Spike watched as the brunette stirred on the bed. His heart beat was a
slow monotonous counterpoint to Spike's rising lust. the little breathy
exhalations that the boy made drew Spike closer to the sleeping man. He
stood over the bed watching the boy's night time movements, and he
wanted. Like a moth to the flame he was consumed with the wanting. He
was close enough now that he could feel the warm blood that flowed
through the boy tinging he cheeks with a rosy flush, but he was unable to
go any further.

He inhaled, drawing in the boy's warm mustiness, and he hungered. In the
beginning he had thought that the act of consuming the boy would be
enough to quench the thirst he felt for the fragile mortal, but he had
long since lost that misconception. Idlly he wonder if it was because of
the enforced cohabitation. Vampires were definitely not supposed to
spend that much time with their prey before consuming it. Maybe, but
then again maybe not. The boy used his jokes and sarcasm as a shield,
but their was anger there too. He heard it said once that humor was
actually anger turned sideways. It was a dark, sweet anger, and it fed
some answering need in Spike. Even that though was not really what he
wanted. The boy stirred again drawing Spike burning gaze to the rise and
fall of the boy's chest. Spike swayed forward hovering over the boy. It
did not really matter what made him come back night after night. What
mattered was taking what he wanted. He understood his weakness very
clearly. They had been used against him enough times, first by Angelus,
then by Dru, and finally by Harmony. The quality of his obsessions had
definitely dropped. All that would change though, this time he would be
in charge. He would control all that warmth and beauty. He knew now
that he would not be satisfied until he owned the boy's very soul.

Having Xander as a childe or minion did not interest him. He didn't want
the form without the content. He wanted all that sweet warmth coming to
him freely even eagerly, without reservation, and if it took twisting or
manipulating the boy and his friends so be it. In fact it would make the
boy's surrender that much sweeter. The thought of that prize was what
held him chained to Sunnyhell despite his new found freedom to wreck
violence on the demon world, despite the loss of hope for a cure, and
despite bloody horrible luck that plagued him in this pissant town. 

At the present he was still persona non grata with the slayerettes but
that would be easily mended. None of them had even bothered to revoke
his welcome into their houses. He still had full rein to move among them
in spite of that fiasco with Adam. It was just a matter of waiting and
watching until he knew Xander had succumbed to sleep and then he could
steel inside to watch his oh so vulnerable mortal. They were a trusting
lot these children, even their watcher. They still believed in right and
wrong, black and white, so they missed the wonderful world of colors that
they really lived in. Xanpet though, he was beginning to notice them.
Spike had only to wait a bit before worming himself back into their
little group. Actually his pet would probably be the hardest to
convince. For some unknown reason they equated being unable to inflict
physical pain on humans with being defenseless or helpless. A fallacy he
was only too willing to encourage. Even his betrayal would not really
change their point of view. At the moment he was more dangerous to them
then he had ever been before. He had only to utilize his advantage.

A combination of some of his ideas with some of Angelus' and he would
control the black haired beauty that lay before him. When it came right
down to it he had had the right idea for weakening the group when he had
worked with Adam. Creating decisiveness within the happy little family
was quite easy. Willow and Xander already had severe self esteem
problems and Buffy only encouraged them. The whole group was so
Buffy-centric that it was ridiculous. She loved being the center of
attention, and if she wasn't she was quite capable of making everyone
feel bad until she was. Most Slayers died within their first year, Buffy
survived because of her friends. People who would give their lives for
her, but she didn't really see it that way. She treated them as if they
were a burden, and that would be her downfall. Because contrary to all
her promises and pledges to the contrary she had again begun to neglect
the people who were her strength. 

His pet was further isolated by location and familial circumstances. 
Spike greeted each sighting of new bruises with both eagerness and
repugnance. Eagerness because each time the boy's parents beat him they
furthered Spike's cause. Repugnance because he had gotten to the point
where he hated seeing his pet get hurt. It drove him crazy knowing that
someone else was putting hands on his pet. There had to be a way he
could eliminate that drunken sot of a father without triggering the
implant. It didn't have to be outright violence though that would be
much more satisfying. Maybe he could stretch a fishing line across the
to of the stairs, in the hopes that he would break his own fool neck. 
That was doable. It might hurt to put it up but the fall itself would
not affect him.

Spike's mind turned back to the various means by which he could create
jealousies within the little group. It seemed like everything could be
easily worked to his advantage. Soon Spike would be the only one that
Xander could turn to for companionship and then he would just step it up
to physical comfort. Humans had an almost pathological need to be
touched, especially Xander. The boy was so starved for attention that
his very mind set seemed to change when someone actually offered it. The
faith thing was a case in point. Effectivelly Spike would remove all the
boy's love and support just not as violently as Angelus would have. 
Looka at Dru and how she clung to the idea of her 'Daddy'. Even after
all the wanker had done to them she still obsessed about winning him
back. He briefly winced at his own behavior when it came to Dru and
Harmony. Even he had fallen into that trap, but this time it would be
different. This time he would be in control, and the boy would be
dependant on him.

If the plan failed he could after all remove the boy from his friends
physically. As long as he didn't hurt him the implant would not be a
problem. Ever since he had realized he could kill demon's he had been
testing the limits of the implant. He had found that there was actually
quite a lot that he could accomplish. Drugging the child for transport
would probably be the way to go. He found it hard to believe that the
gang had fallen so easily for his various little tricks. He had been
around for over a hundred years and he knew what it was like to be
desperately poor as a child. He would never allow that to happen to him
again, and thus he had hidden stashes of cash and gold pretty much
everywhere. Hiring a private plane to get him and the boy away would not
be a problem. He would take him to one of the more isolated houses that
he had, somewhere where they would not be disturbed. Idlly he wondered
how long he would have to wait before the boy would start turning to him
for contact and affection. Of course torture was a much speedier way of
creating dependency but that option wasn't open to him. Even if it was
he found himself oddly reluctant to use it on the boy. 

He was pulled from the contemplation of his plans by the restless
movements of the boy. The weight of Spike's stare was finally arousing
him. Spike leaned forward in anticipation. The boy's eyelids fluttered,
then raised. Spike smiled an evil little grin at him. Their was a brief
moment of confusion before the boy realized exactly who it was that was
hovering over his bed. The youth shot into a sitting position and
screeched out. "Spike!"

"Hello luv. Nice to see you again."

"What in the hell are you doing here?" The boy was clutching at his
blankets, holding them in front of his body.

They were so cute when they were shy. Xander might be clueless when it
came to understanding what Spike was after but his body certainly knew. 
Spike smirked when he thought of what the boy's expression would be if he
told him the truth about what it was that he wanted. "Well luv, I
thought I'd drop in to chat up an old pal of mine." Spike settled onto
the edge of the bed leaning in toward the boy.

At this point the youth began to relax a bit as he remembered that the
chip was in place and Spike couldn't really hurt him. That was all to
the good as the children would say, because Spike did not want his pet to
be too edgy, just a nice little bite to their conversations. He needed
the child to realize that Spike could be strong for him, that he could
find protection in Spike's arms.

"Yeah right since when did you come to just chat. What do you want
Spike?"

Since the boy was making no outright objection to his occupying the bed
he decided to push his luck. He leaned back against the wall and propped
his feet up on the bed further invading the boy's space. "Feet off the
bed Spike." 

Oh yeah. There was just the right note of uneasiness in the boy's voice.
"If you insist, luv." See how reasonable I can be luv. You just have to
ask.

The boy was cocking his head at him curiously. "What do you want Spike?"
It came out with a lot less heat then the last inquiry.

Spike pulled out a cigarette and fiddled with it not lighting it. He
watched as the boy drew a little nearer at this subtle show of hesitation
that Spike was performing. Spike paused a moment and then sighed.

"What wrong Spike? Are you in trouble?"

Bingo! He knew the boy had it in him. He had easily proved it when Spike
had learned he could fight demon's the first time. Even though the boy
had spent the whole day threatening to stake him or encouraging Spike to
stake himself he had still dragged the vampire out from the building when
that beam had fallen on him. Spike almost snorted in disgust like he
would ever actually stake himself. The Slayerettes were delightfully
easy to play with. He sighed again for effect. "Not really luv, I
just... I came to apologize about the Adam thing I mean."

The boy looked at him incredulously, then he snorted. "Apologize!? Yeah
right. You aren't sorry for anything you did Spike. I repeat. What is it
you want?"

Spike grinned at the youth like a doting parent. His pet wasn't as
stupid as he pretended. "Weelll.He cocked his head to one side as if
thinking it over. "You might be right." He smirked at the youth. "I know.
I'm sorry Adam didn't take out the chip like he said he would."

A growl rumbled through the youth. "I have a stake around here somewhere
with your name on it, Spike. I suggest you stop tempting me. You tried
to kill us and you expect us to welcome you with open arms."

Spike looked at him cocking his head from one side to the other. 

"What?!" The boy burst out in frustration.

Inwardly Spike smiled to himself. "Luv, I hate to be the one to point
this out to you, but I am a vampire. That's what I do."

"Well I'm a slayerette. Guess what I do?!"

"Um you're the cheering section for the Slayer."

In a huff the boy threw off the covers and started stalking around the
room in his briefs looking for a stake.

"Common luv, don't be like that. Why don't you come over and tell Uncle
spike all about it." He patted the bed beside him, watching the youth
appreciatively.

The boy ground to a halt. "All about what?" He asked suspiciously.

"About what's causing you to be so tense?"

The boy threw up his hands in exasperation. "You! You're causing me to
be tense."

"Now pet is that anyway to treat a guest." Spike leaned back.

"You're not a guest!" The boy shouted.

"Of course I am luv. After all you did invite me in. If you didn't want
me here you would have revoked the welcome."

The boy just stood there with his mouth open for a moment, then he shook
his head. He ran his hand through his hair. "What do you want Spike? I
do have to go to work tomorrow." 

Spike made a moue of distaste, "What job is it now luv? Are you still on
pizza or have you moved up to coffee or something?"

"What does it matter to you?" The boy snapped in frustration. 

"I just hate to see all that potential go to waste."

A look of amazement crossed the boy's face, then he shook his head and a
cynical look replaced it. "Yeah right potential for what, to fall on my
face."

Spike shook his head. "I'm serious luv. You and Red are good at what
you do. Did ya ever think of becoming a policeman or something?"

The boy's eyes widened and he shook his head still not trusting the
vampire. "What do you want Spike? Why are you here?"

"Well luv to be perfectly honest, I missed you. It's just not the same
without my daily dose of Xander humor." He shook his head in mock
sadness.

The boy snorted. "Something happened to your crypt didn't it and you're
back to mooch off me for a while."

Spike smiled "Well luv I guess you just saw right through me. Whada ya
say?"

The looked at him slightly baffled. He just knew he was missing
something. "Okay but just for a little while. Just until you get
whatever it is straightened out." Xander knew something was up, but he
couldn't figure out what. Regardless it would be better to keep an eye
on Spike until he figured it out. "If you in any way endanger my
friends, I'll stake you myself. Do you understand?"

"Of course luv."

"The couch has a fold out now. You know where everything is. I'm going
to bed. Keep it down." 

Spike watched the boy get back into bed, then he turned and pulled out
the couch. He wondered what had prompted the boy to spend his hard
earned money on purchasing a fold out. A slow sly smile spread across
his face. Yes this would not be hard at all.

Part Two  

Xander was sitting in his room alone. It had taken some doing but he had
finally manged to dislodge Anya, that girl was getting more and mmore
psychotic. He was beginning to think she was his worst girlfriend yet
and that wa saying something considering several of them had tried to eat
him. She was getting wilder and wilder with her accusations of
infidelity and almost constant demands for sex. Normally this would have
made Xander a happy guy, but there was just something wrong about this. 
That whole thing with Willow was still coming back to bite him on the
ass. Anya seemed to be fixated on the thought that he was somehow
actually in love with Willow, and anytime he went to a Scooby meeting or
even talked to Willow he had to endure hours of nagging and scolding from
Anya. It had gotten to the point where he had started avoid Willow just
to stop the arguing.

He was feeling worse and worse lately. It seemed almost as if his
relationship with anya had warped into his parents relationship, and that
he just couldn't stand. The thought that he would have to put up with
that kind of suspicion and jealousy for the rest of his life. It made
him nauseaus to even think about it. Anymore just talking to Anya made
him want to throw up, and when she touched him. Well let's say him not
being able to get it up was not soothing Anya's jealousy. He really
didn't understand what was going on, because things haadn't been this bad
before. Yes Anya was a little insecure that was to be expected because
of her former profession, but this? This was totally out of proportion. 


He still cringed when he remembered that last look of hurt that Willow
had shot his way when he had come up with yet another ham handed excuse
for not being able to talk to her. Only Willow could produce that look
of abused suffering and it always broke his heart, and now she was
directing it at him. It made him feel like he had kicked a puppy. There
had been a time in his life when he thought that anyone who hurt Willow
deserved to be thrown off a building. For a long time she had been the
only person in his life that had brought him any form of happiness, and
he wasn't going to shit all over her for some insecure person who was
bent on treating him like shit. Vengance or no vengence he had to finish
this with Anya. Hell it wasn't as if were the romance of the century. 
Heck I didn't even know there was a relationship until she stripped
herself naked in my room.

The only high point in this whole mess had been Spike. Xander snorted to
himself that said it all right there. When a blood sucking fiend who
hated his guts was nicer to him then the person who was supposed to love
him well it didn't get any clearer then that. Spike had actually
listened to him when he had blubbered on about herand instead of laughing
he had comiserated with stories of his own about Dru. When things had
been at there worst and Anya had again embarresed this time in front of a
whole college lunch room and all his Scooby friends. Spike had been
waiting for him at home. He had proceeded to get Xander falling down
drunk, but it hadn't ended there Spike had seen to it that he didn't
suffer from any dire consequences. He had kept Xander inside. He just
held him when he cried. When he threw up Spike was there holding his
head, and when he creid like a baby Spike had just held him on his lap. 
All without making one snarky comment. In the morning when he thought
he'd die with embarresement Spike had ignored it entirely, sweeping it
away like it had never happened.

It made him sad. It was like he was being shown something that didn't
really exist for him, and all he could think was that Dru had been very
stupid to throw it away.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Everything's just all screwed up Spike. Nothing is working anymore. 
It's like he doesn't want to talk to me, can't even stand to look at me. 
We haven't had sex in a whole week. I think it might be over. You live
with him. Has he mentioned me at all?"

"No, Luv. He isn't talking."

"And... and what you said before? Is he still doing it?"

"Yes luv, he still calling Willow's name in his sleep."

"He doesn't love me anymore does he?" 

"I'm so sorry luv. You know what the problem is don't you."

Anya looked up at him. "What?"

"He's a human and your a demon. Humans just aren't made for the kind of
fidelity that demons believe in. It's nothing that Xander did
personally, it's just a failing in the species. It's probably why
they're so fertile."

"Then do you think I should give him another chance?"

Spike shook his head negatively. "I think maybe you should try to settle
down with another demon, or maybe a half breed. They would worship you
like you deserve."

She put her hand out on his arm. "Like you maybe, Spike?"

Common you stupid chit just leave already Spike thought, but he kept his
voice very gentle as he said. "Oh no love, I'm sorry but my heart
belongs always to my dark princess Dru."

"Even though she treated you so bad, Spike?"

"I'm not a human love. My heart doesn't change on whims like theirs seem
to do, and I know my Dru will come back to me some day." Enough of this
drivel LEAVE.

"I just don't see how I'm going to find a good demon, most of the ones
here only want the hellmouth anyway."

Spike gave a huge sigh. Stupid chit. I have to do all the thinking for
her. How did my pet stand her for so long? "You'll probably have to
leave luv. Go some place where there is a stable population of Demons
like LA or something. You need to make a clean break with Xander anyway.
If all my advice on how to win him back didn't work then nothing
probably will." Demons are so stupid. How the buggers ever survived
this long I don't know?

"I wanted to thank for all your help with that Spike. Humans have such
weird mating rituals."

"You're welcome, luv. I'll miss you when you leave but it is for the
best. Maybe we'll get together sometime later." If someone drags me
there kicking and screaming that is.

"Do... Do you think I should say goodbye?"

"Probably not luv. It will be so much harder to leave if you see him. 
Maybe you can write him a note."

"A note. Human's break up by writing each other notes!"

"All the time luv. They're called Dear John letters."

"No wonder they're so messed up." She sighed. "If you think that's the
way to handle it, I guess that's what I'll do."

Part Three  

Xander reached for the crisp white envelope with a sense of fatalism. He
picked it up and wandered over to the couch. He held it in front of him
for a moment before laying it on the coffee table. He put his hands in
the center of the envelope and smoothed it out to the edges, then he ran
his index fingers up the outside edges. He smoothed his right thumb over
the impression of his name on the front, then in an almost instantaneous
move he flipped it over and slid his thumb under the flap and lifted. He
caught the edge of the paper pulling it out. He meticulously unfolded
and smoothed the letter flat on the table. He found himself staring at
his hands instead of the writing on the paper. He nervously fiddled with
the upper corner of the page, watching his fingers bend and unbend it. 

He started in shock as a pale cool hand covered his nervous fingers. He
looked up into pale blue eyes. "She left me a letter, Spike." His voice
sounded strange in his ears.

"I can see that, pet. Are you going to read it?"

Xander's eyes fell before his, and caught his lower lip in his teeth. "I
can't, not yet." He cast a pleading glance at Spike. "I know what it
says anyway." He cringed as when he remembered who he was talking to. He
gritted his teeth waiting for the sarcastic dig.

"I'll put it away for you, pet." Spike tugged the letter from him gently.
"You can read it when your ready." 

Xander looked up at Spike in dumb misery. "Could...could you just check
it to make sure there's nothing I need to know now?"

He trembled when cool fingers brushed the side of his cheek. "Sure pet." 
There was a slight pause then Spike continued. "I know how you feel
pet."

Xander shook his head.

Spike caught his chin. "Yes I do. It's how I felt when Dru left."

Xander blinked once then squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head again.

Spike gave him a little shake and Xander's eyes flew open. "One part of
you is a hurt little boy who just wants to cry, another part is so lonely
that you know there is no one else in the world but you. However, there
is also a part that's relieved she left and that part feels horribly
guilty."

Xander's eye's grew large at hearing the last part.

"You don't have to feel guilty, pet. That's the reason she left."

Xander flinched away.

"Not like that you silly git." Spike growled. "She feels the same way. 
The same relief that it's over. The two of you just aren't right for
each other." Spike's hand slid to Xander's shoulder.

Xander's hand crept up to cover Spike's. "I...I thought you and Dru..." 
He trailed off in confusion.

Spike shook his head. "Mostly it was loneliness."

Xander's eyes brimmed with tears. "It hurts so much. If she wasn't the
one why does it hurt so much?"

"Ah pet, it always hurts." He pulled Xander forward into a hug. Xander
buried his face in Spike's chest and sobbed. Spike pulled him close, and
rested his chin on the top of Xander's head. He ran his hands up and
down Xander's back. With a bare breath of movement he gentled a whisper
of a kiss into Xander's hair, yes this was where his pet belonged, and
this was where he would keep him.

''''''''''''''''''''''
Earlier that evening

Spike strolled nonchalantly toward his Xanpet's house. He felt a heady
sense of triumph. One down, three to go. Anya had been so easy. When
people expected relationships to go bad it was easy to make them, and
Anya definitely did most of his work for him. The only difficulty was in
keeping himself from strangling the bitch. Chip or no chip he had come
very close on several occasions. Spike growled under his breath. How
dare the bint touch what was his?! For that alone he could have ripped
her guts out. An evil smirk crossed his face. Oh yes it took humans
quite some time to die from gut wounds. That would have been perfect for
her. The only human he wanted to kill more right now was Xander's prick
of a father. He hummed under his breath as he contemplated what he would
do to Dadums if he didn't have the bloody chip in his head.

He shoved open Xander's door ready to sing out. Honey I'm home, when he
spotted Xander sitting on the couch. His voice died in his throat as he
took in his pet's condition. Ah Xander he thought. The boy was huddled
up on the couch. His face was almost dead white and his eyes were twin
pools of misery. Spike sighed and the boy didn't even register his
presence. Xander was mindlessly fiddling with the corner of the letter
without really registering anything. 

Spike crept forward and placed a gentle hand on Xander's. The boy
started slightly then looked up at him in misery. One part of Spike
wanted to shake the boy and tell him that he only had to look in front of
him to find what he needed, the other part wanted to catch the boy up
and tell him that he could and would get the demon-bint back. He took a
deep breath, and snarled at himself. This is what I wanted. This is
what I planned and this is what I'm doing. I will have the boy. He
could use this to draw the Xander closer. At the moment, he needs
someone to comfort him, anyone, even me. I can use that comfort to
foster dependence. If he depends on me to shape his feelings in one
instance then I can influence him in other instances, because he has
given me his trust.

He offered the boy what comfort he could and just listened when he had
none to offer, and anytime Xander touched him or offered him a confidence
he exulted. The boy was being coaxed closer and he didn't even realize
it. He would never allow anyone to get between him and Xander the way
that Anya had. If she was not strong or smart enough to keep the boy
then she did not deserve him. He would be worthy of this child. He
would be strong enough and smart enough.

When Xander burrowed into his chest, he felt a surge of protectiveness
almost overwhelm him, and when the boy fell asleep on his shoulder he
knew that Xander would be his.

'''''''''''''''''''''''

Spike shifted on the bed and marveled when the soft warm weight followed
him instinctively. He inhaled the musky scent that to him signified
Xander, and he felt a grin stretch the edges of his mouth. He was in bed
with Xander Harris, granted they hadn't actually done anything but sleep
in that bed but it was him that Xander slept on. A month ago, hell just
a couple of weeks ago, he would never had been allowed this close. He
had been relegated to the fringes of the boy's attention, but now for
this moment he was at the center, and it was a heady experience. 

He pushed some of the hair back from the boy's face. Tomorrow would
bring it's own set of problems. The boy would probably be embarrassed by
all of this, frightened by the new intimacy, and he had to be prepared to
deal with it. It would probably be best to ignore it as if nothing had
happened. He couldn't push this if he did the boy would try to avoid
him. He would have to act as if it never happened, but he would also
have to stay in the boy's space, as the kids would say. He liked this. 
He liked the boy depending on him and it would be no chore to stay in his
space. He wouldn't lose this. 

A cautious sense of possessiveness had awakened within him. He had
almost had the boy in his grasp before then everything went to hell in a
hand basket. The difference this time was that he did not have to depend
on anyone else to help him. He did not have to worry about Adam taking
out his chip because the plan was not dependent on him being chipless. 
He was going to work within the problem this time. His hands framed the
boy's shoulders and then stroked down his arms. Then he had neglected
Xandder's strongest support. He had underestimated the demon-girl. He
had been so damned sure that she wouldn't have the social wherewithal to
deal with the depressed boy. 

It would have been so easy too. Adam takes out the chip and fights
Buffy. Win or lose they would have kept each other busy, and he would
have nipped off to snatch the boy. Nothing however had gone as planned. 
Adam didn't take out the chip. The slayer had somehow gotten the boy
involved in that charade of a rescue, and he hadn't been there to protect
Xander. 

Then it had gone from bad to worse. Sure the chaos and fighting had been
fun but he hadn't been able to find the Slayer's group in all the
confusion. Then he and every other demon in the place had felt the
energy from the spell that they were casting. At least seven demon's had
abandoned the soldiers they had been fighting and took off to defend
Adam. There was no way that the clumsy barricade could of held from what
they would have thrown at it, and the group could not have casted the
spell and defended themselves at the same time. He still wasn't quite
sure how he had gotten there so fast, but he had and they hadn't gotten
through. Well most of them hadn't. The last he had brought down only
after it had made it through the door, but he had brought it down. No
one got away with harming his property. In a show of bleeding romance he
had stayed next to or near his pet for the remainder of the fighting. 
There was no way he was going to let the silly sot get himself hurt after
all the effort Spike had put into his rescue.

Xander stirred slightly and Spike froze not wanting to lose the closeness
of the moment. The boy murmured and then burrowed closer as his
heartbeat evened out again. Spike dragged his thoughts back to the
current situation. Who should be next? He wondered idly. Willow was the
biggest challenge. that girl was too attached and they had been too
close at one time for her to give up on him without a fight. Maybe he
should save her for last, the coup de grace. If he dragged Xander away
right after then she would have no chance to change her mind. so that
left the other two. Buffy would be the easiest. She was the laziest
when it came to her friends. If it looked like they might be too much of
a bother or take too much of her time she dropped them with a casualness 
that was rather sickening. At least, vampires were loyal to their
families.

Now Giles he would be more difficult. He rubbed his thumb over the boy's
shoulder in contemplation. Whether Giles wanted to believe it or not the
Ripper was alive and strong in Giles and that made Giles the most
dangerous of the group. He was older and also more sophisticated in the
ways and means of evil in the world. Thus he was the one most likely to
discover just what it was that Spike was up to. He toyed with the idea
of removing the Watcher from the equation permanently. It would be
difficult but it might be worth it in the end. The up side was that
there would be very little chance of anyone discovering his ultimate goal
with the watcher dead. Buffy certainly never would believe that this was
all done to get at Xander instead of her. The down side was what he
worried about, though. If the act was traced back to him then Buffy
would try to stake him, and Xander might never forgive him. One way or
another he could deal with slutty, but the whole point of this plot was
to make Xander his, not drive him away. At this moment it wouldn't be a
good idea to remove the Watcher. 

How else could he drive a wedge between them? Hmm, There was a bit of
the father son thing going on there and Xander did not have much
confidence in filial love. If he played on Xander's feeling, he should
be able to convince the boy that Giles wanted him to leave and try to
make something of himself. That might work and it was less likely to
cause the boy pain. When did that start to matter? No he couldn't start
to think like that. When the boy was his he could make up for any pain
he caused in getting there. Now he had to stick to the plan. How could
he bring about an irrevocable split between the two? Bring out the
Ripper. Cause Giles to act toward Xander in the same way that his father
did. Xander would feel betrayed, and Giles would be guilt struck and
embarrassed and he wouldn't want to deal with it. He wouldn't follow it
up until it was too late. Xander would ignore it because that was how he
dealt with such things, and since neither would address the situation it
would only fester.

It might be best to move on Buffy first. Despite his long time crush
Xander had no real emotional ties to the Slayer. If there was already
emotional distance between Buffy and Xander then it would be easier to
encourage the others to over react to things the boy does wrong. Where
Buffy went the others tended to follow. 

Yes that was the best way to take advantage of the situation. First
Buffy, then Giles, then Willow. In Willow's case it would be best to
work on Tara. She was fragile emotionally speaking and it would be
easier to manipulate her. Maybe play the jealousy card again. He
inhaled deeply, and his arms tightened involuntarily around the boy. Yes
this time he would win the prize.

Part Four

"Do you think I don't know what you're up to?"

Spike glance negligently over his shoulder before turning his whole
attention back to the small crowd huddled by the open grave. He listened
for a moment to the priest's monotonous drone. He felt a low growl travel
up his throat as he watched the way Mrs. Harris clutched at his pet's arm.
No it wouldn't be a problem. He thought as he watched her break away from
Xander to throw herself at that Uncle Rory chap. Yeah the sow had probably
been fucking him for a couple of years now. He watched with a kind of
disgust as she sobbed theatrically on the slob's chest.

Spike turned his attention back to Xander. the boy seemed to be in a bit of
a daze he stood where he was placed and did what he was told but he didn't
really seem aware. This wasn't the way it was supposed to happen. Not that
he regretted the fact that he had arranged for that Harris dickheads death
but He was supposed to be at Xander's side to comfort. Why the hell did the
effin funeral have to be in the daylight anyway. More than anything he
wanted to scoop the boy up and carry him off. He shouldn't have to deal
with this shit. There had been no other way Spike reminded himself
desperately. the dickhead had been getting more and more violent. So what
if I had to rearrange my plans. Spike told himself. I was planning on
taking the bastard out anyway. I'm not going soft.

Spike felt himself jerked back and shoved up against the wall. Speaking of
bastards.

"I know what you're up to." The soldier growled at him.

Oh yeah thought Spike I can see this one's just chocked full of brainy
goodness. Spike smirked he could practically hear his pet's voice. He
remained limp in the soldier's grip, calmly pulling out a cigarette and
lighted it. "I can see that peaches. Why don't you let me in on that
little secret, hm."

"I've seen the way you look at him Hostile, and I don't care how cozy you
are with the Scooby gang. I will dust you if you even come near him."

Spike kept his face immobile internalizing the shock. What the fuck?! "I
have no idea what you're talking about peaches." He calmly blew smoke in
Riley's face.

Riley just ignored his words and plowed dumbly onward. "You won't get near
him."

No comeback skills at all thought Spike. No finesse either, all muscle no
thought, only thing his type are good for is minion stock. Doesn't mean he
isn't dangerous. Definitely wouldn't be right for my pet though. Pet has a
mouth on him. Words are his weapons. This one wouldn't know how to fight
that was and sooner or later he'd end up resorting to his fists. No way am
I going to let that happen. I didn't get him out of one abusive
relationship for him to end up in another.

Spike oozed up against Riley. "I don't know what who you're talking about.
Wait a minute!? Xander?!" he asked incredulously. "You're jealous about
Xander?! "

"I'm NOT JEALOUS!" Riley dropped him and backed up quickly.

Spike flicked his cigarette off to the side and stalked forward. "I guess
all that 'don't ask don't tell shit' doesn't count anymore." Spike pressed
up against the mortal, resting his hand intimately against Riley's chest.
"Don't worry I won't tell Buffy if you don't.

"What in the hell is going on here?!" Both looked up in shock as Xander
stood in the doorway framed by the sunlight.

Bloody hell, thought Spike.

"N...nn....nnnothing" stammered Riley as he fought himself away from Spike
and fled out the door into the sunlight.

Xander felt a curious pain in his chest as he watched Spike for an
explanation.

Spike exploded with laughter at the whole passion-like scenario.

Unwillingly Xander felt his lips turning up into a smile, the pain almost
gone. "What's going on, Spike?" He asked in a much softer tone.

"The homophobic little pillock thought he was protecting your honor."

The corners of Xander's mouth turned down again, and he trembled slightly.
Of course Spike wouldn't think that way about him. It was just that so much
had happened lately. Anya leaving, the increasing isolation he felt from
the rest of the gang and now his father's death, and through it all Spike
had been there. He had comforted him. It seemed sometimes that Spike was
the only thing that he had to cling to.

Xander looked up to find that Spike had invading his personal space. "What
did you say?"

What had he said? Xander wondered wildly.

"Did you just ask if that would be such a bad thing?" Spike continued
urgently. His hands had grabbed Xander's shoulders. He couldn't believe
this was happening. What about all his plans?

"I'm sorry Spike. It's just you've been so wonderful and everything has
been so bad and I think that I'm falling in love with you." Xander clapped
both hands over his mouth to stop the babbling. Oh my God! I can't believe
I just said that.

Xander found himself shoved up against the wall, and he shut his eyes with a
sense of fatalism. Chip or no chip Spike was going to kill him.

"Open your eyes pet." A low voice said insistently.

Xander cautiously opened his eyes to find Spike's face so close to his that
if he moved just a millimeter they would touch. Those steel blue eyes were
staring into his compelling him. "You're mine now." It was said with a
steely determination. "You've said the words and I'm not letting you go."

Xander trembled slightly at Spike's possessiveness. He hasn't, thought
Xander. He hasn't said the words.

"This isn't going to be like it was with Dru. You don't get to walk away
from me." He shook Xander slightly, to get the boy's attention.

Xander felt himself nodding without his consciously thinking about it.

Spike felt himself running on instinct all of his demon coming to the
forefront. Vows had been exchanged but there was still too much here that
could take his mate from him, and he would not allow that to happen again.
He hoisted the boy over his shoulder and strode into the darkest part of the
crypt.

"Spike!" Xander squeaked.

His mate was much more vulnerable then him and if they were attacked their
enemies would come after him. He dropped the boy in the corner. They were
trapped here until the sun went down. After that they could escape this
place.

"Spike you're really starting to give me the wiggans here." Xander's voice
trembled slightly. Xander felt himself pulled roughly up against Spike.
Spike's hand came up and touched his lips covering them softly.

Briefly Spike actually focused on him, "Shhhhh" He hissed softly as his
touch. "You're my consort now. I've claimed you. You've said the words.
I will take you someplace safe where we will complete the Binding, and we
will never be parted."

"But Dru?" Xander asked as his bewildered brain tried to process what was
happening. I'm in shock he thought. Too much has happened lately and this
is just too much.

"She wouldn't take me as her consort, and she was my Sire so I could not
take her. I can take you though." Spike murmured nuzzling Xander absently,
as his real attention was focused on the front of the crypt and possible
intruders.

Xander tried to pull away from Spike in frustration. "Spike I don't
understand what's going on. You have to talk to me. What words? What the
hell is a Binding?"

He was jarred out of his mating haze by the stridency of the boy's voice.
The binding had been started but it wasn't far enough along for the boy to
just give in, but if he could complete the Binding then Xander wouldn't be
able to leave him later no matter what he learned. Spike thought darkly
about the Demon bint and Xander's dickhead of a father. Human's were funny
that way you never knew what they might take offense at.

Spike pulled Xander back into the main part of the crypt and pushed him back
into the chair. He pulled a bottle of whiskey out of one corner and poured
some into a shot glass. He then offered it to Xander.

"I'm not really thirsty, Spike." Xander demurred wryly.

"Well 'ang onto it you'll probably need it later." Spike tipped the bottle
back and took a gulp himself.

Xander fidgeted with the glass ackwardly. "Are you going to tell me what's
going on?"

"Well pet you have to know after the way I've been acting the past coupla
weeks that I like you, bloody 'ell I guess I love you." Spike spat out.

Xander's eyes grew big. "You do?!" A big grin began to spread across his
face.

"Course I do I've been courting you haven't I?" Spike grumbled.

Xander blinked. "You have? There haven't been any dead gold fish or bodies
or anything."

"Just because my poof of a grandsire's a blighter doesn't mean that's the
only way a vampire courts someone. The thing is pet you kinda just accepted
my suit so that means we're hitched."

"Hit...." Xander's voice squeaked. He brought the glass up to his lips and
gulped it down, then he gasped and sputtered as the stuff burned his throat.
"Hitched?" He asked with a very thin voice.

"Yes well I claimed you agreed, so we're hitched."

Xander eyelids began to fall and his head nodded forward. The glass tumbled
from his hand and shattered against the stone floor. Spike carefully
gathered up the pieces of the glass, not touching the inside at all. That
worked well he'd have to remember that spell.

"Well, luv." He addressed the sleeping boy. "We're not hitched yet but we
will be." He brushed the hair out of the boy's face tilting his head back
so that he would be more comfortable.

He abruptly stood up and strode over the doorway. The sun was just
beginning to set. It would take another couple of hours before it was down
completely and time and commando boy were certainly against him. He really
had no clue but he didn't doubt that humans had things to do after weddings.
Social obligations, he thought snorting. When Xander didn't show up for
these obligations then his friends would come looking for him. All it would
take was soldier boy blabbing then they would be in his bleeding face.

He glanced back at the boy's sleeping face. He could always brave the sun
to get the car. Pull it up to the crypt real close, then he'd just have to
find some way to hold both the boy and the tarp to keep himself from getting
fried. Bloody Hell he's just have to wait until the effin sun went down and
hope the bleedin' Slayer didn't show up first.

***

TBC