Lost in the Dark, Cleansed in the Flame

Chapter 4 - Initiative (NC-17)

"Why are we taking orders from a civilian?" The committee had been
debating this issue for several hours.

"He had the knowledge we needed." One answered.

"'Had' is the operative word there. He led us to the pair, what do we
need him for now?"

"He knows what to look for in the testing. He knows the pair best, has
been studying them for years." Another voice spoke out.

"Do we really believe all his...all his talk of doom and destruction?
Magic and prophecy?"

"If it weren't for him, we would never have known about the Claiming."
An older man defended.

"Ah yes, the Claiming. What do we need this pair for? We can and
we have created our own."

"You haven't seen them in action. Watch the tapes. This pair
is...unique. Their bond is stronger than any we've seen."

"The pairs we created are nothing compared to them. We had hopes
that a Claiming would be another way to curb the hostiles, that the
human partner would be able to control the other. But it hasn't
worked. So far all of our soldiers have been the ones made to
submit."

"Maybe it's just that their bond has been established for much longer."
One suggested.

"Or maybe it's because they entered the Claim willingly."

"Our men were all volunteers." Another answered.

"But none of the hostiles were."

"Who cares about the hostiles? They don't get a choice."

"But this one did."

Silence for a moment.

"The man is insane."

"Yes." Weary resignation. "But we need him."

***

Xander woke to a growling stomach. The pain he'd felt the previous
day was nearly all gone. The perks of vampire blood and the slightly
accelerated healing of a Claimant. Now most of the pain he felt was
from hunger.

"Have they fed you anything pet?" Spike asked softly.

Xander shook his head.

Suddenly Spike was standing and staring up into the corner of the
room. "Bloody bastards! Bring him some food! You want us around
for your bloody tests, you keep him fed dammit!"

"Spike, what are you - "

"Camera luv." Spike pointed to the corner. Xander squinted finally
seeing the tiny hole in the ceiling.

"Oh."

They both turned as one as the door clicked open. Five men entered
the room. Spike was immediately standing in front of Xander,
growling at the soldiers before them. One man carrying a tray with
some food and water.

"Where's Spike's blood?" Xander asked, noticing none on the tray.
In reply the soldier raked Xander's body with his eyes.

"Oh."

"No." Spike was adamant. "I can't keep drinking from him. He's too
weak already."

The soldier turned without answering, leaving the tray on the floor at
their feet. Spike made a move to lunge at the hapless man but
stopped as several guns were pointed his way. He settled instead for
a subsonic growl that made his whole body vibrate.

As soon as the men left, Xander pounced on the food. Taking the
first bite he moaned in appreciation, even if it was just a cheese
sandwich. As he chewed he realized his mistake. What if the food
were drugged? He looked up at Spike, who smirked down at him.

"No worries luv. Don't smell any taint on it." Spike reassured him.

Xander ate in silence, contemplating how he was going to get Spike
to feed when he knew the vamp was worried about him. After
finishing the last bite and drinking down the water he cleared his
throat. "Spike?"

"Yeah luv."

"You need to eat."

"No."

{You said it yourself. Buffy and the others will come for us. You have
to keep your strength up so that you can help.}

"No."

"Spike, I'm almost healed, and they'eeding mng me. So I'll just keep
getting better. A little blood won't kill me."

Spike sighed wearily. "Okay Xan. But not today. Give yourself at
least another 24 hours. I've gone a lot longer than that before. Okay
luv?"

"Fine. But tomorrow no arguments." Xander agreed.

Spike only nodded.

***

"What will we be testing for today?" The younger asked.

"We'll give them a few more hours together, and then we'll take the
boy." The older explained. "We need to make sure the range of
emotion the bond carries is complete. They've experienced pain and
fear. The next step is to see whether the opposite holds true."

***

When the soldiers returned, Xander panicked. They were taking him
away from Spike. He lashed out, kicking at the first man to come
near him, heedless of their weapons.

{Spike!}

Spike was on them in seconds. The fear emanating from his mate,
spurring him into action. He threw the first soldier within reach
against the front wall, knocking him unconscious. Before he could go
after the second he was zapped with one of their stunners. He fell,
watching as they carried off his lover.

It was only later that he realized the only pain he felt was from the
stun gun. His chip had never fired.

***

They strapped Xander down into the same chair they'd used laime.ime.
The panic from earlier returning with a vengeance, Xander cried out
once more. {Spike!}

{I'm here luv. I'm sorry.}

{Not your fault Spike. Are you okay?}

{Fine luv.} Spike would wait until later to discuss his new freedom
with his lover. {Where have they taken you?}

{Same as before Spike.} Xander glanced around the room. {I'm
scared.}

{Shhh luv. I know. I'm sorry. We'll get out of here soon Xan.}

{They're coming back Spike. I'll try to block you out so you don't have
to feel it too.}

{No Xan don't!} But Spike could already feel Xander's resistance.

Xander tensed when the doctor approached with a hypodermic
needle. He hated needles. And the idea of not knowing what they
were pumping into him was even more terrifying.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked. The doctor didn't look much
older than him.

"Orders."

Xander only looked away as he felt the prick of the needle piercing
his skin. Soon he began to feel drowsy, his eyelids becoming too
heavy to keep open. As he slipped into a hazy slumber his last
thoughts were of his mate.

***

Xander's eyes fluttered open, the feel of cool sheets beneath him
making him smile. He turned toward his lover feeling his groin stir at
the sight. Spike was laid next to him, completely naked, one leg
thrown over the covers so that Xander had a nice view of his pale
muscles.

He reached a hand out and began caressing up the appendage in
wide circles. His lover stirred and turned toward him, his eyes
opening. "Morning luv."

They kissed for several minutes. This was Xander's favorite way to
say good morning. He loved the taste of Spike's mouth. The feel of
his tongue rasping against his own. He could feel himself get harder
at the thought of a bout of morning passion.

His hand moved under the covers to grasp Spike's morning erection,
pumping slowly as he continued the wet kisses. Moving his mouth
down to Spike's neck he began to suck at the pulse point there,
causing Spike to groan and thrust up into Xander's hand.

***

"X2573 has become aroused sir. His adrenal gland has also
activated."

"Good. How is Hostile 17 reacting?"

"No reaction as of yet sir."

Disappointing but it was early yet. "Keep monitoring them both."

"Yes sir."