After the Fall

by
Josie_h

Part Twenty-Six

Four months later, Eddie’s children were the equivalent of three year old humans, yet only around twenty months. They were articulate, mobile… and intelligent… finger painting and had a fascination for tipping water over things. (All good until the dear ducklings were summarily doused! Eddie thankful it had not been the weenie rabbits in their hutch… There were stern discussions.)

The night of the Initiative ‘inspection’ they had been ‘sent word’. The governor of their state had been informed that Oregon was rather ‘remiss’ when it came to the sweep for hostiles and sympathizers. The local Magistrate vouched for Samuel and the children when asked. All the paperwork ‘was in order’ but their neighbors were under suspicion and the Initiative’s instruments were becoming more sophisticated when it came to ‘hostiles’.

Xander and Spike were utterly panicked as they had been forced to leave their little darlings in the house with Samuel. The children were registered and therefore needed to be present… and they had originally done it to protect them… but now…

Spike was carrying Jess and little Sam up the hill and Jon had his partner, vampiric speed was of the essence. Xander carried the tiny Willow, who seemed remarkably calm given that they were sprinting through a forested area to a hiding place the neighbors had identified and the wiccans warded. The ‘cave’ was realistically just a hollow under a very large old tree, but it sufficed. It was unlikely to be found and was dry and comfortable. The neighbors’ two girls were there already. Margaret and Brenda were visibly frightened, huddled at the back of the small space fearful and holding each other.

Both had tears streaking down their faces but calmed as Eddie moved forward to wipe their eyes, then passed his children to share the back of the shelter.

The girls had been forced to leave by their parents. They had never had an inspection before and it was easier for the girls to ‘be on a sleepover’ if there was to be trouble. The girls appreciated the presence of their favorite little neighbors and quickly pulled the three into their hiding space

As soon as they were settled, however, it was Eddie who comforted Xander and Jon hugged his Sire… They trusted Sam with their lives … but their twins had to be left behind. Eddie held the lovely three month old vampire as he sobbed.

“I wouldn’t leave them… I … I …. Never would … but we… OH God… Eddie… what… [hic] what if something happens!! And we’ve just ‘run’… what if??....” Spike was in full game face standing at the entrance to their hiding place. He knew that he could make it down the hill in under a minute, needs be, and knew that Jon and family were out of range of the Initiative detectors… Soul or none he would happily kill all of the Initiative group if they tried to take Sam or the children.

Eddie’s three little ones didn’t know why their younger cousins had had to stay behind, but were old enough to know it was to do with Grandpa Sam and ‘The Rules’. They explained to the girls what had to be done, and all watched on wide eyed as Xander joined Spike at the door where they grimly exchanged blood. Jon kissed Eddie passionately then went to stand with his Sire. If trouble broke out, he would be the one to look after the girls and his family. He worried for the babies and Sam.

All became silent as the three vampires listened intently. Even from this distance they could make out some of the conversation.

“Nothing to worry about Mr…. ahhhh…” The young soldier checked his papers, “Maddren, just a standard inspection.” Yet there was nothing standard about it.

Sam’s ‘guest rooms’ were inspected, and his reason for such a big house queried. One individual contacted the local magistrate to confirm the registration of the babies and their origin, while the senior officer questioned everything he could regards Sam’s background history. They had come prepared, tracking down titles and establishing parentage was all important. Sam’s medical condition had been reported as part of the legal paperwork for the babies, and confirmation that he was known to host some of the unfortunates from the mental institution back in Alabama was given via phone. The local pastor of Sam’s old home town was called.

Tipped out of bed at close to midnight to take a call from the military, who were apparently *still* harassing their ex neighbor Sam, he gave them ‘a piece of his mind’. The young private returned to his superior officer looking somewhat brow beaten and gave his report.

“Sir, if I may?”

The senior officer stepped aside, leaving Sam to feed the two now distraught tiny children.

“Sir, it seems he’s legit… real do gooder… according to the paperwork the kids are probably the progeny of one of his former ‘borders’ Sir. Pastor wasn’t surprised, in fact said the Local Mayor would even be happy to vouch for this guy!

“Sir, with all due respect, the sweeps have investigated this guy three times and it is always a big nothing… And the last time was apparently just some disgruntled neighbor who called in half the folks in the county… And Sir? Our men were a little heavy handed with some local ladies at the same time. There really was a *lot* of bad publicity.

“The full investigation cleared *everyone* in that community, but apparently this guy was a bit freaked by the whole deal and moved. Sir, may I recommend that we use the findings from Alabama to back ours and move on.”

Nicholas and Patricia, their neighbors, also passed the muster, but only after they were held in separate rooms of their own house for questioning while Nic’s business was ‘raided’. Several of his business associates were harassed late at night, something that did not go unreported by the local press and had the governor’s ‘think tank’ reconsidering the wisdom of the ‘step up’ in Initiative activity. He relied on the electoral ‘clout’ of that area and if the ‘professional people’ felt targeted then he had a problem.

The D’Azpuras were both badly shaken by the Initiative experience but immensely grateful that their girls had been with company, and the plans to ‘take them with’ should anything have come of the nasty night.

It was nearly four in the morning before the family was game to return home, and fortunately it was Saturday the following day. Sam handed over his two sleeping charges to their fathers then made milky hot chocolate for all. Patricia had not seen the babies in the three months since their arrival, and though thrilled by their arrival, was also deeply saddened at Xander’s ‘revised status’. She, like the wiccans, had felt the jolt through the magical fabric and wondered. Their dear stressed neighbor was intrigued as her girls announced Xander’s ensouled status, and smiled for the first time when she learned of the Mated status of the two fathers.

Eventually the visitors left and the children all settled. Jon held his partner until the small demon slept then joined his Sire and Xander on the back porch. Spike was smoking and staring at the stars. Xander lay in the hammock simply waiting while his mate calmed a little.

Jon sat leaning against one of the veranda posts for a time. He was lost in thought as they all were. It was Xander who broke the silence.

“Thanks for tonight… It meant a lot for the girls.”

“Children should be with family… should feel safe…”

Xander saw the loyal father, but also felt the sadness as the other vampire added, “So should Childer.”

Xander quietly inquired, “You don’t?”

“I do …. Now that there is Sire… and you, little brother… and of course there’s my family now… but…”

“Do remember who Sired you?... What was he like?”

Jon looked rather wistful, even Spike had not questioned him regards his heritage… “Fellow called Lawson. He was never cruel… seemed like he just wanted a friend really. We met in a bar toward the end of the nineties. And yes before you ask little brother, I ‘batted for the other team always’ as Sire would say. Lawson had been a naval officer… submarine engineer during World War II. They captured a U-boat carrying some vampires being carried by the Germans and got into a load of trouble.”

“So one of them…?”

“No Americans sent a vamp down to fight them… guy named Angel.”

Xander’s eyes went wide and Spike almost inhaled his cigarette.

Jon trailed off, “I figure he really should have been given a medal… was already dying but got turned and saved the whole vessel.” Then Xander saw a tear… “He said he’d only be gone a day or two. He’d found his Sire at last… went to seek him out … He never came back. I felt him pass… oh yeah… I felt that…” The scent of salt and demeanor gave away the upset. “Eddie doesn’t know… he doesn’t need to know… Spike’s my Sire now … Eddie shouldn’t worry.”

Spike was listening intently and as the details emerged he knew. Wondered how much he should tell, then decided the whole truth was for the best.

He stepped forward to embrace the now rather upset vampire, and made the address a formal one. Xander stood gob-smacked by the words, “Dear Childe, your grandsire… is my grandsire (indeed my Sire in truth, as he was the one who trained and fed me). Angelus, Master Vampire of Aurelius.

“I too was on that boat with your Sire… and… so… though more than a hundred years apart we are indeed all of the same line… You are one of the line of Aurelius… Your blood tasted… familiar… and so should mine to you…” Spike’s voice dropped low as he whispered into his brethren’s ear before kissing him soundly, “You are with family, I did not know and I am utterly honored… We three are the last of our line as far as I know… and we are all together!”

For Jon it was some sort of completion. He held on and took the proffered wrist from his Sire. Now he truly knew why it had always tasted like family.

It was close to six when the birds announced the coming of the sun. They all retreated, the two newest fathers fed and changed their charges and the household slept.

…………………………

It was late the following Wednesday that there was a desperate cry from the garden. Eddie’s children were rarely upset, but when two tiny people came running to the house and hearing the inconsolable cries of a third, the three vampires again felt the frustration of their status, Xander more so as the ‘sun free’ aspect of his existence was still problematic (as it was with most fledges, Spike was quick to point out… it didn’t help). It was again up to Sam to rush to Eddie and Sam II’s aid, as the tarpaulin was still in the shed.

It was a simple accident. Eddie had had his back turned and the children were (as usual) playing in the market garden with him as he planted lettuce for the coming season and tended to some early peas. Little Sam (despite being warned) had decided to climb the paling fence, toppling just as he settled to a sitting position and cheered for himself (hands free) on the highest paling. Luckily he had fallen forward into the garden beds, rather than back into the untended paddock. Sadly he had connected with the raised edging as he fell, and had a nasty gash on his forehead.

The survivors of the Hellmouth were used to patching injuries and with a couple of butterfly strips a good deal of his father’s healing saliva and a handful of jelly beans… all was well. Sam II was rather more cautious around fences for some months following the incident however.


As the children grew, Xander began to create again… though Spike worried as his partner began to work regularly with wood. To distract himself while his partner played with the product that might cause his own demise, Spike enlisted Jon. Once the babies were ‘abed’ and they had tended to their usual chores, then busied themselves digging an escape tunnel and building concealed spaces for future possible Initiative visits.

By month five Xander’s twins were reaching for things and smiling with genuine recognition whenever any of the family approached, and Xander had made his first table, without personal ‘wood damage’.

They sold it on Ebay.

Part Twenty-Seven

It was only two in the afternoon, nearly two months after the raid and two small people were feeding.

Xander and Spike carried their twins to the next suite as the others settled for their afternoon nap, and Xander joined Jon as both parents heated bottles of milk and formula for their respective charges and their early afternoon feeding ritual.

Eddie and the wonderful three, were happily resting in their bed in the next door suite as three vampires and two extra tiny bodies joined them. The older cousins had their own drinks but were ‘old hands’ at feeding the little ones and held the bottles confidently as the babies sucked. Meanwhile the Childer exchanged blood quietly with their Sire. Eddie sat watching the scene, just happy to be in from the garden and resting with family.

The dark haired vampire seemed to have ‘blossomed’ since discovering his origins were tied to his adoptive Sire’s. For Eddie and the children, it really should not have mattered… but seeing their ‘father’ so happy there was a reason to rejoice.

And Jon adored his petite partner.

It was more than four years since their capture by the Initiative. At barely five feet tall on tip toes, Eddie had ‘filled out’ since their Initiative escape. Initially his pregnancy was to blame, but the past nearly two years of caring for three children meant he was working hard, not ‘working out’. In all truth, his small frame carried too few ‘squashy bits’ to appear portly, but he was rather conscious of his ‘lovely French tummy’, (as Spike always named it when referring to his lovely Xan’s matching tiny ‘paunch’)… But both Spike and Jon were very insistent that their partners simply had that ‘little soft bit to hold onto when making love’, ‘adorable’ and ‘loveable’ and ‘not to be removed’!

Though Eddie was pretty to a fault he, like Xander, was still missing an eye. (The ‘family’ making the missing parts a celebration as the previous Halloween the dad’s had presented their partners with matching eye-patches). Eddie’s sweet pixie like features were framed by a very thick mop of straight blue black hair that was kept cropped.

In the Initiative, they had shaved him completely, but now his body had his proper cover of short, feathery fine hair, all a pretty ocean blue like his skin. Jon loved stroking it against the nap then smoothing it down again whenever they lay together. The children’s pelts were even finer, and wonderfully silky to touch. It was something their younger human cousins were utterly fascinated by, though there were still some issues about small hands unwittingly tugging hair too hard, that needed to ‘ironed out’. Apparently yelling “Oowww oww owww!!!!” had no effect on tiny pre language individuals… and tiny Elsbeth had Little Willow in tears twice in the previous week!

Jon was utterly enamored by Eddie’s tiny ‘lambs tail’ at the base of his spine, and loved the children’s (whose little ends were covered in adorable soft curly hair that seemed to beg for an extra pat whenever they were being dried after their bath). The ‘extra’ appendage was virtually undetectable under clothes but never failed to extend and stand up if stroked. Eddie’s stood up independently when the little Parsalas coupled with his lover and Jon took pride in being able make it happen even before they started.

But for the beautiful dark haired vampire, it was Eddie’s deep ocean blue eye framed by impossibly long lashes that ‘did him in’. Eddie gazed at his lover with such adoration that every time their eyes met, the dear vampire could not help but take an unneeded breath and ‘melt’.

Xander and Spike returned to their own bedroom carrying the now sleeping Elsbeth and Christopher, while Jon took away the now empty bottles. It left Eddie to sip the tea his partner had thoughtfully made. The children were all down for a nap, and he had at least an hour to tend to the basket of dry washing.

Xander rested with the babies He was finding the match of vampire hours, the physical work of his wood work and having small children was difficult, and he was still only a fledge himself. Spike kissed him and let him sleep, but Spike was too restless.

On a whim, he wandered back to the other family’s ‘suite’, and for some unknown reason, seeing Eddie sitting quietly sipping tea while folding the children’s clothes, was moved to do something he had never done before. He wandered over and offered his wrist to the Childe’s partner… there was no imperative, it just seemed the right thing. Jon was returning to the room but stopped at the door, and smiled at the tender exchange as Eddie took the precious blood.

And so the little demon felt it… what his partner felt every day, the connection with the Sire, the age and the power of Spike… and the love. There was no way to explain what transpired in the short interchange… but Eddie somehow knew that he too was treasured as much as his partner, and their children would be defended and adored always… they were… blood family… and the Parsalas demon knew that for vampires, that was all. Every challenge to their existence would be met by all the resources of the entire extended household. He’d known that before, but to know it on such a profound level was new.

Spike left as silently as he came, and Jon slid behind his partner as Eddie moved to stand and look at their three sleeping children. They were both still terrified by the thought that they could lose it all, should the Initiative ever find them, and treasured each moment as it came. Pretty long blue hair fell across two of the small faces as they cuddled into their middle sister. Jessie was on her back and her quiet repose and the peaceful little face said it all. Eddie leant back on his beautiful vampire.

They were a perfect fit, the top of Eddie’s head tucked neatly under Jon’s chin. Jon was barely five foot ten, slim and had been a very ‘well toned’ human when turned… He and his true Sire could almost have been brothers. And though when he and his partner had first met, the Initiative had robbed him of everything, muscle, hair and teeth, now his sable locks fell long and resplendent, and like Eddie, he was fully restored. Eddie appreciated his beautiful partner, the hard muscles, the powerful limbs, and the perfect white teeth, high cheek bones and straight nose, and when changed… his fangs… How he loved the fangs. He loved that Jon had a Sire… and a new ‘little brother’. Eddie’s vampire was perfect… And there was always that cheeky smile, dimple just to the right, and the lovely twinkle in the deep green/grey eyes whenever he gazed at his little demon.

It was well over two years since they had met in the most awful of circumstances, and Eddie was still deeply in love. As they stood watching their children sleep, his partner’s quiet baritone broke the silence, “Would you honor me by mating for all time? Sam says the coven would come.”

Eddie, still reeling from the seriousness of the question, had to ask, “You’ve talked to Sam about this?”

Jon was suddenly worried, “I wasn’t sure you would… and so I asked… because Sam is… and I asked Sire as well… I’m sorry… I just wanted to know that nothing bad could…. I’m sorry…”

Eddie turned in his lover’s arms and cut off the worried diatribe with a kiss and few words. “Yes, I will.”

Consequently, on the day before their children’s second birthday, they asked to coven to visit. Sam ‘did the honors’. In the presence of family and friends, and blessed by the coven, the two were formally mated (the latter part of the ceremony behind closed doors of course!). It was the first pairing of a Parsalas and vampire in demon history, and Gaia rejoiced as the positive energy flowed. Though the north-west was in the middle of a freezing mid-winter spell there were five spectacular days of sunshine… apparently *only* in and around their area of Oregon. The meteorologists were puzzled.

Robbie arrived the following day.

They didn’t know. His mother had died three week previously. He had been afraid to come because of the Initiative. The pastor had said something, and in amongst all the ‘arrangements’, Kathleen had warned him not to contact ‘their boys’ yet. But after his dear mother was laid to rest beside his father, her darling Peter, Robbie had to come.

He took leave from his job, closed up the house and drove away. He stopped twice along the way on the first day, just to have a private cry.

In his rush he’d left their address behind. He only knew the town his friends had headed to, so asked for Sam at the local store. Fortunately Sam did occasionally have things delivered. So his pickup bounced up the drive of the new farm just after dark. The house looked all but deserted. But he knocked on the door and was greeted by… Sam with two beautiful, nine month old babies in his arms…

Robbie smiled but Sam knew the look. Robbie was barely holding back his tears as he said “Hi… um… I came… and um… Oh Sam… um she died, I’m sorry … was going to call but then…” Sam bent down, sat the two little ones safely on the floor then pulled the lovely man into his trademark (and guaranteed to make you feel loved) hug. Robbie was so much bigger, but they both ended up on their knees as Robbie hung on and quietly cried. He had not shed tears until now, not freely… not to someone else… And he did miss his mom so badly… He came because somehow he knew they would understand, Sam and the boys… they … would understand.

By the time the rest of the family emerged from their hiding places, Sam had Robbie seated drinking hot tea with little Elsbeth patting his face.

Robbie noted Xander’s extremely pale visage and frowned a little, he worried for the health of his friend. Xander saw the look and despite holding Christopher on his hip, the vampire pushed his free wrist into Robbie’s hand for the trained fingers to test his pulse. Xander whispered, “Seems sometimes giving birth? Not such a good thing for blokes…” Winked then added more loudly, “Lucky my best friend is a witch who can ensoul and the partner is a vampire huh…”

Robbie felt for the non existent pulse. Robbie’s eye’s went wide “Ohhh… But that means you’re??…” then baulked a little as Xander flowed in and out of game face to demonstrate fully what his new status really was.

Spike stepped up behind his lover, “Hard times make for hard decisions mate, but good things came of it. Xan here and I… well we’re together forever now.” He kissed his partner gently, “But we’re all right… Sorry to hear about your lovely mum. She was quite some lady, and will be sadly missed no doubt.” Robbie accepted a shoulder squeeze from Spike and a one armed hug from Xander as Jon, Eddie and the children entered the room.

The big ambulance driver couldn’t believe Eddie’s three. They were all so advanced for their size, and shyly but politely introduced themselves to ‘an old friend from the other farm’. Robbie also had forgotten just how vividly blue they were. He could not fail but notice the confident pride with which Jon introduced ‘our children’ to their old friend again, nor the grin on Sam’s face as little Jesse joined her cousin on ‘Grampa’s’ knee.

Sam II, always the most bold, scrambled into Robbie’s lap after first ‘checking out’ the interloper and to Robbie’s amazement, began talking at pace, “*My* Ma and Da got mated ‘esterday and all our friends came. ‘zat why you came? ‘Cause you *have* missed the cake. But I got a new truck that Unca Xan made. Did you know that he’s a *vampire* like Da now. And did you know…” and the little lad kept talking, even as he shimmied down from Robbie’s lap and raced through the house to return with his truck. All but demanding to be lifted up again so the item might be admired, Robbie couldn’t help himself, he roared with laughter, still grieving and tired beyond belief, it seemed that the little fellow’s chatty exuberance was indeed the salve he needed .

Finally Eddie rescued their lovely big friend from Sam’s show and tell, as the other two also started to drag out their favorite toys in to be admired. All three talking at pace was just a little too much for anyone. Eddie distracted all three children with a late night snack then ushered them to bed with an apologetic look to their guest.

Sadly for Sam, that night held horrors, and the visions weren’t just local. The children remained sleeping as did Robbie, but the others rose to tend their afflicted benefactor.

There was another massacre imminent. The entire resistance network had to be notified… quickly.

Part Twenty-Eight

Oz was contacted… they couldn’t risk the covens or the demon resistance members direct and they knew Oz’s band was touring again. He would likely use cyber cafes or hotel provided systems after their initial SMS request to make contact. And from there all the resistance would be warned. The Emails and SMS’s were bounced through three or four sites, the messages short, cryptic, encrypted and understood by the receivers.

Within the first day the family knew that several covens and a number of vampire clans were already on the move, scattering the members of their groups or simply finding safer havens. The exact nature of the coming Initiative attacks was unknown, but their intent was.

The word was that the Initiative had ‘enlisted’ a fair number of demons whose self interest overthrew any sense of interspecies loyalty. They had captured, chipped and ‘experimented on’ Asian and African wiccans and a few vampires here and there after successful raids. They had also done the same to a handful of Slayers and demons.

It was also apparent that their demon captives had been allowed to ‘escape’, seeking out the resistance groups and liberal thinkers for protection all over the world. It was soon discovered however, that the pattern was the same the ‘escapees’ had unknowingly been implanted with tracers and enough plastic explosive to blow up a bus and half a city block.

It would be a suicide mission for any of the ‘Trojan horses’, but that was irrelevant to the Initiative. The individuals were all ‘expendable’ and the explosives detonated from a distance. The intent was to search and destroy in a massive sweep across all countries using their infiltrators wherever they were unable to simply invade suspected strongholds.

Opinion was shifting against the Initiative’s manifesto and there was a small window of opportunity to complete the annihilation before the population of the world turned on them en masse. A number of nations had amnesties in place, while others had already banned the capture and killing of demons as a blanket policy. In ‘demon friendly’ countries, the only Initiative groups left were now vigilante or extremist groups (and the majority relied on clandestine activities or the ‘sympathies’ of certain magistrates to continue their activities without prosecution).

The resistance had been wondering at what strategy was to be used. It was a large Vampire clan in Turkey who discovered it first.

Within hours of Sam’s warning they had tested the three Initiative ‘escapees’ who arrived at their various nests. Thankfully the shrewd and quite brilliant, High Master (Dr) Constantine Raiza was a trained medical specialist before turning, and had kept up not only his own skills but had access to medical facilities and had a habit of turning top surgeons and researchers as his Childer. Ironically many continued to practice after their turning … Access to human blood was a definite advantage, and when it wasn’t bagged, Dr Con encouraged his clans to be ‘discerning’ when making kills.

The three escapees were unable to explain the ease of their departure from their jails. Dr Con suspected tracers and implants but it was the MRI that revealed the rest – they had discovered the explosives. For the three in their care, he and his team were able to remove all but the chip with surgery, but few other resistance groups had such skills. His clinic was ‘surprisingly busy’ in the following few days as those that could made their way to him. There was a limit however. Too much activity would draw too much attention.

The resistance began pooling their resources to find another way.

For the resistance, trust was always a problem, but they did have resources, and now that they knew… The word went out. Within days it seemed that globally the majority of the ‘infiltrators’ were identified. The demons who were ‘suspect’ due to their beliefs, generally showed their hand very quickly and many were already known so that was of little consequence. Easier were the ones who had been tormented. The chips were detectable by scarring and could be removed or left. The tracers were hard to find but had to be taken out… even if by crude methods.

Sadly in the ensuing five days, the family learned that at least seven of the implanted vampires greeted the sun, and four wiccans had taken their own lives rather than risk others. They would not be able to help the human looking individuals who were just ‘running’ – nor any innocents who good heartedly might have taken them in. Without resistance help they would die…

It might have been deadly for all but they had one advantage. It was *not* a terror campaign. It seemed the tracers were to be used in conjunction with the final attack. If detonating the infiltrators had been random, their ability to counter it would have been compromised. Thankfully the arrogance of the Initiative meant that in the countries where they had support, there was a date announced to the governments, just two days after Sam’s visions (Fortunate as the problem was that Sam’s visions did not come with a date or time indication). This was to be an all out assault in all regions tarting with detonations and finishing with a deadly sweep in the ensuing two months with shoot to kill instructions. It was to be genocide on an unprecedented scale.

………….

Xander looked in on the sleeping Robbie… the three little ones knew he was safe, most demons could feel it if there was a dangerous intruder… the mismatch of aura and forced training, or the underlying mal-intent. They had been lucky so many times… he dearly hoped not too many.

Christopher cried for “Maaam” and Elsbeth began to whimper too. Xander squeezed his mate’s hand and attended their children while Spike wandered over to continue to monitor Sam. The others were taking a break in their suite.

………………
It was Eddie who eventually spoke, “We are so happy now, I just can’t lose them Jon…. I can’t lose you… Not family… not again! If they find us, remember the old plan? You have to promise kill them and me…. Remember you *promised*!”

Jon smiled but the smile was filled with pain, as was their link, “And it won’t be that hard if we have to now… not you and I at least…”

Eddie stared quizzically at his mate then realized almost thankfully, “If you die, I die at the same moment…. Mated pair.” then whispered as he kissed his partner’s shaking hands, “Sire and Xan are the same my love… ”

“But Darling-heart… I just know I… can’t … not with the little ones … I really… we need to find a way to get them to safety … I just don’t think… I could ever… Oh Eddie… and then Sire and Xan… and their…” He trailed off. Eddie felt it through the link and stood quietly embracing his partner… there were no words. The children were sleeping. Jon gazed at them for a time then simply collapsed to sit on the floor, knees pulled to his chest and remained there with his face in his hands.

Eddie had let his partner fall and could see the crimson drops falling on the floor from underneath the pale fingers, then felt the absolute distress through their mating link. They wouldn’t lose again… he just knew somehow the family would survive, and he sent that feeling through the link but knew that nothing he could say would make it better.

He checked the children then took two thick rugs from the one of the bunks and tugged his partner to standing.

He led his lovely vampire outside. It was a clear night and bitterly cold, but they lay between the two warm layers under the stars and made love… desperately at first but then gently, adoringly, and as though it was their last night on Earth. In the end, both exhausted, they shared their tears and reassurances, speaking quietly and stroking each other. Jon crept back into their familial bed just as the sun began to rise, while Eddie returned from their evening of necessary comfort, and took over the vigil with Sam, and continued the Email monitoring.

…..
Robbie, Sam and the five children were happily playing on a huge picnic rug on the other side of the ‘swing’ tree. Elsbeth and Christopher were just crawling, and quite happy to compete with Sam’s Missy as one of their blue cousins rolled a ball in a game of ‘fetch’ for them. Missy, infinitely faster seemed to ‘let them win’.

The two would no doubt inherit their father’s darker locks as they matured… but for now, the fair fuzz was growing into real hair and their first tooth had arrived simultaneously, to the distress of Jessie who was the first to be ‘bitten’ and hair tugged at the same time, by Elsbeth as usual!... Spike had his suspicions… Elsbeth was too good at that ‘stuff’ not to know, and seemed to grin when he chastised her while prizing her tiny hand from her cousin’s abused fur!.

Elsbeth had apparently been Spike’s ‘fault’ so had extraordinary ocean blue eyes, while Christopher had a most unusual emerald green with streaks of brown ‘spokes’ leading to an outer deep green ‘rim’, a perfect combination of his parentage. They were equally treasured.

Sam was lying on an old sun bed with his head on a pillow, covered by a rather tatty crocheted comforter and looking very pale. Xander did notice him smile as the little folks all decided that Robbie was ‘fair game’ and abandoned their games to descend en masse to climb all over his reclining figure. The children (even the little ones) were rewarded by a hearty laugh and inevitable ‘tickling’ by the big man. The peels of small children’s laughter and excited barking of the dog were easily heard back in the house.

Xander stood by the shaded bedroom window and stared sadly.

His partner sidled up behind him, slid cool arms around the slim torso and licked the mating mark on his neck. Xander shivered, but the only thing Spike felt through the link was sadness.

“Penny for your thoughts luv.” Spike felt the unneeded breath and heard the sigh.

“C’mon pet, better out than in.” He waited, then addressed Xander in a Sire’s tone, as his Childe rather than his Mate, “I will help, but you must tell me Childe.” There was still no response.

Xander yipped as his Sire’s fangs buried themselves deep into his neck and took stolen blood. The fledgling vampire began to feel vaguely dizzy and his legs seemed to simply… give out. Spike sank to the floor with him and held him in a loving hug. Weakened, Spike knew Xander would be more compliant.

“Now tell me pet… I know the whole ‘massacre’ bloody Initiative worry is all there but figure that’s not what’s hurtin’ you right now. Tell your old Sire here… what is it that’s got you in such a state?” He felt the hitched sob and waited.

Xander rolled in Spike’s embrace and now half on his knees, he hugged Spike around the waist, buried his head against the cool torso. The comfort allowed it, and quiet tears were interspersed with the explanation, “Oh Sire… I missthesun!!!… I sh..shouldn’t… b… but I really do… I miss the sun! an….nd w…watch… ching them… ours… an…nd not being there… ‘s hard… And what if they a…attack us is in the day?…. We… we’ll be dust and they’ll… Oh I’m sorry Sire… I’m… ss….orry… I just feel….” The younger vampire trailed off.

Spike knew the feeling of loss and frustration as well, but needed to be strong for the new Vampire, so simply held on and offered his neck. Xander raised himself and bit down hard to be immediately comforted. Sire’s blood… Mate’s blood… the love, and the empathy through the strong connection. He calmed and withdrew his fangs but continued to lick the wound rhythmically for some time.

Eventually Spike stood his partner up and led him back to their bed. The licking had done it to both of them, and despite the distress, they were highly aroused. Spike began by gently stroking his mate’s thick hair with one hand, (taking off the eye patch in the process), while caressing his Mate to full hardness with his other hand through the denim of Xander’s pants.


As the shadows elongated, all the vampires emerged silently. They observed a scene that would suit all of them until the end of days. Sam was up and pottering around, cleaning up the kitchen. The Sire stopped them at the door to appreciate the moment. They were all so worried about what was to come, that it was small pleasures and quiet moments that mattered even more.

It was apparent that the littlest cousins had been fed by Robbie recently (he volunteered often… enamored by the pretty blonde haired children with their broad single toothed grins and wide eyes). To date his technique ‘needed some work’, generally resulting in many smiles from the little ones and a rather attractive ‘splatter painting’ of all the surrounds, and inevitable special finger effects in various colors and textures as dropped food was rubbed liberally onto the background ‘canvas’ by tiny hands. But some food did seem to make it to the intended destination as the children were healthy and happy.


The large new ranch style kitchen, with all its cupboards and new style appliances, was still a little unfamiliar to the elderly gent, and his audience smiled as he grumbled about who had ‘put the serving dishes *there*’, and ‘new fandangled door handles’. The family eating area at the end of the kitchen was substantial and tiled, and wonderful when it came to cleaning up after the ‘fabulous five’. He mopped it swiftly and easily.

Despite all the threats, from outside, and the challenges of ‘boring daily life on the farm’, Sam really was truly happy for the first time he could remember. He had been ‘Grampa Sam’ for so long now that he simply could not imagine his life without the children … or his lovely boys. His visions were back and debilitating, but he knew why and had support.

His observers saw the older man reach over to spend a moment patting his loyal Missy. She had been waiting patiently on her mat by their ‘new’ back door as always, but had moved to her master as she felt his need for comfort. The vampires watching the scene had no idea just what passed between the two, but they caught a few words as he tried to convey to his loyal hound how proud and thankful he was of his family. They saw Missy lick his hand as though to concur with the words, and the old man sighed a barely audible ‘Yeah’.

The three had intended to keep out of his way and silently fix something to eat before setting out to do their own daily tasks. Instead each quietly took a few seconds to acknowledge their elder with a soft touch, a pat or a hug. Sam simply sighed and reciprocated with a smile. It always seemed to be the calm before the storm for their lot … but all that meant was that the calm was… to be savored.

……….
The following afternoon the family enlisted the help of the Margaret and Brenda (their lovely teenage neighbors) to watch the babies and toddlers who were all taking their nap. The girls had strict instructions not to answer the phone or door unless the number was recognized or it was their parents knocking.

The family and the senior D’ Azpuras investigated the complex network of escape routes that Spike and Jon had developed over the months… Robbie was bent almost double so as not to hit his head in the tunnel and was heard to say, “Looks like someone fought for the other side in ‘Nam’! This is brilliant!”

Spike (who was in the lead) paused in his tracks and responded, “ Master Vampire mate! Catacombs of Rome (Ok wasn’t there for the building, but used ‘em during the war), Sewers of London or any bloody city, castles always do the escape routes.” He saw the incredulous looks on his family and friends faces, “Oh come on people!... Hands up who hasn’t been in the underground of one city or another? Saved millions in the World War II and the bloody Swiss have got a whole network through the mountains ready when that human lot all decide to push the big red button. And now we’ve got our own.” Jon grinned, it was his accomplishment too. And his partner was the only one of the group – apart from Missy - who hardly had to bend.

None of the little network of tunnels was particularly long, but all took them to places where they might ‘slip away’. Xander grinned as he noted the tiny home made periscopes at three points, giving view back to the farm and remember the giggles about ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ when he was asked to make them. The trapdoor exits were perfect however, technology courtesy of one Vampire Harris, as was the scaffolding that held them.

Never had the family been more thankful of their ‘paranoia’ and back on the surface they spoke earnestly with the D’Aspuras regarding strategy. They would not abandon their kind neighbors and they now had the danger dates.

They had all been ‘passed’ by the Initiative before, but they did expect another visit. It was decided that the D’Azpuras would be on a ‘trip’ (happily ensconced in Chateau d’ Sam for the dangerous weeks. And both parents would occasionally log in via a site in Hawaii). Sounded wonderful as it was announced to Nic’s colleagues at work!

They all worried, and the issue of the explosive implants had not been resolved… An SMS late on the sixth afternoon that simply read, “Dawn” changed everything.

Part Twenty-Nine

The ‘Fab Five’ were all in the enormous bath together. Eddie and Xander almost as wet as the children, and the floor of the bathroom was getting its usual wash. Elsbeth and Chris were at the ‘shallow end’ between Jessie’s legs, while Willow and Sam annoyed each other at the other.

There were so many toys floating around, that there was little attention being given to actual cleaning, although Eddie’s three eventually insisted on having their fur soaped up as it had become quite the tradition to make ‘punk spikes’ all over their bodies. The two bearers of children had simply rolled their eyes a few weeks earlier when Sam II excitedly demonstrated the how to … after explaining “when Unca Spike was here…”

They had installed a hand held shower on a flexible arm, so when the soapy little folks finally stood, they could be gently rinsed off. Eddie’s three were still fascinated, and a little worried by the fact that their little cousins still had no fur or tail. Oddly the difference in color seemed not to concern them whatsoever.

On this particular afternoon, however, when it was explained again that the twins were not able to grow tails, Little Willow looked sadly thoughtful. She then stared Xander determinedly in the eye and said, “Well we’ve gotta make ‘em” one! If’n they wear f’r a bit then maybe they can just… *get* them too … ‘s not hard! Mine jus’ growed! ‘n look! Then they c’n do this!” She lifted her little tail and wiggled it from side to side… obviously a new trick. Xander simply kissed the thoughtful little love and smiled at Eddie.

The rest of the afternoon was spent constructing tails for the cousins. Xander was just relieved that his two were in nappies, so the staples and glue used to affix the cotton wool clad cardboard and the large nappy pin fixing said tail to the small person was all on the *outside*. The sparkle of pride and satisfaction in Little Willow’s eyes as she saw her cousins adorned with their ‘extra bits’ was utterly priceless.

The following day it was Spike’s turn to stand at the window. It was a clear sky and the morning sun prohibitive to vampires. He could just see Willow, Jess and Sam II playing on the swing while his two crawled and played happily on a rug (tails still in place at the insistence of little Willow) They were in clear sight under a tree nearer the garden. But as Xander’s arms embraced his partner, Xander noted it wasn’t the children Spike was looking at.

Eddie was wandering about, thick garden gloves and a pair of cutters in hand, cutting flowers to bring inside. The little blue demon looked like an advertisement for the ‘good life’. He had a tattered old straw hat on, loose checked red shirt that clashed with his skin color partnered with a pair of old faded and frayed jeans. But it was actually the wide flower basket that had Spike transfixed.

“Never thought I’d say this Spike… but ‘penny for your thoughts’?”

The wistful reply gave Xander an inkling of the issue. “Me ol’ mum used to do that… pick flowers for inside… Our place in Surrey… until she got too sick… Used to go out with the basket then spend all afternoon arranging them… never realized how much I missed roses until now… Oh Pet… She would have loved the children… spoiled them rotten… but [sigh]…”

Xander pulled his contemplative mate flush against him, then scraped his fangs across his Sire’s neck, “Well… maybe we could pretend to make some more… hmmm?”

Some hour or so later two rather satisfied vampires joined Jon and Sam to begin the tasks of the day. Jon smirked as he clearly recognized the smell of their coupling.

Xander’s carpentry work had increased over the months (periscopes notwithstanding!). Tables, high chairs, feature items all back on the agenda… The difference was their method of sale, Ebay or ‘commissioned only’ were the standard. As the worry regarding the Initiative increased, the direct sale increased, Ebay had to be abandoned.

Encouraged by Nicholas, whose own business gradually changed over to the ‘Xander label’ for all their office needs, many others in the town found themselves with wonderful feature tables in their waiting rooms, beautiful board room settings, or functional works of art in their own homes.

Like Kathleen, Nick acted as the agent, kept records and paid the tax. The difference being that the agency fees were business standard (ie less) and the money was all electronically transferred to a trust for the children attached to the Aurelian accounts in Switzerland. Xander reassured Eddie and Jon that it was for *all* the children, not just those identified in the USA.

As always the Swiss had been unwelcoming of any outside dictates for their territory and the Initiative had never been successful at ‘sweeping’ the land there. The banks of the tiny country were legendary for maintain secrecy as it pertained to their clients. Spike was Master William on the account, and his Childer, Jon and Xander were both of the Aurelian line and had automatic access according to its specifications. The bank they dealt with in Geneva had swift methods for identifying family and legitimacy when it came to vampires. The elder Aurelian added Eddie and Sam’s name to the signatories, in case the vampires were dusted. If Angel was still alive by some miracle then he would also have access.


In amongst their digging ventures, Jon and Spike had focused on stockpiling food and supplies in various places. Burying them in the dead of night miles from their home and fanning out so no matter what direction they had to run in, there would be something for their ragtag bunch to live on, at least for a few days. Jon also tended their new livestock. His love of animals tested by the prospect that they might have to run and leave their stock to fend for themselves… He lovingly vaccinated, tended wounds, birthed and impregnated.

Spike marveled at his adoptive Childe’s veterinary skills and the connection with his charges, particularly as Jon regularly collected blood from the bigger members of their various herds. Somehow the cows, sheep and goats… seemed to understand why and apparently willingly gave as he never had to restrain them in any way. Jon never took too much and never from a pregnant female. The animals without exception, stood very quietly as he siphoned off the precious liquid from a surface vein. He never failed to lick the hole closed with his own saliva and thank the animal sincerely before feeding them extra grain and offering water.

Eddie and Robbie’s work in the garden became more frantic as Sam’s visions increased in intensity. They bottled, pickled, dried and froze what they could, and sold the rest. As ever, the market garden was extraordinary under Eddie’s deft hand. The money made was spent on improving the lot.

In the early hours of the morning two days after Willow’s cryptic “Dawn” message, Xander lay with his partner still embedded in him… both ‘coming down’. Spike felt the angst through the link…

“Can’t have been that bad, Pet? Seem to recall you moaning and… kind of still ‘here’ at your request.” Spike gave a little prod with the still semi hard member, but the problem was not one that might be comforted via that method.

Xander sighed then pulled off with a slight ‘plop’, and turned to his Mate, his Sire, “It’s not you honey… It was… Oh god, all of it! And thank you… wonderful.” To emphasize his point Xander kissed his partner soundly. “But… um…. I was just thinking… If this all goes bad… and I know this is going to sound dumb, but if it does.. and we have to run… for a while… How are we going to bath the kids?… You know… and daipers?… not the friend of undercover agents or people in hiding! And what about food and water and…”

“You think Jon and I haven’t planned for that?!... Well maybe not if we have to run for months … but for days? If we don’t use ‘em, in fifty years or so there’s gonna be a whole lot of farmers finding a tree or two that have a stash of nappies and preserved food underneath… not to mention the caves… Oh c’mon Pet... Witch still hasn’t explained ‘er bloody message!” Spike knew that at this point talk really was irrelevant so simply pulled his partner into a tight hug, burying his Childe’s game face into his chest and inviting a comfort bite.

The trouble was Jon, Sam and he had had just such a conversation not two nights previously. If they had to run for a long time, the children would truly be in jeopardy. How ready could they really be?

The family was having dinner. Officially it was pizza, though the toppings really did belie anything that resembled a store bought version. It was winter so the basil was dried, the tomatoes were bottled (their own of course courtesy of Eddie’s garden and Spike’s cooking), the garlic and onions were from the hanging bunches in the shed (Robbie) and anything else was a bonus. Xander commenting that you simply couldn’t order a pizza with eggs or roast potato slices on top where he came from. His comment completely lost as his little son squealed with delight and apparently yelled “Yumm”, bouncing and slapping the table, causing a round of hilarity at the young fellow’s enthusiasm – and apparent first word.

Eddie and Jon’s children were neat eaters and enjoying their pieces, in fact all were on their second little slice before the adults had even had a taste. They were all sitting proudly on the new ‘booster chairs’ Unca Xan made for them. The chairs were almost like adult bar stools but had back and arm rests to keep the occupier safe. Each little person had their own brightly colored plastic plate with matching cup, filled with home made lemon cordial, and were trying *so* hard to be good because the adults all seemed to be worried about something, and their demon noses could smell tears. All the big people seemed very sad of late. The adults did notice the children making an effort… and somehow it made the angst escalate.

The littlest cousins were rather oblivious to the situation, and sitting in their high chairs were enjoying mashed pizza topping fed with a spoon, while enthusiastically squishing a small triangles of the pizza base and occasionally bringing it to their mouth to have a ‘taste’ or offering it to ‘Da’ as he fed them.

The adults had just finished eating when a loud ping from the computer indicating an Email stopped them all in their tracks. Robbie stood and did the honors. It was Oz’s address, though it was quickly apparent that it was Willow sending the message.

“Wolfman says Hi. Playing groupie to that gig at the mo. Danny Boy can’t stay away from the north west. Healer coming with…soon. DB has lowdown on the Key status. Tell the whole family when you’re ready. Harsh and her choice…. we’ll all grieve. Hi to fab five BTW… ::hugs:: W.”

Again within minutes of the message, there was a flash in the lounge room behind them. A rather dazed Mikaela and Daniel had arrived.

Three little people scrambled down from their chairs. Willow had been the first to discover, two days ago, that if she screwed around with her back to the table, she could slide down the chair leg onto the floor under the table and ‘escape’. The others had simply followed her lead. Daniel watched the three little people catapulting toward him and a combination of dizziness from the ‘travel’ and joy at seeing Eddie’s lovely three caused him to fall to his knees and accept the enthusiastic greeting.

Mikaela simply steadied herself then moved into the kitchen to hug Sam and greet the rest of the family. Xander’s two were quiet, unsure of what was going on, but eventually appealed, had faces wiped, bibs removed, and were lifted from their chairs into the safety of their fathers’ arms, then allowed onto the floor to crawl toward their cousins and the ‘excitement’.

Greetings over, the children were busy on the floor of the lounge room surrounded by building blocks and various toys.

For the first time Xander really became aware of his vampire status as Daniel reacted to his touch then dived back to hug his old friend even tighter… “Goddess… Xan you feel utterly… magical! Wonderful… And… I’ve missed you all … every day! But we do need to talk…”

“How urgent?”

“Soon.”

“Can we put the kids to bed first… you know … an hour? Is there time?”

“Oh sure!”

They sat, drank tea and chatted idly and played with the children for a while. The little ones all gradually displayed tell tale signs of tiredness. Bottles were issued, beds entered and stories read. Daniel grinned as Robbie was commandeered by three little blue charges to read the Mr Brown book *again*! (“Mr Brown can Moo can you?” by Dr Seuss… apparently he was an expert moo-er).

The large man emerged some time later with the book tucked under his arm and a broad smile firmly in place. He grabbed Eddie’s hand as he passed by the lounge to retake his seat. He leant down and kissed the top of the pretty blue head. “They’re good kids Ed… really good kids.”

Xander stayed to talk to Daniel while Spike put their two to sleep. With all the daily crawling and trying to keep up with cousins, it was a quicker process than book reading, though that too was becoming part of the ritual.

All the adults were now present and the neighbors had also just arrived, at the behest of Sam (concerned that they too were kept informed). Daniel began, “The Key is the one who might save us all.”

Spike baulked at the suggestion and grief permeated the link. His Childe felt it. Dawn had been the little sister lost. Dawn represented hope and family… and grief in its rawest form. He could not save her… he couldn’t get to her… because he too was a captive… the anguish was real. Spike had watched the girl he had pledged to keep safe all those years ago, being dragged away screaming to him, but he was unable to move, unable to help… the anguish was bright and real and ever-present.


Daniel knew the angst this caused the people who had known Dawn, so continued with an explanation. It was years on from the original watershed and Dawn had floated around Willow, eventually being able to converse after a fashion, pulsing in various rhythms and relaying her thoughts in the way a ball of energy might. To placate Spike’s concern Daniel was careful to add that her distress at learning of the suffering of her friends was extreme, though when told of their family by Willow, her joy was obvious.

Now when all was at stake, she offered her energy. She had channeled her message to Willow via a young acolyte who spoke the words she was no longer able to express. She would communicate with Gaia to destroy all the Initiative facilities, by weather or earth movement, and use her own energy to boost the wards on demon strongholds for three months or so after, wherever they were still attacked directly. The political tide was turning, all they needed was time and the Initiative would be destroyed.

Spike stood in protest, “*NO*!! It will destroy her!” Xander felt the utter distress through the link and saw a crimson tear track down his mate’s cheek… “You can’t… she can’t… we can’t lose her! Please Danny…”

The tall wiccan moved forward in time to catch the vampire on the way down. Spike’s face was buried in the broad chest as Daniel he held him and continued quietly, almost speaking into Spike’s hair. “She is already gone Will, she’s gone. This is her last hoorah, her final curtain, and it’s her choice… She wants this… for you. She still loves you, all of you. And she will honor the coven and her own heritage… but there is no way to bring her back, Will. This will release her from this dimension. It is an act of love and an act of relief for her! Three months or so and she will be free of this realm.”

A teary Xander stepped up and accepted his partner, pushing his Sire’s mouth to his own throat as they sat. Spike fed quietly for a time, but it was Xander who asked the question, “Will there be pain for her?”

“I don’t believe so Xander, though it is difficult to tell. In her current state I don’t think she is beholden to physical feelings…”

It was Xander’s turn to shed a tear, but he managed to grind out, “What do we need to do?”

“You remember last time? Be ready to take shelter. Gaia is gathering her strength. Innocents will die. Don’t let it be yours.” Daniel looked pointedly at the bedroom as Sam arched in pain and slid to the floor with another onslaught of visions.

They now knew that they had but days for final preparations. The trouble was to determine... for what. The children all slept on.

Part Thirty

Daniel and Mikaela had examined the whole family, simply reviewing their general health and well being. The reasoning was in case they did have to escape. Residual illnesses could cause very real problems and the wiccans were here to help. Both witches were impressed with the children and the robustness of their parents. All three vampires were required to show their real face in order to have their true senses tested and fangs examined.

Daniel still gasped as Xander changed. The young vampire bit his wrist while Daniel was not looking and leaned forward in full game face, begging the large witch to, “Please drink, the truth is in our blood.” Daniel felt oddly compelled to comply and it truly was magical. Love and acceptance and gratitude flowed easily with a single mouthful. The wiccan was stunned at the power of the message. Xander simply grinned, licked the wound, and stood to attend his children, but only after kissing the gentle witch’s forehead and whispering, “See?! I have a family thanks to you. Thanks to you…” He left Daniel teary eyed to be embraced by the lovely Mikaela..

The only medical worries were Robbie who had a dreadful case of athlete’s foot, and Sam whose visions were becoming ever more problematic. Mikaela was giving Robbie relief for the first time in years, while Daniel was tending to Samuel after the last round of visions when the call to ‘come home’ came. They quickly decided to take Sam with them as they had previously. Missy pushed herself against her aging master. There was no question, she would go too.

This time as they prepared to leave, Sam was semi comatose, but all the little people still came to kiss Grampa Sam farewell and hug his loyal canine before they went on their ‘holiday’. The farewell with the adults was less easy, tearful hugs were distributed as neither visitors nor residents were sure of seeing each other again. Farewells were said as if meeting again was not a possibility and tears flowed liberally, and the children were… very quiet. Elsbeth reached out from Spike insisting on one last hug from Grampa Sam.

She clung to their lovely benefactor until Xander was forced to pry the little girl from their lovely surrogate uncle/father, Elsbeth’s wails of despair at being removed from the familiar arms expressed the fear and loss they all felt for a very different reason. She continued to reach desperately for Grampa Sam crying “Maam” as he disappeared with Daniel, Mikaela and Missy in a flash of light.

Her distress was so extreme that without thought Xander sliced his own wrist and let his tiny daughter enjoy a new liquid in her diet. She latched on and fell quiet. Elsbeth settled quickly afterwards but the adults had no such luxury and Eddie’s three sobbed again quietly as they were taken to bed.

There was no question of sleeping alone as Jon and Eddie disappeared with their crew early. Spike looked at the distressed Robbie and simply took his hand as Xander carried their two up to their suite.

“’S why we bought a king size mate… No one should be alone tonight.”

Robbie looked shocked, “I can’t sleep in your family bed!”

“Course you can… but if it’s all too much, and given Xan’s record for kicking off the blankets…” It was said loud enough for Xander to hear as he ascended the stairs. Spike knew he could get a rise and lighten the mood … it worked.

Xander paused for a moment on the landing and interjected, “Hey Mr Steals-the-covers! I’d love to have a chance to sleep without a draft aft by midnight!”

Spike grinned at Robbie, noticed his confusion and dropped all pretence, “Listen mate, it’s fine.. we’ve got a trundle bed up there if you’re inclined… just don’t want ya ta feel you’ve gotta sleep solo is all.”

Robbie looked truly grateful, squeezed the hand he still held and simply answered, “That would be nice… Thanks.” then followed Spike up the stairs.

The food stashes, friendly contacts through the coven and supply lines were attended to with a sense of urgency the following day. Spike, John and Robbie all worked on enlarging their cave so there would room for all of them. The imperative was not without cause.

On the second day after the wiccans returned to the coven, word came the attacks would occur in the next three days. Advice was to find safe haven, aware of the unknown nature of Gaia’s wrath and the consequences of Dawn’s intervention nor was there really any indication of how long it was to be for. The family was unsure of how to treat the warning. Their area of the world was susceptible to the instability of the volcanic nature of the North West region. If they were underground when an earthquake occurred, the chances of being buried alive were high. The decision was made to move to the cave in the next two days. They let their neighbors know.

Time was spent packing to leave on the following day. It was taking far too long.

Jesse was inconsolable, the children had been told they were going for a few days and could only take *one* favorite toy and their own ‘bunny rug’, but it was evident that she couldn’t decide. She threw a full blown temper fit, before sitting on the floor amongst all her favorite things sobbing. It wasn’t a normal temper tantrum… they all knew that. The tension in the house had been high for days.

Each of Eddie and Jon’s brood had a purpose made tiny backpack (courtesy of an ancient Singer sewing machine) specifically designed only to take their favorite things and one change of clothes and a toothbrush.

Already on the verge of tears with sleepless nights and worry, Eddie was eventually rescued by the lovely Robbie, who sat down calmly with all three young Parsalas demons and explained that they “had to be responsible and carry their own things” and that it was “only while we’re all on holidays”, so their other toys would be here for after. Eddie listened to the speech, before turning and burying himself in Jon’s embrace. They left the room so the little blue demon could have some ‘down time’. Jon couldn’t help but sympathize, he too was exhausted and fearing the worst. It should have all been over… and now everything was unknown… again!

Eventually Robbie had convinced Jesse to choose just two tiny toys. She determinedly stuffed them into her little bag, the tiny realistic sleeping tiger cub who “purred like Da” when squeezed, and a soft little dog that she had named ‘Missy’ (the color was right, the ‘pedigree’ questionable) were the privileged two.

The other two children had opted for bigger, single, soft animals. Robbie busied himself rolling each person’s little ‘bunny rug’ up tight and pushed it into their bags, making some extra room for a change of clothes, toothbrushes, some underwear, and a tiny bag of sweets each that he had ‘smuggled in’. He took particular care to have the faces of their treasured toys poking out of each little backpack, “So they can see where we’ve been when we’re walking.”

Robbie had also promised the children that he would carry two special books for night time stories and they could decided which. He grinned as the three solemnly handed him their choices then supervised in his own packing with great seriousness and attempted to assist. The children had, at least at some level, inherited their parents’ sense of helping others, and Little Willow generously offered to carry his “toofbrushes”, while Sam sat on the floor and rolled Robbie’s relatively enormous boxer shorts ready for packing. Robbie had no doubt that they knew, at least at an intuitive level, what was going on.


Eddie worked so hard in the garden on their last day that he fell asleep at the dinner table. Jon looked apologetically at the other adults then carried his lovely partner to their bed and snuggled in alongside. The vampire woke at around midnight to sobbing and words of “Sorry… Oh I am so so…”

“Talk to me my love…”

“Oh Jon…” Eddie buried his face against his beautiful partner’s throat and cried like a small child. Jon simply held on tight.

As the blue demon calmed so Jon loosened his hold and ventured a query, “Can I help?”

It brought on another flood of tears, leaving Jon at quite a loss. “Have I done something? Please Ed… you know I’m no good at guessing… just tell me…”

“I… Oh Gahh… [hic] .. I wan…nted our last nigh…ght to b be spe…cial an..nd [huge breath] I sl..eeping… and…[hic] I’ve-ruined-everything-and-if-it’s-the-end-then…. Oh Jon!!! Love you… Jus…st …”

“Ya old duffer! C’mon…” Jon lifted the pretty blue face and kissed him soundly. “Wouldn’t matter if it was ten minutes or five hours now would it! Let’s just make a lovely memory right now… are you up to it?”

Eddie melted into his partners arms and they consummated their love one more time in the familial bed. Neither dared guess if they would be back soon, or ever.

Xander lay between Spike’s legs as he leaned against the head board of their bed. The children were beside them and Robbie on the trundle bed, snoring a little. They were listening to their favorite music being played quietly as they looked through photo albums before burying them in a large plastic bag at the top corner of the top paddock (along with personal papers referring to anything to do with the extended family) for fear the Initiative might ‘sweep’ the house. The memory sticks from Sam’s old digital camera’s held the images anyway. If they could not come back, at least they would have that.

They had word around midnight. The raids were due to start in two days’ time in Oregon. They had already begun in other areas. Gaia was true to her word and the earth had begun to get angry. Tornadoes wiped out two facilities in Oklahoma and Georgia, while earthquakes had knocked out the three Californian facilities one in Turkey and one in Pakistan. There were reports of bad weather on the way and remembering the previous freeze they all agreed to leave the next evening. They had still to hear from Willow regards Dawn and just how the ‘protection’ was to work.

Xander rose a couple of hours later having not really slept, and began frantically cleaning everything. Spike saw to the children before packing food parcels to carry as much as he could to their cave home before the sun came up, and worried about their food and water supplies.

He was wondering about the wisdom of them running given the weather/earthquake when the D’Azpura’s all arrived on their doorstep… By foot. They had been sent an urgent message by a member of the resistance near the local coven headquarters. It killed all doubt It had been one pm when they got the news, two of the local witches had been taken for questioning that evening, and it seemed these were not the usual Oregon troops, but specialty Initiative operatives that had come up from the southern states to ‘help out’ their seemingly ineffectual northern colleagues. The sweeps were targeting all the previously suspected individuals and properties in the state, no exceptions.

Their four lovely neighbors took more supplies with them but departed immediately through the tunnels, heading for the cave hideout.

Spike burned three CD’s of computer data, then reformatted the hard drive. Similarly all messages on the home phone were checked, by and large they were blank or wishing Sam a ‘Happy holiday’ which fitted with the story that he had simply taken the children away for a break in another state, they left them. The ‘last call’ out was to the internet provider, so no real problem.

They fed the animals, releasing those they could and leaving enough grain behind to sustain them all for a time at least. They also left the barn open to the home paddock, hoping that at least the larger animals would find their way inside in a storm. The chickens and ducks were left in their free range pen. At least they were safe from foxes or other smaller predators that way.

By six, the children were all snuggly dress and being fed for the last time before everything was packed away, the house neat and tidy as though left naturally. By seven there was a cheery note on the door regarding ‘Sam’s’ woodwork, and the fact that he was on holiday for a month inviting any visitors to please call again. By seven thirty they were in the tunnel. And by midnight the Initiative had come to pay another visit.

The progress had been slow through the tunnels as little people and a larger amount of extras were carted through with them, but it did not matter. At least this way they would be well away from the house before anyone would see footfalls. If they had dogs there might be more of a problem.

Eddie and Spike were the smallest of the adults so carried the twins in a front sling custom made, though Eddie only had to bend a few times. The other children were stoic about their escape but an hour later, only half way up the steep hill Sam II whimpered a little as his foot slipped on a rock. Xander realized that despite the moonlight, the children would still be having a struggle seeing their path so simply picked up the youngster and slung him onto the top of his own pack. Sam held on tight to his Uncle’s ears, eventually sitting a little straighter and opting for a hair grip (Xander now appreciating the niceties of a bridle as the little fists tugged at his long locks). Jon consequently picked up Willow, and Robbie took Jess in similar fashion.

Once the family was settled the three vampires and Robbie pushed several larger rocks in to place at the entrance of the cave.

There were four main chambers – albeit small but sufficient. The rear three would be used for sleeping and the rather larger one housing the ‘family’ area (complete with shower curtain and camp toilet at the rear. The two resident tunnelers had busied themselves making a very deep hole just a little way from the entrance (now covered with a log) which would act as their waste disposal.

The children settled quickly, the bedding had been laid down some week or two previously. The exhausting walk, a warm drink, and the familiar smells of their favorite blankets and toys all helped. And for the older two girls wrapped in the warmth of their sleeping bags, it was having their parents there this time that made all the difference.

They heard the soldiers arrive, this time by helicopter and soon after a standard troop carrier. The smashing of a window left no doubt as to their intent were anyone to be found inside.

The three vampires strained to hear what was said.

“Sir, no one is present Sir.”

“Then you know what to do Lieutenant! Evidence, these idiots around here reckon this guy is clean?! F@#$ing Governor is an idiot that’s fairly clear… one sweep in three years … pffft ridiculous! Guy living here has a file two inches thick! ‘Never charged’ *BS* Probably paid some poor bastard to do his records… Find everything… anything! We’ll get this guy when he comes back … but let’s make the case water tight.” The crunch of heavy boots in their driveway confirmed movement and crash from inside the house made Eddie flinch a little.

Spike fell into game face when he heard it.

They all waited tense and quiet. There were dogs. Fifteen minutes later more crunching of boots.

“Right what have we got Lieutenant?”

“Ahhh Still very little Sir. The computer is clean and messages are all legit. Last dialed number was the Net but the history has been cleared. Old man was probably just looking up porn and figured he’d better..”

“That’s enough speculation soldier! Papers? Photographs?”

“Couple with his two kids sir. Medical records show in and out of hospitals ‘til the last year or so. Seems he took in the kids from some girl from England who got herself knocked up out here on holidays.”

“All well and good, but give me some evidence.”

“That’s the thing Sir there is none! The dogs have found other scents around but they could have been from neighbors or friends!”

“This ‘man’ has been investigated three times that I know of… the whole children thing is very odd. Send the dogs on a sweep of the property, we’ll find his little secret.”

Two bloodhounds and two Alsatians were set free to sniff through the house. They were then set out to mark out increasing circles until finally one of the bloodhounds took off up the hill.

“Sir! I think we have something, Sir!” The families cowered to the back of the three caves as far as they could from the entrance. Despite the rocks in the way they knew the dogs would find them now they were this close.

Xander and Spike held hands and Spike did something he had never done before, he called for Dawn through the magical link. Chanting in Latin, he called for her and kept calling. Xander and Jon both picked up on the words, as did the others.

They were trapped, there was no harm in trying.

They could hear the dogs approaching and the handlers’ heavy breathing and various complaints as the men followed their charges up the hill…

Xander watched in horror as a sharp nose pressed through the tiny opening at the base of one of the entrance rocks. Frantic digging ensued, and moments later the rock began to be shifted aside.

They were sure they were doomed. The couples all held hands and Spike grabbed Robbie’s at the last moment. “Guess this’s it then, pet.”

The rock rolled aside at the same moment a blinding green flash enveloped the cave.

The flashlight scanned the cave, pointing straight at them, yet the soldier reported, “Nothing here Sir. Probably just chasing a fox. Sorry sir.”

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