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 Series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Pairing: Xander/Wesley, Xander/Wesley/Spike, Duncan/Methos, Giles/Richie...etc. Rating: PG-13 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 ( 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? Notes: We have a special treat for you, boys and girls. Not only a piping hot serving of IC, but also a lovely interlude served up as a dessert! Lucky you, y'all get to read an absolutely lovely addition by Sandy...don't forget to tell her how much you liked it, so she'll be sure to write more, K? Part Seven/? Xander got to his feet as soon as Joe was done explaining what Immortals were and what he believed the crazy one was doing in Sunnydale. Again. If Buffy wasn't demanding more information, then it was Giles or Riley or Willow. To be fair, the other Immortals had spent over an hour trying to get a handle on what exactly the members of the Scooby Gang were. Willow being a witch went over fairly easily, as did Giles's status as a Watcher. Xander wasn't sure that they believed Oz was a werewolf, but since the moon wouldn't be full for another two weeks there really was no way to prove it to them. And if Duncan said, '*you're* the Slayer?!' to Buffy one more time, Xander was going to dope slap him. Adam had muttered something about taking chivalry too far and he was right. If Duncan didn't watch himself, Willow or Buffy were going to lose their patience and unleash some Hellmouth-style girl power on his ass and make him shut up with the incredulous comments. Xander cleared his throat, drawing all attention to himself. Time to end the meeting. He didn't want to give Giles or Willow a chance to start asking too many questions. The sooner he got the two groups separated, the better, or else all the secrets he'd been working so hard to conceal would be found out. "So now that we know what we're up against, let's get going." Buffy stared at him. "Since when are you Gung-ho Boy?" She stood as well. "But you're right. I don't want this guy running around my town." Xander shook his head in concern as he watched Willow get ready to leave. "Wills, maybe you should stay here. He did go after you last time, remember?" "If he's messing around with magic, you're going to need me out there." She smiled at him. "I've got Buffy and Oz looking out for me. I'll be fine." Xander nodded reluctantly. He wanted to be looking out for her too, but he had to keep his eye on the other Immortals. He and Wes would be canvassing Sunnydale with them, while the Scooby Gang looked over the rest of town. The two groups should be able to handle both the Immortal and anything else Sunnydale decided to throw at them. Buffy cast a dubious look over at the silent vampire standing in the corner. "Are you sure you want to take him with you?" Xander could feel both Wes and Spike's eyes on him. He and his lover hadn't confronted Spike about his peek into their bedroom the night before. Of course, Spike hadn't said much of anything to them, either. Xander wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say. 'So, Spike, did you like what you saw?' 'Do you have any advice that you'd like to offer?' 'How about coming on over here and joining us.?' He forced his wandering thoughts back on track. Hoping he wasn't blushing as much as the heat on his face told him he was, he settled with, "Yeah, we can keep watching him. You guys get a Vampire Slayer, we get a vampire. It doesn't even things up, but it's better than nothing." As they began to split up, Richie hesitated before speaking up. "I think maybe I should go with Giles. And his group." He didn't give anyone a chance to react before hurrying on with his explanation. "That way they'll have someone with first hand experience with Immortals with them. Plus, I can get in contact with Joe right away by his cell. Just so we've got all the bases covered." Buffy shrugged. Xander couldn't come up with any reason to object. "I'm good with it. G-man, do you have a problem with it?" "Xander..." Giles sighed and stopped his usual objection. He just shook his head. "No, it sounds like a good idea to me." He took of his glasses and wiped at the lenses. That settled, they left Giles's house, splitting up to search for their quarry. Xander watched his friends disappear down a street, then turned to face the men he was with. "They're taking the areas of town that tend to be more monster-prone. We've got the more populated areas, so let's try to keep a low profile." Not that a low profile was all that necessary in Sunnydale. So long as Spike didn't drain anyone in the middle of the street and Adam and Duncan didn't square off with their swords, they'd be fine. They shouldn't attract too much attention. As they walked, Xander briefly outlined the set up of the town, describing its geography and what to expect. As he was winding down, he caught Joe staring at him, an odd look on his bearded face. "What?" "You said you died your first death last summer. You can't be more than twenty, so when did you find time to do a turn in the military?" Joe raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer. Xander blinked. "What makes you think I was ever in the military?" "The way you just laid out the town for us. It sounded like the briefings I'd get from my CO back in the bad old days." "I was never in the military." "Could've fooled me the first time we met," Spike said. "You were acting the part then." "Oh, the Halloween thing. Well, yeah, if you count that, I was in it, but only for six hours max." Wesley nodded; he'd heard the story before. Everyone else looked confused. Xander sighed. "More of the hilarity that comes with growing up on the Hellmouth. A few Halloweens back, a guy cast a spell that made me and my friends turn into our costumes. I was wearing an army guy outfit, so I spent that night thinking I was in the army. Eventually we all came out of it, but I've still got some of the army guy's know-how floating around in my head." Wesley nodded and came closer, moving to stand close enough to Xander that their shoulders brushed. "I believe it may have something to do with Xander being an Immortal. He has always been susceptible to possessions of that nature and the effects of them linger in him when they should not. I wonder if the Quickening within him functions as a sort of beacon for possessing forces." "And since he absorbs other Immortals' Quickenings and holds them within himself, maybe that causes him to hold onto the possessions longer?" Adam chimed in with his own speculations. "That could be." "You're being remarkably blase about the idea of this guy being possessed." Duncan jaw was set in a hard line. "No offense, Xander, but maybe this Immortal we're looking for isn't the only one who's not completely sane." "Now why would I take offense at that?" Xander shook his head. "You didn't grow up here. You wouldn't understand. No one lives here without having their lives brushed by darkness. If they're lucky, a brush is all they experience." He met the long-haired man's gaze steadily. "My graduating class started out with a little over five hundred students. By the time four years had passed and graduation services were over, there were just over three hundred and fifty of us left." "Kids drop out, move away -" "Get drained by vampires, get turned, are used by black magic workers in spells, get turned into fish monsters, are dragged into cults, or are turned into zombies." Xander stopped walking and faced Duncan squarely. "Without Buffy and Giles and Willow, the casualties would've been worse. So we're going to find this guy, no matter what you think of my sanity, and we're going to take him out so he can't hurt any of them." He waited until Duncan nodded and then started walking again. Wesley was a warm presence at his side and Xander leaned into him, needing to feel him and drawing comfort from him just being there. He looked up as he felt someone approach them. "What do you want, Spike?" "Just wondering if you wanted me to drain him for you, pet." The vampire grinned. "We can leave him in an alley and he can catch up with us after he recovers." Xander grinned and heard Wesley laugh. "I don't think you want to do that." "I'm feeling a mite peckish," Spike persisted. "It won't do any permanent damage." "He'd probably taste like Angel," Wesley muttered. Xander cracked up. "They do have the same attitude of broody indignation and righteousness, don't they?" Spike laughed. "Think of it! I'd have to bite him," he pointed at Adam, "just to get the taste out of my mouth." "What does he taste like?" Xander heard himself as the question and couldn't believe that he let it slip. Spike moved closer to him, so Xander was closely hemmed in by Wes on one side and Spike on the other. His blue eyes seemed very dark as he stared at Xander. "He tastes like beer, actually. Beer and power and age and under all that the thick sweetness of life." His tongue swept briefly across his lips. "It's like human, but more. Heightened, in a way. Those blue sparks that come when you heal? It's like I can taste them in the blood, feel them sparking across my tongue, sparking through my veins." Wesley's hand brushed across the small of Xander's back. That small touch was enough to break the spell Spike had cast over him. He started slightly and leaned back into his lover's touch. "No biting Duncan," he said firmly. Spike shrugged and moved back a bit. "Fine." That wicked grin came back to his face. "Is he the only one off-limits? There's something to be said for the clean purity of human, you know." His gaze drifted over to Wesley. Xander felt Wesley's hand flex on his back. "You should have eaten before we left," Wesley said firmly, sliding his hand down until his fingers slid beneath the waist of Xander's jeans. Xander shifted a little, placing himself more firmly between the two men. Spike sulked for a moment and stepped away, leaving them to themselves. As they looked around the streets, searching for sign on the Immortal they hunted, Wesley's hand remained tucked in Xander's jeans. "Feeling possessive?" Xander breathed his question into Wesley's ear. "A bit," Wesley admitted. "So was I." Xander bumped his nose against Wesley's cheek. "Hard not to be when he's hitting on you. I don't want to lose you." Wesley pulled him closer. "You're not going to lose me," he said vehemently. "And I'm not going to lose you, you understand? Not even Spike can do anything to us. I love you." "And I love you," Xander said, not savoring the rush of warmth he felt each time he heard and said those words. "But Spike..." "Spike is a sexy bastard and you're right, he is difficult to resist. But I can. I've got you." Wesley blinked. "Did I just quote Sunny and Cher?" Xander laughed and kissed his jaw. "You did. I'll pretend I didn't notice, though." He hesitated for a moment. "But you do want him, don't you?" "I'm English, Xander. I'm not dead. But I don't *need* him. I need you." Wesley stopped walking and pulled Xander into a tight embrace before claiming his mouth. After a moment, he pulled away. "I love you." They grinned at each other, then continued walking. Xander glanced over at Wesley. "You know, you can't always get what you want, but sometimes you can get what you want *and* what you need." "Now you're quoting the Stones?" Wesley's tone was joking, but there was definitely a speculative gleam in his eyes. Xander's reply was interrupted by Duncan's approach, so he let the topic go. He knew Wes would be thinking about it, though. Spike was obviously interested...and then he had no more time for thought as the long-haired man began to speak. "I was wondering about your teacher," Duncan said. "Not an Immortal, but not human, either. You know what you're doing when you fight." Xander nodded a little. He recognize the conciliatory tone and knew that Duncan was trying to smooth over their earlier argument. He realized that everyone was listening in, Spike and Immortals both. He glanced at Adam. "If you knew Spike, then you probably knew my teacher. Do you remember Angelus?" "Angelus?" Adam stopped walking. "That psychotic was your teacher?" His hand darted inside his coat. "He taught you to use a sword?" Spike froze as well. "You were with Angel? You went to him?" His hand clenched into fists at his sides." "Who is this guy?" Duncan asked. "Angelus? Angel? What's his name?" "Angelus is a vampire," Adam said tightly. "He's even more insane than Spike. Amazing in bed, but he's still a vampire. He exists only for killing and torment." "And sex," Spike chimed in. "And sex," Adam agreed, sharing a nasty smirk with the vampire. "Angel is Angelus," Wesley said. "Angelus was cursed by a group of gypsies and his soul was restored to him. He is now a fighter on the side of right." "And a great brooding ponce," Spike said. "All guilt and remorse over things he can't change." "I know the type," Adam said. Xander watched as Duncan glared at Adam. He wasn't sure what the history between them was, but he didn't want to get caught between them. With that much heat in Duncan's eyes, he'd either get skewered on their swords or end up pinned on the ground as they tore at each other's clothing. Spike was still glaring at him. "Angel was your teacher? I suppose you spent all your training months with him?" What the hell was this? Spike was acting as though he was upset by Xander spending time with Angel. It was as though he was jealous. Xander hid a grin. Spike *was* jealous. "Of course, Spike. After the car accident I was in, I knew I should have been dead. I knew Angel was in LA and that he could help me. Once he figured out just what I was, he trained me. I had to learn to protect myself. I spent all summer with him. He taught me a lot." He let a little innuendo seep into his tone. Spike took a step forward. "Did he, now?" "It was sort of a life changing summer. I found out I was Immortal, learned to fight, figured out I was bi..." "All thanks to Angel?" Spike's features rippled a little before he got himself under control. "And you met up with Wesley there?" He glared at Wesley, too. "How long were you in LA?" Xander was amazed. Now Spike had himself convinced that Wesley had slept with Angel, too. He really was jealous at the thought of them being with Angel. It was a sign of how much he really did want them. While watching the blond man snarl was fairly entertaining, he didn't want to waste hunting time on taunting Spike. They could save that for after they took care of the Immortal. "I didn't have sex with Angel," he said. He was aware that everyone was listening in, but he didn't let it bother him. "I did not have sexual relations with that vampire!" The joke didn't work; Spike was still looking ready to kill something...well, more than he usually did. Xander needed to get Spike calmed down so they could move past that. "Can you imagine it?" He closed his eyes and tipped his head back, leaning back harder against Wesley. He exhaled heavily once, then again, hastening his breathing. He moaned softly, gradually increasing the volume as he continued to pant. "Harder," he murmured, rolling his hips gently. "Harder, please, more..." he panted each word out, leaning harder against Wesley. He moaned louder, then caught his breath and cried out in a strangled tone, "Deadboy!" Xander brushed his fingers through his hair as he opened his eyes. "Kind of ruins the moment, doesn't it?" He tried to straighten up, but Wesley wrapped his arms around his waist and refused to release him. Xander blinked, then took a closer look at the men facing him. All of their eyes were rather wide, and Spike's features were rippling once more. He'd gotten more of a reaction than he'd expected. He craned his neck so he could look back at Wesley. His lover's gray eyes were dark and hungry. Wesley ducked his head and spoke directly into Xander's ear. "You are going to be punished for teasing me when we get home." Xander shivered at the feeling of warm air moving over his skin. He smirked. "Yes, sir." Wesley's arms tightened around him, and then he was pushed away. "Let's get going," Wesley said, tucking his hand back into Xander's jeans in a blatantly teasing and proprietary gesture. Xander wriggled a little into the touch, ignoring Duncan's irritation and Joe and Adam's amusement. He liked teasing Wes, and loved it when Wes teased back. He glanced over at Spike and found that the vampire had regained control once more. Spike stared at him, then glanced over at Wesley and back to him once more. "So if Angel didn't help you figure out you like it both ways, who did?" Xander sighed. It looked like tonight was Relive Your Sexual History Night. Of course, Wesley was going to punish him for it later, so it was worth it. "A man who works with Angel. His name's Doyle." "Doyle?" Wesley asked. He'd met Doyle when he'd come to LA, but that had been after Xander and the Irishman had ended their brief relationship. They hadn't been in love with each other; Doyle had been too fixated on Angel for anything to really develop between them. Besides, his feelings weren't unrequited; Angel had gotten progressively more twitchy the longer Xander and Doyle had been involved. Xander shrugged. "I told you I can't resist an accent." He grinned a fondly to himself as he thought about Doyle. He'd initially be drawn to the Irishman because Doyle loved to tease Cordelia and would team up with Xander to make her furious and make her laugh. That had extended to hanging out during downtimes between training and battling the evil in LA. After a night when the weather was very drunk out, they had ended up in bed together. It could have been wierd, it could have been frightening, but it was Doyle. It was laughing green eyes and long clever fingers and teasing comments in a lilt, all of which gave him nothing but pleasure and laughter. They'd parted as friends and Xander missed him, talking to him on the phone on a regular basis. The subject was dropped after that, but as they walked through the streets, Spike was a constant presence beside and behind Xander and Wesley, never straying more than a few feet from them. Xander exchanged a pleased glance with his lover. Spike was hooked. Xander was looking forward to getting rid of the wizard-wannabe more than ever. His town would be safe, his secret would be kept, and he and Wes would get a chance to see if Spike had anything to back up his attitude and reputation. Xander started to walk faster. *********** Interlude One Author: Sandy Feedback: ssfdu@hotmail.com Richie sauntered along the dark tree lined streets of Sunnydale, almost tempted to whistle. He wasn't particularly worried about being separated from Mac and the others because surely a little moonlight stroll around town couldn't be as dangerous as the residents implied. Besides it wasn't as though they could kill him. Vampires, monsters and demons oh my! The immortal snickered quietly to himself, but not quietly enough if the puzzled looks thrown his way were any indication. If they thought *he* was a bit strange or something they obviously hadn't looked at themselves in the mirror lately. Take Buffy for example. Classic blond, gorgeous valley girl type. But he could already see she needed to lighten up. Okay, so she had super powers, was the chosen one or something like that but not everything was the world is going to end next Thursday right after lunch and she has to battle The Forces of Evil to stop it. Or maybe it was and he just didn't know about it before. All the more reason to lighten up and live a little. Then there was Riley, Buffy's boyfriend. He didn't really look old enough but something about him screamed Military...and hick. And from what he had seen already, the way those two carried on you would think he was some sort of living extension of her, joined at the hip...or was that lips? Anyway he didn't think she was attracted to him for his IQ level. They were so cute together it was almost enough to send you into a diabetic coma from too much sugar, and he had only known them a few hours. The next in the motley bunch known as the Scoobies... Richie paused to roll his eyes at that...was the little redhead. Willow seemed really nice, and bubbly, and a little...for lack of a better term kooky. Guess it was all the witch stuff. He started humming the Addams Family theme, earning himself more strange looks. He just smiled blandly at them and continued humming. Of course he didn't get a strange look from Oz, just a carefully raised eyebrow. Oz appeared to be a man of few words, and even fewer expressions. Between her steady stream of babble and his silence maybe they managed to balance things up. Maybe it was a werewolf thing? He wasn't quite sure he believed that one though. This was turning out to be one strange town. And last, but not least there was Rupert Giles, the one person in the group he didn't feel he had figured out yet. The kind of person Adam would call an enigma. An enigma with cruel parents. Rupert? What were they thinking? But strangely enough it kinda suited him. It wasn't just that Giles was older that made him seem more interesting, the way the others were bickering during the meeting, Richie even felt old. There was just something about Giles that was different. He reminded Ryan a lot of Adam. Casual and harmless on the outside, but with untold depths. In Adam's case, dangerous, very old depths, and Richie wanted to find out if there were more than just the obvious similarities. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he really quite liked Adam. The man had a wicked sense of humour and an interesting view of the world and people. Another thing the two men had in common was their appearance. Not attractive in the usual sense, but... Giles was rather cute, okay more than cute, if you went for the older, cultured English type, even if from the way he talked you would expect tweed rather than jeans, a pullover and a battered leather jacket. Richie had to admit it was a good look on him though. A damn good look. The Immortal wondered if he was easily flustered as the bookish types he had met before, deciding that it would be a lot of fun to find out. There were much worse ways to fill in his spare time. Casually, he moved to the older man's side. Ignoring the others he asked, "So is there anything interesting to do around here, besides killing nasty looking things? Y'know fun, like clubs or bars or something?" "Fun?" was the incredulous reply. The Immortal was impressed, it took real talent to imply so much in one simple word. That one seemed to say 'You are kidding, aren't you? We are on an important mission here, one that cannot fail because it may mean death, destruction and untold havoc.' "Fun. The concept of doing an activity that is enjoyable. You do know that one don't you?" He had been watching the changing expressions on Giles' face, mentally rubbing his hands together gleefully. The brief flash of something dangerous and almost predatory caught him by surprise, and intrigued him. Perhaps there was more to the other man than he thought. Besides he'd always loved a good mystery. Giles rolled his eyes a little. "Yes I am quite aware of what fun is, I'm just not sure this is the time or place to discuss it." "Well if I am to believe all the doom and gloom around here we might be in for some trouble, so wouldn't it be better to make plans now before possibly getting fried be the would-be Merlin?" "Well if you concentrated more on the danger at hand, instead of looking for *fun* perhaps you wouldn't get 'fried' as you so delicately put it." Strike one for the older guy. Richie thought to himself that this really was turning out to be entertaining. Almost enough to distract him from the killer headache he had for a while. "Don't center on your anxiety Obi-Wan, keep your concentration on the here and now where it belongs." Richie stated solemnly, but with a devilish twinkle in his eyes. "Obi-Wan?" Rupert frowned, looking rather confused. Oz had apparently been listening to them because he turned and raised an eyebrow inquiringly at Richie and then answered Giles' question. "Recent Pop Culture reference." "Ah." But it was clear that he didn't get it. The others continues walking. "Haven't seen the Star Wars movies? What planet are you from?" He ignored the indignant mutter directed his way. "Looks like I need to expand your horizons a little more than anticipated." "Expand my horizons?" The older man spluttered incredulously. "Now listen here Mr. Ryan, I can assure you that my horizons do not need expanding and if they did you would not be the person to do so. I hardly know you." "Say the words and I can change that." "And what words would those be..." Before Richie could answer they were attacked. They hadn't realised that they had slowed their pace and lost sight of the others around a corner until they were jumped by three men. Giles spun around and hit out at his attacker and Richie followed suit, gasping in surprise at their ridged features and sharp teeth. "They're vampires!" He called out. With a grunt and a long suffering sigh the ex-Watcher responded, "I can see that." Reaching into his jacket the older man withdrew a stake and went on the offensive. Taking the vampire by surprise he quickly staked him. "Here, catch!" He yelled at Richie, throwing the piece of wood in his direction and grabbing another from his pocket. Twisting around while knocking his attacker back, the young immortal managed to catch the stake. "Through the heart, right?" he asked loudly. "Yes!" By now the others had heard the fighting and had come to their aid. Buffy quickly dispatched the one fighting with Giles as the others helped Richie out. Soon they were all dust and the group caught their breath. Edging over to Rupert once more, Richie proclaimed, "Well that was exciting." Buffy shot him a look and muttered something about always attracting the crazy ones. "Exciting? You do realise that if I hadn't been with you, you would most likely have been killed?" "Well, yeah. But you were here and I wasn't killed," Richie batted his eyelashes and simpered. "My Hero!" Giles muttered something about foolish, ignorant children. "So about broadening your horizons..." "Argh!" Rupert threw his hands up into the air and stormed of to join Buffy at the head of the group. Richie enjoyed the view immensely. ***** After a few minutes of quite conversation as they led the group, Buffy's voice grew louder. "I think you should go keep an eye on Boy Wonder back there. I don't think his friends would like it if we let him get himself killed." "Do I have to?" Was the reply from her companion, sounding suspiciously like a whiney child. "Besides I don't even own a cape so why does it have to be me?" "Because you are the adult of this bunch and you are always telling me that being an adult means responsibilities," the Slayer replied a touch smugly. Willow appeared to be stifling a giggle. "If you insist." With a put upon sigh, Giles turned and walked back towards Richie. "You don't love me any more." Ryan sniffed. "Oh shut up, you." The ex-Watcher glared at him balefully. The younger man's lips twitched suspiciously but remained silent. Quiet descended for a few minutes as they continued walking. Just long enough to lull Rupert into a false sense of security, Richie decided evilly. He went in for the kill. "Is it true what that say about English men?" Giles frowned slightly, then gave him a faintly warning look. "What is it that *they* say?" he asked disdainfully. "That if you can manage to make them lose control... under all that tea drinking and tweed they can be real tigers in bed" The older man came to abrupt stop, looking like he either was going to choke or strangle him. Taking a few deep breaths he tried to regain his composure. Unsuccessfully. Ladies and Gentleman, we have a winner, Richie thought to himself smugly. "Oh well...um.. That is to say... Oh for god's sake man you are starting to sound like Wesley..." The last part was muttered to himself, but audible as he studied something near his feet. Flushed, he took another deep breath and pasting on a Classic Stern Librarian Face , looked up. Straight into the blatantly flirtatious expression on the younger man's face. Giles raised a eyebrow and replied dryly. "Wouldn't you like to know." Richie smiled at the tone and answered. "Well that was the general idea. So?" He mirrored the faintly mocking expression. "I am English, not easy. I'm sure even one of such tender years as yourself can understand the difference, even if they do start with the same letter," Giles retorted primly. "I never said anything about being easy, only being great in bed. There's a difference and I know that, so should you. Well?..." "Well, what?" Rupert asked irritably. "I asked a simple question, you're an intelligent man so I'm sure it isn't that difficult to answer." With a weary sigh, Giles faced him. "Look Mr. Ryan, I'm sure this...this casual flirtation is amusing you, but I would ask that if you are only toying with me for lack of better entertainment that you stop it now." Richie gave him a considering look. "If you let me get to know you better, maybe we could turn it into a serious flirtation." "Mr. Ryan..." "Richie, please," The Immortal asked. "Alright then, Richie..." He gave Giles a lopsided grin and held a hand up to stop whatever the other man had planned to say. "Okay so maybe I started this as something to do, but what can I say? I like you, you're interesting. It isn't a crime to show your appreciation if you like someone now is it?" "Well...no." Giles looked rather startled. "Good then, because I'm enjoying myself, but I'm not trying to be cruel or hurt you or anything. I don't do that," Richie told him seriously. "Oh." Ryan had reduced the man to single words. That was interesting. "If it really bothers you, I'll stop. But then I would be forced to use my famous puppy dog eyes on you until I was allowed to continue, or the others noticed and asked why I was doing that. Whichever comes first." Richie could have sworn Giles' lips twitched. "That's emotional blackmail!" The older man accused him. "I don't want the Buffy/Willow inquisition." He was definitely fighting a small smile now. "Hey! All's fair in love and war." The Immortal winked at him. "So just let me continue, simple." "Has anyone ever told you that you are an unrepentant brat?" Rupert asked him. "You'd be surprised." "No, I wouldn't." Sometime during the conversation they had unconsciously continued on after the others. Richie turned his head and pouted mournfully. "Heaven save me from wilful children," Giles beseeched the sky. "Children?" Ryan spluttered. "I'm a lot older than I look." The ex-Watcher snorted. "I'm 25. Ask Joe and the others if you don't believe me." "Really?" A speculative gleam entered the other man's green eyes. "Yep. So now that you know I'm way past legal are you going to answer that question?" Ryan asked slyly. "Oh for crying out loud! We aren't back to that are we?" "Definitely. Inquiring minds want to know. You do realise that if you don't answer, I'll just assume it's true and you don't want to say anything on the grounds it might incriminate you" Giles carefully raised one eyebrow and gave the younger man a mysterious smile. If Richie wasn't hooked before, he was now. "I shall answer that question when I am good and ready to," he replied a touch smugly. The ex-Watcher increased his pace to catch up with the others. "Oh yeah, you're good alright." Ryan was impressed, and already a little turned on. "So about those interesting things to do in Sunnydale, anything you'd care to recommend...Tiger?" Instead of being indignant like Richie half-expected, Giles laughed and it was a wonderful sound. ****** All for now - Thank you all so much for your patience . I hope you enjoyed! Kay