Part 10/?

?Shit!?  Xander juggled the boards in his hands in a 
frantic effort to avoid 
dropping them.  He managed to get them back under 
control, but by the time 
he did his heart was racing from reaction.  He carried 
them over to where 
they were supposed to be and carefully laid them down.  
Arms empty, he sank 
down into a crouch, head in his hands.  Dropping the 
boards wouldn?t have 
been a big deal, but what if he?d been carrying tools?

What if he?d been operating a saw when he?d lost focus 
like that?

He had to focus, had to keep his mind on his work.  He 
couldn?t think about 
the information rattling around inside his head, 
telling him about the 
horrors hidden in Sunnydale?s corners.  He couldn?t 
think about how long it 
had been since he?d had more than an hour to sit down 
and relax.  He 
couldn?t think about how much he missed Willow, or how 
worried he was about 
Dawn.

He couldn?t think about the fact that last night, 
Graham and Spike had both 
kissed him.

With a groan, he shoved himself back to his feet.  He 
could think about all 
of this later.  He could turn into Angel and have 
himself a full-on 
brood-fest, but for right now he had to focus on his 
job.  He couldn?t 
afford to lose it, and he didn?t want to lose a finger 
or become a danger to 
the guys he worked with.  At least his head didn?t 
hurt anymore so he didn?t 
have to work through the headache.

That thought brought him back to the events of last 
night.  He?d actually 
drunk Spike?s blood...and liked it!  He?d expected to 
have to force himself 
to swallow, but it hadn?t been anything like he?d 
expected.  He didn?t know 
how to describe the taste:  dark and rich and 
powerful.  Seductive, even.  
And then after he?d finished, Spike had stared at him 
with blue eyes that 
had become darker and darker until the blond man had 
leaned forward and 
kissed him.

?And we?re back...in the car...again,? Xander 
muttered.  No matter how hard 
he tried, he wasn?t able to get away from the memories 
of last night and 
they were going to make him crazy.

Taking a deep breath, Xander picked up one of the 
boards and moved it to the 
saw horse.  He was going to do his job and worry about 
this later.  He 
focused intently on the process of sawing, not 
allowing his attention to 
wander for a second.  Sure, it was avoidance and he?d 
just end up having to 
deal with everything later, but at least he?d cut down 
on his chances of 
giving himself an accidental amputation.

He was so intent on the task he?d set for himself that 
the hand that landed 
on his shoulder came as a complete surprise.  He 
managed to both retain his 
grip on the saw and not scream like a girl.  He turned 
off the tool and 
turned to face the person who?d scared him.  ?Hey, 
boss,? he greeted Josh, 
the foreman.  ?What?s up??

?Harris, go on ahead and take the rest of the day 
off.?  The 
broad-shouldered man gestured toward where Xander?s 
car was.

Stomach twisting in a cold knot, Xander took off his 
safety goggles.  ?Did I 
do something wrong?? he asked.  He didn?t want to lose 
this job - he loved 
learning to shape the wood and create buildings and 
furniture with his own 
hands.

?No.?  The foreman laughed.  ?I didn?t mean to scare 
you.  You?re not in 
trouble.  You?ve been doing outstanding work on this 
job.  You?re turning 
into a damn fine craftsman, Harris.?

?Then why do you want me to go?  I?d rather stay.?  He 
needed the money.  
Making the rent wasn?t hard, but missing a few days? 
pay would make 
everything a little tight and he didn?t need to add 
that to his plate.

Josh?s face turned serious.  ?Listen, I know what 
you?ve been doing.  You?re 
friends told me.?

Who told him what?  That he was out most nights 
killing demons?  That he 
still kept a stuffed Snoopy toy in his bedroom?  That 
he?d kissed two guys 
last night and liked it?

?I know you?ve been working your friend?s night job 
while she takes care of 
her sick sister.  You?ve been working two jobs and 
still do a great job at 
this one.  Take the rest of the week off and rest up.  
Come back Monday when 
we start the half-days during inspection.?  He didn?t 
give Xander a chance 
to object.  ?You?ll still get paid.  Remember when you 
noticed that flawed 
load of rebar?  If we?d used it we?d be having to 
replace it right now and 
the repairs would set us back months.  I was going to 
surprise you at the 
end of the job, but I?ll tell you now:  you?ve got a 
bonus coming to you.  
Look at the days off as just a part of it, ok??

Xander stared at him, then nodded.  ?If you?re sure.?

?Get out of here.?  Josh clapped him on the shoulder.  
?I?ll see you 
Monday.?

A little dazed, Xander finished up the board he was 
working on and packed up 
his tools.  He could go home and sleep.  Most likely, 
he?d go home and do 
his best Angel impersonation.  As he headed for the 
parking lot, he stopped 
dead as a thought occurred to him.  What friends had 
gone and talked to 
Josh?

He exhaled hard in irritation.  He wasn?t thinking 
straight at all.  He was 
tired, confused, and he was still feeling the strain 
of the Cynon?s 
influence.  His headache was gone, but he could still 
feel the lingering 
traces of the crushing loneliness that the demon had 
drawn out of him.  Each 
emotion that the Cynon fed off of was staying with him 
longer and longer, 
and it was more difficult to shake them off.  When the 
demon had demanded 
humiliation from him, he?d blushed miserably for days 
after every time he?d 
passed a place where he?d been embarrassed.  That had 
faded fairly quickly 
compared to how long the loneliness was lingering, and 
how strongly.  He 
still felt the edges of it, cut-off and alone even 
when he was talking and 
laughing with other people.

He headed for his car at a slower place, trying to 
figure out who would?ve 
talked to his boss.  Would Spike have  made a call?  
He got his answer when 
he saw who was standing next to his car.  ?Graham!  
Hey, Riley.  What are 
you doing here??

?Breaking you out,? Graham answered with a grin.

?I really appreciate it, but why??  Xander opened up 
his trunk and put his 
tools away.

?You look tired,? Graham said.  ?I thought you could 
use some time off.?

?Is that what your commanding officer told you to do?  
Make sure that Harris 
kid got some time off??  He grinned at Graham, loving 
the way the other man 
grinned right back in the face of his teasing.

?Yep.  We?re under orders.?

Riley laughed.  ?He?s almost telling the truth.  We 
told our CO that you?re 
the one responsible for the stability here in 
Sunnydale.  We?re under orders 
to support you and make sure the stability continues.  
If that means making 
sure you get enough sleep, then hey.?

Xander froze.  ?Have you mentioned Spike to your CO?  
Did the surveillance 
teams??  What would the military do to an escapee from 
the Initiative?

Graham frowned but it was gone so quickly Xander 
barely had time to see it.  
?He knows Spike is around, but he believes that 
chipped, Spike isn?t a 
threat.?

Xander nodded, relieved.  He didn?t want Spike to be 
in danger because he?d 
been helping him.  He didn?t want Spike to be in 
danger period, which was a 
can of worms he was going to ignore for as long as he 
could.

?What?s on the agenda for tonight?? Riley asked.

Grateful for the distraction, Xander said, ?There?s a 
nest of young vampires 
who are getting big for their britches since they 
haven?t had their asses 
kicked by the Slayer.  I think it?s about time that 
they learn their place.?

?How do you know?? Graham asked.

Xander shrugged.  ?The information is just there, in 
my head.  If I think 
about it, then I know where some of Sunnydale?s 
nasties are and what they?re 
up to.  Eventually there?s no more information, and I 
have to go get some 
more.?

Graham started to say something, but Riley interrupted 
him.  ?Why don?t we 
go take care of the vampires now?  Hit?em while 
they?re sleeping.?

?Not without Spike,? Xander said.  He?d promised that 
to the vampire once 
he?d started dealing with the Cynon.  He?d continue to 
meet the Cynon, but 
he wouldn?t act on the information he received without 
Spike at his side.  
?I?m not going to do anything until after sundown.?

He could tell that Graham and Riley didn?t like his 
answer, but he wasn?t 
going to change it.  He?d given his word and he 
couldn?t break it.  
Especially not to Spike, no matter how he felt about 
Graham.  Xander dug his 
nails into his palm in a gesture of frustration.  He?d 
accepted the fact 
that he was bi, worked himself around to acknowledging 
the fact that he was 
into guys too and was ok with it.  He could?ve dealt 
with being attracted to 
both of them at the same time; he wasn?t that far away 
from being a 
teenager, when thinking about *linoleum* was enough to 
get him hot.  But the 
crush he?d been hiding from Spike had grown beyond 
being a crush weeks ago, 
and the kiss last night hadn?t done anything to stop 
it.  At the same time, 
getting know Graham had had the same effect on 
Xander?s feelings for them.  
How could he be falling in love with two different 
people at the same time?  
What was wrong with him?

?We?ll wait for Spike,? Graham agreed.  ?In the mean 
time, you should let us 
get you some dinner or something.?

?I could eat,? Xander agreed.  ?Um, do either of you 
have a cell phone I can 
use??  He accepted Graham?s phone and dialed his 
apartment number.  When 
Spike picked up he said, ?Listen, I got off work 
early.  Graham and Riley 
are here and they?re offering me free food.  I?m going 
to get dinner with 
them while we wait for the sun to set.?

//Is everything all right?// Spike asked.  His voice 
sounded a little 
strange.

?Everything?s good.  I actually got some good news at 
work - I?ll tell you 
about it when I see you.?

//Where should I meet you?//

?You remember the crypt that looks like it?s covered 
in Oompa Loompas??  He 
grinned when he heard Spike laugh a little.

//I?ll be there.  Xander...//

?Yeah??  His heart beating faster for no apparent 
reason, Xander waited.

//I...never mind.  Do you want me to bring you your 
favorite toys?//

?Thank you, that?d be great.  I?ve got the stakes 
covered, but I need the 
other stuff.?

//I?ll bring them.  Watch yourself.  I?ll see you as 
soon as the sun sets.//

?I will.  See you soon.?  Xander handed the phone back 
to Graham, wondering 
just what Spike had been about to say.  ?Where for 
dinner??

?Is there anywhere near here?? Graham asked.

?Um, Delarico?s has decent Mexican food, and it?s 
completely non-demonic.?

?Sounds good.?  Graham nodded his head toward the SUV 
parked beside Xander?s 
car.  ?You want a lift??

Xander held out his hand, palm up.  ?I?m the one who 
knows where Delarico?s 
is.  I should drive.?

?This is a military-owned vehicle,? Riley said, keys 
held protectively in 
his hand.

?If it?s not yours, why are you worried??  Xander 
smiled winningly and kept 
his hand out.

?Fine,? Riley said, handing over the keys.

?Don?t worry, Riley,? Xander said, opening up the 
driver?s door and 
unlocking the vehicle.  ?If I run over a line of 
parking meters or 
something, I?ll tell everyone you were driving.?  He 
ignored Riley?s glare 
and started the SUV.  Delarico?s was close by so he 
wasn?t driving long at 
all.  That meant less time for Riley to spend 
fidgeting nervously in the 
back seat, which was good.  It also meant less time 
for him to sit with 
Graham next to him in the passenger seat, so close and 
talking to him.  
Which was also a good thing, since he really didn?t 
want to damage the 
vehicle by being distracted and running into a parked 
car.

At the restaurant, they got their food quickly and 
headed for a booth.  
Xander watched as Graham and Riley slid in on opposite 
sides of the table.  
That meant he had to sit by one or the other.  It was 
no contest.  He slid 
in beside Graham and was immediately rewarded by 
Graham?s pleased smile.

By the time the food was gone, so was all the space 
between Xander and 
Graham.  Sitting close together, Xander laughed as 
Graham told stories about 
himself and Riley on the various missions they?d 
performed.  The stories 
were fun, but the best part was hearing Graham?s 
voice, seeing his eyes 
crinkle up as he smiled, and feeling the warmth of him 
pressed so close.

Xander responded by telling them stories about growing 
up on the Hellmouth.  
He tried to focus on the ones that effected him, 
rather than the ones about 
Buffy.  He didn?t want to upset Riley by mentioning 
her too much.  He was 
finishing up one of the most embarrassing, explaining 
why every woman in 
Sunnydale fell in love with him for a short time and 
Graham and Riley were 
laughing so hard he was worried they all might get 
asked to leave.

?So they were all after you?? Riley asked, calming 
down a little.

?It was a nightmare.  That?s why I don?t go anywhere 
near magic or wishes if 
I can help it.?  Xander took a long drink of his soda.  
Mmm, caffeine.  He 
glanced out the window and the sight of the reddening 
sky sent him 
scrambling to find his watch.  ?Damn, we were here 
longer than I thought.  
The sun?s going down.?

Riley sighed.  ?Time for more fun and excitement??

?Hey, the fun never stops in dear old Sunnyhell.?  
Xander moved regretfully 
away from Graham, stretching as he stood up.

?Why more people don?t move here, I?ll never know.?  
Graham followed him out 
of the restaurant.

Xander tossed the keys back to Riley.  ?I think you 
can handle it back to 
the parking lot.  The cars will be safe there until 
we?re done foiling the 
plans of evil doers.?  He looked over at Graham and 
grinned.  ?Shot gun!?  
He bolted for the passenger side door.

Graham stared at him.  ?Shot gun?  Aren?t you required 
by law not to do that 
after you graduate high school??

Xander stuck his tongue out at him.  ?You?re just 
jealous because I thought 
of it first.?

?Maybe.  Next time the front seat is mine!?

?Take it this time,? Riley said, tossing the keys to 
Graham.  ?Not that I 
like the idea of either of you driving.?

Graham climbed in the SUV.  ?This from the man who 
managed to crash a-?

?That story can wait!? Riley interrupted.

Xander reminded himself to ask Graham about it later.  
He directed Graham 
back to the parking lot.  Once there, he opened his 
trunk and pulled out his 
stash of spare stakes.  ?You guys need anything??  He 
looked over at and 
watched as the two soldiers took their own weapons out 
of the back of the 
SUV.

?Got it covered,? Graham said.  ?But thanks.?

Once they were all packed up, Xander led the way to 
the Quiet Slumbers 
cemetery.  The cemetery itself wasn?t far away, but 
the Oompa Loompa crypt 
was on the far side of it, so it was a bit of a walk.  
Xander fell into step 
with Graham while Riley ranged ahead of them.

?You know, I can?t believe that last story you told 
us.  The one about the 
love spell.?  Graham grinned at him as he walked even 
closer to him.

?It?s all true!  You?ve lived here; you know that kind 
of thing happens all 
the time.?

?No, I mean I can?t believe that it took a spell to 
send everyone in this 
town running after you.?

Xander slowed down to a stop.  He stared at Graham, 
who had stopped to face 
him.  That was one of the nicest things that had ever 
been said to him.  He 
could read the honesty in Graham?s eyes, the sincerity 
and want and 
affection.  He took a step forward, and then another, 
until he was standing 
in Graham?s space.  He reached up and slid his hand 
around to cradle the 
back of Graham?s neck and urge his head down for a 
kiss.

Graham?s lips met his hesitantly at first, then with 
growing urgency.  
Xander cooperated with the gentle pressure and parted 
his lips, sighing and 
shifting closer as Graham?s tongue lapped at his own.  
Strong arms close 
around his waist and pulled him even nearer.  He could 
feel all of Graham 
against him, feel his heartbeat and his heat and his 
desire.  He moaned and 
shifted, wanting more as his hands roamed over 
Graham?s back.

Survival instinct made him pull away with a 
disappointed groan that matched 
Graham?s.  A cemetery was no place for this.  Not only 
was it vaguely icky, 
but it was dangerous as well.  He stepped away from 
Graham and blinked a few 
times, waiting for his head to clear.  He clear his 
throat.  ?We?ve got work 
to do,? he said, reminding himself, too.

Graham nodded.  ?Not that I can make myself care about 
that any more,? he 
said ruefully.

Xander nodded his agreement.  He looked over at Riley, 
who was studiously 
ignoring both of them.  ?Let?s go.?  Graham fell in 
step beside him once 
more.

As they walked toward the crypt, Xander fought to hide 
his confusion.  Guilt 
and happiness warred inside him.  He feeling closer to 
Graham than ever, 
sure that the other man?s feelings went way beyond 
casual lust.  It was one 
of his most cherished fantasies come true and he 
wanted to give in to the 
exhilaration that thought brought.  Guilt wouldn?t let 
him, though.  What 
was he doing?  He was on his way to meet Spike, who 
had become one of his 
closest friends.  Who had kissed him the night before 
and held him and tried 
to make everything all right.  He still felt the same 
about Spike, still 
felt the same desire and near-love that had filled him 
last night.

Walking beside Graham, walking toward Spike, Xander 
had no idea what to do.  
He had well and truly screwed up and he saw no way out 
of the situation.  He 
was caught up in what might have once been a favorite 
dream - except now it 
was feeling an awful lot like a nightmare.

*****

Part 11/?

Graham knew he couldn?t sneak off to a separate corner 
cemetery.  It would 
be a foolish risk and far too dangerous.  That meant 
he couldn?t have the 
privacy he needed to pump his fists in the air in an 
abbreviated victory 
dance.  He couldn?t do it in front of the others; 
Riley would never let him 
hear the end of it and he didn?t want to freak Xander 
out.

But Xander had kissed him!  It had been sweet and hot 
and left him aching 
for more, for anything that Xander could give him.  He 
knew what Xander 
tasted like now, knew what it felt like to hold him 
close and feel his 
warmth.  Graham glanced over at the man walking beside 
him, catching 
Xander?s gaze for a moment and sharing a small smile 
with him.  He knew that 
Xander cared about him.  He could see it in his eyes 
and could taste it in 
his kiss.  Xander wasn?t just interested in him 
physically; it went beyond 
that.  One of his favorite fantasies was coming true:  
not only did Xander 
like him, but he also wanted him and seemed like he 
loved him.

His good mood faded a little as they approached a 
crypt that was covered in 
cherubs that did look quite a bit like Oompa Loompas.  
He had been hoping 
that Spike would have flaked out on them and not shown 
up, but the vampire 
was leaning against one of the uglier little cherubs 
and smoking, waiting 
none too patiently.  Graham slowed down and beside 
Riley, but Xander kept 
walking up to Spike.

The vampire looked Xander up and down.  ?You all 
right, pet??

?I?m good,? Xander said.  He quickly explained why he 
was away from work and 
why he had the next few days off.

Spike grinned at him.  ?Congratulations.  Looks like 
someone else is finally 
learning to appreciate you.  Want me to kill something 
for you?  As a sort 
of celebration, like??

Xander laughed.  ?As a matter of fact...yeah.  There?s 
a nest of fledges we 
need to clean out.?

?Then this will come in handy.?  Spike handed Xander a 
handgun.

?Thanks.  The nest is over to the east.?  Xander 
glanced at Graham.  ?You 
guys ready??

?Let?s go,? Graham answered.

Xander led the way through the cemetery.  Graham tried 
to fall back in step 
with him, but Spike was suddenly there between them.  
The vampire was glued 
to Xander?s side, asking him questions about his bonus 
at work and about the 
nest they were seeking.  It all looked very 
natural...except for the sneer 
Spike directed toward Graham as he slid between him 
and Xander.

Graham tried to subtlety regain his place, but Spike 
refused to be out 
maneuvered.  Graham didn?t want to draw too much 
attention to himself, not 
just before a fight when it could be too distracting, 
so he fell back beside 
Riley, settling for glaring at the vampire.  He hated 
staring at Spike.  Not 
only did it mean he wasn?t staring at Xander, but it 
meant he was forced to 
think about Spike.  Every time he looked at Spike he 
realized all over again 
how handsome the blond man was, how he moved with 
animal grace that fairly 
screamed sex.  He remembered watching the video tapes 
of ?Hostile 17? over 
and over again any time he was on rotation with 
observation, especially the 
tape that caught Spike jerking off for the camera, 
hands wandering over his 
pale body as he writhed ecstatically from his own 
touch.

Graham didn?t want to think about any of that; he just 
wanted to look at 
Xander and think about the possibilities of the future 
with him.  Instead, 
he was looking at Spike and wonder what it would be 
like to run his hands 
over the pale skin.  Seeing Spike hover over Xander, 
watching him fight and 
hearing him make scathing, amusing jokes were all 
messing with Graham?s head 
as well.  The vampire wasn?t Hostile 17 any more; he 
was Spike, an 
attractive man that Graham would have perhaps pursued 
if he hadn?t fallen so 
hard for Xander.  Looking at Spike just confused and 
irritated him, which is 
why he would prefer to look at Xander.

Reaching the vampires? next almost came as a relief.  
It was in a 
predictably run down crypt in one of the creepier 
corners of the cemetery.  
?Don?t the people who run this place ever do any 
maintenance work?? he 
asked, surveying the crypt.

?They don?t get paid enough,? Xander said.  ?Besides, 
why would you want to 
ruin this delightful atmosphere??

?What?s the situation?? Riley asked, focussing them 
all on business.

?It?s not a large nest,? Xander said.  He closed his 
eyes.  ?Maybe fifteen 
of them.  They?re all young and inexperienced, nothing 
to worry about except 
for their numbers.  They don?t have a set leader, but 
they?re beginning to 
get bolder since the Slayer hasn?t been seen lately.?  
He opened his eyes.  
?That?s all I?ve got.?

?That?s all we need, pet,? Spike said.

Graham resisted the urge to glare at him.  ?So we?re 
just going go in??

?No point in being subtle,? Xander said.  ?They 
wouldn?t appreciate it, 
anyway.?  He pulled out two stakes, one for each hand.  
?Shall we??

?Hang on, pet.?  Spike stopped Xander with a quick 
touch to his shoulder.  
?Let me go in first.  Quarters are too close in 
there.?  He walked into the 
crypt like he owned the place.

Xander moved off to the side.  ?When they come out, 
they?re probably going 
to be very pissed off and moving fast.?

?He?s done this before?? Riley asked.

?Oh, yeah.  Do you really think he?d miss a chance to 
insult something 
before killing it??

Xander didn?t get a chance to elaborate further; Spike 
ran out of the crypt 
with a devilish grin stretching his features.  ?Here 
they come,? he said, 
coming to a halt just in front of Xander and turning 
to face the crypt.

Just as he?d predicted, vampires poured from the mouth 
of the crypt, fury 
clear on their inhuman faces.  Spike stepped forward 
to meet them, staking 
one and throwing another over the nearest row of 
headstones before moving 
into the center of the fray.  The fledges milled about 
in confusion, not 
expecting to find three humans waiting for them with 
the insane vampire who 
had first insulted them, then begun killing them.

Graham didn?t wait for them to recover their 
equilibrium; instead, he moved 
forward and staked the vampire closest to him.  He 
managed to stake another 
before the rest of the fledges realized that the 
humans were also a threat 
and began to defend themselves.  Even as he fought to 
keep the fledges 
focusing on him away from his body, Graham kept an eye 
on Xander, wanting to 
be sure that the other man was safe.  Xander was 
holding up well; he?d taken 
out two vampires and was fending off two others with a 
reasonable amount of 
effort.  Riley was also doing as well as a man 
surrounded by demons could; 
he hadn?t gone down and he didn?t look hurt.  Graham 
knew his friend could 
handle himself.  Graham also caught himself checking 
on Spike, as if the 
vampire?s welfare was any concern of his.  The vampire 
was ripping through 
the ranks of the fledges with unrestrained glee, dust 
showering down around 
him.

An aggressive fledge knocked Graham over and then 
leapt upon him.  Fear 
choked him as he struggled with his stronger opponent.  
Cold hands tore at 
his clothes, seeking to reach his skin and rend his 
flesh.  Adrenaline 
coursing through his veins stronger than ever, Graham 
snaked his hand 
between his body and the vampire?s, stake still 
clutched in his fist.  With 
a carefully aimed thrust, he slammed the stake home 
and closed his eyes as 
ash fell down upon him.  A moment later he was back on 
his feet and back in 
the fight.

Finally, there was no one left to fight.  Graham 
blinked, a little surprised 
that it was all over.  Riley was putting away his 
stakes, Spike was brushing 
off his jacket, and Xander was wincing as he tried to 
get a look at the back 
of his shoulder.

Graham tried to get to Xander?s side to find out how 
badly he was hurt, but 
Spike was in his way.  He moved roughly past Spike, 
not wanting to dance 
around him.  The thought of bumping into Spike 
repeatedly was torturous; not 
only would it keep him away from Xander, but he?d be 
put into direct contact 
with the whipcord body that he was trying so hard to 
pretend didn?t effect 
him at all.

Spike hissed as he was shouldered aside.  Hearing 
that, Graham turned to 
look at him.  The vampire?s face was darkened by a 
bruise across one of his 
cheekbones and he was holding his shoulder stiffly, as 
though it hurt him.  
?Are you all right??

Shrugging with only one shoulder, Spike shook his 
head.  ?It?s nothing.  
Give me a little while and I?ll be as good as new.?  
He looked at Xander.  
?What about you, pet??

Xander looked up.  ?It hurts, but I can?t tell how bad 
it is.?

Graham beat Spike to stand behind Xander, but only 
just barely.  If the 
vampire had been uninjured, no doubt it would have 
been Graham peering 
around Spike?s shoulder instead of the other way 
around.  Graham reached out 
and held apart the edges of the tear in Xander?s 
shirt.

?Ouch,? Xander murmured, looking at the ragged cut 
running down the back of 
his shoulder.  ?It?s bleeding.?

?Not badly,? Graham said.  ?I?ve got the stuff I need 
to patch you up.?

?Not just yet,? Xander said.  He twisted around so he 
could look at the men 
behind him.  His gaze flickered from Spike to Graham 
and then back again.  
?Spike, you?re hurt.?

?It?s not bad,? Spike said.  ?I?ll li...whatever.?

?Turnabout is fair play.  Isn?t that the saying??  
Xander looked at Graham.  
?Would you and Riley excuse us??  He walked toward the 
now empty crypt, 
Spike trailing along in his wake.

Graham exchanged a confused glance with Riley.  ?I 
don?t like this.?

?Neither do I,? Riley admitted.

That was all the encouragement Graham needed.  He 
headed for the crypt, 
slowing as he reached the entrance.  With Riley beside 
him, he peered inside 
the crypt.

Spike was facing Xander, hand cupping the dark-eyed 
man?s cheek.  ?Are you 
sure, pet??  Spike?s voice sounded odd, too hoarse, 
too deep.  He stared at 
Xander?s back with surprise clearly written on his 
face.

?Yeah.  You need this.?

?I?ll survive without it.?

?I want to do this.  I want to help you.?  Xander 
turned his back on Spike.  
?Please, Spike??

Spike stepped forward and laid his hands on Xander?s 
shoulder.  He leaned 
forward and kissed the back of Xander?s neck, then 
parted the rent in 
Xander?s shirt.  He bent his head and parted his lips, 
running his tongue up 
the bleeding cut in long, slow strokes.  As Xander?s 
head dropped so his 
chin rested against his chest, Spike lapped up the 
blood on his shoulder.  
The licks were careful and gentle, and Spike?s hands 
ghosted up and down 
Xander?s arms in comforting sweeps.  When the wound 
had finally stopped 
bleeding, Spike dragged his tongue the length of the 
cut one more time, then 
placed a soft kiss on the torn skin.  ?Thank you, 
luv.?

?You?re finished??  Xander turned around.  ?Is it 
going to help??

?I feel better already.  So will you, soon.  Vampire 
saliva seems to help 
with healing wounds.?

Graham finally felt shock lose its hold on him.  He 
stepped angrily into the 
crypt.  ?What the hell is going on??

Xander jumped.  ?Graham??

Graham took another step forward and Spike was in his 
face, blocking the way 
to Xander.  ?Out of my way.?

Spike raised an eyebrow and stayed right where he was.  
Graham had to jostle 
past him, bumping up against him repeatedly in the 
narrow confines of the 
crypt.  The distraction of the slim, hard body against 
his own wasn?t enough 
to stop him; he kept fighting to get past the vampire.  
He couldn?t help the 
involuntary bolt of desire that shot through him.  He 
distantly noticed that 
Spike didn?t look entirely unaffected, either; the 
vampire?s snotty smirk 
was faltering and his eyes had grown darker.

?Spike!?

At the sound of Xander?s voice, Spike stopped his 
obstruction.  With a 
sneer, he moved out of the way and allowed Graham to 
approach Xander.

Graham stared at the dark-haired man.  Xander?s eyes 
were wide and his 
cheeks were slightly flushed.  What was going on?  
Xander was attracted to 
him; hell, he was pretty sure Xander was falling in 
love with him.  So what 
was he doing with Spike?  ?Xander?  What?s going on??

?I was bleeding and Spike needed blood.?

?Not that.  I saw him kiss you.?

Xander dropped his gaze and stared miserably at the 
floor.  ?I don?t know 
what to tell you.?

?Is this like what Riley got into??  He didn?t want to 
upset Riley, but he 
was terrified that Xander might be sinking into the 
same depression and 
madness that had gripped his friend.  ?You?re paying 
him to protect you with 
your blood??

?No!  It?s not like that.  It?s not a payment.?  
Xander paused, obviously 
searching for words.

Graham didn?t give him a chance to try to come up with 
some sort of 
explanation.  The betrayal that coursed through him 
demanded action.  He 
didn?t know how Spike had talked Xander into this, but 
it was going to end 
now.  ?He?s using you, Xander.  All he wants from you 
is your blood and to 
get on Buffy?s good side.?

?That?s not true!  Listen-?

?No, you listen.  Why else would he be doing this?  
All he wants is to 
impress Buffy by helping to keep one of her friends 
alive, and it gives him 
an excuse to kill things.  You?re just a means to an 
end, and convincing you 
to start giving him your blood just sweetens the game 
for him.  Don?t be 
stupid, Xander.  Don?t let him do this to you.?

?You don?t understand.  Spike wouldn?t-?

?He?s a vampire!?

A new voice broke into the argument.  ?What a 
coincidence.  So am I.?  A 
vampire in game face stood in the entrance to the 
crypt.  ?What the hell are 
you mortals doing here?  Where?s Jared?  Where?s 
Mark??

Spike stepped forward to answer.  ?I think Jared is 
out behind the crypt.  

And Mark...?  He brushed some lingering ash off the 
sleeve of his duster.  
?Do you think that might be him??

The new vampire growled and rushed into the crypt, 
followed by several 
others.  Graham and Xander immediately ended their 
fight to defend 
themselves.  Even as he fought with his inhuman 
opponent, Graham?s thoughts 
were on the betrayal of his trust and his feelings 
that he?d just witnessed.

This was nowhere near over.

*****