So, this is way late and I'm sorry but things in the real world have been ridiculous. Graduating, moving, no luck with a job and then my father had a heart attack and bypass surgery so most of my time has been spent taking care of my younger siblings and keeping the house running while Mom takes care of Dad. Things are settling down now so I'll probably manage quicker updates but no promises. Thank you again for all the reviews and an author's shame cookie to Eaker Squeaker who caught a typo. So much shame!

I hope everyone enjoys the chapter.

Chapter Six

Five hours of wanting to kill a coworker did not create a happy Xander. In the DJ's defense she probably didn't realize how annoying her song choice was. Or at the least she didn't realize that anyone over twenty would find the songs annoying. And that, Xander realized, was the problem with working Teen Night.

That, and the fact that he got to spend the night opening pop cans and frowning whenever the high school students tried sweet talking him into giving them a beer.

"What the hell? That was the seventh one. Don't they get the meaning of Teen Night?" Xander complained to his fellow bartender. Jake, who was busy juggling tequila bottles, didn't seem bothered by the kids. Then again none of them had asked Jake for a beer. "It's because you're a dude, isn't it?"

The taller bartender laughed, nudging Xander with one of his steel toed boots and while also managing to do a complicated juggling move. Maybe it wasn't about him being a dude. Maybe it was because Jake reeked of cool. "It's because my face looks like a pin cushion." Or maybe it was that. "Besides, between the two of us they should be more worried about you."

"Thanks for that vote of confidence." Xander sighed, pulling out a third Mountain Dew for one of the post punk girls. "You going to be okay to drive, honey?"

"I'll be fine. It's everyone else you should worry about." The girl replied, all but skipping back to her group of friends. He couldn't remember girls like that from his glory days at Sunny High but now there was a pack of them traveling across the dance floor together and openly mocking the blond cheerleaders who were slow dancing near them. Ah, back when the ability to do a back flip was more impressive on the football field than in a cemetery. Where had his childhood gone?

As he turned back to the bar he caught Jake watching her go and wrinkled his nose, a long winded speech about staying away from under aged girls already on his tongue, when his coworker laughed. "Man, what's with the fake tail? And it's purple too."

Xander looked back towards the retreating girl and couldn't hide the grin caused by the tail she'd attached to her belt. It swung merrily with each skip and even Xander could admit that Jake had earned that unintentional stare at the under aged girl's butt. It certainly drew the eye, which may have been the girl's plan if the flirty look she shot to another post punk in her little group. Though maybe that wasn't the right word for it. Was rainbow goth a thing? Did rainbow goths wear purple tails? "Maybe that guy with the cat ears from earlier is her boyfriend."

The pair started laughing so hard they didn't noticed their boss sneaking behind them, quiet as a mouse and twice as bright. But Xander did catch her as she leaned down to steal some of the rum he'd hidden under the counter.

"Tahlia." He said in what he hoped was a stern voice. "Scott said no booze pass the counter tonight."

"That's why I'm drinking it down here." She retorted, blinding grabbing for a coke from the cooler Xander was standing in front of. Eventually he felt pity for her and handed over a can. "Ugh, does she even realize how bad these songs are? My good feel is so out the window right now."

He followed her stare towards Gwen, wondering if she realized how grating the music was. The sugar sweet music with untalented singers was only appealing to anyone under the age of eighteen. Gwen was a good enough DJ, actually really good, but she took Teen Night too seriously. Xander suspected she was not wholly human. Sometimes he'd catch her taking notes about flirting and partying from the magazines that littered the break room. Maybe that was why she created a completely new list of songs for Teen Night, not knowing that the kids would be fine if exposed to the club's normal music. And even if they weren't fine there was a half off cover so they had no right to complain.

"Ugh, I just became an old man." Xander groaned, lowering his head to the counter.

Jake lifted an eyebrow, which was impressive considering how much metal was in that brow. "An old man?" He asked.

Xander's face grew hot. "You know, darn-kids-get-off-my-lawn kinda stuff." He said, shaking his fist and squinting one eye. His fellow bartender seemed satisfied with the answer, already turning his attention back to the dance floor and the subject of bad music and young ears that didn't know any better.

"She could've just left the normal mix on." Jake mumbled, handing Tally the bowl of cherries she'd been blinding grabbing for.

"Irregardless…"

"Regardless." Tally corrected from the nook she'd shoved herself into under the bar.

"Regardless, there's only about an hour until close. We can do this."

"Lexi?" A soft voice brushed over him like the wind. Willow broke through the crowd, all but running to the bar. "I've been looking all over for you."

His boss and coworker both raised their eyebrow in harmony and Xander retracted his earlier statement. He couldn't do this.

"Willow! Hi! Can I get you a drink?" He asked, pouring all his bubbly Lexi charm into his words.

"No, I was hoping I could talk to you. No one's seen you since…" She suddenly seemed to realize the heavily pierced, blue haired bartender had been not so subtly eavesdropping and stopped herself. Xander didn't blame her. Jake couldn't eavesdrop worth crap and he didn't fade into the background well. It probably didn't help that Tally was peaking at her from the edge of the bar, meaning there wasn't even the illusion of privacy. "…since the other night."

Before he could come up with an excuse Tally appeared beside him with a speed he wouldn't have thought possible. "She needed a break anyways. Go on, I've got Jake covered."

Xander chose not to comment on how the look on Tally's face made it seem like she wanted to do more than just cover Jake but he let it slide. Tally didn't back down and neither did Willow. The conversation was going to happen.

He escorted her pass the crowds of teens and into the offices. Scott probably wouldn't mind them using his office, which was actually soundproofed in case he needed to make business calls, but Xander didn't want that much quiet. Instead he lead her to the lounge the employees used for their breaks. A few old couches and a flat screen TV that always seemed to be on the Home and Garden channel separated the unofficial break area from the unofficial kitchen which was just a few counters, a fridge, a sink, and a microwave. He could still hear the music but it wasn't enough to distract from the conversation.

Which was a pity because he really didn't want to have the conversation he knew was coming.

"I was serious about that drink question. We have some alcohol back here but mostly soda and some juice. Well, a lot of juice. Gwen's dad owns an orchard or something so she's always bringing in homemade juice."

Willow settled easily onto one of the couches, drawing her legs under her in a move Xander could never duplicate. "I really am fine. Just wanted to talk."

So much for stalling. Xander sat gracelessly onto the other couch and took a deep breath to steady him. "What's up then? Everything okay?"

"Did we do something wrong? I mean, did we offend you or something?"

"Buwha?" Xander asked, not having expected that. He expected questions about his credentials when it came to the things that went bump in the night. Certainly not determined-to-make-a-friend Willow.

"I thought we had fun the other night and we all really liked hanging out with you. And then you said you'd stop by soon and that was like a week ago I think and Spike said he saw you at the store and that you said you'd see us later or stop by or something and I just got worried that we offended you because we haven't seen you anywhere."

So long away from Willow meant he'd gotten rusty at following Willow babble. But he got most of it and it stabbed at his heart. "I'm really sorry. It's just, with the move and the late night work here I've been a zombie. A metaphorical zombie!"

Willow seemed hesitant about excepting his excuse and he didn't blame her.

"It was really nice having people I could talk with about vampire junk and even not vampire junk. So no, you didn't offend me. I'm just a bad person."

Instantly she began defending him and his disappearing act. Eventually they both settled on taking a little blame and moving on from there. For a few minutes they talked about the gang, Willow babbling about their various exploits and which demons were currently active around town. It felt so familiar and for a moment Xander wondered if Willow would recognize him. Couldn't she see him behind Lexi's makeup? Couldn't she tell it was her Xander, her best friend since kindergarten and her best friend until he took his last breath?

"Oh wow, I should get going. But you are going to stop by the store right? If you have time?"

Apparently not.

"Sure, I have a day off coming up. I'll try." He awkwardly accepted her hug and started to lead her towards the back exit before remembering something. "Did you say Spike had been talking about me?"

Willow regarded him with wide eyes, as though she'd been caught doing something naughty. "Um, sort of? Just that you ran into each other."

Xander didn't know if he accepted that answer but she seemed uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had moved to so he let it drop. "Well if you see him maybe tell him hi for me? Tell all of the group I say hi."

"Sure. And, well, Spike says there are a lot more vampires than usual in the graveyard between here and your apartment so take a different path home, okay?" She hugged him again and walked off into the night, stake already in hand. He knew he should worry about her but his Willow had gotten stronger and didn't have that far to go. Plus it was highly likely she would run into Buffy within a block. Buffy was the only person more protective of Willow than Xander and she even had the super strength to be useful.

Before he returned to the bar he checked his jacket, pleased with the weapons he had left in the pockets. He needed a way to blow off steam and a bunch of vampires seemed like a good enough way.

If there was one night that Xander didn't have to escort Tally to a mysterious date it was on Teen Night. She could only last so long around the bubbly, bouncy, perky teens before drinking herself unconscious became top of her to do list. Which was why she was sleeping on the cot in her office and Xander was taking the direct route home.

And thank goodness because he really, really wanted to get into a fight.

It was stupid that he wanted to fight so badly. That was Spike's area, or at least Buffy's. Definitely not his. Maybe it was like cabin fever. Being trapped in another life, another body, had left him wanting to get out and cause mayhem. Or prevent mayhem as the case may be. A preemptive strike on mayhem.

His thoughts were cut off as a vampire crawled out of his grave and hissed at Xander. He didn't get much further out of the ground before Xander shoved his stake into the newly undead's chest, careful to keep his eyes close as the dust exploded around him.

"Gross." He sighed, settling on the ground. All his previous excitement was gone, replaced with self pity and irritation. Mood swings had been a problem before his transformation so he couldn't go blaming it on hormones. Okay, he could but he wouldn't.

At least not out loud.

"Damn, why didn't I take the rest of Tally's rum?" He wondered to the empty cemetery.

Well, to a mostly empty cemetery.

The vampire, old enough to not just attack the girl who was dumb enough to sit alone on top a grave, was so close and unlike the freshly turned vampire he wasn't going to let her stake him. But as much as he was focused on the girl he didn't notice a master vampire behind him.

A muffled sound caught Xander's attention and he turned just in time to get a face full of dust. Some of it even went into his mouth! Coughing, choking, and pretty much freaking out Xander tried to get to his feet and was stopped by a strong, cold hand. Her panic doubled before a familiar voice spoke up, the strong grip softening to a gentle touch.

"Careful, love. Don't want you getting hurt."

His smile was cheeky and Xander felt like slapping Spike would be the best thing he could do in the immediate future. But he had just saved him, so maybe just a light punch.

Unfortunately he couldn't do either while coughing painfully.

"You going to be alright, love?" The blond vampire asked, still focused on keeping Xander upright. He didn't let go once Xander stopped coughing, instead trailing his hand down from Xander's shoulder and settling at his wrist.

"Ugh, I hope I didn't swallow any of that. Gross, gross, gross." He allowed his eyes to travel up Spike's arm to the vampire's concerned face. His handsome, concerned face. Whoa, whoa, no handsome thoughts when around the vampire in question. Those thoughts were for when he was alone in his apartment. "Not one of my better moments, I'll admit."

Spike shrugged in that casual way that only he ever seemed to pull off. His hand was still resting on Xander's wrist, not holding him but not letting him go, and the temporary woman couldn't find a reason to complain about it. At least nothing that wouldn't make him sound dumb. The silence in the cemetery seemed to reach a point where someone would have to say something, anything, or awkwardness would descend upon them.

"Why you walking alone?"

"Did you send Willow to talk to me?"

Okay, someone needed to talk but not both of them and not at the same time.

"Sorry, go on, pet." Spike offered.

"Did you send Willow to talk to me? She was at my work today and she mentioned that you talked with her." He could see something flitter across Spike's face and instantly the babbling came flying out of his lips. "Not that I'm upset or anything because she didn't say anything rude or mean and I was just wondering and she was weird when I asked about you and you don't have to say anything never mind I'll just shut up."

The vampire cocked an brow at the human. "How is it everyone in this bloody town can do that without passing out? Thought it was only vampires that didn't need air."

Xander wrinkled his nose, already preparing to defend himself before he realized Spike was teasing. Or maybe he just hoped it was teasing.

"You aren't answering my question."

"Right, didn't ask Red to look for you but did mention our little run in. Girls seem to think you didn't like them." He raised that scarred brow again and Xander most certainly did not feel the urge to do anything like a swoon, no sir.

Or no ma'am. Either.

"Didn't dislike them. Just busy. I told you I work weird hours."

The blond nodded and, perhaps to relieve the awkwardness that was threatening their conversation, started leading Xander out of the cemetery. "Slayer works weird hours too, but she still has time to chat. Unfortunately."

Some of his favorite unanswered questions popped into his head and it was probably the only time Spike would answer him. "You're really 'grr' about Buffy but you still protect her and help her. And you're a vampire. Shouldn't you be afraid, er, not comfortable around her?"

He regarded Xander with 'that look' which Lexi wouldn't know but Xander could picture with his eyes closed. That 'are you a bleeding idiot, no wait why did I ask' look. But it passed and was replaced with an expression Xander had never seen on Spike before. It was one where his brow wrinkled and his eyes almost crossed. It was a thinking look.

"Can't hunt proper so I'm not a threat to the blasted slayer. Means she lets me play demon-encyclopedia and I get an occasional paycheck and sometimes pig blood out of the deal." The honesty in his voice almost knocked the temporary woman on his ass. But it also refreshing. Xander could easily get use to honest Spike.

"They seem to like you. I mean, not Buffy but I don't think she likes much of anything. But Willow likes you, I think. And Anya kept staring at your butt." Okay, that was just using what he knew about his ex-girlfriend to make small talk. But Anya had gone on and on about Spike's ass and Xander had always wondered if he had the right to just tell the vampire. Of course now he was starting to agree with her. Spike had a great butt.

"Course she does. It's a marvelous butt."

"Incredible butt." Xander agreed solemnly.

Afterwards their walk became a silent one, but Xander still found himself enjoying the peaceful night. The sounds of cars and nocturnal creatures and insects filled the emptiness that came from their silence. Every once in a while Spike would point out something interesting like a tomb belonging to someone who had changed the history of the world without getting any recognition from history or an owl watching them from the darkness of an oak tree.

They had almost made it out of the cemetery when a vampire who must have been a football player before he died figured he could take them out. He charged, actually charged like a bull, and Xander felt Spike pulling him away from the attack.

And straight towards another vampire who had probably been captain of the chess team before dying. Not that he looked like a stereotypical dork, and Xander knew plenty about the world of dorks. He just looked like the captain of the chess team had looked when Xander had been a member.

A temporary member.

But whatever he lacked in strength he made up for with intelligence, waiting for the bigger vampire to chase the prey right into his arms.

While Spike fought with the larger threat Xander found himself being all but jumped on by the smaller threat.

Physically smaller, Xander clarified mentally as the vampire held tightly onto his shoulder.

"This will all be over soon." The smaller vampire said, fangs whiter than they should have been. And what a weird thought to have while being eaten.

"Too true." Xander replied, shoving his stake into the vampire's chest. He turned just in time to see the lumbering vampire throw Spike into a nearby tree.

A mental check of the tools to his disposal ended with an embarrassingly short list so Xander decided for his tried and true method of throwing himself into a fight he had no business being a part of. Only this time he did it quietly, using the vampire's laughter to hide the sound of his steps, allowing him to sneak up behind the undead creep and stake him.

Once the dust settled Xander smirked at the confused man watching him. "So that's one for Spike, three for Lexi. Someone's going to owe me a treat before the night's over."

Spike chuckled, proving that he was fine by searching for his cigarettes instead of checking for injuries. "Got a mess of junk food back at the lair. If you're interested."

Xander laughed back, helping the vampire to his feet. "I suppose that'll do. Lead away. I've always wanted to see a vampire lair."

"Really?"

"No. But it seemed like an appropriate thing to say."