When the Body Speaks - Depeche Mode

To the soul's desires
The body listens
What the flesh requires
Keeps the heart imprisoned
What the spirit seeks
The mind will follow
When the body speaks
All else is hollow

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Xander is tossing and turning in his sleep. Eyeballs shifting rapidly under his eyelids, he's deep in the REM cycle now.

In his dream he is so tired, and the chair he is sitting in is very comfy, he should be relaxed and feeling fine. Somehow though, he knows someone is watching some thing is out there beyond the circle of light surrounding his chair.

He feels like a little kid, knowing that the monsters are under the bed.but this is Sunnydale, and there probably are monsters under the bed.or in this case, over in the corner. He can make out a patch of paleness swaying in the shadows. Slowly, the wisp of whiteness moves closer to his circle of vision.a woman!

Small, blonde, beautiful, her face now glowing in the light that surrounds him. And that face, he knows her.but from where? Red lips part, and a sibilant whisper issues from them, "Hello again, Alexander." He just stares at her translucent form and her white forehead forms a light frown; "Don't you remember me, boy?"

The comic book light-bulb clicks over Xander's head and his eyes widen in disbelief.

"Ahhh." she breathes out, "I see you do. That will make this a little easier." Xander finds himself unable to move from the chair.she's charmed him somehow so he can't budge!

His mind begins to panic as he blurts out, "D-Darla! But you're dead!"

Her laugh makes him shiver, "That's true. What a clever boy you are! But even the dead have something to offer the living."

Xander shifts uncomfortably in his chair.'Why do I have to get the sexy yet crazy ghost? 'Cause I thought I was just limited to the whole demon-attraction thing.' "Okay.I'll bite, lady. What have you got to offer me?"

That laugh again, less like tinkling bells, and more like shattered glass, "You'll bite? That's lovely! Yes.I think you will!"

'Okaaaay.' Xander thinks, 'Sexy, crazy and cryptic ghost.'

Suddenly the visage before him shimmers, seems to become more solid, and one pale hand reaches out to touch his face. "You are so lovely. Do they tell you that? Do my boys tell you how pretty you are when they're fucking you?"

Xander stiffens, "How do you - ?"

She smiles gently at him as her hand moves down his neck, a cold sensation on his mark from Angel, "I know all about you and my boys. They've tried, in their pitiful way, to mark you, protect you.even love you. But it isn't enough, is it Alexander?"

Xander tries to flinch from her cool caress, but finds himself leaning into her touch. "I know, boy. I know what you want, and I know how badly you want it. You want to be able to run with them, hunt with them as equals. But as it is, you're just their little fuck toy. They try to train you, but you're just human.they still have to protect you, they still must hold back with you."

Xander shuts his eyes against the truth of her words, the physical and emotional pain of the previous night still raw, but the voice continues, "You want their strength, you want their respect, you want to be their equal. But they won't give it to you will they Alexander? They'll keep you as long as you are pretty and useful, and then they'll leave you. It's sad, I know, but it's true. They're demons. These weeks or months or even years with you are just moments in their life-span."

Her hand moves to stroke his other shoulder, moving under the skin of his shirt.Spike's mark. He shivers under her hand, 'Gods.this is what Spike meant about his mark!'

His eyes open, and he looks up into her face, "William." She says, her smile gone. "You've got his loyalty.my, aren't you the lucky one? You know, I think William would turn you, Angelus just won't let him. I'm almost certain of that.haven't you thought about it? Yes, I can see you have."

He shuts his eyes again, praying for the longing to leave his body. "No, the want doesn't go away. You will want this until the day you die. Their blood has made you stronger, and you will live until you are old and grey, and when you die you will still be hating them for not giving you what you really wanted."

Xander's eyes snap open, "I could never hate them!"

His anger turns to dread at the smile on her lips, "You love them. I know. You hate them too. Already you wonder how they could give you a taste, but deny you the full cup."

Xander moans, trying vainly to pull himself away from her hand, her words, "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you saying these things?" his eyes pleading with her for escape.

She shakes her head at him, "No, I'm not teasing you, Alexander. Not like them. I can give you what you want. I will make you as strong as them. And then.I promise you this.you will go back to them. As one of them. On your own terms. I assure you that no one will be happier than I am when you do return to them."

Hope sparks in Xander's heart, quickly doused by suspicion, "Why? Why would you do that? Angel killed you!"

The smile is back; "Oh, I'm over that. I am no ghost, Alexander. Angelus should have told you.I found my way back. All I want is my family together again. If I give them to you, then we will hunt together! Selfish of me, I know. But I want my boys back, and I think you'll be a lovely addition to the family."

She bends gracefully, placing a light kiss on his lips, "I want them, you want them. I give you your hearts' desire, and everyone gets what they are longing for. And you do want. It's eating you from the inside Alexander.I can feel it. Tell me. Tell me how much you want it!"

The words are dragged from him, painfully, "Yes! I want to be like them - like you! Please."

Her lips are now pressed against his ear; he can feel the fabric of her dress whispering over him, her hair falling against his face, "Good boy. Return to where it all began. You'll find a familiar face there, follow him. Follow him, and I'll make all of your dreams come true. Then you'll come back here and claim your family.our family! Do it.now!"

Slowly his eyes open, and he feels a strange bed beneath him. It's still early, not quite dawn yet, he can see by the clock. He lies alone in the bed for a moment, but there really isn't a choice.

He quickly dresses and scrawls a hurried note. Trying to be stealthy, he tiptoes down the hallway, pausing to look into the master bedroom. The two vampires lay still, and under the blanket he can make out Spike's form sprawled across the body of his Sire. Angel's arm wrapped tightly around Spike's waist; his faced buried in the blonde's hair.

Another work of art that he is not a part of.yet. He places the note on the floor and rushes down the stairs and out the front door.

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These past few nights, Angel's dreams had been so untroubled, and so at first the voice doesn't register with him, "I'm only here to help."

Warily he turns, his eyes raking over her, taking in the chaste white gown, the delight in her eyes. She smiles at him so sweetly, "I said I'm only here to help. I know how hard you've been working." She walks towards him, placing a gentle hand against his cheek, "Just relax.I'm going to take care of everything. I'm going to give you things you couldn't dream of!"

He frowns, he is unable to move from where he stands, "Darla, get out of here, now!"

She laughs a little, "But I'm not really here, baby. I'm just visiting."

He looks at her warily, "Why?"

She looks up at him petulantly, "I offer help, and all you can do is question my motives? My sweet boy.when will you learn? I only want what's best for you.and yours." She adds the last word menacingly.

His eyes darken at her tone, "What do you mean, Darla?"

She giggles at him, allowing her light mood to mock his serious one, "'Yours'.you think he's yours.I find that so.amusing! You know, he really is the sweetest thing. Very awkward and innocent on the outside, but so very very dark on the inside. Is that why you and William chose him?"

For a moment he knows fear but it slips quickly into rage, "Keep away from the boy! He's not yours to touch!"

"Come on, baby!" she coos, stepping quickly to his side, "Get angry with me.give me that fury!"

Angel shakes his head, willing himself into a semblance of control. The woman frowns at him, "What's the matter, Angelus? Can't keep it up?" She shrugs her shoulders, "Ah well.not really my concern any more. Knowing you and Will, your pet's bound to be a randy lad. And unlike you.I'll even let him 'top' once in a while! I'll take very good care of him, don't worry your gloomy little head about that."

She taps a cool finger meaningfully against his temple, "Since we both know you can't give him what he really wants, I'm willing to take that little burden off your sad soul. I really am too good to you. You know that, don't you?"

He closes his eyes, feeling hope sliding away, a whisper passes his lips, "Please."

Silence.

He raises heavy lids to see the face of a harpy glaring into his, "PLEASE? In all our time together you've done nothing but take from me. You had your sweet William, and he took you from my bed. You had your little gypsy snack, and they took you from my life. You and your nasty soul took away my existence.and when I came back. When I was DYING.would you give me what I needed? No.you denied me even then. I asked you.*I* said, "Please".and you rejected me. So believe me when I tell you that you can whisper, whimper or scream that word to me and it won't make a damn bit of difference. You can weep tears of blood for all I care.but I WILL DO THIS! I will take this one last bit of warm humanity that you hunger after, and I will make him cold and hungry and evil. I will make him perfect. And he will hate you. I will squeeze every last drop of love and humanity out of that boy and I will turn it into the purest desire to see you and your Childe dust."

She pulls back from his face; her own moving from fury to desire, "There's pain in your eyes. That is just so.sweet. And you know.I've only just begun." He closes his eyes, knowing this is true.

-----------------------------------------------------

His eyes are closed; Spike feels a heavy weight on his chest, and a 'presence'. Damn! He thought, those dreams were vanquished.weren't they? But this isn't like those at all.he never felt in those dreams.

And the presence.this is so malevolent, there is such hatred! His eyes open, widening in shock at the body trapping him, "Darla!"

The heart shaped face hovering over his harbors such venom, he expects a forked tongue to slither past her lips as they part, "William!" she hisses. "My sweet boy! Have you missed me? What's that, boy?" the sneering mouth dips a little closer to his, red lips drawn across white teeth, "I can't hear you, William? What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

"This is just a dream.I know this is a just a dream." He chants under the breath he doesn't need.

She rocks back on her heels, gazing down at him in disdain; "Of course it's a dream! But that doesn't make it any less real! You always took Drusilla's dreams so seriously.I believe you should think twice about this one!"

His body jerks at the mention of that name. A cruel laugh escapes her mouth, "Ahh.what's wrong, William? Does that cause you pain? To think of our dark girl? Does it bother you to realize the part you played in her death? And you did, you know. You could have saved her...your dark Princess."

He shuts his eyes against those memories, and feels a hand slap him sharply across the face, "No! You keep your eyes on me when I'm talking to you, boy! And I'm not here to discuss Drusilla.I've mourned her in my own way. I'm here to talk about you and me. We've got a few 'issues' to work out, don't we?"

More memories.he fights to concentrate, clinging to the absolution won so hard from his Sire.

"You didn't think I would forget, did you? You didn't think that death, hell; humanity and finally my return would wipe out the recollection of that night, did you? No, darling boy. I've held my hatred close. I've nursed it.fed it.coddled it.it's very healthy.and hungry!"

Pulling on his strength, Spike smiles into the face above him, "Get over it, Grandmother.or is it Sis, now? You can't touch me now, you can't touch Angel. We'd snap ya in two in a heartbeat, and ya know it!"

Her countenance grows solemn, "Oh, I know that. You're the wonder duo all right. Wouldn't dream of touching my boys, so something else will have to do. Can you guess what? Come on William, you always were a clever boy."

"No!" he shouts, struggling under her weight, which he cannot seem to shift, "You don't lay a hand on him!"

Smiling devilishly, she leans down towards his face, "No William, not a hand.hands - yes, whip - yes, blade - yes, teeth...ah.certainly! I may not be able to visit retribution on you, but your little pet? That's another story, isn't it? He'll take all your punishment for you.because that's what love is, isn't it? He'll take it all, William, and then he'll beg for more. Do you know why? Because I am going to give him the one thing you can't.the one thing you won't. And when he comes back, he won't be your sweet mortal lover any longer. He'll be my Childe, and full of my hate. They'll be no more room left in his heart for you and Angelus.but there will be room enough in his veins for both of you. And whether he succeeds or not is irrelevant. The sweetness of just watching him, of watching the torture you will go through being forced to destroy your pet.that I will savor for lifetimes to come."

His head is thrashing wildly as his gameface appears; "You bitch! Leave him out of this! Don't dare - !"

She slaps him again, this time much harder, "Silence! You never did learn how to speak to your elders! And I do dare! I dare that and so much more. It's the least I can do. I owe you and Angelus so much for what you've done to me. And yes, payback is a bitch, isn't it William? Don't worry now.just sleep. I'll bring your boy back to you, but only when he's MINE!"

With that, the weight is gone from his chest, and darkness seizes his frantic mind.

-----------------------------------------------------

Spike's body begins to stir, and his eyes suddenly shoot open. His residual fear from the dream apparent in the sharp intake of breath.

He sighs in relief at the familiar sight of his room, and he relaxes against the body of his Sire. As he does, Angel's body begins to tense, muscles clenching and unclenching, he moves to shake the other demon awake, "Wake up, you're having a dream, pet."

Angel's eyes open and he gazes at Spike in dread, "It wasn't a dream, Will."

Panic sets in on Spike's features as he sniffs the air, and takes in the emptiness of the mansion, "Angel, he's gone!"

Both men leap from the bed and dress, both freezing at the sight of the scrap of paper on the floor. Aproaching it with dread they read,

"In case I don't make it back...Please tell Willow she has been the best friend ever, and to be really happy with Tara. Let Buffy know I love her, and tell Giles thanks for everything. You guys - you know how I feel.

X

P.S. - tell Wills I left something for her in her locker."

Spike speaks in a low voice; "Angel...Red ain't got a locker at university..."

Understanding dawns in his and Angel's eyes simultaneously, "The highschool." The blonde vampire breathes out, grabbing Angel by the shoulders, desperation in his eyes, "It's broad daylight out there...how do we get to him?"

Angel pulls Spike into a fierce embrace, trying to give him comfort he himself doesn't feel, "We'll find him Will...we'll find him before she does anything. There still must be tunnels open...we'll find a way. We have to."

*****
Part 25:

Mr. Self Destruct - NIN

I am the voice inside your head and I control you
I am the lover in your bed and I control you
I am the sex that you provide and I control you
I am the hate you try to hide and I control you
I speak religion's message clear and I control you
I am denial, guilt, and fear and I control you
I am the prayers of the naive and I control you
I am the lie that you believe and I control you
I am the needle in your vein and I control you
I am the high you can't sustain and I control you
I am the pusher I'm a whore and I control you
I am the need you in you for more and I control you
I am the bullet in the gun and I control you
I am the truth from which you run and I control you
I am the silencing machine and I control you
I am the end of all your dreams and I control you
I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down I use you up
mr. self destruct

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Xander hurries through the cool pre-dawn and desolate streets of Sunnydale.

'Back to where it all began', she had said. He didn't need to think twice about where that was. Highschool. Hormones.Buffy.demons. Truly a recipe for madness. But that doesn't matter now.it's going to be where he gets his own, where he believes he will come into his own.

It was a dream, but a dream like that on the Hellmouth is never 'just' anything. He believes. He holds onto that creed as he nears the ruins of his highschool, his body shaking more from anticipation than from cold. Gingerly, he picks his way through the debris, idly wondering why no one has rebuilt on this site. Too many bad memories for everyone maybe.but isn't everywhere in Sunnyhell like this?

He moves down the broken hallway, crumbled walls grinning around him with jagged teeth. Okay.bad image there. He freezes when he detects movement at the end of the broken corridor. "Who's there?" he calls out, cursing the slight crack to his voice.

The sky is growing from grey to dusky blue, beginning to throw a dim light on the crumbling buildings. Into this vague light steps the familiar form of."Riley?!" Xander hisses between clenched teeth.

The form moves steadily towards him, oozing grace and menace. 'No.' Xander thinks, 'Not really Riley.Vampire!'

Riley's face breaks into a joyless grin, "Xander! Happy to see me?"

Xander stumbles backward, shock registering on his face as the demon that used to be his room-mate closes in on him, growling low, "Not so happy.that's a shame. But I'm really glad to see you! And.ah.smell you!" at this, Riley backs Xander up against one of the cracked walls, hands on either side of his body as he sniffs the brunette's frame.

'Not gonna scream' Xander thinks as his body stiffens in anticipation of attack.

Instead of the expected bite, Riley steps back and lets out a rough laugh, "No.I'm not going to kill you. I'm still a good soldier, and I have orders to deliver you warm and breathing. So you can quit stinking of fear.for now."

At this lightly promised threat, he leans back into Xander's personal space, grinning, "But you can't help the other things you smell of, can you, Xander? Their sent is all over you! She was right.they're both fucking you! Who would have thought? Maybe if you had shown this kind of promise earlier, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave. But who are we kidding.if I hadn't left, I wouldn't have found her!"

Finally Xander's brain snaps into motion, "Her.Darla.she turned you?" he asks, knowing the answer.

The smile is dropped from Riley's face as though it had never been there, "Yeah. Finally got what I wanted. Didn't think I'd look at another blonde after Buffy.but Darla is.well.persuasive. She generally gets what she wants, and for some reason, she wants you. She's waiting. The sun's coming up and I don't want to be fried, so let's get a move on, Harris!"

Xander nods dumbly and lets Riley guide him down a stairwell into.what else.a tunnel. 'This town is so riddled with tunnels, it's going to collapse in on itself with just one good 6.0 quake', and he pauses, amazed at his mind's ability to grasp such a thought at this time.

Riley pulls aggressively on his arm, and they are walking into a well-lit, almost comfortable room.

She is sitting there, like a queen, composed, pale, smiling at him. With a gracious wave of her hand she beckons him forward. He stumbles forward aided by a rough shove from Riley. Her smile doesn't change, and her gaze doesn't waver as she drinks in his trembling form, "So sweet."

He is entranced by her presence, and allows himself to move closer, returning her smile. He feels Riley behind him, but doesn't allow himself to care, his only desire to be near her.would she let him touch her?

So blinded by the web of promise she has spun around him he doesn't notice her eyes shifting to Riley, or the quick nod of her head. All he feels is a sharp blow to his neck and then blackness.

His brain hurts! He really shouldn't have been drinking all that whiskey on an empty stomach. Then his barely conscious brain reminds him the bender had been earlier in the week.so why??

God, his arms ache! His mind struggles to be reunited with his body, and he realizes his weight has been suspended from his arms, pinioned above him. His eyes fly open, and there she is.still seated.still gazing at him, but no longer smiling gently.

As he realizes that he is bound naked before her a strong blush suffuses his body and she shakes her head, "No.don't waste all that precious blood on my account. No time for shyness."

In a spurt of desperation he pulls at the manacles on his sore wrists, their heavy clanking the only sound in the room as she rises, cat-like, and begins to prowl towards him.

Fear and panic set in as he recognizes the predatory look in her eyes, "No! Darla! I.you said.you promised!" He almost laughs at the petulant tone in his voice, but his self-mockery evaporates at her cold smile.

She is inches from his face, his eyes transfixed by the movement of her lips, "I lied." She purrs. "Did you really think I would?" her laughter rips through him as she continues, "Of course you did. Silly boy. That's why you're here! And I am delighted to have you. And have you I will.just not in quite the way you thought."

He struggles to make sense of what she is saying, "But I thought you wanted them back.your family!"

"Family!" she practically spits the word out, "You of all people should talk to me of family."

Her words are like a slap in the face to him, and he drops his gaze. His face stings as her hand smacks him across one cheek; "You look at me when I am speaking!" Her eyes soften as he brings his eyes up to meet hers, "Good. You're a quick learner. No.you're not here to bring me back into the family fold. I am the family, and it's time for those two to understand that. No.you're here to send a message to them."

His breathing steadies, "You want me to tell them."

Her laughter slices through his elusive relief, "No, lad. You're pretty mouth won't be carrying any messages after today. My words will be written in your flesh.what's left of it."

'Oh god, what have I done?' he thinks as he reads the truth in her face.

She moves behind him, and he can hear her dress rustling, can hear her moving something, and before he can relax he feels a cold hand caressing Spike's mark high on his shoulder.

He tenses.waiting.and the hand is removed. He draws a breath and it catches in his throat as he feels the sting of something cool and pliable stinging across his shoulder, licking a fiery trail of pain over his chest. A whip. His body stiffens.and the next blow falls, lashing across his bare back.

His body rocks on the balls of his feet, pain radiating out from those first blows, only to be replaced and crossed by more. She is weaving a design of torment across the white skin of his back that he can feel etched on his eyelids which are shut tight.clenched.waiting for the inevitable, and increasingly furious strokes being laid into his body. Suddenly it stops.

His back feels like it has been stripped raw, the pain is dizzying, and he barely registers the warmth on the back of his legs as his own blood. She stands in front of him now, his vision bleary with pain, but he can see the pattern of his blood spattered across her white gown.

He flinches as her small white hand reaches out to gently touch his face, her fingers tracing the tracks of hot tears on his cheeks. Her other hand moves up to wipe the sweat dripping from his forehead, pushing damp curls sticking to his skin. He sighs at the comforting gesture, clinging to anything that doesn't bring him more agony.

He knows she is smiling, he can hear it in her voice, "Absolutely precious. Do you know how delicious you look right now? Your body is glistening with sweat and blood. Your heart is pounding.I can feel it!" and she removes her hand from his face and places it over his breast, "Still so strong.there's so much life in you. That's what my William loves, isn't it? He's taken such care with you. And so will I."

He cannot raise his eyes to her face, but he asks, clearly, "Why?"

She sighs, her hands dropping to her sides, balled into fists, "Because I owe William. I owe him for taking Angelus' heart. But more importantly, I owe him for raising his hand against me. That boy." she is lost in her memories and Xander hazards a glance at her, riveted by the emotion he finds there.

"He raped me, you know. Not that I don't mind it a little rough, but he did so without my permission. He whipped me! The little bastard even drank from me. But he didn't have the balls to finish it.just left me for dead. People seem to keep doing that." Xander shudders at the grin she gives him, "And that's not very smart, is it?"

Xander swallows and simply nods. The pain spreading over his back is so huge, it has become a throbbing part of him, and he reads his doom in her eyes. So it really shouldn't matter what he says, but his mind tries to silence him anyway. He shakes off the voice of caution.

"Darla?" She looks at him curiously, but doesn't move, so he continues, "Let me get this straight. He fucked you, slapped you around a bit, and a hundred years later you have your undead life back, and all you can do is hurt a human he likes to get a little revenge? That's really kind of.sad. I mean - " and now his mind is screaming at him to shut the hell up, but since when did he listen to himself? "Obsessed much, Darla?"

Her eyes widen in disbelief her mouth opening in shock before she shuts it again and punches his face.hard. His arms ache as his fully body weight sags against them, but he smiles at her anyway. 'Fuck this! I'm not going down without at least a little fight.!'

He works his jaw a bit to make sure it will still function without falling off, "Ow.okay, that hurt! So Angel and Spike are happy together, and you're not. You're left out of the whole family thing.and it's killing you isn't it?" 'Now you've done it.' His mind chides him.

Her face slips from fury to beatific calm, "No precious.it's killing you!"

Shock must be settling in for the long haul, because Xander's body begins to shake uncontrollably, and his teeth chatter as he chokes out his next words, "You know you're not the first demon to try and kill me! You know they'll come for me."

Her eyes cloud over with anger and she grabs him sharply by the hair, pulling hard so his head is tilted back, "I know! So I'd better make this good!"

His eyes sting with tears as her movements jar the skin on his back. She looks past him, calling out, "Riley, love.bring me your blade!"

Xander feels renewed terror as Riley steps into his range of vision, and hands a silver blade to his sire.

*****
Part 26:

Vow - Garbage

I can't use what I can't abuse
and I can't stop when it comes to you
you burned me out but I'm back at your door like Joan
of Arc coming
back for more
I nearly died
I came to cut you up
I came to knock you down
I came around to tear your little world apart I came
to shut you up
I came to drag you down
I came around to tear your little world apart and
break your soul
apart
you burn and burn to get under my skin
you've gone too far now I won't give in
you crucified me but I'm back in your bed like Jesus
Christ coming
back from the dead
I nearly died
I came around to tear your little world apart I came
to shut you up
I came to suck you down
I came around to tear your little world apart tear
your little world
apart
and break your soul apart
I can't stop when it comes to you

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Two figures move through a series of criss-crossing tunnels under the city, never pausing. Eyes glowing golden, there is no need for human vision as they rush through stale and stinking passages.

The smaller, platinum blonde demon asks the question unspoken between them, "She's had him for a few hours.do you think she.?" He cannot bear to complete the sentence.

No need to answer the question, the older vampire growls out, "I will rip her heart out!"

The smaller vampire matches his gate, his voice low and ferocious, "Not if I get to her first. I'm going to finish what I should have the first time.she's mine!"

No other words are spoken as they hurry onward.

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Xander sighs at the way the cool metal of the blade seems to soothe his hot, tortured skin.

She is kneeling before him, pressing the flat edge of the blade against his inner thigh. Slowly she moves the slick metal up his sensitive skin, internally he cries out against this new torture, his body instead responds with a rush of blood to his flaccid cock.

"Oh, that's sweet." she breathes out, her words blowing out across his awakening erection. "My, my.you are a growing boy!"

Xander whimpers as he feels the flat of the blade skimming over his hips, and onto his stomach. With some measure of relief, he sees Darla rise gracefully, then his mouth opens in horror as she motions Riley forward pushing him down on his knees before Xander's flagging cock.

"Riley, I think you owe the boy a little satisfaction, don't you? I need you to keep him.interested." Questions of why his interest concerns Darla at all are thrown out of his mind as Xander feels Riley's mouth wrap itself around his cock. There is no gentleness or care in his moves, the vampire between his legs is suckling almost fiercely on Xander. Shame flows through his body with the pleasure, 'how can I be enjoying this?' he asks himself, but there is no answer as his hips buck reflexively forward, an agonizing moan tearing through him.

"That's what I like to see." Darla purrs into his ear, "Equal parts pleasure.and pain." She pauses, "Well.perhaps not equal parts."

The blade is on his skin again, this time, slicing open his skin. "Not too deep." She is almost speaking in a sing-song voice, engrossed in her task, "Because there will be so many. Can't have you bleeding to death just yet."

His eyes are shut, unable to focus completely on Riley's mouth moving over his shaft, or Darla's precise incisions, so he instead concentrates on her voice, "Those nipples.so sensitive! I'll just draw around them, shall I? Remember their mouths on you, Alexander? Did one suckle you while the other did Riley's job?"

He is panting now, her fingers pinching his nipples while the other cuts stinging curves. "That's it, breathe for me, boy. Keep that blood pumping." She is lost in the work she is creating, and he would beg her to stop if he thought she would.

A sob breaks past his lips, bubbling out, delighting her, "That's it.you're getting into the spirit now. It won't be too much longer. My boys are on their way. Chevaliers come to rescue their squire fair."

She casts her eyes down at her Childe, working his tongue over Xander's half-hard flesh, one hand reaching out to tousle his hair, "That's enough my little soldier. Time to go. Hurry, and wait for me where I told you." Riley lets Xander's member fall from his lips as he leans up to kiss her hand. She smiles as he stands and follows her orders.

Turning back to the human, her smile vanishes, "You've played nicely, Alexander, but all good things must come to an end."

He raises his head, watery eyes seeking hers, "I'm sorry." he mumbles.

She frowns at him, "Sorry to be dying so soon?"

He shakes his head, which is a mistake; he almost passes out from the pain that small movement causes, "No.I'm sorry you'll never have what I had. You'll never have them again. And I get to keep that." He resists the urge to stick out his tongue.vague thoughts of a young Willow doing that to him.

She hisses in rage, suddenly startled by the sounds of pounding on the outer door. "Take it with you then!" Her hand shoots out and she opens a vein in his arm.

He doesn't notice. The blackness calls, and he goes willingly.

Through a haze of pain he feels something tightening on his arm. Hands are rubbing his wrists, which hurts even worse as blood flows to his deadened fingertips.

"You're conscious." A voice above him says.

His eyelids flutter open in recognition, "Spike - you're here!" his words come out of his mouth in dry sobs.

Cool lips press against his, "Sshhh.pet. We're here luv, you're safe. Lost a lot of blood, tho'." Xander manages a weak smile, letting the tone of concern and the gentling hands on his body soothe him.

"Lie still, Xan.Angel'll be back in a mo', and we'll get you to hospital."

Xander shuts his eyes; unable to keep them open any longer.

He must have passed out again, because when he opens them again, Angel and Spike are arguing above him. The cold floor feels so good against his back, but he is afraid to move and open the wounds, he manages a feeble. "Hey." And they both turn to him.

Concern is etched across the blonde's face, but Angel's look is so.hard.

Angel turns away from the human lying on the floor, focusing in his Childe, "Will.leave us now." Spike tenses, not budging, until Angel places a hand on his shoulder, "William.trust me. It has to be." The smaller demon looks back once at Xander before turning and walking out the door.

Unable to move, Xander just stares at Angel as he crouches down next to him, care and anger warring in his features. 'Uh-oh.lecture time.' Xander thinks.

Angel grimaces at the wounds on the boys' body, before he locks eyes with Xander. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Xander just stares mutely at the vampire. "If you were really one of my childer, and you had put yourself and us in this much danger, I would have killed you myself."

Xander's pulse races at these words, at Angel's serious tone. "As it is, you are human, and you were driven by.this desire for something you don't even understand. If Darla had turned you, she would be your Sire, not me. And what she did to you here today? She would have done that to you every day of your unlife that she wanted to. It would be her right. And you would have begged her for it."

The demon's eyes flicker darkly over the pile of broken chains beside the boy's body, "She wouldn't have needed chains to hold you. She would have her blood in you, and that would have been enough. You would be broken every night, in every way she could conceive until you knew nothing else, and it became your existence."

"You've no idea what the Sire/Childe bond means. Did you believe she would turn you, bed you, and hand you over to me? She might allow you between her legs if it amused her, or she might turn you over to a group of fledges for a little education. Anything you did that might vary from her wishes would be cause for punishment. And I'm not talking about your Dad knocking you around a bit. I'm saying that what you experienced here today is only a sample of what Darla is capable of. What any Sire is capable of. Sometimes it's done to strengthen a Childe; sometimes it is done to break them. And she would have broken you, just for my benefit. Get the romantic images out of your head, boy.it isn't like that at all!"

Emotions conflicting with his pain, Xander struggles to speak, "But Spike.and you.it's not like that."

Angel allows a hard smile, "Really? How long have you known us, Xander? Think about that.a mere fraction of our lifetimes. And of that time, you've been close to us for such a short amount of time. You only know what we've allowed you to see. I am Will's Sire, and he knows his place because I've taught it to him. And not gently. And that's as it should be. Is that what you want?"

Xander struggles against exhaustion, his hand reaching out to touch Angel's, "I want you.I want Spike.I want to be able to fight with you.to make love with you, and not have you hold back. I don't want this to end!" His hand falls listlessly to his side, all strength spent.

Angel's face wavers in his gaze and the demon is before him, ridges standing out from his brow, eyes yellow and hard, fangs appearing between parted lips. "Then make the choice. Either we get you medical attention now and you live. Or you die here, and a demon takes your place. A demon I will bend to my will and make my Childe."

Xander parts his dry lips, his body aching, and his heart breaking, "Angel.I want -"

Finis