Part Nineteen A

Giles is the first one awake the next morning. He carefully shoves the vampire’s leg off his own, then slides Xander’s arm off his stomach. Both males grumble but then curl around each other. Giles creeps down to the kitchen and starts making breakfast.

Xander blinks sleepily, the wonderful smells downstairs are making his stomach rumble. He looks over and sees Spike sniffing the air with his eyes still closed.

"C’mon, Spike, let’s go. G-Man’s got breakfast!" Xander pulls the vampire out of bed and snickers when Spike rubs his eyes like a child. Having a human Mate is really messing with his vampire sleeping schedule.

Spike scowls at the snicker but he can’t stay irritated with that scent tickling his nose. He blindly follows a bouncing Xander down the stairs and into the kitchen. He sits down in the chair Giles indicates and gropes for the source of that enticing smell. His fingers curl around a cool, smooth, handle and he lifts the cup to his lips. Flavor explodes across all of his senses and he almost moans with pleasure. Human blood! This was no livestock special and it practically vibrates with life. In fact, it smells familiar.

"For pity’s sake, Spike, it’s just blood, not a bloody orgasm. I didn’t donate it so you could let it get cold," Giles says crossly.

Xander chuckles and then notes the Band-Aid at the crook of the Watcher’s arm.

"Wow, G-Man. First you cuddle him then you give him some of your blood. Should I be jealous?" Xander starts giggling.

Twin scowls directed his way just causes him to laugh harder.

"Do not call me that, Alexander."

Xander stops laughing and tucks into his sausage and eggs.

"I merely thought Spike could use a dose of human blood and I had forgotten to purchase any. I do have some to spare," Giles sniffs and drinks his coffee.

"Ta, Watcher, didn’t know you were such a Nummy Treat," Spike smirks, Giles snorts into his coffee and Xander makes a noise suspiciously like a snicker.

"I do suppose that is a vampire’s idea of a compliment. You are welcome, William," Giles says with an eye roll.

Spike finishes his blood and slowly and almost whimpers when he realizes it’s gone. Xander starts giggling at the look on Spike’s face but it turns into an, ‘ew’ when the vampire starts licking the inside of the cup.

"Can I just say EW again? That is so gross, Spike!"

"Oi, Whelp, seen you lick leftover ketchup off your plate," Spike says indignantly.

"That is so not the same! You are drinking ‘Dad’s’ blood and enjoying it. More like worshipping it!" Xander says with distinct revulsion.

"Ta, Pet, ‘M a vampire. You like that Hostess rot. Can’t help it if Rupes tastes so bloody good."

It’s pretty apparent Spike is only keeping this going to rile Xander.

"Ewwww! Keep talking and I’m so gonna lose my breakfast," he gives a shudder and Spike smirks.

Giles is torn between wondering if he should feel flattered his blood tastes so good to the vampire or if he should start wearing garlic.

Spike deliberately licks his lips just to see Xander make his Ew face again. He looks so cute with his nose all wrinkled up. Giles rolls his eyes at both of them.

"If you two are quite finished discussing the merits of my blood, you might notice it is almost time for Daniel to arrive," Giles interrupts dryly.

"Ulp, n-now?" Xander gulps.

Spike glares at the Watcher, he had the boy all relaxed.

Giles sighs and grabs his paper to read in the living room.

"You are letting him win too much, Spike," he says firmly as he leaves.

Spike continues to glare until the Watcher is out of sight.

"C’mon, luv, time to get dressed," Spike expedites things by picking up the protesting youth and hauling him up the stairs. He hears Giles greet Daniel and figures he doesn’t have much time.

"Spike, I feel fine!" as his pajama top is replaced by his shirt.

"My butt doesn’t hurt anymore and I can walk on my feet," off comes the pajama pants and on go the jeans.

"Okay, okay, they both still hurt but it hasn’t been a whole week so that’s probably okay. They don’t hurt near as much, anyway."

Spike puts on his socks and shoes and picks him up once again. This time he slings him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He takes him downstairs and stops in front of Giles and Daniel.

"Ready, doc," he walks out the door and puts Xander in the doctor’s unlocked car. He does NOT always let the boy win.

Part Nineteen B

Giles and Daniel look after Spike, bemused.

"Well that’s my cue, Rupert. I guess I better leave before your vampire tries sitting on him. We’ll be in touch," Daniel leaves before Giles can respond.

"Bloody Hell, man, he’s certainly not MY vampire," he responds, horrified. Its bad enough Spike is his son’s vampire without that terrifying thought. He watches as Daniel gets in his car and drives away. Xander’s face is pressed to the back window and he sighs, hoping this visit doesn’t end in disaster. He chuckles briefly as he remembers the sight of Xander slung over Spike’s shoulder.

"Spike, I don’t want to go!" Xander whines.

Spike grits his teeth; he will not let the boy win, even if the whining his hurting his soddin’ ears.

"We should be there in just a few more minutes, Xander," Daniel interjects calmly.

"If we’re just a few minutes from your office then we’re also just a few minutes from home," he retorts with a glare.

Spike snorts and Daniel laughs.

"Not goin’ home, luv," Spike manages to spit out.

Frustration is causing the vampire to shift in and out of game face. His speech is a little strange with fangs flashing in and out.

Xander sinks down in the seat and sulks.

Daniel pulls into the underground garage just as the sun finally makes an appearance. Spike looks around to make sure nobody sees him and relaxes in relief. The whole ride he could feel the sun itching between his shoulder blades.

"William, I was very aware of the time for sunrise. If we had been delayed I would have done this," and he flicks a switch in the car.

Xander is startled out of his sulk as the windows turn into sun shutters. He snickers as Spike goes into game face and growls.

Spike snorts, he will not admit he was scared nor will he confess admiration for the nifty windows. And he was not surprised by them. He went to game face because... well, he just felt like it, so sod off!

"No need for show an’ tell doc, wasn’t worried." So saying, he slings Xander over his shoulder.

"William, speaking as his doctor that looks disturbing," Daniel shakes his head and leads the vampire through the offices.

Sandy smirks at Spike as they walk by her desk. He growls at her and she yawns. Spike sulks as they walk up the steps to the second floor. Daniel opens the door to the exam room.

"Put him in there, please. I’ll be back in a minute."

Spike drops Xander on the table and takes a seat in the chair.

Daniel heads into his office and pushes the button on the intercom.

"Xander is here. I’ll buzz you if I need you," he tells his brother. After getting an acknowledgement he walks across the hall to the examination room.

"William, please help Xander out of his clothes and into a gown. They are in the drawer at the end of the table. I’m just going to gather my equipment and wash my hands."

"Right doc, let’s go, luv," Spike rummages in the drawer and picks out a blue gown with yellow ducks. He hands it to Xander with a smirk.

"No way, Spike! I’m not wearing a kid’s gown," Xander yells stubbornly.

"Actually, that is an adult gown, Xander. Manufacturers of exam gowns use some pretty silly fabrics," Daniel interjects.

"Don’t care, pick another, Spike," Xander pleads.

Spike is frustrated. He’s tired of everyone calling him William and he doesn’t want to make his Mate do anything else. Digging through the gowns he finds one that will stop this argument-to-be in its tracks.

"Here, luv," he smirks as he hands Xander a bright pink one with little white bows.

"Gah!" Xander drops the gown in disgust and glares at Spike as he takes the blue one. He reluctantly strips off his shirt and jeans then quickly pulls the gown over his head.

Daniel looks over as Xander pulls off his jeans and watches him pull the gown on with a frown.

"Boxers too, Xander," he says firmly.

"What! Uh-uh! I’m not taking them off," Xander’s just about had it.

Unfortunately for him, so has Spike.

"Pet, boxers off. Listen to the doc," he tries.

"Spike, it hasn’t even been a week. It was supposed to be a week. Let’s go home and in a week I’ll cooperate," he grins.

Spike grins back at his Mate. He continues to grin as he holds Xander down and rips the underwear off. He even grins as he tears them to shreds.

Xander gulps and when Spike lets him up he sits quietly on the bed.

Daniel watches this interchange with a raised eyebrow and ignores Spike’s glare. He picks up the tray with the blood equipment and walks over to Xander. The teen looks at the needle wide-eyed.

"Spike..." and that’s as far as he gets.

"Not one word, whelp, or I use me fangs for this instead of him using the soddin’ needle," Spike snarls.

"Ulp, ‘kay," and Xander holds his arm out meekly.

Daniel braces the arm on the table, ties a piece of rubber tubing around his upper arm, swipes the crook of the elbow with alcohol and reaches over for the syringe.

"Okay, Xander, quick pinch," and the needle slides in.

Other than his eyes widening at the sharp prick Xander doesn’t react. It doesn’t have anything to do with Spike flashing his fangs when Daniel turned to get the needle.

Spike gives a satisfied smirk as the blood is drawn without incident.

Xander waits until the needle is out and Daniel turned around again before he sticks his tongue out at the vampire. Spike vamps out and sticks his own tongue out between fangs.

Daniel is in the process of tagging the vials when he hears the giggling. He grins at the vampire and Spike shrugs.

"No free taste test this time, doc?" Spike smirks.

"No, William, I need to give Jose something to do in the lab," Daniel laughs.

"Ewwww," Xander scrunches his face up.

"‘M a vampire, luv," Spike retorts.

Daniel shakes his head at the by-play, putting on his gloves while the vampire distracts the youth.

"That is so gross Spike. Hey, do I taste as good as G-Man?" he asks curiously.

"Dunno, whelp, Watcher tastes pretty good," he says as he exaggeratedly smacks his lips.

"William, sit on the table please. Okay, now lay down across his lap Xander. No, not like that. Lean against the edge of the table."

Xander continues to argue with Spike as Daniel lifts up the bottom of the gown and lays it on his back.

"Okay, only one finger and really quick. Here we go," and Daniel parts the teen’s cheeks gently.

"Eep!" Spike takes a firm hold before Xander can bolt. He uses one hand to pet his hair.

"Deep breaths, luv," Spike says lovingly.

Daniel is a little concerned the tears seem to be inflamed.

Xander shivers and tries to ignore the doctor touching him.

"William, have you been putting the medicine in the bath water and applying the cream?" Daniel questions sternly.

"Whelp’s been tired a lot," Spike says defensively.

"Let him go William, we need to have a little chat," Daniel says, glaring at the vampire. He covers Xander back up and waits until the Mates are sitting normally.

"William, you are a Master Vampire and Mated with a human. It is your responsibility to make sure your human is take care of. The fact that he is a minor makes it even more important. If you have to sit on him to do it, Xander must do what I tell him," Daniel chastises the vampire.

Xander is smirking at Spike’s lecture when the doctor turns on him.

"And you, young man. William may be a pushover when it comes to his Mate, but you are old enough to understand he is concerned for you and not push. I know that means enduring some unpleasant things. Sometimes we, as doctors, need to touch you when you would prefer we don’t. At nineteen years old you know you’ll have to grin and bare it. Pun intended," Daniel finishes firmly.

"But it hasn’t even been a week and it hurts when Spike touches me there! That medicine you gave me for the bathtub stings," Xander states sullenly.

"Xander, if those tears don’t start healing better its going to really hurt when I lance them to drain infection. As it is, if you had let Spike do as I requested this would be your last exam. You have to come back next week," he finishes quietly.

"Next week??! But!"

"Don’t but me, young man. And stop telling Rupert and William that you are tired just to get out of whatever you don’t want. You have both of them worried you are sick and we both know that’s not true."

Xander gulps then looks at Spike.

"Sorry, Fangl-er, Spike," he fiddles with the gown and won’t look at Daniel.

"S’okay, Pet. Doc’s right, though," he pauses," Xander," Spike waits until the teen looks up, startled by Spike using his name. He takes his chin in his hands.

"Not winnin’ anymore, luv. Love you, you git, an’ I’ll make you cooperate if I have to," the vampire says with resolve in his expression.

"Eep," is Xander’s sheepish response. He doesn’t bother to say he won’t fight him anymore. He will try harder but both men know the boy doesn’t always react positively when he’s scared.

"Never hurt you if I don’t need to pet, promise," Spike holds Xander close for a minute. If he weren’t a vampire this would be called a hug.

Daniel gives them a minute.

"Okay, let me see your feet," Daniel states as he pulls Xander’s legs to where he can examine the soles of Xander’s feet.

He notes approvingly that all of the cuts are clean and even the worst are healing nicely.

"You and Rupert did a good job, William. There is nothing further that needs to be done. Continue to keep them clean, let him walk on them unless they become sore, and no more panic attacks barefoot," Daniel smiles.

Xander blushes, "G-Man and Spike bought me a pair of slip-ons just for that," he says with a red face.

Daniel laughs.

"Whelp all done, doc?"

"Yeah, can I go home yet?" Xander asks hopefully.

"Just let me give you your instructions, William. Give Xander a medicated bath at least once a day. He needs to soak for about half an hour. Check the tears when he is dry and apply the cream I gave you every time. No exceptions. If he hollers, apply it anyway. If he refuses, hold him down and apply it anyway. If he falls asleep, quietly apply it anyway. If at anytime you see red streaks, white streaks, etc., call me. However if you do what I just told you there won’t be any infection," he says with a scowl directed at both of them. Then he walks over to the drawers and gets out the biggest needle he can fine, showing it to Xander.

"THIS is what I will use to drain those if they do become infected. It’s not fun Xander, but the alternative is worse."

Xander gulps.

"Okay William, let him get dressed. Do you want to speak to my brother before you go Xander?"

"He’s not already busy?" Xander is surprised.

"No, we run these offices a little differently. We each only see two patients a day and our appointments are concurrent. You would not be the first patient to talk to Alex after my tender mercies," he grins.

"I-I’d like to talk to him if I can," Xander confesses.

"Get dressed and come on down to his office. I’ll let him know you are coming," Daniel smiles and leaves.

"Coming, Spike?" Xander requests.

"Not goin’ without me, luv. Lets get your kit on," the vampire helps Xander with his clothes and smirks when Xander realizes he no longer has boxers and it’s his own fault and proceeds to blush.

"No more fights with Master Vamps, luv," Spike says with a tight grin.

"Still say it’s not fair," Xander mutters.

Spike ignores him and they both walk down the stairs and into the room they were in just a day ago.

Part Nineteen C

Alex meets them in the doorway and shuts the door behind them.

"You survived your appointment, I see," Alex grins and Xander gives a small smile.

"Yeah, it was okay... Still tired of people touching me and now I have to come back in a week," Xander leans against Spike for comfort. The vampire puts an arm around him and pets his hair.

"Still having a real problem with touch?"

"Yeah and now that Spike’s my Mate its even worse. Most of the time touching him comforts me. Other times... I fight him when he has to touch me to do stuff," Xander admits.

"Ah... Well why don’t we go ahead and start the touch therapy. For right now all we need is William, but later on I need you to bring a friend. I don’t want it to be Rupert, either. It won’t help to pick someone you already trust.

There are two parts to this first exercise. I want you and William to lay naked on a bed. You could also sit on a couch. You don’t have to touch him. I just want you to get used to being around a naked man without panicking."

"Whelp’s not gonna sit naked with this friend," Spike interrupts.

"No William, this exercise is for becoming intimate. There are other exercises for friendship. I need you to keep your hands off Xander when you do these unless he tells you its okay.

The other exercise is for the bathtub. I want you to make Xander a very relaxing bath. Lots of warm water, bubbles, candles, low lights, etc. Make it as peaceful as you can. Put Xander in the water and sit behind him. I want you fully clothed for now and him naked. If he has a problem leave his underwear on. Needless to say, if he’s panicky, wait a while. This is supposed to be helpful, not terrify him. Do you both understand all right?"

Xander’s head is swimming and he looks at Alex with glazed eyes. Spike takes one look at him and picks his Mate up in his arms.

"Got it, doc, see ya next visit," and he carries Xander out of the room to the entry door. Daniel is waiting for them and leads the vampire back to the car. Spike lays Xander down in the back seat then slides in beside him. Daniel gets in and switches the sun protection on. Spike pulls Xander up and cuddles the youth as they head back to Giles’. Daniel pulls as close to the open garage as he can. He opens the dash and gets a spray bottle out.

"Give me your hand please, William."

"Wot?"

"It’s a sun spray Alex developed. I wouldn’t give this to a typical vampire in off the streets. The average nightwalker would use it for daytime feedings. Cover all of your skin with it from head to toe. It will give you two hours of safe sun exposure. If there is an emergency and you have to stay out and you have forgotten your spray you will have two more hours but a nasty sunburn as well. Two hours of protection free of harm then two more hours of a bad sunburn before you go up in flames. He’s working on a solution that will double the time. Alex often is working on things for our demon patients. He likes to putter in the lab. Anyway, don’t let any other vampires steal it and tell us when you need more. Take care of Xander. Remember what I told you about letting him get away with so much. Now put this blanket on and dash into the garage before you fry yourself trying to get your Mate in the house. Let me spray your hands so you don’t have to cover them," Daniel grins at the stunned vampire. Spike shakes off the open jaw look and lets him spray his hands. Daniel rolls his window down a crack and Spike cautiously extends one finger. When it doesn’t burn or even feel hot he grins. He wraps the blanket around himself and Xander, then dashes through the garage. Daniel drives off.

Spike sets his Mate down on the sofa. Giles hears them come in and enters just in time to see Spike stripping in the middle of his living room. Xander is asleep so Giles tries to yell quietly.

"What in the Bloody Hell are you doing?! Spike, do put your clothes on! William!" Giles says, bewildered.

"Oi Watcher, keep yer knickers on. Just testing somethin’," Spike smirks.

"William, MY knickers are not presently off. And you are TESTING my patience," Giles growls.

Spike ignores the Watcher and coats his now nude body with the spray.

Giles watches as Spike stands behind his front door then opens it carefully and systematically exposes various parts of his body. He raises one eyebrow when the vampire never starts burning. He drags the madly grinning vampire inside, shutting the door.

Spike raises a scarred eyebrow as the Watcher runs a hand over the vampire’s unburned skin.

"Remarkable," Giles is so impressed he doesn’t notice he’s touching a naked Spike rather intimately.

"Like feelin’ me up, Rupes?" Spike leers.

Giles suddenly notices he is on his knees at Spike’s groin running his hands over the vampire’s upper thigh and stands up so quickly he staggers, nearly falling over.

"Bloody Hell," he says quietly as he starts a furious glasses cleaning.

"Oi, thot I was going to get me first blowjob from a Watcher," Spike sulks.

"Yes, well, shut up, Spike," Giles sighs.

Spike smirks again and Giles glares at the vampire.

"Got it from the doc, can stay in the sun four hours. He trusted me with it," Spike says with a proud grin. Nothing can upset him right now.

"Ah, well, Daniel. I see. What did he have to say about Xander?" Giles states, still flustered.

"Doc said whelp’s walkin’ all over me and chewed me out bout taking better care of him," Spike scowls then grins again.

"Did he give you any specific instructions?" Giles asks, exasperated.

"Said Xander needs more cream and gotta give him more medicated baths. Somethin’ bout him getting an infection. Gave me permission to sit on ‘im," Spike smirks.

"Excuse me?" Giles says with fire in his eyes.

"Relax, Watcher, bloke just told me I gotta medicate him even if he don’t want it," he sighs.

"Said whelp might be getting infected so we gotta make him let us help. Lectured me right good, you’d be proud," Spike snorts.

"Ah, I see. Very well then, lets get him upstairs. He will sleep better in bed," Giles picks him up before Spike can.

"My Mate, Rupes, vamp strength, give ‘im ‘ere," Spike holds his arms out.

"My SON, William and I wish to carry him. Do go upstairs and turn down the blankets rather than bicker about petty details," Giles says sternly.

Spike sulks but stomps up the stairs to get the bed ready.

Giles waits until the vampire is out of hearing before groaning. He loves Xander with all his heart but the teen is not small. He gets a better grip and trudges up the stairs. Outside the doorway he takes a deep breath and straightens back up. His posture is fairly normal by the time he kicks the door open carefully and the vampire looks up from his task.