Irreparable, Irreplaceable Me

Irreparable, Irreplaceable Me
By: Crye 4 Me

Disclaimer: I in no way own the familair charactors of Buffy the Vampire. I wish I did,but I do not. I only own the plot.

Prologue

“G-Man, run. Go to the hospital. Willow is doing the soul restoration spell. If it works. . . Well I don’t know. .” Xander stated. “I must make sure Buffy is all right.” He turned and ran back into the mansion. Giles just looked at him and collapsed onto the ground.

Xander ran hard looking everywhere to find his friend. He heard the metallic zing of swords clashing and headed in their direction. He enters the room to see Angelus on his knees, his eyes glowing fire.

~The restoration spell, he has his soul. ~ He thought. Then Angel and Buffy are kissing as the vortex is increasing in size. ~Angels blood will close the portal, but then Buffy will lose him. I understand now ~ He looks around and spots a small puddle of red-black blood. ~That’s vampire blood, Angel’s blood ~ He ripped the sleeve off of his shirt, wiped up the puddle, and ran towards the portal.

“Buffy, No.” He yelled as he saw Buffy pull back the sword. She turned and looked at him as he crossed the threshold of the vortex.

“Xander.” She screamed as he disappeared taking the portal with him. “No.”

“Buffy, what happened? Everything is fuzzy.” Angel asked. “Why did Xander Harris jump through that portal? What’s going on?” Buffy whirled on him and threw the sword in her hand and it entered his chest. He grunted and released a small puff of air.

“Get away from me Angelus. I never want to see you again. If I do be certain that I will kill you. Know this, it is your fault Xander died. And he was a better person than you will ever be. Go, get out of my sight.” She said as she stalked up to him and grabbed the sword. He fell to the floor “Go, get, now leave.”

“But I don’t understand. I love you, and I thought you loved me.” Angel said quietly. “And why are you calling me Angelus?”

“You murder Jenny Calendar, stalk me, tell my mother we had sex, torture my watcher, get me expelled from school, kicked out of my home, wanted as a murderer, make my best friend go through a portal you wanted open and you say you don’t understand. I hate you.” She said in a venomous tone. “You are Angelus, have been Angelus since your lost your soul and will be Angelus forever more.”

“I lost my soul, what did I do?” He asked his eyes on her feet. Buffy grabbed the sword and freed it from Angel’s body, she then dropped the sword and clenched her hands into fists; she shook her head and stalked away from him.

“You are so not worth it.” She said between clenched teeth as she left the room, leaving a confused Angel in her wake.

Angel sat there thinking for a while, and then stood shakily on his feet. He walked out of the mansion and saw Giles unconscious on the driveway.

“Giles, I’m so sorry. Let’s get you to the hospital.” He said picking the other man up in his arms. “I’m so, so sorry. It’s a pour excuse but with my soul gone I couldn’t stop myself.”

Giles groaned and opened up his eyes slightly. “No, no more I beg of you. Don’t hurt me anymore.” He murmured. Angel closed his eyes and squeezed the broken form of the man gently then walked towards the hospital.

Once there he gently placed him on a gurney. He walked towards the exit and noticed Willow and the others in a room.

“I am so sorry.” He whispered from the doorway. “Xander is gone. It’s all, my fault. I, I.” He turned.

“Angel?” He heard. He turned to see Oz, and Cordelia.

“Angel, is it you.” Willow said once again. “If it’s you, please say something.”

“Xander’s gone. He closed the portal with some of my blood and his life. I’m so sorry. It would have never happened if I hadn’t lost my soul . . .” He stammered, his face twisted in a rictus of pain. “He closed the portal and then Buffy ran me through with a sword. She ran away. She’s gone too. Giles is downstairs in the emergency room. I’m Sorry. I have to go.” He turned to go when Willow’s voice called out no.

He turned towards her, Oz, and Cordelia. Tears streaming from his eyes, his shoulders shaking in silent sobs: Cordelia grabbed his hand and hauled him into a group hug with Willow and Oz. “If what you said is true, we just lost two friends, don’t let us lose another.” Angel relaxed into the embrace of the three grieving friends.

Chapter 1: Hell

Xander crossed the portal into hell. He gasped as pain ripped down his spine as a large scaly hand clawed through his clothes.

“What do we have here, a juicy piece of man meat? Let me get a look at you.” A sinister voice stated calmly in his ear. Xander flinched away from it and dropped the bloody piece of cloth to the ground. Strong arms turned him and he was face to face with a large, gray, reptilian face that shimmered for a second before turning into an exact replica of Rupert Giles.

“G-G-Giles,” He stammered as he looked around to see 3 more large, gray reptilian demons turn into his friends and girlfriend. “No, this is a lie. It’s not true.”

“He seems highly resistant to our suggestions. No worries. He will break soon. They all break eventually.” The demon wearing Cordelia’s face stated simply.

“Aye, he will.” The demon shaped Willow replied. “Let, me have first go at him. For what I have planned it’s better he’s whole and with his mind intact.

“No Me.” Buffy cried out. The 3 female demons escaladed into an argument, each telling the other why she should get first crack at the boy. Giles sniffed the side of his face and down his body to the hand that held the bloody piece of cloth. He took Xander’s hand in his and sniffed deeply into the palm.

“Vampire Blood. You stopped Earth from being destroyed in hell didn’t you boy. You stopped the Vampire cursed from killing your world. What say you if I use this bloody cloth and turn you into what you detest most. Yes boy, we can see everything in your mind. Nothing can hide what you’re feeling from us. We are the Acathla. And we rule this land supreme. You can’t leave and you cannot escape. Ladies enough fighting amongst ourselves, I get first chance with him.” Giles said airily. The 3 girls groaned their disappointment, but left Xander alone with the facsimile of his father figure Rupert Giles. Xander’s eyes open wide as he saw Giles snap his fingers and a length of chain fell from the roof of the now room they appeared in. Giles man handled him into the center of the room, tied his hands together and chained him to the roof with his hands over his head.

“Lets see, boy, is still far too dressed for me.” Giles snapped his fingers again and Xander was hanging around in his boxers. “That’s better. Now the rag, hmm what did you do bleed the vampire directly onto the rag.”

“Your not real. I won’t listen to you.” Xander murmured as he sang country music to himself inside his mind.

“I’m as real as you are, my boy. I can be anyone you want me to be. From Shania Twain too the King himself.” Giles replied. Snapping his finger 3 times in succession, each time changing into a different person and then back too himself. “You will see it given time. We are what you want us to be.” He turned and picked up the bloody rag and set it on the table that just appeared again from nowhere. The apparatus on the table looked like something out of a chemistry class. All bubbling beakers and the blood from the rag sitting in one of the vials seemingly to increase in volume as the flames boil it.

“What are you going to do to me? And why is Angel’s blood so important to you?” Xander whispered. He was almost accepting his situation. He could feel that to fight was useless. These things that held him where by far stronger and there was only the one of him.

“Oh, we’re going to give you some aspects of a vampire. Invulnerability for one, immortality for two, we don’t want you to die on us until we want you to die.” Giles replied easily as he added some clear liquid the vampire blood and it quadrupled its volume. Giles poured the vial into a breaker so as to not lose the precious liquid. “Soon my pet, soon we can start the fun part of your stay.” He clipped the breaker into a clamp and left it over the heat for a while. “That’s why the vampire’s blood is so important. We need about 2 cupfuls to do the change, and the measly tablespoon you brought with you isn’t enough. We will take that and take out what we don’t want then put in some things we do want and then bleed you out a bit and then we’ll inject it into your body. We’ll then give you a few months to get used to your new body and then viola we’ll have fun.”

“Yeah for you maybe. I can figure that you plan on torturing me. That won’t be fun for me.” Xander spat back. He struggled against his bound hands. “You won’t be giving me anything of the sort. I refuse to become a vampire.” He fought with all his strength, quickly tiring himself out.

“We won’t be making you a vampire. You will be the first hand made d’hamfir. Or half human half vampire, you won’t die and lose your soul. You will have greater strength, agility, speed, senses, and yes you will have the hunger. You will require blood to live, but not in the quantities the average vamp does. Any blood will work, human, vampire, or demon.” Giles replies and he walked towards the stricken boy. Xander pulled back as far as his chain would allow getting away from the advancing man.

“Now Boy, pet, don’t make me get help to restrain you.” Xander still fought. Giles snapped his fingers and the other 3 walked into the room. “Restrain him.” The girls grabbed on to him and restrained him so he couldn’t move. Giles nodded his head and Buffy used her fingernails to slice open his neck. Blood gushed out over his body. Giles caught what he could in a beaker. As Xander flagged from blood loss Willow clamped her hand over the cut and a warm feeling rushed over it as it sealed. Giles was transferring the vampire blood to a syringe and was readying it for injection into Xander’s body. Xander fought for all he was worth to get away from that shot but in the end he was helpless. He screamed as the needle pierced his arm and liquid fire overwhelmed him and he passed out. This torment only being the first in the series of the 400 years he spent in Hell.


Chapter 2: Sunnydale


Buffy Summers had run away and Xander Harris Had been sucked into Hell. All in all the end of school had been horrible for Willow Rosenberg, Daniel Osbourne, Cordelia Chase and Rupert Giles. They had taken up the slack by trying to keep up on the slaying. Angel did most of the work. He still felt guilty that Xander Harris died in his place, and Buffy ran off. Willow was studying more magic, the thrill of the soul restoration spell high in her mind. Oz, well Oz had failed to graduate the previous spring and had blown off summer school. Cordelia was moping, her boyfriend was gone and she was feeling sorry for herself. Giles was trying to hold himself together; he was increasingly getting worried about Buffy.

“Giles,” Willow asked getting his attention on the first day of school. “I think I’ve found a way to get Xander back.” Giles looked at her and pulled his glasses off and polished them.

“W-W-Where would you have found that?” He asked. She stared at her feet for a few minutes before answering.

“I got some websites off of Miss Calendar’s computer last term. They were Wicca and witchcraft sights. I studied them this summer in private. I also got in contact with some of her techno pagan circle. We talked and this is what they came up with.” She stated simply as Oz bounded up to her and hugs her hard. The school bell rings and she turns and gives Oz a quick kiss. “Can we talk about it after class, I got to go here comes Snyder.” She drags Oz away and leaves Giles to talk to the troll like man.

“This year is going to be glorious. The troublemakers are gone. No more Summers.” He cackles.

“Now see here. Even the lowliest deserve an education. Miss Summers certainly isn’t that.” Giles argued. “She may not be the smartest but she still tries her best.”

“You still have an optimistic view on these leaches that are supposed to be teenagers.” Snyder laughed as he shook his head and walked away.

~What a pillock? ~ Giles thought to himself as he walked to the library. ~Gads they scraped the bottom of the barrel when they found Snyder. ~ As no one but the Slayer, the Scooby gang and a few other people ever came into the library, Giles had an uneventful day searching the stacks for books to help him return Xander to them.

The day progressed on and without warning it was over. The end of day bell rang and Giles was still in the stacks. He had cumulated a small stack of books the he thought would help them.
Willow walked into the library and found it empty. “Giles. You here.” She called. “Great, as always, everyone forgets about me.” She heaved a great sigh.

Giles was so intently reading that when someone called out his name he jumped and tripped over his stack of books. He yelped and grabbed a hold of the bookshelf and as unbalanced as he was it came down on top of him. A large crash resulted.

The sound of the crash reached Willow and she pulled out the stake that now permanently resided in the backpack. She dropped the backpack. “Who’s there?” She called out.

“Willow, is that you? I seem to be having a problem.” Giles replied.

“Where are you?” She called walking towards the sound of his voice.

“In the stacks.”

“Keep talking. I can’t find you.”

“Talk about what?”

“I don’t know. The Pledge of Allegiance.”

“I’m not an American.”

“Your point being. It’s long enough that you will keep talking and then I’ll find you.” Willow explained as if she was talking to a child.

“Right. I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” He recited. Just as he finished Willow’s head popped around a shelf. She gave him an ‘I-told-you-so’ smile.

“What happened?” She asked as she sat beside the man covered in books and one very large shelf resting on both legs, hips down. “You hurt?”

“I don’t think so.” He replied as he tried to move. Pain shot up his left leg. “On second thought, yes. My leg hurts, but I don’t think anything is broken.” Willow gave him a concerned smile as she sank to her knees beside him. “I don’t think we will get this off of me without help. Oz with you?”

“No, he will be in a few minutes though. Cordelia will be here after cheering practice. Hey this will give me time to show you what I learned this summer.” Willow replied.

“What did you learn?” Giles asked cautiously. Willow’s face drew up into a frown of concentration, and 4 books levitated and piled themselves beside her. Willow broke her concentration and smiled at him.

“I can try to pull all the books off of you and we might be able to pull you out then.” Willow stated. Giles nodded and waved at her to try. Books started levitating and piling up beside her. Giles relaxed as he felt himself loosen under the shelf, then he tensed as a book slammed into his groin.

“Gah,” He yelped. “Willow stop.” She stopped so fast that the books dropped in place. Giles reached down and pulled the book up manually so as to not damage himself.

“What’s wrong?” She asked in a completely, utterly innocent way. Giles removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Willow, please don’t make me explain the mechanics of a man’s body to you. Please.”

“Oh, OH. Dah-um-bpt. Right then okay now.” Willow stammered, flushing as red as her hair. She stared at her hands, which had started to twist around each other. Giles put on his glasses and waved at her to start again.

“Yo. Anyone here.” A voice called out.

“Oz, we’re in the stacks. Giles needs help. Follow your nose.” Willow replied. They heard some sniffing and steps. They turned to see Oz standing there watching them. He cocked his head just like a dog and both Willow and Giles shivered at the animalistic behavior.

“Full moon tomorrow right, Oz?” Giles asked. Oz nodded.

“I always feel more wolf like in the week proceeding my change.” Oz replied. “Why are you two acting funny?”

“Remember me showing you how I can levitate pencils?” Willow asked, and Oz nodded. “Well I took it on step farther. I was levitating the books and I didn’t realize the position of one and I canned Giles fairly hard.” Willow blushed again.

“Yes, well enough chat. Can you lift the bookcase, Oz?” Giles interrupted. Oz looked at the bookcase closely and nodded. He grabbed a hold of the top and pulled it up into a standing position. They cleaned and reshelf the books.

Once Giles was standing he pointed to something in the stacks. “What’s that?” He asked. Both Willow and Oz looked over and while they were turned Giles grabbed himself and adjusted his position. “Must have been a figment of my imagination. Now why don’t we go check out these books and wait for Cordelia.”

“Good idea.” Both teens answered in unison.


Chapter 3: Life Worth Not Living

Xander was tied down again. He had been tied down for what felt like centuries. He was scared, emaciated, bald, and still fighting. His tall frame looked skeletal. He still knew who he was and why he was here. And his captors hated that.

“Xander, are we having fun yet? ” The Giles demon asked. “You’ve been here for 10 years; you’re here to stay. If your not having fun yet you’ll make us regret giving you the gift of the d’hamfir. Are you hungry?”

“Gift of the D’hamfir, you cursed me with the unnatural hunger of a vampire, you cursed me with invulnerability so as you could torture me for your pleasure, you cursed me with immortality so you could do it for all time, and you allowed a demon to come and reside in my body. I hardly call that a gift. And yet I did not die from it.” Xander croaked at him, his vocal cords not quite ready to deal with talking again after being removed. “Giles would never hurt me, neither would Buffy, Cordelia, or Willow. Yet you 4 have beaten me countless times, and still I know you as Acathla not as one of my friends.” He spat on Giles face.

Giles pulled out a handkerchief and wipe off his face. He looked murderous as his captive was defying him yet again. He turned and left the room. Two hours later he returned with the other 3.

“Hold him tight.” Giles said as the girls spread out beside Xander. He snapped his mouth shut as Buffy grabbed his head and forced it to the table that he was tied to. Willow sat on his chest and pinned his shoulders to the table. Cordelia grabbed his nose and pinched it shut. Giles walked up to him carrying a large bowl of red fluid and a turkey baster. He squished some of the blood up in the baster and waited until oxygen was a necessity the bound man. Xander opened his mouth and sucked in a lungful of air and got a mouthful of blood. Before he could spit it out at them Cordelia forced his mouth closed and sealed her hand over top of his mouth. Giles stroked his fingers lightly over Xander’s Adam’s apple to get him to swallow. 2 minute later Xander started looking panicked.

“Swallow, Pet. Then we’ll allow you to breathe.” Cordelia said gently. Xander’s eyes bleed off into the demon (Not the yellow/gold of a typical vampire, but a blood red) as his blood lust hit. He swallowed and the hands left his body. Willow jumped off of his chest as well.

“More.” He snarled, fangs flashing in the light of the room. There were no ridges on his brow either. Giles filled the baster once more and fed him until the bowl was empty. “More. I need more.”

“That’s enough. The bowl is empty. I you would but stop fighting your nature this wouldn’t happen and you could feed as you need.” Giles replied. “No I lie. We feed you as we please. With what we’ve given you, you should heal enough for the next round.”

With hair growing and his body fleshing out Xander growled and thrashed pulling his spread arms taunt across the table. He arched his back and pulled as hard as he could.

“He’s going to dislocate his arms again.” Willow stated. “Fun to watch and listen to as the pop is exciting.” A large crack rang out in the room and Xander sat up and untied his legs, the cuffs from his wrists falling to the floor.

“Serves you right.” He snapped as he then leapt from the table, his body filling in the last little bit to his former muscled length. He pushed the demons out of the way and ran, picking up a pair of pants and a shirt that was beside the door.

The girls started to follow. Giles stopped them with a shake of his head. “Let him go. He can’t go anywhere. We’ll keep tabs on him and when he’s far enough away we’ll implement plan B.” The girls nodded and left the room to go change. Giles kept his mind tuned to his prisoner, going as far to change the environment to suit him. Slowly changing it to the image of Sunnydale, though in his flight Xander didn’t notice.

After running for hours Xander collapsed against a headstone in the graveyard that he found himself in. He sat there huffing, trying to catch his breath, his game face disappearing. He quickly pulled the clothes over his body. He started noticing familiar stones around him. ~Huh. ~ He thought to himself. ~This isn’t right. There is no way I’m back in Sunnydale. ~ He rose and walked around the graveyard. He noted several new graves that looked vaguely disturbed. As if someone had dug them up. He continued walking and found a vampire digging itself out of her grave. He saw a broken branch from a near by tree on the ground and picked it up.

He lifted the girl up out of the grave and placed her on her feet. She stared at him for a second then scented air.

“You are strange. You smell of vampire, but I hear your heart beat, and I felt the warmth in your hands. What are you?” She asked. She dusted off her clothes and stared pointedly at him.

“They said I am a d’hamfir, half human, half vampire. What that means I have no idea?” He replied. The vampire licked her lips at the response. He glared at her. “Make no mistake. I drink from humans, demons, and vampires. I am going to kill you.” He shifted and snarled at her. She stepped back as he advanced on her, his lack of facial ridges and red eyes obviously confusing her. He grabbed her round the neck and turned her head to the side and slid his fangs into her neck. Cool blood seeped into his mouth as he sucked the un-life from her. As he pulled the last of the sweet nectar from her body and it turned to dust in his arms he howled his pleasure into the darkness. He wiped his face with his hand and licked her blood off of it. He then heard footsteps coming over towards him. He quickly shifted back to human guise as Buffy came into view.

“Xander, I thought you said you weren’t feeling well and were going home to rest.” She said bubbly. Xander smiled but looked at her suspiciously. He still wasn’t sure if he was home.

“Well I got bored and wondered if you needed any help.” He replied, wondering if she could feel the change in him. If she did she didn’t mention it. He smiled rakishly at her. She smiled back and tossed her hair over her shoulder. She turned away from him.

“Cordelia, Willow and Oz are at the Bronze, you want to go home and change and come?” She asked not taking in the tight black leather jeans and green t-shirt Xander was wearing. Xander glanced down at himself. He didn’t need a mirror to notice that the clothes looked good on him. He cleared his throat and Buffy turned back to him. He waved his hand down his body and cocked one eyebrow at her. She looked down his body then shook her head.

“Okay, you actually own some nice clothes.” She jested. Xander smiled back at her. “Cordelia will like what she sees. You look good.”

‘Thanks Buff, you too.” He said with equal humor. She was wearing a pair of tight black leggings and a long sleeved red silk shirt. They hooked arms and walked to the Bronze, making small talk along the way.

Chapter 4: Bronzing It


Once they arrived at the Bronze, Buffy and Xander quickly found their friends. Oz and Willow were dancing on the dance floor and Cordelia was sitting with a non-fat double mocha chino with extra foam. When she saw Xander she jumped up and hugged him. Buffy saw Oz and Willow and ran off to dance with them.

“Xander, I thought you said you weren’t feeling good?” She asked. “Where did you get those clothes? You look good. Maybe my geeky boyfriend isn’t so geeky.”

“I wasn’t but I was bored. I found them in my closet. Figured you could do without the checks and stripes.” He said trying to keep his suspicion under his metaphoric hat. “Angel going to be here?” Cordelia looked at him funny.

“Buffy sent Angel to Hell at the end of last year, remember. Are you sure you’re feeling well.” Cordelia said. “Maybe you should go home and not be contagious around me.” Xander nodded and kissed her cheek.

“Yeah, maybe I will go back home. Say goodbye to Buffy, Oz and Wills for me.” He replied while starting to go. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school, I hope.” ~I hope that with the d’hamfir blood in my veins I can walk in the sunlight. ~ He thought. He waved and left. ~I’m going for a walk and think things through. Angel got sent to Hell, not me. This is not home. ~ He walked away from the Bronze, deep in thought. He didn’t notice the vampires gathering around him as he entered one of Sunnydales many cemeteries. 5 vampires circled him.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here? A human with a strange smell of vampire, he looks well enough for us for dinner.” One said. Xander just smiled at him. He turned his head to the side and appraised the vampires seriously.

“If you think you can take me, try.” Xander stated simply.

“I smell no weapons. You can’t harm us.” The soul female vamp said. “Stupid human. Thinks he can save himself from us. Ha, Ha, Ha.” The other vampires laughed along with her.

Xander stared at his fingernails for a second, lengthening them, and shifted into his gameface. The vampires noticed that his eyes changed color and stared at him. Xander growled deep in his chest and they all started getting nervous, as if they had surprised a master and were about to be punished.

“What are you?” One gasped in fear. Xander snarled at him showing fangs. “You can’t be a vampire. You have no ridges, you smell human, and” He stepped over to Xander and touched his face. “Your warm. I can hear your heart beat. I repeat, what are you?” This was obviously the sire of these vampires, for he seemed to know a little of vamp history.

“They told me when they made me that I was d’hamfir, or half human, half vampire.” Xander replied as his human guise returned. “Cursed with the hunger of the vampire but not its weaknesses. Oh and one more thing, I don’t just drink mortal blood, I also drink from demons and vampires. So you can guess what my plan is.”

“Oh, yes we can guess. But I have a historian in my clan. If you spare us we will give you the legends of the d’hamfir. They are forbidden. The only ones ever made are born that way and they destroy the vampire society. That’s why even though pregnant women are drained they are not turned. My name is Triton, and these are my childer, their names are not important. We are waiting for our other but the slayer seems to have gotten to her first.” Triton said sadly. “Lets go back to my lair and talk some more.”

“Blond, around sixteen, about so high?” Xander said holding his hand up around his shoulder. Triton nodded. “Sorry, I got peckish. I ran for around 5 hours and she was the first I saw. I made it gentle. No pain, no stakes. Drained her to dust.” Triton gasped and turned into the arms of one of the male vampires. The other 3 started to get hostile.

“No, I understand why he did it. Doesn’t make it hurt any less though. I love all my childer and too lose one before I had a chance to know her is painful.” Triton replied turning to go. “You hungry? If so can you feed without killing? I will allow you to drink from my minions on the condition that you don’t kill them.” Xander nodded. Triton continued, “You might want to keep your demon in the fore as some of my clan may challenge you if you don’t.” Xander nodded again and shifted into demon again. Triton walked over to him and stared into red eyes and ran a hand down his cheek again. Then he turned and the 6 of them loped into the night.

They dodged and turned back on their trail several times before Xander said, “The slayer has finished her patrol and is dancing at the Bronze as we speak.”

Triton stopped and looked at him. The childe that he had found comfort in asked, “How do you know this?” Xander smirked and shrugged.

“She’s only been one of my best friends for 2 years.” He replied. “But something’s different. It’s like she’s not my friend. I think it has to do with that now I’m a predator like you, and now all of a sudden she’s my sworn enemy. Anyway I don’t think this is my reality. In my reality, I stopped the Slayer from sending Angelus,”

“Angelus, PFFFT.” The vampires spat.

“Okay someone doesn’t like Angelus. Anyway. I stopped the Slayer from sending Angelus to hell. I arrived just as his soul was returned and I stepped in and was sent to hell. Here it seems I didn’t and I don’t think I can live with that. I want to get home. 10 years of torture by the Acathla is enough.” Xander stated. “Why don’t you like Angelus?”

“Well, 90% of the vampires around here are Clan Aurilies.” Triton replied. “Mine is not. So when Angelus stepped up as Master of his line he slaughtered as many of the other clans as he could. I am 500 years older than him. He couldn’t kill me, but he went after my minions and childer. The 4 here are the last of my childer. We are here, we will go in and have a rest and then we will tell you the rest of the story.” Triton opened the door to a warehouse and beckoned Xander in.

Chapter 5: In the Lion’s Den.


As Xander looked around the warehouse he noted that it wasn’t nearly as dank and dark as he would have thought. Bright lights on the roof lent the air a comfortable homey feeling. It reminded Xander of Angel’s mansion, only cheerful. Triton led him to a bedroom and let him be alone with his thoughts.

~I’m hungry. Bah, no I’m not. My belly is full. I just need to get some sleep. What did he mean that the D’hamfir are forbidden? ~ He thought as he stripped off his clothes. He threw himself face down on the king-sized bed. He then thought some more. ~I stink, I’m dirty and I need a shower. Gah, I gotta get up again. ~ He heaved himself up and stumbled to the bathroom. ~I wonder if I have a reflection? ~ He kept his eyes down while he was showering and once he was finished he stood in front of the mirror that was actually in the room. He raised his head and looked in the mirror. There was no reflection. He heaved a sigh and his gameface slipped away and his reflection popped into view.

“Whoa, that is so cool.” He yelped. He stood there for about a half an hour morphing in and out of gameface. He was making so much noise that he drew the attention of Triton and his childer. The sound of their laughter broke threw Xander’s concentration and he blushed beet red at the sight of them crowding around his bathroom door. He whipped a towel around his waist and turned his back to them.

“Um, can you please leave?” He mumbled. Laughter trickled out into his bedroom.

“Xander, you need some clothes. You need clothes that fit your station in life. As a d’hamfir you are a killer of killers. An elite, a king among peasants.” Triton stated with a snicker and Xander flushed even redder. “You know, I never seen anyone that red in my unlife. It’s interesting that you can actually blush.”

“Shut up,” He said in mortification. Triton laughed and threw Xander some clothes. They hit him in the back of the head and he squawked in indignation.

“Here, one of my minions is about your size and he is ‘willingly’ lending you some clothes.” Triton stated stressing the word willingly. Xander arched an eyebrow. “Okay, so it wasn’t willing. I told him too. He had no choice. I am his master and he must do as I say. Now slip into some pajamas, or not if you prefer, and go to sleep. I’ll wake you in the evening.” Xander nodded and picked up the clothes that had fallen to the floor.

He pulled on a black muscle top and the pair of black silk sleep pants. He turned to the king sized bed and collapsed in the center of it. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

“ . . . He looks so peaceful, I don’t want to wake him.” A feminine voice pierced Xander’s unconscious mind. He groaned and rolled over and buried his face in the satin covered pillowcase. He felt the bed dip beside him and a hand rested gently on his shoulder. As soon as he felt the light touch he shifted into gameface as he leapt up and pinned the owner of said hand to the wall. The small female vampire squeaked in pain and shock as the blood red eyes glared down at her.

“Sir, I’m sorry to wake you but Master Triton was worried. You were asleep for 2 whole days.” She said quietly, immediately dropping her blue eyes to the floor in submission. “Master said you would be hungry, and that if I upset you, you would deal me the final death. I beg of you to feed.” She tilted her neck up to him enticingly. He sniffed twice and then licked a strip from her shoulder to her ear along her neck. He wrinkled his nose and ran his tongue along his teeth in disgust.

He released her and pushed her towards the bathroom. “Go shower. Whatever perfume, or body scent you are wearing tastes disgusting.” She walked over to the bathroom and paused to look back at him. He had moved into the center of the room and was standing there with his eyes closed, taking deep breaths, and hands clenched into fists. She continued into the room and shut the door behind her, but didn’t lock it.

Xander heard the bathroom door close and let out a long breath of air. He sank to his knees and sat there thinking for a moment. A quick knock at the door and Triton walked in not waiting for an invitation.

“Ah, Xander your awake. Have you fed?” He said amenably. Xander glared at him and stood up. “I guess not. Why? I thought you would enjoy Crystal. Blonde hair, blue eyes, leggy, buxom, was she not pleasing?”

“It’s not that. She was wearing perfume or something and it tasted gross. She’s in the shower.” Xander replied. “Once the taste is gone I’ll have a feed and then we can talk to your scholar. Why is Crystal expecting me to kill her?”

“She is trouble. She is not one of my minions. She is one of Lucius’s. When Spike staked him and left she came to me. It seems that during her turning something went wrong. She does not have fangs. She has a demon, but none of the perks. Feed and if you want kill her. It would be easier if you killed her.” Triton explained. “I would, but she is eager to please and I don’t kill my own unless it’s an unforgivable crime. She hasn’t ever done anything wrong.” Xander nodded as the shower stopped. He turned back towards the bathroom as the now clean blonde girl.

“Go, I prefer to feed alone.” He stated as the girl walked towards him. Triton quickly left the room as Xander’s eye’s flared red. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and bared her neck to him. He pulled her into his arms and sniffed her neck again and licked it. She shuddered against him and pushed her neck into his mouth. She moaned as he ran his fangs down his neck. He gently sank those fangs into her neck. She took in an unneeded breath and rubbed her body against his. He withdrew his fangs and licked the bleeding marks. He whispered a word and the marks closed.

“Crystal, go lie down in the bed. You’ll be fine once you’ve slept. I’ll come for you later.” He whispered in her ear as he helped her to his bed. His eyes twisted into a spiral as he spoke the word sleep into her ear. He striated up and quickly dressed and left the room.

Outside the room Triton was waiting for him. “I’ll show you to the library and introduce you to Hans, my scholar. He’ll tell you all you need to know about being a d’hamphir.”


Chapter 6: Home Again. Home Again, Hippity Hop Part 1.

A/N- All Latin words are taken from www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/Latin/
and are just translations as best as I can from the words said. No grammar or syntax is correct. I don’t speak Latin and apologize for butchering the language. All spells and rituals are taken from my imagination and are not meant to be taken literally. I also apologize if I’ve used the ideas for my spells from anyone.

The half moon hung brightly in the midnight black sky as six figures trudged into the dark mansion on the edge of town.

“What’s he doing here?” Buffy hissed. “It’s his fault Xander’s gone. I didn’t come back to Sunnydale to hang out with vampires.” Her green eyes were flashing in anger. They entered the room where Acathla stood.

“Buffy, we’ve been over this a thousand times. The spell to get Xander back requires the blood of his friends and those who saw him last, meaning Giles, you, and Angel. Otherwise we could have done it before you came back.” Willow replied in an aggravated voice. “Giles, if I speak in Latin can you translate precisely what I say?” Giles pulled off his glasses and polished them for a minute as he thought about the question.

“Depends, on the passage.” He replied. “Latin was my second language.”

“You probably speak it better than I do, then.” Giles nodded. “I’ll translate to the rest and you speak the passage in Latin. Cordelia, you will have to mix the blood together and pour it on the alter we’ll set up.” Willow stated.

“EW. Why can’t Angel do that? He’s the vampire, he likes blood.” Cordelia screeched.

“Because the blood needs to be taken by vampire fang, bled into a wooden chalice made sacred by being washed in Slayer’s blood. So Buffy will donate the majority of blood tonight, but to wash the chalice Angel can’t be near. His demon will pollute the purity of Buffy’s sacrifice. So when we wash the chalice, Angel and Oz can you set up the altar. The instructions and everything you need are in the bag I asked you to carry.” Angel nodded. Willow continued with her instructions. “I’ll need about a tablespoon of each of our blood in the chalice, except Giles, Buffy and Angel’s. From them I’ll need about a 2 tablespoons and Buffy I’ll need about a pint. Enough the wash said chalice and the 2 tablespoons as well. While we wash it no men can come near as the goddess says they are weak so Giles can you find me a willow switch to make Cordelia a wand to stir the blood with. You’ll need it to be about ten inches long and not very bendy. Take a single hair from Buffy, Cordy, Angel, Oz and your self, and set them to the side after we girls are done here I’ll add my part as the witch reciting the spell.” Willow explained.

Giles walked over to the girls and pulled a single from underneath at the base of the neck from each. Buffy glared and Cordelia muttered swear words under her breath. Willow dragged both girls into the kitchen and prepared to sterilize her knife to take the blood.
“This isn’t going to stop me from patrol later is it?” Buffy asked. She was worried about how the blood loss would affect her.

“No, it shouldn’t it’ll be like when the doctor takes blood. Only a little more than they usually take. You’ll be fine.” Willow replied as she built up a small fire. She used a small spell to set the wood on fire. Once the fire was burning she stuck the knife into the flames and recited. “Mother Goddess, hear my plea. Purify this knife, so mote it be.” She pulled out the knife as it glowed red for an instant, signaling the purification was finished. She pulled out a vial of holy water and a clean rag out of the bag she had set at her feet.

“Cordelia, you rinse the chalice in the holy water and dry it with this clothe.” She asked. “Buffy, where do you want me to cut? I don’t want the incision to hamper your slaying tonight.”

“Here, cut lightly on my belly. It’ll leave my arms and legs free to slay.” Buffy replied, lifting up her shirt to revel the flat, toned and lightly tanned abdomen. “It’s been over a year since Xander disappeared, do you think he’s all right?” Willow carefully ran her fingers down Buffy’s ribs to the quivering belly. Cordelia handed her the now cleaned chalice.

“I sure hope so. This may hurt a little.” She warned the blonde as she rested the knife against warm skin. She tipped the chalice up under the knife to catch the blood and as gently as she could, nicked the skin touching the knife. Buffy’s slight inhalation was the only outward sign of her discomfort. “Just a little more blood, Buff. Okay that’s enough. Sano.” Willow said. Cordelia and Buffy both gasped as the small cut closed itself off at the Latin word.

“Let me guess.” Cordelia stated. “Sano, to heal.” Willow smiled brightly and for a small instant looked to be the girl she once was before Xander vanished. Willow turned and dipped her hands into the blood and wiped it on the outside of the chalice, murmuring words that neither Cordelia nor Buffy could hear. The two girls gaped as Willow’s body lifted off the floor and she levitated for around two or three minutes before settling back on her feet.

“Whoa. That was intense.” Willow whispered as she held out the chalice. Cordelia and Buffy gasped to see that the once wooden chalice had turned to glass. Willow wrapped the cup in a red silk scarf and turned to call out to the males. “You guys finished in there?” A chorus of yes’s answered her. She turned and walked out of the kitchen.

She looked around the chamber and noted that the alter was set right and Giles was working on the wand.

“Willow.” Giles questioned. “Bark on or off?”

“What ever is easiest for you? It matters not in this spell.” She replied as she sat down beside him and the other stood watching them.

“What’s your contribution to the wand?” Giles asked. Willow turned over her left forearm and grabbed a hold of what looked like an inch long piece of white string that was on the largest of the visible veins on the wrist. She set her teeth and pulled. Another inch of thread now bright red pulled from under the skin. Then some tiny red beads popped out of her skin. Willow hissed in pain.

“The blood beads.” Giles whispered in shock as Willow carefully extracted the ten-inch string of beads from her body. “The blood beads are one of the most powerful wand cores ever. Willow are you sure you want to do this?” Willow nodded as she hissed in pain again. “They can only be made in a witch or wizards body once in their life, living or dead. If she uses these beads this will become her wand. If it’s not compatible with her magic it could kill her.”

As Willow popped the last bead, a large thumb sized ruby, she sighed and pressed her finger to the hole in her arm and said, “Sano. Don’t worry about that Giles. The wand is compatible. I did tests and once Xander is back the last ingredient can be added. The blood and hair of my closest friends and the blood beads will be compatible.” She placed the beads down on the floor next to the hairs and everyone but her and Giles jumped as the beads slithered and rolled the hairs up in them Giles placed the peeled willow switch beside the beads and them they all watched in amazement as the beads, hairs, and stick rolled and seamlessly merge themselves into one with the ruby at the point.

“Willow caressed the wand and said softly, “Not finished yet, blood and hair from others needed.” The wand quivered once and rolled to her hand. She stood and smiled. “We are ready. We’ll have to do the blood thing here as once we’re in the circle we can’t move from our spots for any reason until the spell is finished.” She put the wand in her back pocket and pulled out the chalice and the males gasped in shock at the now glass cup.

“That was wooden. I should know. I carved the damn thing myself.” Oz exclaimed, surprise making the usually stoic young man into a babbler. “How?”

“Magic.” Willow replied. “Angel, start with those of us who weren’t there and them move onto, Giles, Buffy, and then yourself in that order. Okay.” Angel nodded and took an unneeded breath and shifted seamlessly into gameface.

“This may hurt a bit. I apologize in advance.” He said as he picked Oz first. “Does it matter where the blood is from?”

“I would prefer it not to be arterial, wrist is good. I will heal everyone as we go.” Willow replied. Angel nodded and brought Oz’s wrist to his mouth. He licked across it before nicking it with one fang. Oz inhaled sharply. Willow held up the chalice and caught the flowing blood. Angel licked the wound again when they had enough blood.

“Wow, wild. I can taste the wolf.” Angel said in awe. Oz nodded and pulled his wrist back and looked at it. The mark was gone. “Vampire saliva has anesthetic and healing properties. I figure Willow should keep her energy up to do the spell.” Willow nodded in gratitude.

“Cordelia, you next please.” Angel said. Cordelia glared at him.

“Don’t you dare take more than a lick from me Angel. All my blood is mine except what I’m donating for the spell.” Cordelia said angrily. “I’m not into donations of the undead kind.” Angel rolled his eyes and picked up her wrist and licked across it three times before Cordelia pulled her wrist back. “Gross Angel, blah vampire saliva, yuck.” She wiped her wrist on her skirt.

“I don’t want to hurt you anymore than necessary.” Angel said blandly. “I was trying to relax you.”

“Oh. But still yuck.” Cordelia held out her wrist again. She was still tense. Angel pulled her into his arms and whispered into her ear. The others couldn’t hear what he was saying to her, but she visible relaxed and held up her wrist to his mouth. He licked it and then sunk in both fangs. He took one pull and motioned Willow over. She held the chalice out and again caught the running blood. After the correct amount flowed into the cup Angel pulled the wrist back and took one more pull before licking across the two holes.

“Cordelia you taste of sunshine.” Angel stated in pleasure. “Delicious.” Cordelia smiled and pulled herself out of his arms. She smoothed out her shirt and skirt and stepped back.

“We can do without the commentary on how we taste. Thank you very much.” Buffy snapped as she took the chalice Willow handed her. Willow handed her wrist to Angel and stood there waiting. Angel looked at Buffy and tightened his lips to stop the inevitable vicious word that was waiting just behind those lips. Every since Buffy had come back they had been snarking at each other.

“It’s a sign of respect in my society that you tell what the other tastes like. It’s reserved for childer, friends and lovers. I may have been out of vampire society for almost a hundred years but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember to show respect to friends. If you don’t want to know how you taste you could have asked not to know and I would have left it out.” Angel stated firmly.

“Buffy, you may not like Angel, but you will be polite to him. After all he is your elder.” Giles reprimanded. Buffy grumbled and turned her back on the rest of them.

“Willow, you next.” Angel said as he held out his hand. Willow handed the chalice to Cordelia, who took it and waited to catch Willow’s donation.

“Don’t lick it. Don’t close the wound. I need the pain to be there to keep me grounded during the spell.” She said to Angel/ Angel looked at her quizzically. “It’s a dark spell. The dark is seductive. Pain can ground you to this plane.” Angel nodded and pulled her wrist to his mouth. He ran his fang across the base of her wrist, and Cordelia caught the flow in the cup. Willow pulled a face at the pain and pulled a piece of cloth from her jeans pocket. She quickly bandaged up her wrist and smiled at Angel. “Thanks.” He nodded.

“Power, pure untapped power. It gave me tingles. Willow you have the capacity for infinite power. Remember to always keep yourself in control.” Angel told her. Willow smiled and chuckled a bit and took the cup back from Cordelia.

“Giles?” Angel asked. Giles walked over to him and handed Angel his wrist.

“No pain, please. I’ve had enough pain at your hands as I could stand.” He whispered quiet enough that only Angel could hear him. Angel took the wrist and swiped his tongue over it a couple of times before gently sinking both fangs in. As he had done with Cordelia he took a pull on the wrist before holding it out to Willow. Giles had a dazed look on his face and he was hunching down. After to correct amount of blood flowed into the chalice he brought the wrist back up to his lips, took one more draw and then licked the marks so they healed.

Giles’ eyes were dilated and his breath was coming in pants. He pulled his wrist from Angel’s grip and turned to leave. “I’ll be back in 5 minutes. I need some fresh air.” Oz smiled at his and sniffed the pheromones coming from the older man. The girls looked at his curiously as he fled the room.

Oz walked over to Angel and whispered, “That was nasty.” The girls didn’t catch the comment and were still staring at the empty doorway that Giles had fled through.

Angel smirked and replied, “He asked that it not hurt at all. The only way to do that is to make it erotic. I think Rupert Giles just figured out something about himself. He brought up things that Angelus did to him that I had no control of so it’s a fitting revenge tactic.”

“So what did Giles taste like?” Buffy asked nastily.

“I’ll tell him when he gets back here.” Angel relied smoothly as Giles walked back in. “Ah, your back. Okay you taste of power, not as much as Willow, but also protection.” Giles smiled weakly happy that neither Angel nor Oz had mentioned the reason for his abrupt departure.

Buffy glared at Angel as she walked towards the vampire. “The same way you took Oz’s, no funny stuff.” Angel nodded and swiped the offered wrist once and then nicked it with a fang. He held it over the chalice. He then licked it again to close the wound. He turned away and shivered. Buffy stood there waiting.

“Well, I’m waiting.” Buffy demanded. Angel shivered again. He didn’t turn back to her though.

“Buffy, slayer’s blood gives vampires a reaction. That reaction is most sought after for them. Why do you think most slayers are drained at their deaths?” Giles replied. “Let him be. He’s trying to control that reaction.” Angel took three or four unneeded breaths before shaking his head and turning around. He was once again in human guise. “Though I didn’t think he would be able to pull out of it so soon.”

“I’m used to denying myself what I want. I’ve been doing it for nearly hundred years.” Angel replied as he brought his own wrist to his mouth. He shifted faces and bit into his wrist. He held it out to Willow, who caught the trickle in the cup.

Chapter 7: Home Again. Home Again, Hippity Hop Part 2.


Willow waved everyone towards the altar. “Okay I want everyone to kneeling two rows of three. Oz, Angel and me in row one. Giles, Buffy and Cordelia in row two. And excuse me for saying it this way, but from left to right it has to be beast, witch, demon, in row one, and girl, wizard and slayer in row two.” Everyone nodded and took their places. “Here Giles. Read the Latin verse, wait for me to translate then read the next verse. Cordy, here stir the contents of the chalice with this and then give them both back. Then we’ll begin. You all know that we’re doing the spell on the new moon and Xander won’t show up until the night of the full right.” Everyone nodded as they got into position and finished their assigned tasks. “Giles just remember that the Latin words are not the spell. The spell is in English.” Giles nodded in relief. Cordelia handed the chalice and the wand back to Willow and then they each took their places. Willow placed the chalice on the altar and the wand beside her.

Giles started speaking, “Iuvo deus, exaudio meus votum.” Willow ran her wand around the lip of the chalice.

“Please, goddess, hear my prayer.” She translated.

“Remeo alter cautor defluo quoque nos.” Giles said. Willow spat into the chalice.

“Return the one who is lost too us.”

“Deus exaudio nos.” He continued. Willow stirred the blood and saliva mixture.

“Goddess Hear Us.”

“Cognatus, cruentus amicus ego precor tu, remitto is ea id redono.” Willow dropped the wand beside her.

“By my blood, the blood of friends I beseech you, sent him back.” Willow shouted out the last verse of the spell as a flash of lightning spat across the room. Her body began to rise and she grabbed the chalice and drank the mixture down as she started to glow. A loud crack sounded and she fell the floor.

A loud strange voice echoed through the mansion. “So mote it be.”

“Don’t break the rows.” Came Willow’s voice. “Cordelia, Buffy, go home.” Cordy and Buffy all but ran out of the mansion. “Giles I have two more spell I need to do. Help me up.” Giles stood and stepped forward and helped Willow to her feet. The chalice was still in her hand.

“Angel step towards me.” She whispered. He took the two steps and stood next to her.

“Giles, translate, for Oz. I don’t think he speaks Latin.” She said so quietly.

“I don’t.” Said Oz and Angel at the same time.

“Imbibo alicunde me, caveo anima cautus saecula saeculorum. So mote it be.”

“Drink from me, and be certain your soul is safe for all eternity. So mote it be.” Giles translated in amazement. Angel looked at her, pulled her into his arms almost lovingly sank his fangs into her slender neck. He took two pulls and licked the wounds. A bright green light sank into him and he gasped. Willow pushed him away and he fell to his bum on the floor stunned by the magic flowing through his veins.

Willow dry heaved a little before she brought the chalice to her mouth. She brought up the blood/saliva mixture she drank during the return spell.

“Oz.” Giles turned the exhausted girl towards her boyfriend and Oz stood and stepped towards her. “This one is the gross spell. When I’m done you’ll have to drink this.” She said as she held up the chalice. Oz wrinkled his nose but nodded.

Willow dipped her finger in the mixture and dabbed the blood onto Oz’s forehead, nose, lips, chest, and then groin. “Mind, soul, heart, and life.” She handed Oz the chalice, but held up one hand.

“Agnosco alicunde me, is ea id lupus penitus sub temperantia. So mote it be.” She recited as she waved Oz to drink the mixture. He did after pulling a grimace at the smell. Willow passed out after that.

“Know from me, that the wolf inside is under your control. So mote it be.” Giles said in awe. Oz pulled away and transformed into the wolf. He felt no urge to harm the people in the room. He transformed back and noticed that his clothing had transformed as well.

Giles picked her up and ran home to his apartment. The two newly spelled creatures sat in shock for most of the rest of the night.


Chapter 8: From Hell and Back

Four figures sat in silence, waiting for a friend that was lost. A blonde girl sat on a lawn chair tapping her foot in nervous frustration.

“When will the spell bring him back?” She whined, leg bouncing faster. Giles reached over and placed one hand on her knee, stilling the movement. She threw him a disgusted look before pushing his hand off her knee. Within seconds that knee started bouncing once again.

“As I told you five minutes ago, Buffy, he will be back at midnight.” Willow huffed in annoyance. “We have about a half an hour. He come back naked, that’s the reason for the blankets and clothes we brought.” Spike snorted.

“Why am I here then pet?” He said sarcastically. “It’s not like he knows I can’t hurt him.” He lit up a cigarette, pulling the smoke deep into his dead lungs.

“You’re here cuz we need another strong back to get Xander out to the car. You can’t expect Buffy and I to lift the weight of a 6’1 man. It’s impossible that you could expect that. Buffy got hurt the other day fighting those military types, otherwise we would have kept you tied in the bathtub.” Willow said through gritted teeth.

“Spike, Quiet.” Angel said in a stern voice. Spike glared at him and stood up.

“Yes, sire. Anything you say, Sire.” He mocked, giving a little bow as he said it.

“Spike, you don’t want to make me mad, childe.” Angel said in a soft Irish brogue.

“Your childe I may be, but I’m still a master and you have no hold on me.” Spike stated in a bored tone.

“Nay, childe, your not a master.” Angel replied in the same Irish brogue. Spikes head turned to Angel in confusion. Angel walked over to him, grabbed his left ear, and pulled him closer. “Your not a master until your sire says you are. And Boy who is your sire?”

“You are, sire.” Spike said in a small voice.

Angel pulled Spike’s head to the side and spoke to the girls, “Leave, for a bit. I have to teach my childe a lesson and it might be upsetting to you.” The girls scrambled out of the room. As soon as they left the room Angel morphed into gameface and plunged his fangs into the barred neck of his childe. Spike gasped, shuddered and pulled Angel’s body close. As he felt Spike’s hands on him, Angel growled and Spike dropped his hands. After taking most of Spike’s blood, Angel lifted his mouth. He pushed Spike to the floor.

“I am not Angelus, Boy. But I will not allow you to disrespect me or mine. Those two out there are mine, along with the watcher, the wolf, and the boy who is coming back tonight. Give me reason to believe you are a master and I will call you one. Right now you are nothing. Not a master, and even worse for you. You are not even a fledge. You are the walking, talking before rise. You no longer even have a name. Make me believe you are willing to help and I’ll give you your name back.” Spike’s already face turned even paler. He rose to his knees and rubbed his cheek against Angel’s hip. Angel rubbed his hair. “You may speak, Boy”

“How do I behave to the others?” He stated looking down to his knees.

“Just as you are now. I will explain to them the rules. You have two months to convince me that you are you, and not a slave. If you have convinced me, I’ll give you a name. It may not be the name you use to go by, but it will do until I’m sure you won’t hurt anyone.” Angel said. “Now take off your jacket and your boots.” Spike’s jaw clenched but he immediately shrugged out of the leather duster and untied his boots. After pulling them and his socks off he knelt in front of Angel once again. He placed the boots and duster beside himself and stared at the floor. Angel picked up the items and left the room. He walked towards the car. Buffy and Willow were sitting on the hood of the large black convertible. He opened the trunk and placed Spike’s things carefully in it.

“Willow, how much time is left?” He asked.

“Around ten minutes or so.” She replied, looking at him curiously.

“I’ll tell everyone the whole that happened in the last twenty minutes when we are all together, but the short of it is. I’ve taken Spike’s identity. A fledge doesn’t actually reach mastery unless his or her sire decides it is so. I’ve dropped him down so much that a newly risen fledge has more status than he does. He is now a slave. To ask a question of you he will kneel before you and rub his cheek against your hip. He will ask to do anything. He has no name. He answers to Boy. He may not wear socks or footwear, as that is the mark of those who own themselves. He also will not be tied anymore. He won’t run or hurt anyone. I’ve made sure of that.” Angel explained. Both girls goggled at him. “You may not abuse this. Or I will tell him to not listen to you. He will obey any order that we give him. Even those that give him pain or even death. Understand.” Both girls nodded. They all went back into the mansion.

As they entered the room they saw Spike kneeling in the room. Angel snapped his fingers and Spike rose and crawled over to him on his knees. “Did you move?” Spike rubbed his cheek against Angel’s hip. Angel rubbed his head.

“Sire, this lowly slave shifted while you were out. This lowly slave didn’t want to be in the way when the one whom is to return comes back. This lowly slave will hold still and accept any punishment sire sees fit for his impudence.” Spike said quietly, his accent even more pronounced now that the cockney slang was gone.

“I will punish you, but not until we get Xander home. You may refer to yourself as me or I.” Spike looked up at Angel and nodded before dropping his gaze to the floor once again. The girls were still amazed at the change in Spike’s behavior.

The lights in the room started flashing and lightning flashed from one end of the room to the other. “This is it.” Willow cried out over the rumbling of the spell in the room.

“Boy, we need you standing, ready to defend Xander and us if needed. You may speak in situation such as this if you need to catch someone’s attention to tell them something.” Angel told Spike who rose to his feet and started scanning the room for potential threats. Buffy and Willow were searching for the portal that would bring Xander back. The room lights flicked off and the four were left in darkness with only the lightning flashes for light.

“Sire.” Spike shouted as he pointed up. “Look up.” The three remaining occupants looked you to see a small portal opening in the roof. “If he falls from that height it’ll hurt him. Sire, here we must catch him.” Spike stated. Angel and spike walked into the middle of where the portal was opening and waited to catch the boy. Once the portal was large enough a body fell through. The portal closed and the lights flicked back on. Angel and Spike easily caught it and gently lowered it to the ground. They rolled it to it’s back and all four gasped as the beaten, skeletal features of one Alexander LaVelle Harris came into view. The unconscious boy groaned in pain.

Spike stood and grabbed the pair of pants and t-shirt that they had brought with them and started dressing the boy. Everyone else stood shocked. He pulled the t-shirt over the boy’s head and started pulling the pants over the stick like legs. He stopped at the sight of a white milky fluid on the boy’s thighs.

“Sire.” He said so quietly the two girls couldn’t hear. “He was raped. There is semen on his legs.” Angel winced and sighed. At that sigh Willow and Buffy came out of their shock and knelt beside their friend.

“Xander, wake up. Your home. Xan, listen to my voice, it’s your Willow.” Willow said quietly. At her voice Xander shoot up and grabbed the pants that were halfway up. He fled backwards away from Willow until he hit the wall. He sat there clutching his knees to his chest, rocking back and forth whispering.

“No, not Willow. My Wills wouldn’t do stuff like that. Neither would Buffy, or Cordy, or Giles. Not real, not real. I’m not here. I’m in my home sleeping and having a really sick nightmare. Nononononononono.” He said in his rant. Buffy sat beside him and he flinched violently away from her. Willow came up on the other side of him and he shot forward, blindly running away from the girls. He slammed into Spike who closed his arms around the boy. Spike’s eyes closed in pain as his chip fired, but he made no motions other than that to comfort the boy.

Xander stiffened as he felt arms close around him and started struggling before his nose told him that he didn’t recognize the person. Once he realize he didn’t know the person he whispered, “Let me go please.” Spike looked over to his sire, who nodded his head. He bent down and gently sat Xander down on the floor.

Xander rubbed crusted over eyes. Flinching in pain as he opened scabs on his face. He sniffed and his head turned in Angel’s direction.

“A-A-Angel.” He whispered half in hope and half in shock. “Help me please. Don’t let them hurt me some more.”

“Your safe now. No one in this room will hurt you. Do you trust me?” Angel replied. Xander nodded warily. “Willow, Buffy, and the one formerly known as Spike are in the room with me.” Xander panicked and crab-walked backwards away from Buffy and Willow. He ran right into Spike’s legs. He used Spike’s pants to pull himself into his feet.
Angel beckoned the girls to the doorway. “Maybe he should stay here, with Boy and I. You can go get him some clothes and food and bring it back here. We’ll bath him and see how injured he is. If we need help we’ll call you.” The girls both looked rebellious at the thought of leaving their best friend with vampires. “Please, he’s obviously terrified of the two of you. He seems scared of Giles and Cordelia as well. He’s not afraid of Boy or me though. Which is surprising? When he left I was evil, and Boy was as well.” The girls reluctantly agreed.

“We’ll be back, with supplies.” Buffy said stiffly, clearly not wanting to leave, but her good sense was interfering with her hatred. “We’ll bring enough that we won’t need to bring anything for a while. You’re thinking that we should stay away, right.” Angel nodded. She sighed and said, “Fine we’ll bring the stuff and then you’ll have two weeks before we come back. Okay?”

“Thank you Buffy. Thank you for trusting me again.” Angel stated.

“Ah, that’s just it. I don’t, but Xander seems to. I trust him.” Buffy said simply. She grabbed Willow’s arm and tugged her away. Angel turned and walked back towards his childe and Xander Harris.

Chapter 9: The Hell of Being Home


Angel turned to his childe and noted that Xander was cowering behind Spike.

“Boy, take him to the bathroom and get him bathed.” Angel stated with a sigh. Spike nodded and turned to Xander, who’s nostrils were flaring.

“I don’t know your scent. I don’t think I know you. I don’t know where I am, and I don’t trust you. All I know about you is that you are not Buffy, Willow, Cordelia, or Giles. Angel Please don’t make me go with him. Please.” Xander begged. “I don’t know him.” His voice trailed off.

“Xander, trust me, Boy, can not harm you.” Angel said after walking over and touching Xander’s shoulder. Xander trembled uncontrollably at the contact. He turned his bruised, scabbed and crusted over face in Angel’s direction.

“But, he’s Spike isn’t he.” Xander whispered.

“Not anymore. He has no name, no identity.” Angel replied before turning his head to Spike. “Boy, go get the bathtub ready.” Spike nodded and hurried out of the room. “Can you walk?” Xander shook his head in shame. “It’s alright, no shame in weakness. Only in not expressing it when it could harm someone else.” He lifted the slight young man into his arms. Xander gasped in pain but that was the only outward symptom of his pain. Angel walked towards the bathroom.

When they entered Spike had the tub full and was setting out antiseptics and bandages. As he saw the two enter, he fell to his knees and sat waiting to be acknowledged.

“I’m going to sit you on the rim of the tub and get your clothes off. Alright?” Angel asked soothingly. Xander tensed then nodded. Angel placed him gently on the rim of the tub. Xander winced before wiggling into a slightly different position. Angel pulled the t-shirt off, and Xander clutched the side of the tub as the movement unbalanced him.

Spike crawled over to Angel and rubbed his cheek against Angel’s hip. Angel ignored him. He rubbed his cheek harder.

“Boy, What?” Angel roared when the rub had become annoying.

“We should clean his eyes before he gets in the tub. It’ll be easier for him if he can see what we are doing to him. I also think he should know that I put some antiseptic in the water so it will hurt slightly when he gets in the water. I’m sorry sire for annoying you.” Spike said quietly. Angel sighed once again.

“No, Boy. You were correct in this case.” Angel turned and grabbed the bottle of saline solution and gauze that Spike had set out. “Xander I’m going to clean your face now. I’m sorry if I hurt you at all. I’ll try not to but some of the cuts on your face are infected and will hurt.” Xander nodded as Spike lifted him up and placed him on the toilet seat. Xander leaned back against the tank and fisted his hands in his pants.

Angel wet the gauze and as gently as he could, wiped it across Xander’s left eye. Xander hissed in pain but kept still. After a few minutes and quite a few pieces of gauze Xander’s left eye opened and then slammed shut in the bright light of the bathroom. Angel smiled at the brief glance of clear brown eye he saw before it closed again.

“Only one eye left then you can get in the tub. Would you like some water?” Angel asked gently. Xander nodded. “Boy, go into the kitchen and get us both a mug of blood, and Xander a tall glass of cold water.”

“Yes, sire.” The same quiet voice answered. Spike stood and walked out of the bathroom. Angel grabbed a clean piece of gauze and started on the other eye. Xander flinched in pain as he cleaned the edge of a particularly deep gash on his forehead. That gash had contributed most of the blood scabbing Xander’s eyes. Angel switched to clean gauze and wiped lightly over the eye. As he finished cleaning the eye Spike walked in with a tray. On it was two mugs, a large glass of ice water and a handful of candles. He placed the tray on the counter and quickly set the candles around the room.

“Boy, why are you setting up candles?” Angel asked. Spike dropped to his knees.

“Sire the harsh electric lights hurt his eyes. We can see well enough in the dark that the candle light will allow Xander to open his eyes and see what we are doing.” Spike said while looking at the floor.

“Oh, right, continue then.”

Spike lit the six candles he found and then turned off the electric lights. Xander opened first one eye then the next. He blinked a few times and looked around, his nostrils still flaring. He was still taking in great sniffs of air.

Angel looked at his curiously, “Xander, what do you smell?” He asked. Xander’s head snapped over to him and the gaze was fearful.

“I smell, you, Spike, myself, and burning wax.” Came the short reply.

“Why are you pulling in such large inhalations of air?” Angel prodded.

“I’m hungry.” Xander replied. He pushed himself up to his feet and walked over to the shower that stood in the corner of the bathroom. He opened the door, pulled off his clothes and entered it. Angel and Spike shared a look and waited for Xander to finish. They both decided to drink their blood while they waited.

Then all of a sudden they smelled fresh blood. It tickled their noses, tempting their demons, but something was off about it. Then Xander turned off the shower. Spike stood up and grabbed a towel. Xander opened the shower door and Spike handed him the towel. Both Angel and Spike gasped at the amount of open wounds covering the emaciated form. Xander glared and shakily made his way back to the tub. He stood there looking at the tub the muscles in his jaw clenching and relaxing, over and over again. He clearly was too proud to ask for help and maybe to proud to accept it as well.

Staring at the boy’s back both Angel and Spike could see scars in the shapes of letters, predominantly the letters G, B, C, and W repeatedly. Spike walked over to the boy and laid a hand on Xander’s elbow steering him forward and helping him into the bath. Xander’s entire body clenched before allowing the vampire to help him into the tub, once seated he relaxed in the hot water.

After about five minutes of soaking Xander asked, “Do you have a sewing kit?” Angel nodded. “Can you boil the needle and thread? I need to sew up some of my cuts.”

Angel left the bathroom to find the sewing kit and sterilize the needle and thread.

“You don’t say much anymore do you?” Xander asked.

“I have to have permission to speak.”

“How do you ask permission?”

“I have to be on my knees and I have to be able to touch my cheek to you. I don’t need permission if I’m asked a direct question though”

“I see. Why should I not be afraid of you? You are a vampire and it’s not like you have a soul like Angel do you?”

“No I don’t have a soul, but the American government captured me and placed a microchip in my brain. Now if I try to feed, or hurt anything I get an awful zap. Very painful.”

“Oh. These government types still around?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

Angel walked back into the bathroom and heard the tail end of the conversation. “Xander I’ve sterilized three needles so that if we drop one we can have another clean one to use. I also have a topical anesthetic.”

“How about this way, I’ll get the ones on my legs and the two of you get the ones I can’t reach. Put the anesthetic away for someone who needs it.” Xander replied as he put his hand out for a needle and thread. He pulled one leg out of the water and patted it dry with the towel Spike handed him. Xander expertly threaded the needle and knotted the bottom of the thread. He started at the bottom of a nasty six-inch gash on his calf. A twitch of his mouth was the only sign of pain as he started stitching it up. As he finished he knotted the thread so that it would stay and looked at his legs again. Finding more cuts he stitched them up.

Angel and Spike started on the ones on his back and soon all of the major cuts were closed. Xander was leaning against the wall of the tub asleep.

Angel sighed and pulled the pug out of the tub and let the blood-tinged water go down the drain. Xander jerked awake at the sound and bolted out of the tub.

“Xander, your okay. No one here will harm you.” Angel soothed. “Let’s get you rinsed off and dried. Do you want something to eat tonight?” Xander nodded. “When the girls get back with you stuff, I’ll make you some soup, okay.” Xander nodded again as he yawned, half asleep again. Once Angel and Spike had the pliant man rinsed and dried them maneuvered him into the bed in Angel’s room. The young man curled up on his side into a fetal ball and slept.

Chapter 10: Long Road to Recovery

Buffy and Willow were furiously arguing with Angel. Neither girls nor vampire giving any, they all wanted what was best for Xander. Unfortunately they all had differing opinions on the matter.

“He needs to be with his friends.” Willow said in a low voice. “Not with someone who he dislikes and dislikes him in return.” She gave Angel her resolve face. It wasn’t working.

“Xander is afraid of you. It’ll do him more harm than good to be around you.” Angel replied. “I only suggest that you allow him some time. Let him sleep and have something to eat. Come back in the afternoon.” Buffy clenched her hands into fists and for a moment Angel thought she was going to attack him. She turned and flounced off.

“You better not hurt him.” She flung over her shoulder. “I’d hate to have to kill you.” Willow glared at him and followed Buffy.

Angel picked up the duffel bag full of clothing in one hand and the duffel full of foodstuffs in the other. He walked into the mansion, closing the door behind him. “Boy.” He called. “Come and get this bag.” Spike appeared and took the bag of food. “Make Xander some broth. You may make us some more blood at the same time.”

Spike nodded and walked into the kitchen. He emptied a can of chicken noodle soup into a pot and added the correct amount of water. He then took a slotted spoon and dipped out the noodles and chicken as it heated. He emptied some blood from the fridge into some mugs and heated them in the microwave. He then placed the heated broth into a mug and the heated mugs of blood on a tray and walked from the kitchen to the bedroom where Xander was sleeping.

Angel walked into the bedroom with Xander in it and was shocked to see the boy leap out of the bed in fear.

“Oh, it’s just you.” Xander mumbled sleepily as he crawled back into the bed.

“We should get you into some clothes so you don’t get cold.” Angel said as he pulled out a pair of flannel sleep pants and a t-shirt from the bag of clothes. “Boy is making some broth. So don’t fall back to sleep yet.” Xander sleepily nodded as Angel manhandled him into the pajamas. Spike entered the room with a tray of mugs and Xander leaped out of the bed once more.

Angel grabbed a hold of the struggling body before it left the bed. “Calm down Xander, its just Boy. Sit down and drink some broth.” Xander nodded and allowed him to be pulled down into a sitting position. The mug was pressed into his hands and he automatically took a drink. He frowned and looked at the mug then took another drink.

Spike sat on the bed on Xander’s left side as Angel sat on the boy’s right. Spike looked quizzically at Xander and brushed his hand against the boy’s hip.

Xander jumped and almost spilled his broth before asking, “What?”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I was expecting something else.” Xander replied. His eyes started getting heavy. “Don’t leave me alone, please.” He whispered as his eyes slid shut.

“We won’t.” Angel promised as he took the mug from nearly limp hands. Xander gave a small smile.

“Please promise me one more thing.” He slurred with a sleep heavy voice. “Never leave me alone with them and don’t let them touch me again.” Spike and Angel looked at each other and nodded.

“Yeah, we can do that. Now lie down and go to sleep.” Spike replied pulling the blanket up over the still form. Xander wiggled down and Spike pulled the blanket up to the boy’s chin. Angel stood and then found one of his wrists trapped. He looked down and noticed Xander had one of Spike’s wrists to.

“Don’t go.” Was whispered. Angel and Spike looked at each other again.

“Let us finish up and we’ll come lie down with you.” Angel replied. Xander grunted sleepily and wouldn’t release the pilfered wrists. “Xander, you have to let go. We have to finish some things before we go to sleep.” Xander grunted and released Angel’s wrist. He tugged Spike down on the bed. Spike tipped forward and fell on the bed. Xander curled on his side with his knees to his chest and just held Spike’s wrist in the center of the bed.

Spike glanced up at Angel with wide eyes and gently tried to remove his wrist from its captor. Xander whined and gripped tighter. Spike winced in pain.

“Don’t.” Angel said softly. “Stay with him.” Spike nodded as Angel left the room. He tried everything he could to get his wrist released, but Xander held fast. Finally with a large sigh he curled up on his side facing Xander and started humming under his breath. Xander opened pain filled chocolate eyes and scooted closer to Spike pushing the vampire onto his back.

He let go of the wrist and placed his head on Spike’s chest. Spike froze and stopped humming. Xander lifted his head and looked down at his now pillow and frowned. Spike started humming again and the exhausted boy smiled slightly and buried his face in the crook of Spike’s neck. He threw his leg over the vampire and molded his body to Spike, essentially pinning the vamp to the bed. Xander’s heartbeat slowed as he drifted off to sleep. He made little sleep content noises as Spike continued humming.

When Angel walked back into the room he glared at Spike as the other vampire innocently shrugged. “I didn’t do it.” Spike replied. “I started humming and he scooted towards me. I stopped when he rested his head on my chest. He didn’t like that.”

Xander whimpered as he stiffened and started thrashing a little.

“No, please Giles, no. No more, it hurts.” He murmured as he shivered. “Please don’t hurt me any more.” Spike instantly turned his attention to the thrashing figure. He started humming again but the boy continued to be trapped in a nightmare of his past.

Angel slid into the bed behind Xander and spooned his body up against the thrashing boy. As he felt the body slide in behind him Xander stiffened more and then howled in fear.

“Xander wake up. It’s Angel. No one here is going to hurt you.” Angel said in Xander’s ear. The dreaming boy started awake and screamed as loud as he could.

Chapter 11: Recovery in Stages

Xander leaped out of the confining arms of the 2 vampires as they reached for him. He tripped over the blankets as he fought his way off the bed. He hit the ground hard and grunted in pain at the impact. Rolling to his feet he ran out of the room as fast as he could. He was gone in the blink of an eye, leaving 2 very confused vampires in his wake as the whole scene had taken less than 30 seconds.

“Boy, follow him.” Angel ordered and Spike nodded and took off after him. Angel stopped for a few seconds grabbing a sweater, coat, pair of socks and a pair of ratty sneakers for Xander and his own shoes and sock for himself. After quickly pulling on the footwear he took off after Spike and Xander.

Running at top speed Xander was staying ahead of Spike. “Damn, this boy can run.” Thought Spike as he pushed himself to greater speeds. Xander passed through the mansion and ran out the door. On and on he ran out into the dark of the night.

“Xander stop.” Spike called out as Xander put on another burst of speed and disappeared from sight. Spike stumbled to a halt and stared at the fleeing youth.

“Something’s not right here.” He whispered as Angel stopped beside him. Angel frowned and looked at him.

“Your right. Something isn’t right. No human should have been able to outrun us. We should follow and find out exactly what is wrong with our young friend.” Angel replied as they set off at a run again.

Xander ran hard and fast, twisting, turning, and backtracking the whole while trying to throw off his scent. He leapt into a water fountain on the collage campus and power jumped into a tree from the water to further confuse his trackers. He swung himself from tree to tree then dropped to the ground half a mile away and continued to run. Until he found himself in a cemetery, he stopped and looked around his baldhead flashing in the moonlight.

“If I can find a fledgling I can heal myself enough so that I can defend myself.” Xander thought. He followed the little tingle in his belly until he found a fledge digging itself out of it’s grave.

“Sorry mate.” He said. “It’s not personal.” His eyes started glowing red and his fangs elongated. He lifted the male fledge out of his grave and struck in his fangs into it’s neck hard. He groaned at the sensation of luke-warm blood hitting the back of his throat as he swallowed the river flooding his mouth. He drank and drank until the body in his arms turned to dust. He stepped back and wiped his mouth as his body filled out, gaining the muscle tone and weight that a man his size should have. His once baldhead sprouted thick black hair. He fumbled for the waist of his sweat pants and loosened the tie that had held the once too big pants to his emaciated frame. He gave a great sigh as he tied the waist to accommodate the increase in his size.

“Now that hit the spot.” He whispered, feeling like he could now take on the world. He turned and walked towards a crypt and lifted himself on top of it.

He sat there thinking to himself, totally ignoring his surroundings, completely unaware of the people watching him. People from three sides watching him, two semi-good vampires, one cursed with a conscience and one chipped into having a conscience, a pack of hungry confused vampires, who had witnessed Xander drain the fledge, and a large group of soldiers, who were staring at a small monitor looking at infrared signatures of all those present.

“There are a lot of room temperature beings over there. Of the two to the left, one is Hostile 17, and the other is unknown. On the right are 7 unknowns. And smack dab in the middle is a strange sight. One minute 98.6* and the next room temperature, I think Walsh will want to examine it.” One soldier stated. The commanding officer nodded his head.

“Yes, she will want that one.” He replied. “Something is off about that one.”

Spike sniffed as the wind shifted carrying Xander’s scent to him and Angel. “Sire, there’re other vampires and those army men that got me around. We have to get Xander out of here.” Spike whispered. Angel nodded.

“Let the vamp’s attack and in the confusion we’ll get Xander.” Angel replied tensing his muscles in anticipation.

The vampires tensed and attacked Xander, the army men countered and tagged the vampires and Angel and Spike nabbed Xander and got the hell out of there.

Spike had Xander over his shoulder and Xander just lay limp.

“Oof, pet you are heavy.” Spike murmured as he ran. “Heavier than the last time I lifted you. Now why is that.” A strange scent filled Spike’s nose and he breathed it in deeply. “Your hiding something.”

Xander just grunted as his stomach connected once again with Spike’s shoulder.

“Boy, this way.” Angel called as he turned towards the mansion. Spike followed him.

Chapter 12: The Return to the Mansion


As Spike ran, Xander guffed as his stomach slammed into Spike’s shoulder, his wind kept getting knocked out of him.

“OMPF.” He grunted, trying to talk. Spike slowed and slipped Xander around so that the boy had his legs wrapped around his waist and Xander dug his face into the crick of Spike’s neck.

Angel and Spike ran. They ran as if the hounds of hell were on their heels. They twisted and turned, running so that their trackers would lose their trail. They slowed after a half an hour, to dress the now shivering Xander.

Spike placed the sleeping boy on his feet and steadied him, as Angel quickly placed the sweater over Xander’s head, noting that some of the stitches were already healed. He shook his head to clear the confusion. Then slipped the coat over the limp shoulders. He ran his hand through the thick black curls on Xander’s head, and then nodded to Spike, who lifted the boy again. Angel then placed the socks and shoes on his feet. They then started running again.

“Wait a minute.” Angel said stopping suddenly. “Xander has hair. Wasn’t he bald before we left the mansion?” Angel turned to Spike and ran his hand through Xander’s thick hair again. Spike lifted him higher in his arms and rested his hands on the boy’s back.

"He’s heavier as well, and his scent keeps changing.” He said, and stilled as his eyes shot open wide.

“What?” Angel asked.

“He’s licking my neck.” Spike replied. “Right where we would bite. OW. He bit me.” Spike tried to push away but Xander hung on like a leach. “OW. He’s drinking my blood, Sire, help.” Angel and Spike both pried the boy off and set him down on the ground. Xander shook in exhuastion.

“S-S-So c-c-cold.” Xander chattered as he shook. Angel tipped the now healed face up. There was a row of useless stitches along the brow. The expressive brown eyes turned red as fangs grew. “So cold, so hungry.” Xander panted, bringing in great inhalations of air through his nose. “Need just a little more. Then I can defend myself against Buffy, Willow, Cordelia and Giles. Can’t let then hurt me some more.”

“He’s a d’hamfir, but how? Those are only made when a pregnant woman is turned and the fetus becomes a true half-breed, all the strengths of a vampire with none of the weaknesses.” Angel stated, as he sniffed Xander’s hair, then shoulder and neck. As he sniffed Xander’s neck he stiffened in surprise. “That’s my scent. How is that my scent? Never mind let’s just get him back to the mansion.” Angel grabbed Xander out of Spike’s arms, cradling the youth like a baby. Keeping those dangerous fangs away from his neck. They then ran, ran as Xander had, as if the hounds of hell were on their heels.

Once they reached the mansion they rushed inside to the bedroom. They placed Xander on the bed. He curled in a ball, and shivered, as the two confused vampires pulled the jacket, shoes and socks from his protesting form.

“Xander look at me. Open your eyes and look at me.” Angel said in a firm quiet voice. Xander’s head lolled back as Angel pulled his body up. “Xander, open your eyes.” Angel then demanded in a louder voice. “Xander your sire demands you look at him.” Xander’s eyes snapped open. The deep chocolate color swirled red in a spiral, his lips parted, to reveal not the yellowed fangs of a normal vampire, but two slim white fangs that curved neatly over his bottom lip.

“S-S-Sire.” He stuttered. He coughed. “I have no sire, I need no sire. I am 400 years old.”

Chapter 13: Explanations of Hell.


Angel sat back on the bed, stunned, at the realization that Xander had spent 400 years in hell. Indeed, a 400 year-old vampire didn’t need his sire. Xander was older than his sire himself. A d’hamfir, certainly didn’t need a sire either. Angel could feel no draw to Xander, as he could to Spike.

Spike stood and placed Xander, so that he sat up against the headboard of the bed. He tucked the covers around the still form.

“Xander what do you need?” Angel asked, knowing that the boy would know his own body. He figured that Xander needed more blood, but wanted to be sure.

“Th-the f-f-fledge I drained earlier wasn’t enough. I need more. I have a few injuries that haven’t healed, though I can feel Spike’s blood running through my veins. Healing me, rejuvenating me. Please, I need more.” Xander stammered, he fell to his side and wrapped his arms around his chest and shivered. “Until I heal, I’m useless. I can not protect myself.”

“You shouldn’t have to protect yourself. You should be protecting your friends and all the others, from the things the go bump in the night.” Angel murmured. He sat up and looked down at Xander, “Can you control how much you take?”

Xander gave Angel, an incredible impression of Cordelia’s ‘duh’ face. “I’ve been doing this a while Angel.” He deadpanned. Angel looked sheepish for a second, before switching to gameface and driving his fangs, harshly into his wrist. He held it out to Xander, whose nose twitched and he glomped onto the offered appendage and brought it to his mouth, in a hurry.

As he sucked, Xander kept his eyes on Angel’s. He took long slow pulls. His eyes turned red and Angel flinched, as he felt 2, long, slim fangs, penetrate the wound. A voice echoed in Angel’s mind. The pain disappeared and Angel took a breath of air, in shock.

Spike cocked his head and said, “Sire, what’s wrong?”

“He’s telepathic. He’s speaking to me with his mind. It must be one of the powers a d’hamfir has.” Angel and Spike watched Xander smile, around the mouthful of Angel-flesh. Angel heard in his mind, as Xander licked his wrist and pulled away. Angel looked at his wrist and watched the fang-marks close. “Xander do you need more?” He asked, looking to Spike. Xander nodded, he rubbed at a spot on his chest, just to the right of his heart. He pulled off the sweater and tee shirt and rubbed again, at a raised lump, about an inch wide and a quarter inch, from a dead heart shot.

“What’s that?” Spike asked, then looked contrite, as he had spoken out of turn. Angel raised an eyebrow, but stayed silent, as he waited for Xander’s answer. Xander sighed and rubbed the spot again.

“About six months ago, Giles decided to have fun. He wanted to see how fast I could heal. He used different sizes of silver stakes. He drove them into my body. He removed all but 3 of them and one is right here, trying to get out again. I have one in my lower back, by my spine and one in my belly. So far, only this one is trying to come out.” Xander said softly. He rubbed the lump again and then stared hard at his fingers. Spike and Angel watched in horror, as his fingernails grew and sharpened into claws. He ran one claw, across the top of the lump, to split the skin. A silver speck, pushed itself out of the cut and Xander wrapped his forefinger and thumb around it and pulled. His face twisted, in a rictus of pain and the stake slid out, 2 inches. He dropped his hand to the bed and panted for a second or 2.

“Ouch.” He panted. “There’s a hook on the end of it. Spike, can you turn it 90 degrees to the right?” Spike nodded and Angel ran and grabbed a towel from the bathroom, to stem the bleeding. As Angel returned, Spike took a hold of the stake and twisted, Xander howled and just about passed out. Spike reacted as predicted, as a shot of lightning flashed in his brain. He dropped to the floor, clutching his forehead.

Angel ran towards Xander and wrapped the towel around the stake and pressing down on the skin. “Spike, are you all right?” He called in his fear, forgetting Spike’s name change. Spike groaned and rolled on his back. He looked back at Xander and noticed the graying of Xander’s lips and said, “Can I pull it out?” Xander nodded and took a deep breath.

Angel grabbed the silver stake lightly, but also firmly and pulled straight up. Xander howled again and passed out this time. Angel stood up and dropped the stake to the floor and pressed the towel to the hole in Xander’s chest. Spike leaped up off the floor and drove his own fangs into his wrist. He held his wrist over Xander’s mouth.

After about 3 minutes of dripping blood in Xander’s mouth, Xander started to respond. He started to suck weakly. Angel ran to the kitchen, to prepare a couple of pitchers of blood. He needed a recharge and he was sure, that both the vampire and d’hamfir would both need some as well. He made 3, full, 1-gallon pitchers, to help them all. He was certain, that he had read, that though d’hamfir could ingest the blood of demons, humans, vampires, or animals, but that only demon and vampire blood, had any nutritional or healing properties.

~If he gets nothing from this, at least either Boy or I can drink this and feed him again. ~ He thought, as he carried the tray as quickly as he could, into the bedroom. As he entered the room, he noticed that Xander was awake and holding Spike’s wrist, tightly. His pupils, were tight red spirals, staring Spike straight in the eyes. Spike was panting in arousal and letting out soft moans and groans. The wave of pheromones, nearly dropped Angel to his knees.

He staggered over to the bed and handed Spike a pitcher. Spike took a large gulp and drained half the pitcher. Xander let go of Spike’s wrist and fell back against the bed. Spike continued to drink the pitcher, though it wasn’t as fast as it was before.

“Boy, drink up. Xander, do you need more?” Angel asked. Xander nodded. “Okay, let us drink this and then you can have more.” Xander nodded and rolled on his side, his eyes closing. Angel reached over and picked up his own pitcher, drinking slowly.