Part Eleven

Spike cringes, how could he have been such a git! His Xander seemed to be doing so good. He takes two steps back for every step forward. Will he ever be okay?

"Spike, since you opened your gob you need to explain this to Xander," Giles interrupts the start of a Spike channeling Angel broodfest.

"Right, I still have me chip, luv. Watcher an’ I wanted to make that arse wipe pay for hurting you. Rupes gave me some mojo, deactivated the chip so I could torture that Josh wanker. He made me mad, drained him dry, end of story."

"Really, Spike, that is your best attempt at reassurance?"

"Vamps don’t do reassuring," Spike snorts.

Giles glares and Xander just sits there with a blank look.

"Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Watcher. Said vamps don’t do reassuring, never said this vamp doesn’t," he smirks. Then he pulls Xander to his chest and starts petting his hair. When the trembling eases he stops humming but never ceases the soothing petting.

"Now, luv, tell Spike all about it. What’s bothering you the most, pet?"

"Its just-I know he was a bad man and you and G-Man were just trying to help, but I just wanted to forget. Okay, I wouldn’t have minded if Giles beat him up a little. Draining by a vampire is just so... final. He deserved to meet Bubba in jail, not so sure about the dead thing. What’s done is done, I guess. Just wish you and Giles had talked to me. Its like it left something unfinished," Xander replies softly," And okay, I could see Spike doing that without a chip. But for Giles to help you hurt a human, even a bad human, its just I was a little surprised. I’m okay, just give me some time to think about all this."

"Got it, luv, time I got." Spike soothes his mate.

"Of course, Xander. I quite understand the need for time," Giles sits down beside the two and rubs Xander’s back. He gives all of them a few minutes to just revel in healing touch.

"Quite. Well I hate to be the fuddy-duddy but we still need to talk. Would you like something to eat or drink before we start?" Giles asked.

"Yeah, how ‘bout a Coke and a Twinkie?" Xander suggested.

"Right, Pet, I’ll get it. Feelin’ a bit peckish, meself."

"Hey, Fangless, don’t mix the drinks up. That would not be of the good," Xander gives a shudder.

"Oi, whelp, can tell soda from blood," Spike snorted then belied the seeming disdain by carefully transferring his precious burden into Giles’ lap. After a brief moment of surprise the Watcher gathers up the youth.

"Don’t break ‘im, Rupes," Spike snickers as he heads off to fix snacks.

"Pillock," Giles mutters as quietly as he can.

"Ta, Watcher!" comes from the kitchen.

Giles sighs, cleans his glasses, and cuddles Xander to his chest. His ‘son’ has been broken, his ‘son’ has been hurt, but his ‘son’ is in his arms and dignity can piss off.

Xander is rather startled when he feels Giles shaking. He reaches up to pat his face and is shocked to feel wetness - Giles is crying.

"G-Man?" Xander questions quietly.

"Its quite all right, Xander. Everything just got to me. I am pleased you weren’t killed. You will heal in time. You are just so broken. I don’t quite know what to do," Giles says softly. He blows his nose then goes back to holding Xander.

Spike comes in to this cozy scene and quietly puts the food down. He sits by the other two men but doesn’t take his mate back. He’s itching to hold him again, but, like it or not, the Watcher needs this too. Giles takes a shuddering breath to clear the last of the tears then gently puts Xander on the couch between them.

"Thank you," Giles says to Spike. Not really expecting a response.

"S’okay, Rupes, I understand," then Giles is treated to a very rare animal-a genuine smile from Spike.

"I hate to interrupt this Hallmark moment, but can we eat now, G-Man?"

"Don’t call me that horrid name, Xander."

"Sorry, Giles, I’m hungry, let’s eat! Hey! I asked for Coke and a Twinkie! This is milk and a cheese sandwich. Where’s my sugary goodness!" Xander whines.

"Not eating that rot till you eat some healthy stuff, whelp. Don’t argue with the vampire or you’ll never see another Hostess snack cake, luv," Spike growls.

"Ulp," Xander starts eating his sandwich, chewing more vigorously when he realizes he’s starving.

"‘S good, Spike!" he compliments around a full mouth.

"Don’t talk with your mouth full, do I have to raise you too?" Spike says with no real malice.

Xander just grins around his sandwich. Giles sighs and Spike snorts.

"Do I get my Twinkie now?" Xander asks with a grin.

Spike rolls his eyes and gives Xander the coveted snack cake. His eyes light up like Spike just told him Hostess home delivers.

"When you two are quite finished worshipping the Sugar God, we need to have that talk," Giles cuts in with an eye roll.

Both Spike and Giles give a look of disgust when Xander stuffs the rest of the cake in his mouth and chews with rounded cheeks.

"Need to teach you manners, Pet," Spike chuckles as Xander swallows then sticks his tongue out.

"Are you two finished?" Giles asked dryly.

"Yep, G-Man."

"Ready, Watcher."

"Why do I bother? Very well, let’s get started. Xander, I have scheduled your first appointment with a psychiatrist I know. You will see him as often as you feel necessary for the next month, then you will see him once a week for six months. I have already discussed Spike with him and he has said he may attend. If you need to talk at other times, Spike and myself are available. Daniel will return for a final check-up at the end of the week. After that you will see a doctor once every year, more often as needed. Until you are no longer a minor, you will live with me. Spike is welcome to stay, but he must behave himself. I think that covers everything. Do you have any questions?" This last is drowned out.

"Oi, I don’t behave! Not a soddin’ animal!"

"Whaddya mean, the doc’s coming back? I thought I was done! What’s with the yearly physical? I’m healthy!"

"QUIET!" both Spike and Xander shut up abruptly.

"Yes, right, now you may speak," they both open their mouths to talk, "ONE at a time please."

Spike gestures to his mate, he said his peace.

"What is this thing about doctors? I know I have to talk to someone but I’m tired of people touching me," Xander says, frustrated.

"You’ll go, whelp. Just have to." Spike says succinctly.

"Ta, Spike. I am sure that is a lot of help to Xander," Giles cleans his glasses. "Xander, Daniel is only coming back for a brief check-up. It will be your choice as to whether he shall become your doctor. I want to make sure you stay healthy so you will continue regular yearly check-ups. We shall discuss education later. There is no arguing, that is just the way it will be. You will be well cared for, whether you like it or not."

Xander laughed, "I think I can handle that."

Spike just smirks and nods at Giles.