CHAPTER 24
What is it now? Willow said,
rather impatiently. She set the large box she was carrying on the
couch. I brought a lot of my spell stuff this time since
you didnt say what you needed. I hope it wont take
too long, Tara and I need to leave in a few hours. What is it,
more treasure, or maybe some kind of protection spell or
Sorry, Pet, Spike grinned.
No magic at all.
No magic? Willow repeated
disbelievingly. Then what do you need me for?
Spike frowned.
Red, theres a whole lot more
to you than a bit of mojo, you know. You ought to get a life.
Smell the roses, shag your lady, that sort of thing.
Willow blushed.
Spike, thats none of your
business, she said weakly.
Right. Well, try this, then,
Spike said. He pointed to the kitchen table. Can you set
that up for Xander so its all ready to go?
A laptop? Willow sat down at
the table, mouth dropping open. Oh, wow, this is top of the
line! Uh, set it up? As in what?
As in whatever needs doing,
Spike said, shrugging. Dunno the first thing about
computers. Only I got him an Internet connection thingy, maybe
you could do that. One of them cable modem thingies, theyre
supposed to be the fastest. That box is supposed to have
everything you need.
Willow poked through the box.
Okay, Ethernet card, firewall,
antivirus software, uh-huh . . . okay, yeah, I can do this. Um,
wheres the connection?
Well, I got two hookups, Spike
shrugged. Over there on that wall, or theres one in
the spare room. Didnt know whether he was going to want an
office like, or whether hed rather be out here with me and
the TV.
Knowing Xander, out here,
Willow grinned. Um, no desk or anything?
I got one, its down cellar,
all set up, Spike said patiently. But I bring it up
here, kind of spoils the Christmas surprise, dont it?
True. Okay, Ill make do.
Spike left Willow alone to work while he
checked the Christmas decorations and presents one last time. He
and Xander had picked out the tree the evening before and bought
the decorations; Spike had set up the tree and decorated it today
just for a lark, hed put a little Count Dracula
figurine on top of the tree instead of an angel. Hed
considered raiding Xanders sex toy box (Xander had scooted
it under the bureau and apparently thought Spike had forgotten
about it) and hanging the toys on the tree instead of ornaments,
but on reflection hed realized that most of them were too
heavy, theyd weigh the branches down. Hed hung up
stockings, too fishnet stockings.
While Willow clicked away on the computer,
Spike wrapped some of the other presents hed bought Xander
black paper, of course, and black satin ribbons. Xander
could keep his red and green stuff. Of course, the really
big one he couldnt wrap and had no intention of trying.
Spike grinned as he thought of Xanders reaction to that one.
There was another present, too, that he
wasnt altogether sure how Xander would take. Mark Allender,
the project supervisor, had passed word up the line about how
Xander had caught the mistake on the job blueprints. Lissik,
without consulting Spike, had put a quiet word in the ear of the
developer, and the developer had had a word with the general
contractor . . . the upshot was that the company wanted Xander to
take some drafting and engineering courses, possibly pursue an
engineering degree, on the companys dime, with the idea of
becoming an in-house project engineer. With a little help from
Lissik, Spike had enrolled Xander in a little-known program where
he could take almost the whole thing by correspondence via his
new computer. All right, the institution catered mainly to demons
and the like who couldnt attend normal schools,
but it was a legitimate school, at least legally speaking. That
way Xander could study from home as his time permitted.
Willow looked to be finishing up when the
telephone rang. It was Giles.
Im terribly sorry to bother
you on Christmas Eve, Giles said. Unfortunately Im
having a bit of trouble translating a scroll that may have some
relevance to our current problem its in a demonic
language Ive never seen before. Since you have a certain
facility with demonic dialects, I was wondering whether you might
be able to join me at The Magic Box and have a look.
Spike snorted.
Only one problem, he said
amusedly. If I go out now, Ill get a bit more of a
tan thans good for me, if you get my drift.
Willow said she was dropping by,
Giles said. Is she still there? She could bring you here on
her way home, and Id be more than happy to bring you back.
In the trunk, Spike said
scornfully. Youre talking two trips in the trunk.
Spike, Id really very much
appreciate your opinion on this, Giles pressed. I
know its inconvenient, but I did want to get this out of
the way so that I neednt bother you over the holiday.
Spike sighed. Giles didnt know Spike
was with Xander, so to speak, and Spike was certain that
Giles concern was more for the sanctity of his own
Christmas holiday than Spikes, but it amounted to the same
thing as far as Spike was concerned. Besides, Spike didnt
want to be disturbed over the holiday.
Right, then, Spike said
resignedly. If Redll bring me, Ill be over.
Willow agreed to transport Spike to the
Magic Box. When Spike remembered that Xander was supposed to be
home early, however, and thought hed better call him on his
cell, Willow shook her head.
Better not, she said quickly.
I mean, what if hes out on a girder or something and
forgot to turn his cell off, and it rings and startles him?
Better just leave him a note, right?
That made sense, and Spike scrawled a note
to Xander and let Willow tape it to the outside of the door while
Spike hid the laptop away. Willow was able to pull her car into
the upper warehouse easily enough, so Spike didnt have to
run out under a blanket to scramble into the trunk, and the alley
behind the Magic Box was comfortably shaded
The scroll Giles had mentioned was in
Rgasi and had absolutely nothing, so far as Spike could see, to
do with Ravyadha, his portals, the Tooth or anything else helpful.
Spike was a bit puzzled he couldve sworn the
Watcher had translated Rgasi before especially when Giles
pressed him to translate the whole lengthy document, even when it
became apparent to Spike that the thing was useless. Giles didnt
look too disappointed, and he thanked Spike for his trouble with
two six-packs of lovely imported stout and some extra packs of
blood. Spike took the beer eagerly and the blood politely,
although the refrigerator was well-stocked enough now that Xander
was down to freezing the Miss Piggy Specials as emergency rations.
Another uncomfortable trunk ride, this
time in Giles car, and then Spike was home. Even from the
warehouse area Spike could hear that Xander was home already,
puttering about in the kitchen, from which the most heavenly
smells emanated, including one that made Spikes mouth water
in a hauntingly familiar way
Then recognition set in and Spike was down
the stairs and through the connecting door in an instant, just as
Xander pulled a pan out of the oven and set it on a trivet. Spikes
mouth suddenly flooded with saliva.
Is that he said,
surprised at how small his voice sounded. He cleared his throat
and tried again. Is that really
Xander grinned.
Roasted chestnuts, he said.
Giles showed me how to do em. This is just part of
them, Ive got a whole bunch, but I didnt want to
spoil dinner, so you can have more later.
Spike sniffed and swallowed before drool
could spill over. The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas;
he couldnt begin to sort them out.
Dinner? he repeated blankly.
Ive only been gone about a bloody hour.
Xanders grin widened.
Uhhhh, got a confession to make,
he said. Ive actually been off all day. I set it up
with Giles went over there and he helped me cook
everything, and then he went to the Magic Box and got you over
there so I could get the food back here. So Ive got all
kinds of English stuff cooked. What I want to know is, why the
hell do you Brits call everything pudding when none of its
really pudding?
Spike was already busy peeling a chestnut
so hot that if hed been mortal hed have worried about
burning his fingers. He popped it in his mouth.
Pudding can be any dessert, he
said with his mouth full.
Yeah, and it can be this Yorkshire
popover stuff too, Xander chuckled. Well, Ive
got that, and for dessert we can try to keep a straight face
while eating something called Spotted Dick. I have my
doubts.
Spike, his mouth stuffed with hot
chestnuts he could barely swallow around the lump in his throat,
watched in amazement as Xander set dish after dish on the table,
motioning to Spike to sit down.
The one thing I draw the line at is
that tripe stuff you talked about, Xander grinned. And
whoever thought of mixing cabbage and mashed potatoes is going to
do more bubble and fart than bubble and squeak, but whatever. And
dont forget to save room for dessert.
Spike reached out and pulled Xander down
into his lap.
Youre dessert, he
whispered huskily in Xanders ear. And Im always
hungry for you.
Xander turned and kissed him hotly, then
pulled back slightly.
So . . . you like? he
whispered.
The slight edge of uncertainty in Xanders
tone choked Spike up again. He swallowed hard and pulled Xanders
head around so he could whisper in his ear again.
No, I dont like. I love it.
Love you. He nipped Xanders earlobe sharply, drawing
a startled yelp, then soothed the sting with a slow, wet lick.
Now sit down and lets eat all these goodies, sod the
dishes after, and then well go open presents early, and
then all thats left to do is decide whether we fuck in the
bedroom or on the living room floor.
Xander got up rather reluctantly he
was flushed and hard but apparently the pleasure of
watching Spike eat his Christmas dinner outweighed the temptation
to beg for instant gratification on the kitchen table. Spike didnt
mind waiting. He didnt have to choose between his lovely
dinner and his lovely Consort; hed have em both, and
he liked em both the same way hot.
Three plates of food later, Spike was
profoundly grateful that hed gotten back in the habit of
eating mortal food. All right, it didnt satisfy his hunger
the way a good hot draught of blood did fresh from the source
preferably fresh from Xander but bloody Hell
it tasted good, especially washed down with a couple of bottles
of good bitters. At last he pushed back from the table and
stretched happily.
Right, then, he said
cheerfully. Whatd you get me for Christmas?
Xander laughed.
It doesnt work like that,
he chided. Come on, lets go open presents.
There were plenty to open, too. Xander
loved the leather duster Spike had bought him very like
Spikes own, only not nearly as weathered Few
good patrols will fix that, Spike chuckled and
blushed at the fleece-liked black leather wrist and ankle cuffs.
Spike just chuckled and gave Xander a leer.
Nobody says you always get to use
them on me, Xander pointed out.
Works for me, Pet, Spike
chuckled.
Xander was flabbergasted when Spike
produced the laptop; Spike hesitantly broached the subject of the
online classes, afraid Xander was going to be angry at him for
interfering then a second later Spike found himself pinned
to the floor under the weight of his Consort.
Youre unbelievable,
Xander murmured after kissing Spike breathless. Mark just
talked to me about that yesterday taking the classes, I
mean. I couldnt figure out a way to do it, I mean, between
work and patrolling and I want to spend time with you too
Then he pulled back slightly, frowning. How the hell
did you find out, though?
Told you, Pet, Spike said
patiently. Building owners a friend of a friend.
Xanders frown deepened.
Spike, you didnt
Didnt do nothing, Spike
said virtuously. Well, except buy the computer and suchlike.
Nah, I just got the news, is all. He cupped Xanders
chin, meeting Xanders eyes squarely. Im proud
of you, you know that?
Xander flushed and pulled away from Spike.
He swallowed hard and turned away, swiping roughly at his eyes
with the back of his wrist.
Uh thanks, he mumbled.
Bloody hell, has nobody ever told the
whelp they were proud of him? Then Spike winced at the
thought. Right. Like who? His bloody parents who beat him?
The fucking Scoobies who ignored him? Right.
Cmere. Spike pulled
Xander roughly back against him and wrapped his arms around him,
holding Xander tight until he felt the mortal relax slowly.
Youre special, you know that?
Spike murmured in Xanders ear. Beautiful and special
and very, very hot. Wouldnt have you for my Consort
otherwise. But what youve done at your job, thats all
your doing, and youve got every right to be proud of it.
Xander was still for a long moment. Then,
shyly, I am.
Damn right. Spike gave Xander
a last squeeze, then released him. Cmon. Got one more
present to show you. Apart from the obvious, that is.
Xander laughed a little shakily.
By a strange coincidence, so do I.
Apart from the obvious. Uhhhh you first?
Right. Spike jumped to his
feet and pulled Xander up. Come on, then.
He was glad now that he hadnt
brought it on into the upper warehouse. Hed left it, in
fact, a couple of streets over to make sure that Xander wouldnt
see it.
Uhhhh . . . Spike? Xander said
uncertainly as Spike pulled him toward the black Expedition.
Are we breaking into SUVs now?
Spike chuckled.
Dont have to, Pet, he
said, pressing the remote into Xanders hand. Try this
on.
Xander went very still, his eyes wide.
Spike? he said in a small
voice. Tell me you didnt buy me an SUV.
Spike snorted.
Kay, Pet, he said.
I didnt buy you an SUV. Feel better knowing Ill
lie for you? Cmon, open it up and have a look.
Xanders hands were shaking so badly
that he had to fumble around several times before he managed to
press the right button on the remote. Spike liked the Expedition
it was roomy, comfortable and black. Hed had it
fitted out with all the deluxe extras power everything,
leather seats, posh stereo system, dark tinted windows, the works.
He stood back and beamed as Xander silently, reverently explored
it. Finally Xander glanced at him rather guiltily after
all, hed probably forgotten Spike existed for a few
minutes, at least.
Spike? Xander cleared his
throat. Ummm . . . its not that I dont love it
God, its fantastic! But, um, why an SUV?
Spike shrugged.
The convertibles nice,
he said. Good to have a classy car for posh occasions. But
you need a workhorse ride, Pet something you can carry
tools in, or bodies, or whatnot. Something reliable that can take
it a bit rough if you need it. Sooo . . . he grinned.
You like it, eh?
I love it, Xander said,
shaking his head. Im still stunned. He ran his
fingers over the leather back seat. It smells like your
coat, he said shyly.
Spike raised one eyebrow.
Yknow, Pet, ought to christen
it properly, he said slyly. Plenty of room in that
back seat.
Xander flushed, and Spike could smell his
renewed arousal, but to his surprise Xander shook his head.
Wait, he whispered. I
want you to see your present first. Please?
Spike pouted slightly it wouldve
been their first shag in a car, and he wanted it
but let Xander drive him back to their building in the new
Expedition. Xander led him into the very back of the warehouse
portion, however, instead of their living area.
Close your eyes, Xander said.
Ive been keeping this at Giles too, but there
was no way I was gonna wrap it.
Spike closed his eyes, grinning. He had a
sneaking suspicion he knew what he was going to see when he
opened his eyes; hed smelled the traces of exhaust on
Xanders clothes.
Okay, now you can open your eyes.
Spike opened his eyes.
His jaw dropped.
Hed more than half expected a
motorcycle, but he hadnt expected this one. It was a
classic Harley Fatboy, chrome everywhere, all the extras.
Somebody, probably the whelp, had had it detailed, and on the
black tank were painted droplets of blood flowing back toward the
seat, as if pushed by the wind.
Holy bleeding Hell, Spike
murmured, awed. He approached the machine slowly, reverently,
like a postulant about to drop to his knees and worship. A moment
later he did drop to his knees to have a good look at the
engine. He fought back the urge to kiss it.
Bloody fucking Hell,
Spike whispered, standing again, trailing the tips of his fingers
across the leather seat.
Er, I take it that means you like
it? Xander said hesitantly. I mean, I dont know
much about motorcycles, and I didnt know if youd want
something, er, lighter, more like a racing bike or maybe
Spike shut the whelp up by sliding his
tongue into the hot mouth. He pulled Xander against him hard,
let Xander feel just how happy Spike was.
I bloody love it, Spike
growled in Xanders ear when hed withdrawn to let the
whelp catch a desperately needed breath.
You realize, Xander panted,
that the moment we show up in either of these, uh,
vehicles, thats the end of the cash youre having such
fun wringing out of Giles, and the beginning of a whole bunch of
questions about how we got these?
Fuck em, Spike muttered
succinctly, nibbling up Xanders throat.
Id uhhhhh!
rather you fuck me, Xander gasped.
Can do, Pet, Spike purred.
About time I get to unwrap my best Christmas present.
And he unwrapped Xander slowly, one
garment at a time, kissing and caressing the newly-revealed
landscape of Xanders body. Xander blushed furiously, and
Spike was glad theyd never shagged in the warehouse before;
the novelty of the situation obviously appealed to Xander too.
Then Spike contemplated his naked Consort standing next to his
marvelous motorcycle and decided there was one final touch he
wanted.
Half a mo, luv, Spike chuckled.
Lets put these back on. Xander blushed twice as
red when Spike put Xanders socks and work boots back on,
but Spike was delighted with the overall effect. Undressed except
for the boots and socks, hard cock standing at attention, Xander
looked beautifully perverse, more naked than naked. For a moment
Spike thought about running to fetch the camera; then he
discarded the idea. He just wasnt prepared to wait that
long.
Uh, Spike? Xander said, still
blushing furiously although he looked far from displeased at
Spikes attention. Am I the only one getting naked
here? And uh do we need something from the bedroom?
For a moment Spike thought that Xander had
read his mind about the camera; then he realized what his Consort
was talking about. He grinned and pulled a tube of lubricant out
of his pocket.
Thought we might want to christen
your new SUV, Spike said, grinning.
Xander glanced around.
Uh, did you hide maybe a sleeping
bag somewhere too? he said abashedly. I mean, Im
all for spontaneity, but cold hard concrete doesnt have a
whole lot of appeal.
Spike licked his lips.
Oh, no, Pet, he said. Got
a much, much better idea than that.
Spike stripped quickly, economically,
then, to Xanders delight, slipped his leather duster back
on.
Boots too? Xander begged.
Spike smirked and put his boots on. He was
rewarded by a violent jump in Xanders erection and a
noticeable increase in Xanders heartbeat and breathing.
Now what? Xander said, rather
breathlessly.
Now we combine Christmas with
pleasure, Spike grinned. He threw a leg over the
motorcycle, chuckling as Xander shuddered at the sight, and
kicked the Fatboy into life. It didnt purr. Cars purred.
This beauty growled, the growl of a predator, a proper
growl that echoed through the large building. Letting the bike
idle, Spike beckoned Xander over.
Now you, he said. No,
here in front of me.
Xander apparently got the idea, because
his blush spread even further downward as he awkwardly slid onto
the bike in front of Spike. Spike pulled Xander back against his
chest, stroking Xanders chest, teasing his nipples,
nibbling on the side of his throat.
Ever done it on a bike, Pet?
Spike whispered, pretty damned certain that Xander had not. He
teased Xanders erection with the very tips of his fingers,
eliciting a beautiful pathetic whimper.
Jesus, Spike, Anya wouldnt
even do it in the back seat of the car at the drive-in, and I
thought that was, like, almost mandatory, Xander panted.
Spike said nothing, but he was obscurely
glad; he didnt especially like to think of Xander with
Anya, and the more experiences the ex-demon had denied his
Consort, the more pleasures remained Spike and Xanders
exclusively.
Well, then Ill just have to
show you what youve been missing, Spike purred. He
released Xander, grinning at the disappointed moan. Lean
forward a bit.
Xander obeyed hurriedly, and Spike
shivered at the sight of the smooth, creamy skin of Xanders
arse, buttocks slightly spread by his position straddling the
bike, against the black leather of the seat. Spike slicked up his
fingers and gave Xander a cursory preparation; if there was ever
a time to get a little rough, this was it.
Xander let out a low cry of pleasure when
Spike slid smoothly into him. He tried to push back into Spikes
deep thrusts, but he had to brace his hands against the
motorcycle tank, and he couldnt get much leverage with his
feet on the floor. Spike chuckled wickedly and thrust harder,
keeping Xander off balance, forcing more of those delicious
little whimpers out of him. It was more than a bit awkward for
Spike too he had to hold on to the handlebars, steady the
bike, and manage enough leverage to thrust, all at the same time.
If it werent for vampiric strength enough that he could
spare one hand to hold on to Xanders hip, he wasnt
sure he couldve managed it. He had every intention that
this would be the ride of Xanders life.
He fought back a whimper of his own. The
vibrations from the engine travelled through both their bodies,
transforming Xanders body into a hot, vibrating sheath for
his cock; he could barely imagine how it felt from Xanders
end. He pulled Xander back against him again, burying his face in
the juncture of Xanders neck and his throat, smelling the
heat in Xanders blood, feeling the transformation to his
game face as climax threatened to overwhelm him. He thrust hard
and deep one last time, pushing Xander forward in the seat,
sinking his teeth into Xanders skin as the force of his
thrust pressed Xanders erection against the vibrating tank.
Xander screamed, his back arching into a
bow, almost ripping Spikes teeth loose in his shudders as
he came, the convulsive clench of his muscles drawing a new howl
from Spike. For a moment every muscle strained, fighting to wring
out one last drop of the shattering pleasure; then Xander gave a
disappointed little murmur and passed out, slumping forward on
the motorcycle. Spike barely mustered the energy to grin,
shutting off the motorcycle. It took his last effort to pull a
totally limp Xander off the bike and down to the floor his
duster would have to do as bedding fro them both, because there
was just no way he could get them both to bed.
The concrete was hard through the duster.
Spike didnt care about that, or the cold, but he knew
Xander would, so he rolled them over, cradling Xanders body
on top of his.
Finally Xander stirred.
Ummmfff, he mumbled, snuggling
closer.
Wake up, luv, Spike whispered.
Dont wanna. Xander
stretched. Winced. Unnh.
Spike grinned.
Sore, Pet?
Uh-huh. Xander pushed up
slightly, grinning ruefully. He touched his shoulder, shivering
slightly at the smears of blood on his fingertips. Wow. Got
kind of wild there, didnt you?
Spike snickered unrepentently.
Guess we did, Pet.
You know, I was going to ask you to
take me for a ride on your new bike, but that wasnt exactly
what I was thinking of, Xander chuckled. Now I dont
think Im even gonna sit comfortably in that nice luxurious
SUV.
We can take care of that if you
want, Spike murmured. That and the bite. He
raised his hand, preparing to bite into his wrist.
No . . . Xander grabbed Spikes
wrist, stopping him. He kissed Spikes wrist and pressed it
back down. Dont.
Spike raised an eyebrow inquiringly.
What, you telling me youre
into pain now? he chuckled. This could get
interesting.
Right on cue, Xander blushed, but
something in his eyes told Spike he wasnt joking anymore.
Spike shut up.
Spike? Xander said softly.
This is the best Christmas Ive ever had in my life.
Better than I ever even dared to wish for. And believe me, I
wished a lot. And the SUV and all the other stuff is
great, really it is. But having you is the best of all. And every
time I sit down tomorrow Im going to feel you, and every
time my shirt rubs the right way for the next couple of days, Im
going to feel you . . . I want that, want a reminder of this
Christmas for as long as I can keep one.
Some particles of grit from the garage
area mustve gotten into Spikes eyes, because suddenly
they were stinging. He shrugged out of his duster, leaving it on
the floor, and sat up, pulling Xander around to sit facing him.
Gonna show you something,
Spike said softly, drawing Xander close. He reached for his boot
knife, holding up a hand at Xanders frown of protest when
he made a short but fairly deep cut at the side of his throat.
Dont worry, luv, Ill give you some other
reminders after this if you want. Trust me. Hurry, now, before it
heals up.
He waited until he felt the warm press of
Xanders lips before he bit again, carefully far from the
vein, closing his eyes as the bond between them flared open.
Ahhhhh, the taste of Xander, the feel of Xander, bright
and hot as almost-forgotten sunlight, the sweet, pure openness of
him, the trust, the wonder, the astonished pleasure as now his
Consort felt it too, drinking down pleasure, his/Xanders/his/Xanders,
drinking down love, Xanders/his/Xanders/his . . .
It didnt last long, Spike healed too
fast and with Spikes blood running through him Xander
healed too, but it was enough. Spike could see from the glow in
Xanders eyes when he drew back that it was enough, more
than enough.
Remember that? Spike said
softly. Told you, theres a bond between us, between
vampire and Consort. Youve felt it before, though most
times were both too busy coming to think about it much.
Every time we share blood, it grows a bit stronger. I feel it
more than you do, cause I know what Im doing, thats
all. With time and practice, you can learn to feel me anytime,
anywhere know what Im feeling, even what Im
thinking, eventually. He leaned in again, kissed Xander
slowly, sharing the taste of his blood, tasting his own blood in
Xanders mouth. Think thats enough of a souvenir
for you?
Xander swallowed, smiled. He was trembling.
Guess itll do, he said.
Then he grinned. Well, that and the leather coat, and the
SUV and the computer and all.
Spike chuckled.
Too bad, I was looking forward to
making you sore again so you could have your bit of a reminder
whenever you sit down.
Xander scrambled to his feet, pulling
Spike up after him.
What, I cant have both?
he pouted. Ive got to choose between pressies and
sex? Okay, fine, but if I have to take mine back, the bike goes
too. He stalked off in mock outrage, the glorious sight of
naked Xander, still in his boots, somewhat distracting Spike,
leaving the drooling vampire behind to hastily gather up their
clothes and scramble after his Consort.
Now, wait a minute, Pet, lets
not be hasty, Spike said, trotting after Xander. Now
where did the whelp stow those cuffs, I wonder?
Email: Shadow