Chapter Four

"Okay, stuffy guys, let's have it. I'm hungry and I wanna call for Chinese and I don't need you two making me lose my apatite. This is like my first real meal in two days," Cordelia said in her usual blunt fashion, looking already impatient with both Giles and Wesley, who were just standing there doing nothing but boring them all with silence.

Xander wished that Cordelia would always remain herself; she was unique and lovable in her own way. He didn't say that out loud; however, because Buffy and Willow had a marble ash tray on the coffee table right in front of them. He wouldn't put it pass one of them to hit him directly on the head. This was a bad thing in itself, but more because Xander had William in his lap. In particular after how Cordelia had scrunched up her nose and made it known that she thought Buffy's clothes were bad and that Willow's hair was stinking up the place because she chose to sleep instead of showering earlier that day like everyone else then opted not to miss Giles and Wesley's lecture deciding talking then the long awaited shower after that.

They were gathered in the library-slash-lounge, which Gunn had proudly announced puffing his chest that he was fixing up. Xander noted the possibilities in the room, mainly the busted up old book cases and a reading desk which created half the room and the other half was made up of a two large couches in a corner with the glass coffee table in the middle.

Xander had barely held himself from offering his assistance and advice to Gunn. He missed working with his hands after losing his left eye. Unconsciously, he knew from the moment he met Gunn that they would quickly become friends and that his new friend wouldn't mind but in fact appreciate another handy-man in the building. Xander envisioned them male bonding over hammers and nails and held back a chuckle. He sobered up remembering what stopped him from offering in the first place. He knew the project Gunn had in mind was going to take a lengthy amount of time to be complete. And he wasn't sure that he was staying that long.

The sudden twinkle of sadness confused him. Why would he be upset about leaving, especially since he had only been here for a mere two days? He quickly pushed down the uneasy feeling and chose to focus on Giles and Wesley. The two men were nearly vibrating from suppressed excitement.

"Jeez, guys, let it out already or we're gonna have to clean up the mess," Buffy groused, adding a teasing smile to show she was just joking.

"Um, yes, quite right, Miss Summers, um Buffy." Wesley straightened his glasses.

Xander couldn't believe how flustered Wesley got around Buffy. It seemed like her presence conjured up echoes of his old self. Xander snickered when he caught Wesley flustering upon seeing Fred giving him a two thumbed sign. Helplessly, he turned to Giles, who was standing by his side, for assistance.

Giles smiled in understanding. "I believe you all know why we are gathering?" he started.

"You want to tell us how Spike who was a vampyre closed the Hellmouth and become a human toddler!" Andrew answered excitedly. He blinked in confusion when he saw everyone looking at him with blank looks. He pouted. "Well, he asked," he mumbled.

"Uh, yes," Giles said with distaste. "I, as some of you might already know, have developed a theory about the unexpected closing of the Hellmouth. I thought that it had a strong connection to do with the amulet Angel had given Buffy who in turn had given it to Spike. In fact after reviewing some things with Wesley we have come to believe that in all truth Spike has willingly changed for the cause."

He stopped talking anticipating their reactions. The silence seemed to stretch for hours. Suddenly a storm of questions and unidentifiable speech erupted. That lasted a few seconds before a low, animalistic growl put a stop to it.

"Enough!"

Xander gaped when they saw who it was; even William let Tigger's tail slip out of his mouth in shock of the exclamation. Angel had on a hard look as he gazed around the room and faced their looks with a straight face as if it was of the norm.

He turned his pensive eyes towards the two watchers. "Explain."

Giles took a deep breath to calm him; apparently that was too close to Angelus for his comfort. In hindsight, speaking so impulsively may not be the wisest choice of actions.

"Sorry… well, as many of you are aware, some from previous experience, opening the Hellmouth needs a strong influx of power."

Xander nodded, a shudder running through his body as he remembered some of the many evils that they had faced who wanted to open the Mouth of Hell and unleash its venom upon the earth.

"The same process applies to closing it. But since the Hellmouth was somewhat open thus attracting all sorts of unsavory creatures, it was fairly easier than closing it. Closing it completely, without leaving any room for random destructive power to try to open again, it required a stronger energy source. Unfortunately, even for the side of Good, there had to be a sacrifice… and Spike made it willingly."

Cordelia shook her head at Giles. "But that's where it doesn't fit in, why would Spike do it? If it were Angel I would get it, but I knew Spike and he… "

"Spike isn't the same vampire you knew, Cordelia," Buffy muttered.

"Of course, you'dsay that," Cordelia retorted.

"If you stopped looking at yourself for one minute and listened, you would have heard what great things Spike had done even before he had a soul," Dawn said heatedly, earning a scary look from Cordelia.

"Cat fight later… this is not as boring as I had dreaded." Buffy looked at both of them with warning in her eyes. Surprisingly, they relented and leaned back from their staring competition.

"Thank you, Buffy," Giles said dryly.

Buffy grinned. "You're welcome."

"When Cordelia had, politely I might add, interrupted, I was going to explain that statement. In researching the texts that Wesley had retrieved from Wolfram & Hart, we found that the amulet had a specific purpose. Yes, it was meant to be worn by a someone ensouled, but stronger than human, a champion, to function correctly, but what it was failed to be mentioned was that it was specially made to be worn by a creature that possessed both human and demon aspects…"

"Which fit this Spike dude since he was a vampire; demon possessing a human body who happened to be soul-ed," Gunn supplied getting on track.

Wesley nodded. "Exactly," he said then looked at Giles who gestured for him to continue. "You see what was more important, and actually very intriguing, was that this amulet was made by a half-breed good warlock who made it especially for this cause."

"So no way I could've used it?" Buffy asked. "It had to be either Angel or Spike?"

Wesley nodded and shook his head at the same time which was quite a task. "I'm afraid neither you nor Angel could have used it… the only one who had fit the prophecy was Spike."

"Whoa, there was a prophecy? On Spike?" Xander beat Angel to ask the question.

"Oh, have we not mentioned that?" Wesley looked at Giles who shrugged. "Actually he had one on him, and no, it's not the Shanshu." He looked at the Scoobies and said, "Don't ask."

Xander opened his mouth but received a silencing glance from Angel and had complied without hesitation.

"In the prophecy, it was said that whoever wears the amulet would help the slayer in her final battle with the First Evil. In closing the Hellmouth, it was cleansed. But what I failed to realize before, and with Rupert's assistance, we found that Spike's choice was imperative for the prophecy to be fulfilled. I mean by his choice, I'm referring to both the soul and the demon. That is why Angel couldn't be the one."

Everyone turned their heads and looked at Angel, realization clear in their eyes. Angel shrunk back in his perch on the desk at their scrutiny and mumbled, "It's true. Angelus wouldn't have agreed."

Xander returned them to the topic that he most cared about, namely not Angel. "What about this reward thing? Is there anything more to it?"

Giles stepped up to answer that, "Strange that you would ask that Xander. In our research we have discovered that something similar to this event had happened before. Some thousand and plus years ago, several people turned their back on their evil ways and gave their lives for fighting the good fight. The Powers That Be, as a reward, gave them back their life. By that I mean, they returned them to the age of an infant. A time where they would have lived their lives differently, in a better way, free of their past memories. When they reach the age where they have passed away, their memory would be returned. Thus the person would have the right to choose their path. Good versus evil."

"That's horrible!" Eyes locked on Willow who blushed. "Well, I mean, they live all their life knowing one thing then all of a sudden they face another life where the were bad. It a little overwhelming is all I think."

"The powers are kind of unique in that department," Angel said with a sigh. "That means Spike, William, is going to regain his memory twenty nine years from now."

"Why then? He's like over a hundred years old, right?" Fred asked looking at Wesley for confirmation.

"Yes, Fred. But Angel is correct, if William, the human Spike, had died in that age I mean," Wesley replied, looking at Angel who nodded.

"Yes, that's how old he was when Dru brought him to me, plus the year Will is now," Angel answered distractedly as he found himself in another place and time where Drusilla was all so happy because of her lovely boy. He shook his head to bring himself back when he felt his heart long for easier times.

"Then human William died when he was thirty," Xander commented, not only surprising everyone else but even himself, for paying attention. "So he's not a whatcha-ma-call-it, dhampir? He's a human?" he asked remembering his conversation with Angel that seemed a long time ago.

Giles shook his head. "No, he is not a dhampir that we are sure of. He is more likely a human. But the texts about the previous incidents weren't very clear on what they were."

Xander nodded, accepting what Giles was saying, yet somehow also relieved that Will wasn't a dhampir. He unconsciously pulled William closer.

"In short, Spike's a hero. He saved the world and got himself a reward for his trouble," Buffy said, summarizing what Giles and Wesley had said in her own way.

Angel looked down at the baby on Xander's lap and he felt a case of loss for words. He didn't know whether to be proud of what Spike had accomplished or become jealous that Spike had saved the world instead of him. So he chose the first because it was true. Besides, he was relieved that his Shanshu was still up for grabs.

"Well, is that all then?" Cordelia asked, standing up. When she got no answer she clapped her hands. "Good it's about time. I'm calling for Chinese." She headed rapidly for the door just in case someone decided to start talking again.

Gunn and Fred followed her with a grin. Andrew was right on their tracks. "I'll help. I know how to speak Chinese."

Willow jumped up. "I want egg rolls, wooden chopsticks and noodles," she called out. A few hair strands fell on her face and she grimaced. "But first a clean shower, sheesh Cordelia was right, I stink."

Buffy followed her with Dawn at her side. "Maybe, but she wasn't right about my outfit."

Giles and Wesley collected their books and exited still conversing. . That only left Angel, Xander and William still in the room. Angel pushed off the desk and stood in front of Xander.

"You coming?" he asked. "You don't want to be late if the food comes, Fred and Gunn eat like five people and Fred is three of them."

Xander looked up and couldn't help smile. "You joked, you have changed." He scratched his head. "I'll be out in a minute… just need to collect my thoughts."

Angel nodded and moved towards the door. He stopped and turned. "I'll tell you when the food is here." He smiled softly then left.


Sitting on the sofa in the library, Xander wasn't sure how to feel about what he had heard. Should he be happy that William was officially one hundred percent human or should he feel upset because he would turn into Spike after twenty-nine years from now? It wasn't that William would turn into a vampire; he would still be a human when he'd become thirty. That wasn't what was upsetting Xander, but was the fact that once William got Spike's memories he would gain his personality as well. He would be a human Spike.

Why should that upset him? It wasn't like he really cared about him. Maybe he did a little, but that was because he was a baby. People could not just dislike babies.

He looked down at the blond head that was bending down to play with the Tigger doll in his hands. Or to tear it up? William was tugging lustily on the sturdy, well-made doll.

"Hey!"

Xander looked up and saw Willow walking through the library doors.

She sat beside him, which was when he noticed her glistening wet hair pulled up in a pony tail and could smell shampoo wafting from her closeness.

"That was one quick shower," Xander commented glancing at her hair.

Willow frowned in confusion. "I've been in the shower for over thirty minutes. Since the meeting of 'All That Is Good' was adjourned, didn't you notice?"

"Guess I haven't." Xander shrugged faintly. Since the meeting had ended and everyone left the library, he hadn't moved from his spot on the couch. He had distractedly played with William on his lap while his mind tried to process what Giles and Wesley had revealed… apparently over half an hour ago.

Spike, both demon and soul, had chosen to sacrifice himself for them all. He was meant to die as a sacrifice to cleanse the Hellmouth and close it for all time. He was awarded a second chance at life because of his selfless act. A fresh start and a clean slate.

What surprised Xander the most wasn't that Spike had chosen with a clear mind to die for the world, that didn't mean it hadn't surprised him a little but not much for he had fought shoulder to shoulder with Spike after Buffy died, but that he was rewarded for it. It was a first for any of them. They had fought for over seven years for the forces of Good. Yet all they received was pain and the death of loved ones, Jesse, Miss Calendar, Tara, and Buffy for sometime.

Anya.

What was the point? Yes, there was the satisfaction of doing the right thing but a little recognition would have been nice. All Xander knew was that Spike was one lucky bastard, he had the chance to start from square one and do it right.

Xander ran his fingers through William's short blond hair and sighed. The Hellmouth was closed now. Maybe this is when they'd start to cash in their rewards too.

Willow couldn't help but bend down and baby-talk with William which brought Xander out of his reflection. He smiled at his best friend and joined her in baby-talking. William's reaction was to giggle and gurgle, obviously happy with the two playing with him.

Willow looked up at Xander. "I just can't believe that this baby is actually Spike," she exclaimed in amusement.

"Yeah, all this cuteness can't be a Spike thing," Xander mumbled. His tone didn't match the way his fingers played with the honey curls.

Willow gave him a worried look. "How are you holding up?"

"What?"

"With Anya's death? Are you okay?" Willow asked, remembering how he reacted earlier that day before to she'd left him to speak with Andrew.

Xander looked down again at William. He was trying to avoid thinking about Anya, at least until William was a sleep. He knew he would break down and he didn't like to cry in front of anyone. Of all the humiliation he had over the years, having everyone witnessing him crying would be the level where he would lose all his macho points.

"I'm coping," he whispered answering her.

Willow ran her hand over his arm consolingly. He smiled sadly, appreciating the support. After a little while of silence, Willow asked, "Are you coming with us?"

"Of course, I'll go to Ahn's funeral along with the others. You think since we broke up that I …"

"No, Xander," she cut him off, shaking her head. "I meant when we leave for Europe. Are you coming with us?"

Xander blinked. "Europe?"

"Yeah, since they're shutting down Sunnydale, we'll be going to London with Giles. We'll be looking for the new slayers all over the world. We're gonna build our Central on the place of the Watchers' Council; I heard the lease is less 'cause of the explosion. I'm asking you, since I've seen how attached you are to William. I was guessing that …"

"What? That I'm not gonna be there for you 'cause of a baby-sitting job?" Xander couldn't help the accusing tone in his voice and rocked William automatically when he felt the child start to fret.

"I didn't say that," Willow assured him. "It's just that it's all still blue print there. Only Giles and I will be finding books that haven't been lost in the explosion and the scattered watchers that didn't die. As for Buffy and Dawn I think they'll mostly take a break and sightsee. And, so, it won't be a big a deal if you chose not to come with now, especially that you seem to be bonding with Spike-baby."

Xander looked down and picked up Piglet waving it in front of William until the baby slapped it away which caused him to chuckle at the expected reaction.

Willow sighed. She was glad that some of Xander's tension melted. "So… you're coming?"

Xander's eye didn't leave William, who noticed him looking and gave him a cute baby grin. He obviously did about William, but did he care much that he would be parted from his friends? At first it wasn't that big of a deal, they had been in Sunnydale and he could visit them on the weekends or have them visit. It wasn't that far. But now it was different. They would be in Europe, a long distance away. He couldn't just hop into a car and visit.

"Maybe," he whispered not sure what his final answer was.

"Chinese is here!"

Xander jumped in his seat, looking at Angel who stood by the library door. Willow squealed with delight and trotted out of the library, but Xander couldn't move. The look in Angel's eyes made him freeze in place. Could it be possible that Angel heard his conversation with Willow?

Angel gestured toward the dining room. "You coming?"

Xander nodded silently.

"Hey, give that back!"

Dawn turned to Xander. "I just wanted to play."

"Tigger is Will's new friend; you won't be able to come between them." They were hanging in Xander's room and playing with William on Xander's bed. "Although he comes second best to the Duster come bed time, it's a sure way to calm him. Thankfully, our little stripped pal and Will are now so attached that we don't need to haul the duster everywhere making sure it was clean because the little one had a passion of chewing stuff with his toothless gums."

Dawn giggled, looking at William hugging the stuffed animal. That was when William raised his head and blinked his big blue eyes at her. Silence filled the room as they stared at each other.

Xander frowned and looked between the two. He noticed Dawn biting her bottom lip, her face a mirror of sadness and regret.

He placed his hand on hers. "Dawn?"

She started and looked at him, her face stricken. "I never tried to patch things up," she said with a choked whispered.

Xander leaned in wanting to question her, but she turned away to continue looking at William who still found her interesting. "He has his eyes." She chuckled bitterly. "'Course he does, it's him, right? Or that's what I got from the retired English men seminar."

"In a way," Xander replied sulkily. "But he's an innocent child until he gets back Spike's memories." He paused a little. "Until then he's just Will."

Dawn turned wide suffering eyes toward him. "But that's so far away… he has to know how much I wanna work things out with him."

Xander shook his head. "You lost me at the starting line, Dawn. Patch things up?"

She looked down, ashamed. "When you told me about… what he did… when he came back I threatened him… I told him to stay away from Buffy or I would set him on fire…"

Xander squeezed her hand. "Well, he deserved it…" He was cut off when Dawn snatched her hand away from his hold and looked at him with anger, directed both at him and her.

"But we didn't know. You know he was there when Buffy died; he took care of me and helped us. I should've tried harder to understand…" She took a deep breath. "He was suffering after he got his soul back and even when I found out about it, I still wouldn't talk with him. I didn't even bother to ask. To know."

"Know what? Dawn, we know more than plenty about what he…"

"We don't!" she yelled to cut him off, then continued with a low tone, "We don't. The only one who knows is Buffy, and you know her. Sealed lips."

Xander exhaled. "Look, I admit, he did change. And… I trust Buffy's judgment. I do, but…" He looked at her. "I can't forget the look on Buffy's eyes that night when he'd tried to hurt her, I can't."

Dawn nodded. "I know, but that was before he got his soul."

Xander chuckled humorlessly and shook his head. "What is it with you Summers' thinking a soul would make a person evil-less? Vampires are vampires, even with souls."

Dawn frowned. "Really? Then why are you being all friendly with another vampire with a soul that we all know?"

"I'm not being friendly with Angel," Xander protested. "I'm not," he repeated at the look she gave him.

Dawn shook her head. "Spike had been there for Buffy after she came back from heaven. He was there for her, I know that much."

Xander felt a strong pang of guilt hit him. The reminder of bringing back Buffy always made his chest ache with disgust. He could have stopped Willow if he wasn't too weak to believe her unreasonable excuses.

He looked at a silent Dawn, still wrapped up in her regret and sorrow. He couldn't bear watch her like this, so he placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's not hopeless you know," he said, trying to ease her heartache. "According to Giles and Mini-Giles, Spike will be back in," he looked at his wristwatch. "Twenty-nine years give or take a few."

Dawn scrunched her nose. "That means I'll be liked very old by then. I'd be senile and forget to tell him."

Xander laughed out loud and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. "Don't worry. I think Spike knows you were just being an upset kid."

"Hey." Dawn slapped at him but he ducked so she picked a pillow and slammed it into him.

William turned his eyes from one brunet to the other and then puffed his face. They weren't paying him any attention and that wouldn't do. There was only one thing left to do…

"Da!" Add a pair of unblinking huge baby blue eyes.

"GOD! Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen?" Dawn squealed and pinched William's cheek. "You're adorable aren't you, yes you are."

Xander shook his head with a chuckle. "Will's a babe magnet. I'm thinking long afternoons in the park with baby blue eyes here and I'll get me a harem."

Dawn sighed and brought her face closer to the baby's level. "You better not help your dad find a date or Angel has to call us so we'd come and save him from getting killed. Again."

"Hey, I resent that." Dawn raised her eyebrows at the denial. Xander nodded in affirmation. "Yeah, younever saved me."

Dawn tapped her finger. "Time will tell."

"Will, defend my honor." Xander looked at him for assistance.

William ignored him and continued playing with Dawn's hair. Dawn gave Xander a triumphed look and stuck out her tongue.

Xander shrugged. "You better watch out for those pretty locks of yours, he's a sucker for… well, sucking."

"You're just jealous that he chose my side."

"As if. I'm his dada, tell her, William." Xander's laughter died when he noticed a shadow of a man on the ajar door that disappeared promptly. Could it be Angel? Was he eavesdropping again? Anger started coming inside him in waves. Angel had overstepped his boundaries and needed a good talking to.


Since everyone loved Chinese, they were having it again for lunch. This time Andrew was allowed to practice his Chinese language which almost got them all raw squid and sake. Thankfully, Wesley was there to save the day, however, everyone was devastated when it was established that the Chinese place didn't deliver sake.

Xander kept eying Angel throughout lunch, trying to send a message with his glaring eye that he was on to him, but Angel's face was hidden behind his video camera as he taped every move William made.

Everyone was seated around the table in the dining room except Will who was seated directly on the table. During the meal, Xander noticed Angel, who refrained from eating on the grounds that he was a vampire, videotaping William as he enjoyed his food, or played with it at least.

"Angel, what are you doing?" Cordelia asked fussing with her hair when she saw the camcorder.

Angel answered sheepishly, "Well, look at him."

"So you like cute things now?" Cordelia asked with a raised eyebrow. He only glared at her from behind the lens. He got an eye roll for his trouble.

Giles was seated next to Xander, who was directly in front of William. After the little child finished dissecting his food, he started staring at Giles' plate. He was sitting an inch too close to for Giles' taste. William reached out and took an egg roll off the plate. Ignoring Giles' protest, he started sucking on it. Giles glared at him whilst the women and Angel 'ooh-ed' and 'aah-ed'.

"I'm starting to think that this is his way of revenge," Giles said, still eyeing his lost egg roll.

"Probably," Buffy said, shooting him a knowing look.

Giles caught eyes and looked down at his place in shame.

"Something's wrong, Giles?" Xander asked, noticing the tension between them.

Giles' lips parted, about to answer, when Buffy cut it, "Don't worry about it, Xander. We're okay." She cast Giles and reassuring smile and he smiled back gratefully.

Xander shrugged and hastily stopped William from throwing an egg roll at Giles' clean shirt.

"So, Xander," Willow said suddenly. "Did you decide if you were coming with us after tomorrow's services?"

Xander hesitated in giving his answer, conflicting emotions battling inside him. William turned his head to Xander's direction and noticed his worry. He turned and crawled slowly on all fours until he was sitting diaper clad tushie and all directly on Xander's empty plate. Xander opened his mouth intending to question William about his presence on his plate be it empty or not. His mouth remained open, no words coming out when William's eyes looked up at him with such adoration. William opened his mouth letting the droll covered egg roll slip out. A chubby hand was extended holding out the soaking roll towards Xander. A small sound came out of the child's mouth,

"Da da."

A moment of silence fell before a several set of 'Aww's were heard from all over the table. Xander felt misty-eyed. He took the offering careful of the wetness and placed it on a napkin before picking up the baby for a loving hug. Angel circled the two, camera still covering his face. To anyone who didn't know him, he gave the impression of a professional, hard at work.

Angel pulled back the camcorder to say, "Now that was cute." And quickly resumed taping.

Xander put Will down on the table, already made his decision. "I am staying," he announced loudly for everybody to hear. Angel lowered the camera looking at Xander with astonishment. A feeling which was not only matched by the Sunnydale crew but doubled as their mouths fell open.

Willow looked at him in disbelief. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

Xander looked at her with a smile. "Yes, I am. I mean, he calls me 'Dada' for God's sake!"

"Da da!" William exclaimed reaffirming what Xander said. He picked up another egg roll this time from Willow's takeout, which was in his short arms reach, and held it out to Xander, knowing that it had his Dada's approval.

Xander chuckled fondly. "Thanks, Will," he said, accepting the offering of egg roll. He was thankful that this one was slob free, and threw it whole in his mouth. William giggled and reached to take one more egg roll. Apparently, he wouldn't stop until the takeout was empty.

"So, you're staying?" a voice behind him asked.

Xander turned around to be greeted by Angel's somewhat pleased expression, though Xander knew that Angel was having a hard time holding it in.

"Something wrong with your vamp-boy ears?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

Angel's response was a dopey grin before taking no time in replacing the camera in front of his face and continued recording William, who was still holding out a treat to Xander's irritation.

Hours later, everyone was watching what Angel taped on the library TV. Everyone gave out big 'Aww's when they saw Xander reading a Goofy and Max story to William as a bed time story and what made them all laugh was that Xander was actually imitating the voices of the characters of Goof Troop, or at least trying to.

"When did you tape this?" Xander exclaimed amazed.

Angel grinned. "I saw Dawn leaving your room yesterday and I knew something sweet would happen."

Xander narrowed his eye at him.

Angel looked confused.

Eventually, Xander just let it go. "You bet. I'm always sweet."

Cordelia poked him in the side. "I think he was talking about the baby."

Xander stuck his tongue out at her. Cordelia blinked. "Oh, my mistake," she said before turning back to look at the television.

Afterwards, there was shot of William crawling then failing to stand up before falling on his bottom. His face puffed up in annoyance at his failure and the crowd went wild with the adorableness of it all.


"So you're sure you'll be okay?" Xander asked anxiously for what seemed to be the millionth time.

Angel rolled his eyes. "Yes, Xander. William's dislike for me was a phase. We're as happy as hens in a henhouse."

Xander shook his head, getting sidetracked by that odd comment. "I don't know about that. I never knew what that meant. Why would they be happy trapped…"

"Xander," Angel interrupted him startling William in his arms. Angel fixed his hold on William before continuing. "You're only gonna be gone for one day. I know how to take care of a baby."

Xander frowned. "How would you? It's not like you ever had a baby of your own. Or did you?" He looked interested while Angel fidgeted. "I know you never married when you were human… but who knows perhaps you knocked up an unsuspecting maiden, hmm?"

Angel sighed. "No. Xander, the others are waiting and I don't like standing in the doorway less than a meter away from direct sunlight. Now tell Will you'll see him soon and go pay your respects," he ordered exasperatedly.

"Fine. But I better not come back home and find that the little one lost half his body weight from starvation. You know where the baby food is, right?"

Angel banged his head against the wooden door frame. The question almost squashed the funny feeling Angel got in his stomach when Xander said 'home.' He stopped banging his head which caused William to stop giggling at his actions.

"I know where everything is, Xander. I've watched you take care of Will for two days and even passed the emergency diaper change drill you gave me with an A+ if I remember correctly, not to mention William actually finished his meal on mywatch. Now go." Angel pushed at Xander with one free arm while still holding on to William.

"Okay, okay, bye Will. See ya soon!" Xander kissed William's golden head.

"Da!"

Angel and Xander grinned at each other.

"Oh, isn't that sweet. It's like mommy and baby are saying their goodbyes to daddy who's going on a trip," Cordelia chuckled from behind them.

Xander and Angel magically conjured a distance between each other and managed not to kill Cordelia… for the sake of innocent eyes.

Xander and Angel exchanged quick manly goodbyes before Xander picked his overnight bag and headed for the street. At the curb there were two taxies. Willow, Buffy and Xander were to take the first one and Giles, Dawn and Andrew the second. Instead of going to his taxi, Xander stopped next to Andrew who was loading luggage.

"Andrew."

Andrew raised his head then quickly looked away when he saw who it was. "Oh, hi, Xander."

Xander placed his hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to look at him. "Listen, man, you're gonna look after them all for me, okay? They're my girls and Giles is like the old man I wish I had… I trust you to take my place. Do you think you can handle it?"

Andrew opened and closed his mouth for several seconds before any sound came out, it was safe to say he was in shock. "Y-yeah, you bet!" He nodded vigorously a large grin on his face. "I'll try not to disappoint you."

Xander patted his shoulder. "I trust you not to." They both headed to their respective cars before Xander yelled back, "Oh, I never do lame jokes. So, start improving your sense of wit."


A day later, Xander found himself back in the hotel courtesy of a nice taxi driver who was too drunk to ask him for money. However, Xander didn't know that when he drove off with him.

Xander walked in his room feeling drained as he sat his small bag on the floor and yawned with exhaustion. He just got back from Sunnydale where Willow, Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Andrew and himself attended Anya's funeral along with Amanda's and that Chinese's girl whom he just knew that her name was Chao-Ahn. He knew that the other young slayers would've wanted to be there with them in the small funeral, but they were needed in Cleveland.

He didn't mind the small number of them. It was nice to have only the people he cared about there with him when he was down. Anya was buried next to Joyce's and Tara's grave, a place where he, Buffy and Willow might visit together in the future. The thing that got to him was the quietness in Sunnydale; the town was never like this. Empty. Lifeless. Lonely.

He still hadn't cried or even shed a single tear since Willow had told him about Anya's death three days before. He couldn't, not with everybody being around him every single second. He considered crying alone in his room before they left to Sunnydale but with William asleep a few feet away from his bed, it was impossible. He didn't even have the opportunity to cry all the way to L.A. since Willow insisted on riding with him in his cab all the way before joining the others in theirs. When they reached L.A, Willow and the others would head off to Cleveland. And there they wanted to make sure all was going smoothly before taking the next plane to London. It was all so tiring, just thinking about it made him want to lie down and sleep.

Grabbing his bag from the floor, he placed it on the bed. He frowned, looking towards the bathroom door. He was sure he heard sounds something from there. Ever the slayerette, he picked up a trusty baseball bat that was resting against his closet. He would have to ask someone about that. Slowly he opened the door, the bat raised high, only to stand flabbergasted.

Angel, the big fearsome towering vampire, was in the bathtub with a baby William. A bathtub filled with bubbles and a flouting yellow rubber ducky. But that wasn't what shocked Xander, who had seen more than a man three times his age, what shocked him was that the two plus century old vampire was singing a song about a rubber ducky. Xander was sure he heard that song some years ago on Sesame Street as a child.

He stood by the door and a smile of amusement took the place of his shocked expression. It grew bigger.

Angel suddenly looked up and noticed the bat with a raised eyebrow. "Had a tough time on the 'closed' Hellmouth?"

Xander looked at the still posed 'weapon' and placed it against the wall.

He could handle this. He'd seen a demon with its head between its legs singing jingle bells for God's sake.

Xander placed a grin one his face. "Nope, Hell free Sunnydale," and resumed grinning in silence, repeating his inner mantra.

Angel waved his hand at the large tub, in silent invitation. "Care to join us?" The question came out calm, but Xander didn't doubt that Angel had chosen to take the manly way and pretend he was not embarrassed or fazed that he was caught in a bubble bath with a child, a yellow duck and singing a song from a children's TV show. What better to show how cool you are by asking the one who found you, to join you? Spread the embarrassment around, there was plenty enough to go around,Xander thought. He was sure that inside Angel was so embarrassed he probably considered dunking his head under the water the moment Xander came in.

"Thanks," said Xander. "But the vision is torture enough."

He couldn't help but notice how the water was rising and falling over Angel's chest leaving some bubbles on its wake that surrounded the hard nipples. Of course, studly bodies were reserved for the undead, Xander begrudged silently.

"How was the funeral?"

Xander shrugged uneasily. "It was hard, but well… okay. It was okay."

Angel nodded and then pointed at him, trying to get William's attention from trying to open his mouth wide enough to accommodate the duck. "Hey, look there Wil. Look whose back."

William finally noticed him and splattered more water into the bathroom's floor with excitement. "Da! Da!"

Xander grinned goofily and walked forwards, tapping William's wet head. "Hey there, little one. You obviously missed me."

After a few minutes, a heavy silence invaded the room; even William was getting tired and stopped splashing and playing. To cut the quietness Angel coughed, and looking up at Xander, he gestured at the baby in his lap. "I think we should get him to bed."

Xander nodded slowly. "Yeah, I feel tired, too."

"You should get some sleep."

"Think I'm gonna go change for bed," Xander said, standing mutely and leaving the bathroom. Weird feelings were washing over him, making him feel, well, weird. He felt a sense of relief he arrived to the hotel safely, a overwhelming sense of joy at seeing William again, and a sense of excitement that he'd be seeing him tomorrow. He was also disturbed by the fact that parting from his friends for what seemed to be a very long time didn't depress him as much as he thought.

Those feelings frightened him a little, and all he could do to avoid them was lying in bed and escaping to a deep, hopefully dreamless sleep.