Part Ten:

It was a hot Saturday, but then, this was California after all. Spike turned on the car air conditioner and closed his eyes in boredom at the annoying traffic. The red light was on for a bloody long time, and there were a billion cars ahead of his. He couldn't wait to get back home and tell his father about the perfect flat with the reasonable price he just found. Those last five days had been hell as he did nothing but search and search, though he should consider himself lucky finding a flat in a matter of five days.

The quick search for a flat was due to Xander getting on his nerves. Ever since Spike came back home, Xander didn't waste any opportunity to make him feel like the biggest scum on the earth. He could never forget the day he'd accompanied Xander to school. The way Xander introduced him to his little redhead friend, how he kept rambling about how Spike screwed up when he was in high school. And that Jesse, he kept looming over him, being tall certainty had its advantages.

The best thing that came out of revisiting his old high school was reuniting with Tara. He'd gone to her flat twice, and invited her to his house once so far. They went to the movies together and he took her bowling and such. So basically he spent all week with the company of Tara.

They spent so much time together that Mrs. Rosenberg thought Tara was his girlfriend. When Rupert corrected her, she just nodded sadly muttering something that sounded like, "Why is it always the good looking ones?"

Spike never thought that he would enjoy hanging out with Tara that much. They weren't that close in the past. She was just Oz's girlfriend: sweet, shy and that was it. She was still the same girl he knew four years ago, probably more fun, unless she used to be this fun but he never bothered to know.

The traffic light turned green after what seemed like hours of wait. Spike heaved a relieved sigh and waited until the cars in front of him started moving.

It turned back red before Spike crossed.

"That's wonderful," Rupert exclaimed happily. He was in the kitchen, fixing lunch when Spike told him the great news.

Spike sat tiredly, swabbing the sweat off his forehead. "Yeah, looks good, and the rent is practical given its location and size."

"You know I can…"

"No Rupes," Spike cut him off with a wave of his hand, looking at his father seriously.
"Point of all this is for me to be the twenty-two bloke I am."

Rupert nodded, understanding, even when worry was still in his eyes. "But you don't have a job yet."

"I'll swing by the press on Monday." He grew frustrated at the heat. "Stupid weather makes a bloke want to kill himself. Been sweating non-stop since I left the building."

"This is Sunnydale. It's always hot, especially this time of year." He looked at Spike who was soaking in sweat. "Why don't you take a shower? Lunch is almost done, it'll be ready when you finish."

"All right then," he said standing up and taking his jacket with him. Before he left the kitchen he heard his father calling, "Oh, and tell Xander to come in and take a shower himself!"

"Where is he?"

"He's watering the garden."

Spike walked to the back door with a groan. He didn't want to get out in the sun again. He peeked outside looking for Xander, but couldn't see him. The rays of the sun irritated his skin. He took a few steps forward and then spotted Xander's back behind one of the big trees. He was about to call his name, until Xander's body moved a little making the view of his chest more visible.

Spike stood speechless at the sight of topless Xander watering the plants. He was wearing white sweats and nothing but a towel thrown over his neck. Now under the sun rays Xander was a vision. The work of muscles on that tanned body, the sweat dripping down that hard chest were all enough for Spike to stand speechless under the formerly annoying sun.

As Xander moved to hose some of his father's roses, Spike snapped out of it. He drew back quickly, and yelled, "Xander, lunch is gonna be ready in a few!"

"Okay!" he yelled back.

Spike ran to his room, locked the door behind him and just stood there catching his breath and looking down at the tent in his pants.

Sunday Morning:

The J: so?

X-man: LMFAO

The J: I know ^^

X-man: *headshake* looks as bad as the last season of Star Trek

The J: *snort* don't compare that crap to this perfection!

X-man: the problem is Captain Archer, he's missing something the other captains had

The J: right, btw what are you doing today?

X-man: *grumble* Captain P's apartment we're supposed to leave now

The J: he's finally moving out?

X-man: Yep so glad

"Xander, c'mon, don't you get tired of chatting!" Spike's voiced drifted to his ears.

X-man: speaking of the devil

Xander turned around to find Spike peeking through his half opened door. Spike went inside, walking toward him. "Get moving now."

Xander turned to the screen with a grimace.

Spike stood behind Xander and peered at the screen over Xander's shoulder. He rolled his eyes when he found 'Captain P' mentioned and not in a good way. He knew Xander enjoyed talking bollocks about him with 'The J'. Bloody hell, what were these kids calling themselves?

Spike was lost in his mental mockery to notice how his cheek was feeling Xander's soft hair. It was all happening instinctively, like it was meant to happen. Spike, aware of himself now, was not able to move away, not able to stop it. He closed his eyes and buried his nose on the soft locks. He breathed the scent of shampoo and something that was Xander. It smelt nice, warm and…

"Spike? Are you sniffing my hair?"

Spike jerked back, alarmed. The sun light hurt his eyes from suddenly opening them up again as if they were closed for hours. His finally adjusted eyes, and stared blanched at Xander's amused ones.

"I… wasn't," Spike stuttered. "I was looking for lice," he finished quickly.

"Uh huh." Xander didn't look convinced.

"You have a mop of hair," Spike explained lamely.

Still looking at Spike in amusement, Xander nodded at the door. "Why don't you go ahead? I'll say goodbye to Jess and shut down the laptop."

"Right," Spike replied frantically, feeling blood rushing to his cheeks. He stumbled outside the room in a haste.

Xander stared at him quietly while he got out. Once the door was closed, he immediately started pressing on the keyboards.

X-man: guess what?

The J: what?

X-man: CP has the hots for me!

X-man: he was sniffing my hair

X-man: should've seen this coming, it was so clear from the beginning!

X-man: gonna be fun

X-man: Jess?

X-man: buddy?

The J: your bro has the hots for you? *vomit*