“I understand that you are here for only a short time, so I am proposing a flight to Rome. We have an apartment there that I believe you, Spike, have been to on a previous occasion. Your task is a simple one. The Initiative knows the apartment is owned, or at least frequented by the slayer and her friends. As two males I don’t think you should raise much suspicion. We know the Initiative will be watching but do not think they will act at this stage. We need you to track the trackers as it were. Find out their modus operandi and the location of their European base. We will do the rest.”
Spike looked incredulous, “Which would be what exactly?”
“We intend working through clandestine means to shut them down – that will take both government and private groups to work together.”
“You mean non human?”
“Well some, but primarily this bunch of misguided mercenaries is threatening *everyone* who has a less than pure human pedigree or magical background, and all for their own gain.”
Xander squeezed his mate’s hand hard, they shared a knowing glance then the brunette spoke up “Right, say we do this ….where are our special OO7 toys Q? Or perhaps that should be ‘G’?!” Willow giggled a little then sobered as she caught the scowl from Giles.
“This is no joking matter Xander. If you take this on, as Spike more than adequately pointed out previously, you are risking yourselves if found out. I can only imagine what the Initiative would make of a mated Consort and Master in terms of their studies and the way they might use you were you discovered.”
“So why us?”
“We trust you and know what you are capable of achieving.”
“You also trust Willow, so why us?”
“It’s about the Initiative – and they don’t know you… “
“And they know Willow?”
“Oi, They know me… or have you forgotten ‘Hostile 17’ *watcher*?!”
“This is not the same group Spike, they don’t know your history – or you for that matter…. According to all records you have died… twice as far as they are concerned - three times if one reads the watcher reports of the W&H showdown. It is imperative that we shut this group down Spike… you *do* realize that they pose a threat to all creatures of demonic origin, soul or no soul – and indeed threaten partners of the same?!”
Xander grabbed his partner possessively. Spike’s eye’s were golden “Of course I *bloody* do you wanker! *No one* touches Xander!”
“Good then we are agreed. Your plane will be waiting at Gatwick in two days’ time… in the meantime I suggest we all relax and enjoy present company.”
With that Giles withdrew followed by a number of the younger slayers and watchers privy to the meeting, leaving Spike, Willow, and a returning Dawn to their own devices.
“The party is a ‘go’!” Dawn announced with a grin and particularly affectionate hug for Spike.
“Thanks B…Dawn You’re a gem!” Spike’s use of her real name caused the young woman to blush profusely then sigh and relax into the arms of a ‘brotherly hug’.
Willow had lined Xander up for her ‘resolved stare’. Arms folded she smiled as her long time friend cringed in anticipation of the ‘Willow Inquisition’, instead he found himself with what seemed to be a lapful of best friend and confidant he knew from pre Tara.
As she hugged him the mantra was consistent, “I am *so* happy for you! Goddess…. Xan! And the whole Robin Hood look and the clothes and … Oh Xan! After Jesse and you kept … Oh I am *so* happy for you… and Spike! …” At this point the wiccan stopped and looked over to the blonde, “ I never really saw how beautiful he was… Inside and out.”
“Yeah… and he’s mine.” The ‘mine’ carried all manner of loving thoughts, firstly directed at his partner but also now, by the honest and unprompted revelation, an admission to his best female friend.
Willow squeezed her friend’s arm. “I’m *so* glad.” Then reached over and kissed a rather stunned Spike on the cheek… “You are my two favourite men, I am *so* happy for you… So the whole ‘gay me up’ was for real huh?” Willlow gave a wicked grin.
“Happy and Gay. Or, oh, um, *pink* (or should that be purple and green) friend o’ mine!” Xander leaned over and kissed the witch on the forehead.
Willow slapped him lightly and without intent. “Cheeky!”
“That’s me! Xanman the cheeky, capable of blushing with minimum prompting and loving the good spanking… and Oh God, I just over stepped some line didn’t I…”
Spike raised his eyebrows as Willow giggled conspiratorially. “Somethin’ you’ve not told me pet??”
Xander’s blush extended all the way past his belt line. He looked to his childhood friend “Gahh! See?! Now I am gonna have to …. Ahhh what the heck!”
He raised an eyebrow to Spike then pulled Willow into a tight embrace again and kissed her cheek. Xander’s demeanor changed, “You really think we can help?”
“I think you can. Xan we really have tried everything else… but… Godess Xan, they’ve already got three slayers and one of our coven.”
“What?!!”
“We just need to know what we’re up against Xan, and where they are, and we can get them back… we’ll get them back.”
The stricken look on his mate’s face said it all, Spike articulated what he already felt, but it was a ‘blast from the past’ and as he listened to his beloved’s words it was like a knife to his gut, “No question Red. We’ll get them back no matter what. I *know* what those bastards do to ya. Anyway, seems as though the watcher has left you with the clean up job luv. Where’s our tickets then?”
Willow sheepishly handed over their flight arrangements.
Late that night the mated pair lay idly petting each other, both obviously concerned at what they might be facing…
……………………
Dawn’s impromptu party and consequent visits by Willow and Andrew all bearing presents were welcome. The knock on the door signaling their day of departure was less heralded.
A rather disheveled Xander, hastily clad in a pair of inside out sweat pants, answered the door. “Hey Giles, um ‘scuse me…. We were um…” Unmoving, long blonde locks were evident poking out from the bed covers, and the rumpled nature of the sleeping arrangements left little to the imagination.
“Yes well um… Perhaps you and I should …talk… Xander?…” Giles, ever the creature of habit removed his glasses, and indicated an antique lounge in a quiet alcove near the entry hall of their rooms for their ‘chat’. Xander stilled the older man’s hands, stopping the incessant rubbing of glass in its tracks, and forcing Giles to look the very adult Xander in the eye.
“I’m not a child Giles, I’m not the boy you knew any more. I was gay *before* Spike. The difference is that I am happy now.” Xander’s tone dropped and he fixed on the concerned stare of the man who had been a surrogate father when his own was unable to ‘step up’ to the role. “ I am *really* happy Giles. If you can’t accept that then that has to be OK too, I’ve learned that, but I would like to think that you can… accept Spike and me, I mean…”
“Oh Good Lord! Do you think I am utterly senile?! Xander it is perfectly obvious to me that you two are besotted. Spike has always been known for his obsessive devotion to his partner and from what I observe you are similarly stricken in this case.”
“Stricken!!!???”
“Alright… Blessed! Heavens above Xander, what do you want me to say?!”
“Well, given that you have tried to kill my chosen life-partner more than once in the past few years, I guess ‘promise not to do it again’ would be a start…?”
“That’s hardly f…”
Xander pulled down his collar, revealing the deep crimson scar signifying consort and partner. “And if you pull down Spike’s shirt you will see the same. We have claimed *each other* Giles. And for all your watcher wisdom… this is the real deal for me… for *us*… for Spike and I… William and Alexander… Giles? Please be happy for us… I have never really asked for anyone’s blessing on…. Well anything really… But you have been like, well favourite uncle probably is a bit odd ..but… Giles? Babbling here…” Xander trailed off, but it was Giles who looked the more embarrassed.
He broke from his reverie, “Oh good Lord… Do you really think I am *so* staid as to deny you the right to happiness?!” The elder watcher pulled Xander into a heartfelt hug and snorted his bemusement, “You silly boy… Oh blow it all, seems I am compelled to include Spike in this now…. boys! My sincere apologies for not addressing this with you before now…It’s just…. Good Lord Xander… Do you know how proud I am of you?” Giles, sat back, reached over to grab the young man’s hand, and dropped his voice to a near whisper. “I… You… will always be the young man I knew – so hopeful, so loyal, a brave warrior with no requirement to step up and yet volunteered time after time… And after the First… I know you turned down the opportunity for … Well, let’s just say, I had but an inkling of how very strong and capable you were. How strong you will always be… and apparently even more so now… I am fully aware that you have the respect of colleagues, a significant role in your working life, and now a chance at happy partnership…Kudos… But I *am* sorry… My dear fellow, I am so profoundly sorry to have to drag you into this…”
Xander looked up and grinned a little with a light in his eye that signaled the amusement of days long past in a school library of a town that no longer existed… “Hey! I’m a ‘dear fellow’ now?… Guess I’ll be needing a pipe and lounge coat.” He winked at the now rather flustered senior watcher, then sobered and continued, “All jokes aside Giles, The Initiative? It’s bad isn’t it….?”
“I fear for all of us. With the modern technologies and inhumane methods, there seems no limit to what these people might do. And with the world in such turmoil ‘highest bidders’ are not too hard to find if one is trafficking demons.”
“Or any sod who deals in magic. I’nt that right watcher?” Spike was leaning against the doorway, hair rumpled from sleep and clad in a pair of silk boxers, so low slung that they were obviously his partner’s.
“Indeed, magical folk seem also to be a target.” Giles blushed a little as he noted for the third time since the two had arrived, just how ethereally beautiful the vampire truly was. He was surprised to feel just a small pang of jealousy as the perfect male form moved to wrap loving arms around Xander and kiss his ear with fond familiarity.
“We off today then Pet?”
“Giles was just…” Xander looked uncomfortable as Giles took his lead.
“Indeed Spike, I was simply trying to impress upon… well you both now obviously… the gravity of the situation.”
“Yeah we got that, watcher. Now cut to the chase, what do you *really* think is going on?” Spike hugged his partner but memories of the Initiative and it’s German precursor were too close for comfort. Xander felt his lover unwittingly shift to game face.
Giles flinched only a little, saw that Xander’s loving hold on the vampire had not moved, and noted the tender caress of hands that was occurring as Spike’s features shifted back to human. Reminding himself of the ensouled status of the individual in front of him, he continued “We are aware that they are already ‘picking up’ individuals that are of interest to them – None of whom have been found since, so we simply must assume that they are being held for some purpose. (Though for the life of me I am doubtful that a fledgling watcher like David would be of any use to anyone!) Unfortunately it seems fairly certain that the Initiative may have the apartment under surveillance. Though given the last two months, we may have them foiled a little, it is listed as one of many ‘holiday stay’ rental apartments in the wider Rome area and a had been frequented by numerous people unrelated to our group.”
Spike was distracted by thoughts of the Initiative and his time in Sunnydale, and Xander’s head was spinning with vivid images of starvation, hurt and desperation. The brunette grabbed his partner’s hand hard and held on. “Shhhhh, c’mon Spike… we’re in this together…” He turned to face the watcher, “So we what? Go in as the gay couple?”
“Well essentially yes…” Giles handed Xander arrangements for a car, weekend accommodation in Tuscany, and a list of useful contacts. “We have a ‘body heat’ suit for Spike to wear to mask his ‘undead’ status. And *please* don’t look at me like that Spike – it is entirely to do with a discrete undergarment… nothing outlandish I assure you.”
Spike was promptly presented with a lycra like suit with what appeared like metal track throughout. “The controls are on the left wrist band, any detection device will see you with 'normal' body temperature…”
“What about me head then?”
“There are a variety of hats, but quite frankly Spike I think that for the most part you will be observed later at night and well… both of you …” At this point Giles looked distinctly embarrassed, “Let’s just say that it is apparent that you are rarely separated in that timeframe…”
Xander grinned and landed a chaste kiss on the point of his partner’s shoulder. “Well at least we’re consistent!”
Arrangements were made, packing done and the two found themselves at Gatwick ready for takeoff within hours of the discussion.
<<<<<<<<<<<<< Part 5 >>>>>>>>>>>
“I understand that you are here for only a short time, so I am proposing a flight to Rome. We have an apartment there that I believe you, Spike, have been to on a previous occasion. Your task is a simple one. The Initiative knows the apartment is owned, or at least frequented by the slayer and her friends. As two males I don’t think you should raise much suspicion. We know the Initiative will be watching but do not think they will act at this stage. We need you to track the trackers as it were. Find out their modus operandi and the location of their European base. We will do the rest.”
Spike looked incredulous, “Which would be what exactly?”
“We intend working through clandestine means to shut them down – that will take both government and private groups to work together.”
“You mean non human?”
“Well some, but primarily this bunch of misguided mercenaries is threatening *everyone* who has a less than pure human pedigree or magical background, and all for their own gain.”
Xander squeezed his mate’s hand hard, they shared a knowing glance then the brunette spoke up “Right, say we do this ….where are our special OO7 toys Q? Or perhaps that should be ‘G’?!” Willow giggled a little then sobered as she caught the scowl from Giles.
“This is no joking matter Xander. If you take this on, as Spike more than adequately pointed out previously, you are risking yourselves if found out. I can only imagine what the Initiative would make of a mated Consort and Master in terms of their studies and the way they might use you were you discovered.”
“So why us?”
“We trust you and know what you are capable of achieving.”
“You also trust Willow, so why us?”
“It’s about the Initiative – and they don’t know you… “
“And they know Willow?”
“Oi, They know me… or have you forgotten ‘Hostile 17’ *watcher*?!”
“This is not the same group Spike, they don’t know your history – or you for that matter…. According to all records you have died… twice as far as they are concerned - three times if one reads the watcher reports of the W&H showdown. It is imperative that we shut this group down Spike… you *do* realize that they pose a threat to all creatures of demonic origin, soul or no soul – and indeed threaten partners of the same?!”
Xander grabbed his partner possessively. Spike’s eye’s were golden “Of course I *bloody* do you wanker! *No one* touches Xander!”
“Good then we are agreed. Your plane will be waiting at Gatwick in two days’ time… in the meantime I suggest we all relax and enjoy present company.”
With that Giles withdrew followed by a number of the younger slayers and watchers privy to the meeting, leaving Spike, Willow, and a returning Dawn to their own devices.
“The party is a ‘go’!” Dawn announced with a grin and particularly affectionate hug for Spike.
“Thanks B…Dawn You’re a gem!” Spike’s use of her real name caused the young woman to blush profusely then sigh and relax into the arms of a ‘brotherly hug’.
Willow had lined Xander up for her ‘resolved stare’. Arms folded she smiled as her long time friend cringed in anticipation of the ‘Willow Inquisition’, instead he found himself with what seemed to be a lapful of best friend and confidant he knew from pre Tara.
As she hugged him the mantra was consistent, “I am *so* happy for you! Goddess…. Xan! And the whole Robin Hood look and the clothes and … Oh Xan! After Jesse and you kept … Oh I am *so* happy for you… and Spike! …” At this point the wiccan stopped and looked over to the blonde, “ I never really saw how beautiful he was… Inside and out.”
“Yeah… and he’s mine.” The ‘mine’ carried all manner of loving thoughts, firstly directed at his partner but also now, by the honest and unprompted revelation, an admission to his best female friend.
Willow squeezed her friend’s arm. “I’m *so* glad.” Then reached over and kissed a rather stunned Spike on the cheek… “You are my two favourite men, I am *so* happy for you… So the whole ‘gay me up’ was for real huh?” Willlow gave a wicked grin.
“Happy and Gay. Or, oh, um, *pink* (or should that be purple and green) friend o’ mine!” Xander leaned over and kissed the witch on the forehead.
Willow slapped him lightly and without intent. “Cheeky!”
“That’s me! Xanman the cheeky, capable of blushing with minimum prompting and loving the good spanking… and Oh God, I just over stepped some line didn’t I…”
Spike raised his eyebrows as Willow giggled conspiratorially. “Somethin’ you’ve not told me pet??”
Xander’s blush extended all the way past his belt line. He looked to his childhood friend “Gahh! See?! Now I am gonna have to …. Ahhh what the heck!”
He raised an eyebrow to Spike then pulled Willow into a tight embrace again and kissed her cheek. Xander’s demeanor changed, “You really think we can help?”
“I think you can. Xan we really have tried everything else… but… Godess Xan, they’ve already got three slayers and one of our coven.”
“What?!!”
“We just need to know what we’re up against Xan, and where they are, and we can get them back… we’ll get them back.”
The stricken look on his mate’s face said it all, Spike articulated what he already felt, but it was a ‘blast from the past’ and as he listened to his beloved’s words it was like a knife to his gut, “No question Red. We’ll get them back no matter what. I *know* what those bastards do to ya. Anyway, seems as though the watcher has left you with the clean up job luv. Where’s our tickets then?”
Willow sheepishly handed over their flight arrangements.
Late that night the mated pair lay idly petting each other, both obviously concerned at what they might be facing…
……………………
Dawn’s impromptu party and consequent visits by Willow and Andrew all bearing presents were welcome. The knock on the door signaling their day of departure was less heralded.
A rather disheveled Xander, hastily clad in a pair of inside out sweat pants, answered the door. “Hey Giles, um ‘scuse me…. We were um…” Unmoving, long blonde locks were evident poking out from the bed covers, and the rumpled nature of the sleeping arrangements left little to the imagination.
“Yes well um… Perhaps you and I should …talk… Xander?…” Giles, ever the creature of habit removed his glasses, and indicated an antique lounge in a quiet alcove near the entry hall of their rooms for their ‘chat’. Xander stilled the older man’s hands, stopping the incessant rubbing of glass in its tracks, and forcing Giles to look the very adult Xander in the eye.
“I’m not a child Giles, I’m not the boy you knew any more. I was gay *before* Spike. The difference is that I am happy now.” Xander’s tone dropped and he fixed on the concerned stare of the man who had been a surrogate father when his own was unable to ‘step up’ to the role. “ I am *really* happy Giles. If you can’t accept that then that has to be OK too, I’ve learned that, but I would like to think that you can… accept Spike and me, I mean…”
“Oh Good Lord! Do you think I am utterly senile?! Xander it is perfectly obvious to me that you two are besotted. Spike has always been known for his obsessive devotion to his partner and from what I observe you are similarly stricken in this case.”
“Stricken!!!???”
“Alright… Blessed! Heavens above Xander, what do you want me to say?!”
“Well, given that you have tried to kill my chosen life-partner more than once in the past few years, I guess ‘promise not to do it again’ would be a start…?”
“That’s hardly f…”
Xander pulled down his collar, revealing the deep crimson scar signifying consort and partner. “And if you pull down Spike’s shirt you will see the same. We have claimed *each other* Giles. And for all your watcher wisdom… this is the real deal for me… for *us*… for Spike and I… William and Alexander… Giles? Please be happy for us… I have never really asked for anyone’s blessing on…. Well anything really… But you have been like, well favourite uncle probably is a bit odd ..but… Giles? Babbling here…” Xander trailed off, but it was Giles who looked the more embarrassed.
He broke from his reverie, “Oh good Lord… Do you really think I am *so* staid as to deny you the right to happiness?!” The elder watcher pulled Xander into a heartfelt hug and snorted his bemusement, “You silly boy… Oh blow it all, seems I am compelled to include Spike in this now…. boys! My sincere apologies for not addressing this with you before now…It’s just…. Good Lord Xander… Do you know how proud I am of you?” Giles, sat back, reached over to grab the young man’s hand, and dropped his voice to a near whisper. “I… You… will always be the young man I knew – so hopeful, so loyal, a brave warrior with no requirement to step up and yet volunteered time after time… And after the First… I know you turned down the opportunity for … Well, let’s just say, I had but an inkling of how very strong and capable you were. How strong you will always be… and apparently even more so now… I am fully aware that you have the respect of colleagues, a significant role in your working life, and now a chance at happy partnership…Kudos… But I *am* sorry… My dear fellow, I am so profoundly sorry to have to drag you into this…”
Xander looked up and grinned a little with a light in his eye that signaled the amusement of days long past in a school library of a town that no longer existed… “Hey! I’m a ‘dear fellow’ now?… Guess I’ll be needing a pipe and lounge coat.” He winked at the now rather flustered senior watcher, then sobered and continued, “All jokes aside Giles, The Initiative? It’s bad isn’t it….?”
“I fear for all of us. With the modern technologies and inhumane methods, there seems no limit to what these people might do. And with the world in such turmoil ‘highest bidders’ are not too hard to find if one is trafficking demons.”
“Or any sod who deals in magic. I’nt that right watcher?” Spike was leaning against the doorway, hair rumpled from sleep and clad in a pair of silk boxers, so low slung that they were obviously his partner’s.
“Indeed, magical folk seem also to be a target.” Giles blushed a little as he noted for the third time since the two had arrived, just how ethereally beautiful the vampire truly was. He was surprised to feel just a small pang of jealousy as the perfect male form moved to wrap loving arms around Xander and kiss his ear with fond familiarity.
“We off today then Pet?”
“Giles was just…” Xander looked uncomfortable as Giles took his lead.
“Indeed Spike, I was simply trying to impress upon… well you both now obviously… the gravity of the situation.”
“Yeah we got that, watcher. Now cut to the chase, what do you *really* think is going on?” Spike hugged his partner but memories of the Initiative and it’s German precursor were too close for comfort. Xander felt his lover unwittingly shift to game face.
Giles flinched only a little, saw that Xander’s loving hold on the vampire had not moved, and noted the tender caress of hands that was occurring as Spike’s features shifted back to human. Reminding himself of the ensouled status of the individual in front of him, he continued “We are aware that they are already ‘picking up’ individuals that of interest to them – None of whom have been found since, so we simply must assume that they are being held for some purpose. (Though for the life of me I am doubtful that a fledgling watcher like David would be of any use to anyone!) Unfortunately it seems fairly certain that the Initiative may have the apartment under surveillance. Though given the last two months, we may have them foiled a little, it is listed as one of many ‘holiday stay’ rental apartments in the wider Rome area and a had been frequented by numerous people unrelated to our group.”
Spike was distracted by thoughts of the Initiative and his time in Sunnydale, and Xander’s head was spinning with vivid images of starvation, hurt and desperation. The brunette grabbed his partner’s hand hard and held on. “Shhhhh, c’mon Spike… we’re in this together…” He turned to face the watcher, “So we what? Go in as the gay couple?”
“Well essentially yes…” Giles handed Xander arrangements for a car, weekend accommodation in Tuscany, and a list of useful contacts. “We have a ‘body heat’ suit for Spike to wear to mask his ‘undead’ status. And *please* don’t look at me like that Spike – it is entirely to do with a discrete undergarment… nothing outlandish I assure you.”
Spike was promptly presented with a lycra like suit with what appeared like metal track throughout. “The controls are on the left wrist band, any detection device will see you with 'normal' body temperature…”
“What about me head then?”
“There are a variety of hats, but quite frankly Spike I think that for the most part you will be observed later at night and well… both of you …” At this point Giles looked distinctly embarrassed, “Let’s just say that it is apparent that you are rarely separated in that timeframe…”
Xander grinned and landed a chaste kiss on the point of his partner’s shoulder. “Well at least we’re consistent!”
Arrangements were made, packing done and the two found themselves at Gatwick ready for takeoff within hours of the discussion.