//...// = Thoughts
((...)) = Flashbacks

Notes:
(1) Anya died during the fight with Glory, and Gunn and Fred aren't together anymore.
(2) The song lyrics are from the song: You Were There, by Babyface. A very beautiful song I might add...
(3) Thanks to John for finding the lullaby used in one of the latest chapter. Slumber My Darling was written by Stephen Foster. I would suggest for anyone who can, to download the song before reading the chapter in which it is in, and to play the lullaby while reading. The MP3 version is from Yo-Yo Ma and others.
(4) The lullaby at the very end is from an album called Baby's Bedtime, by Judy Collins. Gaelic Lullaby (at least I think that's the title). Thanks to AJ for finding it for me, even if I didn't use it like I was suppose to.
(5) This is a (late) birthday present for Angel Jade and Lissa.

*****

The young man was on his knees, the other's man cock deep in his mouth.

"Yes, that's it bitch, suck me!"

Knowing what his client wanted, the younger man squeezed his balls lightly and sucked the head of the cock into his mouth.

"Oh, yeah. Who's a good little whore?"

Soon the man was thrusting in the boy's mouth hard and fast.

"Yes, that's it bitch! You got a good little mouth there! Oh yeah!!"

His orgasm near, he tangled his hands in the younger man's hair and threw back his head.

"YES! Swallow it all bitch, you know that's what you've been waiting for!"

The boy swallowed around the other man's cock.

"YES!" And the man came in the boy's mouth. When he was spent he quickly pulled out, fastened his pants and threw some bills on the bed.

"You were good... see you next week..." He left, closing the door behind him.

The boy got up, spiting the rest of the cum in the garbage can and wiping his mouth. He quickly counted the money, making sure it was all there. He tucked it under his bed and stumbled into the bathroom, ready to throw up.

Xander turned on the shower full blast, the water so hot it was nearly scalding

He got in the shower, flinching at the heat, but completely submerged himself in the stream of water.

He grabbed a bar of soap and began scrubbing furiously, desperate to remove any trace of the other man from his body.

Putting down the soap, Xander reached for his toothpaste and smeared a large amount onto the head of his toothbrush. He brushed and brushed, scraping the bristles over his tongue, on his teeth, even the roof of his mouth, determined to remove the taste of the other man's penis and cum.

His gums and mouth bleeding slightly, and his skin red from the heat of the water, Xander stumbled out of the shower, retching. He collapsed near the toilet, sobbing for what he had become.

A few minutes later, the phone startled him. He got up and staggered into his room.

He reached for the phone on the nightstand. "Yes?" He said, his voice slightly scratchy

"Alex? got another client for you... in ten minutes?"

//Can't he even let me breathe?// "Sure..." He said reluctantly. "Oh and Bryce?... can you let me sleep after this one... three in a night is enough..."

"I'll see what I can do... there was a demand for an escort... you sure you can't take it?"

"Sorry, I'm... really not feeling well enough for that... maybe tomorrow..." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Xander knew he was in trouble. //I really don't want this...// He thought as he quickly put on his robe.

"Look boy, they pay you to please them... not feel sick... now, since you already got three tonight, I'll leave the escort to Josh... but you get the escort tomorrow. And I don't want to hear you whine. Now, your client's almost there... I better not hear any complaints..." Not that he ever heard any... damn that boy was good, every one wanted him... he got more clients than all Bryce's other whores...

"You won't Bryce... I'll... be good." Xander said.

As he put the phone back on the cradle, he heard a knock on the door. He quickly looked around and, deciding it was clean enough, went to open the door.

He leaned on the door side, eyeing his client sensuously. "Well gorgeous why don't you come in?" //STUPID Xander! If this was a vamp, you'd be food!//

Soon, he was kneeling on his bed, the other man's cock deep inside his ass.

"Yes baby! Yes!" The other man kept chanting, while slamming his cock in the boy's tight hole.

Xander was moving like a cat, knowing all the movements that drove his clients crazy. He didn't even think about himself... he was soft and didn't care.

The first few times, he had tried to get off, but was reminded that it wasn't the 'moment'. Since then, he had just stopped trying to get hard.

He was panting and moaning, thrusting back on the man's cock, but all this was an act. There was no enjoyment.

"Yes!! OH YES! You're so good bitch! So tight... YES!" The man screamed as he came, spending himself inside Xander's ass.

He got out and slapped the boy's ass cheek once before putting his pants back on.

Xander laid on his chest and looked as the client tossed a few bills on the bed, his body screaming for him to get back in that shower NOW.

He smiled his best sexy smile at the man, as he went out the door without a word. As soon as his client was out, he counted the money and quickly got back under the hot water.

An hour later, he got out and grabbed a bottle of vodka. After drinking about a quarter of it, he dropped on his bed and drifted to a restless sleep.

***

Xander woke up with a start and sat in his bed.

*Dring*

//Well... that wasn't part of the dream...// "'lo?"

"Alex? Good news! Escort time has been advanced... it's at eight. Make me proud boy."

"Bryce..." Xander tried.

"Bye." And Bryce hung up not letting the young man get in a word.

Xander shook his head and placed the phone back on the cradle. //Gonna have to go see the boss... later... for now... shower.// He kicked the air in frustration. "GOD I hate doing an escort!" He looked at the clock. //Five hours... then have to get ready... that's not a lot of time...//

He took another long shower, loving the feel of the water on his face. It was the only time he still felt pure. Getting out he dried off and quickly dressed. As he was coming out of his motel room a voice called to him.

"Hey Alex!"

"Hey Josh!" He said, turning towards the young man. At only nineteen, Josh had more experience then Xander. He had been dragged into prostitution by Bryce himself, who had been a friend of his father, and had had a taste of the young man a couple of years before.

"You doing the escort tonight?" Josh asked shyly. He was always impressed by Xander, his wide shoulders and beautiful eyes... not that he would ever tell the older man.

"Yeah." Xander said bitterly, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulder. "You went yesterday right?" He asked gently.

"Yeah..."

"Sorry 'bout that..."

"No prob... You'd had a long night... I understand... it was kinda fun, at first..."

"At first?" Xander asked worriedly. So many things could happen in this business.

"The guy's kinda bad..." Josh said looking down.

"What'd he do?" Xander asked, even more worried.

"Dragged me in an alley, on our way back... said he had a kink... and Bryce did say the contract involved doing whatever the client wanted... but..." He stopped, not able to continue.

"But what Josh? You know you can tell me anything... I'm not going to tell Bryce." Xander said gently, trying to look in his friend's eyes.

"Well... his... kink included a no condom rule... I tried to... but he just..." Josh blushed and tears welded up in his eyes. "Look it's no biggie..."

"Oh Shit!" Xander exclaimed. "He forced you!"

"Look... Bryce did say..." Josh tried.

"Doesn't matter what that dick said Josh, nobody should force you! And condoms are protection, you can't do that without them!" He didn't tell the young man that most of the time his clients wouldn't put one either. If he wasn't willing to protect himself, at least he could try to protect the boy.

"Don't give me that Xan... I know that Bryce... look, it's not like it never happened before... one more time isn't gonna change anything. And I know you don't use one most of the time either... Bryce directs that kind of client to you..."

"I don't care about myself Josh..." Xander muttered, taken aback by Josh's comment. "You're too young..."

"Don't give me that shit... you're only one year older than I am." Josh said abruptly. "And I've been in this business longer than..."

Xander looked down. "I know... and that's what makes me so angry... Bryce is such an asshole..."

"You've said that countless times Alex... why don't you just leave? You have the choice..." Josh said quietly, squeezing Xander's hand. "You could go... and live a better life... I know it sounds lame, but... you're a great guy Alex, and... this is not for you."

Xander looked at him and sighed. "It's no place for you either Josh..."

"It's not like I have the choice Alex... you do."

//No more than you do... if I left... God only knows what Bryce would do to me...// He resumed walking, not answering Josh's comment. The younger man shrugged and followed.

//I just needed money fast and look where it got me... It's not so bad though... makes me forget... most of the time.// Xander thought, memories threatening to come back to the surface. //It's not like I really have a choice anyway...//

"Alex! Josh!" Bryce greeted them as they entered the motel's office. "How are my two favorites today?" He asked, slapping Josh's ass playfully. Josh blushed in embarrassment and Xander growled at Bryce silently.

"Bryce... I'm fine... now about this escort thing..." He said, trying to use his sensual tone, the one he used on his clients. "What do you want me to do?" He asked, while Josh gave their pimp his part of the last night's tip.

"Wow, my boy, you got a nice tip yesterday!" Bryce exclaimed, counting the money. "I take it you were good..." He said, grabbing a hold of the younger boy's ass. "Alex... you do whatever the client wants..."

//Not really a surprise there.// Xander thought bitterly. He nodded at Bryce and left, smiling encouragingly at Josh. He couldn't stand to be in that room any longer.

For the next few hours, he wandered in the city streets, trying to blend himself to the scenery. Walking, he tried to think about anything but what he had on his mind. Thinking too much always lead to pain and hurt.

Finally, knowing he couldn't put it off any longer, he went back to his room and prepared for the night's work.

*****
Part 2:

Xander got out of the shower and glanced at the clock. "Oh damn! only five minutes left!" He quickly pulled on his pants and passed his shirt over his head.

It was his normal escort wear: tight sleeveless white shirt and black leather pants hanging low on his hips. He put on his shoes and belly button ring, grabbed his hair gel and mussed up his hair a little. He grabbed his coat and left the room, locking the door behind him.

The limousine was just turning up in the motel parking lot and Xander sighed, at least he wasn't late.

The impressive limo stopped in front of him and the door opened. "Get in good-looking."

Plastering his mask on his face and smiling sexily, Xander entered the car.

"Hello gorgeous." The guy inside said. "My name's Luke... you must be Alex. As pretty as Bryce said... mmmm. Even prettier than the one yesterday." He said huskily.

"That's me." He replied seductively. //The one yesterday? It's the same guy? Oh God... that's bad.//

Luke waved at the driver to take off and placed his hand on Xander's thigh.

Xander growled inwardly, but smiled at Luke. "Where are we going?" He asked, his voice sensuously whispering the words in Luke's ear.

"A club I know of... gay club obviously. You'll like it there." Luke answered, watching his hand on Xander. He didn't stop his slow caresses until they reached the bar, Xander growling inwardly all along but playing the game. He was really angry at the guy for what he had done to Josh the night before, but he knew he couldn't say anything or Bryce would be mightily pissed, and that really wasn't of the good.

They arrived at the club and Xander liked it from the start. It was the perfect place to lose yourself in the crowd. The perfect place to just forget. But there was one thing he couldn't forget and it was the man dancing with him, touching him and eyeing him with lust.

Xander danced to the sensuous rhythms, rocking his hips, closing his eyes and losing himself to the beat. After a little while, Luke moved behind him and pressed his chest to the young man's back, grinding his hard cock into Xander's ass.

"I want you beauty." He whispered hoarsely in Xander's ear. "How 'bout we go outside?"

Xander played his part, moaning as he felt the other man's erection poking in his back and nodding.

Luke gently pushed Alex into the alley behind the club, a nasty gleam in his eye. Xander looked back at him in disgust, he knew what was coming next and suddenly decided he wasn't going to just accept it. //Don't care if Bryce said I was suppose to do anything, I just won't take it without a fight. What he did to Josh was wrong!// "I want you to wear a condom." He said seriously. As he spoke he realized what a mistake that was, he was in big trouble now.

Luke smiled wickedly at him. "So you wanna fight huh? Your friend tried that yesterday, and you know what? It just turns me on more, so you can try. But it won't work." He pushed Xander against the wall and reached for his pants. Xander yelled in surprise and tried to get out of the other man's grip. "Don't move." Luke growled knocking the boy's head on the wall as he tried to keep him still. Xander was stunned and filled with fear as he felt the other man fumbling behind him. Luke was about to penetrate the young man dry when Xander heard footsteps coming from behind.

"Get your hands of him!" A strong voice echoed in the alley, the footsteps getting closer fast.

Luke turned his head towards the intruder. Xander listened as if from far away, looking down on the scene. The voice seemed strangely familiar, but his mind was floating, still stunned.

"Gorgeous, you stay out of it. We're doing a little business here and it's none of yours. Now get the hell..." A punch could be heard and Luke screamed in pain, letting go of Xander to clutch at his nose. The young man curled into a ball, on the ground, his eyes closed.

"You broke my nose you fucking jerk! You're gonna pay for this!" More punches were heard and strangled cries drifted to Xander's ears.

"When you mess with one of my friends," The intruder said menacingly. "it is my business." He growled. "Now get the hell away from here, before I eat you alive." He kept on growling, as he lowered Luke to the ground.

"Hey! Whore! Gonna see you real soon and you're gonna pay for what your friend did!" He ran out of the alley and back to the club.

"Xander? Are you all right?" The use of his name and the calm and concerned tone of voice brought the young man back to reality. He turned around and sat up on the ground, sighing in relief. "Angel." He closed his eyes and, taking another deep breath he stood up, Angel helping him. "What are you doing here Deadboy?"

"I don't know... helping you... I guess..." Angel said, thrown away by the boy's tone of voice.

"Well thanks... but no thanks..." Xander started to leave.

"Wait Xander..." Angel hurried to catch up and walked beside him silently. The vampire could smell a lot of other men on Xander. //Oh God... what happened to you Xander?// The other man's words came back to him. //Whore... he called him whore...// "What happened to you Xander?" He worked up the courage to ask what he wanted to know.

Xander shrugged and looked away. "What are you doing in San Francisco?" The young man said clearly trying to change the subject.

"Just passing through... and you never answered me." Angel said, looking at Xander. "What are YOU doing here?"

Xander looked around, then at Angel. "Look, I'd really like to chat... about old times and everything, but I can't... gotta go." //Before Bryce finds out about your little 'rescue' there... which will definitely piss him off... Hell, I'm in for a BAD week after this... fighting for a condom... stupid Xander!// "Work to do and sleep to get..."

"Why don't you come with me? To my hotel room... it's not much, but we could talk." Angel tried.

"Sorry... told you... can't." Xander said hastily, trying to suppress his deception. //I want to... God do I want to... but I can't... Bryce would kill me if I didn't go back tonight...//

"If I said I'd pay, would you come?" Angel said, his voice low and gentle.

"I don't know what you mean." Xander shrugged, looking down.

"Xander..." Angel's voice showed a bit of annoyance. "How much?"

"What?" Xander turned to the vampire, surprised.

"How much do they pay you?" Angel asked again. "How much would it take for your pimp to let you go for a night?"

Xander felt tears burn eyes. He blushed in shame. "How do you know?"

"Well... there's what the guy said earlier which I won't repeat, then there's the fact that you reek of other... numerous I might add... men. I can smell them on you Xander." He shrugged, not wanting to embarrass the boy any more than he already was. "Look, I'm not looking for anything sexual, I just... I wanna talk to you... and if it's only the money that's keeping you from coming with me, then I can give you as much as you need..." //You look so miserable like this... please don't make me leave you behind... at least not until I know what brought you so low.//

Xander looked at Angel, tears in his eyes. "Look, it's not only the money, Bryce, my..." He trailed. "He's gonna be real pissed and I really gotta go back, before he finds out..."

"Finds out what?" Angel asked trying to remain calm. "That one of your clients tried to force you? You tell me *that's* part of your job too?" His voice was a little loud and Xander looked around, making sure no one had heard.

"Look... it's not... oh dammit." Xander dropped his head into his hands, unable to hide the shame anymore.

"What if you told this Bryce that I'm a client? A really important client, with lots of money. You think that he'd let you then?" The vampire asked gently, pulling the boy's hands from his face.

Xander thought for a second. //I really want to go, I need to talk, but to Angel? Oh dammit, I don't wanna go back tonight so why not?// He started looking for his cell phone.

"Is that what you need?" Angel asked, handing him his own cell.

"Thanks." Xander said, not looking up and quickly dialling. He turned his back on Angel and leaned his arm against the wall. "Bryce? It's Alex... I know it's not my number... yeah, I know that... look... no... I'm not gonna be available tonight... please listen... yeah I know that... look, I just got this new client... plenty of money... yeah I know... for the night... What? Are you...? ... sorry... yes... I'm gonna ask him... Yeah... see you in the morning... I'll give you your cut... I know... yeah, bye." Xander angrily hang the phone. "Stupid fucking jerk!" He yelled at the phone. Blushing, he gave the phone back to Angel. "I'm never gonna live that one down, am I?"

Angel laughed lightly at the return of the Xander he knew. "I'm sure he deserves it. What did he say?"

"He wants five hundred... and that's only for him..." He kicked at an empty can in the street. "He's a fucking moron... I'll pick up a little from my reserve... five hundred is a lot."

"Nah... I'll give it to you... don't worry about the money... I can even give you more if you want..." He said, walking back towards his car.

Xander shook his head. "I'm not gonna ask for more... I can live with a night out..." He blushed. //Why am I talking about this with him? Maybe it's 'cause he hasn't made a big deal out of it... and 'cause he still wants to talk to me...// They settled in the car and Angel drove out of the club's parking area.

***

The ride to the hotel was silent. Angel stopped the car and looked at Xander who was gazing blankly out of the window. The young man looked lost and sad; pain, hurt, guilt and shame all flickered across his face, then he felt Angel's gaze on him and plastered on a fake smile and sexy look. The vampire wasn't fooled.

"So... this is it." He said nervously. He didn't like what Xander had become. Just then he'd realised how much he'd missed the young man in the last two years; his laughter and loyalty.

"Are we getting out of the car, or you wanna stay here?" Xander asked teasingly. He could feel the vampire's nervousness and he wanted nothing more than to see it disappear. He too had missed the vampire. Though he would never admit it to anyone, he was very fond of him; his insults, snarky comments and attitudes purely driven by his impulse to push away every man that came too close to his heart.

Angel laughed lightly and Xander's heart started to beat faster as he watched the laughter and warmth of the vampire's eyes. "Wow." He said stunned.

"What?"

"You laughed."

"Yeah... I do that sometimes." Angel replied, looking even more fondly at the boy.

"Well... wow. I've never seen you laugh before." They both got out of the car and walked to the hotel door.

Angel opened it and let Xander in, bowing, his eyes still laughing and warm. The young man entered laughing lightly.

"I never pictured you for the laughing and joking kind..." He said, smiling.

"Nah... more the boring, brooding kind, yes?"

Xander nodded vigorously. Angel's laughter echoed in the lobby.

"In my defence, I wanna say that working with Cordy full time? You NEED to develop a sense of humour... and a strong one at that. Kind of a survival thing." Angel smirked.

"Oh hell, yeah." Xander laughed as they got out of the elevator and walked to the door of the room. Angel opened it and they stepped in. Angel took off his coat and placed it on the room's only chair. Xander followed his example, taking off his shoes at the same time.

"Hey... you mind if I borrow a pair of sweat pants? These are killing me."

Angel looked at Xander's pants and nodded. For the first time, he realised the young man was wearing the tightest clothes the vampire had ever seen him in; sleeveless white shirt, that showed all his muscled chest and tight black leather pants, hanging low on his hips, showing a pierced belly button; he looked sexy and gorgeous.

"When did you pierce your navel?" The vampire asked as he rummaged through his clothes, trying to find some sweat pants.

"About a month ago..." Xander blushed and played nervously with it. "Josh... a friend... wanted one, but he wouldn't go alone, so I went with him... he dared me. Said I wouldn't have the guts to get one too." He shrugged. "Seems to turn some men on." He whispered, blushing slightly.

Angel handed him the pants and sat on the chair, avoiding creasing his coat, and not asking any more questions for the moment. He had so many he wanted answers to, but he didn't want to force Xander in any way.

Xander went to the bathroom and quickly changed his pants. When he entered the room again, he noticed Angel sitting in the chair, his head in his hands; he looked worried. Xander let himself fall onto the bed on his back and sighed in contentment. "I feel good right now." He looked back at Angel and saw the shadow of a smile cross the vampire's lips, but it quickly faded. "Why are you so worried Angel?" He asked.

"I'm worried about you... very worried." Angel said sincerely, his voice barely above a whisper. "And about Cordy... and Wes... and all of them."

"Huh... you haven't seen them in a while?" Xander asked surprised, he had thought the vampire had come directly from LA.

"No... I left after... Willow... I spent the summer with monks in Tibet... learning how to deal I guess."

"Kinda the same reason I left." Xander started to talk, closing his eyes, as memories he so wanted to forget came flowing back into his mind. "Part of it anyway, I just couldn't deal." He took a deep breath. "After Buffy... Anya..." Tears began to fall from his eyes. "Anya was badly hurt, she was in a deep coma. The doctors didn't know if she would come out of it." He sniffed and tried to dry the tears on his face. "She died the same night Willow went to LA... and I left. I just couldn't deal with their deaths. Losing two of the women I adored in less than three days was too much."

Angel looked at Xander, his heart breaking. He hadn't known about Anya, but knew how much Xander cared about Buffy. Losing both of them must have been so hard on the boy.

"And I just left... didn't say goodbye to anyone." Xander was sobbing hysterically.

Angel sat beside him and took the young man in his arms, hugging him tightly to his chest and rocking him.

"I packed my bags and left, I needed to forget... and now look at me." His muffled voice screamed his pain into Angel's chest. "Three months and I'm reduced to this. They use my body, do whatever they want with it and I'm not there. They fuck me anyway they want but I'm not there. I have a mask, a perfect little mask and I'm somewhere where it doesn't hurt... where the pain doesn't exist. But when they're finished and I'm back, then it hurts so damn much to know what I've become... to know I let them do that to me. I'm dirty... so dirty, but I can't get clean 'cause the pain's too much to bear and... I drink... but I *hate* it, cause that reminds me of my father and that's another bad memory."

Angel listened to him without a word, making constant soothing sounds, trying to calm the boy down. His heart broke into tiny little pieces as he listened to Xander's story. They had always thought he was the bravest, strongest young man, they weren't wrong, but not completely right either. He needed to be protected and loved, he needed to know he was loved and cared for.

As the sobbing slowly subsided, Xander closed his eyes and listened to his own breathing slowing down. A sound caught his ears and he felt Angel's body vibrating.

"You're purring." He whispered with wonder in his voice. Angel smiled warmly and hugged Xander tighter against his chest. He let the soft sound and vibration soothe the young man. He felt Xander relax in his arms and as the breathing eased Angel felt a tug on his heart. Holding the human and soothing him felt so good... so right to him.

"I feel good here." Xander said calmly.

"And I feel good with you here." Angel replied, tenderly caressing the boy's back.

"So... what's your story?" Xander asked, curious.

"Well..." And Angel told him about Darla's comeback; how he had fired his friends; what he did to get them back; how Wesley had been shot and how Angel had felt knowing it was his fault; his return to the group and their 'trip' to Pylea; how he could walk in the sun and how human he had felt; Fred and her constant babbling which often reminded him of Willow; and finally, their return to this dimension and the bad news that had greeted them. "I broke down completely. She was... a beacon. She guided me for so long." He said, tears silently falling from his eyes.

"I understand how that feels." Xander whispered. Angel smiled sadly. Yes he knew, just as Giles probably did too.

"I left LA then, Lorne knew of some monks in Tibet that he thought could help me."

"Did it work?"

"Yes, at least I think it did. I am at peace with myself at last. But I'll only know for sure when I'm back among them."

"You seem different, less haunted." Xander whispered.

Angel smiled and laid his head on the mortal's. "I am. A lot less haunted. I think I finally put the past behind."

Xander shivered in Angel's arms. "You're cold." The vampire said gently. "Here." He helped the tired young man under the covers and slipped in beside him, wrapping his arms around the shivering form.

"Xander? Are you ok?" He asked, worried.

"No... I feel cold." Xander said in a childlike voice.

"Shhh..." Angel began purring again, stroking the boy's side, and trying to bring warmth into him. Xander snuggled farther into the strong embrace; he felt truly safe for the first time in months and it was an overwhelming sensation. He let himself fall into a deep sleep; the first real sleep he had gotten for a long time.

Angel listened to the steady breathing and heartbeat, wishing he could hear it every night, but it was only wishful thinking. He knew he couldn't force Xander to come back with him, no matter how much he wanted it. He wanted to dry the tears and erase the bad memories, but he couldn't. He felt deep inside that Xander wouldn't be there in the morning when he woke up and his heart broke at the thought. He so wanted to protect him, care for him... love him.

As he realised he was falling for the young man, tears rolled down his face. He knew, without a doubt, that Xander had never been loved completely and the vampire feared his love was driven by pity. But as he examined his feelings, he remembered all the times the boy had made his heart melt over the years and he realised he had loved him for a long time. Tonight had only brought those hidden feelings to the surface. He let himself drift in the feeling of the warm body against his; not wanting to fall asleep.

He suddenly remembered he had promised Xander to give him money. //There's no way I'm gonna let him pay five hundred dollars directly from his own savings.// He slowly untangled himself from the boy's embrace, eliciting a sleepy grumble from him, though he didn't wake up.

Angel stood up and went to his coat, retrieving his wallet. He took a few bills out, and some blank cheques. He wrote a note and placed all the papers in Xander's coat pocket. When it was all finished, he smiled warmly at the sleeping form, but it quickly faded into a sad smile. He slipped back under the covers, Xander automatically burrowing into Angel's embrace.

The vampire closed his eyes and breathed the boy's smell deep, trying to ingrain it on his senses. Something about the boy's smell wasn't right, but Angel associated it with the boy's activities. Finally, soothed by the human's warmth, he drifted off to sleep.

*****