A Friend in Need

Xander walked around in a trance. He still couldn’t believe it was Buffy who had caused Spike so much pain. He had thought Buffy was in love with the vampire. That’s why he had never gone after him. He glared at the microwave as the mug of blood spun around. “Hurry up I have to save his life. Damn it.” He knew it wasn’t the microwave that he was angry at. It was Buffy. If he hadn’t walked past his road because he was deep in thought and gone to Spike's crypt instead, Spike would have laid there and died. He knew that when Angel found out about everything he was going to be livid.

The microwave finally beeped. He pulled out the mug and put two more in. He set the timer and hurried to take the hot blood to Spike. Onc the the bedroom, he sat down beside Spike, “Spike, I got blood for you.” He set it on the bedside table. Moving up next to Spike’s head, he helped him sit up a little. “Okay, Spike. Here comes the blood. Angel said to get top grade whatever that means.”

Spike weakly said, “Human.” He let Xander put the mug to his lips. He opened his mouth and swallowed the blood in big gulps. He was so hungry that he finished the mug and whimpered for more.

Xander shushed him, “There is some in the microwave heating.” He sighed and asked the question he didn’t want to ask, “Spike, tell me something. Why didn’t you come to me if you couldn’t get food? I’d have helped you.”

Spike shivered and shuddered. “I thought you were all in on it together,” he whimpered, holding his stomach. He moaned when Xander laid him down on the bed.

Xander spoke softly, “I’m just going to get you more blood. I’ll be right back. I promise.” He ran to the kitchen and grabbed another mug from cupboard. He refilled that one along with the one Spike had emptied. Taking the other two from the microwave, he put the cold ones in and was on his way back to the bedroom with the mugs when someone knocked on the door. He sincerely hoped it was not Buffy. “Who is it?”

Angel called out, “Its me, Angel.” He fidgeted outside the door. This was the first time anyone in Sunnydale had met Lorne. He smiled slightly when the door was opened.

Xander flung the door open but didn’t even look at Angel. He had to get back to Spike. “Come in Angel.” He rushed to the bedroom with the mugs and set them both on the nightstand as he had before. He sat behind Spike and talked to him softly, “Spike, Angel’s here. Would you like to see him?”

Spike gulped the blood the the mug that Xander held at lips. When it was gone he whimpered for another. As Xander reached for the other mug Spike whispered, “I would like to see my sire.”

Xander nodded, “Okay. But eat first.” He held the mug up to Spike’s mouth. He helped Spike finish the last bit in the mug. “There now. Do you feel a little better now?”

Spike turned his head to look up at Xander. “Yes I do thank you.” He looked into Xander’s eyes. He could get trapped in those chocolate depths. ‘That is one place I wouldn’t mind being either.’

After setting the mug down Xander reached up and softly rubbed Spike’s face. “You're welcome. I wish you would have come to me, but I understand why you didn’t. I want you to know that I had no idea about any of this.” Xander looked up when he heard someone come in, and looked back at Spike after seeing it was Angel.

Angel looked at the mugs in his hands. “The microwave beeped so I thought I would bring them in.” He looked at his childe and growled. “Oh childe, what has happened to you. I am so sorry that I haven’t been here for you.”

Xander laid Spike down carefully. “Spike I’m going to take these mugs out. Angel can feed you those ones so you can talk. I know that you need your time with your sire.” He looked Spike in the face. “I’ll just been the next room. I swear.”

Spike nodded and watched Xander leave the room. “Sire.” He whispered. He smiled slightly at Angel and whispered apologies.

Angel sat behind him like Xander had. “There is no need for apologies my beautiful childe.” He helped Spike drink the blood down. When he put the other mug to Spike’s lips he asked, “How many mugs have you had, childe?”

Spike shook is head, “I don’t know, sire.” He gulped down the res the the blood in the last mug Angel had brought in. “I don’t want anymore blood sire. I’m sleepy.”

Angel smiled, “Okay childe you can sleep but first drink from me.” He morphed into his true face and bit into his own wrist. Putting it to Spike’s mouth he let him drink.

When Xander walked out of the bedroom he came face to face with a big, green demon. He frowned, ‘Demons wear silk? Since when?’ “Who are you? And how did you get in here?”

Lorne smiled, “I’m Lorne and I came with Angel. He and I are friends and a little more.” He smirked when the young man blushed. “How is Spike? Is he doing better then when you found him?”

Xander sighed and flopped down on the couch. “Please sit. Yes, he is doing a little better. He couldn’t talk much or anything at first. Now he is talking a little more and he isn’t moaning like he was.”

Lorne nodded, “Thank goodness. Angel was very worried about everything. I'm just glad we got here before the sun was up.” He watched the young man jump up and shut the curtains.

Xander smiled tiredly, “Thanks for reminding me about the sunlight thing.” He sat back down and sighed. “I have things to tell Angel and he going to be very unhappy.”

Lorne nodded, “I’m sure. He has things to talk about with you about too.”

Angel walked out into the living room where Xander and Lorne were. “Spike is sleeping. I let him drink a little of my blood. Sire’s blood helps childer heal quickly. Xander, I need to know how many mugs of blood he had.”

Xander sighed, “Uh, if he drank the ones you gave him, then five.”

Angel nodded, “Good. That should be enough for now.” He looked at Lorne when he cleared his throat. “Oh sorry. Xander, this is Lorne. He helps us fight evil and he’s…my boyfriend.”

Xander smiled, “I know. Lorne told me. I think its great, Angel, that you have someone, really, but what about your soul?”

“Its permanent now. Lorne and I were together even before it was though.” He smiled at Lorne then looked seriously at Xander. “Xander I want answers, and I want them now.”

“Angel, I just found out from Willy when he delivered the blood. I had no idea.” Xander sighed, “Buffy’s behind this whole thing. I don’t know how or why, but she is. Willy told me that’s why he didn’t want to give me the blood.”

Angel growled and gnashed his teeth. “I’ve been sending her money for months to help take care of Spike. I found out what he did to save the world from the opening of the Hellmouth. I started sending money because he is my childe and I love him. He has always been my favorite.”

Xander nodded, “I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Angel sighed, “We’re going to confront Buffy after we see how strong Spike is in the morning. I don’t want him weak when we do this. He is already defenseless.”

“That he is,” Xander said with a nod before yawning. “It’s getting late … thank you for everything. Why don’t you and Lorne take the guest room. I’ll stay with Spike.” He shook his head, “No, actually, I need to stay with Spike.”

Angel seemed to understand and he nodded, “Alright, Xander. Where is our room?” He smiled at Xander and walked with Lorne in the direction Xander had pointed.

Xander walked into his bedroom and laid on the bed next to Spike. “I’ll protect you as best as I can,” he whispered as he ran his hand through Spike’s hair and settled into sleep.

TBC…