Healing

Part 31

"Well luv, I suppose I should go up and see Angelus. It is why we're here after all."

"Okay, I'm gonna go apologise to Buffy. Yell if you need me."

"Sure thing pet."

"Oh, and don't stake the bastard. Wes would be upset and I kinda like the guy."

Spike quirked an eyebrow at Xander.

"Should I be worried luv?"

"About Wesley? Hardly. I only want you, Spike. Forever."

Spike groaned and pulled Xander against him. He kissed him hard.

"You have no idea what you do to me, Xan. I want you forever too luv. But it's too soon for that. You need to be sure before we mate. Once it's done its not reversible."

"Okay. I'll think it over. But Spike? It won't change my mind. I love you, and I want to love you forever."

Spike kissed Xander again and then headed for the bathroom to see Angelus. He wasn't looking forward to this but he had to know it was true, if his princess really had restored Angelus. And which version? The original or that crazy bastard that had shown his face a few years ago?

As Spike opened the door Angelus closed his eyes and feigned sleep. Spike approached the tub warily and took a good look at the vampire inside. You couldn't tell the difference between Angel and Angelus while he was asleep. As Spike got closer Angelus shot his hands out, grabbed the blonde vampire and dragged him forward until they were face to face.

"Hello William. Long time no see?"

"Angelus. Nice place you got here. Enjoying your stay?"

Angelus narrowed his eyes at Spike.

"If I were you boy, I would watch what you say to me. See the way I look at it, with Dru gone, your ass belongs to me now. And I've been dreaming about that ass for over a century now. I've thought up lots of ways to make you suffer and bleed."

Spike's eyes got really big and he couldn't repress the shudder that ran through him. Why now? Angelus had never been interested in the past.

"Oh, I know what yer thinking boy, you want to know why I never touched ya before, back then. Don't ya?"

Spike nodded his head mutely. If humans had managed to hurt him as badly as they had, he didn't want to think what a 250 year old demon who had been thinking about hurting him for over a century would do to him.

"Darla was a possessive sire, boy. She allowed Dru because it pleased her, and you were only allowed to touch me because it was her will, an' it was the one thing she was incapable of doing. I couldn't touch you because she was a jealous woman. Afraid I'd spend too much time torturing you and less time fuckin' her. But that's all changed now, Darla’s dead, Drusilla is dead. Both killed by their childer, well in my case, it was the soul. All the same, I own you now. And I plan to take you."

Spike struggled to free himself from the older vampires grasp. He didn't want Angelus anywhere near him, he wanted to get away, as far away as possible and he wanted Xander. Now.

"No. Nonononononono!"

Spike wrenched himself away from Angelus and fled the bathroom, he ran down the stairs, into the kitchen and flung himself at Xander. Buffy and Giles looked on in awe as Xander pulled the shaken vampire onto his lap and held him.

Xander didn't know what had happened upstairs but he knew that look on Spikes face when he ran in. It was the same one he got after a really bad nightmare, the same one he got when confronted by one of his rapists that night in the cemetery. Xander was going to hurt Angelus. Very badly. Just as soon as he calmed his lover down.

As Xander was soothing Spike, Buffy and Giles left the kitchen to give them some privacy. Buffy was quite shook up over what she had just seen. Spike was the toughest guy/vampire she'd ever met. Hell, he'd survived the Initiative in one piece. Angelus must have done or said something pretty bad too stir him up like that. What confused her though, was Xander’s quiet acceptance of it. Like he was used to doing that. What the hell could be so bad that it would scare a 130 year old master vampire? Buffy was going to find out.

"I'm going to see Angelus."

"No. I don't think that is very wise."

"But what he did to Spike, Giles did you see his shirt? It was torn."

"I know. But you aren't strong enough right now. Leave him be."

"Fine. I'm going to call Janice’s and check on Dawn. I'll see if she can stay there again tonight."

"Good idea. I don't think it would be wise to have her around here right now."

In the kitchen Xander continued to hold and rock Spike as he tried to calm them both. He knew that the vampire could sense his anger and frustration and it wasn't helping. He needed to get Spike somewhere more private, home would be good but with it being light out they were stuck.

"Come on, lets go lay down together. Okay love?"

Spike merely nodded and allowed Xander to lead him from the kitchen. As they entered the living room Xander told Giles that he was taking Spike up to the spare room and would he please see that they weren't disturbed.


About fifteen minutes later Cordelia and Wesley showed up. The pair looked as though they hadn't slept well at all. Giles made them all some tea and briefly explained that yes, Angelus was indeed in control of the body now, but was still restrained in the tub. Giles told them that he had somehow gotten a hold of Spike and that Xander and Spike were ensconced in the spare room and didn't want to be disturbed.

Giles decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if they stored Ethan somewhere out of sight as well, as his presence was a constant reminder of their weakened state.

After making sure he was still tied securely and placing a gag in his mouth, Wesley and Giles lifted the chair with the passed out wizard in it and began carrying it to Giles bedroom. As they passed Buffy, Ethan’s head lolled back and she saw the two distinct puncture wounds on his neck. She knew they hadn't been there last night.

"What the hell is that?!"

"What?"

"He's been bitten! Who bit him? Cause I'm thinking there are two vampires in this house, one of which is chained in the tub. So tell me, Giles. How the hell did Spike bite Ethan?"

"I will answer your questions just as soon as I get him put away upstairs."

Giles and Wesley continued their journey to his bedroom. Once inside they set the chair in the far corner and then left. Giles was hoping to let Xander and Spike tell the others about the chip but it looked like it was up to him now. Two sets of angry female eyes set on him as he entered the room.

"What are you glaring at me for? I'm not the one who de-chipped him."

"Who did? Was it Xander?"

"Yes Buffy, it was. I don't know why, he only said he had his reasons and they were personal."

"But he could kill us all now."

"He won't. He actually likes us it seems. He loves Xander and to kill any of us would hurt him. He said we were all safe from him."

Cordelia interrupted before Buffy could speak again.

"Well, that's all lovely for you guys but what about Wesley and me? He doesn't like us."

"Actually, it would seem you earned his respect by torturing Ethan. He's quite impressed. He also said he wouldn't hurt either of you as well."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes Cordelia, I do."

"Okay. But if he kills me? I'm so haunting you!"

The others couldn't help but chuckle at her statement. Cordy just glared at them.

"What? I was serious! I can and will do it. Just ask Dennis."