New Order

A/N: You guys are great for the ego. I'll make a deal with you. You keep reviewing and I'll keep writing.



Angel left the bedroom with Spike and Xander curled against each other sleeping. He needed to spend the time with the two to reconnect but at the same time, he needed to find out what he could do to stop whatever was going on with Xander.



He hated all the spells and rituals that were a part of this world. They were complicated and dangerous and not something that Angel could just kill. It would make things easier if he could just kill whatever this was and the problem would be over. Of course, he tried that by having Spike slaughter the demons involved and look where that had gotten him.



Angel really wasn’t one for subtle. In his Angelus days, he had enjoyed more of the game but never where magic was concerned. He enjoyed playing with his prey just as much as the next vampire but there were limits to what he did even in the old days.



This thing with Xander was eating at him. He was feeling a great deal of guilt and guilt was something he had tried to leave behind after the battle a year ago. He knew that if he hadn’t screwed this one up that Xander wouldn’t be suffering the consequences now.



He moved into the room set up for research and found several minions searching through the books he collected. They already had his team at Wolfram and Hart gathering information on the demons that had captured Xander but he wanted to keep the details of the ritual out of their hands.



He worked until dawn and they made some progress. A messenger arrived with a report from the law firm and not long after, the Kor’Chuk returned. Just as he was about to go get Spike, his childe sauntered into the study with a smug grin and bedroom eyes. He was obviously still pleased with their fun the night before.



Kneeling before Angel, Spike waited to be acknowledged and took a seat. The information was what both were suspected. In order for the ritual to be completed, Xander would need to be claimed. The Kor’Chuks added that it appeared that the ritual would bind the human to the clan, not just an individual demon. Spike figured that was why there were several demons in the room when he had rescued Xander. They were all waited their turn.



All sources agreed that they would need to return to the original sight of the ritual and complete it. Angel was thankful he hadn’t ordered Spike to destroy everything there. As it was, they would need to convince Xander to go back to the warehouse and reenact the ritual. Neither vampire thought he would be eager to do it.



They had the team keep looking, hoping for a different answer. They returned to their room and the human in their bed and each worried exactly how they were going to break the news to him. Spike just imagined that conversation. Well, you see, Xander we’ll just need to chain you up, beat you, shove stuff up your ass and then fuck you senseless. And then you’ll be bound to us forever.



Yep, that was going to go over well. Really, really well.



Xander woke up when the vampires returned to bed but felt the tension in their bodies and laid still, avoiding what he was sure would be a not fun for him conversation. He was worried that the ritual had gone too far and that he would be hounded until he finished binding to the demons. And then there was the fact that he was pretty sure that Spike would have killed them all, so where did that leave him.



Finally, he reached up and pressed his hand to Angel’s chest. Letting the vampire know he was awake was difficult, but laying there waiting and wondering was worse.



He raised his head and watched Angel’s eyes darken. “Just tell me.” He whispered the words to the older vampire, dreading the response. Spike snuggled in closer behind him and held him tightly.



Angel opened his mouth to speak and snapped it shut again. He leaned forward and kissed Xander thoroughly, exploring his mouth and teasing his tongue. He broke away after a moment and watched Xander catch his breath. The man was so passionate and Angel wanted him to agree to the binding so that he could enjoy him forever.



Angel nudged Xander’s chin and brought his eyes up to meet his own. “It’s probably not what you expect. You do have to complete the binding but not to the demons. You can choose who you are bound to. But Xander, it has to be done where the ritual was started. It will have to be reenacted.”



Xander felt the blood rush from his face and was nearly overcome by panic. He would have to go back there, and go through it all again. And what did Angel mean, he could choose? What exactly were his choices?



He felt cool hands stroking him, calming him, and looked again at Angel. “What exactly do I have to bind myself to and what the heck does it mean?”



Spike leaned over and whispered into Xander’s ear. “Well, pet, we were sort of hoping you’d pick us.”



Xander rolled onto his back and looked up at Spike. “What do you mean? I can complete this thing with you guys? I don’t have to...”



His words trailed off but both vampires knew what he was thinking. Spike leaned over him and pressed their lips together again. “Told ya that I was gonna find a way to keep you happy. Figure this way, I’ll have a lot more time to spend at it.” Spike leered at Xander and kissed him again. He deepened the kiss, running his hands over Xander and pressing himself into his side.



Angel pressed to join. “We can complete the ritual, Xan. We are part demon after all. And it’ll give you a few perks as well. Not sure what they all will be yet, but I’m pretty certain you won’t have to worry about growing old any time soon.”



Angel’s words were reassuring and as he explained more details of the binding ritual and what being bound to the vampires would mean, Xander began to worry. “How can you be sure you want to bind yourself to me forever? I mean, I’m not even sure I’d want to be around me forever.”



Both vampires let out growls and leaned over him. “Xander, we’re sure.”



Angel continued, “Take some time, Xan and think about it. I know you don’t have the best options here but you have to be bound to someone and Spike and I would like for you to choose us.”



With those words, both Angel and Spike rose from the bed and left the room. Xander huddled into the now empty bed and cried.