A Viking in L A

Part 2

After the hysterics on the stairs were over the three vampires sat down to talk over heated mugs of pig blood. Xander had gotten better at drinking it but still found it disgusting.

"So Xander, how are things going for you?"

"Fine Angel. I guess this walking dead thing ain't so bad once you get used to it."

"So your soul is permanent then?"

"Yep. Willow worked her magic on all of us without telling us, none of us who are turned will lose our souls."

"How are you handling the demon?"

"It's weird, I feel like there are two separate people in my head sometimes. Mostly it's fine but if someone or something upsets me, the demon part of me takes over. I growled at Cordy."

"She told me. So you and Spike?"

"Yeah, me and Spike."

"Oi! I am here in the room you know!"

"Like I could forget you, no matter how hard I try."

"Not funny Peaches."

Angel showed the younger vampires to a room and then went back down stairs to his office. A few minutes later he was joined by Spike.

"Where's Xander?"

"Taking a shower, he has a thing for hot water."

"Can't say as I blame him."

"Me neither."

"So why didn't you join him? Not that I want you to....or even think you should, mind you. I don't want that image running around in my brain thanks."

"Calm down luv, I figured you'd want to talk about this. So here I am."

"You're right. I do. Uh, Cordy said something about mates?"

"Ah, wondered when you'd get around to that. It's true, what of it?"

"Is that what you want Spike? Are you with Xander because you want to be, or because with that chip no other vampire would have you? What happens when the chip stops working?"

"Oi! I didn't ask fer this! Bloody soldier gits messed up my entire unlife you know! The whelp was mine anyway and I would have had him by now if I didn't have this damn chip! So yeah, I'm with Xander cause I want to be. I always assumed that I'd be his Sire, the stronger of us, but that's not the way it's worked out. I'm a flexible demon, I can adapt."

"I know that Wil, living with the chip has proven that. I just meant, how will Xander take it when your chip stops working and you go after his friends."

"I won't. They're my friends too. The witches offered up their protection when Thor was after me, the slayer fought by my side. Dawn has always been in my corner, she was the only one of them who liked me at first. Rupert's okay for a watcher. Offered me a place to stay and all, I won't hurt them. Any of them. 'Sides, Red would turn me into a bloody rat!"

"What about Dru?"

"What about her?"

"You know she'll come back for you sooner or later, she always does. What happens then?"

"I'm done being her lapdog Angel. I can't go back to that. She doesn't love me, not the way I need her to. She wants me, craves me, hell she even bloody needs me sometimes, but she don't love me. Xander does. He loves me Angel, no one has ever loved me before. I won't give that up, I won't give him up."

"Do you love him?"

"Yeah I do. I really do."

It was silent in the office while both vampires sat contemplating all the things they had discussed. Finally Angel had to ask.

"What the hell were you guys laughing about?"

"Oh, (hee hee), you called me a (snicker) free-loader."

"And that's funny why?"

"Because (hee hee) Xander has more bloody money than (hee hee) Bill Gates!"

"He does? How?"

"His Sire was the oldest vampire in known history, he had money Angel. And his best friend is a top-notch hacker. Everything Thor owned is now the property of Alexander Harris. And as his mate I'm on all his accounts, plus he set up a few separate accounts of my own. Says he wants to make sure I don't have to depend on anyone else if something happens to him."

"So he's taking care of you?"

"In a way. We take care of each other pet. I'm not his bloody rent boy!"

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm happy he wants to look out for you, that you aren't stuck depending on humans and living in a crypt. It isn't safe."

"I know that. It's nice you know? Dru always needed so much attention, so much looking after. I never had time to think if I was getting anything out of our relationship. My entire existence was centered around Dru's needs."

"And it's not like that with Xander."

"No. I take care of his needs mind you."

Spike leered and Angel shook his head and smiled.

"But Xander takes care of me as well. You know he claimed me as his mate at Willy's in front of a room full of demons. Poor boy didn't even know what he was doing at the time. I explained it later, figured he'd want to take it back. You know what he said?"

"No, what did he say?"

"He said 'oh' "

"Oh?"

"Yeah, so I said, what that's it? No yelling, no panic? He said no, that it wasn't how he'd pictured us getting together, becoming a couple, but it would do. He pictured it, before hand. He wanted me Angel, he knew what I was, how I behaved, that I was effectively neutered and he still wanted me. Not for just a shag, but for a mate."

"I think I'd like to get to know this new Xander Harris. He's not the boy I remember."

"I told you that Sire, he's a good man."

Xander came down stairs and caught the tail end of their conversation. He waited a few minutes before walking into the office and sitting next to Spike. He took in the look of curiosity Angel was giving him and turned to his mate.

"So, you and Daddy done talking about me?"

Spike laughed out loud as Angel gaped like a fish and Xander grinned with satisfaction. Oh yeah, staying in L A was going to be fun. Lot's and lot's of fun.