 Wrong Way
TITLE: Wrong Way
Chapter 3: “Hey kid let me in.” Joe yelled from the other side of Xander’s door. Xander carefully placed a bookmark in his place of the current book he was reading and opened the door. “So how was your day?” Joe said walking inside the room and sat down in the only chair in the room. “You know that sounds a little funny coming from you. You know ‘cause you’re sort of like my pimp.” Xander said flopping back down on his bed. “Just interested in your life.” Joe said flippantly. “It was an okay day. Talked to the guidance counselor again. Same old deal about the papers. She was trying to convince me to go to college. Run in with the Slayer. Nothing big, but Jesse wants me to go to the Bronze with them tomorrow.” Xander said summarizing the events of his day. “You really should think about college. Of course I’m not one to push the subject. As for your friends, it’d be good to see you get out. All the people you know are way older then you.” Joe said. “That’s not true. Melinda in twenty-three is only twenty-four.” Xander said. “Geez that chicks only twenty-four. She looks almost forty.” Joe said. Xander gave him an amused smile. “It’s not like everyone’ll hate you if you go out with people your own age. Don’t do anything on your nights off ‘cept keep your head in one of your books.” Joe said. “Thought you’d be happy. Books are educational.” Xander said sarcastically. “That’s not my point. You can’t use the excuse that your mean Uncle Joe won’t let you go. Better think of an excuse that doesn’t involve me. Those kids probably think I’m the meanest guy in the world.” “But the Slayer…” “Unless you’re planning on bringing them back here then I don’t see your problem. You deserve a little time off, Alan.” Joe said. “Okay so what are you really in here for.” Xander said picking up his book and skimming to the part where he left off. “Right you have a client right when sunsets. That Spike guy seems to be taken with you now. Coming right back the next night. That’s good turnaround for you.” Joe said. “What can I say? To vamps I’m moist and delicious.” Xander said. “Well, he…he paid for an hour of ‘service’.” Joe said looking uneasy and using air quotes. “An hour, huh.” Xander said trying to sound as casual as he could. It was always weird with new people, but Xander trudged on. “Yeah, just thought I should tell you before he drops by. You ate already right?” Joe asked. “Yes I ate already. Sun should be setting in about fifteen minutes.” Xander said. “You know if you don’t like the guy I could always tell him your sick.” Joe said giving Xander an out. “No, he was… he was nice. Very cool about things. Really it’s fine. There was some miscommunication at first when he was trying to go for my neck, but I straightened it out.” Xander said. “He went for your neck! Shit I forgot to say something. Sorry Alan.” Joe said apologetically. “No it’s cool. I was able to get out of the bind anyway.” Xander said. “Still I’ll have to tell him all the rules. My guess is he’s never been to a place like this what with being a Master and all. Still can’t believe he’s coming here. I mean you’d think as a Master he wouldn’t have to you know…pay for it.” Joe said. “I guess. Not really up on my vampire lore. Listen if that’s all I’d like to be alone for a bit before he shows up. Some more reading and stuff like that.” Xander said. “Yeah right. Don’t smoke too many.” Joe said. “I’m not going to smoke.” Xander said trying to sound offended. “Right. You smoke so much I can smell it all the way downstairs. At least Janet isn’t trying to get you to buy weed. That would just be wrong. I’ll leave you alone now.” Joe said walking out of the room and closing the door lightly. Xander hurriedly ran to his desk and pulled out the carton of cigarettes that were calling his name. He carefully plucked out one of his cigarettes and lit it with shaking hands. So he had his little habits. Everyone did. Joe was right, Xander did smoke, but not everyday. Just when the new clients came in and Joe was right about the weed. Xander couldn’t stand the stuff. He had tried it once and the paranoia it caused was enough to make him cringe. It was certainly not a good idea to start panicking right before something like what he was paid to do happened. Rosie, the lady just down the hall who had been doing this job since she was a little older then Xander, had said that drugs always did the trick for her, but Xander was always different. So he turned to the only friend that he had. Cigarettes. Yes the little nasty things were filled with carcinogens and other nasty stuff, but damn if they didn’t calm the nerves. Spike had smelled like cigarettes. Xander let himself think back to the other night. It wasn’t as if Spike was a horrible looking guy. Xander had done worse. In fact, if Xander were being openly honest or extremely drunk, he’d have to say the Master vampire was quite a good looking guy. Xander didn’t like to think about his customers that way. It was gross on an epic scale, but if let himself remember the night before and picture the bleached blonde vampire he’d have to admit he was to quote Cordelia ‘A Fine Piece of Salty Goodness.’ Now, under further inspection, he could let his mind drift to the picture of the vampire hovering over him. The blonde hair was a little much and gave him a wannabe Billy Idol look of course he probably had that look before Billy Idol was alive. He had that whole ‘Bad Ass Without a Care’ look down to perfection. Every time he moved you could sense the predator lying beneath that calm façade. He was smaller then Xander by a few inches and more compact. Sure Xander wasn’t anything to scoff at, but his muscles were almost nonexistent. Spike had been lean and wiry. He had pale skin and that was most likely due to the no sunlight rule vampires had. He was drenched in alcohol, cigarette smoke, leather, and the barest hint of the ocean. All smells Xander felt himself drawn to. It was true, cigarette smoke did have a nauseating smell, but Xander craved it. Then there were those eyes. The intensity they had produced the night before as he stared at Xander as if he were trying to look into his soul. They seemed dead and endless. Xander could see the light dancing behind them, but it was barely there due to the cold hard gaze the vampire had been giving off. They were truly the deepest eyes Xander had seen. Xander had learned to read people by the way they looked at him and Spike’s eyes only conveyed mystery. He had been hiding something. Of course they were slightly glazed over by the alcohol he had most likely consumed, but they were relentless nonetheless. He had willed Xander to tell him Xander’s biggest secret just by the look he gave him. They were endless sapphire pools drawing him in to look deeper. Xander crushed out his cigarette, which was barely burning ash falling all over his bed. He quickly pulled out another cigarette and lit it faster this time just inhaling the calm they gave him. It was a good thing he could barely afford doctor’s visits. If he had to see his lungs, which were probably black as the night’s sky, he would stay away from his little nicotine filled friends and where would that leave him. He’d never do drugs. It was something he had promised himself he wouldn’t do no matter how bad life got. Drugs never lead anywhere good. Alcohol and cigarettes were more his style. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Spike stood outside the hotel building just staring at it. He tried to will himself to stay away, to just forget about the dark haired boy that stirred something in him. He wasn’t sure why he reacted to Xander so. Sure the boy was nice looking enough and Spike was a vampire so the whole guy thing didn’t really faze him. It was that he had felt something more then lust for the boy. Something he couldn’t exactly put his finger on. That was not good at all. Spike had spent five years denying himself any bit of happiness, determined to let himself stew and die alone without anyone. It would be his punishment for not saving Dru. In fact Spike felt that he didn’t deserve to live now that his Dark Princess was dead. He had told himself all day that he wouldn’t come back here. That this place didn’t have any kind of hold on him. That the boy was just another piece of meat that worked at these prostitution houses for less then adequate vampires who couldn’t catch their own food. This wasn’t the kind of place that he should be at. A Master vampire should be out gathering minions and starting huge empires. Of course Spike was never one for the minion gathering and huge empire building, but it was what any great Master would do. Spike had always known he was different. Spike watched as a pack of fledgings walked into the building chatting away about something unimportant. It was easier to be a fledging then to be a Master. When you’re young you don’t have a care in the world. You’re on a rush. Other vampires be damned. Once you got older and had time to really look at the world you start to realize just how hard things will get. Sure, Spike was a legend to other vampires. Two Slayers under his belt and he barely broke a sweat doing it, but after time the grit and glory wares off, especially if you have no one their to share it with. “Hey so did you hear about the Master?” One fledging said enthusiastically. “Yeah, the Slayer got him good. Now the Anointed One is in charge. That damn Order of Aureilus needs to get its act together. Use to have some of the best vampires, but now it’s like no one wants to even be a part of it.” Another fledging said. “Oh that’s right you’re an Angelus fanatic. Ever since you’re Sire told you about him you’ve been all gung-ho about it. Personally I’d like to meet William the Bloody. Maybe he’d take care of our Slayer problem.” The third fledging said. “That Slayer’s going to be a hard one to take out. Rumored she’s got friends.” The first vampire, most likely the oldest, said. “Really she doesn’t look that tough. Scrawny little thing with fake blonde hair.” The second fledging said. “Yeah that’s what they all say, before they turn to dust.” Spike said. “Oh right what do you know about it.” Said the third vamp with false bravado. “’Cause I happen to know a thin’ or two ‘bout Slayers.” Spike said. “Really some how I don’t think a Billy Idol reject would know anything about Slayers.” The second vampire said. “First off Billy Idol stole his look from me and second off, I happen to be known as the Slayer of Slayers.” Spike said with a hint of annoyance. Sires always taught about the big vamps, but there were never any pictures to show what they looked like. “Right, next thing you’re going to be telling me that you’re Dracula.” The first vamp said. “Yeah right, like I’d wanna be that git. Poncy bugger owes me twelve pounds. Listen up kiddies. Names Spike.” Spike said. The fledgings looked at him with deadpan expressions. “William the Bloody.” Spike said getting even more irritated. “Get out.” The third fledging said in awe. “There’s no way. A Master would never go to this joint.” The second fledging said still a little skeptical. “A true Master wouldn’t care and just go wherever. Now if you’ll excuse me, I ‘ave an appointment.” Spike said leaving the fledgings in awe. It still amazed Spike how impressionable fledgings could be. They were like kids. “Ah, Mister… … … William. You’re on time. Um… … … there are a few things I’d like to discuss with you before going to see Alan. Now he told me about the whole neck incident. Normally I’d say bite wherever you want, but Alan’s just a kid. I know you didn’t bite him there, but that’s just for future reference. Second no biting during sex. It’s a whole messy claiming thing that I just don’t have the time to deal with. Want a bite; wait till after the sex. And you can’t just go shoving your dick in his ass without any preparation. Now I personally don’t know how that works, but if you don’t I’m sure the kid’ll tell you.” Joe said when Spike barely put a foot through the door. “Yeah, sure mate.” Spike said. “Okay well you know where to go. Just knock on the door. The kid’s probably reading or smoking.” Joe said trying to hide the nervousness in his voice. He hated doing this to the kid he thought of as a son, but he had no choice. “Right, mate.” Spike said in a shocked voice. He hadn’t really thought about having sex with Xander. Sure he paid for it and it was definitely his decision to make, but in the span of time he had to think about it, sex never crossed his mind. It wasn’t like he didn’t know how. His Sire had made sure of that. He had really just wanted to see Xander again and didn’t know exactly why or how to go about that. He made his way up to Xander’s room and knocked on the door. “Come in.” Spike heard from the other side of the door. Spike opened the door and walked in. “You know you shouldn’t let jus’ anyone in ‘ere. Get mighty dangerous.” Spike said in a slightly reprimanding voice. Xander snuffed out another cigarette and quickly pulled another one out of the box. He put it to his lips and lit it quickly taking the lighter away from his mouth. “Most of the vampires that come in here no the rules. No killing the employees.” Xander said jokingly after taking a long drag on his cigarette and exhaling the smoke. “Yeah your boss read me the rules. Mind if I take a fag.” Spike said pointing to the cigarettes. “What?” Xander said more panicky then intended. “A cigarette, pet.” Spike said. “Oh, must be some British slang I’m not aware of.” Xander said holding out the cigarette box. Spike took one, whipped out his Zippo and lit it. It had been awhile since he’d enjoyed a cigarette. His diet consisted of nothing but blood and alcohol for the last four years. He closed his eyes as the nicotine hit his dead lungs. “So…” Xander said not really sure how to start this off. Usually they just pushed him down on the bed and had their way with him for the whole hour. “Relax, luv, not ‘ere to ‘ave sex wif’ you.” Spike said wondering where the words came from. “Really, then why’d you pay for an hour ‘session’. If you were after blood then you could have just paid for the ten minutes.” Xander said slightly confused. “No reason other then I’m a git who likes spendin’ dosh.” Spike replied bitterly. “I don’t know what a git is, but I’m going to assume you mean idiot or something like that.” Xander said. “Yeah somethin’ like that.” Spike mumbled. “Why here though. I mean Joe told me about your Master status. I mean why not be a respectable idiot and spend your money on the slots like, well, like a respectable idiot.” Xander asked. “Slots get lonely.” Spike said. “So you’re a lonely Master vamp. Why not go out and make yourself some minions? Take over Sunnydale and all that stuff.” “Minions are too stupid to hol’ conversations wif’. I need somethin’ wif’ substance.” “Um, I don’t know if you noticed this, but I’m a seventeen year old high school student who works as a vampire gigolo.” “Still seem like you have more to talk ‘bout then a bloody minion. ‘Sides I think you ‘ave a lot of stuff up in that brain of yours.” “I guess. I don’t know, people say that it seems like I’m just a big dorky loser. Lately I’ve been able to kind of prove them wrong. Of course that’s at the expense of my friends and being the biggest loner not to mention liar in the world, but hey you gotta roll with the punches.” Xander said as indifferently as he could. Spike wasn’t fooled. He could sense the underlying bitterness and resentment towards the world in general. His life was hard and Spike wondered why he cared. He had his own bag of problems to deal with without having to add to them with some kid’s problems. “A lil’ bitter for seventeen there, pet.” Spike commented reaching out for the ashtray. Xander handed it to him and said, “Better to know the worlds a big pile of shit early then to have dreams that disorient you and all of a sudden you wake up and say ‘ What the hell is this. This can’t be my life. This sucks. Yeah dreams. Those are the things that mess you up the most. Make you think you have a chance at anything better when all you have a chance at is infinite pain. Who needs that shit?” Xander said. “Quite the pessimist. See your point though.” Spike replied. “I can’t exactly be positive in this environment now can I? Don’t get me wrong, everyone here treats me better then my family would have, but, well, I’m the equivalent of a whore for vampires. No offense.” “None taken. So why you here? Never did quite get ‘round to askin’ that.” Spike said blowing his smoke away from the kid. “That’s a long complicated story. One that I’m not really inclined to tell just anyone.” Xander said. “An air of secrecy. Okay, I won’t push. Jus’ thought I’d ask.” “Not too many people care. I mean at least the clients don’t. Not most of them anyway. Joe only knows what he was told. I don’t know if he knows that Alan isn’t my real name or not. If he does then he doesn’t say anything. I mean he should. He does sign the papers to keep me in school, but he always puts Alan Smith on them so I don’t know. Maybe he does maybe he doesn’t.” “Anyone else know your real name?” Spike asked. “Well, yeah I had friends before I came to live here. God it’s been such a long time since I haven’t been here. I’ve been here since I was fourteen.” Spike nearly chocked. In fact he would have if he needed to breathe. It wasn’t like he should be shocked at how young Xander was when he started the sorted life he led. The boy talked about it like he was an old professional, but to hear it said was something entirely different. “You okay, I didn’t know vampires could chock.” Xander said noticing the way Spike had pounded on his chest and sputtered a little when Xander told him he had started at fourteen. “Yeah, guess ‘m jus’ a lil’ shocked is all.” Spike muttered. “Oh, well, I didn’t really start… um entertaining the vampire population until I was about fifteen and even then it was a little blood here and little blood there. I was sixteen when I first started… um… having sex with vampires.” Xander said with a hint of a blush. “What you can do it, but you can’t say it.” Spike teased half-heartedly. “Sorry, it’s just, you know I’m still a little… I don’t know I don’t think shy is the right word to use but I don’t go around saying ‘Oh yeah I fuck vampires for money.’ Seems wrong.” Xander said. “Coming from someone like you it would sound wrong. You don’t look like the whore type.” Spike said. “No I guess I don’t. I think it’s hard to tell with guys then girls. I mean the girls have to dress trash. Male escorts get to dress in suits and stuff although I don’t think I’ve ever owned a suit.” Xander said. “S’not jus’ the guy thing. You, well you look like the typical teenager. Some skater slash whatever else you prats are these days. So many different styles have come and go over the years, ‘s hard to keep up. I mean if you were walkin’ down the street or some alley way I’d think you were jus’ some punk kid.” Spike said. “Well, I can see you’re stuck in the eighties, Blondie.” Xander commented. “Oi, I’ve had this look longer then you’ve been alive.” Spike said somewhat offended. “Yeah I guess. You know that’s what really freaks me out.” “Whas’ that pet.” “That most of the vamps I know have been around a lot longer then I have. It’s gross to think that most of my clients are old enough to be my dad.” Xander said trying to repress a shudder. “Well, technical I’m old enough to be your great granda’ possibly great-great granda’.” “See that’s just wrong. Beyond wrong. The other guys here have know problems with it. Their policy is if it earns money then do what you gotta do and it’s an added bonus if the guy happens to be good looking. I’ve just never been able to get past that.” Xander said. “Well I guess so. Course if I was you I’d be more concerned with the fact that their vampires rather then the fact that they’re really old.” “I can’t. I mean I can, but I’m not you know concerned with the fact that they’re vampires. Okay at first I majorly wigged, but you know you kinda just have to look past that. I’m cool as long as they don’t go vamping out during… you know. Besides I don’t really feel anything for them so it’s just hurry up do what you gotta do and then please leave so I can go back to living in peace.” “Jus’ business for you then, eh.” “Has to be. Anything else can get really messy.” “So you find someone you really like don’t matter if they’re vampire or human?” Spike asked not really sure where he was going with the conversation. “I don’t know. I’m not looking to have a relationship with anyone at all. People suck, demons suck vampires suck literally, sorry for the hideous pun, so why bother. I’m better off alone.” Xander said. “Well, thas’ somethin’ we disagree on then innit.” Spike said. “Why do you need to be around anyone? You seem like the type that’s been hurt a time or two. Why not just go off into your own little world. I’m sure there’s a hell of a lot of stuff you could do.” “I’ve tried it. ‘S been that way for quite some time now. I don’t know, I jus’ need to be needed. Residual stuff left over from when I was human.” “Which was how long ago?” “I was turned in the 1800’s, 1880 to be exact. About a hundred and twenty-two years ago I guess.” “Wow, that’s a long time ago. I think you could be my great-great-great granddad. How old were you when you were turned?” “I was twenty-four. So all in all ‘m ‘bout a hundred and forty-six years old.” Xander sat in silence for a few moments. The man… vampire… in front of him sitting casually in one of the only chairs Xander had who was smoking cigarettes with him and having a nice conversation with was almost a hundred and fifty years old. The oldest vampire he met was sixty and even that seemed very old. It was easy to forget how old vampires were sometimes. Greg was so much like a human, but that could have been because he was younger then some of the vampires Xander knew. He was only thirty with the appearance of a twenty one year old. He had only been a vampire for a total of nine years. Spike didn’t look that old either. Xander would have guessed that he was turned sometime in his twenties rather then his thirties. Spike watched Xander intently trying to figure out what he was thinking. The boy’s expression was a hard one to decipher. “How does it feel, being a vampire? How different is it then from being a human?” Xander asked after at least ten minutes of silence. “For one you’re much stronger. You’ve got no conscience and you can kill thins’ wif’out a second thought. It’s a free feeling for as long as you can make it last, really.” Spike said. “I don’t think I could do it. Be a vampire for all eternity. I’ve seen a lot of fledges come in here lost and worried ‘cause they had stupid sires that got themselves dusted before they could take control.” “Those are stupid gits that jus’ go around turning whatever looks pretty. Most are barely fledges themselves. Being turned by a Master is somethin’ different. You got good blood running through you then its different then most of the stupid fledges that come ‘ere.” “You ever turn anyone?” Xander asked snuffing out the remaining ashes of his cigarette. There wasn’t the much left and if he had left the cigarette like that any longer he’d have burned his hand. Spike had snuffed his out a long time ago. “No. ‘M lonely, but ‘s too much work. Left that to my sire and my grandsire. They were both good and that whole guidance thin’. Never had the patience to do that.” Spike said. “Where’s your sire?” Xander said regretting he said it the moment he saw Spike tense and flinch visibly. “She died awhile back. Angry mob got the best of her.” Spike said in short curt sentence. Xander let a moment of silence pass before saying, “So what determines good blood and bad blood.” Spike was grateful for the sudden change in the topic of the conversation. “Well it all depends on who runs your line. Who’s the first vamp to start thins’ off. Then as the line goes down if everyone’s a childe then you got good blood running through your veins.” Xander looked slightly confused. “’S confusing, I know, I barely understood it when Angelus, thas’ my grandsire, explained it to me.” “So you got good blood running through your veins?” “Yep, straight from the Order of Aurelius. My great-grandsire was one of the most cherished childe of the Master.” Spike said. “So…” Xander was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Alan, it’s been an hour. Times up, your next client is here.” Joe’s muffled voice came from the other side of the door. “Well, you heard the man. I guess the hour’s up.” Xander said. He was somewhat saddened by the thought of Spike leaving, but he had a job to do. There was a rule that said not to get attached to the clients somewhere Xander knew there had to be. “Yeah I guess. I’ll see you ‘round some time.” Spike said getting up and walking over to the door. He opened it to see Joe standing there with a vampire right behind him. The vampire was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was a fledge by the way he was in full game face and not much to look at. Couldn’t be more then a day or so turned and probably by some lowly minion. Spike gave one more glance at Xander. Xander was taking in deep breaths and his eyes were closed. He looked so miserable that Spike wanted to scoop him up and run off with him. Spike shook the thought off. It was just another kid cut in some sort of crossfire. Spike shouldn’t really concern himself with someone who didn’t matter. Xander could feel Spike’s eyes on him he looked up and gave Spike a tight small smile. He hadn’t really smiled, a real smile not one of his fake goofy ones, in a while. Spike smirked at him and moved out of the doorway to let the other vampire in. Joe lightly closed the door once Spike was out in the hallway and the other vampire was in the room. It killed Joe to do that to the boy, but he had no choice. He looked over at Spike who had a deadpan look on his face. “Should I schedule you for another appointment?” Joe asked. “No, but I’ll be ‘round. Can I trust you to do somethin’?” Spike asked not sure what demo had taken possession over his body. He had his sense tuned into the room. He could smell Xander misery and desperation. He could smell the other vampire’s total lack of concern for the human and the sick arousal he permeated. He could hear the muffled voice of both parties in the other room and just make out the hint of annoyance and desperation in Xander’s voice. All that made him want to charge in their and keep the other vampire away from Xander, but that was just unheard of. “Depends on what it is?” Joe said watching the vampire who was obviously pissed off by something. His jaw was twitching and his scarred eyebrow was raised every so slightly. His arms were deep in the pockets of his coat, but Joe could see that they were curled into fists. He slowly pulled out a wad of cash, grabbed Joe’s hand and placed the money in it. “Give that to the kid. Tell ‘im… tell ‘im I’ll see ‘im around.” Spike said. “I’m not going to have a stalked problem I’m I?” Joe asked. “No, probably won’t ever see the kid again. Jus’ give him the money. All of it. I don’t want you takin’ any for yerself.” “How much is it?” Joe asked. “I don’t know, close to five hundred I guess. Jus’ give it to him.” Spike said as he began to walk out of the place. “You sure you don’t want to make another appointment. You seem fond of the kid.” Joe said as Spike got ready to move down the first step. Spike didn’t turn around, but tensed visibly. He needed to get out of the hotel before he did rush into Xander’s room. He could already make out the other vampire grunting and growling. If he listened really hard he could hear Xander letting out a defeated sigh. He could almost see the kid, lying there passively with his eyes closed and his mind praying for it to be over already. He REALLY needed to get out of the hotel. “Yeah, ‘m sure. ‘M gonna take the kids advice and live like a respectable idjit.” Home ||| Spuffy Fan Fiction ||| Spander Fan Fiction ||| Spangel Fan Fiction ||| Harry Potter Fan Fiction |||Without a Trace Fan Fiction |||CSI Fan Fiction ||| Queer as Folk Fan Fiction ||| |