From Out Of Nowhere Series

Spike sat cross-legged in the centre of the empty apartment.  He pulled deeply on his cigarette and tenderly stroked the snake that had curled up on his leg.  For two years he had lived in this apartment.  And for two years he had been happy.  Then, three months ago, when he had fallen in love with Alexander Harris, all that had changed.  He was no longer *just* happy.  He was ecstatic, euphoric, blissful and totally contented.

“Hey, smoking wonder!  You coming anytime soon?  Everyone’s gonna start thinking we stopped for a shag.” Xander stood in the doorway with a big smile plastered across his face.

“And your point is?”

“Any my point is that I don’t wanna get accused of shagging, when I haven’t actually shagged.”

“You wanna shag?!?”  Spike asked, surprised and missing the point entirely.

“No, I wanna go.  C’mon Spike, I’m excited, and there’s food at the other end.” Xander had to quash the urge to stamp his foot.

Spike narrowed his eyes. “Cucumber sandwiches?”

“*All* you can eat.”

“Deal.” Spike stood and eyed the box by the door. “That the last one?” Xander nodded and Spike handed him the snake. “Right, you take her.” He picked up the box and paused briefly to place a small kiss onto his lover lips. “Let’s go home, pet.”

**

“Ooops.” Xander stared out the windscreen and into the frowning faces of Joyce, Dawn, Willow, Tara, Buffy and Giles. “You think we should have given them the key?”

“I think we shouldn’t have stopped for that shag after all.”

Xander opened the car door and whispered over to Spike. “How does a flat tire sound?”

Spike bobbed his head and tried desperately to clear the smirk from his face. “It’s better than, ‘we stopped the car for a bit of slap and tickle’”

Xander stepped out of the car and waved to his friends. “Hey, guys.  Sorry about that.  We were right behind you and suddenly, from out of nowhere, we get a flat. Would you believe it?”

Willow approached the dishevelled lovers with a grateful smile. “No, but thank you for the lie,” she said, honestly.

“You’re most welcome, Red.” Spike trotted over to Joyce and rubbed his hands together. “Xan says you brought cucumber sandwiches?”

Buffy stepped in front of her mother before she could reply and pointed at the door. “Cucumber later. Door now.”  She grabbed one of the larger and heavier boxes and waited for Spike to comply. The others copied her and Spike unlocked the door, mumbling under his breath.

**

Giles glanced around the living room. “Oh! It’s really rather nice.”

“Thanks, G-man.  We like it.” Xander opened the vivarium door and placed the snake gently inside. “And how about you, Isis? You like your new digs?”  Isis waggled her tongue and slithered up one of the many branches in her new and improved home. Xander stared at her for a few moments before he realised that everyone had disappeared. He stood and listened to the laughing and chattering voices that were coming from the kitchen. He smiled softly to himself and walked over to join them.  Home

It had not taken long to move everything inside. Twenty minutes, maybe.  The furniture had already been moved in the daytime and Xander had gone along to supervise. When the removal guys had left, Xander had taken some time to look around his new home. Most of his time had been spent in the kitchen.  It was a slightly old fashioned pine affair, all done out in warm reds, oranges and yellows. A large table stood on one side and Xander had sighed deeply when he thought about all the meals they would share here with their friends.  His own chosen family gathered around the table, talking, laughing and gossiping.  As Xander had wondered around the kitchen, he had spotted an envelope next to the sink; it had his name written on it.  He had sat on top of the counter top and opened the mysterious envelope. What he saw inside made tears well in his eyes.  It was the deeds to the house.  Spike had put both their names on it.  This was not just a house.  It was his home. *Their* home.

“Yghou guhonna eurhat sourgmitt, ourhr arurghe yghou guhonna sturgh aht iht aurll daurgh?”

“Huh?” Xander shook his head slightly.

Spike swallowed his third sandwich and repeated himself “I said, are you gonna eat something or are you gonna stare at it all day?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. Zoned out.”  Xander leant over the kitchen table and swiped the biggest piece of chicken that he could find.

“So we might as well start the meeting now, we can move to the magic shop if we need supplies.”

“Meeting? Now? What’s up Buff? Aliens landed? Elvis back? Easter bunny attacking small children and goats?” 

“No, Xan. Demon.”

“You do surprise me, Slayer. What’s the deal? What kind of demon do I get to rip to a million bloody pieces?”

Xander grabbed a spring roll and smiled happily at his lover. Spike was at his happiest when either shagging or slaying.  This day must be his idea of heaven.

“No clue. No confirmed sightings. Just lots of confirmed body parts”

“Euww. Human body parts?” Tara had turned seven shades of white and Willow put a comforting hand on her leg.

Xander anxiously swallowed down a cold sausage. “Where?”

Giles adjusted his glasses and answered Xander’s question.  “The park. For the last three nights in a row, the police have been called there.  By the time they arrive, all that can be found are the shredded remains of some poor unfortunate.”

Willow gulped. “Shredded?”

“Yes, torn to pieces. The nature of the attacks would lead us to believe that the perpetrator was some kind of animal and you can bet that is what has been put in the police report.”

“Flying guess here. Not an animal?”

“I very much doubt it, Xander. The bite marks are *much* too big.”

“H-h-how many people?” Tara was now paler than Spike.

“Five” Buffy stood and stretched. “Anyone fancy a quick patrol?”

They all agreed, some more enthusiastically than others, and Xander turned to face Joyce. “Would you like me to take you home, Mrs Summers? Or you can wait here.  We won’t be long.”

“Aren’t you a dear? I’ll be fine here with Dawn. I’ll clean up while you’re gone and maybe watch a little T.V.”

Xander nodded. He picked up his coat from the back of the chair and smiled to himself.  Everything was perfect. He had his own home, a seriously hot boyfriend who he loved very much and he had his friends all around him.  He did, however, feel a slight tinge of sadness.  He wished his own mother could be more like Joyce, so kind and so caring. He craved that feeling of a mother’s unconditional love. A small sigh escaped him and Spike looked over, knowing instinctively what Xander was feeling.  Spike shoved an axe into his lover’s hand and slung an arm over his shoulders. “C’mon, pet. Let’s go kill something.”

**

Spike stalked through the park, his blue eyes sparkling yellow as he picked up the scent of blood and followed it.

“What is it?”

“Blood, pet. Stay behind me and keep quiet.”

Xander obeyed and walked quietly behind his lover.  He glanced nervously around at his surroundings.  The park was dark and deadly silent.  He and Spike were patrolling the north side while the others had split into pairs to search the rest of the park.

Spike hissed under his breath and pulled them both to the ground “Bloody Hell.”

Xander gasped and increased his grip on Spike’s duster. “Oh god.”

A few feet away from the crouching lovers was the body of an elderly man. At least as far as they could tell, it was a man. The body had been ripped to pieces and each part was covered from head to toe in thick, dark, gloopy blood.

Xander whispered into Spike’s ear. “Do you think it’s still around?”

“It must be close, look, the body’s still twitching. Fresh”

“Jesus! Is he still alive?” Xander stood to rush over, but he was roughly pulled back down.

“Not yet! No, of course he’s not alive. It’s just his nerves ‘n stuff going into spasm.  Happens sometimes, just after death.”

Xander nodded his comprehension and swallowed hard.  He was beginning to feel nauseous.

Spike sniffed the air and tried to catch the scent of the demon. Failing, he turned to face his lover. “Bugger. Not a fucking trace of it. It doesn’t make any sense. I should be able to smell it.”

“Maybe it’s gone?”

“Maybe. C’mon, let’s check the body out.  Stay low.”

The two lovers crept towards the body and Xander clutched at his stomach.  He was barely holding onto his dinner. “And just what are we looking for exactly, apart from nasty nightmares and six months worth of therapy?”

Spike and Xander looked down at the mangled body. “Dunno, luv. Clues, I guess. Any thing that can tell us what we’re dealing with.” Spike casually picked up an arm and examined it closely. “My, my. What big teeth you have. Look at that, pet” Spike thrust the mangled arm under Xander’s wrinkled nose.

“Um, yeah, those bite marks are pretty impressive. And for your future reference, I will *Always* just take your word for it.”

Spike shrugged “Whatever you say, luv.”

“Spike?”

“Mmm?”

“What’s that smell?”

“Smell? Oh, well that would be his bowels...”

“Euuww, no! Not that smell.  The other smell.”

Spike sniffed the air. Xander was right. How the hell had he missed that? The smell got stronger and Spike got the feeling that they should be anywhere but here. He quickly pulled Xander to his feet. “We need to find the others.”

“Actually, I think it would be nice if they found us right now.”  Xander pointed to a spot behind Spike and the vampire whirled around to face a wolf like creature.

Spike pulled out a large sword from the holster around his waist and pushed Xander Behind him.  Spike was torn. Send Xander to find the others or keep him in sight.  He opted for the latter. Who knows how many of these creatures were lurking out there.

“Try and stay away from him, pet. Leave him to me, yeah?”

“Not a problem. You go get the bad doggie. I’ll just be over here not getting eaten.”  Xander drew back and placed himself into the area that Spike had gestured to.

Spike adopted a defence position and took a couple of moments to eye up his opponent.  It was a large hairy creature, much like a werewolf.  It was standing upright on its hind legs, and from the way it carried itself, Spike assumed that this creature always walked upright.  Not like the werewolf’s he was used to seeing. 

The uber-doggie stood about eight feet high, towering over him. Stepping forward, it lowered its jaws level with Spike face and growled low in its throat.

“Oooh, language pup.”  Spike said, playfully.

The demon-animal stood motionless, snarling and drooling foul-smelling saliva onto the grass below.

Spike stood his ground. If this creature wasn’t going to make a move on him, then he would return the favour. Perhaps his new furry friend would back down.  It certainly didn’t look like it was in a hurry to tear his head off and Spike was keen to make sure his lover was safe with the others before launching an attack.

The creature locked eyes with Spike and cocked his head.  Spike was certain that he could see an expression of confusion. The demon then looked to a point over Spike’s shoulder and intensified it’s growling. 

With horror Spike realised what the creature was growling at. Xander. It was going to go for Xander.  “Xan, listen to me, babe, and don’t bloody argue. Run. Get back to the van.” Spike heard no movement from his lover and he knew that the boy was hesitating. “Xan! I said run!”

Xander heard the pleading in his lover’s voice and he decided now was definitely another one of those rare occasions where he was best off obeying. Spike would not send him off alone and in the dark without good reason. With the decision made he turned around.  The demon lunged and Xander ran for his life.

**

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

It was dark and Xander suddenly realised that he was lost.  He was exhausted but his arms and legs continued to pump frantically, running on pure adrenaline. <i> Shit.</i> The creature was right behind him now. He could hear the demon’s clawed feet crashing into the ground and he could feel its hot, foul breath on the back of his neck.  Xander used the little remaining strength he had and abruptly changed direction, diving behind a large tree.  The creature, although fast and powerful, was not nimble enough to keep up with the sudden change of route and it struggled to stop itself and pivot around. This bought Xander valuable seconds. He knew Spike must somewhere behind, chasing the creature, and Spike was the only one, out of the two of them, that had any chance of fighting and surviving. Xander ran furiously back the way he had come, ignoring the pain burning in his lungs and his tired legs.

The creature began to gain again, its harsh panting now almost deafening to his human ears. As he stared forward, the bushes began to part. Spike  Xander sprinted towards them, a relieved smile forming over his lips. Oh Fuck.  It wasn’t Spike. From out from the bushes another wolf-demon appeared and Xander barrelled straight into it.

**

Spike lost sight of the demon.  Even with his vampiric abilities, he was not fast enough to keep up.  To top it all off, he had also lost its scent. That made absolutely no sense.  The scent should leave a trail.  He concentrated instead on tracking Xander.  He wasn’t far.

As he raced across the park he saw them. Two wolf-demons and Xander. His lover was caught between them, frantically trying to free himself. Mine Spike shifted into his gameface and charged, his feral roar of fury blazing into the sky.

Spike wasn’t sure he had the strength required to knock down one of the demons so he aimed instead for Xander. He connected with his lover at a massive speed and wrenched him away from the creatures clutches, rolling him along the ground. Spike jumped to his feet, he didn’t have time to check Xander’s injuries, the boy was awake and his heartbeat was strong.  That was good enough for now.

Spike immediately went on the attack.  He pulled his sword back out and charged again. The wolf-demon he was aiming for was seemingly distracted.  It did not even look at him, it looked past him.  It was preparing to attack Xander again. Not a chance in fucking hell.  With all his strength and power, Spike plunged the sword deep into the creature’s chest. The demon screamed with pain and thrashed out with its arms, knocking Spike to the floor.

“SPIKE? XANDER? IS THAT YOU?”

The second creature focused on the group of people that were emerging from the other side of the clearing. It took a quick and uncertain look at its injured companion, whined, and disappeared back the way it had came.

Buffy pulled out her own sword and approached the remaining thrashing demon.  Its screaming had hit a high pitched tone and all the humans clutched desperately at their ears. Buffy raced up behind the wolf-demon and forced her sword through its back and into its heart. The creature froze. Its eyed glazed over and it whimpered like a frightened puppy before it toppled silently onto its side.

Spike rushed to his lover and ran his hands over his body.  This was a vampire health check that Xander was very much used to now.  Xander accepted the examination silently, unable to speak.  He was still breathing fast and heavily and his heart was booming in his chest.

“I don’t believe it! Not one bloody scratch.”

Xander could only nod and Spike gathered the panting boy into his arms.  “That Xander Harris luck must be working in your favour for a change.”

**

“Oh, Jesus Christ.” Xander threw himself into the couch and stared unhappily around him. “Look at all this.”

Spike looked.  The place was filled with unopened boxes. “Yep, lots and lots of boxes.”

Xander groaned. “You think maybe we should unpack some of them now?”

“Nope. I think we should go to bed.  I’ll unpack them tomorrow while you’re at work.” Spike waggled his eyebrows at the exhausted human. “Wanna christen the place?”

Xander thought hard.  He was tired. The packing had all been done at the last minute and that combined with Spike’s insistence that last night was the last time they would ever be able to have sex in the apartment, meant that Xander had not gotten a whole lot of sleep. Now it was three o’clock in the morning and the evening had been spent, moving boxes, having more sex, being chased across the park by a giant poodle then dragging said poodle to the Magic box.

Xander turned to look into Spike’s hopeful face. “I’m real tired *and* I’ve got to go to work early tomorrow.” Spike’s optimistic expression turned into a disappointed one and Xander continued. “Sooo, I’m afraid you’ll have to do all the hard work.”

Spike developed a mischievous grin. “Not a problem, luv. Which room do you want to christen first?”

“Hmm. Well, I think we should only christen a room once it has been unpacked. Call it motivation.”

Spike nodded. “So that would be the kitchen, then?”

“Uh-huh”

“And you say you’re tired and I’ll have to do most of the work?”

“Yep”

Spike looked like he was considering something for a moment. “Okay. You asked for it.”

Xander emitted an unmanly squeak as he suddenly found himself being hoisted up and slung over Spike’s shoulder. “Counter-top or table?” Spike asked with a slap to Xander’s rear.

“Table,” Xander commanded.

Spike moved at supersonic speed. Reaching the table, he quickly deposited his lover and began to undress.

Xander pushed himself up on his elbows and watched Spike unclothe himself.  He licked his lips, watching as bit by bit, firm ivory skin was revealed. “Spike,” he whispered. Xander reached out his hand and Spike stepped forward to receive it. Warm fingertips scrapped over a cool chest, meeting and scratching at an appreciative nipple.

Spike gasped and felt his erection grow harder. He leant over the table and claimed a heated kiss. Spike paused to look deeply into his lover’s eyes and he stroked a tender hand across Xander’s flushed cheek. “Love you, Xan.”

“Love you too, Spike. And thank you for the house.”

“Your welcome. And now we’ve got all the tender shit out of the way, I’m gonna fuck you into the table.”

Xander responded to the announcement by grabbing the Spike’s arms and pulling him down to join him. He crushed his mouth over Spike’s and sucked on his bottom lip. Nimble hands tore at Xander’s clothes and in a split second his shirt was a pile of torn fabric and his pants were rapidly going the same way. Spike growled as he tore more fabric away and flung his lover’s sneakers across the room.

After what seemed to Spike, like hours, but was actually seconds, Xander was finally naked. He looked down to admire the human that was sprawled across the table. Xander stared back up at him, his eyes wide and his breath fast and erratic. “Spike. Now. Want you.”

Spike whirled around and grabbed his jeans, searching desperately for the small tube.

“Spike,” Xander pleaded.

“Alright, quit your moaning, I’m coming.”

“Not yet, I hope.”

Spike heard the humour in Xander’s voice and he smiled wickedly as he located the tube.

He stalked back towards the table, a look of lust and need enveloping his whole body. “Gonna fuck you ‘till you’re raw, pet.  You ready?”

Xander let a shiver pass through his body.  He was naked and laid out on the table top like a vampire buffet, but he felt no fear. He wanted this.  He wanted the vampire to fuck him into next week and then plunge his fangs deep into his neck. “Ready.”

Spike rushed forward and hurriedly prepared his lover. Xander squirmed beneath him, enjoying the feel of Spikes cool digits inside his tight passage.

Spike climbed onto the table and crawled over Xander’s body, kissing him from belly to lips. Xander desperately kissed him back, his need burning white hot. He clawed blindly about the table top, searching for the tube of lubricant and he groaned with frustration as he repeatedly failed to find it. Spike drew back momentarily; grabbing the small tube and handing it hurriedly to his lover. Xander squeezed a generous amount of the lube into his palm and quickly coated Spike’s cock.

Spike moaned as Xander’s warm hands slid over and over his shaft and suddenly the need to feel his lover impaled onto his cock took over all other thoughts.  He pushed Xander’s hands away and grabbed hold of his legs, pulling them up and hooking them over his shoulders. He positioned the head of his erection at the tight opening and glanced at his lover, seeking permission for entrance. Xander gave it and Spike thrust himself deep inside.

Xander cried out as Spike filled his body. The sensation gave him the feeling total completeness. This was it.  This was what he wanted.  Spike, with him and inside him, forever.

“Touch yourself.”

Xander complied and touched his throbbing erection in long strokes that matched Spike’s thrusts.

Spike looked down, desperate to watch the expressions running across Xander’s face. His lover was panting wildly as he stroked himself and Spike was driven closer to the edge by the sight of the sweating, moaning human that twisted bellow him. He drove hard into Xander’s body, his thrusts wild and almost brutal, and he felt the shudder as a violent orgasm was ripped from Xander’s body.  Spike tensed and an unearthly howl rose and filled the house as the Spike’s seed was squeezed from his own body and released deep into his lover. He sunk forward, releasing Xander’s legs and sinking his fangs into Xander’s shoulder.  Mine

**

Sated, Spike pulled himself up and rested on his forearms. “You okay, luv?  Did I hurt you?” Spike expression said that if he had he would stake himself on the spot.

Xander smiled and reached up, brushing his fingers through Spike’s blonde curls. “Course not. But you have nearly fucked me into unconsciousness.”

Spike smiled back briefly before putting his thinking face on.

“What is it?”

Spike laughed, the sound hollow in the air. “Just thinking.”

“Thinking what?”

“Just thinking that when I tell you what I wanna tell you, it might be the moment that you get up and walk away from me.”

Xander kept his voice light even though a sliver of fear had crept into his brain. “I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t get up right now even if one of those uber-poodles was standing by the sink.”

Spike fixed him with a serious look and Xander brought his hands back up to cup his face. “Tell me.”

“I want you. I need you. I’ll never leave you and I will never let you go.”

“Okay, well good. I want those things, too. What are you worried about?”

Spike took a deep breath. “I want to claim you.”

“C-claim me? What’s that?”

Spike heard the fear in his lover’s voice. “It’s okay, pet.  It’s not like turning. I wouldn’t do that. I love you just the way you are.”

Xander exhaled slowly and felt his fear fade away as Spike’s soothing eyes pleaded with him to believe. “Okay, so what s it?”

“It’s a ritual. Kind of like a marriage. But it would bind us together by blood.  You would belong to me and all other vampires would know that they couldn’t touch you.”

“Like a consort?”

Spike’s eyes widened in surprise. “Yeah! That’s exactly what you’d be. Where did you here about that?”

Xander shrugged. “I think Giles mentioned it once.  But I don’t really know anything about it, except that a consort is a vampire’s human companion.”

“Well that’s pretty much all there is to it. It’s like a branding, pet.  It shows the world that we belong to each other.”

Xander nodded, his brain turning over all the information. Did he really want to be bound to this vampire for the rest of his natural life?  God, yes!  He pulled Spike back down and kissed him thoroughly. “Yes.”

Spike grinned from ear to ear.  He pulled Xander into his arms and rolled them over, draping the warm body over his own.

 Xander yawned. “So how does this ritual work?” he asked, sleepily.

“I’ve got to admit, pet, I don’t really know.  Claiming isn’t something that’s done too often.  I’ll call Angel. He’s bound to know.  Bloody pouf knows everything.  And maybe he would perform the ritual for us.”

Spike hadn’t actually lied, he really didn’t know much about the claiming ritual.  However he did know a few titbits and he wasn’t entirely sure that Xander was going to go for it. Still, he would call Angel; perhaps his Sire would know a way round it.

“Hmmm, sleepy” Xander’s eyes slipped closed as he spoke.

Spike looked up at the boy in his arms. “C’mon, luv, Bed time for you.”  Spike more or less carried Xander up the stairs and put him to bed.  After returning to the kitchen, he retrieved a beer from the fridge and lit up a cigarette.  He swigging from the former and picked up the phone to call Angel.

**

Xander flung an arm over the bed and was surprised to find a distinct lack of Spike. He rolled over and squinted at the clock. Okay, so only half an hour had passed since he’d begun to drift off to sleep. Spike was probably still on the phone to Angel.

He sat up and pulled the covers around his body.  There was a chill in air and it made him shiver slightly.  It was no good.  He needed to put some pyjamas on.  His legs were positively goose-bumpy. Xander climbed off the high bed and padded over to a box that had ‘Xan’s clothes’ written on it. He rifled sleepily through it and produced a pair of black cotton pyjama bottoms. He tugged them on and eyed himself in the mirror. They weren’t overly baggy, but loose enough to hang nicely off his hips. Spike would approve. With Spike in mind, Xander decided he would go downstairs and interrupt his lover, perhaps give him a loving lick or two while he was yapping with Angel. That would be fun.

Xander turned towards the closed door and heard footsteps approaching on the polished floor boards. With an evil smile, he crept towards the door.  Time to give the big bad a big fright He pressed his ear up against the door and listened.  When the footsteps halted outside, Xander swung the door open and bellowed. “BOO!”

There was no-one there. Xander frowned. He could have sworn he’d heard footsteps. He shrugged at his own apparent stupidity and walked to the bathroom.

Xander emptied his swimming bladder and washed his hands. As he dried them on the hand towel, he heard the footsteps again. He concentrated on the sound; it was slow and steady, not at all like Spike’s normal swagger.  What is that British bastard playing at now? Xander sighed, opened the door and stepped into the hall. “Spike…?”

Xander was confused.   There was no-one there. He listened carefully and could just make out the drone of Spike’s voice.  Spike was definitely still downstairs, talking on the phone. Okay, so now he had the wiggins. He walked back down the hall towards the stairs. He stopped when he reached the closed bedroom door and listened again. There were more footsteps, different footsteps, coming up the stairs, but he could clearly see that there was no-one there. The footsteps rushed in front of him.

*Bang*

Xander jumped as the bedroom door opened and slammed itself. “SPIKE!”

**

“And you’d really do it for us?...Yeah, well, I don’t know if he’ll go for the full ritual.  I’ll have to talk with him. But you’re sure we could do it even without the sex?...I see…uh-huh…uh-huh…Okay, well, I’ll talk to him about that too.  The least I can do is explain what will happen…Yeah?...Hang on a minute would you?”  Spike dropped the phone to his side and stared up at the ceiling, frowning at the footsteps that were going back and forth. What the hell is that bloody brat *doing* up there? The footsteps stopped and Spike went back to his phone call.

“Sorry ‘bout that, Peaches. Were was we? Oh, yeah. Could you bring the necessary down with you?...Good…Yeah, the party is still on.  Gonna be wild. Cordy coming?...Sure…okay, then...Whatever.” Spike hung up.

Spike was just about to light up another cigarette when he heard light footsteps moving quickly up the stairs. As he moved to find out what Xander was thinking by running about at all hours when he was supposed to be sleeping, he heard a bang loud enough to wake the dead, followed by the cry of his lover.

“SPIKE!”

**

“Xan!? Pet.? You alright? What the bloody hell are you doing?”

“Did you hear it?”

“What?”

“All the walking about?”

“Yeah. That was you.”

“It wasn’t! The footsteps went back and forward, then they came up the stairs and the door opened and slammed. I thought it was you…”

Spike put his hand over the boy’s mouth to silence the babble before it spiralled completely out of control. “Wasn’t me, pet”

“I which case, Spike?......I think this house is haunted.”

Spike paused for a moment to mull this over and then come up with a more rational explanation. “…Oh bugger!”

**

“So, what’s the verdict, G-man?”

The sun had set and the scoobies had amassed at The Magic Box to discuss the new demon threat. Xander had arrived last after finishing his shift at Pizza Pizza.

“Not entirely sure, is the honest truth. It seems to be a hybrid of some sort.  Willow has examined its DNA.” Giles gestured that Willow should explain.

“Weeelll, from what I can tell it is part werewolf, part domestic canine and part human.”

Most of the room was stunned into silence.

“How the bloody hell did that happen?”  Spike looked up at the ceiling. For fuck sake.  What next? He was just about ready to kick something. This was going to mean an investigation. Spike was happy enough to seek and destroy, but he was not looking forward to the lengthy discussions and debates that would undoubtedly go with it. Spike had enough on his plate what with the ghostly goings on that had nearly scared Xander out of his wits the night before.

Giles crossed the room and leant on the table. “I can only assume that these creatures are man made.”

“Tell me it’s not the initiative, please,”  Buffy groaned as she slowly and repeatedly head-butted the table

“I’m terribly sorry, Buffy, but I think it’s a given.”

Xander grew suddenly alarmed. “Hang on, we’re not gonna break into the initiative again, are we?”

“No, Xander.  We don’t have the necessary recourses for that kind of action.  Willow is going to try and break into their data files with her lap dance thingy.” Xander’s alarm turned into a smirk as Giles flapped his hand at Willow’s laptop.

Buffy stood and started towards the door. “Well I’m not too good with the research thing. Think I’ll just go dog hunting. You up for a fight, Spike?”

“Always, Slayer”

Xander got up to follow them.

“And just what do you think your doing, pet, hmm?”

“I’m coming with you.”

“You bloody aren’t!”

The look of hurt that shot across Xander’s face, twisted Spike’s gut in two. Xander hated being pushed aside; it always brought up that feeling that he wasn’t good enough, that he was weak and that no-one needed him.

Spike touched a comforting hand to Xander’s cheek. “Not just you, pet. Those things are too strong and you humans break so bloody easily. It’s just gonna be me and the Slayer.”  Spike turned towards Buffy. “Right?”

Buffy nodded. “Right.”

Spike knew he had to give Xander something to do. He wasn’t going to let him think that he was needed any less than he was. “Why don’t you go home, babe.” Spike lowered his voice to a whisper. “Keep an eye on the house. We need to work out what’s going on. Do you think could go online and see if you can trace the history of the house?”

Xander whispered back.  “Do you really think it’s haunted?”

“Maybe.  This is a Hellmouth, pet. It could be anything. But let’s go with the obvious theory first, yeah? C’mon. I’ll drop you on the way.”

Xander nodded and grabbed his coat.

“What are you two whispering about?” Asked Buffy

Two voices spoke in unison. “Nothing.”

**

Xander carefully shut the front door, put his keys in his pocket and tiptoed down the hall way.  He stopped halfway and inwardly cursed himself. Why the hell am I creeping about? I’m not the damn ghost.  C’mon, Xan, pull yourself together. Nothing to freak out about. Just be sensible.

Xander gave himself a mental slap and carried on walking normally down the hall and into the lounge.

Moving towards the computer in the corner, Xander looked quickly around the room. So far so good.  No spookies in here. He chuckled softly to himself.  This was just so typical of his life. Can’t have normal friends, got to be a Slayer and some witches.  Can’t have a normal lover, got to be a vampire. Can’t even have a normal house, got to be a fucking haunted house. Xander frowned.  This was *his* house, his and Spike’s. And there was no way he was going to be driven out by a restless, ghostly, power walker.

Xander waited impatiently for the computer to connect to the internet.  He tapped at some keys and let the search engine do its thing.  After a few minutes of searching, a pop up window revealed a website containing local hauntings and ghost sightings. Xander fiddled with the mouse and his jaw dropped open as a seemingly endless list scrolled up the screen. Oookaaay, need to narrow it down. He spotted a search box and typed the road name into it. As a picture of his house appeared on the computer screen, he heard the clattering footsteps.

Xander stood abruptly and spun around. Calm, Calm, Calm. He slowly edged forward and tried to see into the hallway. “Hello? Anyone there?…Hello?” There was nothing.

Xander fought back his fear and stomped on the feeling that he needed Spike to be here. Nothing to be afraid of. Don’t need Spike to protect me. Got this *under* control.  He walked over to the door and confidently stepped into the hall.

Unseen footsteps rushed past him and up the stairs.  Xander stared up to the next floor and listened as the scampering feet charged across the landing. One of the bedroom doors opened and slammed. Just like last night.

He shivered; the air seemed suddenly cold and damp. Fear rushed back at him and he took an unsteady step back.

Footsteps. *Clonk…Clonk…Clonk*

Slow and steady, the footsteps echoed down the hall. This presence felt so different. The fast steps that had passed him earlier had brought feelings of curiosity. These slower, harder steps gave him a feeling that was near to stark terror. Steadily the footsteps climbed the stairs and Xander began to shake.  He was happy to admit now that the Spike’s presence was much wanted and needed.  The footsteps walked along the upstairs landing and Xander heard the same door open and close again.

Silence.

Xander stood glued to the spot, completely paralyzed with fear. Something felt very wrong.

A voice. “No, please, no, no, no, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

The screamed filled the house, bouncing off every wall. It was all Xander needed rip him from his paralysis. He ran blindly through the main room and skidded into the kitchen, slamming the door behind him

**

Buffy stared up at the creature, her weapons scattered about the ground, lost. Hot breath smothered her face.

Spike grinned. “Evening, poodle”

The creature looked at the vampire only briefly before turning back to the tasty human.

Buffy sniffed at the large wolf-like creature, seemingly not bothered by her own impending death. “Euww. Doggy wants a bath?”

The Smelly-poodle dived at the Slayer, its huge clawed arms swiping at the tiny girl. Buffy fell, hitting her back hard against the ground. “Spike! A little help here, please.”

“Oh so you *want* my help now.  Five minutes ago it was all *I* am the slayer, *I* am the greatest, *I* can take the wolf all by myself, la la laa” Spike had his hands on his hips and was doing a pretty good impression of Buffy.

Buffy held onto the wolf’s arms and squirmed beneath it. “Spike!”

“Admit you need me.”

“Alright, alright! I need you. Now get you’re un-dead ass over here, now!”

“Pleasure, ducks.” Spike pulled a large hand axe out of his duster and sprinted into the fight. He spun his body in a full circle and landed a powerful kick into the wolf’s chest.  The creature howled with surprise and hooked a clawed paw at the vampire, catching him painfully on the shoulder.

“Fuck.” Spike stumbled backwards, keeping his eyes locked with the wolf’s. The creature stalked towards him, growling and snarling. Its teeth were bared and slick shining saliva oozed and dripped from its jaws. It lunged again, but Spike was quicker this time. He ducked and spun his body around in a crouching position, bringing his axe around and connecting it with a large hairy leg. The creature howled again, its eyes burning yellow with fury.

Buffy scraped herself up from the ground and watched the creature take the blow to its leg. As she stood and steadied herself her foot stepped on a twig and it snapped loudly.

The wolf whirled to face her. Its hackles rose and its claws unsheathed further.  

“Buffy! Run!”

Spike seized his opportunity. The wolf had turned his back on him and was crouched down in the grass, readying to pounce on the fleeing human. Spike jumped onto the creatures back and locked an arm around its neck, hacking the axe into its chest.

The wolf thrashed violently and Spike lost his grip on his weapon. Using both arms now, he squeezed tighter around his victims neck. Spike growled at the incensed creature, feeling anger and rage at the thought that this could have been one of the bastards that had chased and attacked Xander. What if they had hurt his love? What if they had killed him? Spike’s whole body tensed at the thought, his arms squeezing and crushing at the hairy neck. Never. No-one will ever take him away.

*Crack*

Spike felt the body beneath him go limp and both creature and vampire fell forward into a heap on the floor.

Spike bounced back up and grinned.  He was very pleased at his handiwork. “Two down and Christ knows how many left.” Spike suddenly winced at the pain in his shoulder, he needed to get home and heal himself. He shouted into the darkness. “SLAYER! YOU THERE, DUCKS? C’MON. IV’E PUT THE MUTT OUT OF ITS MISERY. YOU CAN COME BACK NOW” He cocked his head and listened, a small scuffle was taking place in the distance somewhere. Spike concentrated hard. Two human heartbeats. Buffy and another human.

Spike leaned against a tree, lit up a cigarette and waited. A couple of moments later Buffy appeared. Behind her, she dragged a man dressed in military gear. Spike growled. The initiative

**

Spike stepped into the hall. He hung his coat on a peg and threw his keys into the table. “Xan?” Noticing that the there was only darkness upstairs, he headed for the lounge and scanned around him.  The light was on and the computer flickered in the corner. Spike sniffed at the air and stiffened as the scent of fear hit him square in the face. Picking up an erratic heartbeat from the kitchen, Spike rushed towards it and flung the door open.

Xander was ready.  As the door swung open, he raised his weapon high in the air and lunged.

“WHOA! Easy there, pet. Just me.”  Spike reached out and caught hold of Xander’s arm.

Xander struggled for a moment before registering that it was his lover that held him. “Spike.” 

Spike let go of Xander’s arm, and folded protective arms around him. “S’all right, luv. I’m here now.” He held him for a few moments before Xander pulled back. 

“Where the hell have you been, Spike?”

“Had some trouble. But we’ll talk about that later. What happened here?”

“They came back. The footsteps.  They went right past me, Spike. There were two. One was running and it went into one of the rooms upstairs and then there was this other one. It walked all slow and it really freaked me out.  I think it followed the first one into the same room, and then there was this awful scream.  It was so loud, I couldn’t think, I didn’t know what to do…”

Xander looked on the verge of a complete mental breakdown and Spike wrapped him back into a tight embrace. “Sssh, luv. It’s ok now.  Calm down. You’re safe.”

Xander took a deep breath and continued.  “I just ran in here and waited. I was so scared that it would come in here.”

Spike’s concern turned into mild amusement as he clocked the weapon that Xander still held tightly in his hands.  “And what were you planning on doing if the ghosts had come in here? fry ‘em some eggs?”

Xander looked down at the frying pan that he still held in a death grip. He suddenly found the humour in his situation. “You think pancakes would have been better?”

Spike chuckled lightly and released the pan from his lover’s grip.  Setting it on the table, he pulled Xander back into his arms and kissed him firmly, taking his time to dominate the warm human mouth with deep lavishing strokes. “Safe, pet.”

Xander nodded and smiled  He did feel safe now. What use Spike would be against a bunch of ghosts, he didn’t know. But he definitely felt better. Frowning, he noticed the wound on Spike’s body and he felt guilty that he hadn’t noticed it earlier. “Spike, your hurt”

“S’nothing” Spike lied.

“It’s not nothing. Go sit down. I’ll get you some blood.” Xander ushered Spike into the lounge and returned to heat up some pig’s blood from the fridge.

Spike sat forward on the couch and carefully removed his t-shirt.  Fuck His shoulder hurt like hell. Xander sat down next to him and handed over the mug of blood.

“Thanks, pet.  You’re a star.” Spike guzzled at the rich fluid, quickly downing it in three greedy gulps. It wasn’t enough. Pig’s blood could barely heal a paper cut, never mind the gaping claw marks that travelled over the Spike’s shoulder.

Xander moved closer to the vampire and bared his neck. “You need more. Drink from me.”

 Spike hesitated “You sure, pet.”

“Of course, you need it.  I may not know much, but I do know that my blood will help you heal much quicker than that pigs blood crap.”

Spike nodded his agreement and leaned in to his lover’s neck. He shifted into his gameface and carefully sunk his fangs into the soft warm flesh. Spike moaned as the hot blood pulsed over his fangs and filled his mouth. The urge to keep drinking from his lover and never stop was almost overwhelming, but he would stop.  He would never hurt his love, his soon to be mate. After two mouthfuls, Spike reluctantly pulled back and lent his forehead against Xander’s. “Cheers, pet. Much better.”

“Mmmm.” Xander replied dreamily. He hadn’t lost enough blood to hurt him, but it did make him feel a little bit floaty. He looked down at Spike’s shoulder, marvelling as the wounds closed up. It was mesmerising.

“You find anything?”

“Huh?” Xander looked up with a puzzled and slightly dazed expression and Spike motioned towards the computer with his head.

“Oh, um, I don’t know. Maybe. I got kind of distracted.”

“Well, that’s fair.” Spike got up and wondered over to the computer and Xander followed behind.

Spike stared at the computer screen. “Oh that’s just bloody great!”

“What is it?” Xander asked, leaning around Spike for a better look “Shit. That doesn’t look good.”

Spike sat down in the chair and picked out the relevant information. “Justine Brooks, murdered by her estranged husband ten years ago. Chopped her up with an axe, apparently.”

“Nice,” Xander said with sarcastic cheerfulness.

Spike continued. “Previous owner reported strange noises and a *ghostly presence* Presumed it to be the woman and her husband. It says ‘ere that the disturbances started in the summer of last year.”

“I’m guessing that’s why they moved out”

“Probably. But don’t you think that it’s strange that all the weird shit only started last year but the woman died ten years ago?”

Xander thought about for a moment. “Yeah, that is weird. Does it say how long the previous owner lived here for?”

“Nah, but I remember that the estate agent said it was about nine years.”

“Okay, that is bizarre. Why would the disturbances only start last year? I really think it’s time for some outside help, Spike.”

“Yeah, maybe we could ask Angel when he arrives. This sort of thing is right up his alleyway.”

“Sound like a plan.”

Spike got up from his seat and circled his arms around his lover. “That’s settled, then.” He kissed Xander deeply and wandered his hands over the boy’s back and over his buttocks.

Xander pulled back slightly. “Your are sooo transparent,” he said with amusement.

“What?” Innocent blue eyes stared not so innocently.

“You are *clearly* trying to distract me.”

Spike grinned. “Is it working?”

“Yes,” Xander replied firmly. “However, I still wanna know what happened to you tonight. *Then* I will allow myself to become distracted again.”

Spike nodded and pulled them both onto the couch. He took a deep unneeded breath. “We ran into the initiative.” Spike paused there for the predicted reaction.

Xander’s eyes went suddenly wide. “The *initiative*?

Spike nodded solemnly.

Xander was silent as his brain processed the given information and all the possibilities that went with it. “Oh my god! Did they recognise you?  What happened?  Were they in the park? How did you get away?”

“Hey, sssh, baby, calm down. I’m okay, see? There was only one.  He was hiding out at the park.  He didn’t recognise me. So there’s no need to for panic, yeah?”

Xander wasn’t so sure but he nodded anyway. “Tell me what happened.”

“Well, I was finishing off one of our new furry friends and Buffy was running away.” Spike was pleased at the slight look of confusion on Xander’s face. “Next thing I know, the bint is dragging some soldier bloke out of a bush.”

“Are you sure he was initiative?”

“Positive, pet. I can smell ‘em.” Spike narrowed his eyes and a look of hatred crossed his face.

“Did you…Did…?” Xander was worried.  He knew all too well how his lover felt about those bastard soldiers.  He wouldn’t blame Spike if he’d killed the soldier, but that didn’t mean that he had to like it.