Night Terrors

by
BmblBee

Part Twenty-Six

Xander woke up slowly. It didn't take a mental stretch to figure out that he was on the sofa just outside his office at the club. It also didn't take a genius to recognize the pounding headache as the
remnants of a hell of a drunk.

Slowly, he attempted to roll over on his side to begin to asses his situation. When he did, the stiff crustiness inside his trousers tugged painfully at the thick patch of hair around his stale feeling cock. He was a man. He knew instantly what that meant.

Flopping back down, Xander knew there was only so much energy in his body. His efforts would have to be either mental or physical but couldn't be both. He rubbed this fingertips in circles over his temples as his brain back tracked to try and fill in the missing hours of last evening.

He remembered coming to the club. When he thought about the sex he vaguely recalled having a grope-'n-cum with a Spike lookalike. It was a very satisfying....... 'Uh oh. Wait a minute' Xander's memory slipped a small tid bit into his recollection.

Instantly he knew why his partner had reminded him so much of his old fantasy and nemesis, Spike. 'Oh, fuck. It was Spike.'

Xander groaned and held a small square throw pillow over his face in embarrassment. He experimentally poked at his other emotions. Regret? Um, huh. Not so much. Anger? Shame? Horror? Actually, there seemed to be a shortage of all these. Vampire or human, Xander had never been a speciesist and now that he was beginning to recall the facts of his life, he remembered he liked Spike.

They had stood together through good times and bad. They had fought the good fight and Spike had given his life for humanity. You had to like a guy that was willing to do that.

So, he had been in his office, Spike barged in, got him drunk and got him off. Xander frowned. Seemed like there should be more to the whole scenario than that. It felt like something was missing. Xander lowered the pillow and tried to ignore the stab of pain that shot through his head as the light again hit his eyes.

What had they been talking about? What was.........KIM! "Fuck!" Xander tossed the pillow aside and threw his feet off the couch. He immediately jumped up and rushed to his desk for his cell phone. He hit speed dial and squeezed his eyes shut both in pain and prayer that Kim answered and was all right.

"Hello?"

"Kim? Oh Thank God! Kim where....."

"No, Xander, this is Travis, Kim's roommate. He never came home yesterday. I have been going crazy here. I tried to call your apartment but there was no answer. You don't know where he is?"

"No, Travis I'm at the club. I haven't seen him since he left here. He never came in to work last night."

"Jesus, Xan. You don't think...."

"NO. Don't even think it. Look, Travis, call the police and file a missing person's report. I think I may know someone who can help. I'll keep in touch. If you hear from him or.........just call me o.k?"

Travis agreed and Xander's thumb hit the "end" button. Immediately, he grabbed the card off his desk and dialed. Just when he was beginning to think Spike wouldn't answer......

"Talk to me"

Xander blinked. Only Spike would answer the phone like that. Surprisingly, it gave him a feeling of reassurance. "Spike, it's Xander."

"Ah, yes, and now you want to call and tell me what a pervert I am. Right? Well let me tell you something, you started it so don't even....."

"No, Spike, it was great. No problemo. Listen, that's not why I called. You were right. Kim has gone missing. I'm going to go home to shower and change. I know it isn't sunset yet so meet me there in an hour."

Spike grinned, thinking. 'Well that was just too easy.' Giles had called Angel just ten minutes ago and had told him to grab Xander as soon as the sun went down and somehow get him to the Council house. Angel had put Spike on the case, passing on the address.

He had no sooner jotted down the street directions and started to formulate an elaborate plan for kidnapping Xander when the prospective victim himself phoned. He actually would have preferred the stalking, sneak attack and capture but.......... 'Wait a minute' His brain hiccuped. 'It was great'? "Sure, Pet. I'll be there in a tic. You get all cleaned up. Wouldn't want you all dry, itchy and flaky now would we?"

"You're a fuckin' perv, Spike. Got a pencil? Here's the address...."

Spike paid no attention. He already knew where Xander lived. Still, explaining that would only cause problems so he waited till he finished, paused and ended the call with a "got it. See you then."

Spike had taken a hot shower, refused to blow his sire, dressed, skirted Angel's groping hands, and gulped down two pints of rich red human before arguing that no, he would not bend over for a quicky.

Spike pulled the BMW up to the curb and slid out. He strode up to the door and raised his fist to pound. Before he got the chance, it was jerked open and he was face to face with a damp, drippy Xander.

"Come on in, Spike."

Spike nodded. It was said in the same manner that would be used on anyone arriving at your door. Xander's tone held no inflection that it was done to give a demon permission to enter. Spike liked that. Very much. What he saw inside, he liked even more.

Xander stood, drying his hair with one towel while another rode low wrapped around his hips. "Sorry I'm running a bit late. I made some calls, friends, places Kim goes but, no luck. Sit down, I'll get dressed and be right out."

Spike made no attempt to be low key or inconspicuous in his ogling. He grinned, sucked his teeth and slowly prowled, making a complete circle around the human's body.

"Well, well, well, look at you. Been workin' out have we? Arms like steel, flat stomach, nice round bubble butt. Bet you've made a bloke or two happy flexin' them cheeks 'aven't ya?"

Xander's arms dropped to his sides. He still held the damp towel in his hand and his hair stood up in wild wet humps. He refused to allow himself to be flattered or encouraged by the sexy vampire's words. They had other, more important things on the table today.

"Jesus, Spike, what are you, thirteen years old? That sounds like the cheesy dialog to a 70's porno flick, and yes, I'm a man, I've seen a few."

Spike laughed and dropped down on the black leather sofa. He wasn't insulted and he wasn't put off. He knew it was only a matter of time before that bubble butt would be clamped around him. "Yeah, you're right. Not like we needed much conversation last night, is it?" Spike smirked and kept his attention locked on a fascinating piece of lint stuck to his tee.

Xander flinched. Due to the alcohol, he still couldn't recall the exact particulars of their encounter in the club, he just knew he had gotten off. Monumentally. He hoped to God he hadn't said it. No, he was sure if he had, Spike would be throwing it in his face. Besides, if they were too drunk to get undressed, he was too drunk to ask.

Xander casually resumed the fluff drying to his hair. "Say, Spike, speaking of conversation, I didn't say anything odd last night, did I? I mean when we, whatever, did I.......um.....shit, never mind. Look I'll be dressed and ready in five minutes. I hope you've got some ideas about finding Kim."

Xander suddenly turned to rush off. Not out of fear of Spike's answer. Not because the evening cool air was causing goose bumps all over his damp body, although it was. No, Xander knew it was time to go when it dawned on him that he was stark naked, except for the towel that now seemed very small, Spike was sexy as hell, and Xander's cock had started filling and rising like a helium balloon in the Macy's Day parade.

It was all Spike could do to contain himself as the man rushed off smelling of thick, rich pheromones. "Now who's thirteen?" he chuckled quietly.

If nothing else over the past ten years, Spike had learned patience. He could wait. When the time was right he would reach into his back pocket and whip out that line of "can I call you Spike and bite you?" THAT, he thought, was a fucking classic.

But not yet. First he wanted rid of the distractions of a pesky demon, a missing friend, the arrival of a gaggle of unwanted Scoobies, and the annoyance of a fuckin' sire with a perpetual hard on.

Spike stared at the closed door Xander had just gone through and he relaxed. He flopped his boot covered feet up on the expensive coffee table like he was home and sighed happily. 'Who knows, maybe I am.'

Part Twenty-Seven

True to his word, in little more than five minutes, Xander returned, black damp hair smoothed back, dressed in a casual blue pullover and snug, worn jeans. The sight made Spike openly ogle and nearly drool.

Xander purposefully ignored the vampire's response and slipped his bare feet into a pair of loafers before heading out the door, his heart pounded against his rib cage in concern for what was happening. Spike grabbed his duster and quickly followed.

Then, with practiced expertise, Xander shut down the part of his brain that wanted to think bad thoughts. It ignored the warnings bells and flags that came with associating with a vampire that was so solidly connected to the past. He told himself that he would do whatever was necessary to save his friend. He would do anything for Kim. Then he would walk away, again.

As always, when Xander got nervous, his mouth took over and ran unchecked. It was a habit left over from the before time that he had never been able to shake.

"Let's go. So as near as I can figure, Kim has been missing about twenty-four hours. Apparently the last anyone saw of him was when he left the club at closing time. He usually likes to walk home, sometimes through the park. You want to start there? Drive by and have a look? I really think it's best if we stay away from the police considering I knew all the missing men. Might look a tad on the suspicious side."

Xander reached the end of the walkway and stopped, very impressed. "Damn, vampire business must be good, great car."

Spike smirked. "Actually, it belongs to Angel Investigations. But, then, so do I, I guess." Spike dropped into the drivers seat and waited till Xander climbed in with him. He hated using sneak tactics on the seemingly trusting human but had a funny feeling that spilling the beans about a sort of Scoobie intervention would send him screaming off into the night.

Xander frowned. For some reason, it niggled at him to think that Spike belonged to Angel in any possible way. Especially if it meant THAT way.

Spike sneaked a glance sideways. He still couldn't believe the changes time had made in Xander. On the surface, the human gave the impression that he had completely discarded his past, given it, and the people in it, no more than a passing thought.

Spike grinned. Last night told him that was not entirely true and he had no intention of losing this nummy treat at least until he got behind the name and bite request at the moment of orgasmic bliss. Funny, but when the man had said it, the whole thing had the ring of 'done this before' to it.

"So, ten years is a long time. How come you never looked anyone up? You and the rest of the do-gooders used to be tight as a virgins snatch. Why the change?"

Xander turned his face away. He refused to discuss his nightmares and fears so he used the pat lines that he served up to anyone who asked about his past. "I've moved on. Whatever my life was in Sunnydale, it sank into the earth with everything else. I'm not that boy anymore and I refuse to look back."

Spike raised his eyebrows at the heat behind the words. This, he decided, was another scab that needed picking. "So, you don't think fucking me is a stroll down memory lane?"

Xander's face snapped around, searching Spike's for the truth. "We didn't fuck. Did we fuck? No, if we had fucked, my clothes wouldn't have been in the shape they were in when I woke up. I thought you still had the soul. Doesn't that stop you from lying?"

Spike chuckled. "Every human walking the earth lies and most of them have souls."

Xander just shrugged and looked back out into the night. He knew that was true. He was fairly sure his soul was firmly intact and he had told more than one whopper. "Hey, this isn't the way to the park. Where are we going?"

"Got some people gonna try to help us sort this problem out. We're going to pop in and have a word or two with them
first."

Suddenly, Xander had a very bad feeling. Almost like a skier shushing down hill, looking back over his shoulder and watching an avalanche closing in on him.

He stared out, trying to guess where they were going. He knew they were in a elite part of town, a gated community, an area where the owner of a gay dance club was seldom invited. He couldn't imagine who a low rent vampire like Spike could possible know here.

With no further explanation, Spike slowed the BMW and, checking the numbers painted on the curb, quickly located the house in question. Xander looked all around. His heart rate accelerated and his breathing came in short spurts. This was not good. This felt like a dream. He felt sick and lightheaded.

Spike parked and jumped out. He circled the car and waited. Xander stayed where he was. He rolled down the window and tried to look as casual and relaxed as possible. "I think I'll wait here. You go ahead and see whoever it is and fill
me in after."

Spike crouched down and looked, blue eyes into brown. "You know it doesn't work that way, Pet. Somehow you're involved and we need to figure this out together. As a boy, you were a white knight. A champion for the cause. I know you're different now but you're still Xander Harris and I can feel that your heart is still that of a good man who wants to do the right thing. It's time to face the past Xander."

Xander stared past Spike's face to focus on the brightly lit windows of the brick ranch house that sat back from the street. His voice dropped to little more than a whisper. He knew with a nauseating certainty what was there. "Please don't make me do this Spike. I don't think I can."

Carefully, Spike opened the passengers door and reached out his hand. "Sure you can and I'll be there to help you."

Xander swallowed around the heavy lump that was caught in his throat. He took a deep breath and thought of Kim. He knew if anything happened to him, or any of those other men, because Xander had turned his back, he would never forgive himself. Apparently white knighthood is a condition hard to shake.

He immediately cut off the little voice of self preservation that screamed at him to run, hide, grab a stake and sing Dust In The Wind and he climbed out. His hand tightly gripping Spike's.

Halfway up the neatly groomed brick walkway he stopped. "Who's in there, Spike?"

"Some folks who love you and miss you very much Xander."

~*~*~*~*~

Willow paced the length of the living room for the hundredth time. "What do you think is taking them so long? Maybe Xander just refused to come. Maybe Spike scared him off. Do you think he's off because of Spike? Maybe Angel never called Spike. Maybe..."

Giles set his tea cup down on the coaster, careful not to leave a cup ring on the expensive table. "Willow, do calm down. It has only been sundown for a short time and we don't when Angel was able to reach Spike. It may take time.
We must be patient. Please do stop pacing."

Andrew sat on the cushioned window seat watching out into the night. As the last house on a dead end street, there was no traffic zipping by. If a car came this way, it was with intention. He ignored Willow's incessant whining, Giles cup stirring, and Wesley's muttering over whatever site he had on the screen of his laptop.

He hadn't commented when he first noticed the headlights slowly approach. He remained quietly alert as the dark car pulled up to the curb and shut down. He watched intently as Spike got out and appeared to be trying to coax his passenger out.

Finally when the two male figures started up the walkway he leapt to his feet. "They're here. Spike and Xander. They're here."

Everyone in the room froze and all eyes turned to the front door. Just when they were beginning to think Andrew had been wrong, the bell rang.

Part Twenty-Eight

The other three stood back, waiting, unsure what to expect as Andrew went to answer the door. He was the only one not worried about how this reunion would play out. He had no doubts. After all, this was Xander. No amount of time passing could change that.

Andrew flipped the switch that turned on the porch light and he jerked the door wide open. Before he could stop himself, Andrew's eyes got big and he took a step back. "Wow!"

The man standing on the outside was stunning. Andrew's face burst into a big grin as his eyes skipped happily up and down Xander's solid, well defined body.

"Andrew" The name popped easily into Xander's brain along with all the memories of the boy that he had tucked away and forgotten. The name then left his lips on the wings of a chuckle. He remembered the boy's attempted life of crime, his capture, being tied up and in the end, he remembered him standing strong alongside the bravest of them.

"Yeah, it's me. I work for the Council now. I'm a real Watcher's Assistant. In fact I'm assistant to the Head Watcher. Hey, hi Spike. Long time no see. You look exactly the same. Course you would. Vampire and all. Come on. Come in Xander we have all been so excited to see you."

Before he had the chance to speak to him, another voice called his name. A quiet, timid, unsure voice that he knew as well as his own. "Xander?"

Xander let go of Spike's hand and stepped around Andrew. He was so focused on the source of the voice, he never heard Andrew invite Spike into the house or Spike's answering "Thanks Mate."

Wesley stepped off to the side and quickly embraced Spike. The two men, who had worked so well together in LA had some catching up of their own to do, but first, they made no attempt to hide their interest in the show that was too long in coming.

Xander stopped several feet back and stared at his dearest friends. His mind flooded him with emotional pictures that brought tears to his eyes and choked the air in his lungs. He attempted to match up those memories to the two people standing in front of him.

Ten years. An eternity and a brief second. He looked first at Giles. A man who had easily slipped into the role of father figure when his own had no ability to show love for anything other than a six pack.

He had taught Xander, by example, about life and about being a good man. He had patiently listened as Xander struggled through the awkward years of finding himself and he showed no shock or disgust when Xander had finally realized he was gay. Almost as if Giles knew before Xander did.

The years had taken a toll on him. His hair, thinner and grayer had been cut short befitting an older gentleman. His face also showed the years and stress of his position. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened with the open, honest love that shone through.

"Xander, my boy, you look wonderful. We have missed you so much."

Xander didn't trust himself to speak, instead he gave a smile and curt nod before turning his attention to the small redhead at Giles side. The years had been good to her. Other than the expensive clothes and woman's look about her face and body, she was just as he remembered. And now he remembered it all.

"Willow" The whispered name was all it took. It was the trigger that shot her across the room and into his arms where she still fit so perfectly. Without a conscious thought, he scooped her up and held her tightly against his solid body.

Inhaling deeply into her hair, Xander closed his eyes. At first he thought that she must, after all this time, still be using the same perfume till he realized she wasn't wearing any at all. It was pure Willow. Cool, clean, soft and sweet. It swamped him and filled him with the knowledge that she was unchanged. How could he have forgotten this?

This was life and love. This was Willow. He couldn't imagine what he had been so afraid of.

"Oh, Xander, I've missed you so much. You look so grown. You've changed so much. How could you walk away like that? Are you all right? Are you happy? I've wanted to call you a thousand times but I didn't know.......Oh, Xander."

Before he could answer or even open his eyes, Xander felt another pair of arms wrap themselves around him and Willow, Xander and Giles contented themselves to just hang on. It was a moment that was so long overdue, it could not be rushed.

Finally, after several minutes, the silence and reverence of the mood was broken by the loud blast of a nose being blown into a tissue. "Oh my God, that's so beautiful."

Everyone looked over at Andrew and laughed, relieving the heaviness of the moment.

Giles, too, had to wipe his eyes and regain his composure. He stepped back, still keeping a hand on Xander's shoulder, he sniffled. The seriousness of the problem that brought them here could be set aside for a little while. "I think this moment should be celebrated. I'll just bet if we look hard enough we can find a bottle of wine that is begging to be opened."

As the three old friends started toward the kitchen, Andrew rushed to catch up with them. "Boy, Xan, you must work out. A lot. You really look great. I mean REALLY great. All strong and........"

"Andrew!" Giles voice was stern and carried an undertone of jealousy.

Willow smirked and grabbed Xander's hand, pulling him on as Giles reined in his wayward companion. "They're together." she whispered. Xander's eyebrows rose but when he thought about it, it didn't seem all that odd.

At the last minute, he paused and looked back. Spike stood grinning. "You go on with your mates. Wes and I have some catching up of our own to do then we'll be right in."

"You won't leave without saying something will you?" Xander wasn't sure why, but suddenly it became very important to him that Spike stick around.

Spike shoo shooed him with his hands. The sight of the black chipped nail polish caught Xander's eye and made him smile. "Not going anywhere. Now you toddle off. Pop that wine open and me and Percy will be right in."

Xander nodded and turning back to his old friends, and Andrew, he let them lead him away. When they were gone, Spike turned to Wes, casually tossing his duster over the sofa back. "So, you and the Poof had a tiff?"

Wes bristled. He hated the thought of Spike and Angel sitting around discussing their personal business. In fact, he didn't think Spike even knew Wes and Angel had personal business. "Did Angel say something to you about us?"

Spike shrugged and lit a cigarette, taking his time to blow a slow stream of blue smoke. "Didn't need to. I could smell it on both of you for months, then, nothing, then whoosh, you're gone. Let me guess, Peaches wanted to pretend you were Slutty, right?"

Wes diverted his eyes and stammered, his brain fumbling for a point of reference. Was that it? Was that why Angel continued to deny him? All this time he had been in love and Angel had been using him? Wes needed to think this one over and he had no intention of discussing it with Spike. "I really don't think this is the time or place......."

"Sorry. Didn't mean to bring up........"

"No, no, it's all right. Is he, um. Is Angel o.k?"

Spike looked into Wes's eyes and knew. He couldn't hurt this human by telling him the truth and no way would he admit to his own reluctant physical activity with the Neanderthal.

Before Spike had the chance to question him further or explain that he and Wes were actually strolling down the same 'Angel is a prick' path, another knock came to the door. Spike looked at Wes suspiciously.

"You order up another Scoobie?"

Wes shook his head. "No. Everyone is here. We tried to get Buffy to come but she had some sort of party in Rome to attend and to be honest, she has very little to do with slaying nowadays."

The knock came again, harder this time, so Wes answered.

Part Twenty-Nine

Angel had spent an extra long time getting himself ready for what he knew would be the reunion of a lifetime, or in his case, several lifetimes.

He had showered, indulging in what he referred to as a wank of necessity. One to take the edge off. He was afraid if he didn't, considering his present state, his cock would spring into an instant hard on the minute it came within six feet of Wes and his cock. Very undignified.

It was a reaction that would make him look needy, anxious, horny, and desperate. All things he was but there was no sense in letting it show. He wanted Wes back but it had to be on his terms, with him in a position of power and control. Angel would have to remain on top.

After his shower, Angel had plied his hair with numerous costly products that promised to give it that 'just fucked' look that Wes used to give it for free.

He then chose, discarded, repicked, tossed and finally selected the perfect black silk shirt and matching trousers. It always amazed Angel when he looked through his closet, that there were so many different shades of black. Just to be safe, he had packed several for this trip.

When he checked his watch, he was shocked to see that so much time had passed and now he was running late. Angel had hoped to get to the Council house before Spike and Xander. He wanted to be able to whisk Wes away from the rest before the distraction of a sappy, heart tugging reunion could constipate his efforts. Angel hated to be constipated.

The only thing he hated more than feeling like his brain was backed up was feeling insecure. Angel stood in front of a blank mirror pretending to look at himself and he gave himself a little pep talk.

"Look at you. Tall dark and handsome. Any man would be thrilled to have you. O.k. sure, I'm a vampire, drink blood, can't go out in the sunlight and have a tendency to bite, but hell, no one is perfect. Besides, I'm a fucking superhero. I swoop down and help the fucking helpless. Wes would be lucky to just spend time with me. After all, what the fuck has Superman got that I don't have? Red tights? HA! I got 'em. I just don't wear them in public. What's Batman got? A codpiece? O.k. yeah, I would like to have one of those."

Angel cupped his crotch and turned from side to side imagining how it would look in the mirror. A codpiece really would look sharp. Maybe he would get on the internet and see about ordering one.

Immediately he stopped. He waved his hands back and forth in front of his face in an often practiced move designed to help him concentrate.

"This is it, Big guy. Focus on the mission. The goal of this operation is to swoop down and collect my property. No human or demon will stand in the way! Wes is mine and I keep what's mine! I'm ready. I'm psyched. I'm stalling."

Angel sighed and his shoulders slumped. He had wasted enough time. He had the address and he knew Wes would be there. It was now or never. "All right then. Here we go." Angel grabbed his leather jacket and his car keys. He pulled the hotel door closed behind him and before he could change his mind he walked out into the night and into the P.T.Cruiser that the valets were still snickering over.

'Fuck 'em' he thought. 'Don't see them helping no helpless.'

He slipped one of his favorite Sinatra CD's into the player and began to croon along with old blue eyes. "I did it myyyyyyyyyy wayyyyyyyy"

In no time he was in the target neighborhood. He knew how the Council operated and immediately located the right house. Elegant but not ostentatious. Landscaped to fit the area but not over done to the point that it would stand out or be unnecessarily noticed. Besides that, the number was painted on the curb.

Pulling up behind his own sleek black BMW, Angel took a few moments to curse Spike and his parentage till he realized that in some respects, he was Spike's parentage. He then insulted Spike's clothing choices, the size of his feet and his freakishly large cock.

When he could think of no other reason to dawdle, he squared his shoulders and marched up the sidewalk. Before he could second guess himself or allow his insecurities to bubble over, Angel raised his meaty fist and knocked. When no one answered, he wanted to scream. It took all his super strength to remain calm and knock again. This time, his patience was rewarded.

"Angel?"

Wesley was stunned. No one had said anything about Angel coming. If he had known, he would have stayed in England. Immediately, Wesley's temper flared. Apparently Xander wasn't the only one who was being ambushed tonight.

Angel was temporarily struck dumb(er). Two years had only made Wes more sexy, warmer, sweeter. The heat and passion pooled in Angel's pants and caused an uncomfortable squiggle in his stomach.

Spinning around with fire in his eyes, Wes confronted Spike. "Why is he here? Who called him? Did you know about this? Is this some kind of joke?"

Quickly Spike threw this hands up and took a step back, the smirk never far from his lips. "I had no idea he was coming. He just showed up. Don't think the others know either. No one is playing with ya."

While Spike and Wesley argued the point, Angel had attempted to stick his hand inside the house only to find it blocked by the rules of the vampire universe. "Damn" he muttered.

By now, the shouts and accusations had caught the attention of the others who came rushing in. Giles was the first to spot the visitor who was still standing on the outside looking in.

"Angel? When did you arrive? We had no idea. We thought you were still in LA. Has something happened? Are you here to help with the demon? Please come in, come in."

At that point the room resounded with a chorus of four male voices all shouting in unison. "NO!"

Too late. With a smile on his face, Angel stepped in. He instantly took charge, adopting an arrogant, efficient attitude. Still stinging from the nonwelcome he'd received from Wes, he decided to try another tactic. He would play hard to get and force Wes to come crawling. It would do the Watcher good to be a little more humble, he decided.

"Get over yourself, Wes, I'm here for the case. I couldn't possibly sit back in my comfortable office slash apartment while the lot of you are putting your lives on the line in a situation like this. Those gay men were helpless victims in this demon assault and as you know, I........"

This time, everyone in the room even Xander, chimed in, finishing the sentence for him. ".........help the helpless. Yeah, we know."

It broke the tension as everyone, except Angel, laughed. Xander was surprised to find that despite the time that had passed, he still felt very attached. These were still his friends and family and he realized now that he had missed them very much.

Hurrying back to the kitchen, Andrew retrieved several bottles of wine and seven very expensive long stemmed wine glasses. Giles knew that whatever was happening here in Oxnard could wait a little longer. This was too precious a time to waste on the discussion of death and demons.

Jackets were discarded, shoes kicked off and tossed to the side. Feet were propped up on surfaces that feet were never meant to touch and everyone settled in. Wes still made a point of scowling at Angel from time to time but no one took it as a serious threat and Angel found it most encouraging.

Part Thirty

It was wonderful. Xander sat back, relaxed and slightly buzzed from the wine and the company. It was as if he had never been away. He chuckled when Willow argued with Andrew over whose glass was whose when he drank her chablis.

He watched Wes scowl each time he caught Angel sneaking a peek and wondered what had happened between the two. Although knowing Angel as he did, Dead Boy had probably fucked up somehow.

Most of all, however, he watched Spike. Ten years and the vampire was exactly the same. Well built, compact and beautifully muscled. He was rude, snarky, confident and still the most sexual creature Xander had ever known. The very sight of him set a fire burning in Xander's blood that threatened to bubble over and fill his cock to uncomfortable and embarrassing levels. Reluctantly, Xander made himself look away.

When he did, something else caught his eye. Andrew and Giles. That was certainly unexpected. Immediately, Xander's suspicious side began analyzing the situation. Giles was a man of extreme power and Xander knew what an aphrodisiac power could be. But he didn't think that was it.

From the time he had arrived, Andrew had never left the older man's side. He saw to his needs and wants and he assured himself that Giles was in all ways tended to. But it was more than that. It was the way Andrew looked at him. It was the love and devotion that shone in his eyes, and oddly, it was matched in the way Giles looked back. The men were clearly in love.

As the empty bottles stacked up, their touching became more frequent and relaxed. Andrew patted Giles arm, Giles casually laid a hand on the boy's knee. Andrew grew sleepy and laid his head on Giles shoulder. Giles smiled and kissed the top of his head. No one in the group commented.

When the coversation slowed and everyone was beginning to drift, Giles knew it was time to bring their reunion to an end. "This has been wonderful, all of us together again. Xander, whenever a member of your family is apart from you, your life is incomplete. Tonight I feel as though our lives are finally complete. We have missed you so much. This time was for us, for all of us."

Giles lifted his wine glass in a toast to all in the room before he continued. "Now, it's late. We are all spent and not in any condition to discuss the problem that has brought us here. It will be dawn in a couple hours and I think it would be a good idea if we got some sleep then tackled then demon issue when we are of clear mind and thought."

Immediately, Xander frowned and the guilt kicked in. He had nearly lost himself in the warmth of being back in his circle of love and had almost forgotten about his good friend, Kim. He needed to go. He needed some space to figure it all out and he quickly rose only to realize how unbalanced he was on his feet.

"Whoa, steady Xan." Spike reached out, ready to catch the human if he went down.

Xander grinned at the nick name and thought about tumbling back into the strong arms. Reluctantly, he regained his balance. "I'm o.k. It's just really late and Giles is right. I've had too much to drink. I'm going to go home and sleep it off. Like he said, we need clear heads to figure this out. I'll be back tonight. Bye"

Xander threw his hand up and stumbled toward the front door. Shocked, Willow turned to Giles and waved her hands in an exagerated "no, no" motion. Giles leapt to his feet, causing Andrew to flop face first on to the sofa.

"No, Xander, you can't possibly drive like that and there is no way you can be out on the streets walking, especially with what is going on. We certainly can't afford to have you come up missing too. Please stay here with us. We can set a bed in the den, or you can just stretch out on the sofa."

Xander thought about it but really needed some space. The reunion had been great but it bordered on overwhelming and he suddenly wanted out. He needed to go home. To the familiar and the recognizable. He needed to be grown up Xander again before he allowed himself to slip back into the role of donut boy.

For a brief, drunken moment, he wondered if he was trapped here. If they had lured him here and he could never leave. Fear shot through him, causing his voice to crack. "No. No, I need to go home."

Claustrophobia, caused by emotional overload and alcohol, began to swirl around threatening to grip Xander by the throat. His heart started pounding and his breathing became shallow and ragged. He couldn't think. He felt like he was slipping into one of his dreams.

Spike was the first to pick up on the distress. The sharp odor of fear rolled from the human like black swirling ink from a frightened squid. Quickly, and with a loud sigh, Spike set down his glass. "No sweat." Spike casually lifted himself to his feet, he stretched his arms high over his head and yawned. "I drove him here anyway and I have NO interest in sticking around while the lot of you snore and fart in your sleep. I'll run the bo...,Xander, back to his place." Spike winked and Xander immediatley relaxed.

Xander chuckled nervously, continuing to babble as he backed up toward the front door. "Yeah, see, Fangless here owes me a ride and he's been driving drunk without an accident for what, like one hundred years? So that's good. That's what we'll do. He can take me home and then pick me up again tomorrow. Yep, we got a plan now."

With that and a last minute wave, Xander was out. Out in to the cool early morning air that felt like heaven to his overheated skin. He took a last glance back at the closed door and felt a wave of relief wash through him. It had been too much. Too much of a good thing.

"Better?"

Spike's quiet voice so close to his ear caught his attention and he turned to face the smiling vampire beside him.

"Yeah, much, thanks. They are wonderful but......." Spike laughed and threw his arm around Xander's shoulders leading him down the path toward the car and escape.

"But a little goes a long way. I know. Come on, Xan. Time for Spikey to get you home. Oh, and by the way, if it's consensual, I am far from fangless. I can sink my teeth in and the chip is quiet as a mouse."

Xander's feet skidded to a stop. He stared at the vampire, his eyes bugging out and his chin near the sidewalk. Spike barked out a laugh and took him by the hand, dragging him on their way.

Willow stood inside staring at the closed door sadly. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to want to stay. "Do you have what you need?"

Willow turned toward Giles who was pulling a sleepy Andy Pandy to his feet, and nodded. "Yes, I think this should do it." With a handkerchief, she carefully picked up the glass Xander had been drinking from. Holding it up to the light, she could see traces of saliva around the rim. "I'll run the spell when I get up. It should tell us what we need to know before we see him later today."

"Fine, fine. Come along Andrew. It's bedtime." Pausing at the end of the hallway, Giles looked back at Willow, a small smile on his lips. "He looks good, doesn't he?"

Willow's eyes sparkled with pride and unshed tears. "He looks wonderful."

Left alone in the living room, Angel grinned. This was it. This is where Wes throws himself into Angel's arms sobbing apologies. After forgiving and consoling him, Angel would be ready to move on. He was a hero and heros do not hold a grudge. Besides, Angel thought, Wes can be so helpless and it is the vampire's mission in life to help the helpless, or in this case, help himself to the helpless.

Angel sat hapily on the overstuffed leather sofa. He stared off in the direction of the hallway the others had gone down and he wondered which door led to his and Wesley's room. He should be finding out soon.

"Well, Wes, looks like it's just you and me. It's very late. You probably want to go to bed."

Calmly, and without comment or reply, Wesley rose to his feet. He walked over and flipped the switch that swamped the living room in sudden darkness and he walked away. Within less than a minute, Angel heard the bedroom door slam. Well, that answered one question. It was second on the left.

Angel sat alone in the dark. "Yeah, o.k. then. Guess I'll be going too. No, no, please, don't beg. I really can't stay. Yeah, it's been great. Wonderful to see everyone. So, we're meeting here tomorrow? Shit!"

Angel got up, grabbed his jacket and walked off into the night where the orange P.T. Cruiser sat waiting. With a flat tire.

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