It's An Adventure

"Oh, come on! Don't be shy!" Spike stepped close and wrapped his arms around his Sire. He lifted him up and planted a smacking kiss on Angel's cheek, before dropping the older vampire back on his feet. "*Gosh*, but I've missed you Angel!" He kept has hands on Angel's shoulders and stepped back. "You've *grown* so, sweets! So, um, broody and *wide*!" He slapped Angel's shoulders. "Oh, but wait. You've been broody and wide for awhile, now, haven't you? Not that that's not working for you-the whole broody, wide thing, I mean-looks good on you, too!" Spike winked at his stone-faced-closed-mouth Sire. "Well, then. It's the hair, right? *Much* more spiky than usual, isn't it? Is that for me, then, pet? Cause you *know* I love spikes, don't ya, pop?" Spike again winked at a speechless Angel, reaching a hand up to pat Angel on his heavily gelled hair.

Angel batted Spike's hand away, stepping back from Spike with a frown. "Spike. Glad to see you made it."

Spike placed a hand to his forehead and the other over his heart. He bent his knees, pretending to swoon. "Angel! Stop! You'll *slay* me with such talk!" He simpered, his voice a high falsetto. He glanced over at Wesley and Xander.

"Hey! You! Defunct-watcher! Get your hands off my Xander! What's with you?" Spike demanded.

"Oh!" Wesley pulled away from Xander, stumbling again. "I- I'm sorry! Didn't mean to offend."

Angel cocked his head at him "*Your* Xander?"

Xander glared at him. "*Your* Xander?"

"Yes! What? Have you all gone deaf? *My* Xander!" Spike stepped away from Angel and went to Xander, engulfing the young man in a hug.

Pulling away, Spike reached over and pinched the flustered man's cheek. "I feel all responsible like towards him. Protective, even. I plan to keep him safe, I do." He wrapped an arm around Xander's shoulders and grinned at Angel.

"Sun's coming up boss, are they here yet? Xander! And Spike! Spike and Xander wrapped in each other's arms. Oh. What's up with that? No one told me *that* was something I'd have to see! A little *warning* would be nice, people!"

Xander pulled away from Spike. "Cordy! Good to see you!" Xander began.

Spike all but shoved a still flustered Xander from his arms, as he dashed to Cordelia, wrapping her in his arms. "Cordelia! Pet! You look fabulous! Ab-so-lut-ly fabulous! Well, yes, you do look a bit thin. Don't waste away on me, pet!"

"Oh! Um, Spike! Hello!" She pulled back to look at him. "You can't bite now, right?" She looked to Angel. "He *can't* bite now, can he?"

"No, pet. More's the pity. I'd just love to sink my, um, fangs into you, sweetling."

"Oh! Well!" Cordy gave the blonde vampire a not-too-close hug, smiling. "Do you really think I'm too thin?" She grinned, greatly pleased with that concept.

"Less of you is less for me, pet. But as always, a special treat for the eyes."

Cordy giggled. "And Xander! Xander. How've you been?" Cordy held out her hand. Miffed, for reasons he didn't want to think about, Xander grabbed her up into a bear hug, burying his face into her neck. "Oh!" Cordy yelped, wigglher her feet and giggling. "Xander! Cut it out. Put me down!"

"Yes, Xander, do put her down." Spike told him.

"Well. Hugs all around. Hellos said. Sun's coming up. I suggest we get inside." Angel intoned.

Spike snatched Xander's hand, pulling him close. "Lead the way, Sire."

Angel walked into the building, followed by Wesley and Cordelia. Spike stopped Xander when he made his way to follow. "You know, pet, Angel has always fancied you. He might just be thinking now's his chance to have a go at you."

Xander laughed. "What? Are you nuts, Spike? What the hell are youkingking about? Angel has always been in love with Buffy. Even *you* know that!"

Spike snorted, waving away that argument with a dismissive arch of his hand. "I didn't say his was in *love* with you, did I? I just said he's always *fancied* you. There *is* a difference, pet. Him lovin' the slayer wouldn't stop him from wantin' to shag you! He *is* a vampire, you know, soul or no. He wants you, pet. I can tell these things."

"No." Xander gulped. "You-you're wrong! Angel doesn't want me. You *are* nuts and not just when it comes to driving."

Spike sighed, dropping his head and shaking it. Actually he was biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. When he was sure his grin wouldn't break through, he lifted up his head to look into Xander's eyes. His face and tone were grave when he continued. "Yes, pet. He wants you. Always has. Hell, the plans he had for you back when he was Angelus! Lets just say his ideas were *not* suitable for younger audiences."

Xander gulped.

Spike bit his lip.

"Really? You're not just messing with me?"

"Pet! Why would I do that? What would I have to gain?" He patted Xander's shoulder. "Tell you what. I'll help you ojustjust to keep myself in shelter and blood and all that, you know, you can put in a good word with Giles and the slayer, let them know I helped you out in your time of need. We'll just pretend to be a couple. You'll be safe, then. Angel is *much* too souled and goody goody to poach on another man's, uh, man."

It was Xander's turn to snort. "Oh right! After the whole 'O, Cordy, you're almost to thin for me to fuck!' routine, I doubt he'd believe *we* are a couple!"

Spike snickered. "Don't be jealous, pet!"

"I am *not*-"

Spike cut him off. "Angel knows I'm an incurable flirt. It's all part of my irresistible charm."

"You are *not* irresistible, Spike."

"Humph! Am too! I've yet to be resisted."

"No. Really, you are-" Xander was cut off by a heavy hand upon his shoulder. He turned to look into the concerned eyes of Angel.

"Xander? Are you okay? Is Spike bothering you? Come inside with me now." Angel slid his hand down Xander's shoulder to grab his upper arm and draw him inside. He didn't notice how Xander stiffened.

What was this? Did Angel's hand *linger*? His thumb was /rubbing/ his arm! Maybe Spike was right. Xander's brain worked out the horrid possibilities of Angel *wanting* him.

"What? No! Spike and I were just talking. He was-"

"Oh, go on and tell him, pet! Xander was a bit upset with me flirting with the beauty queen. So jealous, this one!" Spike said, following the pair into the building.

Angel's hand tightened on Xander's arm, causing the boy to panic and pull away. He grinned at Angel, nervously. "Yeah! I was. Jealous, I mean. But it's nothing!" He wrapped his arm around Spike. "I know my little Spikey-poo only has eyes for me."

Angel gapped and Spike sputtered.

Angel stopped walking, turning to face Xander. "Xander? Are you and Spike, uh, um-"

"Yep! We're a couple. Lovers. My little *Xany-poo* is quite possessive, he is."

Soul-full brown eyes looked upon Xander. "Xander?" Angel questioned.

Christ! Were they disappointed? Those eyes were disappointed! Jealous? Envious, maybe? Oh, god. Spike was right! Xander's brain was working over time.

"Do the others know about this? I can't imagine them being-"

"No!" Xander yelped.

"No!" Spike shouted. "Not yet anyway. And don't you be thinking you need to run off and *tattle* to them, Sire. I've enough to deal with, what with my little Xany-poo, here, being shy. He's not ready for his little friends to know about us, are you Xany?"

Xander kept a watchful eye on Angel. "Nope. Not yet. But soon." Xander leaned back against Spike. He was leaning away from Angel, really, but with Spike behind him, grinning and wrapping an arm around Xander's waist, giving his Sire a silent snicker, it *looked* like a lover's snuggle.

Angel shook his head again. "No. I won't be telling anyone. Come on."

Xander let the dark haired vampire walk a few steps ahead of them before following. He turned his head to give Spike a wide-eyed look.

"I *told* you, pet." Spike whispered. He gave a face splitting grin when Xander turned away and followed Angel. He even skipped a bit. Oh yes, Spike was going to have *fun* this trip!

The two followed Angel until they were in the large main room, where Cordelia and Wesley awaited them.

"So then." Spike began. "Where's our, uh, *thing*?

"What?" Wesley, Cordelia and Angel asked.

"The *thing*! Where's it at? We're supposed to pick up the slayer-saving thing and go home! So, come on, give it!"

Angel cracked a smile. An evil one. "It's not here, Spike. We have to go get it."

"Well, fine. Go get it. What? You have it squirreled away in your mattress with your cash, pet?"

Again with the evil-Angel smile. *Not* a pretty sight, that. "No, *pet*, it's in the middle of a nest of Bleathvore demons. You and I have to go and get it." Angel crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at Spike. The evil smile.

"What? Call my Watcher, this instant! He didn't say *any*thing about any Bleathvore demons!"

"Your *watcher*, Spike?" Angel asked with deadly calm. Spike suspected he wanted to laugh.

"What's a Bleathvore demon?" Xander asked, taking a seat.

"*Nasty* things, pet! Slimey! Long reaching tentacles! *Stinging* tentacles! Stinging, blood sucking, tentacles. Most godawful shade of green you've ever seen! Smelly as hell, too! I am *not* messing around with any Bleathvore demons to save a bleeding slayer!"

Xander looked over at Angel. "Do *I* have to help go get this thing?"

Angel gave Xander a small smile.

Just what the hell kind of smile *was* that, anyway? Melting? Indulgent? *Melting*. It was melting! Xander's brain worked out.

"No, Xander. It's too dangerous for you. I want you to stay here, where it's safe."

Ack! Concern. *Way* too much concern!

"I'll just take Spike with me. We'll be fine, I'm sure." The evil-Angel smile for Spike.

"Um. This will be tough? Scary, maybe? *Deadly* possibly?" Xander asked. Xander had stopped thinking about Angel's lust for him as he began remembering his car trip. Car trip with Spike behind the wheel. Spike behind the wheel trying to kill him.

Angel chuckled. "A little scary, sure. Deadly? Well, I hope not."

Xander smiled at Spike. "Well, then. Sound's like an *adventure* for you Spikey-poo. You go enjoy yourself. Slay lots of demons. Have fun. I'll miss you. Bye, now." Xander sat back on the sofa, placing his feet on the coffee table.

"*Spikey-poo*?" Cordelia asked.

"Yep. My little Spikey-poo. We're an item. He's going off to slay the demons while I stay here and watch TV with you and Wes. It'll be an adventure for him. He likes those. What's on anyway? Got a TV Guide? Got any pop corn?"