A Viking in L A

Part 10

The ritual itself was elegant in its simplicity. Xander and Spike wore matching gowns of black silk while Angel was dressed in a red gown, the colour of blood. A few phrases were spoken, in a language Xander had never heard before, and then they shared blood. Angel first drank from Spike, to remind him of his place in the hierarchy of their order, then Spike drank from Angel in acceptance. Angel then drank from Xander to acknowledge him as his Childes mate and a part of his clan. Xander then had to drink from Angel in acceptance. Finally Spike and Xander shared their blood with each other. Angel said a few more words, a blueish light filled the room for a few seconds and then it was done.

"So that's it? It's permanent now?"

"Yeah pet, it is. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For going through with it, for loving me, for wanting me forever."

"Then I thank you as well. I've never loved anyone more. You are my other half Spike. I'll always be with you."

Spike and Xander shared a soft sweet kiss, Angel left them alone and retired to his room for the day, sunrise would be in less than an hour.

"Ahem, if you two are done extracting each others tonsils, I'd like to say congratulations."

Spike and Xander pulled apart and turned toward the voice that had interrupted their kiss.

"Anya?"

"Ello luv, good to see you again."

"Thank you Spike, it's good to see you as well. I'm glad those humans didn't kill you."

"Anya?"

"Yes Xander?"

"How did you know about Spike?"

"I've been keeping an eye on you two. You're very entertaining. Although, I think you should have went with green for Buffy's hair, or maybe orange."

"If you knew what happened, why didn't you do anything?"

"I did. I had an acquaintance who owed me a favor send the vision to your ex-girlfriend."

"So it wasn't the powers then eh? Figured they wouldn't give a rats ass 'bout likes of me. Thanks luv, I owe you."

"Yes, you do. But that's not why I'm here. I want to give you guys a wedding present."

"What kind of present?"

"A wish of course. What else?"

Xander smiled. He had really missed Anya and was happy to see her. He knew she was happy to be a demon again and he was happy for her. He looked at his mate and knew exactly what he was going to wish for.

"I wish that Spike's chip would stop working."

Anya smiled. Spike looked dumbstruck.

"Done."

There was a flash of light and then Spike fell to the floor writhing in pain. Xander was at his side in an instant, he held Spike while growling and glaring at Anya.

"Oh calm down Xander. It'll only last for a minute. I had to short circuit it, so he's feeling a bit of pain right now. After it passes it won't ever happen again."

True to her word, Spike stopped thrashing and holding his head. He sat up and looked between his mate and Anya. Xander looked as though he would tear her head off if given the chance. He gently soothed his mate by running his fingers along his brow ridges until his demon face receded.

"I'm okay Xan. Don't be angry at Anya, she's a vengeance demon. There had to be some pain involved or she wouldn't have been able to do it."

"He's right. Just be lucky you didn't ask me to take it out. That would have hurt a lot more. And taken a while to heal."

"I'm sorry I growled at you."

"No. You're not. But that's okay, I remember when you used to get that way for me. All protective and manly ..."
Anya sighed deeply and she had a far off look in her eyes.

"Don't even think about it luv, my Xander now and I don't share."

"Sorry Spike. Old habits. I have to go, there's a woman in Greece who just caught her husband cheating with her brother."

"Bye Anya."

"Take care luv, come see us soon."

"I will."

Anya disappeared in a flash of light and Xander and Spike stood looking at each other and smiling.

"You're whole."

"I am. It's been so long, I never thought I'd be rid of the bloody thing. Xander...thank you."

"It was my pleasure. What else would I possibly wish for? I have everything I want standing right in front of me."

Spike's response was to kiss him passionately and then drag him up to their room. They made love most of the morning before finally falling asleep in each others arms.

The next afternoon Xander and Spike joined Angel in the kitchen for 'breakfast'. They were both smiling and couldn't stop touching each other. Angel smiled in spite of the fact that they had kept him awake most of the morning. They were just so darn cute together, all sleep rumpled and smiling.

"And how are the newlyweds today?"

Xander and Spike exchanged sappy grins.

"Great."

"Never better."

"We ah, had a visitor last night. Anya came by, or Anyanka I should say."

"Your ex-girlfriend? The vengeance demon? Why, was she angry? Did she try to curse you guys?"

"No. Nothing like that. She's happy for me, for both of us. She gave us a gift."

"What did she give you? Is it alive? Should I be scared?"

Spike and Xander laughed at Angel. It was funny seeing him act like an actual person, not some broody cryptic guy.

"Nothing to be scared of pet, she just zapped my chip is all."

"So ... you can hunt again."

"I can. Doesn't mean I will."

"You won't?"

"No. Xan and I talked about that. I've too much to lose to go back to my old ways Angel. I can survive on pigs blood. It's nice to know that I can defend myself again though."

"Have you tested it?"

"Yep. Stepped on the cheerleaders toes, she hit me but that was the only pain I felt."

"Uh, Xander?"

"Yeah Angel?"

"Not to pry, but Spike said you're extremely wealthy, and I was just wondering....why don't you just buy human blood if you hate the pigs blood so much? It's not like you're paying penance for anything."

Spike and Xander looked at each other and then looked at Angel. They both smiled sheepishly.

"Never thought of it?"

All three vampires laughed. It was such a simple solution, but neither Spike nor Xander had even considered it. Xander decided he would definitely look into it when they got home.

That night Xander got Spike into the red leather pants, a black silk shirt - Spike said the silver one made him look like a poof - and his new Doc's. He himself was dressed in similar style with black leather pants a brown silk shirt and his new boots. He reminded Spike that seeing as he was married to a man, well a male vampire at least, he was a poof so the shirt shouldn't matter. Spike just smiled and kissed Xander, then he changed his shirt.

They were going out to a club tonight to dance and have fun. They would be leaving for home soon so they wanted to do some fun stuff while they had time. Spike had talked Angel into coming with them and Xander had bribed Cordy into joining them by buying her a new outfit to wear that night.

Cordelia looked good, she had chosen a black leather mini, a sapphire blue halter and a white sheer blouse to cover it. Both Spike and Xander whistled appreciatively when she entered the lobby. Angel was feeling uncomfortable in the outfit Spike had chosen for him to wear. He had wanted to go in his black wool slacks and pullover but his Childe had insisted that he wear something else, 'club wear' he'd said. Which was why he was standing in the middle of his room in leather pants and a red velvet shirt. Both courtesy of Angelus' last appearance. With a heartfelt sigh, Angel left his room and headed downstairs. The things he did to make Spike happy.

Cordelia took them to a mix club. No demons but it was bi friendly. There were all different kinds of couples, gay, lesbian, bisexual, three-way groups. The four of them fit in just fine. No one stared when Xander and Spike danced, nor did they care when Spike dragged Angel out to dance and Xander danced with Cordelia. The only person who seemed to have a problem with it was Angel himself.

Angel had been dragged onto the floor to dance with Spike against his better judgement. When Xander cut in on them and they switched partners he was surprised to find himself dancing with Xander. He gaped like a fish for a few seconds before he realized that Xander was smiling at him.

"What's so funny?"

"You."

"And why's that?"

"You danced with Spike no problem, but faced with me and you panic and stare. It's funny."

"I wasn't panicking. I was just expecting Cordy, not you."

"Oh, Well Cordy wanted to dance with him so I cut in. We can go sit if you like?"

"No it's fine. I'm actually having a good time tonight. I'm dancing with Xander Harris and enjoying myself, the world is going to end isn't it?"

Xander laughed and squeezed Angels shoulder.

"I've been thinking the same thing for over a month. Ever since Spike and I got together, things have seemed surreal, too good to be true."

"You're happy with him aren't you?"

"Yeah, very much so. Who'd have thought Spike and I would end up together?"

"Spike. He wanted you from day one. He always figured he'd Sire you but this is better. You guys are together because you want to be, not because of a bond created when he turned you."

"Yeah, I hated Thor for taking my life even though I was drawn to him and felt compelled to make him happy. Spike and I would have been miserable if he'd turned me. And Buffy would have staked him."

"Yes, she would have. Xander, can I ask you a serious question?"

"Sure."

"What are you going to do when Dru comes back for Spike?"

"I'll let Spike handle Dru. He doesn't love her anymore, not the way he loves me. I'm not worried about Dru, Spike wouldn't leave me for her."

"Good to know. I know that Spike loves you, but Dru is his Sire. He won't dust her, not unless he has no other options."

"I know that. I couldn't bring myself to help fight Thor. I understand, and I both pity you and envy you your strength for being able to dust Darla. I know how awful that must have been. It still bothers you doesn't it?"

"Yes. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. If it comes down to that for Spike, he's going to need you more than ever."

"I know."

The music changed to something slow and Cordy and Spike cut in on Angel and Xander. Spike grabbed his mate and left Angel and Cordelia looking awkwardly at one another. Eventually they started to dance as well.

"What do you think pet? They make a good couple?"

"Yeah, except that Angel can't have a 'happy', and Cordy is very 'happy' inspiring."

"Should I be jealous pet?"

"Nah, I got over Cordy a long time ago. A man can only take constant belittling for so long before it becomes destructive to the relationship."

"Yeah, and kissing the witch had nothing to do with your break-up."

"Hey! That was a life and death situation buster! Anyway it was your fault. You kidnaped us, and left us alone to die."

"Did not! I told the slayer and the poof where you were. You wouldn't have died. I wasn't ready to turn you yet."

"And can we not go there? I so don't want to think about you turning me."

"Why not? You wouldn't have wanted me for a Sire?"

Spike looked hurt and Xander felt really bad.

"It's not that. It's just I wouldn't be me. Wills hadn't done the spell yet so I would have been soulless, hence the not being me. That and I resented the hell out of Thor for killing me. I wouldn't want that with you. I love you too much."

"Okay, I forgive you. 'Sides, at least this way I know you're mine because you want to be, not because you have to be."

Angel took Cordelia home just after midnight but Spike and Xander stayed at the club dancing until they were almost thrown out at closing time.