"Wil?"

"Yes Alex. It's me."

"You um, are you okay? With what just happened I mean, with Spike?"

"I'm fine. It was only a matter of time before this happened."

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but is Spike planning on coming back out here to explain this?"

Alex pointed to the bite on his throat. Wil shook his head and smiled fondly.

"He says that you're not stupid and you know exactly what it means."

"Well duh! It's a claim, obviously. What I want to know is why? He doesn't even like me! Well except that he just... and we just... but really, he doesn't."

Wil chuckled and stood before helping Alex to his feet. They dressed in silence, Alex without a shirt since his had been shredded. Finally, Alex couldn't stand the silence any longer. Taking a huge risk he announced his decision to the vampire.

"I won't honor it. I didn't ask to be claimed, and I won't be owned."

He heard the snarl just before he was gripped harshly and pulled within inches of Spikes' very demonic face.

"You. Are. Mine. No getting out of it. I do own you. Always have. Accept it Xander, 'cause I'm not letting you walk away."

"Alex. My name is Alex. I told you I'm not Xander anymore. I haven't been for a very long time."

"Fine, Alex. It doesn't change the fact that you wear my claim. Get used to it. You are mine."

"Why Spike? Why this?"

"Told you. You. Are. Mine."

Alex pulled away from the irate vamp and began pacing. This was getting him no where. He wanted answers not a declaration of ownership from cave-Spike over there. Maybe if Spike calmed down he would be more receptive to answering him.

"Fine. You win. I'm all yours."

Spike reverted back to his human face and watched Alex carefully. He didn't trust this easy acquiescence.

"Right. Your mine."

"Okay, so will you tell me why now? Why I'm yours? As I said, you don't like me so what possible reason is there for you to claim me? Is it for Wil? So I won't leave? 'Cause I gotta tell you, I wasn't planning to go anywhere."

Spike ran his hands back through his hair, still disgusted by the curly locks and wishing his froofy soul would let him bleach it. He tried to find the words to explain to Alex why he had claimed him without looking like a wanker. He would not admit he had feelings for the git.

"You remember the first time we met?"

"Uh yeah? Angel was offering me to you as an appetizer. Why?"

"Who is Angel?"

"Um... the Poof?"

Spike laughed loudly and for a long while before addressing Alex again.

"Well yeah, he is that. But what I was getting at is what is he in relation to me?"

"Oh. He's your sire, right?"

"Right. And he offered you to me. First prezzie I'd gotten from him in over eighty years. Just took me a while to claim it. You always were mine pet."

Alex was stunned. He hadn't expected that answer. Spike had always planned on this? Even during the chip years and their forced co-habitation? It hardly seemed likely, the vampire had hated him then, used every opportunity to embarrass and humiliate him.

"But you hated me?"

"Nah, hated that you hated me. Different story all together. Wanted you to come to me willingly, figured it would never happen though. Got a bit pissed about it. Took it out on you."

"So you wanted me? When I was Xander donut-boy Harris? I find that hard to believe."

"I could see your potential, what you were capable of being. Mind you, if I'd have gotten my teeth into you then, you be a vampire now, my first childe. We would have caused bloody mayhem together."

"Okay, and suddenly I'm thinking this curse has it's upshot. No vamp-me, that has to count for something right?"

"Oi! That's no way to talk. You'd have made a brilliant vampire luv."

"Okay, enough about that. What about Wil?"

"What about him?"

"What about me and Wil? I get that I 'belong' to you, but I care about him, what happens with me and him?"

"Nothings changed Xan... Alex. Just that now there is you and him, and you and me. We share."

"Share? Me?"

"Yes. Share you, we worked it all out last night. Mind you William here didn't think you'd go for the plan but I was being positive."

Alex shook his head and walked to the door. He unlocked it and stepped outside.

"I... I gotta think. This is too... too much."

The vampire watched as Alex ran out the door and disappeared in the night.

"Brilliant you pillock! You scared him off."

"Sod off git. Wasn't my fault. 'Sides, he'll come back, he always did."

"I hope for your sake that you are right. If he gets hurt, I'm blaming you."

"You could've stepped in anytime here ya know? Don't blame this all on me."

"Oh.... Do shut up!"

The vampire chuckled at himself as he went upstairs to his apartment.

"Snappy come-back, luv. No wonder you were such a hit with the ladies."

The sound of growling could be heard from the top of the steps.