Suki Blue Fiction

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Chapter 21

 

Surprised. There was a word.

Gobsmacked. There was another one.

Two things that Spike was feeling right at that moment. Surprised because Xander had met him, as planned, in front of the bowling alley, and gobsmacked because Xander had scored yet another strike.

“Thought you said you were an average player.”

Xander shrugged. “What can I say? I’m modest.”

Truth be told, Spike really had wondered if Xander would show. He’d been taken aback enough this morning when Xander had wandered into the mansion, bold as brass, to find him. Xander had been worried, actually concerned, for him.

Spike kept his smile to himself and concentrated on bowling the ball down the correct lane this time. Bowling really wasn’t his thing. Pool – now that was more his game.

Spike’s ball knocked down not enough pins by far. “Bollocks.”

Xander held up the fingers of his right hand in an L shape.

“Fuck off,” Spike shot back. A little girl stared up at him with an open mouth and wide eyes. “What? What you bloody looking at?!”

Xander jumped up and pulled him away. “Spike! Play nice with the kiddies, ‘kay?”

Spike let himself be led away. He was about to turn around when the little girl screwed up her face and stuck out her tongue at him. “Did you just see that?!” he asked Xander.

“I did. And I beg you not to retaliate.”

Spike retaliated and stuck out his tongue back. Then he vamped and the little girl ran screaming.

“You had to do that, didn’t you?” Xander said.

“What? I was just sticking up for myself!”

“She was, like, five, Spike. I don’t think it was necessary.” Xander looked over his shoulder. “Although I do think it’s now necessary for us to run for our lives. Her father looks really angry.”

“Yeah? Good. Stand back, Xan. I’ll take him on. I’ll take all of them on.” Spike frowned when Xander began tugging at his duster.

“No, no. No taking on of anyone. You promised, remember?”

“I promised I wouldn’t kill. I never promised I wouldn’t break the odd nose, did I?”

“No, Spike, please. Why don’t we go? We could go anywhere you want. Anywhere. You name it.”

Well, that was a tempting offer, he had to admit. But what really did it was Xander’s pleading expression.

Spike knew then that he was well and truly buggered.

Fuck. And he could have just done with spot of violence. “A bar?” he asked.

“Sure. A bar is good.”

“I will be drinking,” Spike insisted.

“Beer only,” Xander negotiated. “No spirits.”

They shook hands. “Done,” Spike said. It was a good deal, especially as it looked as though Xander was going to win the game. Fleeing would help salvage Spike’s pride.

“Hey, you crazy kids!”

Spike rolled his eyes and took Xander’s hand. He gave it a firm tug and together they ran for the exit. “I can’t believe I’m actually running away from a Scooby Doo reject villain.”

“I’ll make it up to you,” Xander said as they bolted through the doors and left the angry parent trailing behind.

“That a promise?”

“Yep. There’s a gift basket coming your way.”

“Deep joy.”

Xander turned as they ran and flashed him a big smile. That smile sent a bolt of electricity through Spike’s body.

As they passed one of Sunnydale’s numerous and dangerous back alleys, Spike was tempted to pull Xander into it. Whether Xander wanted it or not, there was fun to be had. If Spike wanted to touch, who could stop him? Certainly not Xander.

“Quick, down here,” Xander said, pulling Spike into the next alley.

They hid behind a dumpster and waited for the man to pass. Which he did, shaking his fist and looking every bit as ridiculous as he sounded.

Spike wondered if he’d been knocked out by his own ricocheting bowling ball and was busy floating in Cartoon Land.

“I think he’s gone,” Xander whispered.

But Spike didn’t care. “So?”

“Uh, so…wasn’t that the point?”

“I think this is more the point.” Spike reached out and snagged Xander’s jeans, pulling him towards him by his belt loop.

“Hey! Cut that out.”

“Why?” Spike whispered. “I want it. You want it.”

“And you think I’m gonna give it up in a dirty back alley? You really do have a screw loose.” Xander got his hands between them and pushed himself away.

Spike let him go. “Not even a kiss? Don’t I at least deserve that?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Xander asked incredulously. “For almost starting a fight? I’ll kiss you when I think you deserve it. Now, where is this bar?”

Spike pointed down the alley. “That way.” Okay, so he had deserved that. It was just so difficult not to take. It wasn’t as though he was some tame pussy cat. He just hoped Xander understood that. He couldn’t help it.

“What is it with vampires and their sense of direction? Flawless.”

“We come installed with GPS,” Spike joked.

Xander grinned at him. “I almost believe you.”

**

The bar wasn’t nearly as dirty and seedy as Willy’s. As far as Spike could tell it was a human hangout, which was probably for the best. He wasn’t too keen on Xander being around anything that could gut him with a swing of paw.

Spike paid for the drinks and together they headed for a table at the back. He’d been quiet since they’d left the alley and, the truth was, Spike was regretting his actions. He’d only just been telling himself he needed to play it cool, and then he had to go and nearly blow it. Angelus always did say he was ruled by impulse and that it was the very thing that got most vampires dusted.

“Why are you here with me?” Spike asked, looking slightly surprised. He hadn’t been intending to ask that out loud.

“Here as in: in this bar? Or here as in: here with you?”

“With me. You’ve done your research stuff now. You know what I’ve done. Why haven’t you told me to take a hike?”

Xander shrugged and looked awkward. But he didn’t look scared, so he wasn’t here out of fear.

“Truthfully?” Xander said. “I have no idea. I know I shouldn’t be here, just like I shouldn’t have been with you this morning. Oh, and did Angel happen to hear any of that, by the way?”

Spike nodded and sipped his beer. “’Course he did. Ears like a bloody bat, that bloke.”

“What did he say?”

“A lot. He wasn’t pleased, luv.”

“Whoops. Should I stay away?”

“No. We can see one another if we want. We’re both adults.”

Xander raised his hand. “Um, technically, that isn’t quite true.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, you’re not a child, though, are you?”

“Some might debate that. I feel manly, though.”

Spike couldn’t help it; he leered. Hey, if he couldn’t grope willy nilly then he could certainly leer occasionally. “Yeah, you do.”

Xander blushed but looked pleased. Spike was tempted to push it, but decided against. Instead, he chose to pursue the other dodgy subject. “So, come on, you must have some inkling why you’re here with me.”

Xander shook his head. “I really don’t. I know I’m putting myself at risk and I totally get why Angel is spazzing, but…I just don’t know.”

“Maybe it’s fate,” Spike suggested, half joking.

“Maybe it is. I have no reason to trust you and you have no reason not to eat me, but here I am anyway.”

Spike grinned and Xander blushed again. “Should I rephrase that?” he asked.


**

“Hey, guys,” Xander greeted cheerfully. He was in good spirits. It was Friday, it was Saturday tomorrow and it was the start of the weekend. Three good things all rolled into one. Wonderful.

Giles waved absently.

Willow looked up from her books. “Hey, study buddy.”

Xander’s spirits drooped. “Now?”

Willow nodded. “What better time than the present?” she said.

“Uh, the past? Then I would have already done it.” Xander made his way to the table and flopped into one of the chairs. He lifted his bag and dropped it onto the table surface. “Math, it is.” He looked around. “Wait just a minute. Where’s the Buffster? Why does she get out of this?”

It was Giles who answered him. “She’s gone to meet Angel.” The words were casual and spoken from behind a book. “They’ll be coming here together later. They’re out patrolling.”

“Well, I’m joyous,” Xander said. “Are you joyous, Wills?”

Willow smiled and rolled her eyes. “Angel’s okay,” she said.

“Yeah, if creepy is your thing.”

Giles put down his book and got up to retrieve another one from the private collection he kept locked up. “He might seem a little…eerie, at times, but he means well. And he’s very helpful to have around.”

“Sure,” Xander said. “I certainly find his lurking helpful and educational. I can’t wait to lurk like that when I grow up.”

“If you grow up,” Giles muttered.

“Hey!” Xander got up from his chair and followed Giles into the book cage. “I have recently been told I’m very mature for my age.”

“I can’t think by whom.”

“Cut me some slack, Giles! How many other sixteen year olds do you see fighting the forces of darkness every night? Apart from Buffy. Oh, and Willow.”

It was a good point and, as predicted, Giles caved. “Yes, yes. You’re quite right. My apologies. I’m afraid I’m a little out of sorts today.”

“Apology accepted. And what’s up?”

Giles squatted down and glanced over the spines of a set of books stacked on the floor. He pulled out the third one from the top. “There’s been another murder, I’m afraid.”

This made it murder number eight. All teenagers and four of them in the last few days. At this rate, the halls of Sunnydale High were going to be very empty in a matter of weeks. The sixth death had been Ray Matthews – the werewolf guy.

Xander had mixed feelings about that.

“The robed guys?” Xander asked.

Giles handed him the book. “From what I can ascertain, yes. Angel and Buffy are going to patrol the area where the body was found. I’d like you to read though this and see if you can find any further information on Stafanaachuco. Maybe we’ve missed something.”

“So, no Math?”

“Not unless you have an overwhelming urge and simply can’t do without, no.”

Xander gave a mini-punch to the air. “Yay.” Pleased, he carried the book back to the table and gloated.

Willow only pouted until Giles handed her a book of her own.

**

He’d been lurking around The Bronze for five minutes, watching, waiting. Spike could see the hunger and he recognised it as the same hunger that was ripping through his own stomach.

Okay, so he was being overly dramatic. He wasn’t that hungry, even though his new diet of cows’ blood left him with the tang of rotten carrots in his mouth and gave him a feeling of disappointment every time.

The vampire Spike was spying on had found the side entrance and was lurking like only a good vampire could lurk.

Spike silently stalked closer and lurked in a similar fashion. He’d never quite perfected the lurking thing, not like Angel had. Angel had it down to a fine art. Spike had considered asking for lessons.

Then again, that would involve actually having to speak to the old git. He wondered if ripping Angel’s head off was allowed under his no killing in Sunnydale embargo.

Angel was still nagging about Xander. Still harping on and on about Buffy finding out and how it was wrong and how he wasn’t going to allow it. Boring.

He had looked serious, though, and Spike was definitely wondering just how long it would be before Angel snapped. Part of him was curious to see how that would go and part of him was a little uneasy. How far would Angel really go to keep him away from Xander?

The side door to The Bronze opened as though someone was about exit. Spike got ready. His plan was simple. He wasn’t allowed to kill humans, so he’d let this other vampire do the killing, then, when it was too late for the unfortunate victim, he would strike. He would kick the vampire’s backside into next week and drink up what was left. That way, if Xander ever asked, Spike could look him in the eye without lying. He hadn’t killed. He just wouldn’t mention the lurking, offing another vampire and stealing the pickings part.

Spike chose not to closely examine why he felt it was necessary to go to these lengths. And speaking of Xander, where did he say he would be tonight? Spike racked his brain, but couldn’t remember. Research thing? No? Yes?

The Bronze? Maybe.

“Well, bollocks.”

The door opened further and a young man stepped outside. He was tall, had dark hair and was wearing a shirt that could easily be seen from space.

Spike nearly had heart failure. And he was sure he would have if it hadn’t been for the fact that his heart had already failed a century ago.

Only visible as a blur, Spike charged across the road, seized the vampire and twisted its head around as far as it would go. The crack of its neck was enough to make even Spike feel a little ill.

“Holy shit.”

Spike turned at the voice, but even before he did he realised it wasn’t Xander.

“What are you, some kind of psycho?”

“You wanna wait around to find out?” Spike asked.

The boy shook his head and quickly retreated back inside.

“And stay in there!” Spike yelled after him. He put his hands in his pockets and muttered to himself. “Fancy walking into a darkened alley on your own. Bloody idiot.”

The sound of clapping alerted Spike to another presence in the alley. “Angel.”

“Very good, Spike. We’ll make a hero out of you yet.”

“Ha, ha. Actually, it was an accident.” Spike bristled with the insult. He wasn’t a hero. He was a villain, and a damn good one at that. “Thought it was Xander. Wouldn’t have bothered if I’d realised it wasn’t.”

Angel looked as if he didn’t know how to respond to that. He was quiet for a long while and Spike just waited. He wasn’t sure if he was going to get a lecture, a full reprimand for god-only-knows what, or a medal.

“You’d better leave,” Angel finally said. “Buffy’s here.”

Spike nodded. “Right.” Huh, no lecture.

“Oh, and Spike? We need to talk.”

And there it was. “Yeah, yeah, alright. I’ll see you later.”

Spike got halfway out the alley before a small voice said, “Excuse me? Um, I don’t mean to interrupt, but my head is kinda facing the wrong way. Any chance of a hand?”

Angel pulled a stake from his jacket. “Sure. Happy to help.”

TBC…