All I Need...

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Part 24

The one thing Xander regretted about that last time on the plane was actually something he was also glad of. Spike hadn’t told him he loved him.

Of course, that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. Hell, he could see it every time the blond looked at him, but as long as the words weren’t said, he wouldn’t have to try to find a way to say ‘thank you’ without saying the words back.

Then again, they were guys. Maybe Spike would never say it, although Xander doubted he could ever be that lucky.

The last thing he wanted to do—ever—was hurt the vampire’s feelings. But he would if Spike said it and he couldn’t say it back… and he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he knew… hell, any number of things.

He was just glad he’d managed to cover it the couple times he’d started to say it. It just… wasn’t time yet. Too much was still… unknown.

Xander smiled at the soft squeeze he felt, his eyes glancing down at the white, elegant fingers tangled with his own on the back seat of the chauffeured limousine before moving up the arm belonging to those fingers to find curious, almost worried blue. “And what’s that look for, Spike?” he asked, arching one brow just the way he knew Spike found so intriguing.

“Ya need ta stop worryin’, luv,” the blond said after a moment, pulling the brunette closer. “Don’t matter what th’ great poof says. Might be th’ Master of th’ Order, but I’m my own vamp, yah? Not givin’ ya up.”

It took less than a moment to lift that strong pale hand and press it slowly to his mouth, tongue and teeth running lightly over soft skin. “Good, baby. Because you’re stuck with me.” Xander grinned then sighed a few moments later. “And I know I shouldn’t still hate him, but… damn it, Spike, I do. I hate that everyone always thought he was better than me and I hate that he’s all important now… and I really fucking hate it that…” He frowned, looking towards the driver before lowering his voice. “I hate that he forced you… that he had you first and hurt you so much, and… God, Spike, I just want to kill him for that alone.” He sighed again.

Spike could feel his eyes welling up just a bit at the words, at the obviously sincere emotion behind them. He shifted on the car seat, turning a bit towards his Xan and rested his forehead against the point of one strong shoulder as he tried to control himself. “Ya know, luv,” he finally said, proud that his voice was steady and true, “You’re th’ first person… ever… ta say that. Appreciate it, I do. But, Xan… ya know that was before he had a soul, yah?”

The blond frowned at finding himself defending Peaches. “I’m not sayin’ he’s not still a bleedin’ prick an’ a half most of th’ time, but…” He shrugged. “An’ as for Angel bein’ better than ya, pet… he wishes he was good enough ta lick your boots. Your little friends were just taken in by th’ broody despair an’ Neanderthal forehead. Besides, ya lot were what? Fifteen, sixteen bloody years old? Not th’ brightest age for humans, is it. All impressionable an’ such.”

He couldn’t help laughing at that, mostly because it was pretty much the truth. Hell, even Willow, smart as she’d always been, hadn’t been that intelligent about people at that age. Then again, neither had he, considering. Bug Lady, Mummy Girl, Cordelia Chase—although Cordy had turned into an amazing person before she’d died, according to what he’d heard—Cordelia, then Faith… and later, Anya and what the HELL had he been thinking?

“I guess, baby,” he finally murmured, dropping a soft but swift kiss on top of the bowed blond head. “I still don’t like him, anyway… but I’ll try to behave, okay? Promise.”

And that was the best he was going to get, Spike figured, so he nodded and straightened, looking into warm brown eyes. “Yah, luv… but if ya can’t help givin’ Broody a beatin’, ya need ta swear you’ll let me sell tickets,” he announced with a wink before settling back in the seat for the rest of the ride. “Could make us a bloody mint with that…”

* * * * *

Shit.

They were almost here and Angel still had no idea of what he was going to say, much less what he was going to do. In fact, the only thing he did know was… there was no damned way he was going to let his Childe throw himself away on Xander ‘I hate all vampires, even if they do have souls’ Harris.

The boy might be acting like he cared but how long would it really be before having his own demon or beast or whatever became familiar? And once it did… the dark-haired wuss would go right back to his old ways and hate the blond who believed otherwise.

He ignored the fact that he was maybe a little bit jealous… ignored the equally true fact that Angelus was more than a little the same. It was irrelevant, after all.

It was fortunate, he supposed, that the former human was clearly the submissive one in the relationship. That much had been very clear from what he’d heard over the phone. And if Harris was submissive to Spike then he’d be even more so to the Master of Spike’s line… the Order of Aurelius. And that, thankfully, was him.

Yeah, it wouldn’t be that hard to separate the two. Spike might think he loved the man, but… how likely was that really?

Not very, Angel answered himself silently. Hell, Harris had always been a bumbling fool, creating mayhem and chaos even when he was trying to help. It wouldn’t take more than a few minutes of confrontation with the boy before the once-human moron would turn and run away.

Granted, that would hurt Spike’s feelings for a while but eventually his Childe would realize that he didn’t love Harris. That he might have been infatuated but he’d never loved the idiot.

That was a plan, Angel decided with a smile. He would do what was best for his Childe and save him from the heartbreak he’d have experienced when Harris finally reverted to his old Vampire-hating ways.

Now he just had to figure out how to get Xander Harris alone… and to have Spike witness the truth. Of course, he’d find a way… he always found a way to accomplish what was necessary.

“Sir?” a voice interrupted his thoughts and he jumped a little before realizing that it was coming from the intercom on his desk. “Sir,” the voice said again, “They’re here. Michael’s car has just passed the remote sensors in the corporate garage.”

Oh, right. That was why he’d been surprised. He’d been subconsciously expecting Harmony’s voice but she was on vacation for the next two weeks in Ireland. It had been his recommendation after she’d almost gone up in flames on her last vacation-- to the sunny Bahamas.

At least in Ireland there was a much lower chance of her ever seeing the sun and as annoying as she could be, she’d at least become good at doing things the way Angel liked them done. Easier to keep her alive than to break in a new secretary… ‘administrative assistant’, he reminded himself.

“Sir…?’

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Right. Good, uh… Gladys…?” He waited a moment but the female didn’t correct him and he smiled with relief. “I’ll want to see them immediately. Oh, and do me a favor, would you? Call down to Security and have them shunt the closed circuit from my office to my Childe’s rooms. Tell them ‘across the board’. Thanks.”

He lifted his thumb from the reply button and leaned back in his chair, soul and demon both satisfied with his plan to get rid of Xander Harris.

* * * * *

It was only when the elevator doors closed and the small compartment started moving without any buttons being pushed that Spike groaned. “Bloody hell… soddin’ Angel wants ta see us. Or me.”

Xander’s frown was annoyed, even as he glanced up at the obvious camera in the corner of the elevator and pulled his vampire back against his chest. “Probably just wants to find out what the hell you’re thinking, getting involved with me, baby,” he murmured, head dropping to one tense shoulder, lips finding the side of Spike’s neck and sucking gently at skin so soft it still surprised him.

A sigh escaped almost red lips as he pressed back into the possessive hold. “Think he’s goin’ ta figure that one out as soon as he sees ya, pet… you’re a bloody marvel.”

And now he was smiling against that silky skin, teeth nipping quick and hard. “Maybe… but I’m your marvel, Spike. Just like you’re mine.”

“All yours, Xan… never goin’ ta be anyone else’s, am I?” he mumbled back over the purr his love’s words built in his chest.

“Nope… not ever, baby…” Xander sighed and released the sleek blond with one more nip to his neck as the elevator slowed, then stopped, the doors opening onto a busy floor. “Guess we should go see what Deadboy wants, huh?”

Spike couldn’t help chuckling, his fingers gripping warm, tanned ones nervously, although he’d never admit that. “Might want ta see just me, luv…”

The brunette shrugged, letting his vampire lead him from the elevator and towards the big wooden double doors. “If he does, then he’s shit out of luck. I told you before, baby. You’re stuck with me. Besides, I… hell, Spike, I just don’t trust him.”

* * * * *

The sound that sprang from him wasn’t words, wasn’t a welcoming thing at all and Angel knew it. He couldn’t help it, though. His Childe… HIS Childe smelled like…

He growled loudly, eyes flashing gold at the blond vamp. “You stink of sex, boy!”

Spike blinked, head cocking to the side. There’d been a time—and recently—when that tone would have worried him, but right now, standing in front of his acting Sire and feeling his Xan’s hand so strong and warm in his own…? He just wasn’t. So he shrugged and tried not to look too smug.

“Yah?” one brow rose, “Maybe because of all th’ sex we had on th’ plane. Ya think, pet?”

It was Harris’s low, pleased chuckle that had Angel and Angelus both looking at him for the first time since the two men had entered the office.

“Probably,” Xander agreed, his eyes raking slowly up and down Spike’s lean form. “I mean, we did shower this morning… then again, I’m not sure of how ‘clean’ we got. You know, considering all the sex we had then, too.”

And… this was Xander Harris? This… hell, he didn’t even have the words.

Okay, he looked kind of like the kid he remembered, but… when had Harris gotten so…

‘Wicked’, Angelus supplied, the demon’s emotions clearly coveting the creature before them, ‘wicked, dangerous… sexual… why didn’t WE take him when you had the chance?’

“Go,” Angel snarled, glaring at Spike. “Clean yourself up, Childe. And when you come back, I don’t want to smell even a hint of him on you.”

A high-pitched cackle sprung from Xander’s lips as he felt the hyena surging forward within him. “Hope that means you’ve got a few… you know what, never mind, baby,” he murmured, well aware of the fact that Angel could hear him. He pulled the blond against him, rumbling happily at the lack of effort it took, and pressed his lips slowly, gently, almost tenderly to the cooler ones. “Go ahead, Spike,” he urged softly. “Looks like I’m about to have a talk with Dea… Angel.”

It was only the smirk on his Xan’s lips that convinced Spike that leaving the two alone might possibly be anything but a bad idea. Still, it wouldn’t do to let Angel think he could order him about. Hell, the great prat hadn’t even tried to use that ‘Master’s tone’ on him since before Wes died saving them all.

“Not sure I like that idea, pet,” he said, loud enough for the glowering git to hear. “Not th’ leavin’ ya two alone, but th’ washin’ your scent from me. Like bein’ able ta smell ya all over me, Xan…”

And he couldn’t help the low, desirous rumble that echoed in his chest because… he more than liked his scent on his vampire. He loved it, in point of fact. It made him feel… hell, whole, as gay as that would sound if he said it out loud. None the less, he somehow knew that whatever it was Angel wanted to say, it would influence what happened next between himself and the blond.

“I know, baby,” he finally answered, hands roaming the strong, cool body slowly. “Just… let us do whatever it is Deadboy thinks we need to do, okay? And if you do wash my scent-marks off… or out of you,” he added with a smirk, “We’ll just have to put them back, hmmm…?”

“Bloody hell, luv… bet I could manage ta wash that much. Knowin’ you’ll do your best,” Spike admitted with a wink and another slow, deep kiss, completely forgetting about his GrandSire’s presence.

His brow was furrowing and Angel knew it. He’d counted on the one-time doughnut-boy being meek… timid, even. And yet this Harris wasn’t either of those things. Hell, he was having a hard time even believing it was the same guy. His brow furrowed even more as he watched the brown-haired man and his Childe, seeing the obvious lust-affection-need between them in their very touches, glances, tones. He’d have to rework his plan.

Fortunately, Angelus was on board with that and it took less than a moment for him to figure out a new and better plan of attack.

“Okay,” he said loudly, breaking through the distraction surrounding the couple in front of his desk, “I’m sorry. Really. I just wasn’t expecting… well, you have to admit, Harris, you’re not exactly… who you used to be. It might take me a few minutes to get used to the…” he stopped, at a loss for words that wouldn’t piss off his Childe.

“Changes?” Xander inserted, arching a sly brow. Maybe the enormous jerk didn’t realize that he could smell the lies rolling from him, but he could. Of course, he didn’t really care. He and the fucker would have it out in whatever way the big sack of brood wanted and then… then Xander would find his… Spike… and go back to ignoring the Slayer’s former flame. “Go ahead, Spike,” he murmured, “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

The blond sighed but nodded. Much as he didn’t particularly trust his Sire right then, he did trust his Xan. One hand moved slowly from the long, tight cord of muscle beside his bloke’s spine, sliding down to grab a tense globe of adored flesh. “Right, then. Guess I’ll be toddlin’ off ta un-scent myself… might need a few enemas ta do it up right, of course…”

“See ya later, Sire,” he added, smirking at the despairing ‘too much information’ groan the older vampire released. “An’ see ya sooner, Xan…”

* * * * *

Two sets of dark brown eyes followed the blond’s exit, although for different reasons. Finally, though, the two tall, strong, possessive males had to look at each other.

It could have been uncomfortable, Xander thought, but somehow it just… wasn’t. He knew where he stood with Spike; knew he’d never let the vampire go, no matter what the older man said.

“Okay… we’re alone now, Dea… Angel.” Narrowed dark eyes raked over the black-clad form behind the desk. “Is this the part where you tell me what crawled up your ass and died? Because as amazing as it sounds, something obviously managed to squeeze in around the huge stick you’ve got up there.”

Angel blinked. Angelus blinked. They both blinked. Then blinked again.

One more stunned gaze and Angel found himself falling back into his chair, words he hadn’t planned on or expected ever to say—and definitely not to Harris of all people-- springing from his lips.

“Do you love him?”

His head cocked slightly, lips twisting into a deliberately taunting sneer. “That would be between me and Spike, Angel. It’s none of your business.”

An angry growl. “He’s my Childe! That makes it my business! He belongs to me! Now, do you love him!”

Xander snarled, his beast rising fully as he stalked forward, hands clenched into fists as he glared at the much older brunette. “Ssssspike… belongs to himssssself! It’sss up to him to decccide whose he issss!” He felt the shimmer of green again as his fingers flexed, tightening again into meaty bludgeons at his sides. “What I feel… what he feelssss… is between ussss…”

Angelus frowned in the back of Angel’s mind. The boy before them did love their Childe… he just didn’t want to say so to them, and that meant… either the one-time Scooby hadn’t told their Childe or…

“You’ll never love him the way I do,” Angel found himself saying furiously. “You never will!”

And why the hell had he said that? What the fuck… and oh, the look in Harris’s eyes was not good.

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(A/N: Many thanks to TheShadowCat, Windssong & RedSharpie for the reviews... love knowing you guys are still reading! *grins* More soon, I think.)