Wolfram and Hart's New Guest

By jessebelle

Outside of the Wolfram and Hart building, Hermione sank down onto the curb. It was dusk and the sun wasn't out, so Spike was free to roam around without revealing his secret to Hermione.

"Oh Mer- I mean God, I can't believe I just did that. After he let me come here to stay and be safe. And I go and leave, with you."

Spike had sat down next to her and was reaching for his fags. "Hey now, what's wrong with me?"

Hermione didn't get a chance to answer, for someone else took the privilege. "You know, it's one of life's endless questions. What's wrong with Spike. There are so many answers, so little time."

The two of them looked up to see a handsome, in Hermione's case, young man standing above them. He had dark hair an eye-patch over his left (?) eye. His other eye was a rich brown that Hermione couldn't help but appreciate. His body wasn't too bad either.

As soon as Spike heard the voice, he knew, and when he looked up, he groaned. "Oh no, not you. Anyone but you."

The young man grinned and Hermione noticed his smile was killer, it reminded her of Ron's brothers, Fred and George, full of mischief. "Yup, it's me. The Xand-man has arrived."

Putting his fag back in it's package, Spike stood up to his full height, and being on the curb, he towered over Xander. "What do you want?"

Xander grinned. "Well, a million dollars, Andrew's lost comic book collection, and a new eye would be good, but I'll settle for your cute friend's name. Though, she looks too intelligent to be hanging out with you."

Hermione stood up and blushed. She offered her hand. "Hermione Granger."

"Alexander Harris, but everyone calls me Xander. So, you're from the land of Giles, cool."

"The land of Giles?"

Xander grinned. "Sorry, Xander-speak. I mean, you're British."

Hermione smiled. "Yes, I have been for quite some time."

Xander looked at her for a moment, before something obviously clicked for him. "Hey, what did you say your name was?"

"Hermione Granger, why?"

He grinned. "Hermione, now that's a name you don't forget. Aren't you related to Cordy, and," he shuddered, "Harmony?"

Hermione's eyes widened. "Yes, I am. But how did you-?"

"Remember that time you visited Sunny D and there was that picnic at the school that you came to?'

Hermione thought back, then she remembered. "Yes, Cordelia and Harmony ditched me because I was too young and I cried. Then some kids came and played with me for the rest of the day. There was a girl, and two boys."

Xander grinned. "Yup. And to get even we hit your cousins with the water-balloons."

Hermione's mouth dropped. "You mean you were-?"

"Uh huh, it was me, Willow, and Jesse. Those were good times."

Spike watched all this and rolled his eyes. "Well, it's a small world after all. Can I break up this touching reunion? What are you doing here, Harris?"

Xander sighed. "I'm here because I have to be. Obviously, Giles and Buffy don't trust you guys anymore, but I have a different opinion on things. While I absolutely hate Angel, and you of course, I find it hard to believe that Angel would just join up with the bad guys for no reason. So, here I am."

Spike gave Xander an appraising look. "So, you mean you've broken away from the Sla- Buffy and are here because you don't think Angel's corrupted. Now that's rich."

Xander rolled his, eye. "Yeah, that's pretty much it. Then there's also the fact that even though I'm an original Scooby, I don't have any rank within the troops. Seems you have to have super powers to be in the group."

Hermione's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Spike's eyes widened. "Oh, it's not important. What is important is that we find a place to live before Angel gets the picture. It was nice seeing you again Harris." He started to walk away. Hermione followed.

Xander looked at their retreating backs. "Hey, why are you leaving?"

Hermione turned around. "Because Angel thought I was Spike's."

Xander looked at her. "You mean you aren't?"

"No."

At her answer, Xander grinned and hurried over to catch up with them. "Well, in that case, let me help. I know a place."

Spike stopped and looked at the sky. "What did I do to deserve this?"

Xander finally caught up and walked next to him. "Plenty, but who's counting. Follow me."

A/N: Yay, the Xan-man has arrived. Sorry people, but it wouldn't be a good fic without Xander. While it might be a little unrealistic for why he's here, well, I couldn't think of anything else. I had planned to include him in the story, I just didn't think it'd be this soon. Huh, funny how things work out. So, where do you think they're going. Obviously, I have a slight idea, but who knows what could happen? So, did you like it, hate it? Let me know in your reviews.

Huggles and Snuggles,

jessebelle

completed Aug. 3, 2004