Title: Facing Their Pasts 8/9+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 Eight

The following Friday found William out at the local pub while Xander stayed in with Buffy and Willow watching girly movies and eating pizza, courtesy of Mel's Pizzeria. William didn't mind not being invited to stay, he and Xander didn't need to spend all their time together and he had his own friends from college. It worked out well for them. Now only if his attention was at the pub instead of on Xander.

"What's wrong, Will?" Oz, who was in William's literature class, asked as he took a bite out of a chicken wing.

"It's Xander," William replied before taking a sip of his beer.

Charles Gunn was the owner of the mechanic's shop where William worked. When he had first hired William. William had come straight out and told him about his past but said that it was his past and all he wanted was a chance to prove himself. After having him on probation Charles knew he could trust him. Whenever someone paid in cash William would call Charles over to watch the transaction. It hadn't even been his idea but William's. "He doesn't have you whipped does he?" Charles joked, he always gave William a hard time but it was always in good fun.

William leaned in, "You guys know about the accident Xander was in, right?" They nodded realizing that it was serious. "The guy that caused it phoned him last week. He wanted to apologize."

Charles let out a low whistle. "How'd he handle it?"

"Basically like anyone would," William said.

"He got pissed, huh?" Oz said. He couldn't blame him. Xander was a good guy, shy but that was understandable.

William nodded. "He broke the bloody phone."

"Damn," Charles said. "Is he doing any better?"

"If the guy tries to contact him again he said that he'd think about hearing him out. That's a start right?" William asked, looking for some encouragement from his friends.

"It is," Oz answered. "It might be just what Xander needs."

William's eyes got big. "That's exactly what I told him!" he exclaimed. "He got pissed at that. When he finally calmed down he agreed."

Charles patted William on the shoulder. "He'll figure it out, Will. All you can do is be there for him when he makes the decision."

"I know. I just hope it doesn't make him regress. He's worked so hard to get where he is right now." William sighed. "Xander worked up all his nerves to go out to the park with me. Damn proud of him. If this guy messes it up I'll kick his arse myself!"

"Just don't do anything that'll send you back to the slammer, man. You're the best mechanic... next to me of course," Charles said and he smiled when William punched him in the arm.

"So you really broke the phone?" Buffy asked, her eyes wide. Xander wasn't normally a violent person. But she couldn't blame him; she'd have done the same thing.

Xander dipped his head in embarrassment. "I was so pissed after the accident. I didn't think I would ever be that mad again. Then this guy called me… and I just lost it."

Willow pulled Xander into as tight a hug as she could give him. "I'm sorry you have to go through this. Just remember you're not alone. Promise not to pull away again."

"I promise, Wills," Xander murmured into her silky red hair.

"So what are you going to do?" Buffy asked, truly curious.

Xander shrugged. "I have absolutely no idea. I'll just wait to see what happens. This isn't going to stop me from living my life."

The girls smiled, pleased with his answer. They knew that over the last few years Xander had become stronger even if Xander didn't see it.

Xander was true to his word; he wasn't going to let Bob stop him from living his life. If anything Bob inspired him to go out even more. It was a shock to William when Xander plucked the grocery list out of his head and determinedly said that he would do the shopping… alone.

Now William sat on the couch clicking through the hundred and some channels, not really waiting to see if anything was on. All he wanted to do was run out of the apartment and down the street to the corner store and make sure Xander was all right, that he hadn't rushed himself into it just to make a point. He couldn't do that, though. If William did it would look like he didn't think Xander could do it and it could push back Xander's progress. William couldn't be the one responsible for that.

A soft knock on the door pulled William out of his thoughts. He shook his head; Xander forgot his keys when he had rushed out the door before he had time to change his mind. William decided that they were going to celebrate Xander's accomplishment. To others it would seem like such a small thing but to them it was an amazing step in the right direction. He opened the door a huge smile on his face. "Forget your key, pet?" William's smile slid from his face when he realized it wasn't Xander. "Oh, sorry about that. Erm, can I help you?"

The man, who must have been in his early forties, stood in the hall. He stared at William, confusion written on his face. "I'm sorry, I thought Alexander Harris lived here."

"He does, I'm his boyfriend," William stated. A shocked looked crossed the man's face. "Are you a relative of Xander's? He's only talked about his mother and aunt."

The man became flustered. "No, I haven't seen Alexander in a few years. I was hoping we could talk."

A dark look crossed William's face. "You're Bob. You're the guy that caused the accident."

"I am." Bob looked extremely guilty. "Do you think it would be all right if I waited? I'd really like to talk to him. To try to explain."

"I really don't think Xander would appreciate me inviting you in, mate." William said. He couldn't chance letting this man in and upsetting Xander and taking away the trust.

Bob opened his mouth to try to persuade William to let him in when a hyper man bounded down the hallway, hands filled with bags, and almost knocked Bob over. "Oh hey, sorry, man!" Xander said as he rushed into the apartment. "I did it, Will! I conquered the store!"

"Um… Xan…" William started but Xander cut him off.

"I am so sorry for not believing you about that crazy old lady. You know the one that you said had super powers? You were right! I had a turkey in my hands that had to be at least twenty pounds and the old hag ripped it right out of my grasp!" Xander said put the groceries away.

William turned his complete attention to Xander; as much as he wanted to hear about everything that happened this needed to be dealt with first. "Xander!"

"What?" Xander called back, his head in the freezer as he put away the Chunky Monkey ice cream he had bought for them to celebrate with.

"This gentleman wants to talk to you," William said. "It's Bob Martin."

Xander's head whipped around and he smacked his face into the freezer door. "What?" His hand pressed against his forehead. "How the hell did you find out where I live?" Xander demanded.

"I did a search on you on the internet. I'm sorry to bother you at home. Please, just hear me out," Bob begged. He was afraid Xander would turn him away. "As soon as I say what I need to I'll go. You won't hear from me again."

William shot Xander a look that told him he could do this. It was time for him to face his demons.

"Fine," Xander sighed in defeat. "I'll give you fifteen minutes but then I want you out of my home and life."

"Thank you!" Bob said relieved. It was more than he could have hoped for.