Oz was silent as he led the way up to his apartment. Slipping inside, he quietly invited Spike in, watching as the vampire hustled Xander in and shut the door behind them.

Spike held Xander close to him as he examined the place. Sparse, but somehow still managing to put off a welcoming feel. His grip on Xander tightened as the boy's legs gave out, and he scooped him up, shooting Oz a questioning look.

Oz smiled faintly, jerking his head. "Come on, extra room's this way." He walked into the indicated room, switching on the light. Then he snorted lightly, removing the heavy chains and manacles from the chair they were draped over. "Spare set," he offered by way of explanation. He eyed the bed momentarily, then shrugged. "Should be clean enough, changed the sheets the other day when they started smelling too musty."

"It'll do." Spike carried Xander inside, setting him down on the bed. Xander curled up around a pillow, eyes closing, and Spike just sat and watched for a while, making sure he was truly asleep. Once he was satisfied that Xander wouldn't awake, he turned, noticing that Oz had left them alone, closing the door behind him. A pair of charms identical to one Oz wore had been left on the edge of the dresser.

With a shrug, Spike grabbed them, examining them closely before working to fasten one around his left wrist. He had to use his teeth to help tie the laces, but managed after a few moments. Then he lifted Xander's left arm, gently attaching the other charm to the boy's wrist.

That done, Spike skimmed out of his clothes, leaving on only a pair of boxers. Turning off the lights, he went back to the small bed, shifting Xander toward the other side. He slipped in behind him, enfolding the human's body with his own. As he held the boy gently, he set up a low-level purring, more felt than heard, hoping to ward off any nightmares.

~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy stormed back into Giles' apartment, Riley trailing in her wake. "Willow!" She whined loudly. "Wills, you have to do the spell again! They were already gone. We looked all over the place, but no Xander, and no Spike." She wrinkled her nose, nearly spitting out the vampire's name.

A worried look crossed Willow's face. "Gone? You don't think...something happened to Xander, do you?" She flushed. "I mean, something else other than what already did, because we know what already did happen, and I'm just gonna shut up now."

Buffy flopped down on the sofa with a groan. "Can you do it again? We need to find them while the trail's still warm."

Willow exchanged a look with Tara, then they both nodded. "We still have all the stuff, it won't take too long."

The next minutes were busy as all the spell components were once again assembled. At the end of the chant, however, the mirror simply filled with swirling blue sparkles. There was emerging picture, no sign of Xander.

"What's wrong? Did you break it?" Hands on hips, Buffy glared at the recalcitrant mirror.

"You don't think he's dead...do you?" Riley looked over at Giles for an answer.

"If he were no longer, er, in this plane of existence, the mirror would have remained simply a mirror." Giles frowned, taking off his glasses to polish them. "I believe this is the work of some sort of obscuring spell."

Buffy growled. "Damn! Spike knows we're on to him now, he must have done something to keep Willow and Tara from finding them." She punched the wall, sending a nearby picture crashing to the floor.

Tara squeezed her girlfriend's hand. "Well, at least w-we know he's ok."

"Yeah, if you call being vamped ok," Willow muttered, sniffling.

"I must say, it seems as if our magical avenues have been exhausted," Giles said.

"Well, if we can't find them magically, it's back to the hard way. I don't care if we have to raid every place in this town, we *will* find them." Buffy's eyes glittered with resolve.

~~~~~~~~~~

Xander woke, snuggling closer against the cool body next to him. He yawned, rubbing his eyes with a fist, then let his hand settle on Spike's still chest. He tilted his head, looking up at the sleeping vampire. He couldn't understand why Spike made him feel so safe. He thought he should feel threatened by this closeness, but instead, it served to reassure him.

Frowning slightly, Xander sat up carefully. With slow, easy movements, he crawled from the bed, staring around the bare room. Yawning again, he quietly opened the door and walked gingerly out, making sure not to pull any of his still tender injuries. He followed the scent of coffee, coming upon Oz in the kitchen.

He blinked at the sight of the werewolf, torso covered by a pink, checkered apron, standing over the stove frying up some eggs.

Without turning, Oz said, "Xander. Afternoon. Sleep well?"

"Um, yeah, I guess."

"You want some eggs?"

Xander nodded. "Ok. The d-doctor said I was allowed to eat soft foods now. I was getting really sick of soup."

"I can imagine." A slender hand snagged a couple more eggs from the carton, cracking them expertly. Soon, the frying pan sizzled with the new additions. "Wanna get the toast?" Oz nodded to the breadbox.

"Sure." Xander popped the slices into the toaster, buttering them once they had finished cooking. Two plates appeared beside him, and he sliced the toast and placed it next to the steaming eggs. He carried the plates to the counter, where Oz had already poured them each a glass of juice.

"Dig in." With that instruction, Oz practically attacked his meal with a fork, making quick work of the food.

Xander smiled. Looking down at his own plate, he stabbed the center of the eggs, watching as the yolk slowly oozed out. With great precision, he peeled back the white, exposing the runny, golden yolk. A piece of toast was torn off, dipped in the yolk, then consumed. This was repeated until the yolks of both eggs were gone, then Xander sliced up the neglected whites, laid the pieces on the remaining pieces of toast, and made a sandwich out of it.

"That was actually kind of gross to watch."

Starting at the interruption, Xander looked over at Oz, blushing. He hastily finished, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Sorry," he whispered.

Oz snorted. "Hey man, it's your meal. Eat it how you want it."

Xander's hands twisted in his lap as he stared at his now-empty plate. A curious expression came over him, and he lifted his hand, studying the charm he'd just now noticed was on his wrist.

"I gave a couple to Spike, one for each of you."

"Oh." Xander glanced over at the other man. "What's it for?"

"It makes it so no one can use magic to find you." Oz pushed his plate away, then looked directly at Xander. "You and Spike are welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"Thanks," came the soft reply.

Oz took their dishes to the sink, washing and drying them. "You know, if you want to talk about anything, I've been told I'm a decent listener."

Xander stayed silent, picking at the hem of his shirt.

"No pressure. Just so you know." Walking past Xander, he sprawled out on the couch, switching on the television. He looked back. "You're safe here. You've got a werewolf, a vampire, and a majorly warded apartment standing between you and any nasties."

Xander got up, moving to stand behind Oz. "Why are you helping like this?"

"You're my friend," Oz replied matter-of-factly. "I help friends. It's a big thing with me."

"Oh." He crept around, seating himself at the other end of the couch. He looked at the program on the television. "Can we watch cartoons?"

With a snort, Oz tossed Xander the remote.

~~~~~~~~~~

The days passed quietly. The three guys soon fell into an easy routine of eating, sleeping, and just generally spending time together. On occasion, either Spike or Oz would vanish for a few hours, returning with a bit of money and some groceries. Xander never questioned where it came from.

Usually, Spike would sleep during the day, with Oz and Xander going to bed in the wee hours of the morning, making an appearance for breakfast sometime after noon. Because of this, Xander was spending more and more time with the usually quiet werewolf, and felt like he was getting to know him a bit better. They still hadn't spoken of Xander's...situation. But Oz made it clear that he would provide a willing ear for whatever Xander did decide to get off his chest.

"Let's go shopping."

Xander looked up from his book, surprised. "Shopping? Why?"

Oz shrugged. "Well, unless you like wearing the same three outfits day in and day out, we should get you some new clothes."

"Oh." Xander looked at his slightly faded shirt. "I hadn't even thought of that." v "So? What do you say?"

Xander swallowed hard, gaze shifting uneasily away. "I-I don't know. I'd have to...go out there."

Oz blinked. "That is pretty much the idea here."

"I just...I don't think I want to go...out there. Alone."

Oz rose and walked across the room, kneeling next to Xander. He rested a hand lightly in Xander's arm. "Xander, you're not alone. I'll be there with you. You can do this."

Xander shook his head. "I don't...I can't." His breath was coming in quick little pants now. v Concerned, Oz moved in closer, lifting his hand to Xander's cheek. "Hey, you ok? We don't have to if you don't want to. No biggie." Then he gasped, choking as strong hands fastened around his neck and tore him away from Xander, flinging him to the floor.

Spike's eyes sprang open, and he bolted upright. Something was wrong. When it registered -- Xander's elevated heartbeat and a cloying scent of fear -- he shot from the bed, wrenching the door open. He snarled when he saw Oz touching -- *touching* -- his human. Scaring him. Hurting him!

He flew across the room, pouncing on the werewolf and yanking him back. He threw him down, looming over him as he growled in rage.

*****
Part 22:

Oz looked up into eyes glittering golden with a promise of death. Realizing that the vampire had interpreted the scene as either a threat toward Xander or an encroachment on his territory, he promptly went limp, baring his neck in obvious acknowledgment of Spike's authority.

Spike knelt over the submissive form, fully prepared to rip this little upstart into shreds for daring to harm his human. He growled loudly, bending forward.

Xander watched wide-eyed, not really understanding what had just happened. "S-Spike?"

Head twisting violently around at the tremulous query, Spike immediately forced his vampiric features back down when he heard Xander's gasp. He sprang away from Oz, smoothly seating himself on the couch and pulling Xander into his arms. "What happened, pet? You ok? Did the little mongrel hurt you? I can kill him for you if you want."

Oz started to get up, then decided the floor really was a nice choice when Spike bared his fangs again, snarling at him in warning. "I didn't hurt him," he told Spike quietly.

"No one asked you, mutt!" Spike hissed in response. He stroked Xander's hair lovingly, the gentle action a direct contrast to his attitude toward Oz. He felt Xander's head shake against his chest.

"I'm fine, Spike. He didn't hurt me. I just got scared, and he was trying to help." Xander let a tiny grin flicker across his face at the protectiveness Spike was displaying on his behalf.

"You sure?" He continued to rock the human, hands flittering lightly over his body as he searched for any sign of injury. "What scared you then, luv?"

"N-nothing. Not really. I just...got scared." He hedged the truth a bit, not wanting Oz to get in trouble if Spike blamed him for what had happened.

"Uh-huh." Spike clearly wasn't convinced, but he didn't want to call Xander on it. He figured he could always pry it out of the wolf.

Xander relaxed, snuggling up against Spike's lean body. The hands kneading his back were very soothing, and he yawned. For some reason, he felt so tired...

Spike stroked the boy's back as he fell asleep. When Xander began to snore softly, the vampire shifted his limp body up, carefully standing and carrying him back to their room. He'd gotten used to doing this; Xander tended to fall asleep at the oddest times, as if his energy simply ran out.

He efficiently tucked the boy in, smiling as he snuffled into the pillow Spike had recently been using. He backed out, closing the door quietly. Then he turned and stalked back to where Oz still remained immobile on the floor. He loomed over the werewolf. "Right then, let's get the real story, shall we?" He crossed his arms, glaring.

"Can I--?" Oz very carefully sat up, not making any threatening movements. "I just thought Xander might want to go shopping, get some new clothes. The idea upset him, I tried to calm him down."

Spike waited. "What, that's it?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"So, you weren't touchin' him because you were trying to make a move on him, then? An' maybe that's why he freaked?"

Oz snorted. "Hardly."

Spike's eyes blazed. "Why? You think he's not good enough? Somethin' wrong with 'im?"

Oz blinked. "Um, no." He shook his head, somewhat amused at the vampire's turnaround; first accusing him of copping a feel, then interpreting his denial as an insult to Xander's desirability. Hoping to ward off any untoward incidents that might involve his innards becoming significantly less *in*, he elaborated. "He's not really my type, you know. Besides, I don't think my boyfriend would be too appreciative of me cheating on him."

Spike sat back, genuinely surprised. "Boyfriend? When'd *you* get a boyfriend? I thought you were still stuck on the witch."

Sighing, Oz finally made his way off the floor and into a chair. "I dealt. Getting laid really helped, too." He smiled wistfully, plucking at the fraying fabric on the arm of his chair. "Kinda hard to think about ex-girlfriends when your brains are lying in a puddle on the mattress."

Spike snickered. "I'll say. I remember this time when-- Oh, you...probably didn't mean that literally."

"Ah, no."

"So how come you never said nothing 'bout the bloke before?"

Oz shrugged. "It never came up. He lives out of town; we haven't gotten together since you and Xander moved in."

"That'd explain why I never smelled 'im on you." Spike tilted his head, studying Oz. "He know about the whole werewolf thing?"

"The subject arose early in our relationship, yes. He seemed rather disappointed that my chains had a practical use; seems he just figured I was a bit on the kinky side." He smiled widely. "I had to reassure him that they had...other uses."

Chuckling, Spike waggled his eyebrows. "Likes havin' you at his mercy, eh?"

"Not...exactly." More grinning on Oz's part.

"I see..." Spike shook his head in mock disappointment. "My, my. What would your mother say?"

Oz cleared his throat. "Let's not go there."

"Have it your way, mate." Suddenly, he looked away, appearing rather embarrassed. "Erm, sorry about the whole, you know, thing. Earlier."

"Not a problem. You're just looking out for Xander, I can understand that." His expression turned serious. "Look, neither of you have said anything about what happened, but I think I have a general idea. And it's probably not healthy for him to stay cooped up in here all the time. He's going to need to interact with people again sometime."

Spike was stunned by what was probably the longest speech he'd ever heard Oz deliver. Shaking his head to clear it, he asked, "Why? I can take care of 'im; if he stays here, he won't get hurt."

"But isn't the point to help him get better? He'll never see any reason to change if you constantly coddle him."

"Well, maybe he could use a bit of coddling!" Spike snapped, barely remembering to keep his voice down. In a quieter voice, he added, "I'm not gonna let him fend for himself like his so-called friends!"

Oz groaned. "I'm not saying you have to. But you can't bubble-wrap the world for him -- it's too expensive. You *can* make sure he's equipped to handle what life throws at him, because there might come a time when you can't help. Be there for him. Give him support. Encourage him. Make sure he knows that you care, that you're not using him. That you *won't*." His expression softened. "Love him." He sniffed casually. "Unless, of course, you don't think you *can*."

Spike shot up out of his seat. "Hey, watch it, mutt! I'm gonna make him better, you just try and stop me! We'll show *you* who's got the knackers to take on the whole flamin' planet!"

Oz held back a smirk. "Good. Then you'll convince him to go shopping with me tomorrow?"

"Damn right I will! I---wait a sec." His eyes narrowed as he glared at Oz. "Oh, that was good, mate. That was *very* good."

"Fell for it, didn't you?"

Spike growled, snapping his teeth playfully. "Brat." He heaved a sigh. "How'm I gonna get him to agree, though?"

Oz rolled his eyes. "I have to do everything, don't I?"

"It'd help."

"Fine. I'll take care of it. But only if you promise not to try and kill me again for at least a week."

Spike considered that. "Deal."

~~~~~~~~~~

"No."

"But--"

"*No*." Xander crossed his arms over his chest, glaring petulantly at Oz. "You can't make me."

Oz shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Guess Spike will just have to get over it."

Xander frowned. "Get over what?"

"Oh, nothing much. He just kind of mentioned that his birthday was coming up next week. But I'm sure he'll understand if you don't get him anything."

Shifting uncomfortably, Xander gnawed at his lower lip. "Can't...can't you get him something for me?"

Oz huffed in amusement. "Yeah, like I know what he'd want. You're the one who's been around him, *you're* the one he's claimed. I'm just the guy who lets you two crash with him." He shrugged again. "No big deal. Like I said, he'll get over it. He's a big boy."

Xander huddled into the chair, thinking it over. "His birthday?" he asked in a small voice.

"S'what the vamp said," Oz confirmed.

His feet scuffed on the floor, heels knocking back against the chair. A sigh. More scuffing, accompanied by squeaking as he pushed a hand repeatedly at the arm of the chair, wiggling it loose. Finally, he slumped down. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll go. But just to *one* store, and *just for a present for Spike! Fifteen minutes, tops!"

"Fine. That's cool. Not a problem."

"No clothes shopping," Xander warned, giving Oz a look that stated how much he didn't trust his motives.

"Hey, we leave when you say. It's not like I can force you to shop. We'll only go where you suggest."

"Right." Xander lifted his feet onto the chair, arms wrapping around his knees. "Fine."

*****