Title: Facing Their Pasts 4/9+Epilogue
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: Spike/Xander
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: A Sequel to 'Imprisonments'. The past comes back for both boys.
Warnings/Spoilers: Human verse and OOC
Beta'd by: Whichclothes
Part Four
"Mr. Pratt," Xander said dumbly. "Will told me you were in a conference call today."
"I was, but I needed to talk to you," Mr. Pratt explained. "Could I come in?"
Xander shook his head, trying to get out of his stupor. "Of course, I'm sorry. I'm just shocked to see you."
"Thank you." Mr. Pratt walked in and made himself comfortable at the kitchen table. He spotted Xander's laptop and raised his eyebrow at the dancing tomato, block of cheese and sausage on the website.
"I'm working on a webpage for a pizza place," Xander explained as he logged out. "I'm glad you're here. William was going to phone you after his classes. We were wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner tomorrow."
Elliot's gaze remained on the laptop for a little longer before turning his attention to Xander. "Certainly. It will give me a chance to talk to William before I leave on Sunday."
"I thought you would be staying a few more days," Xander said, his brow crinkled.
"That was my plan but I am needed back," Elliot explained. "That is why I am here actually. I wanted to speak to you before talking to William.
"Sure, what's up?" Xander asked before cringing. The last thing he wanted was to sound like an idiot. He got the feeling Elliot didn't like him very much.
Elliot raised an eyebrow at Xander but didn't comment. "William told me how helpful you have been. Keeping him sane was the way he worded it, while he was in jail."
"He's helped me a lot as well. I'm so lucky to have met him. He really has been doing well here too." Xander gushed over how proud he was of William. "He is at the top of his class right now!"
"Yes, he told me all that last night," Elliot stated. "I just wanted to thank you for all of your help but I am thinking William needs a change."
Xander nodded in agreement. "He has been talking about trying out for a local play. It's not Shakespeare or anything but William loves to be the center of attention even though he denies it. You should see him with Buffy. They both love being the center of attention and they bicker trying to outdo each other."
"That sounds… interesting. I was actually talking of something a little bigger," Elliot said. "Alexander, I want William to move back home."
"Home? But he is home," Xander whispered, his heart in his throat.
Elliot shook his head. "This is a place to stay but his home in back in England. With me."
"I don't understand," Xander confessed. "He is happy here. With me."
"Has he told you about his past, Alexander?" Elliot asked, leaning in closer.
Xander nodded eagerly again wanting Elliot to understand. "He told me after his mother died that he got a little lost. He hung out with a really bad crowd and that was how he ended up stealing cars and doing jail time."
Elliot shook his head. "He didn't tell you anything of before his mother died?"
"No." Xander frowned afraid of what William had kept from him. Obviously it wasn't that bad though or William would have told him. They promised no more secrets, after they found out about each other's pasts.
Elliot told Xander about the drinking, the partying and even the countless number of partners William had years ago. He saw the devastated look on Xander's face. "I'm not telling you this to be cruel. William is very impressionable."
"I'd never encourage any of that! William has been completely faithful to me," Xander defended William. Even though he was hurt that William didn't tell him about all the partners he had before they met didn't mean that he would cheat on Xander. William did it to protect him.
"I am sure you are a good man, Alexander. Lord knows you have been through much. I just feel that William would be better with me. He would be taken care of and eventually find someone more… suitable for him," Elliot explained. It wasn't that he wanted to hurt Xander but Xander didn't know what was best.
"More suitable?" Xander didn't understand. Who was more suitable for William than him?
Elliot cleared his throat. "William isn't getting any younger and I would like to have grandchildren."
It all fell into place for Xander, He jumped from his chair knocking it to the floor. "This doesn't have anything to do with William. It's all about you! Will has no interest in being with a woman or anyone else for that matter!" His gaze hardened. "I think you should leave. I have to finish up my work and start supper."
"Of course. I am sorry, Alexander. This has nothing to do with you. It is just what I feel is better for my family." Elliot left without another word from Xander.
When Xander was alone he crashed onto the vacant chair. Was Elliot right? Could William do better?
Willow and Buffy decided to take William out for a belated birthday latte. "So how are things with you and your dad?" Willow asked as she took a sip of her hot cocoa. "Are things better?"
"Better," William confessed. "I learned a lot about him that I didn't know before. Maybe I was just too blind to see it."
"Well you were a kid. Kids don't always see their parents as, well, people." Buffy stated. "I know me and my parents fought a lot when I was a teen. About my boyfriends and grades."
William nodded and took a bite of his scone. "I didn't tell Xander but my dad doesn't think highly of Xander."
Willow looked shocked at that. "But… parents love him! He was the only boy Buffy or my parents would let sleep over!"
"That's just because he was gay and they didn't know he joked about naked pillow fights," Buffy pointed out.
William had to snicker at that. Truthfully he was shocked Xander had never talked them into it, he could be very persuasive. "My dad never really accepted my sexuality."
Buffy stuck her tongue out at that. "He should be thankful you found someone you love and someone that makes you smile like an idiot after great sex!"
"W-what?" William sputtered making the girls laugh. "You know?"
"Please, you haven't stopped smiling since we picked you up from school, Buffy stated. "I bet Xander has the same look."
William ducked his head. "It was pretty good."
"Liar!" Willow said, loudly startling other patrons. "It was amazing."
"Bloody hell. Yes it was amazing and that's all I have to say about the subject," William declared even though there was a smile still on his face.