Quantum Xander II: In Wake of the Curse

Part 51

It was daylight when Xander awoke. He groaned and then rolled off of his mate, wincing as their glued-together bodies pulled apart. He saw the vampire’s eyes flutter open and then close again. He smiled and climbed out of bed.

“Come on, Spike. I can’t believe we overslept! We have to get up and go find Spike and Buffy. Come on.”

Spike grumbled but nevertheless got out of bed and followed Xander into the bathroom. He started the shower while Xander relieved himself and brushed his teeth. By the time Xander got in, Spike had already washed his hair and was in the process of rinsing it. Xander took the opportunity to ogle.

Spike stepped out of the spray and picked up the bar of soap. He began to wash himself and noticed that Xander hadn’t yet made any move to even get wet.

“You plan on washing, love? Or does the idea of running around Sunnyhell smelling like spunk appeal to you?”

“Oh. Right.”

Xander shook his head and stepped under the spray. He didn’t dawdle; now that his mind was back on track, he was worried about his other mate. He hoped that nothing hellmouthy had happened to him.

Spike didn’t even try to molest the wet, soapy human as he watched him bathe, which for an evil creature such as himself was a testament to his self control. He handed Xander a towel and then began to dry himself as well. He knew that Xander was worried about the other Spike, so he decided to be less than evil and play nicely.

“Where should we start the search, pet?”

“Dunno. I think we should check in with the others first. See if they’ve heard anything.”

“Good idea. You call the slayer’s house and I’ll make coffee.”

Xander went to the living room and picked up the phone. He put it back down and cursed. Spike popped his head around the doorway.

“Problem, Xan?”

“Phone’s dead. Forget the coffee, let’s just go. Okay?”

“Sure thing, love.”

The two left the apartment and headed to the car. As they were driving toward Buffy’s place, Spike watched the tense set of his mate’s jaw. He frowned; Xander was obviously upset.

“What’s got your knickers in knots, love? Are you that worried about them?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Buffy is a slayer for Christ’s sake, and Spike… well, he’s me. And without a chip, I might add; nothing he can’t take care of.”

“It’s not that; okay, it is that, but it’s not just that. Spike, Buffy has been the strongest person I’ve ever known. For seven years she has kept me and everyone I love - mostly everyone - alive and sane. And they all just turned on her like that. I should have been there - regardless of not being able to change anything, I should have been there - at least to tell her that she still had me.”

Spike nodded; this made sense to him. Xander always took on too much and now was no exception. But still, there had to be more to it than just the slayer.

“What else? That’s not the only thing bothering you.”

“I fell asleep. I said I would - we would - go and look for them - for him - and instead we went home. We made love and we fell asleep. I should have made sure he was alright first.”

“Ah.”

Now it all made sense to the brunet vampire. Xander was feeling guilty for enjoying himself, for being with him instead of out looking for the other Spike.

“No, you don’t understand. He was afraid this would happen, that once you were back I would forget about him. I promised that it wouldn’t - that I wouldn’t do that to him. But I did; I fell asleep and God knows what might have happened to him.”

“I get that. Do you think I haven’t wondered the same thing? That you would choose him over me now that we’re all together? He has a soul, love. Something I don’t have - and don’t want either - but it’s something that makes him more acceptable. Your friends trust him; they don’t have a problem with the two of you being together. I have a chip, Xander, but Spike already proved that a chip isn’t enough to make us not behave like a demon. It seems that both of us have insecurities where you’re involved. Can you really love both of us? We aren’t the easiest vampires to get along with, you know.”

Xander snorted.

“I know that! But yes, I can and I do love both of you. I want both of you. I don’t know if that makes me perverted or greedy or what, but it’s the truth. I fell in love with you during the craziest time in my whole life. You made that whole thing bearable - enjoyable even. If I hadn’t found you, I don’t think I would have made it home; I don’t think I would have had the strength. And Spike? Shit, that wasn’t supposed to happen, but I’m glad it did. He’s a part of me now, and I wouldn’t give that up for anything. He needs me, and I need him. I need both of you.”

As Xander finished speaking they had arrived outside the Summers? house. He parked the car and turned off the engine. Spike leaned across the seat and gave Xander a gentle kiss.

“You have me, love. And I’m pretty damn sure you still have him as well. What say we go inside now? If no one knows anything, we’ll set out on foot. See if I can track him down.”

“Okay. Thanks, Spike.”

The two men exited the vehicle and went inside the house. The gang was all grouped in the front room going over strategy. It looked as though Faith was ready to lead the girls into battle.

“Xan, new Spike. Love the hair, by the way.”

Faith smirked at the brunet vamp who growled and flashed his eyes at her. Xander gave Faith a warning look and she returned it.

“What? I can’t make a crack about his look?”

“Not unless you’d like me to change yours, slayer.”

Spike may have agreed to help, might even want to, but he was not taking shit from a girl who under different circumstances would just be one more notch on his belt. In fact, the more she looked him over, the more he itched to make her number three.

“Ooo, tough words from the chipped vampire. Might I add that I kicked your double’s ass even without the chip? So you’ll excuse me if I don’t tremble in fear.”

Xander could see this was going to turn out all kinds of bad as Faith stepped up and got in Spike’s face.

“Or should I be worried that you’ll try to lick me to death? Seems you have a sweet spot for slayers going by how your blond half trails after B.”

“I have a sweet tooth for slayers. The only thing I want to sink into you is my fangs, luv.”

Faith’s eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to reply, but Spike was quicker.

What’s the matter, pet? The principal not doing it for you? Not enough of a man to satisfy you? Tough shit, girlie. I wouldn’t shag you with Angelus’ dick. ’Course you’d probably like that, wouldn’t you? Always picking up Buffy’s leavings. First Angel, then her soldier boy, yeah I heard all about that one; now you want a piece of the Big Bad, eh?”

Spike licked his lips in a lascivious manner and cocked his head to the side. Everyone in the room moved as far back from the pair as possible - except for Xander, who stepped closer to his mate and tried to draw him back toward the door. He didn’t want them to trash Buffy’s house, and he was pretty sure Spike no longer had a chip, and this was not the time for him to discover that.

“Pretty full of yourself for a guy who’s taking it up the ass from Xander Harris, aren’t you? I mean, if you were all that, you could do way better. I’ve had him, and believe you me, he was nothing to write home about.”

Xander heard Willow mutter ‘Oh shit’ from the other side of the room just before Spike exploded. It was one thing to insult him, but no one insulted Xander.

Xander wasn’t sure who was more shocked when Spike’s fist connected with Faith’s jaw and he didn’t go down in blinding pain, the vampire or the slayer. All the same, the shock didn’t last long as they flew at each other with intent to kill.

“Xander! Do something!”

Willow again. Her voice broke through his stunned paralysis, and without thinking, he shot his arms out toward the two combatants and yelled.

“SEPARATE!”

Faith went one way and Spike the other. They soon realized that neither could move from where they were sprawled on the floor. Xander walked toward Faith and crouched down in front of her.

“I realize that you are under a lot of stress right now, and that it’s not easy filling Buffy’s shoes. For that reason, and the fact that we need you in this fight, I won’t let Spike make you his third slayer. But if you start it again, I won’t stop him next time.”

Spike snickered from his spot on the floor. Xander turned his glare on him and strode across the room. He looked down at the vampire and shook his head.

“You don’t get off that easy, mister. We came here for Spike, not for you to make Faith your chew toy. Yeah, she’s an obnoxious, arrogant pain in the ass, but you know better. This is not the time.”

Spike nodded his understanding.

“Sorry, love.”

“I know. And if it were any other time, I might have let you play with her a bit longer, but right now we need to find Spike and Buffy.”

He turned around so that Faith could see him.

“Now, are you going to behave or do I leave you down there on the floor for awhile?”

Faith set her jaw and nodded her assent.

“Good.”

Xander waved his hand toward her and then turned back to Spike and pulled him to his feet.

“Now, has anyone seen or heard from Buffy and Spike?”