Recombination

A/N: MarzBar thanks for the review honey. Yup lotsa action was there, and yup the baby does have a couple of surprises for them all *grins*


Spikes hissed in pain as the flannel scrapped along his back, he felt Xander’s warm arm encircle his stomach holding him in place and comforting him. Spike groaned mentally; it had been well over a decade since he’d let anyone see him this vulnerable, let anyone help him like this. If had been anyone but Xander Spike would have kept up the big bad façade for his reputations sake. He grimaced, biting down on his cheek and grimacing again as his useless teeth cut into his mouth. Swallowing down the blood he kept his eyes focussed on the expressionless teenager in front of him. He smirked slightly as Connor looked down glad to put the boy in his place; he didn’t trust the little shit despite his help in the rescue and his apparent in-expertise at bathing toddlers.
Spike smiled slightly at said toddler who was looking over at him before tilting her head back to stare wide-eyed and curious, at her older brother who was attempting to clean her up.

“I know you won’t get an infection or I suppose you don’t get them but I need to get these cleaned up, sorry,” Xander murmured his hand rubbing Spikes belly soothingly. Though he suspected his boyfriend wanted nothing more then to be left alone or rather left alone with just him, he needed to patch him up. Whether it was because his own accident-prone behavior had drummed in the need for cleanliness and treatment or he just couldn’t stand seeing the gravel embedded in the wounds of someone he loved he wasn’t sure. He’d seen Spike shrug off similar wounds before but this time it was different, Xander didn’t want them shrugged off, he wanted to help.

Spraying the last wound with Savlon wound wash, Xander fanned it watching as the spray formed a seal over the wound. He pulled back his hand and closed his eyes counting to ten as anger raged through him. He could see each of Spike’s ribs through his back and feel his pelvic bones almost scraping his hands; Xander felt a furious need to hurt something or someone. He dropped the bloody cloth back into the bucket and got up moving around to Spike’s front. He knew his vampire had wanted him to take care of Annemarie first and to get her out of the god-awful clothes and into a fresh diaper but he hadn’t wanted to put the baby first. Terrible as it sounded, he’d needed to help Spike first and he could have kissed Connor when he’d taken the toddler and started to run warm water in the sink. Xander hissed as he took in the extent of the damage to Spike. Bruises adorned one of his eyes, his cheek and livid finger marks stood out on his neck. He stroked the bruised cheekbone and wasn’t surprised when Spike growled and pulled back. He ignored his lover’s apologetic look and stroked his arms soothingly; the only one who needed to apologize was the First, not Spike.

Frowning Xander suddenly realized what his fingers hadn’t felt when they’d trailed down Spikes cheek and instantly he leant forward staring at Spike mouth. Catching the fleeting flash of panic in his lover’s eyes and their momentary shift to Connor, Xander bit off his questions and nodded swallowing hard. Whatever the First had done he would find out once Connor had left. Not that he trusted the boy enough yet to let him leave with Annemarie but once the others were back hopefully one of them could put her down for a nap. He leant forward slightly ignoring the feel of Connor’s eyes boring into his back and the slightly disgusted hiss from behind him and kissed Spike’s lips softly, careful not to aggravate the Vampires injuries.

Xander ran his fingertips over Spike’s collarbones hating their prominence. Avoiding Spike’s ribs he merely sprayed them with the wound wash; the wounds weren’t dirty and looked at least a couple of days old. Xander felt a cold anger sweep over him as he noticed several cuts and bruises disappearing beneath the hipline of Spike’s pants, he ran his fingers around them a fearful questioning look in his eyes as he looked at his lover. Xander sagged slightly in relief at Spike’s reassuring headshake, and kissed him softly again. He felt more then a little relieved as Spike hesitantly kissed him back and had to hold himself back from losing himself in the kiss. He could tell Spike’s mouth was giving him more then a little pain and despite the adrenaline rush from the rescue he managed to keep his libido under control.

“You need to eat,” Xander murmured reluctantly as he pulled away and stood up. He glanced towards Connor and watched for a second as the boy pulled his sister from the basin and wrapped her in a large towel. Xander moved to walk over to the fridge but felt himself pinned in place as Spike’s hands shot out with supernatural speed to clasp his wrists. He staggered and almost fell on the vampire as he was pulled him against him. Feeling Connor move behind him he heard Spike growl as his lovers eyes flashed yellow, the tension in the room was so thick Xander was surprised he could still breath. He ignored Connor and knelt down next to Spike moving closer, his head against Spike’s chest. He didn’t want to lay against him for fear of hurting his lover, so he was more then a little surprised when Spike clasped him against his chest still growling at Connor.

Xander looked from Connor to Spike and watched as the Vampire’s eyes yellowed again, Spike definitely didn’t want him to go and seemed more then a little possessive. Xander knew the grip on his wrists would leave bruises but he nuzzled against Spike and tried to reassure the vampire. “It’s okay Spike. He’s Stephen now, he won’t hurt you, he won’t hurt anyone will you Connor.” His voice held no hint of a question just dangerous certainty, the boy knew too well what would happen if he tried.

Connor hesitated a moment as he looked from Xander to the still-growling vampire and shook his head thinking of the reason he actually stayed to help with everything, the reason that didn’t even know his true name- he shook his head again. “Not unless he hurts someone.”

Xander ignored the answering growl from Spike. “He won’t, just bring some blood from downstairs please. Actually bring all the blood and put it in the refrigerator down here, Spike needs to feed. When everything’s okay down here we can start cooking for the girls, they’ll probably be ravenous when they get back.”

Despite his obvious reluctance Connor nodded and started for the stairs. Xander felt Spike’s body tense again and before the warning growl could come out he added, “Could you leave Annemarie here, please, we’ll look after her.”
Xander ignored the hurt look that briefly crossed Connor’s face before he strode over and carefully dumped the child in his arms. The boy straightened and walked out, his body tense as he climbed the stairs to the kitchen and Xander felt a slight twinge of guilt when he considered all Connor had done. Still Spike came first; Xander had to make sure he was all right before thinking about anyone else except Annemarie whom he pulled against him wrapped in a towel. “Spike?” He leant against his lover who was inhaling his scent and had let go of his wrist to turn him around. He stared into his boyfriend’s ridged face as Spike pushed the toddler between them and ran his hands over him, his eyes firmly fixated on Xander face. Finally he leant forward and pressed his face against Xander’s chest to listen to his heartbeat.

Not even a minute later Spike sat up almost embarrassed his human face firmly in place. “Sorry, just got a mental flashback, didn’t want you to go just wanted you with me. And I got all protective over you and the baby-bit.”

Xander smiled slightly. “It’s okay Spike. Everything’s going to be okay.” He tried to reassure him groaning inside as he felt Spike tense even before he heard the front door open and the girls come in. They weren’t saying much but their presence obviously had Spike on edge; the vampire was looking up at the ceiling in worry. Xander kissed him softly and pulled his head against his neck, the ultimate show of trust, he cuddled the vampire against him. “Think you’re okay to stay here while I see the others?” he asked softly not liking the flash of panic that lit up Spikes eyes as he spoke.

Spike nodded slowly fighting down the instinctive fear Xander’s words had provoked. The vampire wanted nothing more then to chain Xander and keep him where he could see him, where Spike could keep him safe. He forced a smile for his boys benefit. “Sure pet, I need to get dressed anyway, and I’ll get the brat dressed too.” He ruffled Annemarie’s hair in affection. “Not too sure I’ll get a shower now with all the women upstairs though.” He sighed ruefully.

“You’ll get one, I’ll make sure of it.” Xander looked up as Connor raced quickly down the stairs.

“Buffy’s awake, so the watcher.”

Xander grinned seeing Connor’s surprise and Spike’s shock. “We had a feeling that might happen, if the First killed the thing that caught everyone.” He explained as he stood up, he half expected Spike to grab him again but the vampire had Annemarie on his lap and was busy patting her dry. He caught Connor’s odd, almost confused, look at the vampire tenderly dressing the child and none too discreetly pushed him towards the stairs.

Xander bent down to kiss the child’s cheek before landing a soft one on Spike’s lips. As he turned to follow Connor, Spike hesitantly added, “Be careful Xander.” Xander tossed him a slightly confused look before he grinned back “I’m always careful, nothing hurts Xander Harris too much, trust me.”

The look Spike shot back at him chilled him slightly, it was part skepticism and part fear as if he knew something Xander didn’t. He opened his mouth to say something but Spike quickly added, “You better go pet, the witch is calling for you.”
Frowning in confusion Xander shot Spike one last glance and made his way slowly towards Connor who waited impatiently at the top of the stairs. As he slowly climbed them he started to hear the hubbub growing above; Buffy was answering questions almost on demand from the potentials whilst Dawn and Willow chatted happily. His foot on the top step Xander turned slightly to look at the lonely twosome behind him; Annemarie was nestling against Spike making herself a ‘comfy place’ in his lap as he swore and attempted to dress her. Xander bit his lip catching his lover’s gaze as the vampire looked up. For one instant pain and hope flashed deep in Spikes eyes before he quickly looked down at the toddler, avoiding Xander’s eyes. That look spoke volumes to Xander; before he could do anything else he raced down the steps and back to Spike gathering both vampire and toddler in his arms. Spike didn’t say anything but the tight hold that he had on Xander said it all; the vampire had pushed Annemarie between them and was now gripping both man and child as if his life depended on it. Xander caught the disbelieving and yet pleased look in Spike’s eyes before the vampire turned his head nuzzling into Xander’s neck.
Completely comfortable and content in his choice Xander looked up, his gaze meeting Connor’s confused eyes; the boy seemed more shocked that Xander wasn’t bothered by Spike’s face against his neck.

Xander smiled at the boy “Tell the others I’ll be up soon. I’m spending time with my family now.”