Angel, Spike and Xander woke the next day to the sound of Dawn chattering away. After giving each other a kiss, they got up and dressed before entering the living room. Willow was sitting in one of the chairs, Tara sitting on the arm. Oz, Doyle, Cordelia and Wesley were on the couch, Wesley trying to keep up with Dawn while he took notes. She stopped talking when she saw the three enter, a bright smile on her face.

"Hey, guys. I was just telling Wesley about last night."

"So we heard." Spike grumbled, following Angel and Xander into the kitchen. The two vampires collected their blood while Xander fixed himself a bowl of cereal. A few minutes later they were sitting in the other chair, Xander on Spike's lap and Angel on the arm of the chair, listening to the rest of Dawn's story.

"Then Anya told Xander to do something before he got cranky and Xander's like 'this is a good mood?' but by then Olaf recognized Anya and they got into an argument about him dating some barmaid and then Olaf said Anya had to die. Then Willow and Tara said they'd found a spell but Olaf got mad cause he hates witches. Seems he was trapped in some sort of crystal thingie for centuries."

"What kind of crystal thing?" Wesley was in pure watcher mode.

"How should I know? It's not like I was there."

"I hate when people stereotype witches. They think we all have big, hairy warts and ride around on broomsticks doing evil things." Willow grumbled.

"Probably cause they saw that one on 'Wizard of Oz'. You gotta admit she was kinda barf worthy." Xander told her, only making Willow angrier.

"What about Glinda, the good witch? She was pretty and sweet."

"I'm sensing nerve strike." Xander finished his cereal, smiling at his friend.

"Well, how would you like it if everyone grouped vampires together. Just because some of them go around trying to kill people and take over the world doesn't mean Angel and Spike....oh, wait they did do that. Bad comparison. But they don't anymore...they're the good guys. If they can change, there can be good witches."

"Oi, I'm not a soddin' good guy. I'm still evil." Spike protested.

"Yeah, right you're the 'Big Bad'," Cordelia air quoted. Spike was truly offended now.

"I am. Just last week I changed the website from the police records to pornography while you were downstairs, don't you remember?" Cordelia blushed at the memory of what she had seen when she came back upstairs with her snack.

"That doesn't make you evil, Spike. That just means you have a dirty mind." Doyle pointed out.

"And who was it that spiked Angel's blood...had the poof singing Manilow tunes for over an hour."

"Now that was evil," the rest of the gang chorused as Tara, Willow and Dawn laughed. Spike sat back, a large grin on his face while Angel mock glared at the others. *Oh, yeah, he still had it.*

"Hey! My singing is not that bad."

"I think you have a very unique voice." Xander gave the vampire a kiss.

"Now that's true love." Oz stated.

"While all this is very fascinating, can we please continue with the troll story?" Wesley was getting impatient.

"Willow did a spell but it didn't......."

"What kind of spell?" Wesley asked Willow.

"A reversal spell. It didn't work."

"That's when Olaf came after her but Xander got between them and he's like 'you're not touching these women' and then he charged the troll but it knocked him down and then Olaf says 'you fight well although you are a tiny man'." Spike and Angel laughed, causing Xander to give them a dirty look.

"I am not a tiny man."

"I tend to agree, luv. Don't you, Angel?" The two vampire's gazes fell on Xander's crotch, thinking about last night. Xander squirmed in Spike's lap, also remembering and causing both of them to get aroused. "I'd say you were just right." Spike pulled Xander in for a kiss, his tongue teasing Xander's lips until they parted. Spike deepened the kiss, tasting Xander's essence through the cereal and milk the boy had eaten. His hand came up to play with Xander's hair as the boy did the same thing, both of them enjoying the moment until Angel pulled them apart.

"Spike, Xander, uh...teenager in the room." Angel attempted to sound irritated but his voice was husky with desire. Dawn realized what they had been talking about and she blushed.

"God, Spike is that all you think about?"

"Yes," Everyone answered.

"I was talking about his height and weight." Dawn explained. "The guy was like 7 feet tall and probably weighed over 300 pounds. Anyway, he puts his arm around Xander like they're best buddies and tells him he's going to reward him...only the reward was Xander had to choose who died." The AI group turned towards Xander.

"Hey, I didn't ask for that privilege. I told him it was insane troll logic and I didn't choose."

"Then David hit Olaf. Of course the troll didn't even budge. He said David was tinier than Xander and whoosh there went David across the room and Olaf was laughing which pissed Xander off and then Olaf picks him up and throws him across the floor. I was really pissed at the troll for bullying Xander so I kicked him in his nuts." Dawn was proud of that last statement.

"Dawnie!" Willow admonished the girl.

"What?"

"Don't be hard on Dawn, Red. I say good on her. Troll deserved what he got." Dawn's smile grew wider at Spike's praise and it was apparent to everyone in the room that Spike had a fan as well. "Go on with your story, niblet."

"Willow told Anya to distract him so Anya started yelling stuff like 'you're hairy and unattractive and even the women trolls are put of by your smell or something like that which only made him angrier and Xander grabbed his arm and twisted it around like this," Dawn imitated the move, " but Olaf threw him over his shoulder, there was more fighting and then Willow and Tara started chanting and phhhoooosh he was gone...disappeared into thin air." Dawn happily finished her story, taking a seat on the floor in front of Willow and Tara. "Olaf didn't know what he was getting into when he fought Xander and the mega witches here. They so kicked his ass." Dawn was clearly proud of her friends.

"I think it was more he kicked my ass until Willow and Tara got rid of him.

"It was more than that, Xander." Willow gave her friend a warm smile. "You protected us."

"Hey, no one messes with my girls."

"The soddin' white knight rides again," Spike teased, giving his lover a light kiss on the cheek.

"What kind of spell did you use to send the troll away?" Wesley asked Willow.

"Oh, it was a transposition spell...I sent him to an alternate dimension, and don't ask where cause I don't know. I'm just glad it worked."

"He was damn lucky Mama Lucille didn't get hold of him. She was really pissed off when she saw what he had done to the house, especially with that damn hammer." Xander told them.

"If I were him, I'd choose the crystal over Lucille," Angel agreed.

"Did you say something about a hammer, Xander?"

"Yeah, it was really big and I think Anya said it was magical."

"Really? I wish I could have seen it."

"You can. I think it's still over at David's house."

"It is." Willow turned to Xander. "I thought you were going to take it with you as a souvenir. I saw it this morning and when I asked David why you didn't take it he said you left in a hurry. Was something wrong?" Spike felt Xander tense for a moment before the trademark smile appeared on Xander's face.

"Yeah. You guys went to bed, David and Anya were busy flirting and that left me with Hallie. She was really annoying and I got out of there before I said or did anything to piss her off. One round of vengeance is enough for me."

"Did she upset you in some way, Xander?" Angel, like Spike, had noticed Xander's forced attempt at levity and the tension beforehand and they were now staring at him intently.

"Why would you ask that?" Xander got up, snagging his empty bowl from the table and taking it to the kitchen. He started to wash out the bowl, trying his best to ignore his lovers.

"Willow said you left David's in a hurry. Last night you said you had things on your mind....that's why you had the wreck so ---"

"You were in a wreck?" Willow asked, looking worried.

"Yes, I was in a wreck. I wasn't paying any attention, no big deal--- -"

"Xander, did----"

"Spike, I told you...I wasn't paying attention. It was one stupid, little wreck so can we all just drop the subject." Xander snapped, throwing the washrag into the sink. When the room grew quiet, he took a deep breath, calming himself before addressing his friends. "Look, it's of the past so let's concentrate on today, okay?"

"So what's on the agenda?" Oz asked Spike and Angel, changing the subject.

"I don't know about you guys, but we girls are going shopping." Cordelia stated.

"Again?!" the men chorused. Cordelia nodded, giving Doyle a quick kiss. She stood up and motioned towards the other women. "Come on girls, let's hit the mall." They jumped up, ready to take on a new shopping expedition while Cordelia turned her attention to the men in the room. "So who's driving us?" The men tried to blend into the scenery, none of them wanting the job.

"Guys?" Cordelia's foot was tapping impatiently.

"Sorry, Cordy. I've got plans to meet up with those kids from last night." Xander tried to sound apologetic but everyone knew he was glad to have some place else to go. Cordelia's attention turned towards Spike and Angel.

"We're out too, Cordy. Spike and I have to find that nest, remember?" Now it was Doyle's turn to come up with an excuse.

"Sorry, princess. I have to take those pictures to David's house if you want to get paid."

"I'm going with you, Doyle. I'd like to take a look at that troll hammer." Wesley stated

"And I have to pick up Xander's car." Oz told her before she could ask. Angel reached into his trouser pocket, pulling out his keys and tossing them to Cordelia.

"Take my car. Spike and I will have to go underground, Oz can drop Xander off when he picks up the car and Wes and Doyle can go on the motorcycle." Cordelia caught the keys, a huge grin on her face.

"I get to drive your car? Cool." She turned to the other girls. "Let's go before he changes his mind." Everyone exchanged farewells, promising to meet up later that night. As Xander prepared to leave, Angel grabbed his arm.

"Xander---"

"Oz is waiting."

"I can't help thinking Spike or I have done something to make you angry and that bothers me."

"I'm not angry. I don't know where that comes from." Xander shrugged, pulling away. He wanted to tell Angel and Spike what was on his mind, but there wasn't enough time and he didn't know how to broach the subject. Xander pointed towards the door. "I've really gotta go."

"Be careful out there."

"Always am."

"We mean it, Xan. Watch yourself." Spike warned before he and Angel kissed their boy good-bye, both noting that Xander was distant.

"Don't worry about me. You're the ones going up against vamps...I'm handling the humans. What could go wrong with that?" Spike and Angel watched Xander leave, wondering what the hell was wrong with Xander and thinking of hundreds of things that could go wrong. *******************************************************************

"There it is," Xander pointed at his car, glad they had finally found the damn thing. It had taken him almost 30 minutes to locate the area he had been in the previous night. Xander sat back, regretting the way he had left things with his lovers. He really needed to have that talk with Spike and Angel. He had been so scared and needy last night, he had forgotten about the claiming questions until Willow had asked him about last night. Oz saw the look that passed over Xander's face, stopping his van to turn towards his friend.

"I'd say that sadness in your eyes is because you're upset about the car but we both know that's not true. What's up?"

"What? Nothing. It is the car. I loved that car. It was the best-- --"

"Xan, give it a break, okay. What's up?"

"Oz, have you ever heard of claiming rituals between humans and...and...non-humans?"

"Such as vampires?" Xander nodded. "Nope, sorry. I never saw anything about it in the books Giles had. Maybe all that stuff was in the ones he kept hidden from us. You know, the ones Willow always liked to read."

"WIllow?"

"She snuck into Giles' office and read them when he wasn't around." Both of them grinned at the memories."

"Maybe I'll talk to one of them when I get back home."

"Or you could do something really radical like talk to Spike and Angel, seeing as how they're vampires and your boyfriends."

"I don't know if I can, Oz. Hallie, the other vengeance demon, she told me vampires claimed someone if they really, truly loved them. It made that person different from minions, childer or pets. Made them special. She said she'd only heard of a few times a vampire had claimed a human and didn't know why two vampires....."

"Would want to claim you?" Oz finished Xander's thought.

"Yeah. I was going to ask them about it last night but when I saw how close they had come to being dusted I couldn't think of anything else. And this morning everyone was there and I didn't want to have the conversation in front of an audience."

"Understandable."

"Now I don't know if I should. Maybe it's best to leave our relationship the way it is."

"With you sulking around, snapping at everyone while leaving Spike and Angel wondering what the hell is going on? Not a real good idea. You need to ask them what claiming a human actually means. Maybe you wouldn't want to do it, or maybe Angel and Spike think you wouldn't want to do it. Don't automatically assume they don't love you enough to claim you."

"Are you reading my mind again, Oz?"

"It's a talent of mine." Oz grinned at his friend. "Xander, I've known you for a long time. I know how your mind works. You never give yourself enough credit for being who you are. You're probably thinking 'what would two vampires as special as Angel and Spike want with me. I'm just a normal human being with no super powers'. Am I right?"

"Dead on target."

"Thought so. Xander, you're special. I don't know everything that happened to you when you were growing up but I know enough to see that your father made you feel very insecure. It's not going to be easy but you've got to stop seeing yourself through your father's eyes and see what your friends see when we look at you. What Angel and Spike see."

"And what would that be?"

"A terrific guy who loves with all his heart, who cares about what happens to other people, who would give his life to protect his friends and loved ones and tells us what we need to hear whether we like it or not. A guy who can also be stubborn, fool-hardy and so annoying that he makes you want to tear your hair out."

"You were making me feel better until that last part."

"Just keeping things in perspective. Gotta say, your good points outweigh the bad ones."

"Thanks, Oz. I mean it." Xander gave his friend a hug before getting out of the van. "Have I ever told you how glad I am that you came to L.A. with us."

"A few times but it never gets old." Oz grabbed the chains out of the back of the van and within minutes they had attached the car to Oz's van. "Want me to go with?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"See you back at the office."

"Later." Xander watched Oz get in his van and pull away before he started in the direction he had gone last night. Fortunately for him, it didn't take long to locate the warehouse. Xander waited until the boy who was guarding the place was busy then he crept inside, slowly descending the stairs while listening to the voices he recognized as Gunn, Bobby, Alana and the boy Xander thought was too cocky for his own good.

"I don't wanna hear this," cocky boy said.

"I'm saying they could be useful." Alana said.

"She's right," Bobby added, before the other boy spoke again.

"Gunn, don't even listen to them."

"You know there's something different about them. I'm just thinking they know stuff we don't and they didn't have to do what they did." Alana argued.

"Well, if they hadn't of they would be dead." Yep, Xander knew the boy was too full of himself.

"Maybe," Gunn conceded.

"No maybe. We would have killed them." Alana and Bobby jumped up from their seats on the steps, Gunn and the other boy looking up as they heard Xander's laughter.

"I've been told I'm a pretty good judge of character but I've been doubting that recently... until now." Xander's attention was clearly on the boy who had just spoken. "You really are a cocky son of a bitch, aren't you?" Gunn put his arm out, stopping the boy from attacking Xander.

"James, don't. How'd you get in?"

"You mean without that dark haired guy seeing me?" Gunn nodded. "Snuck past him while he was taking a piss." Alana and Bobby laughed, making Xander smile as he turned to face them.

"Hey, Bobby, Alana how you doing?"

"Fine and you seem to be better today." Alana told him.

"Still stiff and sore but that's the norm for me."

"I can see why. Bet there's plenty of people standing in line to beat you up. You have a big mouth that's just begging to be closed." James gave Xander a dirty look.

"And you're a smartass that needs a reality check." Xander's glare was as hostile as James'. "There's no way in hell you could take out Angel and Spike. They are way too strong and smart for a bunch of kids like you to take down."

"We had them trapped. They were lucky Gunn let them go." James' attitude was really pissing Xander off.

"No, you were lucky Angel and Spike don't kill humans anymore. If they did, all of you would have been dead within minutes."

"We've killed hundreds of vamps, two more wouldn't be a problem."

"These two aren't just vamps. They're master vampires, emphasis on Master."

"So?"

"The vampires you've killed are mostly fledges which means they're newly made or at the very most a few years old. Still wet behind the ears and pretty stupid. Angel happens to be over 240 years old and Spike is like 126."

"So they've been around for a while, big deal."

"You really don't get it, do you?" Xander shook his head at the boy. "How do you think they managed to stay around for so long without getting dusted, cause I gotta tell you, it ain't luck. We're not talking about humans who grow weaker as they get older. Vampires get stronger and smarter which means they're harder to kill. Angel and Spike were half of a group known as the 'Scourge of Europe'. I'd estimate they've killed more people than the entire population of Los Angeles, so taking out a small band of teenagers would be child's play for them...if they were still killing humans...which they're not." he quickly added, realizing that talking about Spike and Angel killing might not be a good way to earn trust.

"Gunn, this dude is crazy...it's time we showed him the door."

"I've seen it already. Sturdy craftsmanship for an old building. Thanks for the offer, though."

"That's it. Come on asshole, let's throw down. You and me." James prepared to fight, tired of Xander's attitude.

"You think you're up to the job?" Xander asked, getting into James' personal space.

"What do you think?"

"I think you've got 180 pounds of brawn and half an ounce of brain." James took a swing at Xander but he ducked, making the boy hit nothing but air. Now everyone's attention was on the two of them.

"Gunn, do something." Alana urged.

"I am. I'm watching." Gunn leaned against the wall, waiting to see what Xander could do. James had started the fight so whatever happened was between the two of them. Besides, Gunn wanted to see if Xander's fighting skills matched his smart mouth. It also gave him time to think about what Alana, Bobby and Xander had been saying about the two vampires. Gunn knew they were different, only question was...were they a good kind of different?

"Was it something I said?" Xander was all innocence as he ducked another swing.

"What's the matter chicken dick? Why aren't you fighting back. You afraid of me?" James took another swing and this time Xander dodged the boy's fist, grabbing James' arm before punching him squarely in the nose. Blood spurted out as the boy grabbed his nose, yelling in pain. Xander spun around, his left foot connecting with the boy's back, sending him flying across the room.

"Yeah, I'm terrified." Xander's voice was full of sarcasm. Spike was right. A little violence was good when you needed to work out your personal issues and right now Xander had quite a few. Those training sessions were working out, at least on humans.

"Jesus Christ," one of the boys muttered as another boy ran over to help his friend. Xander kicked his foot out, planting it into the boy's chest. James grabbed him from behind while the other boy ran up, punching Xander in the jaw. Xander raised his feet, kicking the boy in front of him, knocking him down again. He grabbed James' arm which was around his chest, holding it as he leaned forward, dumping the stunned boy onto his back. James got up and swung at Xander. Xander sidestepped the boy's balled fist before hitting James in his side, followed by a punch to the face and a kick to the chest. When James charged again, Xander kneed him in the groin, hitting him in the face and knocking him to the ground where he finally lay still. Xander walked over, standing above James and giving him a smirk.

"You ready to listen now, asshole?" James nodded, sitting up with the help of Xander and another boy. Alana handed him a rag with some ice in it and he applied it to his swollen nose. Gunn approached, laying an arm across Xander's shoulder.

"That was kinda tight."

"Thanks." Xander wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Bobby asked, completely amazed by what he had seen. "In high school?"

"Hell, no. I got my ass kicked hundreds of times in Sunnydale. I didn't learn how to fight until Angel and Spike started teaching me and my other friends how to defend ourselves. Hey, maybe you could join us sometime."

"That would be great." Bobby's eyes lit up at the prospect. Gunn stepped away from Xander, putting his arm around his brother.

"You ain't gonna be taking fighting lessons from no vamps. That's what you got me for. Understood?" Xander watched Bobby's face fall as he nodded to his brother.

"When are you going to find time to teach him, Gunn? Seems to me you're busy enough building weapons while trying to feed and protect all these people." Xander gestured around the room.

"I'll find the time. Until then, I'll protect my family."

"You can't be everywhere at the same time. Sooner or later....."

"I've heard enough. Can't you get it through your head...we don't want no help from your or your crew and that includes two vampires I don't trust."

"I know my talk of how many people Angel and Spike have killed hasn't inspired you to trust them but believe me when I tell you, they're the good guys. They don't kill humans anymore."

"It just don't play. I mean, if they're not looking to kill what do they want? And why in the hell would they come to a place like this?"

"They were down here on a case. We have a detective agency. That guy you saw them with? Scumbag who was blackmailing a friend of ours. Angel and Spike were getting the pictures from him when you guys attacked. Now they want to help you. They figure there's a nest of vamps living somewhere nearby and they're searching for them as we speak."

"No need for searching. We know where they are. They're holed up in the old blue jean factory about two blocks away. We're planning on attacking them tonight." Bobby told Xander before Gunn could stop him.

"Maybe you won't have to if Angel and Spike find them first. I'm supposed to meet them in a few hours, right before sunset." Gunn stared at Xander for a moment. Without a word he turned and walked towards the center of the room, Xander following close behind. "Mind if I hang around while you're thinking about it?"

"Just stay out of my way. You bug me."

"Everybody bugs you, Gunn," Bobby told him.

"You bug me the most." Gunn mock punched his brother before setting to work on a weapon he was making.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Having trouble with that?" Xander pointed at the weapon.

"This piece doesn't want to go on right. Nothing I can't handle."

"Let me try it." Xander took the wrench from Gunn's hand, turning the piece a different way before attaching it to the weapon. When he noticed Gunn staring at him, he grinned. "I'm a carpenter and I like to work with my hands."

"Thought you guys had a detective agency."

"That's my night and week end fun. I need a paying job during the day."

"You're a strange kid."

"You're not so normal yourself. So how come you fight...I mean, how did you find out about vampires?"

"Damn, you're nosy you know that?" Gunn snapped.

"Never learn anything unless you ask questions. So you gonna answer mine?"

"Nope." Gunn kept on working and Xander turned his attention on Bobby and Alana who were standing nearby listening to their conversation. Bobby was shifting uncomfortably from side to side while Alana wiped tears from her eyes.

"Don't need to. I think I get the picture." Gunn stopped, turning towards Xander as they both stood up.

"Think you know so much then enlighten us." Xander stared at the man in front of him, seeing the pain in the brown eyes. Xander knew that kind of pain and the attitude that came with it.

"Fine. I'll take a stab in the dark and say someone, possibly your parents, was killed by vampires. I bet it was the first time you had seen anything like that, too. Probably had a hard time believing what you saw, but after the initial shock you decided you had to fight all the vampires you could in the hopes that you would get revenge on the ones who had taken them away from you. Not to mention the fact you wanted to keep Alana, Bobby, your friends...hell, your whole neighborhood safe so that no other kid would lose what you had lost. How am I doing so far?" Gunn was in shock.

"Bobby told you, didn't he?"

"No I didn't. I never mentioned mom and pop." Bobby vehemently shook his head.

"How'd you know?" Gunn demanded.

"Not really that hard to figure out. You three are living in an abandoned warehouse with a bunch of kids instead of your own home with your parents. I see the same pain in your eyes that I know I carry around in my heart, you hate vampires and you have a big trust issue going for you. That's why you won't trust Angel and Spike."

"Why should I?" Gunn threw the wrench he was holding onto the ground.

"I'm sorry about your parents." Xander's voice was soft and full of compassion.

"You're sorry? Oh, that makes it so much better. We don't need your fucking sympathy."

"Gunn!" Alana grabbed her brother's arm, making him face her. "Xander had nothing to do with what happened to mom and pop."

"Maybe not, but he's friends with the same kind of monsters that took them from us. Just snatched them up off the street, sucked them dry. Not a damn thing I could do to stop...."

"It wasn't your fault." Alana tried to comfort Gunn. Instead of listening he strode to the wall, resting his arm and forehead against it, tears threatening to fall. Alana turned to Xander. "Gunn blames himself even though he was only fifteen when it happened. Those vamps would have killed us too, but Gunn managed to get Bobby and me away from there before they could."

"I shoulda done something."

"Like what?" Xander asked sympathetically. Gunn spun around, his eyes glistening, his face scrunched up in pain.

"I shoulda fought them. Maybe if I had, mom and pop could have gotten away."

"Yeah, or maybe all of you would be dead. Gunn, you saved your brother and sister. You've kept them safe for what...6,7 maybe more years? You've put your life on the line to help others, probably saved hundreds of people during that time. I think you did what you had to do and I bet your parents would be very proud of you..well, except for the blaming yourself part."

"He's right, G." Bobby told his brother. "Deep down inside, you know Xander's right."

"So what if he is? Still don't mean he knows what it's like. Your parents still alive?" Xander nodded. "Then you don't have any idea what I'm going----"

"Give it a rest, Gunn. You think just because mom and dad are still alive I don't have the same pain and guilt? I was barely 16 myself when I first found out about vampires. A new girl came to our school. Her name was Buffy and she turned out to be the slayer...the Chosen One...the one girl who fights vampires." Bobby started to question him, but Xander put up his hand to stop him. "Too long a story to get into right now, but the gist of it is...Buffy and I tracked my best friends to the cemetary one night. They had been taken by vampires. Buffy fought them off while I grabbed my friends and ran. We were halfway through the cemetary when we confronted by a dozen or more vampires. I tried to keep them from taking my friends but in the end they got Jesse. Me and Buffy found Jesse the next day in an underground tunnel. He was chained up but he seemed okay. I was so happy until he led us into a trap and vamped out. A few days later, I saw Jesse again and...I killed him. Yeah, I know loss."

"Bullshit. So you lost a friend. I've lost dozens of them. It's not the same as losing family." Xander's face turned red with rage at Gunn's words. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet and flipping to the well worn picture he cherished. A picture of him and Jesse taken together, both of them smiling, arms slung around each other's shoulders. Xander shoved it in front of Gunn's face.

"This is Jesse. He wasn't just my friend, he was my brother. See this girl here?" Xander pointed at the adjoining picture of a young Willow. "That's my other best friend, Willow. She's what kept me going after Jesse died. Yeah, I have my family but like I said, we're not close...not anymore. Haven't been for a long time. These two were my family for years, just like Alana and Bobby are yours. You lost your parents, I lost a brother. You feel guilty for not saving them...I feel guilty for not saving Jesse and having to kill him. You've lost friends....I've lost friends. So don't you dare stand there and tell me my pain is any less than yours."

"If that's the case, how come you hang out with vamps?"

"They're different."

"Yeah, right. Vamps are vamps. I should have killed them last night when I----" Gunn never finished his sentence, Xander's fist connecting with his jaw. Gunn tried to hit back, but Xander's fury egged him on. He blocked the man's punch before landing another blow to the other man's face and stomach. Before Gunn or anyone else in the room knew what had happened, Xander had him pinned against the wall. His mouth was bleeding and he stood stunned, staring at the boy in front of him. Everyone in the room gasped, startled that their leader had been bested by this kid.

"I've tried to be nice, tried to overlook your attitude, tried to be sympathetic, helpful and all that other shit but I'm done. It was time someone knocked that fucking oversized chip off your shoulder." Xander stepped away from Gunn, his _expression still one of a man possessed. "If anyone, and I mean anyone, utters another word about trying to kill Angel and Spike, I swear I won't be responsible for my actions."

"I thought you were one of the good guys," Alana said, rushing towards her brother, Bobby close on her heels.

"I am. But when someone threatens to kill the two men I love, all bets are off." The room grew more quiet, if that were possible. The only noise in the room was James' laughter.

"You're a faggot? Gunn, you got smacked down by a faggot."

"Seems I recall smacking you down earlier." Xander glared at the boy, stopping the laughter. He turned back to face Gunn. "I used to hate all vampires, all demons, anything that wasn't fully human but I've changed. I used to hate Angel and Spike. Not anymore. You asked me earlier why they want to help? I'll tell you why. Angel's seeking redemption and both of them, for one reason or another, have hooked up with me and my friends. We've become a family. They protect us, love us and I have no doubt in my mind that they would die for us. Can you say the same for each other?" Xander looked around the room at the shifting bodies, his gaze resting on James. "James, if those vampires attacked this place right now and tried to kill Gunn, Bobby or Alana, would you put yourself in front of them? Would you take their place?" When James didn't answer, Xander nodded. "That's what I thought. Don't be ashamed. There's not too many people that would. But Angel and Spike would. And my friends and I will do the same for them. So the next time any of you decide to attack them, expect to find a werewolf, a watcher, a very scary ex-cheerleader, two other men and me to be standing in the way. And there are a couple of demons I'm sure would help, and a female vampire who might get upset if you fuck with her ex 'Blondie Bear'. Lorne's too peaceful to fight, but then again, you never know do you? Oh, and if you try anything before New Years add two witches and a pissed off teenager to the list."

"This is your way of getting us to trust you and the others, by threatening us?" Gunn was finally coming out of his shock.

"Look, I'm just trying to be honest with you. We're going to take out that nest of vamps whether you like it or not. If you want to do it together, that's great. The more the merrier. But if you want to be enemies, well, consider yourselves forewarned." Xander frowned at the _expression on Gunn's face. "What's up?"

"Alana, Bobby get everybody out." Gunn was staring at the tiny window of the basement.

"What is it?" Bobby asked.

"Just do it. Just go." Gunn yelled. Alana and Bobby ran through the room yelling at everyone to leave. As the group headed up the stairs a small canister of tear gas was thrown through the window. Xander had a bad feeling about this.

"Gunn, get everybody back in here."

"What? Are you crazy?" Xander shook his head.

"I have a feeling that calling card is from those vampires we've been talking about. They're tired of playing games. If that's the case, they'll go for the heart of the group....you're the leader so they'll go after whoever you care about."

"What are you talking about?" Xander tried to remember everything he had learned about vampires, everything Spike and Angel had tried to teach him and the gang about vampire fighting habits.

"They'll want to break you and the only way to do that is take someone you love. Oh, fuck. Alana or Bobby."

"How the hell would they know all that shit?" James asked, coming up beside them as another canister was thrown in.

"They just do. Vampire senses...I don't know."

"Yeah, well as long as they're out in the sunlight the vamps can't touch them." Gunn turned to survey the room.

"Vamps can get around in daylight. Blankets over their heads, thick clothes, whatever."

"Don't listen to him, Gunn. It's probably the cops." Xander didn't wait for Gunn's response. He ran for the stairs, taking them two at a time. He had to catch up with Alana and Bobby before it was too late.

"Are they in?" James asked Gunn, the two of them still trying to see through the smoke.

"I don't see nothing." Gunn told him.

"There's nothing."

"Oh, God." Gunn and James exchanged worried glances before heading up the steps. In the meantime, Xander had made it up the stairs and jumped the railing in time to see three vampires grab Alana who had collapsed to her knees on the ground in front of him. Bobby was a few feet away, being drug to a van by three vampires with heavy clothing, hats and gas masks. Xander pulled the headgear off one of the vamps, setting it on fire while staking another. Alana started to run towards Bobby but Xander pushed her back towards the building.

"Get back inside, Alana. I'll help Bobby. You need to find Gunn...do it now." Xander continued fighting off the vampires while Alana ran inside. He had quickly made his way to the van, thinking he was doing pretty well until four vamps jumped him. Xander fought, kicked and struggled but the four vampires were too strong. They shoved him into the van next to Bobby before jumping in, closing the doors behind them.

Alana was running down the stairs when she came upon her brother. "Gunn, those vampires are outside. They tried to take me but Xander helped me. Now he's trying to help Bobby. Gunn, those vamps got Bobby."

"I'll get him back, little sister. Stay with James," Gunn pushed Alana into his friend's arms, heading out into the daylight. He spotted the blue van and ran towards the vehicle, jumping onto the back of it so he could see inside. Gunn barely had time to see the vampires feeding on his brother and Xander, barely had time to hear Bobby scream his name before one of the vamps turned around, gave him a sick smile and punched through the glass, knocking Gunn onto the pavement. He sat up and watched the van speed down the road, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.


Chapter Thirty-Seven

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