Vikings, Sires and Siblings

Part 2

Spike found Xander in the music room unpacking their CD collection. He looked over his mate's shoulder as he began putting the discs away in the stand.

"Bloody hell, luv. I thought you got rid of those."

"Uh huh. No way. Mine!"

"Xan, it’s bloody unbecoming of a vampire of your status. I mean, what would the other demons think if they knew the Master of the Hellmouth had every Weird Al album ever recorded?"

"Don't know, don't care. I like them. Besides, I believe that was you singing along to 'Walking 'round in Women's Underwear' last Christmas."

Spike winced at the reminder of his less-than-demony behaviour. Hell, he'd bought a gift for the slayer even.

"You can't prove that, and I'll deny it ‘til my last breath."

Xander looked at his lover like he was missing a few brain cells.

"Er, Spike? You don't breathe."

"It's an expression, git."

Xander kissed his mate and went back to unpacking the CDs. Spike set up the stereo system and put the speakers up around the room. After that, he hung his autographed Sex Pistols poster - a gift from his mate - and plugged in the jukebox.

"So, we unpacked all bloody afternoon, what do you want to do tonight?"

"I don't care. Whatever you want."

"Hmm. Well, we can either patrol with the Slayer, or go out on the town."

"Yeah, unfortunately, going out on the town means either The Bronze or Willy's."

"True."

They looked at each other for a minute and then both spoke at once.

"Patrol?"

They laughed at their similar thoughts. Xander knew Spike was itching to get in a decent fight. They hadn't had much time to bust heads lately with the move and all.

"Come on, we'll feed first. Then we'll go kick a little ass."

"Alright. You heat the blood and I'll call Buffy."

~!~

Patrol was boring. Since Xander had declared himself Master, Sunnydale hadn't had a lot of demonic uprisings. There were few fledglings these days, as most of the vampires had left town or been dusted. Those that remained stayed well hidden from both the slayer and the new Master and his mate.

They were just about to call it a night when Buffy went still and the vampires both sniffed the air delicately. There were vampires close by. Quite a few of them. The three exchanged a look and then dropped into fighting stances.

The vampires came at them from all directions. They weren't overly strong, but they weren't weak fledges either. Buffy went on the offensive, throwing herself into battle and dusting whatever came close to her. Spike grinned happily at his mate and followed suit. Xander couldn't help but smile as he watched the blondes in their element. They both fought beautifully.

Xander was brought out of his thoughts by a hard kick in the back of his head. He turned and grabbed the vampire that had kicked him, ripping the offending appendage from his body before simply tearing his head off and letting his dust fall. He felt his face change as the demon revelled in the violence of the act he'd just committed and threw himself into the fight, as well.

It went on for sometime. More and more vampires came out of nowhere and kept attacking. Buffy was beginning to tire and it showed in her fighting. Spike was still having a good time, taunting his opponents and tearing them to pieces instead of just going for the kill. Xander couldn't complain as he had been doing much the same thing. But now, seeing as how it didn't seem to be letting up any, and Buffy was wearing out, he went for the kill right away.

With a stake in each hand, he tore through the mob desecrating everything that came near him. He spared a glance at his mate and was pleased to see that he was going for the quick kill now, as well. There was no way that these guys were local; they had to have gotten here just recently, and Xander was betting money that they had a master.

The opposing vampires seemed to realise that they weren't going to take down the trio of fighters, and as one, all that remained standing fled the scene. Buffy dusted the few that were still struggling to their feet as Spike and Xander checked each other for injury.

"What the hell was that? I haven't been ambushed like that since Spike on Parent Teacher night."

"Well, it bloody well wasn't me this time, slayer."

"I know that. Duh."

Xander looked off in the direction of the escaped vampires and frowned. There was something off about this. Something… almost familiar.

"We should head back. Buffy, you want to stay over or should we take you home first?"

"I should go home. Dawn wanted to go to the mall in the morning so it's easier if I'm there. Besides, I know what you two are like after a fight; I wouldn't get any sleep."

"Oh please. Your room is on the other side of the house."

"I know. And I can still hear you."

Xander laughed and he and Spike walked Buffy back to her place before heading home. They kept a sharp eye out but didn't see any of the vampires from earlier. Xander tried to figure out what it was that was bothering him, but he just couldn't grasp it.

Once they were inside and the alarms had been set, Spike headed for the kitchen and began heating blood for them. He was worried about his mate; Xander had been acting strange since after the attack. He figured it was probably because this was the first real threat to his status as Master since he had claimed Sunnydale as his territory. He decided it was time to up Xander’s training schedule. He wasn't going to lose his lover to a bunch of minions just because they outnumbered them.

"Xan, love? I've been thinking."

Xander walked into the kitchen, kissed Spike on the cheek, took his mug from his mate and then smiled.

"I thought I smelled rubber burning."

"Oh, har har. Very funny. You want to hear this or not?"

"Sure. What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking that maybe it was time we took your training a little more seriously. You're a good fighter, Xander. And plenty strong - stronger than me, but there are things you don't know. Things I can show you that'll help. Especially when you're out numbered."

Xander nodded his agreement. He did need to keep on top of things if he was going to keep Sunnydale. It was a prime hunting ground, and he was actually surprised he'd kept it this long without a serious challenge.

"You're right. We'll start tomorrow. But tonight..."

"Mmmm, tonight what, luv?"

"Tonight I can think of better ways to exert myself."

Spike smirked, finished his drink and then walked away. Xander followed suit, dropping his dirty mug in the sink and heading in the direction he saw his lover go. He grinned as he saw a trail of black clothing leading up the stairs to their room.

~!~