Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Disclaimer: I don’t own Buffy. I just borrowed some of the characters. Rated: NC-17

Ulterior Motives

Chapter 23

Angel contemplated Xander for a few moments while Xander just sat comfortably and smirked back. Angel realized that he found Xander to be as annoying as ever, and a lot more threatening. “Look, I know you don’t like me. But there’s some things you need to know. I’ve dumped California on Spike so the Order of Taraka is going to really have an eye on both of you. So far you’re both doing well. I’d hate to see something go wrong.” Angel couldn’t believe that Xander could move so fast or be that strong. He was pressed up against the wall with Xander’s thumbs digging into his throat before he could blink “I know choking you won’t do much but I like it. You don’t threaten me. You don’t threaten Spike. I don’t like you. If you’re not careful, you’ll wake up with a stake in your heart. Got me?” Xander let Angel go and sat back down in his chair. Angel straightened his tie and sat down too. “Wow, Sire’s blood really makes you aggressive.” Xander just shrugged. Angel cleared his throat and continued. “I’m sorry. I seem to have given you the wrong impression. I don’t want to fight with you. I just want to warn you. You’re Spike’s thrall, constant companion and confidant. As well as body guard. And I don’t want Sire’s Privileges. Spike would stake what was left of me after you got done. So thanks, but no thanks. All I want to do is make sure that you don’t fail.” Xander just shrugged. “I don’t intend to fail. All I have to do is be me. Spike’s happy with that. The real me, not the Zeppo or the Donut Boy. So ... I’m not trying to be impolite but Spike’s promised to fuck me tonight and I’d like to get around to that fairly soon. So ... if that’s all.” Angel knew he’d be red, if vampires could blush. “That’s ... um ... good. One of the things I really needed to cover with you ... um ... you’re not claimed ... but ... um ...” Xander rolled his eyes. “Christ, how old are you? Sixteen? Ok. Just to show that I’m a good guy. No, Spike hasn’t bitten me ... yet. And, yes, he’s been giving me his blood for months. You didn’t get a good look at my back. I usually manage to prevent that. My ol’ man nearly killed me. Spike fixed it. And ... Willow has got to stop using mojo. She just messes it up something awful. I’m Spikes thrall because she messed up a friendship spell. Any more questions? Angel just shook his head. “No, I think that just about covers all of them. Just ... take care of him. He’s more fragile than you’d believe.” Xander snorted. “Like I don’t know that. He needs love so bad. Soulless monster, I don’t think. And I don’t even want to think about what the hell was in your mind back then. And don’t tell me it was Angelus. You’re still him on some level or other. You’re just as cruel to him in your way as Angelus was in his. Now, I’ve got some primping and fussing to do. Want to look pretty when Spike gets here. So not to put too fine a point on it. Get out.” Angel cringed at Xander’s words but didn’t even think to argue with him. When Xander pointed to the door and told him to get out, he just stood up and left. It wouldn’t do him any good to make excuses, excuses that even he didn’t believe anymore. Xander stared at the door for a long while after Angel left. Something about Spike being the Master of California gave him the willies but he couldn’t figure out why. He shook off the mood and rang for Timmins. The valet came into the room with a slight smile on his face. “Ok, what?” Xander planted his fists on his hips and gave Timmins a mock glare. Timmins just grinned. “It’s about time. I thought Master Spike was going to pop before you ... gave in.” “Oh, gave in, is it? I’d be pissed but you’re right. At least he didn’t try to force the issue. I don’t think I could have stood that. Now ... enough angsting. Make me pretty.” Timmins just snickered and made Xander ‘pretty’. . Spike finally got away from court and went in search of Xander. He found Angel instead. “Ok, what? I’ve got something else to do.” Angel rubbed his face. “And the patience of a gnat. I know. I’m not entirely sure where to start ... I need to explain some things to you. Things I should have told you years ago.” Spike just snorted and snarked, “Things like ... my blood will keep the boy alive long after he should have been dead, without my having to turn him. Things like, claiming him isn’t necessary to the blood working? Like ... oh, I dunno ... lots of vampires keep their souls, it takes a master like you to get rid of it?” Angel sighed. “Yeah, things like that. Should I just leave?” Spike pulled his cigarets out of his pocket. “Yeah, maybe you should. Prat.” He lit a cigaret and watched as Angel walked off, shoulders bowed. “Idiot. Could have loved ya. Would have. Loyal as my boy in my own way. You didn’t earn it. He did. Know which side my bread’s buttered on.” Spike finished his cigaret in a few puffs and stamped the butt into the floor. He made it to the bedroom just as Timmins shut the door behind him. “He ready?” Timmins smiled. “Oh, he’s more than ready. Master Angel managed to make him angry. I never thought a human could move that fast, but then, Master Angel wasn’t expecting anything to happen. I was very proud of him, Xander that is. The rest of the conversation was very calm, to the point, and quick. Then Master Angel left.” “Yeah, he had a stab at me next. I hope the poof is proud of himself. All soul having and what not. Idiot. You make sure that I’m not disturbed. Got me?” “Yes, master. I’ll put out the word. Master D’frack decided to stay a day. I put him in the best guest accommodations. Master Angel didn’t want them. And I’m sure he’s left by now. I’ll check, shall I?” “Please do. I don’t want him near my boy. Xander doesn’t like or trust him enough that they won’t be at each others throats again. Don’t want either of them to off the other. I’ll be mightily pissed either way.” Timmins left and smirked as he shut the door. Spike knocked once then opened the door. Xander was in the bed, covered to his waist and smiling. “Hello, Angel gone?” Spike walked to the bed, dropping clothing as he went. “Yeah, pet. Gone back to L.A. I hope. He’s a wanker, a prat and a pain in my arse. Glad to see him go. Don’t want to be Master of California as well as the Hellmouth. Dammit!” Xander just opened his arms and took Spike onto his chest. “Well, you’re stuck with it. The Order won’t let you get out of it or I miss my guess. We’ll just have to deal. Forget about it now. See to me.” “Give ya a good seein’ too. An’ I’ll forget about the Hellmouth and California until I feel like worrying about it again. Tomorrow ... or the next day.” Xander pulled Spike down for a heated kiss. “Next day. Or ... well... mmmffff.” Spike shut him up with his tongue. Xander thrust his tongue back at Spike’s. They tangled on the bed for a few moments. Spike wound up on top, of course, but Xander bucked and rolled, doing his best to throw Spike off. Spike pinned him down with a hand on each shoulder. Xander laughed, tugged Spike down for another kiss and rolled him to the bottom. “Easy, pet, don’t wanna damage the goods. Gonna have ya. Gonna let me?” Xander reached down and gently pinched one of Spike’s nipples. “Yeah, gonna let ya.” Spike moaned softly as his nipple peaked in interest. He returned the favor and smiled as Xander groaned softly and flopped over sideways. “Ok. I give. More of that, please.” “I will. I want you to enjoy this. A lot. I want you to want to do it again and again. Never wanna hurt ya.” Xander just groaned louder as Spike leaned over him and sucked one nipple into his mouth. Spike tongued it into a hard point then turned to the other. Xander just whimpered. Spike took his time, sucking and nibbling at Xander’s sensitive nipples until he was limp and moaning. “Lift your leg, pet. Let me at you.” Xander obediently put his foot on Spike’s shoulder. Spike coaxed Xander into the position he wanted. Xander cooperated eagerly, making Spike say softly, “Good, Xander, that’s good.” Spike used plenty of lube and patience, getting Xander relaxed and very ready for more. In fact, by the time Spike was done stretching and playing with Xander, he was nearly screaming with need. Spike moved Xander carefully to brace against the head of the bed. Xander couldn’t stand the wait. He’d been good long enough. “Spike, if you don’t do something soon, I swear I’m going to take things in hand myself.” Spike didn’t say anything, he just took Xander’s hands in his and moved them to grasp his legs across his shins just below the knees. “Hold them just like that. I want ya all spread for me. Make it easier and it’ll feel so good. Promise, pet.” Xander just panted and moved his hips in a desperate plea for he wasn’t sure what. Spike gave Xander’s prostate one more stroke and moved to line himself up to push against Xander. Xander squirmed a bit to get a better brace against the headboard. Spike pushed against the now loosened ring of muscle guarding Xander’s entrance. Xander moaned and pushed back. Spike whimpered softly, the boy was so warm and the lube made him slick. His grasping muscled nearly made Spike lose control completely. He took a moment to contain himself then started to move gently in and out. Xander grasped his shins harder and watched Spike’s face, the emotions flitting across it. Xander watched as joy, ecstasy, wonder, and something unidentifiable flitted across Spike’s face. Then he forgot everything as Spike moved within him, nudging against what Spike referred to as his golden spot. Xander’s vision narrowed to Spike’s eyes then went black. Spike noticed that Xander’s pupils were blown and gave one more thrust before he came, shuddering and shouting. Xander whimpered then shuddered too as his body started to convulse. The next thing either one of them knew, Timmins was wiping them down with a warm wash cloth. He pulled the covers up over both of them and turned off the lights. Xander was asleep when Spike kissed his forehead gently then settled down beside him. . Xander woke slowly, something was tickling his nose. He swatted at it and heard a throaty chuckle. “Don’t want it, pet? If you don’t, I’ll eat it myself.” Xander smelled toast, and butter, and jelly, he sat up abruptly and announced. “No! Mine! Gimme! Get your own.” Spike laughed. “There’s enough for both of us. Timmins comes through again. Here, it’s strawberry jam.” Xander snatched the toast from Spike and crammed it into his mouth. “Mmmm. Goo’ ‘ie ‘a ‘all I’ ‘am?” Spike wrinkled his brow as he tried to translate Xander’s mouth full of toast mumble. “Why do they call it jam? Donno, just that it’s not jelly, I guess. Ask Timmins. Look, hate to be a buzz kill, but I’ve got a lot of mess to catch up with from Angel not doing anything in for ... well, ever. Bastard. Master Bruce is expecting you in about an hour and a half. And don’t forget that Giles is coming this afternoon for a lesson. You’re going to start learning how to play in ensemble.” Spike pronounced the word on-samble. Xander gave him a blank look. “With other people. I’ll be playing keyboard and Giles will play his guitar ... you did practice, didn’t you?” “Yeah, I did. I swear. I’ll be in the gardens after my workout. I haven’t had time to go down for a bit. I miss them.” “Ok. I’ll send for you if I need you for something. Ok?” Xander looked up from pouring his coffee. “Fine. If I have a change, I’ll let you know. Send to tell me?” They’d started to make a point of keeping each other notified of where they were. Timmins thought it was cute and made sure that both Spike and Xander knew where the other was. Spike made his way to the door, adjusting his ‘set’ as he went. He grinned to himself. Xander finished his coffee and attacked his eggs. After finishing his breakfast he showered and headed for the dojo. Master Bruce was waiting. . Master Bruce put Xander through his paces, despite the fact that Xander should have been sore. Xander was secretly very pleased that Spike had been careful enough that he actually wasn’t sore at all. Xander went through his kata for sword, pole arm, small weapons, and weaponless, quickly. He took only about an hour. Then he settled to meditate for a bit. Master Bruce nodded his pleasure at Xander’s improvement. “I’m very pleased with you. That was excellent. Your new gladius has been delivered and I’m going to start you on exercises with it during your next lesson. How are you doing with your guitar?” “Good, really good. I’ve been practicing an hour every day. Then I spend sometime on wood working. I’ve been neglecting my gardens a bit but, since I’ve got help, it’s not that big a deal. If there’s a problem, one of the gardeners comes to me and we work it out. But I’m needing more time to relax, I’m getting a bit burnt out. All this angsting and what not is a pain. You heard?” Master Bruce nodded. “Yes. I was at the back of the court. You were beautiful. Powerful, graceful, everything I look for in a student. I was very proud of you. As to Master Spike being Master of California? Interesting. He’ll be able to hold his court together, I’m sure. But he’s going to be very busy for a while. That big an area left to its own devices for so long isn’t a good thing. There’s going to be so many beings wanting judgement that he’s going to be up to his eyebrows in complaints for weeks.” “Yeah, too bad someone can’t help him out a bit. Lower court sort of thing. Take your complaint to them, if they can’t settle it, bump it up a step. But it’d never work. None of the complainants would put up with it. Sucks, but there you are.” Master Bruce nodded. “It’s too bad, but he’s going to have to do it all himself, at least for now.” “Bleh! Well, I’m going to shower again then head for my gardens. The orchids are in full flower and I want to admire them. And the African Violets are coming on too. So ... that’s where I’ll be if you need me for anything. Bye.” After he got out of the shower, Xander picked up an escort at the door, ignored him and headed for the gardens. His first present from Spike, gardens he still cared for deeply, even if he didn’t have as much time for them as he wished. He made a vow to change his schedule so he had more time for them. He decided that the woodworking could wait once in a while. His translations, however, had to be kept up. It was one way Spike knew who was planning what. Narma met him at the gate with a list of things that needed doing. He was a bit amused to see that it was in hieratic. He went over it with Narma and approved most of it. He refused Narma’s request to build a shadoof, asking, “What the hell is that and why do we need it?” “Oh, master, it’s a way to lift water from one level to another, my people use them all the time.” Xander shook his head, this was one of the disadvantages of having a man this old as Chief Gardener, some of his antiquated ideas were difficult to dislodge. “We’ll use an electric pump. A waterfall here and there can do more than look pretty. I’ll design it myself. Don’t argue. Please. I don’t feel like being all logic boy. Ok?” Narma bowed slightly. “As the young master pleases. Shall I make tea for you?” Xander settled at the table in the middle of the orchid garden, by the koi pond. “Please. Jasmine, if there is any. And send to let Timmins know that I’m here. I just want to sit and listen to the water and smell the flowers. The orchids are in great shape. How are the violets?” Narma stood beside the table, Xander had never been able to get him to sit, sometimes he’d squat, but that was about it. They discussed the wandering stream and waterfalls that Xander wanted to install with Xander drawing designs in a small sketch book. After finalizing the design, Xander worked up a materials list, and enjoyed every second. Then they went on to the violet collection. Xander had ordered several leaves which had taken quite well and the plants needed repotting. Xander insisted on doing that himself so Narma just took the plants that needed it to the potting shed and kept them until Xander could get around to them. He made sure to get around to them within two days of Narma telling him about them. “Well, that’s about that. I’ll head for the shed and repot the violets. Then I’m going to the filling station and see the rest of the plants. After that, music lesson, so don’t let me stay too long. Ok?” Narma executed one of his graceful bows. “As the young master wishes.” Xander made it to the shed with only three distractions, all of them important. He spent an enjoyable time repotting the violets and messing around in the dirt. He straightened away his mess over the protests of two gardeners, who wanted to do it for him. He told them that he’d made the mess, he’d clean it up. They settled against the wall to watch him with awe in their eyes. Xander checked the potting shed to make sure that he hadn’t left anything undone then made his way to the old filling station to check on his other violets. He examined them happily, they were beautiful, well cared for and their setting in the old-fashioned display cases interesting. Xander had replaced the lights with grow lamps so the plants would get plenty of good light and they were blooming enthusiastically because of it. He settled at the small table under the skylight to enjoy the sun and his flowers. Narma spoke from the door. “Master? Would you like some tea or some other refreshment? I could bring it to the edge of the sun.” Narma had brought Xander tea right after the station had been finished and nearly dusted himself trying to dart in and set it down before he caught on fire. Xander had doused him with a nearby pot of water and bawled him out, telling him never to do such a thing again. Narma had been astonished to find out that both Xander and Spike valued him more as a gardener than as a slave. “Thanks. I’d love a cup of coffee. Tell Timmins to make it and put it in a thermal cup. Tell him where I am too.” “Yes, master.” Xander mumbled, “Not a master. Just a guy.” Narma snorted, he knew a master when he saw one. It was just that Xander was a very good one. . Xander eased into the music room, he’d stayed a bit too long in the station and was late, by his watch. “Sorry I’m late. I got distracted by doing nothing for once. Sorry.” Giles looked up from the music he was examining. “That’s ok. You’re not really late. I’m early and Spike said to tell you that he’s running a bit late. Here. This is the music I intend to cover this session. Go ahead and try to play it over. After we do this piece, we’ll go over the piece you’ve been practicing.” “Oh? And why this order instead of the one I’ve been practicing so hard on?” Xander felt a little resentful. He’d been looking forward to showing off a bit. He’d practiced really hard, with Spike on the clavichord, and he’d been wanting to show Giles how hard he’d worked. “Because I know you’ve worked hard and I want to save the easy bit for later. You’ll be tired and it’ll be good for us to end on a high note. Um ...” Xander laughed. “Yeah, high note. Ok, I get it. Fine.” Xander glanced at his watch. “Spike should be here soon. He usually doesn’t let business go much after quitting time.” Just as Xander finished speaking, Spike walked in, grumbling about ‘gits’ not taking a hint worth shit. Xander struggled hard not to laugh and just barely succeeded. Giles didn’t bother. His laughter rang out, rich and clear. Spike just snarled at him half-heartedly. They settled after a few snarky remarks flew back and forth. Giles tapped his foot on the floor to mark the time and they started. Xander struggled a bit but managed to play fairly well. He wondered what the point of the exercise was but stuck with it anyway. They played the piece through several times getting better witheach one. Finally, Giles tapped a fingernail on his guitar and announced, “Very good. Thank you so much, Master Spike, for being so patient with this. Xander, you’re doing so well. I don’t believe you got it perfect in so few repetitions. Now we’ll play the piece you’ve been practicing.” Xander nodded, Spike just put his fingers to the keyboard again. When Giles counted the time they all managed to start together on the first try. It only took them two tries to get completely through the piece without a mistake. Spike smiled at Xander in approval and Giles was surprised to see Xander grin back in easy familiarity. Spike noticed Giles watching them and nodded. “My boy is smart. Don’t know where ya got the idea he’s stupid. Don’t know where he got it either.” Giles took off his glasses and polished them. “Well, I read his records. They’re fairly pointed as to the fact that every test he’s ever taken has put him in the bottom 10. It’s also noted that he took aptitude tests in grade school that place him in the ... er ... slow category. I’m beginning to wonder what those testers were smoking.” Xander flushed heavily. “I don’t test well. I get ... nervous so I get stupid. I can’t remember stuff. And numbers just ... never mind. It’s not important anyway. Can we play that first piece again?” Spike gave Giles a speaking look and turned the page back to the beginning of the piece. “Sure, pet, wanna set it while it’s fresh?” Xander cleared his throat. “Yeah, that’s the idea.” Giles just struck the first cord, but he made a note to himself to look into this further, soon. . Xander looked up from his latte, Bud rather pointedly ignored the redheaded woman. “Xander, I just stopped by to give you this. Please? Take it. You can have Spike have someone check it out. It’s just to protect you from ... bad magic. Even magic with good intention that would hurt you somehow. And psychic attack.” Xander smiled at Willow tentatively but wouldn’t touch the stones she was holding out to him. They were beads of stones braided into a leather string. Xander wasn’t sure what to call the thing, but it had red jasper, chrysoberyl, carnelian, garnet, black onyx, labradorite, and some others Xander didn’t recognize, as well as a bead of copper, brass and silver. Bud reached over and took it. “If it checks out ok, I’ll braid them into his hair in a war lock. Ok?” Willow smiled hesitantly. “Yes. That’d be good. Really good. Thanks.” She turned to Xander with tears trickling down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry. Really. I’m going to Oxford in a few days. Write me?” Xander nodded. “Yeah, I can do that. You write me back. Only ... write nice, Ok? I still can’t read your handwriting.” Willow smiled a bit sadly. “I’ll ... write nice. Bye. See you soon.” She waved over her shoulder with one hand, wiping at her eyes with the other. Xander leaned back against the back of his chair. “Well, that went well ... not. I just ... I can’t quite trust her. I forgive her, but if I said so, she’d be all ... oh, Xander forgives me, everything can go back to normal now. Only, it ... her idea of normal is what used to be. And I’m not her ... I’m not the same. I’ve got ... something. Never mind. Just see that that thing is ok.” Xander swallowed the last of his coffee and got up. “Let’s get out of here. I’m all jittery now.” Bud snorted. “And it’s not the coffee. The stuff they serve here is weak.” Bud didn’t argue. He just followed Xander out to the parking lot. He was well aware that Xander was so good natured that he seemed spineless, but he knew that was an illusion that most people, and demons, didn’t want to shatter. He’d seen how good Xander was in battle, no one that good at fighting was a pushover. No one. “Master Xander, we should go to the Magic Shop and see Mr. Giles. He’ll know if it’s safe or not. If she didn’t have him help her with it, he’ll at least know how to test it for ... problems.” Xander thought for a moment, Giles had seemed happy with him that afternoon. “Ok, but if he gets all ‘I know what’s best’ I’m out of there. I don’t need to be patronized by anyone. And Giles gets that way, way too often for my taste. Come on.” Xander drove to the Magic Box, even though it was only two or three blocks away, Spike had forbidden him to wander the town after dark. He was too easy a target on foot, not that Spike thought Xander an easy target anymore. After all, he fought Spike himself to a standstill, once in a while. He just didn’t want to have to go hunt down some idiot who thought Xander was easy. It was just more trouble than it was worth. Xander didn’t argue with Spike. One, it pissed him off and two, he was right, so Xander drove. Bud was pleased to see a spot right in front of the shop. Xander parked quickly and headed for the shop, Bud right behind him. The merry jingle of the bell over the door made Giles pop his head out of the office. He leaned back in his chair enough that he could see around the door jamb. “Xander! And ... Bud? Hello, what’s wrong?” Xander had Bud hand the string of gemstone beads to Giles, still refusing to touch it. “This. I don’t know if it’s dangerous or not. Willow gave it to me. Said it was to protect me. Is it ok? Do you know anything about it?” Giles accepted the amulet from Bud. “Yes, I helped Willow make it for you. I’d have told you about it but she wanted it to be a surprise. It’s fine. All the stones were cleansed. I blessed most of them myself. Willow blessed some of the rest and Tara blessed one or two. You really should take this to Tara instead of me. It is safe. I swear.” Xander took the amulet from Giles and shoved it into his pocket. “I haven’t seen Tara since court two days ago. She moved into her own place. I think Spike is helping her a little. Is she talking to Willow yet?” Giles rubbed his face. “Not really. Willow ... she just doesn’t get it. She’ll be addicted to magic soon if she doesn’t get things under control. That’s one of the reasons I encouraged her so strongly to go to Oxford. There is a very strong coven there. I’ve written to the High Priestess who will contact Willow with some excuse or other. I’m leaving it all in her capable hands. I don’t have the time or resources to deal with a Wicca as powerful as Willow. Or Tara either. But Tara can be trusted implicitly. She’s got her head on straight. Now... I hate to throw you out, but if I don’t close now, I’ll have a shop full of late night wanna be’s and I don’t feel like dealing with it. Shoo. Go see Tara, if you think you need to.” Xander shook his head. “Don’t need to, G-man. If you say it’s ok, I’ll quit worrying. Bud said he’d braid the beads into a war lock. That’s not like a male witch, right?” Giles laughed on his way to lock the door. “No, what he’s talking about is a braid of hair. If Bud...” Giles made a clicking sound with his tongue that Xander knew was an honorific in Bud’s language. “says you’re entitled to a war lock then you are. I’m very pleased that he feels you’re worthy. Now, again I say, shoo. I want my tea.” But Giles smiled in a fatherly way that took the sting out of his words. Xander headed for his truck again with Bud at his heels. “A war lock, huh? How’s that work?” Bud settled in the passenger seat and leaned against the door. “Well, first you have to prove that you’re a warrior. You’ve done that. You have to prove that you can obey your lord, no matter what, you’ve done that in spades. You have to be able to take and give orders with dignity. Done that. And you have to not only be good with weapons but able to actually kill something. You’ve done that and more. So, you’re a warrior and worthy of a war lock. I’ll braid you one myself and teach Timmins how to help you take care of it. If I need to. Knowing him, he already knows how.” Xander kept his eyes on the road. “And what is Spike going to say about this?” “Not much. Probably be really proud of you. It’s not easy to be accepted into the ranks of warriors in my tribe. But I say you’re good enough.” “Oh, well, thanks. You want some fries?” “Could be persuaded.” Xander pulled through the drive through at a fast food joint and they ordered fries and sodas. Xander parked on a side street so they could eat in peace. The night was fine and the moon was nearly full. A perfect night to snack and gossip. Xander had just finished the last of his fries when it happened. The first thing they noticed was a shadow, darker than the rest, that flitted across the street a half a block ahead of them. Xander nudged Bud. “I see it.” “Yeah, but what is it?” “Not sure.” “I hate that. I don’t know how to kill ‘not sure’. That sucks.” Bud didn’t bother to suppress his grin. “But it’s a lot more fun.” Xander pouted. “Don’t like ‘not sure’. Think I’ll just go kill it now.” “Right behind you.” Xander bailed out his side of the truck and rolled underneath it. Bud jumped into the bed. He liked a high point, and it also attracted all the attention. They both waited until the shadows resolved themselves into three vampires. Xander crawled back out from under the truck, shaking his head as he did so. “Damn! Where did not sure come from?” Bud just shrugged. “Well, I wasn’t sure. I never thought that three fledges this young would have the guts to come after both of us. This is just annoying. And where the hell do they come from?” Xander eyed the fledges as he thought. “I don’t know. You know Spike forbade making fledges and leaving them to themselves. But someone is doing it anyway. Let’s keep one.” “Ok. You’re the boss. Which one do you want to keep?” Bud eyed the three vampires doubtfully. He wasn’t sure the fledges even knew who’d made them. Many of the youngest ones on the Hellmouth didn’t. It pissed Spike off to no end too. Xander said so to Bud. One of the fledges spoke up. “I know who Sired me. I’m not stupid like the rest of these yokels.” Xander nodded at him. “We keep that one. Dust the other two. Or ...” Xander sidestepped the charge of the one who looked like a football player. “Just let them manage on their own.” The vampire ran right onto the stake Xander was holding and went, as Buffy said, ‘poof! All dusty.’ Xander grabbed the one they wanted to keep and wrestled with him. He was stronger than a normal man his size but Xander had been getting Spike’s blood long enough that they were just about equally matched. Except that Xander had a lot more training than the vampire. He put the idiot in a head lock and just waited for Bud to come help him. Bud dusted his opponent quickly and just went to the truck, opened a tool box and pulled out a tow chain. It didn’t take them long to chain the fledge firmly. Xander gagged him too, remarking, “Geeze, language.” They tossed him into the back of the truck and headed for home. . Spike was waiting in the garage. A call on Xander’s shiny new cell phone had alerted him to the capture. “Where is he, pet?” Xander stalked up to Spike. “Kiss! No pressie without a kiss.” Spike obliged Xander, realizing that he was high on adrenalin and probably coffee and sweets. Xander wasn’t supposed to eat too many sweets and he knew it but Spike turned a blind eye to an occasional binge. “Ok, pet.” Spike gave Xander a long, lingering kiss then eased him away. “Now, where’s the fledge?” While Xander had been checking the condition of Spike’s tonsils, Bud had been dragging the fledge out of the back of the truck and chaining him to a pillar. Now both Spike and Xander went to see what they could find out. It didn’t take long for Spike to get the young vampire to talk. He was, after all was said and done, a very junior executive type. He was used to taking orders, not giving them. Spike promised him a place in the court if he’d tell what he knew. What they found out was; there was a master vampire who was more or less, probably more, insane. He wanted to take over the Hellmouth and thoughtthe way to do that was flood it with fledges. He didn’t care that they had no idea how to take care of themselves, or how to feed without killing. They just woke up, climbed out of their coffins and started looking for food. Sometimes, as in his case, the master would keep the body nearby until it woke, just to see if it would. Spike just shook his head. “I got to find that wanker and take care of him. I’m gonna dust ‘im good. That’s just ... not right. Angelus didn’t do right by me, but at least he taught me ta hunt and feed. This pillock ... he just needs a good staking. I’m goin’ out.” Xander didn’t argue with Spike, he could tell it wouldn’t do any good. Instead he just kissed Spike good-bye and told him good hunting. Spike left the garage, telling Timmins to take the ‘new guy’ down to the dormitory and turn him over to one of the older vampires for training. Xander went to their quarters, followed by Bud. Timmins met them at the door, having just finished settling their newest resident. “You took your time.” Xander shrugged. “Knew you’d be busy for a while. We stopped to get beer. You get that guy settled?” Timmins nodded, saying absently, “Yes, but he’s not going to last long. He’s untutored and unwilling to learn. It seems that one thing that master passes along is terminal stupidity.” Xander pulled the braid of gemstones out of his pocket. “Look. It’s safe. Giles said so. Willow gave it to me. She said it was to protect me from all sorts of magic. Bud said he’d braid them into a war lock. You know how to take care of one? I sure don’t.” Timmins bowed slightly. “Yes, I know how to care for one. This is quite the accomplishment. Congratulations. I’ll bring more beer.” Xander turned to Bud who explained. “Braiding a war lock is an occasion for much celebration among my people. Too bad we’re not in my home. There’d be a big party, lots of food, drink, dancing girls and boys. But just the two of us can have some beer and music. Small celebration.” Xander just grinned. “I don’t drink a lot anyway. My dad cured me of that a long time ago. Now, what do we do first?” Bud took the braid and started undoing it. “First we get the beads out of this braid. Then we start your war lock.” Xander settled on the floor at Bud’s feet. Bud ran his hands through Xander’s hair, long enough to make a braid by now. The braid was short, granted, but it was thick and soft. Bud decided that Spike was the luckiest male he knew. “You’ve got great hair. Let me finish unbraiding it. Then we’ll decide where to put the war lock.” Xander thoughtabout it for a moment. “If it doesn’t make any difference, I know where I want it.” “Doesn’t make much difference. Most tribes have one place that everyone in the tribe puts theirs. But, since you don’t have a tribe, it doesn’t matter. Where do you want it?” Xander pointed to his temple. “Just about here. Where it’ll hang in front of my ear. Wanna show it off.” “Very well. Now, beer, much beer.” Bud opened the first can and took a healthy swallow, he handed the beer can to Xander, who took a swallow then handed it back. “Well, much beer for me, not so much for you. Ok?” Xander laughed and nodded. “You wouldn’t like me drunk anyway. I’m a pouter. So, what do we do next?” Bud picked up the first stone. “We put this in. This stone likes to be next to the skin, so it goes first. We need some fine string to pull the hair through it.” Bud produced a piece of butchers’ twine and used it to pull a strand of Xander’s hair through the hole in the bead. He braided a few turns then added another bead on a different strand of hair. Then he drank some more beer. They did this again and again until Bud was thoroughlydrunk, Xander was tipsy and all the beads were braided into his hair. They had to do two locks, which Bud announced was a good thing. Xander examined himself in a mirror and decided that it was a good look for him. “Look great, pet. Like it” Xander yelped. “What?” “Don’t do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack. And, I’d like to know ... why doesn’t the mirror show you but a digital camera will? Very freak worthy.” Spike sighed. “Vampires are cursed. Silver repels curses. Thus, it refuses to show an image. A digital camera is electronic. See?” Xander nodded then turned his head so Spike could see his locks. “Like? Bud decided I had too many stones to do just one braid. He said my hair isn’t long enough yet. Right Bud?” Bud just stood up, staggered a bit, bowed to Spike and wandered out, singing some sort of war like sounding song. Xander just snickered. “What’s with him?” “He drank most of my share of the beer. Do you like my war locks?” “Yeah, pet, I do. Sexy looking.” Xander grinned. Then he blinked and asked, “Oh, and did you find the Funky Master?” Spike gritted his teeth. “No, I didn’t. He’s moved again. I’ll find him, sooner or later. And when I do, I’m gonna dust him good.” Xander just offered coffee. . Rupert Giles was sick and tired of being The Watcher. Buffy didn’t really need a watcher anymore but the Council insisted that she needed him. She needed keeping track of, he was writing the last in a long series of reports on exactly what Buffy was doing. The last because he was quitting. He’d had it. His report read: “She’s killing demons.” And that was all. It was attached to his resignation. His 401k was in very good shape, the Magic Box was doing well and he had an ace in the hole as the saying was. He’d found a rather large cache of jewels during one of their forays into the demon world. He’d kept it instead of turning it over to the Council. Why should they have it? He’d found it. It was his. He’d sold them carefully over the last year. He was going to work with Buffy still, but on his own terms. Buffy was mature enough now that he felt that she should learn to plan for herself. But he intended to be right there to approve the plans for some time yet. However, he was going to wean her away from her need for him. He was getting older and, frankly, he wanted a life of his own again. He’d never wanted to be a Watcher when he was young, now that he’d done his duty, he wanted a life beyond the Watchers Council. He’d decided to keep the Magic Box. He enjoyed the interaction with his customers. And he was going to set up as a music teacher. A very exclusive one. He wasn’t going to take just anyone. He would only take older students with several years of lessons behind them. He was a very good musician and a good teacher. He enjoyed watching and listening to a good student. After finishing his book keeping, Giles opened his weapons chest. He needed to sharpen his battle ax and one of the swords had a nick in the blade. He grumbled a bit but set to work after making a note to start teaching Buffy to maintain her own weapons. If Xander could do it, Buffy could too. While he was taking care of the weapons, Giles tried to figure out how to get a translation without contravening Xander’s prohibitions. The real problem with the prophecy was that it seemed to be on human skin, stinky human skin. Giles poked at the problem from every angle. He couldn’t find any way around it. . Then next day saw Xander up, through the gym and in his office early. He had several translations that he’d promised, and he’d have to hurry to get them done in time. He settled on the easiest one first and started in. It was in one of the oldest of the Egyptian hieroglyphic hands, but all it was was a love spell. One that wouldn’t work without a certain plant that Xander was fairly sure had been extinct for about a thousand years. He wrote it out in his neat shorthand and set the scroll aside for Sylvia to type up. The next scroll wasn’t a scroll at all. It was a clay tablet. He sighed. It stank of old magic and blood. He tipped it carefully to examine the text. It was cuneiform, crudely impressed and half of it was backward. “This guy writes as bad as I do. What ... hmmmm.” Xander mumbled his way through the translation of the tablet, adding the note that he was sure that it was a fake. He also advised great caution if the owner decided to try the spell. He set that one aside also. The next scroll was rejected as being on his ‘no-no’ list. He wasn’t going to bend on this unless Spike ordered him to. He was fairly sure Spike wouldn’t go to that extreme unless it was really important. Spike knew he, Xander, would pout for at least two days. And no nookie! Xander wrote for Sylvia to send his standard refusal. He was just getting ready to pick up the last item he’d earmarked for today when someone knocked on the door. “Come in.” Xander gazed at Giles for a moment then sighed. “I know that look. What do you want me to do that I don’t want to? And don’t try puppy-dog eyes on me. They don’t work for Spike, or Willow, so you’re completely out of luck.” Giles sighed, polished his glasses and said, “Well,you can’t blame me for trying. I really need that translated and I can’t even begin. Someone said that you can read that like English.” Xander didn’t even touch the scroll. “I can read it better than English. And from what little I’ve already seen, you really need it. Tell the Council that they’ll be getting a huge bill. Huge? Enormous. Stinky human skin? Not on my list at all. I’m going to charge you by the word. Now, scat.” Giles didn’t scat, he settled into the visitor’s chair and watched. Timmins brought him tea and set another cup on Xander’s desk. Giles was a bit amused to see that Xander drank Jasmine. He preferred Margaret’s Hope himself, which the valet seemed to know. Xander ignored Giles, if he wanted to sit and watch him scribble, that was fine. It took him half an hour to do the translation, cross checking two different dictionaries in the process. He squinched his face up when he had to read English and used a line minder. Never mind that Giles snorted at it. It helped. “Well, here you are. The translation is in shorthand. If you can’t read it, I’ll have my secretary type it up for you.” Giles finished his second cup of tea in a swift gulp. “I can’t, but if you give it to me, I’ll take it to her myself and wait.” Xander nodded, scribbling on a half sheet of paper. “And here’s the bill. Don’t faint. But don’t let the Council short me either. I don’t do stinky, human skin for just anybody, you know.” Giles nodded, accepting the papers and the objectionable scroll. “I do realize that, and I’m very grateful. Apocalypse, you know. And I’ll make sure the Council pays you every shilling.” Xander nodded, watched Giles leave then called Spike. “I need you. Come now.” It didn’t take Spike long to show up. “What’s wrong, pet? Ya sound peeved.” “Giles brought me a stinky scroll. But I translated it anyway. There’s an apocalypse coming.” Spike groaned. “Damn, not another. I’m sick of it. Who’s going to end the world now? And who do I kill?” Xander settled behind his desk and consulted his notes. “Ok, open the Hellmouth by sacrificing ... something. I don’t recognize this stuff. I know the name and I can translate it. But I don’t know what it actually is. The word translates as harpaks, that’s Syrian, ancient, not modern. Very near Babylonian. But that’s as far as I can go. I’ve looked it up in several books but they just say amber. I don’t get it.” Spike nearly snorted his tea. “Ok, so I’m stupid.” Spike gave Xander a filthy glare. “What did I say about that?” Xander just shrugged irritably. “You’re not stupid, just lookin at the word from the wrong perspective. Amber, the stone, not the color.” Xander just smacked himself in the forehead. “And it says right there.” He pointed at a passage in his neat shorthand. “A ... um ... pound of it. That’s a lot, isn’t it?” “Yeah, that much semiprecious stone? Kinda. What are they going to do with it?” “Toss it into the Hellmouth, along with stinky herbs, incense and ... um ...” He consulted his notes again. “That’s all. No blood sacrifice or chanting or anything. Don’t think it’ll work, but there’s no sense in taking chances. I’m not sure when, though. I’ll have to get out a calendar and work it out.” “You do that. I’ll be preparing for battle.” “Ok, kiss, then go.” Spike did as Xander requested and Xander turned to his translation to try to figure out when the ‘confluence of water and earth’ was. . Authors Note: African Violets are propagated by cutting off a leaf and part of it’s stem and sticking the cut leaf into a pot of rooting mix. The stem will start rooting and putting out new leaves. I’ve seen leaves for sale for up to 6.00 a piece. (Way too rich for my blood)

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