Quantum Xander II: In Wake of the Curse

Part 30

Xander sat at Faith’s bedside and watched over her. He had been angry when Lorne told him what had happened, but he understood it. Faith was just doing what she thought was best. Angel was her friend, and she wanted him back. Enough to risk her own life in the process of saving his. He would do what he could to help her recover.

Xander placed his hand on her forehead and channeled energy into her body. He couldn’t do much, not with the limited amount of information they knew about this mystical drug she had taken. But as long as she stayed strong, she stood a chance of recovering.

Xander felt the magic start to build up in the hotel. He knew that Willow was beginning her spell so he focused on helping her channel her energies. She was good, and had done this before; but there was something else, something blocking her, trying to stop her from completing her task.

Xander left Faith’s side to see what was happening in the lobby. He saw what appeared to be a huge head. A very ugly, very big head. It was growling and shrieking, and everyone was freaking out. Not Willow though; she was still chanting, still doing her job. Xander felt something for her at that moment that he wasn’t sure he’d ever feel again - pride.

He noticed Connor break away from the group and run up the stairs toward him. He should have known, should have seen it before. The boy was obviously infatuated with Cordelia. Xander shook his head and snorted. He was in the same boat once, a very long time ago. All of a sudden the magic swelled and then blinked out. Xander frowned and went in the direction Connor had headed. He was stunned by what he was hearing.

“Oh, Connor, I’m so sorry. I thought it came back. That horrible floaty head.”

“Did it hurt you? Is the baby…”

“We nearly got killed!”

“Willow’s spell, it must have opened a gateway to something.”

“Evil. If she keeps at it there’s no telling what will happen. She already let hell itself into this hotel.”

“I know. I’ve seen it. It’s not safe for you here. I’m gonna make her stop.”

“Connor, you can’t! She’s too powerful. But you can stop it. The reason for all of this. You have to kill Angelus.”

Xander blinked rapidly. Cordy was pregnant? Why didn’t anyone tell him? And why would she want Angelus dead? Last he knew she was in love with Angel. Things were definitely fishy.

He tuned back in to hear Cordelia tell Connor that killing Angelus was the only way to ensure their family’s safety. His jaw dropped open. He couldn’t believe it. Cordy and Angel’s son? Eeew! That was just gross. He went off to find Wes; they definitely needed to talk.

He found Wes sitting with Faith. He was just about to lay into him about not telling him about Cordy when Faith woke up. She blinked as she saw Xander standing there, but then suddenly cursed and took off.

“Well, that was rude.”

Xander and Wesley followed after Faith, but she was too fast to keep up with. By the time they got to the lobby she was nowhere to be seen. Xander saw Willow and Fred talking together and called out to them.

“Hey, either of you see Faith come through here?”

“Yeah, she ran down to the basement. Lorne went after her.”

“Thanks, uh… Fred, right?”

“Yeah, it’s short for Winifred.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Xander and Wesley headed for the basement, Willow and Fred close behind them. What they found when they got there was an unconscious Gunn, a recently re-souled Angel holding Connor by the neck through the bars of his cage, and Faith who looked better than she had earlier, but still really bad by slayer standards.

“Um, does someone want to let me out of the cage now?”

Angel looked around and then his eyes rested on Xander. He cocked his head and sniffed the air. Xander suddenly realized what it was he was smelling, and smacked himself on the forehead. He should have known better. Not only did he not mask the claim, he hadn’t washed after fooling around with Spike. Too bad Wesley was already unlocking the door.

Xander turned and made a run for it. He got two steps away from the stairs before he was slammed face first into a wall by a snarling vampire. He heard the gasps from behind him, and Willow assuring everyone that he was Angel and not Angelus. He chuckled at his own stupidity and let Angel turn him around and press him back against the wall again.

“What. Did. He. Do?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t play stupid with me, Xander. Spike. What did he do?”

“Oh! Um, not what you’re obviously thinking. Can we talk in private? Please?”

“I don’t think so.”

Angel wrenched Xander’s head to the side and tore open the front of his shirt. Everyone gasped as they saw the bite on his neck. Willow stepped forward, tears in her eyes.

“Xander?”

Xander sighed in defeat. This was not the way he wanted this to come out. Not here, and not like this. Then again, when had things ever gone the way he wanted them to?

“It’s okay, Wills. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Good, ’cause I’m thinking Spike’s been using you as take-out.”

Xander growled - actually growled - and Angel let him go. He didn’t move away from him, however. Xander looked Angel in the eye and then smiled as a truly wicked idea came to him. He leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

Angel’s eyes went wide and he staggered backwards from the smirking human. He couldn’t believe what Xander had told him. But it had to be true. How else would he know that?

“Um, perhaps we should take this discussion upstairs. There is no need for alarm; Xander’s fine.”

Xander nodded his head in thanks and headed upstairs. Who knew that Deadboy would scare so easily? All he had to do was whisper a few words in Gaelic, and Angel was putty in his hands.

The others followed behind as Xander made his way back to the lobby. He wasn’t looking forward to the explanation, but didn’t see any way of putting it off. It wasn’t likely that Angel was going to drop the subject entirely. Once he was seated somewhat comfortably on the round sofa-thing, Xander took a deep breath and began.

“Okay, some of you know exactly what this is.”

He looked pointedly at Angel and Wesley, then at Lorne who nodded his understanding, as well.

“So I don’t need to explain it you. But the rest of you just see a vampire bite. Am I right?”

At the collective nods, Xander smiled slightly and continued.

“Alright, first off, let me tell you that I am not a happy-meal. Spike isn’t feeding from me; he’s my mate. We’re bonded.”

Xander looked at the faces of the people assembled. Lorne didn’t seem bothered at all, Angel was still in shock, and Wes looked like he wanted to say something but was biting his tongue to remain silent. Connor looked at him with pure revulsion, and Fred merely looked curious. It was Willow’s reaction he was worried about. She was the one he had to see everyday, after all.

“Wills? You’re awfully quiet.”

“I… I don’t know what to say, Xander. I mean you disappear for months, then you come home and you won’t talk about it, you avoid me like the plague, and now you’re gay? And with Spike? What about Buffy?”

“Buffy has nothing to do with this. This is about me and Spike.”

“Okay, fine. How did this happen? What the hell happened to you in two and half months that made you seek out Spike as a boyfriend?”

Xander just knew this was going to turn ugly if he didn’t do something soon. He looked around and his eyes settled on the door to the office. He stood and headed for the door.

“Deadboy? Is it okay if Willow and I talk in private?”

“Fine. But I want a word with you alone, as well.”

Xander smirked.

“Okay. But remember, I’m a married man now. No funny stuff.”

Xander laughed at the look on Angel’s face and headed into the office with Willow right behind him.