Author:snipsnap
Title :A night of hunting
Chapter-3
"At your service" The blond vampire bowed low. The effect of his appearance on each of the inhabitants of the room was different. Xander was relieved.Anya was bewildered. And Halfrek, what of her?She raised her brows in a supercilious manner as they scanned the figure infront of her and asked.
"And who may you be?"
Spike regarded the demon and was not at all impressed. There was something familiar at the same time vague and off putting about her.
"None of your bloody business." Then he turned to Anya and spoke in a conciliatory manner.
"Now Anya, don't get annoyed with the whel…….. er.. Xander. I had to meet Teeth at the Xuxu bar and asked Xander along as backup."
Xander swallowed as he wondered if Anya would swallow this crap. Surprisingly she did. She brightened up immediately and gave the bemused Xander a quick kiss.
"Now Xander, why didn't you tell me before?"
"You didn't ask me sweetheart."Xander managed to mumble.
Anya beamed at Spike and Halfrek.
"Isn't it all manly and brave of Xander to help Spike? She asked Halfrek.
Halfrek managed to give a non-committal grunt while Spike rolled his eyes heavenward.
As Anya drew Xander for another kiss Spike cleared his throat and nudged Halfrek.
"Isn't it time we made tracks, ducks and leave the happy couple to their way?
He got a fulminating glare from Halfrek as the 'lady' drew her cloak towards herself and bid adieu to Anyanka. Xander took this opportunity to follow Spike downstairs. He waylaid Spike at the bottom of the stairs. He put a hand on Spike's arm as he spoke.
"Uh…Spike, thanks for saving my ass up there."
Xander took a deep breath to calm himself. This was really hard for him. Thanking Spike twice the same night was……very wiggy to say the least. But it had to be done. So he nerved himself and continued.
"I know I haven't been much of a friend to you."
Spike inclined his head at that.
"But all this changes now. If I can do anything for you, anything at all just let me know. You are one of us now."
Spike brightened up considerably at that. This was his cue. He gripped Xander's hand tightly.
"You don't how much this means to me. I have always wanted your friendship and to be part of the Scoobies. This is great, man."
They hugged and Xander could almost hear the 'Friends' theme song in the back ground. Who would have thought that he and the bleached wonder would become buddies. He concentrated as Spike now spoke.
"Well actually there is something you can do for me. It is just that…"
The blonde vampire looked a bit embarrassed at that point and shrugged.
"Aww its nothing."
He turned to go and Xander gripped his duster. This was downright curious. What could possibly reduce the Big Bad to an embarrassed school boy. Xander threw a hand over the abashed vampire's shoulders.
"Comeon Spike. We are buddies now. You can tell me anything. I'll help you. I promise."
Spike's head whipped around at the p-word. This was exactly what he was waiting for.
He smirked.
Xander saw the smirk on Spike's face and felt a mite uneasy. There was no trace of the embarrassed school boy anymore. He told himself that there was nothing Spike could do to him. He was chipped after all.
"Are you free tomorrow night?"
Spike's question broke his reverie.
"Yeah, what of it?"
Xander tried hard not to show his misgivings.
"Good. I need some backup for tomorrow."
As he nodded absently Xander had a very nasty suspicion. He narrowed his eyes at Spike.
"Hey this hasn't anything to do with Buffy, does it? If it is count me out. I don't want anything to do with your crazy schemes. "
Spike smiled evilly at Xander.
"You did give me your word."He reminded Xander. In the moonlight his teeth glinted.
"Do you know the repercussions of breaking your word with a Master vampire?"
Xander did not know and he did not care to find out either. But that did not mean he would betray his best friend either.
"You can't ask me to betray Buffy."
Spike rolled his eyes heavenwards. The whelp was going to be the death of him. But there was something to be said about his loyalty to the Slayer. He faced Xander and threw his hands in the air.
"Did I ask you to betray her? If you would recall she is not even in Sunnyhell at present."
Xander began to unwind.
"You deliberately led me to believe that it had something to do with her. So what is it anyway?"Xander was once again curious.
"It is a delicate mission. I need backup."
Xander at once wondered what it was that even Spike could not handle it alone. But the blonde vampire refused to divulge further details and disappeared into the night in his trusted DeSoto.
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Much later Anya snuggled up to Xander who was contemplating the cracks in the ceiling.
"Anya" he murmured.
"Yes darling." His sweetheart was surprisingly acquiescing.
"What happens when a human breaks his word to a vampire?"
Anya laughed softly to herself and answered.
"In all probability he becomes the vampire's breakfast, lunch or supper depending on the time of the day or the vampire's temperament."
"Oh is that all? Xander drew a shaky breath in relief.
Anya was lost in thought as she drew patterns on Xander's chest with her fore finger.
"If the vampire in question is a Master the results would vary.It is said that the said human's head would explode to a million pieces."
She looked at Xander and smiled as she warmed to the topic.
"That is just one version. Another version has the human's eyes plucked out. Yet another version…"
Xander gulped. He reached forward and tapped Anya's arm.
"That's enough honey."
Anya got the message and settled down to sleep.
"Uh… Xander perhaps you should ask Spike. He would know the correct version, him being a master vampire and all."
"Nice suggestion, sweetheart."
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