Title: Written In The Stars, Part 7 – What?

Author: Xanfan

Rating: R/NC-17 for future chapters

Pairing??????

Summary: SLASH Response to challenge from Sparky. Xander and Spike become friends after Spike gets the chip, they are both hurt and Dru rescues them and brings them to Angel to heal.

Spoilers: BtVS up through season 4 and Ats 1st season. I may however take some liberties with the exact timeline, so, any season from either show is fair game.

Warnings: SLASH

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Original Challenge: Spike has been chipped and taken in by the Scoobies. Just as he and
Xander are beginning to become friends something their both hurt and it's up
to Angel to save and care for them. The twist is its Dru that saves them
and brings them to Daddy.

A/N: I may make take some liberties with timelines from both shows. And Anya was just a onetime thing.

Words in Italics indicate thoughts.

"What?" Angel asked the group staring at him.

"You volunteered to be the first person to stay with Xander. Why?" Cordy asked.

"Well, most of you have been here all last night and today, so you're tired, Spike just recovered from some serious injuries and it'll still be dark when my shift is over, so when whoever relieves me comes, I can get home without frying myself." Angel explained logically.

"Oh, okay. That does make sense." Wesley agreed.

"I really am tired, and now that I know Xander's going to be okay, I can go home and sleep." Cordy admitted.

"I'm a bloody vampire myself. So when will I be able to visit Xander?" Spike growled.

"Why don't you take the next shift after mine, so it will still be dark out when you get here. While you are here with Xander, I'll research to see if there are any tunnel or sewer entrances close to, or in the hospital, so we can get you out without burning." Angel explained reasonably.

Spike eyed Angel suspiciously. He had always believed that Angel had had a thing for Xander and that Buffy was just his beard. He also knew a secret that Angel didn't know. Yes, he and Xander were at the secret sharing part of their friendship.

Xander had recently realized that he was bi, although he might be slightly more attracted to men than to women. Spike personally thought that after all the scary women Xander had been involved with in his young life; the boy had every right to want to try out guys.

Spike had heard about the Praying Mantis Lady, the Incan Mummy girl and the love spell, not to mention Cordy. From what Spike could gather, the two bints the boy had bedded, had actually bedded him. While Spike wouldn't exactly call it rape, he might call it less than consensual. Faith had apparently just thrown him down, road him like a pony and tossed him outside when she was done. Anya had shown up demanding sex, and Xander hadn't really known how to tell her no without risking his life or manhood. Afterwards, Anya had called him a 'Viking in the sack" and had announced that while he was very, very ,very good and well endowed, that she wanted to try girls, too.

So no, Spike did not blame Xander for jumping on the gaywagon. Although, Xander would probably stress that he was bi, not strictly gay.

Spike also knew another of Xander's secrets, not that Xander had told him. This secret, Spike had discovered while sharing a residence with him. Spike had woken one night, to hear some very specific sounds coming from Xander's room. Wanking sounds, as it were. And, whose name did Xander call during this little interlude of self love? The Broodmeister himself, Angel.

Now, Spike had to wonder why Angel was so eager to stay with the boy.

Spike didn't have to wonder why Xander was looking slightly panicked at the idea. The boy was probably afraid that he might say something in his sleep, or get aroused, and Angel would smell it. Spike had let Xander know awhile back, that that kind of thing could be smelled by a vampire's strong senses.

Cordelia was worried also. She and Xander had talked a while back about his sexuality. She didn't have a problem with it, in fact, she was greatful. She hoped Xander had better luck with guys than he had had with women, because Xander tended to attract very dangerous women who either treated him badly or tried to kill him, or both. She admitted to herself that she had acted badly when she had shunned Xander and hid their relationship in the janitor's closet. She hoped he would find someone who would treat him with the dignity, respect and love, that others hadn't, including herself, Buffy and Willow.

Cordy was mostly worried, because Xander had told her something he hadn't told anyone else: he was attracted to Angel and had been from the beginning, Unfortunately, Xander hadn't been able to realize it or understand that it was okay. So Xander had reacted to the unfamiliar feelings, with hostility. And since Angel had reacted in kind, they had developed an antagonistic relationship. Why would Angel suddenly want to be nice to him and help take care of him?

Wesley was a little concerned. While in Sunnydale, he had been too full of himself and the Watcher's Councils rules to actually pay attention to what was going on around him. Since then, he had learned to watch and take note of everything that was going on around him. He saw that Xander was no the verge of panic, and not because he was afraid of Angel. Something else was bothering the boy. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

Angel, despite his calm and reasonable exterior, was freaking out. Why did I volunteer to take first watch? Why do I want to take first watch? Why am I so frickin' eager to take first watch?

Angel admitted to himself that he wanted to ask Xander about his and Spike's relationship. Okay, ask might not be the right word. Grill, might be the right word. He wanted to grill Xander about the boy's relationship with the blonde vampire.

He wouldn't, however, admit to himself, that he wanted to get to know the boy better. He didn't want to admit that he was jealous of the easy friendship Xander had with Spike and Cordelia, or that he was attracted to the boy, or that he might want the boy for himself.

Yes, Angel and denial, were well acquainted.