Title: Immortal Convergence
Author: Kay
Email: kaygrr@hotmail.com
Feedback: Do you really want to see me beg?  My happy dance is way more
entertaining. Website:  ssfdu.tripod.com/kay/journal.htm  (Sandy rocks)
Archive: Hey, just ask first <g> Series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Pairing:
Xander/Wesley, Xander/Wesley/Spike, Duncan/Methos, Giles/Richie...etc.
Rating: NC-17 Sequel:  None Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the
characters of the show don't belong to me in anyway whatsoever. Mutant
Enemy, I live in envy of you.  The same goes for Highlander and Rysher -
they may be your toys, but I'm going to play with them.  Niener.  This
story is written for enjoyment, not for profit.  This whore only works for
feedback.  Litigation would be a waste of time, people. I'm a member of
the Starving Student Sect. _Summery:  A renegade immortal on the Hellmouth
puts Sunnydale in danger, and it's up to the Scooby Gang and some visitors
from Seacouver to put things right. Warnings:  spoilers up to Graduation
II...I think.  Xander returned from his summer a month ago, but that's
about it.  No Anya, no Tara (<sniff> I *like* Tara).  There is Riley,
though.  As for HL...say it with me people:  Richie isn't dead!  Let's
just pretend that in the next to last season, Ahriman was vanquished
without a certain never-to-be-mentioned incident occurring, K?  And the
final season of HL never happened, either.  Hell, if I'm going to be
messing about with the characters, why not mess around with time, too? <g>


Part Twelve/Thirteen

Xander gasped as he revived, desperately pulling air into lungs that
abruptly began to work once more.  He had no chance to try to orient
himself or figure out how he had died before he was pulled into strong
arms.  His eyes flew open and he had time to see the expression of pure
need on Wesley's face before his lover's lips were covering his own.  He
didn't understand what was driving Wesley but he didn't fight the sensual
assault; he gave himself over to the kiss, trying to give Wesley whatever
it was that he needed.  Laying on top of Wesley, he relaxed and became
utterly compliant.

The feeling of curious hands on his back told him he and Wes weren't
alone:  Spike was still there.  Xander wanted to remember what had
happened, wanted to know what had so upset his lover, but the taste of
Wesley and the way he was moving desperately against him drove all thought
from his mind.  When cool lips pressed against the back of his neck, he
moaned and thrust harder into Wesley.

When Wesley tried to end the kiss, Xander murmured unhappily and followed
his mouth, not wanting the pleasure to end.  Wesley indulged him for a few
more moments, then pushed hard on his shoulders, forcing him away. 
"Xan...Xander!  Please, I need to talk to you."

Xander opened his eyes and nodded reluctantly, swayed by the serious look
in Wesley's eyes and his own question.  "What was all that about, then?"

"I just needed you to know I love you," Wesley said quietly.  He looked
past Xander.  "We both wanted you to know that we're here."

The presence at Xander's back slid over to the side, so Spike could see
both Xander and Wesley.  "I'm not going anywhere," he said quietly.

The concern in Spike's gaze rattled Xander more than the worry in
Wesley's.  "Guys, what's going on?  Did I miss..."  His voice trailed away
as the memories crashed in on him.

Reviving the first time...

Finally kissing Spike...

Arguing with Buffy...

The stake...

"I can't believe she did it," he said, feeling numb.  "I never thought she
really would do it."  He'd been so sure that he'd be able to get her to
just shut up for a few minutes and listen to him, that he'd be able to
explain to her what he was.  It was going to be hard to give up his
'normal guy' status, but he knew he was going to have to do it. At least
he would've been keeping one less secret from his friends.

He pressed his face into Wesley's chest, inhaling deeply to catch the
comfort of his scent.  "What happened after...after?"  Two hands, one
warm, one cool, rubbed slow circles on his back.

"After Spike picked Buffy up by her neck?"

Xander's head shot up at Wesley's words.  He stared at Spike.  "You didn't
hurt her, did you?"

"I told you," Wesley said, his remark clearly directed at the vampire.

Spike shook his head.  "I didn't hurt her.  I wanted to, but Wes told me
that you didn't want her dead."

Xander cocked an eyebrow.  "And that stopped you?"  He hadn't thought
anything could stop Spike from killing Buffy if he had the chance.

The blond man leaned in toward Xander, gaze locked on Xander's lips. 
Before Xander could ask him what he was looking at, Spike captured his
mouth in a searching kiss.  Xander could taste lust and relief in the
kiss, as well as affection and something deeper that he couldn't quite
believe.

When Spike broke the kiss, he caught Xander's lower lip between his teeth
and worried it for a moment before pulling away completely.  "Course it
stopped me," he said with a serious expression.  That expression was soon
replaced with his usual smirk.  "After all, I wouldn't want to do anything
to put you off, now would I?"

Xander couldn't help smiling back a little.  There was just something in
the spark in Spike's eyes, something in the absolute deviltry that never
quite disappeared from his gaze that was irresistible.  He relaxed back
onto Wesley's chest, this time with Spike's fingers stroking through his
hair.  "So after you didn't kill Buffy?"

"And after Wes floored Riley and threatened to kill the next person that
so much as moved with the whirly bits of light surrounding his hands?"

Xander thumped Wesley on the chest with a loose fist.  "What were you
doing?"

"Stopping them from doing anything else stupid.  Buffy had used up all of
their quotas for the next year."  Wesley's arms tightened around Xander's
waist.  "I wasn't going to let them do anything else that could hurt you."

Xander tilted his head and kissed Wesley's throat.  "I understand," he
said quietly.  "So then what happened?"

"I attempted to make Buffy aware of the gravity of her actions and then I
explained to everyone why you hadn't turned to dust."

"So they know I'm Immortal?"

"Yes.  There was no other way to explain that you would return.  After I
told them about you, I asked everyone to leave and Spike and I waited for
you to recover."

"You left out the part when Giles tore the Slayer a new one," Spike said
with a low laugh.  He caught Xander's questioning look.  "He was more than
a little angry that she killed you.  She's not going to be able to flutter
her eyelashes and get out of this one."

Xander sighed and rubbed his cheek against Wesley's chest.  Buffy was his
friend; she had saved his life more times than he wanted to admit.  He was
pissed as hell with her for killing him, but there was no way he could
just write her off.  It was going to take time, but soon he'd be able to
get past this.  He had to.  He was part of her support and he wasn't going
to back down from the role he had decided to play as the Slayer's backup. 
With Giles obviously angry with her, he rather thought this time she was
actually going to learn the value of listening and thinking before she
acted.  "Now what are we going to do?"

"You can call Giles tomorrow," Wesley said firmly.  "Perhaps Willow as
well, as she seemed to be most concerned about you.  But for right now,
you are going to rest."

Xander wriggled a little on top of Wesley.  His lover was ordering sleep,
but Xander could feel Wesley's erection digging into his pelvis, could
feel the barest hint of trembling tension in the arms that were still
locked tight around him.  Wes was clearly in no mood for going to sleep
away.

Good.  Neither was Xander.  He'd felt this before, after an intense fight:
 the adrenaline rush refused to fade until he found some way to release
it.  Sex was definitely the most effective, and most fun, way to do so. 
Reviving after dying produced the same restless need within him; he needed
to find a way to be rid of it or he'd lie awake until he finally gave it
to exhaustion.  He raised his head.  "Could I have a goodnight kiss?" he
asked innocently, resisting the urge to bat his eyelashes.

Wes smiled at him.  "Of course.  Anything like you want."  He slid one of
his hands up Xander's back, bringing it up to cradle the back of Xander's
head and he pulled him closer for a kiss.  Wesley brushed his lips against
Xander's, a gentle caress no doubt intended to soothe him before he slept.

Too bad Xander had other plans.  He slipped his own hands up to wrap his
fingers in Wesley's hair and refused to end the kiss.  Instead, he
deepened it, insinuating his tongue between Wesley's lips, sweeping it
into the sweet mouth he had come to crave. He planted his knees on either
side of Wesley's hips on the mattress, refusing to be dissuaded by
Wesley's hands pushing against his shoulders.  He rocked against Wes,
sweet friction for both of them even through the clothing they both still
wore.  Finally the need to breathe forced Xander to release Wesley's
mouth.  He stared down at his lover, panting.

"Xander..."

He kissed away Wesley's protests.  "You said whatever I wanted, remember?"

"You need to rest!"

"I need you more."  As Xander leaned back down to claim Wesley's mouth
once more, he felt the mattress shift as Spike stood up.

"It looks like you two are going to be busy," the vampire said, staring
down at a point somewhere off to Xander's left.  "I'm going to find a
place to stay before the sun comes up."

Xander stared at him.  Didn't Spike know that they wanted him there?  That
they wanted him to stay?  He looked back down at Wesley.  He caught his
lover's exasperated grin and shared it.  As one, they reached out and
grabbed Spike's arm, jerking him back down onto the bed.

When Spike tried to protest, Xander leaned over and stared into his eyes,
his lips a hair's breadth from the blond man's.  "And what makes you think
that you get to go anywhere?"  He watched as blue eyed darkened with
desire as each word sent warm breath brushing over Spike's lips.  "We've
got plans for you."  He licked Spike's lower lip slowly, wetly.  When the
vampire reached for him, Xander backed away.  "Aren't you a little
overdressed?"

"So are you," Wesley said.

Before Xander could respond, his shirt was jerked up over his head.  He
fought free of the material, gaining control of it and pulling it away
from Wesley, who stared unrepentantly up at him.  Xander balled up the
shirt in preparation to toss it to the floor.  He glanced at it briefly
and froze.

"What's the matter?" Spike asked, his own shirt in his hands.

"This isn't the shirt that I was wearing before.  Does that mean..."

"Sorry, Xander," Wes said.  "It was ruined."

He loved that shirt.  The cotton had been so soft and worn and it had fit
him perfectly.  "I'm going to miss that shirt."

"I know," Wesley said in a soothing voice.

"Let us take your mind off it," Spike suggested.

"I think you'd better," Xander laughed.  He reached down to grab the hem
of Wesley's shirt, but the other man batted his hands away.  "Wes, you
have to get naked for this."

"I know, but you're not going to help.  This is about you, Xan."  Wes
hooked his fingers in the waistband of Xander's pants.

"No, it isn't," Xander disagreed.  He reached out and started to play with
the button of Spike's jeans.  "It's about us."

Spike growled and pounced on Xander, knocking him off to the side of
Wesley. 
  Between his and Wesley's efforts, they soon had Xander naked and
  giggling, 
his clothes removed by teasing, tickling fingers.  He squirmed on the
mattress, protesting through his laughter at their refusal to let him
reciprocate.

Wesley stared down at him from his right.  "You want us to be naked as
well?"

"Yes!"  Xander reached up, but his hands were once more knocked away.

"You just keep your hands to yourself," Spike said from Xander's left,
managing to sound prim.  That was ruined by the way he leered at Wes as he
jerked the gray-eyed man's shirt over his head.  Wesley was an eager
participant, raising his arms over his head to help.  He then reached over
to unfasten Spike's jeans.

Xander watched open mouthed as the two men stripped away the last of their
clothing.  He looked from one to the other and back again, greedily taking
in the sight of lean muscles and pale flesh.  He began to pant as Wesley
slid one hand around the back of Spike's neck and pulled him in for a
kiss, their lips meeting above Xander's body.  The kiss deepened as their
hands began to roam over each other's body and Xander whimpered, loving
what he was seeing and wanting to be a part of it.

Wesley turned his face to the side and stared down at him, arching his
neck as Spike nipped and sucked at his ear.  "Was there something you
wanted?"  A soft teasing smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Please," Xander said, clenching his hands into fists at his sides to stop
himself from reaching out.  "Please, Wes, I want you.  I want you both."

"You must do better than that," Wesley chided.

Xander licked his lips.  "I want to be inside you.  I want to stare down
into your eyes as I fill you and I want to hear you say my name every time
I thrust into you and I want to feel you come and taste your scream when
you do.  Please, Wes; I want fuck you."

"Since you ask so nicely," Wesley said, his breath coming faster, "you
may."

Xander reached out a hesitant hand and skimmed it up Wesley's thigh.  When
his touch was allowed, he scrambled to sit up and wrap his arms around
Wes, kissing him with desperation and need.  He pushed Wesley down onto
the mattress, his lips wandering over his face as he fumbled with the
drawer, forcing it open and finding the lube.  His hand was shaking too
badly for him to open the tube with just one hand, but he didn't want to
stop touching Wesley with the other.

His problem was solved when Spike plucked the tube from his fingers.  "Let
me help you, pet."  He opened the tube and emptied a portion of its
contents onto Xander's fingers.

Kneeling up over Wesley, Xander managed to stop stroking the other men's
sweat-damp skin for a moment and reach out to Spike.  He cupped the pale
man's cheek and drew him close for a grateful kiss.  He sucked
suggestively on Spike's tongue, then released him with a grin and a
teasing promise:  "Later."

A pinch to his nipple made Xander gasp and glare down at Wes.  "Aren't you
forgetting something?" Wesley asked, elegantly raising an eyebrow.

Xander frowned and looked up at the ceiling.  "Hmm.  Got rid of 
clothes...found lube...made out with Spike..."  He gasped as Wesley
tweaked his other nipple.  "Oh, yeah.  What was I thinking?"  He leaned
down and brushed his lips over Wesley's, then quickly made his way down
the body beneath him.  He paused at Wesley's nipples and scraped his teeth
over them in a playful gesture of vengeance.  He continued downward,
stopping only when his mouth was hovering over the erection that jutted so
pleadingly from Wesley's body.  Gaze locked on Wesley's face, he exhaled
heavily, drinking in the sight of Wesley's face screwed up in pleasure. 
He slid his lubed fingers beneath Wes even as he moved his other hand over
the soft flesh of his inner thighs, down to his balls and then back again
in a teasing caress. 
  As he slowly pushed on finger inside of Wesley, he lowered his mouth
  over 
his erection, humming in delight as he tasted his lover once more.

Wesley moaned and thrust up into his mouth, hands landing hard on Xander's
shoulders and fingers digging into the muscles there.  Xander bobbed his
head up and down, then crooked his finger within Wesley's body.  That move
caused Wesley to push himself back onto his finger.  With a few deft
twists of his finger and clever manipulations of his tongue, Xander soon
had Wesley bucking beneath him, straining to reach the pleasure offered to
him but not sure which to try to reach first.

Xander slid a second finger inside of Wesley and almost choked in surprise
as lubed fingers breached his own opening.  Soft lips caressed his spine
as Spike slowly stretched him as he prepared Wesley.  He was barely able
to concentrate on not letting Wesley come with the sensation of skilled
fingers teasing him with maddeningly random movements.

Satisfied that Wesley was ready, Xander slowly released his lover's
hardness with a finally reluctant lick.  As he sat up, Spike withdrew his
fingers and moved to lie beside Wesley, a look of avid interest on his
face.  Xander slowly slicked his own erection with lube, gaze darting from
one man to the other.  As Wes wrapped his legs around his waist, Xander
pressed himself within his lover, sighing with pleasure at the feeling of
slick heat welcoming him home.

He held himself still within Wesley, refusing to move for a moment, just
absorbing the feeling of being united with his lover once more.  Finally,
he could ignore Wesley's protests no longer and he thrust slowly, the
smooth glide sweet to his senses.  His eyes slid shut as he gave himself
over to the pleasure.  Something intruded on the haze in which he was
losing himself, adding to it, making it different from what he had known
before.  He opened his eyes and stared into Spike's as the vampire skimmed
his hand down his back.  He smiled invitingly and Spike moved closer,
raising his other hand to explore Wesley's chest.

After a few moments they had found their rhythm:  Xander driving into
Wesley with ever-increasing speed as Spike kissed whatever skin was
closest to his lips as his hands did magical things to Wesley's cock,
judging by the sounds Wes was making.  Passion pushed Xander farther into
ecstasy, pushed him with the willing help of Wesley's undulations and
Spike's caressing tongue.  Beneath him, Wesley cried out sharply as he
came, warm seed spattering Xander's chest and Spike's hands.  The sight of
Wesley's completion, the feel of him and Spike's delighted laughter drove
Xander over the edge and into his own orgasm.  He shuddered above Wesley,
panting as he came down from the heights and lowered his head to kiss
Wesley deeply.  As he slipped from Wesley's body, cool hands urged him
down to lay between Wes and Spike.  He obeyed their suggestion and sank
down onto the bed, still exchanging needy kisses with Wesley.

Xander could feel the siren call of lethargy that always followed an
intense orgasm, but Spike was moving restlessly behind him, reminding him
that the vampire had been left behind.  For the moment, at least.  He was
gathering his willpower to fight the drowsiness when Spike's fingers
circled the entrance to his body.  Before Xander could say anything, Spike
was pressed up tightly against his back, one hand still playing up and
down the cleft of his ass while his other arm wrapped around Xander's
chest to hold him close.

"You're warm," Spike murmured, speaking into Xander's ear in a husky
murmur that sent shivers down his spine.  "You're both so warm."

"One of the many fringe benefits to being alive," Xander said, arching
back into the touches with an amused grin.  "We also get to breathe and
enjoy food for reasons other than grossing out humans."

Spike nuzzled closer to him, embrace growing tighter.  "But you weren't
warm a little while ago.  You were as cold as I am."  He nibbled at the
nape of Xander's neck.  "So cold and still that I could barely believe
that you'd ever move again."

Xander met Wesley's gaze.  He knew what Spike was feeling; the vampire
wanted to reassure himself that Xander was truly all right, that he was
whole and healthy and alive.  Xander felt the same urge himself; every
time Wes was endangered he experienced the same need to reaffirm his
lover's life.  Wesley nodded, his gaze sharpening with interest and desire
as he gave silent permission.

Sure that Wesley wasn't going to object, Xander relaxed completely into
Spike's caresses.  The vampire reacted to his unspoken agreement by
increasing his attention to Xander's neck, sucking avidly at the pulse
point beneath his lips.  Xander should have been frightened; vampires and
necks were a deadly combination.  Instead, he lolled his head to the side,
giving Spike better access to his neck and murmured in approval as blunt
teeth scraped across his skin.

Xander twisted in Spike's arms, wanting to have his mouth again, wanting
to feel the skillful passion that had surprised him so much before.  He
slid his hands around Spike, reaching down to cup his ass and pull him
closer as he lapped at the blond man's mouth with his tongue, teasing
darts across soft lips.  Spike didn't suffer the teasing for long:  with a
muffled snarl, he crushed Xander's lips to his, tongue probing ruthlessly
into the young man's mouth.  His hands wandered down Xander's back and
soon his fingers were teasing the entrance to Xander's body, dipping
within and continuing the stretching that Spike had begun earlier.

When warm arms crept around his chest and fingers brushed over his
nipples, Xander began to thrust in earnest against Spike, needing relief
from his renewed arousal.  To his displeasure, Spike easily pushed him
away.

Blue eyes sparked with mischief and want.  "I'm not going to let it be
over so fast, pet.  I've got other plans for you."  A twist of the fingers
within Xander left no doubt as to what those plans were.

Xander moaned and shoved himself backwards, loving the flashes of pleasure
that ripped through him as Spike's fingers found his prostate.  "If you've
got the plan, then hurry up and act on it."

Spike grinned and kissed him hard, then pulled away from him completely,
even taking away the fingers that were doing such wonderful things to
Xander.  Before Xander could protest, Spike used his greater strength to
flip him around and was pressed up against his back.

Xander found himself staring into Wesley's eyes.  He reached out mutely
for his lover and was gifted with a tender kiss.  The kiss intensified as
he reacted to the feeling of Spike's hands on hips, heavy and possessive. 
He groaned into Wesley's mouth as Spike's hardness pressed within him,
coolness stretching him, filling him with pleasure.

"So warm," Spike said, his voice full of wonder.  "You're so warm."  He
thrust carefully into Xander, as though frightened that he might break.

With Wesley's fingers trailing over his erection in a teasing pattern that
denied him any real friction, Xander was in no mood to be coddled. 
Release was dancing just out of his reach, need for it burning through
him.  He shoved himself back against Spike.  "I'm not going to break," he
growled.

Behind him, Spike froze for a moment.  His grip on Xander's hips tightened
painfully for a moment, and then he pulled out of him, taking away the
cool source of pleasure that had speared him so perfectly.  He hauled
Xander to his knees and plunged back into him. Xander arched his back with
a wordless cry, ecstasy driving his breath from him.  Spike thrust into
him again and again with increasing force.  "Perfect," the vampire panted.
 "Both of you..."

Xander shuddered and looked down at Wesley.  The gray-eyed man slowly rose
to his knees and knelt facing Xander.  His eyes dark, his lips wet, he
reached down and firmly wrapped his fingers around Xander's erection. 
There was no more teasing; Wes stroked him firmly, expertly.  Wesley
watched Xander eagerly.  His gaze slid past him, looking over his
shoulder.  An evil little grin twisted his lips, and the wonderful
friction slowed down and stopped.  At the same time, Spike's thrusts lost
their frantic pace and power, until the vampire was buried inside of him,
unmoving.

"Noooo..."

Wesley shushed Xander by brushing the back of his fingers against Xander's
cheek.  "Shhh," he whispered, leaning forward, licking his lips.  At the
last moment, he moved past Xander, ignoring the dark-eyed man's parted
lips and kissing the vampire behind him.

Xander whimpered piteously as Wesley pressed closer against him but 
completely ignored him in favor of kissing Spike.  Loudly.  Wetly.  Xander
could hear it all, feel the effects it was having on each man, but wasn't
allowed to participate.  Spike was holding him immobile, refusing to allow
him to thrust either backward or forward.  Wesley was sweaty and hot and
delicious against him, but he wasn't doing anything else except leaning
against Xander.

Wesley's moan of pleasure pulled another whimper from Xander.  He dropped
his head and ran his tongue over Wesley's shoulder, stealing the traces of
sweat there.  He watched with desperate eyes as Wes raised one of his
hands. 
  A hitching sob escaped him as the hand by-passed him and reached over
  his 
shoulder for Spike.  He couldn't turn far enough to see what his suddenly
evil love was doing, so he kept his gaze pinned on Wesley's face as the
Englishman pulled away from the kiss.  Wesley was still looking at Spike
as he nodded encouragingly.  "Do it," he said, his voice irresistibly
husky.  There was a pause and then Wesley's mouth dropped open as he
inhaled sharply.  His eyes widened for a moment, then his lids drooped in
hazy pleasure.

Soft sucking sounds teased Xander's ears.  He twisted his head but
couldn't see anything.  He looked back over at Wes, staring greedily as
his lover began to pant a little.  "I didn't know," Wesley murmured.  "I
never...I didn't know."

Son of a bitch.  Spike was biting Wesley.  Wesley had offered his wrist to
him and the vampire was sucking at it right then.  Wes was getting off on
it, and judging by the tiny involuntary thrusts that were just frustrating
the hell out of him, so was Spike.

It wasn't fair and Xander wasn't just going to sit there and *not* take
it.  He jammed his elbow back into Spike's side.  Spike grunted in
startlement, and Wesley pouted as his wrist was released so Spike could
begin to demand an apology.  Xander didn't spare a moment to listen.  He
shoved Wesley down onto the bed and moved to follow him, falling forward. 
With his arms still wrapped in a vise-like grip around Xander, Spike had
no choice but to follow him.  Glaring down at Wesley as he propped himself
up over him, Xander growled.  "That wasn't nice."

Wesley stared at him for a moment, then his lips quirked in that sexy evil
smile and he thrust up against Xander.

All his righteous indignation disappeared.  All that mattered was the
friction he so desperately needed was back.  He thrust down against
Wesley, everything forgiven.  His movement got Spike back with the program
and soon the vampire was once more pistoning his hips, driving himself in
and out of Xander.  When sharp teeth scraped over his shoulder, Xander
cried out.  "Yes!  Spike-"  He didn't have to ask twice.  A sharp pain
sliced into his shoulder and then he felt the same amazing sense of
connection as before, the same fainting pleasure that burned its way
through his veins.

He dropped his head and kissed Wesley deeper.  Wes thrust harder up
against him a few more times and shouted as he came.  The feeling of
Wesley's come on his skin was the final bit of stimulation Xander needed. 
He arched his back as he came, gasping as pleasure crashed through him. 
He relaxed down on top of Wesley, holding him close as Spike thrust into
him frantically and licked at the bite on his back.  After a few moments
Spike came as well, sprawling across Xander's back as he relaxed into a
boneless heap.

After a moment, Xander worked up the will to shove himself over to the
side of Wesley, causing Spike to roll off of him as well.  Xander
immediately half-crawled back on top of Wes, wanting to be close to him. 
He sighed in absolute contentment as Spike moved to spoon up behind him. 
"Oh, yeah.  I'm so keeping both of you."

Spike laughed.  "Just try getting rid of me."

Xander shared a grin with Wes.  Looked like they were going to get to keep
the vampire around for a while.  A yawn caught him by surprise.

"Sleep," Wesley said firmly.

Xander wasn't going to argue.  He was sticky and sweaty and completely
exhausted.  He was sandwiched between the man he loved and a man he was
coming to care very much about.  He had no plans on moving anytime soon.

*****

"I still think we should at least have called Giles," Xander said,
checking the alley in front of him for any hidden dangers.

"No,"  Wes and Spike answered in unison.  Spike scowled.  "Telling the
Watcher is as good as giving Buffy a ring.  Rather not have to kill her
tonight."

Xander stopped walking.  "Spike, are you feeling all right?"

"Fine.  Why?"

"You did just say that you didn't want to kill Buffy," Wes pointed out.

"I don't want to kill her *tonight*.  Xander would get all upset and it
would take forever to get him calmed down and there'd be no way to
actually get him into bed at all."  Spike heaved a tragic sigh.  "No help
for it, is there?  I'll just have to let her live to slay another day."

Xander grinned at him.  As much as he knew that they should call Giles,
should let everyone know that he was recovered, he didn't want to.  Doing
so would mean that he had to deal with his friends and he wasn't quite
ready for that.  Not just yet.  He wanted to be sure that he had a handle
on his own anger toward them first.  Their friendship was important to him
and he didn't want to lose them because he didn't give himself enough time
to calm down and sort himself out before seeing them again.  He resumed
walking, carefully staying aware of the area around him even as he
strained to catch a hint of the buzz that would warn him of another
Immortal's presence.  Between Wes, Spike, and himself, they should be able
to take out the crazed man on their own and leave the Scooby Gang
completely out of it.

Xander approached the next alley and glanced down it.  Movement caught his
eye and he snapped his fingers a few times to signal that he was stopping.
 He entered the mouth of the alley cautiously.  Maybe it was a cat.  Just
a cat.  He didn't have to bother a cat.  If it was an unlucky homeless
person who hadn't heard the warnings to stay away from Sunnydale, he'd
take the person to the police station and leave him or her with a firm
warning to stay out of town and as much cash as he had on him.  If it was
a vampire or some other malevolent demon...his hand tightened on the stake
in his belt.  "Hello?"

"Funny," chuckled a low voice.  "I didn't call for take out."

Xander rolled his eyes.  "What, is there some sort of lame-ass threat
manual that they hand to you guys as soon as you come popping out of
ground?"

"What?"

"I've only heard that line a few *hundred* times.  Could you at least
extend yourself to the point of being original, maybe?"

The vampire came out of the shadows  He was obviously a fledging and
overly enamoured of the whole evil-creature-of-the-night deal.  He was
dressed all in black leather, fully in game face as he slinked out of the
shadows.  "I thought it was pretty good."

"It probably was pretty good when someone came up with four years ago. 
Now it's just tired."

"Like you could do any better," the fledgling sneered.

"Listen, pal, I have done better under far more trying circumstances." 
Xander took an aggressive step forward and poked the vampire in the chest
with his finger.

"Prove it!"

"Fine.  Is that a stake sticking out of your chest or are you just happy
to see me?"

The fledgling glanced down at his chest.  "What the hell are you talking
about?  There's no-"  His words cut off as he turned to dust.

Xander grinned down at the stake in his hand.  "Moron."  He turned and
headed back into the street.

"Everything all right?" Wesley asked.

"Just doing my part to raise the collective IQ of the Hellmouth."  Xander
put his stake away with a sardonic grin.  He moved to walk past Wesley,
but his lover caught him by the arm.  "Problem?"

"I think you've got a bit of ash on your cheek."

Xander recognized the gambit.  He didn't make Wes play the game; instead,
he fisted his hand in Wesley's shirt and jerked him closer, taking his
mouth in an aggressive kiss.  He found no resistance and Wes responded
eagerly.  Trusting in Spike to watch their backs, Xander slid his hands
around Wes and pulled him close, sliding his hands down to cup his ass and
caress the warm flesh as he brushed his groin teasingly over Wesley's. 
Long fingers twisted in the hair at the back of his head as Wes expressed
his appreciation.

"Xan, stop."  Spike's voice was low, urgent.

Xander groaned and began to end the kiss reluctantly.

"Now!  Wes, make him...fuck.  Never mind."  Spike's voice was one part
irritation, one part anticipation.

Not releasing Wes, Xander turned his head to face Spike.  "What's your
problem?"

"Me?  I don't have a problem.  I was quite enjoying the show.  But I think
the critics over there aren't quite as impressed."

Xander followed the direction of Spike's nod.  "Shit."  Buffy, Willow and
Riley were staring at them open-mouthed, while Giles had his glasses off
and Oz had raised an eyebrow.  The Immortals and Joe were looking amused
and uncomfortable to varying degrees.  He'd been so wrapped up in Wesley
that even when he felt their approach he'd ignored it, sure that they
weren't with the Scoobies.

"Oops," Wesley murmured.

"Oops is right."  Xander sighed.  "They were going to find out sooner or
later.  You know what this means, don't you?"

"Yes," Wes said.  "When Buffy and Riley begin to crawl on top of each
other during a meeting, I can grope you, too."

Xander laughed and rewarded him with a short kiss.  "Time to face the
music."  He stepped away from Wes.  "Hey, guys."

"Xander?"  Willow sounded hesitant, as if unsure that it was really him.

"Hey, Willow."  He took a step forward in concern as she leaned heavily
onto Oz.  "Wills?  You ok?"

"Yeah, I think so.  Are you?"

He held out his arms.  "Good as new."  He shifted his gaze over to Buffy. 
"My clothes were toast, but I'm all right."

"I didn't know," Buffy protested.

"You didn't give me a chance to tell you, did you?"  Xander got ready to
counter her next protest, but was distracted by a sudden sense of knowing.
 "Never mind.  We'll finish this later - after we take care of the bad
guy."  He pointed over to the left.  "He's lurking over there."

Buffy hesitated, then nodded.  "Fine.  Business first."

"Meeting at my house later," Giles said firmly.  His look took in Joe and
the Immortals as well.  "Everyone has some explaining to do."

Wesley at his side, Xander lead the way in the direction that he felt the
deranged Immortal.  He studied the collection of small shops.  "I don't
think he'll be in the vitamin shop."

"And I doubt he is creeping about in search of greeting cards."

"That leaves the dry cleaners and the comic book shop."  Xander glanced at
his lover.  "Comic book shop."

Beside them, Spike tossed his cigarette into the gutter.  "Just hope he
isn't looking for ideas for his new costume."

Xander shuddered as he imagined the Immortal in spandex.  "We've got to
stop him."  He glanced back at the others.  "I'm going to try to get him
out on the street.  I don't want him to be throwing any magic around in a
tight place."

"Sounds good to me," Buffy said.  "We get him out here and kick is ass."

"How are we getting him out here?" Duncan asked.

"He went after Wesley before," Riley said hesitantly.

"And Willow the time before that," Xander said.  "We're not going to use
anyone as bait."  He was about to ask for more ideas when he noticed that
Spike was gone.  "Get ready."  He and Wesley moved to one side, ready to
flank the Immortal when he came out onto the street.

"What do you mean, get ready?"  Buffy shifted off to one side even as she
protested.  "What do you-"  Her words were interrupted as Spike ran out
the door to the shop, which he had entered unnoticed.

"He may be a little angry," Spike warned as he stood on the other side of
Wesley.

"What did you do?" Xander asked.

Spike was saved from having to answer by the emergence of the furious
Immortal from within the comic book shop.  Still wearing a mis-matched
collection of robes, the wild-eyed man drew to a halt in the street as he
realized that he wasn't just facing one man.  He glanced back over his
shoulder toward the shelter of the store.

"Not this time," Xander said.  "No running away.  This time we settle
this."

The robed Immortal faced him.  "I'll take your head," he promised.  "And
then I'll tear the magic I deserve from the bodies of your friends."

As Wesley shifted to stand closer to Xander, Duncan murmured quietly, "The
Game, Harris.  You can't break the rules of the Game."

Xander sighed.  "I'm not going to break the rules.  I'm not going to fight
him."  He took a few steps back and watched in satisfaction as Wesley and
Spike leapt forward, ready to attack.

The deranged Immortal pulled out a sword and began to work to fend them
off. 
  Even as he watched his lovers fight, Xander could feel Duncan's 
disapproving glare.  "What?  I'm obeying the rules, or the complete lack
of them.  There aren't any rules about what mortals can do."

"He's right."  Adam's voice was an unexpected source of support.

"I don't like it," Duncan said.

"Of course you don't.  That doesn't change the fact that he's not breaking
the rules of the Game."

Swinging wildly with his sword, the crazed man managed to fend off both
Wesley and Spike.  When Buffy and Riley jumped in the fight, Wesley fell
back.  "I don't want to risk a spell; they could get caught up in the
fringes of it."

"Then let's end this," Duncan said, drawing his sword.  "Fall back!" he
ordered as he stepped forward.  He got the attention of the encircled
Immortal.  "Let's do this our way.  One on one.  Let's leave these mortals
out of it."

The other Immortal nodded.  "Let's go."

"I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod," the long-haired man said.

"I'm the man who's going to kill you."  With that, the battle was engaged.

Spike shook his head as he glanced over at Adam.  "Is he always this much
fun?"

"He can be," the thin man said with a smirk.

Spike responded with a dirty chuckle.

Xander was only vaguely aware of the exchange.  Duncan was good.  He was
easily beating back the other man's attacks.  He frowned.  Duncan wasn't
fighting to incapacitate the wizard-wannabe or even temporarily kill him. 
Duncan was looking to take the other man's head.  "No," he said.  "Duncan,
you can't do that!"

Duncan disarmed the other Immortal as if unaware of Xander's words. 
"There can be only one," he said quietly.

Xander swore as he lunged forward, throwing himself in the path of
Duncan's sword.  It bit deeply into his side, dropping him to his knees. 
As he fell, he was aware of Wesley firing on the deranged Immortal,
killing him with a hail of bullets.

"What the hell are you doing?" Duncan demanded.  "This was my fight."

"You fucking idiot," Wesley hissed, dropping down beside Xander.  He
turned his attention to Xander.  "How bad is it?"

"I'm not going to die.  I'm just going to wish I would."  He gingerly
looked down at his blood-soaked side.  "He pulled it at the last moment."

"Xander!"  Willow crouched down near him.  "Are you - you're not going to
die again, are you?"

"No, Wills.  I'm just going to hurt like hell for a little while."

"Do you want me to do something nasty to him for you?  I've learned a few
new spells-"

"Seriously, Willow, I'm going to be fine.  I just need a little time." 
With Wesley's help, he was able to get to his feet.  Spike was immediately
there, helping him to stand as Wes turned to glare at Duncan.

Duncan was met the hostile stare with one of his own.  "What are you
doing?  You can't interfere with a fight between two of us.  It violates
the rules of the Game."

"Killing an Immortal on the Hellmouth violates the rules of not getting us
all killed!"  Wesley shook his head.  "Weren't you listening at all when
we explained what it meant to be here?  The power of a Quickening could
even prompt the reopening of the Hellmouth!  There's no way to predict
what it could do, and no excuse for coming so close to disaster!"

When Duncan opened his mouth to protest, Adam elbowed him in the ribs. 
Hard.  "Shut up, Highlander.  Apologize to the boy for almost killing him
and thank him for not letting you kill us all."  He smiled at Xander. 
"What do you want to do with him?"

"I don't care.  I don't especially want his head.  If Duncan's so hot for
it, he can drive him outside city limits and take it."  He shrugged
carefully.  "That might be the best idea.  We can't have you all wandering
around here much longer without risking more danger than we can take. 
Take him with you when you leave town and Duncan can stage another duel
with him there."

Adam elbowed Duncan again.  "That sounds like the best plan."  He walked
over to the dead Immortal and knelt down beside the body.  He pulled a
knife out of his coat and slammed the blade home, through the dead man's
heart.  "That should make sure he doesn't wake up."  He rose and looked
over at Xander once more.  "I guess this is goodbye."

"Oh, no, it's not."  Giles's jaw was set.  "There's still a meeting at my
house."  He looked down at the dead man.  "You can store that in my garage
until the meeting is over."

Richie stepped forward and shot a helpless look at Duncan.  "It can't
hurt, Mac.  We'd be better off knowing more about the Hellmouth, too."

"Fine."  Duncan smirked at Richie.  "Then you can help me carry the body."

Xander hissed a little as Spike shifted to take more of his weight. 
"C'mon, pet.  Let's get you over to the House of Tweed and get this over
with.  Then we can take you home and maybe get you in the bath while
you're awake."  He kept his voice low as he leered at Xander.  "Nummy as
you are while you're wet, I bet you're more fun when you're conscious."

Xander grinned as Wesley moved to help support him on the other side. 
"This meeting had better be quick."

*****