~~~

“Mr. Harris, you got a call from Rupert Giles. Mr. Giles would like to see you immediately in England. Shall I book your flight for you?”

Xander looked at the young red-headed secretary. He still couldn’t quite believe it. Everything had changed so much after the final battle. He had changed so much. No longer Xander the Zeppo, now he was Alexander Harris, part of the officially revived Watchers' Council. He’s sure he would never have got the part if it weren’t for Giles. The man had managed to restart and reform the broken Watchers Council into what it was today, strong and thriving.

But then, it had to be strong. There wasn’t just one slayer anymore. All the potentials had been awakened, the slayer senses inside them amplified. It was now part of the Watchers' Council's duty to see that every potential-turned-slayer be sought out and brought to their attention.

These girls all needed training and looking after. He had thought the Watchers' Council was big before but now it had surpassed that number threefold. It was larger then ever before and it had to be. “Yes, Margery, please book me the earliest flight possible.”

It seemed at least 10 slayers were found each day. And that was only in America. “Yes, sir,” the girl said, picking up her phone.

Even with the new Watchers they were training each year, they were still outnumbered at least three to one. The numbers were insane and he was glad he wasn’t one of the men who had to teach them. Not that he couldn’t he had gone through all the training, he just didn’t feel he would do a very fine job.

He was content with his current position, still on his side of the pond. Though Africa and England hadn’t been quite so horrible. But in an office, with a secretary, powerful and in control: It was something he had always wanted, a reason, a purpose. And now he had it.

He wondered what Giles wanted him for, though, asking him to go back to England. He figured it had to be important or Giles would have simply left a message for him to call back.

It’s not often the older man called or asked him to take a plane immediately, so it would *have* to be something important.

Flight booked, luggage packed, and Xander was on the earliest flight he could get over the vast blue to England. He was certain he would be exhausted when he arrived. He still didn’t accommodate well to the sudden time change.

~~~

He was surprised to see Willow when he made it off the plane and to the arrivals gate. It’d been so long since they’d actually seen each other. Quite a while since the last time they'd talked really. Too much to say, no time to talk and all. Work, life; it all got in the way.

She looked good though, happy and healthy. Something he wasn’t quite sure he mirrored.

“Xander Harris, have you been eating?” Willow asked, after pulling him into a hug. He shrugged. Actually he’d been skipping as many meals as humanly possible. He just didn’t have the time anymore. And when he did he had no one to share the meals with. Only time to spend alone thinking of all he’s lost. “We have to get some food into you before you fade away to nothing.”

She smiled at him and it warmed him to be with someone who cared. “Sure, Wills, anything for you.” He explained what his luggage looked like to her and escaped into the restroom to check a mirror. Wondering if he really looked as bad as Willow’s eyes had said.

Staring at his reflection, he looked himself over. Hair as disheveled as always but then it never did settle down. Clothing a tad rumpled from sleeping on his flight but that was normal for anyone coming off a flight from America. He looked over his face, hands running over his eyes. Yes, both, thanks to the links of the old Watchers' Council. Apparently it went as far back as the dark ages, possibly farther, he couldn’t really recall. He had managed to get what was taken from him restored.

Maybe he did look a little pale, and possibly quite thin. But then, he used to be somewhat large if he remembered the pictures correctly. Or maybe he just remembers himself that way because it’s how he felt. Whatever, it really doesn’t matter, but he guesses he might seem slender to his old friend. He wet his hands, running them through his hair, and walked out of the restroom.

Willow was waiting there for him and he took his bags from her. “Ready?” she asked warmly.

“Yes, lead the way.” He followed her through the airport maze and out into the light of day. After eating a rather large meal Willow insisted on, they took a cab to London to meet with Giles. The man was as British as ever. Maybe more so, being back on his own soil, but Xander didn’t mind it really.

“Welcome back, Xander. It’s good to see you again,” Giles said, shaking Xander’s hand. Xander found it funny. In all the years he'd known the man he had never felt more at home in his company than he did now.

“Very nice to be back, Giles. How’ve you been?”

“Exceptionally well, actually. And yourself?” The man asked, looking him over.

“Fairly well myself.” Xander answered. He could see the look in the man’s eyes that said he thought otherwise.

“Well, come in have a seat. Would you like a drink, perhaps something to eat?”

“No, that’s alright,” Xander replied, sitting on one of the soft brown leather chairs.

“Oh my, hello, Willow. I didn’t even notice you there. Come in, would you like anything?”

“Some tea maybe?” Willow asked, sitting in a chair beside Xander.

“Very well, I’ll be right back.” Xander watched the man disappear through a door he knew lead to the kitchen and waited until he returned.

“So Giles, what’s the news?”

“Excuse me?” Giles asked, setting the tea cup he was drinking from on the saucer in his lap.

“Why did you ask me back?”

“Oh yes, right. Should have known you would want to get straight to business.” He placed the cup and saucer on the table. “Well, it seems we have a rogue slayer loose and I would like you to bring her in.”

“Why me?” Xander was skeptical. He knew he wasn’t the Council’s best or bravest and wondered what Giles might need him for.

“Well, she seems to be slightly crazed and I believe you have enough field study, as well as the personality, to rein her in.”

Xander thought it over but still could think of many others more qualified for the position. “I don’t get it.”

“You’re perfect for the part, Xander,” Willow piped in. “Besides, it would give us more time to catch up.”

So that was it. They wanted to bring him closer home…well, in the social sense of the term. He guessed that was okay. It’d been so long since he’d seen any of them and it would be nice to work together again. Like old times. “I guess that’s fine. Any idea where this slayer is?”

“Well actually no, not quite,” Giles said, polishing his glasses. And wasn’t that a refreshing sight to see.

“We do have some leads, though.” Willow placed her teacup on the table. “Small, but still good.”

“Alright, when do we start?” Xander asked, trying not to yawn.

“Tomorrow?” Willow looked at him hopefully. And tomorrow sounded good with him. As he suspected, he was exhausted from his flight.

“You may stay here if you like, Xander.” Giles suggested, standing.

Xander weighed climbing the stairs to calling a cab, waiting for it to arrive then trying to find the hotel he was staying at. He chose staying. “Just for tonight,” Xander said, yawning.

“You know where the guest room is, correct?” Xander managed a nod. “Only take the bag you need. I can manage the rest.”

Xander grabbed a small duffel and made his way up the wooden steps to the guest room. He had just enough energy to change into clean sweats before falling into bed.

~~~

He awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs. Something he hadn’t had in quite some time. Figuring he should shower first, he grabbed some clothes and made his way to the bathroom. After a nice hot shower he went downstairs, following the smells into the kitchen.

“Good afternoon, Xander,” Giles said, turning to look at him. “I thought you might enjoy some breakfast.”

“Afternoon? Have I really been out that long?”

“Afraid so, but don’t fret. Willow will be over in an hour and you can start working then. For now, take a seat and fill yourself up.”

Xander hadn't thought he would sleep that long and mentally scolded himself for it. He had better get adjusted to this time change again, and fast. He didn’t have any time to waste. He should already be working. He sat at the table, picking up the fork and stabbing at the eggs.

“You know, I do believe I’m hungry myself,” Giles said, sitting across from him. “Mind if I join in on this meal?”

“Not at all,” Xander said, happy he didn’t have to eat alone again. Giles grabbed a plate and they sat in companionable silence until they were both finished. “Thanks, Giles,” Xander said, truly grateful. “I’ll get the dishes.”

“Nonsense, you are my guest. Not to mention that you will be going out in a few minutes' time, anyhow.”

Xander smiled genuinely. It had been a while since he’d had someone to look after him. Even for the shortest time. And he really regretted the fact that by tonight he would be out on his own again, in some hotel.

“Thank you.”

The bell rang and Giles nodded for Xander to answer it. When he opened the door he was tackled by the person on the other end. “Xander!”

“Hey Kiddo,” Xander said, hugging the girl back. “How’ve you been?”

Dawn pulled back, a bright smile on her now womanly face. “I’m not a kid.” She pouted, and Xander was transferred back to a time of babysitting and playing board games. “I’ve been good.”

Small hands on his shoulders, Dawn held him at arms' length, looking him over. “Gosh Xan, what happened to you?”

He looked down at himself. “What?”

“Give up eating to save a life or something?” She smiled, hugging him once more. “I’m so glad to see you. It’s been ages.”

Xander let a hand run through her loose hair, taking comfort in her joy. “Yeah, it has been a while, hasn’t it? So, what are you doing here?”

Dawn pulled back again. “Oh, I’m here for a study session. So, you staying here?” she asked hopefully.

“No, I got a hotel booked,” he replied, ushering her inside.

She scrunched up her nose. “Bleh. I was hoping you were staying; that way I could see you more often. I’m sure the G-man wouldn’t mind.”

Xander smiled at her use of his old nick name for Giles. “Don’t want to be a burden, you know.”

“Not at all, Xander. I would be pleased if you stayed.” He started, turning to see Giles at the door way leading to the kitchen.

“Please, Xan, say you will,” Dawn pleaded, gently squeezing his hand with her own.

“I guess that’s alright as long as Giles is okay with it.”

“Yes!” Dawn bounced on the tips of her toes as though she had won the battle. “Wonderful.”

“So, what exactly are you studying anyway?” Xander asked.

“Bit of everything,” she replied, taking a seat one of the leather chairs, legs hanging over the armrest. “Some fighting, some magic, a few languages. Extending my knowledge and all that.”

“I see.” The bell rang again and this time Giles answered it. Willow walked through the opening.

“Hello Giles.” She turned towards the others.

“Hey Dawnie, here for your lessons?” Dawn nodded. “Xander, ready to go?”

“Yeah, all set.”

Dawn gasped and looked at Willow accusingly, rising from her seat. “You mean you knew? And you didn’t tell me?”

“Knew what?” Xander asked, looking at the girl.

“I’m sorry, he just got here yesterday. You know how it is. He needed to rest.”

Xander sighed. Ah, it was about him. He should have guessed.

“Still could have told me, Willow.” Dawn crossed her arms over her chest, huffing slightly.

“And ruined the surprise? I thought you loved a good surprise?”

“I guess you’re right.” Dawn said, falling back onto the chair.

“Well, we have to go, Kiddo. I’ll see you later.” Xander placed a soft kiss on Dawn’s forehead.

“Yeah, we should be back in a few hours,” Willow told Giles, turning back towards the door.

“Do be careful,” he replied, seeing them out.

When they were outside the door in the rainy weather of ye ol’ London, Xander turned to his friend. “So, where are we headed?”

“To an old warehouse to meet one of the informants.” Willow threw back, leading the way.

“And this informant, is he…trustworthy?”

“If you’re asking if he’s a demon, Xander…yes, he is.”

“Oh, okay.” He really didn’t want much more information on this demon anyway. Better to figure it out when he got there, then fret over it the entire way.

~~~

When they reached the warehouse he figured it didn’t look all too intimidating; of course, when they reached the demon he had changed his mind. This guy was big and ugly, not really unlike most demons Xander had seen before. He looked scary and probably was just as bad. The red scaly demon was about a foot above Xander’s height and he wondered briefly what it must be like for Willow.

The witch handed the demon some type of blue pouch Xander didn’t even want to know the details of, and they began to click-tick to each other in the demon's apparently fluent language, if the tone gave anything away. Which Xander wasn’t quite sure it did.

Foreign language still not one of Xander’s strong points, he stood back and attempted to look threatening as Willow click-ticked her understanding. The demon, whose name sounded like “clickatic ticktic”-- though for all Xander knew it could actually mean bread or apocalypse -- made seemingly obscene gestures with his scaly paws and started to keen.

Willow click-ticked something back at it and turned to Xander. “Such a baby. Come on, let's go.”

Xander followed without question, that is, until they were a good way away from the warehouse. “What was that all about ?”

“Says he saw the girl we’re looking for. Told me some stuff -- nothing we don’t know already -- and then begged me to kill her because she cut off his leg.”

“But didn’t he…”

“Those demons grow parts back like a starfish. Don’t know why he’s complaining.” She smiled at Xander and took a sharp left. “And now we’re off to see informant two. “

The day pretty much continued on the same way, one demon informant after another. All telling the same truths or the same lies. All stuff they already knew. By the time Xander reached Giles' place he was just as tired as he had been the night before. This jetlag really wore on him. He managed a hello/goodnight to Giles before making his way up the stairs and to the guest room, this time remembering to plug in and set up his alarm clock. He wouldn’t miss a day’s work again.

~~~

Another morning waking up to the smells of food wafting through his door. Only this time it was sugar and cinnamon that excited his senses. He took a quick shower and hurried down to the food. French toast and someone to eat it with. And Xander had actually awoken on time too. In the actual British morning.

A phone ring broke the silence of breakfast and Giles picked it up, only to have to pass it to Xander. It was Willow, and she couldn’t make it today. So now he had nothing to do. No work to keep his mind off his life.

“What was that about, Xander?”

“Will can’t work today. Something she forgot to do or something.”

“Well, it’s a wonderful day. Why don’t you go out for a walk? Take in the sights. Maybe visit a park,” Giles suggested, placing his dish in the sink.

“What are you up to today, Giles? Maybe you could take me around?”

“Sorry Xander, but I have prior obligations. Perhaps you could ring Dawn when her classes are over?”

Xander sighed, playing with the last bit of his food. “That’s alright. I’ll take your advice, get around.”

“That’s good, Xander.” He looked at the boy’s plate. “Aren’t you going to finish that?”

“No, I’m full thank you.” Xander plastered on a patented smile and stood. “I'd better get a coat.”

“You don’t have to leave now.”

“It’s alright, Giles. I want to.” He walked out of the kitchen, taking his coat off the rack and putting it on. “I’ll be back later.”

“Very well, do enjoy yourself.”

“I will,” Xander replied, heading out the door and closing it behind him. All of London and he had no idea where to go.

~~~

He ended up in a coffee shop with a tall Mocha latte and a new book. Looking around, he noticed he wasn’t the only one reading and drinking. Not that he expected to be. It was the new age thing to do wasn’t it? Grab a tall one to drink and a book/newspaper/magazine to entertain oneself with. He put his novel down and sat back to watch the people. He found himself doing that a lot as of late.

A young woman in a soft blue skirt suit walked through the door. Her red hair curled around her shoulders and the way she held herself reminded Xander of Anya. He felt his mood sink. Anya was gone, taken away like all of Sunnydale. One of the ones to die in the last battle against The First. Along with some potentials and Spike…he had once heard from Andrew though, that Spike was in fact alive, working with Angel at Wolfram and Hart. He snorted at their stupidity. That law firm was one of the most spoken of names in the Demon world.

Angel, head of the LA branch, had fallen onto the side of evil yet again. He hadn’t really heard much about them after that. Or maybe he had but just hadn't bothered to retain the information. He really didn’t care. He always knew Angel was no good. Though he did often find himself wondering about Spike. They had become sort of companions. Back in Sunnydale while Buffy and Giles were training the Potentials it was often just Andrew, Spike and him. And even Andrew had found his uses. So he and Spike had ended up together a lot. And, bickering aside, Xander had found he rather liked Spike.

And now he was starting to miss the Vampire. Funny that, all the years of hating him and threatening to take his unlife and now he found himself actually missing the bleached blonde.

Xander focused on the door again, just in time to see a man walk through. He was pretty tall, maybe an inch or two under Xander’s own height. He wore a simple brown suit and had a hardcover tucked under his arm. Wire rimmed glasses framed large blue eyes covered by soft looking honey brown hair. The locks curled and hung around the man’s head like a halo and something about him sparked a feeling of familiarity. Xander watched as the man passed his table and walked toward the counter.

He inspected the man from afar as he ordered his drink. Then followed him with brown eyes as he sat down at a table. The man had chosen a table not far from Xander’s, by a window that let in enough light to read by. The sun's rays seemed to encompass the man’s whole being and he looked positively heavenly. Xander found he couldn’t look away. There was something about this man, something that made him think he knew him. But that was impossible -- he couldn’t possibly forget someone as radiant as this.

Xander wanted to go over and ask the man his name to see if there really was any possibility that he knew him, but he couldn’t seem to move from the spot. When he finally managed to work up enough nerve to rise from his seat the light from the windows was already disappearing and the man rose himself. He watched as the mysterious stranger delicately picked up his book and left before Xander had any chance to will his legs to move. He had lost his chance. And he wondered if he’d ever get another.

~~~

When Xander reached Giles’ house he was still mystified by the coffee shop stranger, the man’s appearance blurring more and more as he tried to maintain it. Frustrated by not only his inability to remember the stranger’s clothes but also his inability to get the man’s name, he walked through the door.

“Welcome back, Xander. Did you have a good day?”

Xander looked over at the man. Good day? In some ways. “Yes, actually. You?”

“It was satisfactory. Would you like something to eat? Or did you already have something?”

“No thank you, I'm fine. Just a bit tired. Think I’m going to call it a night.”

“Alright,” Giles said, looking him over with sad eyes. “Do sleep well.”

“You too,” Xander replied, making his way upstairs. He changed into some sweats and fell on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He wondered why the man had looked so familiar. And once again tried to remember every detail of the man’s appearance.

~~~

Slim hands working their way down his sides, cool lips kissing his flesh, teeth nipping here and there. “Knew you always wanted this, whelp. Could smell it on ya,” mumbled into his neck.

“But then, can’t say I didn’t want it. Wanted you ever since that first time I saw you.” A cool tongue sliding down his chest, probing his navel. “Wanted to run my hands all over you. Mark you as my own.”

Slick cool fingers sliding inside him. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you. Like to have me claim you, make you mine for everyone to know.”

Lips on his arousal, sliding down until he’s cradled in a tight cavern. He can feel moans run through him, making him harder, even though that mouth and throat work to rid him of that problem. Tongue licking a trail up as more fingers join the dance inside him. He can’t help it. He needs more. He flips them over, laying his weight on his partner. Tongues duel for control as they kiss.

Then Xander’s inside, coolness encircling him. Fangs at his neck turn blunt and groan turns to moan. Xander looks down into blue eyes as a new form takes shape beneath and around him. A warm body below his, sweat drenched hair that sticks beautifully to a flushed face. Full lips and soft moans.

He runs a hand through the darkened honey brown hair and stares into cerulean eyes filled with desire. The touches turn soft, fluttering down his back as though afraid to touch. Eyes lock with his, never looking away as the body beneath him arches to his touch. His partner moans, pulling him closer. This kiss is softer and he’s allowed to dominate as the body beneath him gives itself wholly.

Slow kisses up a heated neck as he begins to thrust again, slow and deep. This isn’t just about sex, it’s something more, something different. Something he’s been searching for, waiting for.

They begin to move quicker, meeting each other thrust for thrust, Xander losing himself in those deep blue eyes. And then they close and his partner’s head falls back as he reaches his release. Neck bared for him and he bites it. Not hard enough to mark but he needs to do this.

~~~

Xander wakes with a start. He mentally scolds himself and gets out of bed to change the sheets. He is no longer a teenager, he has no right to be acting like one. Besides, that dream was completely inappropriate. Spike was a vampire, a demon, dangerous. And besides, Spike would never have…and he doesn’t even know the Coffee stranger’s name.

But now he can’t get the image out of his mind and he needs to find him. Needs to at least know his name, because he feels maybe then he could get the man off his mind…he shook his head. Who was he kidding?



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