Angel had driven almost halfway home when Doyle had a vision. "Two Preamotu demons are wreaking havoc but I can't make out where it is, which is weird considering that usually comes with my visions."

"Preamotu demons? They're born killers who maim and massacre." Wesley told them.

"Goody. As if it weren't bad enough that Doyle almost got his brains eaten, now there's a pit bull on the loose." Cordelia said.

"So we know what we're dealing with, now all we have to do is find it. Anyone got any ideas how to locate this thing in a city with thousands of people in it?" Angel asked.

"I may be able to help with that. I've met a few of the demons around town, ones that are willing to give out information for a price. There's one in particular that seems to know alot about what's going on in this city." Wesley told them.

"Are you talking about Merle?" Xander sat up and looked at Wesley.

"Exactly."

"Who's Merle?" Spike asked.

"Merle is a parasite demon. He hangs out at Caritas and Xander and I have spoken to him a few times when we've been visiting Lorne and the others."

"What is this Caritas place anyway? I keep hearing about it, but I've never been there," Spike was curious about the club. Wesley and Xander had gone to the bar a couple of times to visit with Clem and Lorne.

"It's that karoake bar I was telling you and Angel about, remember? The safe haven for demons and humans alike. I've been meaning to take you there and introduce you to Lorne, but you two have been busy." Xander told them.

"However, it is a little outside the box," Wesley added.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cordelia asked.

"You have to be there to know what Wes is talking about. It's weird to see demons singing karoake. Some of them are really good and some suck, but they seem to have fun with it." Xander explained.

"Well, if you think this Merle guy can help us then I guess we're going to Caritas." Angel said. "Where is it?"

"It's only a couple of blocks away. We're heading in the right direction, just turn left at the next intersection and the club is on the right hand side," Xander directed. "So if Merle knows where this Preomoomoo demon is, how do we kill them?"

"It's a Preamotu demon, Xander and you're not going to kill anything because you're not going with us. Spike and I will handle it. You and Doyle have been drinking and I don't want you fighting demons when you're not at full speed, okay?" Angel asked. Xander shrugged.

"Fine. The rest of us will stay at Caritas until you're done, if that's alright with everyone." Doyle, Cordy and Wesley nodded in agreement but Spike looked skeptical.

"I don't know that I like the thought of leaving any of you in a demon bar."

"There's a no violence policy, and Lorne has a spell on the place that prevents it. It's probably the safest place to be in L.A." Xander assured him as they pulled up outside the club. Spike and Angel were impressed when they saw a sign saying no violence allowed and a bouncer checking people for weapons as they entered. Maybe their family would be alright here for a little while after all.

They looked around the room, noticing that there were several humans sitting with demons, apparently having a good time as they watched a demon singing up on stage. "He's pretty good," Spike conceded. "But the song leaves something to be desired."

"Hey, there's Lorne," Xander pointed at the green demon that was joining the other on stage, a drink in his hand. Spike listened and was impressed with how well the empath demon sang.

"Well, move over Pointer Sisters. That was cookin'. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. Well, I'm gonna have a word with Liz here. Don't go anywhere. Coming right up, Mork of the Bentback will be calling the tune with a personal favorite of mine. Make him feel welcome." The two walked off the stage while another demon started to sing, or what was his concept of singing. Wesley walked towards the bar and everyone followed.

"Hello, Merle." Wesley sat down next to the parasite demon. Merle never said a word, looking away from Wesley and Xander when he saw the others with them.

"Cat got your tongue, Merle?" Cordelia asked.

"I don't have a tongue," Merle replied, noticing Angel and Spike standing behind him. "And keep the bloodsuckers away from me."

"They can't hurt you in here," Wesley told him.

"I know this one's rep," Merle pointed at Angel. "Hates his own kind, beating on demons wherever he finds them."

"Especially when they waste my time," Angel warned him, grumpy at the thought of having to fight more demons. Right now all he wanted to do was get Spike and Xander home, have a nice, long session of sex and a good night or day of sleep. He had already had enough fighting tonight and he wasn't looking forward to taking on the other demons.

Wesley slid some money over to Merle who picked it up and counted it. "I'm looking for a couple of Preamotu demons."

"Whoa, you've obviously never seen one of them up close. I mean, Preos are stone cold killers, they got these teeth that will----"

"So do we, mate," Spike told him. Merle shook his head at Wesley.

"You're going to have to sweeten this a whole lot."

Wesley reached into his pocket and pulled out some more money, handing it to Merle.

"These Preos you're looking for. They don't like it above ground, so they'll be traveling in one of those sub tunnels off the Redondo line." Angel and Spike turned to leave, Merle eying them with disgust. "Look bloodsuckers, Preos are nasty. Not some big mosquito like you two who turns to dust whenever you stake it."

"Watch who you're calling mosquitoes, Merle. You're nothing but a big old leech," Xander was angry at the demon for making fun of his lovers. Merle was taken by surprise at the boy's words. He thought they were sorta friends. "Don't ever call my boyfriends mosquitos again or there will be hell to pay. Got that you big....big.... you big cootie. Now be a nice demon and apologize to Angel and Spike," Xander ordered, hands crossed in Cordelia fashion and a scowl on his face that said he meant business.

Spike and Angel smirked at the demon from behind the boy's back. Angel decided maybe there was some fun to be had after all. Both vampires liked having Xander stand up for them - it made them feel special. Usually, they were the ones looking out for the others, so it was a nice change when someone defended them.

"Don't wanna, not gonna," Merle pouted, turning back towards the bar. He wasn't about to apologize to a couple of bloodsuckers, not after Xander called him a leech and a cootie. The demon didn't know what a cootie was, but he was sure it was offensive. Merle was reaching for his beer when his bar stool was turned back around to face Xander.

"What is this, Romper Room? First with the name-calling and now with the pouting."

"All I said was one thing, ONE thing - you called me TWO names. That's not fair," Merle pointed out. "I thought we were semi- friends."

"We are. And it was fair. You used one name cause there's one of you. I used two because there's two of them. See? Fair. Now apologize to them, cause you started this." Xander was determined and the demon knew he would never be able to drink his beer in peace unless he did what Xander said.

"Fine, I apologize and best of luck." Xander patted the demon on the shoulder and yelled at the bartender who was filling in for Clem.

"Hey, Mick - give Merle another beer and put it on my tab." The bartender nodded and Merle smiled at the boy - humans weren't so bad after all. Xander returned the smile, taking his boyfriends hands and leading them over to a dark corner of the club.

"Our white knight," Spike sighed, batting his eyelashes at Xander while his arms stole around the boy's waist. Spike was making fun of him but Xander knew that the vampire enjoyed it when he got protective. Spike would never admit that he craved the moments when someone made him feel special - that wouldn't be good for his reputation as the 'Big Bad'. Xander put his arms around Spike's neck, leaning forward until his lips were a fraction of an inch away from the vampires.

"Always and forever." Xander ghosted his lips across Spike's, brown eyes meeting blue and holding for a second before Spike dove in for a real kiss. He nibbled Xander's bottom lip before capturing the boy's mouth and when Xander moaned into the kiss he slipped his tongue in, playing with Xander's until both of them were filled with desire. Xander's hands were playing with the hair along the nape of Spike's neck while Spike's hands were slowly moving up and down Xander's back, making small circular motions until he reached the boy's ass. He pulled Xander closer, rubbing their hard erections against each other. Spike lost all track of time until he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder.

"Go away, busy," Spike managed between kisses. When the tapping became more insistent, Spike broke away from Xander with a growl only to meet his other lover's amused, but lust filled eyes.

"As much fun as I know you were having and as much as I want to join in myself, we have a few demons to kill." Angel gave Spike a kiss before turning his attention to Xander. The boy was leaning against the wall, still trying to get his eyes to focus on their surroundings. Angel put his hands on Xander's shoulders, holding him against the wall as he pressed his body against Xander's, letting the boy know how much he had appreciated the show. Xander's body automatically responded to Angel and soon they were groping and kissing, much like Spike and Xander had done earlier. *Damn, Xander's kisses were addictive, so full of every emotion the boy held within him.* Angel got lost in the moment, forgetting about his words to Spike until he heard the loud clearing of a throat from behind him.

"Thought you said we had places to go and demons to kill, Angel," Spike told him. Angel stopped kissing Xander but instead of pulling away, he nibbled his way up to Xander's ear. He could feel Xander's warm breath against his neck, the heat of his body as he held onto Angel and the vampire decided right then and there that he didn't care how bad a Preamotu demon was, he and Spike were going to kill them in record time. "We're going to go kill the demons and then we're coming back here. When I get you and Spike home...well, let's just say there won't be one inch of your bodies I haven't tasted or touched. I'm going to fuck you both until neither one of you will be able to sit down for a week without thinking about me." Angel smiled when he heard Xander's sharp intake of breath and pulled away from the boy before he gave into the temptation of nailing him right there against the wall of the club.

Xander's senses were on overload, his body tingling from head to toe after those kisses and touches that had been sent his way and it took him a few moments to shake off the effects of that coupled with Angel's promise. *Damn, fucking, idiotic, stupid demons. He'd kill them himself if he wasn't so horny and a little bit drunk*. Xander heard Angel and Spike laughing at him and when he saw the twinkle in Spike's blue eyes he realized he had said those words out loud. A flush of embarrassment crossed his face while he glanced around the room to make sure that no one else had heard and it got brighter when he saw the gang, along with Lorne, standing behind the vampires. Xander groaned, putting his hands over his face while he mumbled, "Busted."

"So very busted, Xander Harris. What are you doing over here distracting Angel and Spike when they're supposed to be on a mission for the PTB?" Cordelia asked.

"Yeah, I don't get these visions for my health, you know," Doyle told him.

"Leave the boy alone. Xander's still a teen-ager and we're vampires so what do you expect when we have a few moments alone?" Angel asked. Everyone looked around the room before staring back at Angel, and he knew if he could blush he would be joining Xander in the red faced category right about now. "Okay, so maybe not totally alone, or even a little bit alone but hell...it's just...who's the boss here anyway?" he lamely finished his explanation.

"No boss in our relationship, nuh-uh, nohow, noway," Xander managed to collect himself while everyone's attention was focused on Angel. Now it was his turn to be looked at - by Spike and Angel. "Well, not between you two anyway. I mean, I always try to do what you guys say, not because you're the boss of me or anything but because you've been around alot longer than me so you probably know what's best most of the time by default. Right?"

"Sweetcheeks, no need to ask how you've been doing or for that matter who you've been doing, now is there?" Lorne teased, trying to break the silence and help his young friend out. He gave Xander a hug as the two vampires looked on, not entirely happy with the exchange.

"Hey, Lorne," Xander returned the hug before nodding towards Angel and Spike. "I want you to meet Angel and Spike. They're my boyfriends. Guys, this is Lorne." The three of them eyed each other, Angel and Spike giving Lorne silent warnings about keeping hands off Xander, while Lorne acknowledged the warning and nodded in approval.

"Well, I should hope these are the boyfriends you're always talking about, otherwise you would be in big trouble, Brown Eyes," Lorne said, using his nickname for Xander. "Almost everyone in the club is getting hot from the smells and vibes coming from this corner."

Angel and Spike noticed that several of the demons were leering at the three of them, especially their human. They growled at several until the demons turned around. "Maybe it's not such a good idea to leave Xander here after all." Spike put a protective arm around the boy's shoulders.

"He'll be fine with us," Wesley assured him.

"Have to say I love the coats," Lorne told Spike and Angel. "It's all about the coats. Welcome to Caritas. Do you know what that means?"

"It's latin for mercy," Angel answered.

"Smart and cute. So you know that there isn't any violence in this club of any kind. Xander is safe until you two get back from your little outing."

"He better be mate, or there won't be any 'mercy' shown when we get back," Spike warned, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Did you miss that concept of 'no violence' I was talking about earlier?" Lorne asked him.

"Nope. But they can't stay in here forever, now can they? A protection spell won't help anyone who touches our boy or any member of our family." Spike smiled at his friends. "Take care of each other until we get back. I'm thinking it won't take us very long at all. We have better things to do tonight." Spike's eyes met Xander's, a promise in the now dark, blue eyes and Xander couldn't stop the shiver of anticipation that coursed through his body.

"Just make sure to keep your minds on the fight and be careful," Xander warned as the two vampires made their way out of the club.

"See you around," Lorne called after them, turning his attention to the others. "How fabulous would I look in one of those coats?"

"Don't even think about it, Lorne. They won't let me wear them either." Xander sighed.

"Well, I can certainly see what you like about those two. Gorgeous creatures, one tall, dark and handsome, the other blonde with beautiful blue eyes and cheekbones to die for. You're one lucky fella, if not greedy."

"Don't I know it." Xander answered dreamily. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Have you met the rest of the gang? You know Wesley, this is Cordy and her boyfriend Doyle."

Lorne shook their hands. "How about one of you grace us with a number?"

"I don't sing, you know that," Wesley told Lorne.

"Neither do we," Cordy and Doyle added in unison.

"I do, but only in the shower," Xander joked.

"That's a shame. It's not about how well you can sing. Listen to that guy." Lorne pointed at the demon on stage. "He's like a foghorn on two legs."

"Who is this guy?" Doyle asked Wesley.

"He's anagogic," Wesley explained.

"Really? He looks like he's eating enough," Cordelia said. Wesley rolled his eyes at the girl.

"Psychic. He's connected to the mystic. When you sing, you bare your soul. He sees into it."

Lorne was still trying to get Doyle to sing for him. "This isn't about your pipes, bro. It's about your spirit. I can't read you unless you sing and I've got a feeling you could use a good reading. Tough night, huh?

"You don't know the half of it. I almost had my brains eaten by my ex-wife's ex-fiancee at his bachelor party."

"Whoa, sounds like Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and Passions all rolled into one. Tell you what. Those two will probably be gone for awhile, so why don't you guys sit back, enjoy the show and drinks are on the house."

"Thanks, Lorne," Xander called after the empath demon. "So, how about it? Anyone want anything?" After taking their orders, he walked to the bar. Xander waited on the bartender to make the drinks, hoping that Angel and Spike wouldn't be gone too long. He was tired, horny and a little drunk - he wanted to go home. ************************************************

An hour had gone by and Xander was getting restless. *Where the hell was Spike and Angel*. He knew that he wasn't a little drunk anymore - he was drunk. Xander had only had a couple of beers but he knew he couldn't hold his liquor. That was his parent's department, not his. He looked around the table and noticed that his friends were well on the way to being snockered as well.

Doyle and Cordelia had already sang a love song together and Lorne had told them that despite what had happened earlier, they were very much in love and seemed to have a good relationship. The empath demon took Doyle over to the side, getting the half-demon a beer while he got himself a seabreeze.

"So, you're half Bracchen?" Doyle nodded. "And you haven't told your lady?" Doyle shook his head. "I felt alot of trust and love between the two of you, so why haven't you clued her in yet?" Doyle shrugged. "I'm sensing alot of shame in what you are, like you feel she won't love you if she knows the truth."

"Would you?" Doyle asked, blushing when the empath demon made a face at him. "Sorry, wrong person to ask that question. Look, you don't understand. Cordy's been fighting demons and vampires since she was in high school. She hates them, so why would she want to stay with a man who is half of what she hates - not to mention the child factor if we ever got really serious. I mean, can you imagine the question to the doctor? It wouldn't be is it a boy or a girl but rather what is it?"

"I don't think you're giving Cordelia enough credit, just like you did with Harry. She doesn't seem to hate all demons, she works for a vampire and she seems to like Spike as well. Cordelia doesn't appear to be prejudiced - well, except against the poor and badly dressed. I think she cares enough to accept and love the real you. The question is, can you? Because I have to tell you sugar, the time is coming when you're going to have to face what you are. Alot of people are going to be affected by which path you choose."

"What does that mean?" Doyle asked.

"You have two paths in front of you, sweetcakes - the path of acceptance or the path of denial. You're going to come to the fork in the road very soon, so you better be sure which one you want to travel down. That's all I can say." Lorne walked off, leaving a stunned Doyle behind him. After a few minutes he got up and went over to sit with his friends.

"What did Lorne want to talk to you about?" Cordy asked.

"You. He told me how lucky I was to have you in my life, how I should cherish every moment and not make the same mistakes I have before."

"I knew I liked that man." Cordelia kissed Doyle while Wesley and Xander exchanged glances. They had a feeling it was more than that. They continued to listen to the entertainment and talk while they drank their beers. Doyle re-doubled his efforts at outdrinking everyone, which he was already doing with ease.

Lorne was watching the group with interest when he heard a familiar voice. "Hey, Lorne if it's okay, I'd like to sing something."

"Lindsey, you do remember that this is a safe haven don't you? No violence - not of ANY kind, and that includes attempted rape." His voice was cold, his red eyes burning with anger.

"I know that. What's wrong with you, Lorne?" Lindsey asked, hanging his guitar around his shoulders while watching Xander. When the man following his ex-lover had called and told him that Xander was at Caritas with his friends, sans Angel and Spike, Lindsey had decided to make his move.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that you got a little overzealous with my young friend over there," Lorne nodded towards Xander. "I don't have to read you while you sing, Lindsey. I can feel the obsession rolling off of you from here. Give it up. Xander's clearly in love with those two hunky vampires who came in with him earlier."

Lindsey flinched at Lorne's description of Angel and Spike. "Xander thinks he's in love with them, but he's not. He belongs with me and the sooner he realizes it the better off he'll be."

Lindsey walked onto the stage and Lorne watched his friend's reaction. Xander tensed, trying not to look at the man as he quickly drained his glass, motioning for another beer.

"Oh, my God," Cordelia gasped, seeing who was getting ready to sing.

"Lindsey," Doyle added, not liking this at all.

Lindsey began singing, never taking his eyes off of Xander, despite the warning looks he was being given from the people seated around the boy. Lindsey hoped that this song would bring back the memories and the love they had felt one another, the same love that Lindsey still had for Xander.

One word, that's all you said, something in your voice caused me to turn my head Your smile just captured me and you were in my future far as I could see And I don't know how it happened, but it happened still You ask me if I love you, if I always will

Well you had me from hello and I felt love start to grow the moment that I looked into your eyes It was over from the start, you completely stole my heart and now you won't let go. I never even had a chance you know, you had me from hello.

Inside I built a wall, so high around my heart I thought I'd never fall One touch you brought it down, the bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground And I swore to me I wasn't going to love again The last time was the last time I'd let someone in

But you had me from hello and I felt love start to grow the moment that I looked into your eyes It was over from the start, you completely stole my heart and now you won't let go. I never even had a chance you know, you had me from hello that's all you said Something in your voice caused me to turn my head you had me from hello You had me from hello, boy I've loved you from hello.

By the time Lindsey was halfway through the song, Xander had given up trying to ignore him and had headed for the bar, reassuring his friends that he was alright. He ordered a Jack and coke and quickly drank it before getting another one - anything to drown out the memories that were flooding through his mind.

*Flash*

They had been sitting on the beach, watching the sunset and Lindsey had been strumming his guitar while Xander roasted marshmallows. Xander had looked at Lindsey, the last of the suns rays shining off of his hair, his tanned muscles playing across his shoulders as he looked down at the guitar in his hand. Xander had been mesmerized by the sight and was staring at Lindsey until the man had looked up, a gleam in his blue eyes.

"Enjoying the view?" Lindsey had asked.

"Muchly," Xander managed to get out as Lindsey continued smiling at him. "Lindsey, what is this between us? Is this just great sex or is it more? Are we falling in love?"

"What do you think?" Lindsey had asked, cocking his head to the side and waiting for Xander to answer him. Xander had thought for a few minutes before he said, "For me? I think it's love."

Lindsey's smile had faded and for a moment Xander thought he had said too much. He looked down at the sand and listened while Lindsey started singing. This was the song he had sung to Xander. When Lindsey had finished, he put the guitar down and pulled Xander close.

"Did that answer your question?" Xander had nodded and they had kissed, one filled with tenderness, longing and love. They had made love on the beach for hours and had lain in each other's arms until the waves started lapping around their legs. Lindsey had pulled Xander up and they had run hand in hand back to the beach house where once again they had made love in the bed. Later, as they lay wrapped in one another's arms, Xander had looked into Lindsey's eyes.

"Can we make that our song, or does that sound too girlified?"

"As far as I'm concerned, that's been our song since the first time I saw you, Xander." Xander had kissed Lindsey and they had fallen asleep in each other's arms.

*End Memory*

Xander was brought out of the past by a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and turned around, coming face to face with Lorne, who squeezed his shoulder to calm him down.

"I'm sorry about that brown eyes. I tried to stop him but he insisted," Lorne apologized. "By the way, not to be a tattletale or anything but watch out for that one. The obsession is still there, more so now that you two have parted ways. He's got eyes everywhere, including here. Quite a few sets if I'm not mistaken. You need to tell Angel and Spike what's going on or Lindsey could actually make good on his threats," Lorne warned, walking away as Lindsey sat down next to Xander.

"Remember that song, Xander? Remember the night I sang it to you?"

"You know I do, Lindsey," Xander turned to face the man. "My question for you is, why do you keep on torturing yourself with the past? I know you thought that song would remind me of our happy times together but it doesn't erase the memory of what you tried to do to me. Nothing will ever make up for that."

"Xander, I'm sorry---"

"Don't even go there, Lindsey. If you were truly sorry for what almost happened and for your threats afterwards you wouldn't be here. You'd be getting on with your life instead of following me around, singing a song that used to mean something but now means nothing at all."

"They weren't threats. By the way, congratulations on getting that new job. I think you'll be great at construction work, and it'll be good for those muscles and that tan." Lindsey watched the boy's face war between anger and fear. Anger finally won out as Xander stood, almost falling over his bar stool in the process.

"Nothing I do is any of your business, Lindsey. We're through, over, done, kaput, finished. Has that cleared everything up for you?"

"Xander, you know there's something between us."

"Yeah, loathing and disgust."

"More like heat and desire. Something's happened to me. I can't stop thinking about you - I love you. You're all I think about, dream about. You can't tell me that there isn't anything there between you and me. I know you feel something."

"It's called revulsion and whatever you think you're feeling it's not love. It's not getting your own way, not winning for a change. Something you're not used to and can't seem to accept. And by the way, being stalked isn't a real big turn on for me. You know there's a law against that, don't you ? What am I saying? Of course you do, you're a lawyer."

"A lawyer who can get away with anything, Xander." Lindsey reached for the boy who nearly fell over the bar stool in his haste to back away. Doyle, Wesley and Cordelia ran over, helping him stay upright while glaring at Lindsey. Lorne had told them to stay put, saying Lindsey and Xander needed to work this out between themselves. They had been watching from a nearby table and had heard the whole conversation. When they saw Lindsey reach for Xander they had decided that was enough - it was time to step in.

"You don't come near me ever again, ever, understand!" Xander yelled, leaning back against Doyle. "Oh, God I think I'm going to be sick."

"Come on, buddy, let's get you into the bathroom," Doyle put his arm around Xander and led him towards the back room.

"I need Angel and Spike. Where are they?" Xander moaned.

"I don't know, but hopefully they won't be much longer." Doyle assured him as Lorne motioned for Doyle to follow him.

"Bring the little cupcake into my office. He can rest in here until Angel and Spike get back."

They barely got Xander into the office bathroom before the boy lost everything he had in his stomach. Doyle hoped that the vampires got here soon cause Xander wasn't looking too good. **************************************************

Wesley stood in front of Lindsey so that he couldn't follow Xander. "I think it would be best if you listen to what Xander is saying, because I don't think Angel and Spike will take it very well when they find out you have been bothering him. I know that I'm not."

"You'd better listen to Wesley because I think you slapped on just a little too much 'Obsession for Dorks'. How about you let the door hit you in your ass on the way out," Cordelia suggested, joining Wesley to face off against the lawyer.

"I'm not going anywhere," Lindsey grabbed a beer and sat down on the stool. "I've been coming to this place for a long time and I'm not going to stop now just because you two don't like it."

"You didn't just happen to come in here tonight, Lindsey. We heard the conversation between you and Xander. You've been following him and making threats - threats that neither I or anyone else like. You will never get the chance to be alone with Xander ever again and your shadowing the boy stops here and now." Wesley told him.

"Okay, now see I was afraid of this. Misrepresentations, misunderstandings, slurs and allegations. I don't know what Xander has told you, but the truth of the matter is, he and I had a nice time at the cemetary and---" Lindsey began before being interrupted by Wesley.

"Lindsey, listen to me---"

"Listen, I'm just trying to explain. Xander may have said some things that sounded like I may have done something that was inappropriate---"

Wesley had heard enough. The old anger of what had happened to him added to Xander's attack had built up in him long enough. Lindsey reminded him of his Uncle John, standing there acting like nothing had happened while making up excuses for his inexcusable actions.

"You better be glad that violence is not allowed in this club, otherwise you would be a dead man. I have only wanted to kill one other person in my entire life - that is until now."

"Let's calm down. Why don't we try to act like civilized human beings, for Xander's sake of course." Lindsey tried to act innocent but Wesley was having none of this.

"You want me to be civilized to a man who is trying to terrorize my friend? Lindsey, hell would freeze over before we would ever have a civilized conversation. Clear out of here and Lindsey, this thing, get over it."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. You know exactly what you did to Xander, or attempted to do. Know one more thing. If you continue to harrass Xander, I will come after you myself. Now move the hell on." Wesley and Lindsey glared at each other for a few minutes before a voice came from behind them.

"I think that's a bloody good idea, mate. Otherwise, you're going to find your guts splattered all over the sidewalk the minute you step out of this building." ****************************************************

"Xander, you feeling any better?" Doyle pushed Xander's hair back before placing a cool washcloth on his forehead. He lifted the boy's head up so that he could put the pillow Lorne had given him under Xander's head. He spotted a cover hanging on the back of the couch Xander was lying on and covered the boy with it. Xander's face was pale and tears were glistening in his eyes and Doyle didn't know if it was from throwing up, what had happened outside with Lindsey or possibly a little bit of both.

"I think at one point I actually turned completely inside out, but yeah, better." Xander told him, taking the glass of water Doyle handed him. He took a drink and handed it back to Doyle.

"Want to talk about it?" Doyle set the glass of water on a nearby table.

"Want to, yes - feel like it, no," Xander answered. "Shit, Doyle I screwed up so bad. So friggin bad and I don't know what to do."

"Sometimes, if you tell someone else what's going on they can take a step back and look at the situation a little more clearly. Maybe I can help."

"Remember back in Sunnydale when Lindsey...I told Angel and Spike what had happened but I...uh...left out a part or two and now I'm afraid they're going to find out and rip my head off and beat me with it, which considering the way I'm feeling right now might be for the best."

Doyle smiled at the Spikeism Xander had used. "Are you talking about the stalking Lindsey's been doing?" Xander looked at him in surprise. "Sorry, couldn't help but overhear. I think everyone in the club heard you telling him off."

"Guess I did get a little loud," Xander conceded. "When I was leaving the crypt that day Lindsey yelled something about knowing and watching everything I was doing, my waking up to two piles of dust and giving me a little time to come to him willingly or else."

"Which you conveniently forgot to tell Angel and Spike? Not a wise move, my friend. You know how protective those two are and it's only a matter of time before they figure out what's going on. I think you need to tell them before that happens or someone fills them in. It will be better coming from you."

"I know. Fuck, I should have told them when it first happened."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I was stupid. Because I didn't want them to kill Lindsey. I don't love him anymore but I don't want him dead, either - not because of me. Plus, I was hoping he was just trying to scare me. I wasn't sure he was going to actually do anything until tonight."

"Well, I think he's serious, Xander. You need to tell Angel and Spike as soon as possible."

"You're right. I'll talk to them when they get back, if I'm sober. Do you think they'll go easy on me seeing as how I feel so gross right now?" The two friends exchanged a look.

"Nah," both of them said in unison. Doyle handed Xander a bottle of JD. "Some hair of the dog that bit you? My advice is to start drinking heavily."

"Been there, doing it," Xander lifted the bottle to his mouth and took a long drink before handing it back to Doyle. He sighed and laid his arm across his forehead while Doyle sat back in his chair, both of them waiting for Angel and Spike to return, both of them knowing that the two vampires would not be happy - not happy at all. **********************************************

Wesley, Cordelia and Lindsey turned to see Angel and Spike standing behind them, both vamped out, their hands clenching and unclenching at their sides. They had walked in just in time to hear Lindsey's lame excuses and Wesley's threats. Lindsey smiled, taking a drink of his beer as the two glared at him.

"Make all the threats you want but there's not a damn thing you can do in here. No violence policy, remember?"

"You weren't listening very well, Lindsey. Spike said OUTSIDE. You can't stay in here forever, no matter how big a coward you are," Angel told him.

"Coward? I'm not afraid of you. We all know that Xander would never be able to forgive himself if you killed me because of him."

"You're a very deluded man, Lindsey. Xander doesn't love you anymore. He loves us and nothing is going to change that." Angel told him.

"He wouldn't love you if you turned back to your killing ways now would he? That would be going against everything he's stood for these past few years - fighting demons on the Hellmouth and all with the slayer?"

"Xander knows there's other demons than vampires and such. Human demons like you and that law firm you work for. I'd be willing to wager that when all is said and done - he wouldn't be against the idea of seeing you gone." Spike told him.

"Let me tell you something, Spike. While you and Angel are evil vampires and very strong, I have Wolfram and Hart behind me and you haven't seen evil until you've seen them at work. I don't think you want to go against us." Lindsey slammed the beer down on the counter and rose to face the vampire. "If you, Angel or any one of your little merry band get in our way - we'll mow you down."

Spike glared back at the lawyer before changing back into his human face. Much to everyone's surprise, he started laughing at the lawyer. This was definitely not the reaction Lindsey had thought he was going to get and he was genuinely pissed off.

"What's so fucking funny?"

"You are, mate. Standing there all puffed up and manly, talking about how you and your lawyer geeks can take out two master vampires. It's really quite ---- stupid. What were you planning on doing? Boring us to death?" Spike asked before getting serious. "Try anything...do anything....hell, look at my boy or my family the wrong way and we'll destroy you and your bloody law firm. You see, you've pissed us off one too many times. You're looking at Angelus and William the Bloody now. We took out villages within hours - you and your little buddies wouldn't last ten minutes. Don't believe me? Look it up in your little books I know you probably have lying around somewhere. Makes for a good read on a cold winter's night when you're all alone. But when you're reading your bedtime stories, remember one thing. Those people? Just playtoys for us to amuse ourselves with. You, on the other hand, we loathe and despise. You think what we did to those people were bad, what do you think would happen to you? Test us again and we'll see who has the biggest wrinklies, won't we?"

"I guess we will," Lindsey tried to sound confident but Spike and Angel knew he was scared. "Tell Xander if I don't hear from him soon, then I'll look him up. I'm sure he knows what I'm talking about."

Angel had also returned to his human face and was smiling at Spike's words. However, when Lindsey spoke he started growling. "Lindsey, I don't like the idea of killing humans but I'll make an exception in your case. Hell, I'm sure I'll even enjoy it. I mean, what's a little torture and maiming among enemies. I'm giving you one last warning to stay the hell away from Xander. If you're as smart as you think you are you'll listen. If you don't then you'll end up dead or at the very least wishing you were."

"You better listen to them, Lindsey or you are going to be so very sorry," Cordelia told him. Lindsey gave them one last smirk before he turned and walked out of the club. Angel and Spike watched him leave before turning to the others.

"Where are Xander and Doyle?" Spike asked, looking concerned. Before anyone could answer they heard Lorne's voice.

"I took them to my office. Xander wasn't feeling very well and Doyle's sitting with him. Come on and I'll show you the way. While we're walking, Wesley can fill you in on what happened here tonight."

Wesley filled Angel and Spike in, making sure to omit the part about Lindsey's stalking the boy. If Xander wanted to tell Angel and Spike about this it was up to him. Cordelia noticed, but didn't say anything as the five of them walked to Lorne's office.

They stepped inside, finding Doyle reading a book and Xander sleeping on the couch. Doyle quickly stood up, a finger against his lips.

"He's asleep, finally."

Angel and Spike walked to the couch, bending over and taking in the sight of Xander's pale face. Spike gently lifted the washcloth off of Xander's forehead, laying it to the side before brushing that unruly curl off of his forehead. Spike placed a kiss on the boy's forehead before turning back to the others.

"You mean passed out. I can't believe he's thoroughly and totally snockered."

"Don't be too hard on him, Spike," Doyle spoke up. "Xander was doing good until that asshole Lindsey started singing to him and everything."

"Yeah, it upset him although Lindsey was amazing." Cordelia said. The two vampires turned an icy look on her while she shrugged. "I'm sorry. I know he's evil, and I'm very much on board with the Lindsey hatred, but his voice was fantastic."

Angel turned his gaze on Lorne. "What did you read about Lindsey?"

"Sweetie, I don't go around telling everyone what I read about another person. However, I can tell you that Lindsey is very determined to get Brown Eyes back and will do anything, and I do mean anything to see that happens."

"He'll have to go through us to do it," Angel told him. "If he has any brains at all, Lindsey will stay away from us or I won't be responsible for my actions."

"Before you start making with the fists and killing you might want to talk to Xander," Lorne said. "I've got a feeling there's something the kid needs to get off his chest."

"Like what? Does it have something to do with Lindsey's little parting comment about Xander knowing what he was talking about?" Spike asked, while the others shrugged their shoulders.

"Let me just say that what I read from Xander was not what Lindsey was hoping for. No love, not even a little hint of a turn on. All I was getting was a little sadness mixed with a whole lot of anger and a double dose of fear."

Angel picked Xander up off the couch and headed for the door. Spike stood next to Cordelia and she noticed that he was smelling her. Before she could say anything, Spike nodded to Angel who tossed the keys to Cordy. "Cordy, you're driving. We need to get Xander home so you can drop us off first. Take Wesley on home and then keep the car overnight. You can bring it back to me tomorrow. Lorne, we'll get the cover back to you as soon as possible."

"Shotgun," Doyle called, following Angel out the door. Cordelia turned to Spike. "What was all that sniffing riff about?"

"I wanted to make sure that you were sober enough to drive. Friends don't let friends drive drunk." Spike explained.

"Well, stop it because you're invading my personal bubble. And you've been watching way too much television."

Lorne watched the group leave, hoping that Xander and Doyle would come clean with their lovers about their secrets. If not, they were in for some very rough times.


Chapter Twenty-Eight

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