The Stray

PART 18

Xander woke the following day early. Spike had slept on the floor curled around ‘Poppie’ (Spike’s name for her according to the request the previous night). The little one was unsettled with only her father’s scent around her and whimpered as she woke.

Though near weaned, she needed comfort and attention like any youngster. Xander went for his run alone while Spike led the little girl to the extra drink bowl that contained ‘puppy formula’ and introduced her to her own pink plate of puppy kibble.

Xander’s last view of Spike as he left for work was a proud father sitting next to the usual sleeping mat while his daughter cuddled up to a soft toy in the shape of a husky pup slightly bigger than herself. He smiled at Spike and mouthed “See you tonight.” registering the dog’s nod before heading out of the house.

Spike would take Poppie with him for their training run, the pup sat up attentive alongside her sister (brother ‘Boris’ had left that morning with his new owner Maxine) as the practice sled whizzed along. The run finished at Xander’s home. Gracie unhooked Spike then allowed a little time for rough and tumble between the two pups while the rest of the team were given a little water to tie them over until they were home.

It was Chloe’s first real run with the team since she had the pups and was feeling the strain. Spike sat beside her and licked her affectionately, she reciprocated grateful for the sympathy and the rest. She was panting hard but really had enjoyed the run immensely.

The farewell was an easy one, Chloe picking up Poppie and putting her inside the back gate with Spike dutifully shut as she left. He guided the now tired little pup to the sleeping mat in the warm sun and enjoyed the role of father-protector as they both fell into a light slumber. The days were longer now and Xander would be home in the light though it was still a few hours away. The pup slept easily, Spike occasionally pricking his ears to any sudden or strange noise.

It was a pattern to be repeated for many days to come. Spike ran with Xander in the mornings conscious at all times that Poppie had been left alone in the laundry for the 30 or 40 minutes of the exercise. It would only be a couple of months before she would join them but for now her little legs (and curiosity) made the term ‘like taking a puppy for a walk’ very pertinent.

Spike was an attentive father, teaching the little pup to relieve herself outside, to wipe her paws on the mat before entering the house, and to sit beside him when told. He groomed her with his hot tongue, encouraged her to settle when she was on the mat in front of the television and taught her to dig (in the ‘right’ places), and above all enjoyed her simple company. Both he and Xander delighted in her antics, her squeaks and growls of delight, her strut as she once again scared away a rather bored looking cat from its perch on the back fence, and her desperate look as she once again tried to sit while her walking lead was attached.

Spike became used to the idea that he was second in line to attention paid as his pretty daughter garnered all manner of attention whenever they were tied (or in Spike’s case untied) outside shops, at barbeques, or walking/running with Xander. The growing pup attracted all manner of admiration, particularly from young humans, and proud father Spike had aught to do but growl a little at his daughter if she became too excited when children attempted to pet her. Poppie’s response would be to sit instantly and wait with an impatient, rather pained look as a child tentatively patted her or fed her an appropriate tidbit. She was always very careful not to lick their faces and took food offered most gently.

For her part Poppie was the model student, she worried at first when her mother was not there, but knew her father’s scent and recognized his human owner instantly, as she followed her father’s lead and deferred to the ‘pack leader’. The only things she really could not quite get the hang of were opening the back door (resorting to a series of whimpers and scratching if she needed to get out), waiting patiently (normally allayed by various antics, most of them involving the puppy version of a child wriggling), and chewing things.

The latter habit saw the rear doormat frayed, a pair of Xander’s old work boots all but destroyed, and unsuspecting pieces of wood gnawed at the ends until Xander provided a variety of ‘chewing’ objects at an exasperated Spike’s insistence.

As summer solstice approached, Xander’s project approached its finish date, the Calgary Stampede loomed, Poppie was a very healthy four month old pup, Gracie was approaching being ‘on heat’ again, and Xander finally received real word from Willow.

Xander spent an impatient last few hours at work after the rather cryptic email, and appreciated Gracie even more for having exercised the dogs in the afternoon, leaving him to simply play with the four a half month Poppie on the warm afternoon. Her current passion was to bite at the water coming from the garden hose, providing both a drink and welcome cool-down in the summer heat.

As soon as Poppie settled for the night, Xander fitted an, of late, exclusively ‘dog’ Spike to his writing implements. As had happened more often in the last month, there was some resistance on the part of Spike, who chewed rather unenthusiastically at the apparently irritating leather, adjusting it to his requirements before noting that the email was open and typing, “What? Look all wound up bout sommit… Don’t tell me, Red got ‘er knickers in a bunch ‘bout some big ‘n bad? Or she finally admitted defeat on the ol’ Spike’s the real boy front?”

Xander was in a quandary. The email had been clear enough, “Xan, 19 July. New moon. Talked to Blue Feather, she thinks there’s a chance. No promises just hopes. Call me.” Upon reflection Xander realized that it really was just another indication that there *might* be a solution, it really wasn’t news per se.

Spike read the text before typing, “Well? Did you call her?” and looking into Xander’s good eye for some indication of anything extra.

“I waited until I got home Spike… wouldn’t do it without you present. Ghod Spike this is about you after all.”

“Have at it then, ‘n put her on speaker, least that way I c’n growl at her, give her some hurry up.”

Xander did as instructed, pulling the phone close to the edge of the desk within easy reaching distance of the husky before dialing.

The phone seemed to ring forever before the rather excited voice of Willow answered. “Xander! Oh thank Gaia, I was beginning to think you didn’t get the mail”

“Just waiting to get home. Spike’s here… I thought that was the right thing to do.”

“Yes… yes of course. I just never know these days… you know, if anyone is monitoring us. The coven in Uruguay fell to a dark force, we’re still not clear why. The Southern USA covens are in disarray because of storms, hurricanes and tornadoes, and the covens in the middle east have either fled or gone to ground, and heaven help anyone who tries to practice openly anywhere really. Let’s just say that Gaia is fighting back but wherever she attempts to correct an imbalance, her power is being corrupted and her followers fall victim to the witch hunt mentality. I’m worried Xan… but also sure it has something to do with Illyria.”

Spike typed furiously, “Wouldn’t bet on it Red. Seems as humans have the inside runnnin’ on hatred ‘n destruction, always have had.” He looked up sadly at Xander, “Much as I’d like to blame some trumped up old one, seems as humans have the inside runnin’ on raping ‘n pillaging their own, and the planet. Industrial era not exactly a plus, ‘n I reckon even vamps have the outside bet on killin’. Least we only ever did the one on one for food. Lived through that too many times to count.”

All Willow could hear was furious typing and growls so Xander read the text.

Willow’s sad reply said it all. “I know Spike, but this struggle is heading for the dark ages again unless we start to act, and that first act is to at least take her from their arsenal, even the Battle Brand said that.”

“So how is the boy? Me ol’ Sire gave his unlive existence for the whelp truth be known, silly bugger.”

Xander relayed the message but at the same time began to stroke over Spike’s ears, at first tentatively to calm, then with purpose.

“Conner is fine. He seems to be more than fine really… and he’s really a *wonderful* Battle Brand… We have actually started to send some of our best wiccans… and… others… to learn from him. And Spike? Angel would have been proud. His days are full of reading and teaching and protecting and…”

“Bein’ alone in that Ghod awful Well with aught else but the dearly departed t’ chat to!”

Xander again relayed the message.

“It’s not like that Spike! He is happy… *really* and is changing what it is to be a Battle Brand… Spike he is a wonderful scholar and hero of Gaia.”

Spike growled then typed, “And can’t get laid or have anythin’ like the normal life me ol’ Sire wanted.”

Willow’s voice dropped for a moment, “Spike, he’s happy… all I can do is let you know that. And he is willing to help.”

Another growl from the husky saw Xander pulling the dog over his lap before reading the typed text, “’N how exactly would that be Pet?”

“He… he can summon Illyria. Connor has been working on it. The Old Ones are supposed to be at rest. Wolfram and Hart swung the pendulum, taking out Fred and Illyria in the process. Angel and the AI team were a vindictive bonus, but Spike is something else. They have miscalculated apparently. Spike is more important than they thought… The Battle Brand has stood his ground (along with taking out six of Wolfram and Hart’s best)”

Spike looked up at Xander with a measure of disbelief and scorn before penning, “Well all good for the boy then, but not exactly a guarantee of the two legged variety is it? Get to the point Red.”

“If we do this… there will be a price.”

“Already paid it you stupid bint! Finally ‘ave what’s due to me bar the two legged thing o’ course! You offerin’ more?”

Xander dutifully read the text again.

“No!... No Spike! It’s just… balance also means…”

Spike nipped Xander angrily on the wrist, insisting the reading continue as he typed, “Readin’ between the lines here… you gonna rip away from family in exchange for some promise of eternity again… well F&*% that, heard it before! ‘n this time I got kids and an *owner* to consider. Talk to her Xan!!! Rather be a dog than nothin’!!”

Xander was also audibly upset as he passed on the text, it was an impossible choice, one that he too would choose to err on the side of family and the status quo.

The reply was desperate, “No!!! No Spike? Xan? This is a chance to have both, to balance it all… to… ‘scuse… [phlegm filled coughing ensued]… sorry… Goddess Spike… this is your chance to have both. [cough] Battle Brand promised…”

It was Xander who jumped in, “Willow… Wills… Please… Gotta say not with the confidence here… What *is* the price and how do we proceed?”

“The offer is a one off Xan, Spike… With the help of the Battle Brand, we recover Illyria, return her to her rest, and at the same time restore Spike to… Well we can quite get it all back… but we can offer him the night… night in his human/vampire form… over time we might be able to… you know like Oz… but initially… at least he has the sun?! That’s a plus right?”

Xander was still digesting the news as Spike typed, “Let me get this right… I do doggy in the day and vamp at night. Seems fair, sort of, but what’s the *real* catch, witch? Bin around too many times to just take it as read. Mean I’m still on doggy time? Mean Xan here gets crewed over somehow? What?”

Willow paused as Xander relayed the concern. “It does depend on a few things… the moon for one, Spike pledging himself to you, and you to him. Properly pledging has to be consensual. Xander you will have to *really* want Spike’s return to his former form as your partner in all things. Without a magical connection there can be no pact with the Powers or Gaia. The Battle Brand will summon Illyria using a far more ancient spell than they invoked, one known only to him. With the covens also adding to his energy, we think they will be able to restore her presence on this plane – and more specifically draw her to rest in the well.”

“You lot daft? According to Drogan that would drag a virus all over the planet, reason we didn’t do it in the first place. Fred wouldn’t have wanted that and bloody hell I don’t either! Rather stay doggie than kill thousands.”

“She’s not in our dimension Spike so the call will be made from the well and she will emerge there to take her final rest if all is well.”

Spike snorted, “’n all those spells past went so very well… not. ‘n what if the bird ain’t too keen for the ‘eternal sleep’ scenario. Don’t fancy her runnin around renegade do you?”

“Spike we’ve put safeguards in place. And I have the Battle Brand’s assurance. Once she is settled in her… Once she’s back there’s no reason we can think of that you won’t be… put right, it’s just hard to tell until that happens.”

Spike looked up sadly at Xander, “Hmmm, so it’s wait an’ see. Used to that. Better contact the Calgary witches Xan… they’ll be waitin’. But tell em, no soul, no deal yeah?”

It was Willow’s chance to be silent as she heard Xander almost at a whisper, “Spike… I… do you still want this, you know to try?”

Willow could hear the typing but had no access to the text without Xander reading, “Be nice Xan, but no bettin’ on it working. Here an’ now is alright… here ‘n now… with you is all that matters. Really do love you, you silly bugger, do you good ‘n proper if chance offered… ‘N if all goes to hell, promise me a stakin’ and decent burial… like to give Chloe ‘er second lot before… you know, let me have that at least… leastways at least me kids can keep you company… Read the next bit to the witch would ya?”

Xander nodded. More and more his own loneliness and Spike’s devoted friendship had found him dreaming and fanaticizing regards their ‘human’ coupling. Indeed it had been his dream since they met in Spike’s current state. He had even wished it, sincerely. The prospect of being celibate until death, were dog!Spike still in his life had been a promise to himself.

“I’ll contact the coven here Wills… and thanks… but you know? I love him in whatever form, if it can’t work, I just… I can’t lose him Wills… if it’s gonna risk Spike, we bail OK?”

The final statement saw the dog roughly tug off his writing implements and place his furry head in Xander’s lap. There was still a couple of weeks before ‘D-day’ and the mantra ‘here and now’ was a mutual one.

“I’ll make the call to the coven… but Willow? Whatever happens? Thanks, from both of us. Thanks.” Spike licked over his hands then lay quiet, “Nothing is ever easy for us is it. Just wish I’d…you know back in Sunnydale.”

“It’s right to be scared Xan… we are too… just… Please try.”

“Yeah… trust the Xanman on that one – ever the trier for the good. 19th you say? Got it… and… thanks Wills, this means a lot, regardless of outcome, you tried.”

The rest of the exchange was brief and full of common niceties, Spike choosing to wander out and join his daughter on the mat in the lounge. He spooned her then snuggled a little for extra warmth, an act which was met by a warm tongue lazily lapping over his front paws before Poppie fell back into slumber with the knowledge that her father was there.

PART 19

The Stampede came and went, and Xander’s project was all but finished, as it turned out, before time.

A fishing trip was again on the offing, and Xander readily accepted, arriving to Jerry’s boys joy, with two dogs on leash.

Poppie was the delight of the trip. Jerry’s little boys were allowed to join her upstream (supervised by two of the wives and Spike) where they tiptoed through shallows, threw small rocks in, which she dutifully pounced on, and joined them in the curious inspection of all things aquatic. She discovered that river weed tasted nasty, the small humans were worse than her at scaring away birds and that all enjoyed making a splash and trying to bite it. She was in her element. Even when the three youngsters scrambled up the muddy bank together she didn’t mind getting her paws soiled, it was all part of the fun. The only thing she really didn’t participate in was the fishing, it looked quite boring except when one or other of the big male humans pulled a salmon from the river with much struggling and cheers from the others.

There were new areas to explore and all manner of unfamiliar smells and sounds, and wonderful tidbits provided from all quarters whenever a meal was prepared, though she always kept her father within sight and followed his lead in all matters of etiquette (well almost all. They were tethered outside Xander’s tent of an evening and with the clear sky she could see stars so clearly it seemed they were making a twinkling blanket overhead. She looked for as long as she could then snuggled into her father’s side and slept fitfully readying for a new day of adventure.

Spike too enjoyed the weekend outing, but unlike last year, chose to fall into pure dog, at least it prevented him from thinking. The day of reckoning was soon, and as much as he would enjoy a bipedal existence, he loved his life now. It was all too hard to contemplate – particularly the enormous risk of something going wrong… again. If he became pure vampire again the night would be all he would have (apart from Xander… and he had him as friend and companion already after a fashion). How would Poppie react to him then? How would Xander… really? For all his wishing to bed the boy there were really no guarantees… it was really easier to give in to light slumber than try to over think the possibilities.

The return home marked two weeks until the meeting with Blue Feather, and the promised night. Spike begged to ‘bed’ Chloe again, and while Poppie and her sister were taken for a special run by Gracie, he did just that, impregnating her a second time. This time it was done most lovingly with knowledge on both his and Chloe’s part, and she was a very willing partner. If something did happen to him to finish his existence, at least Xander would have a second pup, and his line would continue.

The timing of the New Moon was unfortunate in as much as it fell on the day of the formal handover of the project Xander and Jerry had headed up so skillfully. The celebrations were formal onsite but carried over to a wine bar not so far away. Xander was conscious of the time. His instructions from Blue Feather were to be with Spike at midnight, he was not sure for what, merely that he needed to get home.

Jerry picked up on the agitation of his usually unflappable colleague. “You alright buddy?”

“Yeah… yes of course… just end of an era I guess.”

“Are you kidding? This has launched the company up the corporate ladder! You heard the boss – now we go into serious tender writing. Alberta’s the state of opportunity and we won’t need to stop there! Come on… lighten up ’n tell me you’re not glad to see this one under our belt. Here I’ll get you another beer.”

“Thanks anyway Jerry, but I think I’m gonna take off. See you in a week or so. Figure we’ve all earned the holiday.”

“Not wrong… Listen, we’re headed up to the wife’s folks farm. Just call my cell if you feel like visiting, I’m sure they won’t mind the extra company, and the boys always love having the dogs around.”

“Yeah, thanks, I’ll see how things go. Still got some work to do around the house, and the weather seems to be holding.”

“OK your choice… Have a good one.” With that Jerry nodded and rejoined the rest of the celebration.

It was just on eleven as Xander pulled into the drive of his home. There were no lights on but that was nothing, and he could just make out the shine of the television in the front room. Sure enough Poppie and Spike were lying comfortably on the plushy mat with apparently no care in the world for such a momentous night.

Xander squatted down to pet Poppie then Spike in turn. “You ready for this Spike? ‘cause I know I’m not, not really… I need to ring Willow then we’ll know what the set up is, OK?”

The dog thumped his tail less than enthusiastically but rose to follow into the study leaving Poppie to snooze on.

Xander had already collected two strange jars and a number of odd looking dried articles from Blue Feather earlier that week in a clandestine meeting that had all the hallmarks of a drug heist. He had followed the instructions to the letter, taken a detour on the way home from work, met a short man dressed in a suit just a little too tight for him in a sleazy bar, had a hurried beer and with few words exchanged, then accepted a beaten looking duffle bag containing ‘the merchandise’ from Ms Feather.

The speaker phone was on, Spike could clearly hear the ringing then Willow’s rather strained voice, “Xander? Oh thank Gaia, I was kind of worried when you didn’t call earlier… Is Spike there?”

Spike’s low growl confirmed his presence before Xander could answer.

“I’ve got all the stuff Wills… But gotta say blue sand and yellow sand and a bunch of stuff that looks like old road kill, not really with the confidence here.”

“The first thing you need to do is make a pentagram out of the blue sand, big enough to draw a circle in the centre for you two to be in – all the bits… you know… all of Spike,”

OK… stay on the line, I’ll just do that now.” He grunted as he removed the lid from the first jar, the seal had been very well screwed on, then proceeded to carefully draw the large star shape on the carpet.

“Done… just doing the circle now… does it matter how accurate the circle is?”

“Just do your best Xan.” Another grunt and sound of twisting lid then several seconds later, “OK all done.”

“Now take out the dry things and place each one inside the triangle formed by the star points. Start with the north point then place them in walking anticlockwise around the edge.” Some rattling of a paper bag then “Done.”

“OK now you and Spike need to step into the middle of the circle without touching anything and sit down touching each other.”

Willow heard “Careful Spike… back legs Spike!” Then “OK we’re in.”

“Now I guess all we do is wait…”

“How exactly will we know it’s about to start, you know… to work?”

“I’m not sure Xan, pretty much everyone here is on high alert until we’re given the signal to start chanting.”

“So do we need to chant? Or do anything at all?”

“Just… You’ll know the time I guess. It’s about pledging yourself to Spike and he to you, I guess that will have to be growls in his case – and I’m not too sure what else at this stage… We’re trying to channel some of the energy from Illyria’s release and incarceration to make the shift for Spike – it should work as a reversal energy according to the Battle Brand.”

“But he keeps his soul right?”

“The only thing I know is that he keeps his soul… I just don’t know if it will work over such a distance… Xan I *wish* I knew more I really do. I have to hang up now. Call me after… you know.”

The new moon shone brightly through the study window and all was quiet as the two simply waited.

“Might take a while I guess… I am going to pledge myself to you, you know, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I’m yours Spike my friend, my confidant, my beautiful, loyal, intelligent, amazing Spike. I love you and will continue to love you no matter what OK ‘til death us do part… That sound like a pledge to you?”

Spike looked Xander square in the eye then with lightening speed bit Xander’s wrist drawing blood and following it with a similar act on his own then rubbed the two bleeding wounds together and licked Xander gently on the face.

“Figure that’s a good sign at least we are blood brothers now… thanks Spike, it really was good thinking.”

Another fifteen minutes went by, both dog and owner letting their blood drip into a combined puddle between them, there was little else to do but watch each drop fell, until both wounds congealed and the carpet bore a wide red mark.

“Guess we just sit here until *something* happens. And if it doesn’t I suppose we just wait for Willow to ring.”

The circle was big enough to sit in, but not to lie down with any comfort and the need for both parties to relieve themselves seemed to be augmented by their inability to move from their designated spot, so they waited. And waited… and waited.

Almost an hour later the two were still sitting patiently Xander’s arms around Spike’s strong furred torso. Xander fancied he saw the yellow sand glow a bit some twenty minutes before but when nothing changed he wrote it off as his imagination, though had at the time made a solemn wish that the magic had taken and hugged the dog a little tighter – so much so Spike let out a little grunt.

After another half hour just as Xander’s backside was becoming utterly numb, there was a definite flash then the smell of rancid burning as the objects in each of the triangles caught fire and burnt until they were but ash on the sea-grass matting that was the floor rug/carpet in the study. Likewise the blue sand glowed bright before it too turned to a dirty grey and all but disappeared. The room was filled with thick smoke and the fire alarm in the hallway began to shriek its protest.

Poppie was up instantly and rushed into the room skidding to a halt as she saw her father and master in a firm embrace in the middle of the smoke filled study. She barked her protest and desperate worry then broke the circle in an effort to get to those she loved and wished to protect. Spike wriggled out of Xander’s embrace. Deciding then and there, since there was no change, there would be none.

But as he stepped from the circle the dog fell, his writhing form leaving Xander and Poppie stunned at first then bursting into action. The spell was forgotten as a frantic Xander ushered Poppie to the car and carried a now unconscious, fitting Spike to the same. He drove at speed to the nearest animal hospital.

By the time they arrive (Xander having rung ahead) Spike was foaming at the mouth and barely breathing. If there could have been a worst case scenario this was it. The vet assessed Spike quickly, deciding to intubate the writhing husky with some difficulty, but as a high powered sedative took effect the breathing tube was finally successfully driven home.

“Do you know if anyone in the area has been baiting for rats or anything?”… “Has he been in contact with any dogs with distemper?”… “Were there any warning signs prior to the fit?”… “Was he showing any signs of distress or malaise of late?”… “When was his last meal?”… “Do you know the history of his line?”

Question after question was fired at Xander as he alternatively held his dear friend down or stroked the now sweat matted fur. It was all too terrible.

“We will have to keep him here until morning. If the fitting continues after the sedative wears off, I’m afraid there may be little we can do. I’m sorry Mr Harris, we have flushed his stomach contents but until further tests we really don’t know what we’re dealing with. In the worst case scenario, I would be recommending euthanasia, but let’s give it until tomorrow since your other dog appears to be fine. I’m afraid some of the pathology and scans can be quite pricy…”

Xander was beside himself, “Just do what you have to do! Please!”

At dawn a miserable Xander left Spike at the clinic to deliver a distressed and confused Poppie to Gracie’s for the day before returning to the clinic to sit by the cage Spike had temporarily been placed in to ‘rest’.

Spike’s breathing was being assisted by a respirator and his pulse was impossibly weak as the vet approached desperate owner. “I’m afraid, Mr Harris… I’m afraid there is nothing more we can do. We can’t seem to detect any toxins in his system, and the pathology lab reports that… well it seems that the fit is akin to a human ‘rolling epileptic fit’ meaning it is unlikely he will recover. We have administered anti-convulsion medication intravenously but… I’m sorry… there is nothing more we can do… We will take him off the ventilator shortly which will likely mean there will be a little time before death. Would you like us to deal with the body or shall you?”

Xander kept stroking the stricken canine, his head reeling with the news, “What?... No, no! He comes home to die… at least I can give him that… Oh Spike! If only we hadn’t… Geez… um…” A tear escaped Xander’s good eye and the vet patted his shoulder gently.

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t think he is in pain, nor felt any...”

“Yeah… um… thanks… Can I, you know… Take him home now.”

“Sure, I’ll fix it with the desk to send you the bill shall I.”

Xander simply whispered, “Thanks” as tubes were removed and he lifted the not too significant weight of the dying dog in his arms.

Xander didn’t register much of his drive home, his whole being consumed by grief. He could still hear the rasped too fast breathing of Spike but knew that the strange rattle was anything but that of the last death throws of the body on the back seat.

Rather than placing the dog on the floor in front of the heater, he rushed to put an old towel down on his own bed, then placed the inert body of the dog gently on the towel and covered him with a fluffy duvet before climbing under it to cuddle Spike. If this was to be his dearest friend’s end, then it would be one surrounded by his master’s arms and love… so much love.

Xander must have slept a little, even though the house still smelt of the dreadful smoke and the body next to him was becoming increasingly colder. When awake he recriminated himself over and over for going through with the risky idea of changing Spike back and of trusting the coven with the vague, ridiculous idea of reversing what was.

He took two breaks, one to ring Willow only to discover that indeed the idea to fix Illyria on the earthly plane had been successful, and to report Spike’s imminent demise, and a second to relieve himself. And so Xander held on, hugging, coaxing, caressing, and begging both Spike and any ‘Powers that might be listening’ to save Spike somehow.

There seemed no end to his misery as Spike continued to pant so lightly and quickly that it was difficult to tell if he was truly breathing or that his system was merely working on reflex as it gave up the fight.

It was almost twelve midnight when Xander woke again, this time to more serious convulsions and *yellow* begging eyes.

Part 20
Minutes passed and slowly the dog seemed to relax and fell limp, now leveling watery unseeing blue eyes at Xander.

Xander had never been terribly religious but kept up a mantra of “Please! If you can hear me, please help Spike. I love him… Please I love him in any guise and I’ve pledged myself to him… Please! If he dies I will always look after his offspring, his legacy, but *please* let him live… let him have a proper chance… I love him… I’ll love him in any form *please*!”

Finally Xander decided the yellow eyes were his own imagination or wishful thinking but appreciated the lull in the convulsions. It was nearly one am and Xander needed to relieve himself and desperately wanted a drink of water. He left the inert figure of the dog on the bed for a few moments, belatedly remembering that he had promised to ring both Gracie and Willow.

He found himself staring at an exhausted reflection in the bathroom mirror, black circles under his blood shot eye and the socket. He splashed water onto his face then drank some from his hands before thoroughly wetting a hand towel and returning to the bedroom.

Spike hadn’t moved, nor had his labored panting eased. Xander squeezed a little water from the towel into the half open mouth then gently wiped the fur of the dog’s muzzle clearing it from his eyes and brushing it between his ears. There was little more he could do. He would leave ringing Gracie until morning, resolving to ask her to bring Poppie back if only to say goodbye, if Spike lasted that long.

The phone call to Willow was always going to be a difficult one. Spike had been a healthy happy dog until the spell – and had been Willow’s friend. He checked on Spike one more time before making the call, it was unthinkable he should expire while Xander was out of the room.

“Hi is Willow there? Yeah Xander.” He waited for a moment and used the silence to walk with the phone to sit on the end of the bed just touching Spike’s back leg.

“Xander! Is there news?”

“Still nothing Wills. He’s still alive, just…” Xander’s voice broke as he near whispered into the phone, “The vet did everything he could. I brought him home to die.”

“Honestly we’ve been wracking our brains here trying to work out what went wrong. The Battle Brand was even contacted at the Well.”

“And?”

“All he said was ‘The truth lies in blood.’ Not really helpful for us here though we have cross referenced everything we know to try to find what that means… He would say no more… Xan are you *sure* you said the pledge before everything started, I mean, I don’t doubt that… but… Oh Xan this is too terrible!”

Xander felt a pang of anger, “I did everything you told me to. It’s just… He’s dying Wil and I can’t do a thing… It’s Spike Wil, and he’s really dying.”

“Oh Xan! We’ll do everything we can, I promise!”

Xander barely ground out an apologetic, “Thanks… um… better go yeah?” before hanging up.

Xander dropped the phone on the floor and returned to lying with his loved canine friend, now colder than ever, in his arms. Spike would not die alone.

As afterthought he pulled his wrist against an exposed nail head under the frame of the side table. The pain helped and he fell asleep, not even registering a cool tongue seeking out the precious fluid as it inadvertently dripped into the dog’s mouth. And Spike held on.

Around five in the morning, as the first of the birds heralded in the new day he woke to frantic knocking at the front door. It was Gracie with Poppie, her sister and Chloe all on leads and frantic to enter. The three were nearly uncontrollable as the door was opened by a sleepy Xander.

Gracie looked apologetic as she let the impatient dogs from their tethers and was ushered in. Poppie, her sister and mother made a beeline for the bedroom while Xander was left to greet the concerned musher. Gracie quickly made it her business to look after the bereft owner of her number one sprinter, noting the blood covered wound on Xander’s wrist and guiding the obviously bereft man into his own kitchen to tend the same.

Xander appreciated the human company and stood quietly as Gracie carefully washed the wound while chatting with genuine care and concern, and a good measure of common sense. “If it *was* a poisoning, then he’s past the worst now. I’ve had dogs before that have eaten all sorts of things they shouldn’t, one who even got mauled by a steer and I figured was a gonner… if they survive beyond forty eight hours then it’s a good sign – I don’t care what the vet says. Anyway… let me see that…” As she took his hand and ran water over the torn wrist she kept talking, finally asking “Have you eaten?” When there was no reply she simply said, “I thought not.” And matter-of-factly heated some leftovers from the fridge and poured Xander a juice.

Xander slumped on his chair as the snack was placed in front of him, “There now, come on at least give it a bit of a go while I check on the patient.” He ate without tasting anything, drank the juice and moved to return to the sickroom.

He was met by a very touching scene, Chloe was gently licking Spike’s face and ears, Poppie beside her licking her father’s paws and her sister simply nestled against her father’s back warming him. Gracie was seated at the base of the bed, lightly stroking Spike’s tail, something he was very unlikely to allow were he conscious.

Gracie moved over a little to let Xander sit on the bed with her. They sat in silence for a while, each form touching the stricken loved one. Xander’s mind wandered a little as his eyes surveyed the scene. It was not unlike a Victorian death bed, the stricken one surrounded by a devoted family, Xander couldn’t help but think that William, the man who became Spike the vampire, would have recognized and liked that. It seemed appropriate somehow.

Gracie excused herself around seven, leaving the dogs behind to comfort and keep vigil. Xander led her to the door and hugged the young woman hard, “Thanks so much… You are really something Gracie… I’ll look after them, promise… And I’ll let you know OK?”

“Yeah, sure… sorry I can’t stay, but I have an early lecture, I’ll come back when I can. You take care OK?”

Xander retook his position at Spike’s rear legs, the other dogs had long since curled around the father of their line, warming and comforting. Xander patted each one in turn before sitting and absently stroking Spike’s tail to a litany of more prayers.

Sometime during the morning there was a change, Xander didn’t notice it at first, but Spike’s husky family did and Xander was shaken from his trance like state by excited whimpering and a short bark from Chloe.

Spike’s breathing was easier, deeper and as Xander rose and knelt in front of his head, he could see that the loved blue eyes were clearer and showed the intelligence he had come to love so much. A weak whimper and slight twitch of the tail was all it took, the dogs deferring to the owner/pack leader and allowing Xander full access to Spike’s head.

Xander kissed the dog firmly on the muzzle and simply said, “Oh Spike! I thought I’d lost you!” He was rewarded by a real wag of the tail and for the first time in nearly three horrible days, saw recognition in the blue eyes and a real thump of the tail, this time when he squeezed a little water into the lax mouth there was an attempt to drink and small shift of legs and body.

Spike felt and smelt his family around him, and felt Xander as he stared up with wonder into the tear filled brown eye. He wished he could speak. He had had such strange dreams and felt terribly weak, but the love flowing from Xander was unmistakable. It was as though he had been born a vampire again and could feel his Sire.

It would still be hours before he really moved but in that time, Xander pampered both him and his husky family. He licked the hand that had seen him through, recognizing the scent and soft voice. He was still here, Xander was here, Poppie, Chloe and Bella were here. He too thanked whatever Powers had brought him back, and delighted in the thought that, regardless of his current form, he was allowed to remain and love his Xander and family for a little longer.

By the time Gracie returned there was real progress. Xander had carried Spike to his mat on the back deck to enjoy the sun as the other dogs explored the back yard, Poppie leading the foray with a proud familiarity.

Xander led Gracie through the house to be greeted by four huskies, all lying quietly in the sun, the three girls with their front paws draped over the edge of the deck, and Spike fully stretched on his mat but obviously on the improve.

Gracie was almost apologetic as she stood at the back door admiring the scene. “Geez Xan, to be honest I thought he was a gonner… forget what I said… but this is *fantastic*! I have said goodbye to more dogs than I care to count. He’s a real stayer. Always knew that… You want that I look after Poppie today?”

Xander smiled at the gentle hearted musher, “You mind if they all stay until this evening? Just that… This is a new beginning sort of… and I figure family is what pulled him through.”

Gracie grinned and put a kind hand on Xander’s arm, “You know? I reckon he stayed for you. Wouldn’t you stick around if the most important thing in your life kept up the anti like you did?”

Xander smiled weakly, “I guess… yeah well… sure… but…” he shifted uncomfortably, “It’s my fault he got sick in the first place.”

He heard “*Bollocks! We *both* agreed!” in his head, but discounted the ‘noise’ and associated feelings of affection and incredulity as part of his own exhaustion, simply saying, “I guess…”

Chloe and Bella were collected and a much reassured Poppie also willingly followed Gracie to the car with Xander’s encouragement, all so owner could have time with the recovering Spike. Reassurances from Gracie were easy to believe as Spike seemed to recover by the hour, weakly but on his own relieving himself then struggling inside to take food from his bowl and find the rug in front of the heater (on despite the warm weather).

A relieved Xander pulled a cushion and throw from the couch and lay beside his dear friend. He was exhausted, though still remembered to thank all ‘abovementioned’ deities for Spike’s miraculous recovery before falling asleep still stroking over Spike’s soft fur.

Some time later he woke to a baritone voice and very real, nude blonde male form reciprocating his caress. “Evenin’ Pet… Seems as lady luck has given us the night…”

He blinked twice. It had to be a dream!

“Spike? It’s really you?”

Part 21

Xander was at rather a loss. He had hoped for the moment but when it came… He sat up and lifted the covers tentatively, unable to perceive what he saw beneath.

“In the flesh pet, or would ya’ prefer the doggy version?”

“But how…?”

“Don’t know an’ don’t care, just know that you were the one what’s did it. Brought me back from the brink you did… You ‘n…” Spike saw the distress in his dear friend’s face and melted immediately. “Ah Xan… Don’t…” He reached up a still rather weak hand to wipe away a tear that had escaped Xander’s good eye, “Seems that we’ve been given the night is all… You kept callin’, brought family… felt them too. Saw them truth be known… so now… Here…”

Spike sat up with difficulty, it was such an odd feeling after over eighteen months as canine. Muscles barely remembered the action and weakness from his near death also took their toll as he fell against Xander’s torso, forcing him to drape an arm around his rescuer, his dear ‘master’ and friend. As a dog he had leaned against that strong chest more times than he could count, now he kissed the chest with very real human lips and relaxed with a quiet, “Thank you. Love you…”

The two sat for a long few minutes, Xander wondering at the man in his arms. This was Spike, *his* Spike, the man… the dog… the soul he had come to love so much.

Eventually the mood was broken by a rumble of Xander’s stomach. He had eaten little as he nursed the seriously ailing husky.

Xander came to his senses, belatedly realizing that he was stroking Spike’s unruly blonde locks much as he had Spike’s fur. “I… hey Spike? I’m sorry… but this is all… Are you back for good? You know… like this? I need to ring Willow.”

Spike shifted a little, “Leave the witch ‘til mornin’ will ya? Got sommit more important to give… finish the pledge like.”

Spike fell into game face and bit his wrist then Xander’s – the latter with a jump of surprise from the human. “Already fed me remember – ‘s what worked the magic… so now let me finish the job yeah?”

He pressed his wrist to Xander’s and they both watched as the blood mixed and a flash of light coincided with a warmth flowing through both protagonists. Then Spike held his wrist to Xander’s mouth and took Xander’s to his own. There was little drinking, more of a light touch, then a sucking and laving action as they took of each other. There was a flash and strange warmth permeated each body, finally both watched in amazement as the wounds healed almost instantly.

Xander had never felt so connected to another being, but in the same moment saw the reality that was Spike’s situation and pulled the vampire even closer before whispering, “So they’ve given us tonight.”

“That’s about the size of it Pet… but not just tonight, every night. But look on the bright side, they’ve given me the day too. I still have the sun, ‘n you… ‘n family… Countin’ the blessings at this point love. Gotta say though, do like feelin’ skin on skin for a change.”

As though to illustrate his point Spike rolled until he was on top of Xander, their nether regions pressed together and Xander instantly aroused and embarrassed by the same.

“’Fraid I’m still a little worn out fro the last few days… but you know… vampire constitution ‘n all, one of these nights soon, give you a proper seein’ to... if that’s OK with you ‘course… So long as you did mean what you said about lovin’ and the rest that is.”

Xander was still more than a little overwhelmed by the turn of events but relished the feel of the sleek male body that now all but covered his. He hugged Spike close and whispered into the very human ear, “Tell me this is real Spike… Please tell me this is real.”

He was rewarded with blue eyes staring down into his one brown, “Real as it’ll get Pet, but don’t have much time… When’s sunrise?”

“What do you mean? Is this it? One night is all you have?”

“No Xan… Weren’t you listenin’? Not so cruel as to do that… they’re givin’ yours truly the night like this. Rest of the time… the day… You have me as you found me… rescued me. ‘M a changeling now, not vamp nor dog full time, just got… well bit of each innit… You said you would love me when I was… You did mean it didn’t you?” Wounded and worried eyes now stared at Xander and the human realized in that moment, remembering belatedly just what he had almost lost, and now what had been gained.

“So you’re…?”

“Husky by day, ‘n vamp by night, ‘n dashingly handsome and intelligent whichever way you look at it… least ways that’s what I hope you see… You do see…?”

“Oh Spike! Thank whoever… Spike this is… I mean… Are you OK with...?”

“Not if you’re not Pet… Couldn’t do it without you… Can’t anymore… You reject me now then I guess... Pledge went two ways Xan… And you said…”

Xander was in a quandary. He had in one act almost killed his canine friend in order to bring back the vampire, but at the same time had locked them both into a perpetual cycle of dog in the day and vampire at night. “So I’ve damned you again haven’t I?!”

“Depends how you look at it Luv. This way I’ve got at least two bases covered, the day and the night… Better ‘n dust depending on your decision ‘o course.”

“What decision?”

“You lovin’ me regardless. You can reject the pledge ‘n I go quietly... but gotta say ‘m not really ready to give up now… not after…”

“No! Spike No!!! Don’t give up… We can work this and Ghod if you keep doing… *that* I’m gonna come I swear!” Xander’s distress gave way to desire as Spike shifted just so and ground their manhoods together deliberately with all the strength he had left.

“That’s settled then… Now you gonna bring me off or what?” All distress left the blue eyes as dark desire mixed with Spike’s weakness of days of near death and Xander rolled them over gently.

A warm human hand found its way to their joint erections as he lifted just slightly to caress the hardness underneath before letting his arousal take over the desperation they both felt, the two moving just enough and in concert until both tipped over the edge and their stomachs were sprayed with the mixture of their near instant spending. In the aftermath he tore off the bandage Gracie had so carefully applied on the wrist Spike had not bitten and pressed the still raw wound against Spike’s mouth, whispering “Drink from me Spike… please?”

Spike’s game face fell in as he leaned up to pierce the offered wrist carefully with extended canines. He took but a few sips but tasted the truth in the blood. Xander accepted the pledge, and they were, at that moment, despite not consummating the union yet, as one.

In the aftermath Xander cradled Spike’s head in the ‘v’ made by his arm and shoulder and caressed the beautiful male body with his free hand with a measure of awe and wonder before letting his mind drift to the practicalities of their roles now.

He checked the alarm clock beside the bed. The sun rose at around five thirty these days, it would only be a matter of hours before Spike changed back if what he said was true. And how could that be? When had it ever been suggested that Spike would live a dual existence, neither one thing or another? Had Poppie’s inadvertent and untimely breaching of the pentagram caused it? Might Willow hold the answers?

He tried to worry more but as Spike snuggled against his side and snoozed, found he could not really focus so gave in to sleep.

The following morning Xander woke with his arms around a fully grown sleeping husky. He was unsure if the previous night had been his exhausted imagination playing tricks but the sticky residue on his stomach quickly put pay to that. He felt somewhat disturbed by the remains of the lovely frottage, given that Spike was now back in dog form, but could not find it in himself to feel guilt as crystal blue eyes opened and he was nuzzled gently by his furred friend.

Xander ground out a rough “’Morning… I um…”

As though to silence any other thoughts Spike put a soft paw on Xander’s arm then made to roll to a sitting position then push himself up from under the covers. He still felt weak, but nowhere near as bad as the previous night.

“Hey Spike… you need to pee… ‘cause I sure do… food too all of the good. Here…”

Xander sat up with effort pushed himself off the bed and rounded it to lift Spike onto the floor with considerable effort.

Spike stood on all fours, wobbled a little then padded slowly toward the back door and waited patiently while Xander unlocked it and let him outside.

Xander too needed to relieve himself, but stood at the kitchen window staring into the backyard as Spike disappeared behind the tree at the back to do his ablutions then sniffed around the yard a little. It was as though the previous night was a dream, except that Xander still had the flaky remnants on his belly and a rather unidentifiable, fuzzy feeling of warmth and belonging in the back of his mind.

He was broken from his contemplations by the sound of Spike padding back into the house and the doorbell ringing. He quickly found a t-shirt and sweats, pulling them on as he made for the door.

It was Gracie and the dogs.

Xander’s unkempt hair and rather ragged tear streaked look was mistaken for bad news.

“Ghod, Xander! Are we too late? Did something happen?”

“No… well yes but not that… Spike’s up and about… He… he is on the mend… I mean really… mending and… Go through – I just need to… you know… Bathroom.” He ushered them all in then made for the bathroom as his bodily functions suddenly demanded attention.

Poppie, Bella and pregnant Chloe followed Spike’s scent to the kitchen to give him a warm welcome back and serious licking as much to reassure themselves as the recovering father of their line.

Spike’s sojourn into human form had not been so lengthy that he was unable to let his dog nature take over. He greeted family with joy, reciprocating licks and nuzzles and generally enjoying the fuss.

Xander returned to the kitchen to find a grinning Gracie standing at the door surveying the room full of excited dogs.

“He’s still weak, I can see that, but Xander this is just great! Didn’t I tell you he was past the worst. He’s so strong and ohhh just look! That’s so sweet.” Spike’s two daughters had both prostrated themselves in front of their parents to enjoy well deserved attention from their father who licked over ears in turn then nuzzled each girl as they joyfully rolled onto their backs acknowledging his position in the pack.

Gracie didn’t stay long and left Poppie home for the day rather than running her with the training group.

Xander watched as the two huskies settle on the back porch in the sun then went inside to ring Willow. He worried at the thought of Poppie discovering that her father changed at night, but decided that could wait. For now it was a thank you to the coven and witches around the world that was due.