Xander tried to ignore the hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach and went into the kitchen to get a Coke. He got the soda and took a long gulp. His gaze landed on the answering machine and he hit the blinking button on it.

"Hey Xan, it’s Buffy. Look, we’ve decided to change the meeting place to my house, kay? Giles doesn’t want us to mess up the store because tomorrow night is inventory. I talked with Spike and he told me some things that I wasn’t aware of." Xander’s blood ran cold, until Buffy continued. "He got all in my face about how selfish we’ve been recently and I realized that he was right. I’m sorry that we haven’t been the greatest friends lately. You’re so much more to us than a donut boy. You help us out more than you know. We love you, Xan. See you tonight." The machine beeped and Xander stopped it from playing the rest of the messages. After what the vampire had said to him, he had turned around and told Buffy that Xander was feeling left out. Xander didn’t know whether he wanted to hug Spike or hit him.

"Damn it!" Xander grabbed his keys and pulled his shirt back on as he walked toward the door. He apparently had more to say to the bleached wonder. He locked the door and headed off towards Spike’s crypt.

Spike sat in his recliner, sulking. He had forgotten how deep words could cut when you weren’t the bloke who said them. Xander’s words echoed in his head, "You’re nothing but a waste of space...You’re not the Big Bad anymore...O, Impotent One...nothing but a waste of space...waste...Impotent..." He shook his head, trying to clear it. Suddenly, he froze. Xander was close by. Bloody hell, this is all I need. He cocked his head and listened as the boy came closer. Xander was muttering to himself. Insanity must be contagious around here. Spike mused.

He stood up and walked to the door, yanking it open, startling the boy who had his hand raised to knock. Xander stepped back and looked warily at the vampire.

"May I help you, sir?" Spike used a nasal British voice that reminded Xander of butlers from the movies...like Alfred in Batman. He gave the blond a sour look.

"You’re a just a big bucket of funny today, aren’t you, Blondie? Can I come in or not? It turns out that I’m not as through with you as I thought I was."

"More insults and sarcastic comments? I just haven’t had my fill of those from you today. Yeah...fine, whatever." He stepped back about six inches, forcing Xander to squeeze past him as he came inside. Spike closed his eyes briefly as he surreptitiously sniffed the boy, nearly groaning out loud as he inhaled Xander’s intoxicating scent. The boy was dirty from work...spicy sweat clung to his shirt mixing with Xander’s other natural scents. Licking his lips, he raised his eyes as he caught the faint scent of arousal from the kid. Xander’s dark eyes were locked on Spike’s lips, the boy swallowed as Spike’s tongue slid over those wickedly sensual lips again. Xander began to breathe a bit harder as images of the two of them writhing on his bed only yesterday flashed through his brain. A sudden starburst of pleasure exploded in the pit of his stomach and Xander groaned softly. "What do you want, Xander?" Spike heard himself ask, his throat was dry, and his voice came out sounding hoarse.

"Hmmm?" Xander asked, a bit scattered. He stared at the vampire blankly for a moment and then, shaking his head, he cleared his throat. "Oh...um...I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier. Why did you tell Buffy that I was feeling left out?"

"You talked to her, then? She made some comment about you getting the snacks as usual and it brassed me off. You contribute to the group as much as anyone and you have more to lose...only one without supernatural powers...you should be dead, pet...turned or lying in a ditch somewhere, but you always come out on top..." Spike trailed off when Xander blushed. "You survive, Xan...you take a few lumps, but you don’t stop trying to make this world a better place. I’ve never met anyone like you. You are a true hero...the soddin White Knight in shining armor and you think you’re a loser. I don’t get it, luv. How can you not see how much you do? Your mates, self-involved as they may be, love you. Nobody’s ever loved me the way they love you, I can tell you that. Well, except my mum...but that’s another story." Xander wondered at the sadness in Spike’s voice at the memory of his mother. "You are so much more than you seem to think, Xander." He moved closer to the boy, Xander’s scent of arousal beckoning him. Xander took a step back for each of Spike’s steps forward.

"What are you doing? No...Spike. You cannot get back into my pants that easily, especially after you insulted me. You said that I was nothing to write home about!" He yelped, still backing away from the vampire.

"Well, as you lot say...my bad." Spike smirked. He advanced on the man-child, a predatory look in his blue eyes. "A bloke can change his mind, can’t he? You want me, I want you. We’re adults, yeah? So, what’s the big deal, luv? Come on, Xander...don’t you want to kiss and make up?" He backed the boy into a corner and pinned him against the wall. "Now, this looks familiar...weren’t we in this position just last night?" Spike purred.

"Spike...don’t..." Xander whispered, feeling a weird deja vu sensation.

"Ah, we’re back to that now, pet? Don't fight me, Xander...don't fight yourself. You want this...want me and I can prove it, you know I can." He began to nuzzle the mortal’s throat, delighting at Xander’s soft, helpless moan. Xander felt his stomach muscles clench as he felt Spike’s cool lips brushing over his throat. Hating himself for doing it, Xander tilted his head, giving Spike more access to his neck. The vamp nibbled his way up Xander’s throat, nipping at his chin and then taking the boy’s mouth in a kiss that made Xander’s knees weak. Every moan, every whimper made Spike’s jeans tighter...Xander sounded so sexy like this...wanton, wild, and uninhibited. "Sweet, sexy boy...before I let you go, I am going to taste every inch of this delectable little body of yours." Spike promised with a husky growl, his mouth a centimeter away from Xander’s. Xander moaned, trying to capture Spike’s lips with his own. Spike growled and lustfully obliged the human after he promised one last thing. "I’m also gonna fuck you through the floor." His words sent pleasure rippling through Xander as images of their naked writhing bodies filled his mind. His hands came up to hold Spike’s head in place. His brain could only provide one answer to that promise.

"Oh God...yes!" Xander said, seconds before Spike's mouth ravaged his.

TBC...