<Part 5>
 

    Angel sat at the table, sipping his warmed blood as Cordelia bombarded him with questions about Xander.

    "Is he ok? Has he changed? Why the Hell is he living with SPIKE!?!"

    "He's fine. He hasn't changed much. I have no idea."

    "You know, your calm is NOT contagious!"

    Angel smiled and she gave up, "Fine! I'll see him soon right? When does he get here?"

    "Anytime now."

    As if on que the doorbell ran and Cordelia hurried to open it. Standing before her was Spike and a man who looked like he had stepped off a runway. "S. . . spike? I thought, where's Xander I mean. . ."

    The silver haired boy looked hurt and the secretary jumped in shock, "X. . . Xander?!"

    "Hey Delia."

    "I. . . You. . . wha. . ."

    Doyle stepped up behind her and smiled, "She means won't you come in."

    Xander nodded gratefully to the Irishman and Spike took his hand as they entered the offices.

    "Happy birthday." Angel greeted.
 
 

    Xander held Spike's hand tightly as they entered Angel's detective agency. The greating Delia had given him had thrown him for a loop! He was still trying to decide if her not recognizing him was good or bad. By the way Spike was cuddling him he'd lean toward good. Still. . . Delia's acceptance would have helped.

    "Happy birthday."

    He froze and stared wide eyed at Angel. The man he had lusted over and crushed on for years was right in front of him! He searched his heart for that gushy, firey feeling Angel usualy gave him and found, instead of Angel, Spike. He was really over the dark vampire before him!

    So eager to celebrate his new finding, Xander turned and grabbed Spike, kissing him hard and long.

    Spike jumped at the sudden attack but groaned and opened his mouth to Xander as the boy ran his tongue over his cool lips.

    "Can I just say, ewwwwwwwww!" Cordelia wrinkled her nose but didn't turn away.

    Spike stuck his tongue out at his human and Xander nipped at it, suckling off of it.

    "I said Ewwww, as in Gross!"

    Xander gasped and tilted his head for Spike to lick and suck his way over the smooth neck.

    "As in STOP!"

    The human gave Spike's neck the same treatment.

    Angel reached over to them and pulled them apart, leaving Spike's eyes hungry and Xander rumpled and confused. "Ok, that's enough."

    "Thank you Angel." Cordelia sighed.

    Xander pouted, "But it's my Birthday kiss."

    Doyle couldn't control it anymore, he had to laugh.

    Spike hugged Xander from behind and nipped at his neck, promising him more cuddles when they were home and alone again.

    "Well? Come on, we made you a cake."

    Xander's sweet tooth throbbed and his pout vanished, "Cake?!"

    Spike slumped down to the couch and smiled, "Choosin' a lump of sugar and lard over me?"

    "Do I have to choose?!"

    "If I didn't know you so well I would be crushed."

    Xander blushed and sat beside Spike as Angel brought out his cake. He closed his eyes and blew out the candles then watched Angel cut it with excitment.

    "What'd you wish for pet?"

    "Can't tell you or it won't come true."

    "No?"

    "Nope."

    "Who says?"

    "Everybody."

    Spike pulled Xander onto his lap and began to feed him mouthfulls of the moist treat with only his fingers.

    "Somebody is spoiled." Cordelia smiled.

    "'s my birthday, he can feed me if he wants."

    "Of course." Sarcasm was heavy in the words but Xander missed it all, too intent on trying to suck in Spike's slim digits with the cake.

    "I guess we know he's happy." Doyle quiped.

    Angel nodded, but his eyes never left the human.

    Spike must have sensed his Sire's interest because he scowled at his sire and began to growl low in his chest.

    Xander jumped and looked down at his vampire before glancing at the others apologetically, "I'm sorry, um, we need to step out for a minuet."

    Cordelia nodded and looked warrily at Spike.

    "Don't worry." Angel frowned harshly, "He's nuetered."

    Spike flipped the elder vampire off as Xander pulled him out the door.
 

    Once they were alone the mortal rounded on his roommate with a soft sigh. "Spike. . . "

    "Your mine!"

    Xander nodded and his lips crept up a little, "Yep, all yours."

    //Gods he's adorable when he does that! How can a human look so nummy?!// "I don' like my bloody wanker of a sire looking at you."

    "You're jealous!"

    "Am not."

    "Of Angel!"

    "Am NOT!"

    Xander's enthusiastic kiss caught him completely off guard, "Woah! Hold on pet, did I miss something?"

    "Thank you."

    "Wha. . ."

    "For caring enough to be jealous. No ones been jealous for me before." He blushed and averted his eyes with a guilty smile, "I know I shouldn't be happy that you growled at Angel but. . . thank you."

    Spike kissed his beloved and smiled, "Anytime luv." His hands wandered and Xander gasped as they slid into the waist of his pants and cupped his ass firmly.

    "Ahhh!" The human's eyes widened and he stared at Spike in pleased shock, "Spike!"

    His love was the picture of innocents, "What is it pet?"

    "Your hands. . ."

    "You like 'em? I do try."

    "Spi~ke!"

    He laughed and Xander bit his lip to stop from crying out again.

    "We. . . oooh!. . . they're waiting. . . for us. . ."

    "So, let 'em wait."

    "Ok! That's it! Angel, you tell them to come back! I so did not need to see this!"

    Both men looked like children caught sampling the cookie dough. Xander finally started to snicker and Spike sharred a secret smile with him before going back into the offices.

    "What were you two up to?" Angel glarred.

    Spike smirked and Xander blushed and looked down at his silver polished nails.

    "What's all this? You started the party without us?!"

    Xander jumped and turned to face a person he had hoped to never see again. //Maybe the ground will swallow me up before she. . .//

    "Hey cutie."

    //. . . sees me.// He tensed and held harder to Spikes hand, "F-f-faith."

    "Yep. I am back and ready to battle the baddies!"

    "Uh. . ."

    "Oh don't worry Xandy, I completly understand the one night thing."

    "Uh. . . thanks?"

    "Alexander."

    His eyes were still wider as he greated the ex watcher, "Westly."

    Angel realized why his friend was so shocked and apologized, "I didn't tell you! They work with us now."

    "Yep." Doyle nodded, "One big happy family."

    When everyone was seated again Presents were thrust at the birthday boy, "Time to open 'em! Come on!"

    Faith grinned, "Open mine first!"

    "You got me a present?"

    "Sure! Open it!"

    Xander was a little worried but he opened the flat box slowly, his eyes widened and he slammed
it shut again, "Ah. . . I. . . Um. . ."

    Spike snatched it from him, "Come on luv wha'd the bint get ya?" He opened it again and grinned, "Oooh! Thank you Faith! I know I'll enjoy them!" Spike held it up for the rest of them to see. Various G-strings, thongs, nipple clips, and over interesting apparel. Xander was as red as his ruby belly button piercing.

    "Oh come on! How can you be embarrased by a little underwear?" Faith grinned.

    "'s'not that. . ." He mumbled.

    "'E's thinking about me watching 'im walk around the 'ouse in them ain't ya luv."

    Xander buried his face in Spikes shoulder, "Spike!"

    "Aw, come on out Xander, you still have more presents."

    "I don't know if I can handle more."

    "I think you've handled the worst of it."

    He pulled away from Spike and sat there with a slightly hunted look as Westly handed him his gift. A book.

    "Um. . . this looks like a 'Giles' book."

    "It's a book of spells and excersizes for beggining warlocks."

    "Warlocks?!"

    "You have the power, it just needs to be focused, and when Angel told me you're living with Spike, I just thought a little magic might be usefull in the future."

    Xander bit his lip and his eye got watery.

    "Pet?"

    "I. . . thank you." He smiled, "No one ever thought I could do anything back in Sunnydale. I never. . . no one ever gave me a chance. Thank you."

    "I would be happy to teach you."

    The deep brown eyes wept and Xander brushed the tears away, "Yeah, I'd like that."

    Spike hugged him tight, "Aw luv. You're better than the lot of those so called mates. You're special. An' you're mine."

    Xander accepted the vampire's kiss and Faith clapped apreciatively. "Ok! Come on now, we've done the melodrama, I want to see the rest of your presents."

    He nodded and took Doyle's gift, a suspiciously bottle shapped gift. With a smirk he unwraped it and held the bottle for Spike's approval, "I've never had real 'wine'." He smiled at the Irishman, "What brought this idea?"

    Doyle smirked, "Well it's a wonderful year from a vinyard a friend of mine owns, I thought you and your lovely there could celebrate right and proper when you got home."

    Xander blushed again and Spike laughed, "You bet we will!"

    "Oh open mine I can't wait!" Cordelia huffed and shoved her present at him.

    Xander wasn't sure what to expect, but whatever he would have feared, this was 'not' it. He lifted the fuzzy Bat slippers from the box and starred at them. Black shaggy matterial made them up with the head of a bat fasioned along the toes, folded wings on the sides.

    Spike groaned, "There's nothin' to the bat myth Delia."

    "Oh I know." She smiled, "But they were too cute to resist."

    Xander chuckled, "They're great Cordy. Thanks."

    Angel sat a box in front of him and Xander looked up, nervous at the master vampire's gaze on him. He pressed back against Spike a little. "Aren't you going to open my gift."

    He was hesitant but reached for it and ran his tongue over suddenly dry lips.

    "Open it."

    Spike nuzzled his neck, "Go ahead luv."

    Carefull fingers untied the ribbon and opened the wooden box. Inside there was a hoop earing with a single jade bead. "It's pretty." He smiled and relaxed, "Thank you Angel."

    "It's a charm." Spike noticed, "What is it for?"

    Angel took a deep breath, "I realized after I came to LA that when I had been in Sunnydale you never wanted to go home. Then there was the Christmas that you camped out instead of being with you parents. I realised you came from an abusive home."

    Xander felt Spike's hands rub his shoulders and was grateful for their link to the world. He had never heard anyone describe his situation, even if it 'was' true.

    "Children grow up to be like their parents and in most cases if they were abused they become abusive. The bead on the earing is a charm to hold your past away from touching your soul. So you never have to worry about becoming like that as long as you wear it."

    Xander slipped it on silently, overwhelmed by the gift. He didn't say anything until Spike kissed his neck softly and whispered, "Are you ok luv?"

    With a soft nod and a genuine smile at Angel he touched the stone carefully, "Thank you."

    Angel nodded back and for a moment no one spoke. Spike took it upon himself to bring the party mood back and pulled Xander up into his lap for a kiss, "Now mine."

    Xander shook his head, "You already gave me my present."

    "I can't give you another one?"

    "Well. . . I mean. . . um. . ."

    He held up a ring box and smiled, "Open it."

    The ring inside was made of a small golden spike that wrapped around to rest it's head it between two smaller spikes of sterling silver. Spike took it out and slipped it onto Xander's ring finger, "Spike?"

    "Don't worry luv, I'm not asking you to marry me, yet. I just want you to know that I'll always love you. When I saw this it. . ."

    "Reminded you of William the Bloody." Xander nodded, "Spikes."

    "Yeah, but back then I would have never given this to anyone. I didn't 'love' anyone. So it's a token thing you know? Past present and future deal. You don't have to. . ." Spike was cute of when Xander's lips surged into his. He held on like a drowning man, that wonderful tongue was then only thing keeping him afloat. When Xander had to break the touch in order to breath Spike was speachless!

    "Good for you suger." Faith grinned, "You finally got him to shut up!"

    Spike didn't even answer, he was trapped in Xander's eyes. He had never been trapped in a human's eyes before! "Xander."

    "Thank you Spike." He broke their gaze and snuggled into the cool chest, "thank you."

    Spike pet the young man's head, threading his fingers through the thich, slightly curly hair. Neither wanted to move.

    Cordelia smiled at the two of them, "I think it's passed Xand's bedtime."

    Spike nodded and stood, bringing his mortal with him. Xander faced them with a not 'too' wary smile. "Thank you all for the party and the gifts. Maybe we can see eachother again soon."

    Cordelia nodded and fussed over Xanders new 'look' "You're always welcome Xan! You know that! And if Wes' is gonna be teaching yo magic then you'll be around plenty! You watch yourself ok?"

    "Yeah Cordy, I will."

    Once the door closed behind them the ex May Queen turned to Angel and tried to speak, failed, and tried again.

    "It's a shock." He acknowleged.

    Westly nodded, "But they have true feelings for each other."

    "They make a cute couple." Doyle agreed.

    It was Faith who brought up what everyone else was afriad to, "Why the Hell were you giving off those 'let-me-fuck-you' vibes?!"

    //Oops.//

<Part 6>
 

    Spike opened the door of their home and locked in behind him, all the while holding Xander, who was on his way to sleep. "'s been a rough day for you, 'asn't it pet."

    "Mmhmm." He yawned.

    "Come on, let's get you ta bed."

    "'kay."

    "Bed's this way luv." Spike grinned, //He's so cute when he's sleepy! Shit! Did I just think that?! The Big Bad does not smile at things that are cute!//

    Xander yawned and burried his face in Spike's shirt like a puppy.

    //Ok, just this once.//

    "mmm."

    "Xan-pet, come on luv, bedtime."

    "mhmm."

    Spike smiled and stripped his room mate down to his boxers, "We have to try some of those birthday skivies you got t'day."

    "kay."

    Spike grinned, this had potential! "After you get up I want you to wear just those until we have ta get ready fer work."

    "'kay."

    The vampire chuckled and lifted the dozing boy up into the matress, slipping in beside him and covering them both with the thick down quilt. "G'night luv. Happy birthday."

    "'nigh' spi'."

    He chuckled again and kissed the boy's forehead. "My human."
______________________

   "You've got a thing for Xander!" Faith squealed.

    "I do not have a 'thing' for anybody."

    "Yeah sure, riiiiiiight. So how long has this 'not a thing' been going on?"

    Angel stood up roughly, "I am going to bed."

    "Oh come on Angel! What? You can't handle a little competition? Geesh! I though you were a big tough vampire."

    "I am not going to steal my childe's boyfriend Faith. Now if you'll excuse me."

    Cordelia stared at the closeing door then at her friends, "Shit. How does Xander get into these things?!"

    "Sparks are goin' ta fly." Doyle agreed, "Unless Angel can keep it together."

    "Have you ever known Angel to 'keep it together' when it came to a relationship?"

    Cordelia groaned, "Someone call the hospital and tell them to stay ready for us."

    Westly shook his head, "Maybe we're worrying for nothing. Let's just take it one day at a time, and see what happens."

______________________

    "You can't be serious!"

    "But you promised me luv!"

    "I was asleep!"

    Spike put on the most convincing pout he could manage. "But luuuuuuuuv. . .!"

    Xander balked, "Not the face!"

    Spike let his lip quiver a little.

    "Fine!" Xander snatched up the velvet G string and sliped it on. "Happy?"

    Spike was drooling, "Hmm?"

    "Spiiiiiiiiiiike!"

    "Wha. . .? Sorry luv, wha'd ya say?"

    "I feel naked here!"

    "You look naked there."

    "You aren't helping."

    "I could. . ."

    "Stop that. I know that leer. Bad thoughts, stop thinking bad thoughts!"

    "Actually it was more of a reeeeeeeeealy gooooooooood thought."

    "Spike!"

    The vampire kissed him and smiled, "I can't 'elp it pet, you look so nummy!"

    "Then consider yourself on a diet!"

    "But you're a low calories nummy then."

    Xander couldn't help but laugh at that, and Spike took the opportunity to pounce him back onto the bed and sprawl out over him. "Spike. . ."

    "Just touching luv. I promise. You look so good Xan-pet." His voice was rummbling and sensuous near Xander's ear. "Whenever we go out I'll know what you're wearing 'neath your clothes, and I'll know you're wearing these sexy bits just for me."

    "I. . . Ohh, Spike. You aren't playing fair."

    "All's fair in love and war."

    "Which one is this?"

    "'li'l a both. Mostly love. Does that bother you? That I love you?"

    "uh uh, makes me feel special."

    "You've always been special."

    "Makes me feel wanted."

    "cause you are."

    "Why me?"

    "Hmm?"

    "You could have anyone you wanted. Anyone! Why choose me? I'm just the donut boy."

    Spike jerked back and glarred at him, "Never say that again!"
 

    "But it's . . ."

    "It is not true! You saved the slayers ass more times than you can count! Just because you did it without powers or magic doesn't mean it didn't happen! You're better than all of them together! Never think that you aren't!"
 
    Xander had surprised tears in his eyes, "Spike."

    "Don't think that you're anything less than wonderful."

    "I. . . why are you so kind to me?"

    "'cause you're my nummy treat." Spike said softly, making the odd endearment a verbal carress, "And because you deserve that and more, I wish I could show you how I see you, you'd never sell yourself short again if you could see that."

    Xander cuddled close and let himself just be held. Cared for. Loved. He had never known he could feel so safe and so loved.

<Part 7>
 

  Spike smiled down at his sleeping beloved.The birthday party had taken some unanticipated turns, but Xander had handled them all. He was strong that way, and Spike would never let anything hurt him. Not ever again.

    They hadn't slept together yet, not in the full scense of the term, but soon. He grinned and ran his fingers softly over the boy's ribs, snickinging when he squirmed in his sleep. The touch trailed lower and teased the edge of the black silk boxers his human slept in. Spike didn't mind, they were his boxers and when Xander wore them, it was like he was announcing that he belonged to Spike as much as Spike to him.

    "What are you doing?"

    Spike looked up into sleep hazzed eyes and smiled, "trying to wake a sleepin' beauty pet."

    "Isn't a kiss supposed to do that?"

    Spike took up the invitation and Xander sighed into his mouth. When Spike pulled back he glanced down to the silken shorts again and smiled, "Think that did the trick."

    Xander blushed and tried to hide his morning erection, that kiss had only made it worst.

    "Don' hide pet." Spike cooed and trailed kissed over the boy's warm, hard chest and abdomine. "C'n I help you with that?"

    "Spike. . . I'm not ready to. . ."

    "Ta get fucked, I know. I just want to taste you." He pressed a kiss to the tenting boxers and looked up in hope. "Can I taste you?"

    Xander couldn't speak. He finally forced his head to obey him and nodded, but his lips couldn't form any words. Spike looking up from between his spread legs, hands resting on his hips, the image was so erotic Xander almost came then and there.

    "Shh." Spike smiled and pulled softly in and down on Xander's sack, holding him in check, "It's ok luv, calm down." He slipped the boxers completely off carefully and burried his nose in the sitting boy's dark curls, inhaling the heady musk of phermones and Xander. "You smell so good."

    "Spike." He moaned and arched up into the contact.

    Spike's cool tongue flickered along Xander's hard flesh until he reached the head. after playing around the underside, he lapped at the slit causing Xander to make a noise between a scream and a groan. With a smile the vampire took him all into hi smouth, swallowing back in his throat.

    "S. . . Spike! Gods! Oooh!"

    "What do you need Xander?" He asked after releasing his love.

    "I want to do that to you." He begged, "Please, I need you in my mouth."

    Spike blinked in shock but nodded and striped quickly then lay beside Xander, rolling until the human was on top of him. Each other's erection at their partner's lips.

    With a shy curiousity, Xander explored Spike's rigid cock. Finding what made the vampire writhe and what sent sparks off behind his eyes. Soon both of them were nursing the flesh offered to them, languidly, aroused but set on taking it slow.

    When the spasming of Xander's body told both of them their play time was nearing it's end, Spike rose up to encompase his lover's flesh and gasped when Xander mirrored him. Their dual cries announce their simultanious comming and Spike turned back to lay face to face with his lover kissing him deep and long. "I love you." He gasped.

    Xander smiled and held Spike close, "I. . . I think I love you too."

    They clung to each other afraid to let go, and soon sleep took them both into it's grasp.

______________________

    Doyle followed Angel down the sidewalk toward the warehouse that Spike and Xander called home. "What is the purpose of this visit again?"

    "They didn't go to work last night. I just want to make sure they're ok."

    "The guy at the bar said they were using some vacation time, it isn't like they just stopped showing up." He shook his head, "It's the week of Xanders 21st birthday. Spike probably just wants him to relax and have some fun."

    "I don't trust him."

    "No one asked you to."

    Angel didn't answer, they were at the warehouse.

    Doyle waited expectantly, "Well?"

    "I. . . you have to enter and invite me in."

    "Huh? I thought you'd been here before."

    Angel muttered something.

    "What?"

    "Spike revoked the invitation."

    The irishman sighed and opened the door, "Angel, won't you come in?"

    He charged inside and Doyle rolled his eyes and trailed after him. "Xander are you. . ." Angel went stone still and his face lost what little color it had. One look toward the bed told Doyle why.

    Xander was curled against Spike, belly to belly. His head was resting on Spike's arm and the vampire's other arm was wrapped possessively around him. Their legs were hoplessly intertwined. The two of them could have been one person for the lack of space between them, it could have been chalked up to comfort, Doyle supposed, except they were naked as the day they were born, and the smell of semen was thick in the air.

    "I'll kill him." Angel growled and Doyle grabbed onto the angry vampire, holding him back.

    "Angel! Stop! You'll regret this when you come to your senses! Angel!"

    The vampire had stopped again. This time his eyes were locked on the large fireplace Spike had built onto one of the walls. Above it, in a mahogany frame, was a potrait. A beautifully done portrait of Xander and Spike. The way they were looking at eachother. . . "Gods."

    "It's wonderful, isn't it."

    They swung to face the bed, Xander was standing now in his black jeans. He pulled the covers carefully over Spike's shoulders and kissed his nose softly.

    "Xander. . ."

    "It was my birthday present." Xander smiled, ignoring Angel's lost look. "Spike said he had seen pictures at Buffy's, of me and Willow and Jessie. . . he wanted one of us. But he can't get his picture taken, because of the mirror thing. So. . ." He gestured to the portrait and smiled, "I know you don't trust him. He doesn't fit with your 'soul'. William the Bloody is always going to be a sore spot with you. But he isn't 'just' that. He's a whole different person with me."

    "If you take one, you take the other." Doyle warned softly.

    "I know." Xander just smiled, "And I do." The whimsical aire left him and he faced Angel squarely, "What did you want?"

    "I just wanted to know you were ok. . . I . . ."

    "Pouf's upset cause he thinks we shagged." Spike grinned from the bed.

    Xander grinned back at him and pounced back onto the matress for a good morning kiss.

    "Hi." Spike laughed when Xander pulled back in a daze.

    "Hi."

    "So you didn't. . ."

    Both of them looked up at Angel, annoyed that their good mornings had been interupted.

    Doyle cleared his throat, "We. . . ah. . . sorry, we'll come back later tonight ok?" He dragged Angel out and shut the door behind them.

    Xander stretched out on top of Spike and nipped his nose playfully, "That went well."

________________

    Angel jerked his arm from Doyle's grasp, "Why did you do that?!"

    The irishman sighed, "They're a new couple Angel. Enjoying their time off like all couples do. You can't treat that boy like he's a kid. He knows what he's doing."

    "New clothes and a tatoo doesn't change the fact that he's still Xander Harris."

    "And this is significant how?"

    "He's a trouble magnet! If something can happen to someone it'll be him! He has no idea what he's getting into! He didn't even do much fighting with Buffy, he was the donut boy, the comic relief. Believe me Spike is taking advantage of him!"

    Doyle just starred, "I can't believe you just said that."

    "What?"

    "You think you're in love with that young man and you just summed up his life in your eyes as useless and troublesome. Angel listen to yourself. The comic relief. Donut boy. How many of the lad's insecurities can from your lips hm?"

    Angel couldn't believe Doyle was defending Spike's rights to Xander! Spike! He was the bad guy! didn't they see that?!

    "I'm going home." Doyle shook his head.

    "I'm trying to keep him safe!"

    "Maybe it's time you realized he's old enough to keep himself safe."

    Angel turned away from his friend and did what Angel always did when he knew he was wrong but refused to admit it. He brooded.

_____________________

     By the time Angel settled down and convinced Doyle to come with him to visit the warehouse again, Xander and Spike were curled together on the couch. Spike was watching Passions and Xander reading the book Wesley had given him.

     "I hate to do this to you again but, hi, can we come in?" Doyle blushed and glared at Angel for making him do this again.

     Xander looked up at them and grinned, "Just don't talk until the commercials are on, Spike hates to have his soap opera interrupted."

     "‘Ow many time ‘ave I told you pet? This isn't a bloody soap! It's cultural research!"

     Xander covered a laugh behind a cough and Spike glared playfully at him and nipped his nose.

     Angel glowered at the two of them and Doyle steered him into a chair and sat beside him, keeping him there until Spike's ‘research' was over. "What's the pouf doing here?!"

     That was all he could take, Xander dissolved into a fit of giggles.

     Spike growled and launched himself and the laughing boy onto the carpeted floor, tickling until Xander was having trouble breathing.

     Angel's growl cause them to stop and look up at him. "What?" Xander looked confused.

     Spike propped himself up on his elbows, still on top of the human boy, and sighed in a pained way, "‘Aving you around is like ‘aving a dog."

     Xander snickered at the thought of Angel with a fluffy tail and floppy ears but manage to contain it quickly, "We were just playing."

     "Xander this is Spike! You can't treat him like a human affair! He isn't human!"

     Both of the froze and stood slowly and Doyle was wishing the Earth would swallow him up for bringing the vampire master back to the couple's domain.

     "I can choose who I love, Angel." Xander's eyes flashed.

     "Oh yeah! Faith was a perfect example of how in control of your lovers you can be!"

     The boy blushed and looked away and Spike leapt at Angel, "What right do you have to come int' our house an say something like that?!"

     "He isn't a toy Spike. He isn't Dru. You can't play dolls with him and then chuck him away when you want a new human to play with."

     "It isn't that way."

     "Stay out of this Xander."

     The dark hair human glared at Angel, "I love him deadboy!"

     That froze everyone in the room, including Spike.

     "What did you just say."

     Xander refused to step down. "I. Love. Spike." He enunciated each word. "I love him. He loves me. Why do I feel like I'm singing the Barney song?"

     Spike snickered but snatched Xander into his arms and fell back to the couch with him, "You said it."
 
     "Let go of him!"

     "I love you too pet."

     "Spike! I said. Let. Go."

     The lovers ignored their company, too set on showing each other how true their words were.  Spike's eyes shone like Angel had never seen them shine before, the answering sparkle in Xander's depths was too much for him to stand. "I invoke Sire right!"

     Spike froze and starred at his sire in disbelief, "No!"

     "I am your sire. My blood gave you death and life. I invoke my rights as master and sire."

     Doyle grabbed Angel's arm, "What do you think you're doing?!"

     "Spike?" Xander held him from behind, tremors touching his soft voice. "What is Sire right?"

     The vampire couldn't move from his shock. He turned and hugged Xander tight as he could. Maybe their last hug.

     "Spike?"

     "Since the pouf made me, he owns me, luv. If he invokes sire right, I have to act the part of his childe again."
 
     "I don't get -  I mean, I don't - why Angel?"

     "Spike! Heel." Angel growled with a smirk.

     Xander clutched at his love and life and Spike kissed him one more time, "Spike, no."

     "I'll come back nummy. We love each other, right? Keep alive ok? I'll come back for you."

     "SPIKE!" Angel barked and Spike fell into step behind him, eyes lowered.

     Xander's eyes filled with tears and his moist lips trembled but he watched them leave steadily. Only when the door shut did he collapse. "Spike."

     Doyle was still stunned! //I can't believe Angel would. . .// "Xander?"

     "He took him away."

     "Xander maybe he. . . I mean. . . he'll come to his senses. . . he has to! I mean. . ."

     "What gives him the right to take him away from me." Xander set his jaw and glared at the door. "What gives him the right to take MY vampire from me?!"

       "Boy-o don't do anything rash now."

     Xander jerked his shirt and boots on and grabbed the stake Spike had carved for him back in Sunnydale, smooth from use and stained red with the blood of hundreds of Vampire's stolen blood and ash.

     Doyle blanched, "That's rash. Xander! Xander! When I said nothing rash it included staking Angel! Xander!!!"

     "Dead boy is DUST!"
 
 
 

~tbc~