Healing

Part 42

Xander and Spike walked the girls back to Buffy's place before heading home themselves. Spike was exhausted both physically and emotionally. The spell had been hard on him but it was the little glass jar in his pocket that was wearing him down.

On one hand, he was extremely grateful to the witches for doing that for him, but on the other hand it just brought everything back to the surface. He had dusted his sire. He had dusted her and all that was left of her was now in a plain glass jar in his pocket. He hadn't told Xander what the girls had wanted to see him alone for, he couldn't find the words yet.

He was overwhelmed by that simple action. It meant that they had accepted him into their lives as more than just Xander’s lover. They considered him a friend. He'd never had friends before, it was a nice feeling. First Xander, then the watcher, and now the girls. He didn't even care that it had taken horrible circumstances to get him to this point. It was worth it. Xander was worth it.

When they got inside the apartment Xander found himself pressed against the door and kissed with such passion that it left him weak at the knees. Spike began pulling at his lovers clothing. As Xander’s coat fell to the floor a clanking sound drew Spike's attention. He looked down and saw the dagger that Xander had found at the school. Spike bent down to retrieve it.

"Where did ya get this luv?"

"Oh yeah. I found that at the school. It's nice eh?"

"Yeah."

"I thought maybe you would like to have it."

Spike was looking at the blade in his hand. There was something about it that was nagging at his senses. Something familiar but... off. He brought the blade close to his face and sniffed at it. Blood. Not just blood, Angel's blood. Angel's blood and something else.

"Aw hell! Get yer coat on luv. We have to see the watchers."

"Huh? Watchers? Why?"

"This knife. It's the same one Dru used to cut Angel."

The walk over to Giles's place was made quickly and in silence. Spike was trying to figure out what the other scent on the blade was and Xander was still trying to figure out what had Spike in such a strange mood all night. He knew it had something to do with what Willow and Tara had said to him. He wanted to know what was going on but he wouldn't push. He knew Spike would tell him when he was ready.

Walking into Giles place, Xander immediately noticed that something was wrong. Both Wesley and Giles stepped away from them and Wes pulled a cross out of his jacket pocket. Xander and Spike exchanged a look.

"Giles? What's going on here?"

"Please, Xander. Step away from Spike and come here."

"I'm thinking... no. I won't be doing that."

Xander took a defensive position in front of his lover and looked questioning at the two men across from him.

"What's this all about? What is going on here?"

"Xander, your mother called here earlier looking for you."

Xander sighed and relaxed a bit. At least now he knew what this was about.

"Yeah, and?"

"Your father and your Uncle are dead. Tortured and drained."

Xander felt Spike take his hand and squeeze it reassuringly. Xander looked indifferently at Giles.

"Yeah? And what? I'm supposed to be upset over this? I think you know better Giles. You're not stupid."

"You - you knew? You knew and you didn't stop him?"

"Why would I? They deserved it! I was ten Giles, ten years old when it started. I'm only sorry that I didn't stay and watch."

Xander started to shake and Spike pulled him into his arms and comforted him.

"Shh, luv. It's okay. They can't hurt you now. I made sure of that. Come on, sit down."

Spike pulled Xander over to the sofa and sat down. He continued to reassure his lover and comfort him. Eventually, Xander calmed down and Giles took a seat in the chair beside the sofa.

"Spike, what you did... I understand the reasons behind it but I can't condone the slaughter of humans. Did you even think this through? What if Xander becomes a suspect? Did you consider that before you killed them?"

"Of course I did! I'm not an idiot, regardless of what you lot think. I was planning on asking you to give the boy an alibi. Don't look at me like that, I know you're far from innocent yerself there Rupes."

Giles seemed to consider this for a moment. He took off his glasses and polished them before speaking.

"Very well. I'll need the date and the exact time. If asked, Xander was at the shop helping me with inventory. But Spike? This will not happen again."

"Doesn't need to. Was a one time gig, can't very well kill them again now can I? Boy wouldn't let me turn them and torture them some more."

Wesley, who had remained silent up to this point stepped closer to the other ex watcher.

"Rupert, surely you don't mean to keep quiet about this?"

"Yes, I do. And so will you. It makes no sense what so ever to do otherwise. Xander did not kill them, Spike did. It's not as if justice is going to be served in this case. What would you have me do? Call the police? Have Spike arrested? Not bloody likely!"

Spike smirked at the younger of the two former council members.

"'Sides, if you do that, you'll never figure out how to fix 'Mighty Mousse' up there."

Wesley perked up at that. He turned a serious gaze on the vampire.

"You know what happened to Angel? Do you know how to fix it?"

"No, not yet anyway. Xander found the knife that Dru stuck Angel with. It smells off. Thought you two might be able to figure out how to fix the poof if you knew what was on the knife."

Wesley looked hopeful for the first time in days. Xander smiled at him reassuringly. Spike handed the knife over Giles who looked at it closely.

"I don't see anything on it. But you say you could... smell something, Spike?"

"Yeah. The poofs blood is on it but there's something else as well. I figure whatever the 'something else' is, it's what put Angelus in control."

"I should call Willow and Tara. See if they'll come by tomorrow morning for research. Thank you Spike."

"No need. Believe me, no one wants Angelus gone more than I do."

Spike couldn't suppress a shiver when he thought about the things his bastard grandsire was likely to do to him if he ever got his hands on him. Xander noticed and immediately held his lover. They got up at the same time.

"Well if that's it, I think Spike and I will be going now."

"Yes. Have a good evening, and Xander? Call your mother."

"Huh?"

"If you don't wish to draw suspicion, I suggest you call your mother and act surprised."

"Oh, right. Yeah, I'll do that."

After they left, Giles turned to Wesley and watched the man closely. He wasn't sure if he were doing the right thing by telling him everything but if it kept him from telling anyone about Xander’s family’s deaths, it be worth it.

"Lets go into the kitchen and have some tea, I'll tell you a little story about Xander and Spike."

Wesley looked at Rupert curiously and then followed him into the other room.