"I thought you said that one of them was going to die."

Lilah's head shot up. Her boss had managed to surprise her-again. "They need more time."

The older man shook his head. "You don't have it. Figure something out, and soon. Otherwise." He walked out, leaving an unsettled Lilah behind to think up a solution.

She flipped through her notes, reviewing everything she'd collected on the three men. After a moment of contemplation, she picked up the phone. "Nancy? Call in the sorcerer. We need a Vraiyl."

...

"You're sure there are none of the demons in Sunnydale?" Giles asked Xander.

The young man bit back a snide comment. "Yes, we're sure. Look, Giles, we'd be able to feel them, and we can't. Has Buffy seen one since that first encounter?"

"No," Giles admitted. "I am not questioning your judgment, Xander. It is simply that after all you and the others have gone though. I would like to think you did so for a good reason."

"So do we," Xander replied. "But we'd rather nobody got hurt by these demons. At the moment, there probably aren't any in this world at all. Makes me wonder about Cordelia's visions."

"They have been.suspect in the past," Wesley added. "Despite her protestations, there is a chance that these visions were not from The Powers."

"I agree," Giles murmured. "From what I have read, and your own memories from the Altenalium, the Vraiyl should be overrunning the place."

Xander nodded. "We're keeping up the training, and we're watching for them. Maybe her vision wasn't a right-away thing, you know?"

"That is a distinct possibility," Giles said. "One that might be preferable, considering that you need time to learn to use the Altenalium."

Xander's response was cut off as Buffy entered the Magic Box. "Xander!" She growled. "What brings you out of hiding?" She looked over at Wesley and Spike, who were lounging against the counter, arguing over some musty old book.

"Giles wanted to talk," Xander murmured. He felt Spike's mood plummet when the Slayer walked into the store. Maybe it was time to leave; after all, they'd already told Giles everything they had to tell. Both Wesley and Spike agreed that exiting would be prudent; neither wanted a confrontation with the obviously unhappy Slayer. "We gotta go, G-man. Errands to run."

"Call if you find anything," Giles said as the three men exited the shop. "Satisfied?" He shot at Buffy. "They're gone."

"Yes," Buffy replied shortly. "They need to be out finding those demons, not hanging around here."

Giles sighed.

...

"Do we actually have any errands to run?" Xander asked as they walked to his car. "Although I'm happy to just get out of there."

"We need food," Spike murmured.

::We always need food,:: Wesley replied. ::You're worse than Xander, Spike. I believe you'd eat anything.:: Spike immediately thought up a few things he really wouldn't mind putting in his mouth, causing both Wesley and Xander to trip and fall flat on their asses.

::Spike!:: Xander screeched. ::That was way mean!:: The redhead turned around and reached down to hoist the two men up.

::He said it first,:: Spike said, looking at Wesley. ::And don't tell me you didn't like the idea, 'cause I know you did.::

::Perhaps we should go to the store,:: Wesley stated. ::We're low on quite a few things, if I recall correctly.::

::Absolutely right,:: Spike concurred. ::Boy doesn't have any lube in the apartment at all.:: This time Wesley had the foresight to reach out and catch Xander before he slipped again.

::Spike, you're gonna pay for that,:: Xander swore.

::I hope so,:: Spike replied happily.

The Wal Mart was crowded with a rush of after-work shoppers and Wesley had to fight a couple with five children for the last shopping cart. They pushed and jostled their way though the aisles, trying desperately not to get separated. It wasn't easy; they couldn't all keep a hand on the cart with all the traffic pressing around them. Xander kept getting separated, pushed down side aisles as they passed them. Once he got far enough away that Wesley and Spike couldn't see well and they had to lurch into a less-popular aisle until Xander could catch up. It wasn't easy to regroup with all the people *and* the killer pain of separation double-teaming them.

::Any reason why you guys are hugging the diapers?:: Xander asked as he caught up with his lovers. ::Or is this some kind of kink you managed to hide?::

Spike looked down at the shelf he was huddling against. ::Shut up, or I'll put you in one,:: He swore. ::Come on, we need milk.::

The milk and juice aisle proved to be a completely different type of adventure. ::There isn't any milk,:: Wesley commented. ::It is all gone.:: Xander peered into the refrigeration units.

::Wow. You're right, there isn't any. Did I miss the weather alert for snow? I mean, since when do we sell out of milk?::

"What about juice?" Spike said, looking at the ninety or so varieties of juice lined up in cartons.

"Fine by me," Xander replied. "But it won't go over cereal."

Spike nodded and reached for a carton. "Do you want guava nectar or mango-peach-banana-passion fruit?"

Wesley peered over the redhead's shoulder. "Is there something wrong with orange?"

"They're out," Spike stated. "They've got orange-banana, orange-tangerine-banana, orange-nectarine, orange-peach, orange-peach-strawberry, orange-strawberry-banana, orange-pineapple, orange-pineapple-banana, banana-raspberry, banana-strawberry-blueberry, orange-grapefruit, orange-grapefruit-passion fruit, orange-apple-"

"We get the picture," Xander interjected. "What about frozen juice?"

"It's worth a shot," Wesley muttered. "I hate guava nectar."

The frozen juice was, fortunately, better stocked, so Xander grabbed a dozen cans of plain, pulpless orange juice concentrate. ::Look! Entennman's miniature fudgy doughnuts!:: Before either Wesley or Spike could grab him, Xander had foisted three boxes into the car. ::Ok, what else do we need?::

Spike pushed the cart across the store. "More shampoo, toothpaste, and lube." He resolutely ignored the gasping lady beside him, who grabbed her three small children and glared at him when he said lube. In fact, he kept talking. "Wes, do you have a preference? This place is a bit limited, but I do know they've got KY, Astroglide, and maybe Slick."

Wesley thought for a moment. "I prefer Astroglide. It doesn't get gummy as quickly." The lady squeaked and ran away, her children trailing after her.

::You two did that on purpose,:: Xander accused. ::You didn't have to say that out loud.::

::Of course we didn't,:: Wesley replied. ::But it was fun, wasn't it?::

The three men were soon ensconced in Wal Mart's very small sexual accessory aisle. ::Why do they have pregnancy tests, yeast infection medication, lube, and condoms all in one place? I mean, lube and condoms I get, but the other? Trying to scare us, or is there some really popular anti fungal cr�me fetish I don't know about?:: Xander asked as they perused the offerings. ::And do we need condoms? Please answer silently!::

::Strictly speaking, we do not need them for protection,:: Wesley replied. ::We were all clean before the Altenalium, which is meaningless since we cannot get sick now. However, they can make cleanup a bit easier, although some people do not like them.::

::Same reasons why guys don't like them during.the other kind of sex?:: Xander asked. ::Please note how I am not freaking out.::

::Good boy. We're proud, we are,:: Spike assured him. ::I'd go without, if it's all the same to you. Showers aren't that bad for cleanup. Besides, spermicide makes my mouth numb.::

Wesley finally grabbed the lube, a bottle of Astroglide. Spike immediately procured three more. "Don't want to run out over the weekend, do we?" He asked innocently. The man behind him inhaled sharply. Spike turned around. "Oh, did you want one? I think we took them all, but we can spare one if you need it." He held out a bottle.

"N-no, sounds like you need it *way* more than me," The man replied shakily. "But have fun!"

Spike glanced over at Xander, who was trying to find a spontaneous black hole to suck him into oblivion, and Wesley, who was comparing condoms. "Oh, we will, don't you worry."

Finally, after another half an hour of Spike prowling through health and beauty aids, looking for unscented mineral oil, they made it to the checkout. ::Why is the cashier staring at us?:: Xander asked the others. ::She looks scared.::

Wesley glanced down at their purchases, scattered on the conveyor belt. ::Xander, we're buying thirteen cans of frozen orange juice concentrated, three boxes of miniature chocolate doughnuts, four pounds of grapes, ten pounds of sirloin, two dozen eggs, three five-pound packages of flour, two containers of vegetable shortening, a bag of potatoes, three flavors of jelly, some chee-tohs, a peach, seventeen mushrooms, four bottles of personal lubricant, a gallon of unscented food-grade mineral oil, seven packages of disposable razors, five cans of shaving cream, a set of screwdrivers, fifty yards of nylon rope, and a bath towel.::

"We forgot the bloody spatula," Spike muttered. "Next time, eh?"

Xander just went up to pay for their stuff. "You guys having a party?" The cashier asked. "Like, a sex party? This is some seriously weird shit."

"No," Spike replied evenly. "It's the boy's first time and we want him to enjoy having his cherry popped."

To his credit, Xander didn't fall down. He didn't stumble, or squawk. He just handed over his credit card, signed the slip when it came up, and started pushing the cart out of the store. "I am never going to show my face in Wal Mart again."

Spike grinned, as did Wesley. Yes, it had been evil, but it was Wal Mart! That place needed shaking up every now and then.

...

Xander sat at the bar while Wesley worked out the quantum physics involved in getting all their food into the fridge. Spike was helping, mostly by holding things as Wesley shuffled them about. The lube kept drawing his attention and he finally broke down and opened a bottle, just to see what it was like.

::'Bout time,:: Spike thought. ::You've been staring at it for fifteen minutes.::

::Never seen any before,:: Xander admitted. ::Well, I have, but I've never used any.::

::That'll change,:: Spike promised. ::Soon, too.::

Wesley shook his head. ::Not until we get the food put away. Xander, tell me again why we needed all this juice?::

::Just put about four cans in the fridge. We'll use them today and tomorrow,:: Xander suggested.

::Good thinking,:: Spike remarked. With a few cans out of the way, the freezer door closed. Wesley stepped back and leaned against the counter.

::Now what?:: The ex-Watcher asked. "Do you want to go out on patrol?"

"No," Xander murmured. "We won't find anything anyway."

"Wanna see what you can do with that?" Spike inquired, referring to the lube.

"Dunno," Xander admitted. "Still sorta freaked out."

"But not enough to not try," Wesley stated. "You know you don't have to."

"I know," Xander said, standing up. "But I want to." And he did. The idea of seeing either man, or preferably both of them, spread out and naked on his bed was very enticing. He wanted that. A lot.

Spike grinned. "Right, then." He reached out and snagged the bottle from Xander. Wesley collected the younger man, pulling him along by the arm as they headed for the bedroom.

::How are we going to do this?:: Xander asked. He couldn't help but think of drawing diagrams, which was a killer of a turn-off. He just didn't understand. Well, he did, but he didn't. It was complicated.

Wesley smiled softly and reached for the boy. ::Do whatever you want to. That's all.::

Xander thought for a moment. ::Whatever I want to?:: So if he wanted to suck on that patch of skin right between Wesley's shoulder blades, he could. The young man turned Wesley in his arms and pulled his shirt up, exposing a strong, smooth back. He dimly heard the older man gasp as he latched on, laving the spot with his tongue. Xander felt warm, slender hands tugging at his clothes and he let his arms be moved around so his shirt could be unbuttoned. Those same hands were warmer and smoother as they brushed over his naked skin, making him shudder against Wesley. They tweaked his nipples, scratched lightly down his abdomen and paused briefly on his hips.

::Xander?:: Spike thought softly. ::Y'ok?::

::Fine,:: He murmured back. Wesley moved away briefly, turning to face Xander. He pressed them tightly together, letting his mouth drag along Xander's in a series of open-mouthed kisses. Spike reached around Xander to wrap one hand around Wesley's neck, even as the other dropped between the two men to cup Xander's erection.

::Spike!:: Xander moaned as he bucked into that hand. Spike pressed harder against Xander, thrusting his erection against the boy's ass. The friction was delicious, making the redhead groan and shake. Xander took one step to the side, trying to direct them towards the bed. None of them were steady on their feet and he was afraid they'd end up in a pile on the floor.

Wesley made quick work of Xander's clothes, aided greatly by Spike. Xander in turn helped divest Spike of his clothes, laughing when Wesley couldn't get the former vampire's boots untied. Spike finally reached down and did it himself, used to the strings. Xander tried to distract Spike by running his hands through the man's hair, pulling slightly. Spike kicked his boots off and pounced, rolling Xander higher onto the bed. Wesley helped hold him down while Spike reached unerringly for ticklish spots.

::Not nice, pulling hair,:: Spike warned Xander. He scooted back down the bed, trailing his hands over Xander's stomach. He grinned and dipped lower, turning the boy over partially. Xander started struggling when he got a mental drift of what Spike was about to do.

::Spike!:: Xander thought frantically. :Noooo.:: Spike pressed his mouth onto the spot just behind Xander's left knee. Then he began to suck and lick. Xander tried to kick away, but he couldn't. A warm hand surrounded his cock, starting a lazy rhythm. Xander's eyes flew open to see Wesley bent over him, poised just above his erection. He watched in aroused shock as the older man lowered his head and swallowed the tip of Xander's cock, swirling his tongue around it repeatedly. Xander closed his eyes again, trying desperately not to just come then and there. Wesley's mouth was hot and wet and knew just where to touch him to send him into orbit.

Spike moaned as he felt what Xander did-Wesley's mouth on him. He released Xander's leg and sat up, moving around slightly behind Wesley. The ex-Watcher reluctantly released Xander's flesh, not wanting the boy to come too soon. ::Lean up a bit,:: Spike ordered. Wesley did so, feeling the redhead caress his ass and run a finger down the crease between his buttocks. Xander sat up and moved around to watch, having been made curious by the obvious pleasure Wesley got from the touch. Spike coated two fingers in lube and returned them to Wesley's ass, tracing around the man's hole. Wesley leaned against Xander and groaned as the first finger slid in, stretching him a little as it did so.

::That's.:: Xander murmured. It was odd, even as an echo from Wesley, but not unpleasant. He felt a bit. Xander ceased thinking for a moment when Spike found Wesley's prostate and began to massage it. Soon Xander was thrusting back just like Wesley was, though no one was touching Xander to make him do so.

::Xander?:: Spike thought, trying to catch the boy's attention. After a moment Xander looked over at the redhead.

::What?:: Xander asked, distracted. Spike picked up the lube with his free hand and tossed it to the boy. Xander sort of stared at it for a minute, until Spike sent him a rather vivid picture. ::You gotta tell me what to do, ok?:: Spike nodded and resumed his leisurely torture of Wesley.

The ex-Watcher writhed around Spike's fingers, trying to get them deeper. The redhead was reaching deep, stroking his prostate and generally driving him insane. Xander's awkward nervousness did nothing to reduce Wesley's arousal, even when he saw what Spike wanted. Never let it be said that the former vampire lacked ambition; he himself wouldn't have thought possible what Spike wanted, not when Xander had no experience whatsoever.

Xander coated a finger in the slippery lubricant. He ran his dry hand down Spike's back, reaching lower to expose the tightly puckered hole hidden there. Spike showed him what to do, making sure that Xander felt everything he did to the redhead and got Spike's reactions as well. That way Xander didn't worry he was hurting Spike at all. The redhead was tight and it took a bit of pushing to get the first finger in, but it wasn't hurting Spike, so Xander continued. If Spike's reaction was to be believed, it was actually pretty damned good.

Wesley shuddered under the combined onslaught of Spike's ministrations on him, Spike's reactions to what Xander was doing, and Xander's jumbled and aroused thoughts about what all three of them were doing. Spike was in no better shape and his slow thrusting into Wesley's body faltered. It was difficult to concentrate when everything they felt kept looping through their minds, redoubling and returning.

Xander pushed a second finger inside Spike, scissoring them apart. The former vampire stretched more easily than Xander would've thought. ::Practice,:: Spike told Xander. ::Know how to relax m'self.::

::Ah,:: Xander mumbled. He paused briefly, leaning against Spike's back. Wesley was so close to coming he was shaking from the effort of holding back. They were gonna have to stop for a sec, just to catch their collective breaths and gain back some control.

::Good idea,:: Spike thought. He leaned over to one side, lowering himself onto the bed. He collected Wesley in his arms, curling around the other man. Xander did the same to Spike, leaving them in a surprisingly orderly pile of sweaty flesh.

Xander petted Spike idly, running one hand up and down the pale man's flank. He'd never thought about a guy's skin before, but Spike was so smooth and soft, softer than any woman he'd ever touched. The contrast between that silky skin and the taut muscles beneath it was striking and Xander couldn't seem to stop touching him.

::Don't have to,:: Spike thought. ::Rather you kept on.::

Xander grinned and continued stroking the redhead. ::Hedonist.::

Wesley choked. ::I believe you have a saying about a pot and a kettle?::

::Didn't say I wasn't,:: Xander replied. ::Just stating the facts.::

::I see,:: Wesley murmured. ::For the sake of accuracy then?::

::Something like that,:: Xander agreed. ::Is this gonna work? I mean, I failed physics.:: He remembered what Spike wanted, and he wanted that too-he just wasn't sure it could be done without serious pain and a lot of awkward maneuvering.

::Easier than you think,:: Spike reassured him. The redhead tugged on Wesley's shoulder, bringing the man flush against his chest. ::Watch, Xander,:: Spike suggested. ::Might learn something.::

::I'm learning lots of somethings, thank you very much,:: Xander retorted. Still, he sat up and shifted over. Wesley moved his left leg up, placing it on Spike's hip. The former vampire used his fingers to stretch Wesley briefly, and then took hold of his erection. He silently asked Xander for the lube, which the young man retrieved and applied to his cock with shaking hands.

Xander watched in awe as Spike pushed into Wesley, his flushed cock disappearing slowly into that tight pucker. The young man felt the acute rush of pleasure from Spike as his cock was squeezed impossibly, and the different but still striking sensation of being stretched and warmed that Wesley was feeling as Spike split him open. He wanted that; wanted to feel the slick tight pull of Spike's body, wanted to feel himself stretched open and skewered, burning and writhing as someone else did the work for a change.

Once he was fully seated inside Wesley, Spike paused. ::Xander?:: He queried. Xander glanced down at the two men. Both were flushed and trembling, straining to keep from moving. Xander realized they were waiting for him. He broke his paralysis and moved around behind Spike again, lying down parallel to the redhead.

::Spike?:: Xander murmured. ::Help here?::

Spike took hold of Wesley's hip and shifted the man underneath him. Wesley's right leg moved up, giving Spike more room between his legs. The position left Spike open for Xander, who kneeled up behind him. With Spike and Wesley both giving him lots of mental/visual encouragement, Xander slicked more lube inside Spike's body and over his erection. He lined up against the redhead's hole and pushed tentatively, amazed to feel himself slide inside the other man. It was tight and warm and it took more effort than he was used to, but less than he'd feared. Spike shifted back slightly, trying to urge Xander on. ::Xander, please,:: Spike moaned, his voice tortured. The boy was moving so bloody slow; he wanted to move, needed to thrust into Wesley while Xander shoved himself inside him and stretched him and.

::Ok, ok,:: Xander thought as he pushed forward, seating himself fully within Spike. ::Now what, oh director of tonight's sexual activities?::

Spike growled. If he'd been a vampire still, he'd have been in gameface. Wesley quaked under the mental flood of arousal that poured from Spike as the redhead reared back and lunged. A low scream clawed its way out of Wesley's throat as Spike hit his prostate dead on again and again. He bucked up as much as he could under both Spike and Xander's weights. Mostly he lay there and tried to stay conscious as his body and mind were battered by ecstasy.

Xander felt Spike push urges into his head, the redhead no longer capable of thinking in a coherent fashion. The boy let himself go, let those desires take over. They knew better than he did what to do with the knowledge he had in his mind already. Thrusting, withdrawing, timed in counterpoint with Spike's own movements within Wesley. Although Xander was not actually being penetrated, he felt the sensation of having been-twice, from both Wesley and Spike. He could also feel Wesley clenching around him, could felt he smooth, scarred skin of Wesley's body pressed against his just as the prominent bones of Spike's spine were rubbing against his own chest.

Spike rested his forehead against Wesley's shoulder and ceased thinking. His body moved of its own accord, trying to find a new home as deep inside the ex-Watcher's body as possible. He was inundated by the unique but unusual feel of his own body as Xander plunged into him again and again. It was odd but very arousing to know exactly what Xander felt and thought about his body, how he was wringing the boy dry, sucking him in and burning him up. If he could've thought, he'd have wondered if Wesley was feeling the same thing, feeling what it was like to thrust into his own body. It didn't matter at the moment because Spike was on the edge, standing on a razor thin slice of control. One more thrust into the body under him, one more scrape of Xander's cock against his prostate, and he'd be toast.

Wesley felt Spike losing control and screamed, unable to handle the myriad feelings in his body and mind. He arched up, clamping down hard on Spike's cock as he climaxed without a single pull on his erection. His voice echoed through the room, carrying its powerful nature through the air in ripples. Spike and Xander shuddered as they heard the raw energy in Wesley's voice, calling to that which resided inside them, resonating in their minds and their cocks. As had happened before, Wesley's mind broke open and flowed into the others' minds as they melted together.

Spike felt Wesley let go and gave in, shooting into the man below him. He couldn't see, couldn't hear-although somehow he knew that Wesley and Xander were both screaming. He felt Wesley's mind flood through his, sweeping his own mind along as he lost hold of it. Ecstasy bowled him over; he was powerless to stop it.

Xander frantically thrust into Spike, screaming his completion as he joined the others in their mutual oblivion. He felt them join his mind, become his mind and his pleasure doubled, tripled, doubled again. Their voices became his, before fading out into something that wasn't sound but wasn't not-sound. When he would have panicked, not knowing what to do or make of this new situation, of finding pleasure where he hadn't found it before, turning everything upside down, his lovers pulled him deeper into their single being, showing him how they were one thing, not three, how he was them and loved as they loved themselves and each other, that what they had was more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen or felt or known in his entire life. For the first time Xander could remember, he felt safe.

Spike roused first, slowly climbing back into consciousness. He could still feel the others closely situated in his mind, closer if possible than they had been before. He realized that they were probably suffocating Wesley, so he shifted over a bit, hoping that Xander would get the hint and roll to the side. He did, leaving Spike enough room to lay down. As soon as the redhead got comfortable, holding Wesley who was till passed out, Xander gathered both men in his arms and drew in close. They weren't going to be moving for a long, long time.

::So that's what you do with lube, huh?:: Xander thought.

::One thing, yeah,:: Spike replied. ::Lots of others, though.::

Spike could feel Xander grinning in his head. ::Lots. Hmm. sounds like we've got our work cut out for us, don't we?::

::That we do,:: Wesley grumbled. ::But I need to rest first. A man can take only so much.::

Xander nodded against Spike's shoulders. ::You're right. Next time, you be on top. Take a little less, give a little more.::

::That's the spirit,:: Spike murmured.

::I stopped freaking out,:: Xander commented.

::When was that?:: Wesley inquired.

::Oh, just now,:: Xander answered, grinning.

::'Bout damned time,:: Spike muttered. ::Get some sleep, pet. You're gonna need your strength.::

*****
Part 13:

Xander stood in front of the bathroom door. It was nice to be able to relieve himself without rousing the others to come stand near the door. Then again, he could think of several reasons why having Spike and Wesley near the bathroom was a good thing. Long, hot showers with lots of naked flesh and teasing hands.

::If you want us to join you, just say something,:: Wesley told Xander. Spike peeked over Wesley's shoulder and nodded.

::Not like we wouldn't want to, you know,:: The redhead added.

::Wanna take a shower? I, for one, am filthy,:: Xander said obligingly. Spike sniffed Wesley's shoulder and nodded.

::So's he,:: He said, sitting up. Spike swung off the bed, reaching for Wesley, who was trying hard to fake indignation.

::I take it you're still not 'freaking out'," Wesley asked Xander as Spike set him down in the shower.

::Nope,:: Xander replied, grinning. ::I'm good once I get used to things.:: Wesley and Spike shared a look. ::Yeah, yeah, I'm good anyway, but I wasn't digging for compliments.::

::Right,:: Spike murmured, turning on the water.

Their bath wasn't the most efficient cleaning job, but it certainly was fun.

...

"What, precisely, are you doing?" Wesley inquired as he toweled off his hair. Xander had practically run from the bathroom, disappearing into the kitchen. When Spike and Wesley got there, they found him up to his elbows in an enormous bowl of flour.

"Making breakfast," Xander said cheerfully. "Could you get the milk out?"

Wesley obliged, opening the carton and setting it on the counter. Spike took up position across the bar, watching Xander cut shortening into the flour. "Dare I ask what that is going to be?" Spike asked, echoing Wesley.

"Biscuits," Xander replied. "The American kind. Not cookies."

::Your grandmother's biscuits?:: Wesley inquired. ::The ones that have us drooling?:: Xander's memories of these biscuits were rather.enticing.

"Those biscuits," Xander confirmed. "With jelly, of course. Eggs, too, if one of you makes them."

::I'll make eggs, once the biscuits are done,:: Wesley said. ::In the meantime, I believe I will change the sheets.:: The bed was. sticky.

::Can I help?:: Spike asked, curious as to the mechanics of biscuit making. He had Xander's memories, but they were a bit odd to him anyway.

Xander turned the basketball sized wad of dough onto the floured counter. "Sure, come over here," Xander said. He split the dough into about six portions, setting five of them aside. Spike joined him, staring down at the sticky stuff on the counter.

"Now what?" Spike asked. The dough didn't look workable.

::First cover the dough in a little flour. Then it won't be sticky.:: Xander covered one hand in flour and patted it on the dough. Spike copied him, seeing in his mind how it would work.

::Rolling pin?:: Spike inquired. Xander slapped one into his waiting hand.

::Don't press hard. The dough's really soft,:: Xander warned. With the boy's guidance, Spike rolled out the dough. Xander provided a cutter and the redhead quickly made nine or so large round biscuits. Xander gathered up the scraps while Spike rolled out another wad of dough.

::You're banking a lot on us liking these biscuits,:: Spike noted as he made yet another set of them. ::There are enough here to feed a bleedin' army.::

"They keep well," Xander said firmly. "Great for sandwiches, snacks."

"But Anya hated them, so you never made them," Spike finished for him. Xander just kept on brushing the raw biscuits with butter.

::She didn't like a lot of things,:: Xander said as he slid two heavily laden cookie sheets into the oven. ::Come on, we should help Wesley.::

::Wesley is doing fine,:: The ex Watcher replied. ::The bed is finished. I was simply--"

::Sorting my socks by color,:: Xander finished for him. ::Which I appreciate, but. are you bored?::

Wesley grinned. ::No; I wanted a pair of socks.::

::Took one look in your head and realized you never pair them up,:: Spike added. ::And you don't have a single pair of black socks. Xander, that's a sin.::

"You might want to start the eggs," Xander told Wesley, changing the subject abruptly. "Biscuits don't take that long."

...

"Another biscuit?" Xander asked, proffering the bread basket. Wesley glanced at the boy, groaning.

::You know damned good and well that I am overfilled as it is,:: Wesley snapped. ::As is Spike. And you, for that matter. Cover the things up with a cloth and get them out of my sight.::

Xander smirked and hid the biscuits. They had gone over very well. ::You did say that you refused to do all the cooking.::

::You may make biscuits again next week,:: Wesley stated. ::Once we've finished the rest of these.::

::Sleep,:: Spike begged. ::Or I'm going to start throwing up. This really hurts.:: Until now, Spike hadn't seriously over eaten. He wasn't sure what to make of the sensation.

::Taking a nap will help,:: Xander assured him. ::Come on.:: He led the others into the bedroom, where they stripped down and crawled under the covers.

::See? I didn't freak at the whole stripping down and getting fleshy in bed thing,:: Xander reminded the others.

Spike snorted. ::You've had your cock up my--::

::But I still didn't freak,:: Xander interjected.

::And I'm looking forward to returning the favor,:: Spike continued. ::As soon as this disgusting pain goes away.:: Xander shuddered, thinking about everything he'd felt the night before, when they were.

::Exactly,:: Spike murmured. Wesley sent a silent agreement, since he was almost asleep already.

...

Spike was just waking up, letting himself be entertained by Xander's dreams, when the phone rang. He reached for it, stretching over Wesley's back. He rested his weight on the other man, knowing it didn't bother Wesley at all. "Yeah?" He mumbled into the phone.

"The Vraiyl are in Los Angeles," Angel said shortly. "We need you here."

Spike sat up, as did Wesley and Xander. Angel's words had woken them up instantly. The three men focused their attentions briefly, feeling the presence of the demons in the distance. They weren't in the habit of leaving that sense open all the time, but perhaps they needed to do so now. "We're leaving how." He hung up the phone and crawled out of bed.

Xander threw Wesley some of his new clothes while he pulled on his own. On their way out of the apartment, Spike grabbed the bread basket, a jar of apple butter, and a full jug of orange juice.

"Why does this not surprise me?" Xander asked as they piled into the car. Wesley sat next to him in the front, while Spike took up the back seat, arranging the food safely.

"Because we were getting comfortable, which always means something's about to happen," Spike replied.

::The calm before the storm?:: Wesley suggested.

::Something like that,:: Xander agreed. ::No nookie now,:: He lamented. ::And I was looking forward to getting to.:: His voice faded as he let the things he'd been dreaming about replay in his mind. Answering moans from the other men told him all he needed to know. Angel had better be right about the Vraiyl, or he was going to suffer big time.

::Biscuit?:: Spike asked, holding up the basket.

Wesley glared at him in the rearview mirror. Spike smiled back. The former vampire was still getting used to having a reflection, so he played a lot in front of mirrors. The others found it sweet. ::No,:: Wesley muttered.

::Banana?:: Spike offered. ::Juice?::

::I'll take a biscuit,:: Xander said. ::With apple butter.::

...

"Angel really does live in a hotel," Xander murmured as he stopped the car. "I mean, I saw the memories, but."

"And it's not even a good hotel," Spike groused. "No bar, club or restaurant in the place. Just dusty old rooms."

"And Angel," Wesley said. "Mustn't forget that."

::The others will be here too, right? Like Connor, Fred and Gunn? They're not so bad, you know?:: Xander asked hopefully. ::Well, Gunn's a bit of a jerk, but generally better than Angel.::

::So long as Cordelia doesn't open her mouth,:: Spike snapped. ::She's.::

::Rather devoted to Angel,:: Wesley replied.

Angel was waiting for them in the lobby, pinned there by the sun. Spike couldn't help but smirk at his Sire as he strode into the building, the sun's rays still glinting off his now-red hair. Wesley and Xander laughed silently, enjoying Spike's pleasure at taunting his Sire. Spike had achieved, in many ways, what Angel wanted so badly. While Spike wasn't precisely human, he was a living, breathing, soul-having creature that was significantly closer to human than Angel was.

"Took you long enough," Angel growled as they stopped in front of him.

Xander pulled off the sunglasses that had become a permanent fixture on his face. He'd quickly gotten used to wearing them everywhere, even inside stores in the middle of the night--having people gawk at his solid-colored bluish eyes wasn't a good thing. "Fuck off, Deadboy. The Vraiyl. What were they doing when you found them?"

Angel glared at the young man. He would've said something about Xander's attitude, but Wesley and Spike drew closer to the boy and made it very clear that anything Angel said to Xander would be acted upon by all three of them. "Two of them, at UCLA. Taking down students, to be exact. We ran them off."

"For now," Spike muttered.

"We'll take you there when it gets dark," Angel spat, wanting nothing more than for this situation to be resolved quickly. He wanted these men gone from his city.

"Why? We can track them better than you, and the Vraiyl don't wait for sundown," Xander said. "We'll be back later." The three men turned and left the hotel before Angel could try to stop them.

::Car or foot?:: Wesley inquired. They hadn't spent very much time practicing traveling by foot yet, although they knew how to move extremely quickly when the situation warranted it.

::Car,:: Spike said. ::The campus is a ways off.::

::But that's not where the Vraiyl are right now,:: Xander replied. ::Campus is that way, but the demons are this way,:: He continued, pointing.

::Right you are,:: Spike murmured. ::Shall we?:: He added, opening Xander's door.

...

::A law firm?:: Xander murmured. ::THE law firm? The one that.::

::That law firm,:: Wesley confirmed. ::Bloody bastards.::

::Angel and Cordy were wrong,:: Xander thought.

::They were tricked,:: Spike corrected. ::By the pros, no less.::

::They fell for the same thing twice,:: Xander growled. ::Stupid.::

::So, what do we do?:: Spike inquired.

::If this involves Angel, and it does, then I know who to see,:: Wesley replied. ::And we don't have to do it here. I know where she lives.::

::Lilah,:: Xander muttered. ::The rabid she-devil.::

::More like a demented Yorkshire terrier,:: Spike said lightly. ::But you're right, here is not a good place to do this. They probably haven't spotted us yet, but.::

::What are we going to do, then?:: Xander asked as Wesley led them through an alley and away from the building. They located Xander's car and drove away, towards the Hyperion. They weren't going to actually go to the hotel, but it was in a convenient direction.

::Find out what she's up to. They may be calling the Vraiyl, thinking they've got the demons under control,:: Wesley theorized.

::Not for long,:: Spike thought. ::The Vraiyl are playing them.::

::Of course they are. Wolfram & Hart don't have what it takes to control the Vraiyl,:: Xander added.

::The Altenalium,:: Wesley said softly.

::Why else would they call the Vraiyl?:: Spike said. ::They want the Altenalium.::

::But we've got it,:: Xander said. ::Unless we agreed to work for them, it wouldn't matter how many Vraiyl they brought over.::

::If one of us died, though,:: Wesley began, playing through the memories they'd been given. ::The remaining two might join Wolfram & Hart in their insanity.::

The other two men shuddered. ::Then we won't die, will we?:: Xander said firmly.

::Not planning on it,:: Spike agreed. ::But regardless of what Wolfram & Hart are planning, we have to stop the Vraiyl.::

::That isn't our primary problem at the moment,:: Wesley argued. ::Wolfram & Hart are wily opponents.::

::Then we have to be better, don't we?:: Xander stated flatly. ::Lots better.::

*****
Part 14:

::So I'm thinking we go in, scare the shit out of Lilah, and get back to the hotel before dawn,:: Xander said as they drove back across town.

::You just want to piss off Angel by shagging in his hotel,:: Spike accused.

::So do you,:: Xander shot back.

Wesley grinned. ::Torturing Angel is a noble pursuit, I must agree. However, first we need to focus on Lilah. She is easily underestimated.::

::She tried to seduce you,:: Xander commented.

::You did shag her,:: Spike added.

::I don't need reminding,:: Wesley spat.

Xander reached over and rubbed the older man's head, ruffling his hair. ::Aw, you know we love you.::

Spike's face took on an odd pallor; he looked stricken. Xander felt the man's distress. ::We love you too, you know,:: He told the redhead.

::I know,:: Spike conceded. After all, he could feel it. ::But I don't know why. Is it the Altenalium?::

::Yes,:: Wesley said firmly. ::In the same way that Angel's mission is responsible for making Cordelia love him.::

Xander smiled and nodded. He understood what Wesley was saying. Yes, the Altenalium was responsible for their coming together. If not for it they wouldn't have ever gotten this close. But even after a few days, their relationship had grown beyond the weapon.

::Yeah,:: Spike said quietly. He was only partially mollified, but it was enough for now. They had work to do.

...

"Man, evil lawyering *really* pays," Xander muttered as they stopped in front of Lilah's door.

"Whoring oneself out to the devil is lucrative," Wesley agreed. He raised his hand to knock, and then paused. ::Spike, would you do the honors?::

Spike's grin was black. He raised one thickly booted foot and destroyed the door, leaving only a few bits of wood dangling from the hinges. He loved being able to just smash his way into a human's home, not constrained by needing an invitation. ::How was that?::

::What, you think we're gonna cream because you're doing the Big Bad thing?:: Xander asked.

::Yes,:: Spike retorted.

::It's working,:: Xander admitted. ::Let's kick ass, hmm?::

They stepped inside just in time to meet Lilah running out of the kitchen, wooden meat tenderizer in hand. Wesley smirked. How like Lilah; she was ever perfecting the castrating bitch role. "Beating you meat?" Wesley asked the lawyer.

Lilah glanced at the mallet, and then tossed it on the floor. She knew it would prove useless against these three men. "Come by for a little group play?" She asked coyly. "You might have been fun, Wes, but I don't do the whole m�nage a..."

"I wouldn't fuck you if you were the last snatch on earth," Xander spat.

"Why not? You've done just about everything else," Lilah replied. "Slayers, demons..."

Spike growled and removed his glasses, as did Xander. "You called the Vraiyl."

"Me?" Lilah said innocently. "I don't think so."

"She's lying," Spike told Wesley.

"Wrong answer," Wesley said, letting his power slip into his voice. "You called the Vraiyl. Why?"

Lilah's eyes glazed over as his voice commanded her. "We want the Altenalium."

"Why?" Wesley pressed.

The lawyer struggled to free herself, but couldn't. "It's power... when it's unbalanced, we can control it."

"What is the power for?" The ex Watcher pressed.

"What else?" Lilah snapped. "Power is a commodity."

"She's lying," Spike said quickly. "They want something specific."

"They want to trap the Oracles," Xander said suddenly. He'd been staring at Lilah's sofa for several minutes. "With the Altenalium. Then people like Angel would be without direction."

"And you risked calling on the Vraiyl for that?" Wesley said incredulously. Lilah quaked at the raw energy in that voice. Maybe they'd underestimated these men. Spike certainly didn't seem to be the least bit worn or hurt--and neither did the others.

"We have them under control," Lilah told him slowly. "They work for us."

All three men laughed. "You stupid bitch," Wesley grated out. "The Vraiyl work for no one. They're playing with you. When you stop being entertaining, they'll escape and start ruining this world just like they've ruined every other place they've touched."

Wesley stepped forward until he was right in Lilah's face. "We're just here to warn you, Lilah. Stay away from us. Whatever little plans you have, cancel them. We will stop the Vraiyl at any cost, even if you die in the process. In fact, that might be considered a benefit." He made sure his voice was strong enough to wilt her into a puddle on the carpet. A single glance collected the others and they walked out, leaving Lilah in her living room, staring out the hole that used to be covered by her door.

...

::That was annoying,:: Xander said as they piled into his car. ::Can we not ever do that again?::

::Did you pack the lube, or do we have to ask Angel for his?:: Spike inquired.

Wesley grabbed the steering wheel before Xander wrecked them. ::No, we don't have to do that again and no, none of us packed any lubricant,:: Wesley gasped out.

Xander took several minutes to stop laughing. ::Spike, you are so evil.::

Spike grinned. ::Old habits die hard, mate.::

Xander started the car again and resumed their drive home. ::I'm thinking we'd better stop. Angel doesn't look like the 'cherry scented lube' type.::

::Stupid git never used it before,:: Spike thought. ::And he doesn't need it now that he's gone for girls.::

::Perhaps we should just stop at a grocery store,:: Wesley suggested. ::We've passed several.::

::Can we get cherry?:: Xander asked hopefully.

::If they have it,:: Wesley promised.

When they got into the store, Spike had to forcibly hold Xander back from just running through the aisles. ::This is more than a little reminiscent of Wal Mart,:: He murmured.

"Do they have cherry? Or chocolate?" Xander asked loudly. "Maybe vanilla or peach?"

Wesley directed them to the sexual accessories aisle. This time the surrounding products included deodorant, laxatives and hot water bottles. ::Why must they make this aisle so damned miserable?::

"They have strawberry! All right!" Xander grabbed half a dozen tubes.

"We're only going to be here a few days," Spike told the boy. "I'm not sure we need more than two tubes."

"There is a chance we'll be here longer than that," Wesley reminded them. ::If the Vraiyl become an issue...::

Xander glanced at the shelf. The store had recently restocked and had more than thirty tubes. "No problem there, Wes." He emptied the shelf into their little basket. "None at all."

Wesley shrugged and led them to the front of the store. He picked up the tab on the lube, loving the way the little old man at the register stared at them. It might have been the lube... or it might have been the way Xander stared at Spike's ass while the redhead leaned over to pick up a grocery bag that had fallen to the floor.

::Let's go torture Angel,:: Spike said as they collected their purchase.

"Can I be on bottom this time?" Xander asked them as the automatic doors open. "Please?"

Wesley and Spike were still laughing when they got back to the hotel. ::Still not freaking out?:: Spike asked Xander as he parked the car.

"I just announced my desire to be reamed to a dozen customers in a supermarket," Xander said. "While buying enough lube to grease a clan of Fyarl demons. Yeah, I think I'm over the freaking."

Angel was waiting for them when they returned. To the threesome's relief, Cordelia and the others were absent. "So, were are we staying?" Xander asked as he took a seat on the stairs.

"Staying?" Angel echoed. "You're going to stay?"

"You want us to fight your bad guys. We need a place to stay," Xander explained.

"Did you get rid of the Vraiyl?" Angel asked.

"No," Wesley snapped. "We tracked them to Wolfram & Hart. And you know what that means, don't you? By the way, Lilah was good enough to confirm for us that they're behind this little fiasco."

Angel growled at the men. "Cordelia had a vision."

"Her visions are not infallible. Wolfram & Hart want the Altenalium power. To get it, they convinced you and the others that we had to be sent to get it," Wesley told Angel. He used his abilities to force the vampire to listen. "Yes, I know you didn't want to send me, but you never really considered not sending anyone, did you? They picked us because they thought we were weak. Now we have to fight the Vraiyl, who will escape Wolfram & Hart, and the law firm itself, who want to destroy the Oracles with the Altenalium. Your cooperation isn't necessary, but if you stand in our way we will remove you. Forcefully."

Angel wanted to argue, to fight and maybe kill someone. He couldn't though. Even if Wesley wasn't holding him down with his voice, he knew he'd never stand a chance against the three men. He had actually seen them working together before. It had been impressive. They were dangerous. "You can stay here, if you can find a room clean enough to use."

"Fine," Xander said quickly, reaching for their meager belongings. Food, lube and a change of clothes was all they had. "Come on," He told the others. "I'm tired."

::No you're not,:: Spike said.

::Guys? I have an idea of where to stay,:: Xander retorted.

::We cannot stay in Angel's room,:: Wesley snapped. ::Unless we change the sheets first.::

Xander caught Spike before he could fall. This was going to be a blast. He carried the redhead into Angel's bedroom, laughing at the dark-and-broody d�cor. "Sheets?"

Wesley found a fresh set in the linen closet and helped the others put them on the bed. "He is going to be very angry."

"He said any room that was clean enough to use. We just made it clean enough," Xander defended.

"Not for long," Spike warned. ::Besides, you *like* making Angel angry.::

::True,:: Wesley replied. ::So...::

::You two already know what I want,:: Xander said casually as he pulled off his shirt. ::The rest I leave up to our engineer, Spike.::

Spike grinned. Yeah, he was the coordinator, wasn't he? ::I doubt he'll want to do *that* right now,:: Wesley told Spike. The redhead shrugged and tried another idea.

::Woah. Can we do that?:: Xander inquired. ::The other one looked a lot simpler.::

::Of course we can,:: Spike admonished him. Besides, if the boy wanted to be in charge, so be it. Spike would enjoy whatever they did.

::I'm game,:: Xander said. ::Will you two get naked?::

Wesley happily obliged, although Xander lent him a hand. Of course, Xander's help ran along more along the lines of distraction. ::He's never going to get that shirt off if you keep that up,:: Spike reminded Xander. The young man lifted his head from Wesley's neck, a completely unconvincing guilty look on his face.

::You wanna help him instead?:: Xander asked the redhead.

::He's done now,:: Spike murmured. Indeed, Wesley had finished while Spike had distracted the boy.

Xander shrugged and reached for Spike, whom he tossed on the slick sheets. He jumped onto the bed right after Spike landed, feeling Wesley join them a moment later. Spike recovered and pinned Xander to the bed, stroking the young man's skin while Wesley kissed him. ::Lube,:: Xander begged, glancing at Spike.

::In a hurry?:: Spike asked as he grabbed at the bag of lubricant. It broke, sending tubes flying all around the room. He caught one, holding it out to Xander. The brunette took the tube eagerly, slicking up Spike's fingers. Meanwhile, Wesley turned to Spike, giving him the same slow, thorough treatment Xander had gotten. Spike obliged Xander, stroking at his entrance while Wesley ravished his mouth.

Xander squirmed under Spike's ministrations and watched the two men kissing, struck by the eroticism of watching them. He could feel Wesley's tongue in Spike's mouth, teasing the redhead. When Wesley finally released Spike, both men returned to Xander. Wesley bent his head to one coppery nipple, laving and nipping at it, while Spike slowly worked at loosening Xander up. The combined sensations of all three of them made Xander relax very quickly and soon Spike managed to work two fingers inside, stretching and searching for the boy's prostate.

::Aaah!:: Xander squeaked when big, bright flashes of *something* went off in his head. Wesley and Spike shuddered, feeling their own bodies react in sympathy. Xander grabbed at Wesley, desperate to have something to hold onto, some kind of anchor. What he was feeling was feeding into the others, and he felt that too and all of a sudden if he didn't come *right now* bad things were going to happen.

Wesley let Xander move him to the head of the bed while Spike continued to torture the boy. ::Xander,:: Spike murmured through the fog in his head, ::How're you doing?::

::How does it fucking feel like I'm doing?:: Xander screamed. ::I'm about to die. Why didn't you *tell* me it felt like that?::

::You already knew?:: Wesley suggested. ::You felt it last time, remember?::

::Not the same,:: Xander moaned. ::Definitely better this way.:: He wanted Spike inside him five minutes ago, and he didn't mind sharing that thought one bit. Or the one that came after it.

Spike growled, and removed his hand. If the boy wanted it, he was gonna get it. The redhead slathered his cock in lube and moved into position. Just as he was about to warn Xander, Spike was hit by Xander's next desire.

As was Wesley.

The ex Watcher shivered. ::Are you sure?::

::Stop asking me that,:: Xander demanded. ::You're the first guy I've ever heard of question someone who offers them a blow job.::

::When you put it that way,:: Spike commented. ::Xander?::

Wesley let Spike and Xander maneuver him into position, leaning over the boy's mouth. Xander swallowed him immediately, much to Wesley's surprise. Then Spike started to move forward, sinking himself inside Xander. The boy's mouth stopped moving briefly. Then he moaned, which was exquisite enough to make Wesley drop his head onto the pillow and quake.

Spike's eyes crossed as he slowly thrust into Xander, feeling tight heat surrounding him. Before long he had to close his eyes; the vision of Xander eagerly suckling Wesley's cock whilst getting reamed was too much. He already had to feel what Wesley felt as Xander sucked him off; seeing it was... He was too aroused and far too close to coming to watch. If he didn't find something to distract himself soon, he wasn't going to last.

::What do you think I'm doing?:: Xander muttered.

::Wesley?:: Spike replied.

::So should you,:: Xander shot back. Wesley just groaned. Who'd have thought Xander would be the one to think that up?

Spike saw what Xander had in mind and wholeheartedly agreed. Making Wesley scream would be fun. The redhead leaned forward, still moving inside Xander. The first touch of his tongue against Wesley's skin was electric; the ex Watcher jumped and groaned. Spike didn't pause; he simply threw himself into the task, massaging Wesley's hole with his tongue, pushing at the muscle. Wesley worked himself between Xander and Spike, sinking into a wet heaven and pushing back onto a devilish tongue.

Xander hummed happily around Wesley's cock, reveling in the echoes he got from the other men. He was going to have to have that done to him soon; Wesley was nearly incoherent with pleasure from Spike's tongue. Then again, Xander was having a hard time thinking when Spike was busy drilling into him, stroking his prostate with every thrust.

The three men were utterly consumed with each other and didn't notice when the bedroom door opened. Cordelia sailed in to change clothes after a long day. She stopped about three steps in when she kicked a tube of strawberry lube. "What's with the..." The seer picked it up, reading the label on the tube. Then she heard groaning. A single glance at the bed told her way more than she needed to know. "Holy shit. Angel!" She screamed loudly.

Angel bounded up the stairs, hearing Cordelia's frantic, distressed cry. He burst into his room, where she was standing, only to see his bed full of..."Oh god."

"Please tell me the lube is theirs," Cordelia said desperately.

Xander took Wesley all the way in and swallowed, knowing the ex Watcher was close. Spike thrust once, twice more and froze, filling Xander with hot come. Between Wesley's climax and Spike's, Xander was overwhelmed. He screamed around Wesley's softening cock and convulsed, nearly unconscious from pleasure.

Wesley flopped to the side, taking his weight off Xander. Spike pulled out slowly and lay down on the other side of the boy, drawing both men near. Then he saw Angel and Cordelia. "Well?"

Xander glanced over at Angel and Cordelia. ::They didn't see us, right?::

::I rather think they did,:: Wesley replied.

::I'm gonna die now,:: Xander wailed.

::Why? They got a good show,:: Spike told him.

::It's Angel. Angel saw us having sex,:: Xander whined.

::We're also in his bed,:: Spike said.

"Are you planning on using that, Ms. Chase?" Wesley asked, gesturing to the tube of lube in her hand. Cordelia let go of the tube like it had turned into a snake.

"You're in my bed," Angel stated.

"Oh. This is yours?" Spike said innocently.

"Wesley knows it is," Angel growled.

"And a damned fine bed it is," Xander said cheerfully. "In fact, I'd wager we stay in it a lot while we're here."

"So unless you two want to join in on the fun, I'd recommend you toddle off," Spike said lightly. "'Cause I'm thinking we're about ready for round two."

*****