Everyone rushed over to see what had happened to Xander and Clem as Spike knelt down and gently rolled the demon off the boy. He took a quick look at Clem and saw that while he was burned along his arms and that one arm was bleeding, being a demon he was already beginning to heal. Spike knew that Clem's collapse was due to exhaustion and weakness from the loss of blood.

"Get Clem something to drink for when he wakes up. Then find some bandages and stitch him up," Spike told the other demons as they rushed forward to help their fallen comrade. They picked Clem up and took him to the other side of the bar to do as Spike had ordered, while Willy went for a drink and the first aid kit.

Spike turned his full attention on Xander and found Angel had already torn the shirt off the boy and was looking him over.

"How's he doing?" Spike asked, running his hands gently across Xander's chest and then his stomach, checking out the burns as Angel had done seconds before.

"He's got a lot of burns on his body," Angel told him as he tore Xander's pants legs apart almost to the crotch. Angel winced as he saw the many burns along Xander's legs. "Especially along his stomach, arms and legs. It looks like he's got a few along his chest and face also, but not as many. I would say the rocket launcher shielded him from getting more than he already has. Did you notice all these scratches on his face and arms?"

"Yeah, I saw them," Spike touched Xander's chest again as he listened to him breathe. "Angel, do you notice anything odd about his heart rate and his breathing?"

Angel's hands joined Spike's and he listened for a minute. "Xander's breathing is rapid and shallow and his heart rate is a little thready."

"Which means what?" Cordelia asked as she hovered over the three of them.

"It means he needs to go to a hospital. Xander might be going into shock. See how pale he looks? Plus his skin is clammy to the touch." Angel explained.

"I've got him," Spike said, reaching out to lift Xander carefully off of the floor and into his arms. As he did Xander let out a moan of pain and Spike fell back clutching his head.

Angel grabbed Xander before he could fall and placed him gently back onto the floor before reaching over and touching Spike on the shoulder. "Spike, what happened?"

"It's this fucking chip in my head. The bloody buggering thing zapped me." Spike answered him, raising back up off the floor and reaching towards Xander. "Did I hurt him?"

"No, luckily Angel was fast enough to stop you from dropping Xander and hurting him worse than he already is," Buffy snapped as she joined the two vampires. "Let me take him." She reached out to get Xander but Angel grabbed her arm, pushing her away.

"I've got him. It wasn't Spike's fault that he almost dropped Xander, it's the Initiative's," Angel growled, looking at Riley like he could kill him. "The chip zapped him because Xander's hurt and when Spike picked him up he was in more pain."

"Spike didn't intentionally hurt Xander, though. He was only trying to help so why did the chip zap him?" Willow asked, not understanding.

"It doesn't matter if I meant to hurt him or not. Anytime I hurt anyone that is human, intentional or not, I get a headache. Fuck, all I wanted to do was help him. I would never hurt Xander on purpose," Spike finished sadly, tracing his hand over Xander's right cheek.

"We know that, Spike," Cordelia leaned down and whispered to him as she gave his shoulders a comforting squeeze.

"Spike, it's okay...not your fault...don't get upset," they heard Xander say, his voice hitching in pain.

"Xander, I'm so sorry, pet. How do you feel?" Spike asked with concern.

"Like Smokey the Bear...who's just been through...one hell of a fire. Just help me...sit up, please...I don't feel...so good...nauseous," Xander told him as he tried to sit up.

"No, Xander you don't need to be moving around," Angel cautioned him as Xander finally managed to sit up with help from Spike. "You've got some bad burns on your body, you've inhaled a lot of smoke and we think you may be in shock. You should be in a hospital."

"No hospital...hate them...I'll be all right...just give me time. Need to see...if everyone's okay...are they?" Xander asked, looking around in panic.

"We're fine, Xander," Wesley said as he and Oz approached the boy. "Clem's being seen to, but he's going to make it."

"Clem...help him...Angel...Spike....help him....he saved my life."

"We will. Like Wesley said, he's being taken care of. I promise you I will personally make sure he's going to be fine and I will also reward him for his bravery," Angel assured the anxious boy.

"No reward needed. I did it because we're friends. Friends help each other and there was no way I was going to leave Xander behind," Clem said from the other side of the room.

Angel and Spike sent Clem a grateful look and he smiled back at them. The vampires knew they would never be able to thank the demon for saving Xander, for saving the boy they had both fallen in love with.

"Still, you saved a member of my family and I don't forget things like that. You ever need anything you let us know," Angel told him.

Clem nodded his assent and Buffy looked at Angel. "Xander is part of my family. Now move out of my way and let me see him," Buffy shouldered Wesley and Oz out of the way. She was tired of being left out of the loop on this whole thing and she wanted answers now. This was her town and her friends and Angel and Spike were acting like they ruled the world.

"Buffy, calm down. We all care about Xander," Giles tried to soothe Buffy's feelings. "We all have his best welfare in mind."

"Not bloody likely, watcher," Spike snarled at him. "The only thing you lot care about is bugging the boy for answers. Just sod off."

"Shut up, Spike," Buffy said, shooting the vampire a glare before she bent down in front of Xander, Riley standing close behind her. "Xander, tell me what happened. Do you know where Professor Walsh or Doctor Engleman are?"

At the sound of Professor Walsh's name, Angel and Spike saw Xander's head snap up to look at Buffy, felt the fear, anger and self loathing emanating from the boy, heard his heartbeat rise a notch and his breathing becoming more rapid as if he were hyperventilating and saw the usual shine leave his eyes as he stared at Buffy.

"What?" he asked looking confused. Then the nausea overcame him and he leaned forward, vomit coming from his mouth and nose and landing on Buffy's shoes.

After Xander had emptied his stomach, he started to moan, his breath coming in pants again. He laid his head down on his arms which were resting on his legs. Angel motioned for Wesley to get a wash cloth or something and he moved off to find one with the help of Willy.

"Pet, do you feel better now? It's gonna be fine." Spike told him as Xander nodded his head. Spike cupped Xander's chin in his hand, lifting the boy's face up as he grabbed the wet cloth from Wesley and gently started to wipe the boy's mouth and face off.

"Good look for you, Buffy. I like the color of your shoes. What's it called? Puce or Puke?" Cordelia asked Buffy after making sure Xander was alright. Buffy just glared at her before she turned her attention back to Xander.

"Professor Walsh and Doctor Engleman. What happened to them? Where are they?" Buffy asked, shaking Xander's leg that she was holding on to.

"I really wouldn't shake him like that again if I were you," Doyle cautioned Buffy, trying not to laugh at the look of disgust on her face from the vomit on her shoes.

"She was...monster...tried to stop her...shot her...dead," Xander managed to get out as everyone stared in horror at what he had just told them, not understanding the full meaning behind Xander's words.

"My God, Xander. You killed her? You killed a human being? What were you thinking?" Buffy asked, her voice rising in frustration. She couldn't believe that her long time friend could be capable of murder.

"Didn't want to...had to...had to...had to," Xander repeated over and over as he hunched back into the two vampire's embraces. He pulled his leg away from Buffy before raising both legs up to his chest again as he winced in pain. He looked back and forth between Angel and Spike as he rocked himself. "Angel...please... keep her away....from me," he begged before turning to grab Spike's coat and burying his face into it. "Please...forgive me...sorry about our fight...not a bloody poof...wanted to fix you...help me...please...help me. God it hurts so bad...make it stop...Spike, please make...make it stop hurting," he pleaded as tears fell from his eyes.

"It's alright, luv. I had already forgotten about our little spat. I know you were only trying to help me." Spike told him, running his hand across Xander's face to wipe away the tears.

"Xander, I asked you a question. Why did you kill Professor Walsh?" Buffy would not give up on this.

"Back away now, Buffy," Angel growled at the girl before trying to help Spike calm Xander down.

"You have got to be kidding, Angel. You can't come here and tell me how to handle one of my friends," Buffy retorted. "He just admitted to killing a woman."

"Xander's a murderer. He needs to pay for what he did to Professor Walsh. He probably killed Dr. Engleman too," Riley yelled.

"Nonononononono...make them go away...make them stop...not a murderer...I'm not a murderer...make them stop...saying that," Xander was begging as Spike rocked him while he ran his hand through Xander's hair, soothing him like Xander had Spike many times after one of the vampire's nightmares.

"It's going to be fine, luv. Course you're not a killer. Don't worry, pet. Angel will make them go away, won't you Angel?" Spike asked the older vampire, his eyes imploring Angel to do just that.

Angel patted Xander gently on the shoulder before rising to face Buffy and Riley. "I'd suggest that both of you just back off and shut the fuck up. I told you Xander was in shock and yet you keep agitating him. Can't you see what you're doing to him? Now get out of the way so we can take him to the hospital, or I swear I will knock your asses clear to hell."

"Don't threaten us, Angel. Besides, how do you plan on getting him to the hospital? You can't hold Xander and run for the car under a blanket. Daylight, remember?" Buffy pointed out.

"Doyle, Wesley, Oz and me, remember?" Cordelia answered, pointing to each person as she named them off and then at herself, mocking Buffy the whole time. She turned to the others. "Come on guys. We've wasted enough time here, we've got to hurry."

Doyle went to reach underneath the boy's arms and pull Xander up as Oz and Wesley went to grab his legs. Xander flinched away from them and grabbed Spike's coat tighter. Spike motioned Doyle and the others to hold up as he gently lifted the boy's face to look at him. "Xander, be a good lad and go with Doyle and the others."

Xander shook his head. "No, don't leave me...Spike...where's Angel?...can't find him...why did you come?...too smoky...too much fire...have to find him...vampire's don't like fire...Spike got to get you out...don't want you to die...can't let you die... Spike...don't let them...get you again...please...Angel...where are you...can't see anything," Xander was fighting to get up now as Spike and Angel grabbed him and tried to calm him down. They looked at each other in concern. It was apparent that Xander's mind had wandered to the time he had been at the Initiative and he had added the two vampires into his memories. This was definitely a bad sign.

"Xander, I'm right here. I'm right beside you. We have to get you out of here and to the hospital. Xander, can you hear me?" Angel was asking Xander as he rubbed his shoulder.

"We're both here, pet. We're all safe from the big, bad fire. Now we have to get you to the hospital. You're sick, luv," Spike gently pulled Xander's head to his chest as he started the rocking motion again.

"Angel? Spike? You're okay...you're fine...okay. hospital...good idea...can't catch my breath...scared." Xander was panting heavily now. His lungs were burning and he couldn't seem to catch his breath.

"Here, I'll take him," Clem made his way over to Xander and lifted him away from the two vampires. "Xander, it's me Clem. Angel and Spike want you to go to the hospital with me. Let me take you out to the car."

"Clem...can't leave them...look out..Oh, God...can't get away...monster...help me...Spike...Angel...help me.." Xander moaned over and over as he tried to get out of Clem's arms, his hands reaching for Angel and Spike. Clem just held him tighter as he began to make his way to the door, running headlong into Riley who had stepped in front of them to block the way to the door.

"Xander's not going anywhere until I find out why he killed Professor Walsh and where Dr. Engleman is," Riley said angrily.

Clem tried to ignore the soldier, pushing on past him as Xander continued to struggle. He felt Riley's hand on his arm and just as he was about to shake the man off he felt Riley release his arm. Clem looked back to see Angel punching Riley in the face and when the man got back up Angel grabbed him and threw him against the wall. Riley landed with a thud, his head and shoulders on the floor and his feet propped up against the wall.

"Go on, Clem. We'll be right behind you," Angel told him as Clem laughed at the sight of the soldier sprawled on the floor. Clem made his way out the exit and towards the DeSoto, thinking that the soldier boy had really been stupid to try to interfere with Angel and Spike's boy getting to the hospital. The demon was glad that Riley got what he deserved. Hell, if he hadn't been carrying Xander he would have done the same thing.

"Angel, what the hell did you do that for?" Buffy asked angrily, as she approached Angel. Before she knew what was happening, she was picked up and thrown over to join her boyfriend against the wall. She looked up to see Spike and Angel grabbing some blankets from the floor. "Angel, you hit me."

"I didn't hit you, I pushed you out of the way. Besides, I warned both of you to stay out of the way and I meant it. The next time I won't be so gentle." Angel explained to her as he picked up one of the blankets. Spike smirked at them.

"Wish I could say this has been fun, but it hasn't been. Well, except for that." Spike pointed at Buffy and Riley, before picking up his own blanket. They both made for the doorway as Willow and Giles ran over to Buffy, who had crawled over to her boyfriend and was helping him sit up.

Oz looked at Wesley and Doyle and shrugged. "Buffy never has known when to back off." Wesley nodded his head in agreement as Doyle laughed.

Spike and Angel wrapped themselves in their blankets and made for the doorway. Cordelia turned and stopped them. "Where do you two think you're going?"

"With Xander. He needs us. We can't just let him go like that. He needs us." Angel told her.

"That's right he does. But not in the 'as two piles of dust because you burned in the sun' type of way."

"We'll get out to the car same way as we got in here. With Clem carrying Xander, we can jump inside the car," Spike explained as he and Angel rushed past Cordelia and out to the waiting car.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot." Cordelia turned to the Scoobies as Wesley, Oz and Doyle ran for the door. "If anyone cares to join us, we'll be at Sunnydale Memorial. Find your own way there. We're booked up" she said before making her way to the car.

The others looked at one another for a moment in stunned silence before Buffy helped Riley to his feet. They ran out to their own vehicle but no matter how fast Riley tried to drive they soon last sight of Spike's Desoto.

The ride to the hospital was worse than the one to Sunnydale. Cordelia was glad that it was a shorter trip because Doyle was taking the turns on two wheels and she knew that if the police around here even cared anymore, they would have pulled them over five or six times to give them traffic tickets for running red lights, stop signs and speeding. She watched from her position in the back seat as Wesley and Oz held on to anything that they could find in an effort to keep from being flung around in the car as they gave directions to Doyle.

Wesley was really having a hard time as he was trying to do all of this plus hold onto the papers he had secured from the Initiative. At one point, he almost leaped out of the car trying to catch a piece of paper that flew out of the window. "Oh, dear," he muttered as he leaned back inside. Oz reached over and grabbed some of the papers and Wesley thanked him as he rolled up the window to make sure no more of the documents were lost.

*Clem was lucky he's driving himself.* When Cordelia had made her way to the car she had seen Angel and Spike already seated in the backseat, waiting for Clem to hand Xander over to them. Clem had bitched about being left behind, but had finally agreed to meet them at the hospital before jumping into his own yellow VW he had parked in front of Willy's the night before. Spike held on to Xander's upper body, holding him cradled in his lap like a baby. Angel had taken the lower half and Cordelia had gotten in beside Angel.

Xander was growing worse and was in and out of consciousness. When he was awake they never knew what to expect. Xander was confused and disoriented, sometimes in the present, sometimes in the past and they never knew when he woke where his mind would be. One time he had woken to find Spike and Angel holding him and he started screaming that Buffy was going to kill them if they did anything to him. Angel and Spike had held him down while trying to reassure him that they would never hurt him, but Xander had just laughed and said he knew they were using him to get to Buffy.

Once he had looked at Angel and asked him if they killed the Hellmouth thing. When Angel had looked at him in confusion, Xander had told him that he knew they fought that thing in the library cause he was there. Xander went on and on about some guy named Jack O'Toole being a zombie, raising his friends, and there being a bomb underneath the school. When Angel had looked at Cordelia she had shrugged her shoulders. She knew about Xander and Jack having an argument because she had taunted him afterwards, but Cordelia didn't know anything about a bomb. They decided not to question the boy right now as he was having a hard enough time breathing. Angel had just told him that everything was alright and Xander had calmed down.

Another time, Xander had snapped to attention to see Cordelia looking at him, worry etched on her face. He had sat up, not paying any attention to Spike or Angel and had asked Cordy if everyone was alright. When she assured him that they were Xander had looked at her, tears in his eyes and had said, "Not Larry....mayor got him.... heard his neck break...Oh, shit....Michael and Alan....forgot they were....the flanks...vampires....why did I put them there?" Xander moaned as Spike and Angel gently laid him back across their laps. Spike started caressing his face while whispering soothing words to him and Angel rubbed his legs, careful not to touch the bad burn on Xander's thigh.

Now he was waking again and everyone waited to see what time zone his mind had taken him to this round. Xander looked up at Spike and reached out to gently trace Spike's jaw line with his finger before he touched the back of Spike's head.

"Spike? Did they get it out? Can you be...the Big Bad again, cause...even if you try to turn me...no regrets. I just wanted...you to be o.k...no more nightmares."

"Yeah, pet no more nightmares. Not for either of us. We'll chase each other's bad dreams away." Spike had said, reaching up and taking Xander's hand from his head and holding it tightly to his mouth as he pressed a kiss into the boy's palm. "I'll watch out for you and you can do the same for me, how's that sound?"

"Good," Xander said, a smile just barely managing to flit across his mouth. He had looked over and seen Angel staring at both of them. "Will you help? Angel....will you help us.....you know....with the nightmares?"

"Always. My promise to you both. I will never let anything or anyone hurt either of you ever again." Angel had told him, rubbing the hand he held as he reached over and placed a gentle kiss on the boy's forehead. As Xander fell back into unconsciousness, Angel had turned to face Spike and placed a loving kiss on Spike's lips. They had looked at each other for a few minutes before turning their attention to Xander. Cordelia had never seen Angel or Spike be that tender with anyone. She was sure at that moment that the two vampires loved each other and Xander, too.

She was brought out of her thoughts as Doyle pulled up at the emergency entrance to the hospital. Thankfully, there was an awning above the entrance so that Angel and Spike could get out without having to hide from the sun. The vampires and Cordelia ran into the emergency room, Angel cradling the boy in his arms. Doyle opened the trunk for Wesley and Oz and after they were sure no one was watching, the three men hid the papers from the Initiative in a dark corner of the trunk before following their friends inside.

"We need a doctor, people," Cordy yelled. When they weren't fast enough for her she added, "Like yesterday." Several nurses and a doctor looked up at the sound of Cordelia's voice and they came running over pushing a gurney.

Xander was placed on the gurney and wheeled into a treatment room. One of the nurses started shooing everyone out of the room, but when she came to Spike and Angel they started growling. She backed off, saying that they could stay as long as they kept out of the way. The two of them answered the questions the doctor asked as best they could and watched as Xander was intubated and given oxygen to help his breathing. They had taken all his vitals and the doctor had looked into Xander's eyes. After the doctor had made sure that Xander was breathing better, they had removed his torn shirt and pants and examined the burns on his body. A nurse had gotten a tray of cold compresses and they had placed them on a few of the worse burns. The others they had put medicine on before they wrapped them in gauze. Then they had covered the boy with a blanket and the doctor had left instructions for some kind of medication to help with the pain.

He motioned for Spike and Angel to follow him outside and when they exited the room, they saw that Buffy, Willow, Riley and Giles had finally arrived. A few seconds later a blonde haired girl they figured was Tara ran over to Willow and hugged her, telling the girl that her friend would be alright as Willow broke down in her arms. Another few seconds and Clem had arrived, causing some of the nurses to run over to him, thinking something was wrong. He had explained that it was a skin condition and that he was just here to visit a friend.

"So how is he doctor? Will he be alright? What's wrong with him and what's the prognosis?" Giles asked him.

The doctor took out a thick folder that another nurse had brought him and looked through it. He turned to the nurse and said, "His files show he's had a recent tetanus shot so it won't be necessary." She nodded and walked off and the doctor turned back towards the group that had gathered in front of him.

"Is any one of you a Mr. Rupert Giles?"

"I'm Rupert Giles. Why do you ask?"

"Aren't you aware that you're the emergency contact for this boy?" When Giles shook his head, the doctor continued, "Alexander has had his emergency contact amended since he passed the age of 18. It is no longer Tony and Jessica Harris, but you instead."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Xander never told me that." Giles looked apologetic.

"I'm not surprised he had it changed. Seems like Alexander has made quite a few trips to this emergency room during his lifetime due to 'accidents' at home. It also appears that social services was called in at least three times, but the boy remained living at home with his parents." the doctor shook his head as everyone looked surprised except for Willow who just looked at the floor and Spike. The vampire remembered his talks with Xander, how he never brought up his childhood and now Spike was beginning to understand why. He exchanged a glance with Angel and all of the sudden a look of understanding passed over Angel's face as he remembered Xander's remarks on the rooftop about his father and how Xander had reacted to the way Kate's father had treated her.

"That's all well and good, doctor, but you haven't answered my questions," Giles said, anxiously. When the doctor looked around at the group, Giles added, "Anything you have to tell me about Xander's condition can be heard by all present."

"Very well. Alexander has two or three second degree burns with lesser burns over his body. We've applied cold compresses to the worse burns and they'll be changed every hour. We put some medication with aloe vera on the others. We'll check to make sure that no infection sets up."

"What I'm most concerned about is the smoke Alexander has taken in and the shock to his system. Alexander suffered some damage to the tissue in his throat and it had swollen up almost to the point of obstructing his airway. That's why he was having so much trouble breathing. We had to intubate him until the swelling goes down, which should be about 24 hours give or take. Also, we're treating the shock by trying to keep him warm. When Alexander wakes up we have to keep him calm and quiet. I don't want him moving around a lot and never by himself. I'm going to go back in to prepare Alexander to be taken to his own room unless there are any more questions I might answer."

"Will he be in much pain?" Spike asked.

"Normally we would give him more pain medication than we did, but because of his being in shock, we couldn't give the whole dosage, so yes, Alexander will be extremely uncomfortable for a few days. Also, as his burns start to heal, they will itch. We must make sure that Alexander doesn't scratch them because it could cause infection and also scar him for life."

"What about his recovery? How long will it take?" Angel asked.

"I would estimate three days of hospital stay and then he will have to keep an eye on his burns to make sure they still don't get infected. Lotion will have to be applied to the burns. It will not only help him rest more comfortably, but it helps the healing process. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to him."

"Yes, we understand doctor. Thank you," Giles said.

As the doctor headed back towards Xander's room, Willow called out, "Wait. Doctor I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if we could stay with Xander while he's in the hospital. It's just that he hates hospitals so much. It freaks Xander out to be in one, much less alone."

The doctor looked at the large group assembled in front of him. "It will be alright for Alexander to have visitors throughout his stay, but we must keep it limited to 3 or 4 at the most at one time." At Willow's grateful look, he patted her shoulder. "I can understand why Alexander hates hospitals." With that he left to finish preparing Xander for his room.

"What was that all about?" Spike asked, turning his attention on Willow. "Why does Xander have such a huge medical record and all?" Spike thought he had a good idea why, but he wanted Willow to confirm it.

"Xander doesn't want anyone to know," Willow answered quietly.

"It was his parents, right? They were abusive weren't they?" Angel asked, thinking about the bruises Xander had been sporting when he arrived in L.A. the second time. "His father right?"

"Yes, for the most part. He's always drank but when Xander was about 6 or so he started drinking more heavily. His mom started drinking a couple of years ago. Xander would come over to Jesse's house or mine and hide after some of the bigger arguments. I knew that his dad had hit him a few times but I never realized until now just how bad it really was." Willow explained.

"That's why he always slept outside during Christmas. I remember him telling me about his relatives drunken Christmases and how he slept outside so that he could get away from them." Cordelia said.

"Yeah, he hated being around a house full of drunks. Xander was always embarrassed about how his parents would get drunk and fight, but I didn't know his dad still hit him." Willow answered.

"Why didn't he tell me?" Buffy asked.

"Why does everything have to be about you, Buffy? This is about Xander. And if I recall you two were sitting there that time I made fun of his Christmas campout when I was mad at him. You all were talking about what you were going to do over Christmas vacation. I remember now how he looked so sad about being alone even though he made a big deal about liking to sleep under the stars. All I cared about was hurting him at the time, but you two were his friends and you didn't even notice - Oh, God, how could we have been so stupid?" Cordelia said, tears forming in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked her.

"Don't you get it? We live on a Hellmouth, hello? Xander could have been killed by some vampire while he slept outside. He is a demon magnet after all."

"Cordelia, you're talking about the year that Angel was being haunted by the First. I had to help him. I wasn't thinking about anything else," Buffy explained.

"I remember that because I was surprised when Xander came in as we were talking and offered to help Angel. Something about he knew he hadn't been the 'bestest friend', as he put it, to you over the whole Angel thing and he wanted to help. Xander looked upset but I just assumed it had to do with what had happened with Willow and Oz and how Willow hadn't been spending as much time with him," Giles said.

Angel stood in shock, listening to what everyone was saying. He remembered that Christmas, how the First had taunted him by looking like Jenny and several other people he had killed, how he had gone to Giles for help and saw Jenny there, how he had stood outside waiting to end it all when the sun rose, so that he wouldn't kill Buffy. A new thought entered his mind. "It snowed that year."

"You were waiting for the sun to come up and dust you and we were arguing and then the time came and the sun never rose. Instead it snowed." Buffy told him.

"That was when Willow and I made up. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together just watching it snow and talking," Oz was remembering too. How Willow had greeted him, dressed up all sexy with Marvin Gaye playing in the background. He looked at the girl and she smiled at him, also remembering that day.

"What sort of friends are you people?" Spike's words interrupted everyone's memories. He was furious at the thought of Xander lying all alone in his backyard, trying to get away from his drunken relatives and abusive father, while his supposed friends left him there to get eaten by some vampire. It wasn't like they didn't know about vampires then. It had even snowed on Xander, for fucks sake and no one had thought to take him in. Spike could only imagine how lonely Xander must have felt that night. He had often felt that lonely himself.

"Oh, back off Peroxide Boy. At least I wasn't one of the many evil things that would have killed him. You're just mad because you never knew about it before so you could take Xander out when you had the chance. Now that you've got the chip in your head, you can't." Buffy shot back.

"You're right, Buffy," Spike told her as everyone looked at him in shock. He had just agreed with Buffy. The world as they knew it was going to end. Then Spike continued, "But you see I wasn't his friend at the time and I don't have a soul. You lot have no excuses now do you? The only good thing that came from this fucking chip was that I learned to like some humans, got to know them and appreciate them for something other than food."

"You're disgusting, Spike," Buffy snapped at him.

"And you're a stupid bint who keeps her head firmly up her arse when it comes to the needs of her friends." Spike shot back.

Angel stepped between the two of them. "Stop fighting or you will both get us kicked out of the hospital. Is that what you want? To not be able to visit Xander when he gets into his room. The fight can continue after Xander has started to heal and believe me when I say there will be many changes around here."

"What are you talking about Angel? What changes?" Buffy asked him.

"Xander is no longer living in Sunnydale. It's proven to be too dangerous a place for him to stay. I thought if he did decide to come back to live at least he would be among friends and you would keep each other safe. I was wrong. I don't know if things have changed or maybe I just didn't notice it at the time, but everyone here takes Xander for granted. We won't make that same mistake. Not to mention the fact that he is not going back to his parent's house. Xander is not going to be around anymore for them to hurt. He will be in Los Angeles with us, where he has friends that are there for him whenever he needs them." Angel explained with a deadly calm. He couldn't believe how much Buffy had changed and the only reason he didn't hit her was because he was afraid of being sent away and he wanted to see Xander more than anything else.

"You have no right to say where Xander does or doesn't live," Buffy yelled at him. "Besides, we don't take him for granted, and his life is here in Sunnydale with all his friends."

"Not true. Xander's got a lot of friends in Los Angeles, too. We love him and respect him and he seems happy there. Besides, do you want him living with his parents after finding out what you just did?" Doyle asked Buffy.

"No, of course not, but he can get a place of his own," Buffy answered.

"With what? Xander has no money and no job. In Los Angeles he lives with Doyle and works with us," Cordelia added her two cents worth.

"Why don't we wait for Xander to make his own decisions when he gets better?" Giles asked, trying to stop the argument before a fight ensued.

A few seconds later the arguing came to a halt as Xander was wheeled out of the treatment room, towards one of his own. Angel and Spike walked on each side of the gurney as the others followed behind. The doctor stopped them at the door saying that no one could enter until they got Xander into his bed. After ten minutes, the doctor and nurses exited the room.

"The first few visitors may go in now. Please remember to be quiet and let Alexander rest. If he awakens, under no circumstances is he to be agitated in any way. Is that understood?" When everyone nodded their heads, the doctor walked away.

Buffy, Willow, Giles and Tara were the first to enter the room. Buffy sent Riley back to the frat house, saying that she would be along shortly before giving him a kiss and walking away. Riley had glared at the two vampires as he left, and Angel and Spike had started growling as they returned the glare. After a few minutes, Cordelia walked over to them and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Please stop growling. You are driving me crazy and besides, someone else will hear you."

"Can't help it. Those wankers bring out the worst in me," Spike said before going over to sit next to Oz. He looked at the boy and something occurred to him. "Oz, why don't you have yourself checked out? No telling what those bastards may have done to you."

"I'm cool. See, I've already started healing," Oz said, raising up the sleeve of his sweatshirt he had grabbed before leaving Willys, to show them the fading bruises. "I'm just lucky that I didn't have to stay there long. I think they had just started their little 'house of horrors' when Xander and Wesley came in."

"Thank goodness for that," Cordelia said, as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "Does anyone else want any?" she asked holding up the pot.

"I think I'll take some, Princess," Doyle said, getting up to join her. The others just shook their heads. "I wonder what possessed Xander to go in there without us. Why didn't he tell us where he was really going instead of telling us he was going to be with Lindsey?"

Angel put his hands in his pockets and felt around until his hand made contact with what he was searching for. He pulled out the tape and started towards the door.

"Hey, where you going peaches?" Spike asked him, as he stood up.

"Buffy and the others will be a while, and I can't stand this waiting. I'm going to go down to the car and listen to what's on this tape. Oz, would you, Wesley and Clem wait here? Watch out for Xander and if we're not back before the others leave, would you come down to Spike's car and get us?"

"Sure, no problem," Oz said as Clem and Wesley also nodded in assent.

"Thanks. Everyone else come with me." Angel led the way down to Spike's car and he and the younger vampire took the front seat while Cordelia and Doyle got in the back. Angel turned the key over and put the cassette into the tape player waiting to hear what was on it. Within a few seconds, Xander's voice came over the speakers.

"Hey guys. Well, if you're listening to this, chances are I'm probably dead or MIA. I hope it's the second choice but knowing the old Harris luck, it's more than likely the first." Spike reached for Angel's hand as tears filled their eyes at the sound of the boy's voice and his mention of death. Angel took Spike's hand and squeezed it gently as they continued to listen.

"Anyway, I don't have much time, cause I'm getting ready to face off against those bastards. By the way, if Wesley makes it out of there and I don't, please don't be mad at him. He was just doing what his heart led him to do and I think it takes a brave man to stand by his convictions. Plus, I think Wesley's at loose ends right now. I think he's searching to find himself and find people that will listen to him and appreciate how smart and sensitive he is. Please give Wesley the same chance you gave me. He's someone I'm proud to call my friend." Everyone exchanged glances, each of them knowing what the others were thinking. Even though Xander was probably scared about facing off against the soldiers, he was thinking about Wesley and the kindness the man had shown him.

"I'm sorry I skipped out on you. After all you've done for me, that was so wrong but after the fight in the bar I felt helpless and guilty, cause I started the fight in the first place. I just wanted to help Spike and I was getting so damn tired of waiting. I knew if I told you guys what I was up to you'd tell me I was crazy and maybe I am but I'm not going to stop until I help Spike or they stop me. Angel, I know you wanted to do this but I'm as scared for you as I am for Spike when it comes to these soldiers. I know you're strong and you could take them but they don't fight fair. Please don't be mad at me. Just know that I never meant to hurt any of you, not ever. I just wanted to do something to get the old Spike back. Did I just say that? Maybe a modified version of the Big Bad. One that could defend himself and fight with a grace and power that I've only seen in two other people in my lifetime - Angel and Buffy."

"Anyway, Spike, when you get that chip out, notice I didn't say if, when you get it out just do me a favor and don't snack on the people I love, especially Buffy, cause I know how you like to go after slayers. And if you feed, please kill people like rapists, murderers, child abusers..." they heard Xander sigh before he continued, "yeah, whatever, just the ones that deserve it. I mean Angel doesn't hurt people and he's still cool. Think about it, ok? And don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't a good person just because you don't have a soul cause that's a lie. You are a good person, Spike and I know plenty of people who have souls that aren't half as caring as you. I also want to say I'm sorry for the argument we had. I know you were upset and didn't mean what you said and neither did I. Hell, I didn't even know what half the stuff I was saying actually meant. I'm really sorry." Spike wiped away his tears as he listened to what Xander was saying. He decided right then and there that if he got the chip out, he would make his boy proud.

"Angel, what can I say to you man? You've been a better friend to me than most of the people in my life and I gave you every reason not to be. I've annoyed you, fought you, put you down and basically made your life hell before I helped send you there. But I hope I've also helped you, made your unlife a little more bearable and gotten rid of some of that broodiness you have. I think I have anyway. I've seen you laugh at some of my lame jokes even if you won't admit it. I just want you to know that I admire you a lot, I look up to you and someday I hope I can be half as cool as you and Spike. Here's hoping. Oh, you can't see that but I've got my fingers crossed." Everyone laughed as they heard that comment. Leave it to Xander to not want to leave any details out.

"Cordy and Doyle, you guys are great. Cordy, I'm grateful that you let me back into your life after I fucked up so badly. I mean, who else can match my sarcasm? Or help me with my fashion sense. Or be a shoulder to cry on when we think of our lost friends. Who could I share old memories with? Or what we want to do with the rest of our lives? Thank you for listening and reassuring me that I'm not a lost, directionless loser with no talent. Speaking of talent, you're going to be a big star someday. Just make sure you don't forget about me when you make it big."

"Doyle, thank you for taking in an obnoxious, loud mouthed kid and making me feel at home. I feel like I've known you forever, even though we've only known each other for a month or so. You've made me feel like I'm someone that can actually be liked and respected and the feelings mutual. If I get through this, we're having a rematch at pool. I've been practicing and I am so gonna whip your ass. And by the way, Cordy and Doyle get a clue ok?" Cordelia and Doyle looked at each other and smiled, knowing what their friend was talking about. They had talked a lot while they had been alone in the office and had decided to give dating a chance. Both of them had been excited about telling Xander, because he had been playing matchmaker for weeks now.

"You guys do me a favor. If I don't make it out of there, please tell Willow, Lindsey, Buffy and Giles that there are letters for them in my shoebox under my bed at home. I don't want you to feel bad cause I didn't write you a letter too, but Lindsey's was sort of personal and the others I've had written for a long time now. Since right before the mayor ascended, because I never thought I was going to get out of that school alive. Besides, when everyone says there is no way that I admitted to liking and admiring Spike or Angel, you can just play this for them. I just wanted you to know that I never thought I would have a family much less two, but you guys proved me wrong. I've got the Scooby gang and the Fang-Gang. I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world to have the people I love in my life. No one could be more proud to call you friends than me. I love you guys."

"Oh, yeah, I have to put this in before I forget to do it. Willy didn't have anything to do with any of this. He tried to stop me, really he did. He threw himself against the door, trying to keep me inside but he was no match for my superpower strength. Willy got down on his hands and knees begging me not to do this. "Don't do it Xander, please. If anything happens to you the slayer and Angel will rip my head off." Xander said mocking Willy's voice before he continued on. "He even tried hanging on to my leg. It was a pitiful sight let me tell you. I might have gotten a little dramatic there but I promised Willy I'd tell you so I did. By the way, Angel it's really cool to throw your name around in a demon bar. Everybody was about ready to shit in fear just from the mention of it. I wished I could have used Spike's too, but I didn't want anyone to know where he was, you know just in case. That would have been way cool. As that song goes, it's nice to have friends in high places."

Angel and Spike grinned at Xander's enthusiasm for the power he had managed to achieve by using Angel's name and wanting to use Spike's too.

"Well, I'm going to leave now, with a song in my heart, literally. Don't laugh, it'll help me get juiced up for the fight. If something happens I want you to think of me when you listen to this." They heard a guitar and soon Xander's voice was singing:

I don't want to be the one who's old before their time

There was a long silence in the car as the tape came to an end. Everyone was surprised to find out that Xander could play the guitar and his voice, while not the quality of a rock star's was really very good. That song had sounded just like Xander to them and they were all crying as they thought of what he had said to them. Angel turned the key over and took the tape out, putting it back in his pocket. As one they exited the car, heading back up to Xander's room. Buffy and the others should have left already and if they hadn't, well the gang was willing to kick them out. They wanted...no needed, to see Xander now.

Spike and Angel waited outside while Cordy, Doyle, Wesley, Clem and Oz entered the boy's room. Angel had held Spike back, letting the others go first. Spike was irritated with the older vampire. He needed to see Xander now, needed to reassure himself that the boy was still alive. He needed to touch him, to hold him and to be there if he woke up.

"Why the hell are we still out here when we should be in there?" Spike grumbled as he and Angel went to sit in the waiting room.

"They won't be that long. I needed to talk to you, anyway. I have an idea how to help Xander," Angel told him.

"What do you have in mind?"

"The doctor said that Xander would be in pain when he woke up. I'm thinking that we can lessen that a great deal, not to mention keeping away the infection and healing the burns faster without any scarring."

Spike thought for a moment before he smiled at Angel. "Vampire saliva?"

"Exactly," Angel answered him as they sat down to wait for their friends to come out. Buffy, Willow, Giles and Tara had left already, the girls saying that they had classes to attend. Willow hadn't wanted to leave, but Angel assured her that if anything changed in Xander's condition, he would send word. While Angel was upset with Willow and the entire Scooby Gang right now, he didn't want the others around if he and Spike were going to try to heal Xander.

Wesley, Clem and Oz came out of the room a half hour after they had entered. Wesley told Spike that they had Dr. Engleman tied up in an old vacant store building near Willy's bar, ready to get him to do the operation that would restore Spike back to his former self. Clem told them that he would take the doctor to his lair as soon as he left. While Spike was happy at the notion, it didn't seem as important as it once had. All he cared about was getting Xander home. Angel had talked him into agreeing to see about the operation as soon as Xander was out of danger.

Wesley had assured Spike and Angel that he and Oz were going to start reading the documents that they had hidden in Spike's car and that as soon as Cordelia and Doyle left they were going to help. Angel had given them money and directed them to the mansion, telling them to get some food for the humans and blood for the vampires during their stay. Angel also told Clem to gather up some of the demons who would like to volunteer to help protect them and keep Riley, Buffy or any of the Initiative soldiers from getting to the documents Xander and Wesley had recovered before they had a chance to read over them.

Spike and Angel paced the floors for several more minutes before Cordelia and Doyle came out of the room. Angel gave them his credit card and told them that everyone else was at the mansion before ordering them to go somewhere to get towels, sheets and anything else they would need to make the mansion livable. He also told them to buy some clothes for everyone in the group, including a change for Xander when he left the hospital. The gang had not bothered to stop and pack anything before they came and all of them would be needing several changes of clothes during their stay. Spike and Angel had already decided there was no way Xander was ever going back to his parent's house. Both vampires had been surprised when Cordelia had just nodded and walked off, not even getting the tiniest bit of joy out of the fact that she could go on a shopping spree with Angel's credit card. Seeing her ex-boyfriend like this had certainly taken a lot out of Cordelia.

Spike and Angel entered Xander's room and walked quietly to the bed. They looked down at the boy who had become a huge part of their life. Xander's color was less grayish looking and he seemed to be breathing easier with the help of the tube in his throat. Spike reached out and ran a hand through Xander's hair before tracing a path down his cheekbone and across his lips brushing past the tube.

"I hate this thing," he pointed at the tube. "Xander's not going to like having it stuck down his throat. How's he going to be able to talk a mile a minute like he always does?"

Angel laughed at Spike's comment as he held Xander's right hand. "He'll find a way to talk past it, he always does."

Spike smiled back at Angel and said, "So, should we do this? What if Xander wakes up? I've done this on him before and he seems to like to cuddle after he begs you not to stop. He can't do that now though with that bloody thing shoved down his throat."

"You've already done this when?" Angel asked before remembering the fight in the alley and the aftermath. "Oh, that's what you were doing?"

"Couldn't help myself. Xander looked like a nummy treat."

"Was he?"

"I can't even begin to describe his taste. It's quite a heady mixture of emotions. Are you going to be able to handle it?"

"I have to. We need to get Xander healed as quickly as possible and out of this fucking town. I hate it here." Angel growled, thinking about how much pain this town contained. No wonder they called it the Hellmouth. He reached over and pulled the covers back, taking in the sight of Xander's body. "So many burns. We have to make sure they don't get infected or scar."

"Especially that bad one on his left inner thigh and the one right above his waist." Spike said as he pointed at the worst burns. They glanced at each other, both knowing how arousing this was going to be especially considering where the worst burns were located. "Well, let's get started. I'll start at the bottom of his legs and you start at his chest."

Angel nodded in agreement as both vampires took the gauze off the burns and leaned down to lick along Xander's body. Spike licked up the left leg first, and then the right making sure to get every burn, even the tiniest ones. Even though Xander had some scars on his legs already, Spike did not want the perfection of the body beneath him to be scarred any further. Xander tasted of the aloe vera from the lotion they had applied to his burns, masking the boy's true flavor. However, when Spike got to the bad burn on the inner side of Xander's left leg he hesitated before lifting the compress from the burn. Spike was already aroused just looking at and touching Xander's body. He could only imagine how much more the arousal would build when he tasted the boy's true essence again.

Spike looked up from his task to see Angel staring at him. Spike could tell that Angel was feeling the effects as much as he was. Could hear the arousal in his voice as Angel said, "We can do this Spike. For Xander." Spike nodded and after taking Xander's left leg and gently pulling it away from the boy's other one so that he could gain better access to the burn on Xander's inner thigh, he leaned down to lathe the burn with his tongue. Spike couldn't help but moan at the feel of Xander's skin underneath him mixed with the taste of Xander. Even though the skin was burnt, Xander's taste was still there. Spike could only wonder just how good Xander would taste when he was aroused as well.

He knew that Angel was probably thinking the same thing because he heard Angel moan against Xander's stomach. Knowing that Angel was getting as turned on by this as he was didn't help Spike's arousal and soon his hips were grinding against the bed, his jeans causing friction on his over sensitized cock. Spike thought he could cum just from this feeling alone, not to mention the taste of Xander, hearing the moans of Angel nearby, and noticing how very close he was to Xander's own cock.

Spike's licking turned into gentle kisses as he ran his hands tenderly over Xander's body, just barely stopping himself from reaching into Xander's boxers and taking the boy's cock into his hand. After he finished, Spike raised up to meet Angel's eyes as he too rose from Xander's body.

Angel had been doing much the same thing to Xander's waist. Angel's licking had soon been replaced with soft kisses along the boy's stomach. He couldn't help but follow the dark hair on Xander's stomach to the point where Angel had almost ripped the boxer's from the boy's body to get to the jewel he knew was underneath. Amber eyes held and met before Angel reached over and grabbed Spike's head, pulling him in for a long, sensuous kiss.

After several minutes had gone by, Spike parted his lips allowing Angel's tongue to penetrate his mouth. Angel moaned into the kiss and traced every inch of Spike's cool mouth as Spike did the same. Soon both tongues were exploring and tasting each other. As they pulled away from one another they both took in an unneeded breath before Spike raised all the way up and made his way over to the side of the bed where Angel was standing, all the while removing his coat and shirt.

Angel saw the look of lust and passion in his childe's beautiful blue eyes and took in the view of Spike's lean torso and his muscled chest and felt himself grow harder at the sight. "Beautiful," Angel whispered before he started backing up knowing if Spike got one hand on him, he would become lost in the moment, consequences be damned.

"Spike, we can't. As much as I would like to we can't. I won't take the chance of Angelus re-emerging, especially now with Xander hurt," Angel insisted, putting his hands out in front of him and trying not to get lost in those deep, blue pools of need.

"If you turn back into Angelus I can fight you now. I'll just hog tie you till Willow can put your soul back," Spike said as he reached over and grabbed Angel, pushing him up against the wall. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of want and desire. As Angel kept protesting, Spike reached down and undid Angel's pants, pushing them down to pool at the older vampire's legs, as he kissed and nibbled along Angel's throat. Angel's protests turned into full out moans and he threw his head back against the wall to give Spike better access to his neck.

Angel ran one hand through Spike's hair before pulling him back. He looked into Spike's eyes before he leaned down and captured Spike's mouth with his. His other hand stroked down Spike's chest, stopping to play with his nipples until they were hard. Angel brushed his fingers lightly over Spike's stomach before finding his way to Spike's jeans. Angel continued to kiss Spike, hungrily nibbling on his lips as he undid Spike's pants and pushed them down so they could fall around the younger vampires ankles. Neither of them were wearing underwear and soon they were grinding their hips together so their erections rubbed against each other. Before they knew it they were sliding down the wall, still kissing and touching each other as they fell to the floor.

Spike pulled back and looked at Angel. He sat down on the floor, taking Angel's hand and pulling him down towards him. As Angel watched, Spike lay back on the floor and kicked his pants off his ankles before spreading his legs wantonly. Angel gasped in desire as Spike reached for his own cock and started to pump his fisted fingers up and down his erection in a steady rhythm. That motion along with seeing Spike laying there open and waiting for him made Angel forget all about Angelus, where they were and who might come in and see them. Angel kicked his pants over to the side and quickly removed his coat and shirt before replacing Spike's hand with his own, his fingers circling Spike's cock and as he gently squeezed it he saw the pre-cum pooling along the tip.

Angel leaned down and licked the tip of Spike's cock, running his tongue along the slit and he moaned as he tasted Spike's essence. It mixed with Xander's taste from before was enough to drive Angel crazy with desire. He placed himself between Spike's legs, looking around the room until his eyes lit on the lotion that was on the table. He grabbed it and popped the top, pouring some onto his fingers. Angel put the lotion to the side and as he put Spike's left leg gently on his shoulder, his other hand was reaching for Spike's quivering hole. Angel's index finger breached Spike's ass and the younger vampire reached above his head and grabbed the legs of the table as he arched his back off the floor pushing Angel's finger deeper into him. Angel quickly added a second and then third finger as he watched Spike's eyes turn a darker shade of blue. He bent down and kissed Spike, lips parting, tongues dancing and as they broke the kiss he heard Spike begging for more.

"Angel, please, it feels so good. I need you in me now. I need you to make me feel. Please make me feel. Pound me into this floor and make me scream your name." At those words Angel knew he was definitely helpless to stop and he gave in, taking his fingers out of Spike's ass before lining his cock up and thrusting in with one smooth motion. Angel's eyes closed in ecstasy as he felt Spike's silky channel around his cock and he started thrusting in and out, both of the vampire's lost in the moment.

Spike moaned as he felt Angel's cock in his ass, filling him up like he had done so many years ago. Spike threw his head back in pleasure. Soon he felt Angel licking and nibbling along his jaw line and down his neck as Angel continued to pound into his body, hitting his sweet spot every time. Spike arched up off the floor again, his body needing more, begging for more. "Angel, bite me."

The way Spike had given himself over to him so quickly, Angel knew Spike wanted this just as much as he did and that thought was enough to make Angel cum right there, but he forced himself not to. He wanted this to last as long as possible, although he was sure it wouldn't. It had been too long for both of them. Just as he thought he had gained some control, he heard Spike's words and they tore through his body like a ball of fire. Angel leaned down, morphing into vamp face as his fangs pierced Spike's neck. He felt Spike's fingers digging into the skin on his back, felt Spike's mouth against his shoulder as he tried to muffle the scream that came from his lips. "Angel, fuck yeah."

Angel felt Spike shudder underneath him, felt the muscles of Spike's ass clench around his cock, felt the spattering of cool semen on his stomach and chest and tasted Spike's blood as Spike's orgasm tore through him. That was Angel's undoing. He felt the ball of fire in his stomach that spread throughout him before concentrating on his cock. Angel's senses were already on overload and when he felt Spike's fangs penetrate his neck he followed Spike over the edge. Angel's orgasm seemed to go on and on as he buried his face in Spike's chest, trying to muffle the sound of him screaming Spike's name out before he finally fell onto the younger vampire, dropping Spike's leg to the floor with a thud.

Both vampires lay there for a few minutes taking in unneeded breaths as they tried to come back to their senses. Angel finally rolled off of Spike and Spike nestled his head against Angel's shoulder as his arms and legs encircled the older vampire. Angel lay there, looking at the ceiling and rubbing Spike's arm, both of them lost in thought.

"Feeling any different, Angel?" Spike asked from his position on Angel's chest.

"Oh, yeah, that was so fucking incredible. It's been way too long for us, Spike. Feeling you around me and tasting you mixed with Xander was unbelievable. While I remembered just how good you taste and feel I didn't know how intoxicating Xander's taste would be. You were definitely right. He is a nummy treat as you said." Angel answered, still riding high from his orgasm and missing Spike's point.

"Told you so. And it's been more than way too long, it's been forever. But that's not what I was talking about. Do you feel like Angel or Angelus?"

"Oh, you meant the curse?" Angel answered a little embarrassed. "It takes a few hours to kick in I think. When I slept with Buffy I didn't feel my soul being ripped out until after we had finished and were asleep. It woke me up." Angel sat up abruptly almost throwing Spike into the bed as clear thought finally returned. "Shit, what did we just do?"

"If you have to ask that question, it has been too long. Come on, Angel. We're vampires, pet. Who could help but be aroused after what we just did to Xander? I promise you it will be fine. Like I said before, if Angelus shows up I'll handle him. I would never let you hurt anyone we love, especially Xander. I give you my word on it." Spike said standing up and reaching to help Angel off the floor.

The two of them headed into the bathroom where they procured a washcloth and cleaned each other up. Angel gave Spike a long, hard kiss before pulling away and heading back into the room.

"I hope you can handle Angelus, because I don't want to hurt Xander or any of them. I don't want to hurt you like I used to, either." Angel looked at Spike knowing that the other vampire understood what he was talking about. Angelus had taken great pleasure out of beating and then fucking Spike from time to time to show him who had the upper hand and there was no way Angel wanted to return to that. If he and Spike were going to have a relationship, especially one with Xander involved, it was going to be one of love and trust not one filled with beatings and fighting for dominance. "If I hurt any of you just stake me. I don't want to come back resouled to have to face that. Promise me?"

"Told you I would, didn't I?" Spike answered, giving Angel a chaste kiss on the lips before he finished getting dressed. He walked back over to the bed to make sure that Xander was still sleeping. His long, dark hair was a great contrast to the white pillowcase underneath and Spike noticed that his coloring was now almost normal again. Spike leaned down and kissed the corner of Xander's lips next to the breathing tube. "I hate this fucking thing," he growled, repeating his words from earlier. The happiness from his and Angel's time before began to turn into sorrow at the sight of Xander lying there so helpless.

Angel finished dressing and joined him on the other side of the bed. Angel bent down and kissed the other corner of Xander's mouth and sighed. "I hate it too Spike, but it's keeping him alive. That's what matters." They both looked at the sleeping boy for a long time, before they each pulled up a chair and sat down. Spike took Xander's left hand and held it as Angel took his right. They sat in the quiet room, watching over Xander until they too were asleep.

A few hours later, Angel awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright. He looked around the room, terrified at the feelings inside of him. *Oh, shit am I losing my soul again*. He jumped up out of the chair and started pacing the room. Then it hit him what had happened and he almost cried in relief.

Spike had heard the commotion and had jumped up to place himself in front of Xander in case Angel was now Angelus. He cursed his self-control as he thought that he might not be able to take Angelus. Spike never had been able to win a fight against his sire but if ever there was a time, Spike was determined that it would be now. Nothing was going to hurt Xander, including the other man that he had loved for hundreds of years. Still loved. But now he had Xander to love and protect, even if the boy didn't know that yet. Spike got himself into a fighting position and looked up to see Angel smiling at him.

"What the fuck just happened? Are you Angel or Angelus? And don't try to play me because I'm sure I can tell the difference as soon as you speak," Spike warned him.

I'm still me. I don't know how I managed to retain my soul because last night was perfect but it's still here."

Spike relaxed and smiled back before looking towards Xander's bed. "He's the reason, mate. Xander wasn't in the mix. Well, his taste was but that's just the tip of the iceberg now isn't it? Can you imagine if he had been with us last night? Feeling his body next to ours as we took our pleasure from each other? That would not only be perfection, it would be heaven."

Angel felt himself growing hard at Spike's words and the beautiful images they conjured in his mind. He put up a hand to stop Spike from speaking. "Enough. We got lucky last night and I can't risk that again."

"You definitely got lucky, Angel." Spike grinned as Angel just shook his head at the younger vampire's ego before returning to Xander's side. Not even the Initiative could take away Spike's knowledge of his own beauty or how incredible he was in bed.

Spike stood on the other side of the bed looking at Angel. Yes, this was definitely Angel. He could tell by the walk, by the way he handled himself, and could hear it in his voice. "What caused you to jump up like that if you weren't losing your soul?"

"I dreamed that I lost my soul and I killed Cordy and the others before raping Xander. Then I raped and beat you as Xander watched, crying and begging me to leave you all alone. After I was finished with you, I turned Xander. I came awake as I dreamed that Xander rose from his grave."

Spike took Angel's free hand in his. "It's alright now. None of that happened nor will it ever. I'll see to that. No more nightmares about that ever unless you want to get to the good part with lots of vampire sex and me, you and Xander dressed in leather and silk."

"Don't even go there, Spike," Angel groaned, a shudder of desire creeping through him as he imagined Xander and Spike in leather and silk.

Spike was about to answer him when they felt Xander's hands tear away from theirs as he reached to pull the tube from his throat. If not for Spike and Angel's vampiric speed, Xander would have done just that. The boy's eyes grew wide in fear as he tried to breathe on his own but the machine was still pumping oxygen into him and the two combined was suffocating him. The heart monitor started going crazy as the two vampires tried to comfort the boy, but Xander was beyond scared now. He kept fighting against them, kicking his legs around the bed as his head twisted from side to side on the pillow. Spike's chip went off and he fell to the floor in pain as Angel grabbed the hand that Spike had been holding and added it to the one he already had a death grip on.

Spike stood up, fighting against the pain and tried to get Xander's attention so that the boy would calm down, but nothing was working. Angel and Spike were overcome with terror as they heard the heart monitor beeping and sensed Xander's heartbeat going from a rapid thud to being almost non-existent. They heard the door open and turned to see Cordelia and Doyle entering the room.

"Get a doctor NOW!" Angel yelled at them. Cordy turned to do what Angel said and was shoved back out into the hallway along with Doyle as the nurses and doctor ran into the room. One of the nurses instructed the two of them to stay out of the room before shutting the door. The doctor and a couple of other nurses had gotten to the bed and were ordering the vampires away from Xander. Spike stepped back knowing that if he tried to fight any of them the chip would fire and he didn't know if he would be able to stay conscious if that happened.

"I'm not fucking leaving," Angel growled as he continued to hold the boy down. "Xander's trying to fight the machine. He woke up and tried to pull the tube out himself before we stopped him."

The doctor took one look at the condition of the boy on the bed, the way the machines were going off and Angel before he yelled, "Let's get this tube out now people." Angel and Spike watched as the nurses stepped forward and helped the doctor remove the tube from Xander's throat as the boy slipped into unconsciousness.

"What happens now?" Spike asked worriedly as he made his way back to the bed. He and Angel could hear Xander's heartbeat even though it was a little sluggish.

"We wait and see if he can breathe on his own. If he can't we'll reinsert another tube. If he can, we'll just have to wait for him to regain conciousness to see if there is any brain damage due to lack of oxygen," the doctor replied. Angel and Spike exchanged a fearful glance at the mention of brain damage before everyone turned their attention back to Xander, waiting to see what the outcome would be.