Xander knew from the moment he brought Spike to the basement that the vampire wouldn't be staying long. That thought had kept him from dusting Spike the first time he had whined about the chair.

He knew that they couldn't tie him up forever.

He knew that Spike would get bored with free blood and snarking at the television.

He knew that Spike would figure out how to convince Giles he was harmless and would go his own way, leaving Xander in peace and quiet.

What Xander hadn't known was that it would hurt so much to see him leave.

~end~