Family Bonds
by
Kimalis
7
At Spike’s shouted request, Tom brought fresh drinks and a bowl of pretzels and sat them on the edge of the table. Xander handed over the beer and picked up the coke for himself, tilting it towards Spike. “Cheers.”
Shifting the food away from the pool table, Spike followed suit, tipping his bottle with a hint of his evil grin. “Bottoms up!”
Xander shook his head and mumbled under his breath as he leaned in to make the first break. “Subtlety thy name is William the Bloody.”
“I heard that,” Spike told him, watching as two striped balls were sunk. “Very nice. Look’s like you’re in fine form tonight.”
“Always in fine form Bleachie. Haven’t you been looking?”
Spike raked his eyes over Xander. Fine form, yes indeed. This young man was strong, broad, solid, just getting used to himself as an adult and could only improve from here.
“Been looking and liking, Harris,” he told him. “As have you.”
Xander met and held his blue eyes, then audaciously let his gaze run down Spike’s body, lingering over toned abs and firm thighs. “That I have. It is a spectator sport isn’t it? Non-contact of course.”
“Non-contact?” Spike looked at him incredulously but then caught himself. Don’t push the boy, he’s still healing, take it at his pace. The wait is worth it in the end. “Bloody hell. Fine, non contact.”
Xander nodded, tilted his head back and swallowed down the last few drops of his coke. “For now.” Spike’s eyes were still on the curve of his neck as Xander went back to his game. He smirked at Spike “Focus vampire, you’re drooling.”
“Oi, can’t a fella admire? Wasn’t drooling either.” Spike pointed at him. “And you are a fang-tease, Harris. You know I can’t bite.”
“Would you if you could?” Xander asked moving in closer to Spike.
Spike reached out and stroked a finger alongside Xander’s neck, just a hair’s breadth from his skin and said softly. “Only if you asked nicely.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Xander whispered, looking directly into his eyes.
Spike was in a daze, he could hear Xander’s blood rushing so clearly, could smell the pheromones pouring off him. Too soon really, to even be thinking about it, but the boy had unknowingly exposed the most vulnerable part of himself. Unknowingly? Perhaps. Spike shook himself out of it and stepped back. “Right play on, let’s see what else you got.” While Xander sank his next few balls, Spike wandered to the opposite side of the table.
Xander lined up his shot and pulled his arm back just as Spike repositioned himself in Xander’s eyeline. Spike stood still at the table his hand idly slipping back and forth over the wet length of his beer bottle, his thumb reaching up tracing the edge of the open neck. Xander tried to ignore it, but with what Spike was doing to that bottle? No chance. His shot bounced off the cushion, his target sitting untouched. Damn vampire and his suggestive hands.
“Don’t think that bottle’s gonna get any harder.” Xander waved his arm vaguely in Spike’s direction. “And I’m sure there’s rules about that kind of thing.”
Spike considered him over the top of his bottle as he drank, his tongue snaked out to lick at the drops of condensation trickling down the neck while he thought.
“Let’s pretend, just for a moment shall we, that maybe I am an evil vampire and don’t play by the rules.”
“Maybe you’re trying to distract me.” Xander stepped back from the table, while Spike wandered around examining the lay of the balls.
He stopped directly in front of Xander, leaning his body in as close as he could without touching. “Is it working?” Spike whispered.
Xander shivered. “Definitely working.”
“See? Evil,” Spike said smugly as he pulled away, continuing his circuit of the table. He’d chosen his ball, sunk it and was lining up the second shot when a movement to the side caught his eye. Turning his head a little he saw Xander had pulled up his chair and was sitting, or more accurately sprawling, in the seat, hands behind his head, legs stretched wide out in front, a lazy, relaxed look on his face. Oh that was just delectable. His workman’s muscles were straining at the clothes as Xander flexed. His jeans pulled tight, his shirt riding up a bit there at the sides. Spike wondered just how soft that skin was, how it would taste if he were to lick from that one hip to the other. Roving his eyes further, he could see the shirt pulling across Xander’s broad chest, the long line of his throat, the curve of those lips that came to a peak in the centre, his dark brown, shining eyes that were staring at Spike with an amused gleam. Spike lifted a brow in question.
Xander chuckled at the vampire paused in mid shot with the lascivious look on his face. “Been a hard day. I’m just taking it easy”
“Not many who can make it look like that.”
Xander flexed his body and flashed Spike a self-satisfied smile. He knew Spike would be a while at the table, would most likely clear it before Xander got another look in. He sipped on his coke, snagged a handful of pretzels and settled in. He didn’t mind missing out, it meant he could concentrate on this. On Spike. Pouring himself over the felt to reach, sliding the cue between his loose fingers, gripping the end in a tight fist, twisting and contorting his lithe body to make unnecessarily awkward shots. They way he moved was so feline, so fluid. Xander could only imagine what it must look like when Spike was not covered in those tight black clothes, what it would feel like to have those muscles moving under your hands. Now there was a thought. The kind of thought that shot those tingling sparks through his gut and put a twitch in his groin.
“You’re up.” Spike held out the cue and cocked his head, watching as Xander stretched one last time before he made to stand up. “Unless you want me to play for you. I don’t mind if you want to, ah, relax again.”
Xander smiled at him. “How very selfless of you.” He slid the cue from Spike’s hand and looked the table over. Spike had cleared all but one of his balls and Xander had no trouble potting a few of his own.
“You know I used to watch this on TV with my dad when I was a kid. Always made me laugh they way they stuck their ass out at the camera.” Xander mimicked the memory, stepping back, laying low over the edge of the table and waving his hips while he lined up.
Spike smiled appreciatively at the view. “Cheap shot Harris. And I don’t think that’s quite how the pros do it. But I’m not complaining. Definitely makes the game worth playing.”
“Hey you have some eye-catching moves yourself.”
Spike smirked and grabbed his beer, taking a long swallow and draining the bottle. “More than a century of experience under my belt, bound to have more moves than you.”
Xander bent in for his next shot. He looked down his cue at Spike, holding his eyes with a steady, loaded gaze. “I have enough experience with this game to show you some moves.”
Spike’s raised his brows in question at Xander and asked carefully, “We still talking about pool here?” When Xander didn’t answer, didn’t flush or even look away, he said, “So then you know what you’re doing?”
“Really do.” Xander nodded slowly. He missed his next ball and wandered over to Spike, leaning his hip on the table. Resting his hands on the top of his cue, he regarded Spike. “I hope you’re not just playing for the quick hustle?”
“Nope. Never been my style.” Spike told him as he dropped his last coloured ball. When he stood back up he found Xander standing very close beside him.
Xander laid a hand lightly on Spike’s hip. Looking directly into wary blue eyes, he leaned in and pressed a brief soft kiss to Spike’s mouth. “Mine either.”
Spike pulled back, a small surprised smile on his face and bent down to line up his last shot. “Eight-ball, side pocket.”
Xander watched Spike skilfully sink the black. “Nicely played.”
“Yeah good game Harris.” Spike was surprised and more than a little pleased. As the night moved on, Xander had relaxed more and more. Spike could see the tension leaving him, the confidence returning and that light-heartedness that Spike so enjoyed, had settled over him again. “But what happened there mate, you broke the rules. You said non-contact. ”
What had happened there? Minor breakage. But he couldn’t help it. Standing so close and seeing that striking face so near, hearing that he wasn’t just being played, all led to a tiny crack in the rules. That one rule he wasn’t quite ready to completely shatter.
“Didn’t break it, just cracked it a little, And, hey I made the rule, I can choose when I break it pal.”
Spike snorted. “Make sure you let me know when I can too, yeah?”
“You’ll be the first to know. Promise.”
As both moved to pack away the equipment, the sound of a bell rang out through the pub. Xander looked at Spike in confusion.
"Means last drinks,” he explained. “One for the road?”
“Sure, I’ll go. Beer ok?” Xander left Spike to put the cues away and headed for the bar, jamming his hands deep into his pockets so that his jeans stretched even tighter across his rear.
~*~*~*~*~
Spike positioned himself where he could easily watch Xander. Cheeky bugger. As if those pants weren’t tight enough as it was. And then he goes and leans on the bar like that too. Damn shame the lad had kept himself covered up for so long. Xander glanced over his shoulder flashing Spike a happy smile. Ostensibly, Spike was concentrating on putting things away, but he also wanted to keep an eye on the boy. Not just because he was a pleasure to see, and he was an absolute pleasure, but the attention he had been drawing from the Hokard demon was bothering Spike. It hadn’t made a move, but also hadn’t taken its eyes off Xander for the last hour or so. As Spike cleared up the last of the balls his eyes switched between the little blue demon and Xander.
~*~*~*~*~
Xander leaned on the bar, ordering Spike’s beer and another coke for himself.
“So, you’d be Spike’s boy?” Thomas asked him.
What had he been telling Tom? Xander smirked over at Spike, then looked at Tom with amusement. “Ah, no. I’m my own boy, er, man. Just having a drink with a friend.” Friend. It was good trying that word on. Spike. Friend. Yes, very good.
“Friend? Right-o then. Only, I wouldn’t mind havin’ a friend that looked at me like you do him. Or one that kisses me like that.”
“And how exactly do I look at him?” Xander asked.
“Like he’s the tastiest thing you ever laid your peepers on.” Tom handed him the drinks. “Can’t blame you either, he’s one fine specimen. Oh, don’t tell my wife I said that.”
Xander mimed zipping his lips. “Wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with the missus.”
“Oh no. No, no. She’d be glad to hear it. She thinks he’s a real looker.” He added in a conspiratorial whisper, “Problem for me is she’d want me to, ah, invite him home, if you know what I mean.”
Xander, who knew exactly what he meant, looked over to Spike, caught his eye and grinned. “I’ll remember that.”
“I don’t mind lookin’, its like appreciatin’ a nice paintin’, doesn’t mean I want to go and get all up close an’ personal with the canvas, you know?”
Spike could see Xander and Thomas chatting away and with Xander’s occasional smile in his direction, he could only imagine what Tom had dredged up to share. Still, nice to have a smile directed at him for a change instead of a weapon. Definitely nice to see a smile on the boy.
A movement on the far side of the room caught Spike’s eye. The Hokard demon, resembling a weathered and worn nine year-old in a black business suit, was weaving its way over to the bar on unsteady legs, still ogling Xander. Spike’s demon twitched. It did not regard Xander as a possession but recognised him as significant and that triggered a protective urge in Spike. He wandered as casually as he was able, to intercept the Hokard. The tiny demon was now between him and Xander. Spike veered off to his right and came face to face with his target. Face to chest more like, he towered over the surprised Hokard. Bending down to speak quietly but menacingly into what he hoped was its ear, Spike said, “You wanna fuck off back to your table if you know what’s good for you sunshine.”
The demon looked up at him with unfocused rolling eyes, swaying slightly and spoke with a surprisingly low raspy voice. “That one is very appealing. I will have it.” It tried to step around Spike but his hands squeezing painfully into its shoulders stopped it cold.
“I must have it,” the demon pleaded.
Spike crackled into game face and growled, “You take another step towards that boy I’ll knock you arse over tit through that window, cause outside? Tom don’t much care what happens.”
“It is yours?”
Spike growled in answer, baring his fangs.
“I am apologising master vampire. It was very alluring. I will take my leave.”
Cursing Tom’s house rules about not tearing this creature apart inside the pub, he warned the demon, “See that you do.” Spike shook off his demon face and allowed the Hokard to hurry around him and out the door.
~*~*~*~*~
He saw Xander was collecting his change and their drinks and headed over to the bar, taking the stool next to Xander. “You ladies finished with the gossip?”
“Yep, collected plenty.” Xander told him with a sly smile drinking down most of his coke.
“Tom what have you done?”
"Nothin’, I done nothin'. Well, I may have accidentally let slip that my Rose thinks you’re pretty.”
“On bloody hell. I am not pretty, I am an evil master. Can nobody remember that?”
Xander patted his hand patronisingly and chuckled. “I’ll try really hard from now on. But if you will both excuse me, humanity calls.” Xander slid off his stool, heading for the men’s room.
“You’ll have your hands full with that one, me ole mate.” Tom told him with a frown, nodding towards Xander.
Spike sighed. “You are not bloody wrong there Tom. Listen, before he comes back.” He checked over his shoulder. “What can you tell me about Hokards. That one was making a beeline straight for him.”
“Ah, let’s see. Rose would be better at this but she’s closing up the kitchen. Those little pissheads, a few drinks and anything is fair game. And, oh, a long barb, right arm, sprays a venom. If it hit your boy there he would be out for maybe a coupe of days. Long enough to be hidden and some kind of union ritual performed. No effect on you unless it got in through broken skin. A bit of extra pain, and would take longer to heal, but you’d’ve, er, lived, or whatever.”
“Don’t judge a book eh?” Spike muttered to himself. He finished off his beer, glad that he had caught the Hokard sooner rather than later.
Xander dropped back onto his stool and grabbed up his coke. “Got room for the rest of this now.”
Spike determinedly did not look at his neck this time, no point putting temptation in his own way.
The pub bell rang out again and Tom shouted, “Time gentlemen, please.” The pub began to empty.
Tom reached over and shook Xander’s hand. “Good to meet you, drop by anytime. And bring this lump with you, Spike here comes in handy sometimes. He’s my door-bitch.”
Xander sniggered.
“Every bloody time Tom.” Spike sighed resignedly. “I am not your door bitch.”
“Yeah I know, I just get a kick out of callin’ a master a bitch,” he grinned.
Spike shook his head. “My best to Rose, we’re off.” He waved a hand at Tom and led Xander out the door.
“So Bleachie, I’m starving, how’s pizza then patrol sound?” he asked, not wanting to go home just yet.
“No garlic?”
Xander gave a heavy sigh. “The sacrifices I make. Okay, no garlic.”
“Right, food and fights it is.”
Turning away from the bar, they began the two-block walk along the quiet street to the pizza place. They walked in silence for while, each stealing sideways glances at the other, elbows occasionally brushing.
Xander stopped walking. “Spike, I know I said it earlier, but thanks. This was good. I needed some time like this to unwind. That stuff that happened back at the Magic Box? I know I’ll have to deal later, but, well, this has taken the edge off. I’m actually feeling pretty good, so, um, thanks.”
Spike turned to look at him, “S’not a date Harris, you don’t have to thank me. Besides, I told you, you’re a bloke I thought I’d enjoy having a beer with. No surprise, turns out I was right.”
Xander stepped in. “You know that rule?” Spike nodded. “You could put another crack in it if you want.”
“Could I now?”
“Just a crack.”
Spike closed the gap between them. He reached a hand up behind Xander’s neck and pulled him in. A gentle touch of lips, soft and searching. Spike’s demon screamed for more but he reined it in, recalling his promise to himself. Control.
Xander revelled in the sensation of Spike’s kiss. He let his hands rest loosely on Spike’s waist and leaned into his mouth, tasting whiskey, beer, smoke and something tantalising that all blended together and to him was pure Spike.
Spike let his hand slide down to Xander’s chest as he slowly pulled away. “Consider it cracked.” He smiled.
Xander smiled back and they continued on the short walk. His smile faded quickly though, when Spike froze, a low growl rumbling from him, his eyes flashing from blue to gold.
“What’s-”
“We’re being followed.” He scented the air then spun around snarling.
“Hokard.”
8
Spike spun around to face the demon that had been tailing them. Instinctively, he put himself between Xander and the Hokard, slipping into game face and growling menacingly.
“I will have it,” the demon told him. “I come on behalf of my clan to take possession of it. You have no way to avert this master vampire.” The demon tensed and sprang, trying to get to Xander.
Spike pushed Xander roughly out of the way and dived at the Hokard. It sprang away from him easily, lifted its arm and extended a long white barb from just behind its wrist. A yellowish spray misted lightly from the tip of the barb. Spike kicked out with his legs and knocked the smaller demon flying. Head slamming against a shop front, it landed in a heap.
Xander had been looking around for a weapon of some kind, but had managed to find nothing other than one loose brick lying on the sidewalk. He picked it up and hefted it in his palm, feeling the heavy weight and sharp edges. He started towards the Hokard.
Spike jumped to his feet, seeing Xander’s intentions. “You stay right out of this. Don’t move unless I tell you.”
“No, I can-” At Spike’s growl Xander stopped. A pissed off scowl crept over his face but he moved back as Spike had said. “Staying out, not moving. Wouldn’t want to get in the way would I?”
The Hokard was climbing to its feet again, shaking its head, barb still extended. It launched itself towards Xander with another springing leap. As it was flying through the air Spike leapt, grabbing a hold of its legs, pulling it from its trajectory and sent it flying out onto the street.
“Not in the bloody way, but you can’t get close enough to use that. Just stay back and if it points that arm at you, get the hell out of its range.” Spike ran after the demon, kicking out as it again sprang in Xander’s direction.
Spike’s foot connected with the demon, halting its flight. As it fell to the ground the demon lashed out with is barbed arm, catching Spike’s calf, its weapon buried in Spike’s flesh and caught in the thick fabric of his jeans. Spike howled as he and the demon fell, entangled with each other’s limbs.
Xander was running in, armed with his brick, but stopped when he was nearly bowled over by a very large and scaly, axe-wielding barman.
“Son, don’t you get any closer to that thing. Spike would have my guts for garters if it got you.” Without a pause, Tom rushed at the Hokard, slamming his axe into its midsection, spilling its innards. Reaching down with one beefy hand, he snapped off its barb, releasing Spike from its hold.
“C’mon mate, up you get.” Tom hauled Spike to his feet seeing the blood quickly soaking through the leg of Spike’s jeans.
Xander rushed to Spike’s side. “It got you, you’re bleeding.” Turning to the bigger man he said, “Tom, we have to get him back to your place.”
“Harris I’m fine, don’t fuss. It’s a scratch. Are you okay?” Spike brushed Tom off and looked Xander over, turning him around, checking every side.
“Yeah, it didn’t get me. But what the hell? What was that about? Clan? Possession?” He looked from Spike to Tom.
Tom grabbed Spike by the arm and moved him in the direction of the pub. “Later, let’s get this one back so we can clean ‘im up.”
Spike snarled, then realised which face he was wearing and shook his head, turning now blue eyes back on Tom. “I don’t need babying. It’s nothing.”
“It’s bloody well something’ mate. That venom is gonna muck you up good and proper if I don’t let Rose sort you out soon.”
Spike recalled Tom’s earlier mention of Hokard toxin and reluctantly let himself be led back to the Bear and Lion.
Xander followed silently behind, worriedly watching the blood still oozing through the tear in Spike’s jeans. He couldn’t help the rush of guilt. Spike was injured because he’d been protecting him. The demon attacked because of him. There had been little he could do; the demon was too fast for a human to take on. Xander had felt that long-hated uselessness as he stood by and watched the brief encounter.
~*~*~*~*~
Tom held the door for them and gestured them both inside the pub, empty but for one small red-haired woman. As he drew closer, Xander could see the fine scales patterning her skin. He shook her hand as Tom made the introductions. So this was Rose, fan of the ‘pretty’ vampire.
Spike sat heavily in a chair that Tom held for him, lifting his foot to rest on a second seat. Xander stood behind Spike, one hand resting on his shoulder as Rose pushed his pants leg up and went to work on the gash in his calf.
“You boys are lucky Tom told me what happened in here earlier.” Rose said.
Xander looked between the three of them. “Something happened? While we were here?” He squeezed Spike’s shoulder. “You want to share?”
“Not as a rule, no” Spike shook his head as he looked up at Xander and saw the angry expression on his face. “Fine. That was a Hokard, it fancied you. Was going to hit on you earlier but I suggested otherwise. Apparently it’s a demon with a little persistence.”
Rose paused in her ministrations and looked at Spike. “It’s more than that William. Tom here only scratched the surface. If he’d come and got me instead of giving you the abridged version, we might have avoided this,” she indicated the mess that was his leg. “That Hokard fixed on you Xander, for its clan. That means the rest of the clan will try for you as well.”
“You mean they are going to keep attacking me? How many are there?” Xander knew that he would have no hope fighting them off, it was clear they were not especially strong, but could leap an enormous distance and had more speed than he could ever hope for.
“There’s probably only about eight in their clan. But those left will be organising themselves now.” She looked to Xander. “You are going to have to be careful.”
“Like hell he is!” Spike made to get out of the seat, knocking away Rose’s hands. “I’m going to end this now.”
Rose shoved him back down, none too gently. “You, William, will SIT DOWN!”
Xander’s jaw dropped when Spike immediately did as he was told and sat in his chair. He would never have believed it if someone told him that the Big Bad would be cowed by this tiny, tiny woman.
“Thankyou. Now, you keep that tight little bum right where it is, you hear me?” Rose grinned up at him. “You are going nowhere until I clean this up. You’ve been sliced through to the bone.”
At the green look on Xander’s face, Tom said, “Don’t you worry Xander, our Rose is a wonder. Between her and those herbs she can fix just about anything. Right Rosie?”
“No doubt. William, you’ve not been hit with a full dose of the venom, just the residue off the barb. You’ll be sore for a while and this won’t heal as fast as it should, but you’ll be good in a couple of days.”
“Soon as you’ve patched me I’m going to take care of those bastards. You know where they are?” Spike asked Tom.
“Yeah, that I do. Not far from here, but look. Here you are, leg like a raw prime rib and that was only one Hokard. You go up against all of them and you’ll end up a pile of mince. If you’re lucky.”
“Not going alone.”
“Not going at all.” Xander told him quietly, crouching beside the chair. “This is my problem, I’m not having you go and risk yourself like that. Look at you now Spike.”
“Thanks for the concern mate, but I’m doing it anyway.” When Xander opened his mouth to answer, Spike jumped in. “And no, you are not going. You are staying here with Tom. He can be my second line if any of them get out.”
“So I’m sidelined again?” Xander’s anger started to build.
“Fine, you want to come?” Spike yelled. “Want to get shot full of demon poison? Lie about in a coma for a few days while they all take turns with you? Wake up mated to their clan for life? Great. Grab a brick and lets go.”
Xander blanched and asked in a small voice, “That’s what they want?”
“That’s what they want, and that’s what they are not going to get. I am going to kill every last one of them and you are going to stay here.” Spike spoke in a tone that left no room for argument.
Xander nodded his acceptance. “How are you going to do it? There’s too many.”
Spike looked at Tom. “Any new vamp nests about?”
“There is one. I was going to tell you about it tonight, but I didn’t want to ruin your date.” Tom said.
“Oh bloody hell, I’m a vampire, we don’t date.” Spike managed to look both embarrassed and disgusted. “It’s not a fucking date.”
Tom held his hands up defensively. “Calm down mate. Any bloke could have easily mistaken that kissin’ and flirtin’ for a date.”
“Alright now, that’s enough from everybody.” Rose interrupted. “Spike, I’m done here. It’s cleaned and the herb paste should help it heal. You need blood and a good rest, although I seriously doubt that will happen.”
As soon as Rose had rolled the leg of his jeans back down, Spike was up and taking the axe that Tom held out.
“Nest is two blocks over in the back of the boarded up bookstore. There’s maybe ten of them. Hokard’s den is another three blocks down under the park. Entrance is in the sewers. Don’t worry about Xander, I’ll pop an extra barrier up, he’ll be fine.”
Spike thanked Tom, then turned to Xander. “I’ll be back soon. Stay with Tom. Please.”
“Well, since you said please and I know that’s not gonna happen again this lifetime.” He nodded and clapped Spike on the shoulder.
Spike hefted the axe and was out the door without a second glance.
“Come on Xander let’s go get you some food.” Rose gently tugged on his arm while Tom collected the first aid kit and cleaned away the mess.
Xander was starving but didn’t think he could eat. Spike was walking into a den of maybe eight of the demons, one of whom had ripped through his leg without even trying. Then there was the venom to dodge as well as the barb. He’d felt guilty over the one injury Spike sustained, if Spike was hurt badly now, it too would be his fault. Xander damned himself for his lack of any power that could help. He was too slow, too weak and would be a liability. He didn’t want to doubt Spike, but it seemed to be an insurmountable task. Xander paced while Rose prepared a meal.
~*~*~*~*~
Spike left the bar and ran the two blocks to the vamp nest. Kicking the doors in, he saw nine vampires scattered around the room.
“Right who’s looking for a temp job, no wages, no dental?”
The vampires sat and stared at him. One growled and came close. “Who the fuck are you, just walking into our home? You wanna clear out buddy before you bite off more than you can chew.”
Spike swung his axe in one quick movement, slicing the head off the vampire. Dust rained down over the room before the others had even seen his hand move.
“Let me ask again. Who wants a job? William the Bloody, Order of Aurelius, favoured childe of Angelus, is hiring.”
The vampires all stood quickly, fear of the well known lineage triggering their self-preservation instinct.
“Okay. Eight of you should do it. In return for your services I won’t stake you slowly and dance in your dust. So, who’s up for some killing?”
~*~*~*~*~
Xander hadn’t thought he could eat, but when Rose put a plate of warm roast beef sandwiches and a bowl of vegetable soup in front of him he soon realised he could quite easily devour this and more. It was something that kept a small part of his mind from worrying. Rose didn’t leave his side while he ate. Tom came and went, making small talk with his wife, pretending not to check on Xander.
Xander finished his meal, thanked Rose then washed his plates. As soon as this small task was done, he resumed pacing the kitchen. He had no idea how long this would take. How long should he allow before he really began to worry? Spike had been gone roughly half an hour, barely enough time to even reach the den. Xander couldn’t expect him back anytime soon. And how would he even know if Spike made it? No, not going to think like that. Spike is a master and a master can handle himself and take care of a few little demons. But one of those demons downed him. What would eight do? Xander ran his hands through his hair and screamed silently to himself.
~*~*~*~*~
Spike tore through the streets, the eight vampires close behind him, not daring to deny the master what he wanted. The vampires had collected their own weapons, mainly ornamental swords they had liberated from a museum collection. He easily located the sewer entrance and followed the winding path to the Hokard den, a largish natural cave, worn from the soft stone under the park. Spike slowed as he neared the entrance waving the other vampires back out of sight. He could see clearly into the space and counted eleven demons engaged in various activities. Some were preparing a low stone bench with manacles at the head and foot. Another group were mixing what appeared to be a potion and which, to Spike’s sensitive nose, was emitting a vile odour. The remainder had their heads bent over an ancient-looking text. All the Hokard were deep in concentration over their different activities. Now was a perfect time, they had the advantage of surprise, less in number and speed but greater in strength. Spike waved his troops forward and motioned them to attack.
~*~*~*~*~
Xander had moved from the kitchen to the pub and was walking a circuit around the tables, past the bar and by the pool table where he slowed and ran his fingers along the age-worn wooden edge. It was such a short time ago that he had stood there and kissed Spike, completely oblivious to the unfolding dangers. Part of him was angry with Spike for keeping him in the dark. Another part was thankful that Spike had let him relax and enjoy the evening without the knowledge of his demon stalker. Could his day get any more bizarre? A reunion with his recent ex, a fight with his best friend, an encounter with a vampire and now this. Xander stopped himself. He couldn’t turn it around to be about him. And there was that guilt again. Worrying about his day when Spike was out fighting for him. Selfish. Spike was fighting for him. He knew he should feel any number of things about that but all he had was dread and panic.
Tom and Rose were watching him from the kitchen. At a nudge from Rose, Tom went out and joined Xander. “C’mon, you’re wearing out my carpet. Let’s put that energy to good use.”
Tom led him to a doorway at the back of the bar and down a small staircase to the cellar. There he directed Xander to the many crates of wine that needed to be lifted, moved and unpacked on to the racks. Xander gave him a grateful look and set to work.
~*~*~*~*~
In addition to their natural weapon, the Hokard had armed themselves with crude stakes. Two vamps were dusted, but four Hokard were sliced through and lying in parts in the dirt floor. The vampires were holding their own against the smaller faster demons by swinging their swords in both high and low arcs, intercepting the leaping Hokard, and dodging the sprays of toxin. Spike was learning that small injuries and a missing arm were no impediment to these demons; they sprang and flew no matter what. It took a solid midsection blow or decapitation to stop them.
Despite the knowledge, Spike wasn’t coming out of this unscathed. The wound on his leg had reopened and was bleeding as freely as the slices to his arms and chest. All the wounds had been infected by the demons poison and Spike knew that if he were to make it out that he would need Rose’s help to mend these gashes. Another two Hokard fell to Spike’s axe and his pseudo minions were working their way through the other demons, dispatching a further three but losing an equal number themselves.
Spike felt a blow to his shoulder and cringed when he saw the point of a Hokard barb protruding. The barb was quickly withdrawn and before Spike could move away it was plunged again into his back, spearing a kidney and exiting through his front. He fell to his knees, one hand going to his stomach to stem the flow of blood, the other still swinging the axe around himself in a protective arc. He looked across the room in time to see another two vampires floating away on the breeze. Two vampires, Spike included, and two Hokard remained. The venom was accelerating the blood loss; Spike was weakening and already he could see the other vampire stumbling and losing balance.
~*~*~*~*~
Tom worked Xander hard. There were dozens of crates to shift, hundreds of bottles to shelve. While they worked Tom told Xander stories of his family back in England. He reminisced about his father’s little country pub, he cast dispersions on his cousins posh club in the heart of London, and glowed and bragged about his Rose. Xander listened and made all the right noises, glad for the physical labour and simple conversation that helped to keep his mind on an even keel. Eventually though, thanks in part to his excessive energy, the job was done. They made their way back upstairs and took the coffee that Rose offered.
Xander took up his route around the room again, coffee in his hand. How long had it been now? A quick glance at the clock and Xander realised they had been in the cellar for well over two hours. That meant that Spike had been gone for almost three hours. Much longer and the sun would be up and Spike would be caught.
Xander stopped his pacing when Tom approached. “Xander, it’s nearly dawn. It’s been three hours. I need to go and find him.”
“Great let’s go then,” Xander started for the door, grabbing his coat off a bar stool.
“I can’t let you come, Xander. If those things get you…” Tom shook his head sadly. “You have to wait here, I’ll bring him back.”
“Damn it! I'm not waiting anymore. I’m going with you. You don’t take me I’ll follow you anyway.”
Tom considered him. Finally with a heavy sigh he went behind the bar and came out with a pair of long-handled axes. “You stay in my sight every second. You do exactly what I tell you, yeah?” He handed one to Xander, then hauled a heavy looking bundle over his shoulder.
Xander snatched up the axe, nodded his agreement and headed for the door. “My car’s outside.”
~*~*~*~*~
The drive took only minutes but for Xander it dragged on interminably. They parked as close as they could to the sewer entrance, took up their weapons and set off at a run.
“There’s been no Hokard showing up at the Bear and Lion, so that should be a good sign.” Tom told him.
“Should be, but there’s been no blonde vampires showing up either.”
Tom merely grunted and led him around more bends, through more foul puddles until Xander could see a light up ahead.
Tom motioned him back but went forward himself leaning his head around the entrance. “Bloody hell. Xander let’s get in there.”
The scene that met Xander’s eyes was nothing short of carnage. Hokard bodies, or more accurately, body parts were splashed liberally around the cavern; both on the floor and the walls. The entire room was coated in a light film of dust, muting the colours. But it was what Xander could see off to the side that caused his stomach to lurch.
9
Spike lay unmoving in a spreading pool of blood. His clothes were drenched, blood oozed from his gut, shoulder, both legs and chest. He had a multitude of small cuts over his face and hands, each bleeding freely.
Xander stood rooted to the spot. So much blood. Coming from so many places. Could a vampire bleed to death? His fault. This was his fault. He was useless, couldn’t help in any real way and here was the result. Spike was dying. Spike had gone, without any thought of himself, to defend and protect Xander. The guilt over the cut calf was nothing compared to this. Xander may as well have just staked Spike himself. Either way the culpability was his. He’d known it would happen someday, one of his friends would die because of his ineptitude, actually he’d thought it would more likely be him.
Xander registered Tom shaking him, “Come on boy, snap out of it. He needs you now.”
He blinked dazedly at Tom, taking a moment to focus. “Tom, look what I’ve done.” He tried to wrench himself free of Tom’s grip. “I’ve killed him.”
“Don’t be an idiot son. You think you’re God? Think you could make a master do something against his will? You won’t be the one who kills William the Bloody.” Tom kept his hands firmly on Xander’s arms, forcing Xander to face him. “You might be special but you aren’t that good. Now wake up to yourself and be the one who saves him. Help me get him back to Rose.”
Oh god. Stupid, selfish indulgence in self-pity. Time better spent helping Spike. Xander shook the doubts from the fore of his mind. Wounded fighter. Here was something he could do, had been doing for years, a way to begin making recompense, if that were even possible.
Tom was bent over Spike, checking the worst of the wounds. “Find a sheet, a cloth, something we can carry him in.” Tom told him. “He’s too damaged to just toss over my shoulder.”
Xander looked around the cavern, no other rooms, there must be something here. Then he noticed the low stone tablet, chains and cuffs at either end. Not going to stop and think what that was for. Just going to run over there and grab that fancy embroidered blanket spread over it. He pulled the cloth free, shaking off several Hokard pieces and no small amount of dust. Returning to Tom, Xander spread the fabric on the floor and together they carefully lifted Spike, laying him down on it.
Xander took a moment to check over Spike. So pale, always was pale but this was different. His cheeks, usually so sharp and defined were sunken hollows, as were his eyes. Blood seeped from the many stab wounds and gashes. He looked to Tom for instructions, then picked up the ends of the cloth at Spike’s head as Tom indicated. Carrying him carefully they made their way back out of the den and into the sewer.
“We’ll get him to the car, I’ll phone Rose so she can be ready for us,” Tom told him as they walked. “There’s a bundle in the back, sheets and towels, you can spread some over the back seat then you can jump in there with him and I’ll drive back. Press a couple of towels onto those wounds in his chest and stomach. We need to try to keep some of that blood inside him.”
They were soon back at Xander’s car, Tom calling Rose while Xander covered the back of the car with sheets. Together, they manoeuvred Spike onto the seat and Xander climbed in and crouched in the small space beside him. As they drove, Xander found some smaller towels and held them fast against the seeping gashes. The worst one, in Spike’s side, soon needed a second cloth. In the silence of the car, Xander’s mind began to wander.
There had been so much blood on the floor, how could there be more? Would he just keep bleeding until he was empty? What then? Would he dust, could he live like this? His duster. Spike was going to be so mad when he saw the holes in his duster. Xander stifled a laugh. Catch yourself Harris. Get it together. You’re no help to Spike if you lose it. Xander mentally slapped himself, would have physically if he’d not been elbow deep in Spike’s blood.
Xander looked over Spike’s face. Few spots were blood free, though he could tell most of it would wipe away, only a few small cuts there. He leaned down and rested his lips against one of the less bloody patches near Spike’s temple. “I’m sorry.” A light kiss. “I’m sorry.” No response at all. Spike hadn’t moved, hadn’t made a sound since they’d found him. Xander knew it was foolish to expect he would show some sign of life, but still he hoped for some hint. Not dust. That would have to do. Spike was not dust so this would not be his final death. Xander grabbed on to that. Not dust, not going to be dust, he would make it so. Let Rose do her thing, then Xander would take care of the rest. “C’mon Tom, let’s move it.”
They pulled the car up to the pub. Rose had the door open, lighting their way across the sidewalk. Tom and Xander manhandled Spike inside and through to the kitchen, laying him on the long work bench. Rose set to work pulling off his boots and cutting away the jeans, but when she moved to his duster Xander stopped her and with Tom’s help, they peeled the wet, damaged coat away. Rose cut off his shirt then motioned to the large bucket of milky liquid on the floor.
“Both of you grab a cloth, we have to wash him down with this. It will neutralise any residual toxins on his skin or inside the wounds and stop the bleeding getting worse.” She handed them both thick pieces of soft cloth. “Don’t be stingy now, get a lot of it on there. And don’t worry Xander, you can’t hurt him.” Xander had cringed when he touched Spike with the wet cloth.
As they worked, his appearance improved. Under the blood was more undamaged skin than Xander could have hoped for. He had some major punctures and some minor slices but it looked nowhere near as bad as he’d first thought
Seeing Xander’s look of confusion Rose explained, “The toxin makes him bleed more than he normally would. It’s how the Hokard hunt prey. They can spray the venom to paralyse and preserve, but for hunting they stab, inject the toxin then follow it till it’s bled out. Being a vampire though, the toxin is less effective on him. It looks bad enough but it could be worse.”
“But he’s lost so much blood already, these bigger wounds are still bleeding and why won’t he wake up?” Xander indicated the cuts in his chest, legs, shoulder and side.
“Xander, now you aren’t doubtin’ our Rose are you?” Tom said. “Just wait till she’s doctored him up, you’ll see. Spike’s gonna be fine.”
When Spike was washed clean, front and back, Rose began applying a thick, earthy-smelling paste to each cut. She spread it on with her fingers, packing it into the deeper holes, then finishing with a bandage.
Xander wrinkled his nose at the smell. It wasn’t unpleasant, just foreign; he imagined it was similar to the rich compost on an ancient forest floor. Collecting a small dab on his finger, Xander gave it a closer look.
Tom laughed. “Don’t bother tryin’ to work out what it is. Our Rosie sources her herbs and deals with medicos from dimensions I ain’t never even heard of. She’s a bit of an inventor you might say.” He looked at his wife with pride. “Just about nothin’ my girl here can’t fix.”
“Alright Tom, how about you make yourself useful now. The paste has stopped all the bleeding so now he needs blood. Xander, he’ll probably come to when we fill him up. I imagine he’s just out of it so he can heal.”
“Give him my blood.” Xander said, holding his arm out and very close to begging. “That’ll help right? I need to help.”
Rose smiled at him kindly and put her hand on his arm, gently pushing it back to his side. “Oh no Chooky, you can’t. He needs so much more. And it just wouldn’t be appropriate. Spike wouldn’t want that.”
“Spike wouldn’t want me to help him?” Xander asked, not understanding.
“Spike wouldn’t want to take your blood this way. Certainly not while he’s unconscious. Its much too intimate a thing.”
Xander nodded; it made sense to him. Like so many of the other bizarre things in his increasingly bizarre life.
“C’mon Xander, you can help me here while Rosie finishes off strapping Spike up.” He stopped in the doorway and called out to Rose, pointing a finger. “And you, woman, had better get that naked, pretty vampire covered up as soon as he’s bandaged.”
“Tom! I would never take advantage. He’s injured, unconscious. How dare you even suggest-” She stopped her rant and flushed when Tom grinned and winked at her. “Oh, just get me the blood Thomas.”
Spike was naked? Xander had been so worried, so focussed on Rose’s instructions and watching Spike’s face for signs of life that he’d not even taken that in. He followed Tom out to the bar and behind the counter to the refrigerators.
“I always have a supply of fresh blood in here. Don’t get many vamps in but some of the demons like it as a mixer.” He was passing Xander large bags of blood as he spoke. “Microwave’s in the kitchen.”
They put a few bags in to take the chill off. “How are we going to do this? How do we get the blood into him?” Xander asked, looking at the lifeless Spike now covered in a clean sheet.
Rose answered him gently. “Xander, I’m going to put a tube down his throat. We’ll pour two bags in and let that take hold. By then, instincts should kick in enough for him to be able to bite a bag and drink himself. It may take a few more bags before he comes around completely.”
Xander nodded. “Tell me what to do.”
Rose directed him to stand behind Spike’s head. “Tip his head back for me, stretch his neck right out and hold him still while I get the tube in.”
Xander put his hands on either side of Spike’s face, carefully avoiding the worst of the cuts. Finally something useful he could do. He held on and watched as Rose threaded the tube though Spike’s slack lips and passed more and more of it down his throat. When Rose nodded, Tom fed the blood through, then they waited. It was only a few minutes until Xander felt a slight twitching under his hands. When Rose saw Spike’s throat beginning to convulse around the tube, she slowly withdrew it. Tom pricked a warmed bag letting out a small drip of blood. He held the bag to Spike’s mouth, letting the scent of the blood trigger Spike’s change. It was slower than normal but Spike’s demon face came to the fore and his fangs pierced the thick plastic of the bag.
Xander could hear him drawing on the bag and sent a quiet prayer of gratitude to whichever deity saw fit to watch over vampires. He let his hands gently stroke the changed planes of the vampire’s face and neck and lowered his forehead to rest against Spike’s. Tom put a chair under him, then he heard more bags being heated and the drained ones thrown away. He waited and willed Spike to wake up, or at least to move, or to make a sound other than the sucking and swallowing that was no more than an innate reflex. Wake up so I can apologise. Wake up so I can tell you it was my fault. Wake up so I can be angry at you for doing this. Wake up so you can tell me not to be a soddin’ nancy boy worrying about you, a master. Xander waited. He’d counted six bags so far, not including the two that went via the tube.
Time was passing slowly, dawn would arrive in an hour and Tom was drawing blinds over the kitchen windows. Twelve bags. Xander still hadn’t moved; he wouldn’t until Spike did. Thirteen bags and a hand on his shoulder.
“Xander that’s the last of it. We just have to give him some time and wait now.”
Thirteen bags. Still and no sound, deathly silent and no movement. Xander began to drift. Jumbled images assailed him. Rolling ocean, a feeling of achievement. Home, a sense of a new beginning. Magic Box, belonging. Cool darkness, pain, hurt , anger then comfort. More comfort. A hand in his hair. A cool long-fingered hand stroking lightly at his hair. Xander was startled back into wakefulness by the sudden shifting of the brow under his.
A faint, tired-sounding voice reached him. “Better not be dripping snot on my hair Harris.”
“Just a little, but it looks like hair gel so….” Xander lifted his head and looked into Spike’s still bleary blue eyes. “Spike I’m so sor-”
Spike closed his eyes again. “No.”
“But I-”
A slightly stronger voice, “No. You’ve no business being sorry. Nothing you did to be sorry for.”
“Spike I- ”
“Harris shut it and help me get up.”
Xander got up and hurried around to his side. He let Spike grip his arms to pull himself up and kept a hand out in case Spike needed some support. When he saw that he was able to sit steadily by himself Xander stepped back. “How do you feel?”
“Not one of my greatest days, but far from my worst.” Spike checked himself over, noting the bandages in various places, and ran a hand over his face feeling the small cuts already beginning to heal.
“Rose?” he asked, pointing to the many patches.
“Yeah, she was great,” he said, admiration flooding his features. “She just jumped right in with some herbal stuff, stopped the bleeding, got the blood into you.” Xander paused. “You lost so much blood Spike.”
“Still here though aren’t I? Live to fight another day.”
“William! You’re awake.” Rose and Tom came in from the pub, Tom carrying a small bag. Rose checked the worst of Spike’s wounds while Tom spoke.
“Here you go mate. Rose had to cut your clothes up so while we were waitin’ for you to wake up I popped out to your place and got you somethin’ to wear. Much to Rose’s disappointment, I won’t have you walkin’ about starkers in my pub.” He handed Spike the duffle and clapped him gently on the uninjured shoulder. “You sure gave us a scare, good to have you back though.”
Rose replaced the corner of the last bandage. “These look fine now. Bleeding’s stopped. The smallest cuts have healed and the others are well on the way. Now, to counteract the effects of the venom, we need to have fresh paste on those deeper wounds until they start healing. You’re going to need fairly regular treatments over the next twenty-four hours. There was a fair amount of toxin in those so they’ll heal slower than you expect. You’re going to be stiff and sore till they start closing over.”
“Right. Thanks for all you’ve done Rosie, you’re a real treasure. Now set me up with your meds and I’ll be off. Harris, a ride back to my place?” Spike reached for his bag and began digging around for his clean jeans.
“Now just a minute William.” Rose stood with her hands on her hips. “How are you going to clean out those wounds and get the fresh paste on? Hmm? How are you going to get up and down the ladder Tom told me about in your crypt. If you don’t take it easy for a day or so you are going to undo all my hard work. Then, you can bet there will be trouble.”
Xander snatched the bag and clothes out of Spike’s hand. “He’s not going back to his crypt, he’s coming home with me. No matter what any of you say, I know this whole thing was my fault.” At the beginnings of several protests, Xander held up a hand. “No, don’t bother arguing with me, I can be just as stubborn as Bleachie here. It was my fault so this now is my responsibility. Now, Spike. You promise Rose that you are coming to my place and that you won’t do anything stupid to open up those cuts and I give you your clothes.”
Spike looked from Xander to Rose to Tom. “Help me out here mate.”
Tom just laughed. “Don’t look at me. No room for you here and if you go back to your crypt I’ll just have to have to come and drag you out of there. Don’t know about you but I’m not brave enough to cross our Rosie.”
Rose looked at him expectantly, waiting for the argument she knew she really wouldn’t get. “Good. Settled then. Xander give him his clothes and you can come and get the herb paste while Tom helps him get dressed.”
Xander held the bag out to Spike, just beyond his reach.
With a heavy sigh Spike agreed. “Fine. I’ll go to your place. But I’ll not be mollycoddled.” He snatched the bag back.
Xander snorted. “I’m not sure what you said but I am pretty sure I won’t be doing it.” He went with Rose to collect the paste and instructions.
~*~*~*~*~
Dawn was just a few minutes away, but it was overcast enough that they would make it home before the dangerous rays made it through. Rose had found a dark, heavy blanket just in case and tossed it in the front seat. Vampire dressed, bag packed with supplies and duster, thanks given all round, Tom helped Spike into the car. It was slow going, he was weak and tired and the fresh wounds were obviously painful. Spike was silent for the trip back, leaning against the door with his head on the window, eyes closed. Xander couldn’t tell if he was asleep or not. Not dust. Still okay.
“I can hear you worrying Harris. Will you stop being a soddin’ nancy?” Spike cracked one eye open but still didn’t move.
“Spike you could have di- ”
“But I didn’t. Again. That’s my life innit? Not gonna sit around for eternity knitting blankets, I’m gonna get out and do what I do best. ‘Could haves’ be damned”
“You’re okay with that? The gamble?”
“It’d be a gamble only if I didn’t know what I was doing. Get used to it Harris. It is how it is.”
“Look, I know you don’t get to be your age unless you can look out for yourself. I just don’t want to be the cause of things like this.”
“Unless you take to me with some kind of weapon- and god help you if you ever do- then you are not the cause of any of this. It was my choice to go, my choice to fight and I will not argue this with you again. You want to have a row then let’s find something else.”
Xander pulled the car into an empty space close to the front door. He got out with the bag and helped Spike from the car, wrapping him in the blanket. “I don’t want to argue and okay, I’ll let this one go. Now concentrate, you have to get inside quickly and you still have to get up the stairs.” Supporting Spike as best he could without bumping any wounds they managed to negotiate the staircase and corridor to Xander’s apartment.
Xander unlocked the door and swung it open, dropping the bag just inside. “Come in Spike, home sweet home for the next few days.” He wrapped an arm carefully around Spike and helped him into the living room. “Now no arguments, you’re sleeping in my room and Rose said you’re to go straight to bed mister.”
“And where exactly are you sleeping?” Spike asked with a ghost of his usual smirk.
“Couch. Big squishy couch.”
Spike looked over at the couch, then at Xander with a questioning expression. “Ah mate, would that be the couch with the little red-haired witch on it or the other couch with the blonde witch?”
“With the-” Xander’s head snapped around. Curled up in the cushions, rugs over their legs were Willow and Tara.
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