Author's Note: Again, thanks to everybody who has reviewed so far. You guys are awesome. This is one of what is going to be several random interludes, which take place sometime in the past. I wanted to show what it was like for Xan to be growing up with Spike, Dalton, and the rest, and these also will provide some insight as to why Xander will do the things he does. Erm, that's all I've got. Read on, and enjoy!

Interlude: New Jersey - 1985

"Spikey, come on! Wake up!"

Spike blearily opened one eye and mock-growled at the five-year-old boy perched on his chest. "What do you want, Nibblet?" he asked, stifling an immense yawn.

"G'oc'ry shopping."

"Grocery shopping?" Spike repeated, picking up Xander and throwing him over his shoulder as he got to his feet.

"Uh-huh. You said I could get candy if I finished a book wiv Dalton," Xander replied, giggling as Spike set him down on a beanbag chair.

"I did, did I?" the vampire said absently as he pulled on his Docs. Xander nodded and pouted, crossing his tiny arms across his chest. Spike smiled and ruffled the boy's shaggy hair. "That pout doesn't work on me, mate, I invented it."

Xander simply widened his liquid brown eyes and quivered his lower lip. Spike groaned and shut his eyes. "Alright, fine. Get your kit on. Make sure you remember your coat; it's getting a bit nippy."

The child let out a whoop and raced out of the room to grab his sneakers and jacket. Spike watched him go with a fond smile on his face. The baby he had "rescued" five years ago was growing fast. He seemed to have an endless amount of energy and got into everything, yet the Master vampire couldn't imagine unlife without him. He was glad that he had chosen Dalton to foster Xan; the scholarly vampire had been a teacher and father of three before he had been turned and he retained all of his paternal instincts even after death.

Grabbing his duster from off the floor where the blonde trick whom he had brought home had thrown it the night before, Spike left his room and entered the main area of the lair. Xander looked up as he entered and impatiently waited for Dalton to finish helping him untie his shoes. As soon as Dalton finished the last knot, the boy jumped up and ran over to Spike, taking the Brit's hand in both of his own and pulled him toward the exit.

"Come on, Spikey! The sun's been down for a long time! Let's go!" Xander urged, tugging on the adult's hand.

Spike scooped up the child and settled him on his shoulders. "We're goin', pet; we're goin'," he purred, rubbing his cheek against the boy's affectionately.

The mismatched duo made their way through the run-down streets of New Jersey toward a small convenience store, which Damien had spotted the previous night. A few people gave Spike an odd look as he walked by with the five-year-old still perched happily on his shoulders.

All of a sudden, Spike found himself unable to move, but immediately recognised the cause. Xander's hands had tightened in his hair and Spike knew that it was the tiny telepath who had stopped him. "Bad mens!" came the frantic thought from the boy and fear that wasn't his own gripped Spike like a vice.

The vampire squeezed Xander's leg reassuringly. "It's okay, Xan," he murmured. "I've got you. Where are these blokes?"

An image popped into his head of three young men gathered around a run down pawnshop. They had spotted the vampire and the child and were heading toward them.

"Don't let 'em know you're scared, alright, Nibblet? Gotta be brave now, like me, okay?" He could see them now; all three were jocks, the smallest of them was probably still a good three or four inches taller than Spike. Fortunately, the Brit's short stature rarely hindered him and he was confident that he could take all three, even with the child on his shoulders.

Turning his gaze to the three jocks, Spike smiled jovially at them. "'Lo, mates," he said cheerfully. "Fine night, in'nit?" He felt one of Xander's hands leave his hair as the boy followed the vampire's instructions and waved.

The biggest jock sneered at the vampire's remark and nudged his friends. "What have we here, boys?" He stepped up to Spike and looked down at him in amusement. "A little queer and his boy?"

Xander let out a quiet whimper and Spike felt white-hot rage race through him. Keeping a tight rein on his demon, he continued to keep up his cheerful smile. "Not my boy, actually. Funny story, really. I'd tell it to you, but I simply don't 'ave the time," he replied. "But he's still my li'l buddy, nonetheless. Y'see, you an' your mates are scarin' him a bit." His smile changed to a dangerous smirk and he let an icy growl creep into his voice. "I'm sure that fine, upstandin' gentlemen such as y'selves wouldn't want to frighten a li'l nibblet like 'im, 'specially wit' me bein' so fond o' him."

The rich scent of fear reached Spike as the jocks suddenly realised that they picked the wrong gay man to torment. He smiled, letting his features shift into those of a demon. "Stay here, Xander," he purred, gently lifting the whiskey-eyed boy to the ground. "We'll get your candy in a mo'." Xander nodded and reluctantly let go of Spike's leg.

Spike grinned a feral grin, showing off his sharp canines and relishing the scent of terror that the jocks gave off. He closed in on them, still grinning maniacally. Their mistake would cost them dearly. Nobody threatened his boy.