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.
lj-cut text"Click here for more"
PART 6
Spike woke to the kind caress of his human protector, and smiled into the warm hug of his lovely friend pressing him into the bed and kissing him soundly on the forehead. But courtesy of his very good feeding and rising awareness, Spike's faculties were beginning to return… And he heard the unmistakable whine of monitoring equipment. It was the same annoying sound that was in the training room of Wolfram and Hart with his sessions with Illyria.
He held Xander tight as his vampire senses located the source, whispering, "Stay still, Pet… seems someone has decided to watch us… lift your foot love and wiggle it a bit so I can figure where the sound is coming from."
Xander replied also in a whisper "Sh$#!" but did as asked.
In a feigned kiss Spike was able to convey the needed information, "It's somewhere in the kitchen… Xan just… go make coffee and see if there's any new additions."
Xander found the barely half inch diameter camera and microphone neatly attached to the underside corner of the kitchenette cupboard giving a full view of the bed. Xander disappeared from view as far as those monitoring, quietly took a screwdriver from his bag, levered off the device and stamped on it hard with the heel of his new shoes.
He returned to Spike, "That's it, we take Jas's offer and move tomorrow."
Xander rang Jason, then the landlord. Two days later he carried his lovely vampire downstairs and into the cool of the night for the first time since their arrival. Spike was wrapped in a new throw rug and his old duster almost as he had been when Xander first entered the building, but was now aware and grasped Jason's hand fondly and conveyed his feelings with a thankful smile as he was settled into the car for the short trip to their… Xander and his… new abode.
………………………
Stacy panicked – the images and the sound had apparently stopped on the Wednesday, and now there was no sign of the pair… they were no longer in the hotel! But Lilah had refused to be interrupted let alone sign any more authorizations that week, she was still entirely preoccupied with a certain Bunny Hainsley's case against the law firm. Stacy was genuinely worried about the tail and feathers scenario, having just learned to deal with a not really adequate set of lower limbs.
The young PA filed the report from the Wolfram and Hart security group, pushed the request for more equipment rather apologetically back across her desk to the now rather desperate looking surveillance team leader, then retired for the weekend.
A month later, Lilah was furious to learn of the loss of transmission and for all Stacy's trouble, the girl had again been subdued and now sported a very obvious feathered tail, rendering sitting on a normal chair impossible. She also had a forward lean to her walk as her spine permanently realigned to accommodate the new appendage.
Her boyfriend (from within the company) had been understanding about her feet, but would not even answer her calls after the new change. Eventually there was a short note on her Email from the articles clerk, and her boyfriend was friend no more.
Lilah smirked as she arranged for a brass perch for behind the girl's desk as a final reminder. It forced Stacy to lean against a purpose built padded bar when working at her desk and had the effect of causing the young PA's tail to be seen by every passer by on that floor.
When difficult clients happened into the office, Lilah took great delight in asking her assistant to attend "With your perch". Stacy was then compelled to take two trips into the meeting room, one with her laptop and material, and the second to struggle in with the brass bar. Lilah always insisted that it be placed in full view of all concerned, a forced display of both tail and talons to any 'reluctant' negotiators. Stacy was always relieved when refreshments were demanded as it gave her time to exit the room and cry… again.
Lilah was eventually bored with the girl and intolerant of her whimpering. Stacy was hospitalized in the work lab for two days, the doctors completely ignoring the physical difficulty she was in, and studying her, rather than bringing relief. Their report finally read that she was suffering, "Work related stress", and was simply incapable of providing adequate service to the high powered Ms Morgan. She was transferred to the data entry section in the bowels of the building and forgotten.
By sheer fluke however, she literally ran into Rodney, a rather hirsute, nervous new file clerk with cloven hooves at the water cooler on her way to the lift on the second day (as it turned out, a former Surveillance team member on the Harris case).
Despite his damp front, courtesy of the collision, and their initial embarrassed stares at the physical forms, they began to see each other outside work. He was attentive, and sent her text messages three or four times a day for the next month.
They were lovers soon after, and for the first time since her changes, she felt accepted in the kind care of her new partner. Her claws gripped his tough hooves painlessly as they partnered and he had swiftly discovered that stroking her tail was a guaranteed 'turn on' for both of them.
Stacy was humbled by his attentions, and his anger at her plight... their plight. He adored her as she was now, but abhorred what had been done. So it was, Stacy recovered her senses a little after yet another amorous hour or so in their third month together, finally released her vice like hold on the thick fur covering his buttocks, and his decision was made. He quietly pledged his intent that some form of retaliation needed to occur… though was unsure of the form it might take without repercussions.
……………
The apartment was lovely, airy and light, open plan and admittedly small but bigger than the hotel room and just… perfect.
Jason apologized for the north facing windows, but was encouraged when Spike reached up from the couch he had been eased onto by his lovely carer and gave Jason a chaste kiss, whispering "Perfect Pet, thanks… boy here deserves the best… and you've given it to us… thank you."
Jason's teary smile and promise to return with Mark that evening – with a meal was confirmation for Xander that they had made the right decision.
While Spike slept again as Xander fussed about the position of the very basic rented furniture and made a list what they would require. He then took to the cupboards and reviewed the very basic implements that Jason and Mark had provided. He was pleased that he had a few extra funds in addition to his wage for now. Post Sunnydale he had not bothered to accumulate, but if they were here to stay, some things would be needed.
It was Friday night, their third in the new space. He and Spike were propped up in bed between borrowed sheets and covered by two thick bath towels, Spike's old duster, Xander's great coat and the throw rug.
"Get what you like Pet. 'S your money after all."
"But we both live here Spike! C'mon just look at the catalogue for a minute… Come on! You have to want… something more than that … thing!" Xander knew it was a low blow, but Xander was feeling a tired. The feeding glove was sitting on their rudimentary sideboard, its bulging single teat stared at him like some obscene sculpture in the window of an adults only porn shop.
He was about to say something but turned to see Spike's pleading look and listened to the master vampire beg. The Big Bad, who had been burned more times than anyone could count and of late, had been drugged into submission, trained, then finally rescued, let tears fall in desperation, "But I need that… please! Don't… please Xan… please."
Xander too let his emotions spill over his cheeks as he lifted the teat, watched the vampire pierce the latex and held it sadly as the smaller male figure emptied the bizarre feeding implement, released it, then buried his human face in the safety of his protector's neck and promptly fell into an exhausted sleep.
It was Saturday before Xander had time to truly shop, but was the ideal client. His list comprehensive, his tastes specific and his hand drawn schematics of the apartment complete with measurements, ideal. He had kissed Spike at nine in the morning and by three in the afternoon had spent a significant amount of money but was able to report that they were now the proud owners of various accoutrements of modern life. He was rewarded by a sleepy kiss and a hug that pushed their two interested erections against each other and hands that insisted he become nude… quickly!
Jason chose that moment to arrive at their new 'neighbor's' door. Xander groaned and willed his errant member down, but the effort was wasted. He arrived with an invitation to enjoy Mark's home made pasta later that evening… and could not help but grin at Xander's hastily wrapped throw rug and the cheerful 'Hey Pet' from the bedroom.
It would be their first real 'outing' in more than one sense of the word. Spike smelt the trepidation and took his friend in hand, bringing his friend to completion and kissing him soundly before apologizing and asking for his feeding teat before they went out.
Xander complied, then smiled broadly as Spike and he worked toward Spike's full recovery, walking the full length of the apartment and starting some weights exercises using (temporarily) a five pound bag of sugar. Jason promised to lend his friends some of his and Mark's unused equipment as soon as Xander and Spike were settled.
…………..
Dinner was wonderful. Xander carried Spike to the door to be greeted to the tall, elegant brunette Mark, the partner as quiet as Jason was effusive.
Unexpectedly there were other guests, but it made for a pleasant evening… and the quite wonderful meal in good company was the first time Xander and Spike had truly been together and welcomed as 'a couple'… ever.
Mark, Jason's partner, was attentive and concerned, even though obviously the host for the evening. His welcome extended to providing Spike with extra cushions for their initial seated 'drinks and dips' but also making sure he had a chair padded with warm wraps discretely tucked below the table for dinner. The gentle man dwarfed Spike's form, but was polite and engaging, and Spike did not disappoint.
'William' the academic was some hundred and thirty years older than most in the room and wonderfully able to hold his own despite his recent illness, to the point that Xander was caught several times simply staring in awe of the amazing person he had been blessed to find. Forgetting all about the pre chipping/ensouling/Anya moments in preference to simply wondering at the age and experience of his lovely charge.
Mark was a wonderful host and even better chef, despite or perhaps because of, his job as resident psychiatrist at the newly opened Westwood Hospital. The meal was beautifully paced and presented, the music in the background discrete and the company excellent.
The other guests were David, a copyright lawyer for the Disney organization, and his partner Michael, classical cellist and sessional player for movie scores; Miranda and Jeff – she a well liked Aussi actress apparently, and he 'a lovely friend' who had agreed to accompany her for the evening; and an elderly Jewish couple from the top story of the building.
Elijah and Rachel were well still known in the 'rag trade' and had originally underwritten their two daughters, who had gone from their owning small shop to a Nordstroms regular, then switched to mens wear and now owned a controlling interest two of the top men's wear companies across the world, boasting large establishments in the Golden Circle and forty other locations across the US alone. But Rachel and Elijah were uninterested in possessing the large homes and flashy cars of their children – preferring to stay in their own humble home according to Rachel (though Xander knew that they owned almost the entire city block – and were, in fact, his landlords!).
Jason made a fuss of the elderly woman, but it was William who stole her attentions for the evening. He charmed Rachel and endeared himself to the rather 'crusty' Elijah with questions of their childhood in Lithuania, commenting knowingly on the Italians' ability to make fine prints, and quizzing them both on the first play he should take Xander to once he was fully recovered.
Xander nodded to Mark, signaling to him, that his partner was allowed a little wine. Mark leant over Xander to fill Spike's glass with a fine Chilean red but as he pulled away, paused to whisper, "It's the first time I've seen her really take to someone. Even ol' Jas has his work cut out. Seems your lovely partner has the wisdom of the ages and the charm of Casanova… what does he do again?"
Xander answered with a well practiced line, "He was a student of the classics, traveled a lot and um… soldier for good, you know action, injury and illness… knew him before but it's different now…just have to focus on getting him well."
"He's a special guy Xander, Jas told me but… anyways… glad you both came."
Xander smiled at his gracious host, and touched the hand that held the bottle for a little longer than was a casual brush. "Thanks Mark… for Jason… and you and all this…"
Mark smiled easily then put his free hand over Xander's and winked, "Heck, I'm expecting you to keep Jas out of my hair for the next two weeks redecorating your place while I've got my resident's review. Then we can have a payback party. Sound fair."
"Weeks? Speed shopper here… days or hours! Working man!"
"OK maybe not you… but you have to promise to let William keep Jason busy in the shops at least two afternoons a week as soon as your lover is well – or even before – hello wheelchair!… Hey… winks they were obviously made for each other! Intelligent, emotional, impetuous, fragile, young? Hmm? "
Xander didn't correct the last descriptor, but instead returned the squeeze, muttered, "Yup, and more than you know," then turned his attentions to the other guests and his partner. And grinned as he noticed what Mark was already looking at.
Spike had switched from the dialogue with the elderly couple, to engage in an intense conversation with the pretty actress over the merits of watching a screenplay of a classic over reading the book, she delighting in his knowledge of the various original texts and witty dialogue, and he reveling in her intelligent repartee, easy laughter, wonderful skill with accents and apparently untouched, natural charm.
Xander would have been jealous but for the wickedly seductive look Spike occasionally shot his way.
Spike had been irreverent and genuinely friendly to all at the table, but by coffee was obviously grey and waning. Jason quietly squeezed Xander's hand, acknowledging that they could all see it and it was fine to leave.
Xander did the same under the table to Spike and saw the vampire's relief. They both thanked Mark and Jason, and they bade farewell to their fellow diners, before Xander lifted his slim partner into his arms and departed.
Elijah was the first to speak after the door closed. "Oi Gewalt… I had no idea! The dear boy… he was so…"
Miranda finished for him, "Full of life… filled with life… And yet he seems so…"
Rachel finished for her, "Sad. He has lost… many close to him, I am happy to guess… He has the eyes of a survivor… He has seen too much… Lovely boy though… Sweet boy… "
Mark ventured his first public comment for the evening, "Well cancer is about grief, but I guess Jas and I are hopeful. Alexander well… you all met him… But you've got to admit they make a lovely couple… and well I hope you..."
There was resounding agreement around the table. The two new neighbors were definitely on the 'please come again' list.
Jason brightened with the consensus then switched gears, "Now Michael, you were telling us about your newest project…" And so the evening progressed.
Xander quietly returned to their new abode, tucked his lovely, already unconscious charge into bed then stripped himself quickly and simply spooned the smaller figure from behind. He blessed whatever deity had been with him earlier that day as he snuggled down into the heat of an electric blanket on low and pulled Spike closer.
…………………..
"Ms Morgan?" The very new, very nervous, personal assistant waited for her superior to indicate she might enter.
"So?" Lilah tapped her foot, deliberately setting the young woman even more into panic mode.
"I… No… Um … they… they…"
"Do you want your tongue to stay in one piece? Because… anytime soon …"
The terrified blonde blurted out the rest in a babble fest that outdid anything Willow could have conjured in her days of junior high, "They've-found-where-he-works-and-found-some-other… oh please don't give me other bits Ms Morgan!"
Jeri-May struggled not to sob and waited patiently while the alpha female of Wolfram and Hart took in the information, then almost fainted at the reply.
"Fine, just bring me the details."
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