stillrose | There’s Always a Sneer in Vegas (67 /?)

Title: There’s Always a Sneer in Vegas (67 /?)
Fandom: BTVS; Spike/Xander
Warnings: Slash,AU, Post Apocalyptic, violence,non-con, slavery, tentacles,
Rating: NC-17
Summary: It’s been seven years since Angelus killed Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Seven years after Angelus opened a portal to hell on Earth. Humans are food, slaves or on the run. There’s hope only in small band of resistance fighters. However, that’s a hope Xander Harris no longer has. It’s been six months since he was taken in a raid. At first Xander thought he was lucky the demons didn’t know who he was; but then that was before he became property to an Azora demon.

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

Sorry I didn't get this out by Friday as hinted at last week. Sorry again for the long wait period. Hoping to be more timely! :)

Need to find a better way for posting in besides cutting and pasting from Word. Too much meta crap coming in from MS Word. *sigh*

SR

UNBETAED

Previous parts here.

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Xander took a deep breath. He licked his lips and tasted Spike. He wanted Spike but he couldn’t, not then. Yet he needed to be close to the vampire. He needed it desperately. In all the months with the Azora he never really broken. He’d been damaged, but never broken. In the few hours with Keffler, he’d gone beyond damaged. For a brief moment he had broken, and he needed Spike to help put him back together again.

“Bite me,” he whispered.

Blue eyes flashed to gold. Uncertainty flashed briefly in their golden swirl before love chased it way.

“With pleasure,” Spike said just before he sank his fangs deep into Xander’s neck and gently indulged until his pet fell back into unconscious bliss

********************************************************************************

Xander woke to the low rumble of Spike's voice speaking softly. He blinked his eyes open. It didn't take long for even his sleep fuddled mind to register his vampire was not curled up comfortingly around him. Xander rolled over and whispered, "Spike?"

The blonde vampire turned away from the windows revealing a sunset sky. He arched an eyebrow and continued speaking into a phone.

"Thirty minutes," Spike ordered before flipping the small device closed. He tossed it on the bed and sat down. He studied his pet for a moment then continued speaking. "You need to get up and shake a leg, pet. Do your shower and human stuff. Be quick."

"Wha..."

"Go." Spike ordered gently but firmly.

Xander found himself moving even as his brain was whirling. He wasn't awake and yet he was obeying. He'd been through too much recently not too obey yet he was confused. He'd thought everything was all right. He'd thought he was all right. Clem was safe. What was the rush? Why was Spike ordering him up and to hurry?

Water splashed around Xander before he'd even realized he'd stepped into the shower. He shook his head then stood under the spray trying to let the warm water chase the cob webs of sleep, shock and a little blood loss away. He sputtered as water rushed over his lips. The slight adrenaline rush spurred him to action and he began to soap his body while his brain began to think.

What's going on? Why the rush? He wondered. Everybody's home safe and sound. Good guys won. Bad guys dead or ...

Xander froze. LILAH! His mind screamed. Lilah was what was going on! Spike got rid of Angelus’ right hand bitch!

He fought the tremors of the fear that wanted to seize him as the ramifications of what his vampire had done began to take root and blosom in his imagination. There's no way Captain Cromagnum will let Spike off with just an easy round of rape and torture, Xander thought as he rinsed soap off and quickly stepped out of the shower.

He winced slightly as his sore joints from yesterdays abuse objected to his quick and jerky movements. However, the pain was manageable and he ignored it. In fact, he was less sore than he'd expected, if he had the time to give it much worry. He ran a towel through his sopping and dripping hair, then wrapped another around his waist. He stepped into the bedroom in time to see Spike crushing the cellphone he'd been using earlier under his booted footed. He took pains to make sure the SIMM card was utterly destoryed. He looked up at Xander.

"You feelin' alright?" Spike asked.

"A bit sore, but I'll live," Xander said with a smile.

Spike studied Xander a moment then barked out quickly, "We gotta move. No time for wobblies. We'll be tear-arsing about from now until we hit the des..."

"In a language I understand," Xander interrupted with an upraised hand.

"We're leaving," Spike said. "We're leaving Vegas."

Xander's eyes opened wide.

"Best behavior, Pet," Spike continued. "Do what I say, when I say it. Don't ask questions. Just move. Can you do it?"

Leaving? Leaving Vegas? Xander thought. For where? How long?

"Pet!" Spike barked.

Xander nodded.

"Then drop your towel and come with me," Spike ordered.

Xander's fingers released the damp cotton fabric circling his waist as his mind continued to try play catch up with Spike once again. He followed the vampire out of the bedroom and into the front room of the suite. Connor was waiting there with a new belt. Xander flushed at the state of his undress. The teen didn't even seem to notice.

Ante crawled out from under Spike’s chair and hissed. Xander’s heart leapt at seeing the not so small kitten. He smiled.

"Anything else, master Spike?" Connor all but sneered.

"Yeah," Spike said as he grabbed the belt from Connor and tossed it too Xander. "Tell Clem when it happens he's in charge and since you’re his I expect you to back him up."

"It?" Connor asked.

"That's all you need to know," Spike said as he turned to look at Xander. "Get it on, Pet. Now!"

"That's not a whole lot..."

"Keys!" Spike demanded as he held out his hand to the boy. Connor frowned but handed over three sets of keys to Spike.

Xander quickly scrambled into his new belt. It was the same design as the other. He couldn't help but wonder if the late Keffler had made it as well.

His thoughts were interrupted by another hiss from Ante. Spike had swooped down, scooped the kitten up and was shoving the squirming mass into Connor’s arms

"Master Spike..."

"Listen brat," Spike growled, "I know you have no reason to trust me but I haven't got the time or the patience to make nice or change your nappies till you do. Either help Clem or not, but personally I think he stands a better chance keeping things together with you along for the ride then without."

"Why?" Connor pressed as Spike strolled over to Xander and locked the belt. He struggled to keep hold of the kitten.

"Because when the shite hits the fan I know you won't go belly up widdling all over yourself. You'll fight and you'll fight for those around you. Clem's going to need that," Spike said as he headed for the door. He motioned for Xander to follow. “And keep hold of that kitten. He’s now your responsibility until I say otherwise.”

"What's going to happen?" Connor asked angrily while trying to avoid overzealous claws.

"Just head down to the stables, stay there, keep it together for as long as you can and if you can't..then get them OUT!" Spike ordered. “And don’t forget Ante there.”

"Sp..." Xander began to ask.

"Not a word, Pet!" Spike ordered as they entered the elevator. Connor and Xander exchanged looks as the lift doors closed. A countdown had begun, but to what? Ante growled and glared at Spike.

***

The ride in the elevator had been short and tense. Spike had made it very clear he wasn’t answering any more questions let alone making any idle chit chat. The moment Connor tried to speak Spike showed fang and growled.

Ante had just hissed and resigned himself to being held by Connor.

Xander had been silent and cooperative at first until he’d remembered about Oz message. He’d stared at the emergency box. The pick! He’d thought. Spike needs the pick. He needs the message from the resistance!

When Xander had tried to tell Spike about guitar pick hidden in the emergency box, the vampire had snapped his finger and pointed to the floor.

“But Ma…” Xander had tried to argue. Spike had only snarled and yanked his Claimant to the floor.

“What I say, when I say it and no gab!” Spike had hissed.

“B…” Xander had started to reply but the gold in Spike’s eyes stopped him cold. Spike had gone all Master Spike and was demanding not only Xander’s complete submission but all the trust that went with it.

Xander had relaxed into his kneeling position at Spike’s feet. He’s knees had been spread wide, his head had been down and he’d been silent. He’d held position even after the elevator had stopped and the doors opened. He’d held position until Spike had snapped his fingers and summoned him to follow.

Spike had exited the elevator first. He’d stopped to turn back to look at Connor.

“I don’t know where you came from..or even who or what you are,” he’d said very softly, “but you do what I’ve asked and when I get back we’ll talk. I suspect it will be a good story.”

“What makes you think I’ll share?” Connor had replied. Once again his tone and his bad language had tickled at something recognizable to Spike and Xander.

Spike had laughed, “Oh you’ll share. You wanna share. You been winding me up since the moment we met. You wouldn’t do that unless you have a reason and winding me up any more won’t be as much fun until I’m in on the secret too.”

For the first time since Xander had seen the young slave, Connor had looked surprised. Then he had laughed and smiled. The smile had been genuine. It was warm and for a moment it had made the young man look much younger and more innocent then he was.

“Deal. Master Spike,” Connor had said as the doors of the elevator closed before beginning its journey to take him back down to the stable.

“Deal,” Spike had whispered back before turn back to the crowded casino floor. He had motioned for Xander to follow and his Claimant had.

Post the elevator was a bit of blur. Spike was moving quickly through the casino and Xander was struggling to keep up. He was clothed only in his belt. He wasn’t wearing any pants, a shirt or even shoes. He felt raw and exposed. He might have been freaking out about it or even be pissed off about it if he wasn’t worrying about keeping silent even as he stepped on and in things which either hurt his feet or grossed him out.

The chatter around the casino was increasing. It wasn’t hard for Xander to pick up, especially when it was about him. Spike’s behavior was making a show of Xander. Here he’d been the missing Claimant whom the Master Vampire had torn through the city seeking and killing for and now he was being paraded through the casino as if he were on his way to being punished.

“Perhaps he hadn’t been kidnapped?” Xander heard something whisper as he passed.

“Perhaps he’d tried to run off with his Companion?” another demon snickered.

“Perhaps he is not the pampered favorite anymore?”

Spike stopped. He turned. He’s eyes were flashing. The crowd fell silent and stepped back. He snapped his fingers and pointed down. Xander dropped to his knees and assumed the position. Spike grabbed the back of his head by his hair and yanked it back forcing him to look up at the vampire.

“Have you accepted my claim?” the vampire snarled.

“Yes, Master,” Xander answered without hesitation.

“Do you still accept my claim?” Spike asked.

“Yes, Master.”

“Up,” Spike ordered.

Xander rose to his feet.

Spike looked around at the crowd then said, “What was stolen from me I reclaimed. Those responsible are either dead or wish I had been merciful enough to grant them death.”

Xander remained motionless and exposed. Spike began to walk around him, looking at him.

“Now I’ve had a shitty week. So I’m taking my Claimant and I’m going to have some fun. If that means slowly peeling the skin from his flesh for hours while I fuck him raw or dead for getting himself kidnapped then that’s what it means.”

A small tremor of fear went down Xander’s spine. He knew Spike wouldn’t but just to hear him say it caused something still raw and hurt in him to respond.

“Or maybe,” Spike went on, “I’m gonna move him to a new play pen. One where he doesn’t have to listen to winnits like you yack on about shite you know nothing about? Perhaps I’m going to feed him to my other pets; the lions. Or maybe I just like to see his near naked arse paradin’ around my city at my pleasure because it fucking pleases me!”

Xander forced himself not to smile.

“Whatever the fucking case I don’t not expect you fucking yobs to be yammering on and making it more difficult for me to have my bit of fun with my Claimant!”

Liar! Xander thought. If you didn’t want gossip and a scene then you wouldn’t have staged one. Nor would you have planted ideas in their heads.

“Pet!” Spike barked as he resumed moving across the casino floor. Xander quickly fell into step behind him. The crowd moved back and fell mostly silent. There were unintelligible whispers all the way out the door.

***

Xander was thankful a limo was waiting for them out in front. For a little while Xander had been afraid he’d have to walk barefoot on concrete and asphalt.

“Around back,” Spike ordered as he crawled inside. If the driver was surprised he didn’t indicate it.

Xander followed and curled up on the floor once inside. Spike didn’t signal for him to curl up. The door closed and in few moments the car began to move. Spike looked at his watch. He leaned down over Xander and bent close to Xander’s ear.

“I have one more small errand here,” Spike whispered very quietly. “Be good. Wait here. Don’t move and don’t say a word.”

Xander stopped himself from nodding. A few moments later the car came to a smooth stop. Spike opened the door and stepped out.

“Wait here,” he ordered the driver. Then he moved away from the car.

Xander held positioned and waited. He risked stealing glances at the door. Spike hadn’t closed it. They were parked in the garage area.

What did Spike need here, Xander wondered. Was there someone else he needed to get? If so, who? And where were they going? And how was he going to tell Master McGrowly about the pick if he the Blonde Bloviator never let him get in an word edgewise?

Xander took a deep breath. He let it out slowly. Spike had been gone a few minutes.

What was so important? Xander couldn’t help but wondering. Then he heard a roar. The lions!

Another tremor went through Xander. He didn’t actually think Spike would feed him to the Primals, but it didn’t make him feel any better to know Spike’s “small errand” had to do with the lions.

This can’t be good, Xander thought as he cast another worried glance through the open door. The lions were probably the most unpredictable and dangerous demon next to Spike in the city. The fact Spike small errand before leaving Vegas had to do with them gave Xander goose pimples.

It made him feel even worse when he noticed series of large shadows making their way and out through the garage to merge into the pockets of darkness under the city’s night sky.

He wouldn’t, Xander thought even as Spike came back into view. He wouldn’t let them go? Would he?

Spike sauntered back into the limo and closed the door.

“To the Luxor,” he ordered without looking at Xander.

***

Xander had almost vibrated with questions as they had ridden to the Luxor. He’d found himself drawing back on all his “training” as a bottle to keep himself quite and in place as the limo smoothly traveled through the Vegas traffic to the Luxor.

Spike too had been quite and motionless. Only his eyes had betrayed him. Every now and then they would rest on Xander. Sometimes they had been filled with the aching sweetness Xander had come to associate with the vampire’s declarations of love. Other times they were blazing with a light Xander had come to know was the vampire’s fury and still other times they seemed to reflect a weariness the human had never seen in the vampire.

It was those moment which tried Xander the most. He had desperately wanted to break position and reach out to the vampire. He had wanted to touch Spike or say something which would make him laugh or infuriate him. In short, Xander had wanted to do anything to chase the look from Spike’s eyes. Yet, Xander had been “good” and when they arrived at the Luxor, he had continued to be good.

As they entered the casino it was obvious the gossip had travelled faster than they had. While the crowd of demons stared they kept their comments to hushed whispers. Spike strode quickly across the floor and Xander followed. It didn’t take him long to figure out where they were going, the King Tut exhibit.

“Exhibit’s closed,” Spike barked at the guards as he approached the entrance, “for private play time between me and my Claimant.”

The guards quickly nodded.

“I don’t want to be disturbed for any reason. Understand?” Spike continued.

“Yes, Master Spike,” both guards answered in unison.

Spike turned around and surveyed the floor. Then he said in a much louder voice, “If I catch anyone sniffing or spying around on my private time with my property…they’ll wish they’d been guilty of snatchin’ him in the first place!”

Then Spike had marched into the Exhibit. Xander had quickly followed. They walked all the way back to the replica of the King’s tomb. Then Spike stopped.

“Face the wall at arm’s length. Put your hands up against it and hold still,” Spike ordered.

Spike? Xander wondered as he heard the vampire move over to the sarcophagus. He heard him move the lid a jar and rustle around inside it.

“I think somebody has been disobedient,” Spike said with a low growl.

Seriously, Xander thought as his heart rate sped up. You’re gonna punish me now? We’re fleeing from Vegas on some whacked out timetable of your making after I’ve been kidnapped, tortured and ra...humiliated and now you wanna have a game of “Punish the Pet?”

“Xander,” Spike whispered low into his Claimant’s ear.

The human jumped. He hadn’t even noticed the vampire moving up close behind him until the seductive sound of his master voice was tickling across his skin.

“No counting,” Spike said as softly as Xander had ever heard him speak. “I need you to just scream raw. I’m not going to lie…this is going to hurt. It has to. We need the right show of scents and sounds. But I promise you..nothing more than you can handle. Nothing more than necessary and I will take care of you and when it’s done..we’ll be gone.”

Xander was so still he barely breathed. He didn’t like the sound of this. Maybe he had been a bit disobedient at first and maybe they did need some sort of show but he didn’t want to hurt. He was tired of hurting.

“Xander,” Spike softly whispered.

Something flipped heavily in his stomach. It fluttered in his pulse and brought realization. Spike wasn’t asking Xander’s permission. He didn’t need it, but he was asking for Xander’s participation. He was asking for Xander’s trust. He was asking for the human to give him a signal that this wouldn’t be just Spike doing something to Xander, but that this would be something they were doing together.

You want me to give you some sort of sign this is all ok when I don’t even know why? Xander thought frantically. His heart was racing. His breathing was becoming fast and shallow. He was beginning to feel panicky.

“Pet,” Spike whispered, “one last time. We need to bu…”

Spike’s voice suddenly stilled. There was the smallest of choking sounds. Suddenly Xander could picture Spike’s weary eyes.

Spike, Xander thought and before he realized that he’d even made a decision he was nodding his head and forcing his body to relax in preparation for what was coming.

“Xan?” Spike said softly.

Do it! Xander thought as he nodded again. He felt a light kiss on the nape of his neck and then heard Spike move away.

“I will have obedience!” Spike snarled just before Xander heard a light whistling sound through the air. Then he felt and heard a loud snap several stingy strips of leather lashed across his back as a cat of nine tails marked him.

“Master!” Xander screamed as his body jerked in response to the pain.

Before he had a chance to take another breath three more strikes were laid across his back. Xander bucked and jerked.

“Thought I told you to hold still!” Spike barked.

Oh ghod! Xander thought then screamed as several more blows rained down him. He fought to keep his body still.

“You will be obedient or you will be dead!” Spike roared. “I didn’t retrieve you because you were a Claimant I could be fucking undead without!”

Xander let out along anguished scream as two more blows criss-crossed across his back. This time he could feel something wet begin to drip down his skin.

“I retrieved you because you were MINE!” Spike yelled just before he began to cruelly lap at the wet drops on Xander’s back. The vampire made sure to slide his tongue firmly across the welts. Xander moaned.

“Do you understand?” Spike asked.

“Yes, Master!” Xander screamed as Spike delivered another strike.

“What are you?” Spike asked with another blow.

“Your Claimant, Master!” Xander yelled.

“You live or die at my whim!”

“Yes Master!”

Spike then began to deliver a series of blows so quick and fierce Xander lost track of when one began and when another ended. His whole back began to feel as if a ball of flame and been born and was grown and was rolling across his back as it grew consuming all of him in its path. He began to scream and like the blows raining down on him it ceased to be one scream after another. Instead it morphed into one continuous scream of agony.

A depth of pain rose up out of Xander born not just from the flames consuming his back but from the memories of all he had suffered since Buffy had fallen. He screamed with pain for his short sighted anger in destroying the Orb of Thesula. He screamed for losing Buffy, Giles, and Cordelia. He screamed for his own public debasement.

He screamed loudest and longest for all those times when he couldn’t scream. He voiced his fear and terror for each time he’d been in the tank. The exhibit was filled with the sounds of Xander’s pain and the scents of his fear and blood.

Xander continued to scream even after the blows stopped falling. He screamed for his helplessness against Keffler. He screamed until his voice was raw and fading.

He tried to scream even after a cool hand covered his mouth and a gentle voice murmured in his ear, “Shh, pet. All over. I got ya. It’s all right. It’s over now. Shh!”

Tears streamed down Xander’s cheeks. His muffled scream began to break apart with sobs and great gulps as his body for air. Through it all Spike held him until the worst of the storm had passed. Then Spike had pressed the painted image which caused the wall to swing forward.

Spike took Xander’s hand and led him quickly to the other side. He activated the mechanism to swing the wall back in place then led the shattered human back to the secret room which had been Larry’s cell.

Even in his befuddled state, Xander had noticed the room had been cleaned of all the old MREs and now had two new duffle and sleeping bags perched on the cot. Spike didn’t let him linger. He led him on to the bathroom with the small austere shower. There he set the water to warm and urged Xander to step inside.

Xander obeyed without question but not without thought. Yes, he was buoyed on some sort cloud he didn’t understand. Yes, his body and brain had been buffeted by too much pain and emotion and now it was being soothed by the same hands which had inflicted the injury. Yet, that part of Xander that refused to back down in front of Angelus while Buffy lay helpless in a hospital bed demanded he think through all that had happened. That part of him which had submitted to Spike’s claim raced to organize his thoughts and to piece together the puzzle in front of him. As he drifted on the care of warm water and cool hands Xander thought.

With all the gentleness Spike possessed he washed and tended Xander. He kept up a litany of endearments, though he doubted his pet heard him. He from experience his love must be riding a wave of endorphins. Still, he knew that when Xander came down he’d need all the reassurance Spike could give him. Spike vowed not to disappoint.

When Xander was washed and clean, Spike dried him as carefully as he could. He kept his own anger and self-recrimination in check as he saw the extent of the damage he’d down to Xander’s back. He knew he’d had to do it. He knew that it would heal.

However, staring at the fiery red, raw and mottled skin with ugly welts decorating Xander skin in an obscene pattern made the vampire curse himself. With angry and jerky movement Spike opened the small medicine cabinet and got out the analgesic, antibiotic and other creams he’d need.

As he turned back to face Xander, the human caught this hands.

“Xan?” Spike whispered.

Xander laid delicate kisses on each of Spike’s hands.

“Oh Xander,” Spike muttered as tears began to slip free and slide down his cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

Xander snapped his fingers.

“Yes!” Spike said quickly. “Permission to speak.”

“It was a cover wasn’t it?” Xander asked his voice rough from screaming.

Spike nodded.

“You needed me…Needed my real reactions,” Xander continued.

“We need all the time we can get. They need ta think they’ll have the devil ta pay for interruptin’ me,” Spike began to babble. “Demons they can smell deceit…especially on humans..on yo…”

Xander laid a finger over Spike’s lips. He smiled gently and said, “I understand.”

“Pet?”

Xander sighed. He straightened in Spike’s arms and winced. Spike began quickly, but gently, smoothing the creams on to his human’s abused back.

“We’ve done this dance before, Spike,” Xander said softly. “You have a plan. Part of it entails convincing our enemies, the demons around us, that you’re all ‘grr’ and ‘argh’ angry. You want them so busy gossiping about the reasons why but at the same time afraid of interrupting you or snooping around. You’re buying time.”

“And the dance?” Spike asked.

“You needed me. You needed me afraid, hurt and all my real reactions. What was it you once said?” Xander asked then answered his own question in a perfect Xander-Spike impersonation, “Pet, yer not very good at lyin’. One look in those big browns and the jig would have been up.”

Spike laughed softly, “You had me pegged from the beginning?”

“No,” Xander admitted.

“Then wh…”

“I trust you,” Xander said cutting off Spike before turning in the vampire’s arms and placing a gentle kiss across his lips. “I trust you.”

“Oh pet,” Spike murmured before deepening the kiss. Xander responded. The kiss was pure, organic and unrefined. It was simple passion going beyond fire to the groin but igniting the bond between them. It was promise and apology. It was forever sweet and too short.

“We have to go,” Spike said as he forced his lips to part from Xander’s.

Xander nodded. Spike led him to the other room. He opened one of the duffle bags and pulled out jeans, socks, shirts and a pair of shoes. Xander’s eyes widened but he remained quiet.

Quickly Spike helped Xander dress. Pain was creeping beyond just Xander’s back now. He was beginning to feel the abuse everywhere as the adrenaline abated. He bit his lip and kept quiet. Once he was dressed, Spike grabbed both duffle bags, slung them over his shoulder by the straps then grabbed one of the sleeping bags.

“Can you manage the other?” Spike asked.

Xander nodded. His body protested as he bent over and picked up the bag but he said nothing.

“Right. What I say when I say it,” Spike reminded. He listened at the door before opening it then led them out into the hall. Then he began as quick a pace as he dared with Xander’s injuries. He led them through a maze of service and access tunnels until they were at another garage.

All along the way Spike checked for sights, sounds and scents of other demons or humans. The garage looked unused and abandoned. Still, Spike took few chances. He led Xander through the maze of dusty cars in a crouch until they came to a familiar looking Suburban.

It was sleek, glossy, black and the one they’d used the last time they’d gone into the desert. Something in Xander lit up with hope.

Spike motioned for Xander to stay still. He checked the garage thoroughly before sneaking forward. Then he moved to the back of the truck. He unlocked the double doors, opened them, then slid the duffle bags and the sleeping bag inside.

Next he came back for Xander. He took the last sleeping bag from his Claimant and led the way back to the truck.

Spike manually unlocked the passenger door and let Xander inside. He then moved swiftly around the back of the truck, deposited the last bag inside and then shut the doors. He locked them before quietly moving to the other side of the truck, unlocking the driver’s door and climbing inside.

“Lie down,” Spike said as he got behind the driver’s wheel and patted his lap. “It will be easier than on your back.”

Xander lay across the bench seat on his stomach. He let his head rest on Spike’s lap as the vampire turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. A cool hand settled on Xander’s head and fingers began to card through his hair as the half ton truck eased forward.

“We’re on our way,” Spike said softly.

Xander nodded. He tucked his arms underneath him and closed his eyes and focused on the sensations of Spike’s long fingers gently massaging his scalp and caressing his skin. He tried to block out the dull and ache in his muscles and the burn in his skin.

He trusted in the creams and the healing ability of the Claimant bond to take effect. The sounds of traffic drifted inside the truck only to be quickly blocked out by the punch of a button.

“Night and day, you are the one,” Sinatra began to croon, “Only you beneath the moon or under the sun.”

Xander smiled. Spike began to hum along with the music. Eventually the rumble of the trucks engine, the elegant singing of Sinatra, Spike’s humming and his magic fingers had an effect on the Xander. Between one easy breath and the next he fell into a light sleep. Vague dream images of him and Spike tumbled through his mind. They were pressed together as if dancing. They swayed gently in time to music and when the music stopped the dancing continued. It melded into a more intimate form of dancing where legs and arms where entwined skin to sweat slick skin.

Xander wasn’t sure how long he lightly dozed. He only knew he was awoken to a frustrating pressure in his belt and ticking touch down his nose.

“Pleasant dreams?” Spike voice rumbled with amusement.

“Seven of Nine and Princess Leia were trying to engage the Borg queens warp drive,” Xander replied with a happy yawn.

“Liar,” Spike laughed.

“You can read my dreams now, master?” Xander asked cheekily while turning his head to allow Spike easier access to stroke his neck.

“Just your scent, pet,” Spike replied.

“And my scent tells you…”

“When you want me,” Spike replied with all the arrogance and conceit for which Xander used to hate but now left him rock hard.

He groaned as the belt grew tighter. Spike lightly raked his nails over Xander’s neck. Unbidden memories of Keffler crept back into Xander’s mind. The pain in his back reminded him of the welts across his stomach and the enforced stress position.

He stiffened.

“Shh,” Spike said. “It’s ok, pet. Won’t take anything you aren’t ready to give.”

Xander sat up. He groaned with pain. His back hurt; though it was feeling better. His heart hurt. He had begun to move beyond his fears and had been enjoying his physical relationship with Spike and now he was back to square one.

“And who told you could sit up?” Spike asked in a slight reproach.

“Please?” Xander asked as he looked around. There were only a few lights here and there indicating they had moved out of the city proper and were on the outskirts.

Spike sighed, “Guess I could use your help. Open the glove compartment.”

Xander nodded and did as he was told.

“Grab the GPS unit Lorne setup last time,” Spike continued.

Xander fished around until he felt the chunky box. He pulled it out and handed it to Spike. The vampire took one hand off the wheel and flipped a button. The device flared to life. A small LED map lit up. Spike smiled then handed it back to Xander.

“Make sure we stay on course,” Spike ordered.

“On course?” Xander asked.

Spike smiled and tapped the side of the box. Xander turned the box and looked. Taped to the box was a yellow pick with the coordinates 36 53.942N scratched on the side.

“You found it!” Xander yelled with a grin.

“Course I did!” Spike said with answering grin of his own. “You were clever enough ta hide it where that tart wouldn’t find it, but I would. Gonna have to reward you nice and sweet for that, pet.”

Xander blushed. His heart raced as conflicting emotions almost overwhelmed him. He tried to get control of himself, squeezed the unit and asked, “This mean…?

“This means we’re going where that Oz bloke told us to go,” Spike answered. “Another set of coordinates are on the back of the pick.”

“And then?” Xander dared ask.

“Then?” Spike said. “Well, I don’t know about Red and the others but I plan on taking this world back from Peaches..if for no other reason then it’ll give him a bad hair day.”

***

Things changed twenty minutes after Connor returned to the stables and let grouchy kitten down to race down the hallway and hide under an empty cot. Exactly thirty minutes after Spike had hung up the now destroyed cell phone in the suite, a claxon sounded in the stables. Lights began blinking and the Voynok, Mofo and Pocklas began herding all the humans in all the stables away from the entrances.

Connor had at first sprang up to fight but had been stilled by Clem’s hand on his shoulder, “Wait, please. Watch.”

As suddenly as the alarms had sounded they stopped. They were followed by a rumbling which caused vibrations to ripple through the stables. Some men women and children began to scream or cry. The Pocklas rushed to the panic humans and began to sooth them.

There was a loud CLANG and then the rumbling stopped. The stables went quiet except for the sounds of crying and the Pocklas working their magic. The MoFos stepped forward and bowed to Clem.

“Master Spike has ordered the stables sealed and you in charge until his return,” they said. “No one is to be allowed out or in until his word is given. His stable is under your charge, what are your orders?”

Clem blinked. His mouth gaped. This was unexpected.

“Master,” Connor quickly spoke, “if you please, shall I speak for you? You are still very badly hurt.”

Clem nodded.

Connor turned to the Mofos and quickly ordered, “Prepare hot sweet drinks for the children, chocolate if we have it…”

“The kitchens are well stocked,” the Mofos said looking at Clem. The demon looked as if his mind was still trying to process he was in charge.

“Right, hot chocolate for the kids and coffee for the adults,” Connor continued.

“Candyland..” Clem whispered and understanding and acceptance settled.

“Candyland?” the Mofos and Connor asked in unison.

“Yes,” Clem said in a voice a little more strongly. “Candyland! Let’s look around. We should have it around here somewhere, if we don’t then we’ll make our own boards.”

Mofos and Connor blinked.

Clem grinned, “Trust me.”

TBC

Author's Notes:

Night and Day is a Cole Porter song. Lyrics are here and a video of Sinatra version I like are here.

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Oh Man! That was intense! I am dying to find out what the hell is going on.

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