***

Abruptly, Angel was pulled out of sleep by a sharp pain. He sat up panting, his undead heart burning in his chest, eyes wide in shock. This was it. One of his Childer had claimed a human. //Spike, foolish Spike.// He thought tenderly, shaking his head. No matter how much Angel had hated the bleached vampire in the past, if he had willingly taken Xander as bonded, then he must really love the human and that demanded Angel's respect.

//Xander bonded to a vampire, Spike of all people.// The dark vampire kept shaking his head. //The world is strange.// He smiled lightly, pushing aside the pain, as he sent peaceful and calm thoughts through his connection with Spike to the Bond itself. The fire in his chest slowly left him, his acceptance being recognized by the new bond. Those of the line of Aurelius who were against the bonding, would be lead by this particular feeling burning in their chests, as if scorching their hearts, directly to Spike and Xander, fed by their anger and resentment.

The vampire leaned back onto his bed. //Drusilla will be on her way to Sunnydale soon. Like every other childe of the line of Aurelius. No one from the master's line claims a human. That was a fact, not even a rule.//

Angel sighed. //Hopefully, Xander will call me as soon as he comes back to his senses.// Not willing to fall asleep in case he received the secretly anticipated phone call, he stared at the ceiling for the remainder of the night.

***

When he woke up a few hours later, Xander was acutely aware of the body beside him. He could feel Spike's life, despite the look of death and the coldness of his skin. The brunette 'knew' at that moment that he would feel the pain, the hurt and the death of his mate as fiercely as his own. //No wonder the bonded die together... No one would be able to live with that kind of pain...//

The Bond wasn't one sided though. It would work the other way around as well. //Pretty powerful stuff.// The young man thought. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Pain wasn't the only thing that was carried by the Bond. Love, friendship, care and trust flowed through Xander at an uninterrupted pace. The young man had never felt so cherished. He felt as if everything could come tumbling down, but he would still be safe with Spike. The Bond would act like a shield.

For the first time in his life, Xander felt... relieved. //Like the weight I've carried all my life has finally been lifted. Or maybe it's just the sex... relaxing and all. Speaking of which, that was wonderful... wonder if we can do it again now?// Xander turned and looked at Spike. He smiled at his lover's sleeping form. //Nah, he looks too peaceful, don't wanna wake him up. We're gonna have lots of other times like that anyway.//

He could feel himself harden at the memories flooding his mind. "Oh yeah." He moaned.

Suddenly, a new and strange feeling arose within the young man's chest. A sense of dread slowly started to overwhelm his senses and his mind. Something bad was coming... he just didn't know what... or who. Xander could tell the feeling was coming from Spike. //Probably something to do with his vampire senses-thingy. Like... someone he knows... or is close to, is coming.//

Then it hit him. //Fuck! Have to call Angel. He needs to know... and he can probably explain.// Xander pushed the covers off and looked at his mate. //Oh God. Spike will be so pissed. Fuck! I've really gotta do it. Angel said it was important.//

As if feeling his mate's turmoil, which he probably did, Spike opened his eyes and looked at Xander. " What is it luv? You all right?" He sat, automatically wrapping his arms around his lover.

"Spike." Xander said surprised. "Sorry I woke you up. I'm all right... just something about the Bond." He looked into the vampire's eyes, scared.

Suddenly worried, Spike tightened his hold on Xander and started rocking. "What is it? Are you sick? Did I hu..."

"No!" Xander said fiercely, trying to soothe Spike's worries. "Nothing you did. And I'm feeling great. You would know what the problem was if you weren't panicking."

Spike breathed deeply, trying to calm down. Xander was ok, but still, something was wrong.

"Try to feel it Spike. Someone you know... or should know, is coming."

Spike's eyes opened wide in realisation. "Dru." He said, shocked. She couldn't be that near. It was impossible. "Fuck!" //Coming after him, she is. Bloody Hell! Should've known that would happen!// He shook his head, tightening his hold around his lover. //But I bloody won't call the soddin' Poof. I can take care of my mate by myself.// "Won't let her touch you luv. Ever. She won't come near you, I promise."

"What if she comes near you, and stakes you? Spike," Xander took his lover's head in his hands and locked eyes with him. "If you die, I die. There's no middle road here. I can't go on without you, if I feel you die. There's something we can do to keep Dru away, isn't there?"

Spike looked stunned. He took a deep breath and sighed. "Yeah, but I won't do it luv. I can't. Been on my own too long. I know how to take care of meself and I can bloody well protect you. No need for the Poof to stick his nose into something that doesn't concern him."

"But it does concern him!" Xander argued. "This is going to start a big game of run and hide. We'll be running away from every single vampire of the line of. whatever the line of the Master is. Angel said."

"When the bleedin' hell did you talk to my Sire?" Spike exclaimed, resisting, as he started to understand Xander's point. But to submit to Angel. //Never! I won't go back there again. He can bloody stay away from me. But Xanlove has a point.//

"I told you I called him before."

Spike nodded, looking down. He was about to say something when Xander continued. "He said he had to perform some sort of ceremony so that I would be accepted by your sire, hence out of anyone else's reach." Xander looked intently into the vampire's eyes. "Spike, this will protect us both. We won't have to worry about Drusilla or anyone else until our death, if we do this." Xander sighed. "No matter how much I dislike Angel, I think it's worth it. Don't you?" The last question was whispered, all breathing stopped, while Xander waited for an answer.

"Pet?" Spike asked calmly. "Do you have any idea what the ritual is about?" Xander shook his head. "But you accept it just like that, no questions?"

"Yeah!" Xander exclaimed, taking a big, much needed breath. "I mean, it's the only way to protect ourselves without constantly running away. I don't care what the ritual is about. Although, from Angel's embarrassment on the phone, I can guess sex must be involved somewhere. Even then, I don't care. We will be safe Spike." Xander punctuated his speech with a quick kiss on his lover's lips. "No running, no hiding. We'll be able to love. You and me, together. You can work on your schemes and kill nasties all you like, and I'll keep my job, that I actually LOVE, for once. And we'll be together. Loving and living together. We'll be free to love each other without anyone trying to kill us. Isn't that reason enough to do this fucking ritual?" The last sentence was almost shouted and Xander was on the verge of tears, his voice wavering.

Stunned, Spike took a moment to process his lover's outburst. //He's right. I owe him that. Mean, he's got a life, too. I can't just bloody take him away and make him live a life like that... and I'm pretty comfy where I am, thanks very much.// He smiled sheepishly at Xander. "You're right love." He lovingly kissed his lover's lips before standing up.

He left the room for a moment, coming back with the cordless phone in one hand.

"Huh, Spike?" Xander asked, as Spike sat back on the bed. "I got a phone here. Like, in this room, right there." He pointed at his nightstand

"I know Love. S'just that I want both of us to talk to the Poof together, not just you, or me." He smiled lightly at his mate. //My mate.// His smile grew bright. //Got a nice tone to it, it does. My mate. Mine.//

Xander smiled back, shaking his head. "All right. Lets get this done." He looked in Spike's eyes and could feel a bit of fear flowing through the bond. "I love you Spike." The brunette vowed, as if knowing that this particular phone call could change everything. Would in fact, change there lives. Just like their bonding had.

"Love you too pet. Would never have claimed you otherwise."

Their lips met of their own accord and they kissed gently, love flowing through the Bond, over and above all fears and uncertainties. The kiss grew heavy and passionate, as they hugged each other and felt each other's desire. Within seconds, they were both hard, Spike lying on top of Xander. Neither of them quite sure of how they had ended up this way.

They kept kissing, as they thrust against one another, in a frantic desire to find release. Through their connection, they could feel each other's pleasure increasing their own. Their cocks rubbing together, their mouths not breaking apart, hands roaming over chests and back again, reaching for the rounded flesh of their asses. They moaned, guttural noises echoing in the room.

Suddenly, Xander gasped, breaking the kiss. His hot seed now coated his lover's chest, as wave after wave of pleasure rocked through his body. It was too much for Spike. He could feel the intensity of his lover's orgasm through their bond and he howled, his own sperm mixing with Xander's on their chests.

Breathing hard, they looked at each other and Spike collapsed, laying his head on Xander's chest, listening to the heavy beating of his heart. "Love this sound Xan. Makes me feel alive."

Xander chuckled, hugging Spike tighter. The vampire looked up at his mate's pleasure filled eyes and couldn't resist kissing him.

"We better make that phone call." Xander said, reluctantly pulling away from the gentle kiss. The young man could feel the incoming danger and it scared him. More than he cared to admit. But Spike knew. He could feel it. Even if it was still far away, there wasn't much time left.

"You're right love. Three hours and Dru'll be here. Maybe even less." Spike sighed and reached for the cordless phone that now lay on the floor next to the bed. Xander reached for the other phone and took it off it's cradle. Looking into each other's eyes, they breathed deeply and sighed, before the brunette dialed.

***

//Fuck!// Angel could feel his insane Childe getting closer. In an hour, she'd be in LA, only two hours away from Sunnydale. //Spike!// The dark vampire screamed in his mind. //Stop having sex and call me damnit!// Angel was dressed and ready to leave. He had even called Gunn some time ago and told him he wouldn't be around that day. //I wait for half an hour and if they haven't call, I g...//

As if on cue, the phone rang, loud and clear, startling the pacing vampire.

"Xander?" He answered, ready to bolt through the door and climb into his car as soon as the young man told him to.

"No."

"Yes."

"God! You can't believe how relieved I am! She's only an hour from LA! and worse... I can feel it. She's not alone."

"Who?" Spike asked. He could feel something weird, but couldn't identify it. And most of all, he couldn't get past the surprise of knowing his Sire was ready to do all this for him. For the first time since he'd woken up, he could feel the acceptance flowing along beside Drusilla's anger. He smiled, but quickly reverted to his worried expression, startling his lover.

"Demetrius." Angel answered, trying to sound calm. //How can I stay calm when HE's on his way. Damnit! Haven't seen him in almost two centuries... Why the hell does he care?//

*****
Part 2:

"Bloody Hell!!" Spike exclaimed.

"Who the hell is that?" Xander asked, curious, but suddenly overcome by fear. "Spike? what is it?"

"Demetrius is Darla's first Childe, Xander. She sired him about a hundred years before me. When she was still pretty much a fledgling herself. He is strong. Almost as strong as... well me. But on the other hand, he's insane. As in, completely. It's not even a Dru insane kinda insane. It's a � lets kill everyone and take a bath in their blood � kinda insane."

"Huh... well I kinda thought all vampires liked blood baths."

"Ewww!" Spike exclaimed, in a perfect mimick of Dawn's. "What do you think we are pet? We do have some sense of hygiene you know."

"Demetrius is not subtle in his kills. He's an artist. He kills for the love of killing, not to feed. And worse... he loves killing and... raping kids the most. The younger they are, the more he likes it. He's insane." Angel shook his head. "Look, I'm on my way. If I hurry up, I should be there in an hour and a half. We'll have to hurry when I get there. Spike?"

"Yes Sire." Spike answered, reverently. The thought of having Demetrius in Sunnydale frightened him like nothing else ever had. He would do anything to kill the bastard. Even in his pre-chip days, he had never approved of the other vampire's insanity. Oh, he could hold a conversation better than Dru most of the time, but all he could talk about was killing and raping and covering himself in blood. There was nothing subtle about him, nothing that would attract Spike's attention, or even his respect. All he had ever felt for Demetrius was disgust. And fear.

Angel's eyes opened wide and gulped as he heard his Childe's surrender at the other end of the line. It had been a long time since he's heard that word from Spike's mouth. Shaking his head, he continued. "You know what the preparations for the ritual are?"

"Not sure Sire. I know 'bout the candles, but that's about it."

"All right, I'll call you from the car to tell you everything. I really need to hurry. Have you got a cell phone?"

"Not me, but Xan does."

Smiling at the loving nickname, Angel wrote down the number and pocketed the paper. "Get to the Magic Box, I'll call you in 15 minutes."

"All right."

***

They hung up and looked at each other. "We've gotta go." Spike said, getting up and helping Xan to his feet. "You ok luv?"

"Yeah, m'all right... you? You're pretty freaked by that guy, aren't you?" Xander asked, as they cleaned up and dressed quickly.

"Yeah. He's fucking crazy." Spike shivered. "Don't really fancy seeing him again. Specially not near you."

Xander wrapped his arms around his lover and hugged him tightly. "It's all right. Angel's coming. We'll do this ritual and they'll leave. Dru and him." They looked in each other's eyes and kissed tenderly.

"All right, better go before I get you all messy again." Spike smiled.

Quietly, they got into Xander's car and headed directly to the Magic Box, waiting for the phone call. It felt like a race against time, which it pretty much was.

Xander was parking his car in front of the store when the phone rang, startling both men. They were so nervous, the tension was almost palpable.

"Yeah?" Spike answered, as the two lovers walked to the door. "Yeah, we're just here. Xan's unlocking the... Yeah, I know." He smiled tenderly at his lover, who was looking quizically at him. They entered the empty shop. "K, Sire, we're in. What do we need?"

Spike listened for a moment. "Ok, Ok, stop there a sec. Will ask. Dunno where all these things are in this bloody shop." He turned to Xander. "Love? We need..."

***

Half an hour later, Xander turned the key in the lock of his apartment, Spike waiting patiently by his side with a bag in his hand.

"Spike?" Xander asked, as they walked into the apartment, turning the lights on and opening the bag.

"Yeah?" Spike could feel his lover's fear and nervousness growing, as the feeling of danger kept getting closer and closer.

"Do you really think we should call them? Like Angel said... cause I don't know about you, but this is a bit embarrassing." The young man asked, blushing slightly.

Spike turned towards Xander, leaving the bag on the dinner table. "Love, it's the only way. If Dru and Demetrius get here while we're doing the ritual and interrupt us, there's no way we'll be strong enough to battle 'em. At least the witches and Buffy have the power to keep 'em away from us long enough. And the watcher's got some trick of his own." The vampire wrapped his arms around his lover. "B'sides, Giles already knows and we really need his help. He's got something we need for this."

"But what if he doesn't? Have the dagger I mean. Would that be bad?" Xander was feeling more and more insecure. His friends knew about him and Spike, and even accepted... kinda. But the thought of them being there while he and Spike... and Angel... The young man shook his head.

"The Poof said he talked with Rupes, made sure he had the dagger, just after your call a month ago. Don't worry luv. It's gonna be okay." Spike gently kissed his lover's lips. "And b'sides, s'not like they were in the same room as us, is it? They'll be outside, looking out for the baddies, not inside listening and watching."

Xander sighed. "All right, but YOU call Giles. Please?" He looked pleadingly at his lover.

"Bleedin' hell, stop with those eyes Baby, I'll do it, you don't have to use the big guns."

Xander chuckled. "All right, what do I do while you're making phone calls?"

"Get all the incense out and into the little 'incense stick' holders. Gotta have..." Spike stopped, counting. "Six of 'em. One for each window, that's four. One for the front door and one for the bedroom door. Don't place 'em there yet, gotta light 'em up all together." Spike finished speaking just as he was dialing the phone.

"That IS complicated." Xander mumbled, as he did what his lover had asked him to do. "Couldn't they just say, screw each other and be done with it? NO! they had to get this whole... candle, incense thingy going on... with the whole stinky stuff." The young man shook his head. "Well, you gotta do what you gotta do."

He prepared all the incense, leaving it all together on the table, waiting for Spike to finish. "Oi! Watcher! Don't forget the dag... yeah, I know, already asked you, just wanna make sure you don't... all right. Hurry. Oh! and call the slayer will ya? Get her and the witches to come 'round. You'll need 'em to fight Dru's army."

Spike smiled as he placed the phone back in the cradle without saying goodbye and walked over to Xander. "All done Love?"

"The incense's part is done... what's next?"

"Gotta light everything up with the same flame. So we better get all the candles out and lined up, too. Need to do it fast."

Together, they lined up the nine candles. "Spike? Why is there three candles of each... shape?"

"Everything goes by threes pet. There'll be three of us to do the ritual, so we need three candles of each kind. And yeah, we need three shapes of candles."

"Ok. So we have triangles, squares and round ones ? Ok I get that. Now, what does the incense do? Why the hell does it needs to stink?"

"The smell of incense will not appeal to the other vampires, so they'll think twice before coming here. S'pose to cleanse the apartment and our spirits, too." All the candles were now alligned on the table, next to the incense. Spike took a match out of the little box he always kept on him and looked at Xander. "Don't breathe luv." He whispered. Xander held his breath and watched Spike striking the match and starting to light the candles one by one, as fast as he could without burning his fingers, or extinguishing the flames. He was getting to the ninth candle when the flame just disappeared. "Bloody Hell!" The vampire roared. "Breathe now luv, gotta start all over again."

They quickly extinguished the candles and Spike struck another match, ready to go. Xander held his breath again, Spike lighting first one, then two, then... The door bell rang.

"Fucking bloody hell!" Spike screamed, as the flame burnt the tip of his finger. He sucked it into his mouth and looked at Xander, fear now overtaking him.

"Open the door Spike, Xander. It's just me."

Both men relaxed at the sound of Giles' voice. Xander walked to the door and opened it, as Spike blew out the candles he had lit and took another match out.

"What is he doing?" Giles asked, looking at Spike, who was bearing the most concentrated expression the watcher had ever seen on his face.

"He's trying to lit up all the candles and incense at once. Only trouble is, they're supposed to be lit by the same flame... and well, the matches just aren't long enough." Xander whispered, leading Giles into the living room, where they stood watching Spike.

Again, the match didn't last. Before Spike could say anything, Giles took a rectangular box out of the bag he was carrying and gave it to Spike. "They' re matches used for barbecues and other things that need long matches. They should work."

Spike smiled at him and took the box out of Giles' hands. "Told you we'd need him, luv. � He grinned at his lover.

Xander smiled and shook his head. "All right ! You win ! Now light those candles so we can start putting them where they're supposed to go."

"Lemme do that luv. Guess you and the watcher need to have a talk."

Xander nodded and looked at Giles. As their eyes locked, the young man looked away, blushing slightly.

"Xander?" Giles asked gently. "You do know you've made a big decision tonight, don't you?"

Xander nodded. "Yeah, I do Giles. It's... hard to explain in fact. But Spike makes me feel... me. And... it's wonderful. I know he loves me Giles and it's not even speculation or anything like that. It's real knowledge. I... I love him too. As weird as that may sound."

Giles smiled in understanding. "Spike is a mystery Xander. But I think you're the one able to solve it. There has always been something... unsettling about him. He really isn't like most vampires. Even 'I' know I should disapprove of all this, but I can't seem to be able to do so. You both are clearly very much in love. I have never seen you so happy as you are right now." Giles stopped, taking his glasses off and starting to polish them. "I am not one to speak my heart Xander and you know it. But right now, just know that I am very proud of you."

Xander could feel tears in his eyes at the words. He smiled lightly and hugged the older man. "Thanks Giles... means so much to me." He quickly withdrew, a bit ashamed and look down at the bag Giles was still carrying.

"What's in there?"

Giles lifted up the bag and placed it on the couch. "I brought pretty much everything we 'might' need tonight." He answered, taking out a small bundle and handing it to Xander. "It's the dagger Spike asked me to bring. It's very sharp ! Make sure you don't cut yourself." He added, as he watched the young man slowly unwrapping the millenium old weapon.

"Why is it so special?" Xander asked, as he examined the eagle design engraved on the handle.

"It is said to have been used by the very first vampire to ever bond with a human. He didn't want to mark his lover as he fed, so he used this dagger instead." Giles explained, as he took a closer look at Xander's mark on his neck. "Spike marked you. Where this blade leaves no traces, his fangs will." Giles went back to his bag and took an orb out. "For this part of the ceremony, I guess Angel and Spike want this dagger so it won't mark you. So you won't be recognized as Angel's mate as well as Spike's. I believe Spike wants to keep you for himself."

"I'm not complaining." Xander replied, smirking. "That's an orb of Thessula right? You think we might have some trouble with our souled friend?"

Giles blushed slightly. "I do know what the ritual implies Xander, and yes, I am afraid of some of the consequences, even though Angel assured me there shouldn't be any problem. It's better to be prepared, than to be sorry afterwards." Giles looked around at the room. "I think Willow, Tara and Dawn should stay in the living room. It will be quiet there for Tara and Willow to perform the protection spells and Dawn should be safe. Buffy and I will stay outside and we'll look closely for any signs of either Dru, or this Demetrius. I have read some tales of his... massacres and I am not looking forward to meeting him. Except maybe if it gives me the opportunity to stake him and then flush his dust down the toilet." Giles arranged his glasses. blushing.

"Wow. Angel and Spike are scared of him and YOU are getting all Ripper-y over it... guess we should hurry then."

They smiled and gathered Giles' things, just as Spike came back into the living room, having finished arranging the incense and candles. Just as Xander handed the dagger to Spike, the door bell rang again.

*****