A Viking in L A

Part 8

It had been just over an hour since Spike proposed and Xander accepted. They had spent that time in bed together, Xander inspecting every inch of his mates body, seeing that the damage was healed in most places already. They made love, slowly with soft touches and sweet words. It was just for them this time, they weren't out to embarrass Angel or his staff. When they were finished and curled around each other Xander decided he should tell Spike what had happened between him and Angel.

"Spike?"

"Yeah luv?"

"Did Angel say why he wanted to do this ceremony?"

"No, just that he approves of us being together, and that he would be honored to have you in the family."

"I'm shocked."

"Why?"

"Well aside from the obvious, I threatened to kill him tonight Spike, I would have done it too. I lost it when I found out you were gone, when I realized who had you. Angel said he'd go without me and I almost dusted him for it."

"I know, he told me. We had a chat on the way back after you passed out. I think you impressed him. Not too many vampires take mates, and those that do usually do it for power or safety or even sex, rarely for love. He just didn't understand how you could love me so much, what with you having a soul and all."

"I need to talk to him. Apologize for what I said, what I did."

"Alright pet. You want me to go with you?"

"No, I should do this myself."

"Xander? You said you realized who had me, who was it?"

"You didn't recognize him?"

"That bloke from last night? Yeah, but I have the feeling there's more to it than that."

"There is, he's an Initiative member. I didn't figure it out until it was too late. I saw him on campus with Finn and his goon squad. He looked familiar but I just couldn't place him. Not until after you were gone. I'm sorry."

"Hey, not your fault luv. I didn't recognize him either."

Xander kissed Spike and slipped out of bed. He threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and went in search of Angel. Spike remained in bed with a smile on his face. Xander had agreed to the ceremony, Spike was ecstatic.

Xander found Angel in the kitchen having coffee and reading the paper. He got himself a cup of coffee and sat on the chair opposite to Angel. He waited until the older vampire put the paper down before speaking.

"Angel, about earlier. I'm sorry. I just ..."

"I know. Spike was gone, Cordy said he was being tortured and you reacted."

"But ... I tried to ... I said I would ... aren't you even a little pissed with me?"

Angel laughed. He saw the shock cross Xanders face and he laughed harder. When he managed to regain his control he answered Xanders question.

"I'm not angry with you. You were only trying to protect your mate - Spike, I was shocked, maybe even a little frightened, but not angry. The truth is I'm impressed. I never thought anyone would see worth in Spike. He's brash, rude, arrogant, and a pain in the ass. William was a soft hearted human, he was a poet, a lover, a beautiful young man who wore his heart on his sleeve and his pain in his eyes. William never knew it but his life was forfeit from the moment I laid eyes on him. If Dru hadn't turned him that night I would have. I would have taken him for my own. As it were, Dru was incapable of training a Childe so I claimed him. William was a wonderful young vampire, eager to learn, and eager to please his Sire, either of them. I loved him, he was favored by me, even over my Dru. With the soul, and with William turning himself into Spike, things became complicated. I still love him, but he isn't my William anymore. I never got to know who he has become over the time we were separated, other than the rude, arrogant, pain in the ass that he plays at for my benefit. I hurt him when I left, and he hurts me now to make up for it. I'm grateful to you for loving him, for caring for him, for wanting him. So why would I be angry at you for protecting him? Even from me?"

Xander was stunned. He had always assumed that Angel merely tolerated Spike because they were family, and that now that Spike was harmless to humans he wanted to try to be friends. He never knew that Angel still loved Spike when he was with Buffys and Spike was still the Big Bad. It had to have been hard on him, fighting his own Childe.

"So your serious about this ceremony thing then?"

"Yes. Did Spike explain it to you?"

"The basics yeah, but how exactly is it done? We don't have to ah ... have sex or anything do we?"

"Who? You and Spike? Or you and me?"

"......"

"I'm joking Xander. No one has any sex. It's like a wedding, only with biting."

"Biting?"

"Yeah, I will have to bite you, and you'll have to bite me. Same thing with Spike."

"So there's going to be biting all around. I can live with that. This is really important to Spike, so if I have to bite you I'll do it."

Xander smiled at Angel to let him know he was joking. Angel smiled back.

"Who knew it would come to this, Xander Harris offering me his neck. Must be the first sign of an impending apocalypse."

"No, that would have been me taking Spike as a mate. Sex with male vampires was much higher on my "Never gonna happen" list than letting you bite me. "

"About that. Were you ... I mean before you were turned did you ..."

"Did I what? Think Spike was sexy? Have lustful thoughts about men?"

"Yeah. Did you?"

"Nope. Straight as they come. Never even thought about it, other than "sounds painful, no thanks." I figure it's a vampire thing. Right?"

"Yes. The demon that takes over isn't partial to either sex, or any species. Basically a vampire will screw anything that doesn't screw it first. I just thought that with you having your soul you would still be basically the same as before, you know."

"Do you not find men attractive since you got your soul?"

"No, not really. I mean yeah I still think that Spike is beautiful, and I find some men aesthetically pleasing but I haven't had an urge to bed any of them. I assumed because as a human I was very taken with the ladies that it was my souls influence, not being bisexual anymore."

"Hmmm, you and Angelus share that body but it's a constant struggle for dominance isn't it"

"Yes. I always feel him trying to break free, gain control."

"That's probably why then. I don't fight my demon, it doesn't master me nor does it try to. We agree on most things, we both love Spike, we both want to protect our family, and we both like to fight ... now that I can. The odd time there is a disagreement, I usually win. I don't bite people when they piss me off, even though I know the demon wants to. That's really the only thing we disagree on. When that happens I usually bite Spike. It calms the demon and well, Spike loves it when I bite him."

"I remember. I envy you for your control. I can't imagine how it would feel to not have this constant struggle for supremacy. To allow myself to be happy with someone, to love completely. Do you know Spike told me that Buffy could never be my mate? Even if my soul was permanent?"

"No, I didn't. Why?"

"Because Angelus would never accept her, and she would never accept him. Spike accepts you completely, demon and soul. Buffy was my soul-mate, but we could never have what you and Spike have. I don't know when he got so smart."

"I never knew I could love anyone this much. Spike is my ... everything."

"Have you spoken with him about the chip?"

"No, with everything that's happened there wasn't time. I will though."

"You should do it soon. Before the ritual."

"I will. Thanks Angel."

"For what?"

"For accepting me, for making Spike happy, for not throwing me out on my ass for trying to kill you."

"Oh, you're welcome."

Xander headed back up to his mate to talk about the chip. He wanted it gone, there was no question about it. Tonight just proved that it was necessary. He didn't want to lose Spike over this though, he hoped that Spike would refrain from hunting humans for food but he couldn't demand it of him. There had to be some sort of agreement they could make. Xander stopped outside their door and listened. He could hear Spike inside the room humming and moving around. Xander sighed and opened the door.

"Spike, we need to talk."