Title: There You Are
Author: CJ
Pairing: X/A
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None at all.
Summary: Xander sings for Angel, gets read by Lorne.
Disclaimer: These characters all belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The song is There you are by Martina McBride.
Xander stood just inside Caritas, wringing his hands together in nervousness. He cast one last fretful look toward the stage and turned to push past Angel and out the door. "I don't think I can do this."
Sighing quietly, Angel put a comforting hand on Xander's shoulder. Turning the mortal toward him, the vampire looked into his upturned face. "Xander, we've been through this twenty times. You want to know if you've made the right decision about your future. All you have to do is sing a song and Lorne can tell you if you're on the right path."
Glancing again toward the stage, Xander nibbled nervously at his lower lip. "But why do I have to do it here in front of so many people? Couldn't he just come to the hotel and we could do it in a locked, soundproof room?"
Angel chuckled lightly. This was an old tune. Ever since they'd made the decision to have Lorne read Xander, the young man had been trying to talk himself and Angel out of it. "You know he can't do that. He's only just reopened Caritas. He has to be here. Come on, just a quick, short song and then we can get out of here and spend the rest of the night together."
Xander sighed, resigned to his fate of humiliation and eternal shame. "Okay, but promise no one will laugh at my song?"
Angel cradled Xander's face in his two hands and placed a gentle, loving kiss on his lips. "I swear, not a single person will laugh. They may applaud, a few may even drool, but no one will laugh."
Finally, Xander nodded and started toward the stage. Angel gave Lorne the signal so that the demon could announce Xander, then settled back against the wall to watch his lover sing. He sighed as he waited. He didn't know why Xander was so worried, the vampire knew for a fact that his lover had a beautiful voice, but for some reason, Xander was convinced that he sounded like a cat scratching a blackboard.
Standing taller, Angel perked up as the music started, then smiled when he recognized the song Xander had chosen. This was his song, the one Xander always sang to him when he couldn't sleep.
Clearing his throat, Xander smiled shyly at the audience. Then staring out over their heads, he locked eyes with his lover.
There you are, in the early light of day
There you are, in the quiet words I pray
I've been blessed, by the simple happiness
Of the perfect love we've made.
Every time I turn around
When I'm lost and when I'm found
Like an angel standing guard
There you are
Every time I take a breath
And when I forget to breathe
You're watching over me
There you are
When I'm looking for the light
In the middle of the night
Searching for the brightest star
There you are.
There you are, standing in a crowded room
There you are, the earth and I'm the moon
My desire, is to stand by the fire
That burns inside of you.
Every time I turn around
When I'm lost and when I'm found
Like an angel standing guard
There you are
Every time I take a breath
And when I forget to breathe
You're watching over me
There you are
When I'm looking for the light
In the middle of the night
Searching for the brightest star
There you are.
There you are.
Closing his eyes as the music stopped, Xander felt the heat of his blush as it crawled over his face and down his neck. The applause was more than he'd ever hoped for, but what made him smile the most was the look of love on Angel's face when he opened his eyes to look for his lover again.
It took everything in him, but Angel made it to the stage without testing the limits of the 'no violence' spell Lorne had had redone on the new Caritas. Finally, he had Xander back in his arms. He leaned down and captured the mortal's lips with his own, letting his tongue gently tease his lover's. Releasing the kiss because of Xander's need for oxygen tore a groan from deep in Angel's chest. He took Xander's hand in his and they made their way over to Lorne.
"Well, Sweetness. What can I say? That was absolutely a slice of heaven. First[,] let's get the main business out of the way. Your decision to go to law school is exactly what the Power's have planned for you, so go with that. I don't get absolutes, but my best guess would be for you to lean toward being a prosecutor. Now, on to more pleasant business. Are you free on Friday’s? I'd like to get you to sign an extended booking. You most definitely have a talent, Sugar." Lorne finally stopped, seeing the look on Xander's face. "Oh, don't worry, Babycakes. You don't have to decide tonight. Angelhair here has plans for you tonight. Just give me a call and we'll work something out."
Xander could only stutter in surprise as Angel thanked Lorne and walked them both toward the exit.
"See, what did I tell you? You were perfect." Angel stopped outside the club to pull Xander in for another kiss. Once again forced to pull back, the vampire took Xander's hand and pulled him up the street toward his car. "Come on, let's get home and see if we can't work some more songs out of you."
Xander stopped beside the car and wrapped his arms around Angel's waist. Looking up into the vampire's eyes, the mortal sighed, content to just lean into the embrace. "I love you, you know that?"
"Yeah, I know that. I love you, too." For the first time, the vampire could think of nothing more important than just standing there, holding his lover.
THE END!