White Knight, Black Knight

White Knight, Black Knight Chapter Eighteen


“Come on Xander, shake a leg.”

“I’m coming Spike.”

“You’d better be pet, or you’ll be explaining to the Niblet why we were late.”

Xander finished hiding stakes in his pockets and hurried to keep up with Spike. It was Thursday night and Dawn was in the Homecoming Court and they had promised they’d be there. Spike was even more adamant about it than Xander, but Xander suspected it was because of Angel’s near dismissal of his grandchilde. When Xander had talked to Angel he’d gotten nothing but an “I’ll take care of it”. Well after the shock wore off.

Later on when Buffy showed up in the vampire’s L.A. offices and Cordelia had called to warn them, even his human hearing could hear Angel say he had no claim on Spike and didn’t like Xander so he didn’t care what Spike and Xander did.

Whereupon Cordy had slammed the phone down on the desk and added her own strident voice to the mix. It hadn’t bothered Xander; he didn’t like Angel anymore than the brooding vampire liked him. But Xander could tell it bothered Spike, being rejected by family, and in the past week he’d been not only sticking closer to Xander but they had added the Magic Box to their patrol route and would stop in to talk to Giles nightly.

After the conversation in the kitchen the Watcher had been moved from the “tolerate for Xander’s sake” to “family, don’t let anyone else but Spike mess with him”. Xander had encouraged it, but subtly. He offered to make them both a cup of tea and made sure he made it with Lipton teabags. The resulting half hour lecture from both Brits on the proper way of making tea and how Americans got it all wrong and didn’t even speak the same language as proper Queen’s English had been amusing.

But he didn’t point it out that they were bonding, that would have stopped it right there.
As it was it was odd hearing Spike encourage the other man to add imported teas to his inventory just so they could get something better than Kroger’s version of Earl Grey. Xander was just glad that both of them got along, for the most part.

Not that he stopped bothering Giles altogether.

“Xander if you don’t come on I’m going to knock you unconscious and drag you to the fucking SUV myself.”

“Chill lover, I’m ready. It’s not like we’re gonna be able to get close to Dawn anyway, if Buffy finds out we’re crashing the Homecoming Game just to see Dawn she’ll have a fit.” Spike grabbed Xander by the arm and pulled him through their apartment building, not even waiting for the elevator. Xander just rolled his eyes at Spike’s antics as he was all but carried down the stairs.

By the time they reached the football field Spike was nearly vibrating. Neither man had seen Dawn in a week and this was going to be the only chance to see her for a while. Buffy was still on her “all demons are untrustworthy” kick. Xander was just glad he wasn’t like that anymore. That was one thing he could kind of thank Anya for, if he hadn’t heard all her stories about her demon days, both gory and not so gory, he might have his head up his ass still. And he wouldn’t have Spike.

The sun was low in the sky so Spike stuck to the shadows, using his coat for cover when he had to cross a sunny patch. Finally they made their way under the bleachers and Xander grabble Spike’s hand and giggled. “I always wanted to make out under the bleachers. Cordy just wanted to stick to closets.”

Spike pulled him in for a kiss that left him dazed. “Guess you’re out of the closet now, eh Xan?”

Xander shook his head and laughed. “Guess I am lover. Unless you want to sneak into a utility closet and shag after the kickoff?”

“Day off idn’t it? We can shag anytime we want.” Spike was feeling especially proud of that. Since agreeing to help protect the demon population from the Initiative, Xander had refused a night off; he was so afraid that someone would get hurt on his watch.

Spike had finally put his foot down, saying he needed on night of rest. His demon friends knew and if anything happened they had Xander’s cell phone number. But as far as anyone else knew they were patrolling. Not making out on the sidelines of the football field.

“Come on, lets see if we can find Dawn, then we can shag.”

Spike let go of Xander’s hips but grabbed his hand instead. “Sounds like a plan luv.”

The skulked around the field for more than a half hour, watching as the stands got full and the noises grew. Xander saw Buffy and Willow in the stands and found he had a lump in his throat. He was so tempted to just go up there and sit down, just to see their reaction.

“I’ll be all right Xan, they’ll come around.” Spike’s voice was reassuring and he pulled Xander into his arms to hold him tight.

“But what if it isn’t?”

“Then they weren’t really your friends.”

Xander took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. Friends don’t try to change who you are, and they stand by you in bad times, even if they don’t agree. I’ve tried to do that, but if they can’t…well it’s better to know who my real friends are.”

“You know I don’t care Xan, but I hate it for you. I know Red’s your best friend and all, that must hurt.”

“She’s not my best friend, not anymore. You’re my best friend Spike, you have been for a while.”

****

“Spike! Not in the hallway!”

“It won’t matter if you keep quiet Xan, but if you keep squealing like a girl all your neighbors will be knowin’ what we’re up to.” Spike was actually proud of the sounds Xander was making. He’d finally convinced his boy to take a night off, and other than having to skulk around hiding from the Slayer and her boy toy at the sports field they’d had a mighty fine time.

It was nice seeing Xander be just Xander again. For the past week the deal with his mates and the soldiers had him wound up tighter than a top, and he needed to let off some steam. After what his mate laughingly called a football game, they’d gone to Dark Havens for a few brews and pool. Then he’d surprised Xander by taking him on a picnic. Well, ordering pizza and beer and going to the park to eat it more like, but it was food and the outdoors.

Now they were waiting on the lift to go back home, and Spike was doing his damnedest to grope his Xander. He loved the blush that came when the boy got worked up or embarrassed, and his half-hearted protests were music to Spike’s ears. As much as Xander was saying “no” his voice was heavy with both lust and laughter.

The night had been eventful too. He’d gotten to see the Niblet again, something he’d missed in the past week. Usually she came round after school to visit but with big sis on a tear she hadn’t been able to. He highly approved of her boyfriend though, as did Xander. Of course that just meant that her Slayerness was going to have a fit.

After all it wouldn’t do to have her little sister dating a demon. Even if he was a prince among his people.

Nagas as a rule stayed underground, but Nagid was slated to rule and wanted to learn everything he could about the human world, both the good and the bad. Spike respected that, and he was devoted to Dawn. If Spike couldn’t be there all the time to protect her, a bloke who could shape shift into any serpent form, up to and including a giant cobra, could do the job.

He shook of thoughts of Dawn’s beau for his own lover. Xander’s head was thrown back in laughter as Spike tried to get his shirt untucked and walk to their apartment at the same time. The look of happiness and joy on his face would have made Spike stop breathing if he was the breathing sort.

Since he wasn’t he settled for picking Xander up and carrying him to the bed as soon as the door was opened.

He kissed his boy, tasting the beer and ice cream from earlier as well as Xander’s own unique taste of sunlight and chocolate. “Love how you taste pet, love how you smell. You’ve been teasing me all night, talking about groping in the closets with the cheerleader, taking little bitty licks at your ice cream like you were. Time to pay the piper. You’re gonna have to pay.”

“If I have to pay the piper, and you’re the piper, does that mean you’re gonna blow me lover?” Xander’s laughter and bad jokes were almost contagious and Spike hid his laughter by growling.

“Impudent little human.” He dragged Xander so he was sitting in his lap and kissed him again, stopping only when his love was near gasping for breath. He should have just left him breathless, because as soon as Xander could speak he was snarking again.

“M’not little.”

Spike reached down to rub against Xander’s groin. “No, pet, you defiantly aren’t.”

Xander leaned into Spike’s touch while at the same time sinking his teeth into Spike’s collarbone, making the older man groan. “You should apologize, you’ve traumatized my manbits.”

Spike looked at his lover and started snickering. “Manbits? Manbits! Xander are you drunk?”

Xander flopped down on the bed beside Spike. “Nope, just in a good mood. I’m high on life and I love you. Ravish me?”

Spike looked at his love, dark eyes shining with love and laughter, cock more than half hard and his jeans straining to contain it. He started stripping the both of their clothes, shirts flying in different directions. “As you wish Xander, as you wish.”

****

Xander limped down the street, all but leaning against Spike as they made their way to the Magic Box.. The past two weeks had been busy, it was as if all the oogedy boogies noticed they took one night off and decided to start partying again. Add in the random squads from the neo-nazis and he was so not having a good time.

At least they got rid of the fledge that thought himself a master vamp. Apparently Darla had done some snacking in LA after Angel did his pyromaniac routine on them and one minion had decided that since Darla made him he was going to be the next Master of the Hellmouth.

“Remind me to smack Angel if I ever see him again will you Spike? He broke Good Guy Rule Number 12; “Make sure your enemies are dead before you gloat.” Bastard. He should have fried the bitch and then staked her.”

“You’ll get no complaints from me. I don’t even think the cheerleader will mind this once.”

Xander snorted. He’d talked to Cordelia five days ago and she was still pissed at the way Angel was acting. He just figured Angel was jealous, after all, Spike could get laid and the brooding vampire couldn’t. Either way from what Cordy had said it had made things a bit strained in the Angel Investigations offices.

“Hey, maybe we can send her some flowers, that would put Cordy in a good mood and piss Angel off. Kill two birds with one stone so to speak.”

“Sounds good to me Xan."

“You know, Angel reminds me of Guerilla Warfare for Dummies Rule 133. “The more stupid the leader is, the more important the missions he's ordered to carry out.” He can be so thick headed sometimes.” They got to the Magic Box and Spike held the door open while Xander limped in.

“Xander!! Sit down. Are you alright?”

Xander rolled his eyes. He loved Giles more than his own father but sometimes the man was just plain weird. “Well except that a vamp decided he was a rabid dog and tried to chew my leg off, I’m fine.”

“Bloody hell you’re not fine!! That fledge just crawled out of the grave, you’ve probably got some demonic infection trying to set in. Where the fuck is the first aid kit Watcher?”

“In my office Spike but please…” Giles gave up as Spike slammed into the office. “Be quiet. Tara was asleep thank you very much.”

Xander just slumped down on a seat and listened half-heartedly while Giles looked at his leg. It was embarrassing to be bitten there, more for the vamp than for him. He’d been fighting and had knocked it down and instead of trying to stand up it had latched onto his leg like some demonic two year old. He supposed it would be funny when the pain went away.

He could hear Spike’s voice from the office. “Sorry for waking you Glinda but Xan’s hurt, just need the kit.”

By the time Spike came back Tara had followed him into the room and Xander felt like a big freak with everyone looking at his leg while Spike fixed him up. He took a good look at Tara and saw red rimmed eyes and her face was sort of puffy.

“Hey Tara, you okay?”

“S…sort of. I don’t really know and…” She fell quiet and bit at her lip and looked at Giles. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and managed to look comforting and angry all at once.

“Would you like me to tell them?” Tara just nodded and sat down beside Xander, her hands twisting in her lap. Giles moved to sit in one of the other chairs around the research table. Whatever it was it wasn’t good, Xander knew that much.

“Tara and Willow have been having…problems concerning Willow’s use of magic. Tara discovered the evidence of a spell that was put on her, one to make her forget.”

Pain in his leg flared as Spike’s hand squeezed in anger and he snarled. He was immediately apologetic, but Xander could understand. The thought of Willow picking through anyone’s brain left him cold and the fact that he’d do it to her lover?

“That’s just…gross! And scary. Are you going to be okay Tara?”

“I don’t really know.” This was said with none of the usual stuttering but in such a small voice that Xander’s heart broke for his friend. Spike finished bandaging his leg and leaned over so he could pat the shy girl on the leg.

“Don’t you worry ducks, me and Rupert here will help you sort things out. We both know what it’s like to have your brain picked apart.” Giles looked at him as if had grown another head and Spike shot an odd look at the other man. “What? Who do you think Dru practiced those mind tricks she used with you on? Angelus? Fuck no! She’d get it in her head to do some new trick and would use me to work out the bugs.”

Xander shuddered. “That’s just…urgh. That’s awful. And don’t say it’s because she was a vamp, or that she was a loony, it still doesn’t make things better.” He looked over at Tara and recognized the shattered look in her eyes. As much as she might need to talk to Willow and go back for her stuff, it was pretty much over between the two witches. Unless Willow did something spectacularly good and pulled a relationship saver out of her magic hat.

He looked at Spike and then Tara and then back at Spike. Big puppy dog eyes. Spike growled. “Right. Glinda will you be staying with us or with the Watcher here? Whichever one we’ll go back to the house with you and get your stuff tomorrow.”

“G-Giles said…he said I could stay with him. Thanks you though, it’s nice of you guys.”

Suddenly there was a noise at the door and they all looked up. A small girl with long brown hair and big eyes covered by glasses was tapping at the glass. Giles got up and unlocked the door and Spike stole his seat at the table.

“I’m terribly sorry miss but I’m afraid we’re closed…”

“Umm, hi. You don’t know me but I kind of know you, you’re Mr. Giles right? I was looking for you or Xander. I’m a friend of Cordelia’s.”

Giles stepped back and let the girl in the door. “Do come in, is everything alright? Does Angel need anything?”

For such a small girl she growled really good. “No, everything is not alright and Angel needs a brain.” Xander had to bite the inside of his cheek at that and Spike just started chucking. The girl ignored their antics, coming to stand in front of the table. “Hi! You must be Xander and Spike, Cordy’s told me a lot about you. I’m Fred. I need you guys’ help, and I might have some information on those soldiers for you.”

That immediately got Xander’s attention and Giles waved the girl to a seat. “Yeah, I’m Xander and the laughing vamp is my mate Spike. You’ve got Giles picked out and this is Tara. She’s our friend.”

Fred looked down at her hands and then spoke in sort of a whisper. “She knows about…you know…Spike and other people like him right?” Tara nodded. “Oh good! This will make it so much easier than talking in code. Not that I don’t already talk in code but that’s because most of the time people just don’t understand me.”

Xander looked at Fred with wide eyes. Despite the Texan accent she almost sounded like Willow did in high school. “Umm, you said you had a problem?”

“Oh yeah! Silly me I got sidetracked. I’m just a little bit nervous. The problem is, Cordy and another friend of ours disappeared three nights ago.” Okay that got Xander’s attention as well as the others and everyone sat up straighter, even Spike. “There’s no trace of them in LA that we can find. Angel and the boys, that’s Wes and Gunn, well they think its Wolfram and Hart. I don’t and when I try to argue with them they just pat me on the head and tell me not to worry.”

Both Xander and Tara winced at that. “Well I am worried and I think they’re wrong! From my own investigations I’ve heard there is a lot of missing demons in the LA area, and some humans that are not quiet normal. Lorne and Cordy are my two best friends, I’d do anything for them and I think those Initiative people Cordy was telling me about have them.”