*****

Part 1: Dancer in the Dark

Xander sighed and looked at the man in front of him. With each word out of the mechanic's mouth Xander's headache increased. Why did this always happen to him. He couldn't even escape the weirdness by leaving the hell mouth. All he had done was stop for the night. Before he had made it ten feet a demon had come running out of the ally nearby and smashed into his car. He hit it so hard the the engine fell out of the piece of shit.

Then in a fit of rage Xander had jumped out of the car to smash the demon to bits only to realize that it was a Croshna demon an absolutely harmless. Then a vamp came out of no where and Xander had ended up fighting with it and getting bashed up. After dusting the bastard and finding the demon gone he had gone to the local emergency clinic and rented a room. That had used up most of his cash and there was no way he was going to be able to pay for the repairs and get home.

"Hey kid you still there?" Luca asked with a raised eyebrow. The kid was a hottie once you got past the blinding fashion sense.

Xander nodded and rubbed his forehead. "Is there anywhere near by that I could get work?"

Luca scowled, "If you couldn't pay why'd ya come to me." Luca growled, he was sick of slackers.

"I can pay you, I just won't have the money to get home afterwards. i need to get a job so I can." Xander told him wearily.

Luca looked at the kid for a minute then nodded. "My sister Valicity owns the club down the street there. She's looking for help. Tell her her brother Luca sent you over. I'll get started on the repairs this afternoon. Should have the work done by tomorrow. Are you staying in that shit hole?" Luca asked gesturing to the hotel across the street. Xander nodded and blushed. Luca just shook his head. The kid must be hard up to stay at that place. "Alright come over here in a couple of days I should be done fixing the car by then."

Xander nodded and thanked the man before turning away and heading down the street to the club. When he walked inside he was stunned to see half naked men dancing. he blushed when he realized it was a strip club. The bouncer raised an eyebrow and leered, making Xander blush even more.

Toby leered at the kid enjoying the blush that lit up his face. He was young and very pretty. Toby really hoped he was looking for a job. Valicity liked the young ones. He figured if the kid couldn't dance she'd take the time to teach him. "Whach lookin fer kid, we got it all?" Toby purred.

Xander blushed again and squirmed under the weight of the older mans gaze. "Luca sent me over. He said that Valicity was hiring." Toby silently cheered. He couldn't wait to see what the kid looked like without the bulky clothes on.

"Wait over at the bar. I'll go get the boss." Toby told him with another leer. Xander quickly hurried over to claim a stool at the bar. After he was seated the bartender came over to take his order. he was surprised when Xander shook his head and declined to order. With a shrug Beau walked back over to take care of the few customers he had. Traffic wouldn't pick up for another couple of hours.

Valicity's first sight of Xander made her mouth water. This kid would make her a mint with the trolls. With her best smile on she walked to the bar and the boy waiting for her.

Xander watched as the big guy and a tall raven haired woman came out of a back room. Xander could see the resemblance between Luca and his sister. Both were tall and slim and carried themselves like they owned the world. They had the same dark good looks as well. There was something a little intimidating about that kind of attitude. It was the same attitude that Deadboy had when he became Angelus. Though they didn't seem as homicide or insane.

Valicity sat down beside Xander and deepened her smile. *Oh yes, I'm going to make a lot of money off this kid. I hope he isn't here for the bartending job.* she thought to herself.

"Toby tells me my brother sent you here?" Valicity asked.

Xander nodded, "My car broke down and I need a job so that I can get home. He told me you were hiring." Xander squeaked. He hoped it wasn't dancing.

"He's right. I'm looking for a bartender and a dancer." she told him.

Xander breathed out a sigh of relief. "I know how to make drinks, though I've never officially bartended." Xander told her. Valicity was silently cursing. It was just her luck a sweet thing like that walked through her door and didn't want to dance. A wicked thought suddenly occurred to her.

"Well I'm afraid I'm looking for an experienced bartender, but I'm willing to train a dancer." Xander felt his relief whither and die.

His shoulders slumped, "Do you know of any place else thats hiring?" he asked dejected.

"No, but why don't you give the dancing a try?" Valicity asked, silently praying he would agree.

Xander looked at her in surprise. "You'd want me as a dancer?"

Valicity raised an eye at his surprise look. "Of course, you'll make a great deal of money. The clients will beat down the door to see you dance." The blush and the look of shock on his face was priceless. "The dancers get to keep their tips, I train you to dance and provide the basic wardrobe. You also get a flat seventeen dollars a night. You only work four nights a week, but you do twelve hour shifts."

Xander was stunned at the amount of money. With just a couple of weeks worth of money he could get home. If he stayed through the rest of his vacation he would be able to get out of his parents house. the thought of getting away from his parents was incentive enough. "When do I start?"

=====================================================================

Three Months Later

Graham looked over at his friends and grinned. He was still surprised every time he thought of their reaction to his telling them he was gay. Neither one of them had been upset. They had supported him all the way. Riley and Forrest were the best friends a guy could have. Especially since one of them was his senior officer. They were on their way to a place called Sunnydale and decided to stop for the night. When they checked into the hotel, Forrest had asked if there was anything to do in town. The desk clerk had told them about the club. So here they were in an all male strip club and his friends were drinking and cutting up. Though both seemed a little amused by where they were.

The waiter had told them that they had come on a good night, because their best dancer had just returned from a few nights off. From what the guy had said the dancer was hot and if they wanted they could pay for a private show once his dance was done. Riley and Forrest had nearly chocked over that offer. Graham had to resist the urge to laugh.

The dancer on the stag finished shaking his nice ass and walked off the stage. The club went quiet with nd seemed to throb with anticipation. "Alex." Was all the announcer said before hot sensual music began to pulse through the speakers. Graham felt his heart speed up and his breath catch as the dancer came out onto the stage. The boy, for that was what he was, was sex personified as he moved across the stage. His body was the music and each time a piece of clothing came off the crowd roared with appreciation. He moved across the stage allowing the customers to place bills in a garter on his leg.

Graham was startled when Riley suddenly shoved a bunch of bills in his hand. "Wave him over idiot." Forrest hissed. Both men were stunned by the affect of the young man. Even they were affected. Graham did as Forrest bid and watched mesmerized as the dark beauty came over to him.

His hand trembled as he placed the cash in the garter. He was captured by the boys beautiful chocolate eyes. Then with a smile he was gone. The boy danced for several minutes more then left the stage.

The room was full of gasping, shuddering men. Each one enraptured by the dark haired siren. "Do you want a private dance?" A warm voice asked near his ear. Graham turned with a start and looked at their waiter. After a moments hesitation he nodded. The man smiled back at him and looked over at Forrest and Riley in question. They both shook their heads and looked back at Graham.

The waiter smiled again and motioned for Graham to follow him. Somehow Graham felt his life would never be the same after tonight.

*****
Part 2: Fate Comes Calling

Xander shifted nervously and looked over at Matt. The older man grinned in return. Xander cursed the man for the hundreth time that night. Why hadn't he ever learned never to play poker with the Grusol demon. If he hadn't lost that last game he wouldn't be about to do a private show for a stranger. Sure he stripped down for strangers every night, but it was impersonal. He was surrounded by people and Toby was watching over him. This time though it would be just him and some guy in the back room. Xander had the wiggins.

"Come on Xander your client awaits. Just remember, you do this dance and your done for the night. To bad your done for good as well. Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Valicity asked from behind him.

Xander turned to look at the woman who had come to mean a great deal to him. He smiled, If anyone had told him three months ago that he would think of a strip club owner as a second mom he would have laughed them out of the room. Now though it didn't seem all that odd.

During his time at the club he had been adopted by everyone that worked there. Even Toby, who had made it clear on more than one occasion that he would love to get Xander on his knees and naked in his bed. Toby still teased and flirted with him, but it never went beyond that and Toby kept the trolls away from him.

"I have to go back Momma V, but I wish I could stay." he told her.

Valicity sighed she had expected that answer, but still wished she could talk him into staying. Valicity and Luca knew all about Sunnydale. They had been stunned to learn that Xander not only lived on the Hellmouth his entire life, bit worked with the slayer as well. They never would have learned that if it weren't for Oz coming through town.

The lyco had stopped by to check on Luca and the rest of the pack when he and Xander ran into one another. Oz had been stunned to see Xander not only dancing, but dancing well. The usually stoic boy had laughed and the pair had teamed up for a dance. They had caused a riot. Toby and several of the other bouncers had had to block the stage so the two boys could get off without being gang banged.

Valicity had tried to get Oz to stay the rest of the summer, but the blue haired boy had wanted to get back to his lover. Now she was about to lose another young man she cared about to Sunnydale.

Matt grinned again. "Don't be so upset the guy is a hottie. He's the one that was sitting at the base of the stage with the black guy and the big hunk."

Xander gulped and looked at Matt with wide eyed shock. Xander had noticed the hot guy when he had stopped to dance in front of him and allow the other man to place money in his garter. The other man had brought out feelings that Xander had desperately tried to keep submerged. it, but the guy had already paid for the dance and Xander had already agreed to the terms of the lost game of poker. Taking a deep breath he walked out of the dressing room and into the side room where the man was waiting for his dance.

=====================================================================

Graham felt his pants tighted even further when the dark haired youth came through the door. The boy smiled at him and climbed on top of the table. As he did so music came from speakers hiden into the wall. Graham sat back and watched as the dark haired boy began to strip slowly.

*Touch me, see who I am.*

Graham had to resist the urge to obey the music as the boy ran his hands down his hips. The youth swayed with the slow sultry music folloowing the motions of the songs lyrics.

*The heat is fierce and my cloths to tight.*

Oh god where they. Xander felt as though he were on fire from the look in the other mans eys.

*I can't bear the heat anymore somethings got to give.*

Graham shuddered with arousal as the boy took off his shirt and let it fall to the floor.

*Heat in my gut, arousal burning sharp. I'm tempted to take you on the floor.*

Xander had to hold in a whimper when he saw the other man convulse and the heat burn in his stunning eyes.

*My pants are to tight and my body isn't right. Your to far away.*

God that was so true. The siren was so close, but so far away at the same time. Graham feared he might actually break the arms off the chair as the youth riped his pants away to reveal smoth tanned legs and a g string.

*Come to me. Come to me, don't tease me tonight. I need to feel you tonight.*

Xander took a shaky breath and swiveled his hips as he turn his back to the man and slowly rocking his hips back and forth.

*Don't you want me, don't you need me. Take me, make me, be with me tonight.*

Graham forced himself to stay in his chair. It was all he could do not to act upon the images the lyrics put in his mind. For the rest of the song he had to remind himself that he wasn't allowed to touch. Oh but it was so hard, almost as hard as he was.

Once the song had ended Xander stepped down from the table on shaky legs. Turning to the other man he smiled shyly. Perhaps if it had been a leer or a teasing look Graham would have been able to overcome the over powering attraction he felt for the other man. As it was the smile broke through his control.

Somehow Graham knew the shyness wasn't fake. It made him want the man, Alex the announcer called him, more. Taking a chance he stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Alex's arm. "My name is Graham. I don't usually do this, but I want to spend the night with you. It doesn't have to be sexual, I just want to get to know you." Graham released his hold on Xander's arm and had to resist the urge to swear. "I know this sounds crazy, I'm leaving town tomorrow, but I hope you'll say yes."

The moment Graham touched him and introduced himself something clicked in Xander's mind. He had felt it on several different occasions. His instincts were screaming at him to take a chance. This could be a one in life time chance. Taking a deep beath he looked at Graham and smiled shyly again. "Hello Graham my name is Xander. I have to change and clean up, but would we could met out front. Say in twenty minutes?"

Graham's smile was radiant. "Twenty minutes it is." The two men walked from the room smiling at one another.

=====================================================================

Xander groaned and rolled over slapping the alarm clock as he did. He was feeling better than he had when he went to sleep that night. He had dreamed of Graham again and perhaps thats why he felt so good. He had only spent one night with the other man, but it had changed his life in ways he never thought possible.

Xander had come back to Sunnydale a stronger person and more sure of himself. The first thing he had done on his return was go see his friends and then find a place to live.

To weeks later he was in possession of two chipped vampires. Every time he thought of it he became enraged. Sure he killed vampires, but he didn't torture them. Perhaps if it had only been the blond menace he wouldn't have cared, but Dru had been chipped as well. The truth was he had always cared for Dru.

She had been the one to save him on several different occasions while she was in town the last time. She had also kept him from being killed when the love spell went crazy. Xander had always wondered why she protected him and had even asked on one occasion. The child like vampiress had merely told him that Miss Edith and the stars told her to. Xander had believed her. He often got strange dreams and feelings that he could not explain.

It was one of those dreams that lead him to sending Angel to hell and bringing him back. It was also one of those dreams that had him finding and bringing the two vampires back to his apartment.

Xander sighed and pulled himself out of his thoughts and out of bed. He needed to get ready for work and check on his room mates. Xander hoped that Dru was feeling alright this morning. Xander suspected that the scientists had done something to Dru beyond chipping her. Willow had preformed a simple spell on them and they had managed to remove several different devices out of the pair. Though no one knew how to remove the bloody chips. Xander groaned as he realized he was talking like Spike.

Ten minutes later and he was dressed and in the guest room checking to make sure the two vampires were alright and settled in for the night. Finding them well and sleeping he decided it was time to leave. He only hoped things went well today.

*****
Part 3: Just another Hellmouthy day.

Hank Thompson watched as his best employee got out of his truck. Hank winced as he saw the boys condition. Hell he was one large bruise. Hank's boss Max Corrington swore from where he stood beside Hank. Hank joined him. They were both been sure that Xander was going to tell them he couldn't work. Hank could even see the same thoughts on the faces of the rest of the crew and they were already behind.

Xander shocked them all by clocking in and getting to work. They all wondered what the kid had been through that he could ignore such obvious damage and keep working.

Xander was unaware of the speculation he was causing. He just wanted to get to work. It was a lot easier than dealing with all the other crap that he was going through. he hefted the lumber onto his shoulder not realizing he was giving the watchers a clear view of his badly bruised back. His mind was on shifting the load in his arms and his worrry over Dru and Spike.

Xander decided that animal blood wasn't going to be enough for either vampire to heal from their various wounds at the hands of the commandos. He decided to make a stop by Willie's and set up a delivery of human blood. He was making more than enough to be ale to pay for it.

Tom Landrey was one of the bigger and more aggressive guys on the crew. He wasn't happy with the fact that the bosses had brought in a bunch of new guys. He had heard Hank talking and knew that he was going to get passed over for the job of foreman. There was talk that that little bastard Harris was going to get his job. Watching the kid show off was really beginning to grate on his already bad mood.

Anyone else would be at home resting, but no Harris had to show off so he could get Tom's job. Tom snarled and lurched drunkingly towards the newest cause of all his troubles.

Craig cursed as he watched his former friend going after the kid. He knew that Tom was going to get fired this time for sure. It was bad enough he was showing up drunk, but attacking Harris was going to get him in a world of hurt. The kid ws already injured and he knew Tom would use that to his advantage.

Xander had just set the load of timber down when he felt a shiver run up his spin. Instinct had him stepping side ways. By doing so he avoided the fist aimed for the back of his head. Spinning around he faced his attacker a look of confusion on his face. "What the hell?"

Tom snarled and lunged at the kid again. Xander easily evaded his attack. "What's your problem man?" Xander yelled as he dodged another blow.

"Yer my problem, stealing my job. Showing off, thinking your better than me." Tom snarled drunkenly. Xander swore as the idiot attacked him again. Damn what was with him, did he have a sign on? Attack me!

The next few minutes would be repeated and mused over by everyone who had seen it. Tom would wish he had never managed to make contact with Xander's already bruised stomach.

As the first blow hit Xander decided to stop evading and do some attacking of his own. He knew he would probably lose his job, but he was in no mood to put up with this shit. Lashing out he punched the larger man in the face. Then proceeded to use every move that Buffy and Spike had taught him about taking someone out quickly.

It was over in minutes and Tom lay in the ground unconcious, but not seriously harmed. The watchers had been stunned by Xander's agility and reflex's. They had also been surprised that Xander had caught Tom before he hit the ground. If had just let him fall tom would have ended up with one hell of a concusion. "Harris." Hank called. Xander shook his head and turned to look at his boss.

This was terrible. Why was he always fates bitch? With a sigh he turned and walked away from the unconsious idiot that had caused all of his trouble. When he reached Hank the older man smiled reasuringly and motioned him to follow him inside the prefab building. Once they were inside and settled Hank looked over at max and raised an eyebrow. At the nod he turned back to look at Xander.

"You handled that situation really well kid. I was expecting a whole different out come concidering your condition. I want to apologize for the fact that it happened in the first place. I shoulda fired that idiot weeks ago. Anyway the reason I called you in is because we want to promote you. If you take the promotion you'll be making more, working more and be in charge of the new crew we just hired."

Xander stared at him in surprise. He wasn't being fired. He smiled slowly and shook his head in surprise. "I thought you were going to fire me. " He told them when he saw the looks on their faces.

Hank chuckled. "Not likely kid. You work like two men and go back for more. So what do you say? You gonna take the job?"

Xander nodded. "Yes, thank you." he answered excitedly.

Max and Hank laughed over his response. "Great then, go home relax, maybe celebrate a little and we'll see you back here tomorrow morning to go over what your new job intails." Max told him.

Xander stood with a dazed smile and quickly left.

He barly remembered to stop by Willie's to get the blood and set up a regular delivery. Willie knew better than to deliver anything but the best. Like everyone he had heard about who it was the dark haired biy was taking care of. He had also heard about the demon that the Slayer and her crew had decimated after it had attacked Dru. Willie was a weasel, but he wasn't crazy.

=====================================================================

Spike looked up from his place on the couch and watched as his human came through the door. The whelp grinned at him and headed for the kitchen.

"Whatcha doin home so early pet?" Spike drawled as he followed him.

Spike listened in amusement as Xander told him about his day. When he got to the part about getting Spike and Dru human blood the vampire gapped at him in shock. It was hard getting used to a human caring for him and Dru the way that Xander did.

In the time he had lived with the boy he had begun to see just what a treasure his Sire had given him. He was also reconcidering turning the boy when he got the bloody chip out of his head. Actually he was reconcidering killing any of them. Even the Slayer was protecting his Dark Princess. Spike sighed in frustration. The bloody chip was making him soft!

"How is Dru? Is she still asleep?" Xander asked, looking towards their room. Spike nodded. "We'll feed her when she wakes. I hope the blood helps." Xander said as he handed Spike a packet of the blood.

*****
Part 4: Meeting the Family

Riley shifted nervously. He was unsure about what was goin to happen tonight. He, Graham and Forrest had been invited by Buffy to come over to the Broze and meet her friends. If her friends didn't approve he had a feeling their relationship wouldn't go very far. Willow liked him, but he had yet to meet the other men in her life. The one he was mainly worried about was her friend Xander. Riley still couldn't get over the feeling that he should know that name, but with every thing going on in his life right know he was to distracted to remember.

All of the men were worried and beginning to question their objectives in the Initiative. Professor Walsh had told them that all demons were evil, but so far she hadn't been able to prove it. Sure they had come upon some really savage creatures, but they had been forced under her orders to take a small childlike demon hostage a couple of weeks earlier. It grated on them to do so, because the creature actually saved Graham's life when he was attacked from behind by a pissed off and hungry vamp.

Riley shrugged off the thought and taking a deep breath opened the door to the club. Graham shared a grin with Forrest over Riley's nerves. All he had been able to think about the last few weeks was Buffy. They couldn't wait to meet her friends and see if they accepted Riley.

=====================================================================

Spike was very close to laughing as he watched Buffy bounce in her chair. Xander was shaking his head in fond exasperation. Dru giggled. "Buffy's got springs in her bum." They all looked at Dru, before Buffy blushed and they all laughed. It had been surprisingly easy to intergrate the two vampires into the Scoobie gang. Wes had even preformed a spell that broke though the demenisa that plauged Dru's mind. Making her more like the woman she was before Angelus turned her. She was very playfull and very Willowish even.

Spike couldn't wait to see Xander in action with the new guy sniffing around Buffy. It had been hilarious watching Xander tear that poncy Parker apart verbally. It turned out to be a good thing, because later they heard about his reputation for using girls and tossing them aside. The last thing Buffy needed was to deal with some womanizer.

"Oh here they come." Buffy said happily. The happiness melted away when Dru suddenly whimpered in fear.

Spike growled and barely resisted te urge to shift into game face. "Bloody hell Slayer your dating the commandos!" Spike hissed at her.

Before Buffy could respond or the two vampires could flee the small group had reached them. The three soldiers were stunned to see the two vampires sitting with Buffy.

However it was Graham and Xander that froze them to the spot. Xander had surged to his feet ready to protect his friends when he saw who one of the men were. "Your one of them aren't you?" Xander asked in a pained voice.

Graham didn't try to pretend that he didn't know what Xander was talking about. "Yes."

Xander swayed and tears filled his eyes. "Oh God." Xander turned to walk away.

Graham quickly reached out and stopped him, turning the distraught boy around to face him. "Xander please, don't leave. I've thought about you every day since that night. I never wanted things to end up this way. Please baby, don't turn your back on me?"

"I can't do this right now. You chipped them." Xander said his voice tight with pain and anger.

"Their vampires, they kill people." Graham said, trying to convience them both that he was right to work with the Initative.

"Fine you kill them, but you don't torture them. You don't make them helpless. Look at them, they had to rely on their worst enemies! Now their apart of my family. If anyone tries to take them they'll have to go through me. You included." Xander told him his voice hard with pain and rage.

He gently pulled the shivering Dru to her feet and led both vampires out of the club. In their wake they left a group of confussed and angry people.

Spike didn't try to talk to his boy on the way back to the apartment. he was to upset about what he had learned to say any thing and Dru was still distraught. Spike knew she would remain so until they were saftly inside the apartment.

Finally they made it home. Both vampires watched as Xander sank into a chair and began to cry. Xander couldn't believe that his one fantasy of love, turned ito a total nightmare.

*****
tbc