Part Eight

Spike lopes down the dark streets. He was wishing on the one hand that he would run into something nasty and get rid of a little pent up aggression. But he also doesn’t have all night to play. Sighing in disappointment he avoids all trouble on his way. The Watcher’s house is not far from Xander’s. It’s not even enough effort to wind him. He approaches the house next door to Xander’s and phase one has begun. He knocks on the door. A young man with dark brown hair and chocolate eyes answers, dressed only in pajama bottoms.

"Yes? It's kind of late for salesmen, honey, " the man replies.

"Sorry to bother you at this hour, sir, but my mate was attacked and I need to call the police. Would you mind terribly if I used your phone?" Spike uses his Victorian manner of speech and a smile to gain access. Underneath the respectable exterior the vampire is itching to rip the mortal’s throat out. If this doesn’t work he’ll have to catch this Josh outside his house. He’s cursing that vampire invite quirk now more than ever. Then again, the stakes have never been higher: this is for Xander.

"No thanks, G-Man, not hungry." Xander’s lying on his side facing away from Giles. His whole posture says leave me be. All he wants is his Spike back.

Giles sits down on the bed and rubs his back.

"Xander, Spike will be back. When he does I want you to have eaten this soup. I don’t want to pour it down your throat but if it comes to that I shall." The soft statement has a much bigger impact than a bit of Ripper’s idea of a threat. He’s just so nice and matter of fact it’s scary.

"Threats, G-Man? Not your usual style." Xander does not even bother to roll over.

"Oh no, dear boy. There’s no threat. That was a promise."

Xander finally rolls over and looks at the Watcher in shock. Whatever he sees in Giles’ eyes causes him to silently sit up and take the tray Giles is holding.

"And don’t call me that horrid name." He sits down beside the bed to make sure Xander eats.

"Wha? Oh no, a friend is watching him for me. We just moved into a new flat and don’t have a working phone. Do you live here... alone?" Spike sits down on the couch as Michael closes and locks the door.

"Oh no, I live with my lover, Josh. I just love your accent, he will die to meet you! I know what you mean about the phone, we just moved in, too. The phone company takes forever. Here’s the phone, help yourself to a drink, I’m going to get Josh." Michael minces out of the room.

Spike waits until he is out of sight before sprinting to the fridge for a drink to put the potion in. He finds a can of soda and quickly mixes the two. Giles told him it would only deactivate the chip for one hour. As he waits for the wanker to show he contemplates what to do about Michael. Xander told him this Michael wasn’t home and therefore wasn’t a part of the rape. If he didn’t think Xander would get upset he would rip them both apart. But if the other man was, argh, innocent... Spike hears voices and sits back down. He is ready for his first sight of Josh.

"Michael! I am sure he is really hot but you don’t have to drag me." He catches sight of Spike at the same moment Spike sees him.

"You arse wipe, how can you rape a 19-year-old boy!" Spike is abruptly in game face and Michael faints dead away. Right, well that takes care of one problem.

"Wow, I hope your voice is as sexy as your - Oh My God." Josh backs up rapidly. He’s such a nice guy, he ignores his passed out lover. "Whoa man, I didn’t rape anyone. I don’t have to take it, it’s given to me. Your boyfriend must have just wanted a taste of the Josh man."

"You plonker, even in England, no means no. I’ll taste you all right!" Spike leaps at Josh, flashing his fangs. Josh screams like a girl as Spike drinks. He’s not even trying to make it painless. Spike’s first taste of live human in a year leaves him feeling nothing but disgust. This isn’t about food. It’s about causing this pathetic human as much pain as possible before he ends his miserable life. He intended a few choice tortures but Josh pissed him off. He can’t even enjoy this meal. All he wants to do is drain this git and get back to his mate. Finally the heart stops and he throws the rapidly chilling body away from him in revulsion. Michael is still out so he steps on him as he goes into the kitchen. The guy may not have been home but he should have known how sick his lover was. The man groans but wisely stays prone. Spike destroys the kitchen looking for booze. Josh left a nasty taste in his mouth. He snorts in disgust at the peach wine coolers but downs one and swipes another to take with him.

He tosses a, "Thanks for the booze, mate, don’t pick such a wanker next time, " and leaves. His Xander is waiting. He walks back to the Watcher’s. He’s sending out such powerful vibes that nothing dares bother him on the way. Giles meets him at the door.

"Well, Spike? You might wipe your mouth before you go to him. There’s a spot of blood in the corner." Giles motions to the corner of his own top lip.

"Right, right. Need to warm up some blood, Watcher. Pillock left a nasty taste in my mouth. Made me mad and I drained him. Made it hurt though." Spike walks past Giles into the kitchen. He prepares a bag of blood and downs it without the customary look of disgust.

"Gah, Rupes, even pig’s blood is better than that bloke’s flavor."

"I-I’m rather impressed, Spike. You were chip free for an hour and yet all you did was avenge Xander. You could have gone anywhere, done anything. That’s just bloody amazing." Giles looks at Spike, astounded.

"Right, well, I only had an hour. No time for vengeance and mayhem at the same time. Would’ve gone on a bloody tear if I had time." Spike smirks.

"Ah, I see. Very well, then. Go see your - go see Xander. He ate some soup but won’t relax unless his vampire is there. He mentioned something about petting?" Giles looks at the vampire with amusement.

"Whelp’s gone barmy. I’ll just go check on him." He starts walking nonchalantly then curses and races up the stairs - Giles’ laughter following him.

"Really, Spike, he’s not a pet!"