Giles faced Spike with a mercenary calm about him, “Fine. First and foremost, I think we need to establish the priorities of this newly manifested Initiative. I felt your input, Spike, would be most helpful. I understand that other than Sunnydale, an earlier version of this group captured you in the midst of World War II, am I correct?”
All but Giles and Spike looked stunned.
Xander shot Spike a pained expression and whispered, “Swastika?”
“Yeah pet, Swastika…” Spike then addressed the group, “Bloody bombings in Berlin trapped us for days underground, got Dru out but…, then the Gestapo, and special ‘cells’, and submarines and Angel… and bloody Angel…” Spike lost the brave front, reminded once again of his lost Sire. His expression became one of blank indifference again, but the images continued to flow through the link.
Finally pulling himself from his own thoughts, he continued, “‘Super Warrior Initiative’, nowhere near the number of computer toys as they have now, but seemed to have figured that holy water when ‘steamed’ was somethin’; worked the whole starvation thing too – apparently starving vamps helps in gettin’ rid of camp inmates. Never much blood in those poor blighters – figure a quick sharp exit was doin’ ‘em a bloody favour.”
He paused, the link flooded with an overwhelming array of painful and distressing images, along with memories of the stench and the screaming that accompanied the concentration camp pictures. Xander swallowed hard and made a dash for the bathroom, failing to fully close the door before losing the contents of his stomach several times over. Others in the room were horrified enough by the words.
Spike realized the problem, so stopped for a moment and shut down the link as best he could before continuing, “They knew that crosses were the torturer’s friend; and prided ‘emselves with inventin’ doohickey that triggered a stake if you struggled. Mengele was an evil prick – no artistry or style just… soulless spawn of hell. Human too… just goes to show. Real egalitarian… didn’t discriminate just… if he reckoned you were less than the master race, then you were fair game – experiments, dissection that sort of thing… Always wished Angelus had been around then… reckon it would’ve been a right lark to break that bastard…”
Xander, reentered the room, and though looking decidedly pale, smiled ruefully as Spike re opened the inner link and mused ironically… [Wonder if that Sunnydale Walsh bitch has geneology including Mengele in the ancestral line.]
Spike stiffened as Xander regained his seat and concluded the account as quickly as he could. “Guess they kept us old ones longer on account we didn’t die so easy. They were busy shippin’ us to the New World in crates on a sub, when a few of their plans when awry.”
Giles pulled his glasses off and, in an act of self restraint, withheld polishing them, choosing instead to fix the vampire with a vexed stare, “All very… anecdotal and amusing Spike but… pray tell what on God’s earth causes you to connect the Nazis with the Sunnydale fiasco?”
“*Angel* got me out, watcher… Angel! An’ in the process, close as sired a new Childe to get the ship movin’ again (‘cept the souled bastard went an’ left the fledge to ‘is own devices straight after)… Anyway… *Angel* was there, *not* by choice, but ‘cause of the *US* bloody version of the Initiative… German Uboat that got captured by the US with us boxed-up European masters all on board – stupid Krauts forgot to ‘secure’ their cargo… thank *goodness*… Anyway Angel was given the job of bringin’ the Uboat home along with the yanks *and* their cargo. But….”
“Yes quite. But what…?”
“Lots killed, humans that is, and the two other masters – annoying blighters anyway, but um… Well I made it, obviously, and Angel, and ‘is little engineer fledge. Ponce of a Sire set us all a’swimmin’ while the few stars ‘n striped boys left took the sub back to the states… Burnt the Nazi research afore we left though… You’d ‘ve been proud Watcher… Set it alight to a rendition of ‘God save the King’, right under the nose ‘o the bastard Nazi captain ‘imself! Just before we killed ‘im.”
“Oh Spike! For heavens sake, get to the point!”
Spike raised a disdainful eyebrow at the frustrated watcher and began address the group in short bursts, as though explaining basic road rules to kindergarten students. “The governments *were all into it.* They were *all* doing demon research. They *all* wanted the super soldier.” Adding sarcastically, “Now, who would have thought!?.... Anyway, I reckon they were also *well* privy to each others’ moves, only thing was… winner takes all in war, innit?! And guess who won… bloody vampire torturing bastards of the stars ‘n bloody stripes that who!”
Xander reached out for the pale, slender fingers of his mate, intertwined them in full view of all present and squeezed his support.
Spike took strength from his partner’s reassurance and fixed Giles with an unblinking stare. “Don’t get me wrong *Rupert* I like a bit of a reminisce as well as the next bloke… but why do you want to know this now? ‘S nigh on seventy year ago.”
“Oh good Lord!.... Spike... You think we would include you and Xander in such a folly were we not to think your insight invaluable?!…. We know full well what you have done, sacrificed… and are fully aware that you owe us nothing. But… courtesy of Xander we have also become aware of your…” Giles removed his glasses and cleared his throat, obviously looking for the ‘right words’ “… newly partnered status. You are the only… individual… we know who has dealt with both past and present demon focused ‘Initiatives’.” Giles paused momentarily and looked at the souled vampire with a deep sense of compassion, “It seems the only differential is the technological advancements in ‘probing’ and ‘leashing’ of subjects. Technology changes, sadly however, it seems that prejudice does not. I shan’t ask you to reveal anything of your detention in the Sunnydale Initiative Spike, but if you care to reveal *anything* of your time in that you might think is of use it would be greatly appreciated… ”
Xander had said little up to this point in the conversation, but now reached out to take his partner’s hand, squeezed it hard then stood to address the group.
The other members of the meeting who remembered Xander, expected him as the ‘boy they once knew’, but the person who addressed them with perfect calm and a measured tone of authority was nothing like that ‘boy’… this was a man, a leader, someone to be reckoned with. “I understand that you want my *partner*’s knowledge, what I don’t understand is the necessity for us to remain here beyond our designated *holiday*. As far as I can see there is a working phone system on this ‘happy isle’.”
It was Willow’s turn to take the floor, “We specifically need you, Xan and Spike… and well… now that you are together….”
“So we’re to be what?.... Informed bait?...” Xander looked incredulous, Spike fell into game face and growled.
Both Willow and Giles had the courtesy to look embarrassed.
The silence extended beyond the level of comfort. Willow was the first to speak.
“We thought… well… um… we *know*… that the Initiative won’t be expecting… um… Giles? A little help?”
“The Initiative knows nothing of you two – indeed if they had any past records, other than those reflecting Spike’s demise.”
“And let me guess – a certain loss of depth perception” Xander added.
“ Yes, well that as may be…” The watcher removed his glasses again and pinched the bridge of his nose. “We simply thought that you two might be appropriate as you are unknown to the government ‘groups’, yet familiar enough with their practices that you would be able to gather some intelligence. We don’t really have much useful information from our other sources as they have had to ‘go to ground’ so to speak. We would like you two to travel to Italy – at the council’s expense of course, and shed some light on the situation in Europe.”
Spike’s eyes narrowed with mistrust, but it was Xander who spoke, “So Buffy and her beau are taking the Slayer-lite team and getting the hell out of Dodge… Is that what you’re saying? What’s happened to your illustrious Watcher council? C’mon *G’man*.” Xander watched as the nickname of old pulled memories to the fore for the older man.
“Our ‘council’ is still somewhat depleted, and I am sad to say, many of the watchers are younger than their charges… You see the problem surely! Andrew is our most senior member in Europe at this stage… Of course we have others in the various regions, but I hardly think dragging someone from Argentina or Mali appropriate for a clandestine operation in Italy… do you?”
“So what…. We go in and do what???… C’mon Giles! I’m a friggin a building project manager and my *life partner* here is an author, and (oh by the way!) owner and sole investor of the Aurelian fortune ….. And, as it happens, *your* patron and primary financier!
Giles! We have a *life* and *friends* and… Shoot…. We’ve *done* ‘Champion’, Giles?!!
I don’t want to jeopardize my life, or my partner, or God forbid, both, for some ridiculous ‘big bad of the month’ gig! C’mon??!! We came to see you guys for a ‘catch up’. The whole rabbit thing…?”
At this juncture Dawn had the decency to look contrite, “You know and hey…. Was just unfortunate, we get that. But what you’re asking… Whole different ball game… Why now? Why us? You think we’re expendable is that it? Or is this about the ‘Greek frontline’, the whole, you’re gay so you won’t break rank… C’mon Giles? Enlighten me.”
“Oh God Xander! How could you suggest…?”
“On the grounds that you tried to kill Spike, then Buffy let him wear the amulet, knowing full well that the consequence was death.”
“She didn’t.”
Spike fixed the older man with a cold stare, his voice low and menacing, “Oh yes she did, Watcher, and you knew as well as she. The *champion* had to wear it *willingly*, which I did. She took it from Angel. She. Gave. It. To. Me. Her *backup*… My Sire… was to be there if I failed. But I didn’t. Fail. Did. I??
“Instead I ended up a ghost, then workin’ with him saving the bloody world a second time!!… And then… and then… I was his favourite…. There right to the end… right to his end… Ain’t unlife a funny thing ehh??….” Spike trailed off, but caught his aghast audience with an icy stare that encompassed all but his partner.
“An’ you lot never knew… He, my Sire, was my everything, now Xan is… and unlike you lot I am *loyal* to my own, so you’re not *bloody well* gettin’ him mixed up in some half baked hero plot just cos you think we’re on the outer these days…. That’s it innit! Well news flash Jeeves, we’re *not* bloody expendable!” His stare particularly focused on Giles, Spike ceased his rant and turned to his partner for a reassuring hug.
“Yes, well. I am more than aware of what you have both… suffered…”
Spike rounded on him with a deadly stare, “Bollocks, watcher! My boy here gives an eye *and* loses a loved one,” He looked up at Xander’s tense jawline, then added, “or two, and you politely put it down to ‘suffering’! Well whoopdie bloody do! You are *not* putting my consort in danger ‘cause some Slayer and her immortal boyfriend fail to take out a bunch of humans who are spyin’ on ‘em!”
Giles’ paused in his protestations and joined the others in their open mouthed gape at the blonde and his partner. “Consort? Xander? When? Did you? Good lord, Xander do you know what this means? Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t I…? How…?”
Xander gripped his upset partner tightly around the waist and kissed him soundly (and very publicly) before answering quietly. “I know what it means, Giles. We’ve been Consort and Master for… well it’s coming up for a month or so now. And before you ask Giles, I know it can never be undone. But William Aurelius, Spike, is my lover, my friend, my protector and… my true soul mate.” He pulled Spike in for another kiss. Several of the senior slayers present swooned a little at the display.
Willow was the first to react. “Oh Godess! Xander this is… well, um… wonderful!! Congratulations!”
Dawn was fast on her heels, “And yay and we need a party.” She slapped Spike hard, “Why didn’t you say something dummy!”
“Well umm, difficult when one is all fuzzy, pet.” Dawn looked contrite. Spike reached for her hand and squeezed, then continued with a far more conciliatory, “Would you be able to organize us the shindig, ‘cause I don’t think Willow will be able to cope.” He winked and watched as the young woman grinned wildly and, just as he anticipated, excused herself to begin party planning immediately.
Giles stood, “Well this does put a different light on the whole Initiative proposal I’m sure, but I don’t really think…”
He was cut off abruptly as Andrew flew into the room, hugged and kissed Xander and Spike in turn, “Oh my god! Oh my god!! Kudos and congratulations you guys! This is just the best… Oh God I *so* knew you were… Spike and…. but Xan?… and the whole Anya dying!… and the… anyways… Oh, this is *so* great… Oh, I’m gonna cry… ‘scuse me…” And with that he departed.
Giles was still upstanding and now polishing his glasses with a fury that threatened the integrity of the lenses. “Would you people please cease and desist from this ridiculous display! We need to address the matter at hand. And I would ask you, Spike and Xander, to consider the full proposal before deciding that we are deliberately jeopardizing your safety. Now… can we all discuss things sensibly… please?!”
Spike slumped a little and turned his attention to the watcher. It was Xander who spoke for both of them. “What do you want us to do?”