Fourth part in the Five Gold Rings series:

Part 1     Part 2     Part 3    Part 5

Jumping the Gun

by
Rngrdead

Part Six

Travel to Rome was strangely easy, though Spike, apparently far too accustomed to traveling at the ‘pointy end’ of the plane had pouted adorably at the blushing check-in clerk, then thrown his platinum card across the counter to fund the move from row fifty two to row five.

As they settled into their seats he was still grumbling,“*Bloody typical!* Watchers still can’t even sort a decent ticket for their workers in the field! Who the hell would pay to travel without a personal drinks service and a reasonably sized pillow!”

Xander smirked at his partner… It seemed that the years of starving and Sunnydale were long forgotten. The ‘first class’ vampire was definitely in the building.

The human had placated his annoyed friend by snuggling under a shared blanket and whispering, “Don’t mind if you purr” He had continued to stroke his partner’s inner thigh while warning, “No more growling at the passengers or crew and I’ll fix this as soon as the movie starts.” He ran a nail over the material straining with Spike’s very obvious interest in the ministrations.

True to his word, Xander had distracted his partner during takeoff. Spike bit his tongue hard enough to draw blood as shared erotic images and physical sensation collided and the result was caught in the warm face towel provided when they first sat down. As always, the crew seemed to gravitate toward the ‘friends’ in row five, so much so that a very jovial inter isle card game between both patrons and bemused staff was packing up as the seat belt sign went on.

Spike gave his fellow players a genteel ‘peck’ on the hand and his partner a very public, very passionate kiss on the lips. They both grinned as they noted the almost jealous looks from flight attendants Charlotte and Cosmina, and overheard the departing comments, “*All* the good ones are gay! But gahhh weren’t they…”

They arrived at the small apartment following a taxi ride hosted by a driver who incessantly swore at fellow commuters in swift (apparently broken) Italian, wove in an out of four lanes of traffic, ran a red light, smoked three cigarettes in succession and sounded his horn at every opportunity. Xander grinned as his partner addressed the man in perfect Italian at the conclusion of their trip, commenting on his driving prowess (or lack thereof), then paid without tipping and allowed his eyes to flash gold ensuring a swift departure and no argument.

The building manager was a rather portly middle aged woman who smiled sweetly at Xander then positively flirted with Spike. The vampire’s grasp of the local language and his willingness to kiss the woman on both cheeks and return her attentions with convincing ‘shy act’, guaranteed them a platter of fresh fruit, a bottle of her brother’s home brewed lambrusco wine, and an offer to organize a car and driver whenever they needed it during their stay, and an invitation to dinner!

Fearful of the apartment being under observation, Spike had requisitioned a ‘handicapped’ bathroom and donned his heat suit while still at the airport (amidst complaints of ‘lack of accessibility’ and the overly ‘snug fit’.) Xander had all but forgotten about the technology during their cab ride from hell, so was utterly unprepared when a very warm body pinned him to the wall of their new abode and whispered “Welcome to Rome, pet.”

“Gahh! Is there a heat control for you? ‘Cause gotta say, feeling *very* hot under the collar here!” Xander grinned and welcomed Spike’s open mouthed kiss and whole body contact.

Spike pulled away for a moment, “New experience for you? Thought all newly weds had to feel this.” He grinned and winked then slammed the front door of the apartment hard enough that it failed to catch, “C’mon luv live a little – how’s about I up our temperature a mark or two, figure you might like your boy hot and sweaty?!” Spike’s left hand had found its way to Xander’s very obvious erection while he forwent more dialogue in preference to plundering the hot mouth.

“Bloody lovely this, do you know how hot I feel at the moment… Can hardly think straight I’m so hot…”

“Shhhh what if someone hears us?”

“Let ‘em, feelin’ so…” Spike nibbled Xander’s ear and proceeded to unzip and unbutton his partner’s clothes, stripping him to his boxers within seconds.

Xander’s remaining brain cells dealing with rational thought, managed to register the still ajar door and the idea that a bed might be more comfortable. He pushed his lover back for a moment, shoved the door closed with his foot and maneuvered them both into the bedroom. Spike shed his outer layers as they moved to fall in a smiling heap onto the bed. What Xander did not expect was the strange sensation of having a body he knew so well clad in warmed lycra, and proceeded to silently thank the suit’s designer for the strategically placed ‘access points’ as the two began to make love in earnest.


In fourth floor of the ancient building opposite:

“Two occupants. Male, sir. One English, one American we surmise by the accents.”

“Records? You have obtained their check in details?”

“One A. Harris, building project manager, Sacramento. One W. Aurelius, investor, Boston. Both flew in from the UK last night. Here for ten days.”

“Connections in Italy?”

“None known at this stage, Sir.”

“Travel plans?”

“Villa in Tuscany booked for the weekend, landlady is assisting with a driver, other than that no firm plans known Sir.”

“Contacts.”

“No calls made and none mentioned Sir. It seems they are here on some type of ‘honeymoon’ Sir.”

The older man all but growled, “Heat scan?”

“Normal, Sir, at least normal enough.”

“Explain!”

“Well Sir..” The young soldier blushed profusely then continued, “They seem to be currently engaged in carnal relations, Sir. The heat scan is difficult to…”

“Yes fine, soldier. Carry on” The Lieutenant turned and stalked toward the door grumbling, “What is it about faggots and Rome!”

“Excuse me, Sir?”

The commander turned momentarily, “Nothing Chambers, carry on.”

“Sir?”

“We can’t move unless we are *sure* they are of interest to the group. We do know a slayer and her non human companion frequented here, but we must assume that was to do with the group we already have in custody. Can’t imagine our ‘lover boys’ are anything more than just that.”

“Your orders Sir?”

“Just keep the scanners on, forty-eight hours. If you don’t get anything unusual, we’ll have to assume it’s another ‘pink pair’, all Lamborghinis, leather and lattes!” He scowled and stalked off mumbling unhappily about Mardi Gras madness, gays in the military and the desire to engage in ‘real’ espionage rather than ‘watching pansy’s screw’.


………..

A drip fell from the end of Xander’s nose, landing neatly on the middle of his blonde partner’s forehead. He had never really considered just how advantageous it was to engage in sex with a ‘cooler’ friend. Finally rolling off his warm bed buddy and spooning the figure to join him in slumber, his last thought prior to snoozing was one of slight concern over moisture and the dangers of electric blankets. Spike had no such qualms, he simply snuggled into the feel of his lover’s body and enjoyed a warmth that came from every direction.

Their encounter had begun with the usual rush of enthusiasm, fueled, as it had been since their mating, by imagery and emotions flowing from one to the other. This time however, as Xander heated up, Spike’s suit seemed to respond in kind, giving its wearer and his lover, the most extraordinary addition to their lovemaking.

Xander had bitten gently down the clad torso, carefully unzipped the groin and just before engulfing his partner’s already solid erection, exclaimed “My God Spike, you are *so* hot.” Then continued to pet and caress until his incessant tongue and mouth elicited the first of three climaxes for the night. Vampire stamina gave Spike the advantage, but it seemed that the warmth now surrounding his person had other effects. Xander had prepared himself then lowered onto his lover, beginning to rise and fall slowly, and brushing his own sex over the silky material now covering his lover. For Spike the effect had been electric – within seconds, the suit heated up, he heated up, and found himself positively ravaging his lover’s mouth, and driving his release.

Xander had grinned, commented on hot and horny youth then proceeded to take his partner face to face, kissing and nipping the writhing figure throughout until he had heated the blonde ‘from the inside’.

They both stirred some time after noon the next day, untangled limbs that had intertwined during sleep, and petted each other softly until words could be formed. The afternoon sun was well onto the other side of the building, so Xander stood, opened the curtains then traditional wooden shutters, and let the heat, the sounds and smells of old Rome enter.

An azure blue stare greeted him as he returned to the bed, “Hey sweetheart”

“Hmmm, mornin’ luv”

Xander rolled onto his back and stared at the ornate ceiling, putting the arm farthest from Spike under his head.

“Amazing.”

Spike shifted a little and smirked, leaning over to caress the bare torso of his lover, “Been called many things pet, but coming from you…”

“No, I meant the ceil… Grrrrrr” Restful thoughts abandoned, he launched himself at the vampire, tickling every available mark before lightening speed replaced giggles and squirming, and he found himself pinned out on the bed like some ancient sacrifice.

Spike was all but in game face and grinning when Xander felt unfettered fear flow through the link. The vampire leaned down as if to kiss him on the ear “Shhh pet… we’re definitely bein’ watched.” From the corner of his good eye, Xander caught what he thought to be the glint of a camera lens from a building across the narrow street.

Spike pulled up a little and grinned, though his partner saw the intent and the resolve in his eyes, “Shower now lover! C’mon… we’ve got a city to explore!”

Filling the small bathroom with steam before they entered the shower cubicle had allowed the vampire to strip the heat suit temporarily. Both silently blessed the technology, aware that without it, there would have been a fairly good chance that they would now be languishing in some sterile cell.

Once under the jet of scorching water, what appeared to be shower sex (or at least its precursor) to possible outsider observers was, instead, a whispered conversation of carefully chosen words and many more images flowing through their link.

“How’s this gonna work Spike?”

“Suggest we make love for the afternoon then head out for dinner and such tonight. And call ‘em out on the way home.”

“Wha..?”

“Gay couple on their first holiday pet, me a bloody rich blighter, an’ catches some bloke takin’ photos for profit… c’mon, be fun. Nothin’ Scoobie just plain put em off their game for a bit.”

“It’s too risky! God Spike! What if they… you know have vampire detectors or something.”

“It’s a military gig, pet… All gizmos and what’s its… They’ll be relyin’ on the technology.”

“But…”

“Willow gave me a cloaking spell, an’ you know her mojo of late… no one will guess I’m not a real boy.”

“But what about the mating thing?”

“Covers that too luv, though I have me doubts it will be needed. C’mon Xan… little payback… promise you can snog me in front of ‘em if we need to.”

Xander broke into a wicked smile “Or kiss one of them perhaps.”

“Perhaps? Oh I am shocked dear friend…. It’s a given!”

The shower did conclude with some fondling and definite ‘getting off’, but the excitement was more about the anticipated events of the evening than the need to relieve any tension.

…………….

“Sir? They’re in the shower now Sir…”

“Yes Sir. They have opened the shutters, I have clear visual to bedroom and living room, Sir”

“No Sir. It appears at this time they are… um… engaged in… yes Sir… The room is very steamy and confusing our equipment… Yes Sir, of course.”

“Twenty one hundred… yes Sir… I will be here Sir.”

Chambers was on his second back to back shift and was struggling to keep awake. Images of two beautiful men making love had seemed abhorrent in the past, but having to sit and watch these two for the last twelve plus hours… with all the hard lines and the tender… Gahhh! He was sure he was going mad… The thing he could not understand was the lieutenant’s attitude? These men weren’t dangerous, just… gay!

Part Seven

Chambers had abandoned the heat detecting equipment in favor of a high powered digital camera that would do any paparazzi proud. What he saw through the extended lens was two beautiful men enjoying a holiday, hardly the ‘non human hostiles’ their group was out to capture. He snorted loudly, at the same time registering the click of the door behind as his replacement came in. It was one thirty in the afternoon. He was back on surveillance at eleven tonight. Just enough time to eat, shower and sleep, before doing it all again.

“Bourke.” He welcomed his taller comrade without looking up.

“Chambers… So what have we got this time? Bunch of Australian twenty something’s trying to avoid homesickness by drinking themselves into a stupor? Or a couple of try-hard fourth generation Italians from New York throwing their greenbacks around and trying to ‘find their roots’?”

“Neither. We seriously need to widen our sweep, but you didn’t hear that from me of course! Check this out…”

“Of course.”

Chambers pulled away from the camera and indicated to his colleague to use the view finder.

The blonde squatted down and took in the vista below. Seeing a virtually clear apartment he mumbled, “This is *pointless*!...”. He then paused to observe two men with low slung towels emerge from a steaming bathroom. The taller of the two snaked a hand around his partner’s waist and pulled the blonde into a passionate kiss. “Ohhh!! Geez, are you serious?? Why are we spending our time watching fags f#@k?!.... What’s the boss…?.... Man!... Actually that blonde… far out! Have you see his…” The soldier blushed, and shot an embarrassed look to his partner-in-arms.

“Yeah I did… figure he must work out pretty hard. But you know those guys, into perfection, that sort of thing... Bigger guy not too bad either..” Chambers wiggled a suggestive eyebrow at his smirking friend, but then became serious, “Seems to have lost an eye at some point – and I mean totally. American, wouldn’t be surprised if he’s seen some action – looks like an old injury – could be the Gulf? I’m just guessing but seems he lost it ‘in combat’ and is now into building and project management, according to what info we have. Probably with CIA given the lack of info. Dates and age matches though, so makes sense if he was ex-undercover engineer.” His friend grunted his agreement but kept his eye firmly on the view finder.

“Who’s his young friend?”

“Rich kid, daddy’s money probably. Boston. Typical! Seems he’s pretty much the ‘recluse’, and now we know why. Wouldn’t think the Murdoch media would leave that one alone if he were ‘out ‘n about’! Batchelor of the year not really into breeding? Make a great story… all warm receptacle, money under the table and a very large syringe!”

Both men sniggered a little, still focused on their ‘targets’. Chambers looked across at his erstwhile companion, noting for the first time the younger soldier’s finely honed physique, *and*, despite the derisive words, his obvious arousal at what he was watching. He grinned at the thought that there might just be someone else ‘jacking off’ in the shower after watching the ‘queer eye’ couple for a full shift!


Xander and Spike were now fully aware of their observers. Spike’s acute hearing even picked up the ultrasonic whine of the camera recharging on occasion. Risking a short ‘nude session’ rather than replacing the heat suit proved an excellent decision. Spike bound his partner with a broad leather strap and a whispered “If you’re *really* good, I’m sure I can track down some ‘Boston beads’, oh RA o’ mine.”

The heightened arousal and resultant heat from Xander was more than enough for full body contact to transfer adequate heat should anyone be taking readings. Spike’s apparent licking and determined hickey ‘away from camera’, allowing warm blood to flow unobserved from consort to vampire, causing Xander to moan, and the instant Spike opened the cock ring, both partner’s to release.

Their observer attempted to adjust his *very* tight uniform for a third time in ten minutes, the simple touch causing him to come in his clothes for the first time since high school. He was just thankful that Chambers had left for the day.

Spike eventually retreated to the bathroom once more, donned the suit that had Xander deliberately binding himself again in an effort to deal with the new sensation of his warmed partner. Though the reason was actually twofold, clad in the sharkskin-like suit, Spike’s form was arguably more stunning than when he was nude. Xander mused that the body definitely spelt athlete but that “vampire” probably was not a country on the international circuit, and certainly would not have passed the Olympic drugs testing (on account of the whole ‘not able to provide a sample’ thing obviously!).

The warm suit seemed to have its own affect on the wearer… and the link made it no easier for the wearer to control arousal… Xander grinned knowingly, and enjoyed the rather blissful look on his partner’s face as the suit hugged and heated the lithe, and now very obviously aroused, figure.

Pulling his lover down onto the rather small lounge, he pinned Spike under him and proceeded to rub his silk boxer clad erection against his partner’s rather obvious interest, “Gahh… You are *so* beautiful… you know that!”

“Yeah – eye of the beholder an’ all that… We goin’ out?” Spike grinned, enjoyed the warmth and matched the delicious pressure from his partner’s erection with a push upward.

Despite their ‘mutual interest’ Xander registered his lover’s awareness of their observers – and was more than a little concerned that that they might be taken in regardless of heat readings. “Later….. God Sp..Will The curtains are open!”

“So…. Let the observers be informed!... Good lord pet, in a city that, in ancient times, treated women as breeders, and male partners as completion… enjoy… You obviously being the … completion part o’course!”

Spike wiggled an eyebrow and felt the suit respond to the heat of his lover…


Their observer lost his shot but found his own completion, spilling into his uniform a second time as his two subjects found their ‘tipping point’ and groaned their pleasure into the heat of the afternoon.

....................



Justin Chambers was wandering from the bathroom of the small apartment the ‘New’ Initiative had requisitioned. He’d slept, ate, his teeth were now cleaned, towel secured, and hair combed back, somewhat dry, when the work mobile rang.

“Bourke?...Yeah well our orders are to stay put. What do you think they were?... C’mon man… it sounds like they’re just going clubbing doesn’t it? I mean… Look I’ll be there in 10. Sounds like a quiet night for once… Yeah… Can’t have everything. Catch you soon.”

..................

They were on their way out. Xander was happy to stand back and watch his charismatic partner woo the landlady, and her ‘nephew’, their driver for the evening.
Spike had dressed him. Soft leather pants that matched his hair, a collarless off white shirt and honey brown cotton jumper that he was told to tie around his neck *not* wear. Spike seemed to have gone all out for the ‘rich boy’ look, skin tight designer jeans, up market black boots and an elegant deep blue button down shirt concealing his lycra suit. They had agreed the suit had to stay on… though more for their return to the apartment than any immediate need in the mass of writhing bodies they expected at the club.

As Xander climbed into the luxury new Mercedes, he began to seriously ponder again, just how ‘low’ Spike had gone after his Initiative experience. In his current incarnation it was obvious that the Master Vampire had been part of the ‘elite’ of his race for over a century, and used to moving in high society in the human world as a matter of course. It brought home the cruelty of the chip and conjured images of torture that must have driven his elegant, well educated and highly intelligent partner to seek help from a bunch of modern day teenagers, put up with being locked into baths and basements, and accept ‘charity’ blood from Kiss the Librarian’ cups. Each time he probed Spike’s memories through the link it shut down. He feared for what they might find if captured once again.

Banishing negative thoughts, Xander watched as his vampire made Yanos, the twenty something driver, feel particularly special. Spike had chatted easily in Italian as they drove around the darkened streets of Rome – Spike dropping hints as to how many times he had been there, and commenting on the appalling state of the old city due to ‘all the new development’. Yanos had promised them a wonderful night according to Spike, and true to his word, delivered them to an upmarket café within sight of the amply lit Coliseum. Xander looked on with amusement as Spike downed his extra strong short black coffee from what looked like an egg cup, then ate an enormous piece of honey cake utterly oozing with the sweet liquid. A dribble of golden syrup escaped the corner of Spike’s and Xander’s hand whipped forward before he could think, catching the errant drip on his forefinger and feeding it back to his partner. Spike held the digit in his mouth, swallowed quickly then all but made love to the finger, laving and sucking until Xander was so hard he was almost certain that a part of him was about to raise their tiny table inadvertently. Spike noted the desire, grinned wickedly and pulled off his mouth with a ceremonial plop.

“You are *so* going to pay for that!”

“Countin’ on it pet.” Xander felt his non-sucked hand grabbed and pulled toward his partner’s crotch, then thanked the gods of Rome for the dark evening and their secluded spot in the café as his hand was pushed over a hard object that mirrored his own. Just as Xander decided they might have time to take it to the men’s room, Yanos beeped the horn from the other side of the street causing Spike to stand, throw money onto the table and direct his flustered lover back to the car.

A half hour later, Yanos delivered them to a classy gay nightclub in the north of the old city. Xander smirked as his blonde companion handed the boy the equivalent three days’ wages in Euro to guarantee there would be a car there when they came out, then smiled openly as Spike completed the deal by leaning in to the driver, grasp the back of the now obviously besotted youth’s head, and kissed him on both cheeks in fine Italian tradition.

The queue for the nightclub was lengthy but Spike, true to form, walked to the front, whispered something in the *female* door person’s ear and led Xander through the door to the incensed cries of other patrons who had been waiting their turn.

As they pushed through the sea of bodies toward a packed bar, Spike pushed his mouth to Xander’s ear and all but yelled, “Pays to know the owner, pet. Introduce you later,” then nodded toward a balcony area. Xander simply shrugged and shook his head in disbelief. Of *course* Spike would know the owner… ‘as you do’!

The club was noisy, sweaty and utterly arousing. Beautiful male forms surrounded them, Xander guessing that the crowd averaged late twenties early thirties… he and his beautiful ‘boyfriend’ certainly did not look out of place. Two drinks and several gloriously arousing dances later, Xander was ready to throw his partner against the nearest wall and engage in what seemed to be the national sport… tongue hockey. Spike had other ideas, grabbing his partner by the wrist and literally dragging him up to the mezzanine floor overlooking the frantic clubbers.

It was marginally quieter which was a relief, and Xander’s good eye appreciated the lack of spinning colored spotlights and strobes. He was, however amazed to be drawn into what appeared like a bohemian ‘den’ of the fifties. Chrome fixtures, plush red rug and black leather couches dominated.

Spike nodded to an immaculately dressed man who, Xander estimated, was in his mid forties and surrounded by a full entourage of a dozen or so highly attractive twenty-somethings.

“Stefano.”

“William! I heard you were in town! It must be what? Fifty years. Of course I am not counting that few days here courtesy of Wolfram ‘e Hart! Crazy business with that head, always the same with Di Capa. Too much panic… but then they’ve always loved a drama.” The slightly graying, slim man chortled heartily and stood to kiss Spike. “But my friend, you didn’t even call?! Ahhh well… I heard about Angelus. You have my deepest sympathies, I know you were his favourite…” A genuine look of pain and understanding passed between the two and Xander felt a jolt of hurt through the link.

“But here you are… and with a *consort* no less! Congratulations!” Stefano held out his hand to Xander in a gesture not unlike a church elder. Xander, after a furtive look at his partner to confirm his approval, took the hint and kissed the back of the hand. It was cool and felt slightly scaly for some odd reason, though Xander could see no evidence of the same when he looked at the gent.

Spike smiled at the club owner enigmatically as Xander withdrew, at the same time taking his consort’s hand and squeezed it approvingly.

After the encounter, Xander concluded that Stefano was not human, or at very least, not a *normal* human… but then, he mused, neither was he anymore.

“You always did like the boys, hadn’t picked you for one to take an older lover though… would have offered my services had I known.” A lascivious grin gave the club owner’s face the lines that defined his age and underlined his point. Spike smiled innocently.

“Guess I found experience and endurance wins in the end, mate. Don’t see your boys complainin’.”

“So… The Aurelians don’t travel without good reason… You came here for business or pleasure?” The question was delivered pleasantly enough, but Xander noted the coldly calculating look now leveled at his partner.

Xander admired Spike’s suddenly unreadable ‘poker face’, and knew in that moment that the exchange was not as jovial in the least. “Little of both,” Spike broke the tension a little by reaching into his pocket finding his cigarettes, lighting one with a quick click of a gold Zippo and blowing the first flume over the heads of his audience. “Needed to show my consort here the pleasures of Stefano’s Rome and takin’ ‘im to the country in a couple of days. Business side involves the Initiative… ”

Stephano sobered and turned a cold eye on the pair. “So you are bringing your problems here Spike?”

The vampire leant back and held up his hands in supplication. “Oi! Not mine, nor me consort’s hassles… Strictly favor for a friend that we’re involved. This is already here on your doorstep mate. And don’t start with the innocent, you have the intel. Yeah?”

Some of Stefano’s group shifted uncomfortably and Spike smirked a little, perhaps for once he was better informed. “Got the Immortal and his Slayer squeeze spooked ‘n all. Anyways figure my boy here and I are gonna lead them a merry chase for a short while then scarper. Meanwhile,” Spike leaned forward and growled conspiratorially, “let’s you and I keep all our people safe, yeah? Old times?”

Stefano seemed to brighten at the last statement, pulling back and grinning, “Indeed friend… Old times!” Stefano stood as did Spike. The meeting was obviously over though Xander was still a little confused as to what had been decided.

“Should you succeed we are deeply in your debt William, Master of Aurelius and consort Alexander. You have our support while in this city.” With that Stefano kissed Spike on both cheeks, nodded at his consort and departed through an almost invisible black door in the wall, his entire entourage at heel.

Spike stubbed out his half smoked cigarette on a hand rail, looking, for just a moment, very tired. “C’mon pet, let’s get home.”

Part Eight

Xander grinned as they approached the car. Yanos had obviously been using most of his time waiting with the Mercedes to chat up passing girls. Several young ladies leaned against the car, all clad in skirts so short and tight, that their choices of underwear were plain to see, even to a human without depth perception! They were giggling and flirting shamelessly with the pretty Yanos, though the driver excused himself immediately he spotted his two passengers returning.

Spike smirked as he climbed into the rear of the car and mumbled good naturedly to the boy in Italian, “Thought you backed Achilles’ team mate, what’s with the female fanclub?”

“I think they liked the car. And it’s fun to look around.”

“Well next time I reckon you toss a bit of raw polish on the paintwork before they arrive mate. That brunette in red would have done a right nice job on the shine with all the rubbin’ her rear end was doing on the hood.”

Xander didn’t follow the conversation exactly, but the gist was clear and smiled as Yanos blushed a little then laughed heartily.

Spike directed the car down a maze of narrow cobbled streets to an obscure address. As they pulled up, he squeezed Xander’s hand and whispered “Just gettin’ some top up juice pet. Traditional family supplier – one of Stefano’s mob – be two ticks. So there’ll be no snoggin’ the lovely driver while I’m gone.” Spike wiggled his eyebrow and gave his companion a light peck on the cheek, then disappeared into the ancient building via a dark alcove.

Xander was still trying to think of enough Italian vocabulary that he might strike up at least a polite conversation with Yanos, when the lad looked into the rear view mirror and said in near perfect English, “William told me that you have not been to Rome before? It is a pity you have so small time. There is much to see, and very good shopping.”

Xander was almost speechless, he had assumed Spike had been speaking the local tongue for the boy’s sake – it was now apparent that the vampire had simply done it… because he could! He gave himself a mental slap and decided that Spike would never really cease to surprise him. He quickly gathered his wits and answered politely, “Will is right, though it was always somewhere that I wanted to see. It would be great if you could recommend one or two men’s shops.” Seeing a flash of puzzlement in the boy’s face, he quickly added”… for clothes, I mean… and shoes.” then blushed profusely.

Yanos smiled at Xander via the mirror, a little too knowingly in the opinion of his embarrassed passenger, but continued, “Of course, I will write some down for you before tomorrow evening. You are having dinner with us all, yes?”

Xander had almost forgotten Senora Di Angelo’s hospitable offer. “Oh… Sure, sure.”

He was just about to think of another topic of conversation when he was startled by the door opening as a grinning Spike piled into the back of the car – a large brown package tied with string in traditional market style, tucked under one arm.

“All good, luv. Bloody marvelous service! Place hasn’t changed a jot in least a hundred years. Just goes to show, why mess with perfection.”

Xander suddenly remembering stories of Spike’s other visits to this city, and pondered, yet again, the concept that his lover no doubt had personal knowledge of any changes in the last century and a half!

Spike, ‘the bouncy’, was apparently in the building, leaning forward to turn up the dance music Yanos had in the CD player, and announcing loudly in an upper crust English accent, “Home, my good fellow, and don’t spare the horses.” Then added almost conspiratorially “Drop us a couple of blocks away though would you, pet? Me and my lover here would like to stroll the last bit. Oh, and tell you what, if you can drop the package off at home for us, here’s a little extra for your trouble.” He winked at the surprised boy and added, “Treat that special friend o’ yours to a night out on us after we’re gone, yeah?” Xander didn’t see how much his vampire handed to the lad, but the wide eyed disbelief and near whispered ‘yes, yes’, then repeated ‘thank you’s’, gave some clue. Xander suspected that the boy would be willing to drive Spike anywhere on the planet, were he to ask!

Spike then leaned over to Xander and whispered, “This all goes belly up with the army boys, we may well need him. ‘E’s a good lad.” Xander squeezed his friend’s hand. They both knew why they would be walking, though what security the Initiative had around their ‘observation post’ was a complete unknown.

Spike adjusted the heat suit then feigned fatigue and placed his head on Xander’s lap, allowing his consort to drape a wrist across his mouth and with the appearance of a caress, fed Spike. Fangs descended, and though the Master Vampire held his ridges at bay, there was little need. Xander was sitting directly behind the driver so they were at hardly any risk of being seen.

Fortified, warmed, and (with a little of Spike’s blood offered in the ‘other direction’) consort-link heightened, the two alighted at the requested two streets from ‘home’. They thanked their driver again, then took a side alley at the rear of the ‘observation building’ to seek some sort of access in, and the third floor.


Xander had been a little concerned that accompanying his physically gifted vampire might require some sort of athletic climbing of ancient guttering, or leaping of roof tops. Instead they simply walked into a rear entry archway to find the building’s central stairwell. It suddenly dawned on Xander that they were ‘visiting’ their spy in the role of a put upon same sex couple, and also realized that they were not one hundred percent sure that this was the Initiative or just some pervert with a telescopic lens.

He followed his blonde up three flights of ancient worn stone stairs, admiring the view, courtesy of Spike’s tight jeans. They arrived at the third floor landing, to face a choice of four doors. Spike shrugged to his partner and selected one that was most likely to lead to the apartment on the front right of the building.

Xander whispered, “What now?” Spike simply grinned and knocked loudly. “Geez Spike, it’s close to three am!” He grabbed his partner by the hand as the door opened.


Chambers was jolted out of his dazed state by a loud banging on the apartment entry door. He had been sitting in semidarkness for most of the evening, it was apparent that his targets were out for the evening as he suspected, the heat equipment would report any bodies returning to their apartment even if his lover boys left the lights off. He had amused himself for the first couple of hours by cleaning his side arm, checking all the monitors and wiping them of dust, and eventually using his camera and night goggles to check out other good folks of Rome who had left curtains open.

Out of habit, he swung the heat monitor to view the door and detecting two warm forms relaxed a little. By the loudness of the knocking, he suspected it was a couple of drunk tourists returning from a night on the town, mistaking his door for their own, it had already happened twice since their team had been here. There was probably no need for concern so he simply straightened up the observation area a little and moved to answer to door.

He opened the door a fraction, then all the way in apparent shock as he realized the identity of the two men in the hallway. Xander suppressed a grin as Spike began to address the open mouthed individual politely in Italian. When the response was a surprised “Hello?”, he switched to his upper-crust English accent.

“I’ll try that again in English for you shall I. Good evening, I’m William and this is my partner Alexander. ” Spike stopped made a point of looking past the man to the array of equipment by the window. “I take it you’ve ‘seen us’ before as we seem to be in the right place. Well done, pet.” Spike making a point of kissing the hand he was holding.

Chambers was utterly speechless, managing only to let out an “Umm geez” whilst rubbing his now very pale face with one hand and trying to think of what to do.

“I shan’t apologize for the lateness of the hour, we simply thought that… how can I put this delicately… we might save you the trouble of ‘waiting up’ as we will be leaving the lights *off* tonight during our lovemaking, so I am afraid you would be wasting your time if you want high quality shots… ” Spike had been smiling pleasantly to that point but switched to menacingly serious, “Alex here and myself are deeply distressed at the thought that you have been using clandestine means to take compromising photographs for *whatever* purpose! We had hoped you were merely some sort of peeping Tom, however your equipment would indicate otherwise. I take it you are selling them? Planning on some form of blackmail? We will of course be contacting the authorities immediately, and I can assure you that they do not take kindly to visitors to their city being harassed in such a manner.”

The young operative realized that being discovered by this pair was one thing, but wondered at the implications of having the authorities involved. They had a cover story but never really had to use it before.

“Look um… um… can you just um… come in and maybe I can explain. You see I’m a, um, private investigator, and um… the pictures won’t be…” Chambers fell silent, realizing that nothing he said now would make it any better.

“We are not really interested in your explanations at this point. Though I’m sure we will both be fascinated to learn who exactly engaged you. Now, if you will excuse us we will wait downstairs for the police to arrive.” With that Spike gave the man an icy stare, pulled out his cell phone, his intent clear then tugged Xander down the stairs. When they reached street level again, Spike did indeed call, but it was Stefano not the police on the other end. The conversation was brief but Xander realized why they needed the help of a local powerbroker.

“Yes… They will need to be here in the next hour, sooner if you can. They just have to pick the kid up and ruffle the feathers a bit…….. Should be fine…… Let ‘em use their little cover story with the *real* authorities, it’ll tie them up for a day or so, figure they’ll shift their little hidey hole after this…… No, don’t let your demons near these guys…… Yep, reckon one or two of your pets can keep track of them on the street……. They’ll be more careful after this but I’m sure you’ll manage. Yeah mate, still have to find HQ, keep you posted as promised…….. Yeah mate good times…… and hey thanks for tonight…. Cheers” Spike snapped the cover of the phone closed and grinned at his consort.

“So what now?”

“We wait for the local bobbies then you an’ I go upstairs so’s I can give you a good seein’ to…. It s'posedly bein’ our holiday ‘n all.” Spike licked his bottom lip ever so slowly and stepped a little closer to his partner. Xander hoped the police arrive sooner rather than later.


Chambers closed the door with a groan. He knew it would be unclear when, or on whose shift their ‘subjects’ had noticed they were being observed, however it was still going to mean a lot of procedural questions. He sighed, pulled out his own phone and dialed his superior to explain the situation. He then briskly tidied away any signs of military style involvement and sat down to wait. Forty minutes later a bored looking officer arrived to collect him for questioning.

Part Nine

Senora Di Angelo ‘e familia’ were wonderful company, admittedly Spike seemed to eat less than others in the room, but Senora was reassured by her nephew that William was overly sensitive about his appearance. By the end of the evening Senora’s ‘dear English friend’ William was utterly forgiven for his inability to consume the ‘usual amount’, as he adeptly discussed Italian history, music, art and various issues in the local tongue. Xander sat back and admired his spectacular partner and made up for his partner’s lack of consumption by taking two helpings of the wonderful cannelloni and large lashings of roast lamb.

Yanos had been sitting beside his ‘best friend’ Constantine, grinning broadly at his two new friends. He stood to refill Xander’s glass with home made wine, then toasted their two visitors. This was followed by William delighting their lovely hostess with effusive compliments in fluent Italian, commenting on her wonderful cooking and (not undeservedly), acknowledging her devotion to family. Finishing by raising a toast in her honor, “We are Niente senza gioia. Senora!” ("Nothing without joy, madam.")

Senora Di Angelo smiled broadly as Xander stood with his partner and clinked glasses. The lady then handed her young nephew a tray of coffee, fruit, Ouzo and small glasses, indicating the roof to be their destination for the remainder of the evening.

Several hours later, the four men and a couple of young female cousins were on the rooftop balcony, drinking ouzo and picking at the plate of grapes provided by their hostess.

Xander and Yanos watched as the girls flirted shamelessly with Spike. Xander knew his partner’s charms, but also his preference, so sat back to enjoy the entertainment. Yanos simply leaned against his ‘favourite boy’, Con, whispered conspiratorially, and elicited a knowing grin from his own blonde.

At a break in music on the CD player Con perked up the courage, and in *extremely* fine English (Xander noted with a measure of shame at his struggle with the man’s native tongue), addressed their dark haired guest, “When did you know?” Con nodded at Spike and smiled.

“About?”

“Your love for that beautiful man”

Seeing the glint of lust in his inquisitor’s eye, Xander smiled. Spike was his.

“I guess I always did.” A knowing look was exchanged between Yanos and Con.

“Where did you meet?”

“On a battle field… over ten years ago. We hated each other – at least that’s what I thought… He saved my life, he saved my right eye.” The last statement was almost a whisper. The two young men stared at Spike.

“The Gulf? Afghanistan? What war? He must have been a teenager?”

Xander realized the difficulty when truth included immortal status and swiftly deflected the questions answering to his own set, “He was a hero, he sacrificed *so* much… has lost *so* much. His S…father died in battle, his mother of illness years before.”

“Yet he is so gifted with language and the love of life….?” Con was now looking on the blonde with a sense of awe, admiration, and pity.

“William has always been..” Xander did not finish the sentence before Yanos spoke in low tones.

“He was close to his father?”

At this point the consort almost slipped… but caught himself with an appropriate pause then answered, “I think at the end yes. But he and his mother were extremely connected.”

Yanos nodded and with tear-filled eyes, “As I was with mine. Were it not for Aunt Angelica…”

Con shot an apologetic look to their American companion then comforted his partner. Too much ouzo, and emotion had taken its toll.

Yanos sat up abruptly, deciding to celebrate rather than mourning to be the better option, “So let us have music!”

A guitar was produced by Yanos at some point, then Con picked up a second, and in the warmth of a Roman evening, soft traditional love songs began to ring out. Spike has his head in the lap of a girl who, Xander’s rather unnecessarily jealous eye noted, was at least ten *times* his junior. She and her friend were braiding his blonde locks into a number of long plaits that gave the vampire (if Xander’s arousal was any measure) the alluring appearance of a warrior of old… highlighting the cheeks, emphasizing the…

Eventually Xander could stand it no longer. He stood, excused their good company, wishing them well in stilted Italian and slightly less halting English, then dragged his errant lover down to their apartment.

Confident that there would be no Initiative observers on hand that night, he began to strip his cool partner of all clothing and threw the willing figure onto the bed. Spike stilled his hands at the ‘warm suit’. The vampire leaned forward and whispered, “Just different pet… let me have this… feels… um… *love* that I make you sweat!”

Leaning over the vampire like some enormous predator, he petted and fondled the braided locks then growled, “By the way…I brought some toys”.

Spike stared at his consort with a mixture of amazement and mirth, “You risked our very entry into a catholic country by…”

Xander was grinning, fur-lined leather cuffs and cock-ring suddenly appearing and swinging from his middle finger as he crept up the bed to ‘secure’ his incredulous, yet now rather yellow-eyed, heated, and aroused lover.

Locking his lovely partner willingly to the bed, he caressed the clad torso then made full body contact. He missed the sensation of skin on skin but could not help but delight in his partner’s expressions and the heat on heat addition to rising arousal. He deliberately took his time fastening the cuffs while letting their nether regions rub together. The suit was *so* warm. Xander could not help himself… he rubbed and caressed cheek then nose, then his whole torso up the full length of his lover, pressing his utterly full arousal into the already interested groin of the person he now knew as well as his own body.

“God… how did we *ever* do without this…?” The human grinned for a moment, trying to equate the experience with his first ‘cool’ encounter. Spike had a hundred and forty years or so of ‘cool’ so to be heated… and with no other reason right now than it was ‘something new’ in their repertoire … wonderful!

“What does this feel like in there?” Xander nipped his way down the clad torso… hard enough for teeth to grab skin but not to tear the suit.

Spike managed to whisper, “Tingles… it’s so warm it tingles… Oh Gahhh Xan… ‘s like lying being in a bed with an electric blanket and a friend and covers but all at the same… Ohhhh ffffahhh!”

Straining against the cuffs a little as he arched into the dull nibbles, the vampire managed to grind out, “Gahhh! Xan! You have no… bloody hell…” As Xander’s tongue pushed through the material to tease his belly button, he pressed up even harder and managed to contact his tormentor’s chest with his still covered and warming erection, “No f#@%ing idea! Please… Please Xan!! Need to feel you.”

The consort continued to tease and nip. The wet patch and hard proof of Spike’s need eventually led Xander to take pity and unzip the ‘courtesy gap’ on the heat suit. Spike, who was already at risk of over heating and was panting like an athlete mid 2012 New York Marathon, simply sighed…“Oh thank *God*”, and spread his legs in a sacrificial pose, groaning in anticipation of some relief.

Watching his lover so hot, wanton and begging, Xander smiled knowingly, at the same time deciding to apply the torture instrument he had become so used to donning after meeting his undead lover in Boston… Just as Spike closed his eyes in anticipation of completion, a leather cock ring was fastened and its captive stroked lovingly.

“You bastard…. Oh God Xan!.... You can’t be serious! I can’t… it’s so hot and….”

Xander leaned forward grinned wickedly then licked around the rim of his restrained friend’s ear whilst rubbing his own arousal against the his partner’s engorged and encircled one. As Spike groaned in frustration and contemplated snapping the headboard or the cuffs, or both, Xander began to speak, slow, rough, arousal-filled tones “Shall I take you? Shall I take you to the edge of ecstasy and see what’s beyond it?… Or perhaps simply do this all night….” He ground his erection down one side of Spike’s then lifted to feather touch it up the other, “or should I leave you *so* hard and hot that all you can do is contemplate what might be?” He lifted off completely and licked along the lower lip of his panting partner, eliciting a heartfelt moan “No Xan Please! *No* Please!”

Xander simply grinned and continued the previous motion until his own needs outweighed the quiet keening and begging of the vampire. He grabbed one of the larger pillows from their bed and shoved it under his partner’s hips, used ample lube on himself and drove in with one powerful stroke.

Spike cursed and blessed his partner in brisk succession… There was no pain, simply relief then frustration as his prostate was contacted once twice, three times in succession. Each time Xander drove forward, he pressed down enough to contact the restrained member and kissed his partner, penetrating the mouth as briefly and deeply as he penetrated in other ways.

Spike was openly panting, corded muscles in his arms straining so as not to break symbolic bonds but the desire to come was close to overwhelming. Xander, realizing the near distress of his lover, shifted a little, flicked off the restraint, held his wrist to Spike’s mouth and whispered “Come with me,” at the same time biting the juncture between neck and shoulder hard enough to draw blood then came.

Spike almost threw his lover from the bed at the bite and feel of Xander filling him with heated seed, but instead followed his partner over the brink, biting down as he came and taking a little of his consort’s blood.

Xander collapsed on top of his warm lover blood, sweat, spendings and tears literally combining.

Some half hour or so later he slid off the now sticky suit of his lover, undid the cuffs and pushed them both a little until he could spoon the lithe figure and return to slumber.


Xander answered a call the following morning from the local police. Their formal report regarding their 'Peeping Tom' being that it was a simple case of mistaken identity, and assuring them that they would receive a formal letter of apology and that the agency would destroy all collected ‘footage’. Xander doubted the latter but felt encouraged that at least they had some respite and the Initiative might have dropped their trail.

Shortly after midday, both partners awoke to the sound of frantic pounding on the door. Xander finally relented, wrapped himself in a black satin robe and opened the door to the limit of the security chain.

“What the….? Buffy?!!”

Part Ten

“Oh my God….. Xander???!! Oh My God!!”

The sleepy rather rumpled brunette found himself with an armful of overjoyed slayer.

“Giles was so secretive on the phone… just said I had to come and pick up two, and that it had to be today, and I’m supposed to be all sneaky-gal and move you and…. Who came with you? God Xan why you? Did Wills come? Don’t tell me they sent Andrew!…. And anyways where have you…?” She stopped mid sentence and released the rather bemused ex-Scoobie. Stepping back for a moment to take in the handsome thirty something who, but for the scarred space where his left eye had been, looking a picture perfect of manhood. She let go of all but his hand and dropped her gaze looking at the floor, then toed the carpet in embarrassment.

She looked smaller than he remembered, definitely slimmer, but the years since the hellmouth collapsing had obviously agreed with her.

“Sorry… Just that,” Her gaze lifted again to her friend-of-old’s face, “It’s been ten years… And I never…” She held the thought, smiled and changed topic “So come on… reminisce later…Who came with you?”

The color drained from Xander’s face as he realized just how much Buffy had been kept in the dark by the new council. They were doing it for her own protection, he knew that, but…

She noted his mood of sadness and confusion, and Spike received a jolt of panic through their link. “Oh Buffy… Where do I sta…” But Buffy’s gaze had shifted to the figure emerging from the bedroom.

A disheveled looking male with braided hair, apparently wearing a lycra suit and hastily thrown on shirt two sizes too big, was standing just too far into the shadows to see clearly.

“Who is it pet?”

Buffy recognized the voice, felt the blood rush to her feet as her world fell away and she retreated to darkness. Xander caught her on the way down.

It was some minutes before consciousness returned, and then it was to hear two men discussing her well being. Disoriented and surrounded by some… fuzzy comforter. Slayer instinct took an upper hand and she fought her way out, flipping to full fighting stance behind the couch that she had been so gently laid upon. And then she saw…

Xander was hugging his companion tight, his back to Buffy, but obviously in a protective position. The companion was a face she knew in her haunted dreams. Spike was wide eyed with terror, regret and a thousand other emotions he might ignore or analyze later. He simply smiled and nodded at her over Xander’s shoulder, “Slayer.”

Buffy fainted again.

Spike pushed away from his partner as Xander flew to catch the falling body once more.

“Oh bloody hell! What’s wrong with the bint! That bloody Immortal no doubt got ‘er all swoonin’ and silly!”

“No Spike! It’s you!” Xander shot his partner a look that was both worried and incredulous. “She thought you were dead after the First… and even if she *did* find out you were back… You said yourself, after the final battle with W&H it was…”

The shock on Spike’s face and distress shooting through the link had Xander dropping the unconscious slayer back onto the couch and embracing his lover tightly. Spike’s voice emerged as a hitched whisper… “She thought I was dead. I asked them not to… She thinks I was gone. Even if not… Oh *God*…. She won’t know about Angel… I killed him Xan… I killed him! How can I tell her that…. I had to kill him.” Blood streaked tears streamed down the vampire’s face and made small rivulets as he buried his face into his lover’s chest, mourning once again for his beloved Sire.

Buffy stirred, blinking hard as she watched her former friend and an apparently dusted vampire kneeling only inches away, comforting, petting and… kissing??! *Oh God…. I really have gone mad! But they are so… beautiful together… and why is… gay? And … alive … and????* The slayer retreated to semi-voluntary oblivion once more.

“We’ll do this together honey. Come on!... Hold onto me yeah… just hold on… here!” Xander thrust a wrist, still healing from the previous night’s passion, into the mouth of his distressed lover and was surprised by a reciprocal action.

“Bite too luv… please… need to feel you… bite!”

Neither drew more than a mouthful, yet the effect was electric. The renewed bond afforded strength to face the emotions of what was to come.

Buffy came to, sat up and took in the scene before her. Spike all but sitting in Xander’s lap. Both males intertwined enough to confirm that this was no ordinary ‘friendship’.

Saying the first thing that came to mind, Buffy coughed then squeaked, “Xan? Since when have you been gay?!!”

Xander turned to answer his friend. “Oh god! Buff… um yeah and with the lifestyle change and um …. Geez! Um….. Well there you are?!…. and…um..”

Xander took on the stunned demeanor of the fourteen year old caught ‘discovering’ himself by some family member at Christmas. There was more to it however…. He carried a sense of guilt based on the fact that had cut himself off from his Sunnydale life and friends deliberately post the first… He was saved from a full blown brood when his beautiful partner broke from his grasp and all but prostrated himself at Buffy’s feet.

On his knees in front of her, Spike grasped one of her tiny hands in both his and pulled it to his forehead, rocking and whispering apologies and penance that he were never truly his to offer. Xander understood the reasons, so scooted behind his distraught lover, embracing the slim form lightly so as to let him have the moment, but not suffer it alone.

Buffy stared at Xander in distressed confusion, then whispered, ‘Crazy basement Spike again?”

Xander shook his head and squeezed his partner tighter as Spike began to rock. Buffy felt her held hand becoming damp, and gradually picked up the quiet, near keened words.

“He’s dead Buffy. I’m sorry… Angel’s dead…. Sire….Should have been me. Should have been me. But he couldn’t and then I… He begged me… Ohhh… Sire… Buffy, I’m so sorry… He always loved you… I’m sorry.”

Buffy lifted Spike’s hands to her lips and kissed him. After a deep breath and with tears slowly tracking down her own cheeks, she kept hold of the hands and gently kissed the top of the blonde’s bowed head and whispered, “Shhhh…. It was a long time ago. So long ago. Giles told me he died in the final battle with some senior law firm – apocalypse thingy. But I already thought that you…” Her voice hitched a little, “I had lost you too… And now… God Spike?!… Xan?!”

Buffy’s voice became a little stronger as she forced Spike to look at her, Xander simply hugged his support and gave a wry smile. He was no longer sure who it was she spoke to. “You have no idea! Look at you!? You are so beautiful and… well the togethery thing obviously needs some explaining but…” Buffy dived from the couch, catching her two newly found friends unawares, so much so that the hug flattened them, and resulted in more of a pile of bodies on the floor than an embrace.

Buffy eventually swung around and sat up, slapping Spike and Xander both hard on their nearest arm as they righted themselves, then giving her best school girl pout exclaiming “So come on… confession time… and hang on…” She touched Spike once more and with an expression of complete wonderment and exclaimed, “You’re warm! Are you…? God, Spike… What? Did you….?”

Spike pulled away, sniffed a little to regain his composure then answered rather resignedly, “No love, just a heat suit. Nifty bit of 007 watcher technology is all. Fools your army stalker types though and is bloody brilliant when you’re….” Xander gasped and clapped his hand over his errant lover’s mouth. Once he decided Spike understood, he peeled off the hand only to be rewarded by the finish of the dreaded statement, “shaggin’ the consort.”

Xander groaned and stared at the apartment ceiling apparently to gain strength.

For the first time since Buffy arrived she laughed openly, “Oh far out … You two! You’re just… Just… Far out! But…. Umm, and this is *so* wrong…. You look great together! Are you happy?”


“For the first time in my life Buff, I really can say that I am … current kind of outy weirdness, and Scooby reunions notwithstanding of course!”

Spike lifted an eyebrow in his classic incredulous expression then pulled himself and his lover up to standing, and reached down to help their visitor to her feet.

“Right well…enough of this Slayer… Seems sundown is few hours away, and Me an’ Xan are goin’ out for dinner… Senora does a lovely coffee in the mean time. Should I ring down?” Spike moved to the phone but stopped when Buffy’s hand stopped him.

The vampire looked a little concerned but followed up with “Look there’s some Lambrusco or Grolsch in the fridge, but us boys need a shower before we go adventurin’ “

Buffy’s hand was still firm on his wrist. “We have to go tonight.”

“And that would be because?”

“Riley is the senior officer in Europe. You said these guys have pictures..”

Xander pushed Spike behind him and away from the Slayer in a protective gesture, “But Buff, they’ve backed off!”

Spike placed a quiet hand on his partner’s arm, “All the more reason to move today pet. The boys in green will be doin’ their own Q&A session an’ it won’t take them long if Captain Cardboard of Sunnydale is on the case. Our little Peepin’ Tom’s were cannon fodder… we both knew that… Let’s thank our good land lady and get the hell out of the building.”

“What about?”

“No need luv. Stefano is a given – *and* I’ll make it worth his while to make sure Yanos, Con et al are looked after… “

Buffy looked slightly puzzled, Xander simply grinned. Sometimes ‘extraordinary wealth’ and ‘old money’ had their advantages.

Without hesitation Xander headed for the bedroom, threw a suitcase on the apparent nest of covers, threw open the turtle-shell encrusted antique wardrobe, and began packing to leave.

Spike simply grinned at Buffy, shrugged then commented with more than a little mirth in his tone as he left to assist his partner, “He’s so bitchy in the mornings!”

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