Title: All Roads Led to You 4/?
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: S/X
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: After a demon kills his sister Spike takes him out. He isn't prepared for the outcome.
Warnings/Spoilers: Series never happened
Beta'd by:

Prompt #351 from Tamingthemuse- Parched

Note: From now on most of my Tamingthemuse stories will be named as the challenge.

Xander stayed in the bathtub for almost an hour. Every time the water cooled down Spike would remove the plug letting some of the water out before putting in back in and turning on the hot water. When Xander was done in the tub and officially a prune Spike helped him out of the tub and dried him off with a bed sheet. He could go a day without one.

Spike had left Xander on the bed to talk to Randy. Randy was about the same size as Xander, maybe a little bigger but he had clothes Xander could borrow until they could go out and buy some of his own. Spike also told him to get Xander a glass of water, his lips were dry and cracked and Spike assumed he was parched. He was right when he handed the glass to Xander and with shaky hands Xander downed the water in one go gasping when he was done.

"Would you like some more?" Spike asked. He wasn't sure if it was the best of ideas. Could humans get sick drinking too much water after being dehydrated?

Xander shook his head no, not because he didn't want more but because he thought it was some kind of trick. That Spike was just looking for a reason to hurt him. He wanted to believe that Spike was telling the truth and that he just wanted to protect Xander but could he be blamed for not believing him?

"All right then," Spike said. "Why don't I show you your room? You look as if you could pass out at any moment."

"Don't sleep much," Xander mumbled his reply. "Never know when master might want me."

Spike knelt in front of Xander and pretended not to see him flinch. What did he expect, that this human who had been held captive for eight years or more would automatically feel safe especially with a vampire? "You don't have to be afraid anymore. That bastard is dead and he will never hurt you again. No one will hurt you. I'll do everything in my power to make sure of that and since you don't know who I am I can tell you I have a lot of bloody power."

That actually made Xander feel a little better. A little safer. As long as Spike kept his promise that is.

Spike didn't think Xander noticed but he had the slightest smile. "Let's get you to your room. Tomorrow we'll figure out what you need and have the minions pick them up. Food, clothes, bedding. Whatever you want." Xander simply nodded. He didn't know what he wanted and it seemed a little overwhelming. Spike must have picked up on that because he said, "I'll help you." He then picked Xander up and carried him to the room that would now belong to Xander.

The room was pretty plain. The wall paper was torn the old furniture covered in dust except for the bed because Randy had already been in there to make sure Xander had a pillow and blanket for the night. Spike set Xander down. This time he stayed standing up as he turned around taking in the room.

It may have been plain to Spike but to Xander it was the most beautiful room he'd ever seen. "Mine? Really?" he asked in awe.

Spike couldn't help but smile. The only other person he knew that could have such an innocent face was Drusilla. He was right Xander was the person Drusilla was talking about. "Yup, all yours. When you're up to it we can talk about decorating it. Make it yours."

Xander hadn't cried in years, he learned a long time ago that it would get him into trouble but he couldn't stop himself. Tears just streamed down his pale face. He had to stop from flinching when Spike stepped closer and wiped them away.

"Everything is going to be fine," Spike said in a hushed tone. He then stepped back. "Now get into bed. We'll talk tomorrow."

Doing as he was told Xander buried himself under the thin blanket and rubbed his head against the lumpy pillow. "The others won't hurt me?"

"No. And just to make sure none of them get an idiotic thought in their head I'll stay and keep watch over you," Spike declared and settled himself against the door showing Xander that nothing would be getting in.

Seeming satisfied Xander's eyes drifted closed and in a matter of minutes he was a sleep. Spike hoped that it was a restful sleep.