Xander screamed as the demon moved closer, the blood from the remains of its previous victim dripping onto the floor. Xander quickly ran towards his apartment and safety, not wanting to be on the streets of Sunnydale any longer than necessary. Opening the door with the key, he walked inside freezing as he flet the familiar fingers tighten around his mouth.

Looking up he found himself staring into the lust filled gaze of his father, the man's face showing a mix of disgust, arousal and hate. As his father began to roughly pull the clothes from his body, Xander did the only thing he could think off he scream for Spike to help him. He kew with a certainity that shocked him that the vampire would help him and keep him safe.

Xander gasped as he found himself sitting up in bed, Spike's name on his lips. As he managed to get his breathing under control he felt the now familiar arms close around him.

"Its alright, I'm here. No one will hurt you now." Spike whispered into Xander's ear relaxing only slightly when he felt the boy's shaking subsiding. He had run up the stairs positive that Xander was being attacked, only to find the mortal in the throes of what appeared to be a nightmare. Nightmares were one area he didn't have much experience with, acting on his instincts he had let Xander know that he would protect him.

"I'm guessing you want to know the full story?" Xander asked once he had his breathing under control.

"Only if you want to tell me, Xan." Spike whispered knowing that whatever it was clearly terrified his mortal.

"It was a memory not a nightmare. My father..he sometimes rapes me. He's been doing it for a while now, I try to stop him but I'm not strong enough. Why can't I stop him?" Xander said looking at the bed, ignoring the tears falling from his eyes.

It was unclear which one moved first as their lips met in a kiss that was soft, gentle and comforting. The pair shivered as they broke apart, each one wondering what would happen now. Xander couldn't believe what he had just done, surely Spike would hate him now. Spike was worried that Xander would leave him.

"I love you, Xan." Spike said figuring that seeing how there was a good chance that Xander would leave he may as well tell the truth.

"I'm so sorry for doing that Spike.I'll understand if you hate me but I love you.What did you say?" Xander blurted before stopping when he eventually ran out of air.

"I love you Xander and I'll never leave you. The bond we have isn't because we shared blood its because we are a part of each other. Reef said that it was because you are my destined mate." Spike said not looking at Xander afraid of the boy's reaction.

"That's good, I'm going to go to sleep now. Will you hold me?" Xander said, a part of him believing that it was all a dream.

Instead of answering, Spike lay down on the bed pulling Xander down with him. He quickly shifted the mortal so that Xander was lying on Spike's chest. This way he could feel Xander's heartbeat as they slept. Secure in their newly discovered love the couple slept each one dreaming of the other.

*****
Part 7:

"Time to wake up, Xan." Spike said as he tenderly brushed the hair away from the boy's eyes.

As he waited for Xander to wake up, Spike considered the situation. He, a Master Vampire, the childe of Angelus had fallen in love with a mortal, and not just any mortal a friend of the Slayer. It went against everything he had ever learnt as a demon, not that it really mattered as he had never followed the rules. Xander was his and he was not going to let anyone take the boy away from him.

The boy was his and he protected what was his, so he would have to pay Xander's father a visit. The chip in his head wouldn't let him hurt the bastard but he had plenty of demons that owed him favours, the man was as good as dead. Spike smiled cruelly as he imagined presenting Xander with his father's heart. He knew that the boy would understand the sentiment behind it, for a human Xander knew a lot about the behaviour of vampires.

"What are you grinning at?" Xander's asked as he spied the grin, no smirk on Spike's face.

"Just thinking about what I'm going to do to that father of yours." Spike replied, happiness flooding him when he spied the gleam of pleasure in Xander's eyes.

"You can't handle him yourself, Spike you might get hurt and I'm not worth getting hurt over. Why don't you get someone to help you? A demon somewhere must owe you a favour. Or you could just teach me what to do." Xander said, not wanting Spike to get hurt because of him.

"You are worth it, Xan. Slutty and the others have no idea how important and special you are. You're mine and I protect what's mine." Spike said, gripping Xander's hand.

"I'm yours but you're mine as well Spike and I'm not letting you get hurt because of him." Xander said as he leaned closer to Spike.

Xander moved towards Spike, a part of him believing that it was a dream and he would wake up alone. Xander reached out with one hand to trace Spike's jaw, his other hand still in Spike's grip. Licking his lips, Xander moved forward placing his lips on Spike's. For a second they stayed like that, breathing in the scent of each other. Xander moaned as he felt Spike's tongue beg entry into his mouth, he parted his lips and shivered when he felt Spike's tongue caressing his own.

Xander could hardly believe what was happening, he had dreamed of this moment for so long, ever since the night Angel had offered him to Spike. A part of his mind wondered if it was a bad thing that he got turned on seeing Spike fight, he vividly remembered the look in Spike's eyes that night.

Xander moved his tongue into Spike's mouth, examining every area of the vampire's mouth, gently pressing his tongue against Spike's fangs. At this Spike shivered, wanting nothing more than to rip the clothes of the boy and take him right there but then he remembered what Xander had suffered at the hands of his father. He wouldn't let Xander feel like that ever again, Xander was the one who was going to take the lead this time.

Xander broke the kiss only when he started to feel light headed, and not in the good sense. Panting he looked at Spike, the vampire had never looked so attractive, his eyes were golden, shining with desire and love.

"What do we do now, Spike?" Xander asked reluctantly, wanting nothing more than to spend the forever in Spike's arms feeling safe and loved.

"First we'll go down and get you something to eat. Reef mentioned cooking for you earlier, it's a wonder the house hasn't burnt down." Spike said, as he stood up holding his hand out.

Xander stood, stretching before taking Spike's hand and walking downstairs. As they approached the kitchen, the smell of something caused Xander's stomach to growl. Walking into the kitchen he saw Reef, stirring a pot of something he hoped was edible while humming.

"Nice to see you're up. Sit down and I'll bring in your food." Reef said, seeing the way Xander was looking at the food.

"It smells great, what is it?" Xander asked, hoping that he hadn't offended her, positive that he didn't want the powerful woman angry at him.

"It's a recipe that I picked up in France. Its called Boeuf Bourguignonne. Its really wonderful." Reef said as she placed the food into a bowl and set the bowl onto the table in front of Xander.

"Spike calls you his sister, why's that?" Xander asked shortly before he started eating.

"I'm a witch and I'm not completely human. My mother was an elf and my father was human. But that's not really important to the story. I first met Spike in 1961 when I had been captured by a group of humans who wanted to drain me of my power. To make a long story short Spike saved me and as a result became my blood brother. Since then we've only seen each other a couple of times but he saved my life and I consider him my brother. If he ever needs me I will be there for him as he will be there for me." Reef said.

Xander picked up his now empty bowl and quickly washed it, eager to discuss his plan with Spike. Walking into the lounge he found Spike and Reef talking quietly, he heard Spike mention Dru and stopped.

"What's wrong, love?" Spike asked concerned at the way Xander was behaving.

"You mentioned Dru, are you going back to her?" Xander said in a low voice.

"I love you Xander and I'm never going to leave you. I was just telling Reef where Dru was because she asked." Spike said as he walked over to Xander, taking in how afraid the man looked.

"You promise?" Xander asked as he stared Spike in the eyes.

"I promise." Spike said, pulling Xander into a tight embrace.

"I need to go to Sunnydale to see the others." Xander said, knowing that Spike wouldn't want him to go.

"There is no way you're going there, they'll hurt you." Spike growled not wanting Xander to be hurt.

"I need to tell them what's happening but can we move somewhere else. I don't want to live in Sunnydale." Xander replied.

"Sure, why don't you go and get changed and I'll make some phone calls." Spike said, letting go of Xander's hand.

As soon as Xander went upstairs, Spike reached for Reef's telephone and called a number from memory.

"It's Will, I need your help." Spike said as soon as he heard the familiar voice on the other end of the line.

"I'll help you, what's happened?" Angel replied, the bond between Sire and Child too strong to deny.

"I've found my mate and we need to get out of Suunyhell." Spike answered not revealing the identity of his mate.

"I'll get a room ready for you tonight." Angel said as he put the phone down.

*****
Part 8

Spike looked up as Xander entered the room, wearing a pair of black jeans and a red shirt that caused Spike's eyes to shine with lust. Xander walked over to the gaping Spike and gently held his hand, pulling the vampire towards the door.

"We won't have to be there long but I can't leave without telling them. I have a duty to tell my pack that I'm leaving." Xander said trying to reassure Spike, at the same time knowing that the confrontation with his friends was going to be painful.

Spike arched his eyebrow when he heard Xander refer to the team as his pack, he wondered if the boy realised just how often he did it. Just what had happened to make the boy think like that? Spike asked himself as he opened the door, waving goodbye to Reef.

"Thanks for letting us stay. You are a great person." Xander said as he hugged Reef, feeling a bond with her.

"You're not so bad yourself. Take care and watch out for Spike." Reef replied as she watched Xander leave, closing the door tightly behind him.

"So did you sort out somewhere for us to stay?" Xander asked as he got into the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt in a hurry when he remembered Spike's driving on the way there.

"Yeah but you won't like it." Spike said, knowing that Xander wasn't friendly with Angel. Spike could understand only too well, he didn't like Peaches either but their bond of pain and blood was one thing he could always depend upon.

"Why we're not going to stay with Deadboy are we?" Xander asked, turning to look at the vampire when Spike didn't answer simply starting the car and heading towards Sunnydale.

"We are, aren't we? Oh that's just great, have you forgotten how much Angel hates me?" Xander asked worried that Angel would turn them away.

"You might be surprised." Spike answered remembering the way Angel was obsessively protective of Xander. Angelus had been a lot more blatant, declaring that no one was to go near Xander, spending nights watching the mortal from afar.

"You don't mean that he had a thing for me, do you? That's just gross, I mean its Angel." Xander said at the same time trying to banish the images from his mind.

"Don't worry, love. He'll let us stay, he is my Sire." Spike said, taking hold of Xander's hand when he noticed the fear pouring off the mortal.

**********

Xander looked at the house opposite the car fear and anger viying for control, eventually anger won. He was going to tell them that he was leaving and that was it. There was no way he and Spike could stay here it was too dangerous for both of them and Xander had gotten tired of feeling unwanted. True friends were supposed to be there for you, he could honestly say that none of the Slayerettes had noticed him for the last year.

"Love, you have to get out of the car." Spike said in a low tone, gently caressing Xander's hand with his finger.

"I know but I'm just worried about what's going to happen." Xander said in the same tone.

"Don't worry I won't let them hurt you." Spike growled out.

"Its not me I'm worried about." Xander answered knowing that at least one of his former friends would try and vampire.

"We can handle them together." Spike said, leaning over to place a chaste kiss on Xander's cheek.

Together the couple got out of the car and walked over to Giles' house, Xander holding Spike's hand in a crushing grip. Spike knocked on the door, and not waiting for a reply walked in, using the key he had "borrowed" from Buffy.

"Xander its good to see you." Giles said, his eyes focusing on their joined hands.

"I'm leaving with Spike." Xander said, ignoring everyone wanting to get it over with as fast as possible.

"Are you crazy? You can't go with him. He's Spike." Buffy said patronisingly looking straight at Xander.

"I'd never hurt, Xan." Spike said at the same tome trying to stop himself turning into his game face.

"I love him and I'm not going to hang around for you to hurt him. I know he won't hurt me." Xander said with a small smile.

"Its your choice, Xander. Him or us, you can't have both." Willow said, confident that her friend would choose her.

"I'm going with Spike, if you were truly my friends you wouldn't have asked." Xander said, turning to walk out of the door.

As Xander turned away, Buffy ran to the couple carrying her usual stake. Seconds before she could thrust it into Spike's chest, Xander reached out his arm to stop her, catching the stake as it touched Spike's shirt.

Xander automatically changed his face into that of a vampire's an involuntary action to protect what was his. With his free arm he pushed Buffy back with all his strength, smiling when Buffy hit the wall and fell unconscious.

Spike led Xander out of the house, letting Xander go ahead so that he could watch the Slayerettes just in case they decided to attack again. Once they were outside, the couple ran to the car, Xander quickly fastening his seatbelt as Spike pulled the car away from the kerb with a loud screech.

"That went well." Xander said, laughing when he spied the look of bewilderment on Spike's face.

"What are you talking about, Xan. They attacked us." Spike said, as he took a quick look at his lover, at the same time swerving the car off the interstate.

"I thought at least one of us would come out bleeding and they didn't try another spell on me." Xander said seriously.

"You caused that car to crash, by the way." Xander continued when Spike quickly changed lanes.

"Anybody dead?" Spike asked happily.

"Well the cars on fire and no one's moving so yeah." Xander said with a smile at the look of pleasure on Spike's face.

Two hours later Spike stopped the car outside the offices of Angel Investigations, a wide smile on his face as he looked over to find Xander asleep. Quietly getting out of the car, he went to the trunk and grabbed a black blanket.

Opening the passenger door, Spike wrapped Xander tenderly before picking up the mortal, adjusting the cover so that Xander was completely covered. He made his way to Angel's office, stopping to kick the door open, his hands full.

"Will, come in. I assume that's your mate?" Angel said as he saw his Childe tenderly checking on his cargo.

"Yeah but be quiet Peaches, he's only just gone to sleep." Spike said as Angel approached.

"There's a couch in my office, you can put him there." Angel replied as he led the way, noting how Spike gently placed his cargo down, readjusting the covers.

Angel took a quick look at the man in Spike's arms, eager to see the man his Childe was so attached to. When he saw Xander he let out a low growl and stared at Spike.

"What are you doing? If you've hurt him, I'll kill you." Angel shouted at Spike.

"Touch him and you're dust." Xander said, holding a stake against Angel's back.

*****
Part 9:

Angel turned to face Xander, to explain his reasons and stopped. The sight of Xander's vampire face causing desire to flood his veins. He had never imagined Xander would make such a beautiful vampire.

"Xander, you don't understand. He might hurt you." Angel said as soon as he found his voice.

"Spike would never hurt me. If you ever threaten him again I'll kill you." Xander said calmly as he reached to pull Spike to him..

"I love him Angelus." Spike said as he moved to stand next to Xander, knowing that the mortal was angry and afraid of what Angel might do.

Angel stopped when he heard Spike's calm words, he knew just how much it took for Spike to say that especially to him. He knew that his Childe would never hurt someone he was in love with but that wasn't really the problem. Angel was angry that his Childe had Xander, the boy Angel had loved and desired for years, and was still in love with.

"I won't hurt him, Xander but I'm only trying to protect you." Angel said as he held out his hand to the boy.

Xander took Angel's hand the vampire visage leaving his face as he realised the threat to Spike was gone. He turned to look at Spike and placed a small kiss on the blonde's cheek.

"So were are we staying, Deadboy?" Xander asked, eager to go back to sleep.

"Your room is next to mine." Angel said as he walked towards the elevator, the other two following him.

***********

"Don't even think about going after him, Peaches. He's Mine." Spike growled, the younger vampire had noticed the looks his sire had been giving Xander and recognised them after spending so long with Angelus.

"I'm not going to do anything unless Xander wants me to." Angel replied with a covert look at the mortal who was busy searching the kitchen for something to eat.

Spike wasn't entirely reassured by his Sire's response he knew just how good Angelus was at manipulation. Spike walked over to Xander and pulled the mortal into a quick hug, needing to feel Xander's body against his.

"Deadboy, you got any food in this place?" Xander asked from inside Spike's arms.

"I'll go and buy something for you to eat." Angel said, knowing he couldn't expect Xander to go without food and not wanting Xander to go outside in the daylight where he couldn't protect him.

As Angel walked out the door, Xander let out a sigh of relief happy that it was just him and Spike. He needed to talk to Spike when he was sure that Angel wouldn't over hear. He quickly sat down and waited for Spike to follow. The vampire sat down and looked at Xander in fear. Spike couldn't help but feel afraid when he saw the look on Xander's face.

"What's wrong, Xan?" Spike asked unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.

"Spike I love you but I have something I need to tell you." Xander said, looking down at his hands.

"I've had a crush on Angel for a while. I know what it looked like but I never really hated him. I was afraid because he was the first man I was attracted to, okay vampire but you get the idea. I thought I was over it but I guess I'm not, because when I saw him today those feelings came back. I'm confused Spike, I love you but I think I love Angel as well." Xander said hating himself because he was hurting Spike.

"What about what you said in the car?" Spike said half to himself.

"I guess I was trying to convince myself, I'm sorry Spike." Xander said, reaching out to take Spike's cold hand in his.

"Do you love him more than you love me?" Spike asked at the same time thinking of ways to kill Angel.

"No I love you both the same but I don't know what to do." Xander said as he looked up into Spike's eyes.

"You love me?" Angels voice echoed in the sudden silence.

*****
Part 10:

Xander turned in shock, a part of him wanting Angel to know his feelings while the rest of his mind insisted ignorance was safest. Xander closed his eyes but when he opened them Angel was still standing there looking back with a mix of confusion, joy and fear in his face.

"Er, hi. Just how much did you here?" Xander asked Angel, a part of his mind registering that Spike was standing next to him, one arm wrapped possessively around Xander's waist.

"I heard you say that you loved me as well as Spike." Angel replied smiling at Xander, before glaring at his childe, not liking the fact that Spike was by His Xander.

"That's not good. Angel, I'm too confused right now to go into what this means. All I want is to sleep and eat." Xander said, knowing that the topic was too big to get into right now.

"Love, why don't you wait in the bedroom, while Peaches and I have a little talk." Spike said soothingly not wanting Xander to get upset.

With a careful look at the two vampires, Xander moved towards the bedroom. But before he could get there, Angel surprised pulled the boy into his arms and placed a chaste kiss on Xander's head. Xander quickly removed himself from Angel's embrace, picked up the bag of Chinese food and walked into the bedroom in a shocked trance.

As soon as Xander left the room, Spike ran up to his Sire and punched the elder vampire in the face, smirking when Angel fell into the wall from the impact. Angel growled at Spike before continuing to the kitchen, wanting to get Xander comfortable before he discussed the matter with his errant childe.

Angel quickly unpacked the bags, and looked at the food on the counters. He had no idea what Xander liked so he had bought a little of everything and a couple of bars of chocolate knowing how much Xander loved it.

"Lets make this clear, Xander is mine..I hate you and if you ever hurt Xander I'll kill you." Spike said, wanting nothing more than to claim Xander as his and drive a stake through Angel's heart.

"I won't hurt him, I'll never hurt him. If Xander loves me that means I've got a chance." Angel replied before leaving the kitchen to research the topic in the library. He knew that as Spike's true mate Xander should never love another so something had gone wrong.

Spike followed Angel out of the room but instead of going to research he quickly opened the door of Xander's bedroom to spend the night next to his love. As Spike moved onto the bed, he detected Xander's heartbeat increase and looked at the mortal in concern. Satisfied that Xander wasn't having a nightmare, Spike moved so that he was holding Xander and closed his eyes.

*********

Dreamscape.

Xander was standing in a large empty white room, the silence was starting to make him feel nervous when a woman appeared. The woman was black with violet eyes and long black braided hair, as Xander watched her he got the feeling that he was being studied and shivered.

"Alexander Harris. My name is Helen and I'm here to help you. I am one of the people who keeps the balance in the universe but you upset the balance." Helen said her voice calm.

Xander couldn't help but wonder what would happen to him now. Would she kill him simply because he existed? Xander thought to himself as he watched her and waited.

"Don't worry we won't kill you. The problem is that you are the True mate to the demon inside William the Bloody but you are also the Soulmate of Angel. This upsets the balance, you cannot be both. I am here to ask you to chose between the two. Once you make your choice it cannot be reversed. After you make your choice the timeline will shift to correct itself." Helen said as she smiled at him seeing that it was a little much for Xander to take in.

"What is your choice, Alexander? Chose wisely for your choice will change the future." Helen said.

Xander swallowed twice and said. "My choice is.."

*****
Part 11:

"My choice is Spike, he's the one I want to be with." Xander said, wondering what would happen now.

"So be it." Helen said, her eyes flashing blue as she disappeared in a flash of blinding white light.

Xander opened his eyes with a groan, thinking to himself that he had the weirdest dreams. Turning over Xander wasn't that surprised to find Spike lying next to him, although he was disappointed to see that the vampire was still fully dressed.

Xander knew exactly why Spike hadn't undressed, it was the vampire's way of looking after him. He knew that Spike wouldn't push their relationship, instead letting Xander make the first move, this small consideration meant the world to Xander. This and other things like it were part of the reason he had chosen Spike. Spike made him feel loved, needed and desired for the first time in his life. Xander knew that the feelings he had for Angel were different to those he had for Spike, with Angel he was constantly afraid that Angelus would return. But Xander loved everything about Spike, from the graceful way Spike fought to Spike's almost obsessive need to protect him.

Leaning down he placed a small kiss on Spike's cool lips, deepening the kiss when Spike's arms moved up to his neck. Xander looked down into Spike's blue eyes and wondered why he had never noticed how beautiful Spike was. Xander broke the kiss, wanting to take the next step at the same time worried that he would have flashbacks of the rapes.

"Spike, I'm ready to go further." Xander said, knowing that the vampire needed to hear the words.

"Are you sure?" Spike asked, hope in his eyes.

"I'm sure." Xander answered at the same time moving one hand to the edge of Spike's T-shirt.

With a mischievous grin, Xander quickly removed the top and stared at Spike's pale skin. Moving on instinct, Xander teased one of the vampire's nipple's causing Spike to moan loudly. Licking his lips, Xander lowered his mouth to the hard nub and gently caressed it with his mouth.

"Love, if you don't stop that it'll be over in a matter of seconds." Spike said, panting.

Xander moved back and took in the sight before him. Spike was panting, his eyes slightly golden as he struggled for control. Xander had never seen Spike look so sexy.

"You seem to be a bit over dressed for this." Spike said as he ripped Xander's red shirt throwing it to the floor.

The pair quickly relieved the other of their clothes, their arousal soaring with each touch. Spike pushed Xander back onto the bed and slowly kissed his way down the mortal' body, stopping to dip his tongue into Xander's naval. With a smirk, Spike moved lower, avoiding the weeping, painfully hard cock, instead placing small kisses on Xander's thighs.

With a low growl, Xander grabbed the vampire and pulled Spike towards him, thrusting his tongue in and out of Spike's mouth suggestively. Spike moved away, causing Xander to let out a low moan of disappointment. Then Spike was back, a bottle of massage oil in one hand.

"Xan, I want you inside me." Spike whispered as he passed the oil to Xander. Spike moved so that he was on all fours and waited. Xander, liberally coated his fingers in oil, gently inserting them into Spike's puckered opening. Xander gently moved his fingers, wanting to make sure Spike was ready for him. Spike pushed backwards wanting Xander to move deeper. Xander removed his finger's from inside Spike and coated his impatient cock.

"I want to see your face." Xander said to Spike as he lay down on the bed.

Spike quickly moved so that he was straddling the mortal, both groaning when Xander's cock slid inside Spike's heat. Xander was lost in the feeling, he had never felt anything so tight and hot. Xander gripped Spike's hips urging the vampire to move. With a loving look at the mortal Spike started bouncing on Xander's cock so that just the tip was inside him before slamming his body back down, each thrust hitting that spot inside him. Spike could feel the orgasm building inside him and bit down into Xander's neck. The taste, and smell of the blood was all he needed, Spike came onto Xander's chest with a growl. The tightening of Spike's muscles pulled the orgasm from Xander who bit down into Spike's neck as he came. The pair collapsed in a sticky heap.

*****
Part 12:

When Xander next awoke it was to the feeling of someone running their fingers through his hair. Opening his eyes he gave a contented sigh and leaned up into Spike's touch, letting out a small whimper when Spike stopped.

"Spike, I had a pretty weird dream last night. I was in large room with this woman who told me to chose between you and Angel. I picked you. I love you, Spike." Xander said knowing that he had to tell Spike what had happened.

"You picked me??" Spike asked with disbelief, no one had ever picked him before, except Dru and she didn't count.

"Yes I picked you. You're mine now Spike, forever." Xander said as he ran one finger across Spike's chest.

Xander knew that they had to move but he wanted nothing more than to spend eternity in bed with Spike. The reality was that he had to get up and see Angel, he was sure the vampire had questions for him.

"Where are you going?" Spike asked as Xander got out of the bed.

"We've got to see Angel and I don't plan on doing it naked. Have you our bags from the car yet?" Xander replied as he looked at the clothes he had been wearing the night before, clothes that were full of tears.

"The actress put them by the door, why do you want to see Peaches?" Spike asked, jealousy creeping into his voice.

"I suppose I should explain what happened last night." Xander replied, a part of him happy that Spike was jealous.

Xander quickly pulled on the jeans and a blue tank top from his bag. A part of him was sad that he had missed Cordelia; he would have loved to see her reaction. 'Had she come in while they were exhausted from their love making?' Xander asked himself. He smirked when Spike jumped out of the bed, clearly not wanting Xander to see Angel alone.

Xander walked out of the bedroom, Spike a step behind. There was no way he was going to let his Xan speak to Angel without his supervision. It wasn't that he didn't trust Xander it was that he didn't trust Angel.

"Hi Angel. I think we need to talk." Xander said as he walked into the lounge where Angel was reading in silence.

Angel nodded as Xander sat down opposite him, Spike sitting on the arm of Xander's chair.

"I've found out why I had feelings for you as well as being in love with Spike. There was a mistake and I became your soulmate as well as Spike's demon's mate. I was asked to make a choice and I chose Spike. The love I once had for you is gone." Xander said, feeling slightly guilty that Angel had lost out on meeting his soulmate.

Angel stared at Xander unsure of what to say, a part of him was angry that Xander had made the decision without asking him. Then the impact of what Xander said sunk in, he had lost his soulmate. 'Did that mean he would spend his life alone?' Angel thought as he saw the loving way Spike was looking at Xander. As angry as he was he was happy for his Childe, he had accomplished what few demons had ever done. Spike had found his mate, the one person who would complete him but who also had the same fierceness and darkness inside him as Spike had.

"So what now Peaches?" Spike drawled, seeing that Angel was about to start brooding one again.

"You and Xander can live with me. Will Buffy come looking for you?" Angel said, knowing that he couldn't turn Spike away now when he needed him, he had done that too many times before. He would not fail his Childe again.

"I don't think so. They asked me to chose between them and Spike. I made my choice." Xander said with a bitter smile.

"At least we won't have to worry about her trying to kill you then. Do you want to work with me?" Angel said, looking at the couple.

"Sure, as long as you'll let me help." Xander answered for the both of them, remembering the way he had been treated in Sunnydale.

"It'll be good to have my family back." Angel said finally, he had spent too much time alone and as weird as it was he had missed his annoying Childe.

"Family, I like the sound of that." Xander said half to himself, a family was one thing he had never had in Sunnydale, his parents spent most of their time drunk, or hitting him and his friends had treated him like a pest.

*end*