Title: One Thing in Common
Authors: lusciousxander & lusciousspike
Paring: X/A, S
Rating: PG
Spoilers: BtVS S7, AtS S3
Summery:Before the battle with The First something happens that causes Xander to head out to L.A. to give Angel something for safe keeping, but one thing leads to another and… well you've gotta read to know the rest.

**Important**the last episode of BtVS S7 and S3 of AtS had turned out differently in this story. Connor never got to throw Angel in the ocean because Cordelia never got ascended and stopped him therefore all S4 will never happen… Um Angel and Wesley made up and Lilah never died … Angel never became CEO of W&H instead he closed the place down (how? Well, we dunno, he just did! *g*)…

Thanks to strickens_girl and mulder200for the wonderful editing. :)

One Thing in Common

Chapter 1:

The desert was vast scorched by the heated sun, which rays made the sweat stream down Xander's face, causing him to wipe his hand across it with frustration. He should have been back in Sunnydale for the big fight, not driving towards freaking LA. All his friends were there risking their lives to defeat the First while he was away because of Spike.

This whole mess was Willow's fault. She was supposed to practice doing that spell to give all the potential slayers around the world their slayer powers and in turn, the slayers already training with Buffy would fight against the First. Not surprisingly however, it backfired and turned Spike into a one year old toddler, a presumably humanone year old toddler. Giles couldn't find a logical explanation as to why it was Spike who was affected. He said that it would require a very long research session to find how that happened and a way to switch Spike back. Unfortunately, they had no time for either of them.

So, Buffy had decided to send the mini Spike to Angel for safe keeping. She chose Xander for this mission given that he was the one eyed, less useful member of the group. Okay, she didn't use those words, but he could still see it in her eyes, even after she'd said all that bullshit about how she'd trusted no one but him to do it.

He sighed, resisting the urge to bang his head against the wheel. After coming to terms with who he was and what he was capable of, he'd gone and lost his eye, breaking all the confidence he'd built over the years down. He couldn't shake the fact that he was the least contributing member in the group, and it hurt to think that Buffy had assigned him for the role of baby-delivery boy because of that.

They'd had Spike wear one of Dawn's small blouses when she'd been little which were still several sizes bigger than the child's tiny form. The blouse they picked was designed for a three year old, but it was the smallest one they could find. Buffy had given Xander a bag to put what he thought was needed from the things in the Summers' basement. Fuming, he had thrown all the baby clothes and playthings without a second look along with Spike's old clothes way in the bottom of the duffle thinking he might change back while he was in LA. He thought that Angel would appreciate having something to cover a grown Spike with whenever that happened.

On his way, he'd made a stop at the abandoned mall, and picked up some diapers, baby food and, of course, the Xander's obligatory road trip junk food.

Xander looked down at the sleeping baby on his lap, knowing if ever there were traffic police on the road from Sunny D to L.A. they wouldn't approve, but he couldn't find a baby car seat in that abandoned mall. And seatbelts couldn't hold a small baby in place, could they?

He glanced at sleeping Spike closely; he didn't look like Spike at all. His formerly gelled white hair had turned into soft dark honey curls and the purple blouse was notsomething the Big Bad would wear.

The child stirred a bit, and Xander knew he was about to wake up. He realized it was the first time Spike had woken since the 'miniature-ing' incident. Huge blue eyes stared up at him and small hands that just appeared from the too longer sleeves clutched on the hem of his shirt.

Xander forced a smile. "Hey, uh, how was the nap?"

Spike's lower lip stuck out, trembling for a few seconds before he burst into tears. Xander's eye widened in confusion, and he pulled the car over to the side of the road. He held the weeping toddler and rocked him gently back and forth trying to quiet him.

"No, no, no. Crying is bad." Much to Xander's dismay the baby would not stop.

"Hey, look at me. It's okay, look at me." Xander waved his hands then caught himself in the review mirror. He looked like a dangerous murderer with that eye patch and the stubble. "Or better yet, don't look at me."

Spike screamed as he started to turn red.

Xander began to panic, "Oh God, what to do? Why me? What to do? Ooh, singing, babies love the singing." He flung the baby to his shoulder and started patting him. "Um … hush little baby, don't say a word. Xander's gonna buy you a … uh what's the next word?"

Spike was still crying and Xander frantically began to pat him again.

Say anything, anything! Just make it stop!

"Aah, hush little baby don't say a word. Xander's gonna take you to Broody and Cord." Spike screamed louder and Xander patted him hysterically. "Shouldn't have said Cordy, moron. Who wouldn't freak out?"

Xander pulled Spike back and looked at him miserably. "What do you want me to do, huh? Are you hungry? Do you need changing? Oh please say no."

Since Xander brought the baby to his face so he could easily address him, Spike seemed to find something interesting on it. He slowly raised his tiny chubby hand then suddenly snatched the eye patch and let it go causing a loud smack on Xander's face. Xander cried out in pain in turn Spike giggled.

Xander looked at him angrily and couldn't help but yell, "You idiot!"

Spike's eyes widened with alarm and his lower lip started trembling yet again, followed by a high volume bellow.

Xander whimpered. "Not again." He looked tiredly at the crying baby before taking his eye patch off with a sigh. "All right, you want it, take it!" He handed it to Spike who took it happily and started chewing on the black patch. Xander grimaced when he noticed the drool dripping all over it.

Spike was gnawing on the eye patch, his big blue eyes gazing up at Xander, unblinking. Xander sighed in defeat and patted the honey curls. Spike's eyes were locked on Xander's injured one; he refrained from biting to raise a small hand and touched the damaged eye with the tips of his fingers. He made a depressing sound as if recognizing that Xander was hurt.

Xander didn't move or flinch as Spike laid his small hand on the damaged area. He smiled softly and held the small hand with his big one. "Yeah, it's a big booboo. You know you're the first one to see it without the eye patch with the exception of the doc." Spike whined unhappily and Xander looked at himself in the car mirror. "Yeah, I don't like to look at it bare myself."

"Booboo!" Spike exclaimed touching Xander's eye.

Xander grinned down at him then held him, each hand holding an armpit. "Hey, you wanna fly, kid?" He started lifting Spike up and let him drop to catch him again. "Up, down! Up, down!" He carefully made sure he wouldn't hit the car's top.

Spike giggled joyfully and let go of the eye patch. Eventually, Xander sat him on his lap and took his eye patch, placing it again to cover his left eye. He made a face when he felt the drool.

Ew kiddy slobber!Xander thought as he wiped it on the hem of his shirt before replacing it.

"Booboo!" Spike exclaimed again, pointing at the covered section of his face.

Smiling, Xander pointed his finger at it and shook his head. "No Booboo."

The baby shook his head in agreement and whispered in wonder, "No Booboo."

"Wanna eat?" Xander grabbed a baby bottle, scooped one measure of dried milk and filled it with warm water from a thermos he had brought with him just in case. Good thing they had the directions on the formula container. Spike played with his shirt button as Xander shook the bottle, causing the formula to mix.

Once Spike was fed, he seemed to tire out quickly and fell into sleep on Xander's lap. That was when Xander started the car back up again.

They stopped one more time when was when Spike woke up crying because he needed to be changed. Xander took a diaper from the bag and started changing him.

Xander couldn't picture the look on Spike's face when he'd tell him about changing his diaper. He could imagine Soulless Spike's reaction, but Souled Spike had lost interest in biting the bait. In the past few months, they hadn't spoken a word to each other much less fought. They'd grown indifferent about each other.

He finished changing the diaper on the hood and flinched as he seemingly nonchalantly threw the used one off the side of the road. He then got back in the driver seat and started up the engine.

The one thing that made the trip worthwhile was the look on Angel's face the moment he saw one-year-old Spike.

Xander snickered. "I guess L.A. gave you other facial expressions."

Angel pointed at the baby with alarm. "Th … this is Spike?"

Xander frowned. "Buffy didn't tell you?" He got a confused look from Angel. "She was supposed to call you and 'warn you' about us coming over."

"She didn't tell me a thing," Angel spoke, looking slightly hurt.

Xander scoffed. "We're at war, of course she forgot." His mind caught hold of something, "Hey, then how did you know that I was coming? You acted like you were expecting me."

"Vampire senses. I assumed that Buffy sent you for more supplies or something."

"Still, doesn't explain how you knew the little guy is Spike."

"Vampire senses. Again." Angel approached Xander and stared at Spike narrowly. "How did he get like this?"

Xander shrugged. "Willow, a magic-mistake, same old, same old." He looked down at Spike, who was chewing his collar as he held him to his shoulder. "Hey, kid, look. This is Angel; he's like your grandpa or something, look."

Spike left Xander's collar and looked at Angel, who blinked at him with disbelief. Spike gazed fearfully at him and quickly hid his face in Xander's shoulder, clutching his shirt tightly. Xander smirked as he looked up at Angel. "It looks like he doesn't like you."

"Huh?"

"No wonder he doesn't." Xander let out an amused laugh. "He's not Spike anymore. He's just a baby. Treat him like one."

"What?" Angel asked, annoyed. The shock of Spike turning into an infant still didn't register in his head apparently.

"First," Xander said in a tone spoken to a child. "You reach out your hands for the baby. Then, you smile. Then…"

"I know how to hold a baby," Angel barked at him. He held his hands to Spike. "Come here, kiddo, come with me."

Spike whimpered and grasped more into Xander who snickered. "He likes me more."

"He's not used to me yet, that's all." Angel took the bag and gestured to the stairs. "Come on, I have an empty room for him. You can leave once we settle him in."

Xander followed him. "How did you figure that out?" he asked while murmuring comforting words to the frightened baby.

"Obviously, Buffy wanted Spike out of the harm's way while he's in this condition. So she sent you to give him to me 'til the fight is over and then she'll come and I'll hand him back."

Xander raised his eyebrows. "Right on the spot."

"It doesn't take a genius. You just said Willow's magic was the cause. She's gonna find a way to reverse the spell and Spike will go back to his normal annoying self. And of course, Buffy will want him back. She seemed to like him pretty much last I saw her," he said irritably, remembering his last conversation with Buffy in Sunnydale.

"Well, we're not really sure that it was Willow's spell that done this." At Angel's look he continued, "I told you we're in a war; we have no time to think straight."

Angel's eyes narrowed at his eye patch, seemed to just notice it. "What happened to your eye?"

"A psycho preacher poked his finger into it. Buffy killed him though with some neat scythe."

"Yeah I was there," Angel said. He looked sympathetically at Xander. "I'm …"

"Yeah, yeah, where did you say his room was?" Xander spoke swiftly trying to change the subject. Angel got the message and took the bag he dropped heading to Connor's old room.

This was the last thing Angel needed right now. He'd been through hell in the last couple of years. And to think that deal he'd made with Lilah was the last straw. He'd promised not to kill her if she, and her resources at Wolfram and Hart, erased everyone's memory of his son and the events that occurred because of his birth. He excluded his friends since Cordelia caught him making that deal and threatened to read him all the editions she had of Cosmo. Connor was given the normal human life he deserved.

With that being done and with the rest of the gang's help, they closed the evil law firm. There in one of the safes, Wesley had found a pendant that he said would help Buffy on the final battle with the First and in closing the Hellmouth; however it could only be worn by a champion. Thus, Angel had gone to Sunnydale in hope of being Buffy's savior only to be rejected in favors of Spike.

NowAngel was expected to welcome Spike –as a child- with open arms. Hadn't he suffered enough?

Angel opened the door to Connor's old baby room, and a sad smile curled up into his lips. He had redone the room after the fire. The crib lacked its comforter that was thrown to the other side of the room. Angel put the bag down and went to arrange the crib.

Xander walked in after him with Spike in his arms. "Why do you have a baby crib?"

Angel shrugged, placing the blankets on the small bed. "Long story." After he finished fixing the crib, he looked at Xander. "Now put him down."

Xander lowered Spike into the crib but the baby protested and whimpered looking at Angel fearfully. "It's all right. I'm right here with you."

Spike was rested on his back on the sheets and blinked his big blue eyes up at the two grown ups. It didn't take too long until the edge of the blanket became his new chew-toy.

Angel raised an eyebrow at the purple blouse Spike was wearing. "This blouse is way bigger than him."

"Uh … they didn't have any baby clothes at the Summers' residence. This was one of Dawn's."

"I have some baby clothes but I think they're too small."

Xander frowned. "Why do you have baby clothes?" Angel gave him a look, causing him to laugh nervously, "Right, none of my business." He looked down at his watch, which he started to wear on his right hand so he could see it better. "Look at the time. I gotta go now, nice to see you again!" He turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Xander turned back to Angel, who looked down worriedly at the baby. "Are you gonna leave me alone with him?"

Xander blinked, confused. "Angel, he's a little baby, he's not gonna bite… well, he could bite you but it won't kill."

"I know that," Angel said, annoyed. "But he doesn't like me. Do you think it's wise to leave him here alone with me?"

"Why don't you try talking to him?"

Angel looked at Spike doubtfully. "What should I say?"

"Anything. And use baby talk, it worked well with me."

Angel looked at Xander, horrified. "I use baby talk on Spike?"

"Weird, right? But… don't think of him as Spike. Think of him as some baby you found outside your door in a basket."

Angel rubbed his temple and leaned closer to Spike, smiling. "Tomorrow we're going to buy clothes that fit, all right, kiddo?"

Spike backed away from him fearfully, and Angel sighed disappointedly.

Xander shook his head. "Why don't you let Cordy or Wesley take care of him 'til he gets used to you?" He looked around. "By the way, where is everyone?"

"We've been through a lot this year so I gave them the week off. Fred might be back here tonight."

"Okay, let this Fred guy take care of him then."

"She'might' come here tonight, I don't know." He looked resignedly at Xander. "Couldn't you stay here tonight?"

"I can't. I have to get back there and fight with my friends."

"C'mon, they can handle themselves without you."

Xander winced. "Gee thanks," he said sarcastically.

Angel approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. Xander brushed it off in anger and Angel sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry, it's just I need your help here."

"I don't care. Believe it or not my friends do need my help in Sunnydale. I gotta go." He was at the door when Spike noticed him leaving. He began to cry, getting louder and louder as he reached his hands up to Xander.

Angel turned at Xander. "See? He wants you here."

Xander looked at Spike, who started screaming with his hands in the air, wanting Xander to hold him. Spike's tears fell over his reddened cheeks, holding his hands up for Xander to pick him.

Xander shook his head. "I'm sorry. I've got to go. They need me," he whispered heading outside until…

"Dada!"

Xander froze in his place turning his face slowly towards the baby. Spike reached his hands desperately for him. "Dada! Dada!" He cried out.

Angel raised eyebrow, incredulous. "He thinks you're his father?"

"It's 'cause I was the first face he saw. I guess," Xander said the first suitable explanation that came to his mind and walked towards the crying baby. He picked him up, kissing his face all over not knowing why but feeling it was the right thing to do. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he spoke softly, rocking him gently. Spike slowly began to calm down; touching Xander's eye patch making sure it was him.

Angel wearily approached Xander, wearing a soft smile. "So, you're staying?"

Xander looked up at Angel then down at the sniffling baby. "I think I should." He looked back up at Angel. "But what about my friends?"

"Do you have a cell phone?"

Xander nodded.

"Then call them and explain it to them."

Xander reached for his cell phone in his pocket, he dialed the Summers' phone number and Angel heard Buffy answering the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Buffy, it's Xander. Uh, look, I got Spike to Angel but it seems that I'm the only one who Spike feels safe with and …"

"Hey, it's all right. You could stay in L.A. helping Angel out with Spike."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, we're handling ourselves just fine. You should stay there."

"If you say so…"

"Yeah, you better stay there, Xander." There was a slight pause. "For Spike, you know."

"Yeah, I know."

"Hey, I should go. Well then, take care."

"Bye, Buffy."

Xander closed his cell phone and stared at it pensively. Angel pursed his lips and looked away, unsure what to say or do in the awkward silence.

Xander raised a false-happy eye with the biggest grin Angel ever saw. "Hey, laugh it up, Mr. Desperate. The Xan-man is staying. You're off the hook." He looked down at a sniffing Spike. "I think we better feed him." He said and hurried to grab the bottle and the formula. Angel helped Xander into the kitchen.

After they fed Spike, Xander got some of Dawn's old stuffed animals and gave them to the baby, who started merrily playing in his crib throwing them around and making conversation with the inanimate animals. They watched him playing, occasionally glancing at the other in hopes of catching a fond smile on the other's lips. No reason to miss a mocking opportunity.

Angel noticed Xander getting uncomfortable before he stood up, heading outside.

"Where are you going?" Angel called after him.

"My eye's beginning to itch and I left the drops and cream in the car. I'll be right back!"

Noticing Xander leaving, Spike began to cry again. Xander came back with a sigh. "I'm not leaving," he said, bored. "I'll just go get something out of the car and come back."

Angel snorted. "Yeah, like he'll understand that."

Xander glared at him. "Well, do you have a way to make him un-fear you?"

Angel looked at Spike, thinking, before picking him up with difficulty since Spike kept reaching frightfully for Xander. Angel turned Spike's face towards him and when he felt the blue eyes look at him, he changed into his vampire face.

Xander panicked. "Are you crazy?" But then he noticed Spike calming down and reaching with his small fingers to touch Angel's fangs.

Xander stared at them, eyes wide. "Whoa! He really isSpike. Looking at unpleasant sights calms him down."

"I figured it could work on him too. Guess I was right." Angel said, still looking at the baby who ran his fingers over his ridges.

Xander narrowed his eyes at him, "Too?"

Angel ignored him and smiled down at Spike. All of this brought back memories of Connor, when he himself calmed down for the first time after his birth at the sight of his father's true face. He brushed the sad memories away and focused all his attention on Spike, who was beginning to drift off.

He turned to the amazed Xander. "Why don't you go and get your stuff?"

Xander nodded, speechless, and headed outside, as Angel placed the now sleeping Spike in his crib. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at him, and… smiling, a little.

When he heard Xander coming back, the corners of his lips went upside down.

"So back to the sulk, I see. Finally a look I'm familiar with," Xander said cheerfully.

Angel glared at him, putting a finger to his mouth. Xander noticed Spike sleeping and nodded understandingly. Angel stood up and walked toward him. "I think it's better if you slept in the room with him. He'd probably be more comfortable with you and would relax if he saw you with him if… whenhe wakes up in the middle of night."

Xander's brows furrowed. "You're just dumping him on me so he won't disturb your precious vamp beauty sleep."

Angel smiled. "That's the plan." He walked outside but stopped when he heard Xander hissing his name and turned.

Xander grinned widely. "Have any PJs? The only clothes I have are the ones I'm wearing. Didn't expect a sleepover."

Angel nodded. "No, but I'll bring you some sweats."

Xander ran his eye over the room and his gaze stopped at the sleeping Spike. He sighed and sat in the same spot Angel had been sitting on and stared at the baby. Now that was a better thought. His fingers twitched, about to reach for the soft golden curls that somehow had a glow in the darkness of the calmly lit room.

He didn't notice Angel in the doorway, holding some clothes.

"Now that's a cute picture."

Xander groaned at Angel's smirk. "At least I have feelings."

"You mean toward Spike?"

"No, towards the baby." He focused his gaze on Angel. "He's not Spike, you know."

He ignored the frown that spread on Angel's face and instinctively went back to stroke the baby's hair. His hand recoiled and he cursed softly. "Damn it!"

Angel snickered quietly.