Chapter 14

Wesley was sitting in Angel's office with papers spread out on a table before him. He and Fred had been working almost non-stop to go over all the data they'd collected in the past three months. Even so, they were no closer to finding the vampire who'd orchestrated Xander's kidnapping than before. Gunn and Fred had gone out to check a lead, and Cordelia was resting, having worked non-stop through the day.

Spike and Xander were sitting on the couch across the room, talking quietly to one another. Angel was at his desk going over some research Willow had sent them. She'd gained some new contacts in Europe, and had asked for their help. They'd been very accommodating, even after learning she was helping a vampire.

Every once in a while, Angel's gaze would drift to the two younger vampires on the couch, and the ghost of a smile would soften his gaze. Wesley could tell something about their dynamic had shifted, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Somehow, they were all less hostile toward each other; even their jokes had less bite than before.

Eventually, Wesley stood and stretched. "I'm going to get some food. Do you want me to heat up some blood?"

The vampires declined, and Wesley excused himself. He returned only a few minutes later with some reheated takeout and a glass of water, along with coffee for Angel, tea for Spike, and a soda for Xander. He was thanked profusely before they all settled in to their research again.

A sudden gasp from Xander caused Wesley and Angel to look up sharply from their work. Angel was on his feet and halfway across the room before Wesley could even process that Spike now had his hand on the back of Xander's neck and was talking to him in low, soothing tones. Kneeling before them, Angel asked what had happened.

Xander turned his face away as much as the hand on the back of his neck would allow, leaving Spike to reply.

"We found a sensitive topic while discussing his…ordeal," Spike said delicately.

Wesley's confusion lifted. He had wondered what they had been discussing so intently. They'd been speaking so quietly that he hadn't been able to hear them at all. He'd assumed Angel had been able to hear them, but perhaps he hadn't been listening, knowing the nature of their discussion, and had wanted to give them privacy. The startled look that came over Angel's face confirmed Wesley's theory. It was gone in an instant, replaced by compassion.

"Are you all right, Xander?"

Spike snorted, which caused Xander's lips to twitch. "Of course he isn't." Spike's voice was sharp, but softened when he turned his attention back to his childe. "But he will be."

Xander nodded his agreement. "I'll be all right. It's just…" He trailed off, unable to find the words he needed. Everyone seemed to understand anyway.

"We'll find who did this," Angel promised.

Wesley nodded and Spike added his agreement before suggesting that they go out for a drink. Though he stood, Spike waited by the couch for Xander's agreement.

"I don't…I'm not sure I feel like going out tonight, Spike." Xander's voice was apologetic, but firm.

Spike frowned at his childe before reaching down to pull Xander off the couch. As Xander's protest rang out in the silent room, Angel put his hand on Wesley's shoulder and moved them both back.

"Spike, I said I don't want to go!"

"Oh, did you now? Must've missed that." Spike kept his tone casual, but he'd had enough of Xander's moping. He hadn't liked it when the boy was human, and he liked it even less now.

Xander crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm not going."

Spike snorted. "You are."

Wesley could see Angel trying to hold back his laughter.

"I am not," Xander said. "I don't want to, and you can't make me."

Angel's hand tightened on Wesley's shoulder as the vampire bit his lip to stop the laughter.

Spike quirked an eyebrow. "What did you say to me, whelp?"

Xander gulped, but didn't back down. "I said you can't make me." His voice was level, but his lip quivered.

"Right, that's it." Spike grabbed Xander's arm and manhandled him out of the office. Angel and Wesley could hear Xander's protests as he tried unsuccessfully to break free of Spike's grasp. They peered out the doorway just in time to see Spike drag Xander down the upstairs hallway and into his room.

A/N: In case anyone is freaking out right now, don't worry. Xander is in a little trouble only because in vampire terms, he's still a fledge. He's not even a year old yet. He hasn't reached the age where he can sass Spike seriously and get away with it, even though Spike is happy with their usual banter, and with Xander offering input into decisions like he used to.