Breaking Free (34/many?)

[stillrose]

Title:  Breaking Free (34/many?)
Fandom: BTVS; Spike/Xander
Warnings: Slash, AU, Sci-fi, kink
Rating:  NC-17
Summary: Lt. “Xander” Harris and Captain William the Bloody have both suffered and lost in the on going war between the Biogens and Council. Now, Xander finds himself a prisoner of Captain William the Bloody (aka Spike). What will be Xander’s fate?

Previous parts here.

As always: Feedback make my heart go pitter-patter.

Sorry once again for the long delay. This chap was hard to write. Plus I was going to the big peace march in DC this weekend..but came down with a nasty cold. So...I finished chap 34.

Also...might I recommend this yummy nummy (NOT WORK SAFE) pic? I so gotta write a scene for this.

In addition...if anyone out there likes AU McShep with a well done Harlequin plot of Ruthless!John forcing virginal!Rodeny into marriage to save the family..you gotta check out this WIP. It's funny...great characterizations (though John really is a bastard right now). It's given me the "squees!"

 

Xander then swooped in for a kiss of his own. Spike opened his mouth and submitted to Xander’s hungry claim. Tongues danced and the shared taste of Spike and Xander swirled in each other’s mouth. When both men were out of breath, Xander broke the kiss.

“You don’t need to say it, Spike,” Xander said huskily, “because I felt it…I feel it.”

“Anything?” Spike asked Wesley as the other man scanned the dead colony. Another day of travel had brought the crew of The DeSoto back to Wash.

“Nooothing,” Wesley slowly said as he read the scanning equipment’s readings.

“Percy?” Spike prompted with the irritating nickname and arched eyebrow.

“There are some anomalous energy readings,” Wesley once again spoke slowly as he studied the scanner.

“And that means wot?”

“I’m not sure. The energy readings aren’t inconsistent with what I would expect….”

“But?”

“Well,” Wes began to explain with a heavy sigh as he turned from his equipment to look at Spike. “I would expect the results to reflect more ‘activity’ since we were here last. Mother Nature has had more time to work meaning scavengers will have moved into the colony.”

“And that would account for the anomalies?

“Possibly.”

“Council then?”

“Uncertain.”

“Raiders?”

Wes sighed again, “Nothing really indicates the situation on Wash has changed. However there are anomalies which could indicate….”

“Scanner interference which would mean….”

“Council forces,” Wes finished.

“Detect any ships?” Spike asked.

Wes once again turned back to study his scanning equipment and answered, “No.”

“Listen up kiddies,” Spike said into the ship communicator broadcasting his voice to the DeSoto’s crew, “we may or may not have company below. It’s undetermined. So every one stay frosty and expect trouble.”

“We still wanna do this boss?” Gunn’s voice answered.

“No we don’t ‘wanna’ do this,” Spike growled, irritated and at the situation, “But we are ‘gonna’. Peaches needs answers and we’re going ta get’em to him. Now, Wes, Faith, Gunn and Xander you’re with me planetside.”

“Spike…” came Fred’s quick reply.

“Fred,” Spike cut her short, “if we’ve got company down there then we got trouble. Trouble means The DeSoto’s got to be ready to make a quick exit. I don’t trust anyone else but you with that task.”

There was a moment of silence before Fred replied, “Aye! Aye! Sir!”

Spike smiled, “Be good and maybe I’ll get you that new drive compressor you’ve been asking for.”

Fred’s giggle came through the communicators loud and clear.

***

The crew, sans Fred, gathered in the cargo hold.

“Here,” Gunn said as he shoved a respirator mask into Xander’s hands.

“This mean we're going steady?” Xander asked as he studied the mask.

Gunn growled.

“No, ya git,” Spike said as he took matching mask from Gunn. “There’s a lot of long unburied dead out there. Sometimes Biogen senses work for ya and sometimes….”

“Eww!” Xander said as he mentally go the sometimes they work against you.

“Don’t feel too special,” Faith said as she donned hers.

Some part of Xander wanted to smile at the affectionate exchange but what lay beyond the DeSoto’s bay doors didn’t allow much room for levity.

“I’m not gonna be left out,” Gunn said as he too donned a mask. Xander arched a brow.

“Decay breeds disease,” Wes explained as he adjusted his mask. “Plain old ordinary humans could pick up a rather nasty, if not deadly, virus or bacterial infection.”

“Once again I say, ‘Ewwww,’” replied Xander as he finally donned his mask.

“Ya ready for this?” Spike asked. Somehow, Xander knew it was for his benefit. Xander nodded.

“Locked and loaded,” replied Gunn.

“I was born ready,” quipped Faith.

“This sooner we complete this task,” Wes said, “the sooner we can leave.”

“Open sesame, Fred,” Spike ordered.

Xander expected the horrors of the massacred colony to be spread out before him when the DeSoto’s doors opened. Instead he was met with a cool breeze and a sunny meadow.

“Colony’s a short hike beyond the tree line,” Spike explained. “Move out!”

Xander fell in line behind Spike. Wes was behind Xander while Faith and Gunn spread out behind everyone else. Marching through the meadow was surreal to Xander. The DeSoto’s crew moved quickly and silently with a deadly purpose. Yet, all around them the meadow was bright, beautiful and inviting. Xander heard birds chirping from the trees and could even spot them if he tried.

It was the stench that first alerted Xander to the wrongness of the place. Despite the mask, Xander couldn’t help but detect a foul sickly odor that automatically twisted his stomach.

“Breathe through it, pet,” Spike voice whispered on the breeze. If Xander hadn’t been a Biogen, he wouldn’t have heard it. Xander wanted to reply but the odor increased in intensity and it was all he could do to breathe while not throwing up.

“Ya will get used to it,” Spike said again quietly.

How can anyone get “used to” this? Xander mentally screamed. A fine sheen broke out on his forehead but he kept his composure even when the group cleared the tree line and entered the colony. Bodies were sprawled on the ground and the smell of decomposition hung thick in the air.

“If ya get sick,” Gunn’s said softly, “don’t do it in the mask.”

Spike held up his hand and made the quick impatient gesture for “QUIET!”

Xander turned his pale face toward Gunn and nodded in thanks. Spike signaled for the crew to spread out though he himself stuck close to Xander.

Xander had seen death but he hadn’t seen decay. Bodies of men, women and children lay sprawled in the streets. Their bodies were distended with protruding eyes and swollen tongues. They were an unnatural rainbow of colors ranging in putrid hues of red, green and black. In obscene mockeries of death, men on their backs looked to have erections.

“Part of the process of decomposition,” Spike explained very quietly as he noted Xander’s horrified gaze. Xander turned his head only to be sickened by the sight of the flies and other insects feasting on open flesh.

Xander desperately wanted to swallow but he was afraid if he did he’d choke. Spike put his hand on Xander’s shoulder.

“Don’t think about it, pet,” Spike said again softly. Xander nodded.

Once again Spike motioned for them to move. Xander walked forward and tried to focus his mind on the task at hand.

Can’t forget they're human yet can’t think of them that way either, Xander thought as he let his eyes wander looking for clues to who was responsible for this carnage.  It was obvious some had died quickly while others had crawled, stumbled and even begged for life before dying.

Xander saw one woman whose face was no longer present from a blast to the head. Xander couldn’t help but be drawn to her for a closer look. He face was gone, but he could still make out around her corpse a halo of red hair which was too close to the same shade as Willow’s.

Xander bent down over the body. It was too late to do anything for her and yet all he could think of was Willow.  Xander wanted to cover the body, to give her some respect in death but he had nothing.

I will find out who did this to you, Xander vowed. Xander forced himself to take a long look at the woman, committing her to memory. Xander took note of the jagged gouges on her arms. The marks could have been wounds obtained while trying to fight. Xander examined the woman more closely and noticed that there appeared to be something in the woman’s right hand.

Xander reached out to pull the woman’s fingers open when Spike’s hand closed around Xander wrist.

“Put this on first,” Spike softly ordered as he held out a latex glove to Xander. Xander nodded and took the glove. Quickly he worked it on over his hand and then cautiously Xander began to touch the woman’s hand.

Bile coated the back of Xander’s throat as the woman’s flesh slid and gave way to Xander’s gentle touch. The flesh was more than malleable and Xander couldn’t help but wonder if it would completely pull away from the bone before he had finished opening the woman’s grip.

“You’re doin’ fine, pet,” Spike reassured Xander. Xander kept his focus on opening the woman’s hand without doing any more damage to her body. Finally, he worked her fingers open and in the palm of her hand was a silver button in the form of a wolf’s head.

Xander and Spike hissed in unison. The silver button was familiar to Biogen and Council a like.

“Raiders!” Xander softly swore.

Spike tapped his communicator three times, summoning Wes, Faith and Gunn. Xander stood up from his crouch and took another closer look at the button. It didn’t give him any more answers; only questions.

“Raiders don’t slaughter,” Xander whispered to Spike. “They enslave….rob…this…this….”

“Doesn’t add up,” Spike finished as the rest of the crew gathered round Xander and Spike.

“Spike?” Wes asked softly.

Xander turned and showed the button to his crewmates.

“Raiders!” Gunn spat as he recognized what Xander held.

“Fu…,” Faith began and then vowed. “They’re dead.”

“Why?” Wes asked. “Is this a setup? Could someone be trying to make us think…”

“Boy found it the woman’s death grip,” Spike interrupted. “More like Raiders did the setup.”

“For what purp…?” Wes began when he was interrupted by Spike’s gesture for “QUIET.”

The crew looked to Spike as he tilted his head as if listening. Xander concentrated and then his eyes went wide as he heard the faint familiar hum of a Council communicator on standby.

“Fall back now!” Spike ordered as he brought his weapon up. Immediately the dead colony was once again alive with violence and chaos as shots were fired from behind the not so quiet buildings at the fleeing DeSoto crew.

Gunn, Faith and Spike returned fire. Xander tried to bring up his own weapon but couldn’t. What if it’s Buffy or Willow? Xander asked. Instead he pocketed the glove and silver button while trying to use his body as cover. Spike was bringing up the rear in full game face firing with deadly accuracy.

Please, Xander prayed, don’t let Buffy or Willow be here. Don’t let Spike…

Xander’s thoughts were interrupted as a spray of blood hit him on the face mask and Wes crumpled before him!

“WEESSS!” Faith screamed and dropped her weapon to immediately turn and scoop up her fallen watcher. Gunn was frantically trying to fire to give the Regent and Watcher cover.

Spike and Gunn aren’t going to be enough! Xander thought as he brought up his own weapon and began to return fire. He didn’t aim to kill only to pin down his foes. Xander concentrated on joining with Gunn to give cover. Xander’s world narrowed to two concepts, retreat and fire.

In what seemed liked forever and yet in only moments the retreating crew made it to the tree line.

“Fred,” Faith shouted into her communicator. “Bring the DeSoto in hot to the tree lines. Man down and company’s on fire.”

“Man…” Fred began to ask.

“Bring the bloody ship in!” Spike’s voice ordered over the communicator. Only then did Xander realize Spike wasn’t with them in the tree line.  Xander whirled to look behind him.

Spike was still several meters behind them and still giving cover. Yet, Xander could see Council forces beginning to move in to cut off Spike’s retreat.

“SPIKE!” Xander yelled and tried to run back to his lover.

A hand grabbed Xander’s arm and pulled him back.

“He said retreat,” Gunn snarled.

Xander jerked his arm away from Gunn and growled, “They’re cutting him off!”

Gunn’s eyes went wide behind his mask and then he moved forward as if to join Xander.

“We don’t have time for this!” yelled Faith. “Wes is hit and it’s bad. We need to move toward the ship.”

Gunn and Xander turned to look at Faith. The normally unflappable regent had tears streaming down her face as she had her hands pressed firm on Wes’s bleeding stomach wound.

“If we don’t get him to the ship soon, he’ll die,” she sobbed.

A strangled cry rang out from the direction of the colony. Xander didn’t need to look to know it was Spike, but he did anyway. Spike was hit and down on the ground with Council forces surrounding him.

“Spike…” Xander whimpered in horror as he began to move. Once again Gunn’s hand stopped him.

“He wouldn’t want you…”

“Fuck that!” Xander snarled. “It’s Spike! We can’t just leave him!”

“Xander,” Faith cried as she held the unconscious Wes.

Xander looked at his three crewmates. Ghods! I can’t just leave him! Xander thought and then tore of his mask. He used the image of Spike down and surrounded by hostile force to keep from doubling over with the smell of the decaying carnage back at the colony site.

“Xan…” once again Gunn started.

“I’m going to get him back,” Xander snarled as he began tearing at the bottom of his shirt.

“We don’t have time…,” Faith argued and then turned toward the tree line where they could see The DeSoto coming into a hover with the cargo bay doors open.

“In position,” Fred’s voice rang out over the communicators while the ramp from the cargo was being lowered.

Xander tore a strip of his shirt and then began to wrap and tie it off around his left eye.

“Xander,” Faith began again, “what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to get him back,” Xander said as he dropped his weapon and pulled the glove with silver button out of his pocket.

“Spike wouldn’t…,” Gunn began to argue and once again grabbed Xander’s arm. Xander jerked it away.

“I’m getting him BACK!” Xander hissed and then shoved the silver button into Gunn’s empty hand. “You two get Wes back to the ship and then get the hell out of here. Give the button to Angel.”

“Xander you can’t…,” Faith said.

“I’m not leaving him,” Xander cut her off.

“He wouldn’t wa….”

“He wouldn’t leave m…any of us,” Xander once again interrupted Faith. Then he looked her calmly in the eye. “Faith, you have to get out of here.”

“This isn’t going to work,” Faith argued.

Xander reached out and touched Faith’s face and gently wiped a tear away. “I promise you, on Jesse’s memory, I’ll bring him back. NOW GO!”

Faith held Xander’s focus for a moment before turning to Gunn and ordering, “Cover us!”

As if one, Faith and Gunn moved out. Faith hoisted Wesley over her shoulder and began running towards the ship. Gunn sent a brief look of solidarity to Xander and then followed Faith. Xander turned and headed back towards the colony with his hands up.

It didn’t take long for Xander to hear the ramp of The DeSoto lifting and the bay doors closing. Nor did it take long for Xander to be surrounded by Council forces.

“Don’t shoot!” Xander yelled. “Lt. Alexander LaVelle Harris! Thank ghods you found me!  Not that you lost me but I’m definitely of the needing….”

“Shut up,” one of the soldiers ordered. Xander noted the man’s uniform. It was Sergeant Forrest Gates. Xander knew he served with Riley.

“Gates!” Xander yelled. “My hero! Is Captain Riley here?”

Gates narrowed his eye and answered, “Back at the colony with the Biogen.”

“You got Sp..Bloody?” Xander asked. “You kill the bastard?”

“Nah,” Bates said. “You know those things aren’t so easy to kill.”

Xander fought to keep his relief from showing and said, “Good! I want him alive and to stand trial back on Council prime.”

“Well what you want and what you get depends on, Riley,” Forrest replied. “Now keep your hands up and move out.”

Forrest indicated with the wave of his gun for Xander to continue to move back to the colony. Xander moved and tried not to twitch at the knowledge of all the loaded and aimed guns point at his back. If they open fire at this range, Xander thought, I’ll be a humpty dumpty Xan-man with a lot of out of work nanites.

Xander tried to keep his mind focused on Spike. Frantically he searched the area in front of him until he spotted his lover. Spike was a bloody, but alive, restrained mess on his knees in front of Riley. Xander hissed.

“You say somethin’?” Gates asked as he shoved the point of his gun into Xander’s left armpit.

“Fuckin’ William the Bloody,” Xander spat. “Heartless Biogen scum!”

Gates withdrew the gun and said, “Keep moving.”

Riley looked up and noted the men approaching and so did Spike. Spike began snarling and straining at the reinforced cuffs holding his arms back. Xander could see signs of a few blast wounds on already on the mend. Spike’s mask was also missing and his face looked bruised and swollen.

“Harris!” Riley grunted as Xander and his escort approached.

“Captain!” Xander addressed Riley.

“Xan…,” Spike began and was cut short by Riley’s boot to Spike’s face.

No flinchage! Xander reminded himself as he forced himself to not react or to slide into game face. So don’t have the numbers right now!

“What are you doing here?” Riley asked Xander.

“Was sorta escaping,” Xander replied. Riley arched an eyebrow. “Angel sent The DeSoto  out here…”

“They responsible for this massacre?” Riley snapped.

Xander shook his head. “No, they just got here. We're supposed to pick up a shipment or something. I’m not really sure. Bloody and his crew not being big with information to the Council prisoner and celeb hostage.”

Riley motioned Xander closer by him and Spike. “Prisoner huh?”

Xander nodded. Spike snarled but otherwise didn’t say anything. Don’t go all bossy and blow this, Xander silently urged but did not look at Spike. Xander kept his eyes focused on Riley.

“And you escaped?” Riley asked.

“Yeah…you clipped one of them. While they were busying hauling his near carcass up I bailed out,” Xander was interrupted by another round of Spike rage and resistance. Riley kicked him again and aimed his gun towards Spike. Xander quickly reached out and grabbed the weapon.

“No!” Xander screamed. Riley jerked the weapon from Xander’s grasp and pointed it at Xander.

“Why not?” asked Riley.

“I want him to stand trial!”

“Things don’t get trials,” Riley replied.

“They do when they kidnap and torture the Regent’s friend and donut boy!” Xander said desperate to pull some sort of leverage with Riley without threatening Riley’s positron.

Spike went still and silent at Xander’s accusation of “kidnap and torture.” Xander didn’t risk the chance of sending a comforting glance to his lover. Instead he kept his eye fixed on Riley.

“What happened to your eye patch?” Riley asked.

“Bastard took it first day he had me,” Xander smoothly replied, recognizing the tactic as one designed to throw Xander off guard. “Like to look and poke at it and that’s not just a metaphor.”

Riley grunted. “Spies had it you and William here were close.”

“Yeah, well it’s hard to be far apart when you are chained to the end of his bed,” Xander replied ignoring the snickering around him.

Riley smiled without mirth and said, “Heard you weren’t exactly having a problem with that?”

Without missing a beat, but praying Spike would understand, Xander replied, “I did what I had to to survive. You don’t think I’d willingly submit to that do you?”

Riley arched an eyebrow.

Remember your promise, Xander silently begged Spike without looking at him.

“That,” Xander said as he pointed without looking at Spike, “is beneath me!”

Then before Xander could see the look on Spike’s face he delivered his own kick to it. The force of Xander’s kick sent Spike reeling and falling backwards to the ground and unconscious.

TBC in prt 35