Part Three

‘Oi, I like that, Rupert. A bloke tells you he needs help and you accuse him of nefarious deeds!’ Spike’s voice raises just a tad too much in righteous indignation and his Xander stirs. ‘Gotta go, Watcher,’ Spike cuts off Giles’ reluctant apology.

Giles hangs up with a puzzled look on his face and a note to check on Xander soon. Spike is chipped, but still, he thought he heard a soft moan in the background. He sits down abruptly by the phone when he hears muted voices coming from the off-kilter receiver. He recognizes Spike and Xander’s voices and unashamedly listens in.

"No, no, no! I don’t want this, please stop! Josh, no!" Xander is caught up in a waking nightmare. Spike tosses down the phone, so concerned with Xander he doesn’t notice the phone isn’t hung up and the line is still open.

"Xander, luv, wake up. You are still safe. Come on pet, time to open those eyes."

"Spike!" Spike is nearly knocked over as Xander literally leaps out of bed into the comfort and security of his arms. Spike readjusts the distraught youth and sits down on the bed, Xander still wrapped around him like an octopus.

"It’s all right, luv, Spike’s got you." Spike once again found himself petting a trembling Xander.

"I thought I was back in his house, Spike. Men aren’t supposed to be that scared." Xander’s shivering eased and he became aware that the Big Bad was purring. Between the petting and the purring Xander was starting to calm down. Now he just felt ashamed.

"Wha? Not even a vampire can say they like rape, whelp. A little pain and pressuring sure, but I never went in for true force meself."

"That’s reassuring, Fangless." Now calm, Xander falls back on old behaviors.

Giles drops the phone in shock. Xander was raped? By who? He felt distinctly Ripper-like as he contemplated what he had just overheard. This must be what Spike wanted to talk about. Thinking of the conversation he just heard, he was ashamed of not giving the vampire a chance to tell him. He’s impressed with what he’s heard so far and decides to get some information Spike will need after he’s done talking to Xander.

Spike ignores the customary insult and continues petting and purring. Xander finally stops the bluster and for once seems to be at a loss for what to say.

"What do I do now, Spike? Your comment about the guys next door started a nightlong introspection - woah, big word for the Xandman! - where I realized I might be gay. I just wanted some friendly conversation. I didn’t want that, Spike, I really didn’t! I’m telling you the truth, I said no, I did!" Xander grew increasingly agitated. Spike sighed as he realized once again that Xander still had a long haul ahead and scenes like this were far from over. He shushed the now sobbing youth. In the babble Spike kept hearing something about real men not crying. He snorted in derision and continued to soothe and cuddle his ‘real man’.

Meanwhile, Giles was calling in markers to find Xander the care he would need. The first thing on the agenda was a complete physical exam. He realized that may cause a little commotion but decided he would stand firm. It was necessary. After giving his ‘adopted’ son time to recover from that little indignity he would discuss therapists with Xander. Perhaps Spike’s chips would allow him to assist with the first part if it came down to a struggle. After all the intent would be to help, not harm. Then again maybe Xander would see the necessity and just get it over with.

"All right, luv, all right. You can cry more about not being a real man later. We need to talk about what to do now."

"N-now? What do you mean what do we do now? I get on with my life and you get tied back to your chair... well maybe not that last. I mean you are being nice to me. You didn’t get your chip out, did you? Nah, I’d be dead, not cuddling a de-chipped Spike. Oh my, I am cuddling a vampire. A MALE vampire. And I feel safer with you than I did with Josh. This is giving me the wiggins. What do you mean what do we do now?!" The babble ceases abruptly with a repeat of the original statement.

"Oi, whelp. Calm down and talk slower. You can, ‘get on with your life’ as you put it. There’s just a couple of things we need to discuss first. I still have the chip, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t hurt you. Oh bollocks, I care about you, pet. And I care that this is done right. You have to see a doctor, luv. Then later you need to talk to a professional. And most importantly you have to tell the Watcher. Secrets are for birthday presents and rot like that, not things like this. I don’t like it, but Rupert can help. I’ll be here for you as long as you can stand me, pet."

Xander instantly starts protesting, but is silenced by the look on Spike’s face.

"D-do I have to see a doctor? He didn’t, he tried, but he didn’t um..." Xander is too embarrassed to continue.

"Luv, even if he didn’t manage to penetrate you the attempt could have caused some damage. I’ll be right there if you need but you will go if I have to get a migraine making you."

Xander feels guilty at that last and capitulates reluctantly.

"Okay, Spike, you win. Let’s call Giles." Xander is so upset he doesn’t even bother to call Giles by the hated nickname.