Chapter 2

          William Giles was stunned.  "Da!  Do you actually think this sounds like fun?  What will everyone say?"

          Rupert Giles rolled his eyes at his son.  "They'll say 'thank you Mr. Giles' as they have a tad more respect than you."

          Spike swore.  Of all the bloody luck.  First his father forces him to move to Podunkville CA also known as Sunnydale.  I'll only pay tuition if you come to Sunnydale.  Enough partying, you want to party, you pay your own way.  It was enough to make Spike's blood boil.

          "This is not a birthday present to a man.  This is bloody punishment.  C'mon da, do I really have to go?" Spike whined. 

          Rupert sighed.  He tried so hard to connect with his son, but truthfully, he was at a loss.  After Jenny died, he and William were both lost.  Then William began to change.  Gone was the intelligent, compassionate William and in his place was cocky arrogant Spike.  It made Rupert want to grind his teeth and polish his glasses.  The final straw came when Rupert received a letter from the Dean of his son's college.  Spike was failing out.  Rupert bullied his son into coming to Sunnydale, a town he discovered while looking for a new job.  It was time to put Jenny behind them, god rest her beautiful soul.

          He thought that taking a weekend together would help repair some tears they both put into the relationship.  Apparently, he was wrong. 

          Spike, meanwhile, was still ranting about the injustice of it all.  "I mean, come on.  This is so lame.  It was Professor Plum in the Hall with the Candlestick."

          Rupert's temper snapped.  "Fine.  If you don't want to go, you ungrateful prat, then don't.  I, however, plan on attending and trying to enjoy myself for once."

          Spike mouth gaped open.  His father hadn't spoken to him like that in a long time.  Maybe he shouldn't have complained so loudly or profusely, it looks like his da really wanted to go. 

          "Okay, fine," he conceded.  "It could be fun.  Can Xander go?"

          Rupert smiled.  Alexander Harris was the one good influence on his son.  "I suppose Xander can come.  Anyone else?"

          Spike thought about it.  "Not that I can think of."

          Rupert nodded.  "I shall make arrangements."

          Spike rolled his eyes.  Sometimes his father talked like he lived in the Middle Ages. 

          "I'll call Xander and see if he's free.  This thing lasts all weekend?" Spike asked.

          Rupert nodded.  "We arrive Friday morning and leave Sunday afternoon.  Friday night is the Introduction Ball.  We meet the other guests and get briefed on the rules.  Then, the game begins.  We have Saturday and Sunday to figure out whodunit and the Sunday night, we leave."

          Spike nodded.  Truthfully, it kinda sounded like fun.  He always had a quick mind and he loved solving puzzles.  It was one of the few Williamisms he couldn't get rid of.  That, and his passion for writing.  Since these were decidedly "uncool" things, he tried to ignore them as much a possible. 

          "Xander, what's up?" Spike asked, cradling the phone between his shoulder and ear. 

          They conferred for a few moments and Spike face broke into a grin.  "Great man, glad you could come.  We'll pick you up on Thursday night.  We're driving down the night before and staying at some motel next to the manor."

          Spike hung the phone up and turned to his father with a thumbs-up.  "All's go with the Xan-man."

          Rupert smiled.  "Glad to hear it.  If you can think of anyone else, let me know.  I have one more ticket.  It was a package deal."

          Spike nodded.  The two men parted way.  Rupert wandered outside to take in the new town.  He had been here for about six months and had yet to actually walk it and see where the various cultural centers were.  Old habits were hard to shake. 

          Spike, meanwhile, headed back up to his room.  Boxes were everywhere, some opened, some not.  He didn't have enough money for his own place yet, so staying with da was the only option.  With a smile worthy of Beelzebub himself, Spike dialed Xander again.  Fifteen minutes later, he had himself an unpacking buddy. 

          Spike met Xander the very first day he set foot in Sunnydale six months ago.  He literally ran into the tall brunette in the registration building on the Sunnydale University campus.  The young carpenter with an easy grin and an easier attitude took pity on him and they ended up registering for classes together.  It was eerie how much they had in common, but also how strikingly different they were.  Spike was lithe and blonde while Xander had the rough hewn body of a laborer.  Both detested school, both loved good punk rock and both had more ambition than sense.  Instant friendship struck.

          Spike soon realized that Xander's easy attitude hid the heart and soul of a warrior.  One night, he stopped by the Harris house only to be accosted by a bloody and bruised Xander and a raging Mr. Harris.  Seems Xander was trying to get his mom to leave when Mr. Harris struck out with a full bottle of JD. 

          Spike was incensed.  Screaming obscenities that few people had ever heard before, he raised his fists and tore into Mr. Harris with the abandonment of a banshee.  Both boys arrived on the Giles doorstep very much worse for the wear.  Rupert never asked any questions, he wrapped them both in gauze and sent them to Spike's room drugged with painkillers.  The next morning, the boys were floored to hear that a very beaten Mr. Harris was found in front of the police station, handcuffed to a bench and babbling about "Ripper".  Spike never asked, Rupert never told.

          Mrs. Harris didn't leave, and instead asked Xander to please stop coming home.  It broke his heart, but Xander said goodbye to his parents, and became a temporary member of the Giles clan.  Although Rupert offered many times, Xander refused the use of the house.  Instead, he moved into a small apartment close to the college.  Once Spike scraped together enough money, the two planned on becoming roommates. 

          Xander didn't bother knocking.  He walked in and immediately headed for the Giles refrigerator.  Once he loaded up on soda and leftovers, he headed upstairs to Spike's room. 

          "Hey loser, need some muscle?" Xander asked with a grin.

          Spike rolled his eyes.  "No, I've got muscle.  What I need is a mule to cart around my shit."

          Xander laughed and handed Spike a soda.  They drank in companionable silence. 

          Xander burped.  "So, when do we start?"

          Spike laughed and punched him in the shoulder.  "Right now."

            Three hours later, all the boxes were unpacked and the majority of Spike's belongings were put away.  Xander's back ached from the lifting and Spike's shoulder was sore.

          "Jesus Spike, how much shit do you really have?" Xander asked, wiping his brow. 

          "Actually, this is the last of it.  Thanks mate, it would have taken me bloody forever to do this on my own," Spike replied, slumping down next to Xander. 

          "So you've lived here for almost a year and just now decide to unload all your crap?" Xander asked, reaching for a water from Spike's mini-fridge.  The same mini-fridge it took him an hour to muscle into place. 

          Spike half-shrugged.  His shoulder was way to sore to do anything further.  "Well, I've been pulling bits and pieces out, just never wanted to fully unpack.  Was probably hoping that I'd leave this bloody town, but it doesn't look like that's happening."  He took a deep drink of Xander's water. 

          Xander grinned.  Spike liked to bitch and moan, but Xander thought that he might secretly like Sunnydale.  "Don't deny it, Spike.  You don't want to leave because you're hot for my muscles.  It's okay, you're not the only one."

          Spike rolled his eyes.  "Keep thinking that whelp.  Whatever helps you get through the day.  Feel like Bronzing tonight?"

          The Bronze was the one and only club in town.  Xander wasn't big on the club scene, so Spike dragged him out whenever he could.  Xander needed a woman, and Spike was bound and detmined to find him one.  And maybe a bird for himself too, strictly for shagging purposes.  After Drusilla, Spike was leery of relationships. 

          Xander immediately began listing other things he had to do, but Spike was having none of it.  "Don't even try it, whelp.  I know as well as you do that you're not doing a damn thing tonight.  We're going to the Bronze.  And please, no Hawaiian shirts tonight."

          Xander grinned at that.  Last time Spike set him up he showed up to his "dates" house wearing an obnoxiously bright Hawaiian shirt.  His date politely excused herself from dinner with him.  Spike was so pissed he wouldn't speak to him for a few days. 

          "Okay, okay, we bronze tonight.  And I promise, no Hawaiian shirts," Xander said. 

          Spike smiled.  "Cheers mate." He dumped the rest of the water down Xander's back.

          Xander yelled as the cold water hit his skin.  "Spike you asshole!"

          Spike smiled and ran as Xander lunged for him.  "C'mon you wanker, try and catch me."

          Xander laughed as he chased Spike down the stairs.  He tackled him at the base of the stairs and the two boys went flying into the living room.  They wrestled and fought until both were wheezing from exertion, sweat dripping down their bodies.  Neither wanted to admit defeat, so they just sat silently, sucking in air.  

          Spike wiped his brow.  "Not what the hell did you go and start that shit for?"

          Xander rolled his brown eyes.  "Spike you're such a twit."

          Spike smiled.  "A right sexy twit."

          "Make that a stupid twit and you're on the money," Xander replied.  He stood up and helped Spike to his feet.  "Man, you reek."

          Spike sniffed.  He did reek.  "It's manly sweat, drives the birds crazy."

          Xander shook his head.  "Whatever you say Sid.  Me, I'm gonna shower before the nightmare that is Xander in public begins."

          Spike shook his head.  "It won't be that bad.  Be here at 7 or so.  We'll eat and go."

          Xander nodded.  The two boys parted ways.