Title: From Out of the Darkness 4/9
Author: Forsaken2003
Pairing: S/X
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon
Comments: Always welcomed!
Summary: Spike finds Xander living in New Orleans. What could have happened to caused him to up and leave his friends?
Warnings/Spoilers: Post Season 2 Becoming Part 2
Beta'd by: My sister

Part Four

Over the next few months Spike had become a permanent fixture at the club. He was there every night dropping no less than a grand a night not including the tip Xander got. Not a single dollar went to the dancers. They weren't worth Spike's attention let alone his money.

He also respected Xander's boundaries and never mentioned Sunnydale or anything related. The last thing he wanted was for Xander to pack up and leave. He genuinely seemed to like it here and Spike would not be the reason Xander had to leave his home for a second time.

"You know if you keep eating like this you're gonna get fat." Xander placed a platter of food on the table. Onion blossoms had become his favourite.

"Another plus of being a vampire. You don't gain weight." Spike wasted no time stuffing his face. "Besides, you take a quarter of everything a night!" Spike defended himself.

Okay so Spike had a point. "I appreciate that."

"Bloody hell, was that a thank you?" Spike faked surprise. This was the first time Xander showed appreciation. He knew it was only a matter of time.

"It... might have been," Xander replied not confirming it or not.

The conversation was interrupted when a man stumbled over bumping Xander out of the way. "Hey!" He yelled at Spike to gain his attention.
Spike ignored the man, his complete attention was focused on Xander. The man had put some force behind the bump almost knocking him off his feet. "You good?"
Xander dropped his tray so he had to pick it up. "Yeah." He then turned to the stranger. "Sir, unless you are VIP you can't be up here."

"Back off, twink!" The guy shoved Xander so hard that he fell to the ground.
Spike's eyes flashed yellow and he flung the table that was bolted to the floor to the side before grabbing the man by the throat. He began to squeeze the air out of his body.

Scrambling to his feet Xander grabbed onto Spike's arm and started to pull on it. Images of Buffy came flooding in. "Spike, stop!" Xander begged. Spike neglected him. "If you kill him you are going to get the kind of attention you're not going to want so let him go!"

Spike knew Xander was right. If it had been a year ago he would have welcomed slaughtering anyone that looked at him funny but things were different now. So Spike dropped him into a gasping heap just as the bouncer showed up.

The bouncer grabbed the guy off the floor. "Damn it, Dave, you've been warned about doing this shit."

Xander was confused. "Tim, you know this guy?"

"Yeah, Dave shows up every few months and thinks since he has a small wallet along with a small dick he tries to start fights with the VIPs. We have a strict rule about putting hands on our employees. He's done."

Dave who's hand was rubbing his throat gasped out, "he was going to kill me!"

"I was merely protecting Xander," Spike defended himself not the least bit worried about the consequences coming his way. "I'll gladly pay for the table." It had splintered on impact.

Tim who from the first night he had encountered Spike had tried to keep his distance. "I'm sure that won't be necessary, Mr. Pratt." He turned to Xander. "Lex, put another order in for Mr. Pratt and talk to Cole about comping it."

The entire time Spike was looking at Dave. Taking in his features because one day he would be Spike's meal. "No need to comp anything. Just get him out of here before I lose my appetite."

Without another word Tim dragged Dave out.

Unconsciously Spike moved close to Xander. "You sure you're okay?"

Xander was shaken but not from the encounter with Dave. His own hand went to his throat touching it.

"Xander? Are you hurt?" Spike got worried. Had a splinter from the table hit him? He pulled Xander's hand away expecting to see blood even if he hadn't smelt any but there was none. It was when he saw the scars from Buffy that Spike realized his mistake. He had just caused Xander trauma. The guilt Spike felt made him question if he was truly soulless and that if the Judge had been right about him still having humanity. He pulled Xander into a hug and held him tight.
Xander stood immobilized. He hadn't been hugged since the night he left Sunnydale and he had wanted to forget that that was the last hug he got from Willow. The hug felt so foreign to him. He closed his eyes in hope that the tears he felt would disappear but it didn't help. Maybe this was what he needed. So Xander wrapped his arms around Spike's waist and buried his face into Spike's neck.

The hot tears that hit Spike's skin startled him. He could feel Xander's body wrack from sobbing. He was at a loss of what to do so he just stood there with Xander sobbing in his arms. At least the music was loud and the lights were down low so no one could see or hear what what transpiring.

After ten minutes the tears subsided and Xander pulled away. His cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and his eyeliner smeared. "Sorry."

Spike wiped the eyeliner making it smudge even more. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about what you went through." He felt like a right pounce saying that. "All I saw was red when he put his hands on you." That wasn't a good excuse though, was it? Because that would mean Buffy had been justified in what she did to Xander. But the difference was that Spike was the bad guy and Buffy wasn't.

Xander wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He couldn't believe he just broke down like that and in front of Spike of all people. "It's fine. I'm just being a baby."

"You have every right to feel the way you do. What you went through was traumatic. You don't have to down play it. Not with me," Spike said softly. "If you need to cry, get angry or need someone to hit I'm here. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

This was the first time in almost a year where Xander felt protected and cared for. Xander leaned in and pressed his lips against Spike's. He wished he could say he didn't know what came over him but he couldn't lie and say that he had started to feel things for Spike that wasn't hatred.

Spike stood there frozen in place. He hadn't expected this. Sure he'd thought about over the last few months. Hell he'd even dreamed about it but Spike never thought it would actually happen especially with Xander initiating the kiss. Just as he was about to kiss him back Xander pulled away. "Xan..."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Xander stumbled backwards to get away from Spike. He just fucked everything up. "I'll let Cole know you need a new table and will put your order in and replace your drinks."

"Xander." Spike reached out for him but stopped when Xander help up his hands.

"You don't have to say anything, Spike. I crossed the line," Xander's voice wavered. "I'll completely understand if you'd like a new server from now on."

Spike felt like Xander was trying to pawn him off and he didn't like that one bit. He tried not to be insulted that because Xander was hurt and embarrassed but he was William the Bloody. How dare he try to leave him! "If I even get so much as a whiff of someone else I will tear their head off and use it as a bowling ball," Spike growled angrily. "Do you understand me?"

For the first time since Spike showed up Xander was afraid of him. How did he go from feeling safe to afraid so fast? He was so stupid.

The fear coming off Xander was in waves and Spike felt like he could have choked on it. "I didn't mean that." Okay, he had meant it but if it would stop Xander from smelling like that he would lie.

"I'll go get Cole to get you a new table," Xander said again before disappearing into the crowd of people.

Spike was left standing there alone. "Bloody fucking hell." He really wished he had someone to kill.