Becoming I

FANDOM: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series
TITLE: Becoming I
AUTHOR: Willie J
EMAIL: wmj166@yahoo.com
ARCHIVE SITE(S): http://parrot.nearheralways.com/index.php; http://www.brain-insane.com/beyondcanon; http://www.adult-fanfiction.org
PAIRINGS: Eventual A/X
RATING: R
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of Buffy et all, nor Angel the Series.
FEEDBACK: Oh please send me feedback, privately or through the list
DISTRIBUTION: List Archives
SPOILERS:
BETA'D BY:
SUMMARY:
A/N: Those of Buffyverse are naturally Joss' creations, however, any and all other characters mentioned are my own.

SUMMARY: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer..As a consequence of being raped by Angelus and through Drusilla's dark magic, Xander finds himself pregnant with Angel/Angelus child, Xander lies and Angel is sent to Hell.

Angel returns from Hell and in fear, Xander decides to run away have the child, give it up for adoption and return back to Sunnydale with no one the wiser he runs into a small problem…..his drunken father has stolen all his money.

Now forced to depend on Angel for sanctuary while giving birth to their child, they form a tentative truce. Xander gets involved behind the scenes with the Scooby gang and eventually reopen contact with them, but keeping the true reason why he left Sunnydale a secret.

Angel and Xander discover they have a dymphire daughter (human/vampire) and find out that Xander is a Traveler, able to Shift from dimension and Xander also discovers he is a latent Natural mage. Spike returns to Sunnydale and spills the beans about what Angelus had really did to Xander.

Buffy comes to L.A. intent on killing Angel for what Angelus has done, balked by Xander powers she returns home. Xander still provides help to the Scoobies unbeknownst to Buffy. Angel has a one-night stand with Darla but recognizes his mistake and returns home. Xander and Angel grow closer with Angel making his intentions plain to a skittish Xander while the human becomes grudgingly involved with the Oracles.

Xander and Angel become lovers, linking them together as Xander's Traveler Mate. Darla returns, pregnant. An old enemy of Angel returns with plans to kill Angel and everything he holds dear.

Angel finds out he's been drinking human blood, even worse, blood mixed with Connor's making him rage out of control. Concerned over his friend Wes, he tries to draw the man out, unbeknownst to him, Wes was harboring a dark secret of betrayal. Xander after a last mission for the Oracles calls it quit, determined not to work for them again after their latest betrayal.

After reading a prophecy about Angel and Connor, Wes is determined to protect both father and son. Kidnapping Connor, he hands the baby to Holtz and receives a slashed throat in return. Angel returns and realizing what happened chased after Holtz. He can only watch in horror as Holtz jumps through a portal with his son.

In his efforts to find his son, Angel teeters on the edge of being out of control until he discovers that Xander knows how to get to Quor-Toth but refuses to help. Angel orders Xander out of the apartment and out of his life. Angel locates the demon Sahjian and a fight ensues as the vampire tries to force the demon to tell him how to get into Quor-Toth. Angel is defeated, however, due to Xander’s careful watch of the events Justine is able to contain Sahjian in an urn. Wesley is located and has been taken to a hospital to recover a slashed throat when Gunn contacts Angel with the news. Angel attempts to kill Wesley, Xander and Spike intervene; then all disappear…

Angel learns a little more about Quor-Toth, what horrific event would happen should a portal be opened to retrieve baby Connor. Reluctantly he gives up on his son, hoping and praying that Holtz would keep his word and take care of his son. Xander and Angel have issues, problems within their relationship that need to be resolved. Angel also discovers that while he and Xander are TravelMates, there is an secondary step to them becoming permanent mates. Now he must convince Xander of his bond and love for their family.

However, the vampire finds that Xander's friends have a different agenda in mind for their mage friend. He is now in competition with potential suitors for his mate's hand! Angel discusses his views with one of Xander's suitors, and surprisingly enough the would-be suitor sees the validity of his claim to Xander. Shortly then after, Angel asked Xander to marry him.

And now the story...


Chapter 11

Between all their friends it took them only about 12 days to prepare for the event. Twelve extremely stressful days for Angel wondering if he and Xander would be able to make it to the ceremony in time. Or better yet, if they would survive the trip to the event.

While the Masters were pleased at Xander's upcoming nuptials, that didn't exactly mitigate the fact that there was work that needed to be done. Worlds, people that needed their help. There were only a finite number of Travelers, but almost an infinite numbers of worlds screaming for help...help that they provided. Training, defending, feeding and sheltering nations and people until they were able to stand on their own.

And either he or Xander were running off to do battle with some jacked up warlord in some crazy ass dimension. Often coming back so bruised and sore that all they wanted was the feeling of having the other wrapped around them like a security blanket.

And when Mom and Dad Harris arrived to help with the wedding, he thought he was a gonner for sure...


“Here let me get that for you,” Angel hurried forward and eased the suitcase from Macy's hand. He threw a triumphant smirk at Tamen's annoyed face, who was also reaching for Mrs. Harris' suitcase as well.

Tamen hissed and almost slapped Angel across the face with his tail when he caught M'Dear's stern look. And instantly tried to look as if all he was going to do was brush a speck of dust off Angel's back with his tail. He relaxed slightly when she turned that frown on Angel. Now it was his turn to sneer at the discomforted vampire.

“Boys...I want you to stop this nonsense right now! Tamen, now is that the way you want T'mar to see you acting? You know how much he idolizes you and mimics everything you do. Shame on you! Angel, you are an adult and father. Is this anyway to behave around Holly?!” Macy admonished the two sheepish men sternly, nodding at the fascinated Holly and T'mar watching the mild confrontation.

“Yes, ma'am,” Angel muttered, shooting a scowl towards Tamen.

“Sorry M'Dear,” Tamen mumbled, sliding a disgusted glance at Angel.

“That's okay, Xander's mom. Angel's my friend and I wouldn't hurt him cause friends are supposed to be nice to you and you're supposed to be nice to them, too,” T'mar assured her solemnly. He picked Holly up. “Holly's my friend, too!” And he gave a wide guileless smile to Macy Harris.

Her face softened as both she and Jack strode past the two other men. “Now, T'mar how many times do I have to tell you to call me Mom, hmmm?” And she wrapped her arms around the sweet young man. Almost out of all Xander, Willow and Spike's friends, T'mar was their favorite. Smart or slow he was truly a wonderful, loving person.

“How you doing, son?” Jack said gruffly to T'mar, patting him on the back. “You been practicing that cast like I showed you? Cause me and Tansl are going be going to Lake Omchean after the wedding for some premium fishing. Be glad to have you tag along.” And he smiled at the way the boy's eyes lit up. If he and Macy had another child, he would be proud to have had T'mar be his son.

T'mar turned wide anxious eyes to his brother. “Tamen, can I go?! Please?! Can I? Can I? I'll be real good, I promise!” He was almost bouncing as he begged to be allowed to go with PoppaJack.

“Of course, you can go! Besides, me and Shelby bought you a little present that we think you'll love. Did you bring it?” Tamen looked eagerly to Jack, who smirked as he pulled a round circular case from behind his back.

“Here ya go, my boy!” And handed the case to Tamen, who presented it T'mar.

T'mar's face wore a puzzled look as he put Holly down and fumbled the case opened. Then a look of awe transfigured his face as he pulled out the three connecting sections of the fishing rod.

His mouth moved soundlessly when he looked up at his brother. Then he jumped into Tamen's arms with a shriek of happiness. Wrapping his tail and arms tightly around his wonderful brother, and squeezing him tight.

“Angel! Angel! Lookit! It's just like Master Tansl's but it's not! It's mine! Shelby and my brother bought it for me! Isn't it beautiful?” And a fierce look of determination crossed his face. “I bet I can catch all the fish in the lake with this!”

And he couldn't stop touching his fishing pole with possessive pride as they walked back to the Harris suite of rooms. Angel shared a smile with Tamen at the self-important strut now in T'mar' walk.


Once they were in the suite, the senior Harris' quickly settled in. Willow, Spike, Shelby and about eight others were waiting tensely in the living room for M'Dear, to present their individual ideas on the wedding.

Angel was changing clothes in the bedroom when he heard a knock on the door. Fastening his pants, then sliding on a shirt he called for the knocker to come in.

“Angel...can we talk to you for a minute?” Macy poked her head around the door with a charming smile.

“Sure, come on in,” he smiled back at her. Then he grunted when he was slammed high into the wall as Macy entered with a small glowing gemstone held in her left hand. Angel looked at her in wild disbelief. Then he transferred his attention to Jack coming in behind her.

“Now that we have your attention, there's a couple of things that we needed to clear the air.” Jack sat easily on the bed and regarded Angel with a unwavering look. “You hurt Alexander and you hurt Holly. Not intentionally, not maliciously but because you wanted them to have something better in their lives than a vampire for a mate and a dead father for Holly. You had a goal in sight. Which is good...that of having a goal of reaching your Shanshu, that'll kinda make you human from what Spike says. And like any good father and mate you wanted only the best for your loved ones. But you forgot one simple fact: in their minds, you are the best. For them, there is no one better to love them or could love them. You hang the moon and the stars in the sky for them.”

Then Macy began speaking. “Angel, you have two of our most prized possessions in your hands. They are fragile, easily hurt because they love you. I like you Angel, I really do. But if you hurt my son and granddaughter again, I will make every nightmarish mother-in-law story you ever heard sound like a Mother Goose fairytale. And you will never, EVER see either one again. Is that understood?” And in her eyes stood a snarling, raging motherwolf protecting her young.

She slowly clenched her hand. Angel fell to the floor with a muffled thump and wincing he sat up. He looked at the cool, angry looks on both the Harris' face and bit back his instinctive words.

“I know. Believe me, I know that. I think...I hope that I have managed to rebuild Xander's trust and faith in me. I don't want to take the risk of losing him again. Losing either of them. Not now, not ever.” And slowly Angel got to his feet, his face hardening to a cold mask. “I respect you, Mr. And Mrs. Harris...but don't you ever threatened to take my family away from me again! What's between me and Xander, stays between me and Xander. I've made mistakes, something I've discussed and talked over with Xander...
as a family. But no one is gonna take my family away from me...not even you.” And it took everything in his power not to shift to his more demonic guise. This wasn't about threats...this was about standing his ground. Marking his territory.

And there was a cold, vibrating tension between them...then slowly Macy relaxed. “Good. I don't like it, but I was hoping that you would react like that. If you love our son enough, you'll fight for him, for them...even against us to hold on to them.”

Angel blinked. He felt like he had been standing on solid ground and now it had crumbled beneath his feet, and he was frantically trying to stay upright.

“You mean this was all a test? To see how much I love them? Couldn't you have done something a little easier, like make me swallow Holy Water to prove my love?” He looked at them in disbelief.

“Yeah, we could have...but where's the fun in that?” Jack gave him a crooked, Xandergrin and Angel saw where his mate got his oddball sense of humor.

“But we needed to be sure. And the only way we couldthatthat was threatened you with something you value more than your unlife...losing Alexander and Holly. You would gladly bathe in Holy Water for their sakes...but if you loved them enough, you would move heaven and earth to get back to them. To be with them.” Macy looked at Angel with quiet wisdom in her bright eyes.

Angel looked away from her probing, knowledgeable eyes. “Well, I didn't like your little test,” he muttered to the floor.

“Too bad!” Jack replied cheerfully, bouncing up from the bed. “C'mon we got a wedding to plan for.”

“Okay, Willow...oooookay, let's get something clear. I am not a female. Therefore, by process of elimination that means I'm a dude. Which, of course, means I am not a bride. And you know what that means?! It means I can see Angel WHENEVER I WANT! Now unseal this damn door!” Xander screamed at her from his temporary dressing room and hammered on the solid wood with his fists.

“NO! The wedding starts in less than 15 freaking minutes so you're gonna wait if I hafta sit on your freakin' behind and make you!” Willow shouted back from the other side just as angrily.

“You just wait until you and Spike get married! I'm gonna make your life miserable planning your wedding!” Xander seethed in a furious harsh whisper. His nerves were shot from the intense planning for his wedding. He was shaking like a leaf, he was so nervous and he needed Angel's presence to calm him down. He just needed to see his soon-to-be husband's face to ease his pre-wedding jitters.

His head jerked up at the sound of music playing. Then a soft glow surrounded the door and his hand shook when he grasped the doorknob, turning it easily now that Willow had unsealed it. And there was Willow's happy, tear-bright eyes steadily watching him as the door swung open.

“Willow, I think I'm gonna be sick!” Xander whispered hoarsely, clutching a hand to his roiling stomach.

“Xander, you're just making yourself sick,” she said soothingly.

“Where's my mom? Where's dad?!” Xander looked around in panic, feeling absolutely elated yet terrified for some odd reason.

“We're right here, son,” Jack answered huskily. He cleared his throat and gestured for Macy to Xander's other side. This ceremony was naturally vastly different from a Earth style traditional wedding. For one thing, all their friends would never be able to come to Earth to see the ceremony. This was was far better. They had video cameras set up the entire way to the altar to capture everything.

He gazed admiringly at Xander's attire. The dark blue pants that faded slowly upwards to a rich, pale creamy blue. And a long tunic top that slipped over his son's head and covered his upper chest, it echoed the simple coloration of the pants. His boy looked so handsome, he felt his chest puffing out with pride.

“Are we ready?” Willow said softly, winking at Xander.

“Yeah...let's do this so I can relax,” he muttered under his breath, feeling his knees knocking.


“Are they coming, yet?” Angel hissed to Spike. His eyes were wild and kept flickering between brown and solid gold. His hands were clenching and unclenching at his side. He was glad that he was dead and couldn't sweat or he would be standing in puddle of water right about now.

“For the tenth time...NO!” Spike whispered back snidely, making sure Angel saw the smirk on his face.

“You know...I can always change my mind about you being my best man,” Angel threatened his grandchilde.

“Yeah, right,” the other snorted in derision. “The ceremony gonna start in about five minutes and you think you can find another best man? I'd like to see you bloody well try,” Spike said. He knew he was annoying the older vampire but it was the only way to stop Angel from panicking and running off to find Xander. Which would cause him to quickly get his ass kicked by every last person that helped plan the event.

Then both vampires relaxed as Holly entered the long hall. Her face was screwed up in one of intense concentration as she walked with careful steps down the aisle carrying the ring on its velvet pillow. And the two men smiled at the cute picture she made in her blue and cream-colored outfit of pants and tunic top. It matched her fathers in miniature, except her pants and top were solid colors, with the tunic a rich creamy blue and the pants a solid dark blue.

Angel inhaled softly as Xander came into view a few steps behind Holly. Accompanied by his parents on either side of him, giving him away and Willow walking just behind as his honor guard. He smiled at Willow and Spike's attire. They also matched in dark green and glacial blue, with Spike in Willow's trademark forest green and Willow in the vampire's icy blue.

Master el-Traken looked over the crowd of individuals gathered to witness the nuptials of Alexander Harris and his Travel Mate. He smiled fondly at the studious look of concentration on Holly's face as she fought to stand still. She knew this day was important to her fathers and she was desperately trying to behave. He wondered how long she would last. He had some serious coins riding on her getting into trouble within the first 45 minutes.

He cleared his throat. “What is marriage? Is it just the union of two individuals deciding on a whim to join their lives together? Or is it something deeper? There is a poem I remember reading some time ago about marriage. It was called the Art of Marriage.”

He flared his throat scales to form a dignified hood, and to make Holly smile, then he began quoting from memory...

//It is at no time taking the other for granted;//
//The courtship should not end with the honeymoon, //
//it should continue through all the years//

//It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives//
//It is standing together facing the world.//
//It is forming a circle of love that gathers//
//in the whole family.//
//It is doing things for each other, not in the//
//attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.//

//It is speaking words of appreciation and//
//demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.//
//It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo//
//or the wife to have wings of an angel.//
//It is not looking for perfection in each other.//

//It is cultivating flexibility, patience,//
//understanding and a sense of humor.//
//It is having the capacity to forgive and forget//
//It is giving each other an atmosphere//
//in which each can grow.//

//It is finding room for the things of the spirit.//
//It is a common search for the good and the beautiful//
//It is establishing a relationship in which the//
//independence is equal, dependence is mutual//
//and the obligation is reciprocal.//
//It is not only marrying the right partner,//
//it is being the right partner.//

el-Traken saw all the joined partners nodding thoughtfully in agreement. “Now Xander and Angel will read their prepared vows. Gentlemen...”

Xander turned nervously to Angel and felt all his shaky feeling flow away when he met his lover's sparkling eyes.

“I know you think words come easily for me, but they really don't. You don't know how much I really learn from you. How much I lean on you. From you, I find the strength to succeed even when I think I can't go on. And here today, before our family and friends I make these promises...”

He took a shaky breath for courage and spoke...“To stand beside you, no matter what;
To be honest at all times with you; To accept you as you are and not try to change you;
To forget the past and focus on our future.”

“I will love, trust, honor and respect you for the rest of my life. No matter what is ahead, I will always be there for you. Through the laughter and tears; Throuhe dhe darkness and light; Through misery and happiness. We are one soul, united in love. No matter the struggle or pain, I will never leave you. I will always be there for you.”

Angel looked at Xander with tears in his eyes. And never taking his eyes from Xander, he began to speak...

“You know that I'm not very good with words but I love you more than I have ever imagined loving someone. You brought light into the dark room where I was hiding. When I sat silent and brooding in my room, you would drag me kicking and screaming to a place of laughter and fun.”

He swallowed hard and continued speaking. “I will make this journey with you, with an unfettered soul. I give you my promise, my vow for all eternity to stand by your side, to listen faithfully, to comfort you when you are troubled and joined in your laugher.”

Willow leaned against Spike as tears rolled down her eyes. He slid an affectionate look down at his Red Witch, though he did make sure he didn't look too loving. Didn't want people to get the wrong impression. He was still evil. He was just...undercover...yeah...
he was hiding in plain sight. And when they lowered their defenses then POW!

His red-hair love cast a look up at him and kissed his lips gently. “You'll always be the Big Bad to me. The greatest evil the world has ever known,” Willow whispered softly to her lover.

Spike turned his attention back to the ceremony. Firmly denying the tears in his eyes...it was due to the dust in the marble room. Yeah, obviously somebody forgot to dust the soddin' room. When he found out who's job it was, he was gonna snap their neck or necks if they had more than one.

And he covered Willow's hand with his.

T'mar leaneainsainst Tamen, blinking sleepily. He felt exhaustion weighing him down but he was determined to remain awake. He was fighting his Change with every ounce of strength he had. He wanted to see Angel and Xander get married, and he wasn't gonna leave until el-Traken said his friends were joined.

Shelby gave a worried look to Tamen over T'mar's head. And as she read the bonedeep terror in his purple eyes, she absolutely positive that her eyes reflected the same fear as his. And she wrapped her tail tightly around their Mate's waist for comfort, feeling Tamen's joining hers around T'mar's waist.

Tamen felt like picking T'mar up and shaking some sense into his brother. Both he and Shelby was overjoyed when it became evident that T'mar was sleeping more and more. But unfortunately, no amount of begging, screaming or shouting would sway his unnaturally stubborn brother to forgo this ceremony. T'mar was set on seeing the two men joined and that was the end of the discussion as far as he was concerned. Anything having to do with missing out on the ceremony he simply pretended like he didn't hear them screaming and yelling at him. Dancing and humming that stupid song about some girl called Nandy or something like that!

Tamen knew exactly where to cast the blame. And he cast a dark look at an oblivious Angel. It was hanging around that damn these vampire was where T'mar picking up those nasty habits. Like arguing, stubbornness and being independent. He pulled the softer body of his twin closer to him for comfort...and he was so proud of the character T'mar was developing, he didn't want to stifle it. He only wanted to see it grow and flourish, to finally witness the man his 'brother' was destined to be.

And the second el-Traken said Angel and Xander were joined, he was throwing T'mar over his shoulder and heading for their suite.

“....I now pronounced you Joined!” And the hall erupted with cheers as Xander pulled Angel down for a long thorough kiss before they turned to the joyful crowd.


Xander kept touching his thin, golden wristband in awe. He couldn't stop looking at it in fascination.

Married.

He was actually married to Angel!

He had been married for two freaking hours to Angel. The congratulations, the handshakes, the kisses went by in almost a blur for him. Hell, he could barely remember his own damn name, he was still gobsmack...

“Holly, get off Zedna back this instant!” He exclaimed in a hoarse yell as her trouser leg caught his eye. Unfortunately, her leg was currently at eye level with him and that meant trouble.

“But Daddeeee...” Holly whined, a sulky look on her face. “He said I could.” And she clutched firmly at the reptilian legless Warrior with a look of defiant stubbornness on her tiny face.

“Peace, Xander. I have no problem with her riding on my back,” Zedna hissed calmly to his young friend. He reared up, enjoying Holly's shrill laughter as he towered over the crowd. Then he allowed his body to curve in an arch, letting her slid down his back to the floor.

“I know you don't mind but Willow and my mom is gonna kill one of us if Holly gets her outfit dirty. And it ain't gonna be me,” Xander replied grimly. He scooped her off the floor and frantically began checking to make sure she hadn't dirtied herself.

“Oops!” Zedna coiled in a defensive pose when Willow appeared with a set look on her face. And all three quickly turned to faced her...radiating pure innocence.

Willow eyed the three narrowly, carefully looking them over. Especially Holly. She knew they were trying to pull one over on her, Zedna and Xander just didn't mix that guileless look on their faces. Willow checked to make sure Holly was still clean before she departed with a muttered hurrumph just under her breath.

“Whew! That was a close one!” Angel remarked to Spike from a few feet away.

“Too right, mate. Red's gotta right mean streak in 'er when she get her feathers all riled up,” Spike replied with feeling.

“Hey, have you seen T'mar and the others? It's almost time for us to leave and I wanted to say goodbye,” Angel asked his dchidchilde worriedly, giving another glance around the room for his friends.

Spike took a sip of champagne as a delaying tactic. And began searching frantically for answer that wouldn't have Angel and Xander delaying their honeymoon. “Oi! I think Shelby was feeling a bit under the weather.” And he leered at Angel meaningfully, just praying that Shelby wouldn't kill him for his little lie. Shelby had told him earlier about T'mar imminent Change and the fact that the unusually stubborn boy refused to stay in their suite.

“Oh....OH!” Angel blinked, casting a look at Spike in disbelief. The other vampire wiggled his brows and elbowed him, man-to...well, vampire-to-vampire.

“Well, okay let me go find Xander and we'll make a quiet getaway,” Angel said and began looking around for his husband.

“I thought I saw him heading out to the gardens with Old Mane,” Spike jerked his head to the open balcony doors. “He'll be back inside in a minute.”

Angel raised a brow. “Whose Old Mane? I don't remember Xander or anybody else mentioning him before.”

“Oh, he's a Hunter. One of the best. Don't much care for people gawkin' at him so he'll avoid places where lots of people are at. Likes his solitude, ya know,” Spike replied, waving his glass vaguely at the chattering crowd of well-wishers.

“Uh huh.”

“Don't worry, your boy'll be back any minute,” Spike snorted sardonically. His eyes sparkled with electric blue fire of amusement at the annoyed look on Angel's face at the delay in his plans.

“Are you sure about this, Mane? I know you want to help and all, but I don't want you taking chances with your life.” Xander paced back and forth worriedly, darting a look into the shadows of the gardens with red eyes peered coldly back at him.

~“It is my 'wedding' gift to you and your mate,”~ the darkness shifted. Dappled shadows flowed smoothly across gleaming skin. Light gleamed on the long two curving horns.

“Well, I've changed my mind,” Xander snapped abruptly. He was wringing his hands as he whirled to face the shadowy being. “I don't want you going over there. It's too dangerous and...”

~“And I was born there. Besides, this is not your choice to make. It is mine,”~ came the soft, dry whisper in his mind.

~“I have lived thousands of years. I have been a Hunter since I snapped the neck of my father, may he Hunt forever in the Shadowland, and took his place. This is my destiny and my calling. I am the only one that can do this. I know the terrain and territory.”~

“But what if you die, huh?! What if you get killed? Did you ever think about that, huh, Mr. Smarty-pants? No, you didn't, did you?!”

And there came a dry chuckle from the darkness before Mane glided forward and fondly regarded his one-time pupil. Xander would never make a true Warrior such as he. He cared too much. He was not one for making dispassionate decisions. He was not one to relish the hunt, the kill. The feel of blood coursing down one throat. He did not howl in triumph at being victorious, to defeat ones enemy.

~“It is nice to know that you care, but whether or not I die is immaterial. I am a Hunter. It is what I do, it is what I live for. To feel the wind against my skin, to glory in the intoxicating joy of the Hunt. Pitting my wits, my skill and knowledge against the prey...wondering if this will be the time that I become the prey and Hunted to my death. And there would befinefiner death for me than to fall to the claws, teeth or knife of a worthy prey.”~

Xander gritted his teeth in futile rage. Mane was a stubborn old fool. No wonder him and Spike got along so well! They were too freakin' much alike with all their talk about hunting and preying and shit!

“Well, if you get yourself hurt don't say I didn't warn you! And if you get yourself killed I swear, I'll Hunt you down in the Shadowland and kill you again,” Xander replied hoarsely, reaching up and hugging the reptilian neck of Master Mane-tonw-y.

“Please be careful,” he whispered in Mane's ear.

~“As careful as I have always been,”~ the other replied. Mane carefully folded his arms around the fragile human body, being especially careful with his claws. ~“Now go, your husband calls for you.”~

And with many backwards looks, Xander left. He had a unmistakable feeling that Mane's idea would result in tragedy, but for who?

Mane snapped his long teeth together as he stared after the child. And his eyes shifted, gazing up at a still figure gazing down at him, white-blonde hair brilliant in the lights from behind. Then Mane nodded his great head in acknowledgment before he turned and lumbered off to the departure point. To begin his journey and search.


Angel and Xander returned two weeks later from their honeymoon. Wide, happy smiles of bliss wreathe their faces as they stumbled into their suite where family and friends were gathered.

“So I take it that the honeymoon was a glorious success,” Tamen smirked at his two glowing friends.

Xander merely snickered, while Angel looked puzzledly at the man. He sniffed lightly, “T'mar?”

“No, it's Tamen,” Xander answered slowly. He gave his husband a confused look. He had never heard any rumors about too much sex causing memory losses. Maybe too much sex on the brain short-circuited the brain?

“Actually, it's Timar,” came an amused voice from the kitchen.

Xander swung his head to the right and blinked. Tamen smirked at him from the kitchen door with a look of lavender-eyed amusement.

He turned his head back forward, looking incredulously at the other man in front of him.

Blink.

Blink.

“T'mar? Oh shit! You fuckin' Changed!” Xander howled and ran forward touching their former daytime slow friend wonderingly.

“Yep!” Timar snickered, delighted to have surprised his friends.

Angel gave a joyous whoop of his own and simply opened his arms. And with a glad, fierce yell Timar leaped into his arms, laughing excitedly.

“Dammit, when did this happen?!” Angel shouted, hugging the purple-eyed man in disbelief.

“The stubborn fool was going through the initial Changes the week of your wedding. Then he went into the Secondary phase during the ceremony but refused to leave. He wanted to see you two joined,” Tamen calmly sold his brother out as he strolled out of the kitchen. He smacked Timar's ass with his tail in passing, giving him a evil smirk at the angry look his brother gave him.

“You WHAT?!”

“Are you insane?!”

Both Xander and Angel screamed furiously at the newly Changed man.

Timar glared at his twin. “Blabbermouth!”

And amid much screaming and yelling, Timar conceded that he might have been a little rash in his decision to see the two married. However, he blamed it all on not being his 'self' at the time. Tossing a little smile at his dumbstruck audience...there was moment of silence before they started laughing.


Xander sighed as he looked around their familiar apartment in L.A. He regarded his wristband for a brief moment then looked up as Angel came out of the shower.

“So, what do we do now?” He asked his husband quietly as he sat cross-legged on the bed.

He felt the mattress dip when Angel sat down. And when he felt the press of his lover's lips against his, he gladly allowed himself to be pressed back down to the pillows with a throaty groan of desire.

“Okay, how about we start like this: I go back to the hotel, tell Cordy everything, let her beat the shit out of me, and then introduce you to the rest of my people. After that we'll just have to wing it,” Angel murmured softly against the warm pliant lips, feeling them curve up in a crooked grin.

Xander drew back to regard Angel with serious eyes. “You're ready to introduce me to them?”

“Baby boy, I'm literally 'dying' for you to meet them,” Angel chuckled at the amused annoyed roll of Xander's eyes.

“Sweetie, I think you better leave the jokes to me. You are just not funny,” he groused and punched Angel in the arm, then tried to roll away.

Angel grabbed his laughing mate and rolled them over until Xander rested on top of him. “Hey, I made you a promise to start laughing. I take my vows very highly, Mr. Xander Harris,” he protested with mock injured look, that faded to a more solemn look.

“Angel Harris...sounds absolutely beautiful to me,” Xander whispered before diving into his lover's mouth for a scorching, beguiling kiss. He was drowning in the luscious taste that exploded in his mouth from Angel's erotic tongue and began to slowly suck on the supple muscle.

He pulled his head up, gazing down at the heavy lidded look on Angel's face and rolled his hips against the very interesting bulge growing under the towel. And enjoying the developing golden eyes on his mate.

His husband.

His.

From the top of Angel's spiky hair to the toes of his feet...it was all his. And he never really knew just how possessive he felt.

Angel felt a shiver course down his spine at that look darkening Xander's eyes to black, before his mouth was taken with a hungry force. And somewhere in the hind part of his mind, where all his primitive emotions lurked, demon and human, he recognized that look. It was the same look that he knew was often in his eyes whenever he looked Xander.

Absolute possession.

He groaned huskily and humped urgently against Xander when he felt blunt teeth nibbling at his neck at the marks his husband made during one extremely passionate encounter while on their honeymoon.

“Sex now, or later...” Xander whispered shakily to Angel, trying to still his needy hips.

“Huh?”

Xander slowly pulled himself back from the edge of fabulous Angelsex and quickly rolled away from his vampire's tempting body. “Were you going to the hotel now to talk to Cordy and the rest or maybe you can go tomorrow?”

Angel raised a brow, slowly coming down off the sensual mood he was in. “Hmmm, let me think about this. Making love to you or talking to Cordy? Decisions, decisions!”

“Get over here!” He tried to snatch a now laughing Xander into his arms, but his lover twisted out of his clutching fingers.

“Seriously, think about this...go talk to Cordy now, and we can have all day tomorrow of doing nothing but be with each other...in each other. Loving each other...again and again,” Xander whispered, giving Angel a sexy grin as he crawled closer to his mate.

“Fine! All I'm saying it better be some fantastico sex!” Angel grumbled, knowing it was a losing battle to try to talk Xander out of one of his worse ideas yet.

“Of course it will, it's gonna be with me, ain't it?” His mortal lover grinned delightedly at him.

Angel rolled his eyes and stomped back into the bathroom, but he had a wicked smile on his face as he stepped back into the shower stall. As he turned on the cold water, he began to send steamy images of them...of making love to Xander. Chuckling at the yell, then hungry moan from their bedroom before he got caught up in the blistering sensual imagery that Xander began sending.

~“Ha! Two can play that game, Mr. Angel Harris!”~ came Xander's lustful thought.


Later as he entered the hotel, Angel was amazed at Xander's skill in playing their little sex game. It was the t tit time he had ever lost to the boy!


“ANGEL!” Cordy looked up from talking to Groo and saw her friend enter the hotel. She ran to him and pulled him into a warm tight hug.

“I am so sorry about what happen! Gunn and Fred told me everything that happened last week. Are you okay?” She asked him softly, her eyes gentle and concerned.

“Yeah, I'm...okay,” Angel replied hesitantly and it was true. He wasn't quite there yet...but he felt himself slowly creeping to that place where he didn't feel like his heart had been carved out with a blunt knife. He felt a pillar of strength course through him. And he sent gratitude speeding Xander's way.

“Good...that's good.” Cordy replied. Then she punched him, doubling him over with a pained gasp. “Don't you ever do that again! The next time something like this happen you call me IMMEDIATELY!” And she hit him again.

“I'm your fuckin' friend! That means I goddamn well care about your brooding, sorry dumb ass!” But this time he managed to catch her hand before she was able to hit him a third time.

“Thanks...it's nice to feel the strength of your care. It was just....” He smiled painfully at her and looked away.

And Cordy inhaled, struggling to gain control of her grief. “I know...well, actually I don't know, but I should have been here with you! That's what friends are for...to be there in good times and bad times. You've always been there for me and you should have let me be there for you.”

“I'm sorry,” was all he could say.

“You should be...and if you got something else you want to say that's gonna fuckin' piss me off, I suggest that you wait until I'm not quite irritated right now!” She snarled, looking at him with narrowed eyes. Then Cordy turned and walked away, disappearing up the stairs with a stiff angry back. But he heard the watery sniffle she gave, and smelled the salty reek of tears.

Groo looked uncomfortably at Angel. “Welcome back,” before following after his princess.

Gunn and Fred peeked out from the office, checking for Hurricane Cordelia before they strolled over.

“Angel.” Gunn gave a short nod of acknowledgment to his friend. Discretely making sure his friend was okay.

Fred gave the vampire a tight hug. “Angel...she was just worried about you when we told her you disappeared from the hospital and by the way how did you do that? Did a dimensional portal open and you got sucked in? How long were you there? Were there strange fantastical creatures?”

And Angel began laughing, he was definitely home. After talking with Xander, they decided to postpone the talk with Cordy. They weren't in any hurry...they had time.

The end

The adventure continues in Becoming II and will be located in the Angel section of adultfanfiction.