly. He offered to make them both a cup of tea and made sure he made it with Lipton teabags. The resulting half hour lecture from both Brits on the proper way of making tea and how Americans got it all wrong and didn’t even speak the same language as proper Queen’s English had been amusing.

But he didn’t point it out that they were bonding, that would have stopped it right there.
As it was it was odd hearing Spike encourage the other man to add imported teas to his inventory just so they could get something better than Kroger’s version of Earl Grey. Xander was just glad that both of them got along, for the most part.

Not that he stopped bothering Giles altogether.

“Xander if you don’t come on I’m going to knock you unconscious and drag you to the fucking SUV myself.”

“Chill lover, I’m ready. It’s not like we’re gonna be able to get close to Dawn anyway, if Buffy finds out we’re crashing the Homecoming Game just to see Dawn she’ll have a fit.” Spike grabbed Xander by the arm and pulled him through their apartment building, not even waiting for the elevator. Xander just rolled his eyes at Spike’s antics as he was all but carried down the stairs.

By the time they reached the football field Spike was nearly vibrating. Neither man had seen Dawn in a week and this was going to be the only chance to see her for a while. Buffy was still on her “all demons are untrustworthy” kick. Xander was just glad he wasn’t like that anymore. That was one thing he could kind of thank Anya for, if he hadn’t heard all her stories about her demon days, both gory and not so gory, he might have his head up his ass still. And he wouldn’t have Spike.

The sun was low in the sky so Spike stuck to the shadows, using his coat for cover when he had to cross a sunny patch. Finally they made their way under the bleachers and Xander grabble Spike’s hand and giggled. “I always wanted to make out under the bleachers. Cordy just wanted to stick to closets.”

Spike pulled him in for a kiss that left him dazed. “Guess you’re out of the closet now, eh Xan?”

Xander shook his head and laughed. “Guess I am lover. Unless you want to sneak into a utility closet and shag after the kickoff?”

“Day off idn’t it? We can shag anytime we want.” Spike was feeling especially proud of that. Since agreeing to help protect the demon population from the Initiative, Xander had refused a night off; he was so afraid that someone would get hurt on his watch.

Spike had finally put his foot down, saying he needed on night of rest. His demon friends knew and if anything happened they had Xander’s cell phone number. But as far as anyone else knew they were patrolling. Not making out on the sidelines of the football field.

“Come on, lets see if we can find Dawn, then we can shag.”

Spike let go of Xander’s hips but grabbed his hand instead. “Sounds like a plan luv.”

The skulked around the field for more than a half hour, watching as the stands got full and the noises grew. Xander saw Buffy and Willow in the stands and found he had a lump in his throat. He was so tempted to just go up there and sit down, just to see their reaction.

“I’ll be all right Xan, they’ll come around.” Spike’s voice was reassuring and he pulled Xander into his arms to hold him tight.

“But what if it isn’t?”

“Then they weren’t really your friends.”

Xander took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. Friends don’t try to change who you are, and they stand by you in bad times, even if they don’t agree. I’ve tried to do that, but if they can’t…well it’s better to know who my real friends are.”

“You know I don’t care Xan, but I hate it for you. I know Red’s your best friend and all, that must hurt.”

“She’s not my best friend, not anymore. You’re my best friend Spike, you have been for a while.”

****

“Spike! Not in the hallway!”

“It won’t matter if you keep quiet Xan, but if you keep squealing like a girl all your neighbors will be knowin’ what we’re up to.” Spike was actually proud of the sounds Xander was making. He’d finally convinced his boy to take a night off, and other than having to skulk around hiding from the Slayer and her boy toy at the sports field they’d had a mighty fine time.

It was nice seeing Xander be just Xander again. For the past week the deal with his mates and the soldiers had him wound up tighter than a top, and he needed to let off some steam. After what his mate laughingly called a football game, they’d gone to Dark Havens for a few brews and pool. Then he’d surprised Xander by taking him on a picnic. Well, ordering pizza and beer and going to the park to eat it more like, but it was food and the outdoors.

Now they were waiting on the lift to go back home, and Spike was doing his damnedest to grope his Xander. He loved the blush that came when the boy got worked up or embarrassed, and his half-hearted protests were music to Spike’s ears. As much as Xander was saying “no” his voice was heavy with both lust and laughter.

The night had been eventful too. He’d gotten to see the Niblet again, something he’d missed in the past week. Usually she came round after school to visit but with big sis on a tear she hadn’t been able to. He highly approved of her boyfriend though, as did Xander. Of course that just meant that her Slayerness was going to have a fit.

After all it wouldn’t do to have her little sister dating a demon. Even if he was a prince among his people.

Nagas as a rule stayed underground, but Nagid was slated to rule and wanted to learn everything he could about the human world, both the good and the bad. Spike respected that, and he was devoted to Dawn. If Spike couldn’t be there all the time to protect her, a bloke who could shape shift into any serpent form, up to and including a giant cobra, could do the job.

He shook of thoughts of Dawn’s beau for his own lover. Xander’s head was thrown back in laughter as Spike tried to get his shirt untucked and walk to their apartment at the same time. The look of happiness and joy on his face would have made Spike stop breathing if he was the breathing sort.

Since he wasn’t he settled for picking Xander up and carrying him to the bed as soon as the door was opened.

He kissed his boy, tasting the beer and ice cream from earlier as well as Xander’s own unique taste of sunlight and chocolate. “Love how you taste pet, love how you smell. You’ve been teasing me all night, talking about groping in the closets with the cheerleader, taking little bitty licks at your ice cream like you were. Time to pay the piper. You’re gonna have to pay.”

“If I have to pay the piper, and you’re the piper, does that mean you’re gonna blow me lover?” Xander’s laughter and bad jokes were almost contagious and Spike hid his laughter by growling.

“Impudent little human.” He dragged Xander so he was sitting in his lap and kissed him again, stopping only when his love was near gasping for breath. He should have just left him breathless, because as soon as Xander could speak he was snarking again.

“M’not little.”

Spike reached down to rub against Xander’s groin. “No, pet, you defiantly aren’t.”

Xander leaned into Spike’s touch while at the same time sinking his teeth into Spike’s collarbone, making the older man groan. “You should apologize, you’ve traumatized my manbits.”

Spike looked at his lover and started snickering. “Manbits? Manbits! Xander are you drunk?”

Xander flopped down on the bed beside Spike. “Nope, just in a good mood. I’m high on life and I love you. Ravish me?”

Spike looked at his love, dark eyes shining with love and laughter, cock more than half hard and his jeans straining to contain it. He started stripping the both of their clothes, shirts flying in different directions. “As you wish Xander, as you wish.”

****

Xander limped down the street, all but leaning against Spike as they made their way to the Magic Box.. The past two weeks had been busy, it was as if all the oogedy boogies noticed they took one night off and decided to start partying again. Add in the random squads from the neo-nazis and he was so not having a good time.

At least they got rid of the fledge that thought himself a master vamp. Apparently Darla had done some snacking in LA after Angel did his pyromaniac routine on them and one minion had decided that since Darla made him he was going to be the next Master of the Hellmouth.

“Remind me to smack Angel if I ever see him again will you Spike? He broke Good Guy Rule Number 12; “Make sure your enemies are dead before you gloat.” Bastard. He should have fried the bitch and then staked her.”

“You’ll get no complaints from me. I don’t even think the cheerleader will mind this once.”

Xander snorted. He’d talked to Cordelia five days ago and she was still pissed at the way Angel was acting. He just figured Angel was jealous, after all, Spike could get laid and the brooding vampire couldn’t. Either way from what Cordy had said it had made things a bit strained in the Angel Investigations offices.

“Hey, maybe we can send her some flowers, that would put Cordy in a good mood and piss Angel off. Kill two birds with one stone so to speak.”

“Sounds good to me Xan."

“You know, Angel reminds me of Guerilla Warfare for Dummies Rule 133. “The more stupid the leader is, the more important the missions he's ordered to carry out.” He can be so thick headed sometimes.” They got to the Magic Box and Spike held the door open while Xander limped in.

“Xander!! Sit down. Are you alright?”

Xander rolled his eyes. He loved Giles more than his own father but sometimes the man was just plain weird. “Well except that a vamp decided he was a rabid dog and tried to chew my leg off, I’m fine.”

“Bloody hell you’re not fine!! That fledge just crawled out of the grave, you’ve probably got some demonic infection trying to set in. Where the fuck is the first aid kit Watcher?”

“In my office Spike but please…” Giles gave up as Spike slammed into the office. “Be quiet. Tara was asleep thank you very much.”

Xander just slumped down on a seat and listened half-heartedly while Giles looked at his leg. It was embarrassing to be bitten there, more for the vamp than for him. He’d been fighting and had knocked it down and instead of trying to stand up it had latched onto his leg like some demonic two year old. He supposed it would be funny when the pain went away.

He could hear Spike’s voice from the office. “Sorry for waking you Glinda but Xan’s hurt, just need the kit.”

By the time Spike came back Tara had followed him into the room and Xander felt like a big freak with everyone looking at his leg while Spike fixed him up. He took a good look at Tara and saw red rimmed eyes and her face was sort of puffy.

“Hey Tara, you okay?”

“S…sort of. I don’t really know and…” She fell quiet and bit at her lip and looked at Giles. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and managed to look comforting and angry all at once.

“Would you like me to tell them?” Tara just nodded and sat down beside Xander, her hands twisting in her lap. Giles moved to sit in one of the other chairs around the research table. Whatever it was it wasn’t good, Xander knew that much.

“Tara and Willow have been having…problems concerning Willow’s use of magic. Tara discovered the evidence of a spell that was put on her, one to make her forget.”

Pain in his leg flared as Spike’s hand squeezed in anger and he snarled. He was immediately apologetic, but Xander could understand. The thought of Willow picking through anyone’s brain left him cold and the fact that he’d do it to her lover?

“That’s just…gross! And scary. Are you going to be okay Tara?”

“I don’t really know.” This was said with none of the usual stuttering but in such a small voice that Xander’s heart broke for his friend. Spike finished bandaging his leg and leaned over so he could pat the shy girl on the leg.

“Don’t you worry ducks, me and Rupert here will help you sort things out. We both know what it’s like to have your brain picked apart.” Giles looked at him as if had grown another head and Spike shot an odd look at the other man. “What? Who do you think Dru practiced those mind tricks she used with you on? Angelus? Fuck no! She’d get it in her head to do some new trick and would use me to work out the bugs.”

Xander shuddered. “That’s just…urgh. That’s awful. And don’t say it’s because she was a vamp, or that she was a loony, it still doesn’t make things better.” He looked over at Tara and recognized the shattered look in her eyes. As much as she might need to talk to Willow and go back for her stuff, it was pretty much over between the two witches. Unless Willow did something spectacularly good and pulled a relationship saver out of her magic hat.

He looked at Spike and then Tara and then back at Spike. Big puppy dog eyes. Spike growled. “Right. Glinda will you be staying with us or with the Watcher here? Whichever one we’ll go back to the house with you and get your stuff tomorrow.”

“G-Giles said…he said I could stay with him. Thanks you though, it’s nice of you guys.”

Suddenly there was a noise at the door and they all looked up. A small girl with long brown hair and big eyes covered by glasses was tapping at the glass. Giles got up and unlocked the door and Spike stole his seat at the table.

“I’m terribly sorry miss but I’m afraid we’re closed…”

“Umm, hi. You don’t know me but I kind of know you, you’re Mr. Giles right? I was looking for you or Xander. I’m a friend of Cordelia’s.”

Giles stepped back and let the girl in the door. “Do come in, is everything alright? Does Angel need anything?”

For such a small girl she growled really good. “No, everything is not alright and Angel needs a brain.” Xander had to bite the inside of his cheek at that and Spike just started chucking. The girl ignored their antics, coming to stand in front of the table. “Hi! You must be Xander and Spike, Cordy’s told me a lot about you. I’m Fred. I need you guys’ help, and I might have some information on those soldiers for you.”

That immediately got Xander’s attention and Giles waved the girl to a seat. “Yeah, I’m Xander and the laughing vamp is my mate Spike. You’ve got Giles picked out and this is Tara. She’s our friend.”

Fred looked down at her hands and then spoke in sort of a whisper. “She knows about…you know…Spike and other people like him right?” Tara nodded. “Oh good! This will make it so much easier than talking in code. Not that I don’t already talk in code but that’s because most of the time people just don’t understand me.”

Xander looked at Fred with wide eyes. Despite the Texan accent she almost sounded like Willow did in high school. “Umm, you said you had a problem?”

“Oh yeah! Silly me I got sidetracked. I’m just a little bit nervous. The problem is, Cordy and another friend of ours disappeared three nights ago.” Okay that got Xander’s attention as well as the others and everyone sat up straighter, even Spike. “There’s no trace of them in LA that we can find. Angel and the boys, that’s Wes and Gunn, well they think its Wolfram and Hart. I don’t and when I try to argue with them they just pat me on the head and tell me not to worry.”

Both Xander and Tara winced at that. “Well I am worried and I think they’re wrong! From my own investigations I’ve heard there is a lot of missing demons in the LA area, and some humans that are not quiet normal. Lorne and Cordy are my two best friends, I’d do anything for them and I think those Initiative people Cordy was telling me about have them.”



Part Nineteen

Spike slammed down the phone and fought the urge to throw it against the wall. Never good to kill the messenger, and pulling wires wasn’t the same as intestines. Between him, Giles, and Xander they’d been making calls all night to different areas around Southern California. Not only was there a sudden rash of disappearances in Los Angeles but in areas like Bakersfield and San Diego as well.

But not one demon had disappeared under unusual circumstances in Sunnydale. He could see the cogs turning in his Xander’s head. Part of him was proud he’d kept the town safe and part of him felt guilty because his cheerleader friend was in trouble. And Spike had to admit he owed the bint a debt; she'd helped Xander, after all, and even encouraged their relationship.

Plus Spike knew the bloody Initiative wouldn’t stop with just taking a few demons here and there, they had some sort of agenda on their minds. They had to be stopped and they needed to get their people back. Fast.

The Magic Box had a sort of contained panic feel to it. Xander was talking on his cell phone while the Watcher and Glinda went looking to see if some disaster had been prophesied. He could have told them not to bother, there were probably a million prophecies about this demon and that evil spirit but when it came down to the evil that humans could do the prophets were oddly silent. Still, it gave them both something to do, which Tara desperately needed.

Spike knew that he’d be facing Willow far sooner than he’d like; after all, she was stuck like an annoying lamprey on Buffy’s side nowadays, and they’d have to talk to the Slayer before killing her boyfriend. He wasn’t sure if he hoped Red would start something or that she wouldn’t. While he would love to teach her what happens when someone plays with people’s minds as well as their lives, he doubted Xander would appreciate it. His eyes flicked to Giles’ face and he decided to let the other man deal with her.

Besides, he’d heard from Xander that the Watcher was much more fun when Ripper came out to play.

He gave an evil grin and when Xander looked at him he just shook his head. Hopefully they could get rid of the gits in green and go back to just the Hellmouth beasties to worry about, although Spike had to admit that he liked Xander working nights. Maybe his boss would find something else for Xander to do at night; he seemed like a stand up demon and all.

And Xander was a sight to behold. He’d tried to pace for about the first five minutes after hearing the new girl’s story until finally Spike had pushed him into the chair and Glinda made a healing poultice for the bite on his leg. Still, Xander was talking to his friends and acting all confident. It was a pleasure to see and only made Spike want to take him home and molest him.

The new girl, Fred, was at the store’s computer and mumbling under her breath and writing weird things down on the tablet of paper Giles had snuck over and put there after she had started writing on the desk itself. Her soft Texan accent and tendency to babble hid the strength he could sense inside her.

Then again she had, “lived in a Hell Dimension for five years, it’s not like I can’t take care of myself!” Evidently Angel and the other two working for him had all but told her to go play with her dollies and leave looking for the cheerleader to the men-folk. He could understand the two humans looking over her, but Angel had dealt with both Drusilla and Darla; you’d think he’d learn that the girls who acted the shrinking violets were more dangerous than the Slayer even.

He really hoped they found the cheerleader alive, and he got to see her and Tex go after the men. That would be a sight worth selling tickets for, wasn’t often you got to see a public castration.

Spike moved over to the table where Xander was sitting and, while his lover didn’t acknowledge his approach, he did scoot forward in his chair so Spike could slip in behind him. As soon as he did Xander leaned back and wriggled until Spike had had enough and pinched him, hard.

“Ow! Asshole. No Bobby, not you, I was teasing my evil half and he got me back.” Spike growled in Xander’s ear so as to not show the big grin that was threatening to overwhelm his face. Finally Xander got off the phone and laid his head back on Spike’s shoulder.

“That, as you heard, evil dead, was Bobby. There’s no sign of any of the old Initiative tunnels being reopened. And no one has noticed any unusual activity or trucks around the small Army Base here in the ‘Dale. Bobby even asked his neighbor; she’s got some sort of clairvoyance and is the nosiest person, well demon, around. She did some sort of past-vision snoop and didn’t find anything. She only can sense things from the general area so it won’t help us track down Cordy or Lorne.”

“I think I can help with that.” Fred’s voice was right behind him and, much to his embarrassment, Spike jumped. The shy girl had managed to sneak up even on him. Xander jumped as well but then started laughing at the peeved look on Spike’s face. He growled.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I kinda got used to being quiet when I get nervous and it’s a hard habit to break. It’s best to be quiet when people are trying to turn you into their version of a quarter pounder. Or, you know, roast you over a slow fire, because I don’t really think they had fast food places…”

Spike put a hand over Xander’s mouth, effectively stopping the giggling coming from his mate. The boy was tired, and that was part of it, but Spike just knew he was enjoying having someone making the vampire jump. He’d pay him back later.

“Never mind that, Tex, what did you say about finding out about the cheerleader?”

“Oh, yeah!” Fred’s voice lost the timid tone and she pushed her glasses up on her face a bit more. “See, I managed to hack into the State’s tax records and assessor’s office. They list all the big landowners and, well, if they pay taxes or not. There’s a big stretch of land on the west side of LA, in the desert. It used to be owned by Warner Brothers or someone for making movies, television shows, that sort of thing. It had the beginnings of plumbing and electric and was off the beaten path. A little over a year ago, like maybe a month after the Initiative was supposed to pull out of Sunnydale, it was bought by a private company. The thing is that it’s tax exempt, and that status was issued by the federal government, not the State.”

She gave a big smile and Spike couldn’t help but smile back. The girl had a right to be proud, that was a good bit of detective work. And the poof hadn’t let her help? Spike always knew Angel was an idiot, this was just further proof.

At Xander’s tugging of his arm Spike released his mouth and his beloved’s babble spilled forth. “Wow, that’s neat. That does make sense, and we wouldn’t have thought to look for them on a movie set. I wonder what shows they filmed? I mean, if we could figure that out we could figure if there were fake barracks or something already built or maybe they’ve been building all this time and they’ve just now finished. That’s why they didn’t snatch anyone before. Do you think you could hack into their computers and get blueprints or something?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so, not without a better computer system and something specially made to help me break encryption codes. I’m not even sure they’re there but it seems like a good place to start.”

“I don’t know, Tex, I think it’s a great place to start, especially since we know of a couple of Army boys that might just help us out, given the right…persuasion.” Spike couldn’t keep the eagerness out his voice, he didn’t even try. He was looking forward to getting his hands on one of the Initiative and see just how well their training against torture worked. There were so many soft places on a human body he could puncture without even getting close to letting his victim die.

Fred had a faintly green look to her but she didn’t protest, and Xander had a look of resolve mixed with a “isn’t my vampire cute when he growls?” look. Part of Spike was proud that Xander accepted all of him, and part of him just wanted to throw him on the table and, well…

A hand smacked him on the leg and he growled. “None of that, lover. I know torture gets you all hot and bothered but first we have to rescue Cordy. Do you want to tell her we stopped the calvary ride so we could make out, because I don’t. She scares me.”

Fred looked up from where she was smiling at the floor. “Besides, I love Cordy and all, she’s my best friend, but I don’t think she’d make the best captive. She’s not the type to wait to be rescued and that might make them…testy.”

“Testy? I dated her, remember? They’ll be homicidal soon, we’ve got to get her out. What I don’t get it why they took her in the first place. Was she with this Lorne guy?”

“No, we were out looking for Lorne. He’s not exactly the type to just run off, he likes his comforts too much. Cordy was checking out travel agencies and some of her acting contacts. Lorne is a really great singer, so she thought maybe he was trying to break into show biz or something. She went out and didn’t come back. I think…well, did Cordy tell you about the visions?”

They both nodded and Fred continued. “Well, they were killing her, literally. Phantom Dennis told on her, emailed Angel on the computer before they could get too bad and blow her brains out. He and Wes got together and took her to some healer. To make a long story short, she’s healed but not really human. She’s a…a human with extras. And from what I found out before coming here that’s what the Initiative is looking for these days, humans who deal with demons and vice versa. It’s like…well, it’s like they’re wanting to segregate tainted humans from pure humans.”

Xander jumped up, a litany of “ohmygods” running under his breath. Spike agreed, most of their friends fell into the humans with extras category Fred placed Cordy in, even Giles.

But what came out of Xander’s mouth next made Spike lose his human face and growl out loud.

“Oh my god -- Dawnie!”

*****

Xander fought the urge to bite his nails or something equally stupid as he paced across the Magic Box floor. Spike had moved to the training room, and if the heavy bag lived through the night he was going to give it a medal for bravery. His lover was taking out all his frustration on the thing, pounding into it till the chains that attached it to the ceiling rattled and Xander worried for the stuffing inside.

This time it was Tara trying to get a hold of Buffy and Willow. Either the girls really hated him, or they weren’t answering their phones. Giles had tried using his pull as Buffy’s Watcher but there had been no answer to their frantic calls.

Xander wasn’t sure if it was because something had happened to them, or because they hated him now, or even if Buffy was taking Willow out to help her get over the fight she and Tara had. All he knew was that it was getting late at night and he wasn’t sure where Dawn was.

If anyone fell into the human plus category Fred mentioned, it was Dawn.

He wasn’t naïve either; he knew he fell into that category as well just by living with a vampire. And the Initiative knew that Spike had managed to get rid of the chip and he bet they’d love to learn how that had happened. Take his lover apart like an old car to see how he worked. Bastards. He just couldn’t sit there and wait around, he had to be doing something.

“We need a plan. A good plan. How to get into their base and how to get the people and demons out.”

The others looked up at his words and Tara just nodded and went to the shelves that contained the most powerful spell ingredients. She had been quiet all evening, but he couldn’t blame her. He felt kind of icky at the thought that Wills had been rooting around in his head as well.

Giles went to the weapons cabinet. “I’m afraid we don’t have much that will be effective against human weaponry. Demons don’t usually bother with things such as guns and the like.”

“I’ve got something to help with that, Giles. Willow…” Tara’s voice broke for just a moment and Xander just wanted to wrap her up in his arms. “Willow and I were working on a spell to deflect blows from metal objects, swords and the like. With your help I think we can make it so it deflects bullets as well. Sort of…like magic Kevlar.”

“Way to go, Tara! Because unlike my evil half I am in no way bulletproof, and even Spike will get pissed if they put too many holes in his duster.” Xander gave his friend his biggest grin and the shy witch managed a weak smile at him.

Giles continued to rummage through the weapons in the front area of the store. They were all avoiding Spike at the moment. “While that is a wonderful defensive weapon, I’m afraid we’ll need something more for the offensive. Crossbows may not cut it and I’d rather not get close enough to use swords.”

Xander made a face. While he didn’t like the Initiative, he doubted if he’d be good at hacking his way through their ranks. Even too much demon gore made him sickish to his stomach. Plus it took a lot of strength. Spike would have fun but that was about it.

It was Fred who came up with the suggestion. “Do…do you have any friends in the community that could help us get guns, maybe? I mean, quickly, without the wait? I can handle a .22, a .30-30 and you wouldn’t need much skill to use a sawed off shotgun, those are pretty much just point and shoot… What?”

Xander had found his mouth falling open during her suggestions and looked to find the others staring at her as well. “It’s just…well you don’t look like the type to be packing firearms. But that’s good, I’m sure Spike would know someone.”

“That I do. Good thinking, Tex.” Spike had come up behind him and Xander jumped. His lover looked like the cat that was about to get the canary. “Don’t be so shocked at the little lady, she’s from Texas and probably a Daddy’s girl, am I right?”

Fred nodded. “Yeah, plus I lived on a farm. You have to know how to shoot the rattlers and the predators trying to get into the chicken coop. I can handle a 9mm too; Daddy made sure I could protect myself before coming to the big city. Too bad he didn’t take dimensional portals into consideration.”

“That was unexpected, wasn’t it, Tex? What about some surprises for the gits to get in the door, got any ideas for that?”

“Oh sure, that’s easy, I just need to go to a store for some supplies. Wal-mart should have most of what I need…potassium, iodine, ammonia, borax, fertilizer, some balloons or something like that to make portable smoke bombs. I’d need shoelaces for fuses unless it’s all chemical bombs and…”

She moved off with Spike, the two of them planning mayhem and destruction. Xander looked at Giles and Tara. They both had the same look of shocked horror that he kinda figured was on his face. “My god. I really hope the two of them never try to take over the world. They’d win.”

Giles adjusted his glassed. “Yes, well, I can see why Miss Burkle got upset that Angel underestimated her. And it looks like Spike isn’t going to make that mistake.”

Xander tried not to whimper, really. “I think I’m scared.”



Part Twenty

Xander was in hell. To be honest, it wasn’t the real hell. It wasn’t even the Hellmouth, because Wal-mart was on the opposite side of town from the old high school. No, Xander was in a special kind of hell.

Shopping hell.

They had a sort of plan worked out, and had split into teams. Tara and Giles were gathering any and all magical weapons they could get their hands on. Spells, talismans, anything that might be useful. They would meet up with them at Giles’s place, so that the man could pack a few clothes.

He, Spike and Fred were getting together mundane weapons. He shouldn’t call them mundane, from what little he could understand of Fred’s science babble. But they didn’t require magic and that’s all he knew.

Giles had asked him to make sure that nothing “untoward” happened. Xander didn’t see how he could prevent it. Fred was very friendly, he liked her himself and she babbled just as much as he did.

They’d gone to the apartment first so that Xander could change into a pair of pants that a vamp hadn't chewed through and to feed the cat. The entire time, she and Spike went through different options of homemade weapons, shanks, and how to make smoke bombs.

Now he was in Wally World with the terrible twosome, pushing the cart and trying not to wonder what the condoms and tube socks were for. And trying keep a straight face at the sight of about ten rolls of duct tape being thrown in the cart, because he really had seen way too much television.

Of course, hearing Fred ask in a small voice if Spike thought Tara could spell a roll of the tape so that it was strong enough to keep vampires from breaking it had tested his limits. Spike had been egging her on all night and when they went to LA to meet up with Deadboy and his two stooges, Xander was almost ready to feel sorry for him.

Almost.

Wal-mart was unusually empty tonight. Being open all night on the Hellmouth meant that they had demons in management and sold certain items only at night for the non-human population. Xander had first found that out not long after he and Spike started hanging out together; he’d gotten slimed with some type of demon goo that, according to Giles, wouldn’t come out of his clothes. Or his hair.

Faced with the idea of having to shave his head bald, Xander had, admittedly, whined for a good half hour before Spike got sick of him and dragged him out to Wal-mart. He had been surprised to see it was just as busy at three am as it was during the day.

At night, however, all the demons came to shop and there were weird items on the shelves. Special chairs for non-humanoids, blood by the gallon, and slime remover, just to name a few.

At first it seemed weird, but then he had shrugged. It was the Hellmouth, after all.

They finally made their way to the registers. Xander was anxious to get out. He was worried about Dawn and wondering about what side would Buffy and Willow be on. He couldn’t imagine Buffy handing Dawn over without a hell of a fight but the Initiative weren’t known for their honesty. He could imagine Riley Finn comforting Buffy over the disappearance of her sister and all the while knowing where she was.

“The boss said you guys don’t have to pay for this batch, he’s gonna say it’s for charity.”

Xander looked at the cashier. He looked like any twenty-something guy, but there was a flash of red eyes that let Xander know he wasn’t human. He looked at Spike and his lover nodded.

Xander turned back to the cashier. “Thanks. I guess you know what we’re getting supplies for then?”

The kid nodded. “Nick, our boss, his cousin in LA has gone missing. We hope you guys find them, or at the very least put a hurt on the people that took them. It’s kind of nice, knowing that there’s people out there that care about the normal demons of the area.”

“Don’t you worry, mate, we’ll be putting a big hurt on them, just you wait and see.”

As they left, Xander just shook his head. Only on the Hellmouth would you get a discount for taking on an evil government agency. Fred was talking to Spike as they walked out of the store and her comment just made the night even more surreal.

“This town is really so neat. I don’t see why Cordy moved away. Everyone here is just so nice!”

*****

Spike found himself pacing in the Watcher’s kitchen. He was eager to go and they were ready to do…well, something at the very least. Problem was, they didn’t know where to go. Glinda was busy doing locater spells, one each for Buffy, Willow, Dawn and Buffy’s toy soldier. Fred was at her side, ready to mark the map as soon as the spell pointed out their location.

“I suppose I must give one of these to you.” Giles moved towards him and handed Spike a leather thong with a rock on the end. The words lacked their usual distaste. Perhaps the Watcher had gotten used to him being in Xander’s life finally.

“Thanks, mate, what the hell is it?”

“It’s a Shieldstone. It should stop any fast moving projectiles or energy headed your way, including arrows. It will also protect you from any tazer shocks. Xander asked for that especially.”

Spike smiled a bit at that. Trust Xander to worry about him getting electrified again. “What about spells?”

Giles adjusted his glasses before shoving his hands down, trying to keep from fiddling with them. “I assume you mean on Willow’s part, given her…predicament with Tara? No, it will not stop that but I have added extra protection for Tara. Quite truthfully, I doubt she will try that with anyone else. However, if she does I will have to take care of it. Tara’s magic deals more with healing and greenwitchery.”

”Whereas your mojo’s got more of the chaos and destruction vibes going on, eh? Makes sense.”

Giles grimaced, as if being reminded of his past left a bad taste in his mouth. Spike didn’t see why it should, it was the past and the skills he used then could be used to their benefit now. It was a human thing, he supposed, being ashamed of who he was even though he had changed. Silly waste of time if you asked him, but Spike supposed the Watcher didn’t so he wouldn’t say. Their truce was still too new, too fragile.

Spike sighed as he looked at Xander. His lover was doing some last minute preparations. They’d gotten bags for everyone and each held short swords, a few smoke bombs, spells that anyone could use like confusion and sleep spells, and other essentials. Spike had been helping him earlier, making sure there were enough to be able to give the LA gangs some weapons. He’d waited long enough, he didn’t want to get to LA and have to wait for them to get their asses together.

He nudged Giles with his elbow and pointed discreetly at Xander with his chin. “He’s gonna be right in the middle of everything, no matter what I say or do, you know that right?”

Giles grimaced. “To be honest, I was rather hoping you would…persuade him otherwise.”

Spike snorted. “What, beat on my chest and refuse to let him go? Treat him like some breakable object? You forget, that’s the type of attitude that has him pissed at Red and the Slayer. Hell no, he’s going in there and I’m going to be right beside him. I have to trust him to watch my back while I watch his. And I don’t want you to say a bloody thing about it. Bad enough that you never bothered to teach him anything, always too busy dealing with Her Buffyness, you’re gonna have to trust him to stay alive.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Simple, I’m turning him. I don’t think you’d believe me, though, if I said I’d rather not, at least not right now. He’s not ready for it.”

Xander must have felt them talking about him because he looked up. Spike gave him a smile and a leer and Xander laughed and went back to work. Spike loved hearing his mate’s laugh, even if it was a small chuckle. Xander was meant for laughter and, because of the way his life was, it seemed like he never had the chance to do it.

Spike pulled Giles by the arm further back into the apartment. The other man looked as if he’d tasted something bad. Probably the thought of Xander at Spike’s Childe as well as his mate.

“Why didn’t you ever teach him, fuck, teach any of them to fight beside the Slayer? Hell, you can see little kids half Nibblet’s age in those damn karate studios learning how to kick some arse. Glinda doesn’t even know as much as Xan does about taking someone down, and you know with judo a person’s size and strength doesn’t matter. Why not, tell me that!”

He couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice. Sure, three, four years ago he was glad the Slayer’s groupies couldn’t seem to fight worth a damn. Made it easier for him, only having to worry about one real threat.

Then things changed. He found himself thinking of the Slayer’s little sis as a friend, and Tara had always been kind to him. Even Anya had been a sort of friend; they had understood each other, understood what it was like to miss the kill. After she had left and he had given up on Buffy, he’d fallen in with Xander and noticed how much the younger man wanted to make a difference. He’d started teaching Xander long before he realized that he could fall in love with him.

Now he looked at the man who had been guiding these humans for years. Xander had improved a hundred percent in a few short months but he’d really be dangerous if he had years of training under his belt.

The Watcher looked stunned for a moment, and then guilty. “I suppose I thought that if I trained Xander, trained any of them, that they would take foolish risks. I was hoping that they would stay back and let Buffy and me handle most things.”

Spike ground his teeth and tried not to shake the man in anger. “Do you know how many times that I know of that Xander’s almost died, thanks to you trying to treat him with kid gloves? Stupid idiot even stood up to Angelus without a stake to protect him!”

Spike clenched his fists. They didn’t need any infighting right now, but he was damned frustrated. No wonder Xander had all but jumped for joy when Spike offered to show him a few moves. His lover wasn’t the type to just sit back and let someone else take the risk for him.

“You’re a bloody fool, Ripper, I hope you realize that. The more knowledge and tools you give these people to fight with, the better chance they have to survive. Thought the dust up with Glory would have taught you that. What would have happened if your precious Slayer had died that day, or you? What would happen to the Hellmouth then? You think Xander would run away? Any of them? Got more balls than brains, the lot of them.”

Giles paled at the thought and took off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. He was about to say something when Spike cut him off.

“Don’t say anything. You’ll come off looking a bigger fool. After we get through this crisis I’m making sure every one of these people know how to fight. That goes for Dawn and if her sis doesn’t like it she can shove it. Hell, if Angelus don’t want to treat Tex like the warrior she could be, I’ll make sure she knows how to fight too. You can either help, or you can try to stop me. I can guarantee you won’t like the results of the second option.”

He quickly turned and walked away. For Xander’s sake he’d been trying to be nice to the other man, but just thinking about how Giles had dismissed Xander’s talents made him want to rip something off of him, preferably something opposable.

He made his way to where Xander was watching Tara and Fred work and wrapped his arms around his love’s waist. Xander leaned back into his embraced and arched his neck, just a little so that Spike could nibble and kiss the marks left from his fangs on his lover’s neck. Spike wondered if Xander knew just how much trust he was showing his lover, to give him that beautiful neck.

“Mmmm, they just about finished, Xan? M’sick of sitting here and waiting. Need to find the Nibblet and the others and get the hell out of town before the bloody soldiers know we have a clue. I’m surprised they haven’t bust in here already.”

“Just about. So far we know that the girls are all at home. So that’s good. She’s just looking for Riley now.” Xander spoke quietly, and Spike inhaled as much of his scent as he could. Worry, fear, tension. Add to that a good dose of having a busy night already and his mate was tired. He’d make sure to drive the SUV and let Xander sleep on the way to LA. They’d probably have to wait till the next night to “storm the castle”, so to speak.

“Gonna at least stay near me when the fighting starts, pet, so you can watch my back?” What he told the Watcher was the truth; the worst thing he could do for Xander was tell him to sit on the sidelines because it was too dangerous for him. But if he treated Xander as an equal, then the boy would feel valued and wanted and would stick close to Spike in order to help him. And Spike could keep a closer eye on him than if he charged ahead, trying to prove something.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, Spike. I really don’t want those bastards getting close to you.”

Just then Tara interrupted them. The pendulum she had been using to find Finn had stopped. “We got him.”

******

Spike stood back with Xander as Tara stood on the edge of the lawn. They’d gotten another big bit of luck and he was starting to worry that they would use it all up before getting to the Initiative compound outside of LA.

Not only were Willow and Dawn home but Buffy was having a sleepover with her boy. All the people they needed to collect, for one reason or another, were in the same spot. They had argued for a bit. The Watcher was all for going up and knocking and being all polite.

Spike, however, had other ideas. He didn’t know if Riley had tipped off the Slayer to what was happening, if she was working with him again or what. They didn’t have time to nancy about explaining things to the Slayer and then again in Los Angeles. He’d put his foot down and Xander had backed him up.

Amazingly enough, Tara had agreed. Spike figured she was still a bit wary of Red mucking about in her brain again. There hadn’t been time to talk to her before but maybe on the way to LA he’d have a chance.

Now Tara was going to spell everyone but Dawn in the house in a magical sleep. They wouldn’t wake up until she brought them out of it. That way they wouldn’t have to fight with the soldier, and wouldn’t have to hear the Slayer’s screeching and arguing. They’d explain to Dawn to pack things for her sister and Willow and throw the sleepers in the back of the SUV.

They’d deal with the fallout in La.

“It’s done. They’re all asleep.” Tara looked tired after the casting and Fred helped her to sit in the SUV. They had fixed up a bed of sorts in the back for Willow and Buffy. Giles was taking his car and would drive Fred and Dawn. Riley was going to be restrained and locked in the boot.

Just for the hell of it.

“Right. Let’s get this over with. It’s past two but I’d like to get to LA long before the dawn so we can sort out the poof.”



The End









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