Spike woke mid afternoon, wrote for a time and answered Emails. There was no avoiding it. He was going to have to go to the club with Xander, but had no intention of ‘playing ball’!

Xander returned home a little early from work, more than a mite relieved to remove the plug and give his over stimulated prostate a bit of rest. It was not to be for long however. He turned from washing the plug and looking into the bathroom mirror, to see his highly aroused partner.

Spike who had been staring at his partner’s slightly pink behind, was now looking at a painfully hard erection and realized that Xander had had the foresight to wear a restraint to work ‘just in case.’

“Need me to take care of that for you luv?”

Xander simply closed his eyes and let out a pitiful sigh, “Please!”

Spike stepped forward and pressed his chest against Xander’s, dropped his hand and flicked off the leather cockring. As Xander’s head fell back his partner dropped to his knees and engulfed the painfully hard erection in the coolness of his mouth. He tickled and laved for a few seconds then reached up, squeezed the sac and sucked as hard as he could. Xander came virtually instantly, roaring Spike’s name he let his legs give way until he was in a kneeling hug with his partner.

Several minutes later Spike turned his partner and lubed himself almost in the one swift action. Then in a low seductive purr said “Lean over for me pet, wanna be inside you… now.” Xander complied without a sound.

The muscles were still loose from a day of being stretched and Spike slid in to the hilt in one stroke then set up a steady rhythm. Xander sighed at the feeling of a ‘real’ organ thrusting into him and arched as Spike began to rub his prostate on each pass. Finally he felt the pace increase and stokes become erratic as Spike panted into his own climax, filling his partner with jets of cool seed.

He slid out easily, but stilled Xander as the man went to rise. “Stay there pet, I’ll clean you up.”

Spike leaned down and laved the, now cherry red, rear entrance with a cool tongue. This time the noise from his partner was a hearty groan of thanks as he felt the cool vampire saliva begin to salve and heal the area.

As soon as he was satisfied that his ministrations were adequate, Spike helped his friend to his feet. Slapping the man lightly on the backside on his way out of the bathroom, he reminded Xander that they were heading for the racket club in just under an hour.

Xander showered and dressed in loose shorts, a Sacramento KingsTM Tshirt (circa 2005) and a suspiciously new looking pair of Nike’sTM. Spike for his part had borrowed some oversized sweat pants and a dark blue T-shirt of Xander’s, insisting that “My idea of *Hell* Harris is to be caught in a pair of bloody sports shoes!” He pouted and claimed that if he was expected to participate at all, it would be in his docs or bare feet.

Xander gave in, but was careful to include extra boxers and a towel for Spike… visions of a nice steamy sauna finding his nether regions twitching again, despite their very recent activity.

He stood at the door of the apartment reading seven forty five on the hall clock and finally called out, “C’mon Spike!”

“I look ridiculous!”

“You look like you’re going to the gym!... Well, except for the docs but…”

“I look like your young vagrant cousin, or some cheap-side trick!”

“You look like my adorable, blonde lover who’s coming to hang out at a racket club! Now come on, and get in the car!”

Xander didn’t quite hear the litany of insults that came his way but managed to catch snippets of “Bugger….”, “Friggin poncy games”, then finally, as they approached the car, a genuine pouty whine, “These pants ‘ll fall down if I run!”

Xander was beyond frustration, “I promise, jeans boy, I’ll help you to tie a bow when we get there! Now get in!”

“Git!”

“Pouty man!”

“Ponce!”

“Scaredy Vamp!”

“What?”

“You heard me! I figure you’ve never played the great American game!”

“Well… No! Of course I bloody haven’t!”

Xander finally realized the problem and took a more conciliatory tone, “Look, don’t worry about all that. C’mon sweetheart just get in, *please*?” The final statement was accompanied by a pleading look worthy of a very lonely puppy.

“Oh bloody hell!” With that Spike opened the door of the car and attempted his very best sulky slump into the front seat.

Xander chose to ignore the theatrics and simply drove them to the club.

They spotted Andy as they wandered into the foyer of the club. He was standing with three other men, all of whom Spike thought he remembered from the party. Xander was greeted enthusiastically. They were dressed like Xander in expensively understated sports wear. Spike was obviously the only ring-in, and very obviously, the only non ‘gym’ goer. He hung back, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

Andy leaned around Xander and offered a handshake to Spike with a friendly “Hey there William, good to see you decided to join us. From what Xan’s told us you’re a bit of an athlete, what do you usually play?”

“Um, don’t really, used to play cricket and a bit of rugby at school. Guess you could say I stick to martial arts these days.” Spike shook the outstretched hand and looked up at Andy’s smiling face. The man was genuine in his friendliness, though Spike spotted the large brunette (apparently called Jarred) flashing a knowing look to the man he was standing next to, and snorting. Vampire hearing picked up the muttered ‘Cricket! Wonder it’s not chess. Let the gay games begin, it’s Xan’s faggot friend.’ Spike’s eye’s flashed gold for a second but he let the comment go for Xander’s sake. Oh, this *was* going to be a ‘fun’ night.

The group waited a few more minutes chatting idly. Finally a tall redhead and rather portly balding man, joined the group with plenty of hand shakes, back slapping and exchange enthusiastic expressions. Spike was polite, but Xander noted his distinct quietness and the shift from foot to foot of someone under stress.

The group finally moved toward the basketball hall laughing and joking with each other about their previous games and exploits on the court. Spike was halted at the door by one of the racket club employees.

“I’m sorry sir, but you will have to remove your black soles before you enter the court.”

Spike in his stressed state heard ‘black soul’ and he stood dumbfounded for a few seconds.

The official looked down at Spike’s boots, “Your shoes, sir, can you please take off or change your shoes?”

“Oh, um… sure, beg pardon.” Spike quickly knelt down and loosened the laces then removed the offending items. Docs in hand, he pushed through the door to stand just inside the large room.

It was a double court with extremely high roof and various markings on the well polished, sprung floor. An indoor running track circled the top of the area near the ceiling, obviously accessed from a second story gym. Large windows in the right wall revealed a swimming pool on the other side of the glass, while those at the end opened onto what was obviously, a large number of well lit tennis courts.

Xander was waving him over to the group. He reluctantly placed his boots against the wall near Xander’s bag and walked rather slowly toward his partner.

“Hey S..Will, the guys have decided that we’ll play four on three if that’s OK with you, ‘cause you know, if you haven’t played before…”

“Right. So whose team am I on?”

Andy piped up, “Mine of course,” and grinned widely at his barefooted teammate.

Spike was then treated to a hand thrust at him from the right for an enthusiastic shake, it was the tubby latecomer, “And mine – hey there, I’m Mike.”

Spike shook hands and nodded his acknowledgement, “Mike.”

“And Xan makes our four,” continued Andy.

Jarred interrupted the team meeting with “And we are *so* gonna kick your arses! C’mon Harris let’s see what you got.” With that the game began.

Xander was conscious that Spike was withholding his vampire abilities as far as speed went, knowing that his partner could have easily covered the length of the court in the blink of an eye, or jumped to stand *on top* of the backboard. Nevertheless Spike was still swift of foot and often in a free position, the main trouble was that he really had never bounced a basketball, ‘shot hoops’ or learned the rules, so whenever the ball was passed to him, he simply threw it to one of his other team mates.

Jarred and his two compatriots soon picked up on the pattern, and what should have been a friendly affair, became one of Jarred and his team targeting the vampire every time he received the ball.

By the time twenty minutes had elapsed Spike had been jostled, elbowed and pushed in the back so many times that he was beyond annoyed and simply wanted out. When he, apparently ‘accidentally’, tripped over his opponent, twisted and fell hard onto his left knee, he didn’t bother getting up. Andy called timeout and moved quickly to aid the blonde. Xander was there as well.

“You OK buddy?” Xander was looking at him with genuine concern.

Spike moved to sitting and pulled up his sweat pants. A very obviously dislodged kneecap was revealed. Spike expertly cupped around the injured joint with both hands and squeezed, forcing the errant patella back to its proper position.

“Geez Will, c’mon let’s get you some ice.” Andy anxiously turned to the other team, “Give us a few, this is not so good.” He turned back to Spike, only to see Xander helping him to stand then aiding his friend to the change rooms, Spike hopping.

Andy addressed to the rest of the group, “Heck guys, it’s supposed to be friendly! What was that about?”

Jarred answered, not even attempting to look sorry, “Guy fell over, can’t help it if he’s got weak knees now, can we?”

Andy scowled a little, but really did not want to make a fuss at what may have been a simple accident in the heat of the game. Though he had his suspicions.

In the change rooms Spike sat and gingerly stretched out the injured limb.

“That Jarred wanker is prize prick!”

“No arguments here Spike,… geez what can I do, will some blood help?”

“Yeah, but it’ll take you off your form pet. You go play with your little mates, I’ll just sit here yeah?”

“No! No way… My place is here!” Xander looked around the change room to see if they were being observed as he pulled down the sweat band on his wrist and shoved the limb against Spike’s mouth.

“Taa luv.” Spike nodded in deep appreciation.

As always, he laved the area gently then bit down with care. Easing the ambrosial gift into his system, he closed his eyes and sighed as he felt the effects immediately. Conscious of not taking more than would speed his healing, he released after several long drafts and licked the wound closed. He opened his eyes and looked directly into an adoring brown one.

“I love it when you do that,” was all a very aroused Xander was able to whisper before they were joined by one of the club’s attendants.

“You alright, sir? Someone said you had an injury. I brought a cold pack.”

“Nah, look I’m fine now pet. Just a bit o’ fuss about nothing. Taa anyway.” Spike pushed his pant leg down and stood up as if to make a point.

“Oh well, just let us know if we can do anything. I would recommend taking the ice though – even if it’s only a bruise it helps if you cool the area immediately. We have a physio on sight if you need it looked at.”

Xander spoke up, “Uhh thanks” and took the chilled blue pack from the concerned young man.

As soon as he departed Spike growled, “Would love to kick that Jarred ponce’s arse back to redneck city where he belongs.”

Xander simply smiled, “Ho yeah. You and me both.”

“You going to finish the game?”

“Yeah – but you’re definitely out for the evening… I think the guys want to spar a little. We can head home after that if you want – club’s open ‘til 11pm apparently so there’s plenty of time.”

“Oh I am *not* strippin’ off and jumping into some bubble bath with that soddin’ bastard.”

“Spar! As in karate… you know some pads and gloves...”

Spike’s mood suddenly changed.

“Now there’s an idea!”

Xander saw the twinkle in the ‘Big Bad’s’ eye and added quickly, “You can’t kill or injure him… Spike… Spike! Promise!”

“Yeah, yeah, pet… but there’s more ways to injure a bloke than the physical.”

Spike limped toward the court entrance, turning back to Xander as he pushed it open, “Yes Harris, I promise – no permanent injuries.”

The remaining fifteen minutes of the basketball game were spent in an evenly matched tussle between the six workmates.

Spike, who had been sitting on the sidelines watching (mostly to admire his partner’s ‘form’ and enjoy the boyish grin every time their team took a basket) stood and wandered toward his partner as the sweaty group departed the court.

Andy commented, “Hey Will, good to see you’re not limping so badly.”

“Yeah, amazing recovery! Perhaps he was too tired from all the running and faked it to get out of the play.” Jarred was smiling but the comment was not directed at Spike, it was for the benefit of the group.

Xander could no longer hold his tongue, “How about you…” But he was unable to finish the sentence as Spike stepped in front of him and quietly said, in his very best Giles’ impression,

“How about we test your theories on a more even playing field, hmm? I hear you folks are sparring in a while. I believe my knee will hold up in a more familiar activity. If you would care to, I’d be happy to provide you with a challenger for a few rounds.”

Xander’s anger dropped immediately. He knew Spike would still be sore, but also knew that the vampire could beat any one of them with both knees hobbled and an arm out of action.

“You’re on! USA versus England” Jarred clapped his hand on Andy’s shoulder and walked through the middle of the group toward the gym door.

“Actually I live in Boston most of the time.” Spike said softly to the retreating back.

Andy saw Xander’s hand momentarily grab Spike’s and squeeze his support. The more time he spent with the two the more he felt utterly pleased that Xander had the blonde as a ‘special friend’.

They all turned to head in the direction of the gym.