Xander and Willow were still hugging when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Dawn looking at him, arms crossed in front of her and her foot tapping impatiently.

"They told me to stay hidden but what can I say? I'm not a big fan of patience." Xander hugged the girl, twirling her around like he had done Willow earlier.

"Dawnie! You came. This is so great." Xander hugged her, Dawn's face lighting up when he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Dawn had a major league crush on her big sister's friend and she missed having him around. She hugged Xander again for good measure, enjoying the feel of his broad chest against her cheek. Finally he pulled back, holding her hands as he looked her over. "You've grown up on me, Dawn and you've gotten prettier which I didn't think was possible. I bet you have the boys lining up on your front lawn, don't you?'

"Nah. Even if I did, the boys my age are so juvenile. I like older men." Her meaning was clear and Xander's faced turned red even though he enjoyed the attention. He had always been flattered that Dawn liked him, even though she was his 'little sister'. Xander turned to lead the girls back to the apartment when Tara caught his attention. A pang of guilt went through him when he realized he had totally ignored her.

"Tara, I'm so glad you're here - how could I miss seeing such a beautiful woman." Xander gave her a warm hug.

"Could be the whole 'gay thing'," Dawn teased. Willow playfully smacked her on the arm.

"It's alright, Xander," Tara assured him. "You were busy with your friends."

"You're my friend too, Tara. We haven't known each other as long as I've known Willow and Dawn but that doesn't mean I'm not happy to see you." He put his arms around the girls, leading them into the apartment where everyone exchanged hugs, greetings and introductions.

"I like it here better than I do Sunnydale," Dawn told them. "Back home the only guys in the group are Giles, Riley and Graham and they are so not my type. But here---" Dawn checked out the men in the room, "I wouldn't mind those boring meetings cause at least the scenery would be hot."

"Step back, girlfriend. This one is mine," Cordelia put her arms around Doyle.

"And don't forget those three are together," Willow reminded her, pointing at Xander, Spike and Angel. Dawn let out a small sigh of regret.

"Doesn't mean I can't look." She walked towards the three, the smile she had been wearing fading as she gave Angel and Spike a stern look. "You better be good to my Xander. If you hurt him in any way, I will set you on fire while you're asleep."

"Damn, I thought Willow was scary with the shovel talk."

"Yeah, I think the bit is a cross between Red and Cordy," Spike agreed.

"Thanks. I take that as a compliment." Dawn approached Wesley and Oz. "You guys aren't seeing anyone are you?" They shook their heads. "You're not gay are you?" Again they shook their heads. "Cool." Xander laughed at Dawn before turning back to Willow and Tara.

"I thought you couldn't come until Christmas Eve because of exams. Not that I'm not glad to see you because I am but what happened?"

"Seems our fathers called and told the professors there were family emergencies. I believe mine said my Aunt Bessie was sick. He also mentioned that she was wealthy and if they allowed me to take the exams early, they were sure she would donate a large amount of money to the college."

"But you don't have an Aunt Bessie do you?" Xander asked. Willow shook her head.

"My father said much the same thing only it was my Uncle Bernie. I had a hard time trying to explain why my father has an English accent, but I don't think they really cared as long as they got the money." At Tara's words, realization dawned and Xander turned to face his lovers.

"The innocent look may be cute, but it's not working." Xander hugged them, giving each one a heartfelt kiss. "Remind me to thank you properly when we're alone."

"Don't have to worry about that. I'll be sure to remind you over and over again." Spike took Xander in his arms and returned the kiss, both of them getting lost in the promise it held until Angel cleared his throat and Cordelia spoke up.

"Guys, teenager in the room. I know we're used to the frequent lip locks and semi-nudity but that doesn't mean you should corrupt Dawn." Spike laughed when he saw Dawn struggling to get away from Cordelia who had her hands over the girl's eyes.

"Don't stop on my account. Corrupt away."

"I don't think Buffy or Joyce would like that," Xander stepped away from Spike. "By the way, how...where....are they okay? And what about Giles? How is he doing?" Tension filled the once happy room at the mention of Buffy and Giles. Willow fidgeted for a few minutes before answering.

"Everyone is fine. Doing good,...staying busy, not apocolypsy busy but...busy. They, uh they're going to Iowa during Christmas so Buffy can meet Riley's family. Joyce really wanted to see you but Riley's parents wanted to meet her so she agreed to go with Buffy. There was some...uh...confusion about where Dawn would be going, but after much...uh...discussion, Joyce decided to let her come with us as a Christmas gift to you." Xander knew Willow wasn't telling him everything and he had a pretty good idea what that was.

"So Buffy and Giles are still pissed, huh?"

"Giles - not so much but he doesn't say anything because...well...Buffy. I think Buffy will come around sooner or later." Willow tried to sound hopeful but Dawn shot that idea all to hell.

"This is so lame, Willow. Just tell him the truth." When Willow didn't say anything, Dawn rolled her eyes. "We were all supposed to go to Iowa, but I told them I wanted to come here. Riley's okay, I guess, but he's kinda boring. He's not nearly as cool as you guys. So I'm thinking, if he's this boring what's his parents going to be like? I'm thinking I'm going to be sitting alone while mom makes nice with the parents and Riley and Buffy are up in the hayloft or something having loud sex. There was no way I was going to spend my Christmas vacation like that. I'd rather be in school. So I told mom I wasn't going, that I wanted to come here with Willow and Tara because they are so much more fun to be around than Buffy. Besides, I wanted to see my favorite guy in the whole world. Mom said okay, then Buffy started throwing a fit, saying there was no way she was going to allow her sister to spend time with her ex-boyfriend and the so called friend that had stolen him away from her. There was also the mention of an unchipped, soulless vampire that would probably kill me."

"I'd never hurt you, Bit." Spike assured her.

"See that's what I told Buffy, but she tried to make mom not trust you. She had Giles talk to mom about vampires and how they're just demons, blah, blah, blah, but mom took up for you. She said you had always been nice to her ever since she whacked you on the head with an axe. Mom said she must have knocked some sense into you." Spike laughed, remembering the incident.

"Made me respect the lady."

"Then dumb Riley got into it. He said Xander was dangerous to be around because he killed that professor lady. But don't worry, Xander. Mom totally took up for you. She said you would never kill someone unless it was self-defense and she reminded Riley about that woman's plans to kill Buffy which totally shut him up. Oh, and when Buffy said you had changed since hooking up with two vampires, mom reminded her she had been with Angel too."

"Good for Joyce," Cordelia was beginning to remember why she had always liked Buffy's mom. Joyce loved her daughter but she didn't let the girl get away with much, even if she was the slayer.

"Yeah, mom's cool like that. She really pissed my sister off. Buffy said it was bad enough Willow was always taking Xander's side - she didn't need mom doing it too. She wasn't going to let me come but Mom told her that it was her decision to make cause she was the mother. I told her if they made me go to Iowa, I would whine the whole time and be a brat so here I am." Dawn finished her speech, taking in the eerily quiet room. Everyone was staring at Xander, who seemed to be counting the lines in the hardwood floor. "I'm guessing I said too much, right?"

"I'm afraid so, sweetie," Tara told her.

"Sometimes my mouth overrides my brain. I guess it's a teenager thing and I'll outgrow it." Xander finally looked up, smiling sadly.

"Probably not. I haven't outgrown it yet."

"I'm sorry, Xander. I would never hurt you on purpose. You know I love you."

"I know you do, Dawnster. And you didn't upset me...well, okay maybe I'm a little upset..." Spike and Angel stared at him, "alright, it hurts that Buffy and Giles can't let this go but I can deal. What really bothers me is the trouble I caused everyone. I know I should feel worse about the arguing but I can't help feeling proud that you four stood up for me. It means more than I can say. Dawn, you do know that I'm not a ...a...killer don't you?' Dawn's eyes widened in surprise.

"Of course, I know that. You're one of the good guys. Willow and Tara told me what happened. She was going to kill you Xander so I'm glad she's dead. I'm only sorry that I didn't get to see you while you were home. No one told me until you were gone and it was over."

Xander turned his attention on Willow. "So how much trouble are you in with Buffy?'

"Xander, don't worry about---"

"How much?"

"Let's just say we agreed to disagree. Buffy knows not to talk about you in front of me and I don't bring up our conversations with her. That's when I see her, of course, which isn't often."

"Will, you know if you ever decide to move...if you wanted to come to L.A. with Tara....well, I could help you find a place. I'd even pay for it."

"I know you would, sweetie. I promise I'll keep that in mind."

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired of talking about 'little Miss likes to fight'. I want to decorate the damn tree. Who's with me?' Cordelia asked. Angel and Spike sent her grateful looks as everyone cheered. Soon they were singing along to Christmas music, decorating the tree and planning where they were going to take the girls while they were visiting. *************************************************************

An hour later the tree was finished or so Xander thought. Willow went to the corner where they had deposited their stuff earlier and pulled out a large box. She handed it to Dawn, who bounced around gleefully.

"The tree looks great, but there's something missing. Here, I made these for you." She held the box out to Xander who took it, opening it with a grin.

"Dawn, these are great." He pulled out an ornament, a pretty red ball with his name inscribed on it with green glitter. He held it up for everyone to see. "There's one for each of us." He passed the box around, everyone oohing and ahhing over theirs as they were taken out. Xander almost dropped his when David let out a yell.

"There's one in here for me. I guess it's for me. Is there another David?' Dawn shook her head and he pulled it out, a proud look on his face.

"How did you know to make David one?" Xander asked.

"Spike told Willow about him and I made one. We couldn't forget the guy that paid for us to be here now could we?"

"You were the one that donated the money to the college?' David nodded and Xander gave him a hug. "You're a great guy and I'm proud to have you for a friend. I don't know how I can repay you..."

"You've already paid me, Xander. You guys saved my life, you put up with me hanging around and you're the first real friends I've ever had." They put their ornaments on the tree, standing back to admire them.

"Okay, let's turn the lights on." Xander plugged them up, eagerly watching as they started twinkling. He flipped a switch and music started coming out.

"Bloody hell, do we have to listen to the same song all day long?' Spike asked.

"That's the beauty of this switch, Spike. It turns the music on and off - but you're stuck with the twinkling." Spike muttered good- naturedly as everyone laughed.

"I know that song. It's one of my favorites." Lorne said. Xander looked pleased and he joined Lorne in the singing.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light, From now on our troubles will be out of sight Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the yuletide gay From now on our troubles will be miles away

The singing was contagious and soon everyone was singing along with the two of them.

dHere we are as in olden days happy golden days of yore, Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Xander ran over to the sacks, the words reminding him of something they had forgotten. He pulled the star out and brought it over to Wesley. He looked confused for a moment before Xander pointed towards the top of the tree.

"Oh, no I'll let you do that. I Can't reach the top."

"Neither can I. Besides, you picked it out and I want you to hang it up."

"But I can't reach---" Wesley let out a squeal as Angel and Spike hefted him onto their shoulders and walked towards the tree. As he placed the star on the top of the tree, everyone finished the song.

Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Spike and Angel set Wesley down while Xander flipped the switch to off. He walked away, coming back with the stockings, handing them out as Spike and Angel tacked nails into the wall.

"So are they gonna be full on Christmas morning?' Dawn asked, noticing the size of the stockings. "Cause if they are I'm going to spend every Christmas in L.A."

"You'll have to wait and see," Spike teased. Cordelia hung hers next to Doyle's and turned on the vampire.

"Mine better be full mister."

"What are you expecting? Presents or lumps of coal?"

"Don't even think about it, Spike," Cordelia warned, everyone laughing at the sight of an unchipped, soulless master vampire stepping away from a human girl. Spike glanced towards Xander, hoping to get some backup and saw that the boy was still holding his stocking. He motioned to Angel and the two of them went over to Xander, Angel wrapping his arms around the boy waist while Spike cupped his hand under Xander's chin, tilting his head up to look at him.

"Why haven't you hung your stocking, luv? There's a spot getting cold between mine and Angel's."

"I was enjoying looking at it." Xander gave Spike a kiss before leaning back against Angel. He continued to stare at the stocking in his hand, running his fingers across his name so gently it was like a caress. "I don't care whether I have anything in mine or not. I'm happy with it just the way it is." Xander kissed Angel, then walked over and hung his stocking between Angel's and Spike's. The two vampires smiled when they noticed that theirs and Xander's stockings were in the middle.

"So who's up for food?" Everyone gave each other a challenging look before racing for the kitchen, calling dibs on cookies, chips and popcorn. Angel put his arms around Spike, resting his chin on the younger vampire's shoulders while they watched everyone fighting over the food.

"I called dibs on the popcorn, Doyle." Xander tugged on the bowl.

"I got here first," Doyle protested, hands on the other side.

"That's only because Cordy cut me off at the couch."

"I did not. Hey! Those are my chips." Cordelia snatched the bag of Fritos from Wesley's hands.

"I rather think not. First come, first serve." Wesley snatched them back.

"Children, children. In case it's eluded you, there's three bags of everything over here. No need to fight over----" Lorne's words were cut off as he was almost trampled by the others.

"That's our family," Angel whispered to Spike, trying to sound annoyed at the group's antics.

"Yeah, our family." Spike smiled, feeling content for the first time in his 126 years. He could tell that Angel was feeling the same way. They stood together, knowing there wasn't any place else they'd rather be, knowing they wouldn't trade any of them for the world and knowing that they would do whatever it took to keep Xander and their friends happy and safe. ***************************

Xander was whistling as he drove down the street towards David's house. He was glad that Willow and Tara had brought his car from Sunnydale. Now he didn't have to walk so much and after putting in a full day's work and working into the night on his Christmas presents for the past few weeks he had been wiped out every night. Xander was happy that the girls were here but he knew he had to hurry and finish his gifts before they moved into David's tonight or they would find them before Christmas. Xander smiled at the memory of their sleepover last night. Everyone had decided to stay at the apartment and even thought it had been crowded, it was a good crowded. He was thankful that Cordelia, Doyle, Oz and Wesley had taken the girls out sightseeing today so he could slip over to David's house...or rather, mansion. The place was huge. David had promised to keep the women away from the room he had lent Xander for the purpose of Christmas gift making.

Xander pulled up in front of the mansion and got out, dialing his cell phone as he did. Angel and Spike always liked for Xander to call and let them know he got somewhere safely, especially now that he was driving that 'soddin' death trap' as Spike called it. The phone rang a couple of times before Spike picked up.

"Hey, baby it's me. I'm at David's."

"So when are you coming home?"

"Spike, I just got here."

"Yeah, so when are you coming home?" Xander laughed at his mate's persistence. Spike had shooed everyone out of the apartment that afternoon, determined to have some quality sex time with his boyfriends. Xander had cut it short, saying he needed to visit David which had caused Spike to be suspicious. Xander had only smiled, telling them it would be worth their while to let him go. Spike had bitched for 20 minutes before allowing him to leave.

"I'll be home in a few hours. I'm sure you and Angel can think of something to do."

"Yeah, but it's not as fun without you. Come on home, Xander. Whatever it is can wait."

"No, it can't.

"If you come home I'll give you a full body massage with all the benefits." Xander's face flushed and his dick hardened as memories of Spike's last body massage drifted through his mind.

"God that sounds perfect but I can't Spike. I really have to do what I came to do."

"Don't know what you're missing, whelp."

"Oh, yeah, I do." Xander closed his eyes, smiling at the thought. When he opened them, his face turned a darker red. David's maid, Lucille, a middle aged, heavyset woman was standing at the door, a huge grin on her face.

"Hey, mama Lucille, how you doing?"

"Not as good as you, evidently. You need to tell Spike to quit talking dirty or I might have to go over there and give him a good spanking. Better yet, let him misbehave if it means I get to punish the pretty boy," She teased before walking towards the kitchen.

"Now see what you did, Spike?" Xander heard Spike's laughter come through the phone line.

"How did she know it was me? Could have been Angel."

"Mama Lucille knows you're the one with the sexy voice that makes me sport a hardon when I walk into the room, that's why. She always says you could make a killing in the phone sex business. We've even discussed setting you up in the profession."

"Have you now? Likes my voice, does she? Well, I knew there was something about the lady I liked. She has good taste. Now as far as your problem goes, come home and I'll take care of it for you."

"Oh you better believe you will, blondie. Just not right this minute."

"You better not be gone too long. You've been working way too hard these past few weeks."

"I'm okay and I'd be even better if you'd tell me you love me."

"You know I do, pet. Love you so much." Xander smiled when he heard a voice in the background. "Angel says he loves you, too and to get your ass back home. And be careful."

"Oh, I will," Xander promised. "I love both of you and now I've got to get to work. Why don't you two go downstairs and keep the bed warm till I get home."

"We've already kept it warm two times," Spike answered, before Xander heard him groan. "Course, three is a right good number, I'm thinking." *Yep, Angel was messing with Spike*.

"Three is definitely a nice number. I've got to go Spike. The sooner I get done, the sooner I get to join you and make it three."

"Okay, luv. Just make sure you----"

"Call when I get ready to come home. Yes sir." Xander hung up before making his way to the room where his handiwork was. He took off his jacket and threw it on the chair before he began inspecting each item. Three mahogany jewelry boxes, all hand carved for Cordy, Willow and Tara. In each box was a locket. Cordelia's had a picture of Doyle on one side and a picture of her on the other. Tara's locket had a picture of Willow on one side and one of him on the other from their senior year. Willow's had a picture of him on one side and an old one of Jesse, him and Willow on the other. All the lockets were gold and heart shaped, completely identical except for the engraving on Willow's. Xander had wanted hers to be special and had gotten a friend of David's to etch the words "My friend, my heart' on the back.

Xander placed the jewelry boxes to the side, moving on to the other gifts. An oak guitar case with his name on it for Oz, a mahogany liquor chest with 'beer when it's near, brandy when it's handy' etched on it for Doyle, an oak bookshelf for Giles and a mahogany one for Wesley, both identical except Wesley's had a plate on the top with the words "Wesley - a friend who watches over me', a cherry cupholder for Joyce with a mug that said 'mom', a cherry lockbox with an engraved plate that said "the Dawnmeister Chronicles' for Dawnie, a large oak plaque with the words 'Caritas = Mercy for Lorne, 2 identical oak key chains with their initials engraved in them for Harm and Clem, an oak box to keep his cards and poker chips for Clarence, and an oak trunk with a built in cd holder and a place to keep both her large and small weapons for Buffy. He didn't know if Buffy or Giles would accept the delivery of their gifts when they found out they were from him, but he knew he had to try.

Xander walked to the corner where he kept the special gifts and the gifts that needed to be hidden. He had made Lucille an oak cutting board with 'mama Lucille' on it, and had hand carved an ouiji board for David. A large cherry weapons chest stood in the corner, Spike's name on one side...Angel's on the other. Inside was a couple of antique axes Xander had found at a weapons store. The axes had been in bad shape, but now Xander had made new handles for them and had shined and sharpened the axes until they were gleaming and ready to cut through anything. On Spike's handle, Xander had carved a spike, on Angel's a large A. There was no way Xander was going to attempt drawing an angel, especially after Cordelia had taken a lot of teasing about her calling cards.

Xander picked up the large frame he was working on. David had taken a picture of the AI gang one day and Xander had asked him to have it blown up. He was going to put it in the frame and hang it in the office. He picked up the sandpaper and started smoothing the edges. Xander had been working on the frame for almost an hour and was just finishing when he heard a knock on the door. It opened, revealing David's worried face. "It's just me, everyone else is still gone. Can I come in?"

"Sure," Xander put a cloth over David's present and set the frame to the side. "What's wrong? You seem kind of upset.

"I am." David sat down across from Xander. "I have a problem I need Angel and Spike to solve for me. Can you call and see if they'll do it now? I would have asked them last night but I thought my team could handle the problem and there were so many people there."

Xander reached for the phone, dialing the office number while he watched David fidget. The phone rang a few times and Xander was just about to hang up when he heard Angel's voice on the other end.

"Angel Investigations, we hope we can help the hopeless....I mean, helpless." Xander heard the tone of his lover's voice and knew exactly what the two of them had been up to. An image formed in his mind, his cock hardened and he vowed to himself that as soon as they were in bed together he wasn't letting them up until morning. *****************************************************************

Angel fell on top of Spike, both of them breathing heavily even though they didn't have to. The intensity of their lovemaking had been overwhelming.

"Was it ever like this before?" Angel rolled off the younger vampire, taking him into his arms.

"Never." Spike cuddled against Angel for a few moments before pulling away to look at Angel. "It's been vicious and hurried, slow and gentle - always good - but never with such love and intensity. Maybe it's because we're not having sex as sire and childe but as two vampires who are very much in love."

Angel brushed his lips over Spike's, smiling at the other vampire. "That is very true. I've always loved you Spike, but never with such emotion."

"Or without the jealousy that we always felt for each other when I was with Dru and you were with Darla. And that's weird because it's still not the two of us. There's Xander. Why aren't we jealous of each other with Xander, or feel like we're betraying him when we're together?"

"I guess I don't feel that way because Xander is nothing like Darla. She was possessive and hated the times you and I spent together. I always had to grovel for days afterwards to get her attention again. She made me feel like I couldn't love two people at the same time. Darla didn't care how many humans or minions I fucked, as a matter of fact it turned her on to watch. But with you it was different. She knew I loved you, and she hated that. Darla wanted to be the center of my world, my whole existence and I couldn't give her that. Xander, on the other hand, seems to encourage us to be close."

"I know what you mean," Spike agreed. "Dru needed my complete attention all the time. When we were together it was wonderful, but in the back of my mind I was always worried about what she was doing while I was gone. When I went back to her she would smell you on me and would pout for hours on end because her Spike and her daddy did naughty things together without including her. Xander is more understanding of our time alone. He wants us to put the pain of the past century behind us."

"Have we?"

"Yeah, I knew how demanding Darla was."

"Darla was as manipulative as Dru was crazy. I'm glad Xander isn't like them."

"Xander's smarter than he lets on and he's definitely not manipulative, although he has us wrapped around his little fingers. And it's not only us. Everyone tends to go along with whatever crazy idea he comes up with. I worry about him, even though he seems to enjoy his job. Miss him being in bed with us" Spike thought for a moment before smirking at Angel. "Speaking of Xander, he said we needed to keep the bed warm. You up for a little more action?"

"Always up when it comes to you." Angel placed a lgiht kiss on Spike's lips. "Let me prove it to you." He kissed Spike harder and soon they were writhing against each other, Angel on top of Spike, hands roving across each other's bodies as Angel entered Spike, taking the younger vampire slowly and gently.

Spike arched up into Angel, teetering on the brink of ecstasy and moaning his name. He felt his orgasm building and was just about to come when the phone started ringing. "Don't stop, Angel, whatever you do, don't stop. So close, so very close."

Angel thrust into Spike, his orgasm as close as Spike's. "There's no way I can stop, Spike. The world could end and I wouldn't care. Got to have you boy. Come with me, Spike." Angel moaned as he shot his seed in Spike's tight channel.

Spike heard Angel's words and that's all it took to drive him over the edge. He came with a scream, clutching Angel's shoulders and pulling him closer as he rode out his orgasm. When they were done, Angel rolled off of Spike with a groan, picking up the phone.

"Angel Investigations, we hope we can help the hopeless....I mean, helpless." **************************************************************r

"You screwed it up again, Angel. It's we help the helpless." Xander laughed. "Was this a bad time? Was I interrupting anything?"

"No, just a little post sex cuddling," Angel lied, smiling at Spike. "I hope you're calling to tell us you're ready to come home."

"No, but I'm beginning to think you two are going to wear yourselves out before I get there."

"Never. Vampire stamina, remember?" Spike turned on the speaker phone so that Xander could hear him. "Not jealous are you?"

"You know I'm happy when you guys are happy, and we all know that sex makes you and Angel happy, so if you're giving Angel a happy and you're happy, then I'm happy, too, and who the fuck am I kidding? Of course I'm jealous...not of you two together but 'wishing I was there' kind of jealous, you know what I mean?" Xander babbled.

"Seldom, if ever," Angel admitted, sneaking a glance at Spike who was scratching his head in confusion. "I'm getting better at Xander speak but not when you talk this fast. What's up?"

"David has a problem he wants to talk to you about." Xander clicked on the speaker button and turned to David, waiting for an explanation. Xander saw how flustered David was so he grabbed his hands, making the man look at him. "Go ahead, David. Whatever it is I'm sure Angel and Spike have heard worse."

"Or done worse." Spike added.

"Why don't you tell us what's wrong." Angel encouraged.

"It somewhat has to do with blackmail. Are you familiar with Dungeons and Dragons?"

"Yeah, I've seen a few," Angel told him.

"Geez, Angel focus okay. Are you and Spike still fooling around?" Xander asked.

"No," both vampires denied in unison.

"Dungeons and dragons is a role playing game. Come into the 21st century guys."

"Oh, a game, right," Spike answered.

"I used to play a lot in high school. You know it was pretty cool. You get to be someone else for a while. A wizard, a warrior, you know the whole world is magic and you're fighting troglydites and romancing exotic demon princesses - you know it's a rush." David explained. "Well some of us got really into it, especially the demon romance part and then we heard about this place where the real....the guys were joking about getting some tail so we went to Madame Dorians."

"That's a demon brothel in BelAir isn't it?' Spike asked, having heard of it before.

"Yeah, we just went once or twice..."

"And how many----" Angel began..

"Alright, it was twelve times."

"People knew about you going," Angel finished while Spike tried to smother his laughter in his pillow.

"Oh, uh just my friends, but my security people have already identified the guy. I've got pictures of him. His name is Lenny Edwards. We just can't find him."

"Well, we'll see if we can do better."

"Yeah, Angel and I will go to Madame Dorians and see what we can suss out," Spike told him.

"Wait a minute. You two are going to a brothel - a demon brothel... right now, without me----a demon brothel that Spike just happens to know about?" Now Xander was jealous, the thought of demon women ogling his lovers or worse making him angry.

"Now I know you're jealous pet. I've never been there...just heard about it in the demon community. Believe me, I would never set foot in that place if it wasn't for the case. Demon whores don't do it for me...no offense David."

"No that's alright, no offense taken. To each his own and all that. I"m just worried that if my stockholders see those pictures, I've had it."

"They won't and we'll be discreet," Angel promised. Fax us over a copy of his picture and we'll try to find him. Xander, we'll be home as soon as we can."

"Fine, but you better not bring one of those demon whores home because I swear I will kill her before I kick your asses." Xander muttered, not happy at having his lovers going to a brothel.

"Xander, you know we don't want anyone other than you. Love you." Angel hung up the phone. "Maybe we were wrong. Maybe Xander is a little jealous after all."

"Of other people, yeah. Why wouldn't he be? I know I'm jealous of him." Spike cleaned himself up before pulling on his pants. "Guess we've got a job to do. Let's get it done so we can get back here to our boy."

"I"m for that," Angel agreed. They finished dressing, heading for the office to get the picture of the man they would be hunting. As they came out of the office they almost walked into Doyle, Wesley and Cordy who were returning, take out food in their hands.

"Where are the others?" Angel asked.

"Oz took the girls over to David's. We were all pretty worn out from all the shopping we did." Cordelia told them.

"Keep watch over the office for a while would you? We have a case - a paying case," Angel stressed to a happy Cordelia. Spike and Angel made their way to Angel's car, determined to get this job over with as quickly as possible so that they could get back to Xander.


Chapter Thirty-Four

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