It hadn't taken long for the three of them to get settled into bed, Xander being maneuvered into the middle with Spike and Dru curled up on either side of him, a comforting, protective presence that really shouldn't seem that way. As emotionally and physically exhausted as he was, and as comfortable as the bed was, he still couldn't fall asleep though, his mind running over the events of the past year that his conversation with Buffy and the others had dredged up.

.oOo.

"Shit, shit, shit! You guys can help anytime now!" Xander dodged yet another octopus like tentacle as he scrambled backwards across the ground until he was backed against the gardener's shed in the playground. Looking around for any possible reinforcements, Xander muttered disgustedly, "Can't cross the street by myself for a month but they'll leave me on my own against a jello tentacle thing."

"Somebody scream girlishly for help?"

"About damn time, Jer! And you'd be screaming too if that thing was trying to feel you up."

"Sorry, kid, had to grab some backup. I'm good but not that good."

Xander watched with relief as a flock of vampires armed with various long, sharp objects descended on the demon, hacking and slashing until it was a pile of quickly goo-ifying parts. Pushing himself to his feet, he tucked his remarkably ineffective stake back into the waistband of his pants, wrinkling his nose as a stray breeze blew his way. "Why do demons always have to go all gooey and smelly? Why can't they turn into nice, neat piles of ash like you guys?"

Jer chuckled softly, both at the disgusted look on the teen's face as he started side-stepping around the growing tide of fluorescent ichor and at his total obliviousness to the unhappy looks he was receiving from the group of low level vamps that had just saved his life… the same looks that quickly changed to amused disbelief as Xander turned one of his blinding smiles on them.

"Thanks guys, you totally saved my neck… and the rest of my parts I like to keep attached and in working order."

Jer was constantly amazed how the teen, who had obviously dealt with so much, could remain so happy and positive. It was no wonder his Masters were so fascinated by him. Looking Xander over, checking unobtrusively for any wounds, he winced at the eye-blinding shirt and baggy pants that were now ripped and dirty. "Come on, kid, let's get you back to the warehouse. Master Spike wants you cleaned up properly to present to Court."

"Woah, wait! What court? And what do you mean properly cleaned? You're not letting Dru help right? She's got kinda funny ideas about proper dress."

Jer laughed as he subtly began herding the boy in the right direction, ignoring the other vamps as they scattered into the night. "No, Master Spike wants to dress you himself."

"Oh, okay that's a relief, he at least believes in wearing clothes from this decade and… Hey, what do you mean 'dress me himself'? Just like picking out my clothes right? Right? Jer?"

Jer just shrugged noncommittally, there really was no telling what Spike would do, the fact that he was presenting the boy to the Court in the first place was proof of that. "So what were you doing going after that thing by yourself anyway? Your… friends aren't usually that careless with you."

Not quite sure how to take that last part, not to mention still slightly concerned about the whole Spike dressing him thing, he did what he normally did- shoved it all in his little "deal with it later" box. "They figured it was the safest place to look. Don't give me that look; it made sense at the time. All we knew was that there were half-eaten animals turning up around town covered in goo. We figured it was more likely to be around town. Who would've guessed it'd be on a school playground?"

"Maybe because small children are the size of large dogs?"

"Oh. Oh, God. You don't think… Fuck, Jer, what if…"

"Woah, kid, sorry, come on, just breathe for a minute. That's right, slow, deep breaths." Jer pushed the boy gently onto a bench and pressed him forward until his head was even with his knees, rubbing his back softly until he started to calm down. Making a note to watch what he said in the future about things happening to children, and to tell Spike about it, he waited until Xander's breathing had returned to normal and the wild look had left his eyes before helping him up and guiding him once more in the direction of the lair. "And, no, I don't think it had gotten that for in its…meal choices. Besides, it's night time, and the Sunnydale population may be remarkably oblivious but they at least seem to know to keep their kids in after dark."

"Most of them at least."

Jer gave the teen at his side a sharp look at the softly muttered words, but when nothing more was forthcoming, let it drop, though he added it to the growing list of things to tell Spike about.

Remaining in comfortable silence for the rest of the short trip, Jer gestured grandly at the absolutely ordinary run-down warehouse in front of them. "Home, sweet home. You do realize the honor you're being given and trust placed in you? Spike and Dru have faith that you're a man of your word and you won't bring the Slayer here."

Xander swallowed hard as he looked from the vampire beside him to the warehouse looming in front of him, the full weight of the situation settling on him. Spike and Dru were trusting him with their safety. If he went in there, there was no going back to how things were; he'd be allying with the enemy. True they weren't his enemy anymore, but they had no problem going after his friends… the same friends that had left him with no backup while fighting a tentacle monster no matter how "safe" it was supposed to be. "Right, let's go. Spike's tired of waiting by now, I'm sure, and I want time to argue about whatever outfit those two have picked out."

And if there was an air of sadness and loss mixed with nervousness as the teen entered the warehouse without once looking back, Jer didn't mention it.

.oOo.

"'Bout bloody time! Sent you after the whelp ages ago. Where ya been?"

"Jer and some other vamps kinda had to stop some… What was that thing anyway?"

"Human vocal chords can't pronounce it; just call it a tentacle demon."

Xander blinked then shrugged. "Yeah, so they had to stop some tentacle thing from trying to feel me up. More important, what's this about court and you dressing me?"

Jer just stared at Xander's obviously skewed priorities and blatant disregard of the earlier incident and just shook his head as Spike waved him away. His Master could deal with the teen's issues better than him anyway.

"A 'tentacle thing'? Lots o' them an' no real body? Turns to a rank pile of slime when it's dead?" At Xander's careless shrug and nodding confirmation, Spike cuffed him on the back of the head. "You nob, what 'ave I told you about taking care of yourself, and where was that bloody Slayer of yours this time?"

Ignoring the warm fuzzy feeling Spike's obvious concern caused, Xander simply walked further into the dimly lit building, looking around curiously. "Spike, it happened, I'm safe, Jer did his job; if you want details ask him. I'mhere , Spike, with no one knowing where I am and surrounded by blood-sucking fiends, I'm here ."

An odd sense of pride filled Spike at the teen's words, the mutual trust that was being given to him, the faith that Spike would keep the all too vulnerable human safe when he could just as easily be using him as bait or a sacrifice. Not to mention the sheer bravery, or bloody stupidity, to go along with it in the first place. Resisting the urge to pull the teen to him, he settled with ruffling the already messy hair, secretly reveling in the silky feel against his fingertips, his voice softening as he guided the boy further into the echoing building. "So you are, pet, so you are."

.oOo.

"No! Absolutely not, no way, not happening."

"Now, pet, be reasonable."

"I'm not a pet and I'm not going to be treated like one."

"Kitten hasn't his claws yet, he must be protected from the nasty dogs that growl and bite."

"Yeah, but I thought that's what I had you guys and Jer for- to keep me safe from the other, um, dogs."

"Look, whelp, me and Dru, we're trying to have a proper Court here, helps to keep all the minions in line and out of trouble."

"Yeah, but…"

"And to do that, there's only two roles really that humans can play – food or servant. I won't rule out me and Dru getting a taste of you eventually…" Ignoring the boy's sputtering, he waved his hand towards the collar, harness and leather pants lying innocently on the bed. " But I promised you'd come to no harm from any of my people and in order to insure that, we have to stake our claim on you… public like."

"And to do that I have to go all bondage-boy?"

Spike bit back a laugh both at the whelp's colorful description and his completely outraged look. "It's symbolic you twit- you're under our control. 'S just 'til we get you trained proper anyway."

"What do you mean 'trained'? I don't know about all this; maybe you should just send me home and let me fend for myself. It's worked 'til now."

"The dogs are gnashing and tearing at their leashes."

"Right. Look, pet, we don't have time for this. Out of those clothes and into the bath with ya. I can strip ya meself if you don't feel up to it."

Xander squeaked and darted behind the old fashioned screen that was blocking the view of the huge claw-footed tub behind it. Afraid Spike would follow through on his threat…promise?... he quickly stripped out of his dirty and torn clothing, tossing them over the screen and stepped into the steaming water, an involuntary moan slipping from him as he sank up to his shoulders. "Oh, my God! I think I'm in love. I haven't fit in a tub since I was a little kid."

Spike laughed and shook his head. "You and your beloved can get reacquainted later, pet. For now, hurry it up; we got places to be." Leaning against the wall at just the right angle to see behind the screen, thanks to a well-placed mirror, Spike had to re-adjust himself after watching the impromptu strip show. Who would've guessed the whelp was hiding a body like that under the nightmare he called clothes. Oh, he wasn't quite model material yet, still a little soft in the middle and at the tail-end of that awkward teen phase, but the promise was there- broad shoulders, narrow waist, strong legs, and …. His jeans growing painfully tight, he forced his thoughts away from the more interesting parts he had caught a glimpse of and toward the events to come, scowling at the necessity of dealing with the obnoxious wankers that were left from before he took control. It would be so much easier if he could just kill them all and be done with it.

As Xander climbed out of the bath and began toweling off, he caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of his eye. Freezing in place, towel hanging forgotten in his hands, he turned his head slowly, sighing in relief when he caught sight of his own reflection and a large expanse of wall on the other side of the screen. Eyes narrowing in suspicion, he called out, "Hey, Fangface?"

Spike smirked, having thoroughly enjoyed the show as he got a better view of the boy's bubble butt and impressive cock - though the fact that his groin was completely hairless came as a surprise. "Yeah, pet?"

Laughing, he watched as the boy realized where exactly his voice was coming from and clutched the towel to him like some virgin maiden before popping his head around the screen, a lovely blush spreading from his cheeks down.

"Spike! I was…and you were…you can't!"

"Pet, I may like ya, but I'm still evil, yeah? 'Sides, ya got nothin' to be ashamed of. Little regular trainin' program and you'll be able to pull whatever bird you want…or bloke."

It took a second for Xander to translate that last bit but then he was blushing again, wondering absently why he kept turning into a stammering idiot around the other male, master vampire or not. "I'm not…and I don't…I've never even… I'm not gay, Spike!"

Spike smirked. "If you say so, pet. Always felt it was better to leave my options open, meself. Now come out from behind there; we got a schedule to keep."

Xander slowly made his way toward Spike and the bed holding the night's questionable clothing choices. This was so not of the good. How the hell was he going to pass for some meek little slave, because he was not lying to himself about what they really meant by "servant." He'd picked up that much from the Watchers' diaries at least - some combination of fuck toy, willing blood donor, and daytime errand runner completely devoted to their vampire owner. "Ah, hell, you're making me Renfield."

"Not bloody likely, prat was a complete wanker just like his Master." Spike's nose wrinkled in disgust thinking about the famous duo.

"Oh, well that's good...wait, you mean they're real?!" Xander stared at the blonde in surprise. That was not mentioned in any of those diaries.

"Well, yeah. Not that he actually deserved any of that fame he got sellin' himself out to that author. Would have been much more interesting if he'd written about the four of us in our day. Now that was some chaos and bloodshed."

Xander blinked at Spike's happy smile as he apparently reminisced over the bad old days. "Riiiight. Well, um so what am I supposed to do tonight?"

"That's easy, pet." Walking over to the boy with the collar in his hand, Spike ran a finger down the side of the strong column of Xander's neck, smiling to himself as he watched the boy's eyes dilate. As he gently fastened the black leather collar around his neck, he pressed close to whisper in his ear, "You do whatever we tell you."

A wordless squeak slipped from Xander as Spike's words combined with the vampire's proximity and sent his blood rushing in too many directions for him to think straight.

Spike grinned as he watched the full body blush spreading over the teen's body as well as the dazed look on his face. Oh, he was a right nummy treat, he was. Grabbing the connected strips of leather off the bed, he took advantage of Xander's distraction to guide his arms through the proper openings before fastening the harness around his chest. Stepping back, he cast a critical look over the teen, the heavy black leather strips of the collar and harness accenting his tanned skin and dusky nipples. He was definitely going to have keep an eye on the others. Nobody was getting close to his boy except for him and Dru. "Alright, pet, time to get those pants on so we can go."

Xander blinked several times as he seemed to come back to himself, realizing he had already been half "dressed" while he was apparently spaced out. Looking at the pants suspiciously, he noticed his old clothes had disappeared. "Where'd my boxers go?"

"Oh, you can't wear any underwear under those things, chafes somethin' awful it does. Well, g-string maybe, but we don't have one of those right now. You'll get used to it; not like you'll be movin' much anyways, pet. Just pull them on. Or do you need my help?"

"I...that's not..." Xander gave up and sighed, a muttered "why me?" slipping from him as he turned his back to Spike before dropping his towel and starting to wrestle his way into the pants. To be fair, the pants did feel really comfortable once he got them pulled up, except he couldn't...quite...fasten them...properly.

Spike leaned against the wall as he happily watched the boy's lovely bubble butt wiggle and bounce as he struggled to get into the pants. Seeing that wonderful blush start to stain his skin again as well as noting the scent of embarrassment starting to fill the air, he walked over to him. "Problem, pet?"

Xander could feel his cheeks burning as he turned his head to look at the leering vampire next to him. "These pants won't work, Spike. I can't get them to fasten. Are you sure they're not a girl's pants?"

Moving in front of the embarrassed boy, Spike glanced down seeing the seeing the problem immediately. Grinning he met boy's the gaze. "Oh these pants are perfect for you, pet, just need a little...adjustment." Keeping eye contact, he reached into the front of the boy's pants, cool hand wrapping around warm flesh as he arranged the boy's balls and slowly hardening cock into a better arrangement, squeezing his cock gently before reluctantly pulling his hand away and zipping up the pants. He watched Xander's eyes grow darker, his breathing grow heavier, pink tongue darting out over plump lips.

"Sp...Spike?" Xander's voice wavered at the confusing feelings rushing through him as he saw the intense look on Spike's face, still feeling the ghost of a touch on his most sensitive parts.

Spike watched as the boy started to sway toward him, his gaze dropping to rosy lips. He reached out, his hand slipping around his waist as he stepped forward, head tilting as he waited for a denial that never came. He could feel the boy's warm breath ghost over his lips, wondered if he'd taste as sweet as he smelled...

"No!" Dru pouted as the two jerked away from each other to stare at her. "Mummy's boys cannot play now. The dogs must be leashed lest they rend and tear the kitten to pieces."

"Bloody 'ell! Worst timin' ever, Dru." Spike growled as he stalked out of the room, angry at her for destroying his chance with the boy and angry at himself for getting so distracted in the first place.

"Dru?" Xander took a deep, albeit shaky, breath, realizing in kind of a dazed horror that he'd almost...they'd almost...how could he actually ever think of kissing Spike? Flinching at the anger he could sense pouring from Spike as he stormed out of the room, he felt completely confused at the sense of loss that came over him. "Spike?"

"Now, now, Kitten. Sweet William will return for you, but we must go. Those nasty dogs await their taming."

"Right. The dogs." Shaking his head to try to clear it, he resolutely shoved absolutely everything into his for later box and let Dru lead him out into the warehouse and toward the waiting opening in the floor. He had more important things to think about now.