Disclaimer: Don't own the characters nor make any money from stories etc, and bow down to their original creators Joss, et al., plus all the wonderful online writers who continue to give the Buffy/Angel verse characters life.
Dedicated to tempestsreach who inspired the story and deserves all the hugs that one could provide.
PART 5
The sound of a rolling frame and skidding of nails on marble announced Lilah's assistant, before the girl managed to make it to the carpet. Three days previously she had worn yet another pair of unacceptable shoes, and Lilah had carried out her threat.
On her way out of the office of the Senior Partner's favorite employee, Stacy had been subdued, drugged, and… from now on, would never need to wear heels again when in the office or, for that matter, be able to wear a short skirt in public.
From her lower legs and feet had been replaced (as threatened) by those of an eagle, rendering her some five inches shorter and struggling to stand, let alone walk, on a good day. On the bright side, she could kill with her talons given the right circumstance, could grip onto gym bars or various things around the house, and found that sport shoes and long track pants accommodated her special needs when out of the office. Her original legs and feet had apparently gone to a 'needy client'.
But she had learned, as too many others before her, that Ms Morgan was always true to her word, and Stacy was not prepared to risk another slip up, so the young woman pulled the documents from her carry basket, and head down, handed the notes to Lilah.
"Ms Morgan…? Here's the information you requested."
Lilah smirked at the walking frame, the scaly legs, and the talons that were currently stuck into her carpet. She relished the young woman's submission and fear.
"So this Concierge is confirmed as a homosexual?
Stacy shifted uncomfortably and leaned hard on her walker, "Yes Ma'am". Her talons caught uncomfortably in the loops of the carpet and legs ached terribly as she tried to concentrate, but worried more that her newly purchased outfit might also prove inadequate and engender yet more 'alterations'. She had seen Wendy in accounts and did not want a tail!
"The individual Jason McNaulty is in a long term relationship with one Mark Houlihan. And it seems has befriended Mr Harris."
"Good. And Harris had taken the position with Griggmans?"
"Yes, ma'am"
"Fine. Then all we need is confirmation of the mystery lover."
"Ma'am surveillance has not been able to provide anything but audio to date as the curtains are constantly drawn, and even the audio is rather muffled. It seems the subject is quite ill and has spent the best part of the month sleeping. We have not been present on a twenty four hour basis, but there is certainly no evidence of sexual congress while we have been monitoring."
"Well… What have we got?"
"We were able to record the conversation between Mr McNaulty and Mr Harris on several occasions when they were in the lobby, and mention was made of the boyfriend, a person going by the name of William Harris. Gleaning from the conversation, it's apparent the individual is suffering some form of cancer, or possibly AIDS. The person has not left the room since they arrived and judging by the concierge's comments, is extremely ill, but apparently recovering."
"So he's going by the name of his partner?"
"They registered as brothers, so yes ma'am." Stacy nervously handed over the incomplete transcripts
"Brothers my ass! You get that reconnaissance to get photos or something we can use, or I will give you feathers to match those talons"
Stacy looked up wide eyed. She had no idea how the surveillance team could be more effective but she would try everything she could think of. She really didn't want a feathered tail to go with her lower limbs!
………………….
The contract with Griggmans was fairly standard. Though the nervous young man from the company was anything but, and seemed terribly enthusiastic to have Xander's signature on the spot.
Xander couldn't really understand the urgency but eventually learned that one of Griggmans' senior project managers had met with a nasty accident at home and the company needed the role filled, if only temporarily – six month contract guaranteed. They seemed unconcerned when Xander mentioned his ill sibling and requested that he spend lunchtime off the site.
He read through the material carefully then signed without taking particular note of the letterhead. Griggmans was certainly at the top, but underneath were the insignias of their partners the First National Bank, Enron, Komatsu…. and Wolfram and Hart.
………………….
Xander was sitting on the bed with Spike's head cradled by his left arm. He stroked the blonde who was snoozing as Xander reviewed the details of the project prior to his first day.
He had explained some of the job to Spike and pushed a new cellphone into the vampire's hands before Spike had given in to fatigue – Xander's number was on fast dial. He had also arranged with Jason to have someone look in on Spike once or twice in both the morning and afternoon. If there was a problem he would be alerted.
Jason asked about 'meals and meds' but dropped the issue when Xander looked stressed, then quickly added that he would return every lunchtime to "help William with that stuff".
…………………………..
Xander's first day was hectic and worrying.
He rang the hotel four times before lunch, Jason finally heading up to check on William himself, only to report that Xander's 'brother' was sleeping peacefully. Jason didn't miss the relief in Xander's voice as the message was gratefully received.
The afternoon was a little better, although the traffic dreadful and the wait at the hospital lengthy as he purchased the week's supply of blood. By the time Xander arrived home, Spike was propped up in bed listening to the now off duty Jason (who was perched on the end of the bed) expounding the delights offered by various nightclubs in the central LA area.
Xander grinned as he slammed the door with a "Hi honey I'm home" statement and squeezed Jason's shoulder whispering, "Thanks buddy," as he moved to stroke Spike's hair before kissing it with a relieved "Hey…"
Jason excused himself a few seconds later, but only after pushing a piece of paper into Xander's hand. It was his own address and home number. The brunette looked a little puzzled so Jason quickly added, "There's an apartment free on sixth if you're interested. I put down the details, and um… took the liberty of telling the landlord you might be interested, hope you don't mind… He's an old friend, good guy…"
Xander's gave the man a grateful smile and quick hug, "No problem… and thanks Jas… for everything… really… I'll get onto this afternoon."
As soon as the friend had been dismissed, Xander quickly heated enough blood for a full day's feeding. He filled the glove and carried it, and the three other bags in a tub of hot water, over to the side table, before cradling his relaxed friend in his arms.
He was about to slice the full teat, but for the first time since his rescue, Spike grinned and finally fell into gameface with the smell of blood, puncturing the teat with his sharp incisor and sucked the dark liquid proudly, eyes sparkling as Xander smiled at him.
Xander took a risk, he gently moved Spike's right hand to the top of the glove, trusting the vampire to hold it while he grabbed another warmed bag of blood, snipped it open with the nail scissors and opened his friend's fist enough to pour the 'next course' into the feeding glove.
The process was repeated, and by the fourth bag Xander had begun to stroke the full, sleepy friend over the stomach that he could swear was a little distended with the feeding. The final few drops were pulled from the now spent glove seconds before the vampire spun and planted his fangs instinctively into Xander's throat, not in anger, nor for feeding, but in gratitude.
Xander was utterly shocked, but after the first sting, he was amazed… the tight hold, the slight suction and the laving tongue gave him little choice but to pull into the embrace even tighter.
When the mouth pulled free, the words were instinctive, "Sire!... Xan… need you… in me… now!"
The relief of finding his friend recovering, and the vampire's automatic stroking of Xander's hardness, left the human begging for more, but utterly confused.
Spike felt the drive for something and finally realized what it was. He was desperate for the attentions that his mistress was so willing to afford and was desperate for his new carer to provide. He rolled onto his stomach and lifted his backside, his own erection full with borrowed blood, then quietly began to request his servicing.
His lovely carer gasped. He had never… well except for that one time… and of course he had read and seen pictures, but now he was faced with a beautiful male form who was literally begging. "I um… Oh f#$... Spike I don't know if I… I mean I do want but… umm… you are… Ohh my!"
His charge held his cheeks open, waiting for his attentions. Spike was literally begging and kept up the mantra, "Please… please… please!"
Finally Xander stood and retrieved the complimentary container of moisturizer from the bathroom, squeezing a generous amount on his erection and fingers, and gently began to enter another male body with two digits for only the second time, while carefully stimulating his friend's erection as best he could.
Spike responded enthusiastically and Xander relaxed a little, but pulled his penetrating hand away only to hear the begging resume and felt a slim hand guide his own hardness to its mark. He nervously pushed his member at the opening then sank into the tight but surprisingly welcoming opening, as his partner pressed back on him. He hugged his friend with nervous arms that quickly shifted to a strong and loving grip. He heard the groan of enjoyment and allowed himself to begin to fully feel the pleasure.
It was extraordinary, and Spike was so responsive. Xander continued to pleasure Spike's hardness as the smaller figure pressed back with Xander's every thrust and groaned, and thanked, begged… before it was all too much and Xander felt the smaller figure come in his hand, the channel containing his shaft contracted hard. The human climaxed immediately filling his friend with warm seed.
They were lying with Xander spooning his smaller partner, both sated, when he pushed his wrist against the vampire's mouth, he felt oddly satisfied as he felt the incisors carefully puncture his flesh.
……………………….
The camera the cleaner had planted that morning gave Lilah what she needed. She still had no idea who the individual was due to the angle of shot, but voices were both male and their activity was unmistakable. And at least she had the damning evidence that would help persuade the construction worker and past 'Scoobie' to offer his services more willingly to Wolfram and Hart when the senior partners finally did decide on his role.
Her assistant was relieved to find that Ms Morgan was pleased, and removed herself before there was a change of heart and feathers might ensue.
……………………..
The vampire woke at early to enjoy Xander's attentions before he left for work then feel back to sleep, waking just as Xander arrived home at lunchtime. He finished two full pints of human blood from the teat before rolling to one side, stroking his rescuer's face. Thankfully large sack of groceries obscured the view of Wolfram and Hart's tiny camera now fixed to the top of the coffee maker.
Xander kissed his friend passionately and they lay quietly for a moment before Spike spoke, "Jason and Mark want to take us out."
Xander was playing with Spike's fingers and replied absently, "Yeah I know."
"Not sure if you've noticed luv, but I'm um… still not walkin'." Spike looked across at his lover worriedly.
"Well I guess we start on that… cause you are looking…"
"Less like a corpse?"
"I was going to say more filled out but hmmmm definitely… Do you want to try? I mean… now? Because, well we can just give it a try… You know – just give standing a go first?"
Spike saw the unadulterated hope and care in his friend's face so took a liberty and leant up to kiss him, it was accepted. "Anythin' for you pet… Yeah, let's have at it."
With that Xander held Spike close and sat them both up. He then swung Spike's legs from the bed before squatting on the floor in front of him, placing a pale hand on each of his shoulders and holding it tight with his own. He then pulled the still surprisingly weak form forward, taking the vampire's weight a little and easing him up until they were both standing.
Spike was breathing, and Xander could feel his whole form begin to shake, but he was smiling, apparently in amazement. "Oh!... Bloody … Xan this is …" Then the vampire's eyes began to roll back, "Oh Xan, I'm gonna… fall!" Xander caught him around the waist before he could, pulling the figure to him in a tight hug and keeping him upright for a moment longer before maneuvering them both back onto the bed.
Spike was breathing again and faced Xander a little tearful, "Bloody hell… should be… better than this Pet, been too long on the mend… and I… I'm sorry."
Xander simply kissed the pale forehead and whispered, "It's OK… really! You did great… Let's give it another go in a while… then I guess I'd better head back to work."
Spike made it to standing twice more and on the third attempt also walked three steps with Xander's arm firmly around his waist before collapsing exhausted against his keeper.
Gently placing the slight figure back under the covers, Xander heated one pack of blood and held the glove as Spike fed a little, then stroked the sleepy vampire until he fell into a dream free slumber. His charge remaining happily oblivious until the human protector returned that evening.
………………..
A nervous voice came through the handset, "Ms Morgan? Just reporting that we have a digital image of the second person in the Harris case… the brother, shall I…"
"Oh for Hell's sake… Just put it in the files! I have other issues to address… Where are the records of our dealings with Mr Hainsley… the necromancer…? They should have been on my desk this morning… You have two minutes to find them!"
Stacy dropped the phone, filed the digital images in the 'Harris' file, then scrambled to find the archives requested. She bruised her hip on the side of the desk for the third time that week as she raced for Ms Morgan's door without her walking frame and her talons skidded, unable to get a purchase on the polished floor. She handed over the documents with tears in her eyes, before limping awkwardly back to her desk, slipping at the door and injuring her already sore hip yet again.
The pretty red head returned painfully to the chair that now sported marks on the base where her talons regularly gripped as she worked. She grabbed her designer jacket from the back of her walking frame, buried her face in it, and wept.