Title: Dust You Are and to Dust You Will Return
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: S/X
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Xander is on a mission.
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5ish
Beta'd by: Unbeta'd
Prompt #355 from Tamingthemuse- Dust You Are and to Dust You Will Return
Note: From now on most of my Tamingthemuse stories will be named as the challenge.
Note 2: I had a lot of trouble with this one so fingers crossed!
Spike followed Xander into a third cemetery that night. When Xander had gotten home from work he had told Spike that they were on patrol. Spike questioned it because it was Friday night which was their date night when he told Xander that thinking maybe he forgot Spike received a glare and told him he'd go on his own. So here they were an hour later and Xander was just as tense as he was when he got home.
"Pet, Can you just stop and talk to me?" Spike asked, as he grabbed onto Xander's arm careful not to hurt him. "Why are you so hell bent on patrolling tonight? What are you looking for?"
"Not what. Who," Xander corrected. He had to stop himself from pulling away from Spike and continuing on. "I'm looking for Patrick."
Spike frowned. "Patrick? Your boss?"
Xander nodded. "He hasn't shown up for work in a week and no one has heard from him. Vampires got him, Spike! I know it."
As much as Spike wanted to give Xander hope that Patrick was still alive he knew it would be a lie. "You're probably right, luv. But how do you know it's because of a vampire and not a demon?"
"Because eight-five percent of Sunnydale's death are caused by vampires," Xander answered. "We have to find him, Spike. His wife is a wreck. They have a five year old son. What if he decides to go after them?"
Xander had a point. If they didn't find Patrick and he was a vampire and went after his family Xander would blame himself. "All right, Xan. We'll look for him. I can't promise we'll find him though. For all we know he's left Sunnydale."
Xander shook his head and spoke, "I doubt it. Most vampires gravitate towards the hellmouth they don't leave it."
Spike's Xanpet was right on the ball today. "Let's move on, then."
"No need," a voice said behind them. "I think you're looking for me."
Xander whipped around to see Patrick, vamped out. "Patrick," he said sadly. He was hoping he was just being paranoid but deep down he knew. Being right really sucked sometimes. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. I feel great!" Patrick replied with a toothy grin. "I'm strong. Stronger than I ever thought I could be."
Shaking his head Xander remembered the same speech from Jesse. This time he knew better though. Patrick was gone. Xander pulled out his stake. He saw Spike pull out his as well just in case Xander needed help. Raising his stake Xander said, "I'll try to figure out a story to tell your family."
Patrick barked out a laugh. "Tell them I'm happier then I've been in a long fucking time!" He went to lunge at Xander thinking because he was a vampire he would have the upper hand. He found out he was wrong when Xander grabbed a hold of him and flung him onto his back on the ground. Before Patrick could scramble to get up Xander's stake plunged into his chest.
Xander and Spike watched as Patrick turned into a pile of dust. "Dust you are and to dust you will return," Xander said quietly.
Spike pulled Xander against him. "Are you okay?"
Nodding Xander mumbled, "I will be."
"Let's go home, luv."
Without another word they walked around the small pile of dust and made their way home.
The End