Chapter 6

Spike was jarred awake when Xander cried out in his sleep. Nightmare, he thought, and gathered the boy close to quiet his struggling. 

“Shhh, pet. I’ve got you. You’re safe now,” Spike murmured, brushed his lips across the boy’s brow. 

Xander whined, and Spike couldn’t help but agree; they’d both had their bollocks handed to them, but they’d survived. Eventually the nightmares would fade. And if Spike got his wish, there’d be a bit of bloody payback in the offing. Or a lot of it. 

“Spike?” 

Spike silenced his question with a kiss, and though Xander didn’t actively participate, he didn’t put up any protest either. After a minute, Spike reluctantly pulled back. Xander was staring up at him, curious and confused, but no longer afraid, his shivering having subsided. 

“Where are we?” 

“Safe.” 

“But where?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” 

“Try me.” 

“Angel’s.” 

“You’re right. I don’t believe you.” His voice rose when he asked, “Are you crazy? No, don’t answer that. Obviously, you are. Angel? You brought us to Angel’s?” 

“It was safer than staying in Sunnydale,” Spike reasoned. 

“But Angel?” 

“Heard you the first time, mate.” 

“But—” 

Spike shut Xander up the only way he knew how; he kissed him again. His lips curved in a tentative smile when Xander’s arms slipped around his back and kissed him back. 

Even though he pushed him away a second later. 

“Okay, now I’m crazy,” Xander muttered and buried his face against Spike’s chest. A beat and then, “Spike, I’m naked.” 

“Had to re-wrap your ribs, didn’t I?” 

“I guess. And my pants?” 

“Had blood all over them.” 

“Oh. And yours?” 

“Blood.” 

“Oh. Then we’re…?” 

“Naked.” 

“Right. I’m obviously hallucinating.” 

“I can prove how much you’re not.” 

“No thanks.” 

“That’s not what your prick is saying.” 

“Don’t listen to it. I’m not.” 

“Suit yourself.” Spike shrugged, as if he didn’t care either way. 

“Spike?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Thanks.” 

“For what?” 

“For taking my mind off… you know. Spike?” 

“What?” He was sounding exasperated now. 

“Maybe just one more kiss?” 

Xander got his kiss, and he ignored the fact that it was Spike, and that he was a guy, a vampire, and an evil one at that, and just allowed himself to feel. 

And boy howdy, did it feel good. The expression “toes curled” came to mind. 

It was Spike that eventually pulled away, and shushed him when he would have spoken. Probably a good thing because Xander could feel himself gearing up for a babble to end all babbles. 

“Think you can sleep now?” 

Xander yawned, nodded and closed his eyes. 

Spike smiled and did the same. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

The next time Spike woke, he could feel Angel’s eyes on him. He rolled away from Xander and sat up, pleased when the boy continued to sleep, smirking just a little when he reached out as if to latch on to him. Spike pushed his pillow in reach and Xander grabbed onto that instead. 

“I’ve got some blood in the microwave. Here, you can put these on.” Angel thrust a pair of silk pajama bottoms at him and walked into the kitchen. 

Spike slipped the pajamas on and rolled them up a couple of times to keep from tripping. As it was, they nearly fell down his hips, and he was forced to hold them up as he trailed after Angel. He plopped into one of the chairs and grimaced at the mug of blood, but drank it all the same. 

It surprised him that it was human, especially when he could smell the pig’s blood Angel was drinking. 

“Figured you needed it,” Angel replied to his quirked brow. “There’s a few more packets in the fridge.” 

“Ta, mate. Don’t suppose you have any fags layin’ about?” 

“No. Sorry.” 

“’s alright. I’ll pick some up when we leave.” 

“We?” 

“Me and the boy. Told you we just needed to have us a bit of a kip. We’ll be out of your hair soon as the sun sets.” 

“And you think Xander’s going to go with you?” 

“Not like he can go back to Sunnydale. It’d be like hanging a target on his back. And, as much as he might hate me, I know it’s nothing compared to what he feels for you.” 

Spike thought of that last kiss they shared and smiled. 

Maybe hate was too strong a word. 

“This thing with Xander—” 

“Is none of your bloody business.” 

“Spike, I’d like to help if I can.” 

“And why’d you want to do that? Evil, soulless demon here.” 

“I’m not sure, really.” The expression on his face proved he didn’t. 

“I think that’s the first honest thing you’ve ever said to me.” There was no heat in Spike’s voice, just quiet resignation. 

“Yeah… well… call it a turned leaf, or whatever. But, if I help you, you’re bagging it. Your word.” 

“And you’d take it?” 

“Would you rather I have your blood oath?” 

Spike snorted and rolled his eyes. “I give you my word, I’ll stick to the bags while we’re here.” He raised his mug in salute. “The human stuff, though, none of that pig swill you’re drinking. Got standards, you know.” 

Angel frowned, but nodded. 

“Alright then. Guess I should start at the beginning, yeah?” 

Spike wished for a cigarette to give him something to do with his hands. He hated that Angel was going to see him rattled, and recounting his time spent with the military goons was definitely going to do just that. 

Once he started, the words came tumbling out – everything that he could remember about the secret base, and everything that was done to him. Through it all, he refused to look at Angel, and at one point he stood and began pacing. 

When he was finally finished, he flopped back in his chair and risked glancing Angel’s way. What he saw made him feel marginally better. 

Angel was mad. Furious, in fact. And it wasn’t directed at him, but towards the soldiers that had hurt him. 

“Right, well, I’m still knackered. Gonna catch a few more hours kip with the boy. Wake me when you have a plan.” 

Spike stood up and walked back to the bed, stripped out of the pajama bottoms and climbed back into bed. He scooted closer to Xander and chuckled when the boy latched on to him. 

There was time yet to woo Xander to his way of thinking.  

Taking down the military bastards that had hurt him was just going to be a bonus.

The End

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