Part Seven

Xander woke up aware of two things. One that he was sitting in a bathtub full of now cold water and two, there was a fully clothed vampire cuddling him. Still feeling some lassitude from the medication and relieved the really bad part was over he got a wicked look in his eyes. Picking up the cup Spike used to wash his hair he filled it with the cold water and proceeded to pour it on his vampire’s head.

"Soddin’ Hell! Are we being attacked?!" Spike cut off when he heard Xander snickering. He was too happy seeing his mate laugh to actually be mad. He waited until Xander wasn’t looking and gave him a taste of his own medicine.

Giles woke up to the sounds of a water fight in his bathroom. He got out of his chair so fast he tipped it over. Ignoring the chair he ran into the bathroom.

"Now see here gentleman, cease that!" Too bad he has a fluffy bathmat. One shoe crossed the mat just fine but the other caught. The Spike and Xander water show was ended abruptly when a very proper English man landed ass over tea kettle in the bathtub. This took care of most of the rest of the water left in the tub and gave Xander a more intimate look at Giles’s butt than he ever wanted. Spike was too busy moaning in pain as his bits were squished to appreciate the humor of Giles’ pratfall. Giles scrambled out of the bathtub, trying not to place his hands in inappropriate places in the process. This achieved, he started cleaning his glasses only to realize his shirt was wet.

"Just bloody wonderful!"

"G-Man?" Xander’s emotions are so very fragile and he is worried that Giles is mad at him.

Spike thanks vampire healing for his quick recovery and comforts his Xander.

"Its all right, luv, Watcher’s not mad, " he says as he lifts Xander out of the tub and helps him into the robe Giles is holding.

"Right, Rupes?" Spike glares, the Watcher had better say yes.

"What!? Oh. Oh! Certainly not Xander. I was just reacting to the situation. I’m not mad or even upset with you." Giles gently unfolds him in a very unexpected hug. Both pull away embarrassed but not sorry.

"Right then, luv, let’s get you dry n’ dressed. Does your bum hurt?"

Xander looks at Spike, clueless. "My what?!"

"Your ass, whelp, does your arse hurt?" Spike looks a bit exasperated. Tip-toeing around a hurting human is difficult for the normally snarky blonde. He will do anything for his mate but he can only be so nice for so long.

"No, Spike, not right now." Xander flushes with embarrassment. It seems lately that everyone around him is concentrating on his butt. Before this he didn’t think all that much about it.

"Let’s go then, luv, don’t want you getting chilled." Spike leads Xander out of the bathroom leaving a frustrated Giles still staring at his glasses and wet shirt.

"Rupes, just use a dry towel!" Spike shouts over his shoulder.

"I assure you, I am perfectly capable of realizing that, Spike." Giles says dryly.

Spike snorts and sits Xander on the bed, his manner changing instantly.

"Let Spike dry you off, Pet. Water got a bit chilly while you napped." He takes a big fluffy towel and thoroughly dries Xander, avoiding any private bits. Now that the medication is wearing off Xander is trembling with reaction.

"Oh God, Spike, I hated it. It felt like it was happening all over again. A second rape. I’m tired of having people’s hands in my ass! I never want that again. I have had more people looking at my bare butt in the last couple of days than in the last 19 years. I am so glad its over." Xander leans forward and hugs his vampire.

"I know I haven’t been very nice to you, Spike. But after Angel offered me to you as a snack then you hit me over the head, well, I just didn’t think I was more to you than food. But then I was ra- then this happened and you have been there every step of the way. I guess what I am trying to say is I’m sorry for before and thank you for not holding it against me. I don’t know what you are to me yet. I am still hurting. But I know I always want you around. You give me sympathy and respect my feelings but if there’s something necessary to do you don’t hesitate to make me go through with it. Then you are there for me when I do. I’m not saying that’s my last tantrum but I can count on you to do what’s best for me whether I want you to or not. And besides, I have to keep you. You pet nice, " patented Xander grin a little weaker but still there.

"Soddin’ Hell, I don’t pe-" Spike breaks off as he realizes he is indeed petting Xander again.

"To borrow a Giles expression; ‘Yes, quite’". Xander just looks at Spike. His vampire. He has his very own vampire! Can I keep him Ma, he followed me home!

"Cheeky, git, " but its said with affection. "Luv, I have an errand to run. I want you to stay here with the Watcher. I’ll be back." Spike pulls the covers up to Xander’s chin. "I want you to eat." Spike glares at Xander and he leaves his protest unvoiced. "You will eat, Pet. We’ll have words when I get back if you don’t."

"Yeah well, chipped vampire, what are you gonna do? Glare me into submission?" Xander snickers and Spike has to hide his delight at hearing him joke again. He’s supposed to be stern with him, not think it’s cute for Xander to talk back to the Master Vampire.

"Laugh all you want, whelp, I’m leavin’ you with Giles and he isn’t chipped." Spike gives one last smirk and leaves the room with a swirl of his duster. He and Giles exchange a knowing look as he heads out the door.

"Make sure he eats, Watcher. I will be back."

"I know how to take care of a 19 year old boy, Spike. One of us has to stay with him. Get in a few for me." Giles ends with a curiously Spike-like smirk and hands something to Spike for him to stash in his duster.

"Aye... Ripper, will do." Spike puts the package in his coat and leaves his Xander in Giles capable care.

"Remember, Spike, you will only have one hour."

"It’ll be enough." Spike leaves quickly, he has a lot to do before morning.

Spike gives an evil laugh that would have made Giles cringe and HE knows Spike is chipped. But Spike can’t harm humans... right?