Title:A night of hunting
Author:snipsnap
Author's notes:This is the last part of 'A night of hunting.'The night of the kitten heist.Xander is making his way to Spike's cript.
No kittens were harmed during the making of this fiction.
Email:tina_1502@yahoo.com
Distribution:Just let me know.
Xander watched the clouds obscuring the moon.All sort of nasties choose to pop out on full moon nights.But he had given his word to meet Spike at his crypt.For the thousandth time that night he cursed his big mouth and gulliable nature. He gripped his stake tighter and prodded on.
He found the blond vampire pacing impatiently outside his crypt.He broke off mid-stride as he saw Xander and his frown cleared.
"Glad you could make it."
Xander threw a mock-offended look at the vampire and sighed.
"I always keep my word, Evildead. Unlike certain other people I can mention."
Spole smirked at that and started forward when Xander suddenly accosted him.
"Hey, have you forgotten the weapons?"
"We don't need weapons for this sally,Harris."He indicted the burlap sack in his hand.
"We have got all the tools we need here."
Xander frowned and decided that it was high time he got the missive for the mission.
"And what exactly is it for?"
"To bag the kittens,ponce."
To say that Xander was flabbergasted was an understatement.
"You mean to say that you are dragging me in the middle of the night to nab a pair of scraggedy cats?"
"Kittens."
Xander was even more puzzled if that were possible.
"What?"
"Kittens. Not cats. There is a difference between the two."
"Right." Xander shook his head as if to clear it. "Someone tell me why I am in the cemetery at midnight plotting kitten-napping with a bleached vampire?"
He beseeched to the powers above as they continued forward.
Spike snorted at that.
"Do I need to tell you?Again.I never thought I would have to bag kittens with a bloody human accomplice either. I used to have minions for these menial tasks."
He sighed as he muttered.
"Those were the good times.How the mighty have fallen."
"Right." Xander sighed as he followed the bleached vamp.This was going to be a very long night.
***************
"This is it?"
Xander looked around curiously. They were in front of a very ordinary looking cottage in one of the better parts of Sunnydale.
Spike tilted his head and looked at Xander.
"Well, what did you expect?The bloody animal shelter?"
"Actually…yeah.That is the obvious place to look for kittens."
Spike drew a long unnecessary breath and let it out slowly.
"It didn't occur to you that every sodding demon in Sunnyhell would have the same idea?"
Xander gave a weak grin and shrugged.
"Now that you say…What is this place anyway?"
Xander peered down and read the name on the mailbox.
"Hmm…Andrews."
"This place has more kittens than the bloody animal shelter.I can play for real high stakes once I get hold of the kitties."Spike warmed up to the topic as he anticipated the possibilities.
Xander frowned as he listened absently to Spike's diatribe.
"Who lives here anyway?"
"An old bint.No neighbors no dogs.Just the bint and the kittys."
"So what is the catch?"
Spike managed to look so hurt that if it were anybody else Xander would have apologized.But since it was Spike…
"Yes the catch.You can do this with one hand tied behind.Since you dragged me into this affair there is more to it."Xander said firmly.
"Gee… how can you think…"At Xander's resolved look Spike stopped mid speech.Bugger it.The whelp is getting smarter.He decided to come out with the truth.
"That bint is a witch.She has put some sort of spell on the yard..Demons can't get in."
Xander was unimpressed.
"So why can't they get some human to nab the kittens.Like you are doing."
Spike gave a sardonic laugh at that.
"The human has to be willing.Not threatened or intimidated or blackmailed.Really,how many humans can you see agreeing to that? That is where you come in."
Xander cleared his throat.
"Oho…wouldn't threatening to tell Anya come under the 'blackmail' category?"
"Bloody hell!I didn't threaten you.You promised me."
"A promise wrought under false circumstances. Should we test it?"
Spike was about to answer when he saw the headlights of an approaching vehicle.
"Quick!Into the bushes."
Giving Xander no time to contemplate he dived into the bushes with him.
As they watched a jeep came into their vision.It stopped in front of the gate.A stocky well built man got out of the jeep carrying a basket.At that time the cottage door opened and an old woman stepped out.The duo in the bushes saw the man hugging the woman and giving her the basket.They both went inside and within no time the door shut.
"There goes my plan for the evening.Why did the bloody git have to come tonight?"
Spike slammed a fist into a nearby tree trunk.
"That is Andrews" Xander said dazedly.
Spike drew an exasperated breath.
"Yeah!You read the sodding mail box.We might as well pack up.He won't be out any time soon.They would be having dinner."
"That must be his mother."Xander said numbly.
"Bloody brilliant,my dear Watson."Spike drawled sarcastically. "Excellent deduction!"
Xander did not appear to be listening.So the blonde vampire continued his whining.
"Why does this happen to me?Ever since I set foot in Sunnyhell all my carefully made plans go down the drain.He was supposed to come on Tuesday."
"Huh?"
"That bloody git always comes on Tuesday nights.Why did he have to come today?"
Xander came down to earth.He peered at the frustrated vampire.
"He always comes on Tuesday nights?"
"Haven't you been listening to a word I am saying?"
Spike suddenly noticed Xander's concentrated gaze at the cottage and stopped.The whelp had his jaw clenched.With his keen hearing the vampire could hear him grinding his teeth.Well,well.Perhaps something could be salvaged after all.
"You know the git,Harris?"
"He is my friend.Or was."
Spike comprehended.
"Aha! The one who sent you to the demons?"
"The same." Xander replied through clenched teeth.
Spike grinned like a Cheshire cat.Today was going to be his lucky day after all.A bit more prodding and his job would get done.
"What did he say when he saw you today?"
"He was on leave."
Spike gave Xander a comforting pat.
"I bet he got something extra from the demons for sending you."
Xander clenched his fists.
"You think so?"
"I know so." Spike answered."And I will bet anything it was Mamma who suggested sending you. Witches are awfully keen to promote their off springs' interests."
Xander drew a shaky breath as everything became clear to him.
"He is next in line for my job. Christ! Will people do anything for money these days?"
"Welcome to the real world, buddy." said Spike sympathetically."You know, friends real friends that is,would never do anything of the sort.You are lucky you got the Scoobies."
"Yeah" agreed Xander.He collected his thoughts as he turned to Spike. He was in full resolve face.
"Consider your job done,deadboy."
As Spike nodded approvingly Xander continued."He goes to great lengths to get the kittens for his Mamma. He imports kittens from all over.Said his Mom was a kitten collector.What better revenge than to nab his precious kittens."
Spike's eyes gleamed evilly as he latched on to Xander's idea.However he still had doubts.
"Are you sure they are not cats?"
"Absolutely.I went with him to clear the matter with the air port authorities.Beleive me these are genuine kittens."
Spike frowned as a thought occurred to him.He pushed back Xander who was peering at the house.
"Down whelp!They will see you.
"Witches usually have cats.They are not particular about kittens."Spike pondered.
But Xander was not paying him any attention.
"I think he is leaving." He said.
Xander's voice woke him from his reverie. He switched to game face and watched Andrews speeding away on his jeep.
"Harris,is Red in town tonight?"
There was a wicked gleam in his baby blue eyes.
*******************
Bud Andrews was in a very good mood.He hummed as he got ready for bed.He had finally got rid of that idiot Harris.At the same time he managed to get his Mom a rare Persian kitten.Talk about killing two birds with one stone.Having a mother who is a witch rocks.At that moment the doorbell rang.
"Damnit ,who could be visiting at 2 in the night?" he muttered as he pulled on a robe and went to answer the door.
*******************
"Coming"
Willow called out as she yanked at the tangled sheets.It did not help that Tara was lying on top of the sheet involved.She didn't budge and Willow gave a grimace as the door bell rang again.And again.
Willow threw open the door to find a grinning blond vampire with his finger still on the switch.
"Spike!How many times have I told you not to ring the door bell more than twice."
"Sorry,Red."said the vampire in an apologetic tone.But the grin on his face belied his words.
Willow sighed.
"When will you grow up,Spike?It is really childish to…"
That was when she saw Xander behind the vampire.
"Xander,what happened?Buffy!Is she…"
Xander waved his hands infront of the agitated witch.
"Relax,Willow.Buffy is alright.So is Dawn." He replied estimating her next question.
Willow let out the breath she had been holding all along.
"You better come inside."She closed the door and followed them to the cozy living room.Xander was slouching in a chair and Spike was sprawled all over the sofa making himself at home.
"Where is Tara?"Xander looked around.The ruckus Spike had been making was loud enough to have awakened the dead.But the white witch was no where to be seen.
Willow sighed.
"Tara was having one of her migranes.So I did a little sleep spell to let her have a good night's sleep."
As if on cue a low moaning sound ensued from the bed room.Willow hurried to the bed room and Spike and Xander looked at each other guiltily.Xander opened his mouth but Spike forestalled him.
"I know.I shouldn't have done it."
When Willow came back he apologized profusely.Willow listened gravely and she nodded.
"Which still brings us back to the original question.Why are you both here at this time of the night?"
**********************
"I can do it.Have you brought …"
Xander interrupted Willow eagerly ."Everything is in the car."As Willow looked curious Spike answered.
"We paid a visit to the Magic Box.We have everything except salamander eyes."
"I have some here.OK let us begin.I will draw the circle while you both unload the car." As she gave directions Willow reminded herself that someday she was going to have a chat with Spike about magic.He clearly knew more than he was letting on.
Xander and Spike brought everything and arranged them according to Willow's directions.Within record time the spell was finished.
"Thanks Willow. I owe you one." said Xander as he hugged Willow.The red headed witch gave one of her trademark grins as she returned the hug.
"Hey what are friends for.It was the least I could do for you."
Spike smirked as he watched the affectionate display between the friends.
"Time for the next phase,Harris."
************************
As the town clock chimed four Xander wriggled out of the bushes.He rubbed his hands gleefully.
"Payback time,traitor.Watch out for the Xand-man."
Spike smirked and gave a thumbs up sign at the retreating Xander.He watched the boy climb over the fence and make his way to the cage.
Xander opened the cage carefully.There was no lock.In the moon light he could clearly perceive the huddled kittens.
Xander put his hand forward and carefully lifted a kitten.The kitten gave a soft 'Meow' on perceiving an unfamiliar face.
"Shh… kitty.Don't make any sound."Xander stroked the kitten and luckily it subsided.He placed it gently in the sack and proceeded to kitten No: 2.
One,two,three…The last kitten was in the sack .Xander took out something out of his coat pocket and placed it in the cage.Then he climbed the fence gingerly with the sack.Spike had told him that he should not throw the sack over as that would set the spell.As soon as he went over he handed over the sack to Spike and gasped.
"Good work Harris."Spike patted the gasping human."You make a good cat burgler."
Xander glared at the bleached vampire and managed to talk between taking huge gulps of air.
"Remind me not to make any promises to you,Deadboy."
Spike smirked as he started counting the kittens.
**********************
Dawn was flabbergasted.
"That's it?"
Spike pushed back his blond mane and smirked.
"Well, I paid my dues and returned home the same night.I don't suppose that is what you want to know either."
"Spikeeeeeeeee"
"No need to damage my ear drums,Bit.We nabbed Andrews the same night.Wasn't so hard. That git took one look at me and promptly fainted.You would think that he has never seen a fang.Him being a witch's whelp and all."Spike had a beautiful smile on his face as he reminisced the previous night's adventures.Glad to know he was the Big Bad after all.The terror on that git's face was priceless.
As Dawn gave an impatient snort Spike returned to the main narrative.
"Hmm, where was I? Yeah, we got Red to cast a spell on the guy.The next day when the witch opened the cage there was only one kitten.You could hear her bellowing all the way down the main street.She wouldn't be doing any mojo on the whelp any time soon."
"You got Willow to change that guy into a cat?"Dawn giggled.As Spike nodded gleefully she commenced another round of giggles. "Wait till Buffy hears about this" she chortled between giggles.
Spike looked alarmed at that and started to rise.
"Hey wait, Lil Bit. Buffy needn't know anything about this."
"Know anything about what? What have you been upto Spike while we were in LA?"
Spike turned around to see Buffy blocking the doorway with her arms crossed. Spike managed to look hurt and innocent at the same time and turned on the baby blue eyes at full blast.
"Me?Nothing! Why would you think so,Slayer?"
Buffy rolled her eyes at Dawn who was still giggling like mad on the ground.
THE END
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