New Year's Resolutions

Part 11 -------------------

29 Dec

Xander woke before his companion this time, aware that his body was intertwined with the other in a tangle of limbs, and that they had somehow rolled to lie diagonally across the bed. He waited a few minutes, decided his bladder really was in need of emptying, and began to extract himself from his bed buddy-come-limpet’s grasp. It was no an easy task as it turned out. The blonde seemed to have wound himself around Xander so effectively that moving one extremity simply caused another to be held even tighter.

Finally Xander opted for waking the vamp and risking any ‘grumpy-Spike’ consequences.

“Hey Spike?” he whispered as he tried to extract his top arm and shook the shoulder of his friend. No response.

“C’mon undead guy, human needing relief?!” This time Xander worked hard to pull one of his legs free, with limited success as ‘limpet-guy’ simply adjusted and hugged tighter.

The slight twitch at the side of his companion’s mouth after Xander’s next aborted attempt and the consequent “Geez Spike!!” whine, alerted the man to the idea that his erstwhile companion was not as unconscious as he made out to be.

“OK Fangless! I know you’re awake and unless I get to that bathroom in the next thirty seconds you are *so* going to be sleeping in a wet patch of the not-so-fun variety!”

Xander noted later that preternatural speed did have its advantages! Not only was he released from the embrace with a (to be expected) horrified “Gahhh!”, but he was also lifted, carried and deposited next to the objet de nécessité, with an obligatory “Well, get on with it”, in mere seconds, only just registering the door slam shut as his captor exited.

Though his ablutions were swift, Xander remained in the bathroom for a little longer. He had decided upon extending his stay, but still needed to consider the consequences of his current choices. He recalled Giles’ advice in matters of the heart, “One simply needs to let nature run its course in these situations” and that “Sometimes you will be lucky.” At the time of teenage lust Xander had probably misinterpreted the advice completely, but now felt inclined that there may be merit in following the former watcher’s advice.

Emerging from the bathroom Xander could not help but smile.

The figure lying spread eagled on the bed before him, in all its marble-like glory, seemed to have found a morning activity to fill in the time while Xander relieved himself.

Oblivious to his audience, Spike had his eyes shut to enhance the feeling of well practiced strokes up and down the hard flesh under his hand. He had decided that, given past experience, Xander would be at *least* a half hour in the other room, ample of time to enjoy the soft bed and start his day ‘satisfied’. Vampire recovery rates left plenty of scope for more ‘interesting activities’ should they be on offer later.

Not so much with stealth as speed, Xander managed to elicit a surprised “Oi” from the other male as he removed the caressing hand and swiftly replaced it with a very willing, and extremely warm mouth. The initial expression of surprise was replaced with a hearty “Oh yeah, Hell yeah, Xan!……” then a collection of other articulations of pleasure that seemed to have their origins in ‘caveman speak’ rather than any written language.

Not more than a minute later Xander felt his partner lift from the bed, shudder and then welcomed the jets of cool release, swallowing briskly and trying to think of appropriately witty things to say afterwards to make the vampire smile ‘like that’ again.

For his part, the now very satisfied, Spike began to pet the hair of his lover, then gently grasped his beloved’s shoulders and moved the man to where he could thank him properly, noting the satisfyingly wet ‘plop’ as Xander released him and willingly moved up for a kiss.

It was four before the two really started to move again. This time Xander making phone calls to airlines, shifting his flights to late evening on January 1, and extending his time at the hotel to match the same.

His concern over the final day and ‘twelve noon checkout’ was eliminated when his room mate pointed out that he actually *had* a place in Boston to go! After some discussion regarding logistics, Xander rang the front desk back to indicate that he would be leaving *very* early on Jan 1, and therefore would ‘fix the bill’ for any extra expenses prior to sunup on the day of departure.

Cool hands began massaging his shoulders as he finished the last call. “All done, pet?”

“Yeah… God Spike… How am I supposed to go home anyway…ever… after this? I can’t just walk away…?”

Spike sensed another meltdown on the way, and hit the green button on the remote he’d found in a side drawer. A tiny stereo unit emerged from what he’d assumed was a simple (if rather nasty) print of a ‘red setter’ with three rabbits at its feet. The picture slid down as the music started, revealing a rather elegant, flat, silver sound system.

A preset radio station started and serendipity seemed to step in one more time with its random sample adding to the mood…

“Let's take the train to anywhere,
I wanna feel the wind in my hair with you.
Let's tell them all, that soon they'll know
how very wrong they were to think we'd never go,

and if you tell me yours I'll tell you mine
and we will clean the cobwebs out of one another's minds.

Don't ever say you've tried to leave me in this life
Don't ever say you've tried for the last time.” (www.missyhiggins.com , ‘Don’t Ever’, 2004)


Xander’s head fell back onto the shoulder of his masseuse. The song finished as did the massage.

“C’mon luv, let’s us find some sights for you to see at night yeah?” With that the blonde grabbed the phone ordered a ‘car’ for “at *least* two hours mate” then claimed the bathroom as his own for a ten minute shower.

Xander could not help but smile, it seemed that ‘Spike the irrepressible’ was again in the building.




The tour of the city – at the behest of the resident Bostonian - was wonderful. Spike regaling his audience of one, with historical accounts that Xander was *sure* had little to do with official records.

He looked across as Spike began to explain the role of the “Irish Ire” in the final revolutionary acts against ‘Imperialist England’, and couldn’t help but point out with a grin, that the ‘teller’ was in fact a card carrying member of the Empire – and, truth be known one of its elite of *any* era!

He was rewarded with an outraged glare, and an “Oh bloody hell, Harris, when did you become captain of the debating team!”, but the wink and grin of his friend belied the harsh meaning of the words. Xander grabbed the slender hand resting by his, lifted it to his lips and kissed it deliberately.

After a full ‘circuit’ of the city they stopped at a rather non-descript apartment building somewhere between Xander’s hotel and the Theatre District.

Xander looked slightly confused at his companion then realized that this must be Spike’s Boston home.

He entered the underground residence, initially surprised by the amount of electrical equipment hooked to a very few outlets, and also noted the distinct lack of ‘personal’ touches.

Spike moved around the space quickly, apparently intent on collecting all he needed and moving on as soon as possible.

Xander grabbed the arm of the rather frenetic resident, trying to calm him and wishing that his friend could relax a little.

“Hey pal, ‘sup? We’ve got plenty of time!… Can I try the big screen? You know, four days without TV can be fatal to the modern man!”

He caught the eye of his nervous host, and smiled. At some level he realized yet another source of distress and moved to pull his friend closer into a tight hug.

“Hey… C’mon… should see my place! All toys ‘n Swedish designer, reeks of anally retentive single ‘queer eye’ guy!….” Catching the look of pain (or was that shame?) Xander lifted the face so he could look directly into the azure eyes. He kissed Spike chastely on the lips and said “Hey…. C’mon buddy, vampire right? So south facing picture windows, not exactly a sought after feature, yeah?!”

“’S’not that.”

“Then what? Come on Spike not exactly intuitive-guy here.”

“Just that, oh hell!” Spike pulled away and stared at his companion in full game face, then switched back and rasped out…. “How’s this s’posed to work? Can’t have you livin’ in a basement. And you’re hardly gonna move anyway… and…??”

Xander pulled the vamp back into his arms and began to rub soothing circles over the tense shoulders. “I don’t know sweetie, I don’t know how it will work… but it will… yeah? We’ll make it work!” He kissed the forehead of his companion one more time, hugged him hard, then released his grip saying, “So, we doing sport on your big screen? or y’ wanna head back to my place?”

“You’ve got at tellie”

“Wha?”

“In your room you git! You’ve got a plasma screen behind the bloody picture of the rich wanker on his horse!"

“You’re kidding me!”

“Never been more serious, mate.”

Xander eyed his current, rather austere surrounds, contemplated his room rate then offered (as non judgmentally as he could manage) “So, flat screen at my place?”

Spike needed no more encouragement. He quickly shoved a change of clothes, his laptop, duster and several bags of frozen blood into a duffle bag and was moving toward the door before Xander even had a chance to find a comfortable place to sit and wait.

The return taxi trip was taken in silence. Xander briskly ordered a meal via room service as they re entered the hotel, then pinned Spike to the wall and kissed him soundly as soon as they entered his suite.

The rest of the night was spent ‘tucked up in bed’, watching soccer, re runs of Deep Space Nine, and the ‘classic’ (according to Spike) ‘Last Night of the Proms’ from ‘the Royal Albert’ which, as far as Xander was concerned, simply meant a whole lot of ‘tedious classical music’. The sentiment was stopped in its tracks however, when he looked across to the expression of pure enjoyment on his companion’s face as “Pomp and Circumstance’ by Elgar began. And any ‘disinterest’ completely lost as a moving, and as it turned out, bagpipe accompanied rendition of Aude Lang Syne began.

As the song finished, the sound was turned down and the two audience members in the room, turned their attentions to the ‘old acquaintance [they had never] forgot’ and spent the remainder of the evening demonstrating exactly why.




Ch 12 ------------------

Dec 30

It was again after 1pm when Xander woke, but this time he was alone. In a slight panic, he sat up, scanned the room, then let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The consequent “Oh shit Spike, don’t do that to me,” went entirely unheard.

Spike was sitting on one of the lounge chairs. Clad only in jeans, hair loose, feet on the footstool and laptop perched on his legs. He was typing furiously whilst tapping his foot in time with whatever CD he had playing through his headphones. Xander noted with a measure of surprise and not a small amount of jealousy (!), that the vampire was typing with ‘all ten digits’ and did not seem to need to look at the keyboard at all, unlike his own ‘two finger pecking’ technique! He sighed as yet another of his inadequacies was made evident, then reminded himself of the number of stories NonPerson aka Spike, had been producing and how very long and involved those stories were, concluding that practice was no doubt the key.

Xander rolled out of bed and tiptoed across to wait behind Spike’s ‘leeside’ for a break in the writing. As soon as it came he leaned over and firmly licked the neck of his friend. The appropriate reaction was elicited, and Xander grinned wickedly at the knowledge that he had been able to make a master vampire ‘jump and squeak’.

“Bloody hell Harris, give a bloke a heart attack!” Spike tugged off the headphones, and put the laptop on the ground, hitting save in the process, then pulled his nude attacker across his lap and proceeded to assuage his shock and annoyance by punishing his assailant with a ‘severe’ kissing.

Passion easing, Xander pulled back, smiled then relaxed and ‘snuggled’, head on the vampire’s shoulder and mouth near the pale neck. He leaned forward a little, whispered “Afternoon lover”, and licked the original ‘site of surprise’ again, then proceeded to suck and bite the spot lightly. The reaction from his partner this time, a lusty groan and as a hand reached up to pet Xander’s hair while the other found his groin.

“God, what you do to me Xan!” Spike captured the lips one more time, then sat them both up.

He pushed his lover to his feet and smacked him on the bare behind affectionately, smiling at the mild indignation in the brunette’s expression.

“C’mon, luv, got me a fan base to service – ‘Xanman’ included! Check your Email lately?”

The human wandered to the bathroom for his ‘morning’ shower, turned momentarily to observe Spike retrieve his computer, then closed the door of the en suite. He smiled contentedly at the sound of his favorite author re-engaging his passion, computer coming off standby and pings noting that he had logged on again.

*Could he live with this forever? Did Spike even want to?*

All Xander knew in this moment, was the incredible sense of completion and contentment that he felt in the presence of this person.

*Could they work their hours around work? They could probably sort that.
Could he change his own living space to suit Spike’s ‘sun allergy’? Yes
Would Spike move to him? Don’t know… maybe?
Would he move to Boston? If that was the only way for him to hold on to Spike… sure!*

And for the first time in his life Xander never felt more certain of a decision – whatever it took, he wanted Spike in his life… always… and was reasonably sure that the vampire felt the same.

But they still needed to *really* talk…

He emerged from a steaming bathroom, clean and towel slung low, but paused at the doorway again to admire his objet de vouloir for the third time that day (*or was it the fourth?*). Intent on his purpose, ‘Xanman’s pet writer’ was engaged in a flurry of fingers clicking on receptive keys with yet to be enjoyed results.

Xander said nothing, but instead located a pair of sweat pants and his own computer, plugged it in to power at the wall, and sat in the opposite chair to ‘boot up’.

“You need the phoneline pet? ‘Cause I’ve got most of what I need for now. Bloody slow compared broadband anyway.”

“First I say, yes, then I wonder at how bizarre it is that a 150 year old vampire is able to comment on download speed!”

“Keepin’ up with the times pet, ‘s what keeps us young. Well that ‘n a regular shag.”

Spike grinned raised an eyebrow that promised ‘other things’ later, and handed his friend the line.

Xander logged on for the first time in three days to find a number of work messages, the obligatory Happy New Year notes from Willow and Dawn, and two from NonPerson – apparently written an hour apart.

He opened the first message and was a little surprised to find (given their current proximity and ‘friendly status’) that there was the same taciturn tone as had been present in all previous correspondence with NP.

“Dear X

New chapt. on go slow
RL etc

Up after New Year.

NP”

Not sure if Spike was having him on or was simply expert at separating ‘work’ and play, Xander reluctantly opened the second, written (obviously from the time sent) while he had been in the bathroom earlier.

“Dear X,

New chapt has issues

NC-17 – slash

Need research assistant.

You up for a shag +games purely for R&D purposes of course ;-)

Please respond in person.

NP”

Xander grinned, logged off and shot a sly look to Spike who was apparently still working hard on his new chapter.

“So… wanna stay in today? Gotta friend who apparently needs a study buddy and figure I’m up for it.”

When he received no response, he stood, walked over to Spike and planted a firm and demanding kiss on the lips in front of him. He snapped to attention in a parody of a salute and barked out, “Research assistant reporting for duty sir, where do you want me?”

Spike looked up, cocked an eyebrow then afforded Xander a truly vintage ‘Big Bad’ smirk.

“Be an honor to have you on me exploration team, but we’ll need some supplies – only bought a couple of bits from home, and you need to eat luv. How ‘bout you go fix that second bit while I finish the first part of me chapter? By then the night will be ours.” Spike reached up, grabbed the non-salute hand and squeezed it firmly conveying request, reassurance and love in the one simple act.

Spike watched as Xander pouted a little at the thought of having to do things alone. The vampire sighed at the sight of one brown eye dropping its gaze to floor in its best ‘sad puppy’ impersonation.

Spike made a quick decision, put the laptop down and moved to grab his ‘puppy’ around the waist and maneuvered him to the bed again. “Oh. C’mon pet! Not that bad,” with that Spike pushed Xander onto his back with a series of kisses.

“Let’s just give you a little taster to keep you goin’ for later shall we.” Spike stopped mid caress, took on a look of genuine concern then asked, “Before we get going Xan, I need to know, do you trust me? ‘cause some of this will be new so, I mean do you really trust? You know I won’t hurt you yeah? (well not unless you ask)”, the wink accompanying the last statement belying the seriousness of the question, but lightening the mood a little.

Xander’s answer came in the form of a tight hug, warm kiss and heartfelt, “With my love and my life, Spike.” The statement was so simple and message so sincerely delivered, that Spike felt his chest tighten and tears threaten yet again, yet returned with a “Thanks” and chaste kiss on the lips.

Spike broke the hug and leaned over his side of the bed to rummage for something from his duffel bag, returning with several items including one apparently brand new, still in its wrapping.

Poignant moment obviously over, Xander looked on with some amusement as a somewhat frustrated vampire growled and attempted to remove the plastic covering from the new toy he was holding. Xander barely stifled a snort of laughter as Spike vamped into full game face, and proceeded to use his razor sharp fangs to slice the packaging open where his human teeth had been inadequate for the task.

“And here was me using scissors all these years!”

Xander noted a hint of embarrassment in the withering look Spike shot his way.

“Right Harris, need you on your front for this. Elbows and knees.”

“Way with the small talk, Bleachboy” was the reply but the ‘assistant’ complied with a smile.

His forehead comfortably pressed into a luxurious pillow, Xander felt, rather than saw the generous handful of oil poured onto his raised back side. It dribbled down past his rear entrance then was actively rubbed over cheeks, down the perineum and swirled around his anus. The gentle hand continued to massage the oil through his curls, over his soft sac with an occasional sweep over his suddenly very interested sex, while another hand focused around his rear entrance, pushing into him with penetrations so minute that he hardly felt the breach. Preoccupied with the hand continuing its tease around his sac, he moaned when the small breach of his rear became a full oily finger. It caressed and stroked his soft channel, then was replaced by two, causing him to jump again as his prostate was given some special attention. Xander groaned as he relaxed into the delightful sensations.

He had just begun to think that nothing could feel more wonderful, when the fingers were withdrawn and a cool mouth apparently containing not a small amount of oil, was placed on the same spot. He felt the gush of liquid as it squirted past his sphincter and a tongue follow it inside. It was Spike’s turn to struggle with control, Xander distinctly feeling the ridges emerge but the tongue kept up its rhythm as did the hand cupping his balls and caressing his erection. The emergence of the ridges and ‘risk’ of fangs at his very tender entrance seemed incredibly erotic and intense.

Xander felt a familiar tingling sensation causing his erection to twitch, signaling the approach of release. Spike felt the twitch and grabbed the base of his partner’s member, effectively cutting off the climax. He forced his tongue in one more time then swiftly withdrew, lapping the outer rim tenderly as it passed. Xander was so caught up in the exquisite feel of this last act coupled with the loss of penetration and need to come, that he barely registered a firm leather band replacing the hand that had stayed his release.

“Oh God Spike! Not fair! Please… please! Need to come!”

“Later pet, just want you to feel for now.” He placed a quieting hand on Xander’s shoulder.

Spike picked up the new toy he had been so desperate to unwrap and added a generous amount of lube. The string of balls dangled just within Xander’s line of sight. He’d never used this sort of toy before but his body responded to the notion with a further jolt of arousal.

“Relax pet this will feel *so* good.” With that Spike, rolled the beads into one hand, using the other to nudge the opening and push the first and smallest ball in. Xander gasped in surprise at the rather odd sensation of a ball parting him, then his anus closing tight around it. Spike could not help but smile – it looked almost like the ring of muscles were actively swallowing the round object, he observed the same phenomenon with the next three – each progressively bigger and each evoking a correspondingly louder groan from the recipient as they entered. Spike stroked the back of his lover as he pushed in the last and largest one home and fixed them in place.

“Try to move a little luv.” Xander does as instructed. As he began to shift his legs to kneel up, he felt the anal beads start to move. They rubbed him from the inside, compressed and rolled against his prostate and caused him to cry out with pleasure and surprise as he finally managed to sit up.

“Relax pet, just feel into it yeah?”

“Oh Spike…?” Another move, a look of wonder and his words were lost again in favor of a few minutes of panting. He put his face back down onto the pillow.

Spike began to rub gentle circles on his lover’s lower back then moved the hands to squeeze and massage the backside, somehow shifting the internal stimulation to fever pitch. Xander began to shake, whimpered into the pillow, and felt his manhood pulsate and ache in equal measure.

In the minutes that followed Spike continued his ‘massage’, and the oddest and most wonderful sensation began, Xander’s whole rear channel had started to pulsate and contract. He began to keen, and finally screamed into the pillow as the most intense full body orgasm he’d ever experienced, took him completely. He shuddered as it ended and passed out.

Some time later he awoke, registered a cool hand caressing his forehead and turned to smile at its owner.

“God Spike, I’ve *never*…. and that was…. What *was* that?”

“Dry orgasm luv and a damned good one by all accounts.”

Xander closed his good eye again and replied with a husky “Hell yeah.”

“Snooze a bit more pet then we’ll sort you some supper.” Spike lifted off the bed and wandered over to take up his computer again.

Xander rolled to his side still vaguely aware that the beads were in place, tried to remember what it was he and Spike needed to talk about, but lost the train of thought and succumbed to sleep once more.

NB: objet de vouloir = object of desire






Ch 13 -------------------


Unbeknownst to his favorite human, Spike remained awake for most of the night as was his usual habit… a surprisingly enviable advantage for authors, or anyone in IT as it turned out.

He sometimes wondered that no one had ever ‘called him’ on his login hours, or predilection for ‘dark subjects’, obscure occupations and wealth of historical knowledge demonstrated in his stories. (*Ahh bollocks you can find anythin’ on the net these days anyway*!) Spike had not been writing this time, instead he spent most of the night reviewing his investments, with particular emphasis on the ones in the US for a change.

To the human business world, Spike was ‘old money’, taking the role of ‘silent partner’, the ‘quiet investor’ or the ‘blue chip buyer’. To some in the brokerage houses, he was Mr. Aurelius or Master William but to most, simply ‘Sir’. Only having ever seen him once or twice in the early months of his stay in Boston, the good business folk of the city had decided that the young man was some sort of recluse and must have, judging by his demeanor and taciturn conversation manner, come into a huge fortune after a tragic loss. None questioned his business acumen, some even following his lead. For a person so remote, he seemed to have a sixth sense for the ‘new trends’.

Spike made a few strategic adjustments to his trade requests online, purchased a couple of items, then went on to order a number gifts destined for a ‘Sacramento address’. Spike grinned at the predicted response of the recipient when *that* package turned up! (Message within “Beware the Ides of March, S”)

Spike heard the heart beat change as Xander started to rouse again. He noted with some amount of relief that it was dark, though only 4.30pm or so in the afternoon. He also noted the rather strangled groan as his half conscious, and (he grinned) still ‘restrained’ human rolled onto his back.

A wicked thought ensued. Spike crawled onto the bed, quietly slid his mouth over the now quite painfully swollen member and began gently massaging the very tight sac. On the third slide down the shaft, he flicked off its leather restraint, licked up, slid down, then sucked up again as hard as he could, squeezing the soft mass in his hand as he did so.

He was rewarded by his ‘sleeping beauty’ crying out, arching off the bed, and releasing long and hard to the back of his throat. He kept his mouth in place until he was satisfied that the other party had calmed then released ‘little Xander’ with a plop and gentle caress.

He looked up to see one almost black, and *very* satisfied, eye gazing at him and a grin that promised much more to come.

“You are evil. You *do* know that yeah?!”

Once Spike ‘had his mouth free’, the “Oh yeah” reply seemed utterly redundant.

From Xander’s perspective the ‘welcome’ to the evening was nothing short of wonderful and at the same time, ‘sleep worthy’. As he closed his eyes to enjoy oblivion for a third time in less than six hours, he was jolted awake again by a demanding voice and a slim hand sliding a *thong* gently over his legs (*What the….?!!*). This was followed in ‘short order’, by clothing befitting a casual night out ‘on the town’.

“Spike where did you get…? You can’t expect me to… and in public!”

Xander’s surprise was matched only by the self satisfied look on his partner’s face. It was not until they were half way to the door that he realized the beads were still in place and his partner had no intention of altering that situation.

Spike tried to remain impassive as he pushed Xander down the stairs, out onto the curb and hailed a taxi. He grabbed his partner’s arm as the man appeared to squirm on the spot, “Oi whelp, none o’ that! You’re up and around n’ were shopping – and…. we both know something they don’t … ehh pet!” The wicked wink, combined with a particularly strong push of one of the beads to his prostate, almost undid Xander.

He stopped mid step and whispered, “You didn’t bring that leather thingy with you ‘cause …. OH G……*….. Spike!! You bastard I can’t do this!”

A lust filled “Just get in the car, pet…. I’ll hold onto it for you, if you’re struggling.” Was the reply and the lascivious grin accompanying the last statement had Xander trying to picture some of the ugliest slime demons in Giles’ books in a simple effort not to come on the spot. Seeing his partner’s distress soon after sitting down and issuing directions to the driver, Spike was true to his word. He ‘clamped down’ on any further upset, then, in an almost impossible move, managed to access, bind the ‘matter in hand’ in leather, and re-zip his partner before the driver of their cab even had an opportunity to check his rear vision mirror, let alone observe the act.

Stopping the cab somewhere in the Theatre District, they had barely walked a hundred yards when the prospect of a leisurely stroll to *anywhere* simply seemed impossible. Xander had previously realized that shopping was a tortuous venture, but it had never been that ambulation was the issue. Now each step was something that ground against an internal point, ecstasy and agony in equal measure, and all with the simple move of a leg. He had never been more conscious of his own actions nor of the need to appear unaffected, knowing that without attention his expression would have matched the ‘strained look’ on the material around the fly of his trousers.

When Spike suggested a ‘bite to eat’ in a café as they passed by, Xander almost cried. As he sank into the soft vinyl of the booth seat, he was sure the sigh of relief was audible from the kitchen.

Xander leaned over to his partner and whispered loudly “God Spike, *please*!”

“Please what luv?”

“We have to go back to the hotel, I’m going to go crazy!”

“No”

“No?? What do you mean ‘no’!” Xander’s pleading look shifting to one of annoyance.

“I mean you sit here, quietly and eat a nice meal, while I go off and get us some proper ‘supplies’ and me some blood.”

Xander registered the last part of the sentence first, and looked again at the near ‘supermodel thin’ frame of his lover, “Oh Spike! Oh sweetheart!..... I forgot! How could I forget? When did you last eat?”

“Don’t fuss pet, Master vampire mate, day or two without O pos comes with the territory.”

His own discomfort all but forgotten, Xander grabbed the arm of his friend, and pulled him forward until they were nose to nose, “You should *never* go hungry when we are together… never! Can I?....” Xander began to reach for his pocket knife but the suggestion was cut off by a quick kiss.

Spike sat back, grinned and ran his tongue very obviously over his bottom lip, “Yeah I know pet, had a bit of your appetizer earlier remember?”

Xander blushed, squirmed in his seat a little, then blushed even more as he was reminded why they were seated.

“Now order yourself some decent tucker luv, and get me a crème brulee and a macchiato. I’ll be back in a tick.”

With that Spike swept from the restaurant, leaving Xander to smile at the ‘visual’ of his favorite master vampire in full game face, sampling gourmet French custard and a ‘short’ coffee.

Xander was surprised to discover that he was quite famished and that he had previously failed to notice that Spike had led them to a (rather up-market) French restaurant. That was, until a rather pretentious waiter began explaining the soup d’ jour and the intricacies of techniques used by their head chef when dealing with the boeuf médaillon.

He was half way through said main meal when Spike strode back into view.

The fork laden with ‘meaty goodness’ stalled half way to its destination as Xander observed three things: the first, that Spike looked a little flushed indicating that he had recently eaten; the second that he was still the most ethereally handsome man Xander had ever seen; and third, that he was speaking at speed and in fluent French (?!) to the woman tending the bar at the front of the room.

As Spike joined him, Xander could not help but shake his head in wonder.

“What’s wrong luv – you lookin’ to catch flies or gotta question… mouth ’s still agape case you’ve not noticed.”

“You… all French speaking guy and …?”

Spike looked genuinely confused for a moment, then scoffed “Everyone speaks French, pet. Ask the watcher. Speak Latin too though ‘s only so many ancient Romans in Boston at any one time.” Spike winked and sat down.

Finishing his meal while Spike spoke amicably about the origins of the particular restaurant in which they were dining, he found himself increasingly distracted by the pale hand that had found its way to his thigh and begun rubbing slow circles ever closer to the already straining material over his crotch.

Dessert and coffee arrived just as Xander was about to grab his torturer and drag him into the men’s room to finish… anything at that point! Instead he was left to groan and haltingly order a ‘Épicé Confiserie’ with full cream and twirly scrapings of very dark, very good chocolate on the side.

As Spike sipped his coffee, he noted his fellow diner begin to nervously twist the rings on his left hand. His rings.

“Sup pet?”
“I um…. It’s just… Spike I just want this… to go on…. Always.”

Spike realized that his friend was no longer dwelling on their immediate situation, and wondered whether they should adjourn the conversation to the privacy of their hotel where it could at least be accompanied by some heavy ‘reassuring’ behavior.

“Spike?… how’s it… us… gonna work sweetheart? Do you even want an ‘us’ to work? I mean… ”

The vampire grabbed his friend’s hand kissing the palm and each finger in turn then twisted the rings to their optimum position.

“Not lettin’ you go again, pet.”

Xander who had been focusing on his ringed hand looked directly into the crystal blue eyes now fixed intently on him and stated simply.

“I love you Spike, you know that right, I love you so much… How am I supposed to get on a plane in two days and leave you here? I don’t think I can… I just can’t….”

Spike’s voice was low and thick with emotion when he spoke, “You can and you will luv, and we’ll sort the rest out. You know we will. Found you now, ‘n not into givin’ up what’s mine… And you *are* mine pet….Xan…?” He paused to catch the eye of his partner again, “I want this, want you, but we’re both gonna need some time to sort ourselves yeah?”

He watched as the already pained expression in Xander’s face slide to one of real distress.

“Oh luv… I adore you pet…. You know that…. and I *will* spend the rest of my days worshipping that gorgeous body and making love with you……. but we need to sort details yeah?”

“Do you really need to be in Boston, Spike?.... Would you come back west with me?... Please Spike, would you come with me?” Xander looked up again, so hopeful that Spike felt like a man about to pop the balloon of a three year old.

“Can’t right away, pet… but why don’t we put a date on it, hey? Somethin to look forward to yeah?..... Let’s say the Ides of March. March 15 that way you can ‘Beware the Ides’ with good reason – vamp on ‘is way…… What do you say luv… Xan?..... Oh Xan please don’t… c’mon pet please don’t…” He watched as a single tear tracked down his beloved’s cheek and pulled him into a tight embrace.

“C’mon luv March 15 then we’ll have forever… we’ll have forever…” Spike ran one hand through Xander’s hair while the other intertwined fingers with one of Xander’s, thumb rubbing gently back and forth.

With a hitched sob through his words, Xander quietly whispered “I don’t know if I can… can live with…out you now… its so… so long and… Oh G’… I love you so much and… March… you promise?... March?”

Spike lifted him a little, used the petting hand to cup his partner’s face again and kissed him on the lips, “Promise pet, you have my word of honor. I will be with you on March 15, forever more.”

At that, Xander relaxed back for yet another hug while the vampire gave a vicious warning look to the approaching waiter, who quickly pushed the bill folder onto their table, and sped away.

They stayed entwined for some minutes before Xander sat up, wiped his face with the napkin and smiled his gratitude silently to Spike. Shortly after, he noted for the first time, the rather substantial number of shopping bags Spike had by his feet.

“Heck Spike, what did you buy? Don’t tell me that’s all blood.”

“’Course not pet. Research materials mostly.” Xander looked puzzled then remembered his current predicament and groaned at the possibilities.

“Can I see?”

“When we get home.”

“What else?”

“What, ‘what else’?”

“Did you buy anything else?”

Xander spied the small bag with a “Shreve, Crump & Low” logo and a tiny black box inside. Noticing the direction of the gaze Spike reached down and drew out the jewelry box and pushed it across to Xander, along with his long missed wedding band.

“Figured I should return your ring as promised, but thought we might have something that’s just ours ‘til we meet again yeah.”

“Oh,” Xander almost reluctantly pulled off Spike’s rings and handed them to the vampire. Spike took them with reverence and slid them onto slender fingers, Xander absently noting that the familial ring fitted Spike’s ring finger whereas it had resided on his own pinky.

“C’mon pet, you gonna look inside?”

Xander snapped from his funk, returned his own wedding band to its former resting place and opened the box

A pair of beautiful stud earrings lay within.

“It’s a ruby and a diamond together…. in rose gold – both princess cut… you be in a pouf an all” Spike winked but then looked hopefully at Xander, trying to measure his approval.

“Thought we could both have one – part of a pair an’ all that.” Still not receiving any indication that the choice of gift had been correct, he dropped his gaze and began fiddling nervously with his newly recovered rings.

Xander lifted the tiny box and admiring the sparkle as the gems caught the light.

“God Spike, they must have cost a fortune… They’re beautiful… Just… beautiful” He watched as blue eyes lifted with genuine pleasure and the vampire broke into a broad smile.

“Course I’ll have to do some piercing for you” Spike flashed razor sharp fang without changing face then smiled even wider as Xander rolled his eyes while grinning his approval.

“C’mon pet let’s us get you home so’s you ‘n me can test out the rest of me purchases.”






The last torturous walk up the stairs left Xander panting and sure that if he did not come soon his erection might very possibly fall off like an over squeezed lambs tail, or simply implode taking him with it!

He leaned his forehead against the door after pushing it shut and moaned again, “Please Spike…. Please… please!”

“Well I ain’t doing anything with you standing there am I pet, get your kit off and we’ll see what we can do for ya.” Spike shoved whatever was in his hand into the fridge then turned to join his pleading friend.

Making his way over to the bed, Xander slipped his shirt and Tshirt off together, then unzipped and gingerly pushed his pants past the stretchy satin covering his erection, taking particular care not to stimulate the engorged flesh any further. As he was about to remove the undergarment as well, Spike’s hand grabbed his and he was pushed back onto the bed.

He groaned as the beads moved yet again then was shocked to see Spike fixing a length of red silk rope to the bed head and realized his intent.

“C’mon pet, arms up. Promise you tie me up later if you like…”

“God Spike…. Anything just… please” with that Xander pushed his arms up and allowed Spike’s obviously practiced hands lock the limbs in that position.

Every motion of Spike’s seemed to brush or caress the body he now controlled. Xander shivered with every touch then began to shake constantly as Spike stripped naked, shimmied down his body and pushed his lover’s legs wide. Game face to the fore, Spike sliced the side strap of the thong finally removing the last barrier between them.

“Now Spike… please… now…..”

Flicking the restraint off the base of the erection Spike caressed then squeezed the fuzzy sac and even with preternatural speed, was only *just* in time to catch the jets of seed erupting from the too long tortured manhood. Xander arched off the bed, yelled his release and continued to beg Spike for help with the beads.

“Please Spike…. Please take them out….. please….” Xander pulled up his knees and held himself as wide as he could without hands so Spike might have easy access to the now rather reddened hole.

“K luv breathe through this yeah ‘cause then I’m gonna fuck you until you pass out – don’t want you to go too soon….” Spike smiled as he pushed a pillow under his partner’s hips and found the end of string poking out of the tight hole.

Spike began to tug the first and largest bead free of its hiding place, giving Xander the most extraordinary sensation of being stretched from inside to out. He started to pant furiously as the other beads adjusted a little in his warm channel, one obviously now resting directly on his prostate. The next bead was almost as large as the first and tugged free with a satisfying pop. As the third and fourth beads were tugged free, Xander had begun thrashing his head from side to side and his erection was almost hard again. By the time his partner had pulled the last one free, he was whimpering and openly begging Spike to fill him again.

“Please Spike please just…..” then came again as Spike’s slicked member pushed all the way into him in one easy action “Gahhhh……”

Spike slid in and out of the abused hole with a lovingly slow pace, kneading and caressing the backs of the thighs and buttocks as he did so.

“Oh God Spike, that’s just *so* good….. *so*….”

He closed his good eye tight and smiled with delight as he felt Spike speed up then change the angle again. Just as he felt his bowels fill with cool seed, his body attempted a third orgasm and this time failed, instead he shuddered violently and passed out.

Spike stayed in and stretched onto his friend, reached up and tugged the rope free then joined Xander in sleep.


Ch 14 ----------------

Xander woke to a snuggling vampire lying half way onto his chest and the thundering coo of several pigeons, apparently so enthusiastic regards their window box vantage point, that they felt obliged to share the joy as loudly as possible.

Xander didn’t recall the end of their lovemaking but registered that Spike must have ‘slipped out’ some time during the night. He hugged the sleeping blonde closer and petted the long hair, removing the ribbon that had been holding it back in the process. Splaying his fingers, he combed it out to fall around Spike’s slim shoulders, and continued to stroke the silky strands until an urgent need to use the bathroom focused his attention elsewhere. Shifting off the bed, he watched with amusement as the cooler body immediately claimed his vacated warm (and he noted, a little wet!) patch.

Ablutions complete, Xander wandered around the suite, momentarily lifted the curtain to tap loudly on the window and remove the noisy ‘flying rats’ (as Spike liked to call them) from their perch, then slid back into bed to spoon his companion again in a warm cuddle.

Spike roused an hour or so later, realizing that the hand gently stroking the length of his torso was owned by a very awake Xander. He wriggled a little, then rolled to face his companion lifting a hand to pet the cherished jaw-line and run it across the broad chest. He surreptitiously made small circles around the areoles before sliding ‘south ward’ to engage the hair line just below his partner’s navel, then returning to the adored face.

A still sleep laden voice offered, “Hey, sweetheart.”

And as his hand began to move again, he replied simply, “Mornin’ luv.”

“’S still morning Spike, you wanna sleep more?”

“Nah, pet – it bein’ New Year’s Eve n’ all, figured to do a little more experimentin’ with me RA prior to celebratin’ the coming year. But first up pet…Time for you to have some breakfast, yeah?”

Xander’s stomach growled on cue.

“Right then!” But as Spike moved to sit up, his companion pushed him back and ‘scooted down’ the bed to engulf his partner’s waking cool erection in a ‘very’ hot mouth.

“Oh Gahh…. Xan!!!”

It was a mere few minutes of expert tongue and decent (if only human strength) suction with Spike fisting his hair, before Xander felt his lover arch, moan and shoot his cool seed into a welcoming mouth. He swallowed quickly then licked his now entirely relaxed partner clean, watching with amusement as the flesh twitched with semi interest at every caressing pass of his tongue.

Spike lay with his eyes closed and a rather enigmatic smile firmly in place until he was able to slow his breathing again to nothing. Xander was simply content to lie with his head at his lover’s hip level, gently stroking around the belly button of the sated friend until they were both ‘still’.

Spike reached down to pet Xander’s hair then cupped the unshaven chin and looked down to the as the loved face lifted to meet his gaze. “Shower and breakfast pet?”

Xander snuggled back down, “Hmmm, ‘S nice here though.”

“C’mon mate, your chin feels like you’re trying to sand me hip ready for a lick of paint! And unless I want you knawin’ on me arm, I reckon we’d better feed you pretty soon.” With that he pulled the boy to his feet and shoved him in the direction of the bathroom, giving the retreating behind an affectionate slap and receiving the obligatory indignant “Hey!” in return.

Some forty minutes later and it was the first time Xander had been down to breakfast for days so he took full advantage of the ample self serve choices on offer.

Spike piled his plate with lashings of bacon, eggs and several slices of toast despite having eaten his own liquid repast prior to coming down.

Xander had been sitting watching his partner enjoy the morning meal for several minutes, utterly mesmerized as Spike slowly licked a dribble of yoke from the corner of his mouth, before he realized with a little embarrassment that his own tongue had unconsciously mimicked the act. He had just begun to blush furiously when a bright Texan drawl pulled his attention to the next table, and he desperately hoped that none of the guests had been watching him too closely.

“Well howdy Mr! We figured y’all must have headed back west!” Mitchell K. ’s petite girlfriend Candy, from the night at the Jazz Club, had spun in her chair and was looking past Xander to eye Spike with some interest.

“Who’s your friend then?”

“Oh um yeah, um this is S… William. He’s an old colleague.”

Candy leaned over to offer Spike her hand.

“Well Hi, I’m Candy and that there is my husband, Mitchell K. We all met y’r Xander a few days ago.”

Spike carefully dabbed his mouth with his linen napkin, stood politely and, using his original upper crust English accent, said “Charmed madam, William Aurelius at your service,” and lightly kissed the back of the proffered hand.

“Oooh Y’all ‘r English! I just looove your accent.” Xander rolled his eyes and shot a withering look at Spike, while Candy swung back to her own table, only to grab her partner’s hand and insist they both join the other party.

The men stood as chairs were rearranged and the second couple joined their, until that moment, pleasantly private meal.

“So Will, how d’yall know Xander”

Xander’s bemused look quickly dissolved into a deep blush as Spike, still sounding awfully like Giles, gave Candy a shy smile and began to explain, “We originally worked together, then unfortunately lost contact after our last project. Fortuitously Xander and I happened upon each at a poetry reading a few nights back on the Common, and after some discussion, he has graciously agreed to assist me with some research I’m currently undertaking.”

“So y’all a professor or somethin’”

“Oh no dear lady. I’m merely an amateur writer with a modicum of success of late, currently in search of more accuracy for my stories.”

Mitch (‘to his friends’) joined the conversation at this point. “Can’t be much money in that caper?”

Spike gave a tight smile at the rather derisive note in the man’s words and decided to finish what was fast becoming a tedious conversation. “I write for pleasure. My income derives from investments here and in Europe.” Spike looked to Xander and tried to indicate his intention to leave, but Xander was staring at his friend with amazement. He had never really considered how Spike paid for things, assuming the oft referred to ‘Half inching’ by the vampire provided what he needed. He made a mental note to ask about it once they were alone.

However Mitch’s interest had been piqued and Spike was not to be released from the conversation quite so easily.

“We’re in transport – retail mainly. Five outlets round the south of the state, six by mid year. Started with single car yard south of Houston, few years on and here we are, multi million dollar stock base ‘n a whole herd of employees. So what ya into? Property? Futures? Venture capital?”

Spike was obviously supposed to be impressed by Mitchell B’s achievements, but barely managed to conceal his boredom with the conversation. He had been raised (both as a human and by Angelus) that a ‘gentleman’ did not discuss his financial affairs with strangers and decided to conclude their ‘Texan encounter’ as swiftly as possible, then get his boy upstairs for a good hard shagging.

“Balanced portfolio naturally. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must insist that Xander and I resume our research.” With that, he pushed his chair back, stood and nodded to Candy, “Pleasure to meet you, I trust you both enjoy the remainder of your stay.” He then left the table, only barely pausing at the door, while Xander said his own polite farewell.

Hardly in the door of their suite, Spike grabbed his partner, shoved him against a wall and plundered Xander’s mouth with a series of possessive kisses in between mumbled insulting comments regards ‘crass colonials’ and ‘bloody car salesmen’.

Eventually Xander pushed him off a little, took the beautiful face in both hands, and actively stilled his partner then kissed him with all the gentle reassurance and quiet passion he could convey in that single act. “C’mon sweetheart…. S’ OK, we’ve got all day, yeah? Let’s just….”

He dropped one hand to take Spike’s, led him across to the bed and sat him on the edge then knelt up between the knees.

“Think it might be my turn to please you yeah? If we’re talkin’ research? Shouldn’t we explore options other than Xander the ‘puddle of goo’ guy!?”

“What are you suggesting pet?”

“Well… as you are the head of this here research team, I thought that maybe you could do the instructing, and I could do the doing…?” There was a very long pause, as Xander watched the crystal gaze turn to a dark blue and a knowing smirk emerge…

Spike’s voice dropped to a seductive rumble, “How far do you want to take it pet?”

“Anything – well mostly anything….. but I won’t hurt you Spike… I’ve read the watcher’s...” Spike cut him off gently by pressing a finger to his mouth.

“Shh shhh luv. Would never ask… vampire stuff not for the feint of heart, and not really what we’re on about here is it?! Yeah?... You with me?....”

It was Xander’s turn to brighten and give a sly smirk… “OK… Awaiting directions...”

Spike’s demeanor and tone suddenly altered as an idea took hold. In a flurry of movement he reversed their positions, then head lowered said quietly, “I wish to put on music, is orchestral acceptable to you, master?”

Xander was still reeling from the swiftness of the reversal, but quickly picked up on the ‘experiment’. He had only ever read about this sort of thing (*whatever this is*) in stories of S&M and hoped he was doing the sort of thing Spike had anticipated... (*and could I be more naive guy?*) But Xander’s muse seemed to have ‘cottoned on’ as Spike would say, and was working overtime. Xander for his part, hadn’t been all that ‘inattentive’ when research lead to watcher diaries and vampire relations, and (to his greater embarrassment) ‘Little Xander’ seemed to be rather interested by the myriad of possibilities!

He decided to continue as best he could, answering in the firmest voice he could muster, (*and now I take that leap*) “Fledge?! Will it please me?!!”

Spike, who had been expecting a mildly sub/dom role play from the former Scoobie, was suddenly and completely thrown by the words and their delivery. He looked up in shock as his demon automatically began to respond. Before his conscious self had time to regroup, he was on his way to a more ‘proper’ submissive position. He then happened to glance up, and saw the face of his ‘sire’ and remembered… with a mixture of grief and relief that…. this was his lover… this was Xan… it was only an ‘experiment… it was a ‘game’…. It was only a game… (*but god, at some level I miss this…. Sire… my sire… *)

Unexpected tears tracked down the defined cheeks. His gaze fell to the ground and salty drips followed…“I believe so, it is pleasant and… I wish to please you, sire”

Xander was desperately trying to remember everything Spike had said about himself pre-turning. The man who knelt in front of him now, appeared ten years his junior at least, all angles, slim, and face bordering on androgynous in its beauty.

It would have been late 1800s, when William was a virginal, stunningly attractive, upper-class Victorian, who (from all accounts) was fascinated by women but was still drawn to dark, tall, foreign… seductive….men. And though initially drained by Dru, was still sired by…‘him’.

Xander couldn’t help himself, he leant down and whispered “G…. You sure about this Spike?” Then saw the unmistakable nod accompanied by a begging, almost black, lust filled gaze of his partner flash up at him for the briefest of moments, and was further reassured by the whispered “Please let me have this Xan… ‘s only a game…. ‘research’ ‘n all… but please let me have this.”

So the command came, “I approve. Put the music on, then wash yourself and present to me.”

Xander was still rather reluctant to refer to himself as ‘sire’ even in the ‘name of research’, but Spike complied with a look approaching both joy and relief.

Xander heard the shower running and began to wonder how this might play out. His primary concern was that he might not be able to deliver what Spike was hoping for, but then remembered the ‘shopping trip’.

The duffel bag held no joy, but behind it, the plain white shopping bag revealed a number of possibilities.

Spike certainly appeared to have gone ‘all out’. A remote control plug, fluffy cuffs(!), several different cock rings, chocolate lube, and a stunning glass dildo that looked like it belonged in an art gallery.

Placing all the supplies on the side table – along with the rope from the previous night, Xander thought for a moment. Vampires and blood play was simply a given – but… a quick decision was made and Xander went to the bar fridge to extract a couple of ‘O pos’.

As Xander opened the door of the tiny fridge, he stalled in his search for blood. A twin to the glass object now proudly standing on the side table was ‘winking at him’ from its position in the tiny ice box. Xander smiled and began to formulate a ‘plan of attack’. He quickly discarded thoughts of anything battery powered in the name of ‘historical accuracy’. Instead he flicked on the coffee maker and took the ‘wash jug’ from its matching bowl. He emptied the tiny tray of ice into the jug and buried the already cool glass item amongst them.

Filling the bowl with steaming water from the ‘coffee jug’, he let it sit for a minute then pushed two of the blood bags below the surface to warm.

A very pink and obviously thoroughly scrubbed, Spike entered the room and stood near the entrance door, shifting from foot to foot and appearing genuinely (?) nervous.

Xander placed the bowl and jug beside the bed and turned the music down on to a quiet background hum. Channeling his ‘inner Angelus’ (or at least what he thought the bastard might have been like) he spun around to stare at Spike snarling a low, “Are you *so* ill informed that you do not know your correct position in front of your sire?”

Spike’s body again reacted before he registered the owner of the voice. He dropped to his knees, head down, and mumbled “Forgive me sire.”

Xander strode around behind his ‘fledge’, quickly opened the door and placed a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the outer door handle, then grabbed hair at the nape of Spike’s neck, tugging hard and forcing him to arch and look up at the dark figure standing over him.

“You will not speak unless I permit it; you will not touch yourself unless I demand it; and you will not come until I *command* it... You need training childe, and it begins now. Present yourself!” With that, Xander shoved Spike’s head forward to touch the floor.

Spike complied, taking on a fully prostrated position and simply waited. It had been more than a century, since the master vampire had experienced (indeed ‘allowed’) himself to be so ‘controlled’… Neither human nor demon side had dared to pretend this with anyone… And that he should be *given* such an opportunity to remember…*now*… with this human… his rediscovered lover… his beautiful, dark, ‘foreign’ Xan. It was not just extraordinary, it bordered on miraculous.

“Who am I?”

Every part of Spike’s being wanted to believe the fantasy, even for a little while and responded instantly…“My Sire”

“To whom do you belong?”

Without intent, Spike’s true face came to the fore, “You, Sire”

Xander registered again, the very seriousness of the game they were playing, and with that, continued as best he could, “To whom are you loyal?

“To the House of Aurelius, sire”

“And who is it you obey?”

Spike, now with his demon completely to the fore and ridges pressed to the floor, answered automatically.

“Only you, sire. I serve only you.”

The section of Spike’s mind that was still operating in the current time frame noted, that he was extraordinarily hard, and that the ‘research’ had moved so far out of his control, that he had little choice but to simply ‘enjoy the ride’…

Xander changed modes, and held out his hand, “Come Childe, your Sire is well pleased.”

He pulled Spike to standing and led him to the bed.

“You are a beautiful boy… And I know you will not disappoint me…. You won’t disappoint, will you William!?”

“No Sire”

“Then shake off your true face boy and let me look at you”

Spike complied instantly.

“Are you familiar in the way of vampire ‘relations’ William….?”

This was almost too close to history repeating itself for Spike, he began to take long, deep and unnecessary breaths…“Umm, No sire”

Xander felt the stress in his partner and observing the still lowered head, decided to shift the game a little…

“I intend to have you tonight William. Have you ever been pleasured by another man?”

Spike shook his head furiously.

“Excellent then we will have some virginal fun shan’t we. Lie on the bed and grasp the headboard….”

Spike did as instructed, made his way to the centre of the four poster and lay corpse like in posture, with his hands over his head. Xander noted the vampire’s erection was now marble hard and resting proudly against his stomach, and also, that he continued to breathe.

Xander took the handcuffs and fixed his ‘fledge’s’ wrists to the headboard. He then picked up an adjustable cockring, licked the full length of the swollen member and slid the leather on. “I will assist you tonight, but in time you shall win control over this body.” Spike groaned and arched into the touch, so much so that his ‘sire’ slapped the trussed flesh and growled “Be still!”

Xander then straddled the beautiful torso, caressing the pale skin as he moved toward his target. He leaned down momentarily to lave one dark nipple whilst twisting the other lightly, swapped mouth for hand and continued his gentle ministrations until pebble hard nubs remained. Switching back to the original position, Xander flicked his tongue over the tiny lump of dark flesh then bit down hard, causing his charge to arch off the bed again, gaining another slap for the error.

Xander then moved up the vampire’s body until his fuzzy sac brushed a perfect chin and demanded, “Open, boy.” Grabbing the head board himself now, Xander leaned forward and slid his erection into the waiting mouth.

He growled out “Pleasure me and you will be rewarded.” And with that began to thrust, gently at first, but increasing pace and pressure until he plundered the mouth with abandon before shooting his seed far down Spike’s throat. Spike for his part licked and sucked the member clean as it slowly withdrew. Then said dutifully,“Thank you sire.”

The larger man patted the fine boned cheek as he climbed off the prone figure.

“Good boy, even without schooling you have a talented mouth.”

Spike shivered at the words and actions as they mirrored exactly those of more than a century ago.

“Now, on your knees childe”

Spike awkwardly rolled and scrambled into a kneeling position facing the wall – hands now crossed courtesy of the cuffs.

Xander who had been ‘fishing’ for something at the side of the bed, slapped the waiting pale cheeks with a resounding crack, after he turned to realize his boy’s error.

“What the *hell* do you think you are doing?? You’re not here to sing hymns boy! Kneel properly - ready for me.” With that he pushed Spike’s head to the bed, but rather than the beating Spike was expecting (as Angelus would have metered out), strong hands began to massage his backside and a cool (*??*) tongue trailed down his crack.

Xander knew the ice in his mouth would only last seconds, but grinned as he registered the full bodied shudder and stifled whimper when Spike felt the now cooled muscle begin its task. He placed his hand that had been in the ice bucket, midway up Spike’s back and stilled him.

“Steady childe, remember the rules.”

The rimming was at once excruciating and wonderful. The tongue heated up as the act progressed, finishing hot and fully embedded, laving and preparing the soft inner walls of Spike’s channel with promises of ‘bigger things’ to come. It was all the vampire could do to remain still, refusing to give in to the temptation of pushing back onto the invasion. His groan as the tongue withdrew would not be contained and gained him yet another smack – the punishment itself only serving to heighten his arousal.

Xander knew his own ‘recovery rate’ was still to catch up with current activities, so made a couple of quick decisions. He reached down for one of the packs of warming blood, and nicked the corner with the tiny blade on his pocked knife, squeezed a small amount into his hand, and dribbled it down Spike’s crack. Spike smelt the blood, realized the lube of choice and began to breathe again as, once more, his face shifted.

With no more preparation, Xander pulled a cooling glass item from its ice bed and plunged it into his partner’s, now crimson, rear entrance. Spike flinched, registering the *cold* invasion with a very decent measure of shock and surprise. He pushed back a little, but Xander stilled the object and the icy feel was allowed to settle into Spike’s tender channel.

Xander then began to move the cool glass with one hand, while he shifted his other relatively hot palm, to stroke Spike’s restrained and now very angry looking erection.

The contradictory temperatures were wonderful and unbearably stimulating in equal measure, and when Xander altered the angle of thrust ‘just so’, Spike could no longer stay silent, crying out his pleasure and begging his sire for more.

Xander pushed the glass object home one more time, then used his free hand to flip the vampire onto his back again. Grabbing the already open blood bag from its warm resting place, he continued to thrust into his charge with the glass member, whilst squeezing almost the entire contents of the bag into the vampire’s welcoming mouth.

Spike was riding on a wave of ecstasy – warm human blood as he was pumped into by a cool shaft.

The bag left his lips and the glass his body, and he was about to protest his loss when he felt a warmer member push inside and take up the rhythm, and a hand begin to stroke his restrained manhood.

“Oh G… Sire please…. please …. Please sire!!”

“Do you wish to come childe?”

“Please sire… Please may I? … Oh G….!!! Please sire!!!”

In one swift move, Xander flicked off the cock ring, pumped the erection three times matching his own thrusts, then bit Spike as hard as he could at the base of his neck.

At the bite, Spike arched off the bed and screamed his release, shooting cool seed between them, his rear channel pulsing and clamping so hard that Xander came for the second time in less than an hour.

They both collapsed boneless for many minutes before the ‘sire’ rolled off his charge and reached up to release the wrists from their restraints.

The released arms flew around his neck and pulled him into a passionate embrace. He began to kiss the cherished face when he noticed silent tears begin. This was followed by his vampire burying a game face into Xander’s chest as deep, heart felt sobbing took over.

“Oh sweetie! Hey! I’m sorry…. I’m sorry…. It was only a game! Did I hurt you?..... Did I hurt you?.... C’mon sweetheart…… talk to me…. Please! I didn’t mean to hurt you!.....”

Between sobs, Xander just managed to discern the whispered “T’was perfect…. T’was so perfect…. Miss him… missed him for so long… missed you…. it was so fucking perfect…..thank you pet …. Thank you….. Oh G….” After which Xander simply held on as his lover ‘cried out’ his grief and gratitude in equal measure.


Xander woke from his light snooze sometime early afternoon, registering a cool hand petting his hair and stroking down his face. Adoring and adored blue eyes met his gaze and a husky voice filled with wonder said simply “You cannot possibly imagine how much I love you at this moment. What you just did for me pet?! It was a gift beyond measure…. There are no words for how much I love you.” A single, and this time joyous, tear tracked down his cheekbone as Spike continued the caress of Xander’s features.

They lay in silence for some time simply content to touch and stroke their ‘significant other’ gently, and with all the care and love that the tender act could imply.

As it became apparent that the sun was on its slide toward setting, Xander struck up an ‘out there’ style conversation, aware that they had been planning to go out and would need to ‘get moving’ sometime soon.

“So… How much are you worth Spike? I mean, am I going to be able to keep you in the manner to which you’re… I don’t know… able to afford? The basement obviously a vamp thing but…?”

Xander stopped as he heard a quiet “No.”

“No?...”

He felt rather than saw the change in Spike’s mood, as though the pain of the past had all descended again, then heard the near whisper tinged by the sheer desperation that evoked the reply, “Basement was loss; basement was sadness; basement is where monsters live; basement’s the only place for the likes of me. Money’s nothin’ to do with it.”

It was Xander’s turn to reassure, “Oh sweetie! No way…. No way! You are a good man, you’ve saved the world, Spike! Far out! You *died* saving the world… then turned around and did it again! No way is a basement your place… no way!” Kiss to the right cheek. “No way!” Kiss to the left cheek. “No *way* now you’re with me…” Kiss to the lips. “Promise … I promise!”

A shift seemed to occur and the irrepressible Spike he knew was back with a wink and a smirk, “Well won’t be a problem when I’m out of the city of bloody tea parties that changed history then, will it!”

“So… how much *are* you worth? Seriously Spike, I don’t want any of it I’m just curious… C’mon... No secrets yeah?!”

“Truth is… I’m not exactly sure pet. Angelus was a right mean bastard but a rich one, ‘n my family was no harm either back in the day.”

“So what? Secret vamp accounts or s….?” Xander stopped mid quip, “You were serious back there with Mitch weren’t you! OK, Richie Rich… fess up. Do you even know how much?”

Spike snorted, and his eyes narrowed as he seemed to do some mental calculations.

“Dunno, maybe… between 150 - 250K a month ‘spose… depends, sometimes more...”

Xander sat up, dumbfounded, waiting for Spike to laugh and admit it was a joke. When he didn’t, the brunette shifted nervously. “God, Spike! That’s more than most people see in five years and you… and per month??!”

Spike shrugged and looked at his hands, somehow feeling a little embarrassed, “Said before, just depends.”

“How… depends??”

“Difficult to be alive for this long ‘n not accumulate pet. ‘N believe me the old Angelus did a whole lot of accumulatin’. Me? Just inherited the old boys coat tails is all.”

“Yeah but… Oh god *Spike*! You would have to really keep on it, to manage that sort of… And it’s growing?? Geez do you pay tax?”

“Oi! IRS has nothin’ to worry about with *our* accounts pet. ‘M a good corporate *and* global citizen – one of the few with a soul it seems…”

“The profits?”

“Plugged back into the system for the most part. Although I know “The Gift from an Angel Foundation” hands out around two million a year to victims of crime in the US, and another three to children’s help agencies across the rest of the world. But they have their own board and invest separate to the ‘family’….so…”

Xander was struggling to take it all in.

“So the refurbishment of the Council of W. HQ?”

“Funded by Angel pet – though I guess I pushed it a bit – couldn’t have the watcher homeless, though…. I was goin’ to suggest a bathtub with chains… just for a month or two.” Spike winked.

“And Dawn’s Italian University and Oxford education?”

“Oh who do you think pet? Old boy funded the little bit on the grounds that it took the pressure off… and in memory of… Well you can guess.”

“But Spike??...” Xander was struck utterly speechless. The amounts Spike obviously dealt with and referred to so offhandedly, were almost inconceivable – particularly when compared with the image of the chipped and starving Spike of Sunnydale.

“Stop starin’ you git! ‘S not that hard to manage affairs, any fool can make a profit given a bit o’ reading and a good starting point. You want to know if I could buy and sell your boss? Well yeah, I probably could – but that’s hardly the point!”

“Listen luv… everyone has good times and bad. I’m the last of the Aurelius line. If my only problem was money, then…. well we don’t really have a problem… yeah…?? ….. Oh Pet *please* this changes nothing! If it means you work and we go on snazzy holidays well, it’s all good yeah??... C’mon Xan …. *Please*… this is crazy… don’t make *this* the problem…. Please!!”

Xander, who had been staring at the wall in shock, registered that his partner was becoming more and more distressed, and that his own behavior was the direct cause… Damage control engaged.

He pulled Spike into yet another tight hug….

“Hey buddy…. Spike….. you think this is a problem??”

“It is *so* not a problem…. ‘cmon Spike it’s me Xan… donut guy who now has a retirement fund, hand made lamps and ‘neutral furniture’ … Oh please Spike! I was just surprised… not at you managing all that… just… shit Spike….” Xander looked into the unhappy gaze, kissed the nose and asked with a cheeky wink, “Does this mean a Ferrari might be on the cards for the next Christmas list?”

The resounding “No way pet, piece of Italian rubbish… XK Jag or nothin’ pet,” let Xander know that the crisis may if not passed, had at least been adjourned to another time.

“Pigeon pair? Red and Black”

“So long as the black one’s mine”

“Sounds fair….” Xander smiled at his companion, “C’mon Spike… I didn’t want this … we’re good, yeah… It’s not about… You know… cut me some slack here… I was just shocked…”

“Keep your shirt on Harris – already promised you the Jag right – but on second thoughts… keep your shirt off…” A raised eye brow later and the rest of the argument seemed to get confused by a certain vampire’s need to pay a ‘visit’ to his partner’s nipples.




Part 15 ------------------

“C’mon Harris… ya big girl’s blouse!.... It won’t hurt *that* much and it’s over in a second!... And I promise to lick it better.” Spike wiggled an eyebrow suggestively.

“I’m just… geez Spike I thought you were kidding when you flashed the fang. Can’t we just go down to a drug store or something? I know the girls at Sunnydale at least got ‘numb juice’ and a special gun or something when they had it done!”

“We’re not doin’ a Prince Albert you twonk! And even if…. Ah geez… just come ere and lie still.”

Spike grabbed his pacing partner’s arm and pulled him back to the bed. He held both wrists with one hand and pinned them behind the brunette, lying on top of the chest and immobilizing his charge with a combination of intertwining legs, preternatural strength and his own body weight.

Xander finally relented and ceased struggling.

“That’s it pet… just relax…. the hard part ’ll be over in a jiffy.”

Xander turned his face away from Spike, eyeless scar to the pillow, held his breath and waited.

A soft purring began, the shell of his ear was gently laved, and the lobe was lovingly sucked, teasing to the point of frustration, by which time a distracting hand had also found more between them interesting parts to caress.

Xander had just begun to press his hips up to meet his captor’s attentions, when a sharp fire went through his earlobe and he yelped in response, this was followed a flash of movement. (*Damn the vampire speed thing*).

Spike was, apparently instantly, sitting on his chest in full game face, and carefully threading a very expensive piece of jewelry into the newly made hole, locking then *licking* it into place.

The vampire leaned down and sucked the wound for a more few seconds then sat up with a smug grin.

“What’s with the smile fangboy?!”

“Think you might enjoy a little pain, luv. Hmmm? We can probably work that in more, if you want?” Spike grinned. Still perched on his partner’s torso he deliberately looked back to Xander’s groin, indicating with a pointed gaze, the very ‘interested’ erection that was now poking at his backside.

Xander’s threw his head back to the pillow and simply groaned.

“You are impossible!”

“And lovable… and evil… and ya would have me any other way pet.”

It was Xander’s turn to surprise. He levered up and flipped their positions, then leaning down from his chest high vantage point, firmly kissed his torturer and grinding their ‘mutual interest’ against each other once more.

The reply was partially buried by a kiss, “I want you in *every* way.”

When his mouth was finally freed, Spike’s lustful blue gaze met his partner’s. He reached under the pillow then handed Xander a fairly substantial leather needle. “K pet, your turn then.”

Xander reeled back in horror, “What? You *can’t* be serious – this thing will… It’s not sterile!!”

“Oh C’mon pet, unless you’ve grown a pair..” a hand grabbed his crotch, but the fangs that dropped left him in no doubt of the meaning behind the double entendre, “you are going to need a sharp object.” A knowing smile emphasized that this discussion was one of canines rather than male pride. “And I doubt that sterility is a big deal for yours truly the undead!”

Spike watched as a look of realization then renewed dismay washed over his partner.

“Ohh luv!! Vampire here – I’ll probably heal before you put the ring in! A bit o’ pain from a lover is a bonus!.... Please pet … please! Matching pair and all that… You agreed!”

Xander reluctantly took what looked like a mini version of a turkey skewer, pinched the earlobe closest to him between two carpentry strengthened digits, and plunged the sharpened tip through.

On reflection, Xander felt a little embarrassed at his actions following the ‘stabbing’, having automatically latched on to the injured flesh with his mouth, sucking away the blood. He then carefully threaded the elegant gold post of the earring through a still bloodied hole, and lovingly laved the injured lobe with a gentle tongue. Spike had not been unable to contain his snigger and one or two bemused comments as to who, of the two of them, was the better ‘blood sucker’.

The surprise of the afternoon came an hour or so later when Xander attended the bathroom. Gingerly touching his ‘piercing’ and moving closer to the mirror to inspect the ‘wound’, he was amazed to find no pain, and on closer examination, a perfectly healed puncture.

He jumped when a deep voice murmured just behind him, “Vampire saliva pet, heals everything.”

“Bloody hell Spike! No fair with the lack-of-reflection-sneaking-up behavior!”



Yet at the same time Xander was intrigued by the ‘fast healing’ action of Spike’s tongue, and distracted by the idea that his favorite vamp had thought to follow him to the bathroom.

“’Sup pet? You upset ‘cause you’re healed? Thought you knew all that rot… Watchers’ Diaries ‘n all”

“It’s one thing to read it and another to watch your own body *do it* Spike!”

Spike was still unsure of the ‘boy’s’ point… “So…?”

“So??! So means can you repair anything with that, cause I’m thinking … you know me getting- older person a good lick daily and…. No extreme makeover required!” It was Xander’s turn to give a suggestive grin.

“No guarantees pet – but seeings as you are the RA ‘n all, how about we give it a shot… let’s say a daily bodily laving and record the results. Long term study ‘course, so at least ten year require, possibly a double application for the first part and triple the time for scientific confirmation.” With that Spike ran a cool wet tongue around the edge of Xander’s non adorned ear and down his jaw line.

“Oh G…”

Xander had just begun to lean back into the caress when Spike pulled away abruptly, lightly smacked the bare behind yet again and said “C’mon pet we’re wasting good celebratin’ time… “

Dressed for warmth as well as the night out the two wandered from the hotel intent on simply enjoying whatever the evening brought…

They had contemplated the purchase of tickets to ‘the raging dance party’, ‘a fabulous new year’s habour cruise’ and the ‘best jazz on the planet’ to bring in the New Year, but settled for
strolling around town enjoying the atmosphere and admiring the rather transient artform of ice sculpting. Xander was highly amused to find a ‘mythical figures’ series including one rather ‘batty’ looking vampire, the sight of which annoyed Spike enough that his partner saw gold beginning to flash through the otherwise blue eyes, forcing Xander to ‘kiss him calm’ before anyone else noticed.

They eventually settled into a smallish somewhat overcrowded café on the wharf with non descript music, forgettable food and passable hot chocolate, though since their aim was more to gain heat than enjoy the venue neither man was concerned. The noise from surrounding patrons precluded any meaningful conversation, so they simply sat ‘watching the world go by’, holding hands under the table, the occasional surreptitious caress of a thigh, and flashed knowing smiles made for enjoyment that transcended their circumstance. For the first time since they had met again on the common, both partners were aware that this was entirely comfortable, that despite the revelers around them, there was no high drama, no pretence or uneasy questions, no insatiable passion. It was just… them, quietly holding, calmly petting and just being in that moment together.

Close to midnight Spike grabbed his partners arm, pulled him through the partying street crowd and led him down a back alley.

“What the…. Spike??! I am *not* making out with you in some freezing alley and missing the fireworks!”
Spike answered by pushing his partner against a dumpster and growling, “Stay there.”

In their few days together Xander had all but forgotten very extraordinary nature of Spike’s preternatural athleticism. In a single elegant leap, the vampire launched himself twenty feet into the air, caught the fire ladder and lowered it for his companion.

“Shit Spike, I’d forgotten how amazing you look when you do stuff like that!”

“Yeah… well, come on!”

Xander trailed behind admiring the fluid speed and apparently effortless climb of his partner.

“Where are we going Spike? C’mon buddy, clues to encourage the puffed human hey?!”

As Xander scrambled to stand up on the roof, Spike steadied him with a strong grip then guided him carefully around and over various pipes, phone aerials and metal covers until they reached a far corner. Standing in front of a heating vent was certainly a bonus in the chill of the Boston evening – but it was the view of the harbor that had Xander grinning.

From their vantage point, they could see the crowds already gathered along the waterfront and could clearly hear the countdown. On the strike of twelve a resounding cheer went up accompanied by the explosive crack of the first fireworks making their way skyward.

Xander took a glove off and grabbed Spike’s icy hand with his warm one. He kissed the hand then opened his own great coat and pulled the smaller man into a spooned hug, his chin resting on Spike’s shoulder.

Spike snuggled back to the warm chest, “Hmmm welcome to 2010, Happy New Year luv.”

“It is going to be isn’t it. Happy New Year, Spike.”

They stood in silence listening to a broadcast rendition of Auld Lang Syne from a loud speaker somewhere down below and waited until the last of the fireworks sparkled and fell to darkness.

“C’mon Xan, let’s you and I go find ourselves a nice four poster bed with an electric blanket and side serve of petting to finish off the evening.”


Making their way up the stairs to hotel suite Xander was suddenly struck by the thought that this was very probably the last time they would make this climb. He was leaving, in less than twenty four hours he would be back in California, home, and alone.

Spike noted the slumped shoulders and waves of misery beginning to roll off the man. He moved to hug Xander from behind as the door was opened.

“Hey pet, let’s you and I jump into that big bed of yours and see what we can find to do to accompany the celebrations on the telly.”

Ten minutes later, the television was broadcasting the various New Year’s celebrations as they occurred across the nation and the two lovers were happily ensconced in the big bed ‘accompanying’. They played around with the twin glass items from Spike’s new collection – Xander deciding that he the whole concept of heating one and cooling the other was definitely “of the good” but most certainly preferred the ‘real thing’ as Spike pushed all items aside and made slow passionate love to him, timing the climax perfectly to coincide with the explosion of fireworks from the Seattle Space Needle.

Up by six the next morning, Xander efficiently packed his own bags for departure, then put the ‘research materials’ and Spike’s few belongings into the shopping bags and day pack.

“Come on sleeping beauty – we need to get to your place before sunup or it’s a trip through the sewers!” Spike grumbled, rolled over and eventually pushed out of bed.

After paying ‘the extras’ bill and handing in the key ready to leave, Xander began to struggle with the overwhelming feeling of doom. Hailing a cab, he fiddled with his earring, feeling even worse when Spike appeared nonchalant and unaffected, but then noticed the vampire begin to touch his own diamond and ruby adornment, and concluded that perhaps Spike was just better at hiding his hurt.

The apartment was pitch black as they entered, Spike leaving Xander at the door for a few moments while his found lamp switches.

“So pet we’ve still go hours. I need to quickly logon and check my mail etc but that should only take a half hour or so. What do you think we should do after that?” A wicked wink later and Xander’s pants instantly began to feel uncomfortably tight.

“You’re insatiable Spike!”

Spike looked at Xander’s very definitely bulging pants “Then it’s just as well you’re here isn’t it, ‘cause it looks like me RA is looking to do some last minute ‘exploring’.”

As they had done in the hotel, both partners logged on and sent their intra-apartment Email. Xander smiling as he read the note complimenting his research skills, and sending a reply that included a suggestion that NP’s chapter two and beyond end up in Sacramento, since the location had ‘a lot to offer’. The note was received with a grin that was immediately followed by a vampire attaching himself to Xander’s mouth and thanking his ‘muse’ in person rather than online.

The remainder of the sunlit hours became about pleasuring each other until neither could move more than to lie side by side repeatedly touching and caressing and petting…. All performed in the effort to reassure both parties that this was not another ‘ending’, but merely an interlude.


As he approached the time of leaving, Xander’s self doubt and sadness crept back. Spike noted the change.

“’Sup luv”

“Oh G* Spike?! I don’t want to go!” This was an appeal that came out like the petulant whine of a small child, when really it was the begging of a lover who had lost before; it was the call of a still wounded soldier who had watched everyone and everything… disappear…; the desperate last bid of a courageous survivor who had walked on, but now……

“You’ll forget me, I just know! And what if you change your mind? And what if you *do* come and then I’m not enough?”

“Oh dearling… sweetheat… what am I supposed to say… ??” Spike was now petting Xander as though he were a wild animal at risk of bolting….

“You’re not losing me pet! You can’t keep me from you…. Not without staking me yourself… even if you threaten me with another set of ropes ‘n that red ‘comfy chair from the 60s… I’m still coming to be with you...” Spike lifted the face that spelt devastation and loss, he watched as the brown eye blinked attempting but failing to hold back the tears “Ohhh please luv … Let’s you and I save that mournin’ for those on this stupid rock as needs it… yeah?… For now just smile a little for me hey?”

He lifted the chin again and kissed away the salty drips now making steady progress down to Xander’s jawline. Xander complied with the request, hitching with a final sob and gave his lover a tight smile.

--------------


A very emotional Xander arrived at the airport some time later, disheartened that Spike had chosen a passionate and promise filled, farewell at the curbside outside his home, rather than accompanying his friend all the way to the terminal. Xander respected his friend’s wishes to have the goodbyes in the relative privacy of the stoop of his own apartment yet still could not help feeling down.

The final whispered statement from Spike had condemned Xander to a tear burdened trip to the airport, “See you soon luv, yeah? I love you Xan, so much….. don’t let’s us lose this… I’ll miss you every day, every moment…. Don’t forget me yeah? I love you….” and with a final kiss, tears had begun to flow for both parties. Gently wiping the drips from the other man’s sculptured cheeks had almost finished Xander. He dragged himself away and poured into the taxi obviously grief stricken. He felt as though so much of him was being torn away and left behind with Spike that he only a hollow man would remain by the time he arrived back in Sacramento.

Checking in, he was almost too distressed with the prospect of flights home and lonely apartments, to register his ‘unexpected upgrade to business class’. As he took the boarding pass he pondered that perhaps the only consolation on this whole miserable flight home, was to be more legroom, a real linen napkin and the knowledge that Spike would be doing this in a few months’ time.

He passed through security without incident this time – automatically lifting the eye patch and stripping belt, shoes and anything else that had previously upset the ‘machine that went bing’.

He dejectedly meandered around the terminal, purchased overpriced airport souvenirs for his three closest workmates and book on “Management and Machiavelli” for no other reason than it was on sale… then wandered to his gate just in time for the final call. He tried Spike’s mobile one last time before switching it off but received the usual impolite ‘S’me leave a message’, resulting in him feeling even more miserable. He was no longer sure that the start of this New Year could be described as particularly happy and so began calculating the days until March 15. (*Seventy three days not counting today, only seventy two if you don’t count the fifteenth either*)

As he shuffled along the ramp with other passengers, he tried to picture Spike back at his desk writing, in the dark of his apartment, looking up from his keyboard to smile at Xander. An absent flashing of his boarding card as he entered the plane resulted in a pleasant young voice pulling him from his ‘brooding’.

“Second row aisle seat, sir. May I take your coat?”

“Ummm Yeah thanks.” Xander gave an obligatory smile, handed over the great coat, then looked up to determine whether his hand luggage had any hope of fitting into apparently already full overhead lockers. After a little ‘repacking’, his cabin baggage slid into a free space and he located his seat number again.

He barely looked at his fellow passengers as he sat and smiled almost contentedly. *Business really did have a lot more leg room!*

It was only when he had settled and turned to introduce himself to the person beside him, that a bemused “So where you off to mate?” and a set of blue eyes twinkling with delight caused his heart to skip more than several beats and tears threaten to fall again.

“Oh God!... Sp…. How?”

“Figured I needed a few days to research m’ new story… it being set in Sacramento ‘n all. You a resident? ‘Cause I could use a tour guide and a spot to stay.”

“Few days?”

“Two wee..” Xander finished Spike’s sentence with such a delighted, firm and very public kiss, that it had several their fellow travelers blushing, and one or two of the airline staff openly sighing with envy.

The New Year was definitely looking up….


The End….. Canon continues in Collective Experience