Oz pulled up in front of Xander's house and stopped. He turned to his friend and noticed how nervous the boy was.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah. I feel like I have to do this. It's kind of a symbolic gesture, you know. Like once I get all my stuff from the house, I can wipe the slate clean and start over again in Los Angeles with people I care about. I won't ever have to come back here again. It's sorta like I'll be cleansing myself of this place. Am I saying this right?"

"You're saying out with the old life, in with the new one."

"Exactly. So let's get this over with, okay?"

Oz drove to the beat up garage at the back of the house and the three friends got out of the van. Xander opened the garage door and looked inside. Most of his belongings were laying in the middle of the floor, as if his parents had just tossed them inside the building.

Xander walked over and bent down, picking up his alarm clock. He stood up as he looked at it. The glass was broken and it was a little dusty.

"Looks like they evicted me before they let me know. They must have done it right after the last time I came here, right before I went to the Initiative."

Wesley picked up Xander's camera and shook his head. The lens was busted and the outside was cracked. "I don't believe they were very careful about how they moved you out, either."

Oz walked around the pile of broken dishes, the busted microwave and the dented hot plate. He picked up the last item and held it up for Xander to see.

"I don't think I would recommend the movers for any other jobs."

Xander managed a sad smile, before he said, "Doesn't matter. Every time I heated anything on that, it smelled like the cat peed on it."

Oz walked over to his friend and put his arm around the boy's shoulders. "Come on, Xander. Let's just leave. Your parents made sure they turned everything you owned into trash so make them clean up the mess."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. There's nothing I wanted here anyway----" Xander's voice trailed off as he thought of something. He ran over to the pile and started throwing things around, desperately searching for something. Finally, he pulled a shoebox out from under a stack of clothes and opened it. He sighed in relief as he realized by some small miracle, that everything was still inside.

"What's in the box?" Oz asked, as he and Wesley made their way to Xander's side.

"Memories. Good memories. See?" Xander asked, as he held up a photograph. Oz took it from the boy and when he saw who was in the picture, he smiled.

"You and Willow. I'm guessing that other boy is Jesse."

"Uh huh. It's one of the last pictures we ever had taken together. We went to the beach about two weeks before he was killed. I remember we made a bet to see who could build the biggest sandcastle in five minutes. We stopped some couple and asked the guy to time us. His girlfriend took the picture when we were done. Jesse won. He was always the fastest at building them, although Willow always had the nicest ones. Even when we were little, she'd build hers like she was going to be graded on it or something." Xander smiled as he remembered how happy they had been that day.

"I'm glad that nothing was lost," Wesley told him, as Xander continued to sift through the box. He pulled out a seashell and showed it to the man.

"Jesse found this alongside the caves. Said when he put it up to his ear he could hear the mermaids calling his name. He told me that one of them looked like Cordy, cause he always had a crush on her." Xander put the shell and the photo back in the box and stood up. "I remember when he gave it to me I told him he was crazy. Jesse said I was just jealous cause they weren't calling for me. I was going to throw it back into the ocean but something told me not to do it. I'm glad I didn't, because it's the last thing he ever gave me." Xander's eyes filled with tears as they walked back to the van.

"He's always with you, Xander. In here," Oz said, pointing at his chest.

"I know. I just wish he could be here. I think I'll go to his grave before we leave for good. You know, say good-bye and everything. I know that sounds silly, but I like to go there and talk to him."

"It's not silly at all," Wesley assured him. "I've done that with people I loved. I used to sit for hours at my grandfather's grave and tell him what I had done that week, what my plans for my future were. I needed to feel close to him."

"I hear you," Xander agreed.

"Hey, not to change the subject but didn't you want to get your stereo? I didn't see it in there," Oz pointed towards the pile of Xander's belongings.

"You know you're right. I was so worried about this," Xander said, holding up the box in his hand, "that I forgot about my furniture."

"It must still be inside. Maybe we can stop by here on the way to Los Angeles or send for it when you get there." Wesley said, hoping the boy would not do what he thought he was going to.

"Oh, hell no. I'm getting my furniture," Xander said, walking towards the house, determination and anger showing in his strides. Wesley and Oz looked at each other, before getting out of the van and following the boy.

"Xan, I don't think that's such a good idea," Oz yelled as the boy fumbled around for his keys. "You might want to rethink this."

"Yes, please. I don't mind going in there and helping you, but think about what Spike said to your mother at the hospital. Do you want your parents to get killed by two very angry vampires over some furniture?"

"Right now, I don't seem to care much," Xander replied, angry at his parents for everything they had ever done to him. He was riding an adrenaline high as he put his key in the lock and opened the door.

As the door swung open, Xander froze at the sight before him. His Uncle Rory was sprawled naked across Xander's bed and a trampy looking woman with blonde hair and the smell of some cheap perfume rolling off of her was lying next to him, also nude. Xander reeled back from the smell of sex and perfume. He felt like he was going to throw up from the smell and the sight of those two naked in bed, but years of fighting alongside Buffy had sort of trained him for times like these and he swallowed the rising bile that had formed in the back of his mouth.

Oz and Wesley bumped into the back of Xander. They had not expected their friend to stop so suddenly and hadn't watched where they were going. They looked over to see what Xander was staring at and were immediately sorry that they had.

"What the fuck is going on, Uncle Rory?" Xander screamed at the man who was now awake and staring at him with amusement. The woman had woken also, and was scrambling around the bed, grabbing the sheets and pulling them around her while his uncle seemed happy to just lie there, showing off his wares.

"For Pete's sake, cover up," Xander said putting his hands up to shield his eyes. "I'm gonna be scarred for life after this," he muttered, his brain adding that he already was.

"Good Lord, I think it's a little late for that, Xander," Wesley said, blushing.

"Yeah, already got the bad visuals."

"What's the matter, boys? Never seen two people relaxing after having a few good rounds of fucking?" Uncle Rory asked him.

"Good? Highly doubtful," Wesley sniffed before he wrinkled his nose, pinching it in disgust to keep the smell out.

Oz looked at the man. "I could have warned you not to do that. Werewolf senses and all so not of the good at a time like this."

"Is that what you call this?" Xander shot back, ignoring his friends as he waved his arms around. "Cause that is so not what my brain is telling me. And why in my bed?"

"It's his bed now and lower your voice before you wake your father," his mom shushed him as she came down the stairs. "He's been on a real bender with Rory ever since we left the hospital and I don't need you waking him up - because I'll have to pay the price and it will be your fault," she said, grabbing Xander's hand and leading him towards the door. "I thought I told you not to come back here? Don't you ever listen to me?"

"If you ever made any sense, maybe I would," Xander said angrily. I came to get my stuff, you know the things you didn't trash. And what do you mean my bed is Uncle Rory's now?"

"They're letting me live here, and it only costs $100.00 a month, fully furnished. Quite a bargain, wouldn't you say?" Rory was finally pulling on his robe as the woman ran to the bathroom to get dressed.

"Is this what you Americans refer to as a bargain basement?" Wesley asked innocently as Oz laughed.

"It didn't take long to replace me, did it, mom?" Xander asked. "And what's up with only charging him $100.00 a month for this shithole with my furniture in it? I had to pay $250.00 a month and buy everything that I needed. There's no way in hell that you're keeping my belongings." Xander walked over to his stereo and began to unplug it.

"Xander, you know how upset your father was with you. But don't worry," she said as she patted him on the arm, "I softened him up for you. He said you could get your furniture as soon as you paid him the $250.00 you owe him for back rent. I think that's fair, don't you?"

Xander handed the stereo to Oz and grabbed his CD case, passing it off to Wesley all the while acting as if his mother had never spoken. He reached over and unplugged the television before picking it up. "We'll take these out first and then come back for the rest. Don't worry about the bed. After what I saw, there is no way in hell I would lay any of my body parts on that thing. I'd probably catch syphilis or something."

"Syphilis? I don't know what that is but I'm sure I don't have it. I bathe quite often," the woman said as she exited the bathroom.

"Probably washed those brain cells right out of your head too, right?" Xander asked as Wesley and Oz snickered.

"Hey, that's not any way to talk to your elders. Jessica, haven't you and Tony taught this boy any manners?" Rory asked.

"We've tried, believe me, Rory," Xander's mom said as she stepped in front of her son. "Xander, you don't have any room to talk to your uncle about things like that. After all, he is sleeping with the right sex."

"I may be sleeping with men, but at least they are smart and are way better looking," Xander snapped, as he went to step around his mother. He felt a hand on his arm and looked over to see his dad standing beside him, his face red with anger.

"So I was right about you, boy. You're a faggot. A good for nothing faggot. Well, I've got news for you, faggot. Nothing leaves this basement. Not until you pay me for it."

"Newsflash, dad. I already paid for this stuff a long time ago." Xander said, as he jerked his arm free. Tony raised his fist and telegraphed his punch, giving Xander time to raise the television up in front of his face. His father's fist went through the screen. Tony screamed in pain as he pulled it out, his arm bleeding profusely. Xander smiled as he threw the television on the floor as hard as he could, right on his father's feet. Tony once again yelled in pain.

"Damn, that's gotta hurt."

"Quite possibly, yes," Wesley agreed, with a laugh.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? You can't just come in here and bust up my furniture." Tony yelled, as Jessica ran over to her husband with a towel, trying to blot up the blood running down his arm.

"You said you wanted it, so I gave it to you. Oh, and by the way, you trashed my things outside, you trashed my life, now I'm going to trash this place." Xander picked up the coffee table and bashed it against the floor. Wood splintered as he threw it to the floor. "I knew that thing was made of cheap wood." Xander picked up his lamp and threw it across the floor, breaking it.

So intent on doing the damage he wanted to, Xander didn't notice his uncle slipping up behind him. Before Rory could get to the boy, he found himself flat on his face as Wesley tripped him up. When he rolled over, Oz planted his foot in the man's face. Blood started pouring from his nose, as he moaned in pain.

Oz looked down at the man and said, "I think you might want to see a doctor. I think your nose is broken."

Xander grabbed his guitar from beside the door and his cell phone from off the bedside table as the three men carried the stuff out the door. Xander turned and looked at his parents. "I'm through with you. Until you learn to be sober and parents, don't bother giving me a call," Xander said, holding up the cell phone before he slammed the door behind him for the last time.

As Oz drove towards town, Xander picked up his cell phone. He had twenty missed messages, all of them from Lindsey. Xander recognized the numbers of his ex-lover's office, his cell phone and both the beach house and apartment. Yes, Lindsey had definitely been worried about him. Xander felt bad that he hadn't even thought about calling the man.

"Shit, I can't believe I didn't think to call him," Xander muttered. "What kind of a person am I?"

"Didn't call who?" Oz asked, as he pulled up at the local Save-a-Lot.

"Lindsey. There's like twenty or more messages on my cell. I don't know how many I missed after the signal died. Linds was probably really worried about me and I'm here, having happy times with my new lovers. I feel so guilty."

"It hasn't been all happy times," Wesley corrected him. "You were fighting soldiers, dealing with your parents and your friends, not to mention being in the hospital with serious injuries."

"I know but still, I've been out of the hospital ----"

"For almost a day. Come on, Xander cut yourself a break."

"Alright, but I still have to call him," Xander said. "Do either one of you have a cell phone that I can borrow?"

"I don't carry one, sorry," Oz said, as Wesley shook his head. Xander put his phone back in his pocket and tried to squelch the guilty feelings he was having. He knew he should just call Lindsey from a pay phone somewhere but he decided to put it off until tomorrow. He had already had enough negativity in his day with his parents and uncle.

"I'll call him tomorrow. I know I shouldn't worry him, but I just want to enjoy being with my friends, my lovers and celebrating."

"Good call. I know you're feeling all this guilt, but I can't help thinking that if this Lindsey guy loved you like he says he does, he would have found you already. He does work for a very powerful law firm doesn't he? Which means he has plenty of resources to help him find you. But you haven't heard anything from him since we've been here." Oz pointed out.

"That's true," Xander said as Oz pulled up in front of the grocery store. "Hey, wait a minute. How did you know all about Lindsey? I haven't even mentioned him since we first saw each other, what with the being in the hospital and everything."

"Cordelia," Wesley and Oz said at the same time, getting out of the van.

"I should have known," Xander said as he followed his friends into the store to get their Thanksgiving meal. He couldn't wait to get back to the mansion so that the party could begin. He needed some down time from all the worrying he was doing. Xander decided he was going to have a good time tonight, despite his arguments with his friends and parents, not to mention the one he knew was coming between him and Lindsey. Time. That's all he needed. Time to be with his lovers and the new gang that had become family to him.

Xander got out of the van and his eyes grew large at the sight in front of him. The whole garden was filled with various demons who were standing around chatting as they waited for the three friends. Clem waved at them as they approached.

"Hey, Xander, we went ahead and got everything set up. I didn't let anyone go into the mansion, though because I figured Spike and Angel would be sleeping."

Xander thought about what his two lovers had probably been up to while he was gone and his cock started to harden at the thought. *Bad, Xander, don't think about your two hunky lovers having sex while you're talking to your friends.*

"Good idea. Spike gets grumpy if he's woken up," Xander started for the door. "Wes, you and I can take this stuff inside while Oz sets up the stereo system so we can have some music."

"Uh, Xander, we have a problem," Clem told him, stopping the boy in his tracks.

"What kind of problem?" he asked.

"We've got plenty of beer, and tons of ice but no one remembered to bring a cooler," Clem said.

Xander looked around before he got an idea. "No problem. Fill the fountain with the ice and then throw the beer in. That should keep it cold."

Clem nodded and ran over to some other demons who quickly got out the ice and beer and started to fill the fountain. Wesley looked at Xander and shook his head. "I don't know anything about this," he reiterated.

"Absolutely not." Xander agreed, as they entered the mansion and put the food away.

"I've been out there reading the whole time. As a matter of fact, I think I'll go get one of my books and head outside to find a somewhat quiet corner to read."

"Party pooper," Xander teased as he looked at the title. 'Magics and Mysteries of the Occult'. "Hey, Wesley, do you know about magic?"

Wesley looked at him suspiciously. "Why do you want to know?"

"I was just wondering if you could put a spell around the mansion, you know the inside of it anyway. Something that will make it so that the party sounds don't wake up the vampires and make them very cranky," Xander said, making sure that Wesley got the idea.

"I think I may have a spell that will handle that situation," Wesley answered.

"Good man. Make it happen," Xander said as he crept towards the bedroom door. He opened it and looked inside. Angel and Spike were lying close together, their arms and legs entwined. Xander smiled at the picture of his two lovers sleeping so peacefully. He figured they would sleep for a little while longer, so he closed the door and went towards the garden. Xander noticed that Doyle and Cordelia's door was also shut. He made his way out onto the patio and over to where Oz was just finishing hooking up the speakers.

"Time to party," Oz grinned. "Where's everyone else?"

"I think they've worn themselves out," Xander answered. "Between the long hours of not sleeping because of worrying about me and their physical exercise of this afternoon, both sets of lovers are fast asleep. And Wesley is doing a spell so that they don't get woken by the sounds of merriment."

"Well, we'll just have to party without them." Oz put in the c.d. Xander had handed him into the stereo. Soon, the cemetery was filled with the sound of country music and happy voices.

A couple of hours had passed before Cordelia and Doyle decided to join their friends in the garden. As they approached the door they heard the faint sound of music, lots of voices and laughter coming from outside. Doyle opened the door and he and Cordelia stepped outside, closing the door behind them before looking up to see what was going on. They stopped at the doorway, their mouths dropping open at the sight before them.

The whole garden and half of the surrounding property was full of demons. They scanned the crowd and saw Wesley, Oz and Clem standing behind Xander as he was trying to stop an argument between a T'bandi demon and a Gruller demon.

"Come on guys, I'm sure both of your wives are really good cooks," Xander was saying as he held them apart. The boy had gotten dressed while they were asleep and he was wearing a dark blue satin shirt and black jeans. He was grinning at Wesley and the others as he tried to push the two demons away from each other.

"My wife makes the best bean dip in all of California!" the T'bandi demon was yelling as the Gruller answered, "Yeah? Well, my wife makes the best bean dip in the world and I do believe the state of California is included in the world."

"That's great, guys. Let's do this then. How about we agree that both of your wives are wonderful bean dip makers since both of the bowls are empty. See?" Xander said, pointing at the two empty bowls sitting on a table. “So you've both proven your claims then okay? Besides, it's almost Thanksgiving. You know, that day where everyone gives thanks for what they have? I think getting rid of the Initiative and finally having some peace and quiet, along with the safety issue of your family is more important than whose wife makes the best bean dip, don't you? Okay not so much with the peace and quiet right now. Let's just be thankful that they're safe and here with you, shall we? Hell, even the Indians and the pilgrims got along for one day."

The two demons hung their heads at Xander's words before they nodded their heads in agreement. Xander stepped back and smiled saying, "So shake hands and be nice to each other or I have it from the highest authorities that you won't be getting any lovin' tonight." Xander looked at the demon's wives and they all started laughing as the two male demons shook hands before hugging Xander and walking away with their mates.

Cordelia and Doyle had just reached the group when Xander joined them. He ran his hand through his hair as he shook his head in amazement. "Man, sex is definitely the universal healer of all things."

"Yeah, I mean you have heard the saying 'Make love not war' haven't you, Xander?" Oz teased.

"What was all that stuff about bean dip and is there any left?" Doyle asked as he grabbed a beer from the fountain that someone had filled with ice.

"And what's with the fountain of beer?" Cordelia added.

"You sleep, you make love you miss out on all the action and the food," Xander joked, before he realized what he was saying. "Let me rephrase that. You didn't miss out on all the action, just the outdoors type of action, but you did miss out on the bean dip. We decided to have a party."

"What?" Cordelia and Doyle chorused.

"You heard him. He decided to have a party," Wesley told them, making sure he enunciated the word 'he' instead of the 'we' Xander had spoken earlier. Xander frowned at the man.

"You are so scared of Angel, aren't you?" Xander asked. Wesley nodded his head, not ashamed to admit that fact. "Don't worry, Wesley. Angel won't be too mad. I mean, I did keep the party outdoors instead of having it inside."

"Oh, and that just makes it so much better," Oz snorted as Cordelia added, "Angel is going to have a fit when he sees all those bottles of beer and all that ice floating around in his fountain. And some of his flowers are getting trampled." She pointed at a two headed demon dancing around drunkenly in the geraniums, flapping what would loosely be called his arms around in the air. "And what the hell is that?" she asked, pointing at a large stereo system sitting in the grass.

"That would be a demon dancing in the flowers, Cordy," Xander explained as he reached for another beer. He popped the lid off and took a long swig.

"I'm not talking about that," she said pointing at the demon, "I'm talking about that," pointing at the stereo system.

"Gotta love your lack of priorities there, Cor," Xander took another drink. "Haven't you ever seen a stereo before? You turn it on and music comes out. Oz hooked it up for me. We went over to my house while everyone was sleeping and picked up some of my stuff. That was some of my stuff."

"You went over to your parent's house?" Doyle asked, as Xander nodded his head. "You took him there?" he asked Oz as the boy nodded his head. *Shit, Spike and Angel were going to have a cow*.

"Nothing happened, okay? Well, nothing that bears repeating, ever," Xander took another drink of his beer, or at least trying to before Cordelia snatched it out of his hand.

"How many of these have you had mister?" She asked Xander, smacking him on the back of the head.

"Ow, that hurt Cordy," Xander mumbled, rubbing the spot she had just whapped. "I think it's my third."

"Nope, it's your fifth," Wesley raised up four fingers.

"God, Wesley can't you count?" Xander asked. When Wesley just looked at him, Xander laughed as he pointed at the man's fingers. "You said five and you're holding up four fingers. That makes eight and I know I haven't had eight beers or I would be flat on my ass...or back...whatever I would be lying down."

"I take it math wasn't your specialty in high school," Oz pointed out. Before Xander could answer his friend, Cordelia was in front of him.

"Which is what you should be doing instead of standing out in the middle of a cemetery in Sunnydale of all places, getting drunk with a bunch of demons." Cordelia lectured him. "You just got out of the hospital, in case you've forgotten. Besides, you're not supposed to be drinking and taking pain pills at the same time."

"I'm not. I haven't had a pill since like the last one I had and I'm not feeling any pain, so there," Xander said, sticking his tongue out at her as Wesley laughed. "That's what the party is for. Me getting out of the hospital. I just want to be happy. I am happy, well except for the fact that you took my beer." He reached over and snagged another.

"You make him understand the badness of this situation," Cordelia commanded Doyle who had just grabbed another beer.

"I don't think it's so bad. Everyone seems to be having fun," he answered her as Xander grabbed him and hugged his shoulders.

"That's my kind of guy," Xander said, smirking at Cordelia. When the girl mock glared at him, he amended, "Well not in a gay way of course, because he's your boyfriend."

"Men are impossible," she huffed. "Don't you get it? We were supposed to leave tonight. You know, as in going back home? To L.A.? To the business that is going to hell as we sit here on the hellmouth."

"Lighten up, Cordy. It's a holiday. I want a happy holiday for a change, and I think I damn well deserve it. We all do. It's time to make with the merry. Look around you. Everyone's having fun. And there's no way I'm leaving tonight. You all can bail on our Thanksgiving dinner but not me, no sirree."

"What Thanksgiving dinner? Who said anything about a Thanksgiving dinner?" Cordelia asked.

"Well, it just sorta happened. See...we...we as in me and Oz, but not Wesley...that we...me and Oz....we were going to go pick up my junk from the house. The demons that had been guarding this place came over and we all started talking. One thing led to another and we...meaning me, Oz and the demons... decided that since everyone was going to be busy on Thanksgiving day we'd just have a party tonight, cause of me getting out of that hospital. So Oz and I, just us, not Wesley, cause Wesley was being a good little boy and reading, see here's his book," Xander held up the book before Wesley snatched it out of his hand, "Oz and I and only us, no one else went over to my place and got my stuff and some of the guys went and got some beer and other refreshing beverages and lots and lots of food, while Wesley read his very interesting book, " he pointed at the long table filled with snacks of human and demon variety. "And for tomorrow, we're having turkey pot pies and turkey t.v. dinners, as per the usual.

"Thank you very much for your discretion, Xander," Wesley scolded him as Oz laughed. Cordelia wrinkled her nose up at the thought of having tv dinners and pot pies for Thanksgiving dinner.

"Not for me it isn't," Cordelia argued.

"Well, it is for me and I want to keep up the tradition," Xander argued back. "So it's tv dinners and pot pies unless you want to volunteer to cook."

"No thank you buster. You're not roping me into cooking for you all." Cordelia never had liked to cook and she wasn't about to start now.

"That's settled then," Xander raised his beer. "To Banquet."

"To Swansons," Doyle said adding his own beer.

"To frozen foods," Oz said, joining in.

"To..to..television," Wesley added.

"To friends," Clem added his two cents worth, having come upon the toast at just the right moment.

The gang looked at Cordelia and after a few minutes she raised the beer that she had grabbed from Xander. "To a family who, even though they drive me crazy, I still love them, God help me." she added as they clinked their beers together.

"Amen," they all chorused at the same time before they started laughing.

"How come I wasn't invited to this party?" a voice came from behind them. Xander turned to see a familiar face.

"Harmony?"

Xander and Oz watched in stunned silence as Cordelia and Harmony ran up and gave each other a hug. Oz was about to reach for his stake that he had in his back pocket when Xander shook his head and whispered, "Let them have a little time together before Cordy gets the bad news. I mean, one vampire can't do that much damage with all our demon friends around. Cordy deserves a little time with her friend before she finds out the truth." Oz nodded and sat back as he and Xander continued to watch, ready to make a move if Harmony attacked Cordelia.

"Harmony! Harmony, I don't believe it," Cordelia squealed as she hugged her friend. I haven't seen you since---"

"The high school blew up."

"Right, right, seems like a lifetime ago."

"Oh, for me too. Totally."

"Wow. Look at you. You look totally...." Cordelia searched for a word to describe Harmony's appearance before saying, "different."

"Not wrong there," Xander muttered.

"I'm not the same person I was back in Sunnydale High," Harmony said.

"Not wrong there either." Oz agreed.

Both girls ignored him as they continued their conversation. "What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked her friend.

"I'm sorry for crashing the party," Harmony apologized. "I heard the noise and I walked over and saw you and I thought I could control this urge I feel for you but I don't know if I can." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of bubble gum, popping it into her mouth and chewing on it.

"Urge?" Cordelia asked, as Xander moved a little closer.

"You have no idea how hard it is for me seeing you standing there looking so...so luscious."

"Oh," Cordelia appeared confused before a thought crossed her mind. "Oh, you're a ---"

"I should have told you right away," Harmony said, looking ashamed. "I am so scared that when you find out what I am, you'll kill me."

"Oh, no, Harmony. God, you really think I'm that narrow minded? I don't care about that."

"You don't?" Harmony asked looking stunned.

"You don't?" Oz and Xander asked at the same time.

"No, not as long as you're happy," she comforted her friend while glaring at Xander and Oz. "Xander, you of all people shouldn't be judging Harmony."

"He shouldn't? But he's not---" Harmony began, knowing that Xander wasn't a vampire because she could hear his heartbeat.

"Yes, he is." Before Harmony or Xander could say anything Cordelia continued, "It's just that I had no idea that you..you know...thought of me that way."

Xander and Oz started to snicker as they realized what Cordelia was thinking. She thought Harmony was gay.

"I don't, I swear," Harmony told Cordelia, ignoring Xander and Oz's snickering. "It's just, well, I haven't had any for a while and ....oh, forget it," Harmony turned to walk away.

"Haven't had any since Spike, Harmony?" Xander asked.

Harmony turned to glare at Xander. "Oh, you think you're so smart, don't you Xander Harris. Stealing my Blondie bear away from me like that."

Cordelia looked confused. "You lost Spike to Xander and so you turned into a lesbian?"

"Say what?" Xander asked.

"Oh, this is awkward much," Cordelia grumbled. "Are all my friends turning gay? And if so, why doesn't anyone ever tell me these things?"

"Okay, Cordelia you aren't too clear on this. God, I thought I was the one that was almost drunk. Harmony's a vampire." Xander informed the girl, as he pointed at the blonde who was standing next to Wesley. Harmony smiled and waved at Cordelia as she chewed her gum, blowing bubbles and popping them noisily as Wesley jumped in irritation.

"Harmony's a vampire? Oh, my God, that's why she---I'm so embarrassed." Cordelia started laughing. Xander and Oz rolled their eyes at the girls.

"You thought she was in love with you?" Doyle asked, as Harmony stopped blowing her bubble and popped it once again.

"Oh, no. Cordelia I love you but I don't love you, love you....you know like in the sense that I want you." Harmony explained, popping another bubble before she started laughing. By this time, Wesley was ready to ring the vampire's neck.

"Well, this is indeed an awkward moment," Wesley stated. "I suggest," he started to say as Harmony popped her chewing gum again. He gave her a dirty look as he finished his sentence, "Someone put a stake through that woman's heart if she persists in popping her bloody chewing gum!"

"Harmony, do me a favor and lose the gum," Cordelia told her friend.

"Okay, Okay, I'm sorry." Harmony reached over and tore a page out of the book lying between her and Wesley. It was the book Xander had picked up earlier, the one Wesley was using as a cover story for when Angel found out about the events of the day and started ripping people apart. Wesley was looking horrified now as Harmony took her gum and stuck it in the torn book page, before wadding it up as she spoke.

"I mean, you'd think I'd get a thank you for not biting any of you."

"What are you doing!" Wesley finally found his voice long enough to shout at the vampire. "This book is twelve centuries old." he said as he snatched the torn page out of Harmony's hand and walked over to stand beside of Xander.

"Okay, so it's not like I messed up a new one," Harmony shrugged. "Besides, if it was so important to you why did you have it lying around at a party like this?"

"Wes, it's not like she did it on purpose," Cordelia told him.

"That's right," Harmony agreed. "And I could have cause you know I am evil." she taunted him. Wesley looked at her long and hard before he grabbed his stake out of his back pocket and advanced on Harmony. Cordelia jumped on his back, yelling his name as Xander caught him by the arm.

"Wesley, don't. She really doesn't know what she's saying. When you look up the word idiot in the dictionary it's defined with one word. Harmony. I think there may even be a picture." Xander told him, trying to calm him his friend down.

"Really? Is it a good one?" Harmony asked, before she realized what Xander had said. "I'm not an idiot. I'm very smart. In fact, follow me and I'll show you just how smart I really am."

Cordelia and Xander looked at one another before following the vampire. As the others started to follow, Xander stopped them. "Stay here at the party. I don't want it getting too out of control or Angel will kill me."

"I'm going with you and Cordelia. What if she's leading you into a trap or something?" Doyle said.

"Doyle's right. Besides we're all feeling a little good, if you know what I mean," Oz pointed out.

"Yes, we certainly are. And I think that many tipsy people would stand a better chance than a few drunken people," Wesley agreed, not making much sense.

Xander thought for a minute before replying. "Good idea. We'll all go. Clem! Keep an eye on the place."

"Will do, Xander." Clem yelled back. "You guys be careful."

Xander patted the pocket that held his stake before walking away. Harmony smirked as she led the three away from the party and further into the graveyard. Her minions would kill Cordelia's friends, she would turn Cordy and they would kidnap Xander. Then they would send the slayer a note and when Buffy came to help her friend, they would kill her. After that, they could kill stupid Xander Harris. It would serve him and Spike right after the way they had treated her.

Spike woke up to find himself wrapped in Angel's arms. He was just about to give his lover a wake up kiss when he heard the faint sounds of music and laughter coming from the garden. He shook Angel awake.

"Angel, do you hear that?" he asked as he jumped up from the bed, getting dressed as quickly as he could.

Angel had woken up and heard the same thing Spike had. Now he was up and getting dressed too. "Why didn't we hear it before and what the hell is 'it' anyway?"

"I don't know but I'm afraid to find out," Spike told him.

The two vampires finished dressing and made their way to the garden. As they got to the door they saw what was going on. Angel's eyes flashed amber at the sight of all the partying that was going on. Demons were everywhere, throwing beer bottles into a trash can that had been dragged onto the patio and there was a demon trampling his geraniums. He was just about to go and kill everyone in sight, when he noticed Xander and the others standing over to the side, laughing and talking.

"What are they doing?"

"Looks like they're having a party," Spike smiled at the happy look on Xander's face. He grabbed Angel's arm and stopped him before the older vampire could go outside and put a stop to the festivities. "Don't rush out there, mate. Let's eavesdrop on them and see what's going on first."

Angel looked at Spike and nodded his head before grabbing his lover's hand and leading him out the front of the mansion. They snuck around to the stone wall and peered over, spying on Xander, Cordy and the others.

Angel had been furious when he saw the beer and ice floating around in his fountain but then the fury had turned to amusement as he heard Cordelia getting on his boy. "How many of these have you had, mister?" she had asked as she snatched the bottle of beer from Xander's hand. He and Spike had watched as Wesley and then Xander had tried to tell her both of them miscounting. Yes, they were definitely on their way to being drunk.

Spike knew he should be outraged at the thought of Xander having a party and getting drunk in the middle of the cemetery but somehow he couldn't manage it. The boy was having fun and after all he had been through, he deserved that much. "Let's give them some time before we bust in there. Xander's having too much fun to break it up now," Spike said as the two vampires exchanged knowing glances before they sat down to watch their lover and his friends.

Spike had tensed when he saw Harmony approach Xander from behind but before he could make his presence known, he heard the vampire and Cordy exchange niceties and had even found himself laughing along with Angel as Cordelia misunderstood Harmony's intentions. They were just about to bust a gut at Harmony and Wesley fighting over his book and Xander's definition of the word idiot, when they heard Harmony tell them to follow her. As Cordelia, Xander and the others had walked off, Spike had risen, grabbing Angel's hand.

"She's up to something," he whispered.

"Are you sure?" Angel asked, not wanting to ruin Xander's fun just yet.

"Didn't you hear Xander earlier, peaches? I slept with the girl. I know how she thinks, well when she actually tries to think anyway and I know how she feels about Xander. She's leading him into a trap."

Angel followed Spike through the brush, watching the group as they walked further out into the graveyard. As they went, he grumbled, "I can't believe you slept with that stupid blonde."

Spike just smirked at him. "Jealous?" When Angel finally nodded, his smile grew bigger as he said, "I only slept with one stupid blonde. You slept with two - Darla and Buffy. What's your excuse?"

Angel was about to reply when they heard loud voices. They looked up to see four male vampires, carrying axes and various weapons standing behind Harmony. Spike made to attack, but Angel held him back. "Let's see how well Xander and the others do against them before we join in the fun. Believe me, we won't let Xander get hurt, but I want to see how much more we need to teach him besides the fact that you don't fight vampires while you're well on the way to being drunk."

Spike finally nodded in agreement and they snuck closer, ready to charge at any given moment. They were not about to lose their lover or their friends to Harmony and her piss-ass group.

"You're in trouble now, Xander Harris," Harmony said.

"What's new?" Xander asked, sobering up a little at the sight of the vampires in front of him.

Harmony ignored him. "We're going to kill all your friends, except for Cordy, because I'm going to turn her so that we can go shopping together and everything like we used to. Then we're going to kidnap you so the slayer will come and rescue you. I'm going to send her a note saying that I have you and when she comes I'll kill her."

"Let me just make two points here," Xander said. "Number one, what kind of evil vampire sends notes like they're in high school? I bet you even make smiley faces when you dot your I's don't you? Like you did when you were in high school."

"So what if I do. That's none of your business, Xander," she replied.

"Okay, that's a yes then. That should give Buffy a real laugh. And number two, I guess you haven't heard but Buffy and I aren't getting along right now. Isn't that right, Cordy?"

"It's true. They had an argument, a big one," Cordelia told her friend.

"Really? What was it about?" Harmony asked, still loving the gossip.

"Well, it all started over that thing with the soldiers----" Cordy began before Xander interrupted her.

"Excuse me. Can we gossip later, ladies? I believe I was making a point here which is that there's a distinct possibility that Buffy wouldn't even think about rescuing me. I guess you and your little buddies are shit out of luck."

"They're not my buddies. They're my minions."

"They're what now?"

"Minions. You know, lackeys," Harmony explained. When Xander still looked confused she explained further. "God, you big dork. How much have you had to drink? They work for me."

Xander, Cordelia and Doyle looked at each other before Xander turned his attention to the four vampires standing behind Harmony. Spike and Angel were surprised when Xander busted out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Harmony demanded.

"Nothing," Xander managed to say through his laughter. "What could be funny? Just look out it's the terrifying Harmony gang, ooooh," he raised his arms up like he was scared before he busted out laughing again.

"Stop laughing," Harmony insisted as he pointed his fingers at her while still giggling. Now he had the whole gang laughing with him. They were definitely riding the mellow, Spike thought as he and Angel continued to watch.

I just....I just can't picture anyone pathetic enough to be following---" Xander stopped and put his hand on his hip as his mouth dropped open. "Is that Brad Konig? Huh." Xander thought for a moment before he yelled at the male vampire standing just to the left of Harmony.

"Hey Brad. Who would have thought that when you were beating up kids in gym class you'd end up Harmony's lapdog." Angel and Spike laughed at Xander's taunting of the vampire.

"Screw you, Harris," Brad said. At the vampire's words, Xander's amusement left his face. He pulled out his stake and pointed it at the vampire, as they glared at one another.

"You should know all about being someone's lapdog. I know you're a good little puppy for the slayer. You were that way all through high school and you're no better now." Harmony said angrily. "You're just a weak, fraidy cat, loser."

"Shut up, Harmony," Cordelia told Harmony as she took up for Xander. The boy turned to look at her.

"I'm handling this, Cordy," he said, before he turned his attention back to the blonde vampire. "Shut up, Harmony."

"Oh, very original, pet," Spike whispered, before Angel agreed.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a two for witty comebacks." Harmony's voice made them get serious.

"Make me," she taunted.

"I'm afraid I don't feel like getting into another hair pulling contest with you."

"You're the hair puller, you big girl." Harmony shot back.

At his words, Harmony changed into her vampire face and attacked Xander, while each of the other vampires attacked one of his friends.

Angel and Spike tensed as they saw the fight begin and it took everything within them to stay back. They watched as Xander and Harmony struggled on the ground.

"Not such a pushover anymore, am I?" Harmony asked as she slapped Xander across the face. She smiled as she slapped him again. "I've been working out, learning some new tricks, honing my instincts," she said, as she leaned in for the bite. Spike and Angel ran towards them, but before they could reach the two, Xander broke free and punched Harmony before kicking her across the graveyard and into the big guy who was standing over Wesley. The kick knocked both of the vampires down.

"Thank you, Xander," Wesley said as Xander helped him up. "How come I always get the big ones?"

"Luck of the draw?" Xander asked, right before Harmony attacked him again. Xander saw her coming and he ducked, sending the blonde flying over top of him to land against a nearby headstone. Wesley jumped on the back of the big guy who was headed towards Xander.

"Trying to sneak up on an innocent boy. Why I ought to thrash you!" Wesley shouted as the big guy elbowed him, knocking Wesley to the ground. The vampire smiled before he went to help Harmony.

Xander wasn't paying attention as he taunted Harmony. "Harmony, when you tried to be head cheerleader, you were bad. When you tried to chair the homecoming committee, you were really bad. But when you try to be bad, you suck. You're such a half-wit."

"I'm the half-wit?" Harmony asked, as she watched Mort sneak up behind Xander. The big vampire grabbed Xander around the neck and lifted the boy up off the ground, as Harmony laughed at him.

"Excuse me, but look who's fallen into my trap," she bragged right before Xander kicked backwards, hitting the vampire in the balls. The vampire dropped Xander and grabbed his nuts as the boy laughed.

"Works like a charm," he said, before turning back to Harmony. In the meantime, Doyle and Cordelia were exchanging blows with the vampires who had attacked them. Oz looked up from where he had staked his vampire and saw the big guy recover from his blow and head for Xander. He picked up his stake and threw it at him, but it bounced off a nearby tombstone.

That never works," Oz said, before he ran over to help Wesley as the ex-watcher attacked the vampire. The big guy turned and punched both men, knocking them to the ground. Angel and Spike exchanged glances, realizing it was time for them to intervene.

der looked around and realized that he and his friends were surrounded. "You touch me or my friends and Angel and Spike will kill you," he warned as one of them nudged him on the shoulder while the other vampires laughed. Suddenly, the vampire exploded in front of them. They turned to see Angel standing behind them, a stake in his hand.

"Can't say he didn't warn him," he told the remaining vampires. The big guy growled and started to advance on Xander. Spike reached out and tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned around, the blonde hit him with a hard right to the jaw knocking him down, as Angel staked another vampire.

"Here I thought it was going to be a slow night," Spike said. "Step on up, kiddies. Thrashing's for all." He wiggled his fingers at Harmony and the big vampire in a 'come on' gesture.

Harmony walked over to Spike and eyed him flirtatiously. "Hello, Spikey. I mean, Spike."

"Long time. What are you doing out here attacking my boy and his friends?"

"You're boy? Yeah, right," she snorted as the big guy walked over to her.

"Why are you talking to him?"

"It's okay. We used to go steady." Harmony explained. "Spike, Mort. Mort, Spike."

Spike looked at the big man, boredom in his blue eyes. "Piss off, Mort."

Mort went after him but Harmony again stopped him. "Mort, just give us a couple of minutes, okay? He's really testy," Harmony told Spike as Spike mockingly made a kissy face at Mort. "We were thinking of voting him out of the gang."

"Gang?" Spike asked.

"Oh, yeah, I had my own gang before you guys killed them," Harmony bragged.

Spike smirked at Harmony. "Is that what those circus freaks were?"

"Uh, huh," Harmony agreed, before realizing what she was saying. "I mean, shut up."

"I don't think so. You haven't answered my question. What were you doing with Xander?"

"I was going to use him as bait," Harmony told him. "We were going to kill the slayer."

"Singing my song now are you? You should be paying me royalties for that one," Spike laughed. "Or at least get your own tune."

"I'm not going to make the same mistakes you did," Harmony told him. "I've been doing my homework, reading books and stuff."

"What? Evil for Dummies," Spike asked as Xander and the others laughed. "I mean look at you," he continued as he walked around her, "All puffed up and mighty. Thinking you're the new 'big bad'. It's - well, let's face it, it's pathetic."

"You just can't stand the fact that I'm my own person now. There comes a time in every woman's life when she realizes she needs to take the next step. I've taken it. I found the real me and I like her."

"Well that makes one of us," Xander spoke up from where he stood beside Angel.

"I agree, pet." Spike smiled at Xander, before looking back at Harmony. "I hope you'll be very happy together. In the meantime, let me give you a piece of advice. Save slayer slaying for the professionals."

"I had a plan," Harmony told him.

"Seems like your plan failed," Spike said, before walking over to Xander and pulling him close. "I don't care what you do to the slayer, but just let me tell you this. Xander and these other humans are off limits. Got that? Leave now and I won't kill you - you know for old times sake. Come back here or even think about hitting or touching my pet again and I'll kill you."

Mort decided to make a move and lunged at Xander. Spike pulled the boy out of the way and Angel ripped Mort's head off, before looking at Harmony. "You better listen to Spike. I don't have any old times to remember and I'll kill you if you're not gone within the next five seconds."

Harmony looked at Cordelia. "Cordy, help me out here. Tell them I'm really not a bad person."

"You just tried to kill us," Cordelia said. "You're on your own."

Harmony turned her attention to the one person that she knew would get her out of trouble. "Xander, I'm sorry. It's just that my minions didn't respect me. You should know how that feels, not to get any respect. I just wanted someone to follow me like they did in high school."

"They didn't follow you, Harmony. They followed Cordy. I guess you could say that you were one of her minions."

"Still, I put that group together. Not the high school group, the vampire group. They pretended to respect me, but deep down they thought I was nothing. I mean, I'm the one who held that group together, me, but they treated me like I didn't even matter. Do you have any idea what that feels like? To not be respected or be treated like you were nothing by the people who are supposed to be your friends?"

Xander looked at the girl and didn't see the vampire who had just tried to kill him or the high school girl who had made his life miserable by laughing at his clothes and calling him a geek. He saw himself. Someone who was just looking for acceptance from anyone that came along, like he had always done until finding his new family and his lovers.

"A little," he admitted as she looked at him. "Okay, a lot."

"I just want to have some fun. I'm so tired of running from Buffy and being afraid. I feel like I don't fit in anywhere. I thought that being a powerful vampire would be fun, but it's too hard. I can't handle it. You were right, I suck. Being a vampire sucks, too," Harmony said, as she wiped the tears from her face.

Xander walked over to the vampire and put his arm around her. "Sure, it's a big let down for you. Going from Miss Popularity to Miss Minion, but you'll bounce back. What you need is to have a good time. Why don't you come back to the party and meet some nice demons?"

"You mean that?" Harmony asked, looking hopeful as the others stared at them in disbelief.

"Pet, I don't think that's such a good idea," Spike told the boy.

"Why not?"

"She's an evil vampire," Spike told him.

"So are you, or that's what you always say and you're going to be there," Xander pointed out.

"Yes, but I'm invited because it's your party and I'm you're lover," Spike grinned, taking the boy into his arms and giving him a tender kiss.

"So was Harmony. Your lover not mine," Xander amended quickly, before anyone could say anything.

"Yeah, you wish I had been yours," Harmony told Xander.

"As if. You totally disgusted me." Xander said, getting angry.

"You were a geek and a loser."

"You were a snob and a bitch."

"Geek!"

"Snob!"

"Loser!"

"Bitch!"

"Well, I hate you."

"I hate you more."

By the time they got through yelling, Xander and Harmony were nose to nose. They looked at each other before Harmony grabbed Xander and kissed him.

Angel, Spike and the others looked on in shock as Cordelia marched over and pried Harmony off of Xander. She pushed the girl backwards as she came between the two of them, facing Xander.

"Is insulting a girl and yelling that you hate her your idea of foreplay or something?" Cordelia asked, remembering her first kiss with Xander in Buffy's basement. Xander looked at her for a moment before it dawned on him what she was talking about. He looked at her and then Harmony before shrugging his shoulders and smiling.

"Whatever works. Harmony, if you promise to behave and not kill anyone you can join us. Otherwise, go home," Xander said as he made his way back to the mansion. Angel and Spike watched as their lover led his friends through the graveyard.

"You know, for a geek, he's not a bad kisser," Harmony told Cordelia.

"Don't I know it. That's what got me into trouble in the first place. His lips," Cordelia agreed.

"What the bloody hell just happened?" Spike asked Angel as they followed the group.

"You're asking me? I'm always the last one to know anything," Angel replied as they entered the garden. Spike walked over to the fountain and grabbed a beer.

"Get me one too, Spike," Angel told him. When the blonde looked at him he said, "I think I'm going to need it, because I feel like it's going to be a long night." Spike laughed as he grabbed another beer and walked over to stand beside Angel. They watched as their young lover and his friends introduced Harmony to the other demons. Yes, their un-life was becoming very unpredictable, but they decided they liked it that way.