The Future Is What We Make

Chapter 8

After that first initial fight Angel decided that perhaps it would be better to have the Jaztars train with the various residents of the Hyperion. So with that thought in mind, he sent Joce to them with a message.

Joce strutted to the demon’s door, glancing around to make sure that lots of people saw her Very Important Job. Her vampire told her that he couldn’t trust this job to just any ole body and her chest puffed out proudly at being entrusted.

She knocked firmly on the door, just like she saw Angel do and carefully stepped back, unconsciously mimicking Angel’s stance with her hands behind her back and her legs spread as she concatedated on the message Angel told her to give the demons.

A couple of people hid smiles behind their hands as they hurried past, apparently Xander had a miniature female Angel on his hands.

The door opened and she sighed heavily, it was HIM.

But taking a deep breath she began carefully, “Angel says you c’downed t’da train room to..uhm..hit with somebodies,” and flushed at getting her message out. And she didn’t even hafta give them the message that her vampire wrote. She was a big girl now and she was gonna have some more boys to take care of soon so she had to prove she was re-spon-sible, she thought carefully. She scowled at the funny look HE gave her.

Jennes sighed, why him? “Please wait a moment,” and shut the door.

“Lourdey, there is someone at the door for you,” he reported calmly, sinking back in his chair.

Lourdey raised a brow inquiringly before going to the door, then came back carefully.

“Taryn, Xander’s girlchild wants me to hit you repeatedly,” he said in confusion, then looked down as he was pushed out of the way.

“NO! You hit ev’body,” Joce said in exasperation, her hands on her hips. She sighed wearily, adults were just so stupid some time. Reaching into her pocket, she thrust Angel’s note into Taryn’s hands.

“You re’dit,” she demanded.

Taryn narrowed his eyes coldly at tone, blinking as she just glared back at him and startled he read the note, “The vampire would like us to practice or observe a training session, at our convenience.”

“Yeah, you c’ma now,” Joce said eagerly. “I’ll tell you ev’body dere, ‘K?”

She grabbed Taryn’s hand and tried to tug him from his chair, giving him a dark frown when he didn’t move fast enough.

“C’mon,” she insisted, and to his extreme surprise, Taryn found himself on his feet accompanying her.


Following the little girl, they could hear the muffled grunts and yelps getting louder as they approached the training room.

Opening the door, the noise simply got louder as the mass of beings were revealed. Staying close to the wall, the Jaztars wandered the room watching and observing the practice training session. Reluctantly impressed he she speed and the cohesiveness of the fighting group of humans and demons.

Lourdey looked down into Joce’s upturned face at the sharp tug on his pants leg. He looked around wildly wondering why she wanted him to pick her up, but hesitantly he hoisted her into his arms, stifling his amusement as she reached out and tugged first at Taryn and then Jennes. Drawing tcloscloser so that she wouldn’t have to yell.

“Dat’s Riley,” she said pointing to a big blonde male fighting with cold deadly grace, “He sad cuz he friends dieded and him couldn’t help dem.”

“They are quite capable fighters,” Jennes said coolly, but he was definitely impressed by their skills.

“We Sunnydale bred,” Joce boasted, not noticing the Jaztars stiffen at what she had revealed.

“O’vr dere iss iss Cordy, m’daddy say she barks but she don’t bite too hard,” srownrowned in puzzlement at what her father told her about Miss Cordy. She shook her head, dismissing it until she could understand it better.

“Him Spike. He likes m’Auntie Willow, and dat’s Willow o’vr dere wif Miss Buffy. Miss Buffy was bad but her better now,” and nodded her head earnestly.

Then she squeaked at seeing Buffy and Willow stand facing each other and everyone backing away hurriedly. She wiggled urgently to get down, “I gotta get m’daddy…he say Miss Buffy and Auntie Willow ain’t s’pose to fight.” She had tears in her eyes, frightened at the grim looks on the two women’s faces.

Lourdey thrust Joce at Jennes and ignoring the other’s flinch, he glided between the two women and bowed.

“Miss Buffy and Auntie Willow, the girlchild is extremely frightened for some odd reason over your upcoming practice bout. Perhaps one of you will be good enough to reassure the little one that there is nothing to be worried about?” He raised a brow to them.

Buffy and Willow glanced at each other before plastering wide smiles on their faces and striding over to Joce.

“Sweetie, did you think we were gonna fight for real,” Willow said softly, touching Joce’s tearstreaked face.

“Maybe,” the little girl muttered burying her face in Jennes neck before she remembered that she didn’t like hnd pnd pulled back.

“Honey, this is a training room,” Buffy feigned a carefree smile. “That’s what we do, train in here. We don’t come in here to actually hurt each other.”

“You pinkie promise,” Joce narrowed her eyes at them, knowing that if Auntie Willow promised then she wouldn’t break her word and she forced more tears from her eyes.

Willow hesitated, “I pinkie promise,” she swore reluctantly.

“You too,” Joce insisted tearfully to Miss Buffy.

“I pinkie promise,” Buffy vowed with a low growl.

Both Willow and Buffy’s eyes narrowed at seeing the tears instantly clear up and realized they had been tricked.

Joce wiggled down and trotted over to her father who stood in the doorway looking at them. Taking his hand, she guided him away from the room, chattering a mile a minute about now that she’s a big girl how much more responsible she was.

The Jaztars raised a brow and hay foy followed after the pair, leaving Buffy and Willow to glare at each other before sighing and retreating to the opposite sides of the room.


Later that day, as Taryn entered the Xander’s bedroom he tossed out casually, “Joce informed us that she grew up in Sunnydale,” then closed his eyes as pain rippled through him. He rode the pain, scooping the youngling out of the chair and into the bed, crooning softly to ease them both.

“I take it that subject is off the road for now,” he said wryly.

“It’s ‘off limits’ and yeah, it was a bad place where I was born,” Xander said wearily as his pain eased.

Taryn thought for a few moments before saying softly, “Rest then” and slowly eased from the bed.

But he was still curious and felt that it would better their understanding of the little father and the people surrounding him. After asking several of the Hyperions about Sunnydale he found that the people fell into two groups: those thatn’t n’t know anything and those that he really, really needed to avoid for the next few days. And he grew more frustrated each day.

Buffy strolled up to the Taryn, “I understand that you’ve been asking about Sunnydale,” she raised a brow.

Startled, Jaztar glanced down into the Guardian’s upturned face, “Yes. The youngling puzzles us and we felt that we would like to better understand him and his environment.”

Buffy gazed out of the window, “Sunnydale was a bad place to grow up in, not at first, but after Acathla opened it got a lot worse.”

“Yes, yes, I know all of that,” Taryn said testily, all demons knew the story of how the major demons were released from Hell.

Buffy continued as if she hadn’t heard him, “The reason why the others really don’t like to talk about Sunnydale was because it was a place where demons walked freely among them. Hurting them, taking whatever they wanted from the humans. At least until the Slayer came and restored a little bit of order to the town.“

Taryn was startled, “My apologies, Guardian, I did not realize that you and the youngling were joined.”

“We’re not,” Buffy threw him an unreadable look over her shoulder. “When a Slayer dies, another is called, you know that right? Well, technically I was dead for about two or three minutes before I was revived, so another Slayer was called. Just before Acathla opened, she died…. so another Slayer was called and her name was Faith. This Slayer was the one that restored some order in Sunnydale and was married to Xander.” She looked away again, out the window.

“Willow was extremely weak after Acathla opened so Xander and Willow’s late husband stayed behind with her, but they somehow managed to smuggle Cordy out. Then a few months ago, Faith sacrificed her life to give the rest of them time to escape when they brought my mother here so she could see me one last time. Xander and Willow think I don’t know that they gave her poison to help her die with dignity. This is what they do, you understand, what they did with all their people. If there were no other option, no healer able to heal one of them, they mercy killed their fatally injured. They all carry some magical object that will let them incinerate the body so scavengers can’t touch it. They leave no one behind if they can help it,” Buffy said grimly.

“You seem to know a lot about them,” Taryn called after her as she was walking away. He raised a brow, wondering at her pain. He could almost taste it, it was so powerful.

Buffy paused, “I should since Sunnydale used to be my town to protect. I was the Slayer that failed my duties and allowed Acathla to open.”

And all Taryn could do was stared at her back as she walked away. These humans were truly incomprehensible, had she been a Jaztar, perhaps she would still be alive…it really depended on how much pain she could endure with their torturers.


By the time he was in his third month of pregnacy Xander had finally, grudgingly, admitted defeat. And gritting his teeth, he began accepting help in getting around the hotel. He rarely ventured down the treacherous stairs anymore, actually no one would allow him to go downstairs. After the tenth person claimed that they had something really urgent to do, he finally got the message: no one wanted to take a chance on him falling down the stairs and having the Jaztars, Spike, Angel and Willow try to kill them. That is, if Buffy and Cordy didn't get to them first.

Sitting by the window and rubbing absently at his stomach, he smiled wickedly, wondering what hoops he could make everyone jump through today. That was the only fun part of being pregnant and it was amazing what everyone did just to keep him calm. He chortled silently to himself, holding his hands over his mouth to muffle his giggles, though it was just so unmanly to giggle.

What to do, what to do, what to do, he mused tapping at his lip thoughtfully. He silently asked the kids what they should do today. Should they make Taryn play chess with them, or maybe make Spike sing a rap song? Or make Jennes cook them something…like
oooooh lasagna, course that does give us heartburn but we won't tell him yet. Okay little guys, you decide: chess, food or a song? And at the increased activity when he mentioned chess, he decided to call Taryn.

He loved the look of frustrated rage on Taryn's face, especially when he beat him. He knew the demon couldn't figure out how he was doing it, and it was wiggin Taryn out big time.

Why bother telling Taryn that Oz had been an international Chess Master back in Sunnydale? Why bother telling Taryn that Oz had taught Xander everything he knew about chess, which was considerable?

Xander sneered, Taryn's problem was that he was too friggin' logical and followed the rules. Poor thing didn't handle surprises too well, either.


Taryn glared at the ceiling, feeling his nerves beginning to tighten, "He's doing it again!"

Angel looked up from his book, with a bewildered expression, "Who's doing what again? Oh, c'mon now! You're still not on that crazy idea that Xander is deliberately making us jump through hoops, are you?!"

"Yes! And the complete lack of evidence is the surest sign that a conspiracy is at work,." Taryouteouted angrily.

"He's pregnant," Spike growled, pissed off at the angry demon, "He's probably wantin' some reassurance like."

Taryn rounded on the vampire, "And I'll thank you to keep your son away from me," he hissed, his hair snapping in his fury.

"That child needs a minder," horteorted angrily. Everywhere he looked, that tiny human boy was glaring at him, a sneer curling his lips. And even when he couldn't see him, he could feel the child stalking him…glaring at him. Those eyes watching him from a shadowy corner.

Willow and Cordy glanced at each other before silently escaping the room, hurrying to the basement before they started laughing hysterically, holding on to each other. They were still in awe at how Buffy managed to sit there and not laugh in the guys faces.

"Xander's awful," Willow finally gasped out, holding her tender sides.

Cordy tried desperately to breathe, "Was he really this conniving back in High School," she rasped out.

They hurriedly tried to sober up as they heard the door open, then the rapid tattoo of feet descending the stairs and they started as Buffy came face to face with them.

"I'm sorry but I couldn't hold it in any longer," and she fell to the floor, helplessly laughing, soon joined by Willow and Cordy.


With ill grace, Taryn stomped up the stairs, summoned by Xander to play CHESS! Demons and humans alike hurriedly moved out of his way, they seen his good side and this was far worse. How was he to know that the boy was NOT Spike's son, they acted just alike. He growled, fee his his nerves twitching before he whirled and snarled, finally hearing a muffled squeak and a wail, as the boy ran away.

Standing at the door to Xander's room, Taryn adjusted his clothes, his equillibrium restored by the terrified scrambling people left in his wake and finally besting the At At least he was able to intimidate one of the Harris'.

And taking a deep breath for control he opened the door.

The iceman cometh, Xander smirked when Taryn entered the room.

"Taryn, I'm bored," Xander whined and bit his inner cheek to stop himself from laughing, as he saw the skin under Taryn's eye start twitching.

Summoning all his patience, Taryn merely said, "I know, perhaps a game of chess would soothe you, boy." Turning his back, a smirk on his face as he heard the huff of anger.

"Don't call me boy," Xander snapped, his eyes flashing angrily.

"Oh, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to upset you," Taryn said in his most soothing manner, dashing over to Xander to pat him solicitously on his hand.

"Now, cut that out!" Xander jerked his hand away furiously, glaring up at Taryn. Bastard!

"Now I've upset you even further," Taryn exclaimed with a patently false expression of sympathy, and then quickly shifted his face to one of extreme concern.

Xander narrowly eyed the obviously fake concerned look on Taryn's face, getting more pissed off each second as the sonofabitch held that fake expression ruthlessly.

"Touche," he admitted grudgingly, "You play the game well, grasshopper."

Taryn bowed elaborately, "I learned from the master."

Xander started chuckling at Taryn's response, laughing harder as he remembered everything he put the others through. Willow, Cordy and Buffy had quickly nipped his whining in the bud so that just left the males for him to work on.

Taryn slowly smiled at the mirthful face of tumanuman, good…the boy did too much brooding up here by himself. Tormenting the denizens of the hotel seemed to be his only source of amusement, but unfortunately everyone truly thought he was serious and didn't bother to play the game and react appropriately.

"When did you figure it out," Xander said at last, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Only about two weeks ago," Taryn replied ruefully, going over to gather the chess pieces and board.

Xander smiled softly, sadly, "Well, it was a good game while it lasted."

"Why do you say that? The game can continue if it amuses you. I have no intention of sharing such knowledge with the others," Taryn retorted calmly, set up up the board.

"Really," Xander eyes grew wide at the thought of continuing his little game.

Taryn smiled, "Really. If they are foolish enough not to see the pattern, then they deserve whatever they get. Perhaps, I may be of assistance to you in ideas…I know many things that will greatly annoy Jennes and Lourdey," he raised a brow encouragingly. ith ith equally devious smiles the co-conspirators shook hands and settled happily to their game of chess.

Apparently it was his turn to be tormented, Angel thought ruefully a few days later. Despite what he told Taryn, he knew what the boy was doing and since it seemed to provide Xander with some form of amusement, he was content to allow the youth to continue to play his little game.

At the fifth heavy sigh, he finally looked up from his paperwork, "Yes, Xander what is it?" And hid a smile at the look of frustration on the boy's face. He knew precisly what was wrong with Xander.

"Does my quiet self-pity get to you or should I move up to incessant nagging," Xander sighed, then finally admitted in frustration, "Angel, I swear, I'm so horny I'd fuck a lion and die a happy man!" He crossed his arms angrily over his stomach, heaving a huge sigh, squirming uneasily as his cock twitched again.

"So what do you want me to do about it," Angel asked with raised brows. "It's not like you have a whole lot of options for sex, especially considering Taryn, Jennes and Lourdey are not about to let too many females, much less males near you."

"Duh!" Xander snapped out sarcastically, "Sorry, I'm just so...,"

"Horny," Angel nodded knowingly. He strolled over to the bed and carefully slid behind Xander. Rubbing the boy's back gently and smiling at the way the young man wiggled in pleasure.

"Mmmmm, Angel, you've got magic hands," Xander moaned in ecstasy, feeling the tension oozing out of his body, but strangely enough, feeling his cock start to harden. He flushed hoping Angel wouldn't notice. And eyeing his huge stomach, he snorted, like anyone could see over it.

"What you need is a visit from Mother Fist," Angel whispered into Xander's ear, smiling at the almost imperceptible shiver that coursed through the boy.

"M...m...mother fist," Xander stuttered nervously, his stomach fluttering and he was pretty certain that it wasn't the babies.

"Mmmm, Mother Fist," Angel breathed softly, extending his other hand into Xander's line of sight and slowly shaping his hand into the appropriate, 'Mother Fist'.

"Oh. OH!" Xander's eyes grew wide as understanding dawned. Then he grimaced, "Angel, I have to sit down to take a piss...I can barely reach my dick much less jack off! So much for your bright ideas, Einstein."

"Well, if you're going to insult me, I won't offer my services," Angel smirked behind Xander's head. And he knew damn well what the answer would be.

"Services," Xander asked suspiciously, twisting to look back at Angel, blinking at how close their faces were in this position and hastily turned forward, his heart racing.

"Yes, my 'services'," Angel replied as he extended his hand again, this time resting it on Xander's belly and gently caressing the bulging warmth, feeling a responsive movement within that made him smile.

Xander froze, there was no fucking way that Angel had just offered to jack him off! Surreptitiously he pinched himself, wincing at the pain. Okay, he wasn't asleep so....
maybe he just misunderstood the offer. Think, Xander think, he urged himself. How about if I just say OK, then if he does something else then I know that I misunderstood, but if he starts pulling on my schlong then...okay there was no downside to the plan. Either way, I don't get into trouble, he smirked.

"OK," he said cheerfully, "Do your stuff!"

Angel eyed the back of Xander's head, very tempted to make the boy actually tell him to jack him off...but he easily resisted the urge, considering how much he wanted to wrap his hands and mouth around the young man's lengthy rod.

Shifting from behind Xander, he eased the boy down onto the pillows before gliding a hand into the drawstring pants. He ignored the whimper from the youth as he took the firm member in his hand and tugged it out into the open. And pulling gently at the stiffening organ, he settled into an easy motion.

Stroking firmly, allowing pre-cum to pool around his fist, he used the boy's natural fluid to provide lubrication.

A cock was the most fascinating part of the body, Angel thought ruefully as he slid his hand up and down the warm flesh...truly with a mind of its own, ready and willing to do anything to be enclosed in soft wet flesh...a mouth, a hand, a pussor aor a nice tight ass.

Xander had his eyes closed tightly to enjoy it as this...this man...this vampire jacked him off. Squeezing him, stroking him...and his hips arched helplessly off the bed trying to thrust more of him, more of his thick shaft into that tight, cool grip.

Dear God and he thought sex with Faith was incredible...Angel's hand job was gonna destroy his mind! And a brief flicker of guilt flashed through his mind but was ruthlessly drowned under the waves of pleasure Angel was pulling from him.

Angel moved his hand faster over the jutting shaft, feeling it becoming harder, growing under his stroking as he caressed the meaty rod. Rubbing his thumb over the sweet tender head, the heady aroma wafted up to his nose and went straight to his aching dick.

He tugged faster...harder at the tumescent organ he held, his mouth watering...desperate for a taste, just one lick...the smallest of licks to the proud staff.

Tighter… faster he stroked the throbbing stalk, while eyeing the aroused flushed face. Until finally he couldn't resist and leaned over. Licking gently at the weeping head, he smiled at the choked cry Xander gave before he settled down into a steady rhythm, his head bobbing over the hungry flesh. He should have known that he would never be satisfied with just a lick.

"Oh my God," Xander rasped out, his eyes rolling to the back of his head at the wet pulling sensation on his aching cock. Angel...Angel was sucking him! Angel was stuffing his dick in his mouth and sucking him, tonguing him…and apparently from the sounds Deadboy was making...totally loving it.

And hungry for more of Xander's delicious velvety flesh, Angel lowered his head, the hard staff gliding down his throat until his nose was buried in the intoxicating fragrant hair of his groin and purred....

Xander arched off the bed with a scream, "Oh shit! Oh...oh...oh SHIT!...Fuck Deadboy, what the hell," he panted, his hips still continuing their erotic dance and he groaned lustily at the admonishing swipe of Angel's cool tongue. He got the message, shut up, and settled back to simply enjoy the pleasure unfurling in him.

Angel smirked around his mouthful, briefly considering another source of pleasure he could give his boy, but regretfully deciding against it, he needed to have something to dream about. And he continued to languidly blow Xander's mind, his hands gently massaging the taut sacs filled with delicious creamy sauce.

Xander tried to move faster in the wet grip of Angel's mouth, almost sobbing in frustration at the iron grip controlling his hips. Mindlessly he begged, pleaded, promised to do anything if Angel would just let him cum....

Sensitive to the pulsation in the thick tonsil wrench, Angel gave one last wet caress and felt his mouth fill to overflowing with Xander's ball juice. Thick, rich dream whip and he moaned happily as he swallowed the creamy emission, idly listening to the ragged panting coming from above.

Xander lay gasping for breath, good God ALMIGHTY! he thought in shock. Who knew Deadboy had so much talent, he thought, still dazed from the blowjob. Blinking as Angel raised his face, the wet lips...the golden ey...he eyed the color of the vampire's eyes and for once felt not a flicker of fear at the sight.

Angel sat back on his heels and watched Xander steadily...he had come too far to back away now. He swept his eyes possessively over his boy, and despite what Willow thought she did, both his demon and soul were in perfect agreement with the unified Angel: MINE. If only for this short time, Xander belonged to him.

And without dropping his gaze, he tucked Xander back into his pants with a little pat, smiling at the flinch the human gave as if in understanding of his new status in his unlife.

Xander eyed Deadboy uneasily, totally aware that if the vampire was a dog, Angel would probably be pissing all over him, marking his territory. He didn't know whether to protest the look of possession he saw in the vampire's eyes or just shut the fuck up and go with the flow.

Angel leaned forward, giving the youth plenty of time to escape as his eyes narrowed on the sweetly, tempting lips. Brushing at them with teasing, gentle motions until they parted with a sigh and he hungrily dove in. Groaning at the enthralling heat within, he deepened his carnal possession of Xander's mouth. His tongue thrusting slowly within the steamy depths, longing to be doing the same deep within Xander's tight ass.

Moaning, Xander could practically feel his mind splintering, his body tightening under the erotic coolness of Angel's mouth and mewled softly at the desire surging between them. He wasn't exactly stupid, finally understanding the looks, the touches, the presents Deadboy had been giving him...he knew exactly what Angel wanted and intended. Nobody lasted long living on the Hellmouth without becoming wise to body language. But Angel had fooled him completely, he thought hazily, arching his neck into the cool caress of Deadboy's mouth. He sighed with pleasure and regret as the touch slowly began easing the renewed ache of his body.

Blinking slowly as he was cuddled into the comforting embrace...he had a real tough decision to make. Despite how wonderful and mindblowing sex with Faith had been, she had NEVER sparked such intense, overwhelming desire within him. This was definitely something that couldn't be decided quickly...if he was single maybe, he wouldn't have a problem, but he had been married and he had children. Their thoughts and needs had to be considered into this potential relationship...but dear God, he wanted Angel!

He felt the solid length of Angel's cock pressed against his back and realized the other hadn't cum.

"Do you want me to...," he asked hesitantly, feeling his cheeks heating.

Angel replied quietly, "Not until you decide if you want to take this further." But he didn't think that they would have a later and wanted to cry.

Xander turned over in his arms, wiggling his bulk until he was comfortable, "Deadboy, if it was just me...," he began miserably, raising his eyes unhappily to Angel.

"Shhh, I know," Angel soothed the forlorn expression in the sad brown eyes. "You have other responsibilities, like Mikey and Joce, and these little guys," he said pressing a quick kiss on the bulging belly. Laughing softly as he felt his lips gently poked.

Xander smiled, "All my kids like you," he said stroking Angel's hair. "But I gotta be sure, because Angel if I have to choose between you and my kids, you'll lose hands down." His face was deadly serious as he spoke.

"Xander,it wit wasn't for your sense of responsibility I don't think I would be in love with you," Angel replied equally serious and was taken aback at the look on Xander's face.

"You're in love with me," Xander couldn't help squeaking out, his eyes wide in astonishment.

"Of course, I am...did you think I was after a quick fuck, " Angel snorted. "I can get that easily enough, there's enough males and females in the hotel that are very interested in me."

Xander lowered his eyes, "But I'm all big and...," he gestured to his burgeoning stomach, feeling suddenly painfully shy.

"I think you look beautiful and seductive as hell. Lourdey and Jennes, and I even suspect Taryn think you look beautiful also," Angel raised Xander's face, watching those glorious brown eyes glow with pleasure.

"Now I think I had better go and take a cold shower or I might take you up on that offer," Angel admitted wryly as he clambered over Xander.

"And you'll come back," came the quiet question from the bed, wide eyes fixed on his face.

Angel crouched down and kissed the sweet lips tenderly, ruthlessly controlling himself from hungrily taking what the eagerly parted lips promised, "I'll always come back to you...no matter where or when, I'll always come back, " he promised.

When he opened the door, he started at the sight of Taryn leaning against the wall.

"That child has been watching me again," Taryn accused irritably, holding a tray of food.

"Taryn, cut Mikey some slack," Angel said in exasperation, "He's only looking out for his father."

"I've been out here for almost 30 minutes waiting for you and Xander to finish!" Taryn abruptly switched to another subject, sure that this would embarrass the vampire.

Angel closed his eyes in deep pain, "Please tell me that you didn't hear anything?"

"Actually, after the first ten minutes I got the witch and made her cast a spell on the room. A nice little Silence spell," Taryn said almost cheerfully. Xander was right, this was much more fun that merely physically hurting people, he thought happily. Why I could spend hours, days...even weeks doing this and people wouldn't even suspect a thing. Perhaps there is something to be said about being around humans, at least these humans.

Angel growled, his eyes turning gold...but even he knew his growl lacked force and angrily stomped away. Firmly ignoring the laughter from the Jaztar behind him.


Xander woke, a faint uneasiness rippling through him. He tried to nudge Spike awake and tried to be as quiet as possible. Straining his ears at an unfamiliar sound in the bedroom. Someone was here that had no business being here.

He was glad that Taryn wasn't here, because if he was then Mikey would be here curled up between them which annoyed the Jaztar like crazy, especially since his son always managed to kick the demon several times while sleeping.

Dammit! He gave Spike a vicious pinch, startling the other into jerking away and falling out of the bed.

Which saved the vampire's unlife as a sword slammed into the spot where he had been laying.

Spike, fully awake now, lashed out with his foot and heard a muffled grunt before pain exploded in his stomach.

The door slammed open and Lourdey howled as he lashed out with his black talons fully unsheathed.

Xander crawled away as fast as his ungainly body would allow, yelling for Angel to get his ass in here! He felt something touch his ankle and fumbled, grabbing something, slamming it hard on whatever it was and scrambled away. If it was Spike or Lourdey, well, he would apologize later.

He could hear both Lourdey and Spike fighting in the darkness, grunting sounds as two someones made contact and a high pitched screech that made his ears hurt.

Willow burst into the room, throwing a ball of light at the ceiling…lighting up the room and the battling occupants.

"Oh sh..," was all she had time to say before a tentacle grabbed her and slammed her through the wall and into the hallway outside.

Xander shook and slid against the wall, maybe lighting the room up was not a good idea, he thought shakily as the…things focused on him

Spike and Lourdey backed away hurriedly and stood protectively in front of Xander.

"What the hell is it?!" Spike yelled as the creatures attacked them again and he realized that it was trying to draw them away from Xander.

Both creatures screeched again as Angel and Taryn leaped on their backs, ripping and tearing at mottled flesh in their fury. Buffy joined in the attack with a single-minded determination, laying vicious brutal blows facing the creature while Riley, Willow and Jonathan engaged the other creature.

"Get Xander out of here," Taryn screameforefore a tentacle grabbed him and threw him into the wall.

Andrew tried to ward Xander with a protective spell from the Jabba the Hutt creature and felt his magic slide off his friend like water. Grabbing his knife, which was of little protection against the creatures, he eased around the brawling knot of people to Xander's side. With fear in his eyes, Andrew watched as both Larry and Cheryl joined Riley and Willow in the combat zone.

Glancing at the furthest wall away from the war zone, he tugged Xander with him as he blasted an opening and helped Xander through, yelping as a tentacle wrapped around his middle and yanked him back.

He twisted desperately in its grasp before landing with a hard thump on the floor. Looking up he met Buffy's gaze before she whirled around, slicing another reaching tentacle.

Definitely have some breakage here, Andrew thought as got to his feet and slid the severed tentacle off his waist, hastily making his way through the hole in the wall and allowing Xander to pull him from the room. Andrew stepped aside as more people rushed up the stairs and poured into the room. Carefully guiding his humongous-sized fearless leader, he steered them away from the war zone, stopping frequently for Xander to catch his breath.


Angel slumped wearily against the wall, propping up both Buffy and Doyle...it was over.

"Okay, anybody know what the hell that thing was , and how it got into the hotel," he said quietly into the exhausted silence of the destroyed room.

Several people glanced up at him and shook their heads.

No one knew what it was.

Andrew came back with Xander and they peered into the room with interest, wincing at the bruised and battered people.

Andrew searched anxiously for his husband and wife, trembling in relief as he spotted them on the other side of the room, holding each other up. They glanced at him with smiles of relief at seeing him safe.

"What I find very interesting, is the fact that you five were able to attack the creatures," Wesley said from his prone position in Riley's lap. He didn't bother opening his eyes as his hair was stroked tenderly away from his face. Such a good boy, he thought fondly.

Willow's head jerked up from it's resting place on Spike's shoulder, "That's right, you guys were able to attack them," she said slowly, straightening up as Spike released her.

She stepped cautiously over to the mangled carcasses, ignoring the fussing that Angel and the Jaztars were doing over Xander's strident protests. Why did he bother, she thought absently, like they're gonna change. The Jaztars might, but Angel will face the sun before he lets go of Xander.

Buffy and Jonathan joined her in peering at the creatures.

"They almost look like a Demaoe demon but they don't have these," Buffy stated quietly, reaching in and ripping out a leg bone with a meaty sound.

"No, but humans do," Cordy replied, her voice going cold and hard.

The Jaztars and Angel stopped fussing over Xander and a silent glance passed over his head between the four before Lourdey, Taryn and Angel stepped back into the room. Xander attempted to waddle closer but was restrained by an iron grip and sighed grumpily as he looked up into Jennes' hard face.

Fine! he huffed., nobody ever let him do anything anymore. "Maybe somebody changed 'em," he called from the doorway.

Jonathan frowned and Wesley sat up, saying, "Xander, to physically change someone like that would require enormous amounts of power."

Everyone looked at Willow.

"Hey, I was with Spike until he went to Xander's room!" she protested angrily, "Besides, like I would ever do something to hurt Xander."

"Yeah, Red was with me up 'til late last night," Spike said indignantly, his eyes flashing with angry blue fire.

Xander wiggled his brows lecherously and called from the doorway, "Oooooh, with Spike huh?!"

"Like you were with Angel yesterday afternoon," Willow retorted, smirking at the instant flush on her friend's face.

Buffy blinked and looked away, taking a shuddering deep breath, pain clawing at her insides...at her heart. Biting savagely on her lip, she reminded herself that this was the path she choose and nobody said it would be a catwalk. And swallowing the lump in her throat, she was finally able to smile, joining the cheering jeers aimed at the furiously blushing Xander...he deserved to be happy and if Angel hurt him...her eyes turned cold.

Swinging her attention away, she blinked as she met the deadly gaze of the three Jaztar. And she knew that if she even thought of taking a step towards Xander there wouldn't be a move that could save her life.

Taryn nodded, it was good that Guardian understood her boundaries. At a time like this, their nerves were twitching to hustle their little father away from the death in this room. The only thing saving Xander was the fact that they knew it would distress him more if he was forced away.

"Focus people," Angel said mildly, calmly ignoring the laughter on everyone's faces. He would figure out a way to get back at Willow and his idiot, smirking grandchilde. If he couldn't think of something he could always ask Taryn or Xander, he smiled evilly.

"Clearly this was an attack on Xander," Wesley said, shooting Xander an apologetic look.

"Okay, first we find out how it got in here, then Xander will be sleeping with me and one other person from now on," Angel announced decisively, ignoring Xander‘s whimper of protest.

Xander rolled his eyes, if somebody let that damn thing in here, I swear to GOD I will be so fuckin' kick their ass all the way to Hell, he thought angrily. Now I gotta have two bedmates!

Fortunately, Spike and Jennes found the man that permitted the creature access, neck broken and bleeding from multiple wounds...naked in bed.


Xander shifted restlessly in the bed, trying to avoid waking Angel. I knew I shouldna eaten that last piece of chocolate cake, he moaned miserably, clutching at his clenching stomach. Yelping at a particularly fierce pain clamping on his insides, feeling like his guts were being pull.... and his eyes widened in sudden realization.

"Angel! WAKE UP! The babies are coming!" he yelled, then screamed in pain, jolting Angel to full awareness.

"Xander! Oh my God, " Angel jumped out of bed, dashed to the door then ran back and grabbed his pants and sliding them on then running out the door, screaming for Willow, for Cordy...for everyone.

Taryn and Jennes were the first ones to make it to the room.

"Okay, first thing to do is NOT to panic," Taryn said firmly, his eyes wide as he looked at the straining, panting young man.

"Then why don't you climb off the ceiling," Angel retorted, looking up to where the Jaztar was clinging to the ceiling.

Taryn coughed, "I was just getting a better view," he said coolly, releasing his grip and almost jumping back on the ceiling at the choked cry from Xander.

Willow stumbled into the room, "Okay, first thing is to get his shirt off him and sterilize him," she said breathlessly.

"Why," Angel looked angrily at her for a brief moment before understanding.

Willow nodded, "Yeah, he doesn't have a natural opening, so we need to get the babies out another way."

Angel met the Jaztars eyes with a look of bottomless pain and the Jaztars flinched and dropped their eyes. All three feeling an uncomfortable emotion in their hearts. They had tried to resist the warm friendliness of the human but to no avail....he called to them, laughed with them, teased them to share in his joy and his spirit....they would grieve for him for a very long time.

"An..Ang...Angel," Willow stuttered out, her eyes on Xander's rippling belly and the thin line of blood trickling down his side.

"Wha...," Angel started to say, then froze as Xander screamed, his body arching...and gray mist began pouring out of his mouth. With every scream, every cry...more mist poured out as Xander writhed helplessly on the bed, encircled by the gray cottony mist.

Lourdey regarded the writhing body, "Just so we are clear, is that a normal reaction, " he asked uncertainly.

"Not that I'm aware of," Willow stammered, her eyes wide.

"ANGEL!" Xander screamed as ripples of pain flared through him. His were opened wide and unaware causing the hovering people draw back as a pearly gray sheen glossed over them.

The mist was now at knee level and generating more of itself, steadily rising higher.

Despite his fear, Angel helplessly answered the call of his beloved, striding through the mist and holding Xander's hand.

Xander screamed again and the mist was now at chest level…this time the Jaztars answered the call and stepping into the mist as it rose higher, they disappeared from view.

The mist seethed gently against the ceiling, slowly spreading through the room.

Buffy frowned in puzzlement, her head tilting before almost being violently thrown to the floor as the hotel shuddered as if under a tremendous blow.

"Oh shit!" Whirling around, she screamed, "Everybody get into the basement, now! Don't come out for anything, no matter what you hear! Move it!"

"Buffy what hell is going on?!" Cordy shouted, then twisted around rapidly at Doyle's bellow of pain.

"DOYLE!"

"Princess, we hafta get into the basement," Doyle muttered, trying to get to his feet. He looked up and smiled wryly at Cordy's gasp of horror at his milky white eyes.

"Princess, whatever's going on with Xander, the Dark Powers want it stopped...now. We can't protect him from this, all we can do is get to a place of safety and let what happens ...happen. I think he's got more protection than the Dark Powers know," he said quietly, glancing at Willow and Buffy.

Cordy wavered, casting a longing glance at the mist enshrouded Xander before yelling for everyone to get into the basement...NOW!

"Willow, go get Benny, Joce and Mikey," Buffy said urgently, firmly holding her ground as the hotel shuddered and groaned again.

"S'right, I already got'em," Spike called from the doorway, a screaming baby clutched in his arms, and two terrified children holding firmly to his legs.

"Okay, Spike you need to go get as much blood, food and milk that you possibly can carry. Enough for three days," Buffy said breathlessly, falling to the floor as the hotel rocked again.

"I don't know how long Xander'll be in labor, but they'll come after the three kids first, to draw him out, so you need to protect the kids and we'll protect Xander," Buffy said fiercely.

"Right," and Spike gave the children to Willow and Buffy, racing down the stairs, pausing at the hammering he heard at the main doors. Grabbing everything he needed, he stumbled as the hotel shook violently and recovering his balance he ran up the stairs, pausing as he saw the mist slowly filling the room.

Willow and Buffy glanced at each other, "The corner," Willow said firmly and Buffy nodded in agreement. Watching as Spike settled himself and the children, getting them comfortable, before Willow handed him toys and coloring books to entertain the children.

Buffy faced the seething mist, "These are Xander's children. His first and second born and they need protection." And she silently waited, drawing Willow away from the corner of the room.

Then slowly the mist gently undulated across the corner, hiding two terrified pairs of eyes and one pair of icy blue eyes.

Buffy took a deep breath and glanced at Willow, "You ready," she asked.

"Yeah, but where are we going," Willow asked in puzzlement, staggering against Buffy.

"Wherever Xander is...in the mist," Buffy smiled and stepped forward into the mist.

Willow watched her with wondering eyes and smiled as well, stepping forward.

And slammed into the wall of mist.

Her eyes wide in astonishment and fear, she tried once more, and again she was rebuffed. The mist swelled, pushing her steadily out of the room. She wasn't wanted.

She heard the splintering sound and knew that the front doors had given way, the yelling and shouting of invading people. Her jaw firmed, her eyes glistened with tears as she glanced over at the mist enshrouded corner, silently saying goodbye before she whirled around and left the room.

"There's one of the bitches now," cried a hard-faced man, and grinning viciously he began mounting the stairs, his intent plain to see on his leering face.

Raising her hand and calling on her magic, Willow was prepared to defend this room until she was no longer able.

A firm hand grabbed her by her collar and yanked her into the mist.

Yelping she turned and faced Buffy, surprise on her face.

"You and Xander are both two stubborn people," Buffy shook her head wearily, "C'mon let's go."

"Where," Willow shouted, looking around....all she could see was gray.

"Can't you feel him," Buffy said impatiently, rolling her eyes.

Willow blinked, then a slow smile crossed her face before she turned and headed in the direction of the call.

"And they call me slow," Buffy muttered before following.

Outside of the room, Willow's would-be rapist approached the room with a lewd smile on his face and blinked at the gray seething wall facing him. He looked over his shoulder then shrugging he made as if to turn away and found that he could not.

Looking down, he saw his feet was surrounded by the gray mist and he didn't even have time to scream as the mist surged up his body, then slowly poured downward and spread into the now empty hallway, ankle high. And slowly began easing down the stairs.


Xander panted heavily, gripping Angel's hand as the pain flared again while he frantically tried to calm the children but he was in too much pain himself to do much good. All he could do was grit his teeth and suffer as the children grew more frightened at the pressure on them causing them to refuse to leave their safe haven, broadcasting their fear and terror to him, making him spiral out of control.

Grunting loudly, he strained before resting back down on the bed.

The Jaztars began crooning softly as they felt their children's fear and terror, the low sound cutting through Xander's harsh breathing. They gently began assuring the babies that they were with them, that everything was going to be okay.

And slowly, they saw Xander easing. The fear and terror building in his eyes dying down, then gone.

"I swear, Deadboy, being pregnant totally sucks," Xander wailed, as another pain gripped him. "I wanna push! I gotta push!" he moaned, arching against the pain.

Striding out of the fortress in the distance, Angel saw a tall soldier approaching, a huge brindled dog pacing along easily at his side.

Blinking, Angel glanced down at Xander's flushed face, then the face of the approaching man...and except for the obvious signs of age and the scar on the man's face, they were exactly the same.

He eyed what he now recognized as a hyena as it raced ahead of the man. Growling softly at him and the Jaztars before whining and licking at Xander's face.

"Hey, bet you guys never thought to see me like this," Xander tried to joke to cover up his bone deep pain, tears bright in his eyes at the stabbing pain he continued to feel.

"Little cub, we suspected as much when we first woke up," Hyena growled out, shocking Angel.

"And thank you for saving our essences," Soldier crouched down to smile at his young charge, stroking the sweaty hair away from the tired face.

"Wh..who are you," Angel stuttered out.

"She must by the hyena and he's gotta be Soldier-guy," Buffy said helpfully from behind him.

Angel whirled around to face her, astonished to see both her and Willow here, wherever here was, he thought looking around in confusion.

"Xander was possessed by a hyena a long time ago, then one Halloween Ethan Rayne did something and he briefly be a e a Soldier. Course, I always thought they had disappeared but here you are," Willow said, frowning darkly at the two.

Hyena growled and stalked over to the girl, "Do you have a problem with that?" she snarled, her lips pulled back from her teeth. Her very sharp teeth.

My, what long teeth you have, Willow thought helplessly, transfixed by that deadly gaze.

"No ma'am, we don't have a problem, no...no.. problems here....we are problem-free. We are two of the most problem-free people you ever saw, oh yes indeedy," Buffy stammered her eyes wide as she pulled Willow away from the hyena.

Xander arched with a pained groan, and the slit under his stomach lengthened , blood pooling in the hollow of his hips.

"Vampire, get behind him and support him. Jaztars, pull the sheets from the bed and cut them in half, you will need the sections to wrap the children in when they are born," Hyena growled softly, whining and licking Xander comfortingly.

"Hyena we must go," Soldier stated softly and Xander eyes flew open, hearing something else in Soldier's voice.

"You're gonna leave me again," Xander whispered quietly, his eyes quiet and filled with pain.

"Soldier, we have taught you everything you need to survive, to make logical decisions and conclusions. Always remember who and what you are. If you keep that in mind, you will do fine. Besides, we will be leaving you with two very capable protectors in our stead," Soldier smiled down into the dark forlorn eyes, glancing sideways at Willow and Buffy.

Hyena nuzzled her snout into Xander's neck, "Remember, cub, nothing is ever black and white."

With a low growl she backed away and stalked over to Willow, "Come, child…there is much we must do." Whirling around she dashed some distance away, looking back and silently commanding Willow to follow.

Willow raised her brows and shrugged at Buffy before turning, dashing after the hyena.

Soldier gazed steadily at Buffy, "You are with me, girl."

"Uhm, yes Sir, what exactly is going on?" Buffy asked meekly, raising a hand.

Angel and the Jaztars ignored them, busy with Xander as they made him comfortable.

"The Dark Powers have not given up on claiming Xander, forcing him to their will. If they can prevent this birthing for fear of what it may do to the Jaztar or even take one of his children, they will do so. Are you ready to stand between Xander and the Dark, are you ready to be his shield?"

Buffy smiled grimly, her eyes cold and dark, "I was reborn for this!"

In a blink of her eye, they were some distance away from Xander.

And the darkness came…


The mercenaries poured into the hotel with shouts and drawn weapons.

"Spread out and search the building!" the leader ordered harshly, "We are getting paid good money to find him! We don't find him, we don't get paid. I want 30 of you searching downstairs, the rest of you head upstairs."

"Can we keep whatever we find?" One of the hard-faced men called out.

"If you find it, it's yours," and the men laughed evilly and stormed up the stairs. Growing increasingly puzzled at the odd silence, they began to tread warily towards the elevator.

"Fuckin' A, this misty shit is fuckin' giving me the creeps," one of the mercs muttered to his mate as they burst into a room…empty like the rest of them on this floor. They could hear the rest of their company calling 'All clear' down the hall.

Suddenly screams and gunfire began to ring out up and down the hall, they exchanged twisted happy grins of finally finding prey…grins that slowly faded as the door they ent entered through was filled with the gray pearly mist. And then it was their turn to scream….


The mercs jumped as gunfire and screams began coming from upstairs, eyes narrowing as they recognized the voices of their group.

"What the fuck is going on," one man exclaimed nervously as they crept through the kitchen, unaware of the mist pouring, and roiling behind them.

"Oh mannn," another moaned, "I knew we shouldna taken this job."

"Shut the fuck up," the leader snapped, and whirled around to berate them further. His eyes grew wide and he dropped his gun.

"That is definitely not a good sign," whispered a merc eyeing their terrified leader.

And mist surged up their bodies, setting them to writhing and screaming at the excruciating agony as every last bit of moisture was wrung from their bodies.

Downstairs in the basement, the Hyperion people clutched at each other at the terror-ridden screams above them. Their breath coming faster as gray mist began seeping under the door, flowing down the stairs towards them.

"Sunnydalers, gather around the Hyperions, NOW," Riley yelled. And people began shifting, changing positions until a line of ex-Sunnydalers stood facing the mist. Several people inhaled sharply, their eyes wide as the mist crept closer to them, now knee high.

Closer it came…chest high.

Closer…and then it stopped, undulating, seething gently before them.

Harmony trembling extended a hand to it, and it drew back sharply away from her and she snatched her hand back.

The message was clear: Look but don't touch. And they settled in for the wait….


Buffy and the Soldier were fighting furiously against their foes, and in the distance she could see flashes of light, hear distant screams and knew Willow was doing good.

Suddenly there came a change in tactics and out of the mist stepped Giles and Joyce Summers.

Buffy was stunned, "G..G..Giles? Mom?! Wh…what are you doing here…you're dead!"

Soldier glanced at her and stepped back, this was her fight to face now. He could only hope she was strong enough to see.

"Buffy, not even the darkness could keep us from your side. Sweetheart, I'm sorry to tell you this, but Xander and Willow lied to you…they were the ones that actually caused my death. It was not your fault, baby," Joyce said emotionally, tears in her eyes.

"I know you love me and have always loved me, and if I hadn't pushed you for answers I know that things would have been different between us. Xander and Willow have always been jealous of you, I saw that clearly in the last days but I was too weak to fight them any longer. Both Xander and Willow, but most especially Xander, has and will always be your true enemy."

"Buffy, I was your watcher and if anything it was I that failed you, not the other way around. You did what you needed to do that day. And your mother is entirely correct, Xander has always been jealous of the connection between you and Angel. He was a weak, meddling coward. I cannot say whether it was because he wanted Angel for himself or not, but I do remember seeing hateful jealousy in his eyes each time he saw you. You were not the one at fault, Buffy, it was I that was at fault," Giles said quietly, his nervous stammer gone.

Buffy smiled tearfully, "It was great to see you…goodbye," and she attacked. Then stepped back. There was still a look look of shock on their faces as head and body separated.

"My mother still loved me, she loved Xander and Willow. Giles would never talk about Willow or Xander like that, he cared for us all equally and when we acted up, he had no problems straightening us out," Buffy said in a low voice.

"He loved us and he was always proud of us. Giles loved us," she chanted her manta as she leapt into the attack again and again. Firmly holding on to that thought as hard as she could.


Xander screamed, his body arching back against Angel and PUSHED…

…aware of nothing but the need to push

Sobbing for breath, he strained…every muscle concentrated on pushing…

….push….release….push…release…

Distantly hearing a wailing cry, before pushing again…straining against Angel before collapsing back….

Again…pushing…straining with all his might…feeling something slip from him and shouting….

Angel held on to Xander, his eyes wide and disbelieving as he saw the babies slip gently into their fathers hands from the slit lengthwise under Xander's stomach..

Taryn held his child with wide disbelieving eyes…Mine! I'm a father, he thought in astonishment.

He glanced annesnnes and Lourdey, each holding a child…wondering if his expression was as stupid as theirs. He blinked and his mouth dropped open as Xander screamed again…and he saw another head appear.

"By the gods above, FOUR?!," Taryn whispered, putting his child hurriedly down on the bed and gently easing the fourth bloody child out, and cutting the cord. Turning he wrapped the baby up, crooning softlystilstill the frantically, wailing baby. Arms flailing about in extreme distress at being separated and the cool air blowing over it.

Xander twisted and screamed again, pushing down with his last remaining strength with a shout…finally feeling empty then he was gently eased down onto the bed…vaguely aware of voices raised in surprise. He struggled to keep his eyes open, needing to see his children…then he could rest. Maybe for the next couple of years, he thought groggily.

Angel trembled as he touched a soft delicate cheek, unaware of the tears falling from his eyes. He looked up at the three Jaztars, a quivering smile on all four of the males' faces before they turned to look in awe at the pale young man lying exhausted on the bed.

"…see them," Xander was barely able to get out as he blearily opened his eyes, and felt himself propped up.

He gazed in tired wonder at the five wailing bundles they presented to him, they were so tiny, he thought, then blinked…one, two, three…FOUR and FIVE? He twisted and glanced up into Jennes' wearily smiling face.

"Five," he rasped out, feeling his vision darkening around the edges and he hung on to consciousness with grim fingers. Someone was definitely gonna pay for this little screw up, he thought faintly before the world went dark around him.

"Five," Jennes smiled down at Xander, then frowned as the young man's eyes rolled up in his head and he went limp.

They hurriedly put the babies on the bed and with Lourdey guarding them, Angel and Taryn bent over Xander, sighing in relief as they realized he had just passed out.

"Leave it to Xander to break the rules and grind them into dust," Angel said with a quiet chuckle.

Willow and Buffy stumbled up, bruised, bloody and extremely battered.

"How's he doing?" Willow husked out, swaying on her feet.

"He's okay, he's just exhausted," Taryn said quietly.

"Babies?" Buffy voice was hoarse and her arms trembled, she had barely enough strength to continue to hold her sword.

For an answer, the males simply stepped aside, revealing the five squeaking bundles.

Both Willow and Buffy began chuckling hoarsely, holding on to each other for support, Xander always did have a tendency to go overboard.