The next evening found Xander and Spike walking the darkened streets of Sunnydale, making their way downtown to the Magic Box. The day had been pretty uneventful compared to the night before. They had spent the day talking and watching tv, just doing general everyday things. Spike had made it a point to try to keep his hands to himself as much as possible, hoping to keep Xander from having to feel emotions and thoughts that weren't his.
Spike had been thinking a great deal of the night and day, trying to figure out what it was that could have caused such a thing to happen. He'd never heard of anything like it before. Of course, he'd never heard of the spell the vampires had been using either, so many things could have gone wrong. Either the spell could have gotten mixed up since it hadn't been finished, the backlash from breaking the circle could have done nearly anything. Magic changed and took on a will of it's own in cases like that. He'd seen that a time or two. There was no telling which was the cause.
"Spike? What are you thinking about so hard?" Xander asked quietly from beside him.
Spike turned his head slightly, giving Xander a small smile. "Just pondering the problem, Pet." He said with a slight chuckle.
"Great alliteration there, Spike. Be careful or you might show you intelligence." Xander joked with a laugh, shoving Spike in the shoulder.
Xander stopped suddenly, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.
"Xander? You ok, pet?" Spike asked, wanting to reach out to him, but not wanting to set it off again.
"Yeah, Spike. I'm fine." He said, opening his eyes and giving Spike a small smile. "Just forgot about it for a moment. That's all."
Spike didn't say anything, just started walking again when Xander did. He couldn't begin to comprehend what this was like for Xander. Sure, he'd has his whole life flipped upside down, and everything he'd known and felt turned around, when he was turned by Angelus. But he'd embraced the change, asked, even begged for it. Xander never asked for this though. He was a person who thrived on physical affection. One could see that in the way he treated his friends and Anya, while they'd dated.
To go from that, to not being able to touch another person, without feeling their feelings, or knowing things about them that you'd never know otherwise? Spike couldn't imagine that.
"You think they've found anything yet?" Xander asked, not slowing down or looking at Spike.
"Don't know, pet. Maybe. Them two watchers are good at finding things. Angel too." Spike said, lighting another cigarette.
"Yeah, but normally, they know what they're looking for, or at least where to start. This is a little different. We're not even sure what caused it. Just seems like a bit of a long shot is all." Xander explained with a sigh, kicking at a rock.
"True, but you lot seem to work best with long shots." Spike told him, laughing lightly.
Xander burst out laughing. "Too true, Blondie."
"What have we here?" a voice said from the alley.
"Bugger all, can't a couple of blokes walk around just one bloody night, and enjoy themselves?" Spike snarled throwing his cigarette away.
"You have to ask that? In Sunnydale?" Xander said nervously, looking around. They were surrounded by at least ten vampires. "Spike, I think these are some leftovers from last night." Xander told him.
"think you're right about that one, Xan. Bloody lot of them, too." Spike said, just waiting for an opening. "Pet, when I tell ya to, I want ya to run, just as bloody fast as ya can, and get to the Watcher's."
"I'm not leaving you here." Xander hissed, his back to Spike, as they watched the circling vampires.
"Ya can't bleeding fight, Xander, can you?" Spike snarled at him.
'Shit!' Xander thought. Spike was right. If he touched any of them, he'd be wide open for an attack, and so would Spike. He knew the vampire wouldn't let it go. "Fine, but as soon as I get there, I'm sending Buffy and Angel after you."
"'S fine, ducks. Just get your arse outta here. Now!" Spike yelled, throwing the first to vampires that attacked, away from him, leaving a hole for Xander to run through.
Spike tracked Xander until he was around the corner, then threw himself into the fight. These vampires weren't much more than newly turned fledges. Easy enough to kill, but annoying. Soon only three of the group remained.
By Spike's count, he'd dusted five already, with three left, that mean two or more were missing. "What happened? The others turn tail and run?" Spike sneered, ready to attack the rest.
"Oh, they ran, alright. Right after that tasty morsel that messed up the Masters' plans." Laughed one of the vampires, being cheered on by one of this comrades. In seconds, both were dust.
Spike turned quickly to the last minion. "You, are lucky. For now. I ever see you again, you'll scream for days." Spike growled at him.
The minion turned and fled back down the street, but Spike had no thoughts for him as Xander's scream split the night.
~*~
Xander ran, he was only a few blocks from the Magic Box. He'd be there in a few minutes. He just had to keep running. He never once looked back, but he prayed fervently that Spike would be alright. He just had to get to the Magic Box and get help. It was only a couple of blocks away now. He'd make it there quickly, get Buffy and Angel, and go help Spike.
Xander's steps faltered when he heard hurried running behind him. Without looking back, Xander picked up speed, running just as fast as he could. His only hope would be to get inside the Magic Box before they caught up to him. He didn't count on the three vampires that stepped out of the alley in front of him.
Xander tried to stop, sliding and falling on his rear in the process. In front of him stood both of the Master vampires from the night before and one of their minions. A quick glance behind him showed two of the minions that had surrounded him and Spike. This was not good.
"Well, seems we caught our mouse. Did you have fun?" one of the Masters said, leaning his face down close to Xander's. Xander didn't remember ever hearing his name, but the one named Leon, just stood behind him, looking just as smug as he pleased. Xander wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.
"Last time I looked, you guys were the only rodents around here." Xander spat from his position on the pavement.
Leon scowled at him. "Ya know, Vin, I kinda like him in that position. Makes a neat little pet doesn't he?" Leon leered at Xander.
"I think you might be on to something. Looking at who he was hanging out with tonight, seems he might have experience in that department." Vin, knelt down to eye level with Xander, and ran one hand up his leg.
Xander drew back from the touch, not liking what he was seeing in his mind from the vampire. Moving quickly, Xander kicked Vin in the face and scuttled away from him, only to run into the other two minions.
Vin stood up, still leering at Xander, and wiped a little blood from his lips. "He's got spunk, that's for sure, but not very good manners."
"That alright. He'll learn a little respect soon enough." Leon said. Stepping forward, he reached out to touch Xander, who backed away from him. "We may not have gotten to kill our Slayer, but sometimes, a new toy can be so much more fun to break." Leon motioned to his minions, who grabbed Xander as he tried to run away.
As soon as the vampires touched him, Xander knew he was in trouble. His mind was clouded over red and black, visions of death and destruction swam in front of his eyes. Pain, rape, torture, so much blood.
Xander screamed as his mind and body were over come.
~*~