The Dreaming Child

Title: The Dreaming Child
Author: Cath
Email address: ladyaeirn@yahoo.com
Fandom: BTVS
Pairing(s): Xander/Spike
Category: AU-PreSlash-Action-Humor
Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere Fest Challenge: A-100 - the inappropriate elf challenge. One of your pairing is an elf, and must "come out of the toadstool closet" to the other. [Admin interpretation: although the intention of the challenge creator is that they are a real elf (LOTR type, Shoemaker's Elf, whatever), if that can't possibly work in any way with your fandom, they could be playing the role of an elf, i.e., Santa's Helper]
random phrase is: 29) Include this line: "Some days, it just doesn't pay to crawl out of bed."
Disclaimer: Don't belong to me, damn it! Belongs to Josh and he just won't sell them to me.
Warnings: Classic Fantasy warning, there be Elves here.
Rating: NC-13 M/M implied
Summary: Spike discovers that Xander is not who or what the Scoobies believe he is, chaos ensues.
Author's Notes: Canon? Yeah, right! What’s that? Approximately season 5 but no Anya, no Dawn or Glory. Xander’s about 20 and working construction. Totally AU. Special night with full moon is made up. I needed, I created.



Xander reached up towards the ceiling and stretched his body, a spine crackling, and joint popping full body stretch. He loved Saturday’s, no work, he could sleep in and hell, he didn’t even have to get dressed if he didn’t want to, except for the fact he was due at The Magic Box to help move some shelves around. Well, really to anchor them for Giles, so he wouldn’t have to worry about them. Oh well, not getting dressed would just have to wait. Shower, clothes, breakfast, even though it was after noon, and then out the door, sounded like a plan. An hour later a freshly showered and fed Xander headed out to meet his friends.


“Hello, ladies and vampire, and how are you this fine Saturday?” Xander was in a good mood and wasn’t going to let anything or any-vamp ruin it. Buffy and Spike were setting the shelving units in place so all he had to do was anchor them, no problem, an hour of work and he was out of here. There was a full moon tonight and he had stuff he needed to do.

“Been sniffin’ the glue at work then, Xander?” Spike snapped at him. There was something different about the whelp, something strange. It had been bothering the vampire for a couple of weeks now. The boy smelled ‘off’, not the usual sunshine and chocolate smell Spike always associated with Xander. There was an undertone that wasn’t usually there, something green and woodsy..a forest smell, that’s what it was. Xander smelled like he had been rolling around in a forest.

“Nope, in a good mood and you are so not going to ruin it, so just give it up, blondie.” Xander was gathering the supplies he needed; he wanted to get started so he could be out of here early. “Are the shelves about ready? I’ve got some stuff I need to take care of when I get done here. I want to hurry up and get this done so I can get out of here early.”

“Getting a life are you whelp? What kind of demon type female are you hooking up with now?”

“Fangless, I am in too good a mood to let you get to me, give it a rest. No more demony female types for the Xan-man. I am through with them, forever. Just have things to take care of on my one day off.”

“Oh, Xander, I was hoping you could help Giles with some research tonight. It’s kind of special for Tara and me. It’s the first day of spring and it’s going to be a full moon so we have a gathering with our Wicca group. We just can’t miss it.” Willow looked up at her friend with a plea in her big green eyes.

“Save the puppy eyes, Wills. No can do, I have something I can’t get out of tonight. I’m sorry, G-man, research is going to have to wait till tomorrow night, then I’ll be all yours.” The group was staring at Xander; he never refused to do whatever they asked him to do.

“Come on, Xander, you can probably get out of it. Research with Giles and then you can patrol with me. It can’t be that important. We need you to help.” Buffy was sure she could get him to change his mind, he always dropped everything to help her.

“Buffy, I know you think I have no life besides helping you, but strangely enough, I do. This is something I can’t change, can’t get out of and frankly, don’t want to get out of, so just deal. G-man, are you sure this is where you want these shelves? Once I anchor them, they’re pretty much there for good.” Xander cut Buffy off before she could keep bitching about him not giving in to her.

“Xander, do not call me that abominable name again and yes, that is where they needneeded. Buffy, you and Willow will quit badgering Xander, he gives you almost all of his free time as it is. It is very selfish of you both to keep expecting him to change his plans to suit your needs.” Giles was really very tired of the way Buffy and Willow demanded things of Xander. They were starting to expect all of his time and attention and it was really quite unfair of them. The boy had given up much to help Buffy and was entitled to have a life of his own.

It had taken a lot longer than Xander had figured on to get the shelves just right. He had forgotten to figure in the time that it took to move them around a bit to find the studs in the walls. “Well, that does it, G-…Giles. They’ll last as long as the building does, maybe longer since this is Sunnyhell. Man, I didn’t realize it was starting to get dark, shit, I need to get out of here. Giles, research tomorrow, call me and I’m here. Ladies, I will see you tomorrow.” Xander headed out the front door, he was really running late. No one noticed the vampire slipping out of the back door and following the boy home.

{{Pet, I know you’re up to something and you are not getting out of my sight till I know what it is. Something is going on.}}

Spike found a hiding place outside of Xander’s apartment building and started to keep a watch on the door, luckily he could see Xander’s car as well. An hour had passed when Xander finally came out of the building, carrying a long package, and started to walk towards the woods that skirted the edge of town. {{What in the hell does the whelp think he is playing at, going off like that on his own? Just asking to get eaten by some big nasty.}} Spike followed at a safe distance, keeping the dark haired man in his sight the whole time. The vampire couldn’t figure out what kind of game it was that the whelp was playing, he had decided it was probably a date, but what kind of date did you have in the woods at night?

Xander was walking quickly towards the woods never veering from his goal. He had to hurry; the job at the shop had taken much longer than he expected. [Of all the nights for me to be running late, it had to be this one. Shit and this night only happens how many times a century? A full moon on the first day of spring, the actual first day not a date on a calendar. Of course, I should have known the Wicca duo would have something to do. Now, if I can just avoid Wiccas, a Slayer and vamps I’ll have it made.]

After walking for over an hour, Xander finally stopped under a very old oak tree. The tree was huge; it’s branches spreading over a large area. The tree had been here long before people had built their first hut in this area. Before there had been white people on this continent; the tree had been here. The tree stood tall and strong, standing vigil and guarding a very rare and precious place. If you had certain powers to call on, you could feel the power of the tree and hear its call; this was a place of power, a special power that was not for humans.

Spike had noticed the whelp stopping and had managed to stop before he stepped out into the clearing that surrounded the huge tree. He didn’t like the feel of this place, it felt like mojo, old and powerful magics were buzzing along his nerves. The boy shouldn’t be messing around here; there was something off about this place. The vampire didn’t know a lot about trbut but he knew this tree did not belong in California. It was like something from the old forests of home, England, maybe Germany, but not Southern California.

Xander was carefully marking out a circle in front of the tree; using herbs and flowers he had grown and harvested just for this night. When the circle was almost done, he stopped and began to unwrap the package he had been carrying with him, as the wrapping fell away a sword was revealed, more than a sword; it was a work of art. The blade shown like a mirror and was worked with gold, the tail and body of a dragon was etched and engraved along the blade, the grip was fine ivory worked with tiny, minute scales, the neck of the dragon. The guard was the wings, so real you expected to see them flapping to take flight, and at the end, the pommel, the head of the dragon, brilliant emerald stones made the eyes appear to be blazing, mouth open to show a fire red ruby for a tongue. He looked nd ond once more to make sure he was alone, laying down the sword he took off his shirt and pants. Xander had gone commando knowing he would be taking his clothes off tonight. He stood tall stretching his arms to the stars relishing the feeling of air moving against his bare skin, he felt more alive than he had in many long years. Sky clad, he picked up the sword and stepped into the circle, using the last of the herbs to close it. As soon as the circle was closed, it began to glow with a soreenreen light that got brighter as the herb and flower circle became green flames. Xander raised the sword into the air and began to speak.

“Hear me, Queen of the Oakhelm Sidhe
I am A’ llessander, son of Oakhelm,
The Dreaming Child.
I have completed my tasks,
Accepted my trials with grace.

I have paid the price for walking among mortals
Three times three times three decades
I have walked the earth.
Three times three rebirths have I had.

The time is now, my life is my own, my powers restored.
The penalty paid, freedom returned.
Even as I remain in this mortal realm,
I pledge my fealty to my Queen,
My sword to protect, my magic to safeguard.

The green flames grew higher until you could just see the top of Xander’s head, then died back to a one-foot high glowing ring. There was a wind whipping around inside the circle causing the dark brown hair to blow around, hair that seemed to get longer as it blew. The golden skin glowed in the soft light, as the muscles became more defined, the body sleeker, the shoulders broad and the waist trim.

“’A’lee, my son. You have done well and I am very proud of you. Are you still sure that this is your path to walk, my child?” A soft female voice seemed to come from out of nowhere.

“Mother, I walk the path that was shown to me. The price I had to pay to remain on this plain was high, but it was necessary. I must help here, if this world falls to the demons then ours will soon follow. It was a true dream and I must honor it. This is where my destiny lies, amongst these mortals; I do what I have to in order to save Oakhelm. So many of the Sidhe courts are already lost to us, my staying in the mortal realm is a small price to pay for the safety of my people and family.”

“You must be careful, A’lee, I have heard rumors that the Unseleigh court is plotting to stop you, they may use this night to send something against you. Be watchful. They have aligned themselves with demons and are rumored to have promised them reign over Oakhelm for their help in defeating the remaining Sidhe Courts. That is one reason they fight so hard amongst the mortals. The Unseleigh fools cannot see that they align themselves with their own downfall. The demons will destroy all in their path.”

“I am ever watchful, mother. This is the reason I left our home, this is what the dream showed me. The only way this can be stopped is by fighting the demons in this realm. Never fear mother, I will see you again. I have dreamed it many times. It may not be for a very long time, but I will return to Oakhelm when this world is safe. I have friends and for the most part I am happy but I miss my home and wish to see it again in the future. It is almost time mother; we must say goodbye now. Know that I will always love you and think of you and home with every breath I take.” Tears were streaming down the young man’s face, turning into white blossoms as they floated to the ground.

“My blessing on you, Prince A’llessander, child of my heart, the blessings of your Queen and your loving mother. Our people speak your name in awe; never think we do not know and appreciate what you have sacrificed to protect us. Until you join us again, remember you are always in my heart, my beautiful child.” The voice faded off as the green flames slowly died down, leaving the weeping man standing in the moonlight. Xander hit his knees and sobbed. Spike couldn’t stop himself; he walked over to the sobbing man and knelt beside him.

“Pet? Are you alright?” He carefully laid his hand on Xander’s wet cheek. Xander threw his arms around the vampire and buried his face against the strong shoulder sobbing like his heart was broken. “Come on Xan, it’s too cold to be sitting here starkers. You need to get your gear on.” Spike was shocked when Xander looked up at him, his eyes were no longer just the chocolate brown Spike had always found so appealing, now each pupil had a ring of pure forest green encircling it. There were other changes, more noticeable ones, his ears now had a definite point at the top and his shiny brown-black curls reached half way down his back. “God Pet, you’re beautiful, but I don’t think you’re going to be able to hide this from the Scoobies, it’s kinda obvious you’re Sidhe. You are aren’t you? One of the Old ones.” Spike was looking at Xander with a look of pure, wondrous amazement. He had spent his childhood reading the legends of the Sidhe and the old races, wonderful stories and in the rare good times with Angelus, his sire would read the Old Irish legends to his childer. “How..I mean why..what..hell, I sound like Red. Why are you here, helping the Scoobies?”

“Spike you have to promise me you won’t tell the others, not yet. They can’t know yet, you know how Buffy reacts to strange things. It is important that I keep working with them. You heard what I said to my mother, if this world falls to demons, my world falls also. I dreamed of this, my destiny, when I was a child. I am the first of my kind born to the Sidhe in over 2 millennia, I am a dreamer of true dreams, dreams that used properly can help my people. I grew up knowing that I would live here, in the mortal realm for a very long time. To be able to live here, I had to go through a trial and it ended tonight. I have lived, as a human, for two hundred and seventy years and this is my ninth and final rebirth. My memories of my true self and my others lives manifested when I reached eighteen, but I had to wait almost two years for this one night, only on this night could I contact my Queen, my mother and have my powers restored to me. I now have all my memories of my past lives and who I truly am. I have lived as 9 different humans, learning more with each life and now I’m prepared for whatever I have to do.”

Spike ran his fingers gently over the beautiful face in front of him, he had wanted Xander from the time his sire had given the boy to him, but now he knew this man-child would be his obsession for the rest of his existence. He would follow his shining one to the ends of the earth, even to final death.

“Uhhh, Spike? You know that little thing vamps have about being able to smell things, like arousal or pheromones?”

“Yeah, what of it, pet?”

“The Sidhe can too. You want me, don’t you?” Xander ran a finger across the knife sharp cheekbones that he could now admit had always attracted him. He leaned into the vampires personal space and gently set his lips on the cool ones in front of him. Spike pulled them both up to their knees and set about devouring the warm mouth. It was even better than he had imagined it to be, Xan’s mouth was so warm and sweet, like his smell, it was sunshine and chocolate with an undertone of something wild and untamed. Spike was shocked at the strength in the arms that wrapped around him, pulling him into Xander’s body. “Shit, some days it just doesn’t pay to crawl out of bed. Spike, remind me that I am going to fuck your brains out when we get to my place, okay?”

A dazed vampire looked up at him in confusion. “Yeah, fuck..brains..your place. Now?”

“Spike, when I give you the word, you head over to the west as fast as you can run. Willow and her Wicca pals are in that direction, about three hundred yards from here. You need to get them out of the woods, fast.” Xander was staring straight ahead over Spike’s shoulder, “We’re not alone right now and it’s something you can’t fight, so please, just take off running and protect Willow and Tara for me.”

Spike slowly turned his head just enough too catch a glimpse of what Xander had seen. “Xan? That’s a dragon..a bloody great dragon. You can’t fight a dragon, pet, you’ll get fried..oh shit, flames.”

“Now you get the idea, him dragon, you vamp, two things that should never be in the same vicinity. I know what I’m doing Spike, just do what I asked, please.” With a thought, Xander was now dressed in green and brown leather. He caught the vampire around the waist and slowly stood up with him. Xander turned around to face the threatening creature and yelled out, “Are you the best the Unseleigh Court could do? You’re kind of puny for your kind aren’t you? And you stink too, sulfur breath.” He walked towards the dragon, his sword up and ready. The dragon never took his eyes from the sword; they followed its every movement. “Yes, you know this sword, don’t you? You recognize Dragon’s Death, my father’s sword, so you know what we are capable of. SPIKE, RUN NOW!!” As he screamed at the vampire, the elf charged towards the dragon, sword raised high.

Spike never hesitated as he took off through the woods; thankful for the increased speed being a vampire gave him. At first he could barely make out the glow of a campfire in front of him, but it was becoming brighter as he ran, full out, towards it. As he broke through the trees, women began to scream. Instead of running they decided there was enough of them to take on the intruder.

“DEMON! DEFILER! KILL THE LOATHSOME CREATURE.”

“GET HIM, USE THE TORCHES.”

“DEMON..”

Two of the women ran toward the vamped out Spike and stood in front of him, protecting him from the approaching women.

“SHUT UP, NOW! CALM DOWN! All of you just be quiet! We know him, his name’s Spike and he helps fight evil, so just shut the hell up a minute. Spike, what in the hell are you doing here?” Willow turned to the vampire, hands on her hips, her face a picture of indignation.

“RUN Red, grab Glinda and your silly, screaming bints and run. It’s a dragon, a fucking, bloody great dragon. Quit yapping at me and RUN!”

The other women started to run the other way, as fast as they could manage, but Willow just had to turn towards the woods and look. She could just make out the creature moving through the trees, coming quickly towards them. As it got closer, she could see who was on its back, fighting it. “Sp..Spike, that’s really a dragon. Spike, there’s no dragons in Sunnydale. XANDER!!! SPIKE, WHAT IS XANDER DOING ON THAT DRAGON’S BACK?? AND and he looks, he looks..SPIKE, XANDER HAS POINTY EARS!”

“HE”S FIGHTING, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK HE’S DOING ON THE BASTARD?? I KNOW HIS EARS ARE FUCKIN’ POINTY, NOW RUN!!” Spike gave up arguing, grabbed the two witches, tucking them under his arms and ran like the hounds of hell were after them. He ran for what felt like hours carrying the two witches through the woods, heading towards town. When he decided they had gone far enough to be safe, he stopped and set the two girls down on the ground. Willow swung around and caught the vampire in the stomach with her fist. “What the hell you do that for, Red?”

“WHY did we leave Xander in the woods? Why were you running away and not helping him fight that thing? Why was Xander fighting it? Why did MY Xander have pointy ears? That was my Xander, wasn’t it? You better come up with some answers Mister, I know where to get rb orb of Thesulah and I’ll use it if I have to.” Willow had hold of the front of Spike’s shirt with one hand and was walking him backwards, shaking her fist in his face.

“Alright, Red, leave off. Not soddin’ right threatening me when I can’t fight back and I don’t want a bloody soul, not Peaches you know. Right then..one, we left Xan-pet in the woods because he asked me to protect you and Glinda. Two, I ran because I’m a vamp, that was a dragon, as in ‘fire breathing’, the two don’t bloody well mix. Three, that was your Xander and he’s a Sidhe. Four, evidently Sidhe know how to fight dragons and I don’t. Did I answer everything?”

“SHE??? What in the hell do you mean Xander’s a SHE? I saw him, he’s still a guy type person.” Tara grabbed Willow’s hands.

“Sweetie, I think S..Spike means that Xander is a Sh..Sidhe, S.I.D.H.E., as in one of t..the Elven. ARE YOU TRYING TO S..SAY THAT X..XANDER HARRIS IS AN ELF??” Willow and Spike both stared at Tara, they had never heard her yell before.

“Well yeah, he’s one of the old ones. I..well..I followed him tonight and saw it for myself. He did this rite thing and talked to his mum, his real mum. She’s evidently some kind of Queen, called him Prince A‘llessander. He’s some kind of special elf that gets dreams about the future, that’s why he’s here and you lot weren’t supposed to know and he’s going to be fuckin’ furious at me, thank you very much. He’s here to help fight demons, says if they win here, the next stop will be his world, he dreamed it.”

“Goddess, Xander’s an Elf, one of the Old ones, but I remember him when we were little, he can’t be an Old one. We went to nursery school together.”

“He said that in order to stay here he had to be reborn three times three times, kinda like a penalty he had to pay. He couldn’t remember his past lives till he turned eighteen, so he really was born on the hellmouth and those wankers are really his parents. Xan don’t want Slayer to know about this, since we all know how accepting she is about somebody being different. He’s still Xan-pet just ‘more’…special.” The three jumped as they heard a great roar coming from the direction they had run from and when they turned toward the sound, the sky suddenly was a blaze of light that shown like the sun then just as quickly disappeared. None of them knew what that could mean, Willow and Tara started crying quietly, hugging each other tightly, sure that it meant the dragon had won and their friend was dead. Spike just stood in shock, not willing to believe his golden boy was gone. He whispered, “Xan-pet..” then let out a yell when he saw a very human looking figure coming out of the woods. Forgetting he was a Master vampire, forgetting to be cool, he took off running towards Xander grabbing him in a powerful hug and swinging him in a circle.

“You’re alive, you didn’t die, Xan. You didn’t leave me.” Spike was trembling as he held on tightly to Xander, afraid that he might disappear if he turned him loose.

“Of courI diI didn’t die. But I might, breathing becoming an issue here, blondie. Elves still have to breathe.” Xander leaned down slightly and latched on to the cool, pouty lips, a quick, hard kiss that left the vampire dazed and glassy eyed. “Well, Wicca ladies, I guess the secret is out, huh? I still really don’t want Buff to know about this, not yet. Wills? Is this..I mean..can you..oh hell, Wills.” Willow and Tara walked over and timidly reached out to touch Xander’s ears.

“They’re real, they’re really real. Xander, you’re an Elf and you kissed Spike.” Willow looked a little dazed herself.

“Yeah, I kinda know that, Wills. The thing is, can you accept this? Are we still friends?” Xander looked very uncertain as he watched his oldest friend for some sign that things were okay with them..she doubled up her fist and slugged him in the arm.

“That’s for thinking it would make a difference,” She hit him again. “That’s for risking your life.” She hit him one more time. “And that one’s just because..because..I’m still in shock. I put up with what you did to my Barbie dolls, I fed you my lunches, I patched up your booboos, what in the hell makes you think I can’t accept you being a.ng ang a..Xander, you’re an Elf!” Xander grabbed the red head and hugged her to him.

“Yeah, I love you too, Wills. Tara? How about you, can you accept it?”

“On one c..con..condition. You tell me s..stories, please?” Tara smiled shyly at Xander and hugged him.

Spike had been standing there watching the trio when he heard something that he knew could cause trouble. “Whelp, I hear a whining, annoying noise coming through the woods. You might want to pull yourself together before it gets here.”

“A whining..? Oh hell, its Buffy and Giles, I should have realized the power of the dragon would attract the slayer, not a word about this, remember? Not yet.” With a motion of his hand, Xander Harris, human, was standing with them again, short hair, jeans and a T-shirt, granted the clothes now fit better than any Xander usually wore, but he appeared to be his usual self. The eyes, however, remained the same; the green ring marking him as Oakhelm Sidhe royalty would never disappear again. He just hoped Buffy would be her usual unobservant self.

Buffy came marching out of the woods with Giles following slightly behind her. She did a double take as she caught sight of the people standing in front of her. “What are you guys doing here? Xander, I thought you had something to do that was so important you couldn’t help us. SPIKE, what have you done to cause trouble now? I should have known I’d find you in the middle of everything.”

“Haven’t done a thing slayer, felt something going on and headed this way. Just ran into the whelp and witchy duo. Wanted to find out what was happenin’ myself.” Spike was still standing next to Xander.notinoticed that Xan-pet was a little ‘twitchy’ and when he glanced at him, he saw that he was trying to hide the sword behind him.

“Well, I need to be going. Buffy’s here to do her Slayer thing and I need to get home. See you ladies tomorrow and Spike..uh..yeah, Spike you need to come with and get that thing, you know that thing you wanted to get.” Xander couldn’t believe he was babbling, two hundred and seventy years with mortals and four hundred and ninety five-years as an Elf and he was still babbling.

“Xander, nervous much? Whatcha got behind your back, Xan?” Buffy started towards him.

“Behind my back? Umm, none of your business? I’m just going to leave now and go home.” Buffy leaned to the side and got a look at the sword.

“XANDER, where did you get that thing? You shouldn’t pick up magical things like that, you could get hurt or worse. God, you think you would remember that by now. Let me see it.” She held her hand out imperiously.

“I don’t think so, Buff. This belongs to me, it always has, any magic in it belongs to me and you don’t play with someone else’s toys without permission.” Xander tried walking away, but Buffy reached around him and grabbed the sword. “BUFFY, NO.” There was a bright green arc of light and Buffy was thrown at least twenty feet away from Xander. “I TOLD you not to touch, you just don’t listen.” Buffy came flying back at Xander, stake in hand.

‘What in the hell did you do to me?”

“Xander, may I look at the sword, please.” Giles asked quietly.

“You can look but don’t touch. Dragon’s Death is a living thing and only allows it’s true owner to touch it and that’s me, as it was my father’s before me and his father’s before him. Buffy, I am only going to warn you once, if you touch it, it will repel you, if you try to use it, it des destroy you.” Xander held the sword out for Giles to look at, Giles hands were shaking he wanted to touch it so badly.

“It’s absolutely beautiful but it isn’t human made is it?” Buffy looked at Giles like he was crazy.

“Of course it’s human made. How else would Xander get a hold of it. He’s the most human of all the scoobies, but he shouldn’t have it, it’s too dangerous.” The way she said ‘Xander‘ set his nerves on edge, it was more of the old ‘Xander’s the Zeppo, the donut boy’.

“Buffy, that’s quite enough. The sword obviously belongs to Xander..”

“No, Giles, it is not enough, I should have that sword if it’s that powerful. I’m the Slayer, I should be using it.” Buffy was so deeply into her argument; she didn’t notice Xander’s eyes glowing with a bright green fire.

“So you think you can use it better than I, Slayer?” Xander’s tone of voice brought the argument to a halt as they all turned to him in surprise. Xandes nos no longer standing in front of them, A’llessander, Prince of the Oakhelm Sidhe was standing there in all his glory. His long, dark hair was held back by a circlet of golden oak leaves, his long legs covered in tight, butter soft brown leather that ended in dark green leather boots that were laced up over his knees, a brown leather vest covered a silky green shirt. There was a quiver of arrows hanging on his back, a long bow also hung there, the bow string across his chest. A leather scabbard hung from his waist; black leather worked with gold, a dragon sweeping down to attack. He was pleased to see Spike standing at his right side, as was befitting his partner and future mate.

“What in the hell are you? What’s with the ears?”

“Buffy, shut up!”

“GILES, don’t tell..”

“BUFFY, SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP.” Giles had never screamed at her like that and she shut up immediately.

“G-man, I’m sure you have a few million questions.”

“At least, and don’t call me that horrid name again” Xander grinned, some things would never change. “Are you..I mean..you’re..you are one of the Old ones, aren’t you? You’re Sidhe.” Giles was so nervous, he pulled his glasses off but just held them, forgetting to clean them.

“Yeah, that’s pretty obvious now, I wanted to wait and lead up to this slowly, oh well, it’s done now, so be it, but nothing and I mean nothing we discuss ends up in the Watcher Journals or gets out to the Watcher council. That isn’t negotiable, Giles. I can’t take the chance, not when it’s the safety of my people at stake.”

“Will someone please tell me WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON!!” Buffy was so confused she didn’t know who to be yelling at.

“Buffy, Xander’s one of the Sidhe, an elf. He couldn’t get his powers until tonight, it’s so cool, he has magic, he fought a dragon and everything, but he’s still Xander. He was really born here.” Willow was babbling but didn’t care. This was just so cool; her best friend was an Elf, a gay, well, maybe a bi Elf if she was reading the signals right. Goddess, Xander and Spike, Buffy was going to blow a major vessel over this one.

“Let’s head back to the shop, I have questions that need to be answered and Xander can explain what has gone on tonight..a dragon? There was a dragon and..and you fought it? A dragon and I missed it? Yes, I would say there is a great deal to discuss and I swear nothing goes further than us.” Giles started to walk away still mumbling about dragons and how it was bloody well not fair that he missed it. Willow and Tara got Buffy by the arms, guiding her in the direction Giles was walking.

Xander grabbed Spike around the waist and followed the group. He sighed loud enough for all of them to hear him, “I’m never getting laid tonight, am I?” and the vampire drew him into a full body hug and kissed him hard, sucking on the full bottom lip. He grabbed his ass pulling then together and rubbed against Xan’s erection, a promise of things to come.

“Night isn’t over yet is it Pet?”

“We talk to Giles, then you, me, naked, and wild monkey sex till dawn.” Prince A’llessander slowly became Xander Harris as he walked out of the woods, holding on to his vampire.