Healing

Part 17

Xander and Spike spent the afternoon cuddled on the sofa watching a rugby game - Spike's idea - and commenting on the buff looking players - Xander’s idea. Dinner was eaten in front of the TV and then it was just a matter of waiting for sunset.

Xander was nervous, he hoped that his idea worked. He had a back-up plan, but it was not only more difficult, it was somewhat dangerous and he didn't want to risk it if he didn't have to. He just wanted it to get dark so he could get this over with, the waiting was killing him.

Spike watched as Xander chewed his thumb nail down to the knuckle, practically. Something had his lover upset and he could only assume it had something to do with the surprise Xander had planned for tonight. He hoped that he wasn't the reason Xander was upset, he shouldn't have told him he didn't like surprises. He just wanted it to get dark so he could find out what his surprise was and hopefully Xander would calm down. Patience was not his strong suit.

"Xander?"

"Yeah Spike?"

"What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, What. Is. Wrong. You're acting all skittish, like a virgin on 'er weddin' night."

"Oh, that."

"Yeah that. It have anything to do with that surprise you mentioned?"

"Um, yeah?"

"Are you afraid I won't like it?"

"No. No, I know you will, like it that is. It's just... I've been working on this for a while now and... It might not work out the way I planned it, is all."

"So, yer afraid it won't be perfect?"

"Kinda."

"Don't worry pet. If you've put this much effort into it, it has to be perfect."

"Thanks Spike."

"You're welcome luv. And hey, not much longer to wait. It'll be dark soon."

As soon as the sun was low enough for Spike to venture outside they left. Xander insisted on taking the car so they would get there faster. Once they were close to their destination, Xander asked Spike to close his eyes.

"This isn't the part where you kiss me and then stab me through with a huge bloody sword is it?"

Xander shook his head.

"No Spike, but I will kiss you if it'll get you to close your eyes."

Xander leaned over and kissed Spike. Spike decided to play along and closed his eyes, even though it was killing him not knowing where Xander was taking him. A part of him wasn't kidding about the sword remark, things were just going too well right now so something had to come along and cock it all up.

As Xander pulled up alongside the entrance to the scrap yard he took a deep calming breath and shut down the engine.

"Don't open your eyes yet. I'm going to help you out of the car and take you where I want you to be first. Okay?"

"Alright pet, but you owe me."

"Don't worry, this'll be worth it."

Xander lead Spike into the scrap yard and over to where the industrial sized magnet was sitting. He had worked here for a couple weeks last year, so he was familiar with how to operate the machine.

"Stand here, take off your coat and strip down to your boxers."

Spike's head snapped up in the direction of Xander’s voice but he didn't open his eyes.

"What? You want me strip down? Out here? Are ya daft?"

"Trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then take off your clothes. Boots too."

Spike did as he was asked, mumbling about public indecency and how he better not find himself in any of those skin mags he'd seen in Xander’s closet.

Xander watched Spike undress and chuckled at his mumblings. Once Spike was standing in nothing but his shorts, Xander gathered the vampires clothes. He kissed Spike quickly and told him to stand absolutely still. Xander took Spike's things with him and climbed up into the seat of the crane. He lowered the magnet to just above Spike's head and then switched it on. He turned up the intensity a little at a time until he heard Spike cry out in pain.

Xander quickly shut down the magnet and flew to Spike's side. Spike was lying on the ground in game-face holding his head. Xander pulled him into his arms and tried to soothe him. He figured there would be pain involved but he had hoped it wouldn't be bad.

"Gods, I'm so sorry. I didn't know it would hurt this much. Are you okay? Spike? Please say something?"

"Ouch! That bloody hurt ya pillock!"

Spike shifted so that he was sitting in front of Xander with his back pressed against Xander’s chest, his knees were drawn up and his head hung forward into his hands.

"What the hell was that all about then? You bring me out here, strip me down and fry my brain? What the hell for, Xan? And where the hell are we, it looks like a bleedin' junk yard."

"It is."

"Xander, why am I half naked in a junk yard?"

"Because I love you."

"Aw, Christ! You are barmy aren't ya? Why do I always fall for the crazy ones?"

"Spike, I'm not crazy. I love you. I brought you out here to try and help you."

"Help me how?"

"Hit me."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes. Spike, for fuck sake just hit me!"

"Why? What did you do? Besides frying me head that is. And speaking of which. I can't bloody hit you even if I wanted to. Which I don't, even though you just fried my brain. Which must prove that I love you, otherwise I'd bloody well belt you, chip be damned!"

This was not working out the way it was supposed to. Spike was supposed to hit him, then he'd know if it worked or not.

"Spike, do you really love me?"

"Yes, of course I do."

"If you really do then prove it. Hit me."

Spike looked at Xander like he was nuts, which he was beginning to seriously consider. He sighed, shrugged his shoulders and turned around.

"Where?"

"Huh?"

"Where do I have ta hit you to prove I love you?"

"Oh. Um, shoulder?"

"Right then. Bloody humans."

Spike pulled back and punched Xander in the shoulder. He raised his hands to his head and braced for the inevitable skull shattering pain. When it didn't come he opened his eyes and saw Xander grinning at him like an idiot.

"Xan? Luv, what did you do?"

"I fried your chip Spike. Surprise!"

Surprise didn't even begin to describe what Spike was feeling. He grabbed Xander and swung him around in circles. He was free! He was a real vampire again! He could defend himself, he could hunt, feed and kill! He could kill. Damn, that could be a problem.

Spike stopped spinning and set Xander down. He needed to know why Xander had done this.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do this? Why give me my bite back? Aren't you afraid I'm going to kill you all now?"

"No. You told me you wouldn't hurt me, I believe you. Killing my friends would hurt me, therefore you won't kill them. As for why I did it? I told you, I know who and what you are Spike, I just don't care. I love you."

"Even if I start feeding on humans again?"

"Even if. But I would like to make a request."

"What would that be?"

"That you don't kill innocent people, maybe just snack on the bad guys?"

"Xander, I love you too. If you asked me to never feed from a human as long as we're together, I'd do it."

"I wouldn't, it would be wrong of me. But can't you feed without killing?"

"Of course! What do you take me for? Some bloody fledge?"

"No, never that. So we're good then?"

"Yeah, we're more than good pet. We're bloody fantastic!"