The End of The Beginning II
Title: The End Of The Beginning
Part: II
Title: Martyrdom is for the determined
Pairing: Xander/Spike (eventually)
Overall Rating: NC17
Chapter Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Still not mine, world domination isn’t going so well for me.
AN: At the moment I’m beta’ing this myself. If you have an overwhelming desire to beta for me, pretty please with Spike on top, let me know?
AN2: Thanks so much to everyone for the encouragement last chapter, it was really appreciated.
Previous Chapter
Xander stumbled through the door, waiting a moment before trying to make it to the couch. He wasn’t seriously injured, he knew that, but he felt battered and bruised, and he was sure he looked it too. Carefully making his way to the couch on legs fighting exhaustion he slumped gratefully into the soft fabric and closed his eyes.
It hadn’t been more than a couple of fledges, but unlike most they had decided to use what was left of their undead brains and team up on him. While he could handle three newly risen vampires by themselves, it was a little harder when they decided to tag team him.
He felt the axe taken from his lax grip, and opened his eyes just long enough to smile at the teen who was flitting around him like a disapproving mother. He winced but didn’t complain when antiseptic was applied to the various cuts on his arms and face. When he felt his boots being unlaced he stirred just enough to pull them off himself, waiving off her look of annoyance. He didn’t say anything however, almost able to taste the worry floating around the small woman.
“Nothing out of the ordinary Dawnie, the evil undead just remembered they had a brain for a second.” He said with a smile, offering an arm for her to curl into.
Hesitating for a moment, she gave him the patented you’re-not-off-the-hook-yet look she did every night when he came back from his patrol, before snuggling into his side. Picking up the remote from the couch he pressed play on the movie that had been waiting for him to come home, but was asleep before the spitfire blonde could run her car into the school jock’s.
When consciousness returned he knew it was too early to be awake. Frowning he shifted slightly, trying to figure out what had woken him and ease the crick in his neck at the same time. Silently getting to his feet he made his way upstairs, moving quietly to Dawn’s room. His hand was on the door knob before he heard voices; Dawn’s happy chatter and a familiar British drawl. Satisfied that it was Spike in with Dawn and she was safe, he didn’t enter, just left them to check the rest of the house before falling into bed.
*~*~*
When he woke again it was to the odd feeling of being watched. Opening his eyes but keeping his breathing even, he frowned when he saw a familiar blonde head standing at the foot of his bed. Sitting up he realised he must be more jaded than he thought; he wasn’t even really surprised by the appearance of the vampire in his room.
“Spike, what’re you doing in my room?” He asked, looking at the clock and wincing, “At 4am?”
“Bit says you’re trying to play the hero card and patrolling.” The vampire said bluntly, looking at him through narrowed eyes.
“Ok?” He asked, drawing the syllable out.
“Shouldn’t be.” The words were almost clipped with their reproach.
“Spike, what I do in my spare time is, quite frankly, none of your business.” Xander said, lack of sleep and the early hour making him snappy.
Spike looked at him for a moment before snorting, “Is if it affects Nibblet.”
“Dawn and I have talked about my patrols several times.” He said, eyes narrowing at the censure in the blonde’s tone.
Another snort, this one even more disparaging than the last, “Bit wants to see you happy, of course she’ll say she doesn’t mind.”
Xander shifted uncomfortably, remembering the reservation he’d seen in the teen’s eyes every time they’d talked about his patrols. However, thinking about the three vampires he’d dusted last night getting away and attacking one of the oblivious Sunnydale residents - attacking Dawn - hardened his resolve.
“I’m not going to stop my patrols.” He said, the words almost ringing with finality.
“Didn’t think you would.” Again the blonde had thrown him for a loop and he blinked dumbly, “That’s why I’m going with you.”
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