The Viking Hunter

By JamesChick

Chapter Thirteen

Angel pulled up in front of Rupert's apartment complex and turned off his engine. He sat in the car and collected his thoughts before going up, on the one hand he wanted to help his Childe but on the other he wanted to keep the attention away from himself. He may have a soul but his demon still had a very strong sense of self preservation.

Eventually He resigned himself to his fate and climbed out of his car and approached the door to Giles apartment. He knocked, and the door was immediately opened by Spike who grabbed him and all but dragged him inside before slamming and locking the door behind him.

"What in bloody hell do you think you're doing sitting out there? Are you trying to draw attention to your self?"

"Huh?"

"Christ peaches! I'm being hunted! Don't you think Thor would have me under surveillance? You aren't very bright for a private investigator! How do you manage to save people with your head up your arse?"

"Nice imagery Spike. For your information I looked, there was no one out there."

"Yeah whatever."

After Angel was brought up to date on the Thor situation, and quite annoyed by Spike because he wouldn't show him the letters from Xander, the three men settled in to get some rest. The next night would not be easy for any of them.

Buffy awoke to the phone ringing very early the next morning.

"Mmm, 'lo?"

"Good morning Buffy, I'm terribly sorry to wake you so early but I need you to gather the others and meet me at my apartment as soon as possible."

"This have anything to do with Spike's stalker?"

"Yes. Willy brought another message last night. The hunt begins tonight. I ah, I called Angel. He's here now as well."

"Okay, I'll get every up and we'll be there as soon as we can."

Buffy, Dawn, Willow and Tara arrived at Giles place a half hour later with pastry and coffee for everyone. Buffy and Angel shared an uncomfortable greeting and everyone else was too tired to care much who was there.

"Right then, Spike if you would fill the others in on what they need to know from the letter we can get started on the planning."

"From what Xander wrote, he's going to be joining his Sire on this little hunting expedition. He's promised he wouldn't raise a hand to any of us, but don't count on him to fight on our side either."

"Why not?"

"Because it's his Sire, Slayer. Childer don't stake their Sire, even when their souled poofs. It's just not done."

"But Angel....I mean Darla..?"

"Bloody Hell."

Spike didn't miss the pained expression that flashed across Angel's face at the mention of his Sire. He still had nightmares about that
night. His soul made him do it to protect Buffy, but that didn't make it any easier to live with.

"Look, I'm just giving you the facts slayer. Xander is out of it, he's not gonna fight on either side. Deal with it. Now, we don't know how old this bugger is either, but we know for a fact he's well over a thousand. He's had two Childer before, both female, last one died four hundred years ago. None of this makes a bleedin' difference though. Tonight's mission is strictly to track me, I figure old Thor wants to train his new boy to hunt well, and I'm the prey."

"Is that it?"

"No. Thor's had his minions watching me, us. He knows that I associate with humans, and that one of them is the slayer. As far as Xander knows, he doesn't know about those two (nods toward Willow and Tara) being witches. He figures we can use that. Oh, and he says he misses all of you."

"Okay, so we parade you around town tonight as bait, and have the Wicca women work some mojo on him and then you, me and Angel attack. Sounds easy enough."

"Sounds easy, but it won't be. Come on people, lets get to work."

The gang headed over to the Magic Box to get ready. The next few hours were spent testing various spells and training, everyone needed to be in top form. Giles and Willow had a few arguments on which spells would be the safest to use yet still be effective, and Buffy and the two vampires sparred in the training room. Giles left the shop closed that day so they wouldn't be interrupted, and Buffy had called Dawn in sick from School.

Dinner was ordered from the local Chinese food place and eaten in relative silence. There was nothing left for them to do. Buffy, Angel and Spike were in top fighting condition, the magic users were ready to cast, and Dawn was going to Janice's house to spend the night right after dinner. As soon as the sun went down they would head out.

Chapter Fourteen

Xander woke with a feeling of dread. Tonight he would join his Sire in hunting his friends. Sure, Thor had said that Spike was the target, but there was no way the Scooby's would just desert him. If he went after Spike he would get Buffy and the others as well. He seriously hoped that Spike had gotten his message. As much as he hated to admit it, he also hoped that Spike had swallowed his pride and called Angel.

After showering and dressing, Xander made his way to the library. He wondered how long Thor slept, as he always fell asleep with him beside him and yet he always woke up alone. He hated waking up alone, with Anya he always woke first. He would lie there in the dim morning light and hold her close, watching her sleep and think how lucky he was to have someone who loved him. It was a nice feeling. Now, he had a strange man in his bed, one who he was drawn to and yes, extremely attracted to, but at the same time he resented this man more than anyone he'd ever known. Including Angel. It was probably a good thing that he woke up alone, he didn't want to feel anything more than he had to for the monster that took his life. Thor was sitting in the library reading when Xander walked in. He gave his Childe an appraising look. Xander had dressed especially well this evening, blue silk button down shirt, black leather pants, shiny black boots and the silver ring and wrist band he had given him.

"Alexander, you look very nice."

"Thank you Sire. When does the hunt begin?"

"Eager are you? A very nice trait in a hunting partner. We shall set out soon. But first I want you to feed from me. It will strengthen your senses as well as your body."

Xander knew better than to pass on an invitation to drink from his Sire. If human blood was like chocolate, Sire's blood was like the richest, smoothest, most expensive chocolate in the world. It was like twinkies covered in the richest, smoothest, most expensive chocolate in the world. There was no finer thing to be had. He crossed the room with a predators grace as Thor tipped his head to the side and bared his throat to him. He gently, but quickly sank his fangs into the older vampires skin and drank greedily.

The feeding, like most times led to a thorough fucking and then a quick clean up before they left for the hunt. Thor had produced a blood covered piece of black cloth that Xander recognised as a piece of Spike's shirt. He scented the cloth and then tried to find Spike by sniffing the air. They started out near the shop, as the minions reported to Thor that he spent a lot of time there.

Xander was impressed. He could actually smell Spike on the air. This was an interesting new ability. He tried to follow the smell but this ability was too new. He didn't understand it yet. A thought suddenly occurred to him, if he could smell Spike then surely Spike could smell him as well, he had placed his own blood on the messages he'd sent.

They were half way through the park when Thor stopped and pulled him close.

"Do you sense it? Can you feel her?"

"Who?"

"The slayer, she is close. Be on guard."

"I feel something, like tiny sparks shooting up my back."

"That's it. It's a warning. It lets us know when a slayer is near. The slayer has a similar sense, she has most likely sensed us as well."

"Should we go?"

"No, we continue. I'm not here for the slayer, not tonight anyway. If she stays out of my way she will live another night. But if she tries to protect William, then she will die with him."

Willow and Tara had cast a cloaking spell on Angel so Thor wouldn't detect his presence. He was to be their secret weapon, other than the magic. They had come up with a few confusion spells, and a very nice freezing spell. The problem was that the freezing spell would work against any unhuman creature, so Spike and Angel would be stuck as well.

Thor led Xander further into the park, they saw Spike up ahead sitting on a table smoking a cigarette. As they crept closer Buffy and Angel flanked them on either side. Buffy kept enough distance from them to keep them from detecting her as more than just a slight presence. Once they were close enough to Spike Willow, Tara and Giles would start casting a confusion spell on Thor.

"Look Alexander, see how he waits for us? The slayer is near by, they are probably meeting here. We'll split up, you go left and circle around behind him. I'll creep up in front of him."

"Yes Sire."

Xander snuck off to do as he was told. He hoped that the others were hiding somewhere nearby. He knew that if Thor were aware of his deception he would be dust. He felt horrible at deceiving his Sire, his demon howled at the idea of it. If it were another vampire, anyone other than Spike and his friends, he wasn't sure that he could do it. If it were Angel, he was sure he'd be looking forward to it actually.

Spike new they were there. He smelt Xander and Thor when they entered the park. It wasn't hard now that he knew the boys scent. He had to admit, the boy was good. He never would have caught on if he weren't expecting them. He made eye contact with Buffy, she nodded that she was ready. He turned his head the slightest bit to the left and caught Giles eye. He nodded as well. It was now or never. Thor sprang out in front of Spike as he flicked his cigarette but away. Spike went on the defensive, throwing a volley of kicks and punches. Thor gave back more punishment than he received. Spike was losing fast when Willow and Tara started chanting.

The witches held hands and chanted the spell while Giles poured the herbs into the bowl. When the spell was finished the three of them turned to watch the fight. Thor was still blocking Spikes attack, though he didn't seem to be returning the blows anymore. Xander watched in morbid fascination, He had never seen Spike fight like this before, it was awesome. He had never seen Thor fight at all, aside from sparring with him and he knew he was taking it easy on him.

The fight continued and the spell seemed to wear off as Thor was gradually fighting back with more and more strength. Buffy jumped out and came to Spike's aid. Thor spared a glance to Xander and smiled.

"Come Alexander! Join the fun, this will be a good hunt yet. William and a Slayer! Come!"

Xander hung his head in shame and listened to the fight going on in front of him. His Sire was calling him to fight. He longed to join him. His demon demanded he obey his Sire. His soul wanted to help his friends. He could do neither so he just stood back out of the fray and prayed for it to be over soon.

Chapter Fifteen

Willow and Tara started the chant for the second confusion spell they had found. Hopefully this one would have stronger effects. Giles lit the candles necessary for the spell and placed them in a circle around the girls. When they had finished they once again looked over to where Thor was fighting both Spike and Buffy. Thor could feel the magic wrapping itself around his senses again, dulling them, trying to muddle his mind and make him weaker. His first Childe, Gabriella had been a priestess, he knew the feel of magic. This was a powerful spell and was taking its toll on him, only his years of training in warding off magic was keeping the spells from incapacitating him. He wondered why Alexander was not fighting along side him. Did he not feel worthy to fight beside him yet? They would have to talk about this after the hunt. The magic was an unexpected bonus, he hadn't had such a crafty opponent in decades but he was sure he would win, he always did.

Buffy and Spike were starting to get the upper hand after the second spell. Thor was a strong powerful fighter. He had a flawless style and Buffy was glad she didn't have to take him on alone. So was Spike though his pride would never allow him to say it.

Giles shook his head, this was not going according to plan. The girls were getting worn out from casting and the spells weren't having much of an effect. It was time for Angel to join the fight. If that didn't work, they would try the freeze spell. Hopefully they wouldn't end up freezing Spike and Angel and leaving Thor to move about freely. Giles whistled, that was the signal for Angel to join in.

Angel walked out from behind the group of trees he was hiding behind. He watched the way his Childe and his former love moved together. They fought as though they had been partners for years. He could tell that they had done this many times just by the way they anticipated each others moves. He could watch them fight like this forever.

Angel was yanked out of his retrospective by the sound of cursing. Spike of course. He jumped into the battle and began to pound on Thor. Things were looking up. While the former Scourge of Europe kept Thor occupied in battle Buffy rolled to the ground and came up behind him. In a split second she had her stake drawn and plunged it into his chest. Thor disintegrated, slowly, into ash.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Thor was surprised to see Angelus step out from behind the trees. The last time he had seen him he was a filthy, pathetic excuse for a vampire. Not worth the trouble of killing. He was so intent on the prospect of killing not only William but Angelus as well that he didn't see the slayer duck down and slip behind him. He felt the wood pierce his heart, he heard his Alexander scream, he looked into his Childes eyes and knew he had been betrayed. And then, nothingness.

Xander saw Buffy stand up behind Thor, he saw her pull her stake and plunge it into his chest. He felt a searing pain in his chest as his bond with his Sire was destroyed. He screamed into the night and fell to the ground. He had betrayed his Sire. It hurt, it hurt like nothing he had ever felt. The demon inside of him was still screaming in his head and he couldn't make it stop.

Buffy heard Xander scream and ran to him. She reached out to him and he snarled at her and bared his fangs. She stepped back from him and pulled her stake. Angel grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Xander as Spike knelt beside the boy.

"Buffy, let Spike help Xander. He won't want you near him right now."

"Why is he acting like this? I thought he had a soul?"

"He does. If he didn't he would have fought against you. His Sire called him to fight and he disobeyed. He is a vampire now Buffy, and you are a slayer. A slayer who just killed his Sire. Give him some time."

Giles came and took Buffy over to where the witches were cleaning up their supplies and crying softly. Angel went to help Spike with Xander but backed off when his Childe growled at him. He stood back and watched as his vicious Childe soothed Xander, pulling him into his arms and rocking him. He strained his ears to listen to what was being said.

"Shh, luv. Spike's here. You're okay now."

"All my fault. Should have helped him. Should have made him leave."

"Not your fault Xan. He was coming after me regardless. You saved me Xander. You saved us all."

"No, I betrayed him. I don't deserve to live."

"That's your demon talking luv. You did good. You saved your friends. You didn't do nothing wrong. It's not your fault."

"Spike?"

"Yeah Xan?"

"Can you take me home? I want to go home?"

"Sure luv, anything you want."

Angel followed Spike and Xander as they walked to Xander's apartment. He stood outside the building and pulled out his cell phone and dialled Rupert's.

"Hello?"

"Rupert, it's Angel. I just wanted to let you know where Xander and Spike went."

"Thank you Angel, did they go to Spike's crypt?"

"No, they went to Xander's apartment. I'm coming over to get Spike's blood from your place and then I'll be dropping it off to them before I go back to LA."

"Alright then, we'll see you shortly. And Angel?"

"Yes Rupert?"

"Thank you. For everything."

"It was the least I could do.

Chapter Sixteen

Spike brought Xander back to his apartment as he didn't think the boy would want to spend the remainder of the night and the next day stuck in a musty old crypt. He knew he'd made a mistake when Xander realized where he was.

"Anya! Oh God, Spike she's gone. I'll never see her again, she's dead."

"I'm sorry pet, I wasn't thinking. I shouldn't have brought you here, not tonight."

"No, I need to be here. I...I haven't been able to grieve for her. I need to let her go."

"You want me to go? Let you have some time alone?"

"Um, yeah but.... could you come back? maybe in a couple hours? I don't want to be alone tonight. I'm scared."

"Of course pet. I'll go check in with the watcher, pick up my things. I'll come back in a bit."

"Promise?"

"Promise pet. I'll be back, Xander."

Spike walked out of the apartment building to see Angel putting his phone in his pocket and turning away from the building. He wondered what his Sire was doing lurking about.

"Oi, Angelus! What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to make sure that you and Xander were alright."

"Yeah, about that. I fucked up Sire. I brought him here, Anya's dead and I took him back to their apartment. What the Hell was I thinking?"

"You probably weren't. He needs to be alone Spike, sooner or later he's going to have to come to terms with everything. Better to face it all at once. Dragging this out wouldn't help him."

"Thanks Angel. For the that and for fighting for me. I appreciate it."

"I know. Look Spike, I know I'm not Angelus, but I still feel like your Sire. I do love you, even when I don't like you. I'll always be here for you, as long as your not killing innocents."

"Thanks. I told the whelp I'd give him a couple of hours. I'm heading to the watchers to pick up my gear, wanna walk with me?"

"Sure, I was actually just headed there myself. I was going to pick up some blood for you guys and drop it off before heading home."

"So you're leaving then?"

"Have to. Cordy will come down here if I don't get back soon. She knows I'm with 'family' and that makes her nervous. Go figure."

The vampires shared a smile and continued their walk to the ex watchers place.

Xander crawled into the bedroom he and Anya shared and sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. He was overcome by the scent of her surrounding him. His grief tore at him knowing that he would never see her again, never hold her, touch her, tell her that he loved her. It was too much. With a blinding rage he vamped out and leapt to his feet, he lashed out at the closest object in the room, his dresser, and it shattered to pieces.

"Excuse me? If you're about finished wrecking the furniture can we talk?"

Xander spun around, yellow eyes blazing, fangs bared, and growling.

"Anya?"

"Xander. Sit down, we need to talk."

"How? I saw... your dead?"

"So are you!"

"Okay, okay. Just trying to understand here. Are you a vampire? You don't feel like a vampire."

"No. When I died, D'Hoffryn gave me my old job back. It was supposed to be this way. One human lifetime and then I'd get my powers back. I didn't know."

"So you're Anyanka now?"

"Yes. I am. But don't worry, I'm not going to wreak vengeance on you for sleeping with Thor. He was your Sire after all. And technically we're both dead so our relationship ended when we stopped living."

"What now? Are you staying?"

"I can't, I just wanted to let you know that I'm okay. I'm happy Xander, don't be sad for me. You have a very long life ahead of you, find someone to share it with. Just not a human, they're too fragile and they'll die on you and then you'll be sad again. Maybe you should hook up with Angel or Spike."

"Eeewww! Angel? NO WAY!"

"I see you didn't eeww about Spike. Xander I have to go. I'll check in from time to time. Thank you for making my human life worth living. You were a great boyfriend and friend. Bye."

"Bye Anya."

Anya vanished in a flash of blinding light. Xander smiled and left the bedroom. He walked out to the kitchen and pulled a beer from the fridge. Anya was okay, she was happy, and she wanted him to find someone to make him happy. But Spike? Did he really want to pursue a relationship with an unsouled, vampire who only helped because he had a chip in his head? The same vampire who had comforted him, held him and made him feel safe? Yeah, he did.

When Angel and Spike arrived at Giles apartment, the rest of the Scooby's were still there. Willow and Tara were curled up together on the sofa, Giles was in his chair sipping from a cup of tea, and Buffy was pacing. She looked up when the two vampires entered the room.

"How is Xander? Is he here? Where is he?"

"Calm down slayer. He's alright, he's at home. He wanted some time alone to miss his girl."

"Oh, damn I hadn't thought of that. Poor Xan, after everything else he has no one to look after him."

Angel heard Spike growl at Buffy's comment and raised an eyebrow at his Childe. Spike had the decency to look contrite but didn't apologise.

"He's not alone, he has you lot, when he's ready he'll call you. 'Sides I'm just here to get my things and then I'm going back over."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"He asked me to come back, I'm going back!"

Spike gathered his things, which consisted of some blood packets in the fridge, a couple of CD's and a spare pack of cigarettes, and headed for the door. Angel stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Hold on, I'll drive you back."

"Angel? Are you leaving already?"

"Yes Buffy, I have to get back to LA, I have a business to run. Besides I left my credit cards with Cordelia."

"In that case you better hurry!"

A quick round of goodbye's were exchanged and the vampire's were once again outside in the Sunnydale night. Angel unlocked the car and him and Spike drove silently back to Xander's. Once they were parked out front of the building Angel turned to Spike and cleared his throat to get the younger vampire's attention.

"Spike, can I ask you something?"

"Sure peaches, don't mean I'll answer you."

"What's going on with you and Xander?"

"Nothing mate, nothing at all."

"And that's the problem?"

"Yes. No. Hell I don't know! Before this soddin' chip, I was going to take the Red and the whelp. I would have turned them, they're mine! Wouldn't dream of it now, not Willow anyway. She's too powerful, if the demon got control of her power, she'd put Angelus to shame. But Xander, well he was taken from me. And yeah I'm pissed, but I'm sorta happy 'bout it too. He's immortal, strong, and there's none of that Sire/Childe crap to get in the way. If he decides to be with me it'll be because he wants me, not because he has to. You understand?"

"Yeah I do. But Spike, he's Xander, Xander Harris?"

"That he is Sire, and I like him just the way he is."

"Well good luck, I guess. Never would have figured Xander as your type is all."

"Yeah well, I got to know the real Xander, not the donut-boy you knew, he's a good man Angel, you should try to get to know him. But hands off eh? He's mine."

"Nothing to worry about there Spike. You take care of yourself. Call me if you ever need to. Or just if you want to. I have missed you."

"Missed you too, tell anyone and I'll deny it! See ya."

Angel drove away into the night as Spike headed back up to Xander's apartment to see how the younger vampire was coping. Hopefully there would still be furniture to sit on.

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