The Promise

By Esmeralda

Part Six

"Why do I feel like I've slipped back in time," Doyle grumbled as he gave his pillow another thump; since Spike and Xander had the bed, he and Angel had been obliged to take the floor. Blankets and pillows did not add much to the comfort factor.

Angel arched an eyebrow at him questioningly.

Doyle glanced across at his lover. "What? You never had sleep-overs back in the age of yore?"

Angel thought about it. "Yeah, we did....sort of. I mean, I stayed out sometimes. Usually when I was too drunk to get home," he admitted.

Doyle turned onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow. "Oh, yeah. When you were out seducing all them poor, simple, helpless maidens." Green eyes held a teasing glint.

"Hey," Angel defended. "Most of them were about as simple and helpless as feral cats."

"Hmm, bet they scratched too." Doyle smirked and then sighed as the hard floor began to make his elbow ache. "Course," he added, "the thing about sleeping on the floor when you're a kid is it seems like a good idea." He gave a surprised yelp as strong arms suddenly lifted him, and he found himself draped along Angel's body.

"Better?" The vampire asked.

Doyle felt the long hard contours stretched out beneath his own and gave a boneless shudder. "Yeah," he said huskily. He lay his head down upon the smooth expanse of chest.

"What are you doing?"

Doyle raised his head slightly. "Going to sleep?" The innocent tone didn't quite match the playful tilt of his mouth.

Angel gave a mock growl and dragged Doyle closer to capture that too tempting mouth. Tongues and lips mingled with a slow, wet heat. The kiss deepened and they began to move together, limbs tangled, bodies aligned. Each felt the other's answering hardness.

Doyle broke the kiss to draw a ragged breath. He glanced toward the closed bedroom door. "What about...?"

"They're not invited," said Angel, turning them easily so he now covered the smaller man.

Doyle gasped and arched up against his lover. "That's not what .. I.. meant," he said a touch breathlessly.

"I know," said Angel softly, kissing his way along a sharp collar bone. He moved lower, nuzzling the soft hair that covered Doyle's chest, inhaling the blood-warm scent of his lover's body. "They won't bother us."

"How can you be so su-" Doyle stopped. "Oh." His expression was slightly incredulous. "You can hear them?"

Angel raised his head and grinned wickedly. "Well Spike's quite .. er...vocal."

"Oh man, I did *not* want to know that," said Doyle.

However, Angel had felt the younger man's erection twitch as he'd mentioned Spike. Doyle wasn't quite as disinterested as he claimed. He filed that information away for later and continued his leisurely journey down Doyle's body, delighting in the soft gasps and breathy moans. He tugged experimentally on a nipple, drawing the sensitive peak into his mouth and swirling his tongue around it.

"Oh, god.. Angel..."

Angel smiled and continued to suckle gently, until Doyle was writhing beneath him, murmuring nonsensically. He eventually released the pebbled flesh and turned his attentions to its impatient twin, lathing it with broad strokes of his tongue. Doyle grasped his head, fingers winding tightly through his hair. Angel gave the nipple one last loving lick and kissed his way down his lover's belly.

"Ohhhhh..."

Doyle cried out as Angel took him into his mouth; it would seem that evil cockney vampires weren't the only highly vocal lovers. He drew him in deeply, caressing the rigid length with wet strokes of his tongue. Doyle murmured and thrust upward gently. Angel was alarmed when Doyle suddenly pleaded for him to stop, and he did so immediately.

"Not...not yet," said Doyle, "Don't want to come yet."

The knot of unease unravelled and Angel moved back up his lover's body to look into slightly glazed green eyes. "What do you want?" he asked.

"You," Doyle whispered. "I want you."

Before Angel could ask exactly what he meant, Doyle withdrew something from underneath the pillow and pressed it into his hand. It was a small vial of oil. "Are...are you sure?" he croaked.

Doyle took hold of his other hand and placed it between his legs. "That's how sure I am," he said softly.

Angel felt the hardness twitch beneath his palm. He nodded mutely and sat up. With shaking hands he opened the vial and poured out a palm full of the richly scented oil. Almost dizzy with desire he watched as Doyle pushed aside the blankets and rolled over onto his belly. Angel let his eyes travel along his lover's lean body, taking in the smooth, swell of gently curved buttocks.

He reached out and swept oiled fingers over one firm globe; the muscle tightened beneath his touch. He quickly grabbed a pillow and tucked it beneath Doyle's body; he was too aroused to draw this out much longer. Panting slightly, trying to calm himself, Angel drizzled a little more of the oil along Doyle's back. Then he set the bottle aside and began to massage his lover's back in broad, sweeping strokes.

"Oh, god," Doyle groaned. "That feels amazing."

Angel continued to rub oil slicked fingers along his lover's back and shoulders, before moving his hands down to massage Doyle's buttocks. He trailed one finger along the crease, enjoying the breathy little moans his touch elicited. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer. Taking the rest of the oil he poured half onto Doyle and the rest over his own straining flesh.

He closed his eyes as he rubbed it into his erection, he was walking the knife edge of desire and felt the slightest touch might push him over.

When Doyle turned and tried to touch him, Angel very gently pushed his hand away. "Too...close," he warned.

Doyle's eyes widened and he nodded, turning back over.

Angel drew the oil on Doyle's body down between his buttocks, guiding it toward the tight opening. With the utmost care he eased an oil slicked finger past the ring of muscle, opening and stretching his lover for what was to come. Doyle responded by relaxing his body, rocking back gently onto Angel's hand.

"Now, Angel.. please.. now," Doyle murmured feverishly.

Angel quickly positioned himself; gripping the slender hips with one hand he guided his erection forward with the other. Doyle hissed as Angel breached the opening to his body and Angel stopped at once. After what seemed an agony of waiting, Doyle rocked his hips again slightly, signalling he was ready. Angel pushed and felt himself being drawn deeper into the satin heat of his lover's body. He didn't stop until he had sunk all the way in, his belly resting against Doyle's buttocks.

They were both trembling with the closeness of this new connection. For a timeless moment, neither of them moved. Then Angel pulled back and pushed forward with the first thrust. Doyle responded by raising himself up on shaky arms, driving himself back onto Angel's erection, impaling himself even deeper.

That was all it took to shatter the fragile control they'd been clinging to. With a gasp Angel grabbed Doyle's slender hips and began to piston in and out. Doyle met him thrust for thrust, until with a shuddering cry he came. Angel's own release followed straight after, as satin slick muscles tightened around him, milking his seed from his body. They both collapsed shivering onto the pile of tangled blankets.

Angel withdrew and turned Doyle around to face him, and they pulled each other close. Doyle raised his hand and traced the ridges around glowing golden eyes. His fingers slipped lower, stroking across Angel's lips, touching the point of a needle sharp fang.

"Spike bit Xander," he said softly.

"Yes," said Angel hoarsely.

"Will you ever bite me, or does demon blood taste bad?"

Gold never wavered from wide green, as Angel slowly nipped the end of Doyle's finger, lapping up the rich red droplet that appeared. "Sweet," he murmured.

Doyle was breathing hard. "Again."

Angel turned the hand toward him and nuzzled the palm before sinking his fangs into the fleshy base of Doyle's thumb. Doyle's breath caught and he watched raptly as his lover fed from him. A warmth blossomed outwards, spiralling around his body, making tired flesh twitch and stirring the embers of his arousal. "Oh," he gasped.

Angel raised his head and looked at him, lips stained scarlet. Doyle hesitated, then he leaned forward and very carefully kissed him, tasting the sharp coppery tang of his own blood. Then another taste assaulted him, one so rich and hot he instinctively deepened the kiss to take more of it; some distant part of him knew it was Angel's blood. He felt no revulsion, only a desire for more, and he murmured with protest when Angel broke the kiss.

"Not too much," Angel cautioned.

Doyle understood and simply moved back into his lover's embrace. He closed his eyes and listened to the sound of his own breathing.

Angel lay in silence.

--------------------

<Bloody Hell> Spike grumbled mentally and tired to burrow his head deeper into the pillows. It did little to muffle the sounds of vigorous lovemaking beyond the door. When they eventually climaxed he gave a sigh of relief - though his body was now coiled tighter than a whip snake's. He sighed heavily.

"Mmmph?" came the sleepy mumble from by his side.

"Sssh, it's all right, luv. Go back to sleep."

Xander apparently needed no second bidding and Spike sighed again. It didn't help that he'd been thoughtful enough to assist the boy out of his clothing before they'd settled down. Lying next to a naked Xander was doing nothing to calm his libido.

After a moment or two he caught the edge of the blanket and raised it slightly, peering at his lover's recumbent form. Who'd have thought those baggy, geeky clothes were hiding *that*. He lowered the blanket reluctantly and released another long sigh.

"You know, if you just crawled over here and fucked me, we could both get some rest."

Spike turned his head sharply, meeting his lover's bemused expression.

"You didn't know I was awake?" Xander asked, somewhat surprised.

Spike looked mildly irritated. "Wasn't checking, was I," he muttered. Truth be told, he'd been so busy listening to the boy's gentle breathing and the rhythmic 'thud.. thud' of his heart, he hadn't really given a thought to whether the whelp was awake or not. He was alive, that was all that mattered.

"So much for those infallible vamp senses," Xander teased. Spike growled.

"Aww, don't be mad," Xander taunted gently. "Play nice and I'll let you nail me to the mattress."

Spike moved so suddenly Xander didn't have chance to draw breath before he found himself pinned beneath the vampire's unyielding body. "Woah," he gasped. "I take it back. Vamp mode is up and operational" He frowned when Spike released him and moved away slightly. "What?"

The vampire regarded him uneasily. "You just headbutted a car, pet. I don't think-"

"-so don't think, fuck," Xander cut in.

An eyebrow arched elegantly. "Wash that mouth out with soap," said Spike leaning back over him.

"Try it," said Xander, brown eyes glittered.

"You're daring me?" Spike sounded both incredulous and bemused.

"Nope," said Xander. "I'm trying to get you to fuck me."

Spike's mouth widened into a feline grin. "You sure you're up to it?"

Xander smirked back at him. "Oh, I don't intend to do anything too strenuous. I thought I'd just lie here and let you do all the work." He kicked the sheets and blankets off his body.

The heat in gold-blue eyes went up several notches. Spike stroked a hand down Xander's chest, pausing at his belly, before wrapping his fingers around Xander's semi-erect flesh. "Sure?" he asked, a flicker of doubt still residing in his gaze.

Xander banished it by bucking his hips into Spike's hand. "Sure and getting surer by the minute." He begged, "Spike *please*," and cool fingers closed around his awakening flesh and began to stroke it gently.
"Oh..yesss."

Despite his very evident desire, Xander wasn't being one hundred percent truthful with his lover. His head still hurt, not with the same violent pounding as before, but with a dull nagging ache. However, he needed this and he knew that Spike did too. They'd nearly lost each other tonight - yet again. Too many times. It was becoming almost wearisome. He didn't want to think of it. He didn't want to think about some seriously pissed off demon hunting his lover. He didn't want to think about Willow, and Buffy, and Giles worrying about him. He didn't want to think about his family - not worrying about him.

He just wanted to lose himself in the feel of Spike's hands, stroking, holding, touching. The soft satin of the vampire's lips as they ghosted over his skin. The taste of them as they pressed gently against his own; a chilled tongue sliding between, teasing and arousing, stoking the fire beneath his skin into a desperate conflagration.

"Spike," he murmured sweetly into the kiss. "Soon, please...soon." He was already so close, and so tired. He wanted his lover inside him, filling him, taking him. He wanted the closeness that could only come from this. As always, Spike seemed to know exactly what he needed. The vampire brought out the bottle of oil from under the bed. Uncorking it carefully, he poured out a handful. "Turn over, luv."

"No," Xander didn't shake his head, but his expression was clear. "I want to see you," he said insistently.

Spike hesitated and then nodded. "Lift your legs up," he said hoarsely. Xander obeyed, drawing them up against his chest. He sighed with pleasure as Spike's skilful fingers tenderly prepared him.

"Ready, pet?"

"Yes," said Xander breathlessly.

Spike positioned himself and pushed forward; he eased in slowly, the barest fraction at a time. Xander panted, eyes wide, aroused almost beyond the point of bearing. "Spike," he implored softly.

Spike refused to be hurried, sinking in millimetre by millimetre until he was finally flush with Xander's buttocks.

Xander lay, eyes closed, breathing hard.

"Okay, pet?"

The tiniest of nods.

Spike responded by retaking hold of Xander's erection, circling his fingers around it in a firm, but gentle grip. Then he began to thrust. Xander's eyes flew open. Their gazes locked as Spike slid in and out of the tight, slick channel. Xander raised his arms above his head, fingers tightly clutching the iron bedstead. Spike quickened the pace, thrusting harder and deeper. Xander's breathing quickened as the pressure built, crying out as the rush of his release tore through him. He arched up gasping as his seed spilled out between their bodies.

Spike continued to thrust, the tempo now ragged and frantic, until he too came with a howl that rang through the apartment. He slipped free of his lover and lay down beside him, drawing Xander into his arms.

"You....you.. okay?"

"Mmm," Xander answered weakly, too drained to do more than nuzzle closer. They entwined around one another. Xander was asleep within minutes. Spike closed his eyes, but stayed aware - monitoring his lover closely, lulled by the beat of Xander's heart and the steady pulse of blood flowing beneath his warm skin.

--------------------

Outside in the quiet of the next room. Doyle lay back against his lover's chest. "You weren't kiddin' me about the noise," he said. "Does he always howl like that?"

"Pretty much," said Angel, amused by the half-demon's surprised tone.

"Well, just so as you remember. Princess is due back from her shopping trip tomorrow. If Blondie's staying a while, you might want to be thinking about getting some better soundproofing."

<Cordelia> Angel groaned inwardly. He'd completely forgotten. "What," he began hesitantly, "I mean, what do you want to tell her?"

"About Spike?!"

"About us," Angel corrected quietly.

"Oh." Doyle paused. "Well, she pretty much knows how I feel. So long as you assure her that the 'happy thing' ain't a worry, I can't see her having trouble with it."

"You want to tell her?" Angel tried to hide his hopefulness.

"Well sure." Doyle sat up again and looked at him. "Unless you don't want to?" There was a hurt edge to the younger man's voice.

"No, I mean *yes*. I do. I want to tell her," said Angel quickly.

Doyle nodded. "Good, that's settled then. I'll let you do the honours."

"What?!"

"Well, she is your employee, and you have known her longer-"

"-and you already know her better than me," Angel cut in. "I can't even tell if she's wearing new shoes."

"So? Check her feet before you tell her," Doyle teased. Angel shot him a pained look.

"Alright," said Doyle. "How's about we both tell her."

That sounded much better to Angel's ears. "Deal," he agreed.

"What about Spike and Xander. I mean, if they're joining the workforce she's gonna have to know about them sooner or later."

"How much later do you think we could make it?" Angel asked.

Doyle pinched his arm gently. "No dice. We can't chicken out of this. She deserves to know." He smiled. "However, I think Spike and Xander can handle their side of things."

"Spike? Maybe not wisest choice," Angel advised.

"So, Xander then. They were friends, heck they dated for a while." Doyle thought about that last part. "How messy was their break up."

"It was pretty...tense," said Angel.

"Okay," Doyle sighed. "We'll sit her down and tell her the whole deal. Us, Spike, Xander, everything."

"Okay," said Angel reluctantly.

"Let's get some sleep," said Doyle yawning loudly. "I think tomorrow maybe a less than restful day."

Angel silently agreed and wound himself around his lover. He tried not to think about Penn, or Cordelia....or what was probably happening back in Sunnydale. All he wanted to do was take his lover and retire to bed - *his* bed - for say....the next few months or so. He sighed and buried his nose in Doyle's silky hair. Okay, as soon as this was settled that's what he was going to do. Spike could find his own place and hopefully take all his troubles with him.

Angel sighed again. Who was he trying to fool, Spike was his Childe. Whatever troubles came after the younger vampire he would always be there, to watch his unruly offspring's back - or pick him up off the floor. He frowned, what could have happened all those years ago to make Penn desert their 'family'. Spike was hiding something, that much was certain. Angel decided he'd better find out what - before it blew up in their faces.

Part Seven

Xander wandered through into the kitchen, lured by the smell of cooking eggs and bacon. Angel was by the stove. Doyle was seated at the table scribbling in a dog-eared note-pad. Still only half awake, Xander didn't notice their lingering appraisal of his boxer clad body. When he sat down they withdrew their gazes. "Morning." He yawned and dragged his hands through his hair, ruffling it up in all directions.

"How's the head?" Doyle asked.

Xander opened his mouth to answer, winced, and re-phrased what he was going to say. "Still attached," he offered.

"Breakfast?" Angel motioned toward the pan of scrambled eggs.

Xander's eyes lit up. "Would it be very damaging to my wounded hero status if I said yes?"

Angel smiled and heaped up a plate with hot buttery toast, eggs, and bacon. He placed it on the table in front of Xander, who began eating before Angel let go.

Doyle exchanged an amused glance with his lover. Clearly Xander was well on the road to recovery. "Where's Spike?"

"Hmm?" said Xander around a mouthful of toast. "Oh, he's still in bed. He muttered something about it being 'unnatural' - sleeping at night and getting up during the day."

Doyle smirked at Angel. "Seems you're a bad influence on 'im."

Angel handed the young man his breakfast. "The day *I* lead Spike astray, I'll stake myself," he deadpanned.

"Is that a promise?" Spike silently entered the kitchen. Yanking the fridge door open he took out a packet of blood and tore it open with his teeth. Then he grabbed a mug, and took a seat next to Xander. The others watched with a combination of disgust and fascination as he emptied the blood into the mug, pilfered a slice of toast from Xander's plate, and then proceeded to dunk the latter into it. He hadn't taken more than three bites when he stopped and raised his head, his features tense.

Xander noticed at once, and felt a stab of unease when he saw Angel and Doyle were showing similar reactions. "What?" he asked. None of them answered, but another voice supplied the reason.

"Well this is cosy."

Xander stood up so quickly his chair toppled over. "B-Buffy."

The young woman descended the stairs, keeping her cross-bow trained on the table. Spike got up, growling low in the back of his throat. Angel glanced at him warningly. Xander instantly moved to stand in front of his lover - effectively blocking Buffy's shot.

Doyle had gone several shades paler than normal, his gaze flickering anxiously between the Slayer and his lover.

"Well, hey, Buff," Xander babbled nervously. "I didn't know you were planning a trip to L.A."

"I wasn't," said Buffy coolly, "but then I had an interesting little chat with Riley last night and I thought I'd swing by. You know, just to see how things are." She smiled tightly. "By the way, Willow sends her love. Oh and Giles sends this." She threw something toward Xander.

Both vampires twitched in readiness. Xander caught the object on reflex. Angel winced and looked away. Spike swore violently. It was a simple silver cross. Xander smiled back at her, but his eyes were hard. "Gee, Buffy. Tell Giles thanks, but it really isn't the thing to be seen with in L.A this season - you know how fickle fashions are in the city." He threw it back to her.

She let it land at her feet. "Since when did you follow fashion? Come to think of it, when did you decide to start being roomies with vampires?"

"Buffy-" Angel began.

She cut him off, "Shut up. " Agitated she pinned Xander with her gaze "Xander?"

Xander remained silent. When Spike tried to step around him he held out an arm to block the vampire's path. Spike stayed.

Buffy took in her friend's extreme pallor, the dark shadows, and the alarming bruise discolouring his forehead. Her eyes narrowed. "Riley said you were unhurt when you left Sunnydale; though you look better than I expected. I'm thinking you're still you, since crosses don't give you the sizzle factor." She took a step forward, "but something is still weird here." She shrugged. "Aside from this cosy little scene."

Xander swallowed hard. Clearly Buffy's Slayer senses were picking up on his 'connection' to Spike. Though he was pretty damn sure she had no idea what it meant. "I'm fine, Buffy," he said quietly.

"Really?" she replied, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Cos here I am thinking that a 'fine' Xander probably wouldn't be sat munching yummy eggs and bacon with 'Dead-boy' and Spike."

"Buffy, why don't you put down the cross-bow and let Xander speak."

Buffy pretended to think about. "Hmm.....Nope, don't think so. You see Riley supplied me with another interesting tit-bit. He said that Xander left with two vampires who called themselves ~ Spike and *Angelus*." She brought her cross-bow to bear on him. "Except, I'm not getting those sick psycho vibes from you. Why is that?"

"Buffy, *p..please*." Xander's voice caught and Buffy backed off slightly, her expression concerned and confused. "Can we talk?" he pleaded.

"We'll go upstairs," Angel offered. He knew that Xander was in no danger from his ex-lover.

Spike wasn't convinced. "*Upstairs?*" he repeated incredulously," and leave him alone with the bloody bitch? Not a fuckin' chan-"

"-Will," Angel cut him off sharply.

"I'll be fine," Xander assured his lover.

Spike hesitated, clearly torn between what his lover wanted and the desire to tear the Slayer's throat out. He eventually gave a terse nod and moved toward Angel.

The older vampire smiled at Xander. "Okay?" he asked gently.

Xander offered him a faint smile in return and nodded.

"We'll be in the office," said Angel. The unspoken message was clear ~ we'll be close if you need us. He lay a hand on Doyle's shoulder and the young man stumbled to his feet. The three walked toward the stairs. Buffy stepped aside to let them pass, still holding her cross-bow on them. Spike shot her a look of intense loathing and made a move toward her. Angel grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up the stairs.

--------------------

Xander and Buffy were left alone in a tense, awkward silence.

"Er...is it okay if I ..erm...put some clothes on first?" Xander asked. He really didn't want to have this conversation wearing nothing but a pair of Angel's boxers.

Buffy actually blushed slightly. "Oh sure," she said quickly, lowering her cross bow. "I'll just ..erm....wait in here."

Xander gave a quick nod of gratitude and darted into the bedroom. He hadn't had the opportunity (or the funds) to buy any clothes for himself. He hoped that Buffy wouldn't recognise the clothes as Angel's. He came back out and joined her in the kitchen. She was peering into Spike's mug - where a piece of blood sodden toast was very slowly sinking.

He took the chair across from her and sat down. "So, Buff-" he began.

She cut him off, "-Xander what are you doing?"

"Huh?"

Her face was intently serious. "Why are you here, Xander? Riley...he said that Spike's chip's been deactivated?"

Xander wiped damp palms along his thighs. "Well...er...yeah."

She stared at him. "Then what are you thinking? He'll kill you, or turn you, or-"

"-NO." Xander lowered his voice when she blinked at him startled. "He won't," he finished quietly. His words carried a tone of utter conviction.

"Xander-"

"Please, Buffy." Xander sighed and ran his hand over the back of his neck. The muscles were wound tight enough to ache. "There's....there's some stuff I have to tell you."

She chewed her lip thoughtfully, face tight with concern. Then she nodded. "Okay, go ahead."

Xander swallowed hard. Where on earth could he start?! "I....You know when I was captured by the Oenan?"

She nodded again.

"Spike...he....he was really good about it," said Xander. "He made something that could have been really horrible-" he shrugged helplessly "-Well, he made it 'good'."

Buffy looked lost. "He made being captured by the Oenan good?" she said slowly.

"No." Xander was frustrated by his own inability to explain. "He...We had to do some stuff to get away from them. He made it.. enjoyable." He saw the tiny furrow that settled between her eyes but he carried on. This had to be said. "After.. we. Well, we kind of 'hit it off'."

"'Hit it off'," Buffy repeated. There was no mistaking the disbelief in her voice.

"Yeah," said Xander hoarsely. He took a sip from Doyle's abandoned mug, swilling the cold coffee around his mouth. "We talked and..erm...things.." He drew in a shaky breath. "Then he got recaptured by the Initiative."

Xander couldn't hide the horror in his voice. Memories assaulted him ~ discovering Spike's disappearance, Spike screaming and writhing in the scientists lab, the Locksaw. He shook himself and looked back across the table. Buffy was regarding him strangely.

"Why are you here, Xander?" Her voice was flat, almost eerily so.

He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with him."

Buffy didn't move, she didn't even blink.

"I'm in love with Spike," Xander continued boldly, "and he's in love with me."

One corner of Buffy's mouth curled up in a sad, disbelieving smile. "This is where I wake up, right?" she murmured. "This is one of those funny dreams-" She stopped when he reached across the table and took hold of her hand.

He shook his head. "Not a dream, Buff." He pinched her hand gently. "See, you're awake."

She pulled her hand away and wrapped her arms around herself. "No." She shook her head in blank denial, talking more to herself than to him. "No. This *is* a dream. This...Things like this don't happen. You're.." She focused on him. "You're not gay." She sounded stunned.

He gave a nervous laugh. "Actually, I think maybe I am." He took pity on her obvious bewilderment. "That's not really the issue-"

"-Not the issue?" Buffy shook her head in disbelief. "Xander, you like girls. Remember? Willow, *Cordelia*...*Me* - remember how you liked me?"

He gave her a sad little smile. "I remember," he said softly. "I think they call it sublimation or something."

She stared at him nonplussed.

Xander tried to explain. "I chased you because I was supposed to. You were new and pretty and hot." He blushed. "I mean...I mean..." He took another deep breath, trying to steady himself. "It was like 'me boy', 'you girl'. I just sort of pointed myself in that direction and went. I didn't try to think too hard about whether or not it was where I really wanted to go. When...when Larry confided in me that he was...gay. I kinda freaked. I guess I knew then that maybe I was going the wrong way," he looked at Buffy, his gaze distraught, "I didn't want it to be the wrong way, Buff. I didn't want to be like him."

She reached across and took hold of his hand. "But you are," she whispered softly.

He nodded. "Yeah. I am. I mean I can look at a girl and think *woah* she's hot, but not all the lights come on." He flushed.

"And with Spike they do?" She looked torn between horror and incredulity.

Xander smiled. "Yeah, they do." <*Do they ever*> he thought silently.

"Xander, he's-"

"-an evil soulless vampire," Xander finished for her. "Yeah, I know."

"Then how..." Her voice trailed off.

"He's...He's different with me," said Xander simply. "He cares for me. He's even given up those big binge meals." Xander indicated the mug. "That's cows blood," he frowned, "or maybe it's pigs?"

"Let me get this straight," said Buffy. "Spike's told you he's stopped killing."

"No," said Xander. "He'll still kill. I know that. I might be in love, but I'm not being all dumb and gushy about this. He just won't kill indiscriminately any more. He...We're working for Angel. This is L.A. Bad guys by the bus load."

Buffy picked up on the last part. "You're working for Angel?!"

"Yeah, *he* seems to think I'm good at this demon stuff." Xander was unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

She stared at him. "*That's* what this is about? We didn't appreciate you enough or something, so you run off to L.A and move in with the bad guys?"

Xander frowned at her. "Since when did Angel become a 'bad guy', Buffy. You know he's not Angelus."

"No he's 'Dead boy'," she spat. "The guy whose guts you hate remember. What happened to all that ~ 'we can't trust him, he's a vampire' ~ crap?"

A flash of pain darted across Xander's face. "I was wrong," he said hoarsely. "What?" he looked at her accusingly, "You're never wrong?"

Her mouth tightened. "No, sometimes I'm wrong. Sometimes I think people are one thing and they turn out to be something else."

"Buffy-" Xander began plaintively.

She cut him off brusquely "-I got the late coach here. There's another one leaving in a couple of hours. I bought you a ticket."

"I'm not going."

"Xander-"

"-No," said Xander bluntly. "I....I meant to write and explain. I'm sorry that you were worried, and I'm sorry that you had to come all the way out here. But I'm not going back, Buffy. Not now-" he sucked in a sharp breath "-not ever."

Tears filled her eyes, though her mouth remained a thin hard line. "Xander, you can't-"

"-Why?" Xander leapt to his feet. "Why can't I stay? Why can't I be happy? Is there some unknown Slayer rule that says Slayerettes can't have love lives? You have. You've got Riley. You're happy. Well I'm happy here and I'm staying. So if you want me to go, you're gonna have to use that cross bow on me. Because death is the only way I'll ever leave him." He stood facing her slightly breathless, his hands clenched into fists.

Buffy stared at him. "You love him," she whispered.

Confused he frowned at her. "I already said-"

"You really love him," she continued as though he hadn't spoken. Her eyes were round and wondrous.

Xander caught on quickly. She finally saw it. "Yeah, I really love him."

Buffy looked away, obviously trying to gather her thoughts. Xander sat back down. "I didn't mean it to happen. It just...it just did."

He sighed and tried to think how he could make this easier for her to understand. "You know when you're certain something is going to happen, or something is just..well...screwy?"

She looked at him.

"-and even Giles can't talk you out of believing it," Xander continued. "All your Slayer senses are going wiggy and you just *know* that you're right."

Buffy nodded mutely.

"That's how this is," said Xander. "It wouldn't matter if you, or Giles, or Willow, or any one said ~ *No* *Bad* ~ because here," he touched his chest. "Here *I* know it's right. To *me* it feels right."

Buffy stared thoughtfully at him. After a moment or two she smiled, a touch sadly. "You'll be careful?"

Xander released a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "Y-yes."

"You'll phone every day," she continued, "and write to Willow once a week."

"Buffy-"

"*Every* day."

"Every other day?"

She hesitated. "All right." Her gaze was serious. "If you need me. You ring okay. Ring me at home, or ring Giles, or Willow, but *ring*. I'll get here."

He felt the knot of tension in his gut melt away as she spoke. "Thank you," he said softly.

She stood up, and walked around the table. He stood too and she threw her arms around him and hugged him hard. "Be careful," she whispered.

He buried his face in her soft hair. "I will," he promised. "I will."

Part Eight

Angel was attempting to calm down his wild-eyed offspring when Buffy entered the office. Three pale faces turned to her. She looked at Angel.

"We need to talk."

He nodded. Spike's lip curled angrily. Angel could feel the waves of hostility emanating from his Childe and he tried to diffuse the situation before it got any uglier. "Spike, go and check on Xander."

Blue-gold eyes glared.

"Doyle, go with him," Angel added gently.

Doyle nodded unhappily and headed toward the lift. Spike gave the Slayer one last venomous look and then stomped after the half-demon. Angel waited until he heard the rattle of the metal cage descending then he turned back to address Buffy. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No, I'm fine." She walked away from him, arms wrapped tightly around herself. After a few paces she stopped and spun round. "This is real? Spike and Xander are-" she broke off.

"Together," Angel supplied helpfully. "Yeah, it's real."

"How long have you known?"

"A few weeks," he admitted. "Pretty much since it started."

Her eyes narrowed. "What, and you couldn't call me? A ~ 'Hey, Buffy. Did you know Xander is dating your arch-nemesis now? ~ would have been nice don't you think?"

"Arch-nemesis?"

She looked flustered. "Well, whatever." She glared at him. "We're not exactly close. Perhaps it has something to do with all those times he's tried to kill me."

Angel lowered his gaze, after a moment he looked back up. "I'm not saying he's any different, Buffy. He's not. Maybe we're the ones who've changed."

"What do you mean?"

"Things...things aren't the same as they were. You're at college now. You've someone else in your life."

"Xander told you about Riley," she said softly.

Angel shook his head. "No.. well, yes, but I already had an idea there was someone." He took a step toward her and then stopped. "You're happy. I mean with your life and...everything?"

She smiled slightly. "Yes. College is good. I'm studying hard and Riley is..." her smile softened, "Riley is good too."

"Good," said Angel awkwardly. She looked at him. "I mean it's good you have someone," he added.

Buffy gave a tiny nod. "About Xander-" she began.

"-he's growing up," said Angel. "You all are. You're finding your way. You and Willow are at college. Cordelia's working for me, Xander is-"

"-playing tonsil hockey with Spike." Buffy's face screwed up. "Euww, okay, *not* something I wanted to think about."

"It bothers you?" Angel asked anxiously.

"The idea of Spike's lips touching *any one* bothers me," said Buffy with a shudder.

"No, I mean the 'guy thing'," said Angel.

"The 'guy thing'? Oh you mean Xander being gay." She shook her head. "No, that doesn't bother me. I'm happy he's finally on the right path," she added softly.

"So you're not bothered by...erm...that?" Angel pressed.

She frowned at him. "Isn't that what I just said? What, you think I'm prejudiced?"

"No!" he said hurriedly. "No, not at all."

"I'm not," she said, pouting slightly. "I'm just not sure about him wandering along the path of 'newness' with the evil undead."

"Spike loves him," said Angel.

Buffy sighed. "So Xander said, and...and I can accept that. Sort of. I mean, he loved Dru in a demented, demony sort of way. I'm just not sure Xander knows what he's getting into. I don't want to see him hurt." She looked at her ex-lover pointedly.

Angel couldn't quite suppress a wince. "Well, Spike's not going to lose he soul since he's already lost it," he said a touch snappishly.

Buffy's expression gentled. "I know. I didn't mean...." Her voice trailed off and she came forward, touching his arm gently. "Can you say for certain that Spike won't hurt him?"

"No," said Angel. "I can't promise you that." Dark eyes fixed on her. "But can you say for certain that Riley won't hurt you?"

Buffy opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off.

"This is love, Buffy. There are no guarantees, remember. Sometimes when we love someone we get hurt."

"Yes, but a broken heart is a bit different to a broken neck," she shot back.

"True," he agreed, "but then demons don't have the monopoly on violence. Xander could take up with a human and still wind up dead. The newspapers are full of stories of lovers killing lovers - guns, knives, fists. Humans still kill, a soul doesn't stop them."

"You're trying to tell me Xander is safer with *Spike*, rather than some ordinary average Joe?" Buffy asked in disbelief.

"I'm *saying* they're in love, and nothing you or I, say or do will change that. All we can do is be there for them, no matter whether or not this works out. That's what friends do."

"Don't you dare lecture me on what it means to be a good friend," Buffy hissed, pulling her hand back as if stung. "You don't even have any!"

Angel looked at her sadly. "That was true once, but now I do. Four of the best. I'd like to have five."

The fight left her almost as soon as he'd finished. "I...I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean that. I...I didn't come here to get into all this again with you. I was worried about Xander. Riley was stuck in the Initiative base, he couldn't get word to me.. When he did...it.. it had been so long...I-"

"-you were afraid you'd be too late," said Angel understandingly.

Eyes filled with tears she nodded. "I...I thought he'd be dead or...or...and I 'd have to..." She began to cry.

Without a word, Angel stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against his chest. She turned into the embrace and leaned toward him, sobbing quietly. After a while her tears became soft hiccups and she pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Great, now...now I'm a complete mess."

Angel handed her a clean white handkerchief. "You look fine," he assured her.

She smiled and took it, tidying herself up as best she could. "You'll watch out for him?"

"My word on it," he said simply.

She nodded. "Okay...I....I have to go, my coach leaves at ten."

"Do you need a lift to the stop?"

Buffy arched an eyebrow at him. "Let me guess. You've found a really strong sun cream?" she teased.

He gave a half-embarrassed grin. "I meant, Doyle could drive you."

She shook her head. "I'm good. I can walk, I need some thinking time."

"Are you going to be okay?" Angel asked cautiously.

"I'm not sure," she replied honestly, "but Spike is safe from me. As long as Xander is," she added.

Angel nodded. He understood. She was the Slayer after all.

"-and," she continued, "I'd really like to be friend number five. If you'd still like that is?"

He smiled at her. "I'd like. I'd like it very much."

She smiled too, and with one last, slightly wistful look she was gone....back out into the sunlight.

Angel stood, listening to the sound of her heartbeat moving further away. He'd known she would come looking for Xander sooner or later. It had been hard, waiting. He hadn't decided until the last moment not to tell her yet about his curse...or about Doyle. Seeing her so upset made him think that perhaps Spike and Xander were enough of a shock to deal with in one go. Besides, he needed more time. He cared for Buffy, even though he was no longer in love with her. He wanted to keep her friendship if he could, and he didn't want to hurt her ~ he'd already done enough of that. When he could no longer hear her, he made his way to the lift. He had seen the fear and uncertainty in Doyle's face the moment Buffy had appeared. It would seem they had some things to talk about.

--------------------

Doyle was hovering beside the cage as it descended. As soon as Angel pulled the door open the young man darted forward. "Is everything okay? Where is she?"

"Everything's fine," Angel assured him. "Buffy had to go back to Sunnydale."

"She's gone?" Green eyes reflected Doyle's surprise.

"She only came to make sure Xander was all right. Now she knows he is, she can go."

"But-?" Doyle was clearly bewildered.

Angel drew the somewhat startled young man into his arms. "Are *you* all right?" he asked.

"M-me?" Doyle stammered. "Sure I'm...I'm fine." He'd barely finished when Angel leaned in close and kissed him. For a surprised moment, Doyle hesitated, then he slowly returned the kiss, deepening the initial chaste touch as lips parted and they tasted one another.

After a brief, heated exchange Angel drew back. "Why were you afraid?" he asked softly.

"I wasn't," said Doyle, a touch too quickly. Angel looked at him and Doyle sighed. "I just.. well..I saw her stood there looking all 'beautiful and powerful' and I knew how much you loved her and I just...." His voice trailed off and he looked away.

"I think the key word here is 'loved'," said Angel gently. "I 'loved' her ~ past tense."

Green eyes focused on him warily.

Angel tightened his arms around his lover. "Yes, I loved Buffy. Yes, she's beautiful and powerful. She's my friend and I care very deeply for her," he continued, "but I'm not in love with her. I'm in love with you." He punctuated the sentence by placing another, lighter kiss against Doyle's lips. "Just you," Angel whispered softly. "No one else."

"Oh," said Doyle intelligently.

Neither of them said anything else for a while as they continued the gentle exploration of lips and tongues. A voice interrupted them.

"Hello? Is any one down here? Angel? Where is everyone?"

They jumped apart like guilty teenagers. Looking across the room they watched as a pair of slender tanned legs, in fashionable shoes descended the stairway.

"Oh my god," said Doyle, wide eyed with horror.

"Cordelia," said Angel unnecessarily.

Part Nine

"Where's Spike?" Angel hissed urgently.

"He took Xander into the bedroom," said Doyle. Seeing Angel's look he added, "What? He was upset. I wasn't about to tell him no."

"Great," Angel groaned. "Let's just hope they're fighting not fucking, they'll make less noise that way."

Doyle shrugged helplessly.

"There you are," said Cordy. She frowned at them both. "Why are you lurking down here instead of lurking up there where clients can actually see you?"

"We have clients?" Angel asked.

"Well, no," she said, "but we might have."

"Well as long as we haven't, can we talk?"

"Talk?" she repeated.

"Yeah, you know. A conversation type thing," said Doyle helpfully. She gave him a look and then returned her attention to Angel. "What do you want to-" she stopped as a load moan and a bang came from the direction of the bedroom. "Okay," she continued slowly. "What was that?" There was a muffled *yesss* and her eyebrows shot up toward her hair line.

"Someone's having sex in there," she said wide-eyed.

They both answered her at once. "No!"

Angel tried to lead her back upstairs. "Maybe you're right, we should talk in the office. Just in case we do get a client."

"Pppff," she replied. "Like that's gonna happen." She wiggled free of his grasp and tried to get to the bedroom. Doyle blocked her path. "Move it or lose it," she warned.

"Cordy, princess, please," Doyle begged. "You do not want to see what's in there."

"Ah ha," said Cordy triumphantly. "So you have got someone in there."

There was a dull thump...thump...which began to build up into a rhythmic crescendo.

She turned around to stare at Angel. "What? You can't have 'happy's' so you're renting out your bed?"

"No!" said Angel sharply. "That's.. We...we have guests."

"Guests?" Cordy echoed disbelievingly. "Who? The porno king and queen."

Doyle sniggered.

Angel glared. "Not helping here."

Doyle tried to hide his smirk.

Cordelia faced them both, hands on her hips, expression set and determined. "Out with it. What's going on? You send me off on some ridiculous mission to get some stupid stone - which *smells* - I mean it *really, really* smells. I had three showers before I left home. Now I come back and find you're making porno movies to supplement our admittedly inadequate income. We're going to lose all our respectable clients," she wailed.

Angel looked at her pointedly.

"Fine," she snapped, "so we don't have any respectable clients; we might one day. But not if you two are moonlighting as porn distributors."

Angel opened his mouth to explain but was cut short by a long drawn out moan and a half-shouted *Ohhh, pet* in a very familiar cockney accent.

Cordelia stared at the closed bedroom door in disbelief and then slowly turned back to an embarrassed Angel. "That's...that's...."

"Spike," Doyle supplied.

Cordelia backed toward the stairway. "Why is Spike in your bedroom having sex?" Her eyes widened even further. "Oh my god. Is that crazy girlfriend of his in there too?!"

Angel gently caught hold of Cordelia's arm and guided the dazed young woman back upstairs. Doyle followed. They sat her down in her chair and Doyle started up the coffee machine. She followed them with wide, wary eyes. Doyle eventually handed her a cup of coffee, she sipped it delicately.

"There's no easy way to say this," Angel began. "I...I sent you out of town on purpose." Two pairs of startled eyes focused on him.

"Angel are you sur-"

Angel hushed Doyle with a shake of his head. "Cordelia, I....We wanted you to be safe."

"Safe?" she repeated. "Safe from what. Spike?"

"No." Angel hesitated. "We found out that we could change my curse. We, that is Doyle and I, we went to see The Oracle."

"It told you to change your curse?" said Cordelia slowly.

Angel shook his head again. "Not exactly. We sort of worked out that part on our own, with some help from Spike."

"Spike? You mean the nasty cockney with the awful hair. The one who tortured you." Cordelia's eyes narrowed in a way both men recognised only too well.

"Ermm...well...we've kind of got past that," said Angel awkwardly. "Spike and I are-" He stopped, he wasn't sure there was a 'human' term for the relationship he had with his Childe. "-re-acquainted," he offered.

"To get back to the curse thing," said Doyle quickly. "We found a spell that fixes Angel's soul for good."

"You mean, forever, permanently. No more <grrr> ?" Cordelia asked.

"Well he's still a vampire but-"

"-he can have sex," said Cordelia bluntly.

Angel looked away. Doyle squirmed slightly. "Well, yeah."

Cordelia nodded. "Well this is good, and don't think I'm not happy for you, but what has this got to do with me driving for miles to pick up disgusting smelling stones and Spike having sex in your bedroom?"

"We're just getting to that part," Doyle looked at Angel. "Aren't we?"

"Wha-? Oh, yes," said Angel realising it was his turn to pick up the thread. "You see, we needed to do the spell, and just in case it went..erm..wrong we wanted you out of harms way."

Cordelia seemed to consider this. "Acceptable," she said finally. "But you have to pay for my car to be valet cleaned."

"Done."

"-and my clothes."

"Your clothes?"

"Hey, I didn't know what I'd need so I packed a variety of different outfits. Which now all smell like they've been worn by the dead." She smiled brightly at Angel. "No offence."

He nodded. "Okay, get whatever you need done. I'll pay."

"Good," she pursed her lips expectantly, "and Spike?"

"Spike?"

"Why is Spike in your bedroom, doing the wild thing with...whoever he's dragged in there with him?" she asked.

"To go back to the spell," said Doyle. "The..erm...That is Angel."

"You're having sex with Spike?!" Cordelia stared in horror at her employer.......

....who stared back in equal alarm. "No!" Angel exclaimed, mentally adding <at least not for a few weeks>

Cordelia looked relieved. "Oh..well...good."

"He's with me."

Angel and Cordelia both turned to look at Doyle.

The young man flushed. "He's...Angel and I..."

"You're 'together', as in 'dating'?" Cordelia asked.

"Well, there haven't been any what you'd probably call dates, but yeah we're together," said Doyle. He straightened up a little; relieved at having finally 'come clean' so-to-speak.

Cordelia glanced back and forth between the two of them, while they waited worriedly to see what her reaction would be. She put down her coffee and suddenly launched herself out of her chair, wrapping her arms around a thoroughly stunned Doyle. "This is so wonderful!" she exclaimed. She released him slightly and looked at Angel. "You *definitely* can't go all <grrr> again?"

Smiling he shook his head.

"*Yesss* she cried and threw herself back around the half-demon.

"Cordy..Cordy, princess, please, you're kinda choking me."

She relinquished her hold and instead embraced a startled Angel. Kissing him on the cheek.

"Hey!" said Doyle.

Smiling she kissed him too.

Doyle grinned at her. "I guess this means you're okay with us?"

She huffed at him. "I was beginning to think you'd never get a clue. I mean how dense can two guys be?" she frowned, "what am I saying." She shook her head to clear her thoughts and turned her smile back on them both. "It's destiny," she announced. "I knew it from the first moment." They both looked at her.

"Okay," she admitted, "Maybe not the *first* moment, but pretty close. I mean I know there was that curse thingy and stuff, but I knew you'd sort it out eventually."

"There's more," said Angel, his smile slipping slightly.

"Oh oh," said Cordelia sitting back down. "I know that look. Here's the bad part right?"

"Not bad," said Doyle. "Maybe just 'surprising."

"Wait..wait!" She took a tissue out of her bag. "Okay, I'm ready. Surprise me."

"Spike is downstairs with someone, but it's not Dru," said Angel. "It's Xander."

Cordelia stared at him. Then she started to laugh. "Okay, this is funny. Only I thought you just said Spike is downstairs having sex with my ex-boyfriend." Neither Doyle nor Angel joined in her laughter and after a moment she fell silent. "Oh my god. You're...You're telling the truth. It's true!"

Angel nodded, Doyle took her hand. "It's not that bad, princess. They really like each other. I mean, this is the real deal for them."

"They're in love?" said Cordelia numbly.

Doyle squeezed her hand gently and nodded. "Yeah, they are."

"But Xander-"

"-was a confused young man who's finally finding his feet," said Angel.

"Among other parts," Doyle mumbled. Angel nudged him and he fell silent.

Cordelia sat staring ahead of her blankly.

"Cordy? You all right?" Doyle asked worriedly.

She blinked and looked at him. "Yeah," she said softly, tears lined her voice. "I'm fine."

"If it's okay with you," said Angel gently. "They...well they both need somewhere to work. I said they could help here."

Cordelia patted her eyes dry gently. "That's good. Because we should keep an eye on them shouldn't we?"

Angel smiled. "Yeah, we should."

"-and we will," Doyle added.

"Is Xander okay?" she asked shyly.

"He's fine," Angel assured her.

"Though the embarrassment factor might do for him if he finds out you've been listenin' in," said Doyle with a wicked grin.

Cordelia grinned back at him. "Hmm, I'll just have to be careful not to mention it then."

Angel looked back and forth between them both and sighed. It was proving to be a long morning.

Part Ten

Xander rolled off his lover with a satiated sigh and collapsed bonelessly onto his back. "Okaaay," he gasped, "are you going to tell me what that was all about?" He turned his head toward the silent vampire.

Spike had emerged from the lift minutes after Buffy's departure. He'd crossed the room without a word, scooped Xander up, slung him over his shoulder and carried him into the bedroom. Whereupon he'd thrown Xander down onto the bed and proceeded to coerce the youth into screwing him senseless.

Not that Xander had taken much coercing. A hot and horny Spike was impossible to resist or rebuff. Unfortunately, the band of pain constricting around his head, reminded him that vigorous horizontal pursuits were currently not a wise idea. He prodded his lover. "Spike?"

"What?" Spike snarled, "I need a bloody reason now?"

"No," said Xander slowly. "You don't need a reason, but something tells me you have one."

Spike muttered something unintelligible.

"What?"

"I *said*, maybe I just wanted to fuck."

"I don't doubt it," said Xander dryly. He'd never known Spike *not* want to fuck.

"Oh great, so now I'm 'pestering' you. Well that's soddin' nice, that is," Spike growled.

Xander ignored the agonising vice squeezing his skull and turned over onto his side. "Enough," he said firmly. "Either you tell me what's eating you or-"

"-or what?" Spike taunted nastily.

Xander sighed heavily. "Or nothing," he said softly. "I....I don't want to fight. I just want you to talk to me." Not meaning a word of it he added, "Maybe I should have gone back with Buffy."

Spike moved with alarming speed, grabbing the startled boy and pulling him close, burying his face against Xander's throat.

Xander responded by moulding himself to the vampire's body, wrapping his arms and legs around his shivering lover. "What is it?" he pleaded. "Spike, tell me. What's wrong?" The answer was whispered against his skin; he held his breath to catch the words.

"You smelt of her."

To any one else it would have been nonsensical, to Xander it was painfully clear. "She hugged me goodbye," he said gently. Spike buried deeper into his embrace. "She....she asked me to go back," he admitted. Spike stiffened. Xander stroked the alabaster skin soothingly. "Sssh, it's all right. I told her I wouldn't go. I told her I was never going back, that nothing could make me leave you. I said she'd have to use that cross bow on me first."

Spike drew back just far enough to look up into Xander's face. Gold eyes were wide and somewhat wondrous. "You said that?"

Xander nodded. "You thought I'd go back with her," he guessed.

Spike tried to look indifferent ~ it was a woefully poor attempt. "I knew she'd come and try and talk some soddin' sense into you. Probably shove a bit of wood between my ribs while she was at it."

A hurt frown formed between Xander's eyes. "So you thought what, I'd suddenly think 'Ack, what am I doing' and run back to Sunnydale? I'm not feeling a lot of trust here."

Spike looked away. "Trust has nothing to do with it," he muttered.

"No?" Xander's voice rose in agitation. A heartbeat later his expression softened. "I'm not her. I won't leave you." Spike gave him a 'I don't know what you're talking about' look which didn't fool Xander for a second. For all his savagery and boastful arrogance, Spike had a streak of insecurity several miles wide. Xander thought he knew at least part of the reason for it ~ Spike apparently took it for granted that sooner or later everyone left.....Angelus, Drusilla, even Harmony had cast the vampire aside.

Xander tightened his hold upon his lover. Brown eyes glittered fiercely. "You're mine. I won't let go," he declared.

Spike looked at him silently for a moment then a smile slowly spread across the vampire's face. "Yours," he agreed, softly kissing Xander. Neither of them paid any mind to the rattle of the lift as it descended. They were soon too busy to hear the voices outside.....

--------------------

"Oh my god," said Cordelia, hearing the sounds emerging from the bedroom.

"They're still at it?"

"Actually I think this is round two," said Doyle with a smirk.

Angel rolled his eyes despairingly. He went over to the door and gave it a solid thump with his fist. "Give it a rest. We have more urgent matters, remember."

The reply was muffled, but clear enough to make Doyle and Cordy cringe in anticipation. "Ouch," she murmured quietly.

"This ain't gonna be pretty," Doyle agreed.

His prediction proved right on the money. Angel's mouth tightened in displeasure. "Spike get your ass out here now." When there was no reply he yanked the door open and stormed in, slamming it shut behind him. There was a yelp, a thud, several growls and the door flew open again. Angel stormed out, followed by a sheepish looking Xander buttoning a shirt over his boxers, and a furious looking Spike wearing nothing but a pair of dark pants.

Cordelia eyed the dishevelled pair with some amusement.

Spike noticed her first and instantly hid his anger. "Cordelia, looking lovely as always. Still going to that gym?"

Cordelia didn't answer him. She was too busy watching the look of dismayed shock settling over her ex-boyfriend's features.

"Cor-cor-cor," Xander stammered helplessly.

"Oh bleedin' hell, you sound like a bloody crow," Spike snapped. "Spit it out already. It's *Cordelia*, pet."

Xander emerged from his daze sufficiently to smack his lover's arm ~ none too gently. "Shut up, I know who she is," he grumbled.

Cordy nodded her head knowingly and looked at Doyle. "You were right, they're in love."

--------------------

There was a certain amount of tension between the five as they seated themselves in the main room. Angel was still annoyed with his Childe. Spike was angry and sullen. Xander was subdued - and if the flush staining his cheeks was anything to go by - also mortified. Doyle was worried, Angel had neglected to mention whether or not he'd told the Slayer about *their* new relationship. Cordelia appeared the most relaxed, though she glanced thoughtfully at her ex from time to time.

Angel broke the uneasy silence. "Cordelia you need to leave for a while."

"Leave? As in L.A? *Again*." When he nodded she huffed in exasperation. "This is so typical. Sending the little woman off out of danger." She frowned. "That is why you want me to go right? You're not just planning some big orgy thing?" She held up her hand. "Wait, I don't want to know."

Angel shook his head frowning. "No. No orgy. You were right with the danger thing. There's...there's something we have to see to. It'd be safer if you stayed outside the city while we deal with it."

"What?" Cordelia asked bluntly.

Angel hesitated.

Surprisingly it was Spike who answered her. "It's an old pal of mine. From way back. No one you'd know. He's bad news. If you hang about you might catch one in the crossfire."

Cordelia considered this. "Okay," she said finally. "I'll go, but I'm going to need some more money. Next months wage in advance should do. Also how do I know when the coast is clear." Her gaze turned steely. Also, no more smelly rocks."

"I'll sort you out some money," Angel promised. "Tell us where you're going and we'll send word when it's okay to come home."

Cordelia shrugged. "I was putting it off, but I guess I should pay a visit to my parents. They keep nagging at me to go and stay."

"That's great," said Doyle. "You go stay with them and we'll call the minute it's safe to come back."

"You're staying." It wasn't a question.

Doyle nodded.

"Xander too?" She looked at her ex-boyfriend.

Spike out an arm around him possessively. "He stays with me."

Xander leaned into his lover and nodded to Cordelia. "We'll be okay," he assured her, seeing the real reason for her questions.

Cordelia drew in a deep breath. "Right, so I'm going home to pack then?"

"I'll drive yer," Doyle offered.

"It's okay I can-" she stopped. "You don't want me going on my own?" She frowned. "Isn't this guy a vampire?"

"No, he is," said Doyle. "I...I just wanted to..erm.."

She smiled realising he just wanted a chance to talk to her without the others listening in. "Okay, you drive." She handed him the keys out of her bag and stood up. "So, I'll catch you guys later then?" The words were typically blasé but the worry in her eyes was real enough.

Angel smiled gently at her. "You will," he promised.

She smiled back and began to walk toward the lift. She'd almost reached it when she turned back. "Oh and Xander?"

The youth looked at her.

She grinned. "Nice bedroom action." Then with a swish of her hips she was gone. A smirking Doyle followed close behind.

Xander groaned and hid his burning face behind Spike, who chuckled with amusement.

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