Title: A Wooded Future Author: Archived at: http/ Pairing: Xander/Spike Rating: Mature Audiences – for content and themes Summary: The hellmouth has its way with Xander, this time it involves Chlorophyll, Spike and a bunch of other world beings that the Scoobies are not quite used to.
Spoilers: Sometime in early season five – or possibly late six BtVS. Warnings: M/M – if you don't like boys together, don't play here!
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters nor make any money from stories etc, and bow down to their original creators Joss, et al., plus all the wonderful online writers who continue to give the Buffy/Angel verse characters life.

PART 9

True to his word Angel arrived in Sunnydale a mere two hours later, the older vampire frantic to find his somewhat estranged Grandchilde. There were so few of the true Aurelian line left now and to his knowledge only four or five Childer in his own direct line. He had been reassured by the phonecall in a way, though the sudden surge of immense power through the ancient familial link, then the consequent quiet and distinct shift prior to Spike ringing that was entirely confusing.

The classic black convertible had a near miss with the archway entrance to the cemetery before screeching to a halt in the carpark. Not even bothering to open the door, Angel grabbed the keys and launched himself in the general direction of… Spike.

Angel could barely feel his blonde relative, but at least was able to detect the direction and took off at a run. The tenuous link with Spike now felt… profoundly changed but he could not yet say how, so surged forward. Whatever had happened to Spike was significant enough to jolt the magic balance somehow. He stopped to scent the air then pushed on toward a location at the other side of the cemetery.

Xander stirred then sat up to accept a kiss from his very awake partner. Spike was still savoring the taste of his friend as Xander brushed his hand over the Mother Tree's soft inner wall and she opened to allow her nymph and his partner an exit to the world outside.

Utterly relaxed as Spike eased himself out of the tree, but felt his presence with an intensity than had occurred only a few times in over a century. And this time it was genuinely different.

Spike barely had time to push Xander behind him before Angel skidded to a halt in front of the tree.

The younger vampire instinctively slipped into game face and prepared for a confrontation, but the feelings coming through the familial link were those of concern and protectiveness, not aggression. As Angel pulled up short looking completely flabbergasted, Spike stepped forward.

They were still under her canopy, Xander was touching him, and the new part of his psyche, though still to take hold fully, gave him the distinct impression that all was well.

He reached out toward his grandsire and for the first time in over a hundred years touched Angel's face with familial friendship as he sighed, "Hello Sire."

The older vampire was utterly transfixed.

In the light of a half moon his Grandchilde was as ethereally beautiful as ever, but had lost his skin's pure alabaster color in favor of a slightly green hue – and he smelt no more of blood, whiskey and cigarettes, but rather, had the fresh scent of leaves after the rain and warm, dry wood. It made no sense!

"Spike? I… What have you done? Are you…?" Xander stepped into the moonlight just enough that Angel could see a pretty male figure wrapping his arms around his Grandchilde's waist, but could not make out the features. Spike smiled a little, and pushed back into the offered hug.

A gust of wind was all it took for the pair to be embraced gently by a stray, leafy branch of the Mother tree. The leaves and pliable limb remained for long enough that Angel had no doubt the act was both magical in origin and deliberate in nature.

Spike closed his eyes momentarily, and as the Mother tree's caress released, he stepped forward, stood totally still, then bared his throat for his senior relative.

Angel's fangs were already down and the ancient vampiric gesture of a Childe was not to be denied. Yet when he moved forward to bite down on the pale neck it was with an instinctive gentleness and affection that was utterly atypical. When Angelus had bitten it had always been for domination and control, now the bite was simply a tasting for reassurance that his relative was… alright. After only a single long draft, the reciprocal exposed neck from Angel confirmed a profound shift in the relationship for the two creatures of the night.

Spike licked the muscular neck and closed the wound. After so many years, the truly renewed link only served to alert Angel to the changed status of his Childe. He pulled away to stare at the blonde in amazement – it was unheard of… in the entire Vampire history, it simply wasn't done, yet the blood said it all.

His neck wound healing, Angel could not help caressing his Grandchilde's cheek as he spoke in wonder, "I… I still hope for humanity… but this! This is impossible! The fae would never take a dark one! But?... How?... How did you? Oh my dear William… Your not… And there will be… Geezz Spike! It could only be you… only ever you… Why?"

Spike smiled rather enigmatically then tugged Xander into the light of the moon.

In human face again now, he kissed the nymph passionately then turned back to a rather stunned looking Angel, "Found the lad didn't I… Helped 'im then he helped me… and … well just know sommit's a bit different."

Angel did not immediately recognize 'the lad', but as he did, his eyes went wide with amazement. It was Xander, Buffy's friend, the boy he had offered to Spike when they first met after almost a century as a foil to bide time. Xander who had agreed to host his Grandchilde shortly after the vampire was chipped… Xander who had gone missing… Xander… who was now standing, blinking innocently at him with leaf green lashes around dark brown eyes, and had his new bark covered fingers intertwined with Spike's.

"Spike no! How could you? I mean… And Xander? … And I tasted … Oh William!"

Xander had moved to spoon his lovely partner from behind as the changed vampire struggled to explain the events to his Grandsire. The tree too was ready to come to his defense and shuddered causing a rain of tiny twigs and dead leaves to fall.

Xander remembered the dark visitor from his 'before', flashes of a dangerous vampire, and mistrust and dislike. Yet his stunning, pale partner seemed to feel differently, it was all so confusing. He wished they could enter the tree again, just merge and return to her feeding and their lovemaking.

Spike turned and kissed his young partner on the cheek whispered "Ssh pet. 's OK."

Angel was desperately trying to process what might have occurred. That Spike had taken a male lover was not so surprising. That the lover was Xander a little more so, though given that the two had lived together before and considering Xander's disastrous history with girlfriends, it was perhaps plausible. No, it was more the fact that Xander was obviously and profoundly changed and Angel could smell it… the former Scoobie was one of the fae folk. The shudder of the tree and associated jolt of magic left Angel in no doubt as to Xander's wood nymph status, but he was still confused by Spike – and the apparent change there.

Angel was always pale and prone to brooding, but the look of utter confusion, genuine worry and sadness surprised even Spike. "C'mon ya ol bugger, sit down afore you fall down and let's us have a chat, eh?"

Spike waited as Angel took the invitation and sat at the foot of the ancient tree, then pulled Xander down and arranged them both so that the nymph was leaning against one of the Mother Tree's large buttress roots and his front was covered by Spike's back. The young nymph relaxed completely with the safety of the position.

Angel was close enough that Spike's old Docs and his own stylish black dress boots were touching. There was no malice really yet neither vampire apparently knew how exactly to start the discussion and the silence looking to extend indefinitely.

They were still there when Harry found them. Still flushed an unusually deep blue thanks to his recent amorous encounter with Michael (who was still sleeping it off), he flew down to land on one of the Mother Tree's roots nearby and matters into his own tiny hands.

"Well come on you lot! How hard is it to talk to family?..." He had not expected the response to his intrusion as he was instantly graced with two growls from two very large, game faced vampires.

He decided to hover his ground rather than stand it and went on the offensive from mid air. "Listen you big blood for brains, you're scaring the boy with all the snarling!"

Harry was right. Despite Xander's safe position against his tree, the young nymph did not understand the sudden change in his friend and had started to shake. His nails were embedding themselves into the bark of his tree and by the time Spike looked down, he spotted the feet of his woody friend pushing their way down into the soil. Angel no longer mattered. Spike spun on the spot and claimed the boy's mouth, embraced the strong torso and demanded by his actions that Xander calm and cease trying to earth himself.

Angel too could see the nymph's actions yet could do nothing but simply observe until a tiny fist connected with his ear and Harry's high pitched voice rang out again. "Now you listen here, Mr Growly! The boy has claimed him and he the boy - fully! The Mother Tree and our Ladyship Earth both approved. It's done, and you know that already by his blood. So yes, blood of your blood – a vampire - is accepted fully by our realm." Spike turned back to face the mismatched pair whilst still holding tight to Xander.

Game faces gone, Angel's dark eyes met Spike's azure blue, the older vampire still looking a little lost at the strange turn of events. They held their gaze as Harry continued. "Blondie here needs the sustenance of the tree now – as well as blood – it's always blood with you lot! So he'll be tied here – not so much as the young one over there of course, but I wouldn't worry. They're together for the duration, or really forever if you count the planting."

"Planting!"

"Oh never you mind about that! Fire's the big worry – but then it always was, and keeping the Mother Tree safe is a huge priority. But hey wood? no longer a problem, so stake through the heart? Annoying but no dusting…" Harry looked rather conspiratorial before announcing his next point, "He's joined for all time to Xander, so he will enjoy the sun again one day."

Spike's eyes went wide at the last revelation. He was still confused by the reference to planting, but figured that would be explained at some point. "So I'm still immortal?"

"More or less, yes."

Angel continued the line of thought "And he is still a vampire – an Aurelian line vampire?"

Harry huffed his frustration and decided that the sooner he could finish the conversation and return to his purple partner, the better, "Yes, yes, of course! Now I have things to do – sort the rest out for yourselves – and be nice to the boy!" With that he disappeared toward the bunch of pretty shrubs he called home.

Silence returned between the two vampires but it was different. Xander began to wriggle – he needed to tend the tree but was still pinned and unable to move. Finally Spike broke the impasse, "Wanna get a drink?"

"Yeah." Angel stood in one fluid motion as Spike turned to his lovely partner again

"You'll be right with her now Pet, yeah?" Xander grinned with relief and nodded profusely.

"Right then." Spike stood easily, hauled up his fae partner then disappeared toward Willie's at a sprint Angel hard on his heels. Xander simply moved up his tree to perform his nightly duties of checking her and monitoring the little beings in her care.

…………………..

The two vampires found themselves lying on their backs on the huge old bed in Spike's crypt, somewhere around dawn, side by side and staring at the ceiling.

Angel still could not get over the slight green hue of his Grandchilde's skin, nor the fact that for every drink of blood or alcohol, there had also been a glass of water.

"So… does Buffy know?"

"No! And you're not bloody well goin' to tell 'er!"

Angel dropped his tone defensively "It was just a question Spike! I mean does anyone else know? About Xander"

"The Bit… Dawn… she knows – but also knows to keep 'er trap shut. Lad is dead Sire… They took 'im, and you an' I know, there's no goin' back from that."

The use of the formal title was a reminder of his own shift in status from human to vampire, and also signaled the calming of the relationship between Grandchilde and Grandsire.

"Yeah… But don't you think they should know? I mean wasn't Willow… ?"

Spike turned to face Angel, "Boy's literally a babe in the woods. Needs time to sort the old memories and the new. Reckon he'll let 'em know when he's ready."

"And you? Spike? Are you OK with all this…?"

They talked until dawn, mostly of their early history, memories of the wars and various 'significant others', then slept the day away side by side, Angel rolled to throw an unconscious arm over his younger relative somewhere during their slumber and waking the wrist was taken and one proffered in return. The blood exchange was relaxed and natural, and they parted just after sundown amicably for the first time in a century.

Spike returned to the tree for the evening, and rejoiced as he was greeted by leaf encircled hands caressing desperately, and lips opening to welcome him in.

……………..

Their lives fell into a pattern over the ensuing month. Early evenings emerging from the tree, Spike taking off for the usual pre patrol meeting, Xander tending his tree and ever more frequently sitting perched in the uppermost branches of her beautiful form to watch for his lover's return. Spying the swirl of leather and platinum blonde hair he would all but fly down the tree, hand and foot holds now so well known that there was no conscious effort needed.

For her part, the tree was well pleased with her nymph. His attentions were meticulous, loving and in many instances, preventative.

It was late spring and there were youngsters everywhere. Seven nests, all of smaller birds plus an owl's residence in an upper 'room' created by an opening in her trunk. Xander monitored them all, and despite his best efforts to ensure all the nests were safe, Spike found him grieving one night after he discovered a tiny bald form on the grass. The fall from the nest in the upper canopy had proved fatal for the tiny female. The nymph dug a small grave and buried the little body, placing a fresh leaf from his own wrist over the minute mound.

It would not be the only heartache. Xander met an older nymph Chris after hearing the sobbing from an adjacent tree. He knelt beside the extraordinarily leafy form as the other nymph cradled the dead form of a tiny squirrel, mortally wounded by a group of young humans with air guns. It was apparently the fourth death by such a means in less than a week.

Dawn cried along with Xander that evening but it was Spike who was waiting for the young lads the following evening. Pinning the leader to a tree he 'politely' pointed out the error in their ways, confiscated their guns and took great delight in scenting the air as at least three of the group of five wet themselves with fear before he released the leader and the boys sprinted for home, never to return.

Sadly, however, it was not the worst of it. The cemetery was undergoing a 'facelift'. They all felt it as the large oak on the opposite side of the cemetery had three of her limbs severed to make way for a new toilet block.

Spike stirred around midday in the second week of summer as the rumble of heavy equipment vibrated the earth near their Mother Tree. He rolled onto the sleep-feeding Xander and laved the brown nipple until it extended. He swallowed automatically and returned to sleep soundly, feeding on the precious fluid.

They both woke abruptly at sunset. Something was terribly wrong, and they could both hear crying. They emerged from the tree to a desperate scene at least two dozen little faeries – male and female, all ages and every color of the rainbow were huddling in and around the tree's roots. Many had been crying,

As the nymph and vampire emerged however, the group separated to reveal an agonizing sight. Two still forms were carried forward and placed reverently at Xander and Spike's feet.

"Please… Please help them! They saved the little ones then were caught in the destruction."

Spike felt the knot in his stomach tighten. He knew who might have been in the thicket.

He tugged Xander forward as he asked, "What happened?"

The pretty pale yellow female faerie who answered was still half sobbing as she related the horror of the afternoon. "They destroyed the thicket! Bull dozed it into a pile and scraped the ground clean of all growth. We've lost two of our number – plus all manner of creatures have lost their lives or homes! Please… please! Help Harry… and… sob … oh please!"

Spike gently lifted the dirt encrusted figure as Xander picked up the second broken little body.

"Best we take them inside and clean them up Pet. Can't do a thing 'til we can see at least see the damage."

As the tree admitted the four, the other faeries took off into her canopy to find protection for the evening.

………………..