Title: Vamp for Rent 6/18

Author: Forsaken2003

Pairing: S/X

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon

Comments: Always welcomed

Summary: After Anya dumped Xander he has become the fifth wheel. The girls start to notice he isn't hanging out with the gang as much so Buffy and Willow decide to do something about it.

Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5 No Dawn, No Anya.

Beta'd by: My Sister

Note: One chapter each week.

Part Six

It had been two days since Xander left Spike absolutely confused. Spike couldn't stop thinking about how close Xander had gotten. The smell of his cologne, the sound of his heartbeat and for the first time he noticed that Xander's eyes seemed to have a hint of gold to them.

Spike was antsy to see Xander. It felt weird that he actually missed him. He'd be lying if he said that he had slowly started to not hate Xander but he was now seeing him as an actual friend. But you don't randomly stop to think about the way your friend smiles, do you?

"Whelp's gotten into my head." Spike couldn't believe it. No one had gotten into his head since Drusilla and the first one to do it is Xander bloody Harris? "This chip has officially fried my brain." Why hasn't the sun set? Why was it taking so bloody long for the sun to bugger off? He started to pace the length of the crypt feeling like a caged tiger.

Another fifteen minutes passed before Spike was able to leave the confinement of the crypt. He pushed the door open so hard he was sure that he broke it. If he had that was future Spike's problem.

Before heading to the apartment Spike stopped by a nearby convenience store with an adjoining liquor so he could pick up a couple boxes of Twinkies for a house warming gift. The apartment was fully furnished what the hell did Xander need? He also stopped by to get a six pack of beer along with a bottle of Jack. That would put some hair on Xander's astonishingly smooth chest. He wasn't some pervert you tend to notice when you live with someone.

When he got to the apartment building he saw the pizza guy leaving. Perfect timing as always on Spike's part. He climbed the stairs until he hit the third floor. There was an elevator but vampires did not do elevators. Once Spike was standing outside Xander's door before he knocked he did a quick fix on his hair, it crunched under his fingers.

The door swung open, Xander standing there with a big smile on his face. "Hey! You're just in time. Pizza just got here." He moved out of the way waiting for Spike to come in.

About ten seconds passed before Spike pressed his hand against the invisible barrier and reminded Xander. "I need an invite."

A blush crossed Xander's cheeks. "Right. Sorry. Come on in Spike."

The barrier disappeared and Spike sauntered into the apartment like he owned it. The smell of pizza wafted into the living room from the kitchen. It reminded him of when Xander would come back from working there smelling of grease and cheese. At the time it made Spike feel sick to his stomach but now it just reminded him of Xander. "Bloody hell, what is wrong with me?"

"Did you say something?" Xander asked.

"Here." Spike handed Xander the Twinkies and the beer while keeping a grip on the Jack Daniels. "Didn't think you needed much as a house warming gift but I know you'd never turn down Twinkies."

Xander desperately wanted to tear into the box but there was pizza. Twinkies would be dessert. "This is great! Thank you."

Spike shrugged trying to ignoring the fact that such a little thing made Xander so happy and that he was the one who had done it. "No big deal. If the store hadn't been connected to the liquor store I wouldn't have even bothered."

Realizing that Spike was uncomfortable Xander didn't say anything else and went to the kitchen to put the beer in the fridge after pulling two out.

"This is definitely an improvement from the basement," Spike commented as he sat down on the comfortable couch. No springs were poking him in the ass.

"The high school would have been an improvement if it wasn't for the hell mouth being in the basement."

Spike couldn't disagree with that. He watched as Xander brought out the beer and pizza. "Grab a couple cups." He opened the Jack Daniels.

After looking at the bottle warily Xander did as he was told. Coming back he sat on the couch and passed Spike the cups.

"You ever have whiskey before?" Spike asked as he pour some into both glasses.

"Dad prefers beer," Xander replied.

Holding up one for Xander. "You're in for a treat," Spike said before drinking his enjoying the slight burn.

Taking a deep breath Xander followed Spike's lead and downed the content in one go. He started sputtering and coughing.

Spike gave his back a couple whacks. "Idiot. Why would you down it at once?"

Tears were in Xander's eyes the burn in his throat hurt. "Because you did!"

"I've been drinking it since the 1800's, git." Spike started rubbing Xander's back.

"You know how impressionable I am," Xander said reminding Spike.

Spike's lips twitched in amusement. "I forgot." He poured a bit more. "Small sips."

Listening to the instructions Xander took a small sip. It still burned but this time it felt kind of good. "That's nice."

"Eat some pizza. The last thing I need is you getting sloshed within fifteen minutes." The last thing he needed was Xander getting sick and him stuck cleaning it up.

Not one to say no to eating pizza Xander opened the box and Spike realized that Xander got a pineapple and ham pizza. That was his favourite. How had he missed the smell of pineapple?

Xander took a huge bite out of his piece before turning the TV on. "There's a Speed marathon starting in a few minutes."

"Never seen them," Spike grabbed the biggest piece of pizza before sinking into the couch.

"You are in for a treat my friend." Xander opened his can of beer and took a sip. In the words of Cave!Buffy beer good.

The movies were over, the pizza was long gone as well as most the beer and whiskey. Xander had moved from the couch to the floor in front of the TV. "This was so much fuuuun!" he sang. "Whiskey is great!"

Spike got up and walked over to Xander standing over him. "Lightweight."

"Nuh uh." Xander wagged his finger at Spike. "I drank as much as you."

"Don't see me drunk, do ya?" Spike questioned.

Xander tried narrowing his eyes but he just ended up closing them. "You cheated. Vampire powers."

Okay so drunk Xander wasn't completely wrong. "Let's get you in bed."

"Time for more whiskey?" Xander asked hopefully. He held up his arms and Spike grabbed a hold of his hands and pulled him up off the floor.

"No, time for sleep." Spike wrapped his arm around Xander's waist and half carried half dragged him to his bedroom.

Xander fell face first on to his bed. He started talking but words were mumbled. Spike rolled him over and Xander's eyes were barely open. "Thanks!"

"Saving you from suffocating yourself is what I'm here for." Spike manoeuvred Xander so he could get to the covers. "What were you saying?"

"This has been the most fun I've had in aloooooong time." Xander wiggled around to get comfy. "I don't want it to end."

Honestly Spike agreed. "Mind if I crash in the spare room."

"You can stay in the Spike room," Xander agreed.

Spike didn't bother correcting Xander. "Try not to choke if you throw up, yeah?"

Xander saluted Spike like a soldier. "Aye aye captain."

Leaving the room Spike left the bedroom door open before going back to the living room and tidying up a bit. It was the least he could do since Xander was letting him stay. As he walked to the spare room his could hear Xander snoring. It wasn't as annoying as he remembered.