Quantum Xander II: In Wake of the Curse

Part 47

“Still don’t see why we couldn’t just stay home and shag each other senseless.”

“Apocalypse, Spike. We’re facing an apocalypse; I need to check in.”

“That’s what the phone is for. You don’t have to get dressed and out of bed to use the damn phone.”

Xander smiled at the vampire’s grumbling. He had missed this; the other Spike didn’t snark so much anymore.

“We’ll go in, find out what’s been going on and then if I’m not needed…”

“You’re always needed, love. I need you.”

“Thank you. But as I was saying, if I’m not needed here, we’ll leave. I seem to recall promising you a day at the beach, after all.”

Spike leered at his mate and kissed him soundly. Xander opened his car door and stepped out into the street. Spike followed suit. They made their way up to the front door of the Summers? house and Spike held Xander back for a minute. He cocked his head, frowned and then pushed the door open slightly so that Xander could hear what was being said on the other side.

“…still able to make me see cartoon birdies all around my head? You betcha. The short lack of consciousness was nice. I feel rested. So…how did those police files work out? Were they helpful?

“Uh…uh… yes. Very much so, I think. Um… there’s evidence that Caleb may have established a foothold up north.

“That’s great. That’s…”

“I, um… I sent Spike to look into it.”

“Spike? Is this a mission from which you intend Spike to return alive?”

“Yes. I sent Andrew with him.”

“Again I ask the question.”

“Buffy, you weren’t here. Decisions have to be made in your absence.”

“Yeah, well, those are the ones that have been scaring me.”

“I did what I thought was right.”

“You sent away the one person that’s been watching my back - again.”

“We’re all watching your back.”

“Funny… that’s not really what it feels like.”

“Buffy…”

Whatever Giles had been about to say dried up in his throat as Xander - followed by Spike - strode into the room. He looked from Buffy to Giles and then back again.

“I have questions. I want answers, and I want them now.”

Buffy looked guiltily at the floor and Giles swallowed down his rising panic. He had known that this might happen, and after careful consideration, he realized that trying to kill Spike had been a foolish idea. The vampire was no longer any threat to his slayer, and Xander was powerful enough to hold his own. He should have never listened to Robin Wood.

“Very well, Xander. What would you like to know?”

“First off, what did Buffy mean when she asked if you intended Spike to return from this mission?”

Giles looked Xander in the eye and told him.

“I was an accessory to Robin’s attack on Spike. I kept Buffy otherwise occupied, whilst they fought.”

“I see. And this time? Is this a set-up?”

“No. This is a genuine fact-finding mission. I - I can show you the proof if you like.”

“We’ll get to that; why Andrew? Why send him along?”

“Truthfully? The boy was getting on my nerves; I saw an opportunity to get him out of the house for a couple days.”

“You don’t think Spike’ll kill him and give you an excuse to have him put down?”

Giles’ eyes bugged out and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Good Lord. I never even thought about that. I do hope Spike has more patience than I. If the situation were reversed, I’m not entirely confident that I wouldn’t ring the little prick’s neck.”

Xander chuckled and shook his head.

“We have a problem here, G-man.”

“Yes, I do realize that, Xander. And please refrain from calling me that insipid name.”

Giles sighed and wished for his glasses. He needed something to busy his hands with.

“You must realize my position, Xander. My slayer was deferring to a vampire. Granted, it’s not the first time such a thing has occurred, but this time, I didn’t trust her motivations. She has a blind spot where Spike is concerned.”

“Hello? In the room here.”

Xander and Giles ignored Buffy’s outburst and continued to glare at one another.

“Spike is with me, Giles. Not Buffy. You needn’t concern yourself about that.”

“But she loves him!”

“She loves all of us. What’s your point?”

“She couldn’t be trusted to make important decisions where he was concerned.”

Buffy rolled her eyes.

“And I’m still standing right here. Think you two could talk to me and not about me?”

Spike snickered and shook his head. This was quite entertaining, almost worth getting out of bed for.

“You do realize what I am, don’t you? What I’m capable of?”

“Yes, Xander, I’m quite aware of your abilities.”

“Then you know that I’m not joking when I tell you that if you threaten my mate again, no matter what your reasons for doing so, I will stop you. However I see fit.”

“Are you threatening me, Xander?”

“No. No, Giles, I’m not. I’m just making sure you are aware of the consequences of your actions.”

By this time Buffy had given up with a snort of disgust and stomped into the kitchen. Spike followed after her and perched on one of the breakfast barstools.

“Not nice being ignored, is it?”

Spike spoke softly, but Buffy heard him anyway.

“Not particularly, no.”

She studied the vampire carefully, taking in the dark hair and shook her head.

“It’s … weird. You look like Spike, but I can tell you aren’t him.”

“Oi! M’so Spike. Just not the one that’s native to this reality. Make no mistake, slayer, I am Spike.”

“Sorry, not what I meant. I just meant that, I thought it would be hard to tell you two apart, but it isn’t.”

“Well, only cause of my poncy hair. But I plan on fixing that right soon.”

Buffy smiled.

“It’s not just the hair. Although, it is a different look for you. I can see it in your eyes; there’s something different in them. It’s hard to explain.”

“Could be the lack of soul, I suppose.”

“Maybe. So, you and Xander have plans today?”

Spike smiled as he thought of his plans for Xander. Sunny beach, warm water, no swimsuits. His thoughts must have been easy to read, for Buffy giggled and shook her head.

“Please don’t tell me. I don’t think I’m old enough to hear it.”

Spike tried for an innocent expression, but failed miserably.

“What? We’re jus’ going to the beach is all.”

“Mmm hmm. And likely have sex on the sand, in the water and again in the car before going home, right?”

“Well, yeah. If I get my way.”

“And you usually do, right?”

Spike grinned and waggled his eyebrows. This all seemed far too easy; here he was, sitting in the slayer’s kitchen, talking with the chosen one herself as if they were old mates.

“What are you really thinking, slayer? It can’t be this simple. I’m a demon, without a soul, and I’m shagging yer best friend. You can’t tell me you don’t have a problem with this.”

Buffy let out a sigh and rolled her head on her neck. She grimaced as the bones cracked.

“It wasn’t. Not at first. But I’ve had time to get used to it, and Xander is far from helpless. I know that you wouldn’t hurt him, and even if you did he could defend himself. But the reason I got over it is because I know Spike. If you are half the man he is, then I know you would never do anything to hurt Xander - ’cause he loves you too. That’s good enough for me. And right now, I have more pressing issues to deal with.”

“That preacher fellow?”

“Yeah, for a start. Him and his boss. We could use another fighter.”

“I’m in.”

“Good.”

Xander strolled into the kitchen and stood behind Spike’s stool. He leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

“Nothing doing here right now. You wanna take off?”

“Sounds good, love.”

Spike stood, nodded to Buffy and followed Xander out of the kitchen. He snorted at the watcher on the way out the door and followed his lover to the car.

“Gonna let me shag you senseless on the sand, pet?”

Xander smirked and unlocked the doors.

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Two words - gritty lube.”

Realization crossed the vampire’s features and he rolled his eyes.

“Fine. But I am gonna shag you in the water.”