One Tin Soldier
by D'Nalia
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part One
May 20, 2012
Sgt. Jameson nodded to several people as he made his way through the maze of
desks in the outer office. He quickly checked his uniform before knocking
on the Major's door.
"Come."
Jameson entered the office, closing the door behind him. He stood at
attention in front of the large, oak desk and waited patiently for the Major
to finish what he was doing.
The older man finally pushed the paperwork aside and leaned back in his
chair. "So. Sgt. Jameson, what can I do for you today?"
"Sir. We've found him, Sir. Hostile 17. The satellite picked up the trace
an hour ago. And, Sir? The chip is still active and fully functional. All
incoming data reads green."
The Major smiled for the first time in days. "That's good news, Jameson. I
want a retrieval team in the air immediately. And, Jameson. I want you to
lead the team. I want Hostile 17 treated like the General's virgin
daughter. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Sir. I'll have him on base within 24 hours, Sir."
"Very well, Jameson. Dismissed."
The Sgt. saluted and quickly left the office, leaving the Major to his
thoughts. The dark eyed man suddenly laughed out loud. "I'll be damned.
After all these years. Spike."
Major Alexander Harris, Commander of the so-called 'Death Squad', closed his
office for the day and headed to the Officer's Club. This called for a
celebration.
************
July 18th, 2000
Xander trudged home, jobless once again. //I must have pissed off someone
in a big way for my life to be this bad. This makes, what? twelve jobs?
Fifteen? I can't keep track anymore. I should call Guinness, this has to
be some kind of record. Oh, and won't the 'rents be thrilled? I gotta find
a new job, and fast.//
Xander was only a block from his house when he met Anya coming down the
sidewalk. //Ah, yes. My loving girlfriend. That's what I need, another
round of 'Xander, I want orgasms. Now.' Can we say nympho? If she doesn't
slow down, it's going to fall off.//
"Hi, Anya. Coming to visit?"
"No. I came to break up with you, but you weren't home so I left you a
note. Goodbye, Xander." Anya said calmly, as she walked by.
"Huh? Anya, what are you talking about?"
The former vengeance demon stopped in her tracks and turned to face her
former boyfriend. "I want more than you can give me, Xander. I deserve a
boyfriend who will buy me nice things, take me to exotic places and give me
all the sex I want."
Xander frowned at her, "You've been watching Oprah again, haven't you?"
"That doesn't matter. It's true. I deserve more than I can get from you.
Goodbye, Xander."
Xander watched in stupefied disbelief as Anya marched down the sidewalk and
out of his life. His brain completely numb, he slowly made his way to his
shabby basement apartment. He flopped down on his bed and stared up at the
ceiling. //My life sucks in such a big way. I can't keep a job. I live in
my parents' basement. My girlfriend dumped me. My friends don't need me
anymore. Can it possibly get any worse?//
"'Ello, pet. Mind if I come to visit?"
//That's a big yep.// "What do you want, Spike? Can't you see I'm
incredibly busy with my fascinating life?" Xander asked, sarcastically.
The vampire stared down at the one member of the Scooby gang that he
actually liked. "What's wrong, pet? Have a bad day?"
"No. A bad life, Spike. Know where I can get a new one? Cheap? Since I
lost my job, again?"
Spike settled down in the lone chair and smirked, "How many jobs is that
now? I've never seen anyone go through jobs like you do. It must be a
gift."
"More like a curse. What do you want, Spike?"
Spike tried to look pitiful, "My telly is busted and Passions is coming on.
You don't mind if I watch it, do you? No? I thought not. Thanks, pet."
He turned on the tv and settled in for his daily dose of 'who does who'.
He groused at the commercials, "Bloody hell. Be all you can be. There you
go, pet. The army is the place for you. I've said it before, I'll say it
again."
Xander threw his pillow at the vampire, "Shut up, Spike. Or you can leave."
"Touchy, touchy. Relax, mate. I'll just watch my show and be out of your
hair."
**********
Spike pulled his duster over his head and darted out of the sewer. He was
only slightly toasty when he finally got into Xander's apartment. He looked
around, but the whelp wasn't home. "Ah, well. I'll have the place to
myself. Fancy that." He'd just settled into the chair when he saw the
plain, white envelope on top of the tv. An envelope with his name on it.
Spike,
I took your advice, and guess what? The army actually wants me to be all I
can be. I'll be leaving for basic from the recruiter's office. It's been
real, Spike. Take the tv with you. And anything else you can carry. I
don't need it anymore. See ya around.
the moron
"Bloody hell, the git's gone and joined the army.
**********
Xander settled into army life with an ease that amazed him and would have
completely stunned his friends. He pulled up every memory of his brief
stint as a private, courtesy of Ethan Rayne's Halloween spell, and somehow,
found himself at the front of his company. His drill sergeants praised him
and his fellow recruits came to him for help with their class work. Because
he, Alexander LaVelle Harris, the boy most likely to retire at minimum wage,
was acing the class. Life was good.
**********
Captain Christopher Baines and Major John Marshall stood in the repelling
tower, watching the latest batch of recruits run through the obstacle
course. One was so far ahead of the rest, he might as well have been
running it by himself. But once he crossed the finish line, he didn't stop.
He immediately turned around and headed back onto the course. The two
officers watch in amazement as he threatened, cajoled and bullied the rest
of his squad through the course.
"Captain." the Major said, softly. "Find out who that recruit is. I think
we just found the newest member of our new company."
"Yes, Sir." The Captain watched for another moment, "Sir, I recognize that
kid from somewhere."
"Find out everything, Captain. I want him on the fast track. Yesterday."
**********
Captain Baines spoke to the D.I.s in charge of the recruits, as well as the
instructors giving the academic classes. They were all very impressed with
Pvt. Harris. Baines pulled his jacket and found some interesting
information. Information that led him to the archives and the tapes from the
now defunct 'Initiative'.
**********
"Major, I have that information you requested. And, Sir. You aren't going
to believe this." Baines put a tape in the Major's vcr and hit play.
Marshall frowned when he saw the end of the Initiative. "I always thought
that program was an incredibly stupid idea. What has this got to do with
that recruit."
"Just watch, Sir." Baines pointed to the screen, "There he is, Sir. One
Alexander LaVelle Harris. He was nineteen when he helped bring down the
Adam project."
Marshall watched as the teenager moved through a rampaging crowd of hostiles
and confused soldiers. He never wavered. He stayed cool, collected and got
his friends out alive.
"How's his academic record, Baines?"
"In high school, C average. Barely. But since he's been here, nothing but
100%, Sir. He's top in all of his classes, the best marksman the D.I.'s
have seen in years and his fellow recruits would cheerfully follow him
straight into Hell. He's perfect."
Marshall grunted, still watching the tape. "Get Swanson to test him. I'll
get a waiver from the General. He's no good to us as an enlisted man." The
Major looked at his long time friend, "Chris, how would you feel about
mentoring him?"
"Honestly? I don't think I'd have a problem with that at all, Sir."
"Good."
**********
Xander finished his classes for the day and was heading to the chow hall
with the rest of his squad when a sergeant pulled him aside. "Harris,
you're to report to building 111 at 1500. Ask for Lt. Swanson."
"Yes, Sir."
At 1500, Xander's nerves were about shot. He didn't know why he'd been
ordered to come here, but he had the feeling his life was about to change
again.
He asked for Lt. Swanson and was directed to an office at the end of the
hall. A woman's voice answered when he knocked.
"Come."
Xander stood in front of her desk and snapped to attention. Saluting, he
said, "Pvt. Harris reporting as ordered, Ma'am."
"Have a seat, Pvt. I'd like to ask you a few questions."
The next four hours were gruelling. She asked about his family, his home
life, his friends. Then she suddenly switched to military history. She
grilled him mercilessly. He was exhausted by the time she had finished.
The Lt. closed the file on her desk and abruptly said, "That will be all,
Pvt. Please return to the outer office. Someone will be with you shortly."
She returned the young man's salute and waited for the door to close behind
him before snatching up her phone.
She punched in a number from memory and waited impatiently for line to be
answered. "Come on, come on. Chris? This is Kelly. He aced it, Chris.
No hesitation. Why the hell isn't he in OCS?"
Baines laughed, "We're working on it, Kelly. We're working on it. Is he
still there?"
"He's in the outer office. The poor kid is scared to death, Chris. He
thinks he's in trouble." The Lt. debated for a moment and decided to come
clean. "Chris, be careful with him. I picked his brain but good. He
expects things to go wrong and for him to lose. Personally, I think we
should go to his home town and eliminate his parents. With extreme
prejudice. They more than deserve it."
"What did he say, Kelly?" Baines asked, in a harsh voice.
"Him? Not a thing. We sent Myers to Harris' hometown to do the primary
interview with his parents. Chris, those assholes didn't even know their
son had enlisted. And Myers is the one who wants permission to eliminate
them."
"Myers? Hell, the guy is practically a saint. I didn't think he ever got
angry."
"Chris, he was so angry he cursed. A lot. I've heard drunken sailors who
didn't use words like that."
"Jesus. They've got to be bad for Myers to go off. Is this going to be a
problem, Kelly? Harris' upbringing I mean."
"Hell no. It just makes him more gung ho. He wants this, Chris. He wants
it bad."
"Well, we're just going to have to make sure he gets it then."
**********
Xander snapped to attention when the Captain walked into the office.
The Captain smiled and held out his hand, "I'm Captain Baines, Pvt. Harris.
I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Xander shook the man's hand and tried to hide how nervous he was. "Nice to
meet you, Sir."
Baines laughed, "Relax, Pvt. Come on, let's take a walk. There is
something I'd like to speak to you about."
The Captain led the way out of the building and across the courtyard to the
exercise area. It was empty at this time of day and the perfect place to
hold a private conversation.
"Pvt. Harris, I work for Major John Marshall. He's heading up a new
company and we'd like you to consider joining us."
"I'd be honored, Sir." Xander said, trying desperately to sound sincere.
He relaxed a little when the Captain laughed again.
"Never just agree to something the Army wants without checking first,
Harris. Trust me, the more intel the better."
"Yes, Sir."
"Now, this new company is something you're already familiar with. We know
about what happened with the Initiative." Baines saw the young man's face
turn white and hastened to reassure him. "We aren't bringing it back and
you aren't in any trouble for helping to bring them down. The Major and I
believe the U.S. Army has no business messing around with demons. What they
tried to do with the Initiative was wrong on so many levels it boggles the
mind. And, naturally, it came back to bite them in the ass. What we want
to do is fight the demons and send them straight back where they belong.
That's all. No labs, no experiments."
Xander decided to take a risk, "Sir, I know a lot about demons, I've been
fighting them for years. Not all of them are bad. Some were born here on
earth and some are even half-human. You can't just kill them all."
"You see, Harris? That's why we need you. You have the knowledge and the
practical experience. Having you with us could prevent a lot of mistakes.
We want you to go ahead and finish your training here. Take the time to
think about this. It won't be easy. Actually, it'll be hard as hell. But,
it has to be done. Demons are starting to overrun the planet. We want to
stop them before it's too late."
"I'll think about it, Sir."
Baines smiled again, "That's all we ask, Harris. For now."
**********
Graduation day from basic was both a good and a bad. On the one hand, he'd
graduated with honors. On the other, no one was there to see his triumph.
And his time had run out. Captain Baines would be waiting for his answer.
**********
Captain Baines led Xander to the Major's office and introduced him to his
new C.O.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Second Lieutenant Harris." The Major said,
while firmly shaking Xander's hand.
"Uh, excuse me, Major, but I'm only a PFC." Xander said.
Major Marshall grinned, "Not any more, Harris. All those extra classes
you've been taking? Congratulations, you've earned a degree in Military
history. And by special waiver from General Reynolds, you are now
officially a Second Lieutenant."
Xander's eyes bulged and a huge grin slowly grew on his face. "Thank you,
Sir. Thank you very much."
"Don't thank me, Harris. You did all the work. We need people like you.
It's time to take the war out of the hands of demons and run it our way.
The Army way. And, just to get you people used to working together, we're
going to be taking a little trip."
"Where to, Major?" Baines asked.
"Seirra Leone, Captain. I think it's time someone showed those teenage punk
rebels what happens to people who chop off children's hand because they
can."
**********
The next six months in Xander's life were horrific. He'd seen demons,
vampires and all sorts of nasties. But nothing compared to the sight of a
baby with no hands. But, he followed orders, led his men and completed the
objective. And all the while, he and Christopher grew closer.
************
Part Two
October 15, 2004
Xander took his squad and covered the left flank, Chris had the right. The
two men worked so well together, they might as well have been telepathic.
The towns' people had finally called in the Army after a twelve foot tall
demon had flattened half the town. Luckily, no one had been killed. Yet.
Xander caught his first sight of the demon, twelve feet was conservative.
The thing had to be eighteen feet tall from it's huge, clawed feet to the
top of the curved horns sprouting out of it's head. The demon was oddly
beautiful, in a creepy sort of way. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." Xander got on the
radio and called Chris. "Baines, tell your men not to fire. It's a Bremal
demon. Bullets won't touch it. It'll just piss it off. And trust me, you
don't want to do that."
"Affirmative. Leave a couple of LOP's, head back to the LZ."
"Affirmative. Jenkins, you and Reynolds stay here and keep an eye on it.
Do not approach, and for God's sake, don't fire at it."
"Yes, Sir, Lt."
**********
Xander met up with Chris outside the command tent and exchanged a glance.
Their time together had been infrequent in the last few months, but,
starting tomorrow, they were on furlong for two weeks. Two, whole weeks.
Xander wanted to get this puppy put to bed and now.
They entered the tent, side by side. Major Marshall smiled upon seeing
them. Their relationship wasn't really a secret, but he didn't say
anything. When fighting demons, who really cared what they did in the
privacy of their own home?
"Well, Harris. What can you tell us about this 'Bremal' demon?" The Major
asked, waving at them to be seated.
"Well, Major. That is one demon I never thought we'd see. Bremal's avoid
humans, religiously. I can't really think of any reason why...Oh, crap.
Major, I need to speak with the person who first saw the demon, I think I
know what's going on."
Marshall turned to his aide, "Go invite Mr. Seitz to join us."
"Yes, Sir."
The civilian entered the tent with a smug look on his face. "Have you
killed it yet?"
Xander immediately disliked the man. "Mr. Seitz, a direct hit from a nuke
might knock him down, but that's about it."
Seitz turned pale, then flushed a bright red. "You're the Army! Can't you
do something?"
"Yes, actually we can, Mr. Seitz. Come with me, I think I have a solution
to the problem." Xander grabbed him by the arm and frog marched him back
into the storage warehouse when they'd left the demon. He stopped the, by
then, gibbering man just a few feet away from the demon.
The Bremal roared, lashing his huge tail from side to side.
"Well, Mr. Seitz, is there something you'd like to tell me? Something about
a jewel maybe?"
Seitz stuttered for a moment, but his greed won out. "Finders keepers.
What does a demon need with a jewel anyway?"
Xander laughed, "Mr. Seitz, that's not a jewel. It's his child. And from
his actions, I'd say the little one is due to hatch any day now. Mr. Seitz,
you do not want a hungry baby Bremal anywhere near you. Trust me."
Seitz couldn't wait to tell Xander where he'd hidden the large, glowing
jewel he'd found. Xander turned Seitz over to the MP's and retrieved the
jewel. He tenderly carried it back to the Bremal and raised it up so the
demon could see it. The Bremal carefully took the orb and cradled it
against his massive chest. He crooned softly to it and then stared down at
Xander for a moment. The Bremal gravely bowed to Xander before turning to
quietly leave the building and the town. Never to be seen by human's again.
Xander jumped slightly when a warm hand slapped him on the shoulder. "Good
one, Xan. Not one shot fired. I could get used to battles like this."
Xander laughed and they headed for debriefing.
"Xan, would the baby demon really have eaten Seitz?"
Xander cracked up. "No. They live on crystals. Quartz and stuff. They
wouldn't eat a human if they had to."
Chris looked dumbstruck for a moment, then burst into laughter himself.
**********
Chris managed to wait until they'd locked the door behind them before he
pounced. He smiled down at the young man who'd come to mean so much to him,
then proceeded to kiss him stupid.
Xan returned the kiss with equal desire, working feverishly to divest Chris
of his uniform. He ran his hands down the strong back, loving the feel of
strong muscles shifting under the skin.
They rolled across the floor, want and need surplanting any notion of slow,
easy sex. Chris tore Xan's shirt off and managed to get his pants and
briefs down to his knees when Xand thrust up against him. Chris groaned,
loving the feel of Xan's skin against his own. They thrust against each
other harshly, striving for completion. It was over too quickly, for both
of them.
Xander laid gasping on the floor, Chris' dark hair tickling his neck where
he had his head tucking into Xander's shoulder. Xander grabbed a handful of
that hair and pulled Chris' face up where he could see those deep green
eyes. "Love you."
"Yeah, I know." Chris smirked and rolled to his feet, running for the
shower. Xander struggled to get his boots and pants off so he could give
chase. Chris was just stepping under the hot water when he heard the yell.
"Dammit, Chris! I've got rug burns on my ass, again!"
**********
May 21, 2012
Jameson made careful notes before he called the Major. He wanted to have
the answers ready for the questions the Major was sure to ask. He had the
Comms Op get the Major on the radio and gave his briefing.
"Major, we've located the site."
"Have you made the retrieval yet?"
"No, Sir. Sir, all data indicates that Hostile 17 is being held in a
complex, guarded by armed men and dogs. I've located ten individual guards,
twenty two cameras and several check points. I've seen no indication that
this is a military site, Sir. What are your orders?"
Jameson heard cursing on the other end. "Hold position, Jameson. I'm going
to check a few things out and then I'll be joining you. With the rest of
the squad."
"Affirmative, Sir."
**********
Xander got in to see the General immediately. Marshall always had time for
him. The older man was the only thing that held him together after Chris
had been killed.
"General Marshall, we have a problem."
"Have a seat, Harris. What's wrong?"
"The retrieval team just informed me that Hostile 17 is being held in a
guarded compound. Do we have anything in the area?"
Marshall frowned, "I'll find out for you. Are you going on site?"
"Yes, Sir. With your permission."
"You have it. Keep me informed. I'll relay any intel on route."
"Thank you, Sir."
**********
Xander relaxed into his seat and read the intel package the Comm Ops handed
him. Marshall had been thorough, as usual. The complex was owned by a
civilian corporation that dealt with the testing of new drugs and medicines.
Two of the doctors on staff had been junior members of the Initiative.
Xander turned the page to read the Presidential order giving him
jurisdiction over the site and everything on it. "Hang on, Spike. I'm
coming."
**********
Jameson snapped to attention and saluted Major Harris as he exited his jeep.
"Sir. The situ is static, Sir."
Xander returned the salute, "Very good, Jameson. Round up your team.
You're going in with us."
Jameson tried not to smile, Major Harris in action was something to see.
"Yes, Sir."
Xander and the 'Death Squad' rolled through the gates and subdued the guards
without a shot being fired and no warning being given. It didn't take much
to convince the Chief of Security to hand over the pass codes.
Xander rounded up his men, quickly giving them their orders. "I want this
place locked down tight gentlemen. No one gets out. Shoot to disable, and
only if necessary. I want answers and I can't get that from corpses. Head
out."
The squad deployed rapidly. Each level of the complex was secured, all of
the staff herded towards the main operations room, where the Major was
waiting.
Xander looked over the scientists and staff, not liking what he saw. "I'm
Major Alexander Harris. I have here, a Presidential order giving me
jurisdiction over this complex and everything in it. It seems that a
missing piece of government property is located somewhere in this facility.
I'd like to have it back. Now."
Dr. Jorgens, head of the facility, spoke up. "I don't know what you're
talking about. You have no right to do this. We're American citizens, we
have rights."
Xander stared the man down, "I'm talking about Hostile 17. We've traced his
chip to this site. Either you give him to me, or I'll take this place apart
until I find him. Your choice."
Jorgens didn't have time to answer. Jameson came running into the room at
full speed. "Major, we found him. And a lot of others. They're locked in
cells below. The pass codes don't work, Sir. Major? He doesn't look
good." Jameson finished, quietly. He knew Hostile 17 was a vampire, but
what he'd seen in that room made him sick.
Xander pulled Jorgens to his face and pushed him into the hall. "Lead the
way, Jameson. And call for Rom to get down here. Tell him to bring the
case with him."
"Yes, Sir."
**********
Xander stared at Spike. Or what was left of him. He was strapped down on a
table, tubes and wires covered his pale skin. He looked much, much worse
than dead. He had shrunk, his skin pasty and fragile looking. The bright
blue eyes were dull and the hair Spike had always been so proud of hung in
whisps. Xander had his hand around the scientist's throat before he even
realized he was moving.
"Open the damned door. NOW!!! Before I give in to the urge to kill you."
"I can't." Jorgens stuttered. "That creature is viscious! Even with the
chip he managed to kill two people."
Xander tightened his grip, listening to the older man gasp for air. "Open
it, or so help me, I'll shoot you where you stand."
Jorgens suddenly realized his life expectancy was going down hill rapidly.
He typed in the keycode and stepped back.
**********
Spike couldn't really focus his eyes any more. He hadn't fed in so long
nothing worked right. But when he saw the shape move toward him, he found
the strength to move. If he was going to die, he'd die fighting. Chip or
no bloody chip.
**********
Xander heard the dry snap of brittle bones breaking as Spike tried
desperately to free himself. He ran forward and put his hand on Spike's
chest, holding him down. "Spike, calm down. You're safe. We're here to
get you out. No one else will hurt you. I promise."
The sound of that voice finally broke through the state of hysteria Spike
was in. It had changed some, but he still recognized it. "Xander? Is that
you?"
"Yeah, Spike. The moron to the rescue. Stay still, we'll get this stuff
off of you and get you out of here."
Spike laughed, or tried to. "Forget it, Harris. Kill me and get it over
with. I'm too weak to move."
"We're going to take care of that, Spike. Rom?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Help me get this shit off of him." Xander said, angrily.
"Let me, Sir. I think we should leave one line in. I can push fluids
straight into his body if you can get him to eat."
"Good plan, Rom. Give me a pack."
Rom opened the chest and pulled out a pack of whole blood. Human blood. He
handed it off to the Major and began pushing plasma into the vampire, using
one of the lines already in place.
Xander popped the valve open on the packet and held it up to Spike's face.
"Come on, Spike. It's blood. Human blood. O positive. It's your
favorite." Xander said, in a sing song voice.
The smell of human blood sent Spike into a frenzy. He dropped into his
vampiric form and sunk his fangs into the bag. Totally ignoring the neat
little hose protruding from the top. The first human blood he'd had in
years slid down his throat in a slick caress. The bag was empty much too
quickly and Spiked whimpered in need.
"It's okay, Spike. We brought lots of blood. We won't let you starve.
Here's some more."
Spike guzzled the second bad as quickly as the first, but then he felt his
eyes start to drift closed. He struggled to stay awake, but it had been so
long since he felt safe...he drifted into sleep, making Rom's job much
easier. And completely missing the sight of his 'Nummy Treat' pounding a
human into the floor, because he had dared to hurt him.
**********
Spike slid into consciousness slowly. He opened his eyes, blinking a few
times, and was more than pleased when his vision was once again where it
used to be.
He looked around the room he was in. No windows, only a single door. Some
attention had been given to his comfort. He was in a hospital bed with an
IV line running into his arm. But, he wasn't strapped down. There was a
television and a small stereo across from the bed. He tensed when the door
suddenly opened.
A young man, Hispanic from the look of him, stepped into the room. "Good
evening, Sir. How are you feeling?" The young man asked, politely.
"Just ducky." Spike replied, rudely.
The young man smiled. "I realize that probably wasn't the most intelligent
question I could have asked. Sorry. I've never had to take care of a
vampire before. Would you like something to eat?"
Spike frowned, he felt much better, but he was still starving. The young
man didn't force him to answer. He left the room, but returned quickly with
an overly large mug in his hand. He handed it to the vampire, holding it
steady until he was sure the vampire could handle it. "I put some Wheetabix
in it for you. The Major said you liked that."
"The Major?"
"Yeah, Spike, Major. You know, 'Be all you can be'?" Xander said in a
laughing voice from where he was leaning against the door frame. "I've got
it, Rom. Thank you."
"Certainly, Major. I'll be at the desk if you need me."
Xander sat in the chair next to the bed and smiled when he saw how much
Spike had improved in just a week. His hair was growing back in, brown
instead of his usual blonde. He was pale, but not the pasty color he had
been when they'd pulled him out of the complex. Xander had been convinced
more than once that Spike wouldn't recover. He knew vampires could heal
almost anything, but being starved for weeks while he was being experimented
on...
"You're looking much better, Spike. And, believe it or not, I'm actually
happy to see you."
Spike raised his scarred brow and Xander laughed. "I've had people looking
for you months, Spike. I'd about given up hope. How in the Hell did you
end up in Texas of all places?"
Spike shrugged, "Seemed like a bloody good idea at the time, pet. The
Slayer and her merry little band of annoying twats hounded me night and day.
It got so I couldn't even take a nap, thinking her blondness would find me."
"Why was Buffy so hot to dust you?" Xander asked, curiously.
"Seems someone forgot to tell his friends that he'd decided to enlist. They
thought I'd managed to run you off and decided I needed to go. I've been on
the move ever since. At least until those bloody wankers snagged me."
Xander's face turned red in embarrassment, "Sorry, Spike. I wanted a new
start, so I just took off."
Spike looked Xander over, really seeing him. The hair was short, but just
as dark. The large chocolate brown eyes were older and harder than they had
been back in Sunnydale. Spike took in the number of ribbons on the uniform,
"Looks like you did good for yourself, Harris."
"I did, Spike. Thanks to you. If you hadn't have pissed me off so bad that
day, I never would have gone to the recruiter's office. I made officer just
after training. I've been with the squad ever since."
Spike finished his blood and sat the mug on the bedside table. "So, tell
me, Harris. What in the Bloody Hell does the Army want with me? More
experiments? You could have left me where I was. I'm sure the wankers
would have been happy to share."
Spike watched in amazement as Harris' face turned cold and hard. "The
'wankers' are in jail at the moment. The government frowns on the sort of
work they were doing there. Besides, we have an offer for you. One I hope
you'll take."
"What kind of offer?" Spike asked, suspiciously.
"We can't take the chip out, it's fully integrated into your brain. But, we
would like to offer you a job. As a, 'consultant'. My squad deals strictly
with demons and other sort of supernatural nastiness. We'll make sure you
have all the blood you can drink. 'Human blood.' We'll provide you with a
place to live, make sure no humans can bother you and introduce you to
strange, exotic demons, and let you kill them."
"What's the catch, pet?"
For a moment the old Harris was sitting there, goofy grin, laughing eyes,
bouncing excitedly in his chair. "We get to be roomies again, Spike."
"Bloody Hell."
********
Part Three
"What do you mean, 'roomies'?"
Xander propped his feet up on the edge of the bed and smirked at the
vampire, "Well, Spike, since you somehow managed to kill two people, even
with the chip in your head, the Army, in its infinite wisdom, has decided
that you are too dangerous to be allowed to run loose. So I said I would
take full responsibility for you. Please, don't make me regret it."
"The Army thinks I'm dangerous?" Spike crossed his arms behind his head and
tried not to look too pleased with that information. "Too bloody right I
am. 'Bout time someone realized that."
Xander laughed and shook his head, "You never change, Spike. The 'Big Bad'
to the end. But, tell me, Spike, how did you kill those people?"
Spike mumbled something, but Xander couldn't make out what he'd said. "Say
that again, Spike? I couldn't hear you."
Spike grumbled but finally confessed. "When I saw those wankers comin'
after me I ran out into the street. They chased me and got hit by a bus."
Xander didn't even smile, he knew better. "That's good to know, Spike.
Thank you for telling me."
"Why, mate? You worried I might hurt you?"
Xander shrugged, "Not really. If you wanted me dead bad enough I'm sure you
would have found a way before now."
"Bloody right I would have. Don't think I like you though. I spared you
because Dru liked you. And you treated me half decent when I was staying
with you."
"What ever happened to her anyway? You ever find her again?"
Spike looked incredibly sad for a moment, "Heard from a Narlosh demon that
she went dancing in the sun one day. Silly bint needed someone to take care
of her, don't know how many times I had to chain her to the wall to make
sure she stayed put."
"I'm sorry, Spike. I know she meant a lot to you." Xander said.
Spike tried to look unconcerned and failed. "Yeah, well, she's better off."
Xander's face turned stone cold. "You're more right than you know, Spike.
The President and Congress have declared war on demons. Its already begun.
Are you going to have a problem with that?"
"I'm a vampire, pet. Never did get along too well with those other blokes.
Look out for number one, I say. Fuck the rest."
"Good. I'll let you get some sleep now. I need you at 100% as soon as
possible. I'll be back tomorrow and we'll talk some more. If you need
anything, just hit the buzzer. Rom will be here to take care of you."
**********
Spike woke up to the sound of angry voices.
"Why the Hell isn't that 'thing' strapped down? And why is he on this
floor? He should be down in the isolation ward!"
Rom stood between the man yelling at the top of his lungs and Spike's bed,
blocking the vampire's view. He wiggled up in the bed and smirked at the
irate officer standing in his room.
The Captain's face turned beet red in anger. "Stand aside, Sergeant, before
I have you removed and placed under arrest for disobeying a direct order."
Rom stiffened. "Captain, I get my orders directly from the Administrator.
He is the one that placed Mr. Bloody in this room and there are no standing
orders for him to be restrained."
The Captain stepped out of the room but immediately returned with two MPs.
"Remove this man from the room."
"Yes, Sir. Do you want him arrested?"
"Not yet. I need some answers from him first. Just escort him back to his
station." The Captain watched as Rom was marched out of the room before
turning his attention back to the monster in the bed. "I'm Captain
McIntyre, Military Intelligence. I have some questions for you, Hostile 17.
You will answer those questions and do exactly as you're told or you won't
like the results."
Spike growled, he was sick of humans threatening him. "What you going to
do, mate? Stake me? Be a little hard to explain wouldn't it?"
The Captain's smile was pure evil. "I don't have to stake you to hurt you.
And you will be restrained from now on."
"I don't bloody think so."
"There is no one here who gives a damn what happens to a monster like you.
I could roll you out into the sun and no one would even try to stop me."
Spike felt a cold wave of fear running down his spine, but kept his face
impassive. "I'm not going to answer any of your bloody questions, you
fuckin' wancker."
McIntyre drew back his fist and swung at Spike's head. The vampire caught
the heavy fist and held it still. The chip sent warning twinges of pain
shooting through his skull, but he didn't let go.
**********
Xander and General Marshall were talking quietly as they existed the
elevator. As they neared the door to Spike's room, Xander saw two MPs
guarding Rom. He hurried over to them. "Rom, what is going on?"
One of the MPs stepped into Xander's path. "I'm sorry, Sir, but you
shouldn't be talking to the prisoner."
Xander grabbed the insignia on his collar and held it up in front of the
MP's face. "I'm a Major, Sergeant. I'll talk to my man if I damn well
please."
The MP shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sir. M.I. has placed this man under
guard. Those orders take precedence over yours."
Marshall's deep voice was a welcome relief. "Son, no one's orders take
precedence over mine. Stand down."
Rom looked up and Xander, fear in his eyes, "spike." He whispered.
Xander ran to Spike's room, leaving the General to take care of the MPs. He
burst through the door and saw an officer swing at Spike and saw Spike
defend himself. He also saw the pain on the vampire's face. That damn chip
was working a little too well. Xander pulled the man away from Spike and
spun him around. "Who the Hell are you and what the fuck do you think
you're doing?"
The Captain sneered, "Well, well. Major Harris. I should have known you
had something to do with this, this, abomination. I don't know why they let
queers like you in the Army. Oh, yes. We know all about your affair with
Major Baines. Wasn't your relationship the reason he got killed?"
Xander heard a roar in his ears and his vision focused down until all he saw
was the smirk on the Captain's face. He grabbed him by the throat and
shoved him into the wall. "You keep your damned mouth shut, asshole."
McIntyre used his weight to force Xander to back up. He straightened his
uniform. "Now you've done it, Harris. Assaulting a fellow officer. You
are going down. And your pet vampire here will be transferred to M.I.,
where he belongs. After we get the information we need, we'll be sure to
send you the ashes."
Xander had looked angry before, but now he looked positively vicious. He
slammed the Captain into the wall. Spike was impressed. The vampire settled
back to watch the show. With a little luck, there would be bloodshed.
A deep, gravelly voice broke into the standoff. "Captain. You have just
screwed yourself. BOHICA."
Spike whipped his head around and his jaw dropped in shock. "Bloody hell.
It's John Fuckin' Wayne."
General Marshall laughed, "Not hardly, but thank you for the compliment."
He then turned to the hapless Captain. "Captain, you have some explaining to
do. I heard every word you said. If you're still in my Army by sundown it
will be a miracle. The Army doesn't need or want people like you. You're
the abomination. Remove yourself from my sight before I give you to Harris
for target practice."
McIntyre stuttered, "But, General! Harris is a known homosexual and he's
harboring a vampire in this hospital!"
Marshall got right in the Captain's face. "Known homosexual? How do you
know that? Have you slept with him?"
A look of total disgust camped out on McIntyre's face. "No! My God!
That's disgusting!"
The General shook his head sadly, "I don't know when M.I. started recruiting
idiots, but I will do everything in my power to make sure you never get the
opportunity to spread more slander about one of my officers."
"General, there is still the matter of the hostile." McIntyre said in a
reasonable voice, trying to salvage something from this situation.
"Ah, yes." Marshall turned to Spike and held out his hand. "I apologize,
Mr...how should I address you, sir?"
Spike was stunned. First 'Nummy Treat' had protected him from a human, and
now his boss was treating him like he was someone important. "Call me
Spike."
Marshall settled into the chair next to the bed, "Very well, Spike. I'm
General John Marshall, I've been waiting to meet you. How are you feeling?"
A strangled gasp came from behind him and Marshall turned to look at the
Captain. "Are you still here? Harris?"
"Yes, General?"
"Please fetch those MPs from the corridor and have them escort the Captain
to my office. I think the Captain and I should have a little talk after I
finish here."
"Yes, Sir."
McIntyre stuttered and gave orders all the way down the hall, but the MPs
didn't listen to him. They were smart enough to stay on the General's good
side.
Marshall settled back in his chair and smiled at his newest 'advisor'. "Now
then, Spike. Let's get acquainted, shall we?"
********
Part Four
The conversation between the two men had degenerated into a heated argument.
Marshall maintaining that the Packers could wipe the floor with Manchester
United, while Spike insisted that the 'lard asses would bloody well have to
catch them first!' Xander practically had his entire fist in his mouth,
trying to stifle the laughter that was building up in his chest.
Marshall turned to Xander and asked, "So, Harris. Who's the best? Packers
or those sissy boys in England?"
Xander was almost happy when alarm klaxons started blaring, saving him from
having to answer. He bolted out the door and down the hall. Rom looked up
from his station, "Major, one of the creatures we took from the compound has
escaped."
"Do we have a location, Rom?"
"Yes, sir. Fourth floor, section A. It's moving fast, sir. Very fast."
"Call security, have them seal the floor. But tell them to stay back until
we know what we're dealing with."
"Yes, sir."
Xander briefed the General on the situation and headed for the fourth floor,
Spike hot on his heels.
What they found made Spike crack up laughing. The demon looked like a
crocodile on steroids, one that could walk upright. Xander punched Spike in
the shoulder. "Not funny, Spike. That damn thing almost killed three of my
men when we were trying to transport it."
Spike was still snickering when General Marshall came down the hall with
several members of Xander's team. "Well, Mr. Bloody, what the hell kind of
demon is it?"
Spike managed to get himself under control long enough to answer. "It's not
a demon, mate. It's a pet. Hell's own version of a soddin' poodle, if you
like."
Xander tapped his foot impatiently, "Well, Spike. How do we tell it to
heel?"
The vampire shrugged, somehow managing to look nonchalant even wearing
medical scrubs. "Where's its master? Little bloke, about three feet tall.
Warmal demon. Looks a a bleedin' fairy? Sound familiar?"
Xander turned back to the squad, "Jenkins, we pull something like that out
of the compound?"
"Yes, sir. It's housed at the other end of this ward, sir."
Xander bowed to Spike, waving his hand for the vampire to proceed. "Come
on, Spike, time to earn your keep."
The vampire snorted and sauntered down the hall, Xander right beside him.
**********
General Marshall's eyes bugged out of his head when the vampire came back
down the hall carrying what appeared to be a small child, one with
translucent wings fluttering on its back. Spike set the 'fairy' down and
spoke to it for a moment. The little creature grinned madly and scampered
down the hall, heading straight for its 'pet'.
Their reunion was touching, even if it was extremely odd. Spike nudged
Xander's shoulder, "They're harmless, as long as no one tries to separate
them. And they're bloody good ones to have on our side. The little buggers
can get into any thing. Doesn't matter how well it's guarded. Work cheap
too. Give them some candy now and then and they'll follow you around for
life. Hell, they'd bloody well marry you for chocolate."
Xander grinned, "Chocolate as a bribe makes sense to me. Think you can get
them to help us out?"
"Yeah, I can talk a good game. Besides, they owe you one now, don't they?"
Xander frowned, "I'll not going to blackmail someone into working with us,
Spike. They help me, I help them. Everything on the up and up. The
Initiative is dead and buried, and it's my job to make sure it stays that
way."
Spike shrugged, "Your party, mate. Play it how you want it. But a little
blackmail could get you a lot farther along."
General Marshall chose that moment to make his feelings known, "I agree with
Harris. The Initiative was a fool's dream, one that rapidly became a
nightmare. Only a moron would want to resurrect it. We play this straight,
gentlemen. Now, Mr. Bloody, we have several 'others' that we liberated from
the people who were holding you. Would you be willing to help us sort them
out?"
Spike immediately became suspicious, "Depends on what you mean by 'sort'.
What do you plan to do with the ones that won't play?"
"As long as they are willing to return to their own homes, we'll leave them
alone. We're only interested in the ones that are causing problems. If
they don't want to remain neutral, they'll have to be eliminated. I'm
sorry, but that's the way things are. I won't allow something dangerous
loose on the population just because I don't like the idea of killing
something out of hand. We have a responsibility to make sure the public
stays safe."
"All right, mate. I'll take a look see, and take care of the ones that
won't play nicey nice. But can I get some bloody clothes first? And maybe
a fag? I'd kill for a cigarette about now."
Xander headed back towards Spike's room, "Come on, 'Mr. Bloody', I have a
surprise for you."
**********
Spike settled his duster around his shoulders. He patted down the worn
leather. Rom told him that Major Harris had retrieved it from the doctors
that had been holding him. He also told Spike that Major Harris had put a
serious hurt on the man in charge. Seems the Major took offense at the way
Spike had been treated. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a fresh
pack of his favorite brand of smokes and lit it with the new lighter Xander
had given him. He rubbed his thumb across the spike engraved on the metal
case and smiled. After every thing that had happened to him in his long
life, the fact that a human, one he'd insulted time and time again, had
saved him, and was now taking care of him, just blew Spikes' mind.
"Stranger things, ya got that bloody right mate." Spike said softly to
himself. He smoothed back his newly bleached hair, another gift from
Harris, and left his room to meet the Major. It had been decided to get
Spike settled into his new home before he tackled the demons locked in the
confinement cells, he could only hope Harris' taste had improved since
Sunnydale.
Xander looked up and saw Spike, *his Spike*, walking towards him. He
couldn't help but grin, it was strangely comforting to know that some things
never changed.
**********
Xander opened the door and stepped inside his house, throwing an invitation
over his shoulder, "Come in, Spike. This is your home now too."
Spike entered the house, prepared for the worst. He was more than
pleasantly surprised. "Bloody hell, mate. Nice digs. I'm impressed."
Xander actually blushed, he was very proud of his house. "Thanks, Spike.
This place was a real mess when I bought it. It took months to get it fixed
up."
Spike took in the paneled walls, heavy furniture and huge fireplace, "Did it
yourself, did you?"
Xander turned away, heading for the kitchen, "Yeah, I had some time on my
hands and needed something to do. Want something to drink?"
"Whiskey, if you have it." Spike replied. The vampire poked around the
room, looking at the various things the whelp had scattered about. It was a
picture on the mantle that really caught his attention. Harris and a green
eyed bloke sitting on the back of a jeep, laughing about something. Nummy
actually looked happy, if such a thing were really possible. Spike looked
around the room and found several other pictures, the green eyed man was
featured in all of them. He picked one up and studied it. It was obvious
to anyone with eyes that Harris and this man were lovers.
Xander came back into the livingroom and found Spike staring at a picture of
him and Chris. He handed Spike his drink and gently took the picture,
placing it back on the table.
"That the bloke that arsehole was talking about earlier?"
Xander settled into his chair, "Yeah. Chris Baines."
Spike sprawled on the couch, throwing one leg up onto the coffee table, "You
two were lovers?"
Xander tensed, "Yes, we were. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
Spike laughed, "I'm a vampire, mate. I'll shag anything that doesn't shag
me first. Vampires don't have the same hangups as you humans. Bloody
stupid, if you ask me. Staying alive is enough to worry about, who cares
who you shag?"
Xander lolled his head against the back of his chair, "A lot of other
humans, that's who. General Marshall is the only reason I haven't been
booted out on my ass. *Don't ask, don't tell*, doesn't work very well."
"Demon get him?" Spike asked.
Xander laughed, but the sound was harsh and bitter. "No. That's what's so
sick about the whole thing. We made it through Sierra Leone, Central
America and went on over 100 missions against demons, neither one of us
really got hurt. Then we go on vacation and a couple of rednecks decide
that the 'faggots' need to be taught a lesson. Chris died trying to protect
me."
"How long ago, mate?"
"Almost eight years ago. John Marshall and Maggie were the ones who kept me
alive and sane. Them and this house. I couldn't stay in Chris' anymore,
too many memories. I bought this place and worked my ass off for three
months straight, just trying to keep too busy to think. That's when Maggie
showed up. John sent her to me, and for that, I can never thank him enough.
She's my, *our*, housekeeper. But she's a lot more than that. She's more
like a mom than anything." Xander chuckled, "She's not afraid of anything,
or anyone. I keep telling the General that if we'd put her in charge the
demons would run for the hills. You'll like her, I think. She helped me
set up your room. Want to go see it?"
Spike realized that the other man was trying to change the subject, but
decided to let him get by with it. "Why not? Might as well see how bad
you've mucked it up."
Xander heaved himself out of his chair and headed down the hall, "You will
be eating those words, Spike. I guarantee it."
Spike followed Harris up the stairs, and finally walked into his new room.
Spike was, frankly, struck dumb. His room took up on whole side of the house
and even had its own bathroom. A king-sized bed covered with a black
comforter took up most of one wall. There was a large dresser, two night
stands and a standing wardrobe that matched the dark cherry of the bed. A
large recliner graced one corner. The bathroom was done in dark blue tile
and had a jacuzzi tub. It was, undoubtedly, the nicest place Spike had been
in for a very long time.
Xander crossed the room and opened the wardrobe. Instead of the storage
space Spike was expecting, a large television and stereo system were inside.
Xander clicked on the tv with a remote stored in the cabinet door, "We've
got a satellite, so there are more channels than anyone could possibly want.
The stereo is wired throughout the room, there are even cordless headphones
stored in the headboard. Please, use them. I, personally, don't like the
Sex Pistols." Xander opened the bottom of the cabinet and showed Spike the
disks stored there. "You will be getting paid, so you can buy more when
ever you want. Just let me know and we'll go shopping." Xander pulled the
curtains away from the windows and showed Spike the metal shutters that
covered the glass. "There is no way sunlight can get through these
shutters. And your door locks from the inside. The door jamb is solid
steel, and so is the lock. It'd take a tank to get through. When we go
back downstairs I'll show you the security system and give you the access
codes."
"Why are you doing all of this?" Spike asked. "I insulted you, *fuck*, I
tried to kill you, more than once. Why are you doing all of this? What do
you want from me?"
Xander looked Spike in the eye. "Yeah, you did all of that. But, you never
ignored me. Hell, you saved my ass a couple of times. And I need your
help, Spike. Once everything here is settled, we're going back to
Sunnydale. I'm going to need someone who understands me, and understands
the way things work on the Hellmouth, to back me up. Can I trust you to do
that?"
Spike looked around his new digs and nodded. "Yeah, mate. I'll help you
out." The vampire went into his game face and grinned, "I can't wait to see
the look on the Slayer's face when she sees us working together."
Xander laughed, "She's gonna shit."
********
TBC
