Xander walked into the living room and saw his friends sitting around the table drinking coffee and talking. He smiled as he approached them. It was nice to see them looking so happy, especially Cordelia and Doyle. Cordelia was sitting in Doyle's lap, her arm around his neck and his around her waist. It was about time, Xander thought. His words echoed the thoughts in his head.

"Its about time you two got together. Who made the move and how did it happen? Spill, cause I want all the details." Xander said as he poured milk over the cereal he had found and sat down in the chair between Wesley and Oz.

"Nosy, much," Cordelia teased.

"You better believe it, sister. I've been trying to get you two to realize you had feelings for each other ever since I first went to L.A. so I think I deserve a little 'I told you so'. You guys look great together, by the way."

"Of course we do. I can make anyone look good on my arm," Cordelia stated as she gave Doyle a kiss. "I'm just kidding, honey. It's a joke between Xander and me. Remember how all my friends hated you?"

"How could I forget? They let me know every day of high school," he answered before looking Doyle up and down. The half demon was wearing totally different clothes, having gone from a look like Xander's old one - minus the blinding colors - to polo shirts and khakis. It looked good on him. "She changed your wardrobe too, huh?"

"You noticed. Yeah, she said that she hated my style and I told her I liked it so we compromised. Every now and then I dress like this but when I want to be comfortable I go back to the other."

"Good for you. Don't ever totally give up the garage sale sheek as I used to call my style." Xander said. "By the way, it looks good on you. Now give me details. I want to hear everything."

"Well, after you left L.A., we had plenty of time to talk, what with Spike and Angel holed up in the apartment together. Decided we both cared about each other and it was time to take the next step and what you see is what you get," Doyle told his friend.

"So, I see it's working for you."

"Oh, yeah. Who knew that Doyle could be so romantic. He brings me a flower every day, although he's got quite a few days to make up for when we get back home." Cordelia told him.

"About that. I'm sorry I dragged you all down here. I know Sunnydale holds bad memories for you, Cordy and I'm sure Doyle's already had a few himself so he knows what this town is like," Xander's voice turned sad as he thought about leaving Sunnydale.

"Xander Harris, you are not going to stay here when we go back to L.A. are you? Not after getting together with your two vampire hunks." Cordelia asked, turning to face her friend.

"No, no there's nothing left here for me now. I always knew my parents wanted to get rid of me, so no big surprise there. Now that Buffy and Willow have turned their backs on me after I made a total ass out of myself, I don't really have any friends to speak of here, except maybe Giles. I bet he's mad at me too, after what I said to Buffy and Will."

"Well, you had every right to say what you did to them. Besides, you have plenty of reasons to come back to L.A. Not only Spike and Angel, but Cordy and I, not to mention the new employees of Angel Investigations," Doyle told him. He saw Xander's eyes light up at those words.

Xander turned and looked at Oz. "Oz, man are you coming with us?"

"Yeah, Angel and Spike asked me last night. I figured I could help you guys out while I join Dingoes again. Seems they've made L.A. their home and play at the different clubs there. I called Devon this morning and he can't wait to see me and he wants me playing guitar for him again."

"Wow, that's great. I'm thrilled," Xander said, practically bouncing in his seat. He turned and looked at Wesley. "Can I begin to hope that a rogue demon hunter has decided to settle down and work with us, too?"

"Yes, they said that I would be very useful to their team. Sort of like a watcher for the rest of you. Book referencing and fighting evil. I couldn't turn that down. Especially after the way you all have taken me in and made me a part of the group," Wesley said as he reached for his handkerchief.

"Oh, come on Wesley, stiff upper lip and all that," Xander teased, as he patted his friend on the shoulder. "You can't cry every time you realize that there are people that care about you, especially now. If you do, you'll be crying all the time."

"Yes, quite true," Wesley agreed, putting his handkerchief back in his pocket and smiling brightly. "It's just that I've never had a real family before."

Xander looked at his friend and felt sorry for the man. He must have had a bad childhood, too. Xander decided he would find out later, because he didn't want to ruin the happy mood that they were all riding on right now.

"I'm so glad that you're going to be there, too. I've kinda begun to depend on your help and I know that I'll feel more comfortable having yet another person watching my back." He looked around the table and noticed that Clem was missing. "Where's my buddy, Clem? I want him to come too, because I don't want him getting any backlash from Buffy and the others."

"He's outside talking to the other demons - you know the one's that's been watching this place night and day since you got hurt," Doyle told him.

"They did that? For me, for us?"

"Sure did. Said they weren't going to let anything happen to any of us because we're their friends now. They wanted to talk to you last night, but you were kinda out of it," Cordelia told him.

"I'm going to go out and talk to them now. Thank them for what they did and try to get Clem to come with us, too because----"

"Don't have to worry about that. Spike talked him into it last night. Seems there's some sort of hero worship for Spike on Clem's part and he jumped at the chance," Doyle told him.

Xander grinned at that. "Great, now I'll have all my buddies with me. Well, except for Buffy, Willow and Giles," his voice took on a sad note as he mentioned his other friends names.

Oz put a hand on his shoulder. "Can't live in the past, dude. You've got a bright future in front of you. Grab onto it and maybe the past will straighten itself out."

Thanks, man. You always know just what to say."

It's a gift," Oz stated simply.

"Well, I'd like to get dressed, but I can't seem to find any clothes to wear and I don't really want to go out with just my pajama bottoms on."

"I don't know. I think it's a good look for you," Cordelia teased, before getting up and grabbing his hand. "Come on. I bought everyone some clothes while you were in the hospital. They're in the spare bedroom."

"Oh, God, I can't wait to see what she bought me," Xander groaned as everyone else laughed. He stopped for a minute and looked at Wesley and Oz. "I've got some things to do today, and I'm not sure Angel and Spike would want me going alone. Would you guys come with me?"

"Sure," Oz answered, while Wesley nodded in agreement.

"Great, then I'll just be a few minutes," Xander let Cordelia lead him into the bedroom. Just as they got to the door, they heard the sounds of Angel and Spike making love, and Xander's face became red. "Uh, you all didn't happen to hear anything earlier did you?"

"What are you talking about? You mean, stuff like 'Oh, Angel, the things you do to me'?" Cordelia asked.

"Don't forget 'Pound me into the mattress', Doyle added.

"Or what about 'God, how do you do that, Spike?'? Wesley said.

"Or the famous 'just like that, Spike, harder, Spike'. Nope didn't hear a thing," Oz said as the others burst out laughing at the look on Xander's face.

"Fuck, I've been busted."

"Don't feel bad. Cordelia and Doyle made some nice comments earlier, too," Wesley assured him as now Cordelia blushed. She was going to comment on that when the sound of Spike pleading with Angel to fuck him entered the room.

"Your clothes are there on the bed, Xander," Cordelia gestured at Doyle before she started for their bedroom.

"Gotta love it," Doyle said as he followed the girl to their room. "You all keep that up and she's going to wear me out."

"Guys, if you can stand this moaning and groaning groiny stuff, I'll just be a minute and then we can leave," Xander told Wesley and Oz.

Xander ducked into the bedroom and looked through the clothes Cordelia had bought him. He wanted to look nice for the vampires, especially after Spike's comments about his blinding clothes. He smiled as he found just what he was looking for and started to get dressed, trying to keep his mind off the noises his two lovers were making in the other room. He didn't want to get sidetracked from what he had planned today.

Xander was glad to see that there was an old, cracked full length mirror in this room, although he had to laugh at the fact that a place that had once been inhabited by a vampire had a mirror. He looked himself over in the mirror and sighed. Well, that was the best he could do, he thought as he looked at his reflection. Xander was dressed in a red, long sleeved pullover that clung to him like a second skin. He had on a pair of black jeans that fit him perfectly and was happy to find that Cordy had bought him a pair of black Air Jordan’s. Xander once again wished that he had the type of body like Angel or Spike, where no matter what they wore, they looked gorgeous. Hell, they could wear a cardboard box and still look sexy.

Xander sighed and picked up his comb trying to get his long hair to lay down but where he had let it almost dry before doing this, it had decided to curl around his ears and along his neck, a few stray bangs falling across his forehead. After a few minutes, he decided that was the best he could do and went to join his friends in the other room.

When Xander walked out of the bedroom ten minutes later, Wesley and Oz's eyebrows shot up at the appearance of the boy in front of them. They were completely and utterly shocked.

"Going for a new look, Xander," Oz asked, after finally finding the words.

"It looks dorky on me, right? I just wanted to look good for Angel and Spike when they get up. But I should have known that I don't have the kind of body to pull off this kind of look. I better go change." Xander said, looking down at his clothes in dismay.

Wesley and Oz grabbed his arms as he started to go change. "Don't you dare, Xander. We were just stunned at the change in you. I mean, well this is quite a becoming look on you. I'm sure that Angel and Spike will find it quite attractive," Wesley assured him as Oz nodded in agreement.

"Angel and Spike finding you attractive is an understatement. They'll probably have you back in the bedroom in thirty seconds or less."

Xander's mood changed at his friend's words. "You really think so?"

"Don't think. I know," Oz assured him. "Hell, if I didn't think they'd kill me, I might have even given it a try."

Xander looked at his friend, eyes wide with surprise. "Oz, you're not gay, are you? No, of course not, cause you know with Willow and Veruca and all that."

"I'm bi. I never said anything about it earlier because I didn't want the judgment from everyone, especially with the being a werewolf issue added to the mix."

"I'm sorry you felt that way, Oz. I never wanted you to feel like you had to hide anything from us, although to tell you the truth, the me back then would have freaked out. Just like I did with Larry at first. I think he was right, though. I was trying to hide from my sexuality."

"And are you freaking now, Xander?"

"No, just a little surprised, that's all. But it's cool and you should know that if you really heard the three of us earlier."

"We most definitely heard," Wesley admitted. Just then, loud moans were once again heard coming from the vampire's bedroom. Before Xander could say anything, they heard the sounds of lovemaking coming from Cordy and Doyle's room.

"I think we better go before I decide to stay. This orgasm surround sound is so not good when you're wearing tight jeans. Now I know why I always wore baggy pants. I stayed horny through most of high school," Xander joked as he fought off the urge to join his lovers.

"You think it's hard on you? How would you like to get not only the sound but the smell factor too?" Off Xander's confused look, he explained, "Werewolf senses are like vampires. Pheromones and everything."

"Oh, well that's just - so, so bad for you. We need to find you a boyfriend or girlfriend when we get to L.A. because with all of us around you'll be crazy in less than a month," Xander said as they reached the door.

"Either crazy or I'll get carpel tunnel syndrome from the use of my hand." Oz agreed as the three friends left the mansion.

Oz, Xander and Wesley stepped out onto the patio and immediately found themselves surrounded by the demons who were guarding the mansion. All of them were glad to see Xander up and around and many were looking the boy up and down, nodding appreciatively.

Clarence was the first one to him. "Xander, thank goodness you're alright. I was really worried but I knew Spike and Angel would take care of you."

"Especially the way you look. It's a wonder they let you out of their sight," a Vas-Quah demon said.

"Thanks," Xander blushed profusely as Oz and Wesley smiled. *Xander, the demon magnet, strikes again*.

"So, where are you guys headed?" Clarence asked as Clem walked up.

"Don't know. We're following him," Oz answered, pointing at Xander.

"I thought we'd swing by my parent's house and pick up my things before heading to town to get some blood and something for Thanksgiving dinner for us. You know it is Thanksgiving tomorrow."

"Yes, but Angel wanted us to leave for Los Angeles tonight," Wesley told him before Oz added, "And I don't think either he or Spike would like your other plan."

"Guys, it's no big deal. My mom said she was going to put my things out in the garage. We'll just back your van up, grab my stuff and be gone. Besides, from what I saw last night, they'll be sleeping off a good drunk right about now."

"Okay. But the first sight of either one of them and we're out of there," Oz firmly stated.

"Fine. And about leaving tonight - I wanted to stay here at the mansion and enjoy each other's company before we head out. I was hoping that Willow would at least try to talk to me on Thanksgiving."

Oz and Wesley saw the sadness in Xander's eyes at the mention of his best friend. "Well, maybe Angel, Spike and the others can be persuaded to stay that long, but we'll definitely be leaving tomorrow night," Oz said.

"Good. Hey, you guys want to spend Thanksgiving with us?" Xander asked his new demon friends. They looked surprised for a moment before Clarence answered.

"We'd like to Xander, but most of us have plans already - you know with our families and stuff. Also, a lot of them don't like human food that much, and some don't celebrate human holidays."

"Oh, sorry. Still have a lot to learn about you guys. I want to have a party or something then. You know, one that says 'we kicked the Initiative's ass clear to hell where they belong'. A celebration for getting rid of those assholes."

"Yeah," Clem agreed. "And also to celebrate getting our friends and loved ones back safe and sound. That includes you, Xander. We haven't been in much of a party mood. Not until we saw you up and walking around. Now, it's party time!"

"Great. How about having it here in the garden? Say around 5 o'clock or so? We'll have to get everyone that helped to come because it wouldn't be the same without the whole gang."

"No problem. I'll go round everyone up. And don't worry. I'll make sure that they're discrete because we don't want the slayer to hear about it," one of the demons said.

"Definitely not a happy time if she finds out," Oz agreed.

"What about food and drinks?" Clem asked.

"Loman and I can get some," Clarence offered. We can get a table to sit out here, too. Plus paper plates and stuff."

"That's good. Can you get some beer, too? I'd get it but I'm underage," Xander asked. Clarence agreed and Xander continued, "Just none of the hard stuff. I don't want anyone getting too smashed and messing up the party."

"You're forgetting one thing, Xander," Wesley chimed in.

"Let's see. Guests. Food and Beverage. What else is there?" Xander asked, before he remembered something. "Music! Don't worry about that. I'll get some cd's and my stereo from my place and Oz can hook up the speakers he has so it will sound better. I just hope everyone likes country or country rock."

"We love it," Clarence and Clem chorused.

"I'm not talking about that. You haven't asked Angel if you can use his home for this gathering. Not to mention, whether he or Spike will allow it, much less stay long enough to have a party." Wesley pointed out.

"Don't worry about that. Spike loves parties as long as they include beer and Angel will be alright with me using the mansion if the party is kept out here and not inside," Xander said. "Gee, Wesley, you make it sound like I'm their kid or something. I'm not. I'm their lover and they just want me to be happy. This will make me happy so they'll be alright with it."

Wesley still looked skeptical about the whole thing. Xander smiled at his friend as he said, "You don't have to go along with us if you feel uncomfortable about their reactions. I'll tell them you had nothing to do with any of it. As a matter-of-fact, I'll even say you tried to stop us."

"Would you, please? I'll help but I don't want to start off my employment with Angel by getting fired."

Xander patted Wesley on the back. "No worries, Wesley. Your secret's safe with me. No firing of any kind in your future. So let's go people - time's a wasting."

"We'll stay here and continue to guard the other humans as Master Spike directed," the N'tendi demon said as he started motioning for his troops to return to their posts. Oz, Wesley, Clem and Clarence followed after them, heading for the boy's van that was parked a few feet from the back of the mansion.

The other demons either shook Xander's hand or hugged the boy, once again reiterating their happiness at him being alright. The Vas-Quah demon stayed to the back, watching. Finally, he stepped in front of Xander, his red eyes flashing with desire.

Xander looked at the demon and gulped. The Vas-Quah was about 6'2 and had green skin. He had a large, human shaped body, but he had four arms instead of two and his fingernails were as sharp as talons. As the demon approached Xander, the boy looked for his friends. He saw them standing beside Oz's van, not paying any attention as they conversed.

Xander started to back up as the Vas-Quah came towards him. They continued like this until Xander's back hit the stone wall surrounding the garden area, stopping him from moving away as the demon slid two of his arms around Xander's waist.

"No need to be afraid of me, Xander," the demon said as he pulled Xander close. "I just wanted to add my good wishes along with the others."

"Oh, well that's really nice. Thanks," Xander mumbled, giving the demon a quick hug before trying to pull away. The Vas-Quah had other plans, however, as he held onto the struggling boy.

"Why are you in such a hurry to get away, pretty boy? Don't fight the attraction we feel for one another."

"What attraction? What the hell are you talking about?" Xander asked, as he stopped struggling to look at the demon in surprise.

"I saw the way you looked at me just now, the way you hugged me a minute ago."

"Okay, first of all, there's no attraction. That look was a look of fear and you said you just wanted to hug me like the others - you know good wishes and all that. So come back to reality, nimrod," Xander explained as he started to struggle again. He wasn't afraid anymore, just plain angry at the demon's stupidity.

"Oh, I so love you humans and your terms of endearment." The demon grabbed Xander's ass with one free hand, while the other one groped the front of the boy, as Xander swatted at the demon's hands.

"Hands, hands in new and not welcome places," Xander was saying as the Vas-Quah took that opportunity to take one hand from Xander's waist and run it through the boy's hair before he pulled Xander in for a kiss.

Xander was stunned and then disgusted when the demon's tongue entered his mouth while he was protesting being pawed. He tried to jerk away, but the demon had too many hands. Finally, Xander bit down hard on the demon's tongue as he kneed him in the groin. The Vas-Quah lost his hold as he yelled in pain, drawing the others attention. As his friends ran towards them, Xander punched the demon in the jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor, still holding himself. Xander was glad that he had the same constitution as a human or that probably wouldn't have worked.

Xander felt like he was going to vomit from the taste in his mouth. He started spitting as he said, "Don't ever...spit...touch me...spit...again!" He wiped his mouth as he watched the demon rise.

"You led me on," the demon accused as his friends reached them. Oz and Wesley ran to stand beside Xander, as Clem and Clarence grabbed the demons four arms, holding him between them.

"What? Are you crazy? Did you think all that struggling to get away from you was foreplay or something?" Xander asked angrily, forgetting that he was talking to a demon after all.

"Well, yeah."

"Well, NO!" Xander yelled at him. "I have two very sexy vampires who I am very happy with. Why would I make a play for you?" The demon flinched at Xander's words and the boy immediately felt bad for those last words. How many times had he been made to feel like a reject? "Look, I'm sorry I said that last part. Really, there's nothing wrong with you. You're a nice enough looking demon. It's just that I've got Angel and Spike. I'm not looking for anyone else."

"But if you were?" the demon asked, hopefully.

"If I were, I still wouldn't. Not because you're not attractive, but I'm not staying here. I'm going home, so long distance relationship issues there."

"I could move with you. What is this Los Angeles like?" the Vas-Quah asked.

"Someplace that just isn't the kind of place for your breed," Xander said, looking at Wesley for some help. "It's very hot----"

"Cold," Wesley interjected.

"Cold," Xander agreed. "Very, very cold. So cold that I'm going to have to wear three coats just to stay warm."

"Yes, and you know what that does to your skin. Makes it shrivel up and fall off," Wesley added, placing the demon's breed.

"That would hurt like hell," Oz told him.

"I'm sorry, Xander. Even though I admire you a great deal and I think you're very handsome, especially when you're angry, it just wouldn't work out for us," the Vas-Quah said as he walked away in disappointment.

After he was gone, the others started to walk toward the van as Xander asked, "Where does he live? Fantasy Island?"

"The plane, boss, the plane," Oz said, laughing.

"You know, you're almost as short as that Tattoo guy," Xander teased his friend.

"Bite me, Xander," Oz retorted as they started laughing and walking back to Oz's van. They were so busy teasing each other that no one noticed the two pairs of eyes that followed them.

Spike had woken up spooned against his sire. He lovingly kissed the back of Angel's neck before nipping and biting along it until Angel woke with a moan.

"Come on, peaches, wake up. No fun with you just lying there," Spike complained.

"You're the one in the position to do something," Angel mumbled sleepily, leaning backwards into Spike's touch.

"Suppose you're right about that one," Spike conceded as he reached for the lotion. He popped the cap off and squirted some on his fingers, before throwing the bottle to the floor.

"That's going to make a mess if you didn't put the cap back on."

"Don't care. And neither should you. You're supposed to be enjoying this," Spike pushed his finger through Angel's hole, wiggling it around until he found the spot that made Angel groan with pleasure. "Are you thinking about that damn cap now?"

"What cap? You're wearing a cap?" Angel turned his head and kissed Spike. He nibbled along the blonde's bottom lip before Spike's mouth parted and he gently stuck the tip of his tongue into the other vampire's mouth. Spike's tongue joined his and soon they were lost in a dance of desire, both trying to master the other as the younger vampire slipped another finger into Angel's cool channel. After a few minutes, the older vampire moaned and pushed back at the feel of a third finger entering his ass.

Spike worked his fingers in Angel's silky channel, scissoring them before he finally took them out. Angel was just about to protest the loss when he felt Spike's cool cock enter him.

ike, fuck me. Take me now," Angel begged, as Spike reached down and lifted Angel's right leg so that he could penetrate him deeper. He changed his angle and soon Angel was twisting his hands in the bedspread as he pushed back against Spike.

"Angel, fuck you feel so good. Still so tight, so good. I love you, Angel," Spike moaned as he reached around and took Angel's hard cock in his, stroking it in time with his thrusts. Spike continued to thrust into Angel until he felt his balls start to tighten. Knowing that he was going to cum soon, he morphed into his vampire face and bit into the side of Angel's neck.

Angel was enjoying the sensation of being filled and he knew that he hadn't felt this complete in at least a hundred years. "Missed you so much, Spike. Missed this. God, you've always known just how to make it feel so good," Angel moaned, as he felt Spike's hand on his cock. Angel heard Spike tell him that he loved him right before he felt Spike's bite. As the younger vampire's teeth penetrated his neck, Angel screamed, "Love you, Spike. God, I love you so much," right before his orgasm hit him.

Spike heard Angel's declaration of love, felt the older vampire's cool semen on his hand and tasted the power of his sire. When Angel's ass muscles clenched around him, he lost all control. Spike's orgasm washed over him and as he rode it out, he withdrew his teeth from Angel's neck, licking the blood from the side of his neck before laying his head back on his pillow. He felt Angel's teeth penetrate his neck and moaned at the feeling it caused within him.

Angel enjoyed the taste of his childe's blood before finally licking the blood from his neck and closing the wound. He lay down next to Spike and pulled the blonde vampire close. "I don't know how I lasted this long, not having this in my life," he admitted as he held Spike close.

"I know I was rough on you, peaches. I'm sorry. I never realized just how much this hurt you," Spike said before leaning back and taking in the sight of his gorgeous lover. "Does it bother you that you didn't know earlier?"

"Of course it does," Angel answered. "I could have been enjoying this a long time ago."

"Not with me. Not with Xander. You would have been with Buffy," Spike pointed out.

Angel thought for a few minutes before he answered. "Possibly. We really don't know that for sure, Spike."

"Oh, sure we do, Angel. She was the love of your life. Buffy gave you that one true moment of happiness. How many others could do that?"

"You. Xander. The difference between Buffy and you two is that I feel more comfortable when I'm with you. I've never had to pretend to be someone other than I was with either one of you. Even when Xander and I didn't get along, the reason we didn't was because he could see what I was. He knew that even though I helped the Scoobies, I had a monster inside of me. Xander was the only one of them that never forgot what I am. Neither have you."

"Are you saying the slayer did?"

"She tried to. Buffy was young, I was her first love. When she found out I was a vampire, it became a forbidden kind of love for her. Made her want me more. Yet every time we argued, she always threw my being a vampire up in my face."

"Never knew you and Buffy argued, except when you were Angelus of course," Spike said.

Angel laughed at the thought. "Buffy and I argued quite a bit. When I look back, I realize that she and I argued more than Xander and I did and we weren't even friendly. That doesn't say much for our relationship, now does it?"

"Maybe not. But sometimes it's fun to argue so you can make up."

"I guess. Still a slayer and a vampire just can't make it. I see that now. I think I knew that even when I was living here. That's why I moved to Los Angeles."

"Would you have moved away if there had been no gypsy curse?" Spike asked.

"A long, lasting relationship is based on more than sex, Spike. Look at us. We've been together off and on for centuries. It's more than just sex with us, although that is a definite plus. We know each other. We've seen each other at our worst and best, our weakest and most powerful moments and yet, even though we've had our arguments, we always end up back together. I think someone's trying to tell us something."

"Either that or we're both gluttons for punishment," Spike said. Both vampires laughed at that thought before Spike continued. "Still, it must be hard to see Buffy with someone else."

"Not really. I'm glad she's happy, even though right now I feel like I could kick her ass. Buffy isn't the same girl that I fell in love with. I fell in love with a fantasy, a dream, someone I could look up to and admire. The girl I see now is judgmental, oblivious to her friends feelings, and basically self-involved. I said it before and I'll say it again - I can never forgive her for what she has done to you and Xander."

"You can't really blame her for not wanting to help me. Like you said, she's the slayer. Buffy's not supposed to help vampires, she's supposed to kill them. You know me - I've given her plenty of reasons to hate me. I've tried to kill her and her friends many times. I always liked the challenge of killing slayers. In case you've forgotten, I've already killed two. I always wanted to make her my third, but she's more powerful than the others."

"Yes, she is. But I think she forgets sometimes exactly why she's that powerful. Those two slayers that you killed, all the other slayers that were called before Buffy were alone in this world. No family, no friends, no life. Just slaying. Then Buffy changes the rules by having not only a life outside of slaying, but a mother who loves her and friends who stand by her side. That's what makes Buffy so powerful. Yes, she's strong and imaginative. Still, she would have been dead quite a few times if it hadn't been for Xander, Willow and Giles and they would have been dead if not for her. It goes both ways."

"I know we'll do everything in our power to keep Xander safe, but do you suppose his little group of friends and the slayer will be alright with him?" Spike asked.

"You care?" Angel asked, smiling at Spike's words.

"Not really. Not after the way they've treated Xander. Still, the boy loves them and if something were to happen to any of them he would probably blame himself for not being here. It would hurt him and I don't want that to happen."

"I know. Even though he's the only normal one of the bunch, Xander makes it his job to watch out for them. Buffy's white knight. That's what I always called him, but I was wrong. He's just a white knight, period. They don't deserve him though. You and I both know that. So why are we even talking about this? Do you want to leave him behind?" Angel asked.

Spike pulled out of Angel's arms as if he were on fire. He sat up in the bed and glared at his lover, blue eyes full of anger at Angel's words. "How can you even ask me that? I love the boy more than life itself. Xander's the one truly good thing that you or I have ever had in our lives. Do you think I'm just going to turn my back on that? Are you?"

Angel sat up and took Spike's hand, trying to soothe the other vampire. "Of course not, to both questions. I love Xander too much to even consider giving him up. It's just that you were talking about Xander not wanting to leave and I just assumed that's what you meant."

"Not bloody likely. I'd lose my life before I'd leave him. I just want to make sure his little pals are taken care of so that we don't get a call saying one of them has up and died. I don't think Xander could live with himself if something happened to any of them while they weren't speaking. He'd blame himself."

"I think Buffy and the others will be alright. She has her boyfriend and his little soldier pals to help out. Anyway, I'm hoping that they all reconcile, for Xander's sake. After what they did, I could care less if Xander never spoke to them again. But as you pointed out, he would."

"I have no hopes that he and Buffy will ever be friends again, especially once she finds out that we're all together. When she finds out, she'll probably try to stake me and kill the boy."

Angel started growling at Spike's words. "She'll have to come through me first and I don't think she could do that. I don't care how powerful she is, I'd be fighting for my life, my love, my reasons for living. That's good motivation."

"I'd be by your side, fighting for the same reasons," Spike agreed. "I don't think she and the witch together could overpower us. The one I'm concerned about is Xander. I don't want him getting caught in the cross-fire."

"We just have to make sure that doesn't happen," Angel said, giving Spike a long, tender kiss. When they finished, he stopped to listen. "It's awfully quiet out there. Shouldn't there be some noise? I sense their heartbeats, but I don't hear any of them."

Spike listened for a minute before he got up and went to the bathroom. He came back with a wet washrag and cleaned himself up before throwing it to Angel. "I think we better check it out. Our boy has a way of finding himself in trouble without really meaning to." Spike said, as he pulled on his pants and headed for the door.

Angel washed up and reached for his pants, putting them on quickly. "You're right about that, Spike. Xander has good intentions but they sometimes come back to bite him on his ass."

"Well, the only thing I want biting him on the ass is you and me," Spike told him as they went into the living area. They looked around and seeing no one, started for the kitchen area. They were stopped in their tracks when they heard moans coming from Cordelia and Doyle's room.

"Well, at least we know where two of them are," Angel grinned. They continued through the mansion but could not find Xander or the others. Just as they were about to panic, they heard the faint sounds of people's voices coming from the garden. They walked over and looked out from behind the curtain, careful to watch out for the sun's glare.

Spike took in an unneeded breath when his gaze fell on Xander. The boy was standing in the middle of the group of humans and demons, all of them listening intently as he talked to them. Xander's brown eyes were filled with happiness and his dark hair framed his face, falling in soft waves down the nape of his neck. Xander's clothes fit him perfectly and Spike looked him up and down as he heard Angel gasp.

"Xander's breathtaking, isn't he?" Spike asked.

"Breathtaking doesn't seem to cover it," Angel told him as they continued to watch their boy and his friends. Their meeting was breaking up and everyone was hugging Xander, telling him how good it was to have him up and around. Angel laughed at the sight. When Spike looked at him, Angel smiled."I never thought I'd see the day when Xander Harris would be hugging demons," Angel explained.

"Glad he's changed his attitude about demons or we'd be shit out of luck," Spike said, before turning back to the sight in front of them. "I'd prefer it if there wasn't so much hugging, though."

"Jealous?" Angel teased, knowing that he himself was.

"Of course I am. And so are you, so don't even try to deny it." Spike answered. His eyes narrowed as he watched the Vas-Quah make his move on Xander. "Bloody hell, what the fuck does he think he's doing?" Spike asked as he opened the door and got ready to rush the demon. Angel held him back as he continued trying to get to Xander.

"You can't go out there, Spike. You'd be dust before you could do anything, remember?" Angel asked, as he started to growl. They heard the demon's voice and both of them started to growl, their eyes turning amber as they cursed the sunlight holding them back.

"Why are you in such a hurry to get away, pretty boy? Don't fight the attraction we feel for one another." The vampires continued to watch as the demon held their lover, kissing and groping the boy as Xander struggled to get away.

"Where the fuck are Oz and Wesley?"

"I don't know. But if anything happens to Xander, I swear that demon won't live through the night." Angel vowed.

"He's not going to last anyway. Nobody touches Xander like that and gets away with it."

Angel and Spike were so furious at what the demon was doing to Xander, they hadn't noticed Xander make his move. They jumped as the demon went flying backwards, holding his groin and moaning. Spike and Angel saw their friends, along with Clarence and Clem, come running and their tension eased a little as they continued to watch the scene before them.

"You led me on," the demon was accusing.

"What? Are you crazy? Did you think all that struggling was foreplay or something?" Xander yelled, as the vampires laughed at that statement.

"He's a demon, luv, of course he did," Spike said, knowing that his boy couldn't hear him, but saying it anyway.

"Well, yeah," they heard the demon answer, all innocence.

“Well, NO! I have two very sexy vampires who I am very happy with. Why would I make a play for you?" Xander was asking. Spike and Angel glanced at each other and smiled proudly at their lover's words. By the time they turned back to look, Xander was looking very ashamed of himself as he apologized to the demon who was standing in front of the boy looking very hurt.

"I can't believe Xander's apologizing to that git after he was pawing him just a few moments ago," Spike said, shaking his head.

"That's Xander for you. Loses his temper and feels badly afterwards." Angel told him.

The two vampires snickered as they heard their young lover and Wesley try to make excuses for why the love struck demon couldn't come with Xander.

"I knew it would be a good idea to have Wesley join us," Angel said, as they heard Wesley come up with a reason as Xander played along. They watched as the demon let Xander down and walked away, leaving their boy to run his hand through his dark hair as he looked confused.

"Where does he live? Fantasy Island?" they heard Xander ask.

"The plane, boss, the plane," Oz quipped.

"You know, you're almost as short as that Tattoo guy."

"Bite me, Xander." Oz said as they walked away. Spike and Angel watched as the friends walked to the van and got in. As the van pulled away, Spike turned to see Angel looking confused.

"Fantasy Island was a television program and that Tattoo guy was a little midget," Spike explained as they headed for the kitchen to heat up some blood. "Gee, you really need to get a life."

"I have one. You and Xander. That's all I need." Angel told him, taking the younger vampire into his arms and kissing him. After they broke apart, Spike looked at Angel, worry in his eyes.

"Where do you think they were going?"

"Don't know. I'm sure they'll be alright, though. At least they went in a group. Less likely to get in trouble that way." Angel reassured him as Spike smiled.

"Xander handled himself pretty good against that demon," he said proudly.

"Of course he did. I've been training him," Angel replied, just as proud.

"So what do we do until our boy gets back?" Spike asked after they had drunk the blood. Angel grabbed Spike up, carrying him back into the bedroom.

"I can think of a few things," he said, before laying Spike on the bed and getting on top of the younger vampire. "Can't you?"

"Enlighten me," Spike said, right before Angel captured his lips in a long and passionate kiss. Before long, they were once again lost in each other.