Fourth part in the Five Gold Rings series:

Part 1     Part 2     Part 3    Part 5

Jumping the Gun

by
Rngrdead

Part Sixteen

The operation had been most successful, only two soldiers lay dead, one shot in the confusion by his comrade, the second fatality an unfortunate result of opening the demon pens. Of the others, five had collected serious enough wounds to require medical treatment and seven were still unconscious courtesy of tranquilizer darts or well placed hits to the head. Other than Petros who was now being tended to by Jaala, Anton and Stephano’s group had all escaped relatively uninjured and were standing in a small group as the captives were led or carried to the transport. The group of freed slayers huddled near the kitchen guarded by Anton’s man, also the wiccan’s loyal guard.

Willow emerged minutes later, having reestablished the power to the building and setting off a reformat instruction to all network hard drives in the building via the now hacked server. With their captives loaded ready to depart, Stephano and his three uninjured men systematically checked each room for any ‘stragglers’, disconnected computer hardware and disabled communications material. They photographed the weapons cache, and operations room, shredded medical files then systematically destroyed medical ‘samples’. The rest was left for Anton’s ‘clean up’ team now notified and due to arrive within the hour.

The rounded up the Initiative soldiers and three scientists, all cuffed and blindfolded, were ready to be loaded into a troop carrier that Kerryn had somehow ‘requisitioned’ from the motor pool at the rear of the building and was now backing up to the courtyard entrance. They would spend the night at Anton’s villa then be driven to Rome.

Before anyone moved, Spike emerged carried his beloved out of the building. Buffy’s breath hitched and the rest of the group remained silent as the glamoured redhead vampire, still in full game face, marched without acknowledging the group and passed by the truck now part way blocking the entrance of the villa. He was clasping the damaged body that they all knew to be Xander to his chest, Buffy turned pained eyes to Anton then Willow, the latter already shedding silent tears. She knew the Watchers’ Council had begun this for the pair, she had been a part of the discussion, the persuading and the decision. And Xander, the consort, the White Knight, and his partner Spike, were the ones who had paid most dearly of all their number in the whole debacle.

Settling Xander on the ground beside the car for a moment, Spike tried the door, noting with some relief, that it was open. He tugged a thin dark blue travel blanket from the rear window shelf. He quickly stripped and shredded the skimpy dress from his partner and flung the shoes into the bushes. Aided by his own tears and some of the of the torn material, he wiped the bizarre face paint away as best he could, then wrapped Xander gently in the fuzzy folds of the blanket. He lifted the now fully unconscious bundle to his chest once more and eased them both into the back seat to wait for the others to return.


Gregor had followed Spike to the courtyard carrying his bound charge, fireman style. He dropped the commander of the unit at Anton and Buffy’s feet. The Slayer recognized the man immediately though with the glamour in place her former lover showed no sign of knowing his captors. She said nothing, though Anton felt the anger and betrayal rolling from his partner in near tangible waves, and as Riley attempted to sit up, the Slayer shot him in the behind with a tranquillizer dart.

Stephano gave brisk instructions to his men, their prisoners would spend the night as guests in the Immortal’s ‘old cellar’ before being accompanied by back to Rome under formal arrest. The workings had already been set in place. This was a matter of organized foreign espionage on Italian soil. Stephano grinned back at Anton as he waved off the truck. As they had initially planned this operation, he had quietly pointed out to Anton that the authorities would take ‘quite some time’ to sort out such a mess. He now predicted that, even with no more evidence than his men were currently gathering, there would likely be four or five years of court proceedings, numerous high level inquiries, tricky extraditions and an unfavourable international focus on the Initiative’s operations… And… a number of unfortunate leaked documents and embarrassing revelations if that wasn’t enough to make a hanging basket of all the red tape. With Anton and Stephano’s combined network of influential press and government officials throughout Europe, it was unlikely they would even need Spike or the Council’s assistance – though undoubtedly any help was welcome.

Despite Stephano’s buoyant mood and confidence, he sobered for a moment, looked across at the frightened group of rescued slayers and added, “It will not shut them down forever.”

Anton smiled ruefully, “Indeed, but it will bring some relief to our communities for now.” He moved to shake his ally’s hand, “Thank you friend. This alliance will not be forgotten. You will always be welcome in my home.” He looked across at Stephano’s injured man and then back to the concern on Stephano’s face, “I guarantee, Petros will be tended to by my personal physician, and will return to you, fully restored to health.”

“What about him?” Stephano nodded at the still figure on the ground at Buffy’s feet.

Anton looked at Buffy, she answered coldly for all of them, “We’ll let Spike decide.”

……………………..


Vaguely aware of voices and movement, Xander came to, cradled against a strong chest with a familiar wrist dripping precious blood against his mouth. He felt and heard the strong, reassuring purr resonating through his chest. He was vaguely aware of giving a moan then felt the wonderful elixir flow over his tongue and down his throat, then gave in to the odd sensation of falling backwards into blackness.

The next time consciousness returned, Xander noted a soft warm chest against his cheek, the sound of a car engine and leather against his heels. He realized that someone was still holding tight and reveled for a moment in the scent of the protective arms, Spike… mate, but still couldn’t focus on any image that made sense so fell back into oblivion.

The third time Xander roused they were still moving. The vampire felt a jolt through their link and just as Spike feared, feelings of relief and joy were abruptly, and violently, interrupted by memories of heinous violation, the last few days pulled into sharp relief. It was too much for the link as painful emotions flowed. In desperation Spike fell into game face, attempted to open his wrist once more, almost choking with his own tears as his partner frantically pushed away from the loving embrace, the feelings of horror, defilement and self-loathing flowing freely from the distressed consort to distressed vampire.

Spike held him even tighter, “You don’t get to do that Luv. You’re mine… Don’t care! You’re mine!... C’mon pet Please?! Please!.... I’ll kill ‘em all every last one… Cmon Xan!…. Hush now, hush… it’s all gone, it’s done… you’re mine… they’re gone…. C’mon luv, you’re beautiful… and you’re here …..and you’re Mine!” As the struggles reduced and Xander latched onto the open wrist once more Spike kept talking, “There now. Decent bath and then I am claimin’ you again… Bugger it … cast of thousands if I ‘ave to….” Spike watched Xander drift back into oblivion.

Anton brushed away his own tear as he listened to the exchange then refocused on the road ahead. *There but for the love … goes *my* partner…* He sent a silent prayer to the deities that had kept his beloved safe this night.

…………………………………..

Spike carried Xander from the car to their room, pausing only to fix his host with an unreadable stare and grind out a few words as he was about to ascend the stairs, “I want time with his captors later.” then disappeared from view.

Anton had smelt it too as the vampire held his consort in the car. The blood, the distress, and… the… men. Back safe in the entrance hall of their elegant home, the Immortal held Buffy’s (now thankfully *un*glamoured) hand as Spike made the announcement. He lifted the fingers to his mouth and kissed trying to convey the seriousness of the matter as simply as he could. “He won’t kill them all, but this is *very* personal.”

Buffy’s eyes went wide as she realized the implied message and just what must have occurred, “Oh God… Xan!... No!! What about…” Her eyes flicked to the group of frightened girls spilling into the entrance hall.

“The slayers are untouched, your watcher… merely terrified…. They were valuable commodities. What they did to Xander seems to have been… motivated by a ‘different’ agenda.”

Buffy paled then looked over at Willow who, though now in the process of lifting the glamours, was also within earshot of the conversation. The witch’s eyes were bordering on black and Buffy suddenly understood the urge to flay someone. Leveling an icy stare at her partner, she hissed, “Let him at them!”

…………………………..

Spike felt the itching of his own skin as the glamour was removed and lowered his precious bundle onto the thick cotton covered goose down duvet. He left the blanket wrap, noting with distress that it was stained and damp with blood around his consort’s rear. As an afterthought he pulled off his duster, threw it over the slightly shivering though still unconscious body, then divested himself of his t-shirt, pushing it under the lower half of his charge to prevent any evidence of the abuse being unwittingly recorded on the bed-linen.

As the bath was run, Spike stripped himself of the heat suit and bit his wrist, letting drops of precious Master’s blood mix with the heated water, the healing salts… and his tears.

Xander woke again, he was warm, immersed in water and finally realized that it was a wrist that he was reflexively sucking on. Eye still closed, he felt a familiar hand gently caressing his person with a sponge of some sort and luxuriated, arching back against the strong body behind him. *At last… those bastards finally finished me off…. Heaven… knew heaven would smell like Spike… and taste.... and feel……*

He registered being lifted from the bath, wrapped, dried and carried, then finally felt himself placed under the soft covers that smelt… like home. Xander opened his good eye to meet a pair of desperately worried blue and allowed his conscious mind to accept it as reality. He gave a cry of relief before pulling Spike down for a somewhat awkward, but no less passionate, hug and kiss.

Spike had heard the shift in heart rate and was ready for another fight,so was caught by surprise as the kiss came. He pulled away slightly and found himself staring down, teary eyed as his consort who managed to rasp out a “Knew you’d come… Hey….” before reaching up to touch Spike’s tear dampened jawline and pulling him down again until their lips met.

Eventually Xander broke the contact, Spike continued to stroke the still damp hair, then smoothed his consort’s eyebrows unnecessarily and ran a finger across the empty socket in the process.

“Never again pet…. *No one touches you again*.”

Spike then proceeded to lick every inch of his consort’s front, pausing only to smear blood on scratches and cuts, then gently turned the beloved man onto his front. This would be the most difficult. He moved over the body, covering it with his, whispered into Xander’s left ear, “Gonna claim you again pet… get rid of their filth… you’re mine…. *mine*”

He rolled his consort slightly to one side and bit into the far too pale neck at the place of his previous mark. After two pulls of the precious red liquid, he licked until the wound closed then eased his boy back to his relaxed position with face in the soft covers.

Licking and caressing down the back, Spike noted every bruise, scrape and lesion. He avoided the blackened and bruised entrance and continued his ministrations all the way to Xander’s toes. Even they seemed to have been scraped raw for some reason. Each additional abuse screamed to his demon for retribution. He buried the anger…. For now.

Finally moving back to the mounds he had so recently worshipped, he placed a kiss on either side then leaned up to whisper “Cleaning you of their filth pet … you are pure and beautiful and mine…. And now you’re clean…. You are so beautiful pet… You’re mine and beautiful and….” Spike broke off to place kisses down his consort’s, still healing, bruised back.

Xander felt the tenderness and the love, not just through the link but physically, yet as his buttocks were gently parted and Spike paused, he still flinched.

Spike began to purr and petted his traumatized friend. This would not fix everything that had passed, but it might begin the healing…. He began to lave each buttock with slow deliberate strokes, each one in turn. Gradually his tongue made its way to the cleft and finally the pucker.

Xander was keening quietly but thankfully it seemed, from the pleasant sensation and not in distress.

Spike plunged in noting the residual blood, feeling the tattered muscles and tasting the foul nature of another man’s seed still present inside his consort. He licked and sucked and spat the vile fluid from his beautiful lover, coating the walls with his own healing saliva then, satisfied that he had cleared the impurities, bit hard on his middle finger and swiped his own blood through the damaged tunnel. His patient keened for a moment then groaned quietly in relief and began to breathe more slowly as he fell asleep.

Spike finally moved up, gently rolled his lover over once more, placed a chaste kiss on his forehead then carefully tucked the covers around him.

He had matters to attend to.

Part Seventeen

Spike appeared silently at the doorway of the smoking room where the rescue team were all gathered. Petros the only other one absent from the assault team, as his injuries had taken precedence over any victory celebrations. Spike noted that all in the room were back in original form and belatedly marked that Willow and Kerryn were most likely an ‘item’ (their hand holding and shared personal space giving their status away).

All eyes went to the silent, and very serious, vampire. Spike acknowledged the group with a nod then addressed the Immortal. “Need a moment in private, mate.”

Anton stood, excused himself from his guests with a quiet nod and moved gracefully past Spike, ushering him with a kind hand into the foyer of the villa and out of earshot of the group.

Spike was brief, “Boy’s been violated.”

Anton was briefer, “We suspected.”

“Need to address it.”

“Understood.”

“By who?” Spike looked skeptical.

“All present.”

Spike paused for a moment taking in the meaning of the carefully chosen words, “Still have a soul.”

“So did the guilty parties…”

“I’m still part demon.”

“Something your friends and all present appreciate. The guilty have no such excuse”

“Won’t touch the boys that watched.”

“They will be punished in other ways.”

“Good”

Spike stared intently and with hope after the exchange with his somewhat taciturn host, but understood the lack of dialogue… He simply added a heartfelt “Thank you…”

Anton replied by leaning forward and near growling, “You will be just, William…. We trust you,” then dropped his tone further, “And we trust your demon.”

Anton pointed the way to the old cellar grasped Spike’s arm, handed him a set of ancient keys, squeezed his understanding then returned to the celebrations.

Spike stalked toward the various ‘holding cells’, each one suspected guilty of the violation of his consort. He had been careful with his attire, removing the heat suit and donning the darkest items in his wardrobe. Always better for hiding blood stains. His hair was pulled back and tied off but a stray curl still fell over his forehead.

He unlocked the first door, noted that the gags had been removed from the six men but not the cuffs or the blindfolds. They were all sitting in a close group, cross legged and mute as he entered. He knew by the smell of ammonia that at least one young soldier had urinated sometime earlier. With the silence only afforded predators and preternatural creatures, he moved past each man in turn. The scents on Xander had been specific and were clear memories.

None of the men had Xander’s scent on them, but he recognized one soldier and pulled off the blindfold. Chambers gasped with shock and squinted in the sudden brightness.

Spike quickly shifted to William mode, “Well well! If it isn’t our peeping Tom. Still, seems like you only look on, that it?”

Chambers looked utterly stunned. “I… we… no!”

Spike gave a smile which did not reach his eyes, “Have a mind to fix that little habit of yours on a permanent basis.” With a move that had the terrified man yelp, Spike had Chambers’ head in a firm hold. Without changing face and with deadly calm, he scraped an elongated and very sharp vampire nail across the now slightly whimpering soldier’s eyelid.

“Please….Please! It wasn’t… I didn’t….. Oh G..hh… Please!”

“Ah pet, always love it when they beg. But I need a promise. See my partner and I have paid dearly for your little caper. And I think we’re owed some recompense don’t you? Then perhaps you can just leave us alone… You think we can find an accord on that?”

Held in the vice like grip, it was all Chambers could do to nod a little and whisper “Sure… sure”.
He tensed waiting for the crippling puncture, then relaxed slightly when the pressure on his eye was withdrawn, only to feel a fiery pain as the talon sliced deep into his right cheek. The soldier cried out, Spike released him. It was enough to leave a reminder but was not debilitating… there were others more important for that.

Spike pushed the blindfold back into place and exited the room to investigate the next room. He unlocked the door and stalked past the unseeing captives. Of the eight present obviously three were the Initiative scientists.

Spike could not detect any hint of Xander on the soldiers, so gave them a pass, but whipped off the blindfolds of the three who were part of the tortuous memory of his one time at the hands of their Sunnydale ‘colleagues’. He grinned maliciously and changed face. The soldiers heard the terrified screams as Spike systematically bit and drank from all three, then licked the wound closed, marking them permanently as a vampire’s property.

“Since I ain’t inclined to take ya’ I reckon another of my kind will be well inclined…. Can smell the marked from miles away… like a bitch on heat…”

Refastening their blindfolds, Spike noted that the bite marks on the men’s necks were already healed, but the scars obvious. The scent of ‘vampire magnet’ was unmistakable.

There were two more rooms. Spike knew that Riley was in the last one… but still had not decided what he wished to do with him. A swift death seemed just too easy.

As he unlocked the third door he was assaulted by an unmistakable odor. There were three in here that had touched his boy, and he knew immediately who had taken him.

Leaving Mac for last, he hauled the two others who had touched his lover to their feet, growling “Present” and pushing them side by side, face into the wall of their cell. He then tore their fatigues from their bodies in one action, pulled out his own belt and brought it down on their buttocks in three swift, extremely hard arcs, each strike accurately placed, drawing blood and leaving a permanent reminder of their misdemeanor.

Spike was in full game face though none present could see. The growl was worthy of any angry lion, one of the soldiers against the wall collapsed. Spike grabbed the hair of the now kneeling soldier. He growled out, “You hurt what is mine. Now no one will help you. I don’t like little boys who hurt what’s mine.” The man began to whimper, but said nothing coherent. Spike was assaulted by the foul breath from the individual so pushed him down until his forehead was on the floor, at the same time whispering, “Be nice to see you two shag each other… but you’d no doubt enjoy it too much so I’ll leave ya to figure out why you’re now sportin’ the signs of having your ugly backsides whooped.”

Spike stroked over the stripes on the kneeling man’s buttocks causing him to jump, then rose to press his fangs against the other soldier’s ear. “You’d just love a proper spanking wouldn’t you pet…” He grabbed the flaccid member of the ‘spanker’, squeezed it hard, ”Be careful what you wish for.” then bit down on the ear, piercing it at the tip then spitting the blood on the ground. “Foul intent makes for foul blood.” He let go, the man joined his comrade on the floor and Spike promptly departed.

The vampire paused for a moment before entering the last room. He lit a cigarette, took several slow drafts then blew the final flume to the ceiling and stubbed out the glow against the stone wall. He knew what to do.

Entering the final cell, Spike noted that the gag had been left in place. He tore it off and removed the blindfold, knowing it would make the rest so much easier.

Spike waited patiently while Riley made a point of ‘coming to’, dramatically shaking his head and looking up to his captor. He was not so good at covering his surprise, but attempted to appear nonplussed. Spike knew the game.

“Well… gidday mate…. Figured you for a piss-weak player, but seems you’re still with us…. So… what’s new… Shagged any slayers lately or are you strictly a man’s man these days?”

“*Spike!*” If a word could have held more venom, it would have. Riley’s jaw muscles clenched but internally he made some calculated decisions. He already knew Buffy was involved, no doubt why Spike was here (although their own intel had him dusted in Sunnydale…. He shrugged that off). Riley knew they’d taken Xander, and though they had not apprehended his ‘little friend in Rome’, it was now confirmed that Xander still had a connection to the Watcher’s Council.

“So what, they send the defanged to assault me with harsh words now… Hostile 17!”

Spike paused for an unnecessary breath… “Nahhh. See you folks really just don’t get it… And I figure tellin’ you ain’t gonna assist me boy any…. I take it you were the one sanctioning the giggle-fest and associated X-rated show at the lad’s expense.”

“So it *was* you in the photos….. Should have picked the pretty curls. Know one or two of my boys enjoyed the donut boy… but Geeez Spike! Thought you would be able to pull better… What … evil undead not willing these days?!”

Spike was done with talking. Before Riley registered the face change or the movement, he had fangs at his neck burying deep and bringing out a response he had long forgotten. He was instantly hard, made worse as Spike’s hand stroked the length while the mouth continued to pull precious fluid from him. An old addiction was addressed and Riley moaned the pleasure.

Spike felt the man’s heartbeat struggle then flutter a little. He continued to draw form the artery and stroke the excited shaft as he lifted his other wrist, bit down and dripped barely a mouthful of his own blood into the dying man. As he took the master vampire’s blood Riley shuddered, came copiously…. Then died.

Riley would be a vampire. But a minion at best…. Limited in thought process, craving his master’s blood and re-borne to obey. The perfect subject for an Initiative study were they ever to reform.

Spike dropped the body as the heart beat for the last time. Perhaps Riley would appreciate some time with his own scientists; perhaps Stephano could use another servant in his house; or perhaps one of the Slayers might just enjoy a little practice before using the dust buster.

He stood, turned and shut the door behind him.

His consort was waiting.

Part Eighteen

Spike was about to exit the cellar when he remembered one last task unfinished. He pulled a dusty bottle of wine from the racks beside him and returned to the room with his two ‘kneeling’ soldiers, noting with some satisfaction that neither had moved and that his friend with the bad breath now reeked of human excreta as well.

Spike wandered over to the group of soldiers still on the floor, he removed the blindfold from a particular one.

“Just want to introduce meself, name’s William, the boy you F#$ked is my partner, just wanted to let you know that mate….. before I introduce you to some more interesting forms of ‘stimulation’ in your nether regions.” He held up the bottle and fell into game face.

The young soldier cried out with alarm and immediately began to beg “It wasn’t me… it was Mac… Oh God…. It was Mac!!... and he made me swap clothes with him in the dorm before we… ‘cause he said they might… and it isn’t me… Oh please I was just there I swear… I watched the door but I didn’t… I’d never!... I swear I’d….”

Spike pulled the whimpering individual close enough to feel the fear induced goose bumps. He nicked the soldier’s nose with an elongated canine then pushed him at arm’s length as the soldier lost all control and soiled himself. “Oh Bloody hell! What *is* it with you humans!?? One decent fright and you all need a bloody wet nurse and a nappy.”

“Please don’t kill me… I didn’t hurt your friend… I really didn’t…”

“Then who did??”

“M..Mac… MacIntosh… Oh God… please I’ve got a wife and kid…. Please!.... It was Mac!!”

“And who are you?!”

“Warrant Officer Hanson, Sir”

“Well Hanson… why do you smell of…” Spike trailed off as the soldier started sobbing harder, he paused to look hard at the man and smelt him more carefully. He was slim though muscular, with dark hair and facial features that bordered on ‘pretty’…. And he reeked of another man…. With just a hint of Xander.

“Oh God… oh God….”

Spike’s eyes narrowed as he surmised the reason for the confusing olfactory message. “He fucked you after he raped my partner…. That right innit!”

“Ummm …Oh God….!”

“Must ‘ave been a quickie but then…. figure he’s been doin’ you for a while hasn’t he sunshine…. Other blokes knew as well I reckon.”

“Oh God… Please…. Please!”

Spike leaned within biting distance of the throat. “You bottom for anyone else pet, or just him?”
“No! Oh God … please!….”

“Well…. Since you beg so prettily….” Spike bit down hard on the man’s neck, pulling enough to mark but not to kill. W.O. Hanson fainted. Spike dropped the inert figure and left.

Spike emerged from the cellar with a scowl on his face, wiping a small dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb and was greeted by Anton. The Immortal’s face was still and unreadable.

“Only one is dead. Turned..minion.” Spike nodded knowingly at the Immortal, “Four marked, some sore…. But the abuser wasn’t there.”

Anton reached out to grasp his friend’s hand, “You’re sure?”

“Either dead or escaped somehow!?”

Anton saw his friend’s distress narrowed his eyes then replied, “Come with me.” He led Spike to one of the trucks that had ‘cleaned up’ the Initiative site.

“Here”, Anton pointed to two bodies in the back corner amongst the various pieces of broken computer equipment.

The vampire sniffed each, then pointed to the body with a gunshot wound to his chest. The soldier caught by ‘friendly fire’. ‘The Mac’. Spike was sure. Falling into game face, he all but spat, “F#&$ing bury *that thing* in unconsecrated ground and lime… And let me spit on the grave when you’re finished!” Spike broke from the consoling hold to punch the truck’s steel wall nearest them, then pushed away to mourn.

He didn’t get far, Anton pulled his distraught friend into his arms and simply held on as the smaller figure grieved for his violated beloved and retribution denied.

“Your consort needs you strong my brother… what can I do?”

Spike stilled, pulled away for a moment, then kissed Anton chastely on the lips. “No more than you have already done….I just need… time…. But, thank you.”

“Go to him. You will not be disturbed.”

With that Anton broke their embrace. Spike nodded his gratitude then moved swiftly upstairs to where Xander was still sleeping.

……………………….

Spike crept into their suite, knowing from the silence in the link that his consort was dream free. He made his way to the shower and stood under an all but scorching stream from the faucet. He scrubbed head to foot with more vigor than was necessary, then toweled himself down with equal harshness.

Finally he pulled on the heat suit, which had been laundered he noted belatedly, the soft lavender scent a welcome and calming addition.

Xander began to roll in his sleep so Spike quickly adjusted the suit to warm then joined his consort, spooning the adored body from behind and hoping his partner might find unconscious comfort in the same act.

Xander groaned, struggled then instinctively relaxed as his partner’s familiar body comforted him from behind. As the nightmares began again Spike swiftly opened his wrist and pushed it to his consort’s lips. In an automatic response, Xander latched on without gaining consciousness, calmed and drew several long drafts, much as a small child would when suckling in their sleep. Spike felt the mouth fall slack, withdrew the wrist and licked the wound closed then joined his partner in slumber.

Some hours later Spike was dealt a hefty blow to the nose by his consort’s elbow as the man thrashed in the throws of a violent dream. Dazed but very awake, Spike wrapped himself around his struggling partner. His dilemma now being a waking erection and thrashing consort whose proximity and movement was doing nothing to quell the hard column of flesh. The heat suit made it no better either.

Xander struggled for a few more minutes then gradually returned to consciousness, realizing where his was and with whom. He relaxed into the warm embrace before pulling away again.

“Shhh pet shhhhh… it was only a dream, I’ve got you. You’re safe, I’ve got you….” Spike began stroking down the strong back and purring quietly.

Several minutes passed but finally Xander stopped the calming hand then pushed himself up and swung out of bed. Seeing the vampire’s genuine concern he gave a sleepy explanation amidst yawning and idly scratching his belly.

“Human here, Gotta go pee Spike.”

As he padded to the bathroom, he noted that, though still a little achy in places, he generally felt okay. Flicking on the light, he stared into the mirror, noting with some dismay that his usually closely trimmed goatie had been roughly removed along with much of his other body hair in the Initiative encounter. Xander flicked his tongue out to lick the dried vampire blood from his chin then checked the mirror for again. Finally he stood back, yawned again then moved to relieve himself.

Minutes later found him back in front of the mirror, braced against the basin with both hands, tears silently flowing. Warm arms slid around his waist as limpet Spike reattached himself in an effort to comfort.

“’S OK…. ‘s OK…..”

“It still hurts, Spike… God, taking a morning dump hurt…. How can you stand touching me?! Not after…. I’m…. I’ve…. I need… God, why did it still have to hurt? ….”

Spike turned his consort and rocked them both slightly for several minutes, Xander’s tears creating a tiny wet patch on the shoulder of the heat suit. Eventually Spike broke the embrace and tugged his partner’s hand. “Come back to bed pet. C’mon… another day of me tender lovin’ care and you’ll be right as rain.”

“Will I? Ever?.... How?” A pained look met a concerned and loving one.

“Cause I bloody well reclaimed you is how. And you’re mine. Mine to have and to hold. Mine to play with, to love and to care for. You don’t get a say in it. Master Vampire here pet, and you’re me bloody consort so no more o’ that not gettin’ better rot. ‘S only been a day….” He led the distressed man back to bed the slid in along side him.

“What if they….?”

Spike took his partner’s face in both hands and eyes flecked with gold, stared intensely at the beloved marred face, “*They* won’t be doin’ anythin’ to anyone. Not now and most of ‘em not ever.”

“What did you….?”

“Figure that’s a story for another time pet. Now I’m seriously in need of a kiss from me consort here...” With preternatural speed he was on top of Xander, pinning him to the bed and kissing him with a ferocity that was all about passion and ownership and reclaiming. Lifting off a little so his consort could take a breath, the simple “Love you” was answered by Xander returning to the kiss, this time to plunder Spike’s mouth.

Xander felt Spike’s erection straining to break free of the suit and realized his own interest had suddenly become evident too.

“Far out Spike…. Need you… need you naked… Gahhh… love this but… can you be naked….”

All of two seconds passed before a very naked vampire repeated the beginning of the encounter, this time caressing and stimulating Xander’s hard sex directly with his own. Flesh to flesh and still warm from the suit the slight moans of passion quickly became blissful cries as Spike’s hand found its way between them fondling and squeezing and stroking.

Xander broke off the kiss and bared his neck, “Sooo clll …..Gonna…. cccc….Bite… please!….”
Already in game face, Spike needed no further invitation and took the offering as Xander cried out and they both came hard. Collapsing onto his partner in the aftermath, Spike opened his own wrist again and pushed to his consort.

Eventually sliding off, Spike idly drew patterns in the sticky fluid on Xander’s belly. “Might need to shave you from now on pet, miss the fuzz here,” he tickled around the nude groin, brushing over the still fuzzy sac. Xander’s knees instantly came up in protest as he near squealed. “Oi! Aftermathy sensitivity here.”

Spike grinned without any sign of remorse then shifted his hand to caress the side of his lover’s face and over the almost smooth chin. “Don’t miss the carpet burn on me chin though.” He leaned in for another kiss.

Part Nineteen

Spike clasped Xander’s hand reassuringly as he calmly led his consort downstairs for the first time since his traumatic rescue. The onetime Scoobie had been confident enough in the bedroom but as they descended the stairs, angst from Spike’s consort permeated the link. The vampire stopped at the base of the staircase, opened his wrist to his beloved and rubbed soothing circles around the shoulders of his partner as Xander took three long drafts then laved the wound until it closed. The link was already strong, but the final ‘booster’ allowed Xander to enter the very occupied rear balcony.


It was late afternoon and though the many of the group were sitting in the shade, it was obvious from the heated stone underfoot that this part of the house had spent at the time bathed in bright sunshine. Stephano and his men had returned to Rome with their ‘charges’ sometime earlier, but the wiccans and Anton’s household were all present, including Gregor, standing watchful as always behind the group. The bodyguard nodded politely to his brother-in-arms as Spike emerged at the balcony doors, the vampire respectfully returning the gesture.

Willow all but fell from her chair, diving into her life-long friend’s arms and hugging him with a strength Xander began to think was not-so-human! After a few long seconds, discomfort outweighed affection, and Buffy buried a smile as Xander used a line so Willow-of-Sunnydale that it bordered on a history lesson.

“Hey Wills…. Um…. Breathing becoming an issue!”

“Oh….” Willow’s eyes went wide, “Oh! Gahhh sorry!” She immediately released and petted the ‘Xander shaped friend’.

Pulling away she stood back hands on hips and fixed him with a concerned stare, “Are you OK? I mean really…. um ….. OK?”

Xander reached to his partner, and Spike obliged by wrapping his arms around his consort, hugging from behind and resting his chin lightly on Xander’s left shoulder. Xander placed his arms over the ones enveloping him and said simply, “Yeah….Well… Not quite… you know… healed but… I really am… OK… I guess.” He shrugged a little then swiveled to kiss his lover on the forehead in a public act of gratitude, not just for his partner, but for all present. Willow smiled her approval and kissed Spike on the cheek before returning to her own partner.

The latecomers were accommodated quickly, various outdoor lounges and chairs being proffered with altogether more fuss than was necessary. Xander knew with a rather sinking feeling, that all eyes were on him. He resorted to an old habit.

“Hey guys…” Sitting without the wince he desperately wanted to do as still tender parts were contacted, Xander soon settled comfortably leaning back on Spike’s chest. He was safe and enveloped once again by his Master Vampire. A large tray of anti pasta cheese and fruit was set down well within reach of all present by one of the household help.

“So Buff, where do you have to go to get a decent donut around here, ‘cause gotta say, all this haute cuisine is just plain anti-Scoobie! Bet Anton has no idea what you’ll do for a chocolate coated Krispy Kream?” Xander grinned and Buffy huffed in mock annoyance. For all but the vampire who knew better, Xander of Sunnydale was back in the building. As the Immortal shot a knowing smile to Spike, they both relaxed back to let three old friends indulge in an afternoon of reminiscing while most of the other Sunnydale ‘outsiders’ wandered off to enjoy the sun-drenched pool and grounds.

Both Willow and the Slayer were struck by how much the now clean shaven man appeared as the boy they had known a decade or more ago… and yet how different in demeanor. Even accounting for the horror of the past days, there was a confidence and poise present, and the relationship with Spike seemed mature, easy and permanent.


Eventually Spike moved, ostensibly to have a smoke, his consort shuffling forward to let him up, then relaxing back on the lounge to continue the unexpected joy of memory lane with his two friends of old.

Anton followed Spike, accepting a cigarette and standing in comfortable silence, looking out over the hills of the estate as they gradually turned from gold to orange in the late afternoon light. Anton finally pressed the butt of his cigarette into a nearby planter and broke the silence.

“Little brother, I am relieved to see your consort healing. He is truly remarkable, with strength and resilience that many would envy, but then ….. he is but one half of a whole, and therein lies his real strength, your strength.” Anton trailed off and Spike turned to look a little quizzically at the immortal momentarily then turned back to the landscape, simply processing the words without comment. He leaned on the balustrade with both elbows, took a last drag on his cigarette and flicked the butt into the garden below. Anton moved closer and turned to rest casually, his backside against the balcony wall and legs crossed at the ankles. He leaned toward the vampire and put a friendly hand on Spike’s shoulder, smiling down at him. Spike turned his head enough to recognize the look and the gesture as one he remembered his grandfather making over a hundred years ago as he had congratulated the young William on his University acceptance, and the same look of fatherly tenderness his Sire afforded him on a freezing night in St Petersburg long ago. He felt the deep friendship and tacit respect conveyed by the gesture, and was struck by just how comfortable and how … valued… he felt in Anton’s presence.

“I have lived forever William, watched countries rise and fall, seen lovers, family and friends pass on… yet I have rarely seen the likes of you and your consort. It is apparent that you will be together for a very long time and for that I am most glad.”

Spike frowned a little, “You a bit of a seer mate?”

Anton simply avoided the question, “The universe smiles on balance William. And you two are that for each other and those around you. Your love binds you. Treasure each moment together, be it for ten or a thousand years.”

Spike felt the warmth of the hand on his shoulder and the sincerity of the words and felt profoundly moved. *Imagine a thousand years!* He eventually cleared his throat and gave a quiet “Yeah well, thanks mate.”

“I would be honored if you would both consider returning to my side whenever you are inclined. In the very short time since meeting you I have found myself drawn to you as family, and my instincts are rarely wrong. You will always be welcomed into my household as a dear brother and his beloved.”

Spike was close to tears… Anton *did* feel like family and to have that family welcome him, indeed them - he and his consort, with such generosity… Spike felt as though one more painful hole in his long unlife had been filled. He whispered past the lump in his throat… “Thanks mate… just…. Thank you…” The hand on his shoulder squeezed in acknowledgment then released him.

Anton smiled broadly, clapped his hands together and pushed away from the wall, “Well then, that’s settled! It is well past the yard arm and I seem to recall that Gregor is a master when it comes to cocktails. I’m sure the ladies would appreciate something colorful, though I suspect a single malt on ice will be more to your taste!”

Spike sniffed hard and made to follow his friend, eyes now sparkling with anticipation of a fine evening. “Anything without a bloody umbrella and decorative fruit mate!”
………………………….

A fire crackled cheerfully dominating the room. Well fed and well ‘watered’, the guests and their hosts had retired to the ‘smoking room’. Though Spike noted there must have been very little smoking done inside these days. The rich odor of pipe and cigar seemed but a memory given up by the paneled walls to only the most sensitive noses.

Conversation had paused and Anton took the opportunity to ‘talk shop’ for a moment.

“I’ve taken the liberty of having my people re-arrange your flight plans. You will leave from Venice tomorrow, just after sundown. My jet is rather cramped and sans flight attendants but it is only few hours, and I guarantee well stocked…. With the *right size* of bottle.” He flashed Spike a mischievous grin and was rewarded by a cheeky wink. “You should be back to London and home by midnight. The watchers have arranged a car for you from Heathrow.”

Spike with back on Xander’s chest as they shared one of the two midnight blue chaise lounges. He turned his attention to the ceiling and listened to his consort’s strong heartbeat. The idea of leaving was not all that urgent but he really was looking forward to going home, all the way home, in the next few days. But just now the idea of yet another day under heavy covers as they drove to Venice just didn’t seem all that inviting.

“I’ve also ordered the helicopter to deliver you to Venice, it will leave right on dusk so for the majority of the trip may still be able to see some of the landscape. It is a very pretty flight.”

Willow was almost bouncing with excitement and thanked Anton and Buffy with enthusiastic hugs. The prospect of a helicopter flight seemed to have the same effect as too much caffeine for the witch. Xander smiled as he saw traces of a joyous young girl he knew so well, waiting impatiently for her first time on the ferris wheel at the Sunnydale fair. All that was missing was the cotton candy. Somehow Xander thought Anton might even be able to arrange that too, were he asked.

The evening continued very pleasantly. Few present willing to retire and ‘lose the magic’, but eventually yawns ensued and leave was taken.

Spike ushered his consort to their boudoir for the last time… this visit. And felt the better for realizing that they would indeed come back, in vastly differing circumstances, he hoped. He idly mused that a short sojourn in Rome would also be nice…. Next time, maybe, even this time next year. Thoughts of another vacation with Xander, this time sans spies and soldiers, con Anton and their new Roman friends? It was not just nice, it was a must.

Xander stripped quickly and showered. Spike waited for a moment, half expecting an invitation to share the shower. When it did not come he removed his clothing and ventured silently into the steamy room.

It had been a good day, though he had still felt his partner’s pain and distress occasionally push through the link, strong and clear. Each time they relocated and Xander sat; whenever soldier or the Initiative was mentioned, even in the Sunnydale context; and every time a vague, even if not ‘in sympathy’, reference was made to Xander’s importance in their recent victory. Xander was now standing dejectedly, good eye closed and forehead resting against the faucet. The vampire slid into the cubicle and molded his body to his partner’s from behind. He felt Xander flinch at the first contact and watched in distress as water ran over his beloved’s mouth and he gave a near gurgled, “Sorry….. Sorry…. Just trying to get clean Spike…. Still not really clean.”

Spike whispered against the waterlogged ear, “Know you were out of it, but seems you’ve forgotten pet. I cleaned you… you were cleaned, marked, and re-claimed…. but let me do it again… good an’ proper….” The pale arms enveloping Xander squeezed tight, “Will you let me, my beloved? Will you trust me to fix this?”

The whispered “Yes.” was all he needed. He released one hand to grab the soap and began to cover the body in his arms with the clean scent of alpine flowers. Spike worshipped the generous chest, the tense back and long muscular arms and legs from behind, lathering then rinsing them. Gentle hands cupped the face and caressed the features, pulled shampoo bottle from the shower caddy and massaged the lowered head with cleansing suds before letting the warm stream remove all but the residual faint scent of daisies.

He knew what he had to do next and took an unnecessary breath, hoping the water would remain warm for long enough that he might take his time. He turned Xander and pushed him gently until his shoulders leaned against the wall just below the faucet, then nipped and kissed his way down the torso until he was kneeling before his consort. Xander was only beginning to show signs of interest, so Spike easily engulfed the entire member and began a suction that Xander felt had apparently drawn his entire blood supply to his groin area in an instant. Spike prevented a fall by cupping his consort’s buttocks with strong hands as the human’s knees buckled slightly. He continued to knead the mounds of flesh as his educated mouth pleasured Xander to the point of frantic thrusting. Spike slid a soapy finger of one hand past the all but healed pucker, and began stroking and squeezing the soft sac.

Spike was felt as Xander gave over to finding his pleasure, and also noted that his finger felt very little in the way of injury remaining in the tight channel. It would be enough that the pleasure would override the ache, perhaps by the morning. For now he was happy that penetrating as he was brought no protest.

The blonde increased the pace, swallowing the member in his mouth until his nose brushed nude groin, pulled off then dived down again this time concentrating on the feeling of tiny hairs as they gave the signs of regrowth. On his third dive down, he purred a little and twisted the finger that was still firmly ensconced until it found its goal. He stroked the prostate, sucked as hard as he could, tugged the ball sac a little and grinned a little as he was gifted with his lover crying out and he arching off the shower wall as warm seed shot straight down Spike’s throat. Xander’s knees gave out completely and with no hands truly ‘free’, Spike caught him as best he could, easing him to kneeling, still under the cascade of water then kissed him. Xander could taste himself on Spike’s tongue and groaned his approval.

A few minutes later the shower began to run cold. Spike broke their kneeling embrace, flicked off the water and tugged his consort to standing. He wrapped the human in fluffy pale blue towels scooped him up and carried him ‘bridal style’ through to the bed.

Xander noted Spike’s still unsatisfied erection as he was eased out of the towels and momentarily lifted as Spike threw back the bedcovers. He reached out to stroke the straining member, “Spike… let me…?” His hand was stilled in its path by a smaller pale one. “’S OK pet. We’ll play more in the morning. Anyways, can always please meself after you drift off.”

The last things Xander registered properly before falling asleep was Spike standing growling a little with frustration as he struggled to pull the tight heat suit over the very erect and slightly dripping column of flesh. Then he relaxed into darkness as that same now warm body slid under the covers alongside him.

Part Twenty

The morning began in a lazy enough manner, Spike waking not long after the household began to move about. He listened to sounds of breakfast on the balcony below. Buffy and Willow’s voices dominated, accompanied by the soft clatter of cutlery and glasses along with other muted smatterings of conversation – “pass the…”, “When are you riding?” “Lovely day for…” . Spike concentrated for a while then snuggled into his lover’s side again, happy to focus on the warmth and slow heartbeat of his consort, and snooze until needed.

The ‘needed’ was not too long in coming. Xander woke after a blissfully dreamless sleep, only to register a nagging worry. Wracking his still waking brain, he just couldn’t remember when it had gone.

Spike felt the jolt of *loss, worry and sadness* through the link and roused immediately. He began to rub the broad chest under his light embrace, “What’s wrong pet?” Xander abruptly pulled away and began frantically lifting pillows, then launched himself onto the floor to scramble around under the bed. Spike was both baffled and very concerned. He sat up and swiftly followed his still mute partner as the brunette flew to the bathroom and began his search anew.

Spike finally gave up asking for explanations ‘on the fly’, and instead grabbed his panicked consort by the arm, forcing him to a halt. As calmly as he was able, given the flood of anguish through their link, he ground out, “What. Is. Wrong?” Xander wrenched his arm from the hold in frustration with an irritated “No!” and made for the door but at least this time Spike managed to make out the muttered “They took it. I thought I had it but I must’ve been…… and now it’s and I’ve f#$@ng lost it… it’s lost… bastards must’ve…”

The problem suddenly dawned on the vampire. He temporarily left Xander to his frenzy and pulled a small box from the depths of their shared suitcase. “Xan… Xan stop!... *Stop*!” This time the tone was accompanied by a definite growl that spoke across the link and Xander instantly complied. “Come here ya daft git … come on luv….. Here… this what’s got you all fussed.” Spike thrust his prize under the nose of his partner. “We took them out before we left remember… Your suggestion if I recall. Some rot about ‘reflecting in headlights’. Bollocks at the time o’ course but can’t say I’m sorry.” He noted the upset becoming embarrassed distress once more and pulled his partner into a brief hug before carefully replacing the matching pair of earrings, first Xander’s then his own.

“I’m sorry Spike, I just… couldn’t…. and well if they… I just didn’t want them to get any more of us…”

“Shhh… they haven’t pet… they haven’t…. it’s OK, Xan … it’s OK… *we’re* OK… C’mon…” He held the man in a reassuring hug for a few more seconds then gave him a cheeky kiss on the nose and waltzed toward the bathroom with a swagger utterly worthy of the ‘big bad’ of old. Xander’s sniggered as he spied the rear view of Spike, the retreating spandex clad figure was just too reminiscent of a scene from some B grade porn movie covering sex in the gym. Despite that thought, as he followed his partner to shower for the second time in less than twelve hours, Xander could not help another smile as he resolved to beg Giles (with whatever it took) to be allowed to take the heat suit back to Sacramento with them.

The mutual shower was a tender, yet utterly chaste affair. The link still rippling with Xander’s upset. Spike noted his consort fondling the jewel more than once as they took turns simply washing their significant other, both deliberately pushing love and devotion and calm through the link with each pass of the sponge or soap.

Packing was even less eventful and when Willow arrived early afternoon to invite them to luncheon it was almost a relief.

Bags were carried down and stowed at the front door ready for departure. They joined the rest of the group. The lunch and afternoon that followed was pleasant but somewhat subdued. The conversation largely surrounded the future of the rescued Italian slayers and recuperating watcher, plus various slayer and wiccan matters.

As the sun began to set and the helicopter arrived, conversation between the core five became strangely stiff and non personal, each of the protagonists wallowing in their own reasons for wishing to prolong the visit. Only Willow’s fellow wiccans seemed truly eager to go.

Spike embraced Anton before entering the helicopter. The immortal quietly conveying a vital message, “I have arranged things as you requested.” Anton then gave Spike a formal handshake but moved the other hand to rest on the back of Spike’s neck, thumb attempting to caress and fingers tangled in the pony tail of curls. It evoked a sense of fellowship and calm, and Spike relaxed into the touch.

“Please take this as a mark of our friendship. We will meet again soon I hope, little brother.” The Immortal pressed a small package into Spike’s hands as he placed a farewell kiss on each cheek.

Spike leaned back for a moment and caught Anton’s eyes in a fixed stare and said simply, “Thank you. For everything.” Then his face changed and he thanked their host again in full demon form before walking toward their transport.

Xander was already on board looking back at his partner. He was a little surprised that Spike’s exchange with Anton appeared so emotional and felt a momentary pang of jealousy. Love, relief and a mild, yet understandable, sense of loss flowed to him through their link and he fell back into his seat to wait, squeezing his non-patched eye closed in the process.

The patch was back in place after a number of days of not needing to wear it. The item was an irritation, an accessory worn for the benefit of those folks not used to marred facial features. Willow saw his discomfort, kissed him lightly on the cheek then leaned forward to place a concerned hand on her long time friend’s knee.

The flight to Venice was exciting, though Xander noticed at the outset that his Master Vampire had strapped himself in extremely tightly and had such a vice like grip on the package in his hand that his consort needed to peel off the first three fingers of his grip one at a time, before Spike realized and allowed a warm, reassuring hand to envelop one of his own.

They flew low over the countryside, the twilight and ever increasing numbers of twinkling street lights, allowing the five travelers to clearly see the quaint old farms and small towns under their flight path. A large yellow full moon on the horizon added to the surreal quality of their flight. The wiccans and Xander kept up a running commentary, but Spike simply stared down at the narrow local roads, lined with ancient stone and contemplated what Angelus might have made of all this - Of Rome, of the heat suit, of Anton and their flying carriage. He finally registered that Xander was speaking to him.

“What’s in the package?”

“Hmm??”

“The package… what’s in it?”

Spike looked down at the plain crimson object on his lap. “Dunno.”

“Well call me Sylvester, but aren’t you gonna open it?” Xander had the curious air of a child eyeing off someone else’s birthday present.

Pulling from his reverie completely, Spike smiled slightly, picked up Anton’s gift and turned it over in his hands. He then carefully lifted the wrapping tape and opened the paper to reveal its contents.

It was a beautiful ebony box with an intricate inlaid ivory scene of some mythical feast with fauns and cherubs, faeries and humans in flowing robes. There were tiny gold hinges and a gilded lock with intricate design on the side. Xander gasped, it was truly exquisite.

“Wow!.. well and?”

Spike twisted the minute key and lifted the lid. The box was lined in fine crimson suede, resting on it a folded piece of parchment tied with a white satin ribbon and a card, perfectly penned with elaborate flourish.

“For William and Alexander. May you love long and live well. A.”

Spike handed the card to Xander then tugged the end of the silken bow and carefully opened the ancient piece of paper. His eyes went wide and Xander felt a strange jolt through the link.

“What’s wrong sweetheart? What is it?”

Spike did not trust himself to speak just yet, so simply tilted the hand written page so his consort could see. It was a poem of some sort with an occasional smudge, typical of the blots made by a rushed writer and a quill. Xander could only make out a few of the words, as some of the letters were foreign to him, though he did recognize a number in Roman numerals at the top, ‘eighteen’.

“So what…” He didn’t get to finish before Spike’s emotion filled baritone began.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;”

Spike let the page fall to rest on its precious container as he moved his hand to cup Xander’s face, fixed him with an intense, love filled azure stare, and continued with no need to sight the page.

“But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee.”

He kissed his consort deeply. A single large tear was transferred from orator to recipient and continued its path down Xander’s face for a moment.

The three witches had turned their attention to the two as Spike began his recitation, though it was Willow who almost choked as she realized the significance of the parchment, “It’s … it’s Shakespeare’s 18th Sonnet isn’t it…..” Even upside down she could clearly recognize the signature at the base of the page, “And it *is* in his own handwriting! Goddess Spike, that must be worth a *fortune*.”

Spike broke off the kiss and looked at her with glistening eyes, then near whispered, “Worth more ‘cause of who it came from …. And more ‘cause of who I am able to say it to.” He then turned back to his partner, took Xander’s face in his hands and whispered the last two lines of the poem again then kissed him chastely on the lips.

Finally taking one more look at the remarkable piece and lightly touching the famous signature, Spike lovingly returned the sonnet to its place of safekeeping.

The remainder of the trip was quiet. Even as they landed and transferred to the jet, a bare minimum was said. It seemed the lateness of the hour and intensity of the previous few days had caught up with all present.

………………

They taxied up to the hangers set aside for private jets at Heathrow, and were met by two courteous officials representing customs and immigration. Spike raised a quizzical eyebrow as he identified both by scent as not quite human. The larger of the two ‘men’ mumbled quietly as he checked Spike’s documents, “The Immortal has arranged your departure, sir. Please return by six.” Spike simply nodded.

As formalities were completed and their bags unloaded, Willow looked with confusion at the two limousines that had pulled up. “This is pretty… wow… but a bit overkilly don’t you think?”

“Not comin’ back with you, Red….”

“What??” She spun around and stared at Spike and Xander.

“Flights are booked for the mornin’ pet. Boy an’ I are headin’ home across the pond at 8am. Just time enough to take the boy to show 'im around then head back here.”

Willow all but fell on Xander, claiming him with a fierceness of a sister about to lose her sibling to some awful fate. “But you can’t!! Xander! Oh goddess I thought we had *days* yet!”

Xander was almost as surprised as Willow, but as Spike began to speak, quickly appreciated the reason. “Xan’s got responsibilities Red…. Holiday’s over. We’ve had our couple of weeks and there’s some of us as have jobs 'n such. Gotta get home pet, no two ways...” Spike grabbed one of the witch’s hands, dragged her from the embrace with his partner and into a suit warmed hug.

“There are many rooms in our house luv and one of them with your name on it…” Spike squeezed his old Sunnydale sister-in-arms in closer and kissed her on the temple. “I’ll look after ‘im Pet … can you do sommit for me though?... well…. for us?”

Willow was near tears.. “Ummm …. Sure…..” She looked to Xander who reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it reassuringly as he received love and trust messages clearly through the consort link.

“Need you to let the Bit an’ the Watcher know we’re OK…” Spike stared pleadingly into the witch’s eyes. Willow gave a tiny nod of acknowledgement and Spike returned the gesture with an additional rarely seen smile that conveyed warm friendship and genuine gratitude.

“We will come back, Me and Xan OK? It may should be soon mind….” Spike appearing to cover his previous kindness… “There’s unfinished business and.. well the boy needs a proper catchin’ up and… And all that rot!… anyway!” Spike now looked rather pleadingly at Willow. She nodded, smiled then added with a smirk, “I think Dawn might still owe you for an ongoing interest in green foliage!” Willow remembered the delightful bunny Spike and his joyful antics in the sun and grinned, but it was her turn to give a squeeze. “I’ll let them know…. You be well Spike… and take care of my friend!... There’ll be a shovel..”

“Yeah I know… with my name on it … got it.” Spike smiled and Willow was given a rare glimpse of William the Tender Hearted Victorian Poet (now ensouled vampire, utterly besotted and devoted to Xander, her oldest friend). In that moment, Willow could not think of any reason to be unhappy. These lovely males, these heroes, would go and come back, and today was a merely the natural pause in the process.

“But you’ve got to…”

Xander cut her off, “Of Course.”

“And *you* Mister Big Bad*!”

“I will... I give you my word.” Spike dropped easily into his true accent as he smiled and delivered his promise. Then added “An’ tell *Rupert* that we’ll be keepin’ the suit ‘cause it makes the tumble with my consort here a lot more interestin’ ” The last statement was accompanied by such a lascivious wink that Willow abandoned her attempt at sad demeanor and collapsed into giggles…

As the two males walked hand in hand toward their car she began to invoke a protection spell for their trip.

………………


Xander was staring out the window of the limousine, fascinated by seeing the main sights of London first hand, and the fact that there were so many people still out and about at two am.

They stopped at Hyde Park and took a short wander to a favorite spot of Spike’s, a large oak near the speaker’s corner. Xander couldn’t be sure of the reason for the particular fondness, but vaguely hoped it might be a pre-turning preference rather than a penchant for hunting and large crowds.

Returning to the car, Xander noted a large bunch of flowers now in the seat next to their driver but quickly forgot about them as his repeated references to Mary Poppins as they passed St Paul’s Cathedral and the old banking region, evoked a mocking repartee from Spike regarding ‘boys in pink and musicals’ from his partner.

In less than two hours, they had managed a complete circuit including the old Bailey, Leicester Square, the Tower, Parliament and both directions across London Bridge. They had passed Harrods and the Victoria Albert Museum and had a look at Leicester Square. Spike equaled his consort’s enthusiasm for all of it, but as they drove northwest out of the city centre, he fell silent.

“Where are we now sweetheart? Come on tourist guy here! Narrow streets, old buildings…”

“Harrow.”

“Isn’t that like a….” He was about to say school, but saw the anxious look in Spike’s face and felt a deep sense of grief through the link. He grabbed his partner’s hand. “What are we….?”

“Just need to do this pet…. An’ I think I need you with me… ‘cause it’s the first time since….” Spike broke off and continued to stare mournfully out the window.

A few minutes later, Xander found himself out of the car loaded up with three large bunches of flowers, and trudging toward a crowded old graveyard. A sprinkle of rain began and the ancient gate protecting the grounds cried its protest as Spike pushed it open. The vampire took his consort’s hand and led the way as they wound toward a spot one row from the rear of the plot. There were two large arch shaped head stones, all but touching a small one nestled between. Spike clutched his arms around himself as if in pain and fell to his knees but a few feet from the graves.

Though struggling with the pain flowing through the link, Xander continued up to the stones and squinted hard at the worn etchings in the granite: The Hon. James Andrew Bradford-Whitely esq, husband & father, 1810 – 1857; Margaret Emily Bradford-Whitely, Devoted wife and Beloved Mother, 1822 – 1876; Master James Archibald Bradford-Whitely, RIP, 1840 – 1846.

Xander suddenly knew why they were here. He placed a sheath of flowers at the base of each headstone then moved quickly to Spike’s side. His vampire was now at the foot of the graves kneeling in an ever increasing quagmire. Spike still had his one arm wrapped around himself while he petted the soil over one of the graves with the other hand and rocked slowly, whispering and keening constantly. Xander eventually made out the words, a series of prayers and repeated heartfelt pleas for forgiveness, and finally, simple tearful admissions of how much 'they' were missed and why.

Xander simply slid a comforting arm around the slim, tense shoulders and waited for the initial storm to pass. He stared once more at the stones and took in the meaning of the middle one. William had been the second son, but could never have known his brother judging by the dates.

He finally felt Spike turn a little, so pulled him into a firm hug and continued the rocking motion, attempting to gift his partner with the reassuring ‘purr’ that he so enjoyed from Spike. Sadly even Xander would admit later that his really was more of a tuneless hum, though it had the required effect. Spike calmed and eventually made the first move to stand. They stood hand in hand as drips slid down the inside of sodden pants and into their shoes. He snorted ruefully at their muddied attire.

“ ‘Ardly the state I wanted ya in when I introduced ya luv”

Xander looked puzzled for a moment then understood. He squeezed his partner’s hand as they walked over the graves and knelt within inches of the central stone.

Spike slipped into his original upper-class accent, and somehow adopted a manner suitable for the formal parlor of the Bradford-Whitely home of old.

“Father, Mother… I would like you to meet my… consort… Alexander Lavelle Harris. He is an American, so I realize you may not initially approve Father… but he is a good man… the best there is… Indeed he is my savior, my friend, and my… eternal companion. And I am… happy at last.” Spike broke off to lift their joined hands and kiss Xander's knuckles then let one more tear trickle and drop to the ground before they said a respectful goodbye.

As Xander pulled Spike to his feet, a cold drip tracked from Xander’s knee all the way down his shin. ‘We need to get out of these clothes Spike!”

The solemn mood was broken as Spike replied with, “Not in front of me ol’ mum you don’t!” followed by a quick sprint back to the car.

Reclothed, firmly kissed and on their way to the airport, Xander and Spike both felt it. Things had changed for them, extraordinary challenges had been met, and strong new alliances made, but they were still going home to ‘normality’, to Sacramento… together.

The End

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Recreation and Renovation

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