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 13 – FINI
As Xander returned to full consciousness with an infusion of his Sire's blood and participated in the evening for an hour or so, Mark and Jason found it easier to adapt to their friend's (or rather friends') revised status. Jason was apparently faster to accept the 'other' than Mark, but the medico eventually gave in to it all by ignoring the 'special status' of his friends, and simply treating them as he had always done. It proved surprisingly easy. Over the ensuing weeks 'life' went back to normal and two dinner parties later – plus an outing to the opera, 'Turandot' – Mark had all but forgotten that Will and Xander were anything but some of their 'inner circle' of good friends.
Hamish was informed of Xander's demise by Wolfram and Hart barely ten days after his disappearance. Hamish had immediately, and very privately, sent money to his employee's landlord – enough to keep Xander's apartment for two months, and to give his family a little extra time to settle with his estate. It was a generous gesture, though one Hamish felt somehow still, inadequate. He knew that he had been lucky to escape such a fate working for W&H, and worried for his own family.
For Xander and Spike, the rest of their financial issues were yet to be dealt with.
A few months on and Spike knew that Wolfram and Hart must have had access to his partner's funds, so pulled in some favors. Clem's cousin at the hospital knew the new Files and Data Processing second in charge Rodney. Apparently, though still working in the 'belly of the beast', this Rodney was sympathetic to those suffering the violations that were part of W&H's usual procedures. Within a day of contacting Rod, Spike was confident that they would not be destitute.
…………….
Rod was sympathetic to handsome young man who arrived on behalf of the estate of one 'prospective employee', one Alexander Lavelle Harris, had been officially declared missing after attending a meeting at Wolfram and Hart, and had within a fortnight, been declared deceased. The family representative, Jason, had all the correct papers proving the claim of a young relative William and had all the relevant legal material ready to process immediately.
When Rod did a minimum of internal investigating, he realized that the deceased young man had been one of the 'Morgan Disappearances', and the physically altered Rod felt grateful that he only had a couple of altered extremities. He swiftly found the documentation and was able to sign off on the release of nearly eighty percent of the funds to the dear young cousin William within days. A week later, an enormous bunch of flowers arrived at his office, along with a beautifully penned card thanking him on behalf of Alexander's family. Rod was touched and took the flowers home to the soon to be mother of his own brood.
Seven months on from Xander's turning Rod was promoted, again. Now officially the Chief Officer of the whole division, and studying part time for his MBA in the fall – at the company's expense, his greatest joy was that Stacy, now his wife, was very pregnant and a week into maternity leave.
It was a relief. She was having twins. Her altered back and legs had simply not been able to support her burgeoning belly, and she had been forced to use a specially designed wheelchair for close to four months. More recently, entering her eighth month carrying the children, her blood pressure and chronic back ache were indications that there were other issues. Her tail had all but lost its feathers, and her formerly curly hair had gone suddenly limp and straight, and of late, begun falling out in clumps. Her body was struggling, but they both rejoiced yet another scan revealed that all was well with the children. They were both eager to welcome their babies (fully human twin girls) into the world within the month.
Wendy had not yet met the man of her dreams – yet along the way, had become staunch friend and supporter of Rod and his pretty wife. Wendy, though only a new friend, had the honor of being witness at their marriage and was known as Aunty Wendy for many years by two small girls who continued to delight in lifting whichever elegant pair of pants she happened to be wearing, and cheekily pet the furred paws beneath (her habit of kicking off shoes never quite broken).
The file of Alexander Harris along with that of Spike aka William the Bloody strangely disappeared from the W&H files without a trace.
………..
For reasons other than money the next months still proved challenging. Xander's life was now his unlife. Determining what that meant was an extraordinary experience.
His Sire was kind and attentive, but still insisted on discipline. Years on, Xander would adore his Sire (by then Mate) for it, but at the time, it was a combination of exhilaration, unequivocal fear of failure and unexpected triumphs. His soul and demon warred daily, but his Sire was there and knew his dilemma and the slow solution… Xander had the unconditional love and devotion of his maker, and the strength of commitment of a partner that he had always craved… and it was to be until they were both dust. At times he was chained up for his disciplining, but the punishment metered out was always light in comparison to any Spike had endured. More often any reprimands involved isolation and drainings rather than beatings. The soul and the demon eventually found an accord, and unlife began to make sense.
Xander's demon's submission to his Sire was not that of a beaten and broken fledge, but willingly given as one of a favorite Childe, willingly bending to his Sire's wishes and proud to stand by him in any situation. His status meant that more often than not, he fed directly from his Sire, guaranteeing strength and speed well beyond his years.
Xander was a surprisingly quick study and rejoiced in his new abilities - speed, night-sight, hearing, and smell, all were explored under strict supervision and with kind coaching. He reveled in the hunt, practiced on the less savory human characters of the night, and became expert at seducing and 'skimming'. It was an art form long practiced. A pint or so taken from the willing, leaving them unharmed and satisfied - usually happening in nightclubs or bars where a quick kiss in the dark lent itself to a short, sharp, fluid exchange.
Spike led his fledge through the night with a well practiced confidence. They were a beautiful pair, always dressed to kill but killing few, though strangely, satisfying many. Some humans even returning to the place of their 'donation' specifically in the hope that they might meet their seductive night biter just one more time…
Their gym sessions became sparring bouts, Xander gradually learning to control his newfound speed and use the enhanced senses. Being under the direct tutelage of a Master, and taking his blood daily, meant that Xander was no ordinary fledge. Already battle hardened as a human, he was also a quick study and determined to make his Sire proud. With aught else to do but train, feed and sleep, with an occasional hunting excursion, Xander swiftly became a vampire to be reckoned with in his own right. A Master or Slayer might take him down, but few others could.
By the end of Xander's sixth month, Spike stood back and admired. His boy was a fine hunter. Brutal and swift if it was called for, but also an expert in seduction, and with an apparent natural ability to thrall that rivaled Spike's dark princess Dru.
For Spike, he was a blessing. A beloved friend, devoted lover, and had developed into a formidable adversary for any demon who crossed their path. He would be a Claimed Mate as soon as it could be arranged, sadly the lack of Spike's own Sire or even Grandsire made it difficult as the approval of a Senior of the Clan was needed before the ceremony could be performed.
Xander's great joy was that now, the feeding and fighting always ending with he and his Sire tumbling into bed, where their lovemaking more often than not, took on a feral quality. Both parties willingly gave in to their demonic natures as they explored Xander's new strengths and desires.
He also had the joy of spending the daylight hours with limbs tangled in his Sire's arms. If Xander was restless, they would talk for a time - Vampire Law, Spike's own memories of running with Angelus, their collective memories of Sunnydale and everything between… or they would make love.
The consequences of his new status were a surprise to the former human.
Xander missed the sun, and what it had meant… a job that he was highly skilled at; the ability to venture out in the day; and a set of friends that preferred the living. But he gained strength and speed, the ability to see in near darkness, smell more accurately than any bloodhound, and hear a heartbeat at a hundred paces… Plus had what seemed like an instantaneous recovery time, and several new erogenous zones – including his turning mark, which, if sucked by his Sire, had the effect of him climaxing instantly. Sire had kindly provided a binding to help him with his rather insatiable desire to spend, then trained him to withhold until instructed – the rewards for which, saw him in sated sleep more than he could ever count.
………..
Mark's fascination with their 'condition' did not wane, unlike Jason who simply accepted. He regularly grilled Spike for details in the weeks following their initial 'revelation'.
A month or two on, it was not so much testing, rather, he seemed to be trying to build his own understanding. Finally, in the sixth month, it extended to a blood test – by mouth – Spike's blood given willingly to Mark's mouth, then a little of Mark's given nervously, and gently taken from the volunteered wrist. The surprise was that the result was instantaneous… a 'convert'.
It seemed that Mark had what he needed, and for the first time in years, he felt sure of something. He felt blissful as the strong elixir flowed over his tongue and down his throat. Through the blood of one of the oldest Master vampires on the planet, he was gifted with a little insight into the world of his two friends. He was initially puzzled by the powerful effects then eyes widened as he truly understood the unique knowledge of 'the other' he had been given. He was humbled and honored. Years later he would still refuse to speak of the experience despite it, in truth, being a life changing event.
…………..
Almost a year from Xander's turning, a portal emerged in the bedroom of two slumbering, ensouled vampires – Sire and Childe.
The Sire woke immediately and growled "Stay" to his half conscious, very sated, charge.
The Master Vampire always slept nude but did not hesitate to prostrate himself in front of the figure. Fred/Illyria had promised to return and she had not forgotten him.
"Mistress Illyria."
"My Pet…" Illyria's arms morphed partially into her true form. She lifted him effortlessly, carried him into the lounge room of their small abode and sat on the couch, cradling Spike like a small child. Spike groaned as she began to stroke him adoringly, focusing on all the erotic regions she knew so well. "I have missed you my dear Pet. Is your Childe well?"
Spike found the rhythmic touch of the fronds utterly distracting. "Mistress, you have given me…. He was my friend and my savior, and now, is my greatest joy! Your magnanimous act… was…" For the first time in a year, Spike was truly struggling for words, instead he fell back on his training, and simply added, "Thank you Mistress. Your benevolent attention is overwhelming."
Illyria simply nodded and took his erection in one frond whilst allowing a little further shift to her true form. Six octopus-like arms emerged from her body. She began to touch and caress him determinedly, delving gently into every orifice, dipping into his ears, navel and the slit of his painfully aroused sex. Another frond insinuated itself into his tight rear entrance, exuding small amounts of her fluid to ease its way. It searched for his prostate where it remained and pulsed in time with her stroking. Spike was sending such bliss through the link with his Childe that the sleeping Xander came without being touched, then hardened again immediately.
Even after all this time apart, Illyria knew her Pet's responsiveness and felt the approach of his climax. She pushed a feeding frond into the mouth of her most treasured, herself so aroused that it took but two pulls on the appendage before she filled her former charge with her seed, both his mouth and his rear. In response, Spike immediately released his own cool stream in pulse after pulse across his pale torso, then passed out.
He vaguely felt her withdrawal from his body at both ends, and reached for the frond that he had been suckling. He kissed it tenderly as she shifted back to her blue human visage.
Illyria was surprisingly moved by the act. She stared with impossibly wide blue eyes for a moment, then cocked her head to the side.
"You still surprise me half breed. I was right to choose you, but find myself confused. Why do you continue to show affection after I unintentionally threatened your existence?"
"Not that complicated Pet. Liked Fred, and not so bad yourself, Highness. And can't say as I was badly treated by you, can I? Besides you gave me to Xan, then helped when those bastards..." Illyria saw the pained expression as her Pet remembered, so shushed him and stroked his face as a concerned parent might. She was graced with a shy grin and look of such gratitude from William the Bloody, that she no longer questioned her desire for the half breed's health and happiness. Benevolence, it seemed, had its rewards.
They sat for many minutes as Spike came down from the effects of her fluids and the intensity of his release, but finally she allowed the reclining figure to stand. She then followed him to the bedroom and watched as her Pet settled his new Childe for the next few minutes. The finish of their act had obviously disturbed the sleep of the young fledge, though Spike left cleaning him up until the morning.
In the gentle touches and loving kisses, Illyria remembered her own efforts to comfort, and her concern for her favorite pet as he became weak. She understood the need to protect and to pamper. It was something of an epiphany. It had not just been her time in the shell of Fred, or the loss of Wesley that had allowed her to feel. It was the connection to this lovely being and his willingness to accept her attentions, even now, that had encouraged her to feel for her subjects' various difficulties and attend more carefully to resolving them, and to act with the ruthlessness needed to protect them from outside threats.
She had communed with the Higher Powers willingly and completely for the first time in more than ten millennia to correct a wrong. Spike and Xander were under the protection of both unearthly forces, and now Illyria had been guaranteed the right to visit her lovely Pet from time to time. The Powers accepted the rather unconventional arrangement. She was the only old one they would allow to visit the earthly dimension freely. It was a courtesy and she had no desire to annex it, no need to.
Spike completed his task and turned to her, dropping to a kneel as he did so. "Why did you come Highness?"
"You were in distress at your lack of a Sire, an Elder. You wish to take your Childe as Mate did you not? It is required to be granted permission from your Sire according to Vampire traditions. You are my treasured Pet, and I grant you that permission in the stead of your true Sire."
Spike looked stunned. When he had raged into the night at not being able to truly claim Xander, he never imagined this would be the result. He folded down to a fully prostrated position again then rose once more and lifted tear filled eyes, "I am unable to thank you enough, Highness. I…"
Illyria cut him off, "You will take him in the traditional way, and when I return, he will also be mine as is my right. I will feed and pleasure you both. I will also study your responses to my attentions when you are coupling. I think that will amuse me."
Spike was shocked by his body's instant arousal at the thought, but bowed his head and simply said, "You are most kind." But Illyria hardly heard the words as she opened a swirling portal behind her.
"I will see you again soon my Pet. Here is a parting gift. I believe these are valued here on Earth – they may come in useful to you." She handed Spike a small pouch then stepped into the portal.
Spike and Xander had been living frugally for a year – trying to eek out Xander's meager investments. As Spike peered into the bag he gasped. There were at least a hundred large, polished precious stones inside.
Illyria shifted to her true form as she entered the swirling hole. Spike was deeply moved to see her again in all her glory. His expression and emotion was not lost on the departing deity. She would tolerate his freedom in his own realm but there was an odd twinge of longing to lie at her feet once more and enjoy her constant attentions. He quickly shook off the thought.
Spike returned to his lovely charge and began to make love to the slumbering figure. He had a Mate to claim and could not wait to tell his dear Childe the news.
The young fledge rolled onto his back and groaned as Spike's hand found his hardness and the older vampire began the formal words and act required to complete the Claiming.
What followed was the Childe opening and offering himself body and neck, an act of such wanton submission and adoration that Illyria's pet mated fully and formally with the other half breed he loved so much. Even across dimensions Illyria knew her pet was happy and that as such would endure for longer. She had affection for the hardy blonde, and wished to visit him from time to time. Now he had a Mate, he was more likely to live long, despite the limitations of his Earthly dimension. She was satisfied.
Spike had marked his Childe, now Claimed, deep and long, the spoken words ensured that the mark would endure for all time. The two consummated their mating over a week of blood exchange and partnering. Illyria felt their joy through the dimensions and was pleased, as were the Powers.
The Powers would wait a time before demanding that the two ensouled vampires step up to their roles as champions some time in the future. The Powers were timeless… ergo, very patient and their ally Illyria had requested a respite for the two. Until their contribution was demanded again the pair would be left to enjoy a peaceful development of their new relationship. Sometime in the near future, the Mated pair would be the most powerful vampires on the planet and useful, but for now they could simply enjoy being and each other.
FIN for Now