Who? What? Huh?

Chapter 4 - Confessions

Xander stepped into the bar and peered around the smokey room.
He knew that his co-workers sometimes hung out here after work.
He'd already searched Willie's bar and Spike's crypt. This was the
only other place he could think of for Spike to have gone.

He heard a laugh from the back room where the pool table was
located. A very familiar laugh. His mouth formed into a grimace as
he stomped across the room.

When he stepped into the back room his frown deepened. Spike was
playing pool with Chris. They both seemed to have drunk more than
one or two beers, and it looked like the rest of the crew had gone
home.

They seemed to be having a good time, judging from the loud guffaw
he had heard earlier, and the smile gracing Chris' lips. That only
made Xander madder. Where the hell does Spike get off having a
good time with Xander's coworkers?

"Spi -" Xander stopped himself just in time. "Xander!"

Spike's head snapped up at the sound of his voice. "Hey mate."

"Where the hell have you been? I waitiaiting for you to come home
so that we could meet the girls."

"Sorry pet. Just having a drink with a friend. Didn't think you'd mind."
Spike placated.

"Well I do mind! You know how important this meeting is!"

Spike turned toward Chris with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry Chris.
Looks like I have to get going. We'll finish the game some other
time." Spike turned to put his cue stick away.

"Who is that? Your boyfriend or something?" Chris asked under his
breath.

Xander's new hearing was able to pick up the quiet question. He was
horrified. Chris thought Spike was his boyfriend!?

"NO!" Xander answered without thinking.

"It's cool man. I'm not one of them bigots. If you guys swing that
way, it's no skin off my nose." Chris shrugged at them.

Xander was still trying to shake off the image that Chris had
produced, when Spike sauntered over toward him, an evil smirk on
his face.

"Yeah pet. Chris is a good 'un. We don't have to hide in front of him."
And with that Spike leaned in to press his lips to Xander's.

The kiss was brief but Xander found himself leaning forward as Spike
pulled away. When he caught his movement he pulled back, eyes
wide in his face.

"Let's go!" He grabbed Spike's arm and pulled him toward the exit.

"See ya Chris!" Spike called out as Xander dragged him through the
door.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Xander demanded once
they'd left the bar behind.

"What do you mean pet?"

"What do I mean?! What do I mean?!" Xander's mind was stuck on
replay. What just happened?

"Just havin' a spot of luv luv. No need to get your knickers in a twist."

"Fun?! Kissing! There was kissage!" Xander accused.

"Yeah so? If your worried all the manly men will think you're a nancy
boy you jus just tell them that you were drunk off your ass."

Xander was fuming.

"Did you get me fired today?"

"No."

"No?"

"No Xander. I did not get you fired. Your precious job is safe and
sound." Spike answered shortly.

Some of Xander's bluster left him. He'd been worried and stressed all
day about things beyond his control. And now that he at least knewe hae had a job to go to tomorrow, if he were back in his own body by
then, he relaxed slightly.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome mate."

***

The boys entered the Magic Box to find all four girls sitting around the
research table. When the bell jingled the girls looked up with
apologetic smiles.

"Still nothing huh?" Xander asked.

"Sorry Xan. We're trying but there have been a few more attacks
surrounding the Sunnydale Lake. It looks like we're going to have to
tackle the dragon issue before we can really focus on
your...situation." Buffy answered.

"Fine." Xander puffed out as he took a seat next to Dawn. "Did you
at least find out how to get rid of the dragon?"

"Yes. There's a spell that we can use, but the only problem is that we
need a talisman from the dragon's nest." Willow replied.

"And why is that a problem?"

"Well his nest seems to be located on the small island in the middle of
the lake. Someone must swim out and retrieve the talisman before
the spell can be performed." Giles explained.

"Okay then. What's the plan?"

"Well Will and Tara are going to gather all the ingredients we need for
the spell tonight. Tomorrow we were thinking that I would attack the
dragon to get its attention. Tara, Will, and Giles would be with me
keeping the dragon distracted while you and Spike swim out to get
the thingamajig. Once you bring it back to shore Willow will start the
spell." Buffy outlined.

"No."

Heads swiveled to glare at the now brunette menace. "Don't worry
Spike, we'll pay you." Giles reassured him.

"It's not that mate. I just don't want to tangle with a dragon." Spike
answered. He got up from his stool and strode toward Buffy's training
room.

"Spike not wanting to tangle with another demon? What's that
about?" Buffy asked, a confused look on her face.

"Don't worry about it. I'll talk to him." Xander stood and followed
Spike out.

Tara watched the entire exchange with a curious look. When Xander
stood to follow Spike she nodded to herself before returning to the
research book in front of her.

"Spike?" Xander entered the training room to find Spike pummeling
the heavy bag.

Spike ignored him.

"Hey! Don't bruise my knuckles!" Xanadmoadmonished him.

"What do you want?" Spike growled at him.

"Just wanted to see what was up with you. Since when do you not
want in on the violence?"

"What violence? Buffy's going to have the the fun, while you and I get
our knickers wet."

"Is that why your upset? I'm sure Buffy will let you have a turn kicking
dragon ass while Willow performs the spell." Xander tried to reason.

Spike stopped punching the bag, and grabbed a towel. Damn
humans sweat a lot! He took a seat on the couch as he tried to catch
his breath.

"Well?" Xander prodded when Spike remained silent.

"Czdt syhne." Spike mumbled.

"Huh?" Even Xander's new hearing couldn't catch that one.

"Can't swim." Spike enunciated his confession for Xander.

Xander tried to stop the laugh before it could escape but was too late.
"You can't swim? You're like over a hundred." He felt compelled to
point out.

"Yeah well it wasn't like there were a lot of swimming pools in my
neighborhood when I was growing up! And after I got turned there
didn't seem to be a point. No need to breathe means no chance of
drowning." Spike answered sullenly.

"So? What's the problem?"

"The problem is that I'm stuck in your stupid mortal breathing body!"
Spike shouted.

Xander's laughter died out as he realized what Spike was saying. Of
course it would be a problem now. Xander's body needed air, and
Spike didn't know how to swim.

Xander moved over to sit beside Spike on the couch. His hand
reached out tentatively toward Spike's shoulder and gave him a short
squeeze.

"Don't worry Spike. We don't have to do anything until tomorrow
night. Tonight we can go out and I'll give you a couple of lessons. No
big. We'll just tell the girls that we're going to head out since there's
nothing they can do about our problem anyway. And it's not like they
need either of us for the dragon research." Xander soothed.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Xander was perplexed.

"Why would you help me?" Spike asked in a quiet voice.

Xander shrugged not really sure himself. "Consider it payback for not
getting me fired today. And tomorrow! Since you have to go back
tomorrow."

"Thanks mate." Spike gave him a quick but grateful smile before
turning away.

They stood to leave the room together.

"Besides...I want a living breathing body for Willow to switch me back
in to!"