A/N: Once again, thanks for the reviews. I was feeling playful in the last, and to be honest, I still am. (And my fiancé's home this weekend, at the moment curled up in bed asleep and looking very elvish. Needless to say I'm a happy little girl right now.)
DISCLAIMER: I've said it before, I'll say it again. I don't own any of these characters.
Choices
(Chapter 4)
"You suppose you're a billionaire! This is not something that you suppose." Xander yelled at Spike once they were back on the street. Spike just strode along, mildly amused.
"I don't really bother to keep track anymore. Got lawyers for that." He took one of the bags from Xander when he saw that he was having difficulties with the juggling, "Just have to make sure I die every eighty years or so and leave the money to myself."
Xander stopped for a moment to work out what he'd said, "Huh?"
"Who do you think's been payin' the Slayer's bills?"
Xander blinked as he put the pieces together, "Why the charade?"
Spike lifted his arms and spun around. "Fits the image, pet. But since we seem to be dispelling that image tonight I should tell you that I'm educated as well."
"As in college?" Xander noticed that Spike's accent had slightly changed. Less cockney, more perfect King's English.
"Oxford." He laughed, "Always wanted to tell the Watcher that his Latin was lacking."
They walked back to the crypt, discussing the small amount of Spike's past that he was willing to reveal. Even though he remained quiet about some parts, Xander was surprised at his sudden bout of openness. Once there, Spike stopped at the door.
"Go on in and get a snack, luv. I have to take care of something."
Xander stumbled a bit at the unexpected term of endearment, and turned to face Spike. His head was turned away, as if he were listening to something. He realized that he could hear it as well, a fight, which in the graveyard could only mean one thing. What was more, he could smell blood. Human blood.
"Shouldn't I go too?"
Spike shook his head. "You're stronger, yes, because of the change. But I still haven't taught you how to handle yourself."
"And I don't already know? I've done this before."
"And you got yourself killed. Go inside."
*****
Spike returned, his shirt torn in places and a scratch on his cheek. It had been a large group. He walked through the door to find Xander standing before the bed, staring at it as if it were going to bite him. So he's finally thought about that, has he?
"'lo, pet."
"I really wish you would stop calling me that." Xander looked up at him, "There's only one bed."
"Glad to know you can count." Spike teased, a bemused expression on his face. I wonder…
"Where will I sleep?"
"On the bed." Spike smiled.
"Then where will you sleep?" Xander began to worry more. He stared at the bed again.
"On the bed." Spike repeated, his smile turning to a very large grin. It was more than he could do to keep from laughing.
"Spike, I'm grateful to you for saving me and all but…"
"Pet, it's a double bed. We're grown boys here. We can sleep, just sleep mind you, in the same bed if necessary."
Xander frowned. "I guess." He looked up and saw the scratch on Spike's cheek. It was already healing, but there was still a small trickle of blood. Without realizing what he was doing, he wiped the blood off and then carefully licked it from his fingers.
Spike turned away quickly, pulling his coat closed.
"Niblet wants us over tomorrow. She's got some idea about throwing you a party." He decided to change the subject to something a little less embarrassing.
"Dawnie? But why would she want to throw me a party?" Xander asked, confused. "And did she consult with Buffy?"
"Slayer didn't seem particularly pleased, no." Spike answered, "But Red talked her into it." He turned back to look at Xander, "Think you can handle it? You haven't been in a group yet."
"I almost attacked Buffy, but I was angry. She went after you, and I almost…" Xander looked at Spike questioningly.
"I think you can do it, pet."
*****
Xander awoke, this time spared from the embarrassment of a compromising position. Spike was already awake and pacing. Clothes were laid out on the foot of the bed. The leather pants.
"You know, you're taking this dressing me thing way too far, Spike." He said, "You're not my mom."
"I wouldn't have to if you didn't have such phenomenally bad taste," Spike smirked. "You like to sleep don't you?"
"How long have you been up?"
"Since this afternoon. Had to catch my stories."
Xander groaned and attempted to bury his head in the pillow.
"Get up, luv. We've an appointment to keep."
Xander pulled the comforter over his head. Unfortunately it wasn't long enough to cover his head and feet. Spike saw an opportunity and reached for one foot.
"Grraagh!" Xander jumped up, "That tickles!"
"Well, it got you up, didn't it?"
"You're evil."
"So are you. What's your point?"
Xander threw a pillow.
*****
They walked up to the familiar door and Spike knocked. Dawn opened the door in a really awful party hat.
"Whoa! Who are you and what did you do with Xander?" she said, looking the fledgling vamp up and down, with obvious appreciation.
"'Lo Bit." Spike frowned, slightly perturbed. "Eyes off. And I'd better not catch you looking at any man like that again."
Xander started to walk in and met with invisible resistance. Dawn saw his problem and quickly invited him in.
"Sorry, Xan. Forgot." She bounced away to the kitchen, humming under her breath.
Willow surprised Spike by walking up and hugging him. She stood on tiptoe and whispered thanks into his ear, looking at Xander as she did so. He understood. After all, the two had always been tight. She wouldn't have fared well if the boy had died.
"Nice pants." She greeted Xander with a playful smile before pulling him into a hug as well.
Buffy was sitting in the living room with her arms crossed over her chest. She was not pleased. Spike tactfully decided to stay away from her for a while. For his own safety, of course. Xander glanced at her and frowned, but didn't look surprised.
Giles walked over, looking a bit wary, and shook Xander's hand, "I want to talk to you two shortly."
Of course, Spike thought, Watcher wants to know the where's and why's. Probably the how's too.
Dawn and Willow came out of the kitchen, each holding a mug of blood. One was the one Spike always used. The other had a picture of a teddy bear on the side. He supposed it would now become Xander's special mug.
"This is human!" Spike smiled at the surprise, "Did you raid the blood bank?"
Xander realized that they had acquired the blood for him and wouldn't have done so for Spike.
"Buffy got it." Dawn said, confirming Xander's suspicions.
She looked up from where she was sulking and nodded. "Didn't want him hungry around my sister." She said, pretending that she'd done it for safety. She ignored Xander's expression at her lack of trust.
The dinner went well, but Spike was already dreading what came after. The inquisition portion of the evening. He knew that the others wouldn't rely only on what the Slayer had chosen to tell them. And Xander had only told her his side of the story.
Most of the questions were predictable. But the Watcher truly seemed to attempt to get at the science of the thing.
"So you found him dying…" Giles repeated, confirming what they had said. "And you decided to turn him so you, what, slit your wrist or bit into it?"
Spike shook his head. "I cut my throat." The Watcher's eyes widened. Spike hoped he wouldn't ask why. It was a question he couldn't answer himself. Why did I choose something so intimate? I should've just given him my wrist.
"And then after the exchange you just waited around until he woke?"
"Why do you bloody well have to know everything?!!" Spike shot up from his chair, running his hands through his hair. "Do you want to know how I sat there with him in my lap, listening to his heart stop? Watching him die and knowing how I had damned him?"
Xander stood and put his hands on Spike's shoulders, noticing that he was shaking. He cared. Wonder why I never realized that before. Not just for Dawnie and Buffy, but for me too.
"Sit. They don't mean to treat you like a criminal. They just want to know." It wasn't the first time that they had questioned Spike. He wondered if it had always affected him like this. "And Spike, you haven't damned me."
Spike nodded and sat back down, but this time he joined Xander on the couch. Neither noticed Buffy's eyes on them.
Dawn spoke up, "Look, you guys are ruining all the fun! This is supposed to be a party." Giles had the grace to look properly admonished.
With that, most of the group resumed the playful attitude that had already been established. Movies and popcorn were called for. Eventually that reverted into an all out food fight.
Noticing that Dawn had fallen asleep and Willow was nearing it, Spike stood and pulled on his duster.
"Come on, pet, time to go."
Xander stood and, hugging Willow, walked to the door to join his sire. Once the two had left the others turned to look at each other. Giles cocked an eyebrow. They had all heard the nickname.