Divided
Part 1
Xander had a list of least favourite places, and the city dump was up in the top five. Not as bad as the Morgue because at least the dump didn't have dead people but definitely worse than the local Bus Station, cos okay there were less winos at the dump but he really did have to deduct marks for the stench. Still duty called and here they were.
/Ah the city dump. If I'd 've known this was where we were gonna end up I . . .probably would have still worn this./ Even he had to admit the clothes he was wearing tonight made you reach for sunglasses if you looked at them too long but his mom had broken the washer again and at least they didn't smell. Or hadn't before coming here. /If the demon is so damn sophisticated how come he hangs out in a dump? Oh that's right he's only sophisticated when it comes to *killing* people. Not a comforting thought /
"People say they're recycling." Riley said, interrupting his inner rant as he shook his head sadly. "They're not recycling."
Xander bit back a grin as he patted Riley comfortingly and continued to bring up the rear behind Buffy and Giles. And Riley and Willow just to be on the safe side. Not that he was nervous or anything of this huge robed demon that used pain inducing weapons and could be lurking behind any pile of rubbish . . .
He heard some scuffling sounds nearby and tensed but the look on Riley's face reassured him slightly. It was the 'oh no not you' look rather than the 'oh crap how many times can that thing kill me before it gets tired' look. Xander peered over Riley's shoulder and relaxed. Though it was a demon lurking it was more the annoying, impotent kind that seemed to turn up every damn place you go, rather than the robed, sophisticated type.
"What are you doing here Spike?" Riley asked threateningly.
Spike's ice blond head raised itself up as he looked at them in frank disgust. Yet *again* with the Slayerettes and the farm boy missing the blindingly obvious. Didn't these guys have anything better to do than apparently follow him around and catch him doing things he'd rather have kept private?
"Oh there's nice lady vampire who's set up a charming tea room over the next pile of crap" he said witheringly to hide his embarrassment at being caught. "What do you think I'm doing, I'm scavenging ain't I?" Scavenging. Yeah, that was a good word. Put a slightly better complexion on picking through other peoples less than sweet smelling rubbish.
He waved a lamp at them, which Xander actually thought was pretty nice. Would go a lot better in the basement than a crypt. Then again the two were probably even. The basement also featured on his list of least favourite places.
"Very pretty" Willow chirped.
/Damn right/ Spike thought slightly mollified. Red had taste. He almost smiled then caught Buffy's glare and thought better of it, instead throwing a wave at her as he walked away.
Giles looked apologetically at the others then called out.
"Spike erm . . ."
Spike rolled his eyes. /Of course, don't let me hang on to my last tatter of pride will you Rupert?/ But he turned back, if nothing else at least the Scoobies kept him alert to any new demons he could kill.
"We're looking for a demon." Giles continued. "Tall, robed, skin sort of hanging off, deep voice."
Spike's eyes widened slightly as he looked behind Giles at what was advancing on them silently. Maybe he'd let the Slayer take this one. There was split second temptation to keep quiet and watch them get hit, but he couldn't resist seeing the look on their faces.
"You mean a great tall robey thing like that one?"
/Crap, crap, crap, next time I'm staying in the middle/ Xander thought manically as they all whirled around. /Assuming there is a next time/. Great, tall robey thing just like the vampire said. Oh and did he mention it looked absolutely petrifying? Raising it's weapon as it stalked towards them and fired what looked like a bolt of light right at them. The Scoobies all scattered and he threw himself on the ground hearing it hit somewhere behind him.
"Take cover!" Riley yelled.
/Yeah thanks Ri. If it hit's me be sure and let me know I'm dead won't you?/ Xander thought frantically, eyes darting around to see if everyone was safe, if Buffy could start the slash and dice anytime soon. Spike was open, maybe he could help . . .
"Hey big guy, kick her ass!" Spike yelled.
Maybe not. When the hell was it gonna sink in Spike was an evil, annoying, ungrateful . . . Xander watched with some satisfaction as Toth obviously not liking the 'all demons together' thing Spike was selling, fired at him, smashing his lamp.
"Oh very nice!" Spike yelled affronted. "I was on your side!"
Toth ignored Spike, sensible demon, and raised his weapon again, directly at Buffy. Xander launched himself at her and threw her out of the way as Riley rushed at Toth, knocking his arm and deflecting the bolt so it flew scant inches past Buffy, straight at Spike who looked up from his mangled lamp just in time to see it heading straight for him.
"Aw shi . . ."
Spike disappeared from view as the power of the blast knocked him off his feet, making him fly over a pile of garbage. They gaped in horror, before whirling around to fight Toth again . . .except Toth was nowhere in sight.
"What the . . ."
"Where's Toth?"
"He's gone!"
As the others scrambled around looking for Toth, Xander clambered over the mound of rubbish to check on Spike. Not that he was concerned but because . . .okay he couldn't think of a good reason, but he still stumbled over the garbage, trying not to think about what he might be putting his feet in.
He spotted Spike at once, groaning as he shifted on the rubble and slithered over, crouching in front of him.
"Spike! You okay? Can you get up?"
Spike was not happy. He stunk, he hurt, he'd been caught pawing through rubbish by his enemies, he was lying on something that somehow felt both pointy and slimy and his lamp was broken. And now some idiot was asking if he was okay? He felt snappish and had a strong desire to sulk. He swallowed back the annoyed retort that rose to his lips and opened his eyes to find himself gazing into what could very well be the biggest, softest, hottest dark brown eyes he'd ever seen, with long eyelashes, blinking through the soft brown hair that was tumbling into them . . .
Xander looked at Spike, who was staring at him mutely, opening and closing his mouth. /Crap. I bet it's fried his brain, that's all we need, Spike acting like a goldfish/
Xander shook off the image of Spike with scales and waved his hand in front of Spike's face.
"Spike, are you alright?" Spike blinked rapidly, Xander, he of the velvet eyes, was waving at him and seemed to want an answer. He felt wonderfully, giddily, dizzy and couldn't quite get a hold of the words he wanted to say.
"Xander?" He asked confused. He felt . . different. Kind of trembly and, for a change, not really wanting to find the demon that had hit him and rip out it's spine. More like he needed a cup of tea and a sit down. Being hit had been quite a shock.
"Spike." Xander said impatiently. "Are you gonna get up or what?"
"Umm yes." He said shakily, his anger vanishing. "I think so. Thank you."
Xander raised an eyebrow. Spike saying thank you? That blast must have packed a hell of a punch. "Okaaay . . .here." He held his hand out and Spike slowly placed his own in it, a small tingle going through him as Xander's fingers closed over his own.
Xander stood and heaved, Spike came up, stumbling on the shifting bags a little and found himself looking up at Xander. Xander that he was suddenly standing very close too.
Xander, his expression a little bemused raised his eyebrows at Spike then looked pointedly down to where, Spike realised with a sudden flame to his cheeks, he was still holding on to Xander's hand.
"Xander! Are you okay?" Buffy's voice cut in.
"Yeah Buff" Xander yelled back, dropping Spike's hand and moving back to his friends.
Spike stood there for a moment, bewildered. His hand still felt warm where Xander's fingers had touched him. He frowned, trying to place the unfamiliar feeling running through him. Sort of warm and looked after. It had been kind of Xander to come and check on him. No wonder he felt odd. Usually he didn't have much time for kindness. Or for Xander come to that. He known Xander for ages, even lived with him for a while, and basically found the lad to be a waste of space. An irritating, sanctimonious one at that. So why was he suddenly coming over all shy and girl-like, staring into his eyes? He clambered over the rubble, losing his footing and hitting the bags with a surprised "Ooofff" sound.
"Blech." With a kind of scrabbling run on all fours, he lurched over the mounds and then ducked down to peer over the top to watch as Xander walked away with the others, he strained to hear snippets, frowning slightly. That blast must have really thrown him off, he didn't usually have this much difficulty tuning in to conversations.
" . . .he okay?" Red.
"Stunned, not to . . .Happened . . .Toth?" Xander.
"Better . . .next time . . " the soldier.
Xander and the other's vanished from view and Spike managed to get to his feet and stagger back to the path. He shook his head crossly. The garbage stench must be sending him crazy. Either that or his head was still spinning from the blast from Toth's stick. That was it. Nothing to do with Xander. No. Not a thing.
Slowly, he made his way home, wincing slightly with each step, and the demon, green and feral, out of sight and stunned under a broken table, opened it's red eyes.
Part 2The demon crouched close to the ground, listening for any sounds of danger. Every muscle in his body tensed, ready to leap, to kill anything that threatened him. His eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings. He didn't know how he'd got here, all he could remember was a bolt of pain, then darkness and now this. He whipped his head from side to side, trying to take in the abundance of stimulus suddenly bombarding him. Scent, sound, sight, everything was amplified to an almost unbearable pitch, the slight creaking as the bags shifted slightly under his feet, the overpowering stench of the rubbish surrounding him, the scrape of leather and denim against his skin.
All around him was still and he relaxed slightly. Whatever this place was, it held no danger. He stood and flexed his body experimentally. Strength coursed through him, he felt released, like he had been cooped up in a cramped space for far too long and was finally free.
With grace and ease the demon leapt from one mound of rubbish to another, each time inhaling deeply. Beneath the overpowering stench of the garbage around him, he could catch the scent, faint and tantalizing of something. Something he wanted.
He tore his way through the rubbish, tossing it to one side. He didn't know what he was looking for exactly, but it wasn't here, his rage mounted. Too much to keep hemmed in. No room for thoughts, no need for them. Only feelings. And he felt hungry. The faint tinge of pink in the sky and the change of the wind strengthened the scent of what he wanted. People. Blood. Food. It called to him, a pull that was impossible to refuse; he could almost taste the blood already in his mouth, the coppery warmth spreading throughout him.
With a growl of triumph he began to make his way towards the scent, only to throw himself back under cover, howling with rage as the burning pain from the sun struck his skin.
---
Spike woke at sunset, but didn't stir from his uncomfortable bed. Still half asleep, he replayed last night's events. A dreamy smile spread over his face and a warm bubble of happiness expanded in his chest at the memory of Xander helping him after Toth's attack.
That had been so *nice* of him! Xander had been concerned about him. His smile grew and he sighed happily. Maybe he could get hit by a blast again and Xander would be there to help him up. Only this time, instead of dropping his hand, Xander would tighten his grip. His eyes would flick to Spike's mouth. He'd slowly pull Spike to him, lean in, and Spike would raise his mouth up for the kiss . . .
Spike jolted himself out of his half-dream before imaginary Xander had a chance to close the gap between their lips. Flushed and appalled, he shot up in bed. He *didn't* just fantasize about kissing Xander! However, a certain part of his body still tingling slightly under the sheet was providing a silent, but eloquent argument that he had, and that he'd enjoyed it quite a bit.
He couldn't possibly like Xander! Had he suddenly gone crazy? Why Xander? Why now? Besides, even if he did . . .um, *like* Xander, it would be pointless. Xander had a girlfriend, he would *never* be interested in him. He couldn't fall for anyone more out of reach than Xander if he tried.
/But . . ./ he thought hesitantly /he's so nice./ It was just last night. That small show of concern that he'd had no reason to deserve or expect. With that one gesture, Xander had walked straight into his heart, and now he couldn't imagine why he hadn't noticed him before. As though he was seeing Xander through new eyes and suddenly noticing all the things he'd known for years but never appreciated. He was kind and brave, funny and gorgeous and always smelled so good, looked so good . . .he remembered nights tied to the chair, watching Xander clamber into bed, only wearing his boxers . . .the long line of his neck, the play of the muscles in his arms, skin gleaming in the dim light. . .
A slightly dazed expression came over Spike's face as a small, besotted smile tugged at his mouth. He could have stayed there daydreaming indefinitely, but a low growling sound interrupted him. His stomach.
Still a little starry-eyed, he got out of bed, shivering slightly as he slid into his jeans and looked with distaste at his tiny, portable fridge. The only thing in there was couple of bags of cold pig blood. He'd really better look into finding a microwave. In human terms his fridge held the equivalent to some gone off bacon and half a can of flat beer. But still. *Hungry*. He swallowed back his odd nausea at the thought of drinking blood and bit into the bag, struggling against the plastic before the blood spurted into his mouth. And Spike promptly spurted it back out again.
"Urrrgh!" Spitting it out in disgust, he wiped his mouth vigorously in an attempt to rub all the taste away. He knew pig's blood wasn't exactly fine dining, but it had never tasted that bad before. Despite its bitter taste, it usually satisfied some deep part of him, but apparently not today. It must have gone bad or something. He shuddered at the memory of the taste, but his stomach was still roaring for food.
He counted the money in his wallet. Twenty-three bucks. Not much, but enough to get him a fresh bag, then he'd head over to the Bronze for a beer. Maybe Xander would be there. Excitement he couldn't hold back raced through him. Not that he'd *do* anything, it would be stupid to even hope that there was any chance that Xander would feel the same. He'd tried that too many times in the past, reaching out to people, overcoming his shyness only to have it flung back in his face. But if he could just see Xander, spend a little time being with him, looking at him, listening to him, that would be enough.
With a smile Spike just couldn't wipe from his face, he finished dressing and set off, slowly strolling, enjoying the warm breeze, the velvety duskiness of the evening. He hadn't felt this happy, this peaceful in longer than he could remember. The constant tension and frustration he'd been feeling lately just drained away.
So he was chipped. So what? There were worse things. His problem was he didn't have a hobby. He needed to keep busy, maybe he could join the library, borrow some books off Giles. He used to love reading, writing, playing with words, making them into a beautiful form. Maybe he just hadn't had the right inspiration for a while, but for the first time in over a hundred years Xander was making him feel the urge to pick up a pen and try to write a poem again. Why not? It wasn't like anyone would ever see what he wrote.
His head still in the clouds, he hardly noticed the two giggling girls walking by. They whispered together, waving flirtatiously as they appraised him appreciatively. Spike dropped his eyes and blushed from the tip of his toes to the roots of his hair.
As he passed the Bronze on the way to the butcher shop, he paused. He was sure they served chicken wings in here, which was suddenly a lot more appealing then a bag of animal blood. The hunger kicked in again, ten times stronger than before. He needed food. Right now. Real food, like chicken. And fries. And *chocolate*.
Entering the Bronze, he blinked a little, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light before heading straight for the tables. As he hungrily perused the menu, a waitress appeared in front of him.
"What can I get you?"
Spike's initial thought was he wanted everything, several times over.
"Umm ..."
---
Some time later Spike was surrounded by empty dishes and making fast work through a plate of chicken wings. Oblivious to his surroundings, all that mattered was the food, even though his stomach felt like it might just burst from how much he'd eaten, he just couldn't get enough of it. He'd spent nearly all his money and frankly didn't care. He'd never tasted anything as good as this in his life. Of course he'd had food now and then since he'd been turned, even more since he'd been chipped and couldn't sample the variations in the blood of different humans. An all pig blood diet all the time got boring, but never had he tasted food so strongly, never had it felt so utterly *there*.
His waitress passed . . .again, and smiled at him, with more than a touch of professional interest, amused at the speed he'd been gulping his food down at.
"Good?" She twinkled at him.
"Oh yes, delicious thank you " Spike replied bashfully.
"Can I get you anything else . . .anything at all?" She asked, leaning forward a little.
"Actually . . ." Spike said thoughtfully, "I'd like another beer please."
Slightly miffed, she moved away, and Spike returned his attention to his plate.
"Well, if it isn't short, blond and gruesome," came a voice from behind him. Spike promptly choked on his chicken wing as Xander moved around to stand in front of him.
"Xander!" Cough. Choke. Splutter. Cough. Swallow. He managed an embarrassed smile while dabbing at his streaming eyes. "Um ...hello"
He wanted to be cool, witty, sophisticated, but Xander was *here*! Right in front of him! Talking to him!
It was overwhelming. Spike was frozen with nerves, his tongue just didn't seem to want to talk properly, and he could feel a blush was just waiting to happen. His skin hummed with excitement, he couldn't have felt more acutely aware of Xander's presence if he had taken him in his arms.
Fortunately Xander seemed completely unaware of the affect his presence was having on Spike as his eyes flicked casually over Spike, glanced around the Bronze, then looked back at Spike, as he paused before moving on.
"I see you're all recovered from the blast." Xander said, his eyebrow arched quizzically, his eyes dark with amusement as he took in the mountain of empty plates.
"Blast?" Spike said blankly as he tried to keep his hands steady, his mind was in a daze, completely unable to grasp anything other than the fact that Xander was here. Suddenly this crush was blossoming into something whole lot bigger than he'd first thought.
His waitress returned, placing his beer in front of him, casting an indifferent glance at Xander before giving Spike a brilliant smile.
Spike barely even noticed she was there, but Xander's eyes narrowed as he watched her move off.
/Xander really does have the most amazing eyes/ Spike thought dreamily. Eyes that gleamed, teemed, beamed with heat and humour and . . .did he just rhyme? He'd have to remember that and write it down. Later.
"Gee what is it with women and the undead?" Xander asked sourly, his eyes still on the waitress. "Why doesn't the guy that works his ass off *saving* them from vampires ever get a little appreciation?"
"What?" Spike pulled himself back from his contemplation of Xander's eyes with an effort. "You think she . . .uh, liked me?"
Xander shot Spike an exasperated look. "She was practically drooling."
"Really?" Spike asked, surprised. Maybe it was a good thing that Xander noticed other people finding him attractive. He actually sounded a little jealous. "I didn't notice."
"That's a surprise." Xander said cynically. "You're usually loving the attention."
"I am?" Spike wondered aloud. "Well not anymore. I'm not interested in . . ." He trailed off.
Something more pressing had his attention. Xander had chocolate. Spike's wide eyes followed as Xander brought the bar to his mouth and bit into it. When he lowered the bar again, Spike didn't follow it. Somehow his eyes were stuck on Xander's mouth. His luscious, delectable, fully edible mouth.
Xander chewed on his chocolate and noticed that Spike was staring at him.
"What?" he asked through a mouthful of chocolate. "Do I have something on my face?"
Spike blinked. "Um .. .no, nothing." Unable to tear his eyes away he reached for his beer.
Xander shrugged, swallowed the chocolate and licked his lips lingeringly. Spike promptly knocked his glass over, and the beer flew across the table drenching Xander.
"Hey!" Xander snapped.
"Oh, I'm sorry" Spike stammered, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise up. "Did it splash you badly?"
"I guess those famous vampire reflexes ain't what they used to be," Xander grumbled as he dropped his chocolate and grabbed a bundle of napkins, mopping at his jeans. Spike stood, grabbed another bundle and reached towards the damp patch on Xander's jeans.
"Woah!" Xander exclaimed, pointedly moving out of Spike's reach. "What are you doing?"
"Well I was . . ." Spike looked at the bundle of napkins in his hand, where he'd been about to start mopping, Xander, with his eyebrows raised expectantly, and wondered why the room wasn't glowing red along with him.
"Oh ... dear." Where was a trapdoor to hell when you really needed one?
Xander frowned, and looked at Spike a little closer.
"Spike are you *blushing*?"
"No! Of - of course I'm not blushing." This was dreadful. Xander was sure to guess, and then he'd either laugh at Spike or kill him. Neither option was particularly appealing. How would he have acted before he started liking Xander?
"Vampires don't blush. Stupid." In an attempt to look confident and relaxed he leaned on the table, his hand slid in the beer and he stumbled, falling against the table and banging his hip painfully on the corner. Inside he was screaming, but he resisted the need to rub what was sure to be one hell of a bruise and jump around shouting "ow". Instead he froze where he stood, leaning on the table and gave Xander a pained smile.
Xander looked at the table, then Spike. His eyebrows climbed a little higher.
"Your hand's in a pool of beer." He pointed out.
"I know." Spike said defensively.
"What is up with you tonight? And why are you talking like that?" Xander asked, his frown deepening.
"Like what?"
"Nicely. So . . .proper. You sound like Wesley, what happened to the working class accent?"
"Nothing. I just . . ." Spike trailed off. Xander had a point. What had happened to the accent?
He shook his head; he couldn't worry about that right now, despite his vow not to hope for anything from Xander, here was a golden opportunity to buy Xander a drink, to apologize for splashing him, and also to thank him for his help last night. Maybe Xander would begin to look at him in a new way. Not in *that* way, but at least in a way where Xander didn't hate him.
It was easier to speak now Xander wasn't looking at him, he was mopping at his jeans again.
"Xander" Spike began, pleased that his voice was only shaking the smallest amount "are you here on your own?"
"I'm waiting for Anya." Xander replied distractedly. "We're having a little R & R, before I go patrolling with Buffy on the lookout for Toth. Oh, and thanks so much for the help there by the way."
"Help?"
" 'Hey big guy kick her ass?'" Xander quoted glaring at him.
"Oh. I was just trying to . . .um, distract him. I didn't really mean it, you know." Spike babbled quickly.
"And I'm sure Buffy won't really mean it when she kicks *your* pale annoying ass."
This really didn't seem like the ideal moment to offer to buy Xander a drink. Spike had a feeling that the only chance he had of Xander looking at him in a new way was if he started walking upside-down. But he had to start somewhere. Spike licked his suddenly very dry lips. "Xander. A-as an apology, would . . .would you let me . . ."
"Xander!" Spike felt himself wincing at the loud voice cutting between them. Anya appeared and grabbed hold of Xander's arm possessively, giving Spike a dirty look.
"Why are you talking to him?" She pouted up at Xander.
"Something I've been asking myself since the conversation, - and I use the term loosely - began." Xander smiled down at her and kissed her briefly on the mouth.
Spike looked away, he felt so *stupid*. An unwelcome third. This was what he got for letting his defences down, getting his hopes up. The pain welled up inside him at seeing the two of them together. It wasn't even so much the kiss as Xander's smile. Indulgent, entertained and *loving*.
"He's probably trying to steal your wallet." Anya continued.
Xander looked thoughtful. "He did make a grab for my jeans."
"See!"
"I wasn't trying to grab your wallet!" Spike protested horrified.
Anya narrowed her eyes. " What were you trying to grab?"
"Well I was . . ." Spike stumbled on the words, this conversation was spinning way out of control. He looked at Xander beseechingly.
"I would never steal from you," he said sincerely, desperate for Xander to believe him. Oh. Except sometimes he did steal from him.
"Well I won't from now on." Spike added frantically.
Xander looked up, an expression of utter disbelief on his face. Spike tensed in readiness for the next slam, but Xander was distracted by Anya.
"What happened to your jeans?" she asked. "It looks like you peed."
Xander shot Spike a black look. "Spike killed the evil beer. I got caught in the crossfire."
"Poor baby." She smiled consolingly at him as a slow song started to play. "Let's dance before you have to go kill more evil things."
"Sure your arm will be okay?" Xander asked, lightly touching her sling.
Anya nodded and led Xander away, and Spike grabbed his coat, blinking rapidly. Suddenly he wasn't hungry anymore.
Unfortunately, his broken heart would have to wait as some *thing* came crashing through the main entrance, bringing the door and a fair portion of the wall with it.
Shrieks of shock and fear drowned out the music as the demon bounded around the Bronze, whipping its head around, like it was trying to take everything in. Spike froze in terror. It was huge, green, with burning red eyes. It was immensely strong, flicking a table aside like it was nothing but a feather. The table flew into the wall, smashed beyond repair. The screams echoed through the building as people tried to escape. The demon grabbed a girl and bent her head back, exposing her throat.
"Hey!"
Spike's head whirled around, along with the demons to see Xander throwing chunks of broken table at it in an attempt to distract it. It worked, almost too well. The demon roared with anger, threw the girl to one side and bounded over to Xander.
"No!" Spike snapped out of his paralysis and tried to snap the leg of his chair for a weapon, but it wouldn't come off. He pulled so hard his hands ached but it wouldn't budge.
He looked up in horror to see Anya help Xander batter the beast with pieces of wood and debris. The demon roared and lashed out at Xander, landing a hard blow across his face. Spike winced as Xander flew across the room and crashed into the wall. Xander's nose was bleeding and the scent of blood in the air attracted the demon like a magnet, it bounded towards Xander. Spike dodged around the fleeing people, the horror was pounding through him, he *had* to get to Xander before the demon did, nothing mattered but that, but his feet just wouldn't move fast enough and the people banging into him kept knocking him off course, it was already way ahead of him, it was hopeless.
Spike grabbed an empty glass and heaved it at the demon.
"Hey! L-leave him alone!"
His voice was drowned out in the sounds around him, and the glass didn't even hit the demon, it hit the ground and shattered behind it, but still, somehow he must have caught its attention because, just before it reached Xander it stilled. Sniffed the air. Then turned to stare straight at Spike. Their eyes locked on to each other's.
For a long moment, oblivious to the screams and fleeing figures around it, the demon stared at Spike. Spike stared back, unable to move, fear crawling over his spine, his scalp. Like he was trapped underwater, all sounds became a dull roar far away.
Then the demon growled. Low and long. Its eyes narrowed and it coiled itself up, ready to pounce. Spike knew that, but he couldn't move, couldn't run, couldn't shout. Then suddenly:
"KILL IT!! KILL IT!" A girl screamed hysterically. She grabbed a stool and hurled it at the demon. More by luck than judgement it hit the demon square on the back of the head.
The demon broke its stare on Spike, howling in pain, whirling around to fend off the attack the people were launching on it. Sound and colour rushed back into Spike's world, and more importantly the ability to move. He stumbled away out of its sight as the demon crashed outside, in search of easier prey, Spike and Xander, for the moment forgotten. Spike watched it go, his knees buckled under him for a moment, but he couldn't think about this now. Right now he had something else to worry about. His eyes darted around the Bronze.
"Xander!" Spike caught sight of him slumped against the wall and scrambled over to where he was groaning on the floor.
"Xander are you alright? Please be alright!" He said frantically, stroking Xander's face tenderly, trying to take all the pain away from him through gentle touch.
Xander's eyes fluttered, began to open, and Spike watched him with his heart in his mouth. He knew it was crazy, but Xander was going to open his eyes and see him, the same way he'd opened his eyes and seen Xander last night, maybe, just maybe . . .
"Hey! What are you doing?" Anya yelled protectively as she darted over to Xander.
"Nothing!" Spike jumped guiltily. "I was just trying to. . ."
Spike suddenly found himself face down on the dusty floor as Anya shoved him to one side and knelt over Xander.
"Get away from him, he's hurt!"
" . . . help." Spike finished, wincing as he got up from the floor.
Anya ignored him as Xander finally managed to prise his eyes open.
"Ahn?" He croaked.
"I'm here Sweetie." She crooned gently. "Are you okay?"
"Don't stop . . .touch me . . .like that . . .again." He mumbled, his eyes falling closed.
Spike started, joy bubbled up inside him, he took a quick step towards Xander, the words "That was me!" about to come out, but then he froze. The two of them were locked in their own world. Anya was gently wiping the blood away with the hem of her skirt. Xander reached a hand out to cover hers gratefully. Spike's shoulders slumped and the words died in his throat.
"I have to get you to the hospital." Anya said, her fingers feeling the bump on his head.
"Nah. I'm good." Xander sat up, winced, and continued. "Well maybe not good, but I'm not dead. I know because it hurts too much. Call it a plus. Come on, help me up, we've got to tell the others."
"Can you see?" She asked worriedly.
With an obvious effort Xander tried to focus on her. " Sure. I can see all three of you. And they're all grey and fuzzy. Like bunnies." He finished with a weak smile.
"Xander that's not funny. Come on. We have to get Buffy." Anya announced decisively.
With her good arm she tried to hoist him to his feet, he came up reluctantly.
"That's my girl and can I just say 'ow'?" Xander groaned, leaning heavily on her as they left the Bronze.
Spike watched them go with a pang. Anya could take her place at Xander's side so easily, and all he could do was watch.
Then he looked around at the state the Bronze was in. It was bad, but could have been so much worse. They'd got off pretty lightly. A cold chill crept down his spine as he played back those endless moments where the demons eyes had locked with his. Whatever that thing was, it was powerful, bloodthirsty, and why the hell was a demon he had never seen before, from a species he didn't recognize wearing exactly the same clothes as him?