*****

The vampire looked around confused, a second ago he was in his cell waiting for his Master and now he was in Sunnydale park. Something was wrong though; he couldn't see any sign of the vampires he knew were always prowling at night.

Hearing the sound of a well-known voice the vampire known as Puppy trembled, he was going to in trouble now! He frowned when the Master appeared a strange sound filling his ears. Then the vampire realised it was a heartbeat which was wrong! Master didn't have a heartbeat. Looking at the approaching figure Puppy wondered if it was truly his Master, on recognising the grace and unmistakable air of danger Puppy knew that despite the heartbeat it was his Master.

Slowly moving towards the man Puppy kneeled awaiting the punishment he knew would come. Looking at ground Puppy pleaded, "Master, p.please take me back home with you."

Xander stared at the vampire at his feet in a mixture of shock and confusion. Then he remembered what the alternate Willow had said about Angel being the pet of her and his counterpart. He realised it wasn't Deadboy at his feet, but Puppy.

Xander said gently, "Get up." Seeing that it was having no effect on the shaking vampire Xander said sternly, "I said get up Angel! You are to come with me."

Puppy quickly stood knowing that his Master was unhappy with him but not knowing why. Was his Master going to let Willow punish him this time? He hoped not, he hated her and knew she was the really cruel one. His Master might punish him but he knew that his Master loved him not like her, Willow hated him and the relationship he had with his Master.

The pair walked in silence to a small house looking in the window Puppy recognised the Watcher and looked at his Master in confusion. What was his Master doing associating with the White Hats? Was it part of a plan to take the group down from the inside?

Opening the door Giles asked in confusion, "Xander? What are you doing here with Angel?"

"This isn't Deadboy, G-Man." Xander said walking inside stopping when the vampire failed to follow him.

Giles said exasperated, "Come in, we haven't got all day." He frowned when the vampire only stared at the ground stubbornly.

"Not this again! Come in now!" Xander said to the vampire shocking the others who had been drawn to the door by Giles' words.

Puppy walked inside standing next to Xander, not reacting when Willow and Buffy moved closer to look at him.

"Why is he waiting for you to tell him what to do?" Willow shouted in confusion causing the vampire to back up against Xander.

"Has he hurt you? If he has I'll deal with it." Buffy asked glaring at the vampire knowing there was something wrong with Xander.

"You're scaring him!" Xander said to the others noticing the way the vampire was now as close to him as possible without touching him.

"Bloody Hell what happened to Peaches!" Spike shouted seeing his sire cowering in fear.

Xander replied to the group, "That's why I'm here."

Xander whispered to the brunette vampire, "I won't let them hurt you. Come with me."

Spike raised an eyebrow at these words wondering why Xander was so commanding at tender at the same time especially to Angel. As far as he knew Xander hated Angel as much as he did.

Puppy nodded at the command and followed Xander, taking his customary place at Xander's feet. The others sat down not remarking at the unusual seating arrangement knowing Xander would explain everything.

Xander said calmly, "I found him in the park. I figured you might know some reason why he's here."

"I'll look for some prophecies, but I can't think of anything." Giles said seriously.

Willow offered cheerfully, "He can stay with me until we find out how to get him home."

The dark haired vampire started shaking only imagining what would happen to him when she got him alone. He knew this must be his punishment, looking at his Master Puppy was shocked to see that there wasn't a trace of anger in the man's eyes.

"Is that okay with you?" Giles asked Angel figuring that he should ask seeing how everything was probably confusing for the vampire at the moment.

Puppy said submissively, "If my Master wishes it to be so."

"Who's your Master?" Buffy asked confused.

Moving his head to look at Xander Puppy answered, "He is and always will be."

Dawn asked eagerly, "What's your name?"

"Everyone calls me Puppy," Puppy replied before turning to look at Xander, "Do you wish me to go with her Master, as punishment?"

Xander asked shocked, "Why do you think I'm punishing you?"

"Whenever I upset my Master he gives me to her. She uses me or tortures me until he comes and gets me."

Knowing he had to carefully word his response so it was something Puppy could understand Xander said seriously, "You're not being punished. You've been good."

"Thank you Master," Puppy said happily.

"Don't talk to Angel like that. He's not a pet!" Buffy spat at Xander.

Puppy growled and grabbed the Slayer by the neck, intending to kill her for talking to his Master like that. No one was allowed to treat his Master with such disrespect!

"Let her go!" Willow said angrily trying to push the vampire away from Buffy but the vampire was too strong.

Puppy asked Xander, "Do you wish me to kill her for you, Master?"

"No. Come with me, Angel!" Xander said holding one hand out for Puppy not noticing the look of joy on the vampire's face.

"As you wish, Master." Puppy replied dropping the slayer immediately and taking the offered hand.

The pair left the house with Xander taking the lead not noticing the look of shock and amazement on the faces of the others.

"What just happened?" Willow said looking at the others in confusion.

Giles explained, "We just met Angel's alternate. At least Angels not here to confuse matters further."

"Xander's treating Puppy like a pet," Buffy whined.

Spike growled at the stupidity of the Slayer, "He's only treating him the way Puppy needs to be treated. Got to say, I always knew the whelp would make a good vamp."

"What makes you say that?" Dawn asked curious.

Spike explained slowly, "To control a Master vampire and make him submissive as his counterpart has done with Puppy, you have to be very powerful, ruthless and evil."

*******

"When did you last feed?" Xander asked as he locked the front door.

Puppy swallowed, "Two days ago, Master."

Walking into the kitchen Xander said, "I'll get you some blood. Don't call me Master."

"As you wish, Lex." Puppy replied happy his Master wasn't angry with him.

"Lex?" Xander questioned as he poured a bad of blood into a pan and slowly started heating it.

"What I call you when we are alone," Puppy explained standing slightly behind the man.

Xander said seriously, " Call me Alex, I'm not my counterpart so you shouldn't call me by his name. What did my double call you when we are alone?"

"Lus short for Angelus."

Xander was confused; his counterpart had a weird relationship with Puppy. The fact that they had special names for each other was obviously a sign that they cared for each other beyond the obvious Master/slave relationship.

"Do you have a soul?" Xander asked wanting to know if the vampire was a threat.

"My soul and my demon live together and I switch between the two as needed. Is that a sufficient explanation, Alex?"

Placing the heated blood in a wine glass with a smile Xander said, "Yeah, here's your blood. Can I call you Angelus, instead of Lus? That's my counterpart's name for you and I'm not him."

"Of course. Can you tell me a little about this dimension? Angelus said with a grin.

When it was just the two of them, Angelus behaved differently than how he acted in public but Xander liked the way Angelus acted when they were alone. Angelus didn't seem afraid of him, more awed Xander felt.

"The main difference is that Buffy came to Sunnydale. Here Buffy, the Slayer, killed the Master and stopped his ascension so I was never turned."

"Is there another Angel here?" Angelus asked anxiously.

Xander nodded, "Deadboy used to live here but he's in LA now. He lost his soul when he was with Buffy and tried to kill us all."

"Are you involved with this Deadboy?" Angelus asked worriedly, he had hoped that he would be able to be with this Xander. He liked this mortal Xander a lot more than he did the vampire Xander from of his own universe.

Xander laughed, "No, Angelus. He was seeing Buffy and she literally sent him to Hell after he lost his soul. As a result the relationship ended and he moved away."

"Can we go to the pond?" Angelus asked feeling more relaxed with this Xander than he felt with his own Master.

"Sure. It is one of my favourite places in Sunnyhell. I used to go there when my parents."

"Hit you." Angelus finished the sentence before continuing, "So did the Xander from my dimension. He's a lot like you, sure he was cruel, but that's kind of expected when you're a vampire."

Xander said thoughtfully, "It seems the only difference between the two of us is that he was turned and I wasn't. It's kind of weird to think that I can become him."

Angelus nodded, "I guess. Are we going now, Alex?"

"Sure. Let me get some supplies," Xander said placing a couple of stakes in the belt of his jeans knowing better than to go out in Sunnydale without taking precautions.

*******

Five minutes later they had arrived at the pond, the place that had always been Xander's sanctuary. It was a place where he could rant, and shout without fear that someone was going to overhear him.

Xander said half to himself, "Today has been weird. I feel like something important has started but I don't know what."

"Maybe you're not supposed to know," Angelus said helpfully from his place on the ground.

"I guess, I'll find out when I need to know." Xander said with a shrug smiling at the vampire.

Angelus asked with a small growl, "Why Spike is with you, Alex?"

"Earlier there was a group called the Initiative who experimented on demons. They put chips in the head of demons to stop them from attacking humans, Spike's got one."

"What happened to the Initiative?" Angelus said wanting to punish these humans for what they had done to his childe.

Xander snarled, "They were destroyed. It was barbaric, what they were doing! Demons are only acting according to their nature. Anyway, Spike can't protect himself from humans. Spike works with us, even though he's tried to kill us a couple of times."

"He tried to kill you?" Angelus asked in shock.

"Yeah. To tell the truth, I feel sorry for Spike. Deadboy has ignored him, and Dru's disappeared so he doesn't have anyone."

Angelus smiled, "He has me. He's my childe and I protect my family."

Xander's eyes glowed green, "I understand. Its normal to want to protect your Pack."

"Pack?" Angelus looked at him bemused, Xander's words were confusing.

"Yeah. I was possessed a couple of years ago, by a hyena. Like your soul and demon live together, my hyena, soldier and soul live together."

"So you understand," Angelus said with a smirk.

"Yeah. Want to come to the bronze?"

"Yeah. In my world we used to go hunting there. It was fun."

Xander ordered quickly, "You can't kill anyone!"

Watching the vampire's face fall Xander continued, "But you can feed, I guess. Just don't tell anyone that I let you bite humans? The gang will freak if they find out."

"Thanks. Don't worry, I'll make sure no one sees my face." Angelus said with a grin.

*****
Part 2:

"Having a good time?" Xander drawled as he looked at the vampire.

Angelus looked up from the girl he was tracking and grinned. This was *fun* and a lot like he used to do with his family. There was no other feeling in the world like the rush you got from tracking and destroying your prey, in some ways it was better than sex.

Angelus answered as the girl left The Bronze, "Of course."

Xander said, "I'll distract her. Follow us and once we're away from everyone you can feed."

Xander led the way out of the heaving club to the cool night. The girl was outside waiting for someone by the look of things. She was about twenty with long black hair, and reminded Angelus a lot of his Dru.

"Are you okay?" Xander said charmingly.

The girl looked at him, "I'm waiting for a friend."

Xander said with a smile, "Oh, you're Karen? Lucy asked me to give you a message. She said that she would see you tomorrow, she left with some guy."

"Again? Thanks." Karen said with a groan as she looked around.

Ignoring the amused vampire behind him Xander said, "Do you want me to walk you home? It's not safe to walk home alone around here at night.

"That would be great!" The girl answered and the pair started walking.

They had been walking for about ten minutes when Angelus moved out from the shadows. His Master had done very well, better than he had imagined seeing how it would be the first time this Xander had hunted.

Angelus grabbed the girl by the neck and pulled her into the alley. With a grin, he's fangs descended and he bit into the inviting flesh. The blood was everything he had thought it would be. It tasted of fear, anger, hope and desire. Remembering his orders not to kill, he withdrew his fangs and let the girl fall to the ground.

As he fell into step with Xander Angelus commented, "You were very good, Alex. Done this before?"

Xander grinned arching an eyebrow, "Leading someone into the arms of a vampire? No but its not that much different to hunting with the Pack."

"Where are we going now?" Angelus asked as they walked through one of Sunnydale's many graveyards.

Xander sighed, "Home. Can't risk Buffy finding us. She'd stake both of us if she found out I helped you feed."

"Why don't you leave? We can go somewhere else."

Xander's eyes glowed, "I can't abandon my Pack. They're mine and I protect what's mine."

Angelus said thoughtfully, "You know this hyena seems to bring out a lot of the traits your double had. Maybe in this dimension you were possessed by the hyena, instead of becoming a vampire."

"It's possible. The universe works on a system of balance." Xander said ending the conversation.

*******

Doyle groaned as the vision hit him, a jumble of images he couldn't understand. Gasping he looked over at Angel, "We have to Sunnydale. That guy Cordy used to date, Xander? He's in trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Angel said worried. He had always liked Xander. The mortal was the only one with the guts to stand up to him and to Angelus. It was something you had to admire.

Doyle said confused, "I saw a vamp biting his neck. The vamp was saying something about his master. There was some sort of meeting and then a demon attacked."

"Is he going to die?" Cordelia asked as she grabbed the car keys.

Doyle said apologetically, "Maybe. We have to get there and save him."

"I'm not letting Xander die," Angel announced as the three left the office.

*******

"Where am I sleeping?" Angelus asked hopefully.

Xander looked at the vampire who was staring at the floor again. Shrugging he asked, "Where do you normally sleep?"

"With Lex unless I've made him mad." Angelus said honestly.

Xander said thoughtfully, "You can sleep with me. Don't steal all the covers or try to bite me. I will hurt you, if I have to."

"I won't hurt you Master."

Xander ignored the vampire's term of address figuring it was ingrained and he wouldn't be able to break Angelus of the habit yet. He remembered that any pet had to have simple rules, and wondered what rules Angelus was given.

Xander said seriously once they were both sitting on the bed, "What are the rules you were given?"

Angelus grinned remembering this game. Master always made him repeat the rules so he would remember them, "Do as you say. Always tell you the truth. Never attack you. Only kill with your permission. Never embarrass you. Only answer to Puppy to everyone but you."

Xander was shocked that the rules were so reasonable. He had expected the rules to be worse for some reason, maybe he was just being a little cynical. Grabbing a T-Shirt and boxers he walked to the bathroom intending to shower and change.

Xander walked out of the bathroom twenty minutes later to find Angelus staring expectantly at the bathroom door. He had thought Angelus was capable of being independent, or at least that's what the vampire's earlier behaviour had told him.

Xander took a black T-shirt from his drawers, "You can wear this for bed. Are you injured anywhere?"

"Yes Master." Angelus answered looking at the floor.

"Where and who did it?" Xander asked growling slightly. The vampire was *his*, no one had the right to hurt what was his!

Angelus said calmly, "My back and Willow. She was angry when Lex stopped her feeding from me. Lex went out to save Spike and Willow got me. The other vampires were too afraid to stop her. Lex killed them when he came back, he was going to fix me up and then I ended up here."

"Take your top off. I'm going to fix your back up. I won't hurt you." Xander said taking the first aid kit from its place under the bed.

Doing as he was told Angelus answered, "I know, Master."

Xander gasped as he took in the marks on Angelus' back. Willow had obviously spent a long time torturing Angelus. The vampire's back was covered in whip marks and what appeared to be burns. Xander started to clean up the wounds. He winced in sympathy when he had to clean the deep gashes with antiseptic but Angelus didn't react. Xander's eyes widened when he saw the scar on Angelus' shoulder, it was an X in a circle.

Xander said seriously before leaving the room. "Okay, get changed. I'll go and heat up the rest of the blood."

Angelus did as his Master instructed and waited. He had detected the increase in Xander's heartbeat, and the scent of anger. He just hoped Xander wasn't angry with him, he had tried to be good.

"Here you go. In future tell me right away if you are injured." Xander said giving the vampire the large glass of blood and placing the jug of heated blood on the bedside table.

Angelus nodded, "Yes Master."

"I'm going to bed. Finish drinking *all* the blood and you can join me," Xander said before getting inside the bed.

Angelus drank quickly, eager to get into his Master's bed. It was the only place he felt truly safe anymore, probably the only place he would feel safe. Getting inside the covers, he waited for his master to tell him what to do. He smiled when Xander wrapped one leg over his body, Angelus closed his eyes finally home.

*******

Angel carefully approached the girl, not wanting to do anything to startle her. If he did, it could mean his death. He grinned when she spun around, a stake in her hand.

"Angel, what are you doing here?"

Angel smiled, "Doyle had a vision. How are you, Willow?"

"Angry and worried. Your alternate, Puppy turned up today," Willow sighed.

Angel frowned, "That could be why I'm here. I guess we should go and see Giles."

"Sure. Does Buffy know you're back?" Willow said as they approached the Watcher's home.

"Not yet. How is she?" Angel said concerned.

"She's a little angry. Puppy tried to kill her. I think she blames Xander."

Angel knocked on the door and waited. He grinned when Giles opened the door looking decidedly annoyed.

Giles gave an exasperated sigh, "Angel, I take it Buffy is in danger?"

"No, Xander is." Angel said ignoring the gasps *that* little announcement caused.

Giles said, "Damn, I was hoping I was wrong."

"What do you mean?" Willow asked her eyes pinning Giles in place.

"Puppy might turn Xander. It would be understandable given the circumstances."

"We have to go and save him!" Angel said worried.

Willow smiled, "Puppy is afraid of Xander, he won't hurt his master."

"His master?" Angel asked a sick feeling in his stomach.

"Yeah. That's what he called Xander." Willow said wondering how Angel would react.

"Shit!" Angel shouted running from the house. He only had an hour before sunrise to get to Xander and save him. He remembered what Doyle had said about whoever bit Xander talking about his master.

Giles and Willow looked at each other before running to the Watcher's car intending on getting to Xander's place to save their friend.

*******

Angel knocked on the door loudly, thankful that his contacts had kept him informed of the exact whereabouts of the Slayerettes. He continued banging when he received no answer, mildly surprised that no one else in the building came to see what all the noise was.

In the bedroom, Xander woke to find his arms full of a shaking vampire. He immediately tried to calm Angelus wondering what had scared the vampire so much. Hearing the loud banging, he growled gently running one hand over Angelus' chest possessively.

"Stay in here until I come back for you. I'll deal with it." Xander said his eyes glowing angrily.

"As you wish, Master. " Angelus said worried that someone could hurt his Master and he would be alone.

Picking up a sword as he headed for the door, Xander growled unhappy that whoever it was had scared *his* vampire. A part of Xander realised that it was a very bad idea to get possessive about a homicidal vampire but it was too late to worry about that. Looking through the peephole he saw it was Angel. All thoughts of restraint left his mind as he remembered what Angel had done to Spike, Xander's Pack member.

"Get the fuck away from me, Angel" Xander yelled the blade at Angel's neck. He smiled at the shock in the vampire's eyes.

Angel's eyes widened in a mix of fear and arousal as he said, "I wanted to make sure you're okay. Doyle had a vision that a vampire was going to bite you. The vampire mentioned his master, so it makes sense that its Puppy."

"One, Puppy won't hurt me. Two, I see you again and you're dust. Get the idea?" Xander said deadly calm.

Angel begged, "Xander, you don't understand! Puppy's dangerous!"

Xander growled as all the different facets of his personality got angry. He snarled, "Don't talk to me like that. I'm not an idiot. Puppy is not a danger to me. If I were you I'd be more worried about someone dusting me."

Xander stopped, sniffing the air for a second he realised Willow and Giles were about to arrive. He didn't have time for them right now, he had to go and help his Pack member.

Giles turned the corner and stopped shocked to see Xander holding a sword at Angel's neck.

Willow questioned, "Xander? What's going on?"

"Nothing, I'm going back to my apartment. I recommend you take Deadboy somewhere, the sun's coming up in 29 minutes and fifteen seconds."

*******

Xander closed the door with a bang, knowing they wouldn't give up. Carrying the sword, he walked into the bedroom unsurprised to find Angelus on the floor, staring at the door and shaking.

Wrapping his arms around the vampire Xander whispered, "Everything will be okay. I'm here, Angelus. I'm not going to leave you."

"I was scared. I thought you were going to be killed," Angelus confessed nervously.

Xander explained gently, "I'm sorry but I couldn't risk someone hurting you."

"Could you stay with me a while? I won't hurt you, I promise."

Xander smiled, "I know you won't hurt me. Come on, this would be a lot more comfortable on the bed."

Xander stood and gently directed the vampire to the bed. Carefully placing the sword so it could be reached from the bed, Xander sat down and gently patted the spot next to him. Angelus sat down and hesitantly reached for Xander's hand. He stopped afraid that his attentions could be unwanted.

Xander simply took the vampire's hand in his and lay down, grinning when the vampire copied him. He realised that he was going to have to be the aggressor, Angelus wouldn't touch him unless Xander gave him a sign that it was okay. He placed his head on the vampire's chest and possessively wrapped his arm over Angelus' chest.

Xander said suddenly, "Listen to me. I'm adding a new rule to the ones you already have."

Angelus looked at the mortal expectantly, he would obey the new rule as his master asked.

Xander smiled reassuringly, "If you want to touch me, you can. However if I tell you to stop then you stop right away. Do you understand?"

Angelus said seriously, "Yes Master. Don't worry I'll obey."

"I know you will. Now we can spend the day relaxing." Xander said with a contented sigh.

Neither noticed Giles watching them through a window in a mix of shock and dread. He had to get Puppy back before his presence changed Xander further. He didn't want to see Xander become as cold and unfeeling as vampire counterpart, he'd kill Puppy before he'd let that happen.

*****
Part 3:

Giles said calmly, "We have to find a way to send Puppy back and Xander will be safe."

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked as she ran into the room.

Angel answered her, "Puppy is going to attack, and possibly kill Xander. We need to save him."

"I'll stake him and that'll take care of the problem," Buffy said with a happy grin.

Willow said remembering Xander's reaction to the vampire, "I don't think there's any need to kill him. All we have to do is send him back to his own dimension."

"We have to kill him. That way he can't hurt Xander." Angel said reasonably.

"I fear it won't be that easy. Xander won't hurt him and Puppy has a soul."

Buffy said moodily, "Okay, no staking but if Puppy even looks at Xander wrong, he's dust."

It was then that Spike strolled in wanting to watch Xander, the whelp was always fun to watch and the way he had reacted to Puppy was interesting. It made Spike think that he might have a chance with the mortal, something he had wanted since he had seen Xander as a soldier on Halloween.

"Peaches, what are you doing here?" Spike snarled at his sire.

Angel said quickly, "I'm here for Xander." Seeing the anger on Spike's face he continued, "Doyle had a vision that a vampire, apparently Puppy is going to bite him. I'm not going to let someone hurt Xander."

Spike laughed, "Puppy bite Xander? That'll never happen."

"I've told them that but they didn't listen." Xander said causing everyone to look at him.

Xander was at the doorway, Angelus at his side. The gang looked at Xander in alarm when they realised that he had one arm around the vampire's waist. The room gaped as they took in Puppy's appearance. The vampire was wearing black jeans and a tight black mesh top and a black leather jacket. On his neck was a black spiked dog-collar, his whole appearance radiated submissiveness. The vampire was just looking at Xander not caring about their audience.

"Hello Pet. How's Puppy?" Spike asked as he walked over to them.

Xander smiled cruelly, "Spike, he's mine and you will treat him with respect."

Angelus just smirked at his master's attitude, it felt good to see Xander defending him. It felt as if Xander really cared. He liked it.

Seeing that the others wanted to speak to him Xander ordered, "Go and discuss what we were talking about last night with Spike. Get something to eat, I'm here if you need me."

"As you wish." Angelus said before moving away, and letting Spike show him to someplace a little more private.

Willow asked as soon as the pair had left the room, "What was that about Xander?"

"I'm looking out for him. Look he won't hurt me and he doesn't deserve to get treated like a rabid dog."

"Puppy attacked me, or have you forgotten that?" Buffy shouted outraged.

Xander said seriously, "I haven't but he was just doing what he was told to do. Protect me."

"No, protect your alternate." Giles countered seeing Xander could have an identity crisis if the situation lasted much longer.

Xander said angrily, "He's in this dimension now so he's automatically accepted me in place of my alternate. Can you just accept him? He's not going to hurt me, he knows not to."

Angelus quickly ran into the room, detecting the increase in his master's heartbeat. He searched the room for any possible threat, growling at the closeness of Willow towards *his* master.

Hearing the growling Xander said, "Angelus!"

"Yes, Alex?" Angelus questioned noticing the way the others had adopted a defensive stance.

Willow said fearfully, "Angelus? But he's going to kill us all!"

Xander looked at Willow saying, "He won't kill you, unless I tell him to." He grinned at Angelus, "She's not a threat. Have you talked to Spike?"

Angelus answered honestly, "No master. We have just finished eating."

"Do you want to stay here or go and talk to Spike?" Xander questioned, he would prefer to keep the vampire close to him.

"I would like to stay with you." Angelus answered waiting for orders.

"Okay, you can stay." Xander said smiling.

As Angelus was walking over, Buffy attacked him. She kicked the vampire in the stomach before punching him in the face. Angelus flew across the room and hit the wall with a thud.

Xander howled in anger. Xander entered the fight, intending to protect his vampire and mate. No one was allowed to hurt what was his. He quickly hit Buffy across the face, causing her to fall to the ground. She quickly jumped back up and Angelus delivered a kick to her chest, while Xander kicked her legs. Buffy fell to the floor, her head hitting the floor twice.

Willow immediately ran over to Buffy. Giles simply raised an eyebrow at the pair wondering just how close Xander was to the vampire.

"Angelus, come here!" Xander said praying the fight hadn't hurt the vampire.

Angelus did as asked and sat down next to his master. At Xander's request he took off his shirt, already knowing he had reopened the wounds.

Xander hissed seeing the blood pouring down his vampire's back. He said annoyed, "Fuck! You've opened them again. I'll clean them up."

"I'll get the first aid kit, pet." Spike said going to the other side of the room.

"Thanks." Xander said taking the first aid kit, he looked up in surprise when Angel gave him some hot water.

Seeing the wounds Angel asked his counterpart, "How did you do this?"

Angelus looked at Xander wanting to know if he should answer. Xander said, "Tell the truth."

"I didn't do them. I was punished," Angelus said with a shrug.

"By Xander?" Spike asked confused by how the vampire could let Xander attend his wounds if they had been inflicted by his doppelganger.

Angry at the accusation against his master Angelus said, "No by Willow."

"Were you trying to escape?" Giles asked seriously, seeing a chance to get the vampire away from Xander.

Angelus laughed at the very idea, "Why would I want to escape? I love my master."

"So why did Willow punish you?" Spike asked annoyed at Angelus evasiveness.

Angelus explained, "My master, Lex, threw her across the room when she tried to feed from me. She was angry with Lex, as she couldn't attack him she attacked me. It was the quickest way to hurt him."

"Why would it hurt him? You're only a pet." Angel said scornfully.

Angelus smiled. "He loves me, has done for about two years. When he first captured me it was about control, power and prestige. Then something changed and he started telling me things about him and just spent time with me."

"Lex had gone to save Spike who had been captured by a demon hunter called Wesley when Willow had some minions deliver me to her room. She whipped me for about two hours, then she poured holy water on me."

"Did Lex find out?" Spike said excitedly imagining the bloodshed.

Angelus nodded, "He came in when she was about to beat me up. He staked her, then he unfastened my chains and took me to my cell."

Giles questioned, "You were hurt and he dumped you in a cell?"

"My cell was like a normal room. The only thing that made it a cell was that I wasn't allowed to leave unless my master was with me."

"What happened then?" Spike asked wanting the story to be finished.

Smirking cruelly Angelus answered, "He set the minions on fire that had helped Willow. He carried me to his room, he had left to get the first aid kit and then I ended up here."

Xander smiled at the vampire in his arms, "Angelus, I've finished cleaning you up. I'll get some more blood and we can leave."

"I'll get it." Angel asked as he left the room.

"Why aren't you trying to kill us all if you've lost your soul?" Giles asked confused.

Xander growled at Giles, "He hasn't lost his soul. No more questions, he's hurt."

Angel gave the blood to his counterpart noticing the way Xander would growl at anyone who looked at the vampire. He started to realise he might have been a little hasty in his assessment of the relationship between the pair.

"We're going. Coming with us, Spike?" Xander asked as he stood up, ignoring the way Angelus had placed an arm around his waist.

"Yeah. Still have to hear about my double don't I?" Spike said with a smirk.

The three walked out the room Angelus as close to Xander as possible while Spike walked on the other side of the mortal. The vampires looked at each other, both communicating the idea that Xander was to be protected at any cost.

Angel watched them leave, jealousy burning in his veins. The worrying part was that he didn't know if he was jealous of Angelus' relationship with Xander or because his childe was with Angelus not him.

As the trio left, Giles realised that if he did kill Angelus he would have Xander after him. He was sure that Xander would kill anyone that hurt the dark vampire. Xander had publicly claimed the vampire as his so he would protect Angelus with his life. Giles was just concerned that Xander would embrace the dark side of his nature to become the master, Angelus needed and expected.

*****