Healing

Part 30

Just before sunrise a very annoyed Buffy opens the door to Xander and Spike. Xander looks at buffy and realizes that Angelus must have said something she didn't like.

"So what did he say to piss you off?"
"He called me a pig!"
"Uh, not to take his side or anything but, he's called you worse."
"No, he said he was hungry and he wanted to bite me. I told him I'd heat him some pigs blood......"

Spike, realizing where this was going began to snicker softly

"....and he had the nerve to tell me that if I'd just come closer he could drink straight from the pig!"

Buffy tipped her head up in indignation, of course from this new angle Xander could see her little upturned nose and began to snicker as well. He elbowed Spike who looked over at Buffy at burst out laughing. Buffy glared at the two of them and then turned and left muttering death threats to them both.

Giles came out of the kitchen, cup of tea in hand, and looked at the two laughing men. He shook his head fondly and sat down. Only Spike could break down in grief for killing his sire and then be laughing with abandon a few hours later. Although he was sure that Xander had had alot to do with that.

"Good morning, and how did you sleep?"
"Not bad, you?"
"Oh, lovely, considering Angelus decided to wake us all with his caterwauling and cursing. Not to mention he (points at Ethan) snores like a bloody chainsaw! Xander, next time you get the prisoners."

Spike walked over to the still tied up wizard and bared his fangs at him. Ethan knew that Spike couldn't hurt him so he merely shrugged at him.

"Is this supposed to frighten me? I know that you are unable to hurt me vampire so enough with the theatrics."

Spike looked over at Xander, a pleading expression on his face.

"Come on luv, let me eat the wizard, hmm? I skipped breakkie and he's not a nice man."

Xander smiled at his lover and nodded toward Giles.

"It would be Giles call Spike, we don't know if they've gotten everything they need from him yet."

Spike looked at Giles and raised an eyebrow.

"Have you Rupert? Cause I could torture it outta him for ya."
"Oh yes, actually Cordelia was most persuasive, as was Wesley. I'd say the alligator clips and my re-wired lamp worked quite well. Wouldn't you say so? Are your uh, nether regions still sore Ethan?"

Ethan grimaced at the reminder, his nipples were scabbed over and quite sore, not to mention his electrocuted genitals.

"Quite."
"So, the cheerleader and not-a-watcher fried yer knackers did they? Wesley I can see but the cheerleader, I didn't know she had it in her."
"I did. I dated her, she's scary."
"We'll have to talk about that later, I want all the nasty details."

Spike leered at his lover.

"Anyway, the question was.... can I eat him?"

Giles looked at Spike and then at Xander. Understanding dawned in his eyes. He couldn't believe it. Of all the foolish, dangerous things Xander could have done, and how long had Spike been without the chip?

"Xander? You deactivated Spikes chip?"
"Yes."
"Might I ask why?"
"No. It's personal."
"When, er when did you do this? And how?"
"A couple days ago, and it was quite simply really. I'm surprised you never thought about it."
"How?"
"A very big electro-magnet. I used the one at the scrap yard."
"Oh. Can we trust him?"
"Oi! I'm right here ya know."
"I know. Xander?"
"Yes. Spike won't hurt me, and hurting you guys would hurt me, so he won't."

Giles turned to the vampire, he looked him over questioningly.

"Is that the only reason? Because it would hurt Xander?"
"No. The witches are nice to me, bake me cookies and ask me how I'm doin', I wouldn't hurt them, I like them. Dawn, well Dawn is my family. You, I won't kill because you took me in, even though you chained me in the soddin bathtub, you make a good cup of tea and will actually watch passions with me."
"And what about Buffy? Would you kill her, Spike?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because..... because I respect her even though I can't stand her. And because... I loved her once, stupid wonky spell."
"Alright then, and Angels people? You'll leave them alone?"
"The seer and the git are safe. Bloody earned me respect with what they did to this soddin arsehole. Now, can I please eat him?"

Ethan began to sweat as he realized that the vampire in front of him was very capable of killing him and that his life was literally in Ruperts hands.

"Ripper, please. You can't do this, you're not like that anymore."
"Hmm, as you seem to keep bringing the name Ripper into this I'm not sure you really believe that. Spike? You may bite him, just don't kill him. Yet. We may need further information from him."

Spike vamped out and lunged toward Ethans throat. The wizard screamed and promptly passed out. Spike removed his fangs, having barely tasted the man and licked his lips. He turned to look at Xander and Giles.

"What? It's no fun when they pass out."

Xander and Giles exchanged an amused look before Xander took Spike in his arms and kissed him. Both the vampire and the mortal could hear the distinct sound of glasses being polished as the former watcher walked away.