Alex frowned at the strangers filling the hallway, wondering absently how so many people managed to fit there without standing on each other. He glanced over at Oz. "Daniel? Something going on I should know about?"

Oz bit back a frustrated groan. "Probably," he replied shortly, rubbing a hand over his eyes.

Willow missed the brief exchange, and she hurled herself forward, grabbing Alex tightly around the waist. "Xander! I thought you were hurt or dead or turned or eaten or something *awful*!" she babbled almost tearfully. "I can't believe you just vanished like that and didn't *tell* me, and your dad was *really* mean when we asked about you, and did you know Anya thinks you dumped her and --"

"Wills!" Oz barked sharply, halting her stream of words mid-flow.

Willow blinked, noticing how stiff her friend was holding himself. "Am I crowding? I'm crowding. Sorry, I just missed you so much!" Reluctantly, she let go of him, turning her attention to Oz. "And you!"

"Excuse me," Alex tried to interject.

Oblivious, Willow kept talking. "How *could* you! You heard how worried and upset we were, and you didn't tell us *anything*! I don't--"

"*Excuse me*," Alex repeated a bit more forcefully.

Startled, Willow paused.

"Thank you," Alex said with just a touch of sarcasm. He crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me -- they followed you home?" he asked Oz wryly.

"Something like that, it looks like."

"Are they the ones you were going to tell us about over breakfast?"

Oz held up the bag of doughnuts in his hand. "Yep."

Alex nodded. "Thought we might need visual aids?"

Oz just snorted softly in response.

Buffy stepped forward, coming to stand next to Willow. "Are we missing something?" she asked in an exasperated tone. "Did we all fall down the rabbit hole when I wasn't looking? Xander, *what* is going on here?"

"The name is Alex, and as for what's going on, I'd like to know that myself. Is there a reason you people are interrupting our breakfast?"

"What?" Buffy looked confused as she glanced between Oz and Alex. "Xander, what are you--"

"Hey, what's the holdup? I'm starved here." Wil opened the door wider and stood just beside Alex. "Who are your friends, Daniel?" he asked as he surveyed the hall.

"Spike!" Willow stepped forward, hands on hips, glaring intently at the vampire. "You better not have hurt Xander, you...you...undead creep!"

Wil frowned at the redhead. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" he asked.

By now, the utter confusion in the hallway was almost palpable. Gunn, who had been watching the proceedings curiously, leaned over to Wesley. "Are you sure they got the right guys?" he whispered.

"They certainly *look* like Xander and Spike. But their behavior does seem to be rather atypical," Wesley whispered back.

"Maybe they've been brainwashed."

"Highly unlikely, but it is a possible explanation."

"Ahem." Cordelia cleared her throat, interrupting the quiet conversation. "Do you guys mind? We're *trying* to rescue a friend here."

"Sorry, Cordy," they chorused.

With a final admonishing glare at the two, Cordelia turned back and pushed her way past Willow and Buffy. "Xander Harris," she began in a stern voice, "do you *know* what I've been through? I almost started biting my nails again! You are *so* lucky I didn't, mister, and don't you *ever* do anything like this again, do you understand me?" She glared, but sniffed softly, ruining the effect.

Alex leaned away from her. "Hey, no offense miss, but who the hell *are* all you people?"

There was a moment of stunned silence, then everyone started talking loudly all at once. As the noise level grew, Alex winced and pressed the backs of his hands against his eyes, groaning.

Wil frowned and pulled him close, stroking his hair softly. Turning his head, he caught Oz's eye and nodded towards the uninvited horde of people.

Oz nodded and cleared his throat. "Hey! *People*! Shut the *fuck* up!"

Again there was absolute silence as everyone gaped at the normally soft-spoken werewolf. The silence held only until Cordelia noticed her ex-boyfriend snuggled up against the bloodthirsty vampire.

"Oh. My. God. Why didn't anyone *tell* me that Xander and Spike were together?" Her mouth hung open as she watched the two holding each other close, petting and exchanging whispers.

Buffy scowled. "They're not!" she protested. "Stop that, you guys! Xander, you hate him, and he can't stand you either. Why are you acting all lovey dovey?"

"I-I think they're kind of cute," Tara ventured, blushing when everyone looked at her. "Well, they are!" she said defensively.

Alex spoke up again. "Look, I don't know what's going on here, and frankly, I'd just like to eat breakfast, have a nice, *sane* chat with Daniel, and then shag my boyfriend silly. So, if you don't mind...” He gave them a pointed look, then turned and pulled Wil back into the apartment. "Come in once you get rid of them," he called to Oz over his shoulder. The door clicked shut.

Willow's eyes narrowed dangerously, and the witnesses to the pencil incident cowered back a step. Oz, though, simply returned her stare placidly.

"I think you guys should leave," he said.

"*I* think you should tell us what's going on!" Willow responded angrily.

"You want the abbreviated version? Fine. Spike and Xander lost their memories and have no idea who you are. I'm trying to help them, and to be honest, having you here is probably not a good thing at the moment."

"We're Xander's friends. We want to help him too. Is that so wrong?"

Oz sighed. "Look, I know you want to help. But things are...weird right now."

"Yeah, you're telling me," Cordelia muttered. "Spike and Xander?" She shuddered, although a speculative gleam snuck its way into her eyes.

"Well, why can't they remember," Buffy asked. "Maybe Giles can figure something out. And why do they think they're d-dating?" She couldn't help stumbling slightly over the word.

"If you let me go in there and talk to them, I'll probably find out a lot more than I know now."

"But--"

"Willow." Buffy spoke softly, but the tone was enough to make Willow back down. "Do you think you can help?" she asked Oz.

"I'll do what I can."

"When can we talk to Xander?"

Oz thought about it. "How about I fill them in on what's what today, and we let them have a little time to soak it in. I'll see if I can get them to meet you all tomorrow night. The Bronze?"

Buffy nodded. "Ok. But promise you'll call if things don't go well? We really are worried about Xander."

Oz nodded. "And what about Spike? Are you worried about him, too?"

Buffy grimaced. "Spike is...perhaps not as annoying as he used to be. As long as he hasn't hurt Xander, I won't be forced to stake him." She smiled and glanced at Willow. "Or beat him to death with a shovel," she added.

"Ok. Well then." Oz gave them a small wave, then turned and slipped inside the apartment.

"What, that's it?" Willow glared at Buffy. "Buff, I don't--"

"Willow, chill out. Xander's alive, isn't he? And Oz is taking care of things. We'll see them tomorrow night, ok?"

"But--"

"*Ok*?"

"Fine," Willow growled, frowning crossly. She softened a bit, though, when Tara reached out and grabbed hold of her hand.

Buffy nodded then strode back to the elevator.

"What, that's it? No action?" Gunn heaved a sigh of disappointment as he got back into the cramped elevator with the others.

~~~~~~~~~~

Wil sat on the sofa next to Alex, rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles. "It's ok," he whispered, leaning his head against Alex's shoulder.

Alex sighed heavily. "What if they're right," he asked despondently. "What if we really hate each other? What if this," he waved his hand to encompass the entire apartment, "is all wrong?"

Anger clouded Wil's face. "Well I don't give a bloody damn!" he exclaimed harshly. "Why would you believe them, anyway? We don't even know them! And that one blonde girl made me feel...itchy." He shuddered.

Alex turned to his mate, worried. "Are you ok? What was it?"

"I dunno, pet. There was just something off about her." He shrugged. "I was probably just imagining it."

"Huh." Alex wasn't so sure of that, but he was willing to let the subject drop. Which still left them with the original topic of conversation. "Still, what if--"

"No." Wil glared at him, eyes flashing.

"Wil, we have to think about--"

"*No*!" He yanked Alex close, snarling softly. "I *love* you, you pillock. And don't you *ever* think I don't!" He pressed his lips to Alex's, crushing their mouths together.

"Hey guys, I...am I interrupting something?"

Alex was flushed when Wil finally let go of him. "N-no," he managed to stammer. "We're good." He shook off his daze and twisted around so he could lean into Wil's embrace. Looking expectantly at Oz, he added, "Have a seat, man. And spill. What was with the show out there?

~~~~~~~~~~

"Can you believe all that?"

Alex and Wil sat on their bed, trying to wrap their mind around everything Oz had told them.

"How can we be friends with a Slayer?" Alex asked with a distasteful look. "Jenna will *flip* if she finds that out!"

"So, we don't say nothing," Wil said decisively.

"Yeah." Alex fiddled with the edge of the sheet. "What do you think Daniel meant about that government chip he was talking about?" he asked after a moment.

"Dunno, pet. I don't feel like there's anything wrong with me. Do you think I've been acting strangely?"

Alex rolled his eyes. "Compared to what?"

Wil snickered. "Yeah, s'pose so." He sighed and lay back. "This is just...too much."

Alex stretched out next to him and laid his head on Wil's chest. "I know," he said quietly. "But maybe things will look different once we remember everything."

"I guess. So what, you wanna go back to sleep now? See if the rest comes back?"

Alex smirked as he eyed Wil's smooth, pale body. "Not...just yet." He kissed Wil, one hand already picking at the buttons on his shirt.

Wil laughed. "God, I love you, Alex."

"Mmmm. Less talk, more nakedness."

*****

Spike looked over as a familiar figure hauled a struggling boy into the room. He grinned wickedly. "Angelus!"

Angelus jerked Xander close, an arm around his neck holding him in place. "Spike!" he called back gleefully.

"I'll be damned!" Spike could hardly believe it was him. He hadn't seen Angelus for decades, and to find him here in Sunnydale was quite the surprise. He tossed his pole aside and greeted Angelus with an embrace, taking the chance to scent the delicious looking boy.

Angelus pulled away. "I taught you to always guard your perimeter. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You should have someone out there," he chided lightly.

"I did," Spike responded carelessly. "I'm surrounded by idiots. What's new with you?"

"Everything."

"Yeah? Come up against this Slayer yet?"

Angelus gave a slight nod. "She's cute. Not too bright, though. Gave the puppy dog 'I'm all tortured' act. Keeps her off my back when I feed!" He laughed.

Spike laughed as well. "People still fall for that Anne Rice routine? What a world!"

Xander glared up at his captor. "I knew you were lying," he said petulantly. He flinched when Angelus squeezed his neck sharply. "Undead liar guy," he added in a mutter.

Angelus sighed and grabbed the back of Xander's shirt, holding him with his neck exposed. "Wanna bite before we kill her?" he offered Spike.

A frisson of fear swept through Xander as he pictured Angelus' mouth hovering over his neck. The oddest sense of déj� vu swept over him. He heard the two vampires talking, but he was too distracted trying not to start whimpering from fear that he didn't really catch what they were saying. He was just wondering if he should try an escape attempt when a flash of movement informed him that Spike was drawing closer.

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

Lev and Illi raced through the downpour, laughingly seeking shelter beneath the large leaf of a banana tree. They alighted on a thin branch, panting gently.

Illi shivered a bit and shook his wings. "I *told* you we wouldn't make it back before it started!" he told his companion in a superior tone of voice.

Lev rolled his eyes as he dried off his own transparent wings. "You were having just as much fun as I was," he retorted. "Don't blame this on me!"

The branch shook a bit as a beetle scurried past. Once it had steadied again, Illi sat and let his legs dangle over the edge. "You know how cross Sarai gets with us when we're out too late."

With a shrug, Lev seated himself next to Illi. "Sarai's always cross with us," he griped.

"She might not be if you didn't get us in so much trouble."

"*Me*?" Lev glared at Illi. "Well, I like that! It's all my fault now, huh?"

Illi snorted with laughter and reached out to tickle Lev between his wings. "Of course, silly. *I'm* the good, sweet, innocent little sprite who was led astray by your wicked ways." He let out a high-pitched, tinkling giggle.

Lev eyed him skeptically. "Riiight." He leaned out and caught a raindrop, flinging it at the unsuspecting Illi, who spluttered and glared at him reproachfully. "What can I say?" he asked with amusement. "I'm wicked!"

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

"Xander!" Willow called out, just as Spike grabbed Xander from behind.

"I need to borrow the little girl," Spike said somewhat drunkenly as he choked Xander, who was struggling futilely in his arms. "You don't mind, do you?"

Xander kicked against the wall, shoving himself and Spike across the room. They slammed against a metal shelf, but Spike barely seemed to notice, tossing Xander aside casually. He tried to get up, but Spike's fist in his face convinced him otherwise, and he was back on the floor.

"Xander!" Furious at her friend being hurt, Willow picked up a microscope and launched herself at Spike.

Spike stopped her easily. "Threatening me? That's not nice. We're all gonna be very best friends." He grabbed the microscope away.

Again Xander rose, but this time Spike was a little more violent in his protestations. Whirling around, he bashed Xander across the face with the microscope.

Xander crashed to the floor once more, promptly losing consciousness.

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

Wallace gasped in a breath of fresh air as the covering over his face was jerked away. Dazed, he didn't see his captors leave, but knew they were gone when the sound of his heartbeat was the only thing he could hear. He squinted in the faint light, trying to make out where he was. A hiss of pain escaped him as he accidentally tugged against the tight bonds securing his hands behind his back.

As his eyes adjusted, Wallace frowned. The room was round, and the walls seemed to be nothing more than hides stretched out over a frame of wooden poles. What in the--?

The flap of the door lifted, illuminating the figure of man who quickly ducked inside. There was a spark, and a lamp flared, lighting the teepee. Wallace nearly gasped at the foreboding sight of the Indian brave who glared at him with dark, furious eyes. Unable to help himself, he cringed back when a hand reached out towards him.

That didn't deter the man, and Wallace trembled as the hand cupped his chin almost gently. "Please," he whispered tremulously, "where's my Pa? I want to go home."

The brave cocked his head, frowning. "Home is here now," he grunted in halting English. "White man take squaw away from Alchise, kill. Alchise take boy away from white man." Fingers caressed Wallace's cheek almost gently. "Not kill. Mine now."

Wallace twisted away. "Take me back to my Pa right now!" he demanded loudly, his voice breaking.

Alchise scowled and grabbed Wallace, clapping his hand over his mouth. "White boy want cry? Alchise make white boy cry," he growled threateningly.

Eyes huge with fear, Wallace shook his head furiously. There was controlled strength in the hands that gripped him, and he had no desire to have that strength turned against him.

Alchise grunted in acceptance and moved away. His prize had spirit, and once the boy had learned his new place in the world, Alchise had no doubt that he would prove to be a suitable replacement for his murdered wife.

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

Spike glared at the chair. "Don't see why I have to be tied up," he said, voice laced with irritation.

Xander sighed. "It's just while I'm sleeping." He finished tightening the knots in the ropes, then reached over to switch of one of the lamps.

"Like I'd bite you anyway," Spike said as he watched Xander climbing into bed.

Xander glanced over his shoulder and rolled his eyes. "Oh, you would."

"Not bloody likely!"

The other lamp was turned off, and the room darkened considerably. "I happen to be very bitable pal," he said firmly. "I'm moist *and* delicious."

Sarcasm was obvious in Spike's tone when he answered, "Alright, yeah fine. You're a *nummy* treat."

Xander closed his eyes, enjoying the tiny thrill of victory. "And don't you forget it," he said, finger pointing directly at the restrained vampire.

Spike watched him try to sleep, resolutely squashing the strange fluttering in his stomach. Something about this scene seemed entirely too familiar.

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

Elias winced as his knees hit the unyielding stone floor. He heard the guards shuffle from the room, and he timidly peeked up through the thick fringe of his hair. He gasped inaudibly when he met the deep blue eyes of his new master. Shocked, and not a little terrified, Elias glanced away, hoping he hadn't already managed to offend this man. Rumor had it that, despite his youth, Wenamun was not a master to trifle with.

A soft rustle of cloth made his ears prick to attention, but his eyes remained fixed on the floor. Abruptly, sandal-clad feet planted themselves directly in his line of sight. An insistent finger lifted his chin up, and Elias fought not to cringe away from the piercing gaze that seemed to lance through him.

"Very pretty," mused Wenamun as he looked over his new acquisition. "You are untouched I am told." A small smile flickered over his face. "I believe I shall enjoy...breaking you in."

Elias' eyes widened at the implications of this statement, uttered so casually in that clear, sweet voice. He shivered as something seemed to grip his heart, and he was nearly lost in the cool, possessive gaze of his master.

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

Xander picked himself up off the ground, shaking his head to clear it before once more going after the many tentacles undulating around him. "And while you're at it, how do you kill this fucker!?" His pitch of his voice was raised in desperation.

"Gill type things. In their sides. And puncture its heart, only way to kill one."

"Great," Xander muttered, making his way closer to the demon's body. Yelling loudly, he threw himself at it, shoving the piece of wood through its chest.

The Grun-thak snarled, reaching down and grabbing Xander by the neck, flinging him away. It pulled the makeshift stake out of its body, tossing it aside.

"Didn't work! New plan!" He scrabbled back from a hand, doing his best to avoid it.

"Bloody hell," Spike sighed. "Its heart, moron, not its liver!"

"What? I did!" He grabbed onto a few tentacles of his own, trying to keep them from moving too much. He blanched as he heard the sibilant murmuring start up again.

Spike dropped his bar, snatching two tentacles and quickly tying them together. Picking up the bar again, he jumped at the demon. "Actually," he brought the bar down hard on an arm, the snap clearly audible, "you didn't. Its heart," a quick movement, and another arm was decommissioned, "is about...here!"

The Grun-thak continued muttering quickly as it struggled to free itself. It had almost finished when Spike shoved the iron bar through its stomach. The demon's eyes bulged out, and it made a grating, rattling sound, then toppled, unmoving. As the copse lay there, a wave of iridescent fog burst forth from it, enveloping its victorious foes.

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

"Sorry, Xan, but the bleached wonder is yours tonight. No way am I taking him patrolling with me..."

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

"Bloody hell, twit! Watch what you're..."

~~~~~*flash*~~~~~

"Spike, would you just give it..."

*****

Dark eyes fluttered open, staring into sleepy blue ones. "Mmm, mornin', Spike," he slurred out.

"Xander," Spike responded with a nod and a yawn.

The two men froze, gaping at each other in the dim light.

The silence was broken by two voices breathing out simultaneously, "Holy *fuck*!"

*****
Part 32:

The two stared at each other incredulously for a long moment. The heavy silence was finally broken when Xander yelped and flushed, hastily yanking the blanket up to cover his bared body. "Spike!" he squeaked, his eyes darting around the room in search of an escape.

Spike narrowed his eyes at the other man's discomfort. "Xander," he growled softly. Something flashed in his eyes, and he reached out to his bedmate.

Again, Xander made a noise of protest and lurched away, falling off the side of the bed in his haste to escaped the touch. Quickly, he scrambled to his feet, clutching the blanket around him. When he realized that absconding with his makeshift robe had served to leave Spike naked on the bed, he spun around. "Um, Spike, this is...I mean, we...you...oh shit, I..."

Spike frowned and cocked his head as he listened to Xander's broken attempt at speech. "Pet," he said in a quiet voice, "What--"

"Oh god, don't say that."

Now Spike was confused. "Say *what*?"

"You can't...you can't call me that, Wi--Spike. It's not...don't you get it? This is all...none of it is--"

Spike snarled, cutting Xander off. "Yes, it *is*. This is *real* Xander. Alex."

"No!" Xander whirled around. His gaze flickered briefly over Spike's pale, lean body before fixing resolutely on his face. "I can't...I...� He shook his head, trembling. "I can't do this, W-Spike," he whispered in a miserable voice. "I just...can't." He stumbled across the room and grabbed a set of clothes, then rushed across the apartment to the bathroom.

Still naked, Spike followed him. He tried to push back the flare of pain that burst up when Xander slammed the door in his face. Hands balled into fists, he glared for a moment, then tried the knob. Locked.

"Xander! Open the door, you bloody pillock!" He banged on the door with a fist. He was about to give into the urge to wrench the door off its hinges and cart Xander back to the bedroom when the door finally opened.

Xander, now dressed, avoided Spike's accusing glare. He walked past the vampire towards the front door.

Spike leaped after him, shoving him up against the door and jerking him around to face him. "Where do you think you're going?" he questioned furiously.

"Out," Xander whispered. "I can't...I have to go out, Spike." He swallowed hard as he stared down at the slim fingers that were clenched in the fabric of his shirt.

"You're not walking away from this, Alex! I won't let you!"

Xander's face twisted and he pushed Spike back. "Stop calling me that!" he cried out, holding up trembling hands to ward of the vampire. "Just...I have to go!"

Spike's expression grew cold. "You think you can just leave? Put all this behind you? Ignore everything that happened between us?" Jaw clenched, he backed away, shaking his head. "It won't work. Xander...Alex. Don't you get it? *This* is *real*. How can you deny it? Us?" He took a deep, tremulous breath as he turned to stare at the covered window, idly examining the sliver of sunlight that seeped in around the edges.

In a voice so soft Spike almost didn't hear it, Xander said, "I'm sorry."

Too late, Spike whirled around only to find the door already closed. Frozen in his place, he listened in disbelief to the sound of Xander's hurried footsteps fading down the hallway.

A jagged pain ripped through Spike's chest. Bending over slightly, he clutched the back of the sofa, one hand held over his heart as he gasped desperately for air, fighting the awful burning in his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ignoring the elevator, Xander sprinted down the stairwell, almost colliding with Oz. He never noticed, though, and determinedly made his way to the ground floor and across the lobby, drawing in a sobbing breath of air when he finally made it outside. He squinted down the bright streets, shading eyes that had grown accustomed to later hours and dimmer light.

He shook himself, then jammed his hands in his pockets and strode down the sidewalk, not slowing his pace until he was standing in front of the local liquor store. He checked to make sure he'd remembered his wallet, then squared his shoulders and went inside.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, you ok?" Oz watched in confusion as Xander barreled past him without giving him a backward glance. Frowning, he continued up the stairs, hesitating at the third floor. With a last look down to where Xander had made his hasty exit, Oz put his own plans on hold and left the stairwell.

He made his way down to Spike and Xander's apartment, knocking lightly on the door that had been left slightly ajar. There was no answer, and he had just made up his mind to forget it and go back to his place when something inside the apartment shattered, and a keening howl of fury rose up.

Steeling himself, Oz pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Ducking, he barely missed being bludgeoned by the glass pitcher that was hurled at his head. He flinched when it flew past him out into the hallway and smashed into the far wall, a dent in the plaster testifying to the force with which it had been thrown.

"Um, Wil?"

Bitter, almost hysterical laughter met this, and suddenly Oz found himself dangling in midair, a hand wrapped around his throat and glittering yellow eyes flashing inches from his own.

"Haven't you heard? It's not Wil any more. The name's *Spike*." With that, the vampire let Oz drop to the floor.

Coughing, Oz rubbed his neck, already imagining the interesting bruises he'd take from this encounter. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound. "I take it you guys remembered everything?"

An expression of almost unbearable despair crossed Spike's face before he twisted his mouth into a sneer. "What clued you in, mongrel?" he snarled. Hands shaking, he spun around and picked up an ashtray, flinging it across the room where it hit a picture on the wall, shattering the glass. The picture swung crookedly for a moment, then it too went crashing to the floor.

Oz winced. "So, I guess it didn't go too well, huh?"

Spike stood frozen, staring at the spray of glass shards that littered the carpet. "He left me," he whispered so quietly that Oz almost missed it. Then, with a guttural cry, Spike picked up the end table by the sofa and smashed it against the floor, not even noticing when splinters of the wood flew off and lodged into his skin.

Oz took a deep breath, watching in horror as the naked, blood-flecked vampire continued to wreak havoc on the apartment. Not knowing what to do, he backed slowly away, stumbling out into the hallway.

A door opened behind him, and Mellie stepped out, blinking sleepily as she patted at the curlers in her hair. "Daniel? My word, what is all that racket?"

"They remembered," Oz said softly. "And Xander...Alex left."

"Oh dear." Mellie straightened and brushed her hands over her bathrobe. "Well, I can see it's up to us to fix this." Her eyes flickered briefly as a series of crashes punctuated her words. "Daniel, be a dear and see if you can't fetch Alex back here. I'll just go have a few word with Wil."

"But--"

"Don't argue with me. Just go."

Oz blinked. "Um, ok." He cast a last look at apartment where Spike was systematically destroying anything even remotely breakable. "Just...be careful, ok?"

"Of course dear. Now shoo." Mellie watched him hurry away, then shook herself and turned to deal with the enraged vampire. She gave a small sigh of sadness, wondering how much more these two would have to go through to find their happiness together.

~~~~~~~~~~

Oz found himself deeply thankful for the enhanced senses that being a werewolf had left him with. He was able to follow Xander's trail easily, although he had to hold back a groan of frustration when he finally found the other man sitting on a bench and clutching desperately to a rather large, half-empty bottle of whiskey.

Stifling his disappointment of Xander's reaction to the situation, he sat down next to him. "Hey Xander," he said in a subdued voice.

Xander just shrugged and lifted the bottle, swirling the contents around, gazing at it as if it held all the answers. Or as if he wished it did.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Xander let out a choked of sob and tilted the bottle.

Oz watched as a thin stream of fluid trickled from the bottle to splash down on the pavement below, where it followed an already marked path towards the curb and into the gutter. Oz felt something inside him loosen in relief as he realized that Xander hadn't been drinking the whiskey he'd bought, but instead seemed intent on pouring it out on the ground. "Xander?"

"I...I really loved him, you know?" Xander finally said hoarsely.

"What, like past tense?"

Xander hitched a shoulder and kept pouring the whiskey out.

"So wait, let me get this straight. Yesterday you loved him, and today you don't? Because of some memories that finally came back?"

"I can't...it's all different now." Xander shook his head. "What happened with us wasn't...it shouldn't...it wasn't real."

Oz's eyes narrowed, and a hand darted out to yank at Xander's collar. Harshly, he poked at the mark there. Spike's mark. "*That* is real, Xander. You knew he was a vampire, you let him in, you loved him, you *married* him. It doesn't just go away now that you remember who you are."

"But--"

"I'm not done yet!" Oz snapped, shocking Xander into silence. "Think about it, Xander. Were you any different during this whole 'lapse of judgement' thing? Did your personality change at all?"

"Well, sort of. I mean, not really, but...I guess I was *more* myself. Because I didn't have anything to hold me back."

"So what makes you think it was any different for Spike?"

"But he's evil!" Xander blurted out. "He's tried to kill me! And Willow, and the others!"

"And maybe, just maybe, this was a chance for him to let you see what he's really like. Without all the bluster and posing that comes with maintaining the image of a big, bad, master vampire."

"I...� Xander flushed and looked away.

Oz sighed. "You still love him, don't you?"

At the words, Xander shuddered a bit. Then the bottle dropped to the ground as he cradled his head. "Yes," he murmured tremulously.

"See? That didn't change when you remembered. Do you think it changed for him? Because I know he loved you, or else you wouldn't have these." His fingers brushed over the mark again.

Xander sniffled softly. "But how can I go back there?" he asked in a dejected voice.

Oz stood and pulled Xander up, brushing him off. "You turn around and walk. Swallow your pride and for once in your life actually *talk* about what you're going through. With Spike."

Xander stood, undecided.

"He's hurting, Xander. Just as much as you are."

Xander bit his lip and looked vaguely ashamed, as if it had just now crossed his mind that this wasn't exactly easy for Spike either. "Ok," he said. He looked back at Oz. "Come with?" he asked plaintively.

Oz nodded and walked with Xander back to his apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Would you bloody fucking well just *sod off*!"

"Not until you calm down and actually listen to what I'm saying." Mellie crossed her arms over her chest, taping her foot impatiently as she fixed the vampire with a disapproving glare.

"What are you, my bleedin' mum? I'm. Not. Interested!" Spike glared petulantly back at her, then slouched down further into his seat.

"It's all really quite simple, William," Mellie explained patiently. "Do you want him?"

Spike turned his face away, muttering.

"Do you love him?"

He flinched.

Mellie sighed. "Is he still yours?"

Spike exploded out of his chair. "Yes! Yes, all right? He's *mine*," he hissed vehemently. "I took him, an' marked him, and he damn well belongs to me!" He started pacing the room, not even wincing when he stepped on sharp bits of glass and wood.

"Well then, are you just going to throw a tantrum and let him leave? Or are you going to do something about it?"

Spike paused and, hands trembling, asked in a broken voice, "But how do I make him stay?"

"Oh sweetie, I--� She broke off at the loud gasp from behind them and turned.

Xander blanched as he took in the state of the apartment, as well as the condition of the vampire who had destroyed it. "What the hell...?"

Oz darted a look at Mellie. In a brief moment of silent communication, they both came to the same conclusion. While Spike and Xander were still too bewildered to resist, they forcibly dragged them into the bedroom then slammed the door shut. Mellie's face screwed up in thought, then she muttered a few words, smiling in satisfaction as the door shuddered with the impact of a furious vampire, but held easily.

"Spell?"

"Hmm." Mellie nodded. "Fortification. Makes the door and walls as strong as steel. I also jammed the lock so the door won't open. I'm a bit out of practice, though, so it won't hold for long."

"Well, let's hope it's long enough."

~~~~~~~~~~

Spike and Xander sat at opposite ends of the bed, avoiding looking at each other. After about an hour of trying futilely to escape the room, they'd determined to simply ignore one another. Almost another hour of complete silence had passed, though, and Xander couldn't take it any more. "I can't believe you trashed our apartment," he muttered.

Spike snarled. "Oh, it's *our* apartment, is it? An' here I thought I was just an intruder taking advantage of your delicate state!"

Xander flushed. "Hey, that's not fair!" he retorted heatedly, "What was I supposed to do when I wake up and find myself married to a vampire?"

Spike launched himself across the bad, pinning Xander down. "That's right!" he yelled, "We *are* married. And you can't just make all this go away now that you're having second thoughts!"

"Second thoughts?" Xander shouted back. "Who's having second thoughts? I never even got to have *first* thoughts about all this!"

"Oh sure! An' that wasn't you writhing under me, beggin' me to bite you and make you mine!" Spike's eyes flashed.

Xander's breath caught and he gave an involuntary wriggle. Then he tried to push Spike off of him. "That's not the point! Look, just because I love you doesn't make all our problems go away! I mean, we can't just expect everything to be like it was before we remembered. And, oh god, Buffy and Willow know about this. And shit, what about Anya? What am I supposed to do...Spike? Why...um...why are you looking at me like that?" He shivered under the intense gaze that Spike was fixing him with. He flushed again when the vampire's tongue darted out to wet his lips. "S-Spike?"

"You love me?"

"I...um, what? Huh?"

Spike touched Xander's cheek gently, stroking his finger over the rough stubble. "You said...'just because I love you'," he reminded him.

"Oh." Xander stared up at Spike wide-eyed. He shifted uncomfortably. "Well...I...I..."

Spike growled softly. "Xander," he purred in a low, husky voice. "Do. You. Love. Me?" He punctuated each word with a tiny lick at Xander's mouth.

Xander's gasped and moaned. "God, Spike, I...� He panted as the tongue worked it's way over his face to his ear, teasing at the sensitive skin there. "I...� His earlobe was sucked into a cool mouth and nibbled. "I...� Teeth nipped softly at the patch of flesh behind his ear. "...yes..."

Spike froze and pulled back. "Yes?" he questioned, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.

Xander studied the vampire hovering over him, wondering why he didn't feel even the slightest bit of fear over being nibble on. Quite the opposite, in fact, as all his blood seemed to have rushed to the lower part of his anatomy. Noticing the hesitant look on Spike's face as he awaited confirmation, he dragged in a deep breath. "Yeah," he admitted. "I don't know how, or why, but I just...� He frowned, lifting his hand from where it was stroking over Spike's side, wondering why it felt sticky.

Spike blinked, momentarily disoriented as he found himself shoved off of Xander and flipped over to lay flat on the bed. "What the--?"

"Oh god, Wil. You're bleeding! Does it hurt? Are you ok?" With shaking hands, Xander yanked off his shirt and started dabbing at the wounds, sighing in relief when most of them proved to be already healed. A few, though, still had splinters of wood stuck in them, and Xander dashed to the dresser, scrambling to find the tweezers.

For the first time, Spike noticed that he had managed to injure himself during his rampage. There were little pinpricks of pain from where the splinters had taken up residence, but nothing major. "Alex, I'm ok. It's just a little bit of--fuck!"

"Sorry. Shit, what did you do to yourself?" Xander squinted and worked another splinter free. "Christ, can't leave you alone for five minutes, can I?" He mumbled under his breath as he searched Spike's body for more injuries. Spike's...body. Spike's very...naked...body.

Spike arched up as the hands examining him suddenly started to caress, petting along his rapidly sensitizing skin.

Mesmerized, Xander watched his hands slide over the smooth, pale skin of Spike's deliciously naked body. "God, Wil," he breathed reverently as he touched the lean, muscled body that belonged to him. *Him*, damn it! "Mine," he whispered and he bent and ran his tongue over the tiny streaks of blood on Spike's chest, licking a path up to a peaked nipple.

"Alex!" Spike gasped, hands flying up to hold Xander's head in place.

"Mine." Xander turned his attention to the other nipple, biting down on it with gentle pressure. "Mine," he growled again when he released the tortured bit of flesh and nibbled his way up Spike's neck. "Mine." He captured Spike's lips with his own, shoving his tongue inside and reclaiming the territory.

Spike slid his hands down Xander's back, scrabbling at the pants that hindered his progress. With a bit of twisting, and some help on Xander's part, the pants were soon shoved down, tangling in the shoes that Neither had remembered Xander was wearing. It didn't matter. It was enough.

The two bodies twined together on the bed, limbs moving sensuously against each other. Pale and tanned, dark and light, wrapped together as if they were never to be parted.

Neither one could last long. As they rubbed against each other, reveling in the touch of flesh, loud noises of need and desire filled the room, and both men were soon panting heavily with heightened passion.

Spike tensed and pulled Xander's head back far enough that he could meet lust-dazed eyes with his own. He thrust his hips up as he stroked his other hand over Xander's ass. "Mine!" he snarled as he came, eyes locked with his lover's.

Xander gasped when he felt Spike's release against his stomach. He stared down into Spike's eyes, blue ringed with gold, and lost himself.

"Wil!" Body quaking, Xander came against Spike, holding himself rigid for endless seconds before collapsing onto his lover.

Spike purred as he held Xander to him, stroking and petting his sweaty, shivering body. "Mine," he repeated.

"Yeah," Xander murmured in reply.

They lay there for a while, calming. Eventually, Spike began to tongue Xander's hairline, pressing sweet kisses along his face and head.

Xander smiled and snuggled in closer, glad that Spike never complained about his weight on him after sex. "Spike?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'm sorry for leaving."

Spike sighed, pressing Xander impossibly closer. "S'ok, luv."

"No it's not." He pushed himself up a bit. "If I ever try something like that again, just club me over the head, drag me back, and shag my brains out, ok?"

Spike grinned lasciviously. "Deal." He yanked Xander's head down for a scorching kiss. "Now, where were we?" he asked playfully and he pushed his renewing erection up against Xander's hip.

~~~~~~~~~~

Oz and Mellie did their best to straighten up the apartment as they waited. When the banging on the walls had stooped and utter silence had fallen, they gave each other hopeful looks. Nervously, they waited.

After a while, voices rose in anger, but neither could make out what was being said. Then, there was silence again.

"You don't think they killed each other, do you?" Oz asked tentatively.

"I hope not," Mellie muttered, then smiled brightly. "I'm sure everything will work out fine, Daniel. Just wait and see."

Oz snorted. "Right."

There were muffled noises, and then a yelped curse. After a few more minutes, loud groans could be heard. These went on for quite some time, until a loud cry rang through the apartment.

"Wil!"

Relaxing, Oz and Mellie traded relieved looks. "Well," Mellie said as she casually made her way to the door. "I think that's our cue to go."

"I'm right behind you."

They left the apartment, closing the door on the couple who seemed to be engaged in some rather intense...making up.

*****