*****

Oz watched as Spike and Xander argued. It wasn't a big, full out argument, just yet one more snappy banter filled discussion on something one of them did. A nightly habit, really. Oz couldn't help but chuckle.

"I can't believe you listen to that crap!"

"Hey! Not all the time! Just, y'know, it fits moods."

"Moods? Oh please! That stuff is a fast ticket to a hole in the head! All that depressing hick whining."

"And your musical choices are a soothing balm to the ears? I don't think so, Fangless."

"Oi! Lay off the Pistols an' Black Flag. Stuff's the work of genius."

"Genius? Three cords genius does not make. `Sides most of Black Flag's stuff is just as depressing. Only louder."

"And angrier. Rollins hasn't slowed down yet either. You have to respect that. Help me out here, Oz."

Oz shook his head. Two weeks and he loved this. Patrolling with Xander and Spike, reading through dusty old books at the Magic Box, being part of something again. His acceptance back into the fold had meant more than he thought it would. There had been the required moments of awkwardness between Willow, Tara and him, but they had past quickly. Now things were back to Hellmouth normal.

He looked at the two men waiting on his reply. "I think you're both doing fine. Don't need me to argue this one."

Xander and Spike gave him near identical looks of exasperation. He chuckled. Not off the hook so easy.

"Okay, um, hey Xan, didn't you use to listen to The Cramps?" He asked.

Xander looked a touch confused but nodded. "Yeah?"

"Ha!" Spike nearly crowed. "So you do like something from the stranger side of the musical street! Thank God for that! I mean, if all you listened to was Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, senior none th' less, I'd beg Buffy to stake you for being possessed."

Xander gave Oz a dirty look. "Nice deflection."

"My pleasure." Oz said, dryly. "And Spike, I could have sworn I heard you singing something suspiciously like Clannad the other day."

The vampire gaped at him. Xander laughed and punched Spike's arm. Oz chalked another one up in his favor.

"Musta heard one of the Witches play it. Got stuck." Spike complained.

"Riiiight." Xander said. "Big Bad caught humming soft Celtic folky stuff. I laugh."

"Sod off"

"Bite me."

And they were off again. Oz walked behind them, shaking his head. It was good to be back.

*****

Xander laid on the bed, once again staring at the crack on his ceiling. Oz laid next to him, curled up in a sleeping ball. They hadn't done much more than kiss. A lot. With extreme feeling. They were taking things slow. Maybe at a crawl even. But it was nice. Real nice.

It was a welcome change from the way Xander's other relationships went. All Wham-Bam-Thank-You-Xan. Closet sex, motel sex, basement sex. With Oz there was no hiding, no pushing, no choking.

The thought of Faith and her nasty, deadly hands made him shudder. Everytime he walked past Faith's old room at the motel, he shuddered. Maybe he should talk to Oz about moving. Maybe talk to Oz about moving in with him. There was a second bedroom that used to be Anya's office and closet overflow. It wouldn't be moving too fast. They had known each other for nearly five years. Right?

Yeah, he'd ask him...

"Hey."

Xander looked down to see a sleepy Oz smiling at him. "Hey yourself. Sorry if I woke you."

"Didn't." Oz snuggled closer. "You gonna catch some z-age soon?"

"Yeah." Xander rolled over to face the smaller man. "Hey, um."

Green eyes peered up, amused. "Um?"

"I was wondering, if you wanted and it is so not a big deal if you don't but I thought it might be cool *and* not so nasty thoughts provoking for me..."

"Breathe."

"Huh? Oh. Heh." Xander blushed and grinned. "Sorry. Kinda running along there." He took a deep breath. "Wouldyouliketomoveinhere?"

Oz blinked. Xander fretted.

"That would be cool." Oz said, nodding.

Xander stopped fretting and grinned again.

Now all they had to do was get Spike to come play more often. He said he accepted the idea of a threesome. Said he accepted the fact there was still a major wiggins factor with telling everyone. He just didn't seem to want to come over much. They needed to talk about that.

*****

"So you guys are moving in together?" Buffy asked, coming out of the training room.

Xander's smile was huge. Buffy couldn't help but smile back.

"I take it that's a yes then." She said.

"A big yes." Xander stuffed his hands into his jeans and continued to smile goofily.

Buffy flopped down on the couch next to him. Giles wandered by, loaded with books, muttering about Slayer strength and the tensile strength of the old couch. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Xander.

"Have you told Willow?" She was unable to keep the slight worried look out of her eyes.

"Oh yeah. Told her first thing this morning. She thinks it `neat and very good for both of us'." He made quote motions with his fingers.

She nodded. "Very progressive and supportive our Willow. But she's right. It's cool that you guys are, y'know, you guys together. A little hard to get used to, at first, but I think I can handle it. Not that I have to, but, y'know."

"Yeah I do." Xander nodded.

Buffy leaned against him. "Told you guys weren't such a bad idea. Gender doesn't matter when you really like someone."

"Stop that. I hate it when you're right." Xander pulled a lock of her hair. "And you sound like a textbook."

"When will you learn to listen to your Slayer? I know things." She poked his ribs. "But I'm very happy for you. And very glad it's Oz. Giles is too old for you. And I don't sound textbooky."

Giles walked back through with more books, shooting them a look of mild reproach. Xander blushed furiously while Buffy laughed again.

"Nevermind that Giles is firmly hetro." Xander said, giving the ex-Watcher a nod. "Um, right?"

"None of your business, actually." Giles said and disappeared between the book stacks.

"There was so something more between Giles and Ethan Rayne." Buffy said, conspiratorially.

"And I have nothing to say to that." Xander said, trying hard not to think about that pairing.

"Well, at least you stayed away from our own evil personage. I mean, you could be going out with Spike." Buffy chirped, rising.

"Um, yeah." Xander squirmed. He was glad Buffy had her back to him. "That would have been, uh, not of the good."

She turned. "Not to mention very strange and not at all hypocritical." Curved eyebrows arched at him.

"May I apologize some more?" Xander asked, crossing over to her.

"You may." She dimpled.

"I am sorry I was a high school jerk about you and Angel." He bowed his head as they walked to the front of the store.

"Don't forget jealous." She pointed out.

"Very insanely jealous."

"Where is the wolfy one anyway?"

"He said he had some things to pick up. Gonna meet me here later." Xander couldn't repress a bounce.

"You got it bad, don't you?"

"That would be affirmative."

The two friends didn't notice the back door to the shop closing.

Giles came out of the stacks, head in a book. "Spike, where did you put the treatise on Ranthar demons? Spike? Blast, where did he get to?"

*****

"Hey. I'm running late... Yeah. Why don't I grab pizza and meet you at the apartment?... Cool. See you there."

Oz hung up the payphone and picked up his bags. Only a week to go before Christmas and he had gifts for everyone but Buffy. What did you get the Slayer that had everything? A matching cross and steak set?

The feeling he was making up for not being around and/or causing so much trouble the last time crossed his mind again. But the things he found were so right. He couldn't pass them up.

A matching set of blank books, handmade paper, handstitched velvet covers, green and blue with tiny gold locks for Willow and Tara respectively. A bone china tea set with imported teas, Earl Gray to Oolong, with an ornate infuser for Giles. A gift certificate to a bright and thumping music filled boutique for Dawn. She'd been almost as hard as Buffy to pick for. His memories of her had been vague recollections of an awkward little sister in the background. He was lucky to have seen her in that store, squealing over things with a couple of friends. Now she could pick something completely inappropriate for herself.

Spike had been easy. He found an imported set of early punk CDs. On a whim, he'd grabbed a Clannad CD and a cheap compilation of country. He could almost hear the snipes and groans sure to come from the vampire. It would be priceless.

Xander's he'd lucked into. Sunnydale's only comic store had a copy of the first Spiderman in mint condition. He patiently endured a lecture from the geek behind the counter on how to care for it. Warren something or other. Oz sort of remembered him from high school.

Now if he could just find something for Buffy. He stopped. In the window of the leather store on the corner, something caught his eye. A pair of black leather bracer cuffs with silver crosses on them. Now, if it wasn't real silver. He shrugged. He didn't't have to touch them if they were. He went it.

*****

Spike staggered out of Willy's and fell to his knees. A familiar scene. One he'd re-enacted many times before, drunk after a card game. Not tonight.

He barely got to his feet when a huge, green, purple and yellow, two horned and four armed demon slammed into him. It looked like a Mardi Gras nightmare, clustered with odd clumps of fur, something Spike had mentioned when it made him spill his drink. It took exception to this. Painful exception.

All he wanted to do was have a few hundred drinks and try to forget how Xander's words stung him. Forget how he found out, standing among the book stacks of the Magic Box, that Oz was moving in with Xander. Forget how `not of the good' it would have been for Xander to be going out with him. Forget... ow! Time to pay attention.

There was one problem with fighting this... whatever. Four problems, in fact. Everytime Spike thought he had the upper hand, there were three more punching him in three places. He was losing ground and blood. If he didn't end this soon, they'd have to sift his ashes out of the trash in the alley.

"Not that they'd bother, y'know."

The demon paused, staring at him. Spike clasped his hands together and slammed them into it's head.

"Oh yeah. He can admit he wants t' shag us both, just not to his happy little friends. I'm the soddin' outcast again. Wanker."

He brought one Doc Marten clad foot up into it's crotch. Didn't phase it. Fuck. It charged, crashing them both into the alley wall. And one of it's horns into his right side.

"Aaarraahh! That fuckin' hurts! Ah... God... so I'm the resident evil personage. Oh bloody *hell*!"

He gouged out one of it's eyes with a clawing hand. It roared and slammed it's bullish head into his stomach again.

"Ah-ha! Oh... gah.. That was right nasty of you! I need more holes in my gut like holes in my... forget I said that. Aaaa!"

Being shaken and ground against a wall by four arms was not how Spike ever planned to spend a night. He could only see the outline of the demon now. Black spots obscured the rest. He knew he got several good shots in. Tore out several chunks of flesh. It didn't seem to matter. Now, if he'd had time to prepare for...

He couldn't feel his legs anymore.

God, not again.

Bonelessly, Spike slid down the wall. The thing had a grip on his shoulders with one set of hands. The other set closed on his head. It was going to tear his head off.

*****

"Xander! Open the door!"

Xander was off the couch in a flash. Oz sounded freaked. That was not good. He tore the door open and gasped. Oz had a beaten and bloody Spike in his arms. He jumped aside and let him in.

"What happened? Geeze, he looks..." Xander didn't finish. of course Spike looked dead.

Oz laid him down on the couch. "Shiva the demon got a hold of him. C'mon, Spike, stay with me."

Xander ran to the kitchen and grabbed the two blood bags Spike had stashed there. He dashed back, ripping one open. Carefully, he poured one into Spike's mouth. Both young men sighed in relief when Spike swallowed.

As he fed Spike the other, Xander glanced at Oz. His t-shirt was in tatters and his left eye was starting to bruise.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just a bit rumpled." Oz shrugged. "Had to get a little wolfy to drive it off. I think the other guys coming out of the bar helped."

"Unnnn..."

Xander looked back at Spike. Blue eyes were glazed, but open. "Welcome back."

Spike waved a hand. It was hard to focus on the three Xanders and three Ozs. His beautiful boys, all of them, looking so concerned for him. It was so sweet. He giggled.

"I'm thinking the goofy grin is a major vamp concussion." Oz said.

"Oh yeah." Xander agreed.

Spike struggled to sit up to no avail. "Soddin' hell. Can't feel me legs." He groaned, giving up.

"That's not good." Xander said. "You're gonna need more blood there, Fangless." He turned to Oz. "I'm gonna call Giles. He usually has a stock."

"I'll stay with him." Oz said, as Xander dashed back to the kitchen.

A hand on his arm, made Oz turn back to face Spike. The look on the vampire's bloody face was one of complete affection.

"M'glad you came." Spike said, voice a whisper. "Nummy needs you."

"Nummy? Oh, Xander." Oz blinked. "Nice nickname. I think."

Spike nodded and rambled on, delirious. "Glad all the work didn't go to waste. An' now you're moving' in." A frown crossed his face. "Wish I didn't find that out in the stacks. Thought he trusted me. But I'm the evil personage around here so no trusty me any more."

"Okay, you are so not making sense. Just relax Spike, we'll get you fixed up." Oz wiped some blood off Spike's face.

Spike grabbed the hand. "No no. M'serious. You n' Nummy don't need me. Embarrassed. Ashamed."

Spike's eyes closed as Oz's grew wide. A gasp made him turn. Xander stood a few feet away, face red. It mirrored the shame Oz knew was on his. They'd let Spike down bigtime.

Crossing over, Xander knelt and stroked Spike's face. Oz waited, watching that hand.

"Giles is bringing over some more blood." Xander finally said. "He'll heal better with human thought."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Xander..." Oz touched Xander's shoulder.

"I know. I've been an idiot." Xander said, swiping at his eyes.

Blood and tears, a salted mix, dripped on Spike's still face. Oz reached over, his hand joining Xander's, and wiped at Spike's cheek again.

"*We've* been idiots." Oz whispered. "If we care, it shouldn't matter. Not to any of them."

Xander slumped, leaning against Oz. "Yeah. And we tell `em. As soon as Giles gets here."

Oz clasped Xander's hand. "Solid plan."

They both gasped when Spike's hand moved up to join theirs. A smile crossed Spike's lips and he settled down into the couch.

"Think he agrees." Oz said.

*****
Part 2:

Oz opened the door and let Giles in. "Thanks for coming so fast."

"Yes well, all Xander said was..." Giles looked at the couch. "Good Lord! What happened?"

"Big nasty demon attack." Xander said, stepping back from the couch. "He's lost a lot of blood and he said he can't feel his legs."

Spike lay still, eyes closed, a wan smile on his face. A strange look for the beaten and battered body. Giles put his bag down and sat on the edge of the couch. First Aid had been part of Watcher training, but he never thought he'd be using it on a vampire.

Xander and Oz watched as Giles pulled pack after pack of blood out. As he fed them, one by one, to the now stirring vampire, Oz pressed his back against Xander's chest. The werewolf couldn't help but worry. What if Spike didn't recover fully? What if he stayed handicapped? How would he take it, considering the chip? Whatever happened, Oz knew he and Xander would be there. They just had to make sure Spike knew that.

Spike moaned and Xander moved Oz and himself closer. He couldn't help but bite on his fingernails, an old habit. Spike looked so bad Xander wondered what would happen. He'd been stuck in a wheelchair once. Stuck and at the not so tender mercies of Angelus. Spike had told Xander a bit about that time. Angelus had... taken advantage of the wounded Spike. Xander could only hope Spike wouldn't start having flashbacks or something.

Giles shook his head. Spike was slipping in and out of consciousness and Xander and Oz were hovering. Even in Xander's open living room, he was feeling crowded.

"Look, I know you're both worried, but could you please..."

"Sorry." Oz said, stepping back.

"Um, yeah." Xander mumbled.

"Tell me again what happened." Giles said, trying to get more blood into Spike.

Oz shrugged. "Big demon. Four arms. Horns. Bad bruise-y color. I think it was dieing by the time everyone at the bar got through with it."

"Lucky you came along when you did. Vampire or no, I don't know how much more damage Spike could have taken." Giles hmm-ed.

"M- more than you think." Came a groan.

The three men started. Spike grinned up at them, blood rimming his lips. His eyes were black and bleary, but the Spike-ish spark was back. It was a welcome change from the dazed, spaced out look of before.

Oz grinned back and leaned over. "Full of it as usual." Then he placed a soft kiss on the bloody lips.

Xander swallowed. This was one way to start the ball rolling. "Oh yeah. You could have taken on twelve of them and gotten even more squashy looking." And he placed his own kiss on Spike's lips. Then wiped the blood off his own.

Giles just gaped at the three. Everyone knew about Xander and Oz, but Spike? With both of them? Not that going by his past, he should throw any stones... but Spike?

~Oh, yes and your last dalliance with Ethan was after he came back to the side of the angels. Please try to get over yourself.~

"Had him right where I wanted him... oh fuck... I hurt." Spike groaned.

"Yes, I rather imagine you do." Giles said drolly. "Can you move your legs at all?"

Spike's jaw worked as he tried. There were tingles of pain along his side and legs. "Not yet, dammit."

Oz laid a hand on Spike's chest. "Don't strain so much. You'll bust stitches."

Spike's eyebrows shot up. "Great. I'm a bloody cross stitch."

"Hey, it was that or let internal organs leak everywhere." Xander said, grinning anxiously. "And you of all people should know how difficult it is to get spleen out of the carpet."

"Yes well, you're just going to have to be patient and wait to heal." Giles said, standing.

"Wait?!? How long?" Spike exclaimed.

"As long as it takes." Giles turned to Xander and Oz. "He's going to need help. Er, I assume he will be staying here?"

Both the boys nodded. Giles pursed his lips. "All right then. He's going to need plenty of blood and you'll have to take care when moving him."

Again Xander and Oz nodded. Spike just glowered. Christmas wasn't going to be the bright, happy holiday with him stuck on his back the whole time. Not to mention how uncomfortable he knew Xander and Oz were about the whole three way deal of the relationship. He certainly didn't want to force them to have to have him around.

He caught Oz looking at him quizzically, eyebrow raised. Sighing inwardly, he gave a wan smile and closed his eyes. Sleep would help him as much as more blood would.

As he drifted, he heard the quiet buzz of the three men's voices. Giles was making sure they could actually get more blood. Xander saying he could extend his Christmas vacation. Oz promising to check in daily. Giles reminding them about head and spine trauma. Something else mumbled by someone about talking about something. Now if he could just remember what happened. He was really worn...

*****

When he woke, Spike didn't recognize the ceiling. It wasn't his crypt. It wasn't the Magic Box's back room. It wasn't Xander's living room. He knew all the bumps, lumps and cracks of those. It was an entirely new crack up there.

He tried to sit up, but the stabbing pain in his side, the shooting one in his head, and the total numbness of his legs, sent him right back down to the pillows. Pillows. Pillows and blankets. He was... where the hell was he? He'd been on Xander's couch last he could remember.

Plucking at the edge of the blankets he tried to think. His brain was feeling decidedly fuzzy. Scents rose up and he sniffed deeply at the covers. Xander and Oz. A small smile crossed his lips. He had to be in Xander's bed.

"Hey! Vamp's awake." Xander said as he came in. He sat carefully on the edge of the bed. "How you feeling?"

"Not sure. I hurt an' my brain's all murky." Spike paused, things registering. "An' I think I'm naked."

Xander's chuckle was warm. "That would be because you are. Oz and I cleaned you up and tucked you in. Minus the cooperation and bedtime story."

Spike mock sulked. "I want my bedtime story then."

Xander sighed heavily then grinned as Spike's pout became more pronounced. "Okay, okay." He cleared his throat. "Once upon a time, there was a vampire. This vampire, called Blonde Menace, thought he'd mess around with a long lost friend out of boredom..."

"Don't think I like this one." Spike's sulk was turning real.

"Shut up and let me finish, you." Xander chided. "Blonde thought it would be great fun to make the long lost friend think it was someone else messing with him. Blonde had fun. For about three days.

"Then he realized he missed the long lost friend, Wolfy. And that Nummy, the other unknowing someone,did too. So Blonde thought he'd be nice and get them together. And he did. And they were excited, but knew something was missing.

"Wolfy realized that he and Nummy needed Blonde so he made everyone get together and kiss. They were good kisses. Hell, they were great kisses. Stars couldn't twinkle as much as those kisses. The sun couldn't shine as much as those kisses. The moon..."

"I get the point."

"Sorry. Anyway, so Wolfy and Nummy and Blonde... who really should be called Blondy to make this flow right. Aaannndd judging by that growl, I'll leave it at Blonde. So Wolfy, Nummy and Blonde smiled and snuggled and knew they should be together.

"But, Nummy got dumb. Nummy got afraid. And Wolfy got worried, as some of the princesses weren't so sure about him just yet. And Blonde, worried about his boys, stepped back. Then Blonde heard something that was bad. Something that was wrong. Something that was cowardly. And he went out and got hurt.

"Nummy and Wolfy grew very afraid. They almost lost their Blonde. They might not have ever gotten to tell him how much he meant to them. How sorry they were. So, they called their little group and told them all about Blonde and what he meant to them. Now all they had to do was beg for forgiveness and hope it wasn't a futile thing to do."

Xander looked up and saw Oz standing in the doorway, Spike's things in his hands. He'd gone to the crypt to bring back more clothes and whatever else Spike might need. How long he'd been there, Xander didn't know. He hadn't even heard the door open.

Spike turned his head as Oz crossed over. "He's right. We fucked up. Big time."

Spike twisted the edge of the blanket around in his hands. He was feeling strangely upset at all the attention. Then two hands pulled his from their fretting. He looked up into bright green eyes, turned and into deep brown. Eyes full of worry, contrition and fear.

"I... you told them then?" He finally got out, looking down again, shocked by the intensity of their gazes.

"Yeah, we did. Though I think the kisses kinda showed Giles." Xander said.

"How did... how did they take it?" Spike still couldn't look up. Tears were starting to form, much to his embarrassment.

Oz smiled and slid closer to Spike. "Pretty well. Buffy thinks Xander's gonna have too much on his hands. Y'know how out control I am."

Spike chuckled, pulling his hand away from Oz's to dash at his eyes. "Right. I know. You just want to party all the time. Bloody musicians."

Xander grinned and kissed Spike's scrapped knuckles. "Well, Willow thinks I must done some sort of spell to hog all the hot guys."

Spike shoved Xander a bit. "Stop it." He giggled and sniffed. "They really okay with this?"

Xander sighed and laid down next to Spike. "They're... wigging a bit, but we're grown men and I think Giles told them to let us be for now. And they *are* worried about you. Buff's actually pretty mad some bull beast messed you up."

"And Willow and Tara wanted to know if there was anything they could do." Oz said, running his hand through Spike's hair.

"Just give `em time, Spike." Xander said. "You're what's important. Period."

Spike gave up holding back the tears. He was sore and tired and still muddled. Silently, they fell. Just as silently, Xander and Oz arranged themselves carefully so they could both hold him. Warm hands gently wiped his tears away, gently rubbed his shoulders.

"It's gonna be okay." Oz whispered into one ear.

"So sorry, Spike." Xander whispered into the other.

All Spike could do was nod and try to stop crying. He hated crying more than anything and he didn't even have being drunk as an excuse. Just his aching head and side. He couldn't stand being this vulnerable, this... soft.

His boys, however, had told everyone. All they had needed was time and he'd been a fool not to pay attention to that. Coming out had been hard enough. Coming out with your best friends ex-boyfriend hard enough. Coming out about a threesome with a vampire... but they'd done it. For him. When was the last time someone had done anything for him?

"C'mon," Xander said after a while. "You need to get some more rest."

Spike nodded. "Stay?" He asked.

The two younger men exchanged looks. "Yeah, we will." Oz replied. "But I'm getting out of the jeans."

"Same here. Oh... er... Spike?" Xander blushed a bit. "Um... you want some sweatpants?"

Spike broke up. He laughed until he had to hold his side. Then he looked at Xander, who had such a look of bewilderment on his face. He broke up again. Oz snickered as well, earning an even more confused look from Xander.

"What? You guys got a secret word today or something?" Xander asked, a touch indignant.

Spike could only wave a hand in Xander's direction.

"We undressed him and cleaned him off." Oz said, shaking his head. "And tucked him and his delicates in bed."

"Er yeah... but..." Xander could tell he wasn't going to win this one. Or maybe anymore anytime soon. "That was different... and oh so never mind."

*****
Part 3:

He drifted, warm and comfortable. Dreams, finally soothing, flooded his mind. Safe at last.

"But, Puppet, what about me? Where do I fit in with all the naughty boys? I want to play."

No... but Drusilla rose, unbidden. Dark and lithe, with her haunting eyes. She beckoned him, smiling and laughing, bones crunching under her feet.

"Didn't I save you from the nasty church? Didn't Daddy and I take good care of my little Spike when he was hurt? Yes we did. And oh, how Daddy rewarded you..." She trailed off, spinning and crooning.

Spike looked down. He was in the wheelchair again, trapped and helpless. He banged his fists against the armrests.

"Yes, Daddy took good care of my little poppet, his little darling boy."

"And I'd be happy to again."

Angelus, crazed gleam in his eyes, came out of the dark. He wrapped his arms around Drusilla's waist and nuzzled her long neck. Dru's long arms wrapped over her head and around Angelus. She laughed as he sucked on her.

"You-your not real. I'm dreaming..." Spike muttered.

With a blur of motion, Angelus was in front of him, arms on either shoulder. "Not real? How can you tell? You might be dust in that alleyway, boy. Dust and dreaming of the little children you can never have! You're mine! Always!"

With that, Angelus lifted him up and threw him backwards over the chair. Spike tried to struggle as he felt his jeans ripped away. He howled as Angelus slammed into him, hands tearing at his sides.

"Mine! Always! No one else wants you, just me" Angelus hissed in his ear.

Spike screamed.

*****

Xander woke with a startled yell. Spike was trashing around the bed, screaming. Oz jerked hard enough to fall out onto the floor. They both scrambled around and tried to calm the thrashing vampire.

"No! Get off me! Get away!" Spike shouted, whacking Xander across the face.

Xander yelped and Spike screamed in pain, blue eyes flying open. Oz touched Spike's shoulder lightly, nearly getting whacked himself. Spike snarled, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead.

"Spike, it's us. Calm down." Oz said, voice steady and level.

Spike whimpered and covered his face with his hands. Oz gathered him close, mindful of his back. He peered over one pale, shaking shoulder at Xander.

Xander wiped his face, and sighed. "What the hell just happened?"

"I'm gonna bet nightmare." Oz drawled, rubbing Spike's upper back.

Spike just nodded and sobbed quietly. Xander scooted closer and put his arms around both men. They were thin enough that Spike's crying shook them both.

"Shhh, Spike. It's okay now. You're awake and we're here." Xander muttered in Spike's ear.

Spike shook his head, tears falling on Oz's chest. His weeping trailed off to gasping hiccups, finally. The two mortals just held on and let him collect himself, unsure of what to do.

Finally, Spike's sobs trailed off and he grew still. Xander was confused and stunned from more than the blow. Spike just never struck him as the freaked-out-nightmare-crier type. The only time he'd seen the vampire cry was the equivalent of in his beer over Dru. He'd seen angry, he'd seen hurt, amused, happy, depressed; a whole battery of Spike emotions. This was different. Spike had been screaming.

Oz looked back and forth between human and vampire. Spike was starting to calm, but Xander was starting to look panicky. That was the last thing they needed, one of them to freak out while Spike needed them. He started to hum quietly, part of a chant he used to keep the wolf at bay.

Spike looked up at Oz's face. So serene and caring, green eyes half closed in concentration. He smiled shyly back and let his head rest against the freckle splashed chest. Xander was pressed close to his back, supporting him, emanating warmth. Arms, strengthened by construction work, held the three of them together. Two heartbeats thrummed on either side of his body. He let himself drift again.

Xander let out a heavy breath, tension flowing out of him. Shifting, he lowered the three of them back down and pulled the covers up. Whatever Oz was humming worked like a balm on the nerves, soothing and... Xander yawned, grinned and fell asleep.

Oz smiled to himself as he trailed off. That had worked better than he thought.

*****

Tara looked over her ingredients again. She was sure she had everything, even the bloody tuft of fur from the truly ugly and dead demon who hurt Spike. It hadn't taken her an hour to find the body after they heard from Xander and Oz. There weren't many places to dump a dead seven foot, possibly three hundred pound thing in Sunnydale, no matter what the locals thought. The best place to dump was, well, the Dump.

Willow fretted by her side. This was a heck of a spell, but she was sure they could pull it off. She just wasn't sure *why* they were doing it. Sure, Xander had called and spilled the beans about Spike. Sure, Spike had gotten himself nearly dead dead. The fact remained, he was still Spike. Easier to deal with now, close to family as a vampire could get, but still Spike.

Then Tara gave her that *look* with her big, pleading eyes. That look that reminded her of the times Spike pulled nasties off Tara. The times he escorted them home, despite their being witches, and asked for nothing. The times he played endless hands of cards with Dawn and didn't cheat. The times Buffy and he actually laughed happily at each other, with no bile. The times he made sure Xander wasn't hurt after a fight.

"Well poop."

"What honey?" Tara asked, turning.

Willow sighed and then smiled. "Just getting used to having Spike as family. Closer family, less the `grumpy ex-con brother you tolerate' and more `gonna have to hug him close the next time I see him' sort."

Tara's smile was bright. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll growl to make you feel better."

"Don't doubt it in the least. Wouldn't want him to ruin his image any." Willow giggled. "Okay, so let's heal us a vampire."

Tara nodded and began to cast the circle. "We'll put a bow on his forehead later. Call it his Yule gift."

Willow giggled again and stepped into the circle.

*****

Spike woke with a whimper. His back was on fire, pain clenching his jaw tight. He looked wildly around, but neither Xander or Oz were in sight. Then blue-white electricity arced up his body. A yell, long and hoarse, finally made it past his lips as his body bent up like a bow. As suddenly as it started, it ended, Spike collapsing back onto the bed.

"Spike! SPIKE!" He dimly heard Oz roar.

"P-pet? What t'hell... ?" Spike sat up, and looked at the equally bewildered werewolf.

Oz was at Spike's side like a shot. Spike had never seen Oz look so fearful. Oz was the unflappable one who just flapped. Over him. For some reason, that made him giggle.

Oz's eyebrow shot up, confused indulgence quickly replacing the fear. "Got it. That was an insanity spell."

"No, you ninny, that was... painful." Spike grimaced. Then his eyes widened and his hands flew to the small of his back. "Oh. My. God."

"What? What is it?" The look of fear played in Oz's eyes again.

Spike gasped. "My back. I..." He grinned and grabbed Oz, pulling the smaller man up as he jump out of bed. "It's not broken!"

Oz let himself be swung and pulled tight. Spike was, indeed, healed. He sniffed the air. Faint traces of ozone, to go with the weird light display, and something darker and familiar. Magic no doubt, but...

"Willow." He said, pulling back enough to look up into dancing blue eyes.

"No, pet. Spike."

Oz chuckled. "I mean, I think it was Willow."

Spike paused, head cocked in thought. "Dunno. Maybe. Don't care."

With that, Spike planted a kiss on Oz's lips. He pulled back, grinned lopsidedly and dove in again. Bliss, it was pure bliss kissing Oz. He tasted like mint tea, sugar cookies and the same feral spice that was uniquely Oz.

"You've been holdin' out on me." Spike murmured against Oz's wide mouth.

Oz blinked. "Holding out...?"

Spike pouted. "I want a cookie."

"Spike..." Oz started.

"Oz." Spike replied, nipping the end of the redhead's nose.

"Xander."

Spike pulled back, confused. "No, you're Oz, I'm sure of it."

"He means me, Wonderboy."

"Xander!" Spike exclaimed and pulled the bemused brunette to them. "Where you been? How long you been there? My back works!"

"I think it was Willow." Oz said, again the only calm port in the storm of Spike.

Xander blinked and let himself be wrapped up with the other two. "I think he's becoming Willow and that's disturbing on way many levels."

"I think she left the head wound." Oz shrugged.

"Oi! Right here! An' I'm fine, if feelin' a bit energetic." Spike said, eyebrows waggling. "Oh yeah, here's yours."

Xander tasted like milk and the blasted sugar cookies too. The smell of pine clung to his body as well, mixing with the deep vanilla like scent of Xander. Spike began to wonder, giddily, if he could bottle Oz's taste and Xander's scent. He'd make a fortune.

"Oh yeah, she left the head wound." He said, when he finally let Xander up for air. "And I still want a cookie."

"I think near total healage deserves a cookie." Oz said.

As he started to pull away, Spike pulled him back into the tangle and tipped them all onto the bed. Xander, on the bottom, laughed breathlessly. Oz squirmed a bit, trying to get his elbow out from Spike's side. Spike just grinned and waggled his eyebrows again.

"I take it you want something besides a cookie." Xander said.

"Oh yeah." Spike whispered, voice deep.

Xander swallowed. He could feel Spike's erection pressing against his thigh. He looked at Oz, who raised a questioning eyebrow. They hadn't done anything more than make out with extreme feeling. But... he really cared about both of them. A lot. Love was just a few steps down the line, if not right in front of him.

"Okay. But we gotta... um..."

"Take it slow." Oz finished for him.

Spike rubbed his forehead on Xander's. "I know. Not a bloody thing happens you two don't want, I swear."

"Works for me. Xan?"

Xander answered Oz by kissing him deeply. Spike groaned as he saw their tongues slick between their lips. They were so beautiful. He slid to the side, pulling Oz onto Xander and stroked their entwining bodies. The idea of just watching didn't sound so bad.

Oz pressed his body down against Xander's, picking up on what Spike wanted. Slowly he rolled his hips, Xander rocking up to meet him. This was far more intense than anything they'd done yet. He could feel Spike's eyes burning into them, his hands trailing cold fire.

Spike groaned again as Xander devoured Oz's mouth, hands running through messy, red hair. Trailed kisses and then bites along the pale neck. He couldn't resist helping Oz's struggles to get his shirt off, the desire to see them both naked nearly making him rip cloth.

Spike's enthusiasm contagious, tennis shoes, t-shirts, jeans and one pair each of underwear and sweatpants, hit the floor. Bodies now bare, moved together, caressing and scratching, kissing and biting. Xander soon found himself twined with a very naked Spike, Oz tracing patterns on the vampire's back with his nails and tongue. A very happy spot, he decided.

Spike shuddered as Oz bit his shoulder. His head lowered in instinctual submission. Oz slid to his side and pulled his head around. A question passed between green and blue eyes. Xander watched, entranced. He didn't know what was going on, but he could feel the weight of the stares.

At last, Spike lowered his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. Oz nodded, a similar smile on his own. Xander started to say something, when Oz got up and went to the bathroom. Spike smiled as Xander looked puzzled. Time for a distraction.

"Spike? What... Oh... yeah..."

Xander let his eyes close as Spike sucked and bit at his nipples. He was faintly aware of Oz's return as the bed dipped but he couldn't focus. All there was was Spike's mouth. A mouth that was licking lower and lower on his body.

"Oh Goaaahh..." Cool lips closed over the end of his cock.

Oz paused, watching the site before him. Xander's eyes were closed tight, fists balled up in the bedclothes, as Spike sucked him in deep. They were beautiful to him, not matter what. And what Spike was giving to him tonight, made his heart twist as much as Xander's cries.

Hands shaking, betraying his emotions, Oz opened the bottle of lotion he'd brought from the bathroom. He coated his fingers and slid one into Spike. The vampire moaned around Xander's cock and pressed back, hips jacking up.

"Do it!" Spike hissed, mouth off Xander.

"Wha?" Xander raised his head just in time to see Oz move his hips forward.

Spike arched and keened. Xander's eyes got wide. Oz was fucking Spike. Beautiful, so damn beautiful. He stroked the side of Spike's face, feeling the planes, wishing he could touch Oz as well. Yeah, he loved them.

Oz held still as long as he could, Spike's cool body opening around him. Waited until Spike moved, taking Xander back into his mouth. The vampire had totally submitted to the werewolf. Submitted willingly. Oz couldn't help the small growl that rose from his chest.

Xander felt a thrill shoot through him at the feral noise. His hands sought out reassurance, one in Spike's hair, the other caught by Oz as he moved deeper in the vampire. It was the completion of a circuit, energy playing along his nerves. He sobbed out both names as he came.

One hand gripped tight in Xander's, the other holding Spike's hip tight, Oz slowed. He was close, quicker than he'd thought, desperate to hold on just a bit longer. Spike had other ideas again, however, and thrust himself back hard.

"Spiiiikkee, don't. Please, I... you..." He ground out. Xander's ecstatic face had nearly done him in.

Xander crashed back to Earth with that plea. He sat up, pushing Spike up on his knees. Oz and Spike gasped as their angles changed. Spike gasped again, hips stuttering back and forth, when Xander wrapped around them both and stroked his cock with one hot hand.

Oz growled again, pulling Spike back into his lap. His mind whited out even as it exploded. Waves rolled over him, body pressed tight to Spike's. Distantly, he felt sharp nails dig into his arms, heard Spike shout something approaching his name.

Ages later, it seemed, Oz opened his eyes again and saw Spike curled up against Xander. He smiled at them lazily and fell onto his side. Xander's laugh, sweet and, for once, unashamed, made his grin bigger.

"Hey."

Spike snorted and pulled the shorter man close, making a pile of bodies. "Hey. How monosyllabic of you, pet."

"Yeah."

They all broke up at that, squirming for comfortable positions. just as they found them, the phone rang. Xander looked at Oz, who looked at Spike.

"You're closer."

"Bugger." Spike grabbed the phone. "Harris, Osbourne and Wyndham's, can I help you?"

The younger men exchanged looks. Wyndham? Was that Spike's last name?

"Oh hullo, Red... Yeah, m'fine... Thought it was you... Oz figured it out... Wha? Oh yeah, complete recovery..." Spike leered at them. "Hey, do me a favor will ya? Talk to these knobs about givin' me a cookie."

*****
Part 4:

It was over.

Nothing left to do but clean up the mess. Xander sighed. How could it have been over so quickly? It seemed like the three of them had just started and now all that was left was the trashed living room. Spike had headed out the door, slamming it. Oz disappeared into the back of the apartment and hadn't come out yet.

"Wonderful." Xander grumbled as he opened a trash bag. "Thirty minutes to get the tree up. Ten to have a sugar cookie happy Spike and Oz decorate. And what is Xander left with? Cleaning up the tinsel mess."

He picked up crackling cellophane wrappers and stray silver threads. The extra Christmas light bulbs went into the end table drawer. Little metal hooks had to be pulled out of the carpet where Spike had spilt the box ripping it open. As he stuffed the trash into the bag, Xander glanced at the tree. He had to admit, it looked good. All twinkling lights and glittering decorations and fresh cut pine smell, the perfect Christmas tree.

Setting the bag aside, he flopped onto the couch to watch the tiny multi-colored lights dance. He chuckled as he remembered Spike finally asking him, as they all cuddled, sweat slicked and sated, why he smelt like pine. When he'd told the blonde maniac he'd gotten a Christmas tree, Spike had jumped up and demanded they decorate it now. After talking him into clothes, the three of them did.

"Kinda wish we were still in bed." Xander muttered.

The tree was nice and it was certainly festive, but he wanted to share it. That had been the point. All three of them, snuggled on the couch, watching the lights, drinking cocoa. Xander had been determined this Christmas would. Not. Suck.

He let his head fall back and closed his eyes. How could this Christmas suck? He had the one, well two things he never thought possible. Someone to care about. Two strange, silly men to call his.

Weren't they? He squirmed around on the couch as he frowned. The sex bit had been cool, great even. The way Oz and Spike looked together was amazing. So pale and perfect, moving like they'd been together forever. Like they'd done this a lot.

Argh.

No blushing virgins, Spike and Oz. Xander could read between the line of Giles' Watcher journals, which he'd snuck peeks of whenever he could, and the looks between Spike and Angel. There was no way those two hadn't done it. Oz had been completely forthcoming about his sex life pre-Xander. Devon had been his only other male partner, but there had been many steamy times in the van. Xander had gotten hot, bothered and worried when he heard about them. Devon and Angel weren't the issue though. It was Xander's fear and virginity with men.

He hadn't done more with Oz than make out heavily. They'd stroked each other sometimes, never getting completely naked. Oz had been gentle and sweet, never pushing, never demanding. Earlier had taken Xander by surprise. He hadn't though he could get so swept up in lust, but the other two had been so intense. Maybe the nakedness wouldn't have even happened yet if Spike hadn't been there. His presence seemed to have sparked it.

What would they do if he kept dragging his feet? Would they still want him around? This whole thing had been because Spike did his stupid writing as Xander bit. Yeah, he'd done his damnedest to get Xander and Oz together, but things got so muddled. Xander started to like Spike, Oz started to like Spike. Then Spike got all weird about being there. He loved them both, dammit, but...

But. But how long would they want him around? That undefinable thing, that spark or something, was so there with Oz and Spike. They just *smoldered* together. Xander felt lucky they let him in at all.

"And why do they?" He whispered.

"Why does who what?"

A warm body sat down close to him. Xander opened his eyes, feeling guilty. The smaller man smelled like soap and shampoo. That's where Oz had gone, to the shower.

"Um, why do birds suddenly appear, everytime you are near?" Xander ventured. Well, that was lame.

Oz's eyebrows went up. "The Carpenters? Need to check your CD collection. You okay?"

Xander pulled Oz close, feeling bad for his thoughts. "Careful, there's country in there."

"Nice clean up. Sorry I bolted." Oz said, running wet hair under Xander's chin. "Smells were making me a bit horny again."

"Oops. Um, sorry. Guess we coulda stayed in bed longer." Xander said, trying not to blush and squirm.

Oz chuckled. "Yeah, well Spike was hot to go and we need to eat dinner."

Xander groaned. After all the sugar cookies the three of them consumed, he wasn't sure he could eat real food. Damn Dawn for turning out to be a first rate baker. The huge platter she'd sent over was nearly bare.

"C'mon." Oz said, standing and pulling Xander with him. "You shower. Me fix food."

Xander grunted and thumped his chest. "Yes, Tarzan shower, Jane... " He laughed. "Okay, so picturing you in Jane's little fur bathing suit just killed that."

Oz's eyebrows rose. "Never seen me in drag. Never know."

Xander just gaped as Oz headed to the kitchen.

*****

Tara rose at the sound of a knock on the front door. She couldn't help a small smile at the thought of opening her own front door. Their front door. The small apartment had belonged to Willow and her for three months, but it still made a thrill go through her everytime she saw their names on the mailbox.

She peered out the peephole and saw a fish eye lensed view of Spike, arms full. "Willow, Spike's here. Yes or no."

Willow came out of the bathroom, dragging a comb through her wet hair. "Um. Yes. We can always uninvite him if we have to. Which I hope we don't."

Tara's smile was bright. "We won't."

She opened the door and kept grinning. "Please come in, Spike."

Spike's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had just thought he'd drop off the gifts he had for the Witches. The last thing he expected was to be invited in.

"Well silly, come in." Willow said, moving up behind her girlfriend. "Oh! Roses!"

Spike ducked his head as he walked inside. He set the two potted rose bushes down on the coffeetable and turned. Both Witches were looking at him with big, sweetly awed eyes. They had no idea how long he'd stood in the hall, worrying over actually sticking around. He'd come close to setting the stuff down, knocking and running. Some Big Bad he was.

"Yeah, well. The red ones made me think of you, the pink, Tara." He dug in his coat pocket. "Oh, an' I got something for Miss Kitty."

He held out a small package, wrapped in green paper. Willow took it and raised an eyebrow when it crinkled and squished. Spike had his hands shoved back in his pockets, looking around the place, studiously not looking at either woman. They'd let him in their lives as far as the work went. Hell, they'd healed him and let him in their home. How would they take the gifts and the reality of the three men?

"Thank you, Spike." Willow said.

"Yeah, yer welcome." He said, avoiding their gazes. "Wanted to say thank you. I know it was you two what fixed me. Don't know why, but..."

"You're welcome, Spike." Tara said. "Did you get your cookies?"

Spike finally looked at them and raised his eyebrow. Both Witches were now giggling. He grinned. Damn, maybe they were going to be okay with all this.

"Oh yeah, Pet, I did." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Tara turned red and Willow mock-scowled. Spike just smiled broadly. Yeah, they were fine.

"Well, I'd better shove off. Got a couple more pressies to get." He moved to the door. "Ta, luvs."

Willow and Tara watched him walk out. Tara went and did the latch and Willow called Miss Kitty. The cat tore into the paper and dug out a catnip mouse.

"Darnit. He's family isn't he?" Willow asked as she watched Miss Kitty play.

Tara stroked her girlfriend's hair. "Yeah, honey, he is."

*****

Buffy looked at Spike like he had three heads. He'd just shown up bearing presents for Dawn and her. The three of them stood on the porch while Dawn opened hers. It was a book called `Poetry for Young Women'. Buffy took note of the Victorian drawing on the cover and grinned.

"Not too racy huh." She said.

Spike looked shocked. "For Little Bit? Never. Completely appropriate for her age. A bit steamy, maybe."

Buffy rolled her eyes and looked over when Dawn squealed. The youngest Summers held up a bookmark with her name on it, the `a' an anarchy symbol. Something silver glinted from it. Buffy looked closer and saw a necklace with a tiny silver spike charm on it. She had to get out of the way as Dawn threw herself on Spike for a hug.

"Spoil her much?" Buffy said as Dawn raced inside to try it on and look in a mirror bubbling on how cool it was.

Spike shrugged. "I like it. It's fun. Open yours, Slayer."

Buffy looked at the box for second and, shrugging, tore the paper off. It was a box of Miss Clairol `Golden Sunset' hair bleach. She glared at Spike as he tried to stifle a laugh.

"Thought the roots might need a touch up, ducks." He chuckled.

The box hit the porch as she grabbed him by the front of his coat. "You are such a pain in my life, Spike. Give me one good reason I shouldn't stake you, Bleachboy?"

"Um, Buffy.." Dawn said, coming out, "How about a gift certificate to that spa you like?"

Buffy whirled and looked at Dawn, who had the open box in her hands. Buffy took it and looked inside. There was the gift certificate. Her face colored. Spike kept grinning.

"And you promise to patrol while I'm there." Buffy read the small card attached. "Damn you, Spike." She whispered. "Dawn, shoo. Spike, stay there."

Dawn grumbled and let her sister shove her inside. Spike lit a cigarette and waited. The look on Buffy's face had been close to priceless. Too bad he hadn't brought a camera.

It was going better than he thought. Dawn he knew wouldn't be a problem, but Buffy he wasn't sure about. They'd spent so much time trying to kill each other, insulting each other, messing up each others lives, that he was half expecting her to come out with a stake. Dating Oz and Xander might not stop her, no matter how mad those two would be.

Buffy came back out, shutting the front door. She looked and Spike and squared her shoulders. "Merry Christmas, Spike."

Spike took the box she held out, stunned. It was like Willow and Tara inviting him in. Completely unexpected. He opened the paper carefully and reveled a black leather book and fountain pen with extra cartridges.

"I figured you could try writing some good poetry this time." Buffy said, hands behind her back.

It was Spike's turn to glare. Buffy laughed and gestured for him to take the book out. Spike did and a piece of paper fluttered to the porch floor. When he picked it up, he saw `Joyce's Hot Cocoa' on the top.

"Guard that recipe on pain of stake-age." Buffy said. "Maybe... maybe Xander and Oz would like it."

Spike's head snapped up. Buffy gave him a small smile and held out her hand. Putting his present down, Spike shook it.

"Xander told us and I know what Willow and Tara did. I'm... glad. Wigged, but kinda glad. Gets you out of my hair." She said. "Just be good to them, okay? Because the moment you aren't, it's Mr. Pointy time for sure. I mean it, Spike. Hurt them and you're dust."

"That I can promise." Spike said. "On pain of stake-age."

Buffy watched Spike head down the sidewalk, book under his arm. When Giles had called and told her of Spike's injuries, she didn't know how to act. It had taken her a long time to come to grips with him being around in a helpful way. The thought of him so hurt he might be crippled had her conflicted.

Then Xander called with the shocking revelation of their relationship. She'd nearly had to put a shot of khalua in her cocoa. Xander had sounded fierce and scared that she had to just let it be. After all, you didn't get to choose who you loved.

*****

Xander shut off the hot spray of the shower and shook his head, flinging water around the tub like a big dog. It made his brain dizzy and his vision loopy, kind of like his thoughts did. Drying quickly and a bit haphazardly, he jerked on clean jeans and headed towards smells that could only be described as yummy.

Oz was just adding something to his huge wok. It sizzled merrily and steam rose to partially obscure the pale face. Xander's grin got bigger as he crossed over and put his arms around the slight waist. Oz leaned against him for a moment then shoved him backwards with his hips. Oz might have been several inches shorter, but the pressure was enough to make Xander start to get hard.

"So not fair." Xander groaned, "I'm supposed to want to eat not get a happy." Never mind the weird flutters it did to his stomach.

Oz stuck a piece of carrot in Xander's mouth and smiled. "After dinner."

Xander chewed and nodded. "I'll swet th' taful." He said around his mouthful. Plates and placemats appeared quickly.

A few moments later, they were eating Oz's creation. Xander couldn't help but dive in for a second helping. Oz got a warm, puddly feeling just watching it. If he didn't know he had it bad before, he did now.

"So, did you think more about my suggestion?" He asked Xander.

Xander nodded. "Yeah, but I think we need to talk about it. All three of us. He might not like the idea."

They'd talked about asking Spike to move in. The fear that gripped them when he'd gotten hurt last night had brought it out of Oz. Xander had agreed to think on it, weighing the space of the current apartment and the extra worry of Spike's chip situation. He wanted Spike close, wanted him to stay, to feel he was safe but the vampire was so independent.

A knock, more of a thump, came from the front door. They exchanged looks and went to the door. Spike stood there, balancing an armload of presents. There was a large on at his feet.

"Gonna let me in?" Spike said, his grin barely visible over the load.

Xander gaped and stood aside. Oz's eyebrows were up as he helped Spike bring in the haul. The vampire placed them around the tree, fussing until he had them right where he wanted them. Then he stood back and slung an arm around both confused humans.

"Hallo, Luv." Spike said and kissed Oz's cheek, "An' hallo to you as well, Luv." He kissed Xander's cheek. "Like th' topless look."

"Spike!" Xander exclaimed. "That's... wow. That's a lot of things there."

Spike shrugged and pulled them to the couch. "Not really. S'a few things I though you two might like. Not exactly the Twelve Days of Christmas, but it will do."

Oz snuggled close. "Don't know if Xan can wait a week."

"Hey! I can! I have willpower."

*****

Oz lay watching the others sleep. It had taken some cajoling to get Spike to stay and a back rub to calm Xander down. There was something going on behind the dark eyes, but Xander wasn't talking. With Spike still being hot and cold about being around, Oz didn't know what he was going to do. All he could do was wait and see what happened.

*****