The Labyrinth

See Part 1 for all disclaimers, credits, and assorted legal schmegal.

AN: Ok, I'll offer one massive apology for not having done anything with this story in... way too long. *blush* Since May even. Between home catastrophes and a serious block on writing in this fandom, that's the best I can do for sucking up.

But here's my best effort at recouping, with many thanks to the dozen or so *cough* persistent requests for me to get off my ass and finish this fic. I hope this meets with your approval, ladies and gents.


Previously:

Just before his key touched the lock, the door swung open and Xander jumped a foot in the air.

"Holy fuck!"

"Xander, welcome home. I was beginning to wonder if something untoward had happened this weekend."

"Giles?!"

~ * ~

Part 10

"It's so gratifying to know that you remember me, seeing how long it's been since we last spoke. I do hope this is not an inconvenient time to visit?"

All the blood in his body rushed to fill Xander's face. Alright, so this was the man who had loaned him books and pamphlets, sent links to informative websites, even found him lists of prospective masters... But it was one thing for your mentor (unofficial father figure, sorta) to know the general direction of your sex life, and another entirely for the stuffy Brit to *know* what and with whom he was exploring a kink that most of the world's population would see as a sign of mental illness. Maybe not that drastic, he silently admitted, but still... he couldn't picture his friends and family readily accepting his need to be dominated by the not-so-evil undead.

"Uh, hi G-man. Didn't expect you to drop in, sorry. But hey, at least you had the key and didn't have to sit outside, right?" Throwing his arms around the taller man, he noticed -- and surely it wasn't a new development -- how fit the Watcher was. Strong muscles and lean lines toned by years of working his Slayer to top form, the greying hair atop his head almost seemed an insult to Giles' overall studworthy appearance. The thought caught him so offguard that he nearly stumbled over his doorstep.

"Oh dear, you look done in. Let's move our reunion inside and have a cuppa, yes?" Drawing his younger companion into the house, Giles took in the obvious changes to Xander's appearance. He looked... content. Moreso than he'd ever been back in Sunnydale, at least. He also seemed nervous about something, which could mean many things with this young man. Although...

They moved into the kitchen with few words spoken. Giles allowed his wandering thought to work itself out, while Xander did his best to lessen the permanent flush that stained his cheeks. Together, the simple task of filling a teapot and collecting cups and cream took little time. Once or twice, the younger man opened his mouth as if to speak, only to close it with a whimpered snap. If Giles' suspicions were correct, the young man had finally called upon one of the names he had provided. And that explained the tension radiating off his friend quite well.

A cup passed into his hands, forcing Xander to look up from his intense study of his knuckles. "Dear boy, it can't be all that bad. I must apologize for any error of mine that may have led you to prematurely seeking out-"

"NO!!" Hot tea spilled across the table, and he focused on wiping it up while speaking more softly. "No Giles, it's not that, not at all. Um... before I tell any details, how about answering a question for me?"

"Of course, Xander."

"Right. All those names and contacts you sent me... how many of them do you personally know?"

Light brown eyebrows raised and Giles pushed his glasses back into place. "Well, I know *of* them all, naturally. But how many have I actually met? All but a handful, the younger ones, but they had excellent references I assure you."

"Giles, settle down! I wasn't hurt or anything, just really surprised is all. The one I picked," warm eyes drifted to gaze out the window, "was everything I could have hoped for. Taking control without being a jerk or abusive or anything like that. We clicked right off, and it just got better. I spent the weekend with him. But G-man, I almost walked out the first night, when I saw who it was."

Watchers spend their lives picking up the tiniest details to explain the larger problems, and Rupert Giles was The Watcher. He noticed how calm his young friend was when talking about his new master, how delicate shivers raced across his shoulders as his mind replayed the weekend's activities. So what was the problem?

"And just who was it? I must infer from your words that we both know the man. Is that going to be a problem for your training?"

"Oooh no, not in the least," Xander chuckled even as his ears pinkened once more. "See, I know that the Council has secrets, and with you being the leader and all, you've gotta keep those secrets from mere mortals like me. I *know* that!" He held up a hand to forestall the anticipated protest. "But dammit Giles, he was my friend too. Don't you think I had the right to know he wasn't really dusted?"

Sinking back into a slump, the Brit scrubbed his face with a tired hand. "Oh Xander." How could he ever explain? "At the time, there were too many other complications to take the chance of-"

"No, not like this. Giles, listen a minute, ok?" He waited til hazel eyes tentatively sought his. "I'm not *mad* at you! Believe it or not, I do understand the need for keeping certain things from certain people. I guess maybe I'm just... disappointed that you couldn't trust me to look beyond the 'hey, he's back, let's drop everything' and think of the bigger picture."

His words gave little consolation to the Watcher, and Xander felt terrible for making the man so upset. He stood to round the table, dropping to his knees in front of Giles' chair.

"But it's all good now, alright? This is exactly what I need. What *we* need. And even if you didn't intentionally direct me to him, I still owe you a world of thanks for helping me have the courage to explore."

Surprising Giles (and even himself a bit), Xander put his head on the older man's lap and hugged him around the waist. With his face buried in crisp denim, he missed the flash of arousal that flickered across his friend's features before they were schooled back to the usual composed mask.

A choked laugh brought the brunet's attention back to reality, and he hastily sat back on his heels. "Sorry 'bout that, G-man. Guess I really am trained now, huh?" Was it just his imagination, or was Giles blushing?! Hmm, verrrry in-terest-ink. Right, switching channels before anything embarrassing decides to pop up. "So, wanna join us for dinner tonight? I was just stopping back here to check mail and pick up a few changes of clothes."

"Already? My word, Xander, this is certainly moving faster than I'd expected."

Giggling (manfully), the younger man pulled himself up and offered his hand to Giles. "Giles, think about it logically. We've already lived together before, more than once. We've weathered apocalypses and bad break-ups and hellgods together. We've shared beer and popcorn, exchanged insults, and in spite of everything managed to trust each other with the lives of our loved ones. Hell, I *liked* him before... even had the damp boxers to prove it, though I'd never admit to that at the time. This is just... the timing was never good before. But now, here and after everything, it's so *right* between us." Puppydog eyes fluttered, half playful and half beseeching, begging the older man to understand. "Be happy for me?"

Xander had matured well beyond his group of giggling girls, and maybe that knowledge made it all the worse -- such a small, timid voice from the self-assured man standing beside him, it made Giles' heart ache to think he'd caused this gentle man's doubts to surface.

"Oh Xander, you should know I would never stand between you and whomever makes you happy. It was a bit of a surprise, naturally, to discover the identity of your paramour. This does not mean that I am withholding approval." He placed both hands on Xander's shoulders, squeezing them firmly. "If Spike is the answer to your needs, if he cares for you, I will do everything in my power to support you both."

"Aww gee, Dad! Does this mean that you'll give me away?"

However nimble he was after years of dodging demons, Xander failed to duck when the Watcher slapped him upside the head. All in good fun, of course.

~ * ~

Bills dealt with, email checked, and a couple of duffles worth of odds and ends later, Xander proudly led his mentor to his temporary love affair. He stroked the leather seat dreamily before climbing in to start the ignition. And if Giles spent most of the ride chuckling at the little dribbles of drool on his face, well, Xander could forgive that. As long as he had permission to fondle the magnificent machine, he could forgive almost any sin.

Pulling into the garage, he smirked (loudly) at the Watcher's gasp. Yes, there was an impressive selection of automotive power, and yes, Spike really owned them all. Both men happily teased each other as they made their way into the house, where Xander introduced Giles to the housekeeper and snagged a sandwich from the plate being prepared for lunch. He received a swat to his rear for his trouble, and laughingly kissed Jancis' cheek as he bounced toward the stairs.

"Honey, I'm home!" he called out, in too fine a mood to worry about waking the undead. Throwing a quick "just follow me" to the Watcher, he raced up the staircase. Before both feet touched the top landing, a black-clad figure intercepted Xander's catapulting body in a fierce hug.

"So I hear, dearling." Hands pulled the exuberant mortal into a tight embrace, mouth covering mouth to squelch any complaints at the abrupt show of affection. Only after he'd insured his lover's breathless compliance did Spike address the Watcher, "Rupert, yer lookin' good." The possessive arm thrown around his pet did not go unnoticed.

Giles wanted to scrub his glasses, or maybe dive into a research session of some import. Anything to keep his eyes from the stunning picture the two lovers made. It was abundantly clear just how very much they meant to one another, and he felt a twinge of jealousy. Not that either of these two were the specific target really, but he could wish for such a relationship of his own, couldn't he?

"Yes, thank you. As are you, Spike." He cleared his throat against the raspiness that threatened to choke his greeting. "I did not realize that you were still on Moirah's list of availables."

The vampire shrugged. "I wasn't. But ya know she's got the Sight, yeh? My guess is she just knew to add my name, just for Xan." He looked fondly at the confused expression slowly replacing 'thoroughly snogged' on his loveling's face. "Anyway, whatsay we take this someplace more comfy. You two've probly got loads to gab 'bout, an I need brekkies."

Showing the mortals into the bedroom, he left them to catch up a bit while he heated up his liquid meal and arranged for lunch to be brought up.

Keen vampire senses gave him more information than Spike needed to deal with just then, and he had to carefully consider how to handle the Watcher's wave of arousal. Of course, there'd always been something there, 'tween him and Rupes, and to a lesser degree 'tween the humans. But despite that knowledge, and the little role playing he and his boy had enjoyed, was he willing to share even one night with someone who had as much influence over his mate? Not that he was really worried that Giles would try anything... he hoped.

Half an hour later, he made his way back upstairs to join Xander and their guest. Spike still wasn't sure how to deal with the unexpressed sexual tension bouncing between them all, but he'd feel better talking it over with his sweet little one before making a decision. Taking a deep breath, he paused outside the doorway to work up a smile, or at least a smirk.

"-and there was this really cool ink parlor and a huge guy named Turtle who does the absolutely best tattoos I've ever seen, and then we went to a great restaurant and gods I've never eaten so much at one time but it was alright cus we took a nap right there, then Spike took me to his new club that's not open yet but it's gonna be the best-"

Xander's back was toward the door, allowing Spike and Giles to share a look of fond exasperation over his head. Some things never changed, no matter how old the boy or how much he's grown. Xander-babble, it seemed, would never be left behind.

"-let you know when the opening night is and maybe you can come and bring the girls, cept Dawn cus she's never gonna be old enough for *that* kind of club, and you two can stop that now." A very fake sniffle. "If I'm talking too much, you could always do something to keep my mouth occupied." Another fake sniffle, and Xander turned full force puppy eyes on his master.

"Aww dearling, you know I didn't mean anything bad by it." Almost falling over his feet to hold the mortal, Spike knew he'd been played. And didn't mind it a bit. If his darling was secure enough to act the simpering girly-man in front of his almost father figure, well, Spike was a Master vampire and could react however he liked. Yeh.

A none-too-subtle cough from the Watcher was ignored as the mated pair exploited the lame excuse to cuddle. Not that they needed a reason, but as Xander had said the day before, they were 'newlyweds'. In truth, Giles found their display amusing and more than a bit reassuring. Neither man had a good track record with relationships -- if they had finally found their equal then who was he to interfere? Still, he hardly had unlimited time to visit.

"As heartwarming as this little demonstration is, perhaps we might address a few minor details?"

"Hmm?" From his cocoon deep within Spike's arms, Xander heard his mentor's voice. It registered but he made no move to get free of his pleasant snuggle-time. "Oh, details, right. How about this one... Were you ever going to discuss with me your suspicions about my need for, well, being a sub?"

A stronger cough. "Er, that was not exactly what I meant, but yes, now seems as good a time as any." Glasses thoroughly wiped, he pushed them back into place. "To answer your question, I had often thought to broach the subject with you, Xander. However, the timing of such a... personal topic must be precise-"

"Oh drop the formality, Rupert." A quick kiss to the top of dark brown hair. "What he means, luv, is that he had to wait til you got past the denial stage. Wouldn't do much good to offer advice if you're just gonna go running off, screaming and repressing even more."

"Alright, I'll buy that. But the two of you talked about it, about me... and Giles, you knew he wasn't dusty. You were the only one I went to about this. Why not tell me then?"

"I... probably should have handled things better in this instance. Xander, please understand, I care about you a great deal and would never have forgiven myself if you were hurt or... worse."

Spike rolled his eyes dramatically, making sure to let the stuffy Brit see. "Once upon a time, Rupes and I had a chat about your submissive behavior. Then things happened to get in the way, and... it all ended up fine, didn't it?"

Xander shrugged, dislodging his lover's chin from his shoulder. "Guess it doesn't really matter now. I can't regret wasted time, since it took this long for me to find the courage to go looking."

"That is perhaps the most pragmatic outlook I have witnessed in many years."

"Yeah well, there's nothing else to do. Besides, we finally hooked up and now we've got eternity to learn all about each other."

"What?" Hazel eyes speared through Spike. "It would seem that someone forgot to share with the rest of the class."

"claimedtheboy"

"Say again?"

"I claimed him, alright? The first Consort in the Aurelius line in centuries. And before ya go off on me, it was his choice, no coercion involved." Battling with his demon to maintain his human features, Spike growled at the older mortal, "There was always something between us, Rupert. Deep down, buried beneath a ton of self-loathing and guilt and expectations, but it was there. When Xan showed up Friday night and his scent hit me, it was like... coming home. I've never felt more whole in my life, before being turned or after the soul. We fit together perfectly, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit here and let ya put doubts in my boy's head!"

Giles sputtered his denials, but only the soft touch of his mate's hand gently stroking his cheek drew Spike's attention back to his darling Xander.

"Calm down, Spike, it's alright. What kinda friend would he be if he weren't worried about me?" A tender kiss, lips barely sliding against each other. "Did you mean all that? So soon?"

And the Master vampire melted. "Wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, dearling. Never hoped ya'd stay once ya found out who I was, and when ya did... I tried, Xan, tried so hard not to push ya away or pull ya too close, let ya make up yer own mind. But I had to have ya."

"And so you do. Forever." A much harder kiss, full of tongue and passion, reassuring them both. "My own, my master."

For several long minutes, they forgot about their guest's presence. Spike even went so far as to cradle his darling boy and carry him to bed before remembering the Watcher. With a quick glance to his lovely, his eyes asked a question that had only been touched on -- briefly -- once before. Xander flushed bright red, but jerkily nodded.

"Rupert, close the door. Don't care if yer on this side of it, or the other." He looked over his shoulder at the stunned man, and grinned. "Won't hurt ya to relax a bit, now will it?"

Giles stood still as a statue while the invitation processed through his stunned mind. Only the slow blink indicated that he was back in the present, before turning to quietly shut the bedroom door. His lips curled into a half smile, he took off his glasses and placed them safely on the dresser.

"What would you have me do?" he asked, his voice neither submissive nor masterful, simply asking for instructions.

"Depends on our Xan, now don't it?" Focusing his full attention on the trembling younger man, Spike laid kisses across the tanned face. "What'll it be, little one? Got anything special in mind, an old fantasy maybe?"

He wondered how he could possibly think, let alone talk, when all the blood in his body was trying to push through the skin of his face. Still, his master expected an answer. "Could I... be between you?"

"Not very descriptive, luv." Petting his consort's twitching stomach, Spike toyed with the buttons on his pants, exchanging a wicked grin with the Watcher. "Do ya mean that ya want us both inside at the same time? Or maybe ya want one of us in yer mouth, while the other pounds yer deliciously tight arse. Or ya could not want either of us inside, instead have Rupert sucking yer lovely cock while my tongue's buried 'tween yer cheeks." So fast that the humans only saw the end result, he pulled Xander's trousers and underwear off in one quick move. "What'll it be, Xan? Tell Daddy what ya want for yer pressie."

Dilated brown eyes bounced between Spike and Giles' faces, his mouth open and panting. "Gah. Do I have to choose just one?"

"Course not, loveling." Only a bit slower than he'd undressed Xander, Spike slid out of his sleep pants and raised an eyebrow at the only clothed person left in the room. "Well Watcher, ya gonna join or take notes?"

As if that was all the impetus he'd needed, Giles began removing each article of clothing, carefully folding them before placing the stack beside his glasses. He knew that this invitation was only for a short term enjoyment, and it brought him a small pang of sadness. Not that he felt that strongly about either man, beyond close friendship and the feeling of family that only survivors of repeated life-threatening situations feel for one another. Still, it would be nice to find his own...

"Sometime today, Giles, please?"

Turning back to face the bed's occupants, his breath caught painfully in his throat. When had Xander grown into such a beautiful young man? Of course, Spike had always been attractive, even during the early days after the chip. But combined... He stalked toward them, face intent and body reacting to the erotic picture the couple painted together.

Spike leaned down to whisper in his lover's ear, "It's alright to enjoy this, little one. Just remember who ya belong to, yeh?"

"Yours, only yours, master."

"Not gonna bite ya with Rupes here, luv. Don't wanna upset the inner Watcher, do we."

"S'ok, Spike, just gah! Can I... kiss him?"

His demon was silent for once, apparently just as ready to watch its Consort with another person as Spike was. "Yeh, wanna see that." He moved to Xander's side, stroking flushed skin and lightly pinching each nipple in turn. "Watcher, yer takin too long."

Giles stood at the side of the bed, taking in the scenery. Whatever doubts he might have concerning the advisability of coming between vampire and its mate were quickly being drowned out by the intoxicating aroma of lust in the air. He leaned forward, fingers skittering across Xander's chest, and pressed his lips to Spike's mouth. "Together," he murmured, then thrust his tongue inside the cool cavern.

Xander gasped in surprise that rapidly turned to burning desire. His lover, his master, kissing the first object of his teenaged homoerotic dreams. The sight nearly took him over the edge. Tentatively, he let his hands move up across each man's shoulders, reveling in the strength, the differences in body type and temperature. And as much as he wanted to take his turn exploring Giles' tonsils, he also wanted to taste other parts of the older man.

Slithering down the bed, careful not to distract his partners, he settled at Giles' hips. The Watcher's aroma was heady and warm, more musk rather than coppery like Spike's. His nose nuzzled at the juncture of thigh and groin, and he let his tongue lightly trace the crease at Giles' hip. Memorizing the different flavors as he went, Xander licked and nibbled his way around the older man's pelvic area before twisting his head to reach the furred ballsac. When his lips caught the crinkled sac and drew them slowly into his mouth, Giles' whole body lurched toward his face.

"Careful, Rupes, our boy don't have that much practice yet."

Satisfied that his master would prevent any serious threats of suffocation, Xander opened his mouth wider and sucked in the hanging globes. Tightly curled hairs tickled his tongue, but that only added to the erotic sensations wrecking havoc on his libido. A warm drop of liquid fell on his chin, and he wiped it off with shaking fingers before tasting that too. Pre-cum. From Giles. Because of the combined efforts of him and his vampiric lover. He had to squeeze hard on his own balls to keep from erupting.

"Lookit our lovely one, so eager an willing. Rupert, yer bound to know a spell for this, something to act like a condom, yeh? Don't wanna take chances with Xan."

He heard and understood, in some far corner of his mind, how master was trying to keep him safe. Tingles raced through his body as the spell went into effect, breaking his concentration long enough to change targets. From this angle, his throat would be more open, easier to swallow *gulp* Giles' thick cock. Xander's eyes nearly crossed, his head hanging off the bed so he couldn't move away for a better look, but there it was in his face. Not as long as Spike's but definitely thicker. His mouth watered and his hands fumbled, but eventually he had the tip between his lips. When he moaned in pleasure, an echo came from above.

"Oh gods, so good. Natural talent."

"Shut up and enjoy, Rupert."

Spike's voice no longer came from above him on the bed, and he opened his eyes. Of course, the main things he saw from this position were a pair of swinging testes... But then there was a second set of legs, pale and wirey, and easily recognized. Letting Giles slowly feed the rest of his length down Xander's throat, the younger man pulled his mentor's legs against the bed frame, securing them so his knees wouldn't buckle when Spike-

"Fuckin hell, yes!"

-did that. Huh. Well this was interesting. And incredibly sensual. Watching his master prepare Giles' ass, those slender fingers doing devilish things, while he practiced deepthroating on the older man's tasty prick. Xander found he didn't much care about his own denied arousal -- it was too good being used like this, for pure enjoyment.

"Damn it all, Spike, if you're going to do it, then do so *now*!"

And that wonderful cock, that Xander knew too well was wise and gifted, pierced Giles' ass, not stopping til he had a second set of balls in front of his eyes. To give in to temptation, or not... A mental smirk (since his mouth was too stretched to do the job), and Xander ran his fingers across Giles' thigh and back to tickle his mate's perineum. From the moans above, and the burst of flavor on his tongue, he figured that they'd both liked that, just a bit.

"Rupert, why dontcha lean over and give Xan a reward. He's got bloody good instincts, don't he?"

And before he could work out what that meant, Xander nearly screamed as a hot mouth closed over his neglected erection. Apparently Giles liked the vibrations on his cock, if the moaning was anything to go by. So Xander started humming and moaning and growling as much as he had air for, and enjoyed reaping the 'reward' his beloved master had offered him. He had to force his eyes to stay open, not wanting to miss the amazing show of pale cock sliding in and out of another man's ass. His own twitched pathetically, jealous and empty.

Spike slowed his thrusts and leaned over, opening the bedside drawer. From his vantage point, Xander couldn't tell what it was he'd retrieved, before his master handed the object to Giles. Broad hands encouraged his legs to part, and since everything felt so damned good, Xander couldn't see why he shouldn't. Warm lips nipped along his leaking prick, keeping him distracted from the fingers moving slowly down toward his butt. Oh. OH! "Oh hell yeah," he muttered around his treat, bending his knees and bracing his feet against the mattress.

"See Watcher, Xan knows what he wants. Now you use lots of that slick, yeh? Don't wanna hurt my boy none."

Two fingertips pressed against his twitching hole, and Xander pressed down against them. There was a slight burn that he welcomed, loving the intensity as every nerve ending in his lower body chimed in with the Halleluljah chorus. His groaning howl of appreciation was met by a chuckle from above, and a similar moan around his dick. Those wonderful fingers went deep, curling to tease around his prostate, and he unconsciously mirrored the action. Spike grunted and pushed back against them, promising wicked delights for his genius mate.

Several minutes passed, wherein each man had to pause to delay their orgasms, before the vampire came to a complete halt. "Right then, time to switch places. Xanluv, up on yer knees. Watcher behind him -- an be careful! Gimme a minute an I'll join ya."

Watching his master's gorgeous cock pull out of Giles' rear was almost as sad as when Spike pulled out of him. Xander drew his head as far back as he could, lightheaded from all the blood rushing down to his brain, and kissed his treat in apology. "Sorry, wish we could all be filled at once, but none of us are that limber."

With one last, tremendous suck, Giles removed his mouth and swatted the younger man's hip. "No matter, the day is far from over." He crawled onto the bed and helped pull Xander into place, petting along his back and over his buttocks. "If I'd known how stunning you were..."

"Shh, no regrets, Giles. You know I'd've run for the hills back then," he offered. Changing the mood back to playful, Xander wiggled his ass against the wonderfully hard prick. Giles' moan made him purr in satisfaction, wanting to preen 'hey, I did that!' And he might honestly have done so, had the Watcher not stopped him with the simple expedient of pushing slowly past his tight guardian muscle.

"Oooofuckmerunninsidewaysss..." His forehead thudded into the mattress even as he pushed back against the older man. A sharp swat to his ass made his head lift back up, coming face to... face *snerk* with his master's clean cock. So this was why Spike had ordered a certain position. Ah well, another mouthful, another assfull, another satisfied Xanman. He hummed happily as he swallowed his lover's length.

He felt more than saw Spike lean forward and grab Giles' shoulders, drawing them together for a steamy kiss. If only he were laying on a table of the perfect height and length, he could watch again. Note to self: draw up blueprints for group sex table, triple reinforced. The construction worker portion of his brain was quickly knocked out cold by a warm hand stroking his dripping prick. Xander cursed himself for not begging for a cockring, if only to make this wonderful afternoon last longer.

"Gods Xan, so lovely like this, full to bursting, stuffed from both ends. Wanna get ya in the middle, yeh? Yer beautiful cock crammed in my arse, while the Watcher here fucks yers nice and hard. Might like to try that meself... Oh fuck, Rupert's face when he's ready to come, gonna have to let you see that at least once, luv. Looks like he's found Divinity in your arse. Ya 'bout there, dearling? Wanna feel ya moan 'round me while ya thrash on his prick."

And that was all it took for Xander to explode. His lover's vivid words, Giles' steady pace, the hand on his dick, even together it wouldn't have forced him to orgasm. But knowing that he was pleasing his mate and their temporary lover, it sent him into orbit. He barely felt or heard either man's exclaimations as they followed him into ecstacy.

~ * ~

AN again: Gonna try to have the final (yes, only one to go) part up tomorrow sometime. It's almost finished now, but I haven't proofed it yet or even sent it through a lameass spellchecker. So... it must wait one more day. But this story *will* be completed before New Years' Eve. Cus I've got plans on getting completely shitfaced. *nodnod*