All I Need...

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Part 28

~From: Dark Avenger
~To: Watcher Man
~Subject: Help

Giles,

Look, I know we’ve had our differences in the past. Okay, and maybe that’s not really a strong enough term.

You think I sold out. Even now, when the world isn’t overrun with demons and dragons, you think I sold out.

I know there’s nothing I can do to change your mind about that and I know the last thing you probably want to do is help me. But I’m still going to ask because it’s not for me, it’s for Harris.

Yes, I said Harris. As in your former charge. The kid who hates me and always tried to drive me crazy.

Here’s the thing, Rupert.

Harris is with Spike. You know that. God knows what’s possessed either of them, but they seem to like it that way. I can’t say I’m thrilled but I guess nobody really cares about how I feel so… never mind.

So Harris. Spike. Together. Whatever.

The problem is, it looks like I need to find some way to bring Harris into the Order and since he’s not human anymore but isn’t a vampire either, I don’t know exactly how to go about it in a way that would be recognized by the other Orders. And if it’s not recognized then Harris will be pretty much fair game for whatever demon or vampire feels like taking a shot at him. Hell, being with Spike could make him an even bigger target now that I think about it.

Not all the clans out there appreciate what Aurelius has done under my leadership, you know? Not that I’ll be changing the way I do business or anything, but it could make being with Spike… dangerous for the boy if he’s not an acknowledged member of the Order.

I really wish I didn’t have to ask you for help, Giles. I know what you think of me. But I’m hoping that you might be willing to see what the Watchers’ Chronicles have to say on the matter, if anything.

The sooner we figure out what to do, the better for Harris.

~Angel

* * * * *
~From: Watcher Man
~To: Dark Avenger
~Subject: Re: Help

Angel,

If it were not for the fact that you actually seem to be concerned for Xander, I’d tell you to take a flying leap.

Because you’re right, Angel. I don’t want to help you. I truly believe that you’ve been corrupted by the very building in which you work and reside.

However, as Xander seems to want to be there, I will of course do whatever I can to assist him.

For the record, Angel, it is not your Clan that I object to. It is also not Spike. I believe you understand my meaning.

Regarding methods by which Xander might be accepted into your clan, I must say that the notion alone disturbs me, but you do have a point regarding his safety and as I can not imagine that he’d be willing to leave Spike for such a reason, I suppose I shall have to search.

Unfortunately, I can not hold out much hope for a ready solution. Primals are rare and to the best of my knowledge have never joined anything as they have their own packs.

In this case, however, we are not discussing Primals in general but Xander’s Primal.

The things the boy went through to achieve his current state are far from the norm, and no I am not going to tell you about it. That is Xander’s story and if he chooses to tell you, he will.

As I said, I will begin seeing what I am able to discover. It may well be that no such ritual exists, in which case—for Xander—I may be forced to contact someone I once knew rather well… assuming he still lives.

Please contact me if you should discover anything which might assist in my search. Otherwise, I will alert you to any headway I might make.

~Mr. R. Giles

* * * * *
~From: Watcher Man
~To: Two Eyed Terror
~Subject: Be Careful

Xander,

I’m not entirely certain that this is the right thing to do, but I truly feel that you deserve some warning and I somehow doubt that you’ve been made aware of the current situation.

Angel has been in contact with me. He apparently wishes to make you a part of the Order of Aurelius, although I am uncertain as to his intentions.

It may simply be that as Spike’s… consort? Claimed? Mated? I don’t know what exactly you two are, actually, but in any case, it may simply be that Angel wishes his Childe’s companion to be recognized. He did make several references to your relationship with Spike perhaps putting you in danger.

I can’t make any statements about his sincerity, dear boy, however if I am recalling correctly, the act of taking a non-vampire into an Order generally involves some sort of submission to the Master of said Order. I… hesitate to say this, as it’s no secret that you’ve never particularly cared for Angel, but based upon the limited information the Council has collected regarding this subject over the years, that submission is often… sexual in nature. Perhaps not in this case as you are neither human nor vampire. I can’t be certain.

Honestly, Xander, that is all I’m going to say on that possibility as I’m fairly certain you can hear my stomach churning even from Los Angeles.

You are a grown man, son, and I trust you to make the proper choices in your life even when I don’t necessarily understand them.

I know that you care for Spike, and I have no doubt that he cares for you equally. However, I am also quite certain that he is possibly even more possessive of you than he has been in the past regarding other lovers. I don’t believe he would be terribly willing to have Angel know you in the biblical sense.

Xander, it would distress me greatly to find that the happiness I saw between you and Spike was ruined by being brought into Aurelius. Perhaps you and Spike should discuss this and decide what you both want.

I realize that I have no right to interfere in your business and I am definitely not instructing you on what you should or should not do. In fact, the only thing I am going to tell you that you must do is something I am entirely certain you are doing already.

Be careful, Xander.

It may be that I am still bitter over several past incidents, but I don’t trust Angel, no matter how reasonable his wanting to include you in the Order may seem.

Please keep me apprised of any developments on your end, son. I am… rather concerned.

With love,

~Giles

* * * * *
~From: Two Eyed Terror
~To: Watcher Man
~Subject: Re: Be Careful

Hey, Giles,

Good to hear from you. You know, aside from the whole ick-factor of what you said.

Like I would ever let Deadboy touch me. Gah!

Okay, you’ve got me having full body shudders now, G-man. Guess you wanted to share the wiggins, huh? LOL

You were right about me and Spike not knowing about the whole ‘bring Hyena-boy into the fold’ thing. Spike would have said something about it if he knew and he hasn’t so I’m pretty sure Broody is just being a big jerk. Like he gets to decide things for me? Especially something like that?

How does he even know I’d want to be a part of his freakish clan, anyway? Hell, Spike’s the only one I can even stand and I’m already a part of him, you know?

Um, speaking of that, Giles… I love him.

I do. I love Spike. I… hell, Giles, I don’t even know how it happened, but I love him. I’ve never felt like this before. It should be scary but it’s not and that’s scary itself.

Yes. I’m scared because I’m not scared. That is so me, right? LOL

Don’t worry, Dad… I’m being careful. It’s not like I really trust Deadboy either, right?

Ooops. Gotta go, Giles. Spike’s taking me to some demon museum tonight. He says there’s something there about Primals.

You know, sometimes I think he’s more interested in my beast than I am. LOL

Tell the girls we said hi… our girls and your girls. Oh, and when you talk to Dawn, warn her that Spike’s got her whole visit scheduled down to the minute. Should be funny watching her wrap him around her finger again. Haven’t seen that in a while.

Okay, he’s waiting for me now… tapping his foot and pouting at me. Guess I should get going before I have too much to make up to him later.

I’ll talk to you soon, Giles.

Love,

~Xander

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~From: Clever Childe
~To: Watcher Man
~Subject: Not Happening

Rupert,

Not letting the enormous git lay a hand on my bloke.

Mind if we come to London for a while if we need to get away?

I’d rather not have to kill the prick. Don’t much want to be the Aurelian Master. Wouldn’t leave me much time to shag my Xan, would it?

I suppose if you can find some other way to bring Xander into the Order we might stay for a while but there’s a zero bleeding chance that I’ll be letting sodding Angel use my Primal as his bloody bottom-boy.

Right, then. We’re off for our night of culture and whatnot. Don’t much care to spend yet another night watching sodding ‘Barney Miller’ reruns with the huge prat.

Later, mate,

~Spike

* * * * *

~From: Watcher Man
~To: Clever Childe
~Subject: Re: Not Happening

Spike,

As I’ve said before, you and Xander are always welcome in London although should you decide to relocate here, I believe it would be best to find the two of you your own flat. Of course, that won’t stop the Trainees from coming to visit but it would afford you at least the illusion of privacy.

I would be pleased to contact some of my less reputable sources to find you a regular supply of human blood.

As for dusting Angel, while I won’t say it’s necessarily a bad idea, I believe you’re correct. It would take up far too much of your time to run Aurelius, small as the Order is these days.

And yes, that was a joke. The dusting Angel part. Mostly.

Enjoy your evening, Spike, and please look after my boy.

~Rupert

* * * * *
~From: Clever Childe
~To: Watcher Man
~Re: Not Happening

Rupert,

The museum was a bloody waste of time. Nothing we didn’t already know about what my Xan is, but at least we got us a good shag in behind one of the displays, yeah?

Might take you up on that offer of a flat, mate. Won’t need the blood, though. Haven’t fed on anything but my Xan since Paris.

Goes against my instinct to run away, of course, but if I can’t kill my Sire (and he’s not as bad as he used to be, bloke… just don’t want him touching my Xan), might have to do just that.

We’ll let you know, Rupert.

How’s it going with the chits? We’ll have to put bells on them if me and my bloke come over there. Wouldn’t want them getting an eyeful, would we?

Well, all right. You wouldn’t want them getting an eyeful. They’d be running out looking for vampires and Primals of their own.

Later,

~Spike

* * * * *

He was smirking as he shut down the computer and stood, stretching slowly as he felt the heated brown gaze raking his skin. “Ready for bed, luv?” he purred, turning slowly in the still bright moonlight coming through the window blinds.

“Bed?” Xander echoed, one brow cocking as he stared at his vampire’s silver-striped form, feet padding lightly on the carpet as he slinked closer. “I was thinking more like… desk, then chair… maybe bed after that, baby…” He licked his lips slowly, eyes dropping to the hardening shaft Spike sported. “Unless you’re too tired,” he teased, the small bit of growl announcing his own arousal.

“Yah, I’m bloody knackered, pet… ‘course, could just mean I’m feelin’ a mite peckish…”

Less than a moment later, Xander had his blond pressed up against the desk, his own neck arched as the green shimmered in his eyes. “Mmmm… guess you should have a snack then, baby… can’t let my love go hungry, can I?”

He knew he should be worried that he was feeding exclusively from his Xan but he just wasn’t. Not when every time fangs pierced skin, he tasted himself in his Primal’s blood. Himself and his Xander and something… bigger than them both. Something visceral and heady and perfect that he couldn’t live without.

“Ya could, luv,” Spike finally answered, the words indistinct as his tongue laved slowly over the hot skin that still bore the faint flavor of sunlight, “An’ ya don’t know how much it thrills me that ya don’t…”

Teeth, hands, low pleased growls… hard flesh rubbing hard flesh, slickness spreading between pulsing groins… blood—thick, rich, hot and cooler… and strained, needy grunts right there on the desk, leaving only the chair and bed on the list for that night…

… while in London, a very worried man read Spike’s last e-mail and went into a flurry of research as he tried to discover whether a vampire could feed exclusively on a Primal without doing damage to either one of them.