Title: From Out of the Darkness 3/9
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 Three
Xander didn't fall asleep until almost eight in the morning. He couldn't stop thinking about how his life had just gotten complicated. Hell it was complicated enough as it was before Spike showed up. Should he leave and just start over? He had the money this time, it wouldn't be as hard as it was the first. He didn't want to leave though. Before he got here no one was willing to help him. And while he didn't see his coworkers as friends he did like them. He couldn't get close to anyone. Not again.
Why did Spike have to show up? Xander didn't need any physical reminders of what he had done. Apparently the universe wasn't done punishing him. Maybe it was never going to stop. Xander finally fell into a restless sleep full of nightmares.
Nightmare:
The back of Xander's head collided with the wall behind him from the force of Buffy's shove. The next thing he knew Buffy's hand was wrapped around his throat squeezing so hard her nails dug into his flesh.
"You made me kill Angel!" Buffy screamed hysterically.
"I..." Xander couldn't speak as his windpipe was being crushed. Dots started to appear in his eyes. He barely saw Giles, Oz and a couple security guards who appeared, grabbing and trying to pull Buffy away.
When they were finally able to get her off Xander one of the security guards asked, "What the fuck is going on?"
"Officer, we apologize for all the ruckus we have caused. We just received some tragic news and tensions got a little high," Giles explained with his fancy posh accent.
Buffy for what it was worth looked ashamed and muttered an apology.
"If we hear anymore commotion from any of you we'll have no choice but to have you all removed."
"We understand completely and once again we are sorry," Giles said again.
The security guards left Xander to fend for himself. Everyone was looking at him with the same look. As a traitor.
"Xander," Willow said quietly from her bed. She looked worse off than when Xander had seen her last. The spell took any energy she had and sucked it out of her. "We had a plan."
For what it was worth Xander tried to defend himself but only squeaks came out. His throat hurt so bad and no one seemed concerned.
"He did this to get Angel out of the way!" Buffy accused. "He's had a thing for me since the moment we met."
Xander had hoped that Cordelia would defend him. Sure he had a crush on Buffy when she showed up but now he only saw Buffy as a friend. Cordelia had to know that, right? And yet she said nothing.
"I want you out of town by tomorrow night. And never come back," Buffy commanded.
"You can't do that, Buffy!" Willow wailed. "This is his home!"
The others agreed with Willow.
"Let me be clear. Either Xander leaves or I do. I have no problem walking away from the hellmouth." Buffy showed her cards knowing she would win. They needed her. "So what's it going to be?"
Willow got out of bed, her legs shook as she walked over to Xander. When she made it to him she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him with as much strength she could muster. "I'm sorry, Xan. I love you and you will always be my best friend but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few... or the one." It was an extra twist of the knife because Willow quoted Spock from Wrath of Khan to him.
They needed Buffy and apparently no one needed him.
Xander looked at Cordelia, she barely looked him in the eye before just walking out. There was no point turning to Giles or Oz for help. Giles had always made it obvious that he tolerated him and Oz would stand with Willow even if he didn't agree. So that was that. Xander helped save the world only to be shunned. He couldn't even use his parents as an excuse to stay because they didn't give a rats ass about him. He pulled away from Willow not returning the hug. It hurt too much.
With a nod of acceptance Xander turned and walked out. He went home and grabbed a duffle bag from the basement, packing up some clothes before grabbing some food from the kitchen. His parents were in bed completely unaware of how close they had been to death. He went through his parents wallets and took all the money they had. Two hundred and eighteen dollars. It wasn't going to get Xander far but it would get him out of Sunnydale.
Once Xander got to the bus station he purchased a ticket to Salt Lake City. It wasn't as far as he wanted to go but it was far enough that he could think about his next move. As the bus drove out of town Xander realized that this would be the last time he saw the 'Now leaving Sunnydale' sign.
When Xander got to work at eight Spike was already at the bar nursing a beer. "Fuck," he muttered to himself. He walked up to Spike. "You were serious about sticking around?" He was too damn tired for this.
Spike looked up at Xander and it was clear he hadn't slept well. "I take my oaths seriously."
"I don't want anything from you. You are part of a life that I want to forget!" Xander hissed in annoyance.
Cole came over. "Lex, Mr. Pratt has requested you to be his waiter."
Feeling like things were finally going his way Xander perked up. Being chosen to take care of a specific customer always meant big spending which meant a big tip. "Sure thing, boss. Is it at a VIP table?" This was going to get him away from Spike.
"This is Mr. Pratt. Max told me you knew each other," Cole said clearly confused.
Xander looked at Spike. He had the money to be a VIP? "We kind of ran in the same circle but we weren't close."
"Well, I guess that will be changing. Now, I'll get Mr. Pratt comfortable at a VIP table while you change into your uniform," Cole said.
"Oh, Xan," Spike spoke up. "Be a lamb and wear that eyeliner. It really made your eyes pop last night."
Xander somehow managed not to groan. That was supposed to be a one time thing purely for his dance. He looked at Cole hoping he would tell him he didn't have to.
"Go find Max to help you." Cole pushed Xander towards the locker rooms enthusiastically. The club was going to be making a lot of money, he could feel it! He turned back to Spike. "Mr. Pratt, if there is anything you want please do not hesitate to ask Lex."
"I'm sure Xander will be very accommodating." Spike gave a charming smile. He wanted to keep Xander close.
"Perfect," Cole said excitedly. He gripped Spike's hand to shake it. The poor mans hands were cold. It was already quite warm in here, if he turned the heat up anymore he'd have a lot of people complaining about it. The alcohol would warm Spike up.
Fifteen minutes later Xander was back in uniform and the eyeliner. It really was a great look on Xander. Spike nodded his approval. "This is a much better look than the one you had in Sunnydale."
It was like a grey cloud appeared over Xander's head. "If you are going to be sticking around there are going to be rules. The main one is we never talk about Sunnydale."
Spike raised an eyebrow. "And why would I agree to that?"
"Because for some reason in your demented head you want to be around me. If you don't respect my boundaries I will pack up in the middle of the day and disappear. I like it here but I have no problem starting over again. So why don't you think about that while I get you another beer."
"And a menu. I'm feeling a bit peckish." Spike acted like he didn't hear Xander's ultimatum but he did. He loved to torture humans, being nice to them was not in his blood but Xander saved his and Drusilla's life so the least he could do was not be a complete dick.
When Xander returned he had the fakest smile Spike had ever seen. "Here you are, Mr. Pratt." Xander set the beer down in front of Spike and handed him the menu. "If you would like any recommendations I'd be happy to help."
Spike saw Cole watching them from across the room. "Boss wants you on your best behaviour with me?" Spike asked with a wave.
Xander gritted his teeth but didn't answer. "Would you like a moment to go over the menu? I should let you know blood isn't an option."
"That's fine, I'll find someone to eat before I head home." Spike watched to see Xander's expression change but to his surprise it didn't. The boy saved the world and yet he didn't even bat an eye about him killing someone. He seemed to care last night. Maybe that's because their blood would have been on his hands. "Hmm... what are onion blossoms?" Spike had been a huge fan of onions as a human.
"It's a deep fried onion. They are one of the most ordered appetizers."
Spike looked over the menu. "I'll take one of those, and order of spicy wings and the nachos."
Xander wrote down the order before looking at Spike. "Are you even going to be able to eat all that?"
"If I can't I'm sure you'll be able to find something to package it in and you can take home."
Confused Xander asked, "me?"
"Why not? It's not like where I'm staying has power."
"Speaking of that. How are you VIP status when you are staying at some abandoned building?"
Spike handed back the menu and took a sip of his beer. "After you confirmed what I already knew about Angelus being dead I took it upon myself to empty out all of his bank accounts."
"Accounts? As in plural?" Angel never acted like he had money.
Spike's blue eyes sparkled. "Yup." The 'P' made a popping sound. "Bastards not going to be using it."
"Congrats on you inheritance," Xander replied. He wasn't necessarily happy for Spike but if it meant he'd be pocketing more money at the expense of Angelus he was all for it. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
"A bottle of Jack." Spike paused and then added," and a round of drinks for everyone." He made sure he said it loud enough for everyone to hear. And it had to be loud because of the music playing. He was greeted by cheers.
"Still love having the attention on you, huh?" Xander asked remembering how he acted at parent teacher night.
Spike leaned back and ran a hand down his clad chest. "When you look this good why wouldn't you want the attention on you?"
Xander rolled his eyes at Spike's arrogance. "You're not as hot as you think you are."
"But you do think I'm kind of hot." Spike ran his tongue over his teeth suggestively.
Even though the lightening wasn't great so the focus could be on the stage Xander was sure Spike knew he was blushing. "I'll go put in your order.," Xander stammered out before scurrying away.
Oh yeah, Spike was irresistible.